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Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection
Published on: June 12, 2014
Exploring glycocalyx components powering the contact between Entamoeba histolytica and bacteria during non-opsonic
Elisabeth Labruyère1, Thomas Treport1, Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin1
1Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biological Image Analysis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR3691, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Phagocytosis is a cornerstone of the immune defence, allowing cells to eliminate pathogens through both opsonic and non-opsonic pathways. In protozoa such as Entamoeba histolytica, non-opsonic phagocytosis is not only central to survival but also to its ability to cause disease, with its life cycle closely intertwined with the intestinal microbiota, which supplies bacteria and their metabolic byproducts to support trophozoite growth. Yet, despite its significance, the molecular basis of how E. histolytica recognises and engulfs bacteria remains largely unresolved. This review examines the cell-surface molecules that may mediate bacteria-amoeba interactions and highlights new strategies to uncover their roles, offering fresh insight into the dynamics of non-opsonic phagocytosis.
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