BRUGIA-MALAYI - RETINOIC ACID UPTAKE AND LOCALIZATION

Retinoids play an important role in development and growth in a wide r ange of cells and tissues. The vitamin A status of the host appears to be a factor in the development of certain parasites, suggesting that vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for the proper growth and diff erentiation of parasites. To determine if exogenous retinoic acid is t aken up by filarial parasites, adult male and female Brugia malayi wer e exposed to [H-3] retinoic acid. Results indicated that retinoic acid was taken up by adult parasites in a specific and dose-dependent mann er. In tissue sections of [3H] retinoic acid-labeled B. malayi, label was shown to localize to the cellular and not the acellular portions o f the worms with high density of label associated with both early and late embryonic forms. The specific uptake and distribution of retinoic acid in B. malayi suggest that it may pray a role in parasite growth and development. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.