Apoptosis as a possible mechanism of infertility in Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts

Paredes, R.; Jimenez, V; Cabrera G.; Iraguen, D.; Galanti N.

Abstract

Echinococcus granulosus is a parasitic cestode causing hydatidosis in intermediate hosts (human and herbivorous). Most symptoms of the disease occur by the pressure exerted on viscera by cysts that are formed upon ingestion of the parasite eggs excreted by definitive hosts (canines). Protoscoleces, the developmental form of the parasite infective to definitive hosts, are formed in the germinal nucleated layer of fertile hydatid cysts. For unknown reasons, some cysts are unable to produce protoscoleces (infertile hydatid cysts). In this study, analysis of DNA fragmentation using TUNEL and agarose gel electrophoresis showed higher levels of apoptosis in infertile cysts as compared to fertile cysts. Additionally, caspase 3 was detected both in fertile and infertile cysts; the activity of this enzyme was found to be higher in infertile cysts. We conclude that apoptosis may be involved in hydatid cyst infertility. This is the first report on the presence of programmed cell death in E. granulosus. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Más información

Título según WOS: Apoptosis as a possible mechanism of infertility in Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts
Título según SCOPUS: Apoptosis as a possible mechanism of infertility in Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts
Título de la Revista: JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
Volumen: 100
Número: 5
Editorial: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Fecha de publicación: 2007
Página de inicio: 1200
Página final: 1209
Idioma: English
URL: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/jcb.21108
DOI:

10.1002/jcb.21108

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS