College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, People's Republic of China.
PLoS Pathog. 2024 Nov 22;20(11):e1012689. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012689. eCollection 2024 Nov.
Eimeria is an intracellular obligate apicomplexan parasite that parasitizes the intestinal epithelial cells of livestock and poultry, exhibiting strong host and tissue tropism. Parasite-host interactions involve complex networks and vary as the parasites develop in the host. However, understanding the underlying mechanisms remains a challenge. Acknowledging the lack of studies on Eimeria invasion mechanism, we described the possible invasion process through comparative analysis with other apicomplexan parasites and explored the fact that parasite-host interactions serve as a prerequisite for successful recognition, penetration of the intestinal mechanical barrier, and completion of the invasion. Although it is recognized that microbiota can enhance the host immune capacity to resist Eimeria invasion, changes in the microenvironment can, in turn, contribute to Eimeria invasion and may be associated with reduced immune capacity. We also discuss the immune evasion strategies of Eimeria, emphasizing that the host employs sophisticated immune regulatory mechanisms to suppress immune evasion by parasites, thereby sustaining a balanced immune response. This review aims to deepen our understanding of Eimeria-host interactions, providing a theoretical basis for the study of the pathogenicity of Eimeria and the development of novel anticoccidial drugs.
艾美耳球虫是一种寄生在禽畜肠道上皮细胞内的专性顶复门内寄生虫，具有强烈的宿主和组织嗜性。寄生虫-宿主相互作用涉及复杂的网络，并且随着寄生虫在宿主中的发育而变化。然而，理解潜在的机制仍然是一个挑战。鉴于对艾美耳球虫入侵机制的研究不足，我们通过与其他顶复门寄生虫进行比较分析来描述可能的入侵过程，并探讨寄生虫-宿主相互作用是成功识别、穿透肠道机械屏障以及完成入侵的前提条件。虽然人们认识到微生物群可以增强宿主抵抗艾美耳球虫入侵的免疫能力，但微环境的变化反过来也可能促进艾美耳球虫的入侵，并可能与免疫能力下降有关。我们还讨论了艾美耳球虫的免疫逃避策略，强调宿主采用复杂的免疫调节机制来抑制寄生虫的免疫逃避，从而维持平衡的免疫反应。本综述旨在加深我们对艾美耳球虫-宿主相互作用的理解，为研究艾美耳球虫的致病性和开发新型抗球虫药物提供理论依据。
