Strategies and results of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) in the study of parasitic protozoa.
Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) provides a range of strategies for investigating the structural organization of biological systems, varying from isolated macromolecules to tissue organization and whole organisms. This review covers some of the results so far obtained using FE-SEM observation and various protocols of sample fixation to analyze the structural organization of parasitic protozoa and their interaction with host cells. The employment of FE-SEM can be broadened through the use of gold-labeled molecules or tracers, gradual extraction by detergents, and cleavage techniques. These analyses provide significant contributions to the characterization of these organisms concerning ultrastructure, cytoskeleton, motility and intracellular behavior.
de Souza
Wanderley
W
Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. wsouza@biof.ufrj.br
Campanati
Loraine
L
Attias
Marcia
M
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000469:parasitology*; D007891:Leishmania / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000469:parasitology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure