Effect of Glycosaminoglycans on Cryptosporidium Oocyst Attachment and Excystation

Abstract

Polydopamine surfaces functionalized with glycosaminoglycans were shown to facilitate the attachment and excystation of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. Our findings suggest that a surface-expressed receptor on the oocyst wall plays a key role in excystation, with glycosaminoglycans serving as ligands that trigger the initiation of the process.