Comparison of the host cells apoptosis induced by precocious strains and virulent strains of Eimeria tenella

The present study aims to investigate the similarities and differences between the host cells apoptosis induced by virulent line of Eimeria tenella (Tsx) and precocious line (PTsx), which can provide a theoretical basis for the study of drugs and vaccines against coccidiosis. HE staining, Hoechst 33342/AnnexinV-FITC/PI composite staining, and ELISA were used to detect the infection rate, apoptosis rate, and Caspase-3 enzyme activity of host cells infected by PTsx or Tsx, respectively. The apoptotic rates and Caspase-3 absorbance of the inoculation groups were lower (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) than those of the control group at 4 h, whereas the apoptotic rates and Caspase-3 absorbance of the inoculation groups were higher (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) than those of the control groups at 24 to 120 h. At the same inoculation dose, there was no significant difference in the infection rate, apoptosis rate or Caspase-3 absorbance between Tsx groups and PTsx groups after E. tenella inoculation for 4 to 72 h (P > 0.05). However, these indicators of PTsx groups were lower (P < 0.01) than those of the same dose inoculated Tsx groups at 120 h. The apoptosis rates of cecal and glandular epithelial cells in the inoculated groups were higher (P < 0.01) than those in the control group after inoculated E. tenella 5 D in vivo, and the apoptosis rates of cecal and glandular epithelial cells in PTsx group was lower (P < 0.01) than that in the same dose inoculated Tsx group. These observations indicate that both Tsx and PTsx inhibit host cell apoptosis in the early development of E. tenella, induce host cell apoptosis in the middle and late stages, and the apoptosis-inducing effect on host cells increases with increasing dose. However, when the same dose of oocysts was inoculated, the amount of apoptosis induced by PTsx in late development was less than Tsx.