The unique stem cell system of the immortal larva of the human parasite Echinococcus multilocularis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is believed that in tapeworms a separate population of undifferentiated cells, the germinative cells, is the only source of cell proliferation throughout the life cycle (similar to the neoblasts of free living flatworms). In Echinococcus multilocularis, the metacestode larval stage has a unique development, growing continuously like a mass of vesicles that infiltrate the tissues of the intermediate host, generating multiple protoscoleces by asexual budding. This unique proliferation potential indicates the existence of stem cells that are totipotent and have the ability for extensive self-renewal.

Results

We show that only the germinative cells proliferate in the larval vesicles and in primary cell cultures that undergo complete vesicle regeneration, by using a

SUBMITTER: Koziol U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4015340 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature