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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection
Published on: June 12, 2014
Entamoeba gingivalis Exerts Severe Pathogenic Effects on the Oral Mucosa
1Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Sciences, Department of Periodontology, Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
The protozoan Entamoeba gingivalis colonizes the healthy oral mucosa with a prevalence of 15%. Colonization can be asymptomatic, and it is considered not pathogenic. However, it is able to invade lacerated oral mucosa, where it ingests fragments of live cells, suggesting pathogenous potential. Here, we characterized the transcriptomes of gingival cells after infection with E. gingivalis using RNA sequencing and observed pathogen interaction with the epithelial monolayer barrier by scanning electron microscopy. In epithelial and fibroblast cells, strongest differential expression showed gene set "chemokines and inflammatory molecules in myeloid cells" (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.9, effect size 5.15, adjusted P = 3.1 × 10-19) and "cell cycle and growth arrest" (AUC = 0.91, effect size = 4.56, adjusted P = 4.8 × 10-9), respectively. The most upregulated genes were TNF (fold change 430) and IL8 (fold change 359) in epithelial cells and ZN331 (fold change 18) in fibroblasts. We showed that E. gingivalis killed live epithelial cells by trogocytosis, demonstrating strong pathogenic potential.
Insights
Entamoeba gingivalis, a common oral protozoan, demonstrates pathogenic potential by invading oral tissues. This study reveals its ability to induce significant inflammatory responses and cell death in epithelial and fibroblast cells.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Cellular biology
- Pathogen-host interactions
Background:
- Entamoeba gingivalis is a protozoan found on oral mucosa, typically asymptomatic.
- Its pathogenic potential is suggested by its ability to invade damaged oral tissues and consume host cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular and cellular responses of gingival cells to Entamoeba gingivalis infection.
- To characterize the pathogenic mechanisms of E. gingivalis.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing to analyze transcriptomes of infected epithelial and fibroblast cells.
- Scanning electron microscopy to observe pathogen-host interactions at the epithelial barrier.
Main Results:
- Significant differential gene expression observed in epithelial cells (chemokines, inflammatory molecules) and fibroblasts (cell cycle, growth arrest).
- Upregulation of key genes like TNF and IL8 in epithelial cells, and ZN331 in fibroblasts.
- E. gingivalis demonstrated pathogenic potential by killing epithelial cells via trogocytosis.
Conclusions:
- Entamoeba gingivalis possesses significant pathogenic potential.
- The parasite triggers strong inflammatory and cell cycle regulatory responses in host cells.
- Trogocytosis is a mechanism by which E. gingivalis causes host cell death.
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