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Three-dimensional fine structure of feeder organelle in Cryptosporidium parvum

Hiroki Bochimoto1, Daisuke Kondoh2, Yo Ishihara3

  • 1Health Care Administration Center, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-11 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.

Parasitology International
|July 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Feeder organelles in Cryptosporidium, crucial for nutrient uptake, were visualized in 3D. This study reveals their complex reticulated network structure, challenging previous assumptions.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy

Background:

  • Feeder organelles facilitate nutrient uptake for Cryptosporidium at the host-parasite interface.
  • Previous understanding of feeder organelle ultrastructure was limited, particularly their three-dimensional form.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the complex three-dimensional ultrastructure of Cryptosporidium feeder organelles.
  • To investigate the morphology of feeder organelles using advanced microscopy techniques.

Main Methods:

  • Osmium-maceration scanning electron microscopy (OS-SEM) for 3D visualization.
  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for ultrastructural analysis.
  • Assessment of Cryptosporidium parvum in mouse ileal epithelial cells.

Main Results:

  • TEM revealed feeder organelles as aggregated bars.
  • OS-SEM demonstrated a complex reticulated network of stacked membranes (flat bursiform, ring-shaped bursiform, reticulated tubular).
  • The 3D structure is significantly more intricate than previously described.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptosporidium feeder organelles possess a complex, reticulated three-dimensional architecture.
  • OS-SEM provides novel insights into the ultrastructure of host-parasite interactions.
  • This complexity likely plays a critical role in nutrient acquisition by the parasite.
Keywords:
CryptosporidiumFeeder organelleOsmium macerationSEMTEM

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