[Signaling role of exogenous arachidonic acid in the invasion of macrophages by Toxoplasma gondii].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the signaling role of arachidonic acid in the invasion of RAW264.7 macrophage by Toxoplasma gondii.


METHODS
Rate of infection was calculated by both light microscope and flow cytometer. Fluorescent emission spectra were recorded using a microspectrofluometer for the concentration of cytoplasmic free calcium.


RESULTS
Calcium concentration in macrophages and rate of infection increased with a higher concentration of exogenous arachidonic acid in a dose-dependent manner. The invasion was dependent on the mobilization of calcium from the extracellular medium and from intracellular stores and followed the influx of calcium into the parasitized cell.


CONCLUSIONS
Arachidonic acid may enhance the rate of infection via calcium transduction pathway.
Peng
Bi-wen
BW
Research Center of Molecular Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004.
Huang
Qing-ling
QL
Lin
Jian-yin
JY
Jiang
Ming-sen
MS
D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology
D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D002118:Calcium