In conclusion, we established an in vitro normal intestinal epithelial
model for studying the invasion of IECs by T. spiralis. Our studies
showed that primarymouse IECs have been successfully isolated and
cultured fromfetalmouse intestines. The cultured cells were found to
retain the morphological and immunological characteristics of IECs,
and they were susceptible to invasion by T. spiralis. This normal
invasion model mimicking the natural environment in vivo provides a
readily manipulated and controlled system to further investigation of
the niche of T. spiralis, as well as the mechanisms of immune system-
mediated disruption of the niche.