Serum lipoproteins are required for multiplication of Trypanosoma brucei brucei under axenic culture conditions.

Bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei brucei IL3201 and IL3202, derived from two different serodemes, were adapted to grow in a semi-defined medium under axenic culture conditions. The organisms required low- or high-density lipoproteins, isolated from foetal bovine serum (FBS) in addition to components of lipoprotein-depleted serum, to multiply in vitro. Low- and high-density lipoproteins, isolated from a number of different species, were equally efficient at supporting in vitro growth of the parasites in medium supplemented with lipoprotein-depleted FBS. Chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoproteins did not support multiplication of the T. b. brucei and did not influence the capacity of low- or high-density lipoproteins to support parasite multiplication. Removal of the lipoprotein-lipids abrogated the capacity of low- or high-density lipoproteins to support T. b. brucei multiplication.