STAT1-IFITM3 promotes autophagy in epithelial cells to control <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> infection.

ABSTRACT: Cryptosporidium parvum infects intestinal epithelial cells, causing cryptosporidiosis in humans and neonatal livestock. Autophagy is an important component of the defense against C. parvum infection. IFITM3 is an IFN-stimulated gene that regulates viral infection through autophagy; however, its role in C. parvum infection is unknown. Herein, IFITM3 levels increased significantly after C. parvum infection and promoted autophagy. IFITM3 overexpression up-regulated LC3B II/LC3B I, Beclin-1, ATG7, and ATG5, but down-regulated p62 during infection. In C. parvum-infected HCT-8 cells, IFITM3 interacted with LC3B, Beclin-1, and ATG5. IFITM3 knockdown or autophagy-inhibitor treatment decreased the ratio of LC3B II/LC3B I, Beclin-1, ATG7, and ATG5, bu

SUBMITTER: Cui L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12274651 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature