Adherence of <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> to SiHa Cells is Inhibited by Diphenyleneiodonium

• Main Authors: Yeeun Kim, Young Ha Lee, In-Wook Choi, Bu Yeon Heo, Ju-Gyeong Kang, Jae-Min Yuk, Guang-Ho Cha, Eun-Kyeong Jo, Jaeyul Kwon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-10-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>; adherence; SiHa cells; diphenyleneiodonium (DPI); parasite; infection
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/8/10/1570

Microbial adhesion is critical for parasitic infection and colonization of host cells. To study the host–parasite interaction in vitro, we established a flow cytometry-based assay to measure the adherence of <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> to epithelial cell line SiHa. SiHa cells and <i>T. vaginalis</i> were detected as clearly separated, quantifiable populations by flow cytometry. We found that <i>T. vaginalis</i> attached to SiHa cells as early as 30 min after infection and the binding remained stable up to several hours, allowing for analysis of drug treatment efficacy. Importantly, NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI treatment induced the detachment of <i>T. vaginalis</i> from SiHa cells in a dose-dependent manner without affecting host cell viability. Thus, this study may provide an understanding for the potential development of therapies against <i>T. vaginalis</i> and other parasite infections.