Bioengineered 3D microvessels and complementary animal models reveal mechanisms of Trypanosoma congolense sequestration.

ABSTRACT: In the mammalian host, Trypanosoma congolense cytoadheres, or sequesters, to the vascular endothelium. Although sequestration influences clinical outcome, disease severity and organ pathology, its determinants and mediators remain unknown. Challenges such as the variability of animal models, the only-recently developed tools to genetically manipulate the parasite, and the lack of physiologically-relevant in vitro models have hindered progress. Here, we engineered brain and cardiac 3D bovine endothelial microvessel models that mimic the bovine brain microvasculature and the bovine aorta, respectively. By perfusing these models with two T. congolense strains, we investigated the roles of flow for parasite sequestration and tropism for different endothelial beds. We discovered that sequestrat

SUBMITTER: Porqueddu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11865532 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature