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Ittiprasert W, Moescheid MF, Chaparro C, Mann VH, Quack T, Rodpai R, Miller A, Wisitpongpun P, Buakaew W, Mentink-Kane M, Schmid S, Popratiloff A, Grevelding CG, Grunau C, Brindley PJ. Targeted insertion and reporter transgene activity at a gene safe harbor of the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100535. [PMID: 37533651 PMCID: PMC10391569 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The identification and characterization of genomic safe harbor sites (GSHs) can facilitate consistent transgene activity with minimal disruption to the host cell genome. We combined computational genome annotation and chromatin structure analysis to predict the location of four GSHs in the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, a major infectious pathogen of the tropics. A transgene was introduced via CRISPR-Cas-assisted homology-directed repair into one of the GSHs in the egg of the parasite. Gene editing efficiencies of 24% and transgene-encoded fluorescence of 75% of gene-edited schistosome eggs were observed. The approach advances functional genomics for schistosomes by providing a tractable path for generating transgenics using homology-directed, repair-catalyzed transgene insertion. We also suggest that this work will serve as a roadmap for the development of similar approaches in helminths more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wannaporn Ittiprasert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Max F. Moescheid
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- IHPE, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Victoria H. Mann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Thomas Quack
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rutchanee Rodpai
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - André Miller
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Prapakorn Wisitpongpun
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
| | - Watunyoo Buakaew
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | - Margaret Mentink-Kane
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Sarah Schmid
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Anastas Popratiloff
- Nanofabrication and Imaging Center, Science & Engineering Hall, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Christoph G. Grevelding
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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Neves LX, Wilson RA, Brownridge P, Holman SW, Harman VM, Eyers CE, Beynon RJ, Castro-Borges W. Dissection of schistosome tissues under LC-MS compatible preservative conditions for quantitative proteomics. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2023; 38 Suppl 1:e9523. [PMID: 37070167 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomes are blood flukes with specialised tissues and organs, each one playing a pivotal role in perpetuating the parasite life cycle. Herein, we describe a detailed methodology for preserving the proteome of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms during manual dissection for enrichment of tissues associated with the parasite's alimentary tract. We provide step-by-step directions for specimen storage and dissection while in preservative solution, tissue homogenisation, protein extraction and digestion using a methodology fully compatible with downstream quantitative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Our methodology uses label-free and QconCAT-based absolute quantification for detection of S. mansoni oesophageal gland products proposed as vaccine candidates. Through stabilisation of the proteome and minimising sample degradation during dissection our approach has allowed us to access the hidden proteome of target tissues not readily available from total lysates because of their small volume. This protocol can be replicated or adapted to other Schistosoma species lacking quantitative proteomics characterisation of specialised tissues for discovery of proteins with potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Xavier Neves
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, Brazil
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - R Alan Wilson
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Philip Brownridge
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Stephen W Holman
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Victoria M Harman
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Claire E Eyers
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert J Beynon
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - William Castro-Borges
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, Brazil
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3
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Wu Q, Feng Z, Hu W. Reduction of autofluorescence in whole adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum for immunofluorescence assay. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:532. [PMID: 34649608 PMCID: PMC8515762 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05027-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunofluorescence assay is one of methods to understand the spatial biology by visualizing localization of biomolecules in cells and tissues. Autofluorescence, as a common phenomenon in organisms, is a background signal interfering the immunolocalization assay of schistosome biomolecules, and may lead to misinterpretation of the biomolecular function. However, applicable method for reducing the autofluorescence in Schistosoma remains unclear. In order to find a suitable method for reducing autofluorescence of schistosomes, different chemical reagents, such as Sudan black B (SBB), trypan blue (TB), copper sulfate (CuSO4), Tris-glycine (Gly), and ammonia/ethanol (AE), at different concentrations and treatment time were tested, and SBB and CuSO4 were verified for the effect of blocking autofluorescence in immunofluorescence to localize the target with anti-SjCRT antibody. By comparing the autofluorescence characteristics of different conditions, it was found that SBB, TB and CuSO4 had a certain degree of reducing autofluorescence effect, and the best effect in females was using 50 mM CuSO4 for 6 h and in males was 0.5% SBB for 6 h. Furthermore, we have applied the optimized conditions to the immunofluorescence of SjCRT protein, and the results revealed that the immunofluorescence signal of SjCRT was clearly visible without autofluorescence interference. We present an effective method to reduce autofluorescence in male and female worm of Schistosoma japonicum for immunofluorescence assay, which could be helpful to better understand biomolecular functions. Our method provides an idea for immunofluorescence assay in other flukes with autofluoresence. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunfeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Feng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology On Parasite-Host Interaction, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention & Fudan University, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China. .,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Joint Research Laboratory of Genetics and Ecology On Parasite-Host Interaction, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention & Fudan University, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Gao YR, Xu JH, Tang CL, Cai Z, Wu Q, Xiong Y, Wang LX. Effects of programmed cell death protein 10 on fecundity in Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1317-1325. [PMID: 32152713 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06635-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein 10 (PCDP10) is widely distributed in animal tissues and exerts extensive biological effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Schistosoma japonicum PCDP10 (SjPCDP10) on the fecundity of schistosomes. We performed real-time PCR to assess Sjpcdp10 expression levels at different developmental stages of S. japonicum. Immunoprotection against S. japonicum was assessed in vivo in mice, and Sjpcdp10 expression was inhibited via RNA interference (RNAi) to determine its role in fecundity. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that Sjpcdp10 mRNA was expressed during different developmental stages in S. japonicum, reaching maximum and minimum levels in female worms and lung-stage schistosomula, respectively. Recombinant SjPCDP10 had a molecular weight of approximately 28 kDa, displaying good immunogenicity but poor immunoprotection. SjPCDP10 was primarily localized in the egg, eggshell, epiphragm of adult worms, and especially the vitelline glands of female worms. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Sjpcdp10 by greater than 90%, and the protein expression decreased by 73%, reduced the number of eggs per female worm significantly more than RNAi-mediated knockdown of Egfp (negative control) (P < 0.05). The present results indicate that Sjpcdp10 knockdown affects the fecundity of schistosomes and may play a vital role in oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ru Gao
- Medical Department, City College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430083, China
| | - Ji-Hong Xu
- Wuchang Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430063, China
| | - Chun-Lian Tang
- Wuchang Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430063, China
| | - Zhou Cai
- Medical Department, City College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430083, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Medical Department, City College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430083, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- Wuchang Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430063, China.
| | - Li-Xia Wang
- Wuchang Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430063, China.
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5
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Gao YR, Mei D, He YB, Chen RX, Gao J, Liu HX, Zhang Y, Yu WH, Wang LX. Effects of programmed cell death protein 10 on the Schistosoma japonicum female reproductive system. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105253. [PMID: 31678234 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of programmed cell death protein 10 (PCDP10) on the female reproductive system of Schistosoma japonicum, one of the major infectious agents of schistosomiasis. We found that PCDP10 was widely distributed in the integument, the worm parenchymal area, and the vitellarium of the female worm, but was localized to a lesser extent in the ovary and testicles. RNAi experiments successfully achieved gene knockdown, and the ultrastructural morphology of the adult reproductive organs was observed. The results demonstrated that, compared with those of the negative control group, the number of cortical granules around oocytes decreased and the number of immature oocyte cells increased. Fusion of yolk globules occurred, and the number and the diameter of yolk droplets decreased significantly. Real-time PCR showed that the expression of yolk glands reached its peak before ovulation and then decreased. The TUNEL assay results showed that apoptosis in the RNAi group was significantly higher than that in the negative control group. These results suggested that SjPCDP10 plays an important role in the female reproductive system. In conclusion, PCD10 is involved in oocyte growth and development, especially in eggshell formation, which may provide a reference for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of PCDP10 involved in egg formation and embryo development in Schistosoma japonicum.
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Haeberlein S, Angrisano A, Quack T, Lu Z, Kellershohn J, Blohm A, Grevelding CG, Hahnel SR. Identification of a new panel of reference genes to study pairing-dependent gene expression in Schistosoma mansoni. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:615-624. [PMID: 31136746 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Facilitated by the Schistosoma mansoni genome project, multiple transcriptomic studies were performed over the last decade to elucidate gene expression patterns among different developmental stages of the complex schistosome life cycle. While these analyses enable the identification of candidate genes with key functions in schistosome biology, a diverse molecular tool set is needed that allows comprehensive functional characterization at the single gene level. This includes the availability of reliable reference genes to confirm changes in the transcription of genes of interest over different biological samples and experimental conditions. In particular, the investigation of one key aspect of schistosome biology, the pairing-dependent gene expression in females and males, requires knowledge on reference genes that are expressed independently of both pairing and of in vitro culture effects. Therefore, the present study focused on the identification of quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR reference genes suitable for the investigation of pairing-dependent gene expression in the S. mansoni male. The "pipeline" we present here is based on qRT-PCR analyses of high biological replication combined with three different statistical analysis tools, BestKeeper, geNorm, and NormFinder. Our approach resulted in a statistically robust ranking of 15 selected reference genes with respect to their transcription stability between pairing-unexperienced and -experienced males. We further tested the top seven candidate genes for their transcription stability during invitro culture of adult S. mansoni. Of these, the two most suitable reference genes were used to investigate the influence of the pairing contact on the transcription of genes of interest, comprising a tyrosine decarboxylase gene Smtdc1, an ebony ortholog Smebony, and the follistatin ortholog Smfst in S. mansoni males. Performing pairing, separation and re-pairing experiments with adult S. mansoni in vitro, our results indicate for the first time that pairing can act as a molecular on/off-switch of specific genes to strictly control their expression in schistosome males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Haeberlein
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Quack
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany; Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Josina Kellershohn
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ariane Blohm
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Steffen R Hahnel
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
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7
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Tang CL, Zhou HH, Zhu YW, Huang J, Wang GB. Glutathione S-transferase influences the fecundity of Schistosoma japonicum. Acta Trop 2019; 191:8-12. [PMID: 30578749 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Schistosoma japonicum glutathione S-transferase (SjGST) on the developmental stages of the parasite. We found that the mRNA levels of GST were higher in schistosomula obtained from the host and the eggs than that in other developmental stages. SjGST was mainly distributed in the egg shells, teguments of the worms, and part of the parenchyma of the worms. GST knockdown with RNA interference in S. japonicum worms resulted in a silencing rate higher than 80%. The egg reduction rate (18%) and abnormal egg ratio (28%) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the GST-silenced group than in the negative control group. These results indicate that SjGST plays an important role in the fecundity of S. japonicum, specifically in egg formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Lian Tang
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430063, China
| | - Hong-Hua Zhou
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430063, China
| | - Ya-Wen Zhu
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430063, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Pu'ai Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430033, China.
| | - Guo-Bo Wang
- Wuchang Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430063, China.
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8
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Calcium and Ca 2+/Calmodulin-dependent kinase II as targets for helminth parasite control. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 46:1743-1751. [PMID: 30420417 DOI: 10.1042/bst20180480] [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: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, effective calcium homeostasis is critical for many key biological processes. There is an added level of complexity in parasites, particularly multicellular helminth worms, which modulate calcium levels while inhabiting the host microenvironment. Parasites ensure efficient calcium homeostasis through gene products, such as the calmodulin-dependent kinases (CaMK), the main focus of this review. The importance of CaMK is becoming increasingly apparent from recent functional studies of helminth and protozoan parasites. Investigations on the molecular regulation of calcium and the role of CaMK are important for both supplementing current drug regimens and finding new antiparasitic compounds. Whereas calcium regulators, including CaMK, are well characterised in mammalian systems, knowledge of their functional properties in parasites is increasing but is still in its infancy.
