Cryptosporidium parvum induces host cell actin accumulation at the host-parasite interface.
Cryptosporidium parvum is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a severe diarrheal illness in humans and animals. Previous ultrastructural studies have shown that Cryptosporidium resides in a unique intracellular compartment in the apical region of the host cell. The mechanisms by which Cryptosporidium invades host intestinal epithelial cells and establishes this compartment are poorly understood. The parasite is separated from the host cell by a unique electron-dense structure of unknown composition. We have used indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to characterize this structure. These studies indicate that host filamentous actin is assembled into a plaque-like structure at the host-parasite interface during parasite invasion and persists during parasite development. The actin-binding protein alpha-actinin is also present in this plaque early in parasite development but is lost as the parasite matures. Other actin-associated proteins, including vinculin, talin, and ezrin, are not present. We have found no evidence of tyrosine phosphorylation within this structure. Molecules known to link actin filaments to membrane were also examined, including alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, plakoglobin, and zyxin, but none was identified at the host-parasite junction. Thus, Cryptosporidium induces rearrangement of the host cell cytoskeleton and incorporates host cell actin and alpha-actinin into a host-parasite junctional complex.
Elliott
D A
DA
Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
Clark
D P
DP
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000469:parasitology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000469:parasitology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000378:metabolism; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008871:Microvilli / Q000469:parasitology; D010590:Phalloidine / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D019000:Phosphotyrosine / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000199:Actins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D010590:Phalloidine; D019000:Phosphotyrosine