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 Cryptosporidium 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

SUBMITTER: Korwin-Mihavics BR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12323322 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature