The Influence of Different Culture Media on the Growth and Recombinant Protein Production of Iranian Lizard Leishmania Promastigote

Background: Leishmania is a eukaryotic protozoan parasite belonging to the Trypanosomatidae family. The Iranian Lizard Leishmania (I.L.L.), which is non-pathogenic to mammals, shows great promise to be used as an expression system for recombinant protein production. Unlike other Leishmania strains, the ideal culture medium for I.L.L. has not been established, although it is commonly cultured in the RPMI1640 medium. 
Methods: We investigated the growth rate of the wild and recombinant I.L.L. in BHI, RPMI1640, LB, and M199 media with and without FBS, hemin, or lyophilized rabbit serum. Subsequently, the expression rate of the recombinant protein in these media was compared. 
Results: The growth rate of I.L.L. in RPMI1640 medium and LB broth was similar and supplementation with 10% FBS did not affect the growth rate. The amount of protein expression in the LB medium was higher than in the other three media. 
Conclusion: The LB broth is an appropriate medium for I.L.L. culture and recombinant protein production.