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Rufino-Moya PJ, Zafra Leva R, Martínez-Moreno Á, Buffoni L, Valderas García E, Pérez Arévalo J, Molina-Hernández V, Ruiz-Campillo MT, Herrera-Torres G, Martínez-Moreno FJ. Advancement in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccines against Fasciola hepatica: A Comprehensive Review. Pathogens 2024; 13:669. [PMID: 39204269 PMCID: PMC11357060 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13080669] [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: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In this review article, we aim to provide an overview of fasciolosis in ruminants. Diagnosis through new coprological methods (such as Flukefinder®, FLOTAC®, and Mini-FLOTAC®) remains the most suitable approach for farms. Regarding treatment, there is a scarcity of available drugs, and resistance to them has prompted new approaches (including drug combinations, enhanced metabolism, or the use of natural compounds) to address this issue. Additionally, several researchers have developed vaccines to control the disease, but their efficacy varies, and none are currently sufficient for commercial use. Further studies are needed to better understand all aspects discussed in this manuscript, with the goal of improving diagnosis, treatment, and disease control. It is important to note that this manuscript does not delve into in-depth knowledge of the discussed aspects; rather, it provides an overview of the different methodologies related to these three aspects of parasitic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo José Rufino-Moya
- Animal Health Department (Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (P.J.R.-M.); (Á.M.-M.); (L.B.P.); (E.V.G.); (F.J.M.-M.)
| | - Rafael Zafra Leva
- Animal Health Department (Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (P.J.R.-M.); (Á.M.-M.); (L.B.P.); (E.V.G.); (F.J.M.-M.)
- UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (J.P.A.); (V.M.-H.); (M.T.R.-C.); (G.H.-T.)
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Moreno
- Animal Health Department (Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (P.J.R.-M.); (Á.M.-M.); (L.B.P.); (E.V.G.); (F.J.M.-M.)
- UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (J.P.A.); (V.M.-H.); (M.T.R.-C.); (G.H.-T.)
| | - Leandro Buffoni
- Animal Health Department (Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (P.J.R.-M.); (Á.M.-M.); (L.B.P.); (E.V.G.); (F.J.M.-M.)
- UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (J.P.A.); (V.M.-H.); (M.T.R.-C.); (G.H.-T.)
| | - Elora Valderas García
- Animal Health Department (Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (P.J.R.-M.); (Á.M.-M.); (L.B.P.); (E.V.G.); (F.J.M.-M.)
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24004 León, Spain
| | - José Pérez Arévalo
- UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (J.P.A.); (V.M.-H.); (M.T.R.-C.); (G.H.-T.)
- Department of Anatomy, Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Verónica Molina-Hernández
- UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (J.P.A.); (V.M.-H.); (M.T.R.-C.); (G.H.-T.)
- Department of Anatomy, Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - María T. Ruiz-Campillo
- UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (J.P.A.); (V.M.-H.); (M.T.R.-C.); (G.H.-T.)
- Department of Anatomy, Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Guillem Herrera-Torres
- UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (J.P.A.); (V.M.-H.); (M.T.R.-C.); (G.H.-T.)
- Department of Anatomy, Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Martínez-Moreno
- Animal Health Department (Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (P.J.R.-M.); (Á.M.-M.); (L.B.P.); (E.V.G.); (F.J.M.-M.)
- UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Sanidad Animal Building, Rabanales Campus, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (J.P.A.); (V.M.-H.); (M.T.R.-C.); (G.H.-T.)
