Acanthamoeba castellanii cysteine protease 3 promotes M1 macrophage polarization through the TLR4/NF‑κB pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acanthamoeba spp., which are free-living protozoan parasites, are etiological agents for Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Macrophages participate in the host defense response to resist Acanthamoeba spp. This study examined the effect of Acanthamoeba castellanii cysteine protease 3 (AcCP3) on macrophage activation during inflammatory responses and explored the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

The effects of recombinant AcCP3 (rAc-CP3) stimulation on inflammatory factor levels and macrophage polarization were examined using murine macrophage cells (RAW264.7 cells). Western blotting assay was carried out for analyzing TLR4/NF‑κB pathway-related protein levels. In addition, phosphorylated NF-κB was examined for its nuclear transport using i

SUBMITTER: Wang ZX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12570418 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature