The potential role of toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly polymorphism and its association with recurrent cystic echinococcosis in postoperative patients

Effects of protoscoleces excretory-secretory products of Echinococcus granulosus on hepatocyte growth, function, and glucose metabolism

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most widespread and harmful zoonotic parasitic diseases, which most commonly affects the liver. In this study, we characterized multiple changes in mouse hepatocytes following treatment with excretory-secretory products (ESPs) of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces (Eg-PSCs) by a factorial experiment. The cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8), the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect the growth of hepatocytes. Inverted microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the morphology and ultrastructure of hepatocytes. An automatic biochemical analyzer and an ELISA detection kit were used to determine six conventional hepatocyte enzymatic indices, the levels of five hepatocyte-synthesized substances, and the contents of glucose and lactate. Western blot analysis was conducted to analyze the protein expression of three apoptosis-related proteins, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and six glucose metabolism pathways rate-limiting enzymes in hepatocytes. The results showed that ESPs inhibited hepatocyte proliferation and promoted hepatocyte apoptosis. The cell membrane and microvilli of hepatocytes changed, and the nucleus, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum were damaged to varying degrees. The contents of iron, albumin (ALB), uric acid (UA) and urea were increased, and the activities of six enzymes in hepatocytes were increased except for the decrease of transferrin (TRF). The expression levels of all six key enzymes in the glucose metabolism pathway in hepatocytes were reduced. Our characterization provides a basis for further research on the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of CE.

Tumor suppressor p73 induces apoptosis of murine peritoneal cell after exposure to hydatid cyst antigens; a possibly survival mechanism of cystic echinococcosis in vivo mice model

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a life-threatening helminthic disease caused by the Echinococcus granulosus sensulato complex. Previous evidence indicates that the host's innate immune responses against CE can combat and regulate the growth rate and mortality of hydatid cyst in the host's internal organs. However, the survival mechanisms of CE are not yet fully elucidated in the human body. In the present study, the apoptotic effects of fertile and infertile hydatid fluid (HF) were tested on murine peritoneal cells in vivo mice model. Mice were divided into five groups including; control group, fertile HF-treated peritoneal cells, infertile HF-treated peritoneal cells, protoscolices (PSCs)-treated peritoneal cells and HF+PSCs-treated peritoneal cells group. Mice groups were intraperitoneally inoculated with PBS, HF, and/or PSCs. Afterwards, peritoneal cells were isolated and mRNA expression of STAT3, caspase-3, p73 and Smac genes were evaluated by quantitative Real-time PCR. After 48 hours of exposure, the protein levels of Smac and STAT3 was determined by western blotting technique. After 6 hours of exposure, Caspase-3 activity was also measured by fluorometric assay. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was examined in all groups. The mRNA expression levels of p73, caspase-3 and also Caspase-3 activity in HF+PSCs-treated peritoneal cells were higher than in the test and control groups (Pv<0.05), while the mRNA expression level of anti-apoptotic STAT3 and Smac genes in HF+PSC-treated peritoneal cells were lower than in the other groups (Pv<0.05). As well, the level of intracellular ROS in the fertile HCF-treated peritoneal cells, infertile HCF-treated peritoneal cells, PSC-treated peritoneal cells and HF+PSC-treated peritoneal cells groups were significantly higher than in the control group (Pv<0.05).Current findings indicates that oxidative stress and p73 can trigger the apoptosis of murine peritoneal cells through modulator of HF-treated PSCs that is likely one of the hydatid cyst survival mechanisms in vivo mice model.

Host genetic backgrounds: the key to determining parasite-host adaptation

Parasitic diseases pose a significant threat to global public health, particularly in developing countries. Host genetic factors play a crucial role in determining susceptibility and resistance to infection. Recent advances in molecular and biological technologies have enabled significant breakthroughs in understanding the impact of host genes on parasite adaptation. In this comprehensive review, we analyze the host genetic factors that influence parasite adaptation, including hormones, nitric oxide, immune cells, cytokine gene polymorphisms, parasite-specific receptors, and metabolites. We also establish an interactive network to better illustrate the complex relationship between host genetic factors and parasite-host adaptation. Additionally, we discuss future directions and collaborative research priorities in the parasite-host adaptation field, including investigating the impact of host genes on the microbiome, developing more sophisticated models, identifying and characterizing parasite-specific receptors, utilizing patient-derived sera as diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and developing novel treatments and management strategies targeting specific host genetic factors. This review highlights the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to investigating the underlying mechanisms of parasite-host adaptation, which requires interdisciplinary collaborations among biologists, geneticists, immunologists, and clinicians. By deepening our understanding of the complex interactions between host genetics and parasite adaptation, we can develop more effective and targeted interventions to prevent and treat parasitic diseases. Overall, this review provides a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians working in the parasitology field and offers insights into the future directions of this critical research area.

Expression analysis of circulating miR-146a and miR-155 as novel biomarkers related to effective immune responses in human cystic echinococcosis

Cystic echinococcosis, an important zoonotic disease, is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. MicroRNAs are a small group of single-stranded noncoding RNAs, which play an effective role in biological processes. This study aimed at comparing the expression levels of miR-146a and miR-155 in the plasma of patients with hydatidosis and healthy individuals. A group of 20 patients with hydatid cyst formed a study group and 20 healthy individuals with no known chronic diseases formed a control group. Plasma samples were collected from hydatidosis patients as well as sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. After that, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were done and the expression levels of miR-146a and miR-155 were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for both groups. The results indicated that the level of miR-146a increased in all patients with hydatidosis compared to the control group. Also, the level of miR-155 increased in all hydatidosis patients, but no correlation was observed in the level of miR-155 between the two groups. The results also revealed that miR-146a and miR-155 upregulation in the plasma leads to the development of novel biomarkers for echinococcosis. One of the reasons for the increase of miRNAs in hydatidosis may be their role in modulating the immune system. These miRNAs are likely to be considered as one of the most important biomarkers in determining the severity of hydatidosis.

