Apoptosis in human Jurkat T cells after culture with live Taenia crassiceps cysticerci in vitro

This study examines the effects of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci on the viab ility of a human T lymphocyte cell line (Jurkat). Both budding and non-budd ing T. crassiceps metacestodes were cultured over 24 and 48 h in the presen ce of Jurkat cells. Cell viability decreased with increasing numbers of cys ticerci, particularly budding cysticerci. Single cell gel electrophoresis ( comet) analysis, which grades DNA damage, showed a significant increase in apoptosis at 24 and 48 h. The morphology of treated cells was determined us ing acridine orange with the classical morphology of apoptotic bodies seen to increase with increasing cysticerci numbers over time. These results ind icate that parasite-induced apoptosis occurs during murine cysticercosis. S uch a mechanism may be important in survival of other metacestode infection s of medical or veterinary importance.