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Azimi A, Afshar S, Matini M, Fallah M. Deciphering the role of miR-71 and let-7 in the fertility of cystic echinococcosis cysts: a preliminary assessment. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3619-3625. [PMID: 36266590 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected helminthic zoonosis in many parts of the world. Some CE cysts in the intermediate host are non-fertile. Considering the function of microRNAs in many biological processes such as embryonic development, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, this study investigated the function and comparison of miR-71 and let-7 in fertile and non-fertile CE cysts. Here, we determined the expression level of the miRNAs for 33 animal cysts and 16 human cysts (Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1). The quantitative real-time PCR method was conducted for the expression evaluation of miR-71 and let-7. The expression of both miRNAs in all samples was determined using the following formula: [ΔCT = CT (target) - CT (internal control)]. A comparison of Δct of miR-71 and let-7 in fertile and non-fertile cysts did not show a significant difference (P = 0.911 and 0.354). In cattle, sheep, and humans, Δct of miR-71, and let-7 were higher, respectively. Therefore, the mean expression of miR-71 and let-7 indicates an increase in humans compared to other intermediate hosts. Also, statistical results show a significant difference in the expression of these miRNAs in sheep, cattle, and human cysts (P = 0.025 and 0.01). The lower expression of these miRNAs in cattle cysts and their common infertility might be associated with the hypothesis and function of miRNAs in the fertility of CE cysts. So we should not ignore the function and role of miRNAs in this subject due to the importance of infertility in E. granulosus epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Azimi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Saeid Afshar
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Matini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Fallah
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
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Evaluation of two heterologous recombinant antigens for the serological diagnosis of human polycystic echinococcosis. J Helminthol 2022; 96:e21. [PMID: 35297359 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x22000086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic echinococcosis (PE) is a zoonosis endemic in the Neotropical region of the Americas. It is caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus vogeli, which develops as harmful cysts that slowly grow in the liver, lungs and other organs of humans and other host species. Human PE diagnosis is usually based on clinical and epidemiological aspects and imaging techniques, often requiring confirmation by immunological assays. The currently available serological tests for detecting antibodies against Echinococcus spp. are mostly based on complex, variable and poorly characterized mixtures of native parasite antigens, which impairs specificity and/or sensitivity. In this scenario, the evaluation of well-characterized alternative antigens is urgently needed for the improvement of PE diagnosis. Here, two subunits (AgB8/1 and AgB8/2) of the major secretory antigen from Echinococcus granulosus (antigen B (AgB)), of diagnostic value for cystic echinococcosis, were validated for PE diagnosis. These antigens, produced as pure recombinant proteins (rAgB8/1 and rAgB8/2) in Escherichia coli, allowed detecting specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in sera from PE patients in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with sensitivities of 83.72% and 81.40%, respectively, and specificities of 83.12% and 80.09%, respectively. The use of recombinant proteins overcomes difficulties to obtain parasite material and reduced non-specific reactions and costs. Our results demonstrated reproducibility and accuracy high enough to be considered valid according to the acceptance criteria for Food and Drug Administration assay validation. This qualifies rAgB8/1 and rAgB8/2 as potential substitutes for the currently used parasite crude or partially purified antigens.
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Ben Salah E, Barrera C, Sakly W, Mosbahi S, Balliau T, Franche N, Gottstein B, Ben Youssef S, Mekki M, Babba H, Millon L. Novel biomarkers for the early prediction of pediatric cystic echinococcosis post-surgical outcomes. J Infect 2021; 84:87-93. [PMID: 34614401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to search for reliable serological biomarkers allowing the early prediction of cystic echinococcosis (CE) post-operative outcomes. METHODS We applied immunoprecipitation (IP) of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolex antigens with pediatric CE patients' plasma collected at 1-month and 1-year post-surgery, followed by Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We compared IP proteomic content from relapsed patients within the first-year post-surgery (RCE) to cases with no relapses until 3 post-operative years (NRCE). Selected proteins were recombinantly synthesized and assessed for their prognostic performance by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS A total of 305 immunoreactive parasitic proteins were identified, 59 of which were significantly more abundant in RCE than NRCE for both time-points. Four proteins showed the most promising characteristics for predicting CE outcomes: cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (Eg-cMDH), citrate synthase (Eg-CS), annexin A6 and severin. ELISA-IgG against the four markers were significantly lower at 1-year post-surgery than 1-month in NRCE, in contrast to RCE that displayed either stable or higher levels. The Eg-cMDH and Eg-CS showed the best prognostic performance, with respective probabilities of being "relapse-free" of 83% and 81%, if a decrease of IgG levels occurred between 1-month and 1-year post-surgery. CONCLUSION The Eg-cMDH and Eg-CS are promising biomarkers to predict early CE post-surgical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eya Ben Salah
- Département de Biologie clinique B, Faculté de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire LR12ES08, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia; National French Reference Centre for Echinococcosis, University Hospital, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Bd Fleming, Besançon F-25000, France; Department of Parasitology Mycology, University Hospital of Besançon, UMR/ CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement Research Team, University of Bourgogne, Franche-Comté, France.
