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Metastasis of Theileria annulata macroschizont-infected cells in scid mice is mediated by matrix metalloproteinases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 1998

R. P. T. SOMERVILLE
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, PO Box 373, University of York, York YO1, 5YW UK Present address: Department of Neurosciences, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
R. E. ADAMSON
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, PO Box 373, University of York, York YO1, 5YW UK
C. G. D. BROWN
Affiliation:
Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
F. R. HALL
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, PO Box 373, University of York, York YO1, 5YW UK

Abstract

Theileria annulata (Ta)-infected leucocytes are able to disseminate in scid mice. The dose of virulent parasites of the Ta-Ode line required to achieve quantifiable dissemination was found to be 2×10 cells given i.p. Dissemination was higher on day 11 post-inoculation than on day 18. The attenuated Ta-Ode cells were found to disseminate very poorly compared to their virulent progenitors, which correlates with a marked reduction in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. A daily i.p. injection of mice with BB94, a synthetic inhibitor of MMPs, almost completely ablated dissemination compared to controls. This provides strong evidence that metastasis of Theileria annulata macroschizont-infected host cells is mediated by host MMPs induced by the parasite. This has important implications for explaining a number of pathological features of tropical theileriosis in cattle.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1998 Cambridge University Press

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