Detection of trichomonads in patients with lung cancer and transcription analysis on the response of human pulmonary epithelial cells to Trichomonas tenax invasion

Chun-Hsien Chen; Chin-Wei Kuo; Chih-Ming Tsai; Zih-Bin Hong; Ching-Han Lai; Tzu-Yi Chan; Wei-Chen Lin

doi:10.1016/j.jmii.2024.05.001

Detection of trichomonads in patients with lung cancer and transcription analysis on the response of human pulmonary epithelial cells to Trichomonas tenax invasion

J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2024 May 8:S1684-1182(24)00078-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2024.05.001. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chun-Hsien Chen¹, Chin-Wei Kuo², Chih-Ming Tsai³, Zih-Bin Hong³, Ching-Han Lai⁴, Tzu-Yi Chan⁵, Wei-Chen Lin⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
² Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
³ Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
⁴ Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
⁵ Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address: wcnikelin@mail.ncku.edu.tw.

PMID: 38744621
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2024.05.001

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Substantial research has illuminated the intricate interplay between microorganisms and human health, revealing their role in disease regulation. Trichomonads is a flagellated protozoan in the human cavity and have been previously identified as a pathogen associated with pneumonia, contributing to tissue chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis.

Methods: Nested polymerase chain reaction methods were employed to scrutinize the prevalence of trichomonads in the bronchovesicular fluid of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Subsequently, the influence of Trichomonas tenax invasion on lung cancer cells was elucidated through proliferation assays, migration assays, and transcription analysis.

Results: Bronchoalveolar fluid samples from lung cancer patients yielded positive nested PCR results for eight out of twenty-seven samples. Seven of these samples were identified as Trichomonas tenax, while one was identified as Tetratrichomonas spp. Our findings revealed a significant upregulation of pathways associated with carcinogenesis, including cellular proliferation, migration, and drug resistance, in response to T. tenax invasion.

Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of recognizing the presence of trichomonads and the influence of T. tenax invasion on host responses to respiratory diseases. The identified pathways implicated in cancer development may pave the way for developing targeted treatment strategies for pulmonary diseases. These findings hold promise for informing and improving the precision of therapeutic interventions in the context of pulmonary ailments.

Keywords: Human pulmonary epithelial cell; Lung cancer; Transcription analysis; Trichomonads; Trichomonas tenax.