Thursday, February 19, 2009

Testing antigenic reaction in mast cells

I have a condition called prostatitis. The cause is officially unknown. I have suspected the cells in prostate were infected by the same parasite as intestine, but have a hard time quantifying microscopic analysis, due to large number of cells present in prostatic fluid.
Today, I did a test to see reaction of prostate cells to parasites stored in vitro.
I have the original sample which contains oocysts, and I have a culture of the sub units which are the infective agent I call 'zoites[proven by infection of cells found in saliva].
The procedure goes as follows: stimulate prostate gland using traditional method. Collect fluid on glass slide. Use dropper and isolate small specimen to incubate in vitro for later testing. Use the dropper to prepare three slides.
In the first slide, place 'zoite containing supernatant next to prostatic fluid on same slide.
In second slide, place first sample containing oocysts next to prostatic fluid.
Third slide remains as a control.

Results:
In the first slide, the 'zoites circulated among cells without eliciting any significant granular reaction from native cells.

In second slide, the oocyst containing specimen immediately activated all cells violently.

The third slide showed neutral reaction.

I have not determined that the cells are majority mast cells, same as found in saliva & gut. The nucleus is ill defined. There are some macrophages of monocyte and neutrophil lineage in sample.
The disturbing thing is; there are lymphocytes scouting surface antigens of mast cells.
Many cells are looking ruptured, or distorted. This should be indication of granular release [I hope]. There are also cells which resemble protozoal stage of parasite, and oocysts in control. These structures are different from oocysts found in stool sample [if they are oocysts] and are same size as lymphocytes. It is very difficult to tell them apart. The spheres have high amoeboid-type movement, and protuberances which cause distortions.
Many macrophages have opaque spheres in or on cell membrane which are not part of natural granules. Parasite in other form[s] may be in specimen.
I will need an antibody marker to confirm this.

As you can see, the indications are not good. The parasite may have antigenic immunity in certain stages. The cells in prostate seem less sensitive than cells found in saliva.
The connecting factor is the presents of elevated levels of mast cells.
It could unify some theories on causes of chronic disease if these type of parasites are more common than is known. If say, toxoplasma infects mast cells, it would be difficult to detect among granules. The implications of this are quite significant, given the mediation capabilities of these cells.

No comments:

Post a Comment

To view youtube account my user name is mualfa123 This will enable you to see clips of my microscopic work.