1
|
Evolution of tetraspanin antigens in the zoonotic Asian blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:97. [PMID: 36918965 PMCID: PMC10012309 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05706-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite successful control efforts in China over the past 60 years, zoonotic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum remains a threat with transmission ongoing and the risk of localised resurgences prompting calls for a novel integrated control strategy, with an anti-schistosome vaccine as a core element. Anti-schistosome vaccine development and immunisation attempts in non-human mammalian host species, intended to interrupt transmission, and utilising various antigen targets, have yielded mixed success, with some studies highlighting variation in schistosome antigen coding genes (ACGs) as possible confounders of vaccine efficacy. Thus, robust selection of target ACGs, including assessment of their genetic diversity and antigenic variability, is paramount. Tetraspanins (TSPs), a family of tegument-surface antigens in schistosomes, interact directly with the host's immune system and are promising vaccine candidates. Here, for the first time to our knowledge, diversity in S. japonicum TSPs (SjTSPs) and the impact of diversifying selection and sequence variation on immunogenicity in these protiens were evaluated. METHODS SjTSP sequences, representing parasite populations from seven provinces across China, were gathered by baiting published short-read NGS data and were analysed using in silico methods to measure sequence variation and selection pressures and predict the impact of selection on variation in antigen protein structure, function and antigenic propensity. RESULTS Here, 27 SjTSPs were identified across three subfamilies, highlighting the diversity of TSPs in S. japonicum. Considerable variation was demonstrated for several SjTSPs between geographical regions/provinces, revealing that episodic, diversifying positive selection pressures promote amino acid variation/variability in the large extracellular loop (LEL) domain of certain SjTSPs. Accumulating polymorphisms in the LEL domain of SjTSP-2, -8 and -23 led to altered structural, functional and antibody binding characteristics, which are predicted to impact antibody recognition and possibly blunt the host's ability to respond to infection. Such changes, therefore, appear to represent a mechanism utilised by S. japonicum to evade the host's immune system. CONCLUSION Whilst the genetic and antigenic geographic variability observed amongst certain SjTSPs could present challenges to vaccine development, here we demonstrate conservation amongst SjTSP-1, -13 and -14, revealing their likely improved utility as efficacious vaccine candidates. Importantly, our data highlight that robust evaluation of vaccine target variability in natural parasite populations should be a prerequisite for anti-schistosome vaccine development.
Collapse
|
2
|
Xian J, Zhao P, Wang N, Wang W, Zhang Y, Meng J, Ma X, Wang Z, Bo X. Molecular Characterization of a Tetraspanin TSP11 Gene in Echinococcus granulosus and Evaluation Its Immunoprotection in Model Dogs. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:759283. [PMID: 34869731 PMCID: PMC8635718 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.759283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, which affects humans and a wide range of mammalian intermediate hosts. Parasite tetraspanin proteins are crucial for host-parasite interactions, and therefore they may be useful for vaccine development or disease diagnosis. In the present study, the major antigen coding sequence of tetraspanin 11 (Eg-TSP11) from E. granulosus was determined. The results of immunolocalization showed that Eg-TSP11 was mainly located in the tegument of adult worms and protoscoleces. Western blotting analysis showed that the serum from dogs injected with recombinant Eg-TSP11 (rEg-TSP11) could recognize Eg-TSP11 among natural protoscolex proteins. Moreover, the serum from dogs with E. granulosus infection also recognized rEg-TSP11. Serum indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays demonstrated that IgG levels gradually increased after the first immunization with rEg-TSP11 compared with those in the control group. Furthermore, the serum levels of interleukin 4, interleukin 5, and interferon gamma were significantly altered in the rEg-TSP11 group. Importantly, we found that vaccination with rEg-TSP11 significantly decreased worm burden and inhibited segment development in a dog model of E. granulosus infection. Based on these findings, we speculated that rEg-TSP11 might be a potential candidate vaccine antigen against E. granulosus infection in dogs.
Collapse
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, Shihezi, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 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, Shihezi, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 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, Shihezi, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Weiye 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, Shihezi, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 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, 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, Shihezi, China
| | - Xun Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 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, 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, Shihezi, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Evaluation of Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Fasciola hepatica Tetraspanin 2 (TSP2) Fused to E. coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin B Subunit LTB Adjuvant Following Intranasal Vaccination of Cattle. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111213. [PMID: 34835144 PMCID: PMC8623123 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fasciolosis, caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica, is an economically important and globally distributed zoonotic disease. Liver fluke infections in livestock cause significant losses in production and are of particular concern to regions where drug resistance is emerging. Antigens of the F. hepatica surface tegument represent promising vaccine candidates for controlling this disease. Tetraspanins are integral tegumental antigens that have shown partial protection as vaccine candidates against other trematode species. The Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin's B subunit (LTB) is a potent mucosal adjuvant capable of inducing an immune response to fused antigens. This study investigates the potential of F. hepatica tetraspanin 2 extracellular loop 2 (rFhTSP2) as a protective vaccine antigen and determines if fusion of FhTSP2 to LTB can enhance protection in cattle. Cattle were immunised subcutaneously with rFhTSP2 mixed in the Freund's adjuvant and intranasally with rLTB-FhTSP2 in saline, accounting for equal molar ratios of tetraspanin in both groups. Vaccination with rFhTSP2 stimulated a strong specific serum IgG response, whereas there was no significant serum IgG response following rLTB-FhTSP2 intranasal vaccination. There was no substantial antigen specific serum IgA generated in all groups across the trial. Contrastingly, after the fluke challenge, a rise in antigen specific saliva IgA was observed in both vaccination groups on Day 42, with the rLTB-FhTSP2 vaccination group showing significant mucosal IgA production at Day 84. However, neither vaccine group showed a significant reduction of fluke burden nor faecal egg output. These results suggest that intranasal vaccination with rLTB-FhTSP2 does elicit a humoral mucosal response but further work is needed to evaluate if mucosal delivery of liver fluke antigens fused to LTB is a viable vaccine strategy.
Collapse
|
4
|
Panzner U, Excler JL, Kim JH, Marks F, Carter D, Siddiqui AA. Recent Advances and Methodological Considerations on Vaccine Candidates for Human Schistosomiasis. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.719369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains a neglected tropical disease of major public health concern with high levels of morbidity in various parts of the world. Although considerable efforts in implementing mass drug administration programs utilizing praziquantel have been deployed, schistosomiasis is still not contained. A vaccine may therefore be an essential part of multifaceted prevention control efforts. In the 1990s, a joint United Nations committee promoting parasite vaccines shortlisted promising candidates including for schistosomiasis discussed below. After examining the complexity of immune responses in human hosts infected with schistosomes, we review and discuss the antigen design and preclinical and clinical development of the four leading vaccine candidates: Sm-TSP-2 in Phase 1b/2b, Sm14 in Phase 2a/2b, Sm-p80 in Phase 1 preparation, and Sh28GST in Phase 3. Our assessment of currently leading vaccine candidates revealed some methodological issues that preclude a fair comparison between candidates and the rationale to advance in clinical development. These include (1) variability in animal models - in particular non-human primate studies - and predictive values of each for protection in humans; (2) lack of consensus on the assessment of parasitological and immunological parameters; (3) absence of reliable surrogate markers of protection; (4) lack of well-designed parasitological and immunological natural history studies in the context of mass drug administration with praziquantel. The controlled human infection model - while promising and unique - requires validation against efficacy outcomes in endemic settings. Further research is also needed on the impact of advanced adjuvants targeting specific parts of the innate immune system that may induce potent, protective and durable immune responses with the ultimate goal of achieving meaningful worm reduction.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bischofsberger M, Winkelmann F, Rabes A, Reisinger EC, Sombetzki M. Pathogen-host interaction mediated by vesicle-based secretion in schistosomes. PROTOPLASMA 2020; 257:1277-1287. [PMID: 32462473 PMCID: PMC7449993 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-020-01515-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
As part of the parasite's excretory/secretory system, extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a potent communication tool of schistosomes with their human host to strike the balance between their own survival in a hostile immunological environment and a minimal damage to the host tissue. Their cargo consists of functional proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that facilitate biological processes like migration, nutrient acquisition, or reproduction. The most important impact of the vesicle-mediated communication, however, is the promotion of the parasite survival via mimicking host protein function and directly or indirectly modulating the immune response of the host. Overcoming this shield of immunological adaption in the schistosome-host relation is the aim of current research activities in this field and crucial for the development of a reliable anti-schistosomal therapy. Not least because of their prospective use in clinical applications, research on EVs is now a rapidly expanding field. We herein focus on the current state of knowledge of vesicle-based communication of schistosomes and discussing the role of EVs in facilitating biological processes and immune modulatory properties of EVs considering the different life stages of the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Bischofsberger
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Franziska Winkelmann
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anne Rabes
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Emil C Reisinger
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martina Sombetzki
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Section of Nephrology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sotillo J, Pearson MS, Becker L, Mekonnen GG, Amoah AS, van Dam G, Corstjens PLAM, Murray J, Mduluza T, Mutapi F, Loukas A. In-depth proteomic characterization of Schistosoma haematobium: Towards the development of new tools for elimination. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007362. [PMID: 31091291 PMCID: PMC6538189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease affecting hundreds of millions worldwide. Of the three main species affecting humans, Schistosoma haematobium is the most common, and is the leading cause of urogenital schistosomiasis. S. haematobium infection can cause different urogenital clinical complications, particularly in the bladder, and furthermore, this parasite has been strongly linked with squamous cell carcinoma. A comprehensive analysis of the molecular composition of its different proteomes will contribute to developing new tools against this devastating disease. METHODS AND FINDINGS By combining a comprehensive protein fractionation approach consisting of OFFGEL electrophoresis with high-throughput mass spectrometry, we have performed the first in-depth characterisation of the different discrete proteomes of S. haematobium that are predicted to interact with human host tissues, including the secreted and tegumental proteomes of adult flukes and secreted and soluble egg proteomes. A total of 662, 239, 210 and 138 proteins were found in the adult tegument, adult secreted, soluble egg and secreted egg proteomes, respectively. In addition, we probed these distinct proteomes with urine to assess urinary antibody responses from naturally infected human subjects with different infection intensities, and identified adult fluke secreted and tegument extracts as being the best predictors of infection. CONCLUSION We provide a comprehensive dataset of proteins from the adult and egg stages of S. haematobium and highlight their utility as diagnostic markers of infection intensity. Protein composition was markedly different between the different extracts, highlighting the distinct subsets of proteins that different development stages present in their different niches. Furthermore, we have identified adult fluke ES and tegument extracts as best predictors of infection using urine antibodies of naturally infected people. This study provides the first steps towards the development of novel tools to control this important neglected tropical disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sotillo
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
- Laboratorio de Referencia en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark S. Pearson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Luke Becker
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gebeyaw G. Mekonnen
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Abena S. Amoah
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Govert van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department of Molecular Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Janice Murray
- Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Takafira Mduluza
- Biochemistry Department, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
- TIBA Partnership, NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA), University of Zimbabwe
| | - Francisca Mutapi
- Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- TIBA Partnership, NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA), University of Zimbabwe
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang L, Giri BR, Chen Y, Xia T, Liu J, Li H, Li J, Cheng G. Molecular characterization, expression profile, and preliminary evaluation of diagnostic potential of CD63 in Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3625-3631. [PMID: 30178196 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6063-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes are the causative agents of human schistosomiasis, which is endemic in tropical and subtropical zones. CD63 is a member of the tetraspanin protein family widely expressed among eukaryotes. Previously, we identified a CD63 homolog from extracellular vesicles isolated from Schistosoma japonicum. In this study, we characterized this CD63 homolog using a molecular approach and evaluated the potential of its recombinant protein for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. A sequence alignment indicated that S. japonicum CD63 (SjCD63) has sequence identities of 76 and 28% with S. mansoni and human CD63, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis displayed that S. japonicum CD63 is related to S. mansoni and Opisthorchis viverrini CD63. The cDNA of SjCD63 was 740 bp long with an expected protein size of 23.58 kDa. A RT-qPCR analysis revealed significantly higher expression of SjCD63 mRNA in adult worms on days 21, 28, and 35 than in 7-day schistosomula, cercariae, and eggs. In addition, recombinant SjCD63 protein detected by ELISA revealed significantly higher optical density values compared to that of the negative control in both S. japonicum-infected mouse and rabbit sera, providing preliminary evidence for its diagnostic potential. Overall, these results provide insight into the molecular properties of SjCD63, its expression profiles, and its preliminary diagnostic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Wang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.,Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bikash Ranjan Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Tianqi Xia
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Juntao Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Huimin Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jianjun Li
- Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li Y, Yin M, Wu Q, McManus DP, Blair D, Li H, Xu B, Mo X, Feng Z, Hu W. Genetic diversity and selection of three nuclear genes in Schistosoma japonicum populations. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:87. [PMID: 28212676 PMCID: PMC5316221 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2033-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The blood fluke, Schistosoma japonicum still causes severe disease in China, the Philippines and Indonesia. Although there have been some studies the molecular epidemiology of this persistent and harmful parasite, few have explored the possibility and implications of selection in S. japonicum populations. METHODS We analyzed diversity and looked for evidence of selection at three nuclear genes (SjIpp2, SjFabp and SjT22.6) in 13 S. japonicum populations. RESULTS SjT22.6 was found to exhibit high nucleotide diversity and was under positive selection in the mountainous region of mainland China. As a tegumental protein, its secondary and tertiary structure differed between S. japonicum strains from the mountainous and lakes regions. In contrast, SjIpp2 and SjFabp had relatively low levels of nucleotide diversity and did not show significant departure from neutrality. CONCLUSIONS As a tegument-associated antigen-encoding gene of S. japonicum, SjT22.6 has high nucleotide diversity and appears to be under positive selection in the mountainous region of mainland China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Li
- School of Life Science, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingbo Yin
- School of Life Science, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, Shanghai, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, Shanghai, China
| | - Qunfeng Wu
- School of Life Science, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, Shanghai, China
| | - Donald P. McManus
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD 4029 Australia
| | - David Blair
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - Hongyan Li
- School of Life Science, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Xiaojin Mo
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Zheng Feng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Wei Hu
- School of Life Science, Fudan University, Songhu Road 2005, Shanghai, China
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 207 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025 China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cai P, Liu S, Piao X, Hou N, You H, McManus DP, Chen Q. A next-generation microarray further reveals stage-enriched gene expression pattern in the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:19. [PMID: 28069074 PMCID: PMC5223471 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1947-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is caused by infection with blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, and ranks, in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as the third most important neglected tropical disease. Schistosomes have several discrete life stages involving dramatic morphological changes during their development, which require subtle gene expression modulations to complete the complex life-cycle. RESULTS In the current study, we employed a second generation schistosome DNA chip printed with the most comprehensive probe array for studying the Schistosoma japonicum transcriptome, to explore stage-associated gene expression in different developmental phases of S. japonicum. A total of 328, 95, 268 and 532 mRNA transcripts were enriched in cercariae, hepatic schistosomula, adult worms and eggs, respectively. In general, genes associated with transcriptional regulation, cell signalling and motor activity were readily expressed in cercariae; the expression of genes involved in neuronal activities, apoptosis and renewal was modestly upregulated in hepatic schistosomula; transcripts involved in egg production, nutrition metabolism and glycosylation were enriched in adult worms; while genes involved in cell division, microtubule-associated mobility, and host-parasite interplay were relatively highly expressed in eggs. CONCLUSIONS The study further highlights the expressional features of stage-associated genes in schistosomes with high accuracy. The results provide a better perspective of the biological characteristics among different developmental stages, which may open new avenues for identification of novel vaccine candidates and the development of novel control interventions against schistosomiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Shuai Liu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Hou
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Qijun Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ressurreição M, Elbeyioglu F, Kirk RS, Rollinson D, Emery AM, Page NM, Walker AJ. Molecular characterization of host-parasite cell signalling in Schistosoma mansoni during early development. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35614. [PMID: 27762399 PMCID: PMC5071895 DOI: 10.1038/srep35614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
During infection of their human definitive host, schistosomes transform rapidly from free-swimming infective cercariae in freshwater to endoparasitic schistosomules. The 'somules' next migrate within the skin to access the vasculature and are surrounded by host molecules that might activate intracellular pathways that influence somule survival, development and/or behaviour. However, such 'transactivation' by host factors in schistosomes is not well defined. In the present study, we have characterized and functionally localized the dynamics of protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation during early somule development in vitro and demonstrate activation of these protein kinases by human epidermal growth factor, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I, particularly at the parasite surface. Further, we provide evidence that support the existence of specialized signalling domains called lipid rafts in schistosomes and propose that correct signalling to ERK requires proper raft organization. Finally, we show that modulation of PKC and ERK activities in somules affects motility and reduces somule survival. Thus, PKC and ERK are important mediators of host-ligand regulated transactivation events in schistosomes, and represent potential targets for anti-schistosome therapy aimed at reducing parasite survival in the human host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Ressurreição
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - Firat Elbeyioglu
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth S. Kirk
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - David Rollinson
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel M. Page
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony J. Walker
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Labbunruang N, Phadungsil W, Tesana S, Smooker PM, Grams R. Similarity of a 16.5kDa tegumental protein of the human liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini to nematode cytoplasmic motility protein. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2016; 207:1-9. [PMID: 27140280 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Opisthorchis viverrini is the causative agent of human opisthorchiasis in Thailand and long lasting infection with the parasite has been correlated with the development of cholangiocarcinoma. In this work we have molecularly characterized the first member of a protein family carrying two DM9 repeats in this parasite (OvDM9-1). InterPro and other protein family databases describe the DM9 repeat as a protein domain of unknown function that has been first noted in Drosophila melanogaster. Two paralogous proteins have been partially characterized in the genus Fasciola, Fasciola hepatica TP16.5, a novel tegumental antigen in human fascioliasis and, recently F. gigantica DM9-1, a parenchymal protein with structural similarity to nematode cytoplasmic motility protein (MFP2). In this study, we show further evidence that this family of trematode proteins is related to MFP2 in sequence and structure. Soluble recombinant OvDM9-1 was used for structural analyses and for production of specific antisera. The native protein was detected in soluble and insoluble crude worm extracts and in seemingly various oligomeric forms in the latter. The potential for oligomerization was supported by cross-linking experiments of recombinant OvDM9-1. Structure prediction suggested a β-rich secondary structure of the protein and this was supported by a circular dichroism analysis. Molecular modeling in Phyre2 identified both MFP2 domains as distant homologs of OvDM9-1. The protein was located in tegumental type tissue and the cecal epithelium in the mature parasite. Recombinant OvDM9-1 was used as target in indirect ELISA but sera from infected hamsters showed only marginal reactivity towards it. It is proposed that OvDM9-1 and other members of this protein family have a role in cellular transport through functions on the cytoskeleton.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nipawan Labbunruang
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand
| | - Wansika Phadungsil
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand
| | - Smarn Tesana
- Food-borne Parasite Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Peter M Smooker
- School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Rudi Grams
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cai P, Gobert GN, You H, McManus DP. The Tao survivorship of schistosomes: implications for schistosomiasis control. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:453-63. [PMID: 26873753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, is a major public health problem which contributes substantially to the economic and financial burdens of many nations in the developing world. An array of survival strategies, such as the unique structure of the tegument which acts as a major host-parasite interface, immune modulation mechanisms, gene regulation, and apoptosis and self-renewal have been adopted by schistosome parasites over the course of long-term evolution with their mammalian definitive hosts. Recent generation of complete schistosome genomes together with numerous biological, immunological, high-throughput "-omics" and gene function studies have revealed the Tao or strategies that schistosomes employ not only to promote long-term survival, but also to ensure effective life cycle transmission. New scenarios for the future control of this important neglected tropical disease will present themselves as our understanding of these Tao increases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey N Gobert
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Exploring molecular variation in Schistosoma japonicum in China. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17345. [PMID: 26621075 PMCID: PMC4664899 DOI: 10.1038/srep17345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide. The main disease-causing agents, Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni and S. haematobium, are blood flukes that have complex life cycles involving a snail intermediate host. In Asia, S. japonicum causes hepatointestinal disease (schistosomiasis japonica) and is challenging to control due to a broad distribution of its snail hosts and range of animal reservoir hosts. In China, extensive efforts have been underway to control this parasite, but genetic variability in S. japonicum populations could represent an obstacle to eliminating schistosomiasis japonica. Although a draft genome sequence is available for S. japonicum, there has been no previous study of molecular variation in this parasite on a genome-wide scale. In this study, we conducted the first deep genomic exploration of seven S. japonicum populations from mainland China, constructed phylogenies using mitochondrial and nuclear genomic data sets, and established considerable variation between some of the populations in genes inferred to be linked to key cellular processes and/or pathogen-host interactions. Based on the findings from this study, we propose that verifying intraspecific conservation in vaccine or drug target candidates is an important first step toward developing effective vaccines and chemotherapies against schistosomiasis.
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhao J, Luo R, Xu X, Zou Y, Zhang Q, Pan W. High-throughput sequencing of RNAs isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) reveals Argonaute-associated microRNAs and targets in Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:589. [PMID: 26577460 PMCID: PMC4650335 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1203-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis, caused by schistosomes, is one of the most prevalent and serious parasitic diseases in tropical and subtropical countries. This pathogen has a complex life cycle and harbors a unique repertoire of genes expressed at different life-stages. Understanding the gene regulation of schistosomes will contribute to identification of novel drug targets and vaccine candidates. Some conserved and novel microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in schistosomes as key transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators in the past few years; however, little is known about their specific targets. Methods High-throughput sequencing of RNAs isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) was used to covalently crosslink native Argonaute protein-RNA complexes in Schistosoma japonicum. An antibody against S.japonicum Argonaute proteins, was generated and used for immunoprecipitation of the crosslinked SjAgo-RNA complex from soluble adult worm extract. Small RNAs, including miRNAs and their target mRNAs associated with the native SjAgo in adult parasites, were enriched and extracted for library construction. Results High-throughput sequencing produced a total of ~7.4 million high-quality reads, of which approximately 45.07 % were composed of 769 miRNAs and 35.54 % were composed of 11,854 mRNAs target sites. Further bioinformatics analysis identified 43 conserved known miRNAs and 256 novel miRNAs in the SjAgo-associated small RNA population. An average of approximately 15 target sites were predicted for each miRNA. Moreover, a positive rate of 50 % has been achieved in a small-scale verification test of the putative target sites of miRNA1. Conclusion In this study, we isolated and identified small RNAs including miRNAs and their targets associated with the S. japonicum Argonaute proteins, by the HITS-CLIP method combined with bioinformatics and biologic experimental analysis. These data reveal a genome-wide miRNA-mRNA interaction map in S. japonicum in vivo, which will help us understand the complex gene regulatory network in this pathogen and thereby facilitate the development of novel drug approaches against schistosomiasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1203-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Rong Luo
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xindong Xu
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Zou
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qingfeng Zhang
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weiqing Pan
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,Department of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Driguez P, Li Y, Gaze S, Pearson MS, Nakajima R, Trieu A, Doolan DL, Felgner PL, Hou X, Cardoso FC, Jasinskas A, Gobert GN, Loukas A, McManus DP. Antibody Signatures Reflect Different Disease Pathologies in Patients With Schistosomiasis Due to Schistosoma japonicum. J Infect Dis 2015; 213:122-30. [PMID: 26150545 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Schistosoma japonicum causes high levels of pathology that is predominantly determined by the cellular and humoral response of the host. However, the specific antibody response that arises during the development of disease is largely undescribed in Asian schistosomiasis-endemic populations. A schistosome protein microarray was used to compare the antibody profiles of subjects with acute infection, with early or advanced disease associated with severe pathology, with chronic infection, and subjects exposed but stool negative for S. japonicum eggs to the antibody profiles of nonexposed controls. Twenty-five immunodominant antigens were identified, including vaccine candidates, tetraspanin-related proteins, transporter molecules, and unannotated proteins. Additionally, individuals with severe pathology had a limited specific antibody response, suggesting that individuals with mild disease may use a broad and strong antibody response, particularly against surface-exposed proteins, to control pathology and/or infection. Our study has identified specific antigens that can discriminate between S. japonicum-exposed groups with different pathologies and may also allow the host to control disease pathology and provide resistance to parasite infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuesheng Li
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, China
| | - Soraya Gaze
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Laboratory, James Cook University, Cairns Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mark S Pearson
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Laboratory, James Cook University, Cairns
| | | | - Angela Trieu
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane
| | | | | | - Xunya Hou
- Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, China
| | - Fernanda C Cardoso
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
| | | | | | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Laboratory, James Cook University, Cairns
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hu D, Song X, Xie Y, Zhong X, Wang N, Zheng Y, Gu X, Wang T, Peng X, Yang G. Molecular insights into a tetraspanin in the hydatid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:311. [PMID: 26055542 PMCID: PMC4464875 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0926-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease), caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus (class Cestoda; family Taeniidae), is a neglected tropical disease that results in morbidity and mortality in millions of humans, as well as in huge economic losses in the livestock industry globally. Proteins from the tetraspanin family in parasites have recently become regarded as crucial molecules in interaction with hosts in parasitism and are therefore suitable for the development of vaccines and diagnostic agents. However, no information is available to date on E. granulosus tetraspanin. Methods In this study, a uroplakin-I-like tetraspanin (Eg-TSP1) of E. granulosus was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The immunolocalization of Eg-TSP1 in different life stages of E. granulosus was determined using specific polyclonal antibody. The antibody and cytokine profiles of mice that immunized with recombinant Eg-TSP1 (rEg-TSP1) were measured for the immunogenicity analysis of this protein. Additionally, we use RNA interference method to explore the biological function of Eg-TSP1 in larva of E. granulosus. Results Immunofluorescence analysis showed that endogenous Eg-TSP1 mainly localized in the tegument of larvae and adults. Significantly elevated levels of antibodies IgG1 and IgG2a and of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12 were observed in the sera of mice after immunization with rEg-TSP1, suggesting a typical T helper (Th)1-mediated immune response elicited by rEg-TSP1. On further probing the role of Eg-TSP1 in E. granulosus by RNA interference, we found that a thinner tegmental distal cytoplasm was induced in protoscoleces treated with siRNA-132 compared to controls. Conclusions This is the first report characterizing a tetraspanin from the tapeworm E. granulosus. Our results suggest that Eg-TSP1 is associated with biogenesis of the tegument and maintenance of structural integrity of E. granulosus and could therefore be a candidate intervention target for control of hydatid disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0926-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Hu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Xingju Song
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Xiuqin Zhong
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Yu Zheng
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Xiaobin Gu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Xuerong Peng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Life and Basic Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tim-3 induces Th2-biased immunity and alternative macrophage activation during Schistosoma japonicum infection. Infect Immun 2015; 83:3074-82. [PMID: 25987707 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00517-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule 3 (Tim-3) has been regarded as an important regulatory factor in both adaptive and innate immunity. Recently, Tim-3 was reported to be involved in Th2-biased immune responses in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum, but the exact mechanism behind the involvement of Tim-3 remains unknown. The present study aims to understand the role of Tim-3 in the immune response against S. japonicum infection. Tim-3 expression was determined by flow cytometry, and increased Tim-3 expression was observed on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, NK1.1(+) cells, and CD11b(+) cells from the livers of S. japonicum-infected mice. However, the increased level of Tim-3 was lower in the spleen than in the liver, and no increase in Tim-3 expression was observed on splenic CD8(+) T cells or CD11b(+) cells. The schistosome-induced upregulation of Tim-3 on natural killer (NK) cells was accompanied by reduced NK cell numbers in vitro and in vivo. Tim-3 antibody blockade led to upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-12 (IL-12) mRNA in CD11b(+) cells cocultured with soluble egg antigen and downregulation of Arg1 and IL-10, which are markers of M2 macrophages. In summary, we observed schistosome-induced expression of Tim-3 on critical immune cell populations, which may be involved in the Th2-biased immune response and alternative activation of macrophages during infection.
Collapse
|
18
|
Fonseca CT, Oliveira SC, Alves CC. Eliminating Schistosomes through Vaccination: What are the Best Immune Weapons? Front Immunol 2015; 6:95. [PMID: 25806033 PMCID: PMC4353369 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful development of vaccines depends on the knowledge of the immunological mechanisms associated with the elimination of the pathogen. In the case of schistosomes, its complex life cycle and the mechanisms developed to evade host immune system, turns the development of a vaccine against the disease into a very difficult task. Identifying the immunological effector mechanisms involved in parasite attrition and the major targets for its response is a key step to formulate an effective vaccine. Recent studies have described some promising antigens to compose a subunit vaccine and have pointed to some immune factors that play a role in parasite elimination. Here, we review the immune components and effector mechanisms associated with the protective immunity induced by those vaccine candidates and the lessons we have learned from the studies of the acquired resistance to infection in humans. We will also discuss the immune factors that correlate with protection and therefore could help to evaluate those vaccine formulations in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Toscano Fonseca
- Laboratório de Esquistossomose do Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz , Belo Horizonte , Brazil ; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Ministério de Ciência Tecnologia e Inovação, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Sergio Costa Oliveira
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Ministério de Ciência Tecnologia e Inovação, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil ; Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Clarice Carvalho Alves
- Laboratório de Esquistossomose do Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Toet H, Piedrafita DM, Spithill TW. Liver fluke vaccines in ruminants: strategies, progress and future opportunities. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:915-27. [PMID: 25200351 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The development of a vaccine for Fasciola spp. in livestock is a challenge and would be advanced by harnessing our knowledge of acquired immune mechanisms expressed by resistant livestock against fluke infection. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity directed to the surface tegument of juvenile/immature flukes is a host immune effector mechanism, suggesting that antigens on the surface of young flukes may represent prime candidates for a fluke vaccine. A Type 1 immune response shortly after fluke infection is associated with resistance to infection in resistant sheep, indicating that vaccine formulations should attempt to induce Type 1 responses to enhance vaccine efficacy. In cattle or sheep, an optimal fluke vaccine would need to reduce mean fluke burdens in a herd below the threshold of 30-54 flukes to ensure sustainable production benefits. Fluke infection intensity data suggest that vaccine efficacy of approximately 80% is required to reduce fluke burdens below this threshold in most countries. With the increased global prevalence of triclabendazole-resistant Fasciolahepatica, it may be commercially feasible in the short term to introduce a fluke vaccine of reasonable efficacy that will provide economic benefits for producers in regions where chemical control of new drug-resistant fluke infections is not viable. Commercial partnerships will be needed to fast-track new candidate vaccines using acceptable adjuvants in relevant production animals, obviating the need to evaluate vaccine antigens in rodent models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Toet
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - David M Piedrafita
- School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Federation University, Churchill, Victoria 3842, Australia
| | - Terry W Spithill
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Piao X, Hou N, Cai P, Liu S, Wu C, Chen Q. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis shows extensive alternative RNA splicing in the zoonotic parasite Schistosoma japonicum. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:715. [PMID: 25156522 PMCID: PMC4203478 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma japonicum is a pathogen of the phylum Platyhelminthes that causes zoonotic schistosomiasis in China and Southeast Asian countries where a lack of efficient measures has hampered disease control. The development of tools for diagnosis of acute and chronic infection and for novel antiparasite reagents relies on understanding the biological mechanisms that the parasite exploits. RESULTS In this study, the polyadenylated transcripts from the male and female S. japonicum were sequenced using a high-throughput RNA-seq technique. Bioinformatic and experimental analyses focused on post-transcriptional RNA processing, which revealed extensive alternative splicing events in the adult stage of the parasite. The numbers of protein-coding sequences identified in the transcriptomes of the female and male S. japonicum were 15,939 and 19,501 respectively, which is more than predicted from the annotated genome sequence. Further, we identified four types of post-transcriptional processing, or alternative splicing, in both female and male worms of S. japonicum: exon skipping, intron retention, and alternative donor and acceptor sites. Unlike mammalian organisms, in S. japonicum, the alternative donor and acceptor sites were more common than the other two types of post-transcriptional processing. In total, respectively 13,438 and 16,507 alternative splicing events were predicted in the transcriptomes of female and male S. japonicum. CONCLUSIONS By using RNA-seq technology, we obtained the global transcriptomes of male and female S. japonicum. These results further provide a comprehensive view of the global transcriptome of S. japonicum. The findings of a substantial level of alternative splicing events dynamically occurring in S. japonicum parasitization of mammalian hosts suggest complicated transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms employed by the parasite. These data should not only significantly improve the re-annotation of the genome sequences but also should provide new information about the biology of the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Qijun Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Piratae S, Tesana S, Jones MK, Brindley PJ, Loukas A, Lovas E, Eursitthichai V, Sripa B, Thanasuwan S, Laha T. Molecular characterization of a tetraspanin from the human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1939. [PMID: 23236532 PMCID: PMC3516575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, is designated as a group 1 carcinogen, and is the major risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma in endemic countries throughout Southeast Asia. Proteins in the excretory-secretory products and tegumental surface membranes of the fluke have been proposed to play pivotal roles in parasite survival in the host, and subsequent pathogenesis. These macromolecules are therefore valid targets for the development of vaccines and new drugs to control the infection. Tetraspanins (TSP) are prominent components of the tegument of blood flukes where they are essential for tegument formation, are directly exposed to the immune system, and are major targets for a schistosomiasis vaccine. We propose that similar molecules in the surface membranes of O. viverrini are integral to tegument biogenesis and will be efficacious vaccine antigens. Methodology/Principal Findings The cDNA sequence encoding O. viverrini tetraspanin-1 (Ov-TSP-1) was identified and cloned. The Ov-tsp-1gene was isolated from a cDNA library. Ov-tsp-1 mRNA was expressed most highly in metacercariae and eggs, and to a lesser extent in juvenile and adult worms. Immunolocalization with adult flukes confirmed that Ov-TSP-1 was expressed in the tegument and eggs in utero. Western blot analysis of rOv-TSP-1 probed with sera from O. viverrini-infected humans and hamsters indicated that both hosts raise antibody responses against the native TSP. Using RNA interference we silenced the expression level of Ov-tsp-1 mRNA in adult flukes by up to 72% by 10 days after delivery of dsRNA. Ultrastructural morphology of adult worms treated with Ov-tsp-1 dsRNA displayed a distinctly vacuolated and thinner tegument compared with controls. Conclusions/Significance This is the first report of a tetraspanin from the tegument of a liver fluke. Our data imply that tetraspanins play important structural roles in the development of the tegument in the adult fluke. Potential uses of O. viverrini tetraspanins as novel interventions are discussed. Liver fluke infection is a fish borne disease that afflicts millions of residents in Thailand and Laos. Infection results from eating undercooked freshwater fish contaminated with larvae of the worm Opisthorchis viverrini. Infection can lead to cancer of the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma). Indeed, O. viverrini is designated as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, i.e. a definitive cause for cancer. Proteins produced at the surface and/or released from this parasite play pivotal roles in maintaining the infection and disease. These proteins are valid targets for development of vaccines and new drugs. Tetraspanins are prominent in the tegument (the surface covering) of parasites closely related to O. viverrini where they are exposed to immune responses. Similar molecules on the surface of O. viverrini may be vital for the parasite's survival and may make effective vaccines. Here the gene coding for O. viverrini tetraspanin-1 (Ov-TSP-1) was investigated. We used electron microscopy to show that Ov-TSP-1 is expressed in the tegument. We then silenced expression of the gene encoding Ov-TSP-1 and showed that this resulted in malformation of the tegument, highlighting the importance of this molecule for parasite development and its potential as a vaccine target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Supawadee Piratae
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sealey KL, Kirk RS, Walker AJ, Rollinson D, Lawton SP. Adaptive radiation within the vaccine target tetraspanin-23 across nine Schistosoma species from Africa. Int J Parasitol 2012; 43:95-103. [PMID: 23220042 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
High levels of polymorphism in DNA sequences of tetraspanin-23 (TSP-23) were revealed within and between nine different species of Schistosoma from Africa including Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma rodhaini, Schistosoma margrebowiei, Schistosoma mattheei, Schistosoma intercalatum, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma guineensis, Schistosoma curassoni and Schistosoma bovis. The greatest levels of diversity coincided with evidence of positive selection (d(N)/d(S)>1) within regions that code for extracellular loops of TSP-23 believed to interact with the host immune system. Kolaskar and Tongaonkar antigenicity predictions of protein sequences were compared across species and high levels of variation in antigenicity were also identified with each species which possessed their own unique antigenic profile. Phylogenetic analysis of TSP-23 proteins suggested evidence of convergent evolution in antigenic lineages as no true inter-species phylogenetic relationships were seen. This could be indicative of host-specific evolution of antigens in different species of schistosomes, a factor that should be considered carefully when developing vaccine targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Sealey
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Mu Y, Huang H, Liu S, Cai P, Gao Y. Molecular characterization and ligand binding specificity of the PDZ domain-containing protein GIPC3 from Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2012; 5:227. [PMID: 23050840 PMCID: PMC3504512 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is a serious global health problem that afflicts more than 230 million people in 77 countries. Long-term mass treatments with the only available drug, praziquantel, have caused growing concerns about drug resistance. PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain-containing proteins are recognized as potential targets for the next generation of drug development. However, the PDZ domain-containing protein family in parasites has largely been unexplored. Methods We present the molecular characteristics of a PDZ domain-containing protein, GIPC3, from Schistosoma japonicum (SjGIPC3) according to bioinformatics analysis and experimental approaches. The ligand binding specificity of the PDZ domain of SjGIPC3 was confirmed by screening an arbitrary peptide library in yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays. The native ligand candidates were predicted by Tailfit software based on the C-terminal binding specificity, and further validated by Y2H assays. Results SjGIPC3 is a single PDZ domain-containing protein comprised of 328 amino acid residues. Structural prediction revealed that a conserved PDZ domain was presented in the middle region of the protein. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SjGIPC3 and other trematode orthologues clustered into a well-defined cluster but were distinguishable from those of other phyla. Transcriptional analysis by quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the SjGIPC3 gene was relatively highly expressed in the stages within the host, especially in male adult worms. By using Y2H assays to screen an arbitrary peptide library, we confirmed the C-terminal binding specificity of the SjGIPC3-PDZ domain, which could be deduced as a consensus sequence, -[SDEC]-[STIL]-[HSNQDE]-[VIL]*. Furthermore, six proteins were predicted to be native ligand candidates of SjGIPC3 based on the C-terminal binding properties and other biological information; four of these were confirmed to be potential ligands using the Y2H system. Conclusions In this study, we first characterized a PDZ domain-containing protein GIPC3 in S. japonicum. The SjGIPC3-PDZ domain is able to bind both type I and II ligand C-terminal motifs. The identification of native ligand will help reveal the potential biological function of SjGIPC3. These data will facilitate the identification of novel drug targets against S. japonicum infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Mu
