Parasites are often tricky to deal with once they are in the
body. However, one may wonder how parasites are just allowed to interact with cells
in an organism’s body without triggering alarms in the immune system. Scientists
believe they have solved that mystery for some parasites. Turns out, some
parasites have been disguising themselves to get past the cell walls of cells
in order to interact with genetic material. Many cells use vesicles to bring
nutrients and materials into a cell and waste out of the cell. Some parasites
are now using genetic material to create their own vesicles to get past the
cells defenses, much like, as some would say, Trojan soldiers in a giant wooden
horse. When an experiment was undergone to test the theory, it was found that a
parasite found in a mouse was able to directly interact with the mouse’s genes,
altering its perception of the vesicle and manipulating its mechanisms to
reduce resistance to the infection of the parasite.
While this Trojan horse situation seems like one of great
danger, many scientist believe it may lead to not only better treatment for
diseases that parasites cause, but even better treatment for allergies since
the machinery the parasite vesicles block are also the ones that trigger
allergic reactions. The vesicles from the parasites also leave very
recognizable genetic material which can often be detected in human blood. This
would make parasite infection detection much easier. Dr. Amy Buck from the
University of Edinburgh’s School of Biological Sciences said, “We can now develop
ways to target this with implications for the billions of people and animals at
risk of infectious diseases and allergy." The research is set to continue
in hopes that other parasites follow the same method of infection and perhaps
viruses too. If more parasites invade in this way it will be easier to guard against
them.
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