Toxoplasma gondii GRA3 activates interferon-stimulated genes and STAT6 by the cGAS-STING pathway to promote parasite proliferation.

ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that can establish latent infections in humans, causing toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals. Type I interferons (IFN-I), particularly IFN-β, are critical for controlling Toxoplasma gondii infection, but the parasite has evolved various strategies to manipulate the host immune response. Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) is a key transcription factor that regulates the expression of antiviral genes, including IFN-I and ISGs. Unlike IFN-β, IRF3-activated ISG56 can enhance T. gondii proliferation. Furthermore, STAT6 activation has also been reported to promote the proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii. In this study, we found that GRA3 is highly expressed in the less virulent ME49 strain. Furthermore, we discovered that GRA3

SUBMITTER: Wu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12935302 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature