Balamuthia mandrillaris trophozoites ingest human neuronal cells via a trogocytosis-independent mechanism
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Issued Date
2022-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
17563305
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85132962182
Pubmed ID
35761411
Journal Title
Parasites and Vectors
Volume
15
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Parasites and Vectors Vol.15 No.1 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Pengsart W., Tongkrajang N., Whangviboonkij N., Sarasombath P.T., Kulkeaw K. Balamuthia mandrillaris trophozoites ingest human neuronal cells via a trogocytosis-independent mechanism. Parasites and Vectors Vol.15 No.1 (2022). doi:10.1186/s13071-022-05306-7 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/85293
Title
Balamuthia mandrillaris trophozoites ingest human neuronal cells via a trogocytosis-independent mechanism
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
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 neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and then twisted themselves around the cytoplasmic bridge. Based on fluorescence-based cell tracking, the B. mandrillaris trophozoites then inserted invadopodia into the cytoplasm of the human cells. Subsequently, the human protein-enriched components were internalized into the trophozoites in the form of nonmembranous granules, whereas the human lipids were dispersed in the cytoplasm. Intervention of trogocytosis, a process involving nibbling on parts of the target cells, failed to inhibit this cellular uptake. Conclusions: Human cell ingestion by B. mandrillaris trophozoites likely differs from trogocytosis, suggesting that a pathogen-specific strategy can be used to ameliorate brain damage. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]