Modeling Entamoeba histolytica host-parasite interactions

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Background: Entamoeba histolytica (Eh) is a protozoan parasite that harmlessly colonizes the colonic mucus layer and feed on bacteria in 99% of infection. However when mucosal barriers are weakened, Eh invades the colon and triggers a robust host pro-inflammatory response with high levels of TNF-a and IL-1ß in innate host defense. Direct contact of live Eh with immune cells elicits a response that is different in both magnitude and quality compared to responses elicited by released Eh components. Only Eh in direct contact with macrophages activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in a Gal-lectin and Eh cysteine protease 5 (EhCP-A5) dependent manner. Gal-lectin forms a bridge between Eh and macrophages allowing engagement of Eh surface cysteine proteinase EhCP-A5 RGD motif to ligate a5ß1 integrin to trigger ATP release for the activation of caspase-1 dependent NLRP3 inflammasome. Eh also induce caspase-4 activation that enhanced the cleavage of caspase-1 CARD domains and both caspase acted together to cleave gasdermin D (GSDMD), liberating the N-terminal p30 pore-forming fragment for the release of bioactive IL-1ß without significant cell death. Although the NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1/4 activation cause elevated levels of IL-1ß release we still do not understand how large-scale pro-inflammatory responses are initiated upon Eh contact with macrophage in innate host defense against invasion. This crucial gap in our knowledge is key to understanding how Eh remains a harmless colonizer and/or invader in the gut where it is controlled by innate host responses. Research Aims and Approach: Over the next five years I will address three complementary aims: (1) To determine the subunits of caspase-1/4 that interact with one another to increase caspase-1 IL-1ß bioactivity. This will be done by identifying the subunits of caspase-1 CARD domains that are cleaved by activated caspase-1 by LC-MS/MS sequencing and by transfecting predicted caspase-1 cleavage sites with caspase-1 and IL-1ß in COS7 cells followed by stimulation with Eh. (2) To investigate the mechanism of caspase-4 activation in Eh-stimulated macrophages. To do this we will first determine if caspase-4 requires a two-signal model for activation and to identify the caspase-4 intermediate forms by LC-MS/MS with enzymatic activity. (3) To quantify what role GSDMD plays in Eh-induced intestinal inflammation. This will be achieved by infecting Gsdmd+/+ and Gsdmd-/- littermates in the colon and quantifying Eh-induced pro-inflammatory responses and cell death by caspase-3 cleavage and TUNEL assay. Significance: This work will define the mechanisms of how inflammatory caspase-4/1 activation through a contact-dependent signaling synapse between Eh and host immune cells deciphers Eh invasion versus colonized Eh to distinguish the severity of infection and tune immune responses appropriately.