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S al Nahhas

Publications and source records attributed to S al Nahhas.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces and hepatic cell activity in vitro.

E. multilocularis protoscoleces were co-cultured with hepatic cells in the presence of IAR 20 or BALB/c 3T3 cells. Hepatocyte activity was determined by assaying transferrin and albumin secretion in culture media. The level of these 2 plasma proteins is higher in hepatic/BALB/c 3T3 co-culture medium. In the presence of parasites, the transferrin level is unchanged while the production of albumin is stimulated during the first 48 h. Our results suggest that the albumin production could be attributed to a complex cellular cooperation between hepatocytes and activated Kupffer cells as previously observed in the acute inflammatory reaction.

3T3 Cells↗

Echinococcus multilocularis: in vitro interactions between protoscolices and Kupffer cells.

Echinococcus multilocularis protoscolices collected from experimentally infected jirds were incubated for 2 weeks in rat hepatic cell cultures cocultivated with or without feeder cells (BALB/c 3T3 and IAR 20). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies were performed during the course of the culture period. Kupffer cells (Kc) were seen adhering to the anterior and posterior ends of the protoscolices. Some protoscolices were fixed to the cell monolayer by a cluster of Kc adhering to the posterior end of the parasite. These cells were phagocytosing the glycocalyx and the electron-dense distal end of the microthrix of the protoscolex tegument. An alteration in the superficial tegumental cytoplasm with extensive mitochondrial damage was also noted. The properties expressed by Kc against protoscolices in vitro might also be relevant for proliferation of metacestodes in vivo.

Animals↗

In vivo cultivation of Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces in micropore chambers.

Micropore chambers containing unevaginated protoscoleces of E. multilocularis were implanted into the peritoneal cavity of AKR mice. Transformation from protoscoleces to fertile multivesicular cysts was obtained after 210 days. Ultrastructural observations of these morphological transformations indicate that a phase of histogenesis follows a phase of dedifferentiation. This morphogenetic process raises the question of the origin of new cell populations. The results reveal the potential role of protoscoleces in secondary echinococcosis and the value of this experimental model for further studies on the larval development.

Animals↗