A Cell Culture System for Study of the Development of Toxoplasma gondii Bradyzoites

摘要: Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite and major opportunistic pathogen under AIDS-induced conditions, where it causes encephalitis when the bradyzoite (cyst) stage reactivated. A bradyzoite-specific Mab, 74.1.8, reacting with 28 kDa antigen, was used to study development in vitro by immuno-electron microscopy immunofluorescence human fibroblasts infected ME49 strain T. gondii. Bradyzoites were detected tissue culture within 3 days of infection. Free floating cyst-like structures also identified. Western blotting demonstrated expression antigens these free-floating cysts as well monolayer. Bradyzoite increased using media adjusted pH 6.8 or 8.2. The addition gamma-interferon at day while decreasing total number formed prevented tachyzoite overgrowth enabled bradyzoites for up 25 days. IL-6 released into medium 7.2. Confirmation provided electron microscopy. It possible that induction an acute phase response host cell may be important differentiation. This system should allow further studies on effect various agents bradyzoites.