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Acevedo N, Lozano A, Zakzuk J, Llinás-Caballero K, Brodin D, Nejsum P, Williams AR, Caraballo L. Cystatin from the helminth Ascaris lumbricoides upregulates mevalonate and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways and immunomodulatory genes in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1328401. [PMID: 38481989 PMCID: PMC10936004 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1328401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ascaris lumbricoides cystatin (Al-CPI) prevents the development of allergic airway inflammation and dextran-induced colitis in mice models. It has been suggested that helminth-derived cystatins inhibit cathepsins in dendritic cells (DC), but their immunomodulatory mechanisms are unclear. We aimed to analyze the transcriptional profile of human monocyte-derived DC (moDC) upon stimulation with Al-CPI to elucidate target genes and pathways of parasite immunomodulation. Methods moDC were generated from peripheral blood monocytes from six healthy human donors of Denmark, stimulated with 1 µM of Al-CPI, and cultured for 5 hours at 37°C. RNA was sequenced using TrueSeq RNA libraries and the NextSeq 550 v2.5 (75 cycles) sequencing kit (Illumina, Inc). After QC, reads were aligned to the human GRCh38 genome using Spliced Transcripts Alignment to a Reference (STAR) software. Differential expression was calculated by DESEq2 and expressed in fold changes (FC). Cell surface markers and cytokine production by moDC were evaluated by flow cytometry. Results Compared to unstimulated cells, Al-CPI stimulated moDC showed differential expression of 444 transcripts (|FC| ≥1.3). The top significant differences were in Kruppel-like factor 10 (KLF10, FC 3.3, PBH = 3 x 10-136), palladin (FC 2, PBH = 3 x 10-41), and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR, FC 2.6, PBH = 5 x 10-41). Upregulated genes were enriched in regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis by sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) signaling pathways and immune pathways. Several genes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway showed significantly increased expression upon Al-CPI stimulation, even in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Regarding the pathway of negative regulation of immune response, we found a significant decrease in the cell surface expression of CD86, HLA-DR, and PD-L1 upon stimulation with 1 µM Al-CPI. Conclusion Al-CPI modifies the transcriptome of moDC, increasing several transcripts encoding enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and SREBP signaling. Moreover, Al-CPI target several transcripts in the TNF-alpha signaling pathway influencing cytokine release by moDC. In addition, mRNA levels of genes encoding KLF10 and other members of the TGF beta and the IL-10 families were also modified by Al-CPI stimulation. The regulation of the mevalonate pathway and cholesterol biosynthesis suggests new mechanisms involved in DC responses to helminth immunomodulatory molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Acevedo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Ana Lozano
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Josefina Zakzuk
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | | | - David Brodin
- Bioinformatics and Expression Analysis Core Facility (BEA), Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine. Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andrew R. Williams
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
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Ahumada V, Zakzuk J, Aglas L, Coronado S, Briza P, Regino R, Ferreira F, Caraballo L. Comparison of Antibody Responses against Two Molecules from Ascaris lumbricoides: The Allergen Asc l 5 and the Immunomodulatory Protein Al-CPI. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1340. [PMID: 37887050 PMCID: PMC10604738 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Immunity to Ascaris lumbricoides influences the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Antibody responses to its proteins have been found to be associated with asthma presentation; however, helminth products that induce immunosuppression have been reported, which also raise specific antibodies. We aimed to evaluate antibody responses (IgE, IgG4 and IgG) to two A. lumbricoides molecules, Asc l 5 and Al-CPI (an anti-inflammatory Cysteine Protease Inhibitor), in an endemic population, exploring their relationships with the infection and asthma. The two molecules were produced as recombinant proteins in E. coli expression systems. Specific antibodies were detected by ELISA. Lower human IgE, but higher IgG4 and IgG antibody levels were observed for Al-CPI than for rAsc l 5. The IgE/IgG4 isotype ratio was significantly higher for Asc l 5 than for Al-CPI. In humans Al-CPI did not induce basophil activation as has been previously described for Asc l 5. In mice, Al-CPI induced fewer IgE responses, but more IgG2a antibody titers than rAsc l 5. Our results suggest that these molecules elicit different patterns of immune response to A. lumbricoides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velky Ahumada
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias 130012, Colombia; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (S.C.); (R.R.)
| | - Josefina Zakzuk
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias 130012, Colombia; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (S.C.); (R.R.)
| | - Lorenz Aglas
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (L.A.); (P.B.); (F.F.)
| | - Sandra Coronado
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias 130012, Colombia; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (S.C.); (R.R.)
| | - Peter Briza
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (L.A.); (P.B.); (F.F.)
| | - Ronald Regino
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias 130012, Colombia; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (S.C.); (R.R.)
| | - Fátima Ferreira
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (L.A.); (P.B.); (F.F.)
| | - Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias 130012, Colombia; (V.A.); (J.Z.); (S.C.); (R.R.)
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Loghry HJ, Kwon H, Smith RC, Sondjaja NA, Minkler SJ, Young S, Wheeler NJ, Zamanian M, Bartholomay LC, Kimber MJ. Extracellular vesicles secreted by Brugia malayi microfilariae modulate the melanization pathway in the mosquito host. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8778. [PMID: 37258694 PMCID: PMC10232515 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35940-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne, filarial nematode diseases cause significant disease burdens in humans and domestic animals worldwide. Although there is strong direct evidence of parasite-driven immunomodulation of mammalian host responses, there is less evidence of parasite immunomodulation of the vector host. We have previously reported that all life stages of Brugia malayi, a filarial nematode and causative agent of Lymphatic filariasis, secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs). Here we investigate the immunomodulatory effects of microfilariae-derived EVs on the vector host Aedes aegypti. RNA-seq analysis of an Ae. aegypti cell line treated with B. malayi microfilariae EVs showed differential expression of both mRNAs and miRNAs. AAEL002590, an Ae. aegypti gene encoding a serine protease, was shown to be downregulated when cells were treated with biologically relevant EV concentrations in vitro. Injection of adult female mosquitoes with biologically relevant concentrations of EVs validated these results in vivo, recapitulating the downregulation of AAEL002590 transcript. This gene was predicted to be involved in the mosquito phenoloxidase (PO) cascade leading to the canonical melanization response and correspondingly, both suppression of this gene using RNAi and parasite EV treatment reduced PO activity in vivo. Our data indicate that parasite-derived EVs interfere with critical immune responses in the vector host, including melanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Loghry
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
| | - Hyeogsun Kwon
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Ryan C Smith
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Noelle A Sondjaja
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Sarah J Minkler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Sophie Young
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Nicolas J Wheeler
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, USA
| | - Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lyric C Bartholomay
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael J Kimber
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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Tanna T, Platt RJ. Microbial medics diagnose and treat gut inflammation. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:164-166. [PMID: 36758514 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Engineered microbes show potential for diagnosing and treating diseases. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Zou et al. develop an "intelligent" bacterial strain that detects and monitors an inflammation biomarker in the gut and responds by releasing an immunomodulator, thereby combining diagnosis and therapy for intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanmay Tanna
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich; Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Computer Science, ETH Zurich; Universitätstrasse 6, 8092 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Randall J Platt
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich; Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Botnar Research Center for Child Health, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland; NCCR MSE, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
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Reverse vaccinology assisted design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine to target Wuchereria bancrofti cystatin: An immunoinformatics approach. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 115:109639. [PMID: 36586276 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are the critical mediators of immunomodulation exerted by the filarial parasites to bypass and divert host immunity. Cystatin is a small (∼15 kDa) immunomodulatory filarial protein and known to contribute in the immunomodulation strategy by inducing anti-inflammatory response through alternative activation of macrophages. Recently, Wuchereria bancrofti cystatin has been discovered as a ligand of human toll-like receptor 4 which is key behind the cystatin-induced anti-inflammatory response in major human antigen-presenting cells. Considering the pivotal role of cystatin in the immunobiology of filariasis, cystatin could be an efficacious target for developing vaccine. Herein, we present the design and in-silico analyses of a multi-epitope-based peptide vaccine to target W. bancrofti cystatin through immune-informatics approaches. The 262 amino acid long antigen construct comprises 9 MHC-I epitopes and MHC-II epitopes linked together by GPGPG peptide alongside an adjuvant (50S ribosomal protein L7/L12) at N terminus and 6 His tags at C terminus. Molecular docking study reveals that the peptide could trigger TLR4-MD2 to induce protective innate immune responses while the induced adaptive responses were found to be mediated by IgG, IgM and Th1 mediated responses. Notably, the designed vaccine exhibits high stability and no allergenicity in-silico. Furthermore, the muti epitope-vaccine was also predicted for its RNA structure and cloned in pET30ax for further experimental validation. Taken together, this study presents a novel multi-epitope peptide vaccine for triggering efficient innate and adaptive immune responses against W. bancrofti to intervene LF through immunotherapy.
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Loghry HJ, Sondjaja NA, Minkler SJ, Kimber MJ. Secreted filarial nematode galectins modulate host immune cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:952104. [PMID: 36032131 PMCID: PMC9402972 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.952104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne disease caused by filarial nematodes including Brugia malayi. Over 860 million people worldwide are infected or at risk of infection in 72 endemic countries. The absence of a protective vaccine means that current control strategies rely on mass drug administration programs that utilize inadequate drugs that cannot effectively kill adult parasites, thus established infections are incurable. Progress to address deficiencies in the approach to LF control is hindered by a poor mechanistic understanding of host-parasite interactions, including mechanisms of host immunomodulation by the parasite, a critical adaptation for establishing and maintaining infections. The canonical type 2 host response to helminth infection characterized by anti-inflammatory and regulatory immune phenotypes is modified by filarial nematodes during chronic LF. Current efforts at identifying parasite-derived factors driving this modification focus on parasite excretory-secretory products (ESP), including extracellular vesicles (EVs). We have previously profiled the cargo of B. malayi EVs and identified B. malayi galectin-1 and galectin-2 as among the most abundant EV proteins. In this study we further investigated the function of these proteins. Sequence analysis of the parasite galectins revealed highest homology to mammalian galectin-9 and functional characterization identified similar substrate affinities consistent with this designation. Immunological assays showed that Bma-LEC-2 is a bioactive protein that can polarize macrophages to an alternatively activated phenotype and selectively induce apoptosis in Th1 cells. Our data shows that an abundantly secreted parasite galectin is immunomodulatory and induces phenotypes consistent with the modified type 2 response characteristic of chronic LF infection.
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Zhan B, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Lustigman S. Advancing a Human Onchocerciasis Vaccine From Antigen Discovery to Efficacy Studies Against Natural Infection of Cattle With Onchocerca ochengi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:869039. [PMID: 35444961 PMCID: PMC9015098 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.869039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human onchocerciasis is a devastating neglected tropical disease caused by infection of the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus. The infection can cause irreversible visual impairment or blindness and stigmatizing dermatitis. More than 32 million people were estimated to be infected with O. volvulus in Africa, and 385,000 suffered from blindness. Even though the implementation of mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin has reduced the global prevalence of onchocerciasis, O. volvulus infection remains challenging to control because MDA with ivermectin cannot be implemented in endemic areas co-endemic with loiasis due to the risk of severe adverse events. There is also emerging drug resistance to ivermectin that further complicates the elimination of onchocerciasis. Thus, the development of a vaccine that would induce protective immunity and reduce infection burden is essential. Efforts to develop prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccines for onchocerciasis have been explored since the late 1980s by many researchers and entities, and here we summarize the recent advances made in the development of vaccines against the infection of O. volvulus and onchocerciasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhan
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sara Lustigman
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, United States
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8
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Shi W, Xu N, Wang X, Vallée I, Liu M, Liu X. Helminth Therapy for Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: Current and Future Perspectives. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:475-491. [PMID: 35087284 PMCID: PMC8789313 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s348079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Shi
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ning Xu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuelin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, People’s Republic of China
| | - Isabelle Vallée
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Mingyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Xiaolei Liu; Mingyuan Liu, Tel +86-15943092280; +86-13019125996, Email ;
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A Helminth-Derived Chitinase Structurally Similar to Mammalian Chitinase Displays Immunomodulatory Properties in Inflammatory Lung Disease. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6234836. [PMID: 34869783 PMCID: PMC8639245 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6234836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunomodulation of airway hyperreactivity by excretory-secretory (ES) products of the first larval stage (L1) of the gastrointestinal nematode Trichuris suis is reported by us and others. Here, we aimed to identify the proteins accounting for the modulatory effects of the T. suis L1 ES proteins and studied six selected T. suis L1 proteins for their immunomodulatory efficacy in a murine OVA-induced allergic airway disease model. In particular, an enzymatically active T. suis chitinase mediated amelioration of clinical signs of airway hyperreactivity, primarily associated with suppression of eosinophil recruitment into the lung, the associated chemokines, and increased numbers of RELMα+ interstitial lung macrophages. While there is no indication of T. suis chitinase directly interfering with dendritic cell activation or antigen presentation to CD4 T cells, treatment of allergic mice with the worm chitinase influenced the hosts' own chitinase activity in the inflamed lung. The three-dimensional structure of the T. suis chitinase as determined by high-resolution X-ray crystallography revealed high similarities to mouse acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) but a unique ability of T. suis chitinase to form dimers. Our data indicate that the structural similarities between the parasite and host chitinase contribute to the disease-ameliorating effect of the helminth-derived chitinase on allergic lung inflammation.
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Risch F, Ritter M, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. Human filariasis-contributions of the Litomosoides sigmodontis and Acanthocheilonema viteae animal model. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4125-4143. [PMID: 33547508 PMCID: PMC8599372 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07026-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Filariae are vector-borne parasitic nematodes that are endemic worldwide, in tropical and subtropical regions. Important human filariae spp. include Onchocerca volvulus, Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp., and Loa loa and Mansonella spp. causing onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis (lymphedema and hydrocele), loiasis (eye worm), and mansonelliasis, respectively. It is estimated that over 1 billion individuals live in endemic regions where filarial diseases are a public health concern contributing to significant disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Thus, efforts to control and eliminate filarial diseases were already launched by the WHO in the 1970s, especially against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, and are mainly based on mass drug administration (MDA) of microfilaricidal drugs (ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, albendazole) to filarial endemic areas accompanied with vector control strategies with the goal to reduce the transmission. With the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it was decided to eliminate transmission of onchocerciasis and stop lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem by 2030. It was also requested that novel drugs and treatment strategies be developed. Mouse models provide an important platform for anti-filarial drug research in a preclinical setting. This review presents an overview about the Litomosoides sigmodontis and Acanthocheilonema viteae filarial mouse models and their role in immunological research as well as preclinical studies about novel anti-filarial drugs and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Risch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany.
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Lechner A, Bohnacker S, Esser-von Bieren J. Macrophage regulation & function in helminth infection. Semin Immunol 2021; 53:101526. [PMID: 34802871 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2021.101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages are innate immune cells with essential roles in host defense, inflammation, immune regulation and repair. During infection with multicellular helminth parasites, macrophages contribute to pathogen trapping and killing as well as to tissue repair and the resolution of type 2 inflammation. Macrophages produce a broad repertoire of effector molecules, including enzymes, cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that govern anti-helminth immunity and repair of parasite-induced tissue damage. Helminth infection and the associated type 2 immune response induces an alternatively activated macrophage (AAM) phenotype that - beyond driving host defense - prevents aberrant Th2 cell activation and type 2 immunopathology. The immune regulatory potential of macrophages is exploited by helminth parasites that induce the production of anti-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin 10 or prostaglandin E2 to evade host immunity. Here, we summarize current insights into the mechanisms of macrophage-mediated host defense and repair during helminth infection and highlight recent progress on the immune regulatory crosstalk between macrophages and helminth parasites. We also point out important remaining questions such as the translation of findings from murine models to human settings of helminth infection as well as long-term consequences of helminth-induced macrophage reprogramming for subsequent host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonie Lechner
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, 80802, Munich, Germany
| | - Sina Bohnacker
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, 80802, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Esser-von Bieren
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, 80802, Munich, Germany.
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Montaño KJ, Cuéllar C, Sotillo J. Rodent Models for the Study of Soil-Transmitted Helminths: A Proteomics Approach. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:639573. [PMID: 33968800 PMCID: PMC8100317 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.639573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) affect hundreds of millions worldwide and are some of the most important neglected tropical diseases in terms of morbidity. Due to the difficulty in studying STH human infections, rodent models have become increasingly used, mainly because of their similarities in life cycle. Ascaris suum and Trichuris muris have been proven appropriate and low maintenance models for the study of ascariasis and trichuriasis. In the case of hookworms, despite most of the murine models do not fully reproduce the life cycle of Necator americanus, their proteomic similarity makes them highly suitable for the development of novel vaccine candidates and for the study of hookworm biological features. Furthermore, these models have been helpful in elucidating some basic aspects of our immune system, and are currently being used by numerous researchers to develop novel molecules with immunomodulatory proteins. Herein we review the similarities in the proteomic composition between Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri and Trichuris muris and their respective human counterpart with a focus on the vaccine candidates and immunomodulatory proteins being currently studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Montaño
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Cuéllar
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Sotillo
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Caraballo L, Zakzuk J, Acevedo N. Helminth-derived cystatins: the immunomodulatory properties of an Ascaris lumbricoides cystatin. Parasitology 2021; 148:1-13. [PMID: 33563346 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Helminth infections such as ascariasis elicit a type 2 immune response resembling that involved in allergic inflammation, but differing to allergy, they are also accompanied with strong immunomodulation. This has stimulated an increasing number of investigations, not only to better understand the mechanisms of allergy and helminth immunity but to find parasite-derived anti-inflammatory products that could improve the current treatments of chronic non-communicable inflammatory diseases such as asthma. A great number of helminth-derived immunomodulators have been discovered and some of them extensively analysed, showing their potential use as anti-inflammatory drugs in clinical settings. Since Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the most successful parasites, several groups have focused on the immunomodulatory properties of this helminth. As a result, several excretory/secretory components and purified molecules have been analysed, revealing interesting anti-inflammatory activities potentially useful as therapeutic tools. One of these molecules is A. lumbricoides cystatin, whose genomic, cellular, molecular, and immunomodulatory properties are described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
| | - Josefina Zakzuk
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
| | - Nathalie Acevedo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
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Zhang F, Yang Y, Gao C, Yao Y, Xia R, Hu J, Ran C, Zhang Z, Zhou Z. Bioinformatics analysis and characterization of a secretory cystatin from Thelohanellus kitauei. AMB Express 2020; 10:116. [PMID: 32577834 PMCID: PMC7311561 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-020-01052-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Thelohanellus kitauei, is a member of obligate parasitic myxozoans, which causes intestinal giant-cystic disease of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and has resulted in significant economic losses in carp farms. Cystatin secreted by parasites can regulate the immune response of host to facilitate parasite's survival. In this study, the secretory TK-cystatin gene, encoding a protein of 120 amino acid residues (13.65 kDa), was cloned from T. kitauei genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that TK-cystatin gene is closely related to the cystatin-A from Hydra vulgaris. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that TK-cystatin had three conserved motifs: N-terminal G19G20, Q73VVAG77, and C-terminal L102P103. Molecular docking between TK-cystatin and three cysteine proteases showed a lower binding energy (- 13 KJ/mol) with cathepsin L whereas a higher binding energy (- 8.6 KJ/mol) with cathepsin B. TK-cystatin gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. Activity assays revealed that TK-cystatin has stronger inhibitory activity on endopeptidases (papain and cathepsin L) and weaker inhibitory activity on exopeptidase (cathepsin B). TK-cystatin was stable under the condition of acidity or alkalinity or below 57 °C. This study laid a foundation for the design and development of the anti-T. kitauei vaccine in carp culture in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengli Zhang
- Sino-Norway Fish Gastrointestinal Microbiota Joint Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yalin Yang
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Chenchen Gao
- Sino-Norway Fish Gastrointestinal Microbiota Joint Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yao
- Sino-Norway Fish Gastrointestinal Microbiota Joint Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Rui Xia
- Sino-Norway Fish Gastrointestinal Microbiota Joint Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Juan Hu
- Sino-Norway Fish Gastrointestinal Microbiota Joint Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chao Ran
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhigang Zhou
- Sino-Norway Fish Gastrointestinal Microbiota Joint Lab, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Khatri V, Chauhan N, Kalyanasundaram R. Parasite Cystatin: Immunomodulatory Molecule with Therapeutic Activity against Immune Mediated Disorders. Pathogens 2020; 9:E431. [PMID: 32486220 PMCID: PMC7350340 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of parasites or their products for treating chronic inflammation associated diseases (CIADs) has generated significant attention recently. Findings from basic and clinical research have provided valuable information on strengthening the notion that parasites' molecules can be developed as biotherapeutic agents. Completion of the genome, secreotome, and proteome of the parasites has provided an excellent platform for screening and identifying several host immunomodulatory molecules from the parasites and evaluate their therapeutic potential for CIADs. One of the widely studied host immunomodulatory molecules of the parasites is the cysteine protease inhibitor (cystatin), which is primarily secreted by the parasites to evade host immune responses. In this review, we have attempted to summarize the findings to date on the use of helminth parasite-derived cystatin as a therapeutic agent against CIADs. Although several studies suggest a role for alternatively activated macrophages, other regulatory cells, and immunosuppressive molecules, in this immunoregulatory activity of the parasite-derived cystatin, there is still no clear demonstration as to how cystatin induces its anti-inflammatory effect in suppressing CIADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Khatri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL 61107, USA; (N.C.); (R.K.)
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Molecular Characterization of a Dirofilaria immitis Cysteine Protease Inhibitor (Cystatin) and Its Possible Role in Filarial Immune Evasion. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10040300. [PMID: 31013806 PMCID: PMC6523577 DOI: 10.3390/genes10040300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), spread via mosquito vectors, causes coughing, asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis in humans and other animals. The disease is especially severe and often fatal in dogs and represents a serious threat to public health worldwide. Cysteine protease inhibitors (CPIs), also known as cystatins, are major immunomodulators of the host immune response during nematode infections. Herein, we cloned and expressed the cystatin Di-CPI from D. immitis. Sequence analysis revealed two specific cystatin-like domains, a Q-x-V-x-G motif, and a SND motif. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Di-CPI is a member of the second subgroup of nematode type II cystatins. Probing of D. immitis total proteins with anti-rDi-CPI polyclonal antibody revealed a weak signal, and immunofluorescence-based histochemical analysis showed that native Di-CPI is mainly localized in the cuticle of male and female worms and the gut of male worms. Treatment of canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs) with recombinant Di-CPI induced a Th2-type immune response characterized by high expression of the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10. Proliferation assays showed that Di-CPI inhibits the proliferation of canine PMBCs by 15%. Together, the results indicate that Di-CPI might be related to cellular hyporesponsiveness in dirofilariasis and may help D. immitis to evade the host immune system.
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Buerfent BC, Gölz L, Hofmann A, Rühl H, Stamminger W, Fricker N, Hess T, Oldenburg J, Nöthen MM, Schumacher J, Hübner MP, Hoerauf A. Transcriptome-wide analysis of filarial extract-primed human monocytes reveal changes in LPS-induced PTX3 expression levels. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2562. [PMID: 30796272 PMCID: PMC6385373 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38985-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Filarial nematodes modulate immune responses in their host to enable their survival and mediate protective effects against autoimmunity and allergies. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory capacity of extracts from the human pathogenic filaria Brugia malayi (BmA) on human monocyte responses in a transcriptome-wide manner to identify associated pathways and diseases. As previous transcriptome studies often observed quiescent responses of innate cells to filariae, the potential of BmA to alter LPS driven responses was investigated by analyzing >47.000 transcripts of monocytes from healthy male volunteers stimulated with BmA, Escherichia coli LPS or a sequential stimulation of both. In comparison to ~2200 differentially expressed genes in LPS-only stimulated monocytes, only a limited number of differentially expressed genes were identified upon BmA priming before LPS re-stimulation with only PTX3↓ reaching statistical significance after correcting for multiple testing. Nominal significant differences were reached for metallothioneins↑, MMP9↑, CXCL5/ENA-78↑, CXCL6/GCP-2↑, TNFRSF21↓, and CCL20/MIP3α↓ and were confirmed by qPCR or ELISA. Flow cytometric analysis of activation markers revealed a reduced LPS-induced expression of HLA-DR and CD86 on BmA-primed monocytes as well as a reduced apoptosis of BmA-stimulated monocytes. While our experimental design does not allow a stringent extrapolation of our results to the development of filarial pathology, several genes that were identified in BmA-primed monocytes had previously been associated with filarial pathology, supporting the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- B C Buerfent
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - L Gölz
- Department of Orthodontics, Center of Dento-Maxillo-Facial Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Orthodontics and Orofacial Orthopedics, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Hofmann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - H Rühl
- Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - W Stamminger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - N Fricker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - T Hess
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - J Oldenburg
- Institute of Experimental Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - M M Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - J Schumacher
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - M P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - A Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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18
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Zakeri A, Hansen EP, Andersen SD, Williams AR, Nejsum P. Immunomodulation by Helminths: Intracellular Pathways and Extracellular Vesicles. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2349. [PMID: 30369927 PMCID: PMC6194161 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth parasites are masters at manipulating host immune responses, using an array of sophisticated mechanisms. One of the major mechanisms enabling helminths to establish chronic infections is the targeting of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) including toll-like receptors, C-type lectin receptors, and the inflammasome. Given the critical role of these receptors and their intracellular pathways in regulating innate inflammatory responses, and also directing adaptive immunity toward Th1 and Th2 responses, recognition of the pathways triggered and/or modulated by helminths and their products will provide detailed insights about how helminths are able to establish an immunoregulatory environment. However, helminths also target PRRs-independent mechanisms (and most likely other yet unknown mechanisms and pathways) underpinning the battery of different molecules helminths produce. Herein, the current knowledge on intracellular pathways in antigen presenting cells activated by helminth-derived biomolecules is reviewed. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of helminth-derived vesicles as a less-appreciated components released during infection, their role in activating these host intracellular pathways, and their implication in the development of new therapeutic approaches for inflammatory diseases and the possibility of designing a new generation of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Zakeri
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eline P. Hansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Sidsel D. Andersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andrew R. Williams
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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19
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Obieglo K, Schuijs MJ, Ozir-Fazalalikhan A, Otto F, van Wijck Y, Boon L, Lambrecht BN, Taube C, Smits HH. Isolated Schistosoma mansoni eggs prevent allergic airway inflammation. Parasite Immunol 2018; 40:e12579. [PMID: 30107039 PMCID: PMC6175163 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Chronic helminth infection with Schistosoma (S.) mansoni protects against allergic airway inflammation (AAI) in mice and is associated with reduced Th2 responses to inhaled allergens in humans, despite the presence of schistosome‐specific Th2 immunity. Schistosome eggs strongly induce type 2 immunity and allow to study the dynamics of Th2 versus regulatory responses in the absence of worms. Treatment with isolated S. mansoni eggs by i.p. injection prior to induction of AAI to ovalbumin (OVA)/alum led to significantly reduced AAI as assessed by less BAL and lung eosinophilia, less cellular influx into lung tissue, less OVA‐specific Th2 cytokines in lungs and lung‐draining mediastinal lymph nodes and less circulating allergen‐specific IgG1 and IgE antibodies. While OVA‐specific Th2 responses were inhibited, treatment induced a strong systemic Th2 response to the eggs. The protective effect of S. mansoni eggs was unaltered in μMT mice lacking mature (B2) B cells and unaffected by Treg cell depletion using anti‐CD25 blocking antibodies during egg treatment and allergic sensitization. Notably, prophylactic egg treatment resulted in a reduced influx of pro‐inflammatory, monocyte‐derived dendritic cells into lung tissue of allergic mice following challenge. Altogether, S. mansoni eggs can protect against the development of AAI, despite strong egg‐specific Th2 responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Obieglo
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn J Schuijs
- Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Frank Otto
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda van Wijck
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bart N Lambrecht
- Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Taube
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hermelijn H Smits
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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20
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Homan EJ, Bremel RD. A Role for Epitope Networking in Immunomodulation by Helminths. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1763. [PMID: 30108588 PMCID: PMC6079203 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections, by nematodes, trematodes, or cestodes, can lead to the modulation of host immune responses. This allows long-duration parasite infections and also impacts responses to co-infections. Surface, secreted, excreted, and shed proteins are thought to play a major role in modulation. A commonly reported feature of such immune modulation is the role of T regulatory (Treg) cells and IL-10. Efforts to identify helminth proteins, which cause immunomodulation, have identified candidates but not provided clarity as to a uniform mechanism driving modulation. In this study, we applied a bioinformatics systems approach, allowing us to analyze predicted T-cell epitopes of 17 helminth species and the responses to their surface proteins. In addition to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding, we analyzed amino acid motifs that would be recognized by T-cell receptors [T-cell-exposed motifs (TCEMs)]. All the helminth species examined have, within their surface proteins, peptides, which combine very common TCEMs with predicted high affinity binding to many human MHC alleles. This combination of features would result in large cognate T cell and a high probability of eliciting Treg responses. The TCEMs, which determine recognition by responding T-cell clones, are shared to a high degree between helminth species and with Plasmodium falciparum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, both common co-infecting organisms. The implication of our observations is not only that Treg cells play a significant role in helminth-induced immune modulation but also that the epitope specificities of Treg responses are shared across species and genera of helminth. Hence, the immune response to a given helminth cannot be considered in isolation but rather forms part of an epitope ecosystem, or microenvironment, in which potentially immunosuppressive peptides in the helminth network via their common T-cell receptor recognition signals with T-cell epitopes in self proteins, microbiome, other helminths, and taxonomically unrelated pathogens. Such a systems approach provides a high-level view of the antigen-immune system signaling dynamics that may bias a host's immune response to helminth infections toward immune modulation. It may indicate how helminths have evolved to select for peptides that favor long-term parasite host coexistence.
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21
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Wang Y, Wen Y, Wang S, Ehsan M, Yan R, Song X, Xu L, Li X. Modulation of goat monocyte function by HCcyst-2, a secreted cystatin from Haemonchus contortus. Oncotarget 2018; 8:44108-44120. [PMID: 28484087 PMCID: PMC5546466 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation and suppression of the host immune response by nematode parasites have been reported extensively and the cysteine protease inhibitor (cystatin) is identified as one of the major immunomodulator. In the present study, we cloned and produced recombinant cystatin protein from nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus (rHCcyst-2) and investigated its immunomodulatory effects on goat monocyte. rHCcyst-2 protein is biologically functional as shown by its ability to inhibit the protease activity of cathepsin L, cathepsin B and papain. Immunohistochemical test demonstrated that the native HCcyst-2 protein was predominantly localized at the body surface and internal surface of the worm's gut. We demonstrated that rHCcyst-2 could be distinguished by antisera from goats experimentally infected with H. contortus and could uptake by goat monocytes. The immunomodulatory effects of HCcyst-2 on cytokine secretion, MHC molecule expression, NO production and phagocytosis were observed by co-incubation of rHCcyst-2 with goat monocytes. The results showed that the interaction of rHCcyst-2 decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12p40. However, it significantly increased the secretion of IL-10 in goat monocytes. After rHCcyst-2 exposure, the expression of MHC-II on goat monocytes was inhibited. Moreover, rHCcyst-2 could up-regulate the LPS induced NO production of goat monocytes. Phagocytotic assay by FITC-dextran internalization showed that rHCcyst-2 inhibited the phagocytosis of goat monocytes. Our findings provided potential target as immunoregulator, and will be helpful to illustrate the molecular basis of host–parasite interactions and search for new potential molecule as vaccine and drug target candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujian Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Yuling Wen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Shuai Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Muhammad Ehsan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - RuoFeng Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - XiaoKai Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - LiXin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - XiangRui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
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22
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Zi M, Xu Y. Involvement of cystatin C in immunity and apoptosis. Immunol Lett 2018; 196:80-90. [PMID: 29355583 PMCID: PMC7112947 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
As an abundantly expressed cysteine protease inhibitor widely distributed in the organisms, cystatin C is involved in various physiological processes. Due to its relatively small molecular weight and easy detection, cystatin C is commonly used as a measure for glomerular filtration rate. In pathological conditions, however, growing evidences suggest that cystatin C is associated with various immune responses against either exogenous or endogenous antigens, which ultimately result in inflammatory autoimmune diseases or tumor development if not properly controlled. Thus the fluctuation of cystatin C levels might have more clinical implications than a reflection of kidney functions. Here, we summarize the latest development of studies on the pathophysiological functions of cystatin C, with focus on its immune regulatory roles at both cellular and molecular levels including antigen presentation, secretion of cytokines, synthesis of nitric oxide, as well as apoptosis. Finally, we discuss the clinical implications and therapeutic potentials of what this predominantly expressed protease inhibitor can bring to us.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Zi
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, School of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yuekang Xu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, School of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China.
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23
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Venugopal G, Mueller M, Hartmann S, Steinfelder S. Differential immunomodulation in human monocytes versus macrophages by filarial cystatin. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188138. [PMID: 29141050 PMCID: PMC5687743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes have evolved powerful immunomodulatory molecules to enable their survival in immunocompetent hosts by subverting immune responses and minimizing pathological processes. One filarial molecule known to counteract host immune responses by inducing IL-10 and regulatory macrophages in mice is filarial cystatin. During a patent filarial infection monocytes encounter microfilariae in the blood, an event that occurs in asymptomatically infected filariasis patients that are immunologically hyporeactive. The microfilarial larval stage was formerly shown to induce human regulatory monocytes and macrophages. Thus, here we aim was to determine how filarial cystatin of the human pathogenic filaria Brugia malayi (BmCPI-2) contributes to immune hyporesponsiveness in human monocytes and macrophages elicited by microfilaria. For this purpose, filarial cystatin was depleted from microfilarial lysate (Mf). Detecting the immunomodulatory potential of cystatin-depleted Mf revealed that IL-10, but not IL-8 and IL-6 induction in monocytes and macrophages is dependent on the presence of cystatin. In addition, the Mf-induced expression of the regulatory surface markers PD-L1 and PD-L2 in human monocytes, but not in macrophages, is dependent on cystatin. While Mf-treated monocytes result in decreased CD4+ T-cell proliferation in a co-culture assay, stimulation of T-cells with human monocytes treated with cystatin-depleted Mf lead to a restoration of CD4+ T-cell proliferation. Moreover, IL-10 induction by cystatin within Mf was dependent on p38 and ERK in macrophages, but independent of the ERK pathway in monocytes. These findings indicate that filarial nematodes differentially trigger and exploit various signaling pathways to induce immunomodulation in different myeloid cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopinath Venugopal
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marion Mueller
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Svenja Steinfelder
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Wang Y, Wu L, Liu X, Wang S, Ehsan M, Yan R, Song X, Xu L, Li X. Characterization of a secreted cystatin of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus and its immune-modulatory effect on goat monocytes. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:425. [PMID: 28923082 PMCID: PMC5604358 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2368-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haemonchosis is a disease of the small ruminant caused by a nematode parasite Haemonchus contortus, and it is most important and alarming challenges to the small ruminant's production. The infection of the H. contortus could cause high economic losses worldwide. H. contortus is a blood feeding parasite which penetrates into the abomasal mucosa to feed the blood of the host and causing the anemia and decreased total plasma protein. Modulation and suppression of the immune response of the host by nematode parasites have been reported extensively, and the cysteine protease inhibitor (cystatin) is identified as one of the major immunomodulators. METHODS The recombinant protein of HCcyst-3 was expressed in a histidine-tagged fusion soluble form in Escherichia coli, and its inhibitory activity against cathepsin L, B, as well as papain, were identified by fluorogenic substrate analysis. Native HCcyst-3 protein was localized by an Immunohistochemical test. The immunomodulatory effects of HCcyst-3 on cytokine secretion, MHC molecule expression, NO production and phagocytosis were observed by co-incubation of rHCcyst-3 with goat monocytes. RESULTS We cloned and produced recombinant cystatin protein from H. contortus (rHCcyst-3) and investigated its immunomodulatory effects on goat monocyte. The rHCcyst-3 protein is biologically functional as shown by its ability to inhibit the protease activity of cathepsin L, cathepsin B, and papain. The immunohistochemical test demonstrated that the native HCcyst-3 protein was predominantly localized at the body surface and internal surface of the worm's gut. We demonstrated that rHCcyst-3 could be distinguished by antisera from goat experimentally infected with H. contortus and could uptake by goat monocytes. The results showed that the engagement of rHCcyst-3 decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12p40. However, it significantly increased the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-β1 in goat monocytes. After rHCcyst-3 exposure, the expression of MHC-II on goat monocytes was restricted. Moreover, rHCcyst-3 could upregulate LPS induced NO production of goat monocytes. Phagocytotic assay by FITC-dextran internalization showed that rHCcyst-3 inhibited the phagocytosis of goat monocytes. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that the recombinant cystatin from H. contortus (rHCcyst-3) significantly modulated goat monocyte function in multiple aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujian Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingyan Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinchao Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Ehsan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - RuoFeng Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - XiaoKai Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - LiXin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - XiangRui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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25
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Li H, Wang S, Zhan B, He W, Chu L, Qiu D, Li N, Wan Y, Zhang H, Chen X, Fang Q, Shen J, Yang X. Therapeutic effect of Schistosoma japonicum cystatin on bacterial sepsis in mice. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:222. [PMID: 28482922 PMCID: PMC5422996 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2162-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of an infection and remains one of the leading causes of mortality in surgical patients. Bacteremia induces excessive inflammatory responses that result in multiple organ damage. Chronic helminth infection and helminth-derived materials have been found to immunomodulate host immune system to reduce inflammation against some allergic or inflammatory diseases. Schistosoma japonicum cystatin (Sj-Cys) is a cysteine protease inhibitor that induces regulatory T-cells and a potential immunomodulatory. The effect of Sj-Cys on reducing sepsis inflammation and mortality was investigated. METHODS Sepsis was induced in BALB/c mice using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), followed by intraperitoneal injection of different doses (10, 25 or 50 μg) of recombinant Sj-Cys (rSj-Cys). The therapeutic effect of rSj-Cys on sepsis was evaluated by observing the survival rates of mice for 96 h after CLP and the pathological injury of liver, kidney and lung by measuring the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) in sera and the tissue sections pathology, and the expression of MyD88 in liver, kidney and lung tissues. The immunological mechanism was investigated by examining pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) and IL-10 and TGF-β1 in mice sera and in culture of macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). RESULTS rSj-Cys treatment provided significant therapeutic effects on CLP-induced sepsis in mice demonstrated with increased survival rates, alleviated overall disease severity and tissue injury of liver, kidney and lung. The rSj-Cys conferred therapeutic efficacy was associated with upregualted IL-10 and TGF-β1 cytokines and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β. MyD88 expression in liver, kidney and lung tissues of rSj-Cys-treated mice was reduced. In vitro assay with macrophages also showed that rSj-Cys inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediator nitric oxide (NO) after being stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest the anti-inflammatory potential of rSj-Cys as a promising therapeutic agent on sepsis. The immunological mechanism underlying its therapeutic effect may involve the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of IL-10 and TGF-β1 cytokines possibly via downregulation of the TLR adaptor-transducer MyD88 pathway. The findings suggest rSj-Cys is a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis and other inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Li
- Basic Medical College of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China.,Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Shushu Wang
- Pediatrics Department of Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Bin Zhan
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wenxin He
- Basic Medical College of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China.,Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Liang Chu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Dapeng Qiu
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Nan Li
- Basic Medical College of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Yongkun Wan
- Basic Medical College of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Basic Medical College of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Xingzhi Chen
- Basic Medical College of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Qiang Fang
- Basic Medical College of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Xiaodi Yang
- Basic Medical College of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China. .,Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233000, China.
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26
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Smallwood TB, Giacomin PR, Loukas A, Mulvenna JP, Clark RJ, Miles JJ. Helminth Immunomodulation in Autoimmune Disease. Front Immunol 2017; 8:453. [PMID: 28484453 PMCID: PMC5401880 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminths have evolved to become experts at subverting immune surveillance. Through potent and persistent immune tempering, helminths can remain undetected in human tissues for decades. Redirecting the immunomodulating "talents" of helminths to treat inflammatory human diseases is receiving intensive interest. Here, we review therapies using live parasitic worms, worm secretions, and worm-derived synthetic molecules to treat autoimmune disease. We review helminth therapy in both mouse models and clinical trials and discuss what is known on mechanisms of action. We also highlight current progress in characterizing promising new immunomodulatory molecules found in excretory/secretory products of helminths and their potential use as immunotherapies for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Smallwood
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul R Giacomin
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason P Mulvenna
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard J Clark
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - John J Miles
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.,School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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27
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Nascimento Santos L, Carvalho Pacheco LG, Silva Pinheiro C, Alcantara-Neves NM. Recombinant proteins of helminths with immunoregulatory properties and their possible therapeutic use. Acta Trop 2017; 166:202-211. [PMID: 27871775 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The inverse relationship between helminth infections and the development of immune-mediated diseases is a cornerstone of the hygiene hypothesis and studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanisms by which helminth-derived molecules can suppress immunological disorders. These studies have fostered the idea that parasitic worms may be used as a promising therapeutic alternative for prevention and treatment of immune-mediated diseases. We discuss the current approaches for identification of helminth proteins with potential immunoregulatory properties, including the strategies based on high-throughput technologies. We also explore the methodological approaches and expression systems used for production of the recombinant forms of more than 20 helminth immunomodulatory proteins, besides their performances when evaluated as immunotherapeutic molecules to treat different immune-mediated conditions, including asthma and inflammatory bowel diseases. Finally, we discuss the perspectives of using these parasite-derived recombinant molecules as tools for future immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis of human inflammatory diseases.
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28
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Gren ST, Janciauskiene S, Sandeep S, Jonigk D, Kvist PH, Gerwien JG, Håkansson K, Grip O. The protease inhibitor cystatin C down-regulates the release of IL-β and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide activated monocytes. J Leukoc Biol 2016; 100:811-822. [DOI: 10.1189/jlb.5a0415-174r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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29
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Fang Z, Xu Q, Wu JQ, Lu SJ, Wang YY, Fang H. A recombinant plasmid of composite cysteine proteinase inhibitor/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of periodic Brugia malayi functions on DNA immunity in the host. Indian J Med Microbiol 2016; 34:146-52. [PMID: 27080764 DOI: 10.4103/0255-0857.180279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Both cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPIs) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) play important roles in the pathogenesis of parasites and their relationship with the hosts. We constructed a new eukaryotic recombinant expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH of periodic Brugia malayi for investigation of the DNA vaccine-elicited immune responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS We cloned a gene encoding the CPIs and GAPDH from periodic B. malayi into vector pcDNA3.1. The composited plasmid or the control was injected into the tibialis anterior muscle of the hind leg in BALB/c mice, respectively. The target genes were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in muscle tissues. The stimulation index (SI) of T-lymphocyte proliferation and the levels of interferon-gamma (INF-g) and interleukin-4 ( IL-4) in serum were detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium blue and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS The pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH was amplified from muscle tissues of the mice after immunisation. The SI of the immunised group was significantly higher than that of the two control groups (P < 0.05). The levels of INF-g and IL-4 of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH group were both higher than those of the two control groups (P < 0.05). The level of INF-g of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH group was significantly higher than that of pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/CpG group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-BmCPI/BmGAPDH could elicit specific humoural and cellular immune responses in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Fang
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
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30
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Wang S, Xie Y, Yang X, Wang X, Yan K, Zhong Z, Wang X, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Liu F, Shen J. Therapeutic potential of recombinant cystatin from Schistosoma japonicum in TNBS-induced experimental colitis of mice. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:6. [PMID: 26728323 PMCID: PMC4700642 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1288-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Helminth infections and their components have been shown to have a protective effect on autoimmune diseases. The isolated purified protein from Schisotosoma japonicum and its potential therapeutic effect on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis could provide an alternative way to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBDs). Methods Colitis was induced in Balb/c mice by rectal administration of 2.5 % TNBS, followed by intraperitoneal injection of rSjcystatin 50 μg at 6 h and 24 h afterwards. The inflammation was monitored by recording weight change, stool character and bleeding, colon length, macroscopic score (MAO), microscopic score (MIO), myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) and disease activity index (DAI). The potential underlying mechanism was investigated by examining cytokine profiles including Th1 (IFNγ), Th2 (IL-4), Th17 (IL-17A) and Treg subsets from lymphocytes of spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and intestinal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) by flow cytometry. The mRNA relative expressions of the cytokines in splenocytes and MLN were analysed by quantitative real time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Simultaneously, the concentrations of the cytokines in the colon homogenate supernatants were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and key transcription factors were detected by Western blotting. Results Administration of rSjcystatin significantly reduced inflammatory parameters and ameliorated the severity of the TNBS-induced colitis through decreasing IFNγ in three organs and lifting the level of IL-4, IL-13, IL-10, and TGF-β in the colon tissues, with uptrending Tregs in the MLN and LPMC. Conclusion The findings provide evidence that rSjcystatin has a therapeutic potential for diminishing colitis inflammation in Balb/c mice. The immunological mechanism may involve the down-regulation of Th1 response and up-regulation of Th2 and Tregs in the MLN and colon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shushu Wang
- Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Department of Pathogen Biology, Provincial Laboratories of Pathogen Biology and Zoonoses Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Pediatrics Department of Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Department of Pathogen Biology, Provincial Laboratories of Pathogen Biology and Zoonoses Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Xiaodi Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Bengbu Medical College; Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Bengbu, 233000, Anhui, China.
| | - Xuesong Wang
- Pediatrics Department of Affiliated Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, China.
| | - Ke Yan
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, the Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, China.
| | - Zhengrong Zhong
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, the Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, China.
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Yuanhong Xu
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Department of Pathogen Biology, Provincial Laboratories of Pathogen Biology and Zoonoses Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Department of Pathogen Biology, Provincial Laboratories of Pathogen Biology and Zoonoses Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Department of Pathogen Biology, Provincial Laboratories of Pathogen Biology and Zoonoses Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China.
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31
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Behrendt P, Arnold P, Brueck M, Rickert U, Lucius R, Hartmann S, Klotz C, Lucius R. A Helminth Protease Inhibitor Modulates the Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Proinflammatory Phenotype of Microglia in vitro. Neuroimmunomodulation 2016; 23:109-21. [PMID: 27088850 DOI: 10.1159/000444756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine whether the natural protease inhibitor Av-cystatin (rAv17) of the parasitic nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae exerts anti-inflammatory effects in an in vitro model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia. METHODS Primary microglia were harvested from the brains of 2-day-old Wistar rats and cultured with or without rAv17 (250 nM). After 6 and 24 h the release of nitric oxide (Griess reagent) and TNF-α (ELISA) was measured in the supernatant. Real-time PCR was performed after 2, 6 and 24 h of culture to measure the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS and IL-10. To address the involved signaling pathways, nuclear NF-x0138;B translocation was visualized by immunocytochemistry. Morphological changes of microglia were analyzed by Coomassie blue staining. Differences between groups were calculated using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's post hoc test. RESULTS Morphological analysis indicated that LPS-induced microglial transformation towards an amoeboid morphology is inhibited by rAv17. Av-cystatin caused a time-dependent downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression, respectively. This was paralleled by an upregulated expression of IL-10 in resting as well as in LPS-stimulated microglia. Av-cystatin reduced the release of NO and TNF-α in the culture supernatant. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated an attenuated translocation of NF-x0138;B by Av-cystatin in response to LPS. In addition, Western blot analysis revealed a rAv17-dependent reduction of the LPS-induced ERK1/2-pathway activation. CONCLUSION The parasite-derived secretion product Av-cystatin inhibits proinflammatory mechanisms of LPS-induced microglia with IL-10, a potential key mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Behrendt
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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32
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Shepherd C, Navarro S, Wangchuk P, Wilson D, Daly NL, Loukas A. Identifying the immunomodulatory components of helminths. Parasite Immunol 2015; 37:293-303. [PMID: 25854639 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunomodulatory components of helminths offer great promise as an entirely new class of biologics for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Here, we discuss the emerging themes in helminth-driven immunomodulation in the context of therapeutic drug discovery. We broadly define the approaches that are currently applied by researchers to identify these helminth molecules, highlighting key areas of potential exploitation that have been mostly neglected thus far, notably small molecules. Finally, we propose that the investigation of immunomodulatory compounds will enable the translation of current and future research efforts into potential treatments for autoimmune and allergic diseases, while at the same time yielding new insights into the molecular interface of host-parasite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Shepherd
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld, Australia
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33
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Parasites, probiotics, and piglets: a novel approach to IBD. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1722-3. [PMID: 25269941 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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34
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Chhabra S, Chang SC, Nguyen HM, Huq R, Tanner MR, Londono LM, Estrada R, Dhawan V, Chauhan S, Upadhyay SK, Gindin M, Hotez PJ, Valenzuela JG, Mohanty B, Swarbrick JD, Wulff H, Iadonato SP, Gutman GA, Beeton C, Pennington MW, Norton RS, Chandy KG. Kv1.3 channel-blocking immunomodulatory peptides from parasitic worms: implications for autoimmune diseases. FASEB J 2014; 28:3952-64. [PMID: 24891519 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-251967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The voltage-gated potassium (Kv) 1.3 channel is widely regarded as a therapeutic target for immunomodulation in autoimmune diseases. ShK-186, a selective inhibitor of Kv1.3 channels, ameliorates autoimmune diseases in rodent models, and human phase 1 trials of this agent in healthy volunteers have been completed. In this study, we identified and characterized a large family of Stichodactyla helianthus toxin (ShK)-related peptides in parasitic worms. Based on phylogenetic analysis, 2 worm peptides were selected for study: AcK1, a 51-residue peptide expressed in the anterior secretory glands of the dog-infecting hookworm Ancylostoma caninum and the human-infecting hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum, and BmK1, the C-terminal domain of a metalloprotease from the filarial worm Brugia malayi. These peptides in solution adopt helical structures closely resembling that of ShK. At doses in the nanomolar-micromolar range, they block native Kv1.3 in human T cells and cloned Kv1.3 stably expressed in L929 mouse fibroblasts. They preferentially suppress the proliferation of rat CCR7(-) effector memory T cells without affecting naive and central memory subsets and inhibit the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response caused by skin-homing effector memory T cells in rats. Further, they suppress IFNγ production by human T lymphocytes. ShK-related peptides in parasitic worms may contribute to the potential beneficial effects of probiotic parasitic worm therapy in human autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Chhabra
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shih Chieh Chang
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hai M Nguyen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Redwan Huq
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Graduate Program in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and
| | - Mark R Tanner
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, and
| | | | | | - Vikas Dhawan
- Peptides International, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | | | - Sanjeev K Upadhyay
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Mariel Gindin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA; and Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jesus G Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Biswaranjan Mohanty
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - James D Swarbrick
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | | | - George A Gutman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | | | | | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;
| | - K George Chandy
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA;
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Mangiola S, Young ND, Sternberg PW, Strube C, Korhonen PK, Mitreva M, Scheerlinck JP, Hofmann A, Jex AR, Gasser RB. Analysis of the transcriptome of adult Dictyocaulus filaria and comparison with Dictyocaulus viviparus, with a focus on molecules involved in host-parasite interactions. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:251-61. [PMID: 24487001 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes cause diseases of major economic importance in animals. Key representatives are species of Dictyocaulus (=lungworms), which cause bronchitis (=dictyocaulosis, commonly known as "husk") and have a major adverse impact on the health of livestock. In spite of their economic importance, very little is known about the immunomolecular biology of these parasites. Here, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the adult transcriptome of Dictyocaulus filaria of small ruminants and compared it with that of Dictyocaulus viviparus of bovids. We then identified a subset of highly transcribed molecules inferred to be linked to host-parasite interactions, including cathepsin B peptidases, fatty-acid and/or retinol-binding proteins, β-galactoside-binding galectins, secreted protein 6 precursors, macrophage migration inhibitory factors, glutathione peroxidases, a transthyretin-like protein and a type 2-like cystatin. We then studied homologues of D. filaria type 2-like cystatin encoded in D. viviparus and 24 other nematodes representing seven distinct taxonomic orders, with a particular focus on their proposed role in immunomodulation and/or metabolism. Taken together, the present study provides new insights into nematode-host interactions. The findings lay the foundation for future experimental studies and could have implications for designing new interventions against lungworms and other parasitic nematodes. The future characterisation of the genomes of Dictyocaulus spp. should underpin these endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Mangiola
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Paul W Sternberg
- HHMI, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Andreas Hofmann
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Eskitis Institute for Cell & Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Aaron R Jex
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
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Sun Y, Liu G, Li Z, Chen Y, Liu Y, Liu B, Su Z. Modulation of dendritic cell function and immune response by cysteine protease inhibitor from murine nematode parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Immunology 2013; 138:370-81. [PMID: 23240853 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2012] [Revised: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Modulation and suppression of the immune response of the host by nematode parasites have been reported extensively and the cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI or cystatin) is identified as one of the major immunomodulators. In the present study, we cloned and produced recombinant CPI protein from the murine nematode parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus (rHp-CPI) and investigated its immunomodulatory effects on dendritic cell (DC) function and immune responses in mice. Bone-marrow-derived CD11c(+) DC (BMDC) that were exposed to rHp-CPI during the differentiation stage showed reduced MHC-II molecule expression compared with BMDC that were generated in normal culture conditions. The BMDC generated in the presence of rHp-CPI also exhibited reduced expression of CD40, CD86 and MHC-II molecules and reduced interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α cytokine production when stimulated with Toll-like receptor ligand CpG. Activation of BMDC generated in normal conditions induced by lipopolysaccharide and CpG was also suppressed by rHp-CPI, as shown by reduced co-stimulatory molecule expression and cytokine production. Furthermore, BMDC treated with rHp-CPI before ovalbumin (OVA) antigen pulsing induced a weaker proliferation response and less interferon-γ production of OVA-specific CD4(+) T cells compared with BMDC without rHp-CPI pre-treatment. Adoptive transfer of rHp-CPI-treated and OVA-loaded BMDC to mice induced significantly lower levels of antigen-specific antibody response than the BMDC loaded with antigen alone. These results demonstrated that the CPI from nematode parasites is able to modulate differentiation and activation stages of BMDC. It also interferes with antigen and MHC-II molecule processing and Toll-like receptor signalling pathway, resulting in functionally deficient DC that induce a suboptimum immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Sun
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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Daniłowicz-Luebert E, Steinfelder S, Kühl AA, Drozdenko G, Lucius R, Worm M, Hamelmann E, Hartmann S. A nematode immunomodulator suppresses grass pollen-specific allergic responses by controlling excessive Th2 inflammation. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:201-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Cysteine protease inhibitor (AcStefin) is required for complete cyst formation of Acanthamoeba. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2013; 12:567-74. [PMID: 23397569 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00308-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The encystation of Acanthamoeba leads to the formation of resilient cysts from vegetative trophozoites. This process is essential for parasite survival under unfavorable conditions, such as those associated with starvation, low temperatures, and biocides. Furthermore, cysteine proteases have been implicated in the massive turnover of intracellular components required for encystation. Thus, strict modulation of the activities of cysteine proteases is required to protect Acanthamoeba from intracellular damage. However, mechanisms underlying the control of protease activity during encystation have not been established in Acanthamoeba. In the present study, we identified and characterized Acanthamoeba cysteine protease inhibitor (AcStefin), which was found to be highly expressed during encystation and to be associated with lysosomes by fluorescence microscopy. Recombinant AcStefin inhibited various cysteine proteases, including human cathepsin B, human cathepsin L, and papain. Transfection with small interfering RNA against AcStefin increased cysteine protease activity during encystation and resulted in incomplete cyst formation, reduced excystation efficiency, and a significant reduction in cytoplasmic area. Taken together, these results indicate that AcStefin is involved in the modulation of cysteine proteases and that it plays an essential role during the encystation of Acanthamoeba.
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Whelan RAK, Hartmann S, Rausch S. Nematode modulation of inflammatory bowel disease. PROTOPLASMA 2012; 249:871-886. [PMID: 22086188 PMCID: PMC3459088 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-011-0342-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease arising due to a culmination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle-associated factors and resulting in an excessive pro-inflammatory response to bacterial populations in the gastrointestinal tract. The prevalence of IBD in developing nations is relatively low, and it has been proposed that this is directly correlated with a high incidence of helminth infections in these areas. Gastrointestinal nematodes are the most prevalent parasitic worms, and they efficiently modulate the immune system of their hosts in order to establish chronic infections. Thus, they may be capable of suppressing unrelated inflammation in disorders such as IBD. This review describes how nematodes, or their products, suppress innate and adaptive pro-inflammatory immune responses and how the mechanisms involved in the induction of anti-nematode responses regulate colitis in experimental models and clinical trials with IBD patients. We also discuss how refinement of nematode-derived therapies should ultimately result in the development of potent new therapeutics of clinical inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose A. K. Whelan
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rausch
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Correale J, Farez MF. Does helminth activation of toll-like receptors modulate immune response in multiple sclerosis patients? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2012; 2:112. [PMID: 22937527 PMCID: PMC3426839 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2012.00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune demyelinating disease affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS), in which Th1 and Th17 cells appear to recognize and react against certain myelin sheath components. Epidemiological evidence has accumulated indicating steady increase in autoimmune disease incidence in developed countries. Reduced infectious disease prevalence in particular has been proposed as the cause. In agreement with this hypothesis, we recently demonstrated significantly better clinical and radiological outcome in helminth-infected MS patients, compared to uninfected ones. Parasite-driven protection was associated with regulatory T cell induction and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion, including increased TGF-β and IL-10 levels. Interestingly, surface expression of TLR2, on both B cells and dendritic cells (DC) was significantly higher in infected MS patients. Moreover, stimulation of myelin-specific T cell lines with a TLR2 agonist induced inhibition of T cell proliferation, suppression of IFN-γ, IL-12, and IL-17 secretion, as well as increase in IL-10 production, suggesting the functional responses observed correlate with TLR2 expression patterns. Furthermore, parasite antigens were able to induce TLR2 expression on both B cells and DCs. All functional effects mediated by TLR2 were abrogated when MyD88 gene expression was silenced; indicating helminth-mediated signaling induced changes in cytokine secretion in a MyD88-dependent manner. In addition, helminth antigens significantly enhanced co-stimulatory molecule expression, effects not mediated by MyD88. Parasite antigens acting on MyD88 induced significant ERK kinase phosphorylation in DC. Addition of the ERK inhibitor U0126 was associated with dose-dependent IL-10 inhibition and reciprocal enhancement in IL-12, both correlating with ERK inhibition. Finally, cytokine effects and changes observed in co-stimulatory DC molecules after helminth antigen exposure were lost when TLR2 was silenced. Overall, the data described indicate that helminth molecules exert potent regulatory effects on both DCs and B cells from MS patients through TLR2 regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Correale
- Department of Neurology, Institute for Neurological Research Dr. Raúl Carrea, FLENI Buenos Aires, Argentina. ;
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Modulation of specific and allergy-related immune responses by helminths. J Biomed Biotechnol 2011; 2011:821578. [PMID: 22219659 PMCID: PMC3248237 DOI: 10.1155/2011/821578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Helminths are master regulators of host immune responses utilising complex mechanisms to dampen host protective Th2-type responses and favour long-term persistence. Such evasion mechanisms ensure mutual survival of both the parasite and the host. In this paper, we present recent findings on the cells that are targeted by helminths and the molecules and mechanisms that are induced during infection. We discuss the impact of these factors on the host response as well as their effect in preventing the development of aberrant allergic inflammation. We also examine recent findings on helminth-derived molecules that can be used as tools to pinpoint the underlying mechanisms of immune regulation or to determine new anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
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Joseph S, Verma S, Sahoo M, Dixit S, Verma A, Kushwaha V, Saxena K, Sharma A, Saxena J, Murthy P. Sensitization with anti-inflammatory BmAFI of Brugia malayi allows L3 development in the hostile peritoneal cavity of Mastomys coucha. Acta Trop 2011; 120:191-205. [PMID: 21875568 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2011.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 07/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Filarial parasites survive by inducing tolerance in host but the antigens and mechanisms involved are not clear. Recently we found that BmAFI, a Sephadex G-200 eluted fraction of Brugia malayi adult worm extract, stimulates IL-10 release from THP-1 cells. In the present study, we determined the SDS-PAGE profile of BmAFI and infective 3rd stage larva (L3), investigated the effect of pre-sensitization of host with BmAFI on the survival and development of L3 in the non-permissive peritoneal cavity (p.c.) of the permissive host Mastomys coucha and in the p.c. of non-permissive Swiss mice, and studied immunological correlates for the observed effects. The parasite development and burden in p.c., was determined in sensitized infected M. coucha and Swiss mice and the release of TGF-β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ and NO, cellular proliferative response to Con A and BmAFI and levels of IgG subclasses and IgE were determined in sensitized infected M. coucha. Cellular proliferative response to Con A and BmAFI, mRNA expression of GATA-3, CTLA-4 and T-bet were determined in sensitized Swiss mice. In addition, the parasitological parameter was also studied in BmAFI-sensitized M. coucha exposed to the infection by standard subcutaneous (s.c.) route to assess whether sensitization enhances the intensity of infection. BmAFI-sensitization permitted survival of L3 and their development to adult stage by day 60 p.i. in the p.c. of M. coucha; in non-sensitized animals L3 could molt to L4 only and no parasite could be recovered beyond day 30 p.i. In M. coucha that received infection by s.c. route, pre-sensitization with BmAFI enhanced the microfilaraemia and adult worm recovery. In sensitized Swiss mice L3 could successfully molt to L4 in p.c. with improved recovery of parasite. BmAFI sensitization upregulated TGF-β and IL-10 release, IgG1 and IgG2b levels, GATA-3 and CTLA-4 mRNA expression, suppressed the cellular proliferative response and downregulated Con A stimulated response, IgE, IL-13, IFN-γ and NO responses. Immunoblot analysis showed that the BmAFI antiserum also strongly reacts with some L3 molecules. The results show, for the first time, that sensitization with the anti-inflammatory BmAFI which shares some of its molecules with those in L3, facilitates parasite survival in the non-permissive p.c. of the permissive host M. coucha, render a non-permissive Swiss mouse partially permissive to infection and enhances parasite load in M. coucha receiving the infection through permissive s.c. route by evoking a modified Th2 type of response and anti-inflammatory milieu. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory BmAFI fraction facilitates survival of B. malayi infection even in non-permissive environment.
