Interaction of different strains of Entamoeba histolytica with target cells: characterization of electrophysiological and morphological features.
Two strains of Entamoeba histolytica with pathogenic zymodemes (SFL3, HK9), one strain with non-pathogenic zymodeme ("Bru") and one non-pathogenic Entamoeba sp. strain ("cold strain"), were investigated with respect to their interaction with target cells. Three test systems were used: 1) direct microscopical observation and qualitative as well as quantitative evaluation of contact and binding events with MDCK cells as targets, 2) kinetics of cytotoxic activity as measured by means of chromium release from 51Cr-labelled K562 cells, and 3) electrophysiological observations with freshly prepared mouse liver cells. We observed that the non-pathogenic cold strain interacted only shortly with target cells (statistical events, interaction type "I"), but did not induce morphological changes, chromium release or depolarization of targets. Non-pathogenic and avirulent strain "Bru" showed, apart from type "I"-binding, the ability to establish tight (type "II") and long-lasting contact (type "III") with targets, but again without cytotoxic effects. The pathogenic but avirulent strain HK9 tightly interacted (type "II") and sometimes long-lasting with target cells, but morphological changes and chromium release were of a moderate degree during the first 20 min, and depolarization was only a rare event. In contrast, strain SFL3 produced tight and long-lasting contacts (type "III" binding), leading to cell death in 83% (type "IV" interaction) within 20 min, substantial chromium release within 10 min and rapid depolarization ("electric collapse") of target cells.
Kollaritsch
H
H
Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria.
Graf
J
J
Stemberger
H
H
Krumpolz
B
B
Binder
M
M
Scheiner
O
O
Wiedermann
G
G
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D051379:Mice; D013997:Time Factors; D014774:Virulence