Characterization of Myosin 11 in Echinococcus granulosus: implications for host-parasite interactions and immune evasion

Echinococcosis is a widespread and neglected zoonotic parasitic disease with substantial global health implications and economic impact. This study characterizes Myosin 11 from Echinococcus granulosus (EgMyo11), a candidate virulence-associated motor protein implicated in host-parasite interactions. Using bioinformatic prediction, prokaryotic expression, and polyclonal antibody generation, we determined the subcellular distribution of EgMyo11 in protoscoleces and adult worms via immunofluorescence localization. We evaluated the effects of recombinant EgMyo11 on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation, pyroptosis, nitric oxide (NO) production, and cytokine expression using the CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, the Griess assay, and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The results showed that EgMyo11 localizes to apical protrusions in protoscoleces and is broadly distributed in the smooth muscle layers of adult worms; it dose-dependently inhibits PBMC proliferation, induces pyroptosis, enhances NO production, downregulates Th1-associated cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-β), and upregulates Th2-associated cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, IL-17 A). We conclude that EgMyo11 contributes to immune evasion in Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) by suppressing host immune cell proliferation, inducing pyroptosis, and skewing the Th1/Th2 immune balance; it therefore represents a promising target for immunotherapeutic intervention against echinococcosis.