Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites transfer lipophosphopeptidoglycans to enteric cell layers

Transfer of antigens frequently follows adhesion of protozoan parasites to host cells. We were interested in such transfer from the Entamoeba surface to enterocytes following adhesion of trophozoites. Therefore, cocultures of enterocytes in vitro and ex vivo with Entamoeba histolytica (strain HM-1:IMSS) or Entamoeba dispar (strain SAW760) trophozoites were processed for immunocytochemistry. The EH5 monoclonal antibody against amoebic proteophosphoglycans marked a dotted pattern on the apical side of enterocytes in in vitro cocultures with HM-1:IMSS and SAW760 trophozoites. Basolateral staining was present in cocultures following dysfunction of tight junctions, or when trophozoites made direct contact with the basolateral side of enterocytes in in vitro and ex vivo cocultures. Based on the molecular mass in Western blot, the transferred proteophosphoglycan was identified as a lipophosphopeptidoglycan. In conclusion, trophozoites transfer LPPG to the apical side of enterocytes following adhesion and prior to dysfunction of tight junctions.