Nurse cell

Nurse cell is a term used in biology to refer to a cell that provides nourishment to another cell. In the context of parasitology, a nurse cell is a host cell that has been modified by a parasite to provide a protective environment in which the parasite can survive and reproduce.

Overview

The term "nurse cell" is used in several different contexts in biology. In the field of developmental biology, a nurse cell is a large polyploid cell that provides nourishment to developing oocytes in the ovaries of insects and mammals. In the field of immunology, a nurse cell is a thymic epithelial cell that provides signals for the development and maturation of T cells.

In the field of parasitology, a nurse cell is a host cell that has been modified by a parasite to provide a protective environment in which the parasite can survive and reproduce. This is a common strategy used by many different types of parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and arthropods.

Parasitology

In parasitology, the term "nurse cell" is most commonly used to refer to the relationship between the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis and its host. The adult T. spiralis worm infects the intestines of its host, where it produces larvae that migrate to the host's skeletal muscle cells. The larvae modify these muscle cells into nurse cells, which provide a protective environment in which the larvae can survive and reproduce.

The formation of a nurse cell involves a complex series of interactions between the parasite and the host cell. The parasite induces changes in the host cell's metabolism, gene expression, and cell structure, transforming it into a nurse cell. The nurse cell provides the parasite with nutrients and protects it from the host's immune system.

See also

• Parasitology
• Trichinella spiralis
• Host (biology)

References

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