Immune evasion and the evolution of molecular mimicry in parasites.

摘要: Parasites that are molecular mimics express proteins which resemble host proteins. This resemblance facilitates immune evasion because the molecules with specificity to react parasite also cross-react host's own proteins, and these lymphocytes rare. Given this advantage, why not most parasites mimics? Here we explore potential factors can select against mimicry in thereby limit its occurrence. We consider two hypotheses: (1) more likely induce autoimmunity their hosts, hosts generate fewer new infections (the "costly hypothesis"); (2) compromises protein functioning, lowering within-host replication rate leading "mimicry trade-off hypothesis"). Our analysis shows although both hypotheses may parasites, unique hallmarks of expression identify whether selection is due costly hypothesis or hypothesis. show understanding relevant selective forces necessary predict how different medical interventions will affect proportion experience infection types, if evolution ignored, aimed at reducing infection-induced ultimately fail.