Brugia malayi: Stage-specific expression of carbohydrates containing N-acetyl-d-glucosamine on the sheathed surfaces of microfilariae

Chitin, a key factor in immune regulation: lesson from infection with fungi and chitin bearing parasites

The probability of infection with fungi, as well as parasitic nematodes or arthropods may increase in overcrowded population of animals and human. The widespread overuse of drugs and immunosuppressants for veterinary or medical treatment create an opportunity for many pathogenic species. The aim of the review is to present the common molecular characteristics of such pathogens as fungi and nematodes and other chitin bearing animals, which may both activate and downregulate the immune response of the host. Although these pathogens are evolutionary distinct and distant, they may provoke similar immune mechanisms. The role of chitin in these phenomena will be reviewed, highlighting the immune reactions that may be induced in mammals by this natural polymer.

Introduction to neuropeptides: perspectives for the parasitologist

At the cellular and molecular levels, the small and simpler nervous systems of invertebrates do not differ fundamentally from the larger more complex ones of vertebrates. It seems therefore that the special properties of the human brain arise more from the fact that it has ten trillion cellular components than from any unusual properties of the components themselves. By studying invertebrates we can gain insight into what basic functions are performed by the cells and molecules of the nervous system and this will contribute to a more fundamental understanding of what goes on in a system in which the same functions are performed by uncountable numbers of neurones. Invertebrate studies are also important for an entirely different reason; they are interesting and important in their own right. Moreover, a relatively small number of invertebrates are pests; either parasites, vectors of serious parasitic diseases or pests of our agricultural production. It is no accident that most of the methods that are used to control such organisms act on their nervous system. That is because the nervous system is a complex chemical machine which works through a great variety of chemical interactions between a wide diversity of receptors and ligands. Many currently used control methods work because they disrupt these interactions. For this reason I would imagine that the new generation of compounds developed to control invertebrates will depend for their activity on interactions with the nervous system. Since most of the chemical effectors (transmitters, modulators and hormones) in the nervous system are peptides, a number of these newly developed approaches will depend upon a fundamental knowledge of peptidergic systems in parasites. This essay is about peptidergic systems and indicates how we might exploit their vulner-ability to interference.

Mannose-binding lectin A-deficient mice have abrogated antigen-specific IgM responses and increased susceptibility to a nematode infection

To investigate the role of mannose-binding lectin-A (MBL-A) in protection against infectious disease, MBL-A(-/-)-deficient mice were generated. Using a well-characterized mouse model of human filarial nematode infection, nematode survival and protective immune responses were tested in vivo. Blood-borne Brugia malayi microfilariae survived for significantly longer time periods in MBL-A(-/-) than in wild-type (WT) mice. However, no differences in either splenic cytokine responses or induction of leukocytes in the blood were observed. A profound abrogation of Ag-specific IgM levels was measured in B. malayi-infected MBL-A(-/-) mice, and some IgG isotypes were higher than those observed in WT animals. To establish whether there was a defect in Ab responses per se in MBL-A(-/-) mice or the effect was specific to filarial infection, we immunized these mice with OVA or a carbohydrate-free protein. Significantly, Ag-specific IgM responses were defective to both of these Ags, and Ag-specific IgG responses were largely unaffected. Furthermore, in naive mice, total IgM levels did not differ between MBL-A(-/-) and WT mice. This article describes the first demonstration that MBL-A may function independently of MBL-C and suggests that MBL-A, like other C-type lectins and members of the complement cascade, is intimately involved in the priming of the humoral Ab response.

Hemagglutinins in mosquitoes and their role in the immune response to Brugia malayi (Filarioidea:Nematoda) larvae

Hemagglutinins were determined in six species of mosquitoes that are susceptible and refractory to Brugia malayi (Filarioidea: Nematoda). High titers of hemagglutinins were found in the salivary gland extract and in the body fluid of a completely refractory species, Aedes taeniorhynchus, and in partially refractory species, Anopheles quadrimculatus but low levels of hemagglutinins were also present in the body fluid of Aedes aegypti (Black-eye, Liverpool strain), a susceptible species. Hemagglutinating activity was not found in the other three completely refractory species of mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex nigripalpus, and Aedes albopictus in which blood coagulated rapidly after ingestion. High titers of hemagglutinins in the salivary glands of Ae. taeniorhynchus and An. quadrimaculatus facilitated rapid movement of sheathed microfilariae from the midgut to the hemocoel. It is suggested that high titers of hemagglutinins present in the hemocoel bound to the glycoconjugates with exposed carbohydrate moieties present on the microfilarial sheaths and developing abnormal larvae (L1) in the thoracic muscle cells. These hemagglutinin-bound glycoconjugates formed capsules that subsequently stimulated the immune response and resulted in melanization of microfilarial sheaths and sheathed microfilariae in the hemocoel and intracellularly developing abnormal L1 in the thoracic muscles. Only minimal encapsulation and melanization of B. malayi microfilariae was observed in the hemocoel of the other four species of mosquitoes that lacked hemagglutinins in the salivary glands. The results suggest that tissue specific hemagglutinins are one of several factors of vector susceptibility/refractoriness through immune reactions (encapsulation, activation of prophenoloxidases).

Hemagglutinins in Anopheles quadrimaculatus, strains susceptible and refractory to Brugia malayi, and their role in the immune response to filarial parasites

Hemagglutinins in the salivary gland extract and in the body fluid from strains of the mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, susceptible and refractory to the filarial parasite, Brugia malayi, had higher titers against Human A+, B- and O+, and sheep erythrocytes than against rabbit and jird erythrocytes. Hemagglutination activity in the body fluid was low in newly emerged females but increased and stabilized as they became older. Hemagglutination activity of the body fluid was not reduced by freezing at -20 degrees C, but it was destroyed following heating the body fluid to 60 degrees C and 100 degrees C for 45 min, indicating that the hemagglutinins are heat labile, and they are proteins or glycoproteins. Hemagglutinins in the salivary glands exhibited specificities for a broader range of carbohydrate moieties on the surface of Human A+ and sheep erythrocytes than those in the body fluid. Injections of specific carbohydrates in saline solution into B. malayi-infected females of the refractory strain of An. quadrimaculatus 24 hr after the infective blood meal showed that galactose, N-acetyl-D-galacto-samine, sorbose and mannose inhibited the increase in encapsulation (melanization) of L1 of B. malayi in the thoracic muscles of An. quadrimaculatus females when compared to those females injected with saline and other carbohydrates. The results suggest that hemagglutinins are present in the salivary gland extract and the body fluid of both strains of An. quadrimaculatus females and they may be involved in the immune response (encapsulation) to filarial parasites in An. quadrimaculatus.

Litomosoides carinii: macrofilariae-derived glycolipids--chromatography, serology and potential in the evaluation of anthelminthic efficacy

A preliminary characterization of the glycolipids of Litomosoides carinii macrofilariae, resolved according to their chromatographic, chemical and serological properties, has been performed. Emphasis has been placed on the neutral fraction glycolipids. These are separable on thinlayer chromatography into two groups of fast and slow migrating band components, that differ in their migration, differential chemical staining and serological traits, respectively. Serological analyses have been accomplished by thin-layer chromatography immunostaining and ELISA. Only components of the slow migrating band group react with infection serum from Litomosoides carinii-infected Mastomys coucha. Cross-reactivity experiments with homologous and heterologous infection sera of various helminthiases indicate that, epitopes bound to the neutral glycolipid fraction show structural similarity within the Nematoda, but not to the Cestoda or Trematoda. The dynamic development of specific Ig-, IgG- and IgM-anti-neutral glycolipid fraction antibody levels were correlated with the different progression of L. carinii and Brugia malayi infections in the multimammate rat, Mastomys coucha. The reduction in the dynamics of IgG- and IgM-antibody levels on chemotherapeutic treatment with the filaricides flubendazole and CGP 20376 has been related to their macrofilaricide-activity.

Comparative study of hemolymph phenoloxidase activity in Aedes aegypti and Anopheles quadrimaculatus and its role in encapsulation of Brugia malayi microfilariae

Hemolymph phenoloxidase activity of sugar-fed and blood-fed females of Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Aedes aegypti showed similar characteristics. Phenoloxidase was present as an inactive proenzyme in both mosquito species and was partially activated during collection of the hemolymph. In both mosquito species, phenoloxidase activity was modulated by different buffers and activated phenoloxidase did not need Ca2+. Enzymatic activity was higher in the hemocytes than in the plasma in both mosquito species. Trypsin, laminarin, and blood-feeding on uninfected and Brugia malayi-infected jirds enhanced hemolymph phenoloxidase activity in both mosquito species. The appearance of hemolymph phenoloxidase activity was inhibited by p-nitrophenyl p'-guanidinobenzoate HCl, soybean trypsin inhibitor, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethyldithiocarbamic acid, saturated 1-phenyl-2-thiourea and reduced glutathione, but not by benzamidine in A. quadrimaculatus. The appearance of hemolymph phenoloxidase activity was inhibited by benzamidine, diethyldithiocarbamic acid, saturated 1-phenyl-2-thiourea, reduced glutathione, p-nitrophenyl p'-guanidinobenzoate and soybean trypsin inhibitor, but not by ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid in A. aegypti. It is suggested that in both mosquito species, blood-feeding and migration of sheathed microfilariae in the homocoel activated the prophenoloxidase in the hemolymph and caused the encapsulation and melanization of microfilarial sheaths and microfilariae of B. malayi.

