Effect of estrogens on the adhesion of Trichomonas vaginalis to epithelial cells in vitro.

ABSTRACT

1. To further characterize the basic aspects of parasite-cell interaction, untreated and hormone-treated Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were allowed to interact with T. vaginalis. 2. Among the six hormones assayed, alpha-estradiol caused MDCK cells to become highly adhesive to T. vaginalis. Increases in parasite adhesion of 83% and 68% were obtained by previous incubation of the epithelial monolayers for 18 h with 1 ng/ml alpha-estradiol and 10 ng/ml 17-beta-estradiol, respectively. 3. The estrogenic response of MDCK cells was inhibited by tamoxifen, cycloheximide, puromycin, or 2-deoxy-D-glucose. 4. We conclude that MDCK cells possess receptors for estrogens and that T. vaginalis cytoadherence can be influenced by the hormonal cycle of its host.