{
  "abstract": "Background: Gut epithelium serves as a critical barrier against Trichinella spiralis larval invasion, parasite-derived galectins are involved in host–parasite interactions, including invasion and immune modulation. This study investigated the role of T. spiralis galectin (Tsgal) in gut epithelial barrier disruption and larval invasion. Methodology/principal findings: Recombinant Tsgal (rTsgal) was expressed in vitro and its interaction with intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) was ascertained using immunofluorescence test (IFT) and confocal microscopy. The rTsgal-specific binding IEC proteins were identified by GST pull-down, mass spectrometry (MS) and Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. Intestinal epithelial integrity damage induced by rTsgal was evaluated by IFT, qPCR and Western blotting analysis. The in vitro larva invasive assay was also conducted. The results showed that rTsgal bound and interacted specifically with MUC13 receptor in Caco-2 cells. rTsgal activated MUC13-ROCK2/MAPK pathway, reduced the expression of gut epithelial tight junctions (TJs; ZO-1, E-cad, Occludin and Claudin-1), increased gut epithelial permeability, disrupted gut epithelial integrity and barrier functions, thereby facilitated larva invasion of Caco-2 monolayers. Moreover, MUC13 receptor inhibitor (Cuc D), MUC13 knockdown of Caco-2 cells, ROCK2 inhibitor (KD025) and p38-MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) suppressed this pathway activation, restored gut epithelial integrity, and impeded larval invasion. Conclusions: Tsgal disrupted gut epithelial integrity and mediated larval invasion through binding to MUC13 receptor and activating ROCK2/MAPK pathway. Tsgal might be a potential target molecule for development of novel drugs and vaccines to block T. spiralis infection. Author summary: Intestinal epithelium is a crucial barrier to defense Trichinella spiralis larva invasion, but the mechanism of larval penetration of gut epithelium remains unclear. Galectin is widely distributed in parasites, and plays a significant act in the invasion process and immunomodulation. Our study aimed to reveal the mechanism of T. spiralis galectin (Tsgal) mediating larval invasion of intestinal epithelium. The results of GST pull-down, mass spectrometry (MS) and Co-IP showed that rTsgal bound and interacted specifically with MUC13 receptor in Caco-2 cells. Trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER), gut epithelial paracellular permeability, qPCR and Western blot analysis showed that rTsgal activated MUC13-ROCK2/MAPK pathways, reduced expression levels of gut epithelial tight junctions (TJs; ZO-1, E-cad, Occludin and Claudin-1), increased paracellular permeability and damaged intestinal epithelial integrity, and mediated larva invasion. Moreover, MUC13 receptor inhibitor (Cuc D), MUC13 knockdown of Caco-2 cells, ROCK2 inhibitor (KD025) and p38-MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) inhibited the activation of ROCK2/MAPK pathway, they also abrogated and reduced the rTsgal role on disrupting enteric TJs integrity and barrier function, and impeded larva invasion. Our findings indicated that Tsgal played a critical role in destroying enteric barrier integrity and mediating larva invasion. These insights refined our understanding for T. spiralis larval invasion mechanism and offered a novel potential target for anti-T. spiralis vaccine.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China",
    "School of Basic Medical Science, Putian University, Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ru Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Yao Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Xin Zhuo Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Pei Kun Cong"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jin Yi Wu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Shao Rong Long"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ruo Dan Liu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jia Xu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jing Cui"
    },
    {
      "name": "Zhong Quan Wang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5s067kep18sxg.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0014684",
  "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014684",
  "id": "5s067kep18sxg",
  "issns": [
    "1935-2735"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014684",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Biological tissue/Epithelium"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Digestive system/Gastrointestinal tract"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Cell physiology/Cell binding"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Signal transduction/Cell signaling/Signaling cascades/MAPK signaling cascades"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Developmental biology/Life cycles/Larvae"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Molecular biology/Molecular biology techniques/Transfection"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Biological tissue/Epithelium"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Digestive system/Gastrointestinal tract"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Materials science/Material properties/Permeability"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Biological cultures/Cell lines/Caco-2 cells"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Molecular biology techniques/Transfection"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7213870662",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014684&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-21",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5s067kep18sxg.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:43Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0014684",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014684"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:cell biology",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    },
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:anatomy",
      "subfield": "physiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Trichinella spiralis galectin disrupts gut epithelial integrity and mediates larval invasion via acting MUC13- ROCK2/MAPK pathway",
  "title_text": "Trichinella spiralis galectin disrupts gut epithelial integrity and mediates larval invasion via acting MUC13- ROCK2/MAPK pathway",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:43Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5s067kep18sxg",
  "venue": "PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases",
  "versions": []
}