Changes in the surface composition after transmission of Acanthocheilonema viteae third stage larvae into the jird

This study describes the dynamics and the biochemical nature of changes in the surface of the filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae after its transmission into the vertebrate host. Vector-derived third-stage larvae (mL3) were inoculated into naive Meriones unguiculatus and recovered from the tissues at different times post-infection until their moult to fourth-stage larvae (L4). Surface-specific labelling with fluoresceinated lectins revealed that the larvae are covered by a carbohydrate envelope. Although the mL3 envelope was strongly reduced one day after transmission, new surface carbohydrates appeared until the onset of moulting, some of which could also be identified on the surface of L4. In general, surface carbohydrates were partially shed by moving larvae, suggesting a loose association of these components in the epicuticle. The fate of cuticular lipids and proteins of L3 and L4 was monitored by external 125I-labelling and differential extraction of the components. Thin-layer chromatography of surface-labelled lipids revealed only minor changes 1 day after parasite transmission. Afterwards the number of lipids accessible to label decreased further until moulting was complete. Two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of surface-labelled proteins showed a consistent surface exposure of mL3 specific proteins until 1 day post-infection. Thereafter, the composition of surface-labelled proteins changed rapidly, resembling that of the L4 as early as several days before moulting. During this period individual differences in the composition of surface proteins were evident.

Developmental changes of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes revealed by tegumental ultrastructure and lectin-binding sites

Ultrastructural investigations (SEM, TEM) combined with lectin-binding analysis, have revealed concurrent modifications in tegumentary structure and surface glycoconjugates during the establishment and differentiation of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes in jirds. The laminated layer, which is amorphous and rich in polysaccharides when initially secreted by the young cyst, takes on a different appearance and has a different glycoconjugate composition according to whether the cyst becomes fertile or sterile. The laminated layer of fertile cysts transforms into a microfibrillar matrix, the protein content of which may increase while sugar content decreases during protoscolex differentiation. Independently of this structure, brood capsules, from which arise protoscoleces, are formed by invagination of the cyst tegument. The intense secretion of glycoconjugates from the brood capsule wall during invagination may serve to interact with host factors passing through the laminated layer. The combined use of ultrastructural study and lectin labelling has allowed the demonstration of an ultrastructural and biochemical gradient of differentiation of the protoscolex. Seven stages of differentiation have been described. The possibility that the excreted-secreted tegumentary glycoconjugates, revealed by lectin labelling during protoscolex differentiation, might be the gradual biochemical expression of one or several stimuli implicated in the phenomenon of protoscolex maturation, is discussed.

Chemical composition of Litomosoides carinii microfilarial sheaths

Litomosoides carinii microfilariae were exsheathed by freezing and thawing, and the sheaths were separated by filtration. Samples of pure sheaths thus obtained were hydrolyzed, methanolyzed or oxidized with nitric acid under pressure at 300 degrees C, respectively, and were analyzed for amino acids, sugars, fatty acids or for metal ions and phosphorus. Almost 75% of the sheath dry weight could thus be accounted for. Amino acids (55 weight %) were the major constituents, and amongst these glutamine and proline (approximately 11% each). The detection of 2% cysteine/cystine indicated the possible presence of disulfide crosslinks. Besides amino acids, approximately 8% of sugars--roughly equimolar amounts of (N-acetyl)galactosamine and uronic acids--1.5% of monovalent cations (Na+ and K+) and 9.5% of phosphate were detected. No appreciable amounts of fatty acids, neutral sugars, neuraminic acid, or (N-acetyl)glucosamine (i.e. no chitin) were found.

