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Mei X, Wei L, Su C, Yang Z, Tian X, Zhang Z, Wang S. Advances in the axenic isolation methods of Blastocystis sp. and their applications. Parasitology 2024; 151:125-134. [PMID: 38087868 PMCID: PMC10941048 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a prevalent protistan parasite found globally in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and various animals. This review aims to elucidate the advancements in research on axenic isolation techniques for Blastocystis sp. and their diverse applications. Axenic isolation, involving the culture and isolation of Blastocystis sp. free from any other organisms, necessitates the application of specific media and a series of axenic treatment methods. These methods encompass antibiotic treatment, monoclonal culture, differential centrifugation, density gradient separation, micromanipulation and the combined use of culture media. Critical factors influencing axenic isolation effectiveness include medium composition, culture temperature, medium characteristics, antibiotic type and dosage and the subtype (ST) of Blastocystis sp. Applications of axenic isolation encompass exploring pathogenicity, karyotype and ST analysis, immunoassay, characterization of surface chemical structure and lipid composition and understanding drug treatment effects. This review serves as a valuable reference for clinicians and scientists in selecting appropriate axenic isolation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefang Mei
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
| | - Lai Wei
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
| | - Changwei Su
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
| | - Xiaowei Tian
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
| | - Zhenchao Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, PR China
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Liao CC, Chen CH, Shin JW, Lin WC, Chen CC, Chu CT. Lipid Accumulation in Blastocystis Increases Cell Damage in Co-Cultured Cells. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1582. [PMID: 37375084 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis hominis is an intestinal protozoan that is often neglected, despite causing abdominal pain and diarrhea. Previous research has demonstrated that lipids can be synthesized by B. hominis or can accumulate in growth medium, but their function and mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Blastocystis remain unclear. Our study found that lipid-rich Blastocystis ST7-B can increase inflammation and disrupt Caco-2 cells more than the same parasite without the lipovenoes supplement. Additionally, the cysteine protease of Blastocystis, a virulence factor, is upregulated and has higher activity in lipid-rich Blastocystis. In order to better understand the effects of lipids on Blastocystis pathogenesis, we treated lipid-lowering pravastatin during Blastocystis ST7-B culturing with a lipovenoes supplement, which decreased the lipid levels of the Blastocystis and reduced the Blastocystis-induced inflammation and cell disruption of Caco-2 cells. We also analyzed the fatty acid composition and possible synthesis pathway in Blastocystis ST7-B, finding significantly higher ratios of arachidonic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid than in the other lipid components in lipid-rich Blastocystis ST7-B. These results suggest that lipids play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Blastocystis and provide important information on the molecular mechanisms of and potential treatments for Blastocystis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Chieh Liao
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsien Chen
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Wei Shin
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Lin
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
- Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ting Chu
- Division of ColoRectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
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Noguchi F, Tanifuji G, Brown MW, Fujikura K, Takishita K. Complex evolution of two types of cardiolipin synthase in the eukaryotic lineage stramenopiles. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 101:133-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Abstract
Blastocystis hominis is a unicellular organism found commonly in the intestinal tract of humans and many other animals. Very little is known of the basic biology of the organism, and controversy surrounds its taxonomy and pathogenicity. There morphological forms (vacuolar, granular, and ameboid) have been recognized, but recent studies have revealed several additional forms (cyst, avacuolar, and multivacuolar). The biochemistry of the organism has not been studied to any extent, and organelles and structures of unknown function and composition are present in the cells. Several life cycles have been proposed but not experimentally validated. The form used for transmission has not been defined. Infections with the organism are worldwide and appear in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient individuals. Symptoms generally attributed to B. hominis infection are nonspecific, and the need for treatment is debated. If treatment appears warranted, metronidazole is suggested as the drug of choice, although failures of this drug in eradicating the organism have been reported. Infection is diagnosed by light microscopic examination of stained smears or wet mounts of fecal material. Most laboratories identify B. hominis by observing the vacuolar form, although morphological studies indicate that other forms, such as the cyst form and multivacuolar form, also should be sought for diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Stenzel
- Analytical Electron Microscopy Facility, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
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