IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-An Immunological Wildfire: Trichomonas vaginalis sparks pyroptosis in ectocervical cells

An Immunological Wildfire: Trichomonas vaginalis sparks pyroptosis in ectocervical cells

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session opened with introductions and scheduling notes from the moderators, who explained the format and invited questions after the talks. The main presentation was by Johan Taylor from San Diego State University/UC San Diego on how <em>Trichomonas vaginalis</em> infection triggers inflammatory cell death in ectocervical cells. He described <em>T. vaginalis</em> as a highly prevalent sexually transmitted parasite linked to inflammation, pregnancy complications, and cancer risk. His research focused on whether infection induces gasdermin D–mediated pyroptosis. Using ECT1 ectocervical cells, he found gasdermin D processing, reduced IL-1β and IL-18 release in gasdermin D knockout cells, decreased LDH release and cell lysis, and loss of membrane integrity by electron microscopy. Proteomics and western blotting also suggested release of additional proteins through gasdermin pores. The talk concluded that <em>T. vaginalis</em> induces gasdermin D-dependent pyroptosis in ectocervical cells, with implications for reproductive tract inflammation.

Meta Tag

Date April 16, 2026 8:15 AM - 8:30 AM

Room 153AB

Session Microbial Pathogenesis

Speaker Johann Tailor

Track Microbial, Parasitic, and Fungal Immunology (MPF)

Year 2026

Keywords

Trichomonas vaginalis

gasdermin D

pyroptosis

ectocervical cells

inflammatory cell death

reproductive tract inflammation

April 16, 2026 8:15 AM - 8:30 AM

153AB

Microbial Pathogenesis

Johann Tailor

Microbial, Parasitic, and Fungal Immunology (MPF)

2026