ICAM-1/CD18-mediated sequestration of parasitized phagocytes in cortical capillaries promotes neuronal colonization by Toxoplasma gondii.

ABSTRACT: Microbial translocation across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a prerequisite for colonization of the central nervous system. The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii chronically infects the brain parenchyma of humans and animals, in a remarkably stealthy fashion. We investigated the mechanisms of BBB traversal by T. gondii (genotypes I, II, III) and T. gondii-infected leukocytes, using intracarotid arterial delivery into the cerebral circulation of mice. Unexpectedly, parasitized dendritic cells (DCs) and other peripheral blood mononuclear cells were found to persistently sequester within cortical capillaries. Post-replicative egress of T. gondii from sequestered DCs was followed by rapid parasite localization within cortical neurons. Infection-induced microvascular inflamma

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11997185 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature