Exploring glycocalyx components powering the contact between Entamoeba histolytica and bacteria during non-opsonic phagocytosis

Phagocytosis is a cornerstone of the immune defence, allowing cells to eliminate pathogens through both opsonic and non-opsonic pathways. In protozoa such as Entamoeba histolytica , non-opsonic phagocytosis is not only central to survival but also to its ability to cause disease, with its life cycle closely intertwined with the intestinal microbiota, which supplies bacteria and their metabolic byproducts to support trophozoite growth. Yet, despite its significance, the molecular basis of how E. histolytica recognises and engulfs bacteria remains largely unresolved. This review examines the cell-surface molecules that may mediate bacteria–amoeba interactions and highlights new strategies to uncover their roles, offering fresh insight into the dynamics of non-opsonic phagocytosis.