| | - Coralie Barrera
- National French Reference Centre for Echinococcosis, University Hospital, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Bd Fleming, Besançon F-25000, France; Department of Parasitology Mycology, University Hospital of Besançon, UMR/ CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement Research Team, University of Bourgogne, Franche-Comté, France.
| | - Wahiba Sakly
- Département de Biologie clinique B, Faculté de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire LR12ES08, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Sana Mosbahi
- Paediatric Surgery Department, Laboratory of Malformative and Tumor Pathology in Children (LR12SP13), Medical School, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Thierry Balliau
- PAPPSO, INRAE, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, GQE-Le Moulon, Gif-sur-Yvette 91190, France.
| | - Nathalie Franche
- Department of Parasitology Mycology, University Hospital of Besançon, UMR/ CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement Research Team, University of Bourgogne, Franche-Comté, France.
| | - Bruno Gottstein
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Sabrine Ben Youssef
- Paediatric Surgery Department, Laboratory of Malformative and Tumor Pathology in Children (LR12SP13), Medical School, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Mongi Mekki
- Paediatric Surgery Department, Laboratory of Malformative and Tumor Pathology in Children (LR12SP13), Medical School, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Département de Biologie clinique B, Faculté de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie Médicale et Moléculaire LR12ES08, Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Laurence Millon
- National French Reference Centre for Echinococcosis, University Hospital, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Bd Fleming, Besançon F-25000, France; Department of Parasitology Mycology, University Hospital of Besançon, UMR/ CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement Research Team, University of Bourgogne, Franche-Comté, France.
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Xian J, Wang N, Zhao P, Zhang Y, Meng J, Ma X, Guo X, Wang Z, Bo X. Molecular characterization and immune protection of the 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene in Echinococcus granulosus. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:489. [PMID: 34556147 PMCID: PMC8460197 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05001-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious parasitic zoonosis caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. The development of an effective vaccine is one of the most promising strategies for controlling CE. METHODS The E. granulosus 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EgHCDH) gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The distribution of EgHCDH in protoscoleces (PSCs) and adult worms was analyzed using immunofluorescence. The transcript levels of EgHCDH in PSCs and adult worms were analyzed using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). The immune protective effects of the rEgHCDH were evaluated. RESULTS The 924-bp open reading frame sequence of EgHCDH, which encodes a protein of approximately 34 kDa, was obtained. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that EgHCDH was expressed in both the PSCs and adult worms of E. granulosus. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that EgHCDH was mainly localized in the tegument of PSCs and adult worms. Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant protein was recognized by E. granulosus-infected dog sera. Animal challenge experiments demonstrated that dogs immunized with recombinant (r)EgHCDH had significantly higher serum IgG, interferon gamma and interleukin-4 concentrations than the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control group. The rEgHCDH vaccine was able to significantly reduce the number of E. granulosus and inhibit the segmental development of E. granulosus compared to the PBS control group. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that rEgHCDH can induce partial immune protection against infection with E. granulosus and could be an effective candidate for the development of new vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwen Xian
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production/Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, 832000 Shihezi, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000 China
| | - Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production/Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, 832000 Shihezi, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000 China
| | - Pengpeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production/Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, 832000 Shihezi, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000 China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production/Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, 832000 Shihezi, China
| | - Jimeng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production/Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, 832000 Shihezi, China
| | - Xun Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000 China
| | - Xiaola Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production/Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, 832000 Shihezi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gansu, 730046 China
| | - Zhengrong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production/Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, 832000 Shihezi, China
| | - Xinwen Bo
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production/Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, 832000 Shihezi, China
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Molecular characterization and functional analysis of Eimeria tenella citrate synthase. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:1025-1035. [PMID: 33501586 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07014-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Chicken coccidiosis, caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Eimeria, is a major parasitic disease in the intensively reared poultry industry. Due to the widespread use of anticoccidial drugs, resistance has become an inevitable problem. In our previous study, Eimeria tenella citrate synthase (EtCS) was found to be up-expressed in two drug-resistant strains (diclazuril-resistant and maduramycin-resistant strains) compared to drug-sensitive strain by RNA sequence. In this study, we cloned and expressed EtCS and obtain its polyclonal antibodies. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain (qPCR) reactions and Western blots were used to analyze the transcription and translation levels of EtCS in sensitive and three drug-resistant strains. Compared with the sensitive strain, the transcription of EtCS was both significantly upregulated in diclazuril-resistant and maduramycin-resistant strains, but was not significantly different in salinomycin-resistant strain. No significant difference was seen in translation level in the three drug-resistant strains. Indirect immunofluorescence indicated that EtCS was mainly located in the cytoplasm of sporozoites except for posterior refractile bodies and in the cytoplasm and surface of merozoites. Anti-rEtCS antibody has inhibitory effects on E. tenella sporozoite invasion of DF-1 cells and the inhibition rate is more than 83%. Binding of the protein to chicken macrophage (HD11) cells was confirmed by immunofluorescence assays. When macrophages were treated with rEtCS, secretion of nitric oxide and cell proliferation of the macrophages were substantially reduced. These results showed that EtCS may be related to host cell invasion of E. tenella and involve in the development of E.tenella resistance to some drugs.
