Microsporidia Spore Adherence and Host Cell Infection In Vitro

<p>Microsporidia infect invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Human pathogenic microsporidia are associated with severe disease in immunocompromised individuals, and mostly asymptomatic infection in the immunocompetent. Treatment options for microsporidiosis are limited, incompletely effective, and associated with toxicity. Furthermore, microsporidia infection of healthy individuals is poorly understood, and the consequences of asymptomatic infection have not been determined. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of microsporidia infection, but such information is essential for the development of new therapies. Spores adhere to host cell surfaces<em> in vitro. </em>Our laboratory has focused on determining specific host cell and microsporidia spore surface participants in spore adherence. Our previous studies have shown that host cell sulfated glycosaminoglycans and the spore surface protein EnP1 participate in spore adherence to host cells. Additionally, <em>in vitro</em> inhibition or augmentation of spore adherence decreased or increased host cell infection, respectively. These studies demonstrated the importance of spore adherence in host cell infection and began to characterize the host cell and spore determinants of adherence. The goal of this research was to further characterize host cell and spore participants in microsporidia adherence and infection of host cells <em>in</em> <em>vitro</em>. We characterized an intracellular microsporidia protein and related antibodies for analyses of microsporidia spore surface proteins; characterized a spore surface protein, MsADAM, involved in spore adherence to and infection of host cells <em>in vitro</em>; and suggested a role for host cell integrins in microsporidia adherence to and infection of host cells <em>in vitro</em>.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Leonard, Cory A.

• Microsporidia
• Adherence
• Infectivity
• Microsporidia ADAM
• MsADAM
• Integrins
• Parasitology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1191

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2380