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Flores-Velázquez LM, Ruiz-Campillo MT, Herrera-Torres G, Martínez-Moreno Á, Martínez-Moreno FJ, Zafra R, Buffoni L, Rufino-Moya PJ, Molina-Hernández V, Pérez J. Fasciolosis: pathogenesis, host-parasite interactions, and implication in vaccine development. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1270064. [PMID: 38149297 PMCID: PMC10750376 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1270064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica is distributed worldwide, causing substantial economic losses in the animal husbandry industry. Human fasciolosis is an emerging zoonosis in Andean America, Asia, and Africa. The control of the disease, both in humans and animals, is based on using anthelmintic drugs, which has resulted in increased resistance to the most effective anthelmintics, such as triclabendazole, in many countries. This, together with the concerns about drug residues in food and the environment, has increased the interest in preventive measures such as a vaccine to help control the disease in endemic areas. Despite important efforts over the past two decades and the work carried out with numerous vaccine candidates, none of them has demonstrated consistent and reproducible protection in target species. This is at least in part due to the high immunomodulation capacity of the parasite, making ineffective the host response in susceptible species such as ruminants. It is widely accepted that a deeper knowledge of the host-parasite interactions is needed for a more rational design of vaccine candidates. In recent years, the use of emerging technologies has notably increased the amount of data about these interactions. In the present study, current knowledge of host-parasite interactions and their implication in Fasciola hepatica vaccine development is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Miguel Flores-Velázquez
- Unidad de Anatomía, Histología y Patología Veterinaria, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad San Sebastián, Campus Puerto Montt, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - María Teresa Ruiz-Campillo
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Guillem Herrera-Torres
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Álvaro Martínez-Moreno
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal (Área de Parasitología), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Martínez-Moreno
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal (Área de Parasitología), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rafael Zafra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal (Área de Parasitología), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Leandro Buffoni
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal (Área de Parasitología), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pablo José Rufino-Moya
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal (Área de Parasitología), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Verónica Molina-Hernández
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - José Pérez
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
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Cwiklinski K, McEvoy A, López Corrales J, Jewhurst H, Calvani NED, De Marco Verissimo C, Dorey AL, Keane OM, Dalton JP, Lalor R. Fasciola hepatica antioxidant and protease-inhibitor cocktail recombinant vaccines administered five times elicit potent and sustained immune responses in sheep but do not confer protection. Vet Parasitol 2023; 323:110049. [PMID: 37826973 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Our laboratory's vaccine development strategy against the livestock parasite Fasciola hepatica centres around disrupting key biological processes by combining groups of antigens with similar/complementary functional actions into a single vaccine cocktail. In this study the focus was on antioxidant protein vaccines and a protease inhibitor vaccine aimed at disrupting the parasite's ability to defend against oxidative stress and protease-inhibitor balance, respectively. Two combinations of recombinantly expressed antioxidants were assessed, namely peroxiredoxin (rFhPrx), thioredoxin (rFhTrx) and thioredoxin-glutathione reductase (rFhTGR) (Group 1) and rFhPrx, rFhTrx, and two superoxide dismutases (rFhSOD1 and rFhSOD3) (Group 2). The protease inhibitor vaccine cocktail included representatives of each of the key secreted protease inhibitor families, namely a Kunitz-type inhibitor (rFhKT1), a serpin (rFhSrp1) and a stefin, (rFhStf1) (Group 3). The vaccine combinations were formulated in adjuvant Montanide 61VG administered at five timepoints; two before experimental challenge with 60 F. hepatica metacercariae and three after infection. The vaccine combinations did not reduce the liver fluke burden, and only Group 2 displayed a marginal reduction in egg viability (8.2%). Despite previous results showing an effect of liver fluke vaccines on overall weight gain in infected animals, no significant (P value >0.05) impact on weight gain was observed in this study. Antibodies were elicited against all the vaccine antigens within the cocktails and were maintained at high levels to the end of the trial, due to our strategy of continuing vaccine administration after infection. However, these responses were not boosted by the challenge F. hepatica infection. A comparative analysis with previous vaccine data using a protease inhibitor vaccine found no repeat of the promising outcomes associated with this vaccine, indicating that the addition of rFhSrp1 to the vaccine cocktail did not improve vaccine efficacy. Assessment of liver pathology across the two trials using a modified liver enzyme score (glutamate dehydrogenase to platelet ratio) at eight weeks post infection suggests an association with liver fluke burden above 45 flukes, which could be used to predict liver pathology in future trials. The results reported in this study highlight the ambiguousness in liver fluke vaccine development and the difficulty in obtaining consistent and repeatable protection. This work stresses the need for repetition of trials and the use of sufficiently sized groups to assess vaccine efficacy with adequate statistical power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Cwiklinski
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK.
| | - Amanda McEvoy
- Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co., Galway, Ireland
| | - Jesús López Corrales
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Heather Jewhurst
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Nichola Eliza Davies Calvani
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Carolina De Marco Verissimo
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Amber Louise Dorey
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Orla M Keane
- Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - John Pius Dalton
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Richard Lalor
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Das KC, Konhar R, Biswal DK. Fasciola gigantica vaccine construct: an in silico approach towards identification and design of a multi-epitope subunit vaccine using calcium binding EF-hand proteins. BMC Immunol 2023; 24:1. [PMID: 36604615 PMCID: PMC9813462 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-022-00535-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Continuous attempts have been made to pinpoint candidate vaccine molecules and evaluate their effectiveness in order to commercialise such vaccines for the treatment of tropical fascioliasis in livestock. The pathophysiology of fascioliasis can be related to liver damage brought on by immature flukes that migrate and feed, as well as immunological reactions to chemicals produced by the parasites and alarm signals brought on by tissue damage. Future research should, in our opinion, concentrate on the biology of invasive parasites and the resulting immune responses, particularly in the early stages of infection. The goal of the current study was to use the calcium-binding proteins from F. gigantica to create a multi-epitope subunit vaccine. The adjuvant, B-cell epitopes, CTL epitopes, and HTL epitopes that make up the vaccine construct are all connected by certain linkers. The antigenicity, allergenicity, and physiochemical properties of the vaccine construct were examined. The vaccine construct was docked with toll-like receptor 2, and simulations of the molecular dynamics of the complex's stability, interaction, and dynamics were run. After performing in silico cloning and immunosimulation, it was discovered that the construct was suitable for further investigation. New vaccination technologies and adjuvant development are advancing our food safety procedures since vaccines are seen as safe and are accepted by the user community. This research is also applicable to the F. hepatica system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanhu Charan Das
- grid.412227.00000 0001 2173 057XBioinformatics Centre, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya India
| | - Ruchishree Konhar
- grid.412227.00000 0001 2173 057XBioinformatics Centre, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya India ,grid.417639.eInformatics and Big Data, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
| | - Devendra Kumar Biswal
- grid.412227.00000 0001 2173 057XBioinformatics Centre, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya India
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Alzain AA, Elbadwi FA. De Novo Design of Cathepsin B1 Inhibitors as Potential Anti-Schistosomal Agents Using Computational Studies. ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS IN BIOINFORMATICS AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 15:29-41. [PMID: 35935393 PMCID: PMC9355347 DOI: 10.2147/aabc.s361626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is the world’s second most devastating disease after malaria and the leading cause of disease and mortality for more than 200 million people in developing countries. Cysteine proteases, in particular SmCB1, are the most well-researched biological targets for this disorder. Objective To apply computational techniques to design new antischistosomal agents against SmCB1 protein with favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Methods The smCB1 receptor-based pharmacophore model was created and used to screen 567,000 fragments from the Enamine library. The best scoring fragments have been linked to build novel compounds that were subjected to molecular docking, MM-GBSA free energy estimation, ADME prediction, and molecular dynamics. Results A seven-point pharmacophore hypothesis ADDDRRR was created. The developed hypothesis was used to screen 1.3 M fragment conformations. Among them, 23,732 fragments matched the hypothesis and screened against the protein. The top 50 fragments were used to design new 7745 compounds using the Breed ligand panel which were subjected to docking and MMGBSA binding energy. This led to the identification of 10 compounds with better docking scores (−8.033– −7.483 kcal/mol) and lower-bound free energies (−58.49 – −40.02 kcal/mol) compared to the reference bound ligand. Most of the designed compounds demonstrated good drug-like properties. Concerning Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results, a low root mean square deviation (RMSD) range (0.25–1.2 Å) was found for the top 3 complexes which indicated their stability. Conclusion We identified compounds that could be potential candidates in the search for novel Schistosoma mansoni inhibitors by targeting SmCB1 utilizing various computational tools. Three newly designed compounds namely breed 1, 2, and 3 showed promising affinity to the target as well as favorable drug-like properties which might be considered potential anti-schistosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahim A Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
- Correspondence: Abdulrahim A Alzain, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan, Tel +249-511854501, Fax +249-511861180, Email
| | - Fatima A Elbadwi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
