- Toxoplasma gondii,
- apoptosis,
- Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells,
- pregnancy,
- gene expression
Copyright (c) 2024 Suhair Sameer Jasim, Safa Yassin Mohammed, Suha Sulaiman Erzayek, Rand Hatem Hussein, Ridhab Ajeel Jasim
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is a significant health concern, particularly during pregnancy, as it can lead to fetal harm and birth abnormalities. Specific Background: The role of apoptosis in managing T. gondii infection remains poorly understood, particularly regarding its molecular mechanisms. Knowledge Gap: The impact of T. gondii infection on apoptosis in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human umbilical cords has not been thoroughly studied in existing literature. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the activation of apoptosis and its regulatory mechanisms in human Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) during T. gondii infection. Results: Using non-enzymatic techniques, we isolated T. gondii from infected and aborted phase-specific placentas. Our findings demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of apoptosis-activating genes (CASP2, CASP3, Bak1) in WJ-MSCs following infection, with a marked decrease in cell viability observed within 2 to 4 hours of exposure to the parasite (P≤0.05). Novelty: This study provides novel insights into the relationship between T. gondii infection and apoptosis in WJ-MSCs, highlighting the specific gene expression changes that occur in response to infection. Implications: Research on T. gondii's apoptotic pathways is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies to mitigate pregnancy-related adverse effects and improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.
Highlights:
- Increased Apoptosis: T. gondii enhances apoptosis in mesenchymal stem cells.
- Cell Viability Impact: Significant decrease in WJ-MSC viability after infection.
- Clinical Relevance: Insights can inform strategies to reduce fetal infection risks.
Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, apoptosis, Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stem cells, pregnancy, gene expression
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