Ultrastructural characterization of the tegument in protoscoleces of Echinococcus ortleppi

Autor: Marek Cyrklaff, Marcela Alejandra Cucher, María Eugenia Ancarola, Sebastián Miles, Joaquín García-Luna, Gustavo Mourglia-Ettlin, Friedrich Frischknecht, Sylvia Dematteis, Javier Magnone
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: International journal for parasitology. 51(12)
ISSN: 1879-0135
Popis: Cystic echinococcosis is a globally distributed zoonosis caused by cestodes of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) complex, with Echinococcus ortleppi mainly involved in cattle infection. Protoscoleces show high developmental plasticity, being able to differentiate into either adult worms or metacestodes within definitive or intermediate hosts, respectively. Their outermost cellular layer is called the tegument, which is important in determining the infection outcome through its immunomodulating activities. Herein, we report an in-depth characterization of the tegument of E. ortleppi protoscoleces performed through a combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Using electron tomography, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the tegumental cellular territories was obtained, revealing a novel structure termed the 'tegumental vesicular body' (TVB). Vesicle-like structures, possibly involved in endocytic/exocytic routes, were found within the TVB as well as in the parasite glycocalyx, distal cytoplasm and close inner structures. Furthermore, parasite antigens (GST-1 and AgB) were unevenly localised within tegumental structures, with both being detected in vesicles found within the TBV. Finally, the presence of host (bovine) IgG was also assessed, suggesting a possible endocytic route in protoscoleces. Our data forms the basis for a better understanding of E. ortleppi and E. granulosus s.l. structural biology.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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