Toxoplasma gondii: Laboratory Maintenance and Growth.
Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful apicomplexan protozoan capable of infecting any warm-blooded animal worldwide. In humans, Toxoplasma infections are life-long, with approximately one-third of the world's population chronically infected. Although normally controlled by the host immune system, T. gondii infection can lead to a variety of clinical outcomes in individuals with immature or suppressed immune systems. After penetrating the intestine, parasites rapidly disseminate throughout the body and stimulate production of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12, IL-18, and interferon (IFN)-γ by immune cells. These cytokines play a key role in host resistance to T. gondii by promoting a strong Th1 response. Recent reports show that gut commensal bacteria can act as molecular adjuvants during T. gondii infection. Thus, T. gondii is an excellent model system to study host-pathogen interactions. This unit outlines the protocols for in vitro and in vivo maintenance and growth of T. gondii. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
Asis
A
Khan
Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
Michael E
ME
Grigg
D032761:Animal Experimentation; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000254:growth & development*
D10; Toxoplasma gondii; human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells; mice infection; passage and maintenance; storage