Brugia malayi: patterns of expression of surface-associated antigens

Patterns of expression of surface-associated antigens were analyzed in the filarial nematode Brugia malayi immediately prior, and during development in the vertebrate host. Two surface-associated protein molecules, i.e., accessible to surface radioiodination and soluble in aqueous buffers, were investigated: Mrs 29-30,000 and 16,000, both of which are antigenic in infected animals. The Mr 29-30,000 glycoprotein is expressed in a surface-associated manner by adult worms and by fourth-stage larvae, but is not detectable in preparasitic third-stage larvae. The 16,000 component, which appears not to be glycosylated, is surface-associated in adult worms and fourth-stage larvae. In contrast to the 29-30,000 glycoprotein, the 16,000 protein is also expressed both by pre- and postparastic third-stage larvae. However, it becomes surface-associated only after infection. Thus, immediately prior, and during development within the vertebrate host, B. malayi displays at least two different patterns of expression of surface-associated antigens: (i) de novo, intiated either immediately after infection (phase specific) or during genesis of the fourth-stage larva (stage specific); (ii) continuous, but with phase-dependent surface exposure of previously cryptic antigens, during the transition from intermediate to definitive host.

The sheaths of Brugia microfilariae: isolation and composition

Burgia malayi and B. pahangi microfilariae were isolated from the blood of infected Mastomys natalensis, and were exsheathed by freezing, thawing and agitation. Pure sheaths were obtained by a filtration procedure. The sheaths were found to contain about 95 mol% of amino acids, with proline, glutamic acid/glutamine, alanine, cysteine/cystine and glycine being the major components, and 5 mol% of carbohydrates, notably (N-acetyl)galactosamine, but no (N-acetyl)glucosamine.

Lectin binding to larval stages of Brugia patei

Surface properties of microfilariae (mf) and infective larvae of Brugia patei were investigated to compare them to previous studies with the other brugian species. Of all the lectins tested, only wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binds to the sheath surface of mf indicating the presence of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine as a major surface carbohydrate. However, cuticle of infective larvae failed to show binding of these lectins. Enzyme treatment of mf with N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase and L-fucosidase has exposed D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and L-fucose on the sheath surface. The binding of lectins to intact mf and to enzyme-treated mf appeared to be specific as pretreatment with specific inhibitory sugars completely abolished the binding activity. This is the first study conducted with this filarial parasite and it established that B. patei is similar to other species of Brugia but differs from Wuchereria in its surface-lectin binding properties.

Cytochemical demonstration of lectin binding-sites in the cuticle and tissues of Acanthocheilonema viteae (Filarioidea)

The lectin-gold technique was used for the ultrastructural localization of lectin binding sites on thin sections of Lowicryl K4M embedded adult females, infective larvae and SDS-2-mercaptoethanol-insoluble cuticle components of Acanthocheilonema (Dipetalonema) viteae. Helix pomatia lectin (HPL) coupled to 14 nm gold particles, was used for the demonstration of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-containing glycoconjugates. Triticum vulgaris (wheat germ) agglutinin (WGA) coupled to 10 nm gold particles after cross-linking to BSA or ovomucoid-gold after application of unlabeled WGA, demonstrated WGA binding sites (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine). With both lectins no surface labelling of the cuticle was observed, but subcuticular layers reacted positively. HPL-gold was bound to cuticular fibers, the matrix and to the electron dense layer within the cortical zone of the cuticle of female worms. WGA-gold complexes were bound mainly to the cuticle matrix and somatic tissues. The results support the hypothesis that tissue-dwelling parasitic nematodes have reduced their surface carbohydrates perhaps as a consequence of their parasitic life.

Dirofilaria immitis: surface properties of third- and fourth-stage larvae

The objective of this study was to analyze surface properties of larval Dirofilaria immitis with potential relevance to protective immunity. Comparisons were made between third (L3)- and fourth-stage larvae (L4) based on their net surface charge, surface carbohydrate and antigen composition, ability to nonspecifically absorb host proteins, complement activation, and nonspecific cellular adherence. It was determined that L3 had a net negative surface charge, whereas L4 had either a neutral or weakly positive surface charge. The lectin Con A, but not any of the other lectins tested, bound only to the surface of L4, and not to that of L3. Monoclonal antibodies were prepared which reacted with the surface of L3 or with the surface of L4, but never both. L4 were found to nonspecifically adsorb host protein to their surfaces, whereas L3 did not. Both L3 and L4 were found to activate complement through the alternate pathway. Finally, nonspecific cellular adherence was found on L3 both in vitro and in vivo but not on L4. The surfaces of L3 and L4 were thus shown to be significantly different and, potentially, in ways which would have great impact in the generation and effectiveness of a protective immune response.

