Figure 6

E. bovis merozoite I production after artificial lipid droplet induction via oleic acid supplementation. E. bovis-infected BUVEC (n = 3) were cultivated in non-enriched (=controls, grey circles, A) or oleic acid-enriched (black circles, A) medium. At different time points after infection (23, 26, 29 and 30 days pi) the numbers of merozoites I present in cell culture supernatants (A) were quantified via an EbMIC4-based qPCR. B Exemplary illustration of a meront I- (indicated by a dotted circle) carrying, infected host cell (17 days p. i.) being cultivated in oleic acid-enriched medium. Note the massive increase of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of the host cell (cyt) and in the meront. n = nucleus of the host cell.