Elucidating parasite and host-cell factors enabling Babesia infection in sickle red cells under hypoxic/hyperoxic conditions.

ABSTRACT: Sickle red blood cells (RBCs) represent a naturally existing host-cell resistance mechanism to hemoparasite infections. We investigate the basis of this resistance using Babesia divergens grown in sickle (SS) and sickle trait (AS) cells. We found that oxygenation and its corresponding effect on RBC sickling, frequency of fetal hemoglobin positive (HbF+) cells, cellular redox environment, and parasite proliferation dynamics, all played a role in supporting or inhibiting Babesia proliferation. To identify cellular determinants that supported infection, an image flow cytometric tool was developed that could identify sickled cells and constituent Hb. We showed that hypoxic conditions impaired parasite growth in both SS and AS cells. Furthermore, cell sickling was alleviated by oxygenation (hyp

SUBMITTER: Beri D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9979759 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature