Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Amebiasis

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...

Diversity of Protists II

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...

Acne Infection

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Galectin-3 promotes sialyl Lewis X epitope biosynthesis in monocytes.

Journal of leukocyte biology·2025

Same author

Endolysosomal damage surveillance enables rapid inflammasome sensing of pathogens.

Cell reports·2025

Same author

Anti-Angiogenic and Anti-Scarring Dual Effect of Galectin-3 Inhibition in Mouse Models of Corneal Wound Healing.

The American journal of pathology·2023

Same author

The NLRP3 Inflammasome Is Required for Protection Against Pseudomonas Keratitis.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2023

Same author

Galectin-8 Downmodulates TLR4 Activation and Impairs Bacterial Clearance in a Mouse Model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)·2023

Same author

Induction of CXCL10-Mediated Cell Migration by Different Types of Galectins.

Cells·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Quantification of Acanthamoeba spp. Motility

Quantification of Acanthamoeba spp. Motility

Published on: September 20, 2024

Pathogenesis of acanthamoeba keratitis.

Noorjahan Panjwani¹

¹Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry, The New England Eye Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Noorjahan.panjwani@tufts.edu

The Ocular Surface

|April 30, 2010

Summary

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a serious eye infection. Human tears contain IgA antibodies that protect against AK by inhibiting parasite adhesion and proteinase activity, offering insights into infection resistance.

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Microbiology
Immunology

Background:

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe corneal infection, often linked to contact lens wear but also affecting non-wearers.
Acanthamoeba adhesion to the cornea, mediated by mannose-binding protein (MBP), is a critical step in AK pathogenesis.
Acanthamoeba secretes proteinases causing corneal tissue damage and invasion.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the protective role of human tears against Acanthamoeba keratitis.
To understand the mechanisms of host resistance to Acanthamoeba infection.

Main Methods:

Investigated the role of Acanthamoeba mannose-binding protein (MBP) in virulence.
Utilized a hamster model for oral immunization with recombinant MBP.

More Related Videos

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection

Published on: June 12, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Quantification of Acanthamoeba spp. Motility

Quantification of Acanthamoeba spp. Motility

Published on: September 20, 2024

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection

Published on: June 12, 2014

Analyzed the composition and function of human tear components, including IgA antibodies and other factors, in inhibiting Acanthamoeba-induced cytopathic effects (CPE) in vitro.

Main Results:

Oral immunization with recombinant MBP protected hamsters against AK, correlating with increased anti-MBP IgA in tears.
Human tears contain IgA antibodies that inhibit Acanthamoeba adhesion via MBP.
Tears also possess IgA-independent factors that neutralize cytotoxic proteinases, reducing CPE.

Conclusions:

Human tears provide a dual defense against AK: IgA inhibits parasite adhesion, while other factors neutralize damaging proteinases.
Understanding these tear components can illuminate host resistance mechanisms and factors predisposing to AK.