Co-culture of Blastocystis and human epithelial cells suggests mechanism for gastrointestinal disease

Researchers working at the University of Singapore report that co-culture of human epithelial cells with Blastocystis sp. subtype 7 (but not Blastocystis sp. subtype 4) results in a statistically significant increase in apoptosis (spontaneous cell death) and produces changes in epithelial resistance, permeability, and tight junction localization.  The full text of the study is available from Biomed Research International.  

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