The biochemical and immunochemical characterisation of the 30 kilodalton surface antigen of Brugia pahangi

The major surface antigen (30 kDa) of Brugia pahangi has been characterised by a number of biochemical and immunochemical means. The 30 kDa polypeptide is a glycoprotein which can be extracted from the worm surface by homogenization in the absence of detergents. The 30 kDa polypeptide can be metabolically labelled with [35S]methionine in adult male and female parasites. In addition small amounts of the 35S-labelled 30 kDa antigen can be detected in the medium of worms cultured in vitro. 125I labelling of the excretory-secretory (ES) products of adult male and female parasites followed by immunoprecipitation and peptide mapping has confirmed the relationship between the surface located 30 kDa polypeptide and that released in vitro.

Monoclonal antibody to a unique surface epitope of the human filaria Brugia malayi identifies infective larvae in mosquito vectors

We describe properties of an IgM monoclonal antibody (NEB-D1E5) raised against the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi. The antibody reacts with a stage- and species-specific determinant located on the surface of the infective-stage larva, as determined by indirect immunofluorescence. To use this reagent in epidemiological field studies, we developed an enzyme-linked immunoassay with which B. malayi larvae can be differentiated from other filarial parasites in mosquito vectors, including the morphologically indistinguishable parasite of animals Brugia pahangi. The immunoenzyme assay was 91-94% specific and 90-97% sensitive when performed on infected mosquitoes. In the absence of mosquito tissue, the levels of specificity and sensitivity increased to 100% and 97.5-100%, respectively. Binding of antibody to the surface of living larvae was abrogated by treatment of the worms with the enzymes pronase and proteinase K and with the detergents Triton X-100, octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, and 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulphonate (CHAPS). In contrast, treatment with trypsin, endoglycosidase-F, O-Glycanase, N-Glycanase, lipase, various phospholipases, boiling, 2-mercaptoethanol at 37 degrees C, or periodate did not reduce the antigenicity of the larval surface to antibody NEB-D1E5. These results suggest that the species-specific epitope is a peptide domain attached to a hydrophobic anchoring residue.

Immunochemical characterization and biosynthesis of major antigens of iodo-bead surface-labeled Brugia malayi microfilariae

The objectives of the present study were to identify and characterize biochemically the major antigens of Brugia malayi microfilariae, a filarial parasite that infects humans. IgG antibodies in sera of mice which had cleared parasites from the bloodstream reacted with 30, 55, 94 and 150 kDa molecules of living microfilariae radioiodinated by the Iodo-bead method. Sera of humans infected with the related filariae Wuchereria bancrofti, Loa loa or Onchocerca volvulus immunoprecipitated molecules of similar size as well as two additional proteins of 22 and 43 kDa. Sera of uninfected North Americans or mice infected with Trichinella spiralis or Schistosoma mansoni did not recognize these radioiodinated antigens. Experiments to examine the possible surface localization and metabolism of these antigens showed that they were removed from intact parasites exposed to chymotrypsin or trypsin and that immunogenic molecules of 30, 55, and 150 kDa were released into excretory-secretory products by viable microfilariae. [35S]Methionine biosynthetically labeled polypeptide antigens of 22, 30, 35 and 150 kDa were detected by antibody reacted with intact microfilariae and/or their excretion products. Antigens of 30, 55, and 150 kDa appear to be glycoproteins as they bound wheat germ agglutinin and were biosynthetically labeled with [14C]N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. These data suggest that the surface of B. malayi microfilariae is a dynamic structure which synthesizes and sheds antigens.

Formation by the uterus of a peripheral layer of the sheath in microfilariae of Litomosoides carinii and Brugia malayi

The eggshells of young developmental stages in the uterus are rather thin and homogenous. In the brezel stage of Brugia malayi they are 35 nm thick and 20 nm in Litomosoides carinii. In young developmental stages up to brezel stages the eggshells bind the lectins WGA, DBA and PNA labelled with colloidal gold. This shows that GlcNAc, GalNAc and Gal residues are present at the surface of the sheath. In intrauterine microfilariae of B. malayi the original sheath is reduced to a thickness of 7 nm. It is reinforced by secretions from a specialized area of the epithelium of the uterus which do not appear as a homogeneous layer but look like a string of pearls. This layer may be called the "uterine layer". It has a thickness of 40-80 nm. In the microfilaria of L. carinii, the thickness of the original sheath is reduced to 2-3 nm and the uterine layer has a thickness of 7 nm. The uterine layer does not react with any of the lectins, which shows that the surface lacks N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine and galactose residues. The uterine layer appears to be an ancestral (plesiomorphic) feature which is present in free-living nematodes and the highly specialized bloodforms of filariae. The uterine layer seems to protect and disguise the original sheath against the immune reactions of the host.