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Luh D, Heiles S, Roderfeld M, Grevelding CG, Roeb E, Spengler B. Hepatic Topology of Glycosphingolipids in Schistosoma mansoni-Infected Hamsters. Anal Chem 2024; 96:6311-6320. [PMID: 38594017 PMCID: PMC11044111 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by worm parasites of the genus Schistosoma. Upon infection, parasite eggs can lodge inside of host organs like the liver. This leads to granuloma formation, which is the main cause of the pathology of schistosomiasis. To better understand the different levels of host-pathogen interaction and pathology, our study focused on the characterization of glycosphingolipids (GSLs). For this purpose, GSLs in livers of infected and noninfected hamsters were studied by combining high-spatial-resolution atmospheric-pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AP-SMALDI MSI) with nanoscale hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nano-HILIC MS/MS). Nano-HILIC MS/MS revealed 60 GSL species with a distinct saccharide and ceramide composition. AP-SMALDI MSI measurements were conducted in positive- and negative-ion mode for the visualization of neutral and acidic GSLs. Based on nano-HILIC MS/MS results, we discovered no downregulated but 50 significantly upregulated GSLs in liver samples of infected hamsters. AP-SMALDI MSI showed that 44 of these GSL species were associated with the granulomas in the liver tissue. Our findings suggest an important role of GSLs during granuloma formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Luh
- Institute
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus
Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sven Heiles
- Institute
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus
Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Leibniz-Institut
für Analytische Wissenschaften—ISAS—e.V., 44139 Dortmund, Germany
- Lipidomics,
Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Roderfeld
- Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Elke Roeb
- Gastroenterology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Spengler
- Institute
of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus
Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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2
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Reinholdt C, Winkelmann F, Koslowski N, Reisinger EC, Sombetzki M. Unisexual infection with Schistosoma mansoni in mice has the potential to boost the immune response against eggs after challenge infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1125912. [PMID: 36923416 PMCID: PMC10009330 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1125912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The complexity of the Schistosoma spp. life cycle and their effective immune evasion strategies, makes vaccine development challenging. Unisexual infection models, that excludes any immunomodulatory effects of the parasite eggs, may contribute to a better understanding of complex immunological processes and identification of new targets for vaccine research. We have recently shown that long-term unisexual infection with schistosomes in mice results in an unpolarized Th1/Th2 response associated with an abnormally enlarged spleen and diffuse liver inflammation. Herein, we investigated whether (i) unisexual worms can mate after three months of single sex infection and (ii) thus the Th2 response induced by oviposition can reverse or heal the described systemic inflammation. Methods Therefore, we infected 6-8 weeks old female C57BL/6j mice with 100 male or female cercariae and reinfected with the opposite sex for the same period after 12 weeks. At 24 weeks after initial infection, we histologically examined worm mating, as evidenced by the presence of parasite eggs, infection-related pathology associated with eggs, and characterization of fibrosis in the livers. Results Single worms are able to mate months after unisexual infection and start oviposition. Egg deposition has been associated with a typical Th2 immune response in the liver after unisexual reinfection, accompanied by increased recruitment of CD4+ T cells. Hepatic collagen levels were significantly increased in the reinfected groups compared to the naive and unisexually infected group. Discussion Our results indicate that the eggs are able to restore the Th1/Th2 immune balance of a previous unisexual infection. However, the organ damage caused by the unisexual worms does not subside, but rather provides the baseline for the emerging egg-triggered inflammation and fibrosis. Since single schistosomes can mate even several weeks after unisexual infection and then accumulate worm- and egg-related organ damage, infection status without positive egg detection is very important, especially in areas with low prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Reinholdt
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Franziska Winkelmann
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nicole Koslowski
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Emil C Reisinger
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martina Sombetzki
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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3
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Sex-inducing effects toward planarians widely present among parasitic flatworms. iScience 2022; 26:105776. [PMID: 36594009 PMCID: PMC9804148 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105776] [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: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Various parasitic flatworms infect vertebrates for sexual reproduction, often causing devastating diseases in their hosts. Consequently, flatworms are of great socioeconomic and biomedical importance. Although the cessation of parasitic flatworm sexual reproduction is a major target of anti-parasitic drug design, little is known regarding bioactive compounds controlling flatworm sexual maturation. Using the planarian Dugesia ryukyuensis, we observed that sex-inducing substances found in planarians are also widespread in parasitic flatworms, such as monogeneans and flukes (but not in tapeworms). Reverse-phase HPLC analysis revealed the sex-inducing substance(s) eluting around the tryptophan retention time in the fluke Calicophoron calicophorum, consistent with previous studies on the planarian Bipalium nobile, suggesting that the substance(s) is likely conserved among flatworms. Moreover, six of the 18 ovary-inducing substances identified via transcriptome and metabolome analyses are involved in purine metabolism. Our findings provide a basis for understanding and modifying the life cycles of various parasitic flatworms.
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Mating Interactions between Schistosoma bovis and S. mansoni and Compatibility of Their F1 Progeny with Biomphalaria glabrata and Bulinus truncatus. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061251. [PMID: 35744769 PMCID: PMC9227498 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Contrary to the majority of other Trematoda, Schistosoma species are gonochoric. Consequently, in endemic areas where several schistosome species overlap and can co-infect the same definitive host, there may be frequent opportunities for interspecific pairing. Our experimental study provides novel insight on the pairing behavior between Schistosoma bovis and S. mansoni in mixed infections in mice. We used six mate choice experiments to assess mating interactions between the two schistosome species. We show that mating between the two Schistosoma species is not random and that S. mansoni exhibits greater mate recognition compared to S. bovis. We also performed reciprocal crosses (male S. mansoni × female S. bovis) and (female S. mansoni × male S. bovis) that produce active swimming miracidia. These miracidia were genotyped by ITS2 sequencing and proposed for mollusc infection. Molecular analyses show that all the miracidia are parthenogenetically produced (i.e., their harbor the mother ITS2 genotype) and as a consequence can only infect the mollusc of the maternal species. Offspring produced by male S. mansoni × female S. bovis pairing can only infect Bulinus truncatus whereas offspring produced by female S. mansoni × