title: Analysis of interaction between the apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii and host cells using label-free Raman spectroscopy.
abstract: Label-free imaging using Raman micro-spectroscopy (RMS) was used to characterize the spatio-temporal molecular changes of T. gondii tachyzoites and their host cell microenvironment. Raman spectral maps were recorded from isolated T. gondii tachyzoites and T. gondii-infected human retinal cells at 6 h, 24 h and 48 h post-infection. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the Raman spectra of paraformaldehyde-fixed infected cells indicated a significant increase in the amount of lipids and proteins in the T. gondii tachyzoites as the infection progresses within host cells. These results were confirmed by experiments carried out on live T. gondii-infected cells and were correlated with an increase in the concentration of proteins and lipids required for the replication of this intracellular pathogen. These findings demonstrate the potential of RMS to characterize time- and spatially-dependent molecular interactions between intracellular pathogens and the host cells. Such information may be useful for discovery of pharmacological targets or screening compounds with potential neuro-protective activity for eminent effects of changes in brain infection control practices.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK. ioan.notingher@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Abida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naemat
authors.forename: Hany M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Elsheikha
authors.forename: Alaa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Sandaqchi
authors.forename: Kenny
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghita
authors.forename: Ioan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Notingher
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005453:Fluorescence; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000502:physiology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D015800:Protozoan Proteins