Giant cells: multiple cells unite to survive

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Pratyay Datta¹  Sk Rajjack Hossain¹  Dipak Manna¹  Suman Kalyan Dinda¹  Pushkar Malakar¹  Shreyasee Hazra¹  Naba Kumar Mondal¹  Afsana Yasmin Mondal² 

[1] Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Kolkata, India;Institute of Health Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India;

关键词: Entamoeba;    multinucleated giant cells (MGCs);    encystation;    heat stress;    cell fusion;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcimb.2023.1220589

 received in 2023-05-10, accepted in 2023-07-26,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Multinucleated Giant Cells (MGCs) are specialized cells that develop from the fusion of multiple cells, and their presence is commonly observed in human cells during various infections. However, MGC formation is not restricted to infections alone but can also occur through different mechanisms, such as endoreplication and abortive cell cycle. These processes lead to the formation of polyploid cells, eventually resulting in the formation of MGCs. In Entamoeba, a protozoan parasite that causes amoebic dysentery and liver abscesses in humans, the formation of MGCs is a unique phenomenon and not been reported in any other protozoa. This organism is exposed to various hostile environmental conditions, including changes in temperature, pH, and nutrient availability, which can lead to stress and damage to its cells. The formation of MGCs in Entamoeba is thought to be a survival strategy to cope with these adverse conditions. This organism forms MGCs through cell aggregation and fusion in response to osmotic and heat stress. The MGCs in Entamoeba are thought to have increased resistance to various stresses and can survive longer than normal cells under adverse conditions. This increased survival could be due to the presence of multiple nuclei, which could provide redundancy in case of DNA damage or mutations. Additionally, MGCs may play a role in the virulence of Entamoeba as they are found in the inflammatory foci of amoebic liver abscesses and other infections caused by Entamoeba. The presence of MGCs in these infections suggests that they may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. Overall, this article offers valuable insights into the intriguing phenomenon of MGC formation in Entamoeba. By unraveling the mechanisms behind this process and examining its implications, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex biology of Entamoeba and potentially identify new targets for therapeutic interventions. The study of MGCs in Entamoeba serves as a gateway to exploring the broader field of cell fusion in various organisms, providing a foundation for future investigations into related cellular processes and their significance in health and disease.

【 授权许可】

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Copyright © 2023 Hazra, Kalyan Dinda, Kumar Mondal, Hossain, Datta, Yasmin Mondal, Malakar and Manna