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Candido RRF, Morassutti AL, Graeff-Teixeira C, St Pierre TG, Jones MK. Exploring Structural and Physical Properties of Schistosome Eggs: Potential Pathways for Novel Diagnostics? ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2018; 100:209-237. [PMID: 29753339 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In this era of increasing demand for sensitive techniques to diagnose schistosomiasis, there is a need for an increased focus on the properties of the parasite eggs. The eggs are not only directly linked to the morbidity of chronic infection but are also potential key targets for accurate diagnostics. Eggs were the primary target of diagnostic tools in the past and we argue they could be the target of highly sensitive tools in the future if we focus on characteristics of their structure and shell surface that could be exploited for enhanced detection. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge of the physical structures of schistosome eggs and eggshells with a view to identifying pathways to a comprehensive understanding of their role in the host-parasite relationship and pathogenesis of infection, and pathways to new strategies for development of diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata R F Candido
- School of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
| | - Alessandra L Morassutti
- School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carlos Graeff-Teixeira
- School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Timothy G St Pierre
- School of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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10
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Gao Y, Zhou X, Wang H, Liu R, Ye Q, Zhao Q, Ming Z, Dong H. Immunization with recombinant schistosome adenylate kinase 1 partially protects mice against Schistosoma japonicum infection. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1665-1674. [PMID: 28455627 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5441-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Highly effective and safe prophylactic vaccines are urgently needed to sustainably control schistosomiasis, one of the most serious endemic zoonoses in China. In this study, we characterized adenylate kinase 1 from Schistosoma japonicum (SjAK1), a phosphotransferase that regulates cellular energy and metabolism, and evaluated its potential as a recombinant vaccine. Based on real-time quantitative PCR, western blot, and immunolocalization, SjAK1 is active throughout the life of the worm, although its expression is higher in 21-day-old schistosomula, adult worms, and eggs deposited in the host liver. Further, the enzyme accumulates in the eggshell, intestinal epithelium, integument of adult worms and in the vitellaria tissue in female worms. A 594-bp full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding SjAK1 was synthesized from total RNA of 3-day-old schistosomes, and immunization with recombinant SjAK1 reduced worm burden by 50%, decreased the density of eggs deposited in the host liver by 40%, and reduced the area of granulomas in the host liver by 56%. ELISA results showed that recombinant SjAK1 also stimulated Th1 cytokines such as IL-2 and IFN-γ, but not IL-5 and IL-4. Collectively, a recombinant form of the enzyme SjAK1 elicits partial protective immunity against Schistosoma japonicum infection and the induction of Th1 cytokines. Thus, the enzyme has potential as a component of a multivalent vaccine against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Gao
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430071, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei Province, 437000, China
| | - Xiaoshan Zhou
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430071, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430071, China
| | - Rong Liu
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430071, China
| | - Qing Ye
- Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430000, China
| | - Qinping Zhao
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430071, China
| | - Zhenping Ming
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430071, China
| | - Huifen Dong
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Parasitology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430071, China.
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11
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Liu Q, Zhu L, Liu F, Hua M, Ding H, He S, Ren C, Liu M, Shen J. Function of Nanos1 gene in the development of reproductive organs of Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1505-1513. [PMID: 28352943 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5427-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nanos is a necessary factor in the differentiation and migration of primordial germ cells. It is closely associated with the development of genitalia in a wide range of species. We questioned whether Nanos was involved in the reproductive organ development of Schistosoma japonicum. Firstly, by in situ hybridization, S. japonicum Nanos1 (SjNanos1) gene was expressed mainly in reproductive organs of S. japonicum. Then, the paired schistosome of 28 days post-infection (dpi) was transfected with SjNanos1 small interfering RNA three times and cultured in vitro for 10 days. SjNanos1 expression suppression in the mRNA and protein levels were confirmed compared to that of the controls. The morphological changes in reproductive organs and egg production were observed after SjNanos1 gene knockdown. The results observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy showed significant changes in the morphology of reproductive organs of parasites, especially the female ovaries, vitellarium, and the male testes, after RNAi. In addition, SjNanos1 silencing also induced the reduction of eggs, and affected the changes of reproduction-related genes, like Pumilio, CNOT6L, and Fs800. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that the SjNanos1 gene is essential in the development of reproductive organs and the egg production of S. japonicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Lulu Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengchun Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqing Hua
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China.
