Prostaglandin D2 induces programmed cell death in Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream form

African trypanosomes produce some prostanoids, especially PGD(2), PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha) (Kubata et al. 2000, J. Exp. Med. 192: 1327-1338), probably to interfere with the host's physiological response. However, addition of prostaglandin D-2 ( but not PGE(2) or PGF(2 alpha)) to cultured bloodstream form trypanosomes led also to a significant inhibition of cell growth. Based on morphological alterations and specific staining methods using vital dyes, necrosis and autophagy were excluded. Here, we report that in bloodstream form trypanosomes PGD2 induces an apoptosis-like programmed cell death, which includes maintenance of plasma membrane integrity, phosphatidylserine exposure, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, nuclear chromatin condensation and DNA degradation. The use of caspase inhibitors cannot prevent the cell death, indicating that the process is caspase-independent. Based on these results, we suggest that PGD(2)-induced programmed cell death is part of the population density regulation as observed in infected animals.