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Zhan J, Song H, Wang N, Guo C, Shen N, Hua R, Shi Y, Angel C, Gu X, Xie Y, Lai W, Peng X, Yang G. Molecular and Functional Characterization of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAP, BIRP) in Echinococcus granulosus. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:729. [PMID: 32390980 PMCID: PMC7188921 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, resulting in cystic echinococcosis, a parasitic zoonosis, causes huge economic losses to the livestock industry and poses a threat to public health. Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) is a class of endogenous anti-apoptotic family, which plays a significant functional role in the regulation of organism’s development. Herein, to explore potential functions of IAPs in E. granulosus, two members of IAPs from E. granulosus (Eg-IAP and Eg-BIRP) were cloned, expressed, and molecularly characterized. Eg-IAP and Eg-BIRP encoded putative 331 and 168 residue proteins, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis showed that both proteins contained a type II BIR domain-the essential functional domain of IAPs. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry revealed that both proteins were ubiquitously localized in all life-cycle stages of E. granulosus. Our fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results revealed relatively higher transcription levels of two Eg-IAPs in protoscoleces (PSCs) compared to the 18-day strobilated worms. We further used different concentrations of LCL161, a Smac-mimetic pan-IAPs inhibitor, to induce the apoptosis in PSCs in vitro, and revealed that the survival rate of PSCs and transcription levels of both genes were negatively correlated with the concentration of LCL161. While the results of light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay also showed a higher apoptotic rate in PSCs with the increasing concentrations of LCL161. Taken together, our findings provide the reasonable evidence that both Eg-IAP and Eg-BIRP have potential implication in critical anti-apoptotic roles during the development of E. granulosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafei Zhan
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyu Song
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Guo
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Nengxing Shen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruiqi Hua
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Shi
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Christiana Angel
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Pakistan
| | - Xiaobin Gu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weimin Lai
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuerong Peng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Life and Basic Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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Ge YD, Jiang LL, Hou SL, Su FZ, Wang P, Zhang G. Heteroexpression and biochemical characterization of thermostable citrate synthase from the cyanobacteria Anabaena sp. PCC7120. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 168:105565. [PMID: 31887428 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The present study recombinantly expressed a citrate synthase from cyanobacteria Anabaena sp. PCC7120 (AnCS) in Escherichia coli and characterized its enzymatic activity. The molecular mass of native AnCS was 88,533.1 Da containing two 44,162.7 Da subunits. Recombinant AnCS revealed the highest activity at pH 9.0 and 25 °C. AnCS displayed high thermal stability with a half-life time (t1/2) of approximately 6.5 h at 60 °C, which was more thermostable than most CS from general organisms, but less than those from hyperthermophilic bacteria. The Km values of oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA were 138.50 and 18.15 μM respectively, suggesting a higher affinity to acetyl-CoA than oxaloacetate. Our inhibition assays showed that AnCS activity was not severely affected by most metal ions, but was strongly inhibited by Cu2+ and Zn2+. Treatments with ATP, ADP, AMP, NADH, and DTT depressed the AnCS activity. Overall, our results provide information on the enzymatic properties of AnCS, which contributes to the basic knowledge on CS selection for industrial utilizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Dong Ge
- The Research Center of Life Omics and Health, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China.
| | - Lu-Lu Jiang
- The Research Center of Life Omics and Health, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Shao-Lin Hou
- The Research Center of Life Omics and Health, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Feng-Zhi Su
- The Research Center of Life Omics and Health, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Peng Wang
- The Research Center of Life Omics and Health, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Gen Zhang
- Shenzhen GenProMetab Biotechnology Company Limited, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
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