The skin migratory stage of the schistosomulum ofSchistosoma mansonihas a surface showing greater permeability and activity in membrane internalisation than other forms of skin or mechanical schistosomula

Abstract

SUMMARYSkin schistosomula can be prepared by collecting them after isolated mouse skin have been penetrated by cercariaein vitro. The schistosomula can also migrate out of isolated mouse skin penetrated by cercariaein vitroand from mouse skin penetrated by cercariaein vivo. Schistosomula can also be produced from cercariae applied through a syringe or in a vortex. When certain surface properties of the different forms of schistosomula were compared, those migrating from mouse skin penetrated by cercariaein vivoorin vitrohad greatly increased permeability to membrane impermeant molecules such as Lucifer yellow and high molecular weight dextrans. These migrating forms also possessed surfaces which showed greatly enhanced uptake into internal membrane vesicles of the dye FM 143, a marker for endocytosis. This greatly enhanced activity and permeability of the surfaces of tissue migrating schistosomula is likely to be of great importance in the adaptation to the new host.