Phylogeography and Genetic Diversity of Human Hydatidosis in Bordering the Caspian Sea, Northern Iran by Focusing on Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Stricto Complex

Background:

Human Echinococcosisis a cyclo-zoonotic infection caused by tapeworms of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto complex. The detection of mitochondrial genome data of genus Echinococcus can reflect the taxonomic status, genetic diversity, and population structure genetics.

Methods:

Totally, 52 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from patients with histologically confirmed CE were collected from Mazandaran province, Iran in the period of Mar 1995 to May 2018. All extracted DNAs from (FFPE) tissue samples were subjected to amplify by polymerase chain reactions method targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. All PCR amplicons were sequenced to phylogenetic analysis and genetic diversity.

Results:

Molecular analysis showed that 50(96.1%) and 2 (3.84%) isolates were identified as G1 andG3 E. granulosus genotypes, respectively. DNA sequence analyses indicated a high gene diversity for G1 (Haplotype diversity: 0.830) and G3 genotypes (Hd: 1.00). Based on multiple sequence alignment analyses, 7 (13.46%; G1 genotype) and 2 (3.84%; G3 genotype) new haplotypes were unequivocally identified.

Conclusion:

G3 genotype (Buffalo strain) was identified from two human hydatidosis isolates in the region. Present study strengthens our knowledge about taxonomic status, transmission patterns of Echinococcus parasite to human and heterogeneity aspects of this parasite in clinical CE isolates of Northern Iran.

Recent advances on innate immune pathways related to host-parasite cross-talk in cystic and alveolar echinococcosis

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are life-threatening parasitic infections worldwide caused by Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato) and E. multilocularis, respectively. Very little is known about the factors affecting innate susceptibility and resistance to infection with Echinococcus spp. Although benzimidazolic drugs against CE and AE have definitively improved the treatment of these cestodes; however, the lack of successful control campaigns, including the EG95 vaccine, at a continental level indicates the importance of generating novel therapies. This review represents an update on the latest developments in the regulatory functions of innate immune pathways such as apoptosis, toll-like receptors (TLRs), and inflammasomes against CE and AE. We suggest that apoptosis can reciprocally play a bi-functional role among the host-Echinococcus metabolite relationships in suppressive and survival mechanisms of CE. Based on the available information, further studies are needed to determine whether the orchestrated in silico strategy for designing inhibitors and interfering RNA against anti-apoptotic proteins and TLRs would be effective to improve new treatments as well as therapeutic vaccines against the E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.

Interactions between hydatid cyst and regulated cell death may provide new therapeutic opportunities

Cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis are chronic zoonotic infections, transmitted throughout the world. Development of the cestode larval stages in the liver and lungs causes damage to intermediate hosts, including humans. Several pathways leading to the suppression of host immune response and the survival of the cysts in various hosts are known. Immune response modulation and regulated cell death (RCD) play a fundamental role in cyst formation, development and pathogenesis. RCD, referring to apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy, can be triggered either via intrinsic or extrinsic cell stimuli. In this review, we provide a general overview of current knowledge on the process of RCD during echinococcosis. The study of interactions between RCD and Echinococcus spp. metacestodes may provide in-depth understanding of echinococcosis pathogenesis and open new horizons for human intervention and treatment of the disease.

A clinical association between Toll-like receptor 2 Arg753Gln polymorphism with recurrent cystic echinococcosis in postsurgery patients: A case control study

Recurrence of hydatid cysts in cystectomy patients has dramatically remained a serious concern within the surgical community. Predisposing factors for recurrence of hydatid cysts remained to be identified. Toll-like receptor (TLR) plays a pivotal role in bridging between acquired and innate immunity in cystic echinococcosis (CE) infection. 117 CE patients including 66 acute hydatidosis (AH; primary infection) and 51 recurrent hydatidosis (RH; chronic infection), and 117 ethnically matched healthy control (HC) were investigated from endemic regions of Iran in the period of 2015-2018. CE patients were definitely confirmed using histopathological and immunological assays. Genotyping of TLR2 Arg753Gln was carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing. The homozygous mutant-type TLR2 Gln/Gln (A/A) was represented to be associated with the occurrence of RH (P = 0.04) and conferred a 9 fold risk for susceptibility, while the heterozygous mutant-type TLR2 Arg/Gln (G/A) indicated a tendency to be associated with the occurrence of RH (P = 0.07). There was no discrepancy in the frequency of TLR2 Arg753Gln haplotypes between AH patients and HC individuals (P = 0.09). The mutant allele A was observed to be a risk factor for susceptibility to RH patients. Our results point to a clinical association between TLR2 Arg753Gln haplotypes with RH in postoperative patients. It can be inferred that allele G may lead to protection against the CE, while mutant allele A may be a diagnostic hallmark in the screening of RH susceptibility. Nevertheless, further studies with a larger sample size of different ethnic populations are required to authenticate this association.