Sohn Hae-Jin, Seo Ga-Eun, Lee Jae-Ho, Ham A-Jeong, Oh Young-Hwan, Kang Heekyoung, Shin Ho-Joon
Department of Microbiology, Ajou University School of medicine, and Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea.
Korean J Parasitol. 2019 Jun;57(3):217-223. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.3.217. Epub 2019 Jun 30.
Acanthamoeba castellanii has ubiquitous distribution and causes primary acanthamoebic keratitis (AK). AK is a common disease in contact lens wearers and results in permanent visual impairment or blindness. In this study, we observed the cytopathic effect, in vitro cytotoxicity, and secretion pattern of cytokines in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) induced by A. castellanii trophozoites and/or cysts. Morphological observation revealed that panked dendritic HCECs co-cultured with amoeba cysts had changed into round shape and gradually died. Such changes were more severe in co-culture with cyst than those of co-cultivation with trophozoites. In vitro cytotoxicity assay revealed the highest cytotoxicity to HCECs in the co-culture system with amoeba cysts. A. castellanii induced the expression of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and CXCL1 in HCECs. Secreted levels of IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 in HCECs co-cultured with both trophozoites and cysts were increased at an early incubation time (3 and 6 hr). These results suggested that cytopathic changes and pro-inflammatory cytokines release of HCECs in response to A. castellanii, especially amoebic cysts, are an important mechanism for AK development.
卡氏棘阿米巴分布广泛，可引起原发性棘阿米巴角膜炎（AK）。AK是隐形眼镜佩戴者中的常见疾病，可导致永久性视力损害或失明。在本研究中，我们观察了卡氏棘阿米巴滋养体和/或包囊对人角膜上皮细胞（HCECs）的细胞病变效应、体外细胞毒性和细胞因子分泌模式。形态学观察显示，与阿米巴包囊共培养的排列成排的树突状HCECs变成圆形并逐渐死亡。与包囊共培养时的这种变化比与滋养体共培养时更严重。体外细胞毒性试验显示，在与阿米巴包囊的共培养系统中对HCECs的细胞毒性最高。卡氏棘阿米巴诱导HCECs中IL-1α、IL-6、IL-8和CXCL1的表达。在早期孵育时间（3小时和6小时），与滋养体和包囊都共培养的HCECs中IL-1α、IL-6和IL-8的分泌水平增加。这些结果表明，HCECs对卡氏棘阿米巴，尤其是阿米巴包囊的细胞病变变化和促炎细胞因子释放是AK发生发展的重要机制。
