Hostname: page-component-7b9c58cd5d-g9frx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-03-16T00:45:43.131Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Giardia lamblia disrupts tight junctional ZO-1 and increases permeability in non-transformed human small intestinal epithelial monolayers: effects of epidermal growth factor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2003

A. G. BURET ,
K. MITCHELL ,
D. G. MUENCH  and
K. G. E. SCOTT
A. G. BURET
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Mucosal Inflammation Research Group, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr N.W., Calgary (Alberta), Canada T2N 1N4
K. MITCHELL
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Mucosal Inflammation Research Group, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr N.W., Calgary (Alberta), Canada T2N 1N4
D. G. MUENCH
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Mucosal Inflammation Research Group, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr N.W., Calgary (Alberta), Canada T2N 1N4
K. G. E. SCOTT
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Mucosal Inflammation Research Group, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr N.W., Calgary (Alberta), Canada T2N 1N4
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

In order to improve our understanding of the host cell–parasite interactions in giardiasis, this study assessed the effects of Giardia lamblia on epithelial permeability and tight junctional ZO-1, determined whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) may affect Giardia-induced epithelial injury, and evaluated if EGF modulates epithelial colonization by live G. lamblia trophozoites. Permeability was assessed in assays of trans-epithelial fluxes of FITC-dextran, and ZO-1 integrity was characterized by confocal laser immunofluorescence microscopy in confluent epithelial cell monolayers. G. lamblia significantly increased paracellular permeability and disrupted tight-junctional ZO-1 of a novel non-transformed human small intestinal epithelial cell line (SCBN). Pre-treatment with EGF prevented the development of these abnormalities and significantly inhibited attachment of live trophozoites to the enterocytes, independently of a direct microbiocidal action. These findings demonstrate that G. lamblia may cause intestinal pathophysiology by disrupting tight junctional ZO-1 and increasing epithelial permeability. Apical administration of EGF prevents these abnormalities, and reduces epithelial colonization by the live parasites.

Keywords

Giardiaepidermal growth factorintestinal pathophysiologyepithelial permeabilityZO-1
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 125 , Issue 1 , July 2002 , pp. 11 - 19
Copyright
2002 Cambridge University Press