Toxoplasma gondii Migration within and Infection of Human Retina

摘要: Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is a common blinding retinal infection caused by the parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Basic processes relating to establishment of in human eye T. gondii tachyzoites have not been investigated. To evaluate ability navigate retina, we developed an ex vivo assay, which suspension containing 1.5×107 parasites replaced vitreous posterior eyecup. After 8 hours, retina was formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, sections were immunostained identify tachyzoites. determine preference for neuronal versus glial populations, infected dissociated cultures, subsequently characterized neuron-specific enolase or fibrillary acidic protein expression, cell lines, with YFP-expressing In migration assays, retinas contained 110–250 live tachyzoites; 64.5–95.2% (mean = 79.6%) localized nerve fiber layer, but some detected outer retina. Epifluorescence imaging cultures 24 hours after indicated preferential glia. This observation confirmed growth significantly higher (p≤0.005) numbers measured verus lines. Our translational studies indicate that, entering may multiple tissue layers. Tachyzoites preferentially infect cells, exist throughout These properties contribute success as pathogen.