Premium
Modeling Long‐term Host Cell‐Giardia lamblia Interactions in an in vitro 3D Cell Culture System
Author(s) -
Fisher Bridget Sutton,
Estrano Carlos,
Cole Judith
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.645.3
Subject(s) - biology , giardia lamblia , lamina propria , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , apoptosis , epithelium , in vitro , tight junction , cell culture , immunology , biochemistry , genetics
The flagellated, unicellular parasitic protozoan, Giardia lamblia , induces diarrheal disease worldwide in humans and other mammals. When attached to the gastrointestinal tract, Giardia induces apoptosis of the epithelial cells, disrupts tight junctions between adjacent cells, and increases permeability of the intestinal barrier; however, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of giardiasis are poorly understood. One of the major obstacles in ascertaining Giardia pathology is the lack of a functionally relevant, host‐specific model for studying the long‐term interaction of the parasite with the intestinal epithelium and lamina propria immune cells. Therefore, we have built an in vitro 3‐D model using the macrophage‐like cell line, IC‐21, and the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, CaCo‐2 clone C2BBe1. In comparison to monoculture experiments, the 3‐D model better represents the cellular complexity and spatial architecture of the small intestine. Using Giardia strain WBC6, we have demonstrated the long‐term survival of trophozoites in the model over 21 days. Additionally, we were able to mimic some aspects of parasite pathology associated with infection, including increased apoptosis of epithelial cells through caspase‐3 activation, altered mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling assessed by phosphoantibody cell‐based ELISA, and changes in epithelial cellular permeability. Supported by: University of Memphis Intramural Research Funding