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  • Title: Trichomonas vaginalis haemolysis: pH regulates a contact-independent mechanism based on pore-forming proteins.
    Author: Fiori PL, Rappelli P, Addis MF, Sechi A, Cappuccinelli P.
    Journal: Microb Pathog; 1996 Feb; 20(2):109-18. PubMed ID: 8722099.
    Abstract:
    There is a controversy in literature about involvement of secreted factors in the pathogenetic mechanisms of Trichomonas vaginalis, described mostly as contact-dependent. We found that the protozoan, under triggering conditions, is able to release molecules that lead to lysis without direct contact between parasite and target cells as a prerequisite. In this paper we characterize contact-independent cytotoxicity using the red blood cell as a cellular model. Contact-independent haemolysis is a phenomenon were pH exerts a key role, triggering the secretion of a lytic molecule and regulating its activity. A partial physicochemical characterization of the haemolytic factor suggests that a protein of M(r) > 30 kDa could be the effector responsible for damage. Furthermore, the parasite-induced membrane permeabilization, detected by measuring potassium escape from the target cell, and an effective osmotic protection by carbohydrates allowed us to relate the previously described pore-forming mechanism involved in contact-dependent cytotoxicity with the contact-independent lysis.
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