New synchronization method for Plasmodium falciparum. 2010

Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland. L.ranford-cartwright@bio.gla.ac.uk

BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum is usually asynchronous during in vitro culture. Although various synchronization methods are available, they are not able to narrow the range of ages of parasites. A newly developed method is described that allows synchronization of parasites to produce cultures with an age range as low as 30 minutes. METHODS Trophozoites and schizonts are enriched using Plasmion. The enriched late stage parasites are immobilized as a monolayer onto plastic Petri dishes using concanavalin A. Uninfected erythrocytes are placed onto the monolayer for a limited time period, during which time schizonts on the monolayer rupture and the released merozoites invade the fresh erythrocytes. The overlay is then taken off into a culture flask, resulting in a highly synchronized population of parasites. RESULTS Plasmion treatment results in a 10- to 13-fold enrichment of late stage parasites. The monolayer method results in highly synchronized cultures of parasites where invasion has occurred within a very limited time window, which can be as low as 30 minutes. The method is simple, requiring no specialized equipment and relatively cheap reagents. CONCLUSIONS The new method for parasite synchronization results in highly synchronized populations of parasites, which will be useful for studies of the parasite asexual cell cycle.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008934 Mitogens Substances that stimulate mitosis and lymphocyte transformation. They include not only substances associated with LECTINS, but also substances from streptococci (associated with streptolysin S) and from strains of alpha-toxin-producing staphylococci. (Stedman, 25th ed) Mitogen,Phytomitogen,Phytomitogens
D010952 Plasma Substitutes Any liquid used to replace blood plasma, usually a saline solution, often with serum albumins, dextrans or other preparations. These substances do not enhance the oxygen- carrying capacity of blood, but merely replace the volume. They are also used to treat dehydration. Blood Expanders,Plasma Volume Expanders,Expanders, Blood,Expanders, Plasma Volume,Substitutes, Plasma,Volume Expanders, Plasma
D010963 Plasmodium falciparum A species of protozoa that is the causal agent of falciparum malaria (MALARIA, FALCIPARUM). It is most prevalent in the tropics and subtropics. Plasmodium falciparums,falciparums, Plasmodium
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D003208 Concanavalin A A MANNOSE/GLUCOSE binding lectin isolated from the jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis). It is a potent mitogen used to stimulate cell proliferation in lymphocytes, primarily T-lymphocyte, cultures.
D003470 Culture Media Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN. Media, Culture
D004912 Erythrocytes Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN. Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D005780 Gelatin A product formed from skin, white connective tissue, or bone COLLAGEN. It is used as a protein food adjuvant, plasma substitute, hemostatic, suspending agent in pharmaceutical preparations, and in the manufacturing of capsules and suppositories. Gelafusal
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D046508 Culture Techniques Methods of maintaining or growing biological materials in controlled laboratory conditions. These include the cultures of CELLS; TISSUES; organs; or embryo in vitro. Both animal and plant tissues may be cultured by a variety of methods. Cultures may derive from normal or abnormal tissues, and consist of a single cell type or mixed cell types. Culture Technique,Technique, Culture,Techniques, Culture

Related Publications

Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
November 2013, Malaria journal,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
May 2008, Parasitology research,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
March 2016, Parasitology international,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
March 2005, Experimental parasitology,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
June 1979, The Journal of parasitology,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
June 2012, Proteome science,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
January 1989, Bulletin of the World Health Organization,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
October 1986, Parasitology,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
May 1971, The Journal of protozoology,
Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright, and Abhinav Sinha, and Georgina S Humphreys, and Jonathan M Mwangi
January 2003, The Journal of infectious diseases,
Copied contents to your clipboard!