Insights into Glyco-parasitology

Parasitic infections caused by protozoans and helminths are threats to humans. This is not only because they can be the direct cause of death of human lives, but they also cause infectious diseases in animals, fish, birds, plants and other creatures on the earth which affect human lives. Parasites often utilize glycans and glycoconjugates to infect their hosts, while hosts utilize glycans for protecting themselves from infection. The tactics of parasites using glyco-related molecules vary depending on the situation. For example, parasites use lectins for attachment to hosts, while they use host glycans for evading host immune systems. Some parasitic lectins have potential to be vaccine targets, and a lot of research has been conducted. However, we still have been missing pieces for further understanding of glyco-mediated parasite-host interactions and for developing the solutions to exterminate parasitic infectious diseases.

The aim of this Research Topic is to cover recent and novel progress in the glyco-parasitology field to gain the knowledge to develop diagnostic and treatment strategies for parasitic diseases.

• Parasite-Host interactions via glycans
• Immune evasion strategies of parasites, utilizing glycans
• Glyco-related molecules as diagnostic, drug and vaccine targets for parasitic diseases
• Molecular basis of parasitic infections via glycans
• Structural analysis of the glyco-related molecules involved in parasitic diseases
• Life-cycle-dependent distribution of glycans on parasites
• Glycosyltransferases and glycosidases involved in parasitic diseases
• Glyco-related gene and protein expression in parasitic diseases