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Effect of mutagen on cultured Schistosoma mansoni
Abstract:
Although lightly homogenized three-week-old Schistosoma mansoni incubated in Mitsuhashi and Maramorosch insect tissue culture medium or the medium of Weller and Wheeldon produced adherent cell layers, continued growth of these cells did not occur. Non-adherent cells obtained by trypsinization also failed to produce long term cell cultures even after the addition of a range of growth factors. The possibility of producing tumour-like schistosome cells by the use of the mutagen ethyl methane sulphonate was therefore examined. Four-hour exposure of three-week-old schistosomes caused in some worms (a) large fluid filled 'ballooning', which also occurred in adult males, (b) enlargement of the gut, (c) increase in numbers of large round cells within the worms and (d) tissue outgrowths. It is suggested that these effects of mutagen offer new approaches to obtaining permanent schistosome cell cultures.
Insights
Researchers explored methods for long-term Schistosoma mansoni cell cultures. Mutagen treatment with ethyl methane sulphonate induced cellular changes, suggesting potential for permanent schistosome cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Establishing permanent cell cultures for Schistosoma mansoni is crucial for research.
- Previous attempts using standard tissue culture media and growth factors have been unsuccessful in achieving long-term cell growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate novel methods for generating permanent Schistosoma mansoni cell cultures.
- To explore the potential of chemical mutagens in inducing proliferative schistosome cells.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of three-week-old Schistosoma mansoni in insect tissue culture media.
- Trypsinization of non-adherent cells and addition of growth factors.
- Exposure of three-week-old schistosomes to the mutagen ethyl methane sulphonate for four hours.
Main Results:
- Standard culture methods and growth factors did not support continued cell growth.
- Ethyl methane sulphonate treatment induced significant cellular alterations, including 'ballooning', gut enlargement, increased round cells, and tissue outgrowths in some worms.
Conclusions:
- Ethyl methane sulphonate treatment shows promise for inducing changes that may lead to permanent schistosome cell cultures.
- These mutagen-induced effects represent a potential new avenue for developing stable schistosome cell lines for research.