Entamoeba histolytica
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyCoactosin Phosphorylation Controls Entamoeba histolytica Cell Membrane Protrusions and Cell MotilityInvasive amoebiasis, caused by the intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica, causes life-threatening diarrhea and liver abscesses, but, for unknown reasons, only approximately 10% of E. histolytica infections become symptomatic. A key requirement of invasion is the ability of the parasite to...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyTrogocytosis by Entamoeba histolytica Mediates Acquisition and Display of Human Cell Membrane Proteins and Evasion of Lysis by Human SerumEntamoeba histolytica causes amoebiasis, a potentially fatal diarrheal disease. Abscesses in organs such as the liver can occur when amoebae are able to breach the intestinal wall and travel through the bloodstream to other areas of the body. Therefore, understanding how E. histolytica evades immune...
- Research ArticleInhibition of Amebic Lysosomal Acidification Blocks Amebic Trogocytosis and Cell Killing
E. histolytica is a protozoan parasite that is prevalent in low-income countries, where it causes potentially fatal diarrhea, dysentery, and liver abscesses. Tissue destruction is a hallmark of invasive E. histolytica infection. The parasite is highly cytotoxic to a wide range of human cells, and parasite cytotoxic activity is likely to drive tissue destruction. E. histolytica is able to kill human cells...
- Research ArticleRole of Eosinophils and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Interleukin-25-Mediated Protection from Amebic Colitis
The intestinal epithelial barrier is important for protection from intestinal amebiasis. We discovered that the intestinal epithelial cytokine IL-25 was suppressed during amebic colitis in humans and that protection could be restored in the mouse model by IL-25 administration. IL-25 acted via eosinophils and suppressed TNF-α. This work illustrates a previously unrecognized pathway of innate mucosal immune response.