Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli modulates the virulence and pathogenicity of Entamoeba dispar

Cezar Augusto Vilela da Silva; Carlos Eduardo Costa Dos Santos; Mariana Fernandes de Paula Cortezzi; César da Silva Santana Moura; Ruth Elizabeth Cruz; Camila de Almeida Lopes; Karen Costa; Lucas Teixeira de Souza; Patrícia Costa Lima da Silva; Elisabeth Neumann; Álvaro Cantini Nunes; Maria Aparecida Gomes; Fabrício Marcus Silva Oliveira; Marcelo Vidigal Caliari

doi:10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108750

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli modulates the virulence and pathogenicity of Entamoeba dispar

Exp Parasitol. 2024 Apr 12:261:108750. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108750. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Cezar Augusto Vilela da Silva¹, Carlos Eduardo Costa Dos Santos¹, Mariana Fernandes de Paula Cortezzi¹, César da Silva Santana Moura², Ruth Elizabeth Cruz³, Camila de Almeida Lopes³, Karen Costa⁴, Lucas Teixeira de Souza⁴, Patrícia Costa Lima da Silva², Elisabeth Neumann⁴, Álvaro Cantini Nunes², Maria Aparecida Gomes³, Fabrício Marcus Silva Oliveira⁵, Marcelo Vidigal Caliari¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
² Department of Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
³ Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
⁴ Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
⁵ Cellular and Molecular Immunology Group, Rene Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: fabricio.marcus@fiocruz.br.

PMID: 38614222
DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108750

Abstract

Amoebiasis is a disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica, affecting the large intestine of humans and occasionally leading to extra-intestinal lesions. Entamoeba dispar is another amoeba species considered commensal, although it has been identified in patients presenting with dysenteric and nondysenteric colitis, as well as amoebic liver abscess. Amoebic virulence factors are essential for the invasion and development of lesions. There is evidence showing that the association of enterobacteria with trophozoites contributes to increased gene expression of amoebic virulence factors. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is an important bacterium causing diarrhea, with high incidence rates in the world population, allowing it to interact with Entamoeba sp. in the same host. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the influence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on ACFN and ADO Entamoeba dispar strains by quantifying the gene expression of virulence factors, including galactose/N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-binding lectin, cysteine proteinase 2, and amoebapores A and C. Additionally, the study assesses the progression and morphological aspect of amoebic liver abscess and the profile of inflammatory cells. Our results demonstrated that the interaction between EPEC and ACFN Entamoeba dispar strains was able to increase the gene expression of virulence factors, as well as the lesion area and the activity of the inflammatory infiltrate. However, the association with the ADO strain did not influence the gene expression of virulence factors. Together, our findings indicate that the interaction between EPEC, ACFN, and ADO Entamoeba dispar strains resulted in differences in vitro and in vivo gene expression of Gal/GalNAc-binding lectin and CP2, in enzymatic activities of MPO, NAG, and EPO, and consequently, in the ability to cause lesions.

Keywords: Amoebapores; Amoebic liver abscess; Cysteine proteinase 2; Entamoeba dispar; Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli; Galactose/N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-binding lectin.