Three-dimensional (3D) culture of adult murine colon as an in vitro model of cryptosporidiosis: Proof of concept

Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 11;7(1):17288. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17304-2.

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of diarrheal illness and was recently potentially associated with digestive carcinogenesis. Despite its impact on human health, Cryptosporidium pathogenesis remains poorly known, mainly due to the lack of a long-term culture method for this parasite. Thus, the aim of the present study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) culture model from adult murine colon allowing biological investigations of the host-parasite interactions in an in vivo-like environment and, in particular, the development of parasite-induced neoplasia. Colonic explants were cultured and preserved ex vivo for 35 days and co-culturing was performed with C. parvum. Strikingly, the resulting system allowed the reproduction of neoplastic lesions in vitro at 27 days post-infection (PI), providing new evidence of the role of the parasite in the induction of carcinogenesis. This promising model could facilitate the study of host-pathogen interactions and the investigation of the process involved in Cryptosporidium-induced cell transformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colon / parasitology*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / parasitology*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / complications*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology*
  • Cryptosporidium parvum / pathogenicity*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Signal Transduction