Balamuthia mandrillaris trophozoites ingest human neuronal cells via a trogocytosis-independent mechanism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental protozoa need an adaptation mechanism to survive drastic changes in niches in the human body. In the brain parenchyma, Balamuthia mandrillaris trophozoites, which are causative agents of fatal brain damage, must acquire nutrients through the ingestion of surrounding cells. However, the mechanism deployed by the trophozoites for cellular uptake remains unknown.

Methods

Amoebic ingestion of human neural cell components was investigated using a coculture system of clinically isolated B. mandrillaris trophozoites and human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Cell-to-cell interactions were visualized in a three-dimensional manner using confocal and holotomographic microscopes.

Results

The B. mandrillaris trophozoites first attached themselves to human neu

SUBMITTER: Pengsart W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9235117 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature