<i>Eimeria tenella</i> AMA1 regulates host cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and the death receptor pathway

<i>Eimeria tenella</i> can cause severe damage to the organism by regulating host cell apoptosis during parasitic infection. <i>E. tenella</i> apical membrane antigen 1 (<i>Et</i>AMA1) is integral to the invasion process and intracellular survival of <i>E. tenella</i>. To investigate whether <i>Et</i>AMA1 affects host cell apoptosis during parasite infection, we first constructed an <i>Et</i>AMA1 expression system. Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence analyses were performed using polyclonal antibodies against the EtAMA1 protein to evaluate its expression and localization. The impact of <i>Et</i>AMA1 on host cell apoptosis was examined using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide fluorescence staining, quantitative PCR, Western blot, transmission electron microscopy, and other methods. The role of <i>Et</i>AMA1 in two apoptotic pathways was further explored by treating host cells with inhibitors targeting either the mitochondrial or death receptor pathways. The findings revealed that <i>Et</i>AMA1, a naturally occurring protein with cell proliferation activity in the parasite, was successfully expressed and was shown to inhibit host cell apoptosis via both the death receptor and mitochondrial pathways. These results suggest that <i>E. tenella</i> regulates host cell apoptosis through <i>Et</i>AMA1.IMPORTANCE<i>E. tenella</i> can regulate host cell apoptosis through <i>Et</i>AMA1. The inhibitory effect of <i>Et</i>AMA1 on apoptosis is achieved through the mitochondrial and death receptor apoptotic pathways. This study can provide new ideas and theoretical support for the research of coccidiostats and vaccines.