Trichomonas vaginalis adherence mediates differential gene expression in human vaginal epithelial cells

Ashwini Kucknoor; Vasanthakrishna Mundodi; John F Alderete

doi:10.1111/j.1462-5822.2005.00522.x

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Trichomonas vaginalis adherence mediates differential gene expression in human vaginal epithelial cells

Journal article

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Trichomonas vaginalis adherence mediates differential gene expression in human vaginal epithelial cells

Ashwini Kucknoor, Vasanthakrishna Mundodi and John F Alderete

Cellular microbiology, Vol.7(6), pp.887-897

06/2005

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-5822.2005.00522.x

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https://hdl.handle.net/2376/110145

PMCID: PMC2562669

PMID: 15888089

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https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-5822.2005.00522.xView

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Abstract

Phosphotransferases - metabolism

Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - biosynthesis

Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - genetics

Epithelial Cells - metabolism

Vagina - parasitology

Cyclooxygenase 2

Humans

Cells, Cultured

Gene Expression Regulation

Tritrichomonas foetus - physiology

Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Cell Adhesion

Epithelial Cells - parasitology

Membrane Proteins

Epithelial Cells - physiology

Animals

Trichomonas vaginalis - physiology

Female

Vagina - metabolism

Trichomonas vaginalis, an ancient protist, colonizes the vaginal mucosa causing trichomonosis, a vaginitis that sometimes leads to severe health complications. Preparatory to colonization of the vagina is the adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) by trichomonads. We hypothesized that VECs alter the gene expression to form a complex signalling cascade in response to trichomonal adherence. In order to identify the genes that are upregulated, we constructed a subtraction cDNA library after contact with parasites that is enriched for differentially expressed genes from the immortalized MS-74 VECs. Sixty cDNA clones were sequenced and to our knowledge for the first time, differentially regulated genes were identified in response to early trichomonal infection. The identified genes were found to encode functional proteins with specific functions associated with cell structure maintenance and extracellular matrix components, proinflammatory molecules and apoptosis. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed expression of selected genes. Further, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein expression was analysed using Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Data suggest that p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and tyrosine kinases play a role in COX-2 induction. Finally, T. vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus but not Pentatrichomonas hominis induce expression of COX-2. This is a first attempt at elucidating the basis of interaction of trichomonads with host cells and the corresponding host responses triggered by the parasites.

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Title: Trichomonas vaginalis adherence mediates differential gene expression in human vaginal epithelial cells
Creators: Ashwini Kucknoor - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Centre at San Antonio, TX, USA
Vasanthakrishna Mundodi
John F Alderete
Publication Details: Cellular microbiology, Vol.7(6), pp.887-897
Academic Unit: Molecular Biosciences, School of
Publisher: England
Grant note: U19 AI045429-070007 / NIAID NIH HHS AI43940 / NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI043940 / NIAID NIH HHS U19 AI045429 / NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI043940-02 / NIAID NIH HHS R21 AI043940 / NIAID NIH HHS AI45429 / NIAID NIH HHS
Identifiers: 99900547383601842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article