Organoid-based <i>in vitro</i> system and reporter for the study of <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> sexual reproduction.

ABSTRACT: Many advances have been made recently in our understanding of Cryptosporidium's asexual cycle and sexual differentiation. However, the process of fertilization, which is required for transmission of infectious oocysts, is not well understood. Typical cancer cell-based culture only allows robust exploration of asexual cycle and sexual differentiation of Cryptosporidium. To facilitate exploration of sexual reproduction in C. parvum we developed an organoid-based culture system that supports Cryptosporidium's full life cycle and a novel fertilization reporter. Organoid derived monolayers (ODMs) supported fertilization and oocyst production and maintained the infection for up to 3 weeks. ODM derived oocysts were infectious in vivo. Fertilization was confirmed

SUBMITTER: Korwin-Mihavics BR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10557739 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature