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Tian J, Dai B, Gong L, Wang P, Ding H, Xia S, Sun W, Ren C, Shen J, Liu M. JQ-1 ameliorates schistosomiasis liver granuloma in mice by suppressing male and female reproductive systems and egg development of Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010661. [PMID: 35943970 PMCID: PMC9362908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a serious and widespread parasitic disease caused by infection with Schistosoma. Because the parasite’s eggs are primarily responsible for schistosomiasis dissemination and pathogenesis, inhibiting egg production is a potential approach to control the spread and severity of the disease. The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins represent promising targets for the development of epigenetic drugs against Schistosoma. JQ-1 is a selective inhibitor of the BET protein family. In the present study, JQ-1 was applied to S. japonicum in vitro. By using laser confocal scanning microscopy and EdU incorporation assays, we showed that application of JQ-1 to worms in vitro affected egg laying and the development of both the male and female reproductive systems. JQ-1 also inhibited the expression of the reproductive-related genes SjPlk1 and SjNanos1 in S. japonicum. Mice infected with S. japonicum were treated with JQ-1 during egg granuloma formation. JQ-1 treatment significantly reduced the size of the liver granulomas and levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in mice and suppressed both egg laying and the development of male and female S. japonicum reproductive systems in vivo. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of some proinflammatory cytokines were decreased in the parasites. Our findings suggest that JQ-1 treatment attenuates S. japonicum egg–induced hepatic granuloma due at least in part to suppressing the development of the reproductive system and egg production of S. japonicum. These findings further suggest that JQ-1 or other BET inhibitors warrant additional study as a new approach for the treatment or prevention of schistosomiasis. Among neglected tropical diseases, schistosomiasis is a serious disease caused by infection with the parasite Schistosoma japonicum. Treatment of schistosomiasis is currently almost exclusively with praziquantel, which kills mainly adult parasites, with minimal effectiveness against immature schistosomes and eggs. However, the parasite’s eggs are primarily responsible for schistosomiasis dissemination and pathology. In addition, overuse of praziquantel in epidemic areas has led to drug resistance and a reduced cure rate. Thus, new parasite targets for the development of novel therapeutics are crucial. Here, we evaluated the potential of JQ-1, a bromodomain and extra-terminal protein inhibitor, to suppress the production of S. japonicum eggs. Application of JQ-1 to S. japonicum in vitro decreased the number of mature germ cells, the rates of oviposition, and the number of eggs produced in each male-female pairing. JQ-1 treatment of mice infected with S. japonicum ameliorated hepatic granuloma and decreased serum liver enzymes, suggesting improved liver function. These results indicate that JQ-1 inhibits reproductive development and egg production in S. japonicum, providing supporting evidence that JQ-1 warrants additional study for use as a novel approach in the prevention or treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
- Microbiological Laboratory, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingxin Dai
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Gong
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pingping Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Han Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Siwei Xia
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weice Sun
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (JS); (ML)
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (JS); (ML)
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Liu F, Ding H, Tian J, Zhou C, Yang F, Shao W, Du Y, Hou X, Ren C, Shen J, Liu M. Differential gene expression, including Sjfs800, in Schistosoma japonicum females at pre-pairing, initial pairing and oviposition. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:414. [PMID: 31443730 PMCID: PMC6708146 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3672-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is a prevalent but neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma, with the primary disease-causing species being S. haematobium, S. mansoni and S. japonicum. Male–female pairing of schistosomes is necessary for sexual maturity and the production of a large number of eggs, which are primarily responsible for schistosomiasis dissemination and pathology. Methods Here, we used microarray hybridization, bioinformatics, quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization and gene silencing assays to identify genes that play critical roles in S. japonicum reproduction biology, particularly in vitellarium development, a process that affects male–female pairing, sexual maturation and subsequent egg production. Results Microarray hybridization analyses generated a comprehensive set of genes differentially transcribed before and after male–female pairing. Although the transcript profiles of females were similar 16 and 18 days after host infection, marked gene expression changes were observed at 24 days. The 30 most abundantly transcribed genes on day 24 included those associated with vitellarium development. Among these, the gene for female-specific 800 (fs800) was substantially upregulated. Our in situ hybridization results in female S. japonicum indicated that Sjfs800 mRNA was observed only in the vitellarium, localized in mature vitelline cells. Knocking down the Sjfs800 gene in female S. japonicum by approximately 60% reduced the number of mature vitelline cells, decreased rates of pairing and oviposition, and decreased the number of eggs produced in each male–female pairing by about 50%. Conclusions These results indicate that Sjfs800 may play a role in vitellarium development and egg production in S. japonicum and suggest that Sjfs800 regulation may provide a novel approach for the prevention or treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengchun Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaming Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Congyu Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinan Du
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China. .,Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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Giri BR, Li H, Chen Y, Cheng G. Preliminary evaluation of neoblast-like stem cell factor and transcript expression profiles in Schistosoma japonicum. Acta Trop 2018; 187:57-64. [PMID: 30055172 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts are essential for cell proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. Recent studies have demonstrated that nanos, sox, and vasa-like transcription factors are associated with neoblast-like stem cells in Schistosoma mansoni and play crucial roles in the regulation of worm development. However, these neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts and their expression profiles remain unknown in Schistosoma japonicum. In this study, we identified orthologs of 11 neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts in S. japonicum using bioinformatics and confirmed them by PCR. The expression profiles of neoblast-like stem cell factors and transcripts revealed that some of them were highly expressed in certain stages. Sex-based expression analysis revealed that nanos, polo-like kinase, PCNA, cyclin B, and H2A showed significantly higher expression in female worms, whereas ago and bruli showed higher expression in male worms. In addition, we noted that ago, bruli, and pp32 exhibited higher expression in the testes, while nanos, polo-like kinase, cyclin B, H2A, and H2B showed notable higher expression in both isolated ovaries and testes. Our preliminary results are expected to provide important information about the regulatory roles of these stem cell factors in parasite development and sexual maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Ranjan Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Huimin Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, 200241, Shanghai, China.
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Giri BR, Du X, Xia T, Chen Y, Li H, Cheng G. Molecular characterization and expression profile of nanos in Schistosoma japonicum and its influence on the expression several mammalian stem cell factors. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1947-1954. [PMID: 28555405 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5476-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells, called neoblasts, are well known for the regenerative capability and developmental plasticity in flatworms. Impressive advancement has been made in free-living flatworms, while in case of its parasitic counterpart, neoblast-like stem cells have attracted recent attention for its self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Nanos is a key conserved post-transcriptional regulator critical for the formation, development, and/or maintenance of the pluripotent germ line stem cell systems in many metazoans including schistosomes. In the present study, we report the molecular cloning and expression of nanos orthologous genes nanos in Schistosoma japonicum (Sjnanos). The cDNA of Sjnanos is 826 bp long, containing an open reading frame (ORF) for 223 amino acid long protein. qRT-PCR analysis shown that Sjnanos was differently expressed in several stages of schistosomes with relatively high level in schistosomula. Additionally, Sjnanos was expressed highly in adult females compared to adult males. Transfection of recombinant plasmid for expressing Sjnanos resulted in significant proliferation and increased expression of several stem cell factors in mammalian cells. Overall, our preliminary study provides the molecular basis to further functionally characterize Sjnanos in S. japonicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Ranjan Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xiaoli Du
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Tianqi Xia
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hao Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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