Peroxynitrite and Peroxiredoxin in the Pathogenesis of Experimental Amebic Liver Abscess

Figure 4

Role of ONOO⁻ and E. histolytica Prx in the pathogenesis of ALA. The early stages of ALA are characterized by an acute and chronic host inflammatory response, where an abundant number of monocytes, macrophages, Kupffer cells and activated endothelial cells produce large amounts of nitric oxide and the superoxide anion. Moreover, these molecules may be released after immune cells are lysed. Therefore, there is probably a high concentration of ONOO⁻ at inflammatory sites, which in turn would promote necrosis and/or apoptosis of hepatocytes. Amebic flavoproteins and Prx play a protective role against the oxidative and nitrosative attack of phagocytic cells and against the H₂O₂ produced by the amebic metabolism.