- National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Dept, of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, P,R, China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Dang Z, Feng J, Yagi K, Sugimoto C, Li W, Oku Y. Mucosal adjuvanticity of fibronectin-binding peptide (FBP) fused with Echinococcus multilocularis tetraspanin 3: systemic and local antibody responses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1842. [PMID: 23029596 PMCID: PMC3459843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have shown that a bacterial fibronectin attachment protein (FAP) is able to stimulate strong systemic and mucosal antibody responses when it is used alone or co-administrated with other antigens (Ags). Thus, it has been suggested to be a promising adjuvant candidate for the development of efficient vaccines. However, the co-administered Ags and FAP were cloned, expressed and purified individually to date. In a recent study, we first evaluated the adjuvanticity of a fibronectin-binding peptide (FBP, 24 amino acids) of Mycobacterium avium FAP fused with Echinococcus multilocularis tetraspanin 3 (Em-TSP3) by detecting systemic and local antibody responses in intranasally (i.n.) immunized BALB/c mice. Methodology/Principal Findings Em-TSP3 and FBP fragments were linked with a GSGGSG linker and expressed as a single fusion protein (Em-TSP3-FBP) using the pBAD/Thio-TOPO expression vector. BALB/c mice were immunized i.n. with recombinant Em-TSP3-FBP (rEm-TSP3-FBP) and rEm-TSP3+CpG and the systemic and local antibody responses were detected by ELISA. The results showed that both rEm-TSP3-FBP and rEm-TSP3+CpG evoked strong serum IgG (p<0.001) and IgG1 responses (p<0.001), whereas only the latter induced a high level IgG2α production (p<0.001), compared to that of rEm-TSP3 alone without any adjuvant. There were no significant differences in IgG and IgG1 production between the groups. Low level of serum IgA and IgM were detected in both groups. The tendency of Th1 and Th2 cell immune responses were assessed via detecting the IgG1/IgG2α ratio after the second and third immunizations. The results indicated that i.n. immunization with rEm-TSP3-FBP resulted in an increased IgG1/IgG2α ratio (a Th2 tendency), while rEm-TSP3+CpG caused a rapid Th1 response that later shifted to a Th2 response. Immunization with rEm-TSP3-FBP provoked significantly stronger IgA antibody responses in intestine (p<0.05), lung (p<0.001) and spleen (p<0.001) compared to those by rEm-TSP3+CpG. Significantly high level IgA antibodies were detected in nasal cavity (p<0.05) and liver (p<0.05) samples from both groups when compared to rEm-TSP3 alone without any adjuvant, with no significant difference between them. Conclusions I.n. administration of rEm-TSP3-FBP can induce strong systemic and mucosal antibody responses in immunized BALB/c mice, suggesting that fusion of Em-TSP3 with FBP is a novel, prospective strategy for developing safe and efficient human mucosal vaccines against alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Echinococcus metacestodes form a laminated layer and develop strategies to escape host immune responses once the infection established on the liver of intermediated host. One of the most important strategies is thought to be immunoregulation, where some molecules (e.g., antigen B) impair dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and polarize immature DC maturation towards a non-protective Th2 cell response. Therefore, it is more feasible to kill Echinococcus oncospheres in the early stage of infection in the intestine and blood. Systemic and local immune responses are believed to play a crucial role on oncosphere exclusion. Among antigen delivery systems, i.n. administration is the most efficient one, inducing both systemic and a full-range of mucosal immune responses. FAP is necessary to M. avium and S. pyogenes to efficiently attach and invade epithelial cells, and has been suggested as a potent vaccine adjuvant. Mucosal immune responses are induced after FAP binds to the fibronectin protein of host microfold (M) cells and DCs are activated. We developed a one-step delivery system where FAP and other Ags can be expressed, purified and immunized as one protein. The systemic and, in particular, the mucosal antibody responses induced by the fusion protein were detected to evaluate the adjuvanticity of FBP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhisheng Dang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Luo M, Ye S, Xu T, Wu X, Yang P. Molecular characterization of a novel tetraspanin from the oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis: variation, localization and relationship to oyster host defense. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 33:294-304. [PMID: 22634254 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2012.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Revised: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We identified a tetraspanin family member gene, named Ca-TSP, in the oyster Crassostrea ariakensis and found that the transcription profiles of Ca-TSP were variable in the oyster hemocytes. Three distinct patterns of variation of Ca-TSP were observed. Using immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, we show that Ca-TSP was present in granules and in vesicular structures of the oyster hemocyte. Sequence analysis, structural features and immunogold electron microscopy showed that Ca-TSP is an integral membrane glycoprotein of granules of hemocyte and may be a novel CD63-like gene of the tetraspanin family of molluscs. The gene expression analysis of Ca-TSP using isolated oyster hemocytes, was done following challenge of the oysters with LPS and Poly I:C. The Ca-TSP mRNA levels increased in hemocytes in the first 12 h after LPS and Poly I:C stimulation, and decreased after the addition of H(2)O(2). Western blot analysis using anti-Ca-TSP antibody indicated that gene expression and protein levels were similar. The recombinant Ca-TSP was found to significantly inhibit hemocytes aggregation. Our results suggested that Ca-TSP participates in the innate immunity of the oyster.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Luo
- Laboratory of Marine Life Science and Technology, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Identification and characterization of argonaute protein, Ago2 and its associated small RNAs in Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1745. [PMID: 22860145 PMCID: PMC3409120 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complex life cycle of the genus Schistosoma drives the parasites to employ subtle developmentally dependent gene regulatory machineries. Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are essential gene regulatory factors that, through their impact on mRNA and genome stability, control stage-specific gene expression. Abundant sncRNAs have been identified in this genus. However, their functionally associated partners, Argonaute family proteins, which are the key components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), have not yet been fully explored. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to Schistosoma japonicum Argonaute protein Ago2 (SjAgo2), but not SjAgo1 and SjAgo3, were generated. Soluble adult worm antigen preparation (SWAP) was subjected to immunoprecipitation with the mAbs and the captured SjAgo2 protein was subsequently confirmed by Western blot and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. The small RNA population associated with native SjAgo2 in adult parasites was extracted from the immunoprecipitated complex and subjected to library construction. High-through-put sequencing of these libraries yielded a total of ≈50 million high-quality reads. Classification of these small RNAs showed that endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs) generated from transposable elements (TEs), especially from the subclasses of LINE and LTR, were prominent. Further bioinformatics analysis revealed that siRNAs derived from ten types of well-defined retrotransposons were dramatically enriched in the SjAgo2-specific libraries compared to small RNA libraries constructed with total small RNAs from separated adult worms. These results suggest that a key function of SjAgo2 is to maintain genome stability through suppressing the activities of retrotransposons. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In this study, we identified and characterized one of the three S. japonicum Argonautes, SjAgo2, and its associated small RNAs were found to be predominantly derived from particular classes of retrotransposons. Thus, a major function of SjAgo2 appears to associate with the maintenance of genome stability via suppression of retroelements. The data advance our understanding of the gene regulatory mechanisms in the blood fluke.
Collapse
|
27
|
El Ridi RAF, Tallima HAM. Novel therapeutic and prevention approaches for schistosomiasis: review. J Adv Res 2012; 4:467-78. [PMID: 25685454 PMCID: PMC4293887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2012.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2012] [Revised: 05/12/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a debilitating disease affecting approximately 600 million people in 74 developing countries, with 800 million, mostly children at risk. To circumvent the threat of having praziquantel (PZQ) as the only drug used for treatment, several PZQ derivatives were synthesized, and drugs destined for other parasites were used with success. A plethora of plant-derived oils and extracts were found to effectively kill juvenile and adult schistosomes, yet none was progressed to pre- and clinical studies except an oleo-gum resin extracted from the stem of Commiphora molmol, myrrh, which action was challenged in several trials. We have proposed an essential fatty acid, a component of our diet and cells, the polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid (ARA) as a remedy for schistosomiasis, due to its ability to activate the parasite tegument-bound neutral sphingomyelinase, with subsequent hydrolysis of the apical lipid bilayer sphingomyelin molecules, allowing access of specific antibody molecules, and eventual worm attrition. This concept was convincingly supported using larval and adult Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium worms in in vitro experiments, and in vivo studies in inbred mice and outbred hamsters. Even if ARA proves to be an entirely effective and safe therapy for schistosomiasis, it will not prevent reinfection, and accordingly, the need for developing an effective vaccine remains an urgent priority. Our studies have supported the status of S. mansoni calpain, glutathione-S-transferase, aldolase, triose phosphate isomerase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, enolase, and 2-cys peroxiredoxin as vaccine candidates, as they are larval excreted-secreted products and, contrary to the surface membrane molecules, are entirely accessible to the host immune system effector elements. We have proposed that the use of these molecules, in conjunction with Th2 cytokines-inducing adjuvants for recruiting and activating eosinophils and basophils, will likely lead to development and implementation of a sterilizing vaccine in a near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rashika A F El Ridi
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
| | - Hatem A-M Tallima
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Xu X, Sun J, Zhang J, Wellems D, Qing X, McCutchan T, Pan W. Having a pair: the key to immune evasion for the diploid pathogen Schistosoma japonicum. Sci Rep 2012; 2:346. [PMID: 22468230 PMCID: PMC3315692 DOI: 10.1038/srep00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes, unlike malaria parasites, are in their diploid stage when targeted by the human immune system. Diploids can be either homozygous or heterozygous. The difference has profound significance for developing immunity and yet has not previously been addressed. We examined the implications of zygosity on immunity to a diploid pathogen, Schistosoma japonicum and showed that the diploid state, and its associated heterozygous advantage, significantly affects the outcome of attack by the immune system and the accumulation of antigenic diversity in the parasite population. We demonstrate here that diploidy provides a novel means of immune evasion for diploid pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xindong Xu
