ABSTRACT
Protozoa of the genus Leishmania have evolved mechanisms to sabotage host-cell signaling pathways to enhance their intracellular survival and perpetuate infection. Recent findings have shown that the Src-homology-2 domain containing tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) is targeted in Leishmania-infected cells. Activation of SHP-1 contributes to macroph age deactivation and to disease pathogenesis. Interference with macrophage cell regulation is a dynamic process and is mediated by Leishmania effector proteins and other molecules that target critical pathways. This chapter highlights the remarkable strategies employed by Leish mania to attenuate host-cell signaling and identifies some of the key molecules involved.