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Kang JM, Lee KH, Sohn WM, Na BK. Identification and functional characterization of CsStefin-1, a cysteine protease inhibitor of Clonorchis sinensis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2011; 177:126-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Revised: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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He B, Cai G, Ni Y, Li Y, Zong H, He L. Characterization and expression of a novel cystatin gene from Schistosoma japonicum. Mol Cell Probes 2011; 25:186-93. [PMID: 21601634 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cystatins are a family of cysteine protease inhibitors that play a crucial role in the immune evasion from their host and in the adaptation to host defence. Here, we isolated a full-length cDNA sequence inferred to encode a novel cystatin gene from a blood fluke, Schistosoma japonicum. The cDNA, designated SjCystatin, comprised an open reading frame (ORF) of 306 bp, and encoded 101 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 11.3 kDa. This predicted protein shared a significant degree of sequence identity with the type I cystatin (stefin) of Schistosoma mansoni and Homo sapiens. These proteins exhibited a typical cystatin topology, including the absence of disulfide bonds and three conserved catalytic motifs, Gly at the N-terminus (Gly(6)), Gln-X-Val-X-Gly motif (Q(49)VVAG(53)) and an LP pair at the C-terminus (L(76)P(77)). The SjCystatin gene spanned 376 bp and contained three exons. The positions of two introns were conserved between the cystatin genes of trematodes and their vertebrate hosts. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmed the transcription of SjCystatin in the egg, schistosomula and adult stages of S. japonicum. The encoding ORF region was cloned into pET-28a (+) prokaryotic expression vector. After purification, the recombinant protein SjCystatin (recSjCystatin), expressed in Escherichia coli, was used to immunize animals and produce its specific polyclonal antibody. Western blot analysis revealed that the native SjCystatin was expressed in the egg and adult stages. The enzyme activity assay of the recSjCystatin showed that it inhibited the proteolytic activity of papain. SjCystatin protein was mainly localized on the miracidium within eggs. Immunohistochemistry revealed that SjCystatin mainly localized in the epithelial cells lining the gut as well as the tegument on the surface of adult worms. The conserved genomic DNA structure among cystatin homologues of trematode and their vertebrate host emphasized the characteristics of compatibility between parasites and their hosts. This study provides the first insight into the gene and protein of S. japonicum cystatin and a basis for a further understanding the functions of this gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohua He
- Department of Human Parasitology, Basic Medical School, Wuhan University, Hubei, PR China
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45
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Hagel I, Cabrera M, Puccio F, Santaella C, Buvat E, Infante B, Zabala M, Cordero R, Di Prisco MC. Co-infection with Ascaris lumbricoides modulates protective immune responses against Giardia duodenalis in school Venezuelan rural children. Acta Trop 2011; 117:189-95. [PMID: 21172297 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Revised: 11/28/2010] [Accepted: 12/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the effect of Ascaris lumbricoides on Giardia duodenalis infection and TH1/TH2 type immune mechanisms toward this parasite in 251 rural parasitized and 70 urban non-parasitized school children. The children were classified according to light (0-5000 eggs/g faeces) or moderate (>5001-50,000 eggs/g faeces) A. lumbricoides infection. Anti G. duodenalis skin hyper-reactivity, IgE, IgG, IL-13, IFN γ, IL6 and IL-10 levels were compared among G. duodenalis infected and non-infected children according to light or moderate A. lumbricoides infection. It was found that 62% of the A. lumbricoides moderately infected children were co-infected by G. duodenalis compared to 45% of the lightly infected group. After treatment, 42% of the A. lumbricoides moderately group were infected with G. duodenalis compared to 11% of their lightly counterparts, being A. lumbricoides IL-10 levels higher (p<0.0001) in the moderately infected group. In the A. lumbricoides lightly parasitized children, G. duodenalis infection was associated to a significant increase (p<0.005) of the levels of G. duodenalis IL-13, IFN-γ, IL-6, IgE, IgG and skin test hyper reactivity. In contrast, there was no effect of G. duodenalis infection in the elevation of these parameters among the A. lumbricoides moderately parasitized group, being those levels similarly lower as those observed in the control group. Inverse correlations were found between the levels of anti G duodenalis antibodies, skin test hyper-reactivity and cytokines with the intensity of A. lumbricoides infection (p>0.0001) and A. lumbricoides IL-10 levels (p>0.0001), suggesting that co-infection with A. lumbricoides may affect both TH1 and TH2 type immunity against G. duodenalis that may play an important role in the susceptibility to the infection after chemotherapy in children from endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Hagel
- Instituto de Biomedicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Ministerio de Salud, Venezuela.
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46
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Klotz C, Ziegler T, Figueiredo AS, Rausch S, Hepworth MR, Obsivac N, Sers C, Lang R, Hammerstein P, Lucius R, Hartmann S. A helminth immunomodulator exploits host signaling events to regulate cytokine production in macrophages. PLoS Pathog 2011; 7:e1001248. [PMID: 21253577 PMCID: PMC3017123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1001248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic worms alter their host's immune system to diminish the inflammatory responses directed against them, using very efficient immunomodulating molecules. We have previously shown that the helminth immunomodulator cystatin (AvCystatin) profoundly reduces the progression of inflammatory diseases via modulation of macrophages. Here we elucidate the signaling events in macrophages triggered by AvCystatin. Labeled AvCystatin was predominantly taken up by macrophages and subsequently induced the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2 and p38. IL-10 expression induced by AvCystatin in macrophages was tyrosine kinase sensitive and dependent on activation of both MAP kinases, in clear contrast to expression of IL-12/23p40. In addition, phosphorylation of the transcription factors CREB and STAT3 was induced by AvCystatin and regulated by phospho-ERK. Chemical inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) reduced AvCystatin-induced cytokine release; however, AKT, the downstream target of PI3K, was not activated following AvCystatin exposure. To characterize signaling elements involved in alteration of the macrophage phenotype we applied mathematical modeling. Experimental testing of the in silico generated hypotheses identified dual specificity phosphatase (DUSP) 1 and 2, as regulators in AvCystatin triggered macrophages in vitro and in vivo. In particular, DUSP1 was subsequently found to be responsible for regulation of ERK- and p38-phosphorylation and controlled the IL-10 expression in macrophages by AvCystatin. Thus, we show that AvCystatin exploits activation and deactivation pathways of MAP kinases to induce regulatory macrophages. This study provides insights into molecular mechanisms of macrophage manipulation by parasites and highlights the utility of mathematical modeling for the elucidation of regulatory circuits of immune cells. Helminths have the ability to interfere with their host's immune response, thus downregulating inflammatory responses. We previously demonstrated the role of helminth infections or isolated helminth proteins in suppressing bystander immune responses in mouse models of allergy and colitis via a macrophage and IL-10 dependent mechanism. The current study elucidates the signaling events induced by the parasite immunomodulator AvCystatin, leading to alteration of the macrophage phenotype. AvCystatin was predominantly taken up by macrophages and induced cytokine production by phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2 and p38. To identify molecules involved in the regulation of IL-10 production we developed a mathematical model. In silico generated data suggested a negative feedback mechanism via deactivating ERK1/2 and p38. Ensuing experiments validated the model and revealed AvCystatin-induced dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) as negative regulators of MAPK activation and IL-10 expression in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, the nematode immunomodulator AvCystatin targets activating and deactivating pathways of MAPK to induce regulatory macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Klotz
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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47
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48
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Rennenberg A, Lehmann C, Heitmann A, Witt T, Hansen G, Nagarajan K, Deschermeier C, Turk V, Hilgenfeld R, Heussler VT. Exoerythrocytic Plasmodium parasites secrete a cysteine protease inhibitor involved in sporozoite invasion and capable of blocking cell death of host hepatocytes. PLoS Pathog 2010; 6:e1000825. [PMID: 20361051 PMCID: PMC2845656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites must control cysteine protease activity that is critical for hepatocyte invasion by sporozoites, liver stage development, host cell survival and merozoite liberation. Here we show that exoerythrocytic P. berghei parasites express a potent cysteine protease inhibitor (PbICP, P. berghei inhibitor of cysteine proteases). We provide evidence that it has an important function in sporozoite invasion and is capable of blocking hepatocyte cell death. Pre-incubation with specific anti-PbICP antiserum significantly decreased the ability of sporozoites to infect hepatocytes and expression of PbICP in mammalian cells protects them against peroxide- and camptothecin-induced cell death. PbICP is secreted by sporozoites prior to and after hepatocyte invasion, localizes to the parasitophorous vacuole as well as to the parasite cytoplasm in the schizont stage and is released into the host cell cytoplasm at the end of the liver stage. Like its homolog falstatin/PfICP in P. falciparum, PbICP consists of a classical N-terminal signal peptide, a long N-terminal extension region and a chagasin-like C-terminal domain. In exoerythrocytic parasites, PbICP is posttranslationally processed, leading to liberation of the C-terminal chagasin-like domain. Biochemical analysis has revealed that both full-length PbICP and the truncated C-terminal domain are very potent inhibitors of cathepsin L-like host and parasite cysteine proteases. The results presented in this study suggest that the inhibitor plays an important role in sporozoite invasion of host cells and in parasite survival during liver stage development by inhibiting host cell proteases involved in programmed cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Rennenberg
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Lehmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Heitmann
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tina Witt
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guido Hansen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Krishna Nagarajan
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christina Deschermeier
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vito Turk
- Josef Stefan Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rolf Hilgenfeld
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Volker T. Heussler
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Molecular Parasitology, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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49
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Bird PI, Trapani JA, Villadangos JA. Endolysosomal proteases and their inhibitors in immunity. Nat Rev Immunol 2009; 9:871-82. [PMID: 19935806 DOI: 10.1038/nri2671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The cellular endolysosomal compartment is dynamic, complex and incompletely understood. Its organelles and constituents vary between different cell types, but endolysosomal proteases are key components of this compartment in all cells. In immune cells, these proteases function in pathogen recognition and elimination, signal processing and cell homeostasis, and they are regulated by dedicated inhibitors. Pathogens can produce analogous proteases to subvert the host immune response. The balance in activity between a protease and its inhibitor can tune the immune response or cause damage as a result of mislocalized proteolysis. In this Review, we highlight recent developments in this area and emphasize the importance of studying the role of endolysosomal proteases, and their natural inhibitors, in the initiation and regulation of immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip I Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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Abstract
More than two billion people (one-third of humanity) are infected with parasitic roundworms or flatworms, collectively known as helminth parasites. These infections cause diseases that are responsible for enormous levels of morbidity and mortality, delays in the physical development of children, loss of productivity among the workforce, and maintenance of poverty. Genomes of the major helminth species that affect humans, and many others of agricultural and veterinary significance, are now the subject of intensive genome sequencing and annotation. Draft genome sequences of the filarial worm Brugia malayi and two of the human schistosomes, Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni, are now available, among others. These genome data will provide the basis for a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in helminth nutrition and metabolism, host-dependent development and maturation, immune evasion, and evolution. They are likely also to predict new potential vaccine candidates and drug targets. In this review, we present an overview of these efforts and emphasize the potential impact and importance of these new findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D. C., USA.
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