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Shakir EMN, Rinaldi G, Kirk RS, Walker AJ. Schistosoma mansoni excretory-secretory products induce protein kinase signalling, hyperkinesia, and stem cell proliferation in the opposite sex. Commun Biol 2023; 6:985. [PMID: 37752334 PMCID: PMC10522684 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05333-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult male and female schistosomes in copula dwell within human blood vessels and lay eggs that cause the major Neglected Tropical Disease human schistosomiasis. How males and females communicate to each other is poorly understood; however, male-female physical interaction is known to be important. Here, we investigate whether excretory-secretory products (ESPs), released into the external milieu by mature Schistosoma mansoni, might induce responses in the opposite sex. We demonstrate that ESPs adhere to the surface of opposite sex worms inducing the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathways, particularly in the parasite tegument. Furthermore, we show that mature worms stimulated signalling in juvenile worms. Strikingly, we demonstrate that ESPs from the opposite sex promote stem cell proliferation, in an ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent manner, in the tegument and within the testes of males, and the ovaries and vitellaria of females. Hyperkinesia also occurs following opposite sex ESP exposure. Our findings support the hypothesis that male and female schistosomes may communicate over distance to modulate key processes underlying worm development and disease progression, opening unique avenues for schistosomiasis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M N Shakir
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Gabriel Rinaldi
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Ruth S Kirk
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Anthony J Walker
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EE, UK.
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Moescheid MF, Puckelwaldt O, Beutler M, Haeberlein S, Grevelding CG. Defining an optimal control for RNAi experiments with adult Schistosoma mansoni. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9766. [PMID: 37328492 PMCID: PMC10276032 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36826-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In parasites such as Schistosoma mansoni, gene knockdown by RNA interference (RNAi) has become an indispensable tool for functional gene characterization. To distinguish target-specific RNAi effects versus off-target effects, controls are essential. To date, however, there is still no general agreement about suitable RNAi controls, which limits the comparability between studies. To address this point, we investigated three selected dsRNAs for their suitability as RNAi controls in experiments with adult S. mansoni in vitro. Two dsRNAs were of bacterial origin, the neomycin resistance gene (neoR) and the ampicillin resistance gene (ampR). The third one, the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp), originated from jellyfish. Following dsRNA application, we analyzed physiological parameters like pairing stability, motility, and egg production as well as morphological integrity. Furthermore, using RT-qPCR we evaluated the potential of the used dsRNAs to influence transcript patterns of off-target genes, which had been predicted by si-Fi (siRNA-Finder). At the physiological and morphological levels, we observed no obvious changes in the dsRNA treatment groups compared to an untreated control. However, we detected remarkable differences at the transcript level of gene expression. Amongst the three tested candidates, we suggest dsRNA of the E. coli ampR gene as the most suitable RNAi control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max F Moescheid
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver Puckelwaldt
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mandy Beutler
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simone Haeberlein
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph G Grevelding
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
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Shao B, Gui X, Lu Z, Lv R, Li H, Lu K, Hong Y, Fu Z, Jin Y, Lin J, Fei C, Liu J. Praziquantel promotes protection against Schistosoma japonicum infection in mice. Acta Trop 2023; 241:106874. [PMID: 36863502 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106874] [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: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Praziquantel (PZQ) is the first line drug for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Several studies have confirmed that PZQ regulates host immunity, and we have recently found that pretreatment with PZQ enhances resistance against Schistosoma japonicum infection in buffaloes. We speculate that PZQ induces physiological changes in mice that prevent S. japonicum infection. To test this hypothesis and provide a practical measure to prevent S. japonicum infection, we determined the effective dose (the minimum dose), protection period and onset time of protection by comparing the worm burden, female worm burden and egg burden in PZQ-pretreated mice and blank control mice. Morphological differences between parasites were observed by measuring the total worm length, oral sucker, ventral sucker and ovary. The levels of cytokines, nitrogen monoxide (NO), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and specific antibodies were measured using kits or soluble worm antigens. Hematological indicators on day 0 were analyzed in mice that received PZQ on days -15, -18, -19, -20, -21 and -22. The PZQ concentrations in plasma and blood cells were monitored using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effective dose was found to be two oral administrations (interval of 24 h) at 300 mg/kg body weight (BW) or one injection at 200 mg/kg BW, and the protection period of PZQ injection was 18 days. The optimal preventive effect was observed at two days post-administration, with a >92% worm reduction rate and significant worm reduction until 21 days after administration. Adult worms from PZQ-pretreated mice were runtish showing a shorter length, smaller organs and fewer eggs in the uteri of females. Detection of cytokines, NO, 5-HT and hematological indicators showed that PZQ induced immune-physiological changes, including higher levels of NO, IFN-γ and IL-2, and a lower level of TGF-β. No significant difference in the anti-S. japonicum specific antibody levels was observed. The PZQ concentrations in plasma and blood cells 8 and 15 days post-administration were lower than the detection limit. Our results confirmed that pretreatment with PZQ promotes the protection of mice against S. japonicum infection within 18 days. Although we observed some immune-physiological changes in the PZQ-pretreated mice, the exact mechanisms involved in the preventive effect require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Shao
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Gui
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Zhenjie Lu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Rongxue Lv
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Hao Li
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Ke Lu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Yang Hong
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology (National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zhiqiang Fu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Yamei Jin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Jiaojiao Lin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Chenzhong Fei
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Jinming Liu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China.
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Validation of a human-serum-based in vitro growth method for drug screening on juvenile development stages of Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009313. [PMID: 33784302 PMCID: PMC8034724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis affects over 200 million people worldwide but only praziquantel is available for treatment and control. Drug discovery is often based on phenotypic drug screening, involving different parasite stages retrieved from infected mice. Aiming to reduce animal use, we validated an in vitro growth method for juvenile Schistosoma mansoni for the purpose of drug sensitivity assays. Methodology/Principal findings We compared inter–batch variability of serum, worm size and organ development, gender distribution, and drug sensitivity between in vitro and in vivo grown worms over different life stages. In vitro developed S. mansoni in Hybridoma medium supplemented with 20% human serum were similar in size as in vivo worms until 28 days of incubation (males 1.4 ± 0.2 mm, females 1.1 ± 0.5 mm long). qPCR analysis revealed similar gender distribution both on newly transformed schistosomula and worms grown for 21 days. Worms developed in vitro and in vivo were similarly sensitive to praziquantel from 7 to 35 days of development with the exception of 21 days of development, where a slightly lower activity was observed for the in vitro grown worms (IC50: 0.54 μM in vitro, 0.14 μM in vivo 72 hours post-incubation). The evaluation of five additional drugs revealed a similar sensitivity on worms developed for 21 days, with the exception of mefloquine, where we observed a 10-fold lower sensitivity on in vitro developed schistosomes when compared to in vivo grown (IC50: 4.43 μM in vitro, 0.48 μM in vivo). Conclusion A large number of juvenile S. mansoni worms can be grown in vitro, which show similar drug sensitivity, gender distribution, size and morphology as the worms recovered from rodents, supporting the use of this method in drug screening efforts. Schistosomiasis is a water-borne disease affecting over 200 million people worldwide and praziquantel is the only drug available for treatment. Although this drug is effective on all Schistosoma species on the adult stage of development, its activity is only partial against early infection stages. In addition, this has been the only drug in use for over 40 years, a situation that poses selective pressure towards resistant worms and highlights the urgent need of new drugs. The discovery and development of new drugs is often based on drug screenings, performed on worms collected from infected mammals. In line with animal welfare recommendations and aiming to increase throughput and reduce the assay costs, we validated a recently established in vitro method to grow juvenile S. mansoni as a drug screening tool. The in vitro established worms have similar gender distribution, size and drug sensitivity as worms collected from mice.
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Maharjan S, Kirk RS, Lawton SP, Walker AJ. Further evaluation and validation of HybridoMed Diff 1000 and its comparison to Basch medium for the cell-free culture of Schistosoma mansoni juvenile worm stages. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:613-619. [PMID: 33771520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomules of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni are vital for research focusing on the fundamental functional/developmental biology of schistosomes and many anti-schistosomal drug discovery programmes. Through the further evaluation and validation of a recently tested media, HybridoMed Diff 1000 (HM), for the cell-free culture of juvenile schistosomules, we show that while Basch medium was superior to HM for the survival/development of schistosomules, HM represents a viable and attractive alternative for somule culture, particularly to the early liver stage. Adoption of HM for schistosomule culture could facilitate more standardised approaches, which for drug screening should enable improved multi-centre target-hit evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shradha Maharjan
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Ruth S Kirk
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Scott P Lawton
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK; Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness IV2 5NA, UK
| | - Anthony J Walker
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK.
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Bais S, Greenberg RM. Schistosome TRP channels: An appraisal. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2020; 13:1-7. [PMID: 32250774 PMCID: PMC7138929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels underlie electrical excitability in cells and are essential for a variety of functions, most notably neuromuscular and sensory activity. They are also validated targets for a preponderance of approved anthelmintic compounds. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels constitute an ion channel superfamily whose members play important roles in sensory signaling, regulation of ion homeostasis, organellar trafficking, and other key cellular and organismal activities. Unlike most other ion channels, TRP channels are often polymodal, gated by a variety of mechanisms. Furthermore, TRP channels fall into several classes or subtypes based on sequence and structure. Until recently, there had been very little investigation of the properties and functions of TRP channels from parasitic helminths, including schistosomes, but that situation has changed in the past few years. Indeed, it is now clear that at least some schistosome TRP channels exhibit unusual pharmacological properties, and, intriguingly, both a mammalian and a schistosome TRP channel are activated by praziquantel, the current antischistosomal drug of choice. With the latest release of the Schistosoma mansoni genome database, several changes in predicted TRP channel sequences appeared, some of which were significant. This review updates and reassesses the TRP channel repertoire in S. mansoni, examines recent findings regarding these potential therapeutic targets, and provides guideposts for some of the physiological functions that may be mediated by these channels in schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Bais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Robert M Greenberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Shirakashi S, Matsuda T, Asai N, Honryo T, Ogawa K. In vivo cultivation of tuna blood fluke Cardicola orientalis in terebellid intermediate hosts. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:851-857. [PMID: 32592808 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Some fish blood flukes of the genus Cardicola (Aporocotylidae) are considered important pathogens of farmed/ranched tuna, Thunnus spp. Infections with Cardicola spp. might obstruct the blood flow in the gills via massive accumulations of eggs and often lead to mass mortalities in captive tuna. At present, oral administration of an anthelminthic drug, praziquantel is the most effective treatment, but the tuna farming industries are seeking non-drug control measures. Development of prophylactic and holistic measures have been difficult, owing to a lack of basic knowledge about these parasites. Unlike other trematodes which use molluscs, blood flukes of marine actinopterygian fish use terebellid polychaetes as intermediate hosts. However, information about the development of Cardicola spp. within intermediate hosts is very limited. Recent success in Cardicola opisthorchis sporocyst transplantation into the host polychaete has opened possibilities for the cultivation of Cardicola in the laboratory. Here, we conducted several transplantation trials with another tuna blood fluke, Cardicol orientalis, into its natural and surrogate polychaete hosts. Cardicola orientalis sporocysts were injected into a total of 195 Nicolea gracilibranchis, the natural host, and clear sporocyst development and reproduction was observed in 32 recipients (overall success rate 16.4%). The production of daughter sporocysts in the transplanted polychaete occurred within 14 days post injection, and one sporocystogenous cycle took approximately 4 weeks. Serial passage culture via transplantation of in vivo-cultured sporocysts was also achieved, but with limited sporocyst reproduction. In addition, sporocysts were successfully retrieved from six and one individuals of the surrogate hosts, Thelepus setosus (n = 10) and Thelepus japonicus (n = 5), respectively. These results indicate that the in vivo cultivation of C. orientalis sporocysts is possible, not only in its natural host but also in other terebellids, although the problems of high mortality and inconsistency in successful transplantation need to be resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Shirakashi
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Kindai University, Wakayama 649-2211, Japan.
| | - Tomoya Matsuda
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Kindai University, Wakayama 649-2211, Japan
| | - Nanami Asai
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Kindai University, Wakayama 649-2211, Japan
| | - Tomoki Honryo
- Aquaculture Research Institute, Kindai University, Wakayama 649-2211, Japan
| | - Kazuo Ogawa
- Meguro Parasitological Museum, Tokyo 153-0064, Japan
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