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Blohm AS, Mäder P, Quack T, Lu Z, Hahnel S, Schlitzer M, Grevelding CG. Derivatives of biarylalkyl carboxylic acid induce pleiotropic phenotypes in adult Schistosoma mansoni in vitro. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3831-42. [PMID: 27230017 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5146-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes and other parasitic platyhelminths cause infectious diseases of worldwide significance for humans and animals. Despite their medical and economic importance, vaccines are not available and the number of drugs is alarmingly limited. For most platyhelminths including schistosomes, Praziquantel (PZQ) is the commonly used drug. With respect to its regular application in mass treatment programs, however, there is increasing concern about resistance development.Previous studies demonstrated that inhibitors used to treat non-parasitic human diseases may be useful to be tested for their effects on parasites. To this end, we focused on biarylalkyl carboxylic acids (BACAs) as basis, which had been shown before to be interesting candidates in the context of finding alternative approaches to treat diabetes mellitus. We tested 32 chemically modified derivatives of these substances (biarylalkyl carboxylic acid derivatives (BACADs)) for their effects on adult Schistosoma mansoni in vitro. Treatment with 18 BACADs resulted in egg production-associated phenotypes and reduced pairing stability. In addition, 12 of these derivatives affected vitality and/or caused severe tegument damage, gut dilatation, or other forms of tissue disintegration which led to the death of worms. In most cases (10/12), one derivative caused more than one phenotype at a time. In vitro experiments in the presence of serum albumin (SA) and alpha-acidic glycoprotein (AGP) indicated a varying influence of these blood components on the effects of two selected derivatives. The variety of observed phenotypes suggested that different targets were hit. The results demonstrated that BACADs are interesting substances with respect to their anti-schistosomal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane S Blohm
- BFS, Institut for Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, 35392, Germany
| | - Patrick Mäder
- Institute for Pharmaceutic Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Thomas Quack
- BFS, Institut for Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, 35392, Germany
| | - Zhigang Lu
- BFS, Institut for Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, 35392, Germany
| | - Steffen Hahnel
- BFS, Institut for Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, 35392, Germany
| | - Martin Schlitzer
- Institute for Pharmaceutic Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, 35032, Germany
| | - Christoph G Grevelding
- BFS, Institut for Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, 35392, Germany.
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Wang J, Collins JJ. Identification of new markers for the Schistosoma mansoni vitelline lineage. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:405-10. [PMID: 27056273 PMCID: PMC4917872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional profiling identifies candidate factors associated with the schistosome vitellarium. In situ hybridization confirms many new markers of this tissue. New cell type-specific markers for various stages of vitellocyte development are reported.
Schistosomes cause significant morbidity and mortality in millions of the world’s poorest people. While parasite egg-induced inflammation is the primary driver of host pathology, relatively little is known at the molecular level about the organ systems that participate in schistosome egg production (i.e., testes, ovaries and vitellaria). Here we use transcriptional profiling and in situ hybridization to characterise the vitellarium of Schistosoma mansoni. We uncovered several previously uncharacterised vitellaria-specific factors and defined molecular markers for various stages in the vitellocyte differentiation process. These data provide the framework for future in-depth molecular studies exploring the biology of this important parasite organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Bais S, Churgin MA, Fang-Yen C, Greenberg RM. Evidence for Novel Pharmacological Sensitivities of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004295. [PMID: 26655809 PMCID: PMC4676680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [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: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, is a neglected tropical disease affecting hundreds of millions globally. Praziquantel (PZQ), the only drug currently available for treatment and control, is largely ineffective against juvenile worms, and reports of PZQ resistance lend added urgency to the need for development of new therapeutics. Ion channels, which underlie electrical excitability in cells, are validated targets for many current anthelmintics. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a large family of non-selective cation channels. TRP channels play key roles in sensory transduction and other critical functions, yet the properties of these channels have remained essentially unexplored in parasitic helminths. TRP channels fall into several (7-8) subfamilies, including TRPA and TRPV. Though schistosomes contain genes predicted to encode representatives of most of the TRP channel subfamilies, they do not appear to have genes for any TRPV channels. Nonetheless, we find that the TRPV1-selective activators capsaicin and resiniferatoxin (RTX) induce dramatic hyperactivity in adult worms; capsaicin also increases motility in schistosomula. SB 366719, a highly-selective TRPV1 antagonist, blocks the capsaicin-induced hyperactivity in adults. Mammalian TRPA1 is not activated by capsaicin, yet knockdown of the single predicted TRPA1-like gene (SmTRPA) in S. mansoni effectively abolishes capsaicin-induced responses in adult worms, suggesting that SmTRPA is required for capsaicin sensitivity in these parasites. Based on these results, we hypothesize that some schistosome TRP channels have novel pharmacological sensitivities that can be targeted to disrupt normal parasite neuromuscular function. These results also have implications for understanding the phylogeny of metazoan TRP channels and may help identify novel targets for new or repurposed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Bais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Matthew A. Churgin
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Christopher Fang-Yen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Greenberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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