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Zawistowska-Deniziak A, Lambooij JM, Kalinowska A, Patente TA, Łapiński M, van der Zande HJP, Basałaj K, de Korne CM, Chayé MAM, Gasan TA, Norbury LJ, Giera M, Zaldumbide A, Smits HH, Guigas B. Fasciola hepatica Fatty Acid Binding Protein 1 Modulates T cell Polarization by Promoting Dendritic Cell Thrombospondin-1 Secretion Without Affecting Metabolic Homeostasis in Obese Mice. Front Immunol 2022; 13:884663. [PMID: 35720355 PMCID: PMC9204345 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.884663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The parasitic trematode Fasciola hepatica evades host immune defenses through secretion of various immunomodulatory molecules. Fatty Acid Binding Proteins (fhFABPs) are among the main excreted/secreted proteins and have been shown to display anti-inflammatory properties. However, little is currently known regarding their impact on dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsequent capacity to prime specific CD4+ T cell subsets. Methodology/Principal Findings The immunomodulatory effects of both native F. hepatica extracts and recombinant fhFABPs were assessed on monocyte-derived human DCs (moDCs) and the underlying mechanism was next investigated using various approaches, including DC-allogenic T cell co-culture and DC phenotyping through transcriptomic, proteomic and FACS analyses. We mainly showed that fhFABP1 induced a tolerogenic-like phenotype in LPS-stimulated moDCs characterized by a dose-dependent increase in the cell-surface tolerogenic marker CD103 and IL-10 secretion, while DC co-stimulatory markers were not affected. A significant decrease in secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12p70 and IL-6 was also observed. In addition, these effects were associated with an increase in both Th2-on-Th1 ratio and IL-10 secretion by CD4+ T cells following DC-T cell co-culture. RNA sequencing and targeted proteomic analyses identified thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) as a non-canonical factor highly expressed and secreted by fhFABP1-primed moDCs. The effect of fhFABP1 on T cell skewing was abolished when using a TSP-1 blocking antibody during DC-T cell co-culture. Immunomodulation by helminth molecules has been linked to improved metabolic homeostasis during obesity. Although fhFABP1 injection in high-fat diet-fed obese mice induced a potent Th2 immune response in adipose tissue, it did not improved insulin sensitivity or glucose homeostasis. Conclusions/Significance We show that fhFABP1 modulates T cell polarization, notably by promoting DC TSP-1 secretion in vitro, without affecting metabolic homeostasis in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zawistowska-Deniziak
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Joost M. Lambooij
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alicja Kalinowska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Thiago A. Patente
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maciej Łapiński
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hendrik J. P. van der Zande
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Katarzyna Basałaj
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Clarize M. de Korne
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
- Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Mathilde A. M. Chayé
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Thomas A. Gasan
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Luke J. Norbury
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- School of Science, STEM College, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Martin Giera
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Arnaud Zaldumbide
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hermelijn H. Smits
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Bruno Guigas
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden, Netherlands
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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.
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Zerna G, Spithill TW, Beddoe T. Current Status for Controlling the Overlooked Caprine Fasciolosis. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1819. [PMID: 34207215 PMCID: PMC8235714 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The disease fasciolosis is caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica, which infect a wide range of mammals and production livestock, including goats. These flatworm parasites are globally distributed and predicted to cost the livestock industry a now conservative USD 3 billion per year in treatment and lowered on-farm productivity. Infection poses a risk to animal welfare and results in lowered fertility rates and reduced production yields of meat, milk and wool. This zoonotic disease is estimated to infect over 600 million animals and up to 2.4 million humans. Current and future control is threatened with the global emergence of flukes resistant to anthelmintics. Drug resistance calls for immediate on-farm parasite management to ensure treatments are effective and re-infection rates are kept low, while a sustainable long-term control method, such as a vaccine, is being developed. Despite the recent expansion of the goat industry, particularly in developing countries, there are limited studies on goat-focused vaccine control studies and the effectiveness of drug treatments. There is a requirement to collate caprine-specific fasciolosis knowledge. This review will present the current status of liver fluke caprine infections and potential control methods for application in goat farming.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Travis Beddoe
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; (G.Z.); (T.W.S.)
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9
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Silvane L, Celias DP, Romagnoli PA, Maletto BA, Sanchez Vallecillo MF, Chiapello LS, Palma SD, Allemandi DA, Sanabria REF, Pruzzo CI, Motrán CC, Cervi L. A Vaccine Based on Kunitz-Type Molecule Confers Protection Against Fasciola hepatica Challenge by Inducing IFN-γ and Antibody Immune Responses Through IL-17A Production. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2087. [PMID: 33193292 PMCID: PMC7641617 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica is helminth parasite found around the world that causes fasciolosis, a chronic disease affecting mainly cattle, sheep, and occasionally humans. Triclabendazole is the drug of choice to treat this parasite. However, the continuous use of this drug has led to the development of parasite resistance and, consequently, the limitation of its effectiveness. Hence, vaccination appears as an attractive option to develop. In this work, we evaluated the potential of F. hepatica Kunitz-type molecule (FhKTM) as an antigen formulated with a liquid crystal nanostructure formed by self-assembly of 6-O-ascorbyl palmitate ester (Coa-ASC16) and the synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide containing unmethylated cytosine-guanine motifs (CpG-ODN) during an experimental model of fasciolosis in mice, and we further dissected the immune response associated with host protection. Our results showed that immunization of mice with FhKTM/CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16 induces protection against F. hepatica challenge by preventing liver damage and improving survival after F. hepatica infection. FhKTM/CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16-immunized mice elicited potent IFN-γ and IL-17A with high levels of antigen-specific IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA serum antibodies. Strikingly, IL-17A blockade during infection decreased IgG2a and IgA antibody levels as well as IFN-γ production, leading to an increase in mortality of vaccinated mice. The present study highlights the potential of a new vaccine formulation to improve control and help the eradication of F. hepatica infection, with potential applications for natural hosts such as cattle and sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Silvane
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Centro de investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Daiana Pamela Celias
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Centro de investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pablo Alberto Romagnoli
- Centro de Investigación en Medicina Traslacional Severo Amuchastegui (CIMETSA), Córdoba, Argentina.,Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Biomédicas de Córdoba (IUCBC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Belkys Angélica Maletto
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Centro de investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Fernanda Sanchez Vallecillo
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Centro de investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Silvina Chiapello
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Centro de investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Santiago Daniel Palma
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Unidad de Investigación y desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica (UNITEFA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Daniel Alberto Allemandi
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Unidad de Investigación y desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica (UNITEFA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rodrigo Eduardo Fabrizio Sanabria
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.,Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (CONICET/UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - César Iván Pruzzo
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Claudia Cristina Motrán
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Centro de investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Cervi
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.,Centro de investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
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10
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Perera DJ, Hassan AS, Jia Y, Ricciardi A, McCluskie MJ, Weeratna RD, Ndao M. Adjuvanted Schistosoma mansoni-Cathepsin B With Sulfated Lactosyl Archaeol Archaeosomes or AddaVax™ Provides Protection in a Pre-Clinical Schistosomiasis Model. Front Immunol 2020; 11:605288. [PMID: 33304354 PMCID: PMC7701121 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.605288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis threatens 800 million people worldwide. Chronic pathology manifests as hepatosplenomegaly, and intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and blood in the stool. To assist the only FDA-approved drug, praziquantel, in parasite elimination, the development of a vaccine would be of high value. S. mansoni Cathepsin B (SmCB) is a well-documented vaccine target for intestinal schistosomiasis. Herein, we test the increased efficacy and immunogenicity of SmCB when combined with sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) archaeosomes or AddaVax™ (a squalene based oil-in-water emulsion). Both vaccine formulations resulted in robust humoral and cell mediated immune responses. Impressively, both formulations were able to reduce parasite burden greater than 40% (WHO standard), with AddaVax™ reaching 86.8%. Additionally, SmCB with both adjuvants were able to reduce granuloma size and the amount of larval parasite hatched from feces, which would reduce transmission. Our data support SmCB as a target for S. mansoni vaccination; especially when used in an adjuvanted formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilhan J Perera
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Adam S Hassan
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yimei Jia
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alessandra Ricciardi
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Risini D Weeratna
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Momar Ndao
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,National Reference Center for Parasitology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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11
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Ducournau C, Moiré N, Carpentier R, Cantin P, Herkt C, Lantier I, Betbeder D, Dimier-Poisson I. Effective Nanoparticle-Based Nasal Vaccine Against Latent and Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Sheep. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2183. [PMID: 33013917 PMCID: PMC7509486 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan of worldwide distribution, able to infect all warm-blooded animals, but particularly sheep. Primary infection in pregnant sheep leads to millions of abortions and significant economic losses for the livestock industry. Moreover, infected animals constitute the main parasitic reservoir for humans. Therefore, the development of a One-health vaccine seems the best prevention strategy. Following earlier work, a vaccine constituted of total extract of Toxoplasma gondii proteins (TE) associated with maltodextrin nanoparticles (DGNP) was developed in rodents. In this study we evaluated the ability of this vaccine candidate to protect against latent and congenital toxoplasmosis in sheep. After two immunizations by either intranasal or intradermal route, DGNP/TE vaccine generated specific Th1-cellular immune response, mediated by APC-secretion of IFN-γ and IL-12. Secretion of IL-10 appeared to regulate this Th1 response for intradermally vaccinated sheep but was absent in intranasally-vaccinated animals. Finally, protection against latent toxoplasmosis and transplacental transmission were explored. Intranasal vaccination led to a marked decrease of brain cysts compared with the non-vaccinated group. This DGNP/TE vaccine administered intranasally conferred a high level of protection against latent toxoplasmosis and its transplacental transmission in sheep, highlighting the potential for development of such a vaccine for studies in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rodolphe Carpentier
- INFINITE, Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, University of Lille, Inserm, Lille, France
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12
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Norbury LJ, Basałaj K, Bąska P, Zawistowska-Deniziak A, Kalinowska A, Wilkowski P, Wesołowska A, Wędrychowicz H. Generation of a single-chain variable fragment phage display antibody library from naïve mice panned against Fasciola hepatica antigens. Exp Parasitol 2019; 205:107737. [PMID: 31401060 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.107737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies have a wide range of applications in basic and applied research as well as in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Phage display antibody libraries offer an alternative to hybridoma technology for the generation of monoclonal antibodies and can be applied to high-throughput screening and facilitate the generation of novel antibodies. Despite their utility in several fields of research there has been limited application of antibody libraries in the study of trematode parasites. Fasciola hepatica causes considerable loss to the agriculture sector and is also a human pathogen. The parasite's excretory/secretory material contains numerous molecules that facilitate its invasion and survival within the mammalian host, including cathepsin B and L proteases. F. hepatica cathepsin B2 is expressed during the initial weeks of infection and has suspected roles in immune evasion and as a digestive enzyme in the parasite's gut; it is considered a good target for vaccination or therapeutic inhibitors. In this study, we produced a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) phage display library from naïve mice. The library was used to identify several scFv that can bind to antigens from adult F. hepatica homogenate, and a scFv that can bind to F. hepatica cathepsin B2. The results highlight the potential applicability of such a library to facilitate the study of F. hepatica and other parasites. This is the first report of the application of a naïve phage display antibody library to the study of F. hepatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Norbury
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Basałaj
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Bąska
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Zawistowska-Deniziak
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Kalinowska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Przemysław Wilkowski
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wesołowska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Halina Wędrychowicz
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818, Warsaw, Poland
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13
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Di Maggio LS, Tirloni L, Pinto AFM, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, Carmona C, Berasain P, da Silva Vaz I. A proteomic comparison of excretion/secretion products in Fasciola hepatica newly excysted juveniles (NEJ) derived from Lymnaea viatrix or Pseudosuccinea columella. Exp Parasitol 2019; 201:11-20. [PMID: 31022392 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The characteristics of parasitic infections are often tied to host behavior. Although most studies have investigated definitive hosts, intermediate hosts can also play a role in shaping the distribution and accumulation of parasites. This is particularly relevant in larval stages, where intermediate host's behavior could potentially interfere in the molecules secreted by the parasite into the next host during infection. To investigate this hypothesis, we used a proteomic approach to analyze excretion/secretion products (ESP) from Fasciola hepatica newly excysted juveniles (NEJ) derived from two intermediate host species, Lymnaea viatrix and Pseudosuccinea columella. The two analyzed proteomes showed differences in identity, abundance, and functional classification of the proteins. This observation could be due to differences in the biological cycle of the parasite in the host, environmental aspects, and/or host-dependent factors. Categories such as protein modification machinery, protease inhibitors, signal transduction, and cysteine-rich proteins showed different abundance between samples. More specifically, differences in abundance of individual proteins such as peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, thioredoxin, cathepsin B, cathepsin L, and Kunitz-type inhibitors were identified. Based on the differences identified between NEJ ESP samples, we can conclude that the intermediate host is a factor influencing the proteomic profile of ESP in F. hepatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Sánchez Di Maggio
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Antônio F M Pinto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, CA, USA
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, CA, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Carmona
- Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Patricia Berasain
- Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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