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Dang Z, Yagi K, Oku Y, Kouguchi H, Kajino K, Matsumoto J, Nakao R, Wakaguri H, Toyoda A, Yin H, Sugimoto C. A pilot study on developing mucosal vaccine against alveolar echinococcosis (AE) using recombinant tetraspanin 3: Vaccine efficacy and immunology. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1570. [PMID: 22479658 PMCID: PMC3313938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We have previously evaluated the vaccine efficacies of seven tetraspanins of Echinococcus multilocularis (Em-TSP1–7) against alveolar echinococcosis (AE) by subcutaneous (s.c.) administration with Freund's adjuvant. Over 85% of liver cyst lesion number reductions (CLNR) were achieved by recombinant Em-TSP1 (rEm-TSP1) and -TSP3 (rEm-TSP3). However, to develop an efficient and safe human vaccine, the efficacy of TSP mucosal vaccines must be thoroughly evaluated. Methodology/Principal Findings rEm-TSP1 and -TSP3 along with nontoxic CpG ODN (CpG oligodeoxynucleotides) adjuvant were intranasally (i.n.) immunized to BALB/c mice and their vaccine efficacies were evaluated by counting liver CLNR (experiment I). 37.1% (p<0.05) and 62.1% (p<0.001) of CLNR were achieved by these two proteins, respectively. To study the protection-associated immune responses induced by rEm-TSP3 via different immunization routes (i.n. administration with CpG or s.c. immunization with Freund's adjuvant), the systemic and mucosal antibody responses were detected by ELISA (experiment II). S.c. and i.n. administration of rEm-TSP3 achieved 81.9% (p<0.001) and 62.8% (p<0.01) CLNR in the liver, respectively. Both the immunization routes evoked strong serum IgG, IgG1 and IgG2α responses; i.n. immunization induced significantly higher IgA responses in nasal cavity and intestine compared with s.c. immunization (p<0.001). Both immunization routes induced extremely strong liver IgA antibody responses (p<0.001). The Th1 and Th2 cell responses were assessed by examining the IgG1/IgG2α ratio at two and three weeks post-immunization. S.c. immunization resulted in a reduction in the IgG1/IgG2α ratio (Th1 tendency), whereas i.n. immunization caused a shift from Th1 to Th2. Moreover, immunohistochemistry showed that Em-TSP1 and -TSP3 were extensively located on the surface of E. multilocularis cysts, protoscoleces and adult worms with additional expression of Em-TSP3 in the inner part of protoscoleces and oncospheres. Conclusions Our study indicated that i.n. administration of rEm-TSP3 with CpG is able to induce both systemic and local immune responses and thus provides significant protection against AE. Humans and rodents become infected with E. multilocularis by oral ingesting of the eggs, which then develop into cysts in the liver and progress an endless proliferation. Untreated AE has a fatality rate of >90% in humans. Tetraspanins have been identified in Schistosoma and showed potential as the prospective vaccine candidates. In our recent study, we first identified seven tetraspanins in E. multilocularis and evaluated their protective efficacies as vaccines against AE when subcutaneously administered to BALB/c mice. Mucosal immunization of protective proteins is able to induce strong local and systemic immune responses, which might play a crucial role in protecting humans against E. multilocularis infection via the intestine, blood and liver. We focused on Em-TSP3, which achieved significant vaccine efficacy via both s.c. and i.n. routes. The adjuvanticity of nontoxic CpG OND as i.n. vaccine adjuvant was evaluated. The widespread expression of Em-TSP3 in all the developmental stages of E. multilocularis, and the strong local and systemic immune responses evoked by i.n. administration of rEm-TSP3 with CpG OND adjuvant suggest that this study might open the way for developing efficient, nontoxic human mucosal vaccines against AE.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Animals
- Antibodies, Helminth/blood
- Antigens, Helminth/genetics
- Antigens, Helminth/immunology
- Echinococcosis
- Echinococcosis, Hepatic/prevention & control
- Echinococcus multilocularis/isolation & purification
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Freund's Adjuvant/administration & dosage
- Glycoproteins/genetics
- Glycoproteins/immunology
- Immunity, Mucosal
- Immunoglobulin A/analysis
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Intestinal Mucosa/immunology
- Liver/parasitology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Nasal Mucosa/immunology
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/administration & dosage
- Pilot Projects
- Tetraspanins/genetics
- Tetraspanins/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhisheng Dang
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Grazing Animal Diseases MOA, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Kinpei Yagi
- Department of Biological Science, Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuzaburo Oku
- Parasitology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kouguchi
- Department of Biological Science, Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kiichi Kajino
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Jun Matsumoto
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Wakaguri
- Department of Medical Genome Science, Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- RIKEN Genomic Sciences Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Grazing Animal Diseases MOA, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chihiro Sugimoto
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Walker AJ. Insights into the functional biology of schistosomes. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:203. [PMID: 22013990 PMCID: PMC3206467 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The need to discover new treatments for human schistosomiasis has been an important driver for molecular research on schistosomes, a major breakthrough being the publication of the Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum genomes in 2009. This 'Primer' considers recent advances in the understanding of schistosome biology by providing a snapshot of selected areas of contemporary functional schistosome research, including that on the genome, the tegument, cell signalling and developmental biology, offering biologists a valuable insight into the life of these fascinating parasites at the basic and molecular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony John Walker
- School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT12EE, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cupit PM, Steinauer ML, Tonnessen BW, Agola LE, Kinuthia JM, Mwangi IN, Mutuku MW, Mkoji GM, Loker ES, Cunningham C. Polymorphism associated with the Schistosoma mansoni tetraspanin-2 gene. Int J Parasitol 2011; 41:1249-52. [PMID: 21889508 PMCID: PMC3188324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2011.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Revised: 07/24/2011] [Accepted: 07/27/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
A vaccine against schistosomiasis would contribute significantly to reducing the 3-70 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually to the disease. Towards this end, inoculation with the large extracellular loop (EC-2) of Schistosoma mansoni tetraspanin-2 protein (Sm-TSP-2) has proved effective in reducing worm and egg burdens in S. mansoni-infected mice. The EC-2 loop of Schistosoma japonicum TSP-2, however, has been found to be highly polymorphic, perhaps diminishing the likelihood that this antigen can be used for vaccination against this species. Here, we examine polymorphism of the EC-2 of Sm-TSP-2 in genetically unique worms derived from six individuals from Kisumu, Kenya.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline M. Cupit
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Bradley W. Tonnessen
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - L. Eric Agola
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph M. Kinuthia
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ibrahim N. Mwangi
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Martin W. Mutuku
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald M. Mkoji
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Charles Cunningham
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Jiang Y, Xu X, Qing X, Pan W. Identification and characterization of six novel tetraspanins from Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:190. [PMID: 21958506 PMCID: PMC3203850 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tetraspanins (TSPs), also known as members of the trans-membrane 4 super-family (TM4SF), comprise an assemblage of surface antigens reported in eukaryotic organisms. In the work presented here, six novel TSP proteins from the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) were produced and analyzed through a combination of bioinformatics and experimental approaches. Results Six novel TSP proteins of Schistosoma japonicum (designated as Sj-TSP-#1~6) contained four trans-membrane regions and one large extracellular loop (LEL) with a conserved CCG motif. Size of the proteins varied from 227 to 291 amino acid residues. All the six proteins were produced in E.coli and immune sera to each protein were prepared. Analysis of transcription profiles of the proteins by RT-PCR showed that Sj-TSP-#4 was transcribed only in the egg stage while transcription of the Sj-TSP-#2 was detected in female worms but not in males. The similar results were obtained by Western blot. Immunolocalization of the TSP proteins by immunofluorescence assay showed that the Sj-TSP-#2, Sj-TSP-#5 and Sj-TSP-#6 were located in the tegument of worms. Conclusions This study provided six novel TSP members of S. japonicum including their sequences and recombinant proteins. Availability of the novel proteins and information on their expression profile and location provided a basis for further investigation of the TSP proteins for their biological functions and as vaccine candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Jiang
- Institute for Infectious Diseases & Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Cai P, Hou N, Piao X, Liu S, Liu H, Yang F, Wang J, Jin Q, Wang H, Chen Q. Profiles of small non-coding RNAs in Schistosoma japonicum during development. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1256. [PMID: 21829742 PMCID: PMC3149011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The gene regulation mechanism along the life cycle of the genus Schistosoma is complex. Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are essential post transcriptional gene regulation elements that affect gene expression and mRNA stability. Preliminary studies indicated that sncRNAs in schistosomal parasites are generated through different pathways, which are developmentally regulated. However, the data of sncRNAs of schistosomal parasites are still fragmental and a complete expression profile of sncRNAs during the parasite development requires a deep investigation. Methodology/Principal Findings We employed high-throughput genome-wide transcriptome analytic techniques to explore the dynamic expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs) of Schistosoma japonicum covering the free-living cercarial stage and all stages in the definitive host. This led us to analyze over 70 million clean reads represented both high and low abundance of the small RNA population. Patterns of differential expression of miRNAs and endo-siRNAs were observed. MiRNAs was twice more than endo-siRNAs in cercariae, but gradually decreased along with the development of the parasite. Both small RNA types were presented in equal aboudance in lung-stage schistosomula, while endo-siRNAs accumulated to 6 times more than miRNAs in adult female worms and hepatic eggs. Further, miRNAs were found mainly derived from genes located in the intergenic regions, while endo-siRNAs were mainly generated from transposable elements (TEs). The expression pattern of TE-siRNAs, as well as the pseudogene-derived siRNAs clustered in mRNAs of cytoskeletal proteins, stress proteins, enzymes related to energy metabolism also revealed distinction throughout different developmental stages. Natural antisense transcripts (NATs)-related siRNAs accounted for minor proportion of the endo-siRNAs which were dominantly expressed in cercariae. Conclusions/Significance Our results represented a comprehensive expression profile of sncRNAs in various developmental stages of S. japonicum with high accuracy and coverage. The data would facilitate a deep understanding of the parasite biology and potential discovery of novel targets for the design of anti-parasite drugs. Schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease, caused by agents of the genus Schistosoma afflicts more than 200 million people worldwide. Schistosomes could serve as an interesting model to explore gene regulation due to its evolutional position, complex life cycle and sexual dimorphism. We previously indicated that sncRNA profile in the parasite S. japonicum was developmentally regulated in hepatic and adult stages. In this study, we systematically investigated mircoRNA (miRNA) and endogenous siRNA (endo-siRNA) profile in this parasite in more detailed developmental stages (cercariae, lung-stage schistosomula, separated adult worms, and liver tissue-trapped eggs) using high-throughput RNA sequencing technology. We observed that the ratio of miRNAs to endo-siRNAs was dynamically changed throughout different developmental stages of the parasite. MiRNAs were expressed dominantly in cercariae, while endo-siRNAs accumulated in adult female worms and hepatic eggs. We demonstrated that miRNAs were mostly derived from intergenic regions whereas siRNAs were mostly derived from transposable elements. We also annotated miRNAs and siRNAs with stage- and gender- biased expression. Our findings would facilitate to understand the gene regulation mechanism of this parasite and discover novel targets for anti-parasite drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Hou
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haiying Liu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Jin
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (QC); (HW)
| | - Qijun Chen
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- * E-mail: (QC); (HW)
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhao BP, Chen L, Zhang YL, Yang JM, Jia K, Sui CY, Yuan CX, Lin JJ, Feng XG. In silico prediction of binding of promiscuous peptides to multiple MHC class-II molecules identifies the Th1 cell epitopes from secreted and transmembrane proteins of Schistosoma japonicum in BALB/c mice. Microbes Infect 2011; 13:709-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2011.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2010] [Revised: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
35
|
Inconsistent protective efficacy and marked polymorphism limits the value of Schistosoma japonicum tetraspanin-2 as a vaccine target. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1166. [PMID: 21655308 PMCID: PMC3104969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2010] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosoma mansoni tetraspanin 2 (Sm-TSP-2) has been shown to be strongly recognized by IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies from individuals putatively resistant to schistosome infection, but not chronically infected people, and to induce high levels of protection against challenge infection in the murine model of schistosomiasis. Amplification by PCR of homologous sequences from male and female S. japonicum worms showed the presence of 7 different clusters or subclasses of S. japonicum TSP-2. We determined the protective efficacy of one subclass – Sj-TSP-2e. Methodology/Principal Findings Following the alignment of 211 cDNAs, we identified 7 clusters encoding S. japonicum TSP-2 (Sj-TSP-2) based on sequence variation in the large extracellular loop (LEL) region with differing frequency of transcription in male and female worms. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed elevated expression of Sj-TSP-2 in adult worms compared with other life cycle stages. We expressed in E. coli the LEL region of one of the clusters which exhibited a high frequency of transcription in female worms, and showed the purified recombinant protein (Sj-TSP-2e) was recognised by 43.1% of sera obtained from confirmed schistosomiasis japonica patients. Vaccination of mice with the recombinant protein induced high levels of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies, but no consistent protective efficacy against challenge infection was elicited in three independent trials. Conclusions/Significance The highly polymorphic nature of the Sj-TSP-2 gene at the transcriptional level may limit the value of Sj-TSP-2 as a target for future S. japonicum vaccine development. Schistosoma mansoni tetraspanin 2 (Sm-TSP-2) is considered a lead target for vaccine development against schistosomiasis mansoni because: (1) It is located in the schistosome tegument and is involved in tegument formation; (2) It is strongly recognized by IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies from individuals putatively resistant to schistosome infection, but not chronically infected people, and (3) It induces high levels of protection against challenge infection in the mouse model. We amplified 211 homologous TSP-2 sequences from male and female S. japonicum worms, which revealed 7 different cDNA subclasses. We expressed in E. coli a region of one of the clusters which exhibited a high frequency of transcription in female worms, and showed the purified recombinant protein (Sj-TSP-2e) was recognised by 43.1% of sera obtained from confirmed schistosomiasis japonica patients. Vaccination of mice with the recombinant protein induced high levels of IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies, but no consistent protective efficacy against challenge infection was elicited in three independent trials. The highly polymorphic nature of the Sj-TSP-2 gene at the transcriptional level may limit the value of Sj-TSP-2 as a target for future S. japonicum vaccine development. Further analysis of the distribution of the different subclasses/alleles of the Sj-TSP-2 gene in S. japonicum populations from different endemic areas would be informative.
Collapse
|
36
|
Wu C, Cai P, Chang Q, Hao L, Peng S, Sun X, Lu H, Yin J, Jiang N, Chen Q. Mapping the binding between the tetraspanin molecule (Sjc23) of Schistosoma japonicum and human non-immune IgG. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19112. [PMID: 21533061 PMCID: PMC3080413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomal parasites can establish parasitization in a human host for
decades; evasion of host immunorecognition including surface masking by
acquisition of host serum components is one of the strategies explored by
the parasites. Parasite molecules anchored on the membrane are the main
elements in the interaction. Sjc23, a member of the tetraspanin (TSP) family
of Schistosoma japonicum, was previously found to be highly
immunogenic and regarded as a vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis.
However, studies indicated that immunization with Sjc23 generated rapid
antibody responses which were less protective than that with other antigens.
The biological function of this membrane-anchored molecule has not been
defined after decades of vaccination studies. Methodology and Principal Findings In this study, we explored affinity pull-down and peptide competition assays
to investigate the potential binding between Sjc23 molecule and human
non-immune IgG. We determined that Sjc23 could bind human non-immune IgG and
the binding was through the interaction of the large extra-cellular domain
(LED) of Sjc23 (named Sjc23-LED) with the Fc domain of human IgG. Sjc23 had
no affinity to other immunoglobulin types. Affinity precipitation (pull-down
assay) in the presence of overlapping peptides further pinpointed to a
9-amino acid motif within Sjc23-LED that mediated the binding to human
IgG. Conclusion and Significance S. japonicum parasites cloak themselves through interaction
with human non-immune IgG, and a member of the tetraspanin family, Sjc23,
mediated the acquisition of human IgG via the interaction of a motif of 9
amino acids with the Fc domain of the IgG molecule. The consequence of this
interaction will likely benefit parasitism of S. japonicum
by evasion of host immune recognition or immunoresponses. This is the first
report that an epitope of schistosomal ligand and its immunoglobulin
receptor are defined, which provides further evidence of immune evasion
strategy adopted by S. japonicum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, The Ministry of
Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of
Pathogen Biology/Institute of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaocheng Chang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, The Ministry of
Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lili Hao
- College of Life Science and Technology,
Southwest University of Nationalities, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuai Peng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, The Ministry of
Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaojing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, The Ministry of
Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Huijun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, The Ministry of
Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jigang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, The Ministry of
Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, The Ministry of
Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- * E-mail: (NJ); (QC)
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, The Ministry of
Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of
Pathogen Biology/Institute of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (NJ); (QC)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Piao X, Cai P, Liu S, Hou N, Hao L, Yang F, Wang H, Wang J, Jin Q, Chen Q. Global expression analysis revealed novel gender-specific gene expression features in the blood fluke parasite Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18267. [PMID: 21494327 PMCID: PMC3071802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosoma japonicum is one of the remarkable
Platyhelminths that are endemic in China and Southeast Asian countries. The
parasite is dioecious and can reside inside the host for many years. Rapid
reproduction by producing large number of eggs and count-react host
anti-parasite responses are the strategies that benefit long term survival
of the parasite. Praziquantel is currently the only drug that is effective
against the worms. Development of novel antiparasite reagents and
immune-prevention measures rely on the deciphering of parasite biology. The
decoding of the genomic sequence of the parasite has made it possible to
dissect the functions of genes that govern the development of the parasite.
In this study, the polyadenylated transcripts from male and female
S. japonicum were isolated for deep sequencing and the
sequences were systematically analysed. Results First, the number of genes actively expressed in the two sexes of S.
japonicum was similar, but around 50% of genes were
biased to either male or female in expression. Secondly, it was, at the
first time, found that more than 50% of the coding region of the
genome was transcribed from both strands. Among them, 65% of the
genes had sense and their cognate antisense transcripts co-expressed,
whereas 35% had inverse relationship between sense and antisense
transcript abundance. Further, based on gene ontological analysis, more than
2,000 genes were functionally categorized and biological pathways that are
differentially functional in male or female parasites were elucidated. Conclusions Male and female schistosomal parasites differ in gene expression patterns,
many metabolic and biological pathways have been identified in this study
and genes differentially expressed in gender specific manner were presented.
Importantly, more than 50% of the coding regions of the S.
japonicum genome transcribed from both strands, antisense
RNA-mediated gene regulation might play a critical role in the parasite
biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianyu Piao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of
Pathogen Biology/Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology
and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of
Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of
Pathogen Biology/Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology
and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of
Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of
Pathogen Biology/Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology
and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of
Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Hou
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of
Pathogen Biology/Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology
and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of
Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Hao
- College of Life Science and Technology,
Southwest University of Nationalities, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology
and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of
Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of
Pathogen Biology/Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology
and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of
Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology
and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of
Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of
Pathogen Biology/Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology
and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of
Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of
Education, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hofmann A, Osman A, Leow CY, Driguez P, McManus DP, Jones MK. Parasite annexins--new molecules with potential for drug and vaccine development. Bioessays 2011; 32:967-76. [PMID: 21105292 DOI: 10.1002/bies.200900195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In the last few years, annexins have been discovered in several nematodes and other parasites, and distinct differences between the parasite annexins and those of the hosts make them potentially attractive targets for anti-parasite therapeutics. Annexins are ubiquitous proteins found in almost all organisms across all kingdoms.Here, we present an overview of novel annexins from parasitic organisms, and summarize their phylogenetic and biochemical properties, with a view to using them as drug or vaccine targets. Building on structural and biological information that has been accumulated for mammalian and plant annexins, we describe a predicted additional secondary structure element found in many parasite annexins that may confer unique functional properties, and present a specific antigenic epitope for use as a vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hofmann
- Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Wu W, Cai P, Chen Q, Wang H. Identification of novel antigens within the Schistosoma japonicum tetraspanin family based on molecular characterization. Acta Trop 2011; 117:216-24. [PMID: 21237127 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2011.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2010] [Revised: 01/04/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Tetraspanins (TSPs) are proteins found on the surface of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni that have been regarded as potential protective antigens. However, divergent evolution may occur among the species of S. mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum under different environmental pressure. Thus, it was essential to characterize the S. japonicum TSP family members before selecting potential candidate TSP antigens. In this study, we used bioinformatics and experimental validation to investigate 29 TSP members from S. japonicum, including all known genes, Sj23, TE736, Sj25, and Sj-TSP-2. Five TSP members were found to be variable, and two others (Sj-tsp genes) were alternatively spliced. The phylogenetic analysis showed that schistosome TSPs were highly divergent from those of other phyla. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the Sj-tsp genes were differentially transcribed in the developmental stages of cercariae, schistosomula, adult worms, and eggs. Six Sj-tsp genes were significantly up-regulated during the transformation from cercariae to schistosomula. Four Sj-tsp genes, including Sj-tsp-1, Sj-tsp-8, Sj-tsp-14, and Sj-tsp-26 were confirmed as potential protective antigens based on the molecular characterization. RNAi was preformed against the conserved Sj-tsp genes which were highly expressed in schistosomula to explore gene functions. These data will promote the identification of candidate antigens within the TSP family for developing novel vaccines against S. japonicum infections.
Collapse
|
40
|
Schistosoma japonicum: Efficient and rapid purification of the tetraspanin extracellular loop 2, a potential protective antigen against schistosomiasis in mammalian. Exp Parasitol 2010; 126:456-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2009] [Revised: 04/21/2010] [Accepted: 05/21/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
41
|
Characterization of antibody responses to the Sj23 antigen of Schistosoma japonicum after infection and immunization. Acta Trop 2010; 116:9-14. [PMID: 20452323 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2010] [Revised: 04/27/2010] [Accepted: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Sj23, a member of the tetraspanin protein family, is a 23-kDa surface-exposed protein of Schistosoma japonicum and expressed in all infective parasite stages, which has been regarded as a potential candidate in vaccine development for schistosomiasis. In this study, we found that, in the BALB/c mouse model, Sj23 elicited rapid humoral responses after parasite infection and the dominant antibodies were of IgG2a subclass. Immunization with Sj23 by priming with recombinant SFV RNA virus particles followed by a boost with recombinant protein also generated strong IgG2a responses which did not provide protection against challenge with cercariae. Our data indicated that one of the functions of Sj23 of S. japonicum is to facilitate parasite immune regulation. Sj23 antigen-based vaccine may require strong adjuvant that can drive IgG1 responses which are more critical in resistance to helminth infection.
Collapse
|
42
|
Moné Y, Gourbal B, Duval D, Du Pasquier L, Kieffer-Jaquinod S, Mitta G. A large repertoire of parasite epitopes matched by a large repertoire of host immune receptors in an invertebrate host/parasite model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2010; 4. [PMID: 20838648 PMCID: PMC2935394 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/06/2010] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
For many decades, invertebrate immunity was believed to be non-adaptive, poorly specific, relying exclusively on sometimes multiple but germ-line encoded innate receptors and effectors. But recent studies performed in different invertebrate species have shaken this paradigm by providing evidence for various types of somatic adaptations at the level of putative immune receptors leading to an enlarged repertoire of recognition molecules. Fibrinogen Related Proteins (FREPs) from the mollusc Biomphalaria glabrata are an example of these putative immune receptors. They are known to be involved in reactions against trematode parasites. Following not yet well understood somatic mechanisms, the FREP repertoire varies considerably from one snail to another, showing a trend towards an individualization of the putative immune repertoire almost comparable to that described from vertebrate adaptive immune system. Nevertheless, their antigenic targets remain unknown. In this study, we show that a specific set of these highly variable FREPs from B. glabrata forms complexes with similarly highly polymorphic and individually variable mucin molecules from its specific trematode parasite S. mansoni (Schistosoma mansoni Polymorphic Mucins: SmPoMucs). This is the first evidence of the interaction between diversified immune receptors and antigenic variant in an invertebrate host/pathogen model. The same order of magnitude in the diversity of the parasite epitopes and the one of the FREP suggests co-evolutionary dynamics between host and parasite regarding this set of determinants that could explain population features like the compatibility polymorphism observed in B. glabrata/S. mansoni interaction. In addition, we identified a third partner associated with the FREPs/SmPoMucs in the immune complex: a Thioester containing Protein (TEP) belonging to a molecular category that plays a role in phagocytosis or encapsulation following recognition. The presence of this last partner in this immune complex argues in favor of the involvement of the formed complex in parasite recognition and elimination from the host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yves Moné
- Parasitologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5244, CNRS Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- Parasitologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5244, CNRS Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- Parasitologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5244, CNRS Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Louis Du Pasquier
- University of Basel, Institute of Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Guillaume Mitta
- Parasitologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5244, CNRS Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gobert GN. Applications for profiling the schistosome transcriptome. Trends Parasitol 2010; 26:434-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2009] [Revised: 04/16/2010] [Accepted: 04/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
|
44
|
Schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China: the era of the Three Gorges Dam. Clin Microbiol Rev 2010; 23:442-66. [PMID: 20375361 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00044-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential impact of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) on schistosomiasis transmission in China has invoked considerable global concern. The TGD will result in changes in the water level and silt deposition downstream, favoring the reproduction of Oncomelania snails. Combined with blockages of the Yangtze River's tributaries, these changes will increase the schistosomiasis transmission season within the marshlands along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The changing schistosome transmission dynamics necessitate a comprehensive strategy to control schistosomiasis. This review discusses aspects of the epidemiology and transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in China and considers the pathology, clinical outcomes, diagnosis, treatment, immunobiology, and genetics of schistosomiasis japonica together with an overview of current progress in vaccine development, all of which will have an impact on future control efforts. The use of synchronous praziquantel (PZQ) chemotherapy for humans and domestic animals is only temporarily effective, as schistosome reinfection occurs rapidly. Drug delivery requires a substantial infrastructure to regularly cover all parts of an area of endemicity. This makes chemotherapy expensive and, as compliance is often low, a less than satisfactory control option. There is increasing disquiet about the possibility that PZQ-resistant schistosomes will develop. Consequently, as mathematical modeling predicts, vaccine strategies represent an essential component in the future control of schistosomiasis in China. With the inclusion of focal mollusciciding, improvements in sanitation, and health education into the control scenario, China's target of reducing the level of schistosome infection to less than 1% by 2015 may be achievable.
Collapse
|
45
|
Mulvenna J, Moertel L, Jones MK, Nawaratna S, Lovas EM, Gobert GN, Colgrave M, Jones A, Loukas A, McManus DP. Exposed proteins of the Schistosoma japonicum tegument. Int J Parasitol 2009; 40:543-54. [PMID: 19853607 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2009] [Revised: 10/08/2009] [Accepted: 10/08/2009] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The ability of the mammalian blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum to survive in the inhospitable environment of the mammalian bloodstream can be attributed, at least in part, to its host-exposed outer surface, called the tegument. The tegument is a dynamic organ and is involved in nutrition, immune evasion and modulation, excretion, osmoregulation and signal transduction. Given its importance for parasite survival, proteins exposed to the host at the surface of the tegument are ideal targets for the development of vaccines and drugs. By biotinylating live adult worms and using a combination of OFFGEL electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry 54 proteins were identified as putatively host-exposed in S. japonicum. These included glucose transport proteins, an amino permease, a leucine aminopeptidase and a range of transporters, heat shock proteins and novel immune-active proteins. Members of the tetraspanin protein family and a homologue of Sm 29, a tegument membrane protein from Schistosoma mansoni, both effective vaccine antigens in S. mansoni, were also identified. The fate of labelled surface proteins was monitored over time using electron microscopy and revealed that biotinylated proteins were rapidly internalised from the surface of the tegument and trafficked into the cytoplasmic bridges that connect the distal cytoplasm of the tegument to the underlying cell bodies. The results reported herein dramatically increase the number of S. japonicum proteins known to be exposed to the host and, hence, those of interest as therapeutic targets. The ability of the parasite to rapidly internalise proteins at its surface has implications for the development of vaccines and may explain how these parasites are able to avoid the host immune system for long periods of time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Mulvenna
- Helminth Biology Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Qld 4006, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
McManus DP, Li Y, Gray DJ, Ross AG. Conquering 'snail fever': schistosomiasis and its control in China. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2009; 7:473-85. [PMID: 19400766 DOI: 10.1586/eri.09.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis japonica is a serious parasitic disease and a major health risk for more than 60 million people living in the tropical and subtropical zones of south China. The disease is a zoonosis and its cause, the parasitic trematode Schistosoma japonicum, has a range of mammalian reservoirs, making control efforts difficult. Current control programs are heavily based on community chemotherapy with a single dose of the highly effective drug praziquantel. However, vaccines (for use in bovines and in humans) in combination with other control strategies are needed to eliminate the disease. In this review, we provide an overview of the transmission, clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, genetics and susceptibility, epidemiology, and prospects for control of schistosomiasis japonica in China. The threat posed by the Three Gorges Dam may undermine control efforts because it will change the local ecology and associated schistosomiasis transmission risks over the next decade and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Dang Z, Watanabe J, Kajino K, Oku Y, Matsumoto J, Yagi K, Kouguchi H, Sugimoto C. Molecular cloning and characterization of a T24-like protein in Echinococcus multilocularis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 168:117-9. [PMID: 19591882 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Revised: 06/30/2009] [Accepted: 06/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
One tetraspanin, designated as E24, was cloned from a full-length enriched vector-capping cDNA library of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode. The amino acid sequence and phylogenetic analysis suggested that E24 is a T24-like protein. The crucial, functional large extracellular loop (LEL) domain of E24 was expressed and characterized using a polyclonal antiserum by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that anti-recombinant-E24 (anti-recE24) antibody can specifically recognize approximately 25 kDa recombinant protein and 25 kDa cyst-extracted antigen; the germinal layer of both the protoscolex-free and protoscolex-formed cysts were intensely labeled by immunofluorescent antibody. This study revealed that E24 is an antigenic, germinal layer-located protein of E. multilocularis metacestode, implying for its potential in diagnostic and vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhisheng Dang
- Department of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|