Journal article
The marsupial trypanosome Trypanosoma copemani is not an obligate intracellular parasite, although it adversely affects cell health
Parasites & Vectors, Vol.11(1), article 521
2018
Abstract
Background
Trypanosoma cruzi invades and replicates inside mammalian cells, which can lead to chronic Chagas disease in humans. Trypanosoma copemani infects Australian marsupials and recent investigations indicate it may be able to invade mammalian cells in vitro, similar to T. cruzi. Here, T. cruzi 10R26 strain (TcIIa) and two strains of T. copemani [genotype 1 (G1) and genotype 2 (G2)] were incubated with marsupial cells in vitro. Live-cell time-lapse and fluorescent microscopy, combined with high-resolution microscopy (transmission and scanning electron microscopy) were used to investigate surface interactions between parasites and mammalian cells.
Results
The number of parasites invading cells was significantly higher in T. cruzi compared to either genotype of T. copemani, between which there was no significant difference. While capable of cellular invasion, T. copemani did not multiply in host cells in vitro as there was no increase in intracellular amastigotes over time and no release of new trypomastigotes from host cells, as observed in T. cruzi. Exposure of host cells to G2 trypomastigotes resulted in increased host cell membrane permeability within 24 h of infection, and host cell death/blebbing was also observed. G2 parasites also became embedded in the host cell membrane.
Conclusions
Trypanosoma copemani is unlikely to have an obligate intracellular life-cycle like T. cruzi. However, T. copemani adversely affects cell health in vitro and should be investigated in vivo in infected host tissues to better understand this host-parasite relationship. Future research should focus on increasing understanding of the T. copemani life history and the genetic, physiological and ecological differences between different genotypes.
Details
- Title
- The marsupial trypanosome Trypanosoma copemani is not an obligate intracellular parasite, although it adversely affects cell health
- Authors/Creators
- C. Cooper (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaR.C.A. Thompson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityP. Rigby (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaA. Buckley (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaC. Peacock (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaP.L. Clode (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
- Publication Details
- Parasites & Vectors, Vol.11(1), article 521
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Identifiers
- 991005541974407891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s). 2018
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.261 Parasitology - Trypanosoma & Leishmania
- 1.261.596 Trypanosoma Biology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
- ESI research areas
- Microbiology