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Morphological and adhesive changes to cultured chick kidney cells following parasitization with Eimeria tenella
Abstract:
Cultured adult chick kidney (CK) cells inoculated with sporozoites of Eimeria tenella showed progressive alterations in their morphological and adhesive characteristics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that during a 3-day period following the inoculation of parasites there was a gradual loss of contact between the cells. Initially, the cells remained connected by long cytoplasmic bridges but with the breakdown of these, the cells began to round up, losing complete contact with each other and remaining attached to the substratum by means of retraction fibres. By 3 days many cells had completely detached. The factors inducing these alterations were transmissable via the medium as the alterations were mimicked by non-parasitized cells in co-culture with parasitized cells. Studies with the reflection interference microscope (RIM) showed that the changes were accompanied by an increase in the cell-substrate separation distance and the loss of focal contacts. These changes were not effected by substances transmissable via the medium. Parasitized cells showed enhanced agglutination with Concanavalin A (Con A) which could be eliminated by pre-fixation. The possibility that changes to the host cell indicate a rearrangement of cytoskeletal apparatus is discussed.
Insights
Eimeria tenella sporozoites alter chick kidney cell adhesion and morphology. These changes, including cell detachment and altered Concanavalin A agglutination, suggest host cell cytoskeletal rearrangement.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Parasitology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Eimeria tenella is a protozoan parasite that infects poultry.
- Understanding host-parasite interactions at the cellular level is crucial for developing control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Eimeria tenella sporozoites on the morphological and adhesive properties of cultured adult chick kidney (CK) cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying these cellular alterations.
Main Methods:
- Cultured adult chick kidney (CK) cells were inoculated with Eimeria tenella sporozoites.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe cell morphology and contact.
- Reflection interference microscopy (RIM) assessed cell-substrate interactions.
- Co-culture experiments examined the transmissibility of inducing factors.
- Agglutination assays with Concanavalin A (Con A) were performed.
Main Results:
- Parasite inoculation led to progressive loss of cell-cell contact and detachment from the substratum over 3 days.
- SEM revealed cell rounding and formation of retraction fibers.
- RIM showed increased cell-substrate separation and loss of focal contacts.
- Alterations were mediated by factors transmissible via the culture medium.
- Parasitized cells exhibited enhanced Con A agglutination, reversible by pre-fixation.
Conclusions:
- Eimeria tenella sporozoites induce significant changes in chick kidney cell adhesion and morphology.
- The observed alterations suggest a potential rearrangement of the host cell's cytoskeletal apparatus.
- These findings provide insights into the cellular pathogenesis of Eimeria tenella infection.