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Cercarial Transformation and in vitro Cultivation of Schistosoma mansoni Schistosomules
Published on: August 16, 2011
Schistosoma mansoni: evidence that vascular abnormalities correlate with the 'non-permissive' trait in 129/Ola mice
1Division of Parasitology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London.
Abstract:
The pulmonary and portal vasculature of naïve mice of the 129/Ola and CBA/Ca strains has been studied by means of the vasculature casting technique. This involve injection of pigmented vinylite resin into the arterial and venous systems, followed by digestion of the tissues with KOH. The peripheral vessels of the arterial and portal systems of CBA/Ca mice were numerous and highly branched. In contrast, casts prepared from 70-80% of naïve 129/Ola mice showed dramatic reductions in the number and extent of the peripheral vessels. In addition, such vessels appeared severely truncated. The remaining 20-30% of naïve 129/Ola mice yielded lung and liver casts that were indistinguishable from the CBA/Ca casts. Casts prepared from 129/Ola mice infected 6 weeks previously with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae showed the same segregation; faecal smears, together with observations of presence or absence of gross pathology in such mice confirmed that the vascular changes correlated with the 'non-permissive trait'. We propose that such alterations facilitate the reportedly abnormal migration of schistosomes from the liver to the lungs in 'non-permissive' 129/Ola mice.
Insights
Vascular casting revealed distinct differences in mouse liver and lung vasculature. Some 129/Ola mice exhibited reduced peripheral vessels, a trait linked to Schistosoma mansoni infection susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Comparative anatomy
- Immunology
- Parasitology
Background:
- The pulmonary and portal vasculature are critical for organ function and parasite migration.
- Mouse strain differences can influence susceptibility to parasitic infections like Schistosoma mansoni.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the vascular anatomy of naïve mice from 129/Ola and CBA/Ca strains.
- To correlate vascular differences with the 'non-permissive trait' observed in 129/Ola mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni.
Main Methods:
- Vasculature casting technique using pigmented vinylite resin.
- Tissue digestion with potassium hydroxide (KOH) to isolate vascular casts.
- Analysis of cast morphology for vessel number, branching, and extent.
- Correlation with Schistosoma mansoni infection status and pathology.
Main Results:
- CBA/Ca mice displayed numerous, highly branched peripheral arterial and portal vessels.
- 70-80% of naïve 129/Ola mice showed significantly reduced and truncated peripheral vessels.
- The remaining 20-30% of 129/Ola mice had normal vasculature, similar to CBA/Ca mice.
- Infected 129/Ola mice exhibited similar vascular segregation, correlating with the 'non-permissive trait' and Schistosoma mansoni infection.
Conclusions:
- Significant vascular anatomical variations exist between 129/Ola and CBA/Ca mouse strains.
- These vascular alterations in 'non-permissive' 129/Ola mice may facilitate abnormal parasite migration.
- The findings provide insights into host-parasite interactions and disease pathogenesis.
