ScienceAsia 51S (2023): 1-12 |doi:
10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2023.s010
Pathogenesis and innate immune response to the
microsporidian Ecytonucleospora (Enterocytozoon)
hepatopenaei (EHP) infection in shrimp
Pattana Jaroenlak, Warumporn Yingsunthonwattana, Anchalee Tassanakajon*,?
ABSTRACT: Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP) is a microsporidian parasite that causes growth retardation and
size variation, resulting in severe economic losses. In this review, we summarize the pathogenesis and host immune
response to the EHP infection and highlight recent studies that are progressing our understanding on the EHP infection
mechanism. EHP forms environmentally resistant spores as parts of its life cycle. The characteristics of the EHP spores
vary betweendifferentshrimphosts. EHPutilizesaninvasionorganellecalledthepolartubetoinfectthehost. Thepolar
tubeis usedasaconduittotransferEHP?snucleusandpossiblyotherinfectiouscargosintohostcytoplasm. EHPcontains
a compacted genome with ?3.26 Mbp in size. Several metabolic genes are absent in EHP, making EHP rely solely on
host for nutrients. EHP-infected shrimp are more susceptible for secondary infections. Transcriptomic and proteomic
analyses of EHP-infected shrimp identified several immune genes and proteins that are differentially expressed after the
parasite infection. Immune signaling pathways such as Toll, JAK/STAT pathways and the prophenoloxidase-activating
cascade are mainly induced while apoptosis might be suppressed to facilitate the EHP invasion. Antimicrobial peptides
such as a c-type lysozyme reduce EHP infection by inhibiting EHP spore germination while lectins promote spore
aggregation. Oxidative stress contributes to the pathology of EHP and the antioxidant system balancing the excess
reactive oxygen species to protect host cell damage. Further research on pathogenesis mechanisms and host-pathogen
responses is required for developing and implementing strategies for prevention and control of EHP infection.
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Center of Excellence for Molecular Biology and Genomics of Shrimp, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science,
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330 Thailand |
* Corresponding author, E-mail: anchalee.k@chula.ac.th
Received 28 Jan 2025, Accepted 0 0000
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