Host insulin stimulates Echinococcus multilocularis insulin signalling pathways and larval development.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The metacestode of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, a lethal zoonosis. Infections are initiated through establishment of parasite larvae within the intermediate host's liver, where high concentrations of insulin are present, followed by tumour-like growth of the metacestode in host organs. The molecular mechanisms determining the organ tropism of E. multilocularis or the influences of host hormones on parasite proliferation are poorly understood.

Results

Using in vitro cultivation systems for parasite larvae we show that physiological concentrations (10 nM) of human insulin significantly stimulate the formation of metacestode larvae from parasite stem cells and promote asexual growth of the metacestode. Ad

SUBMITTER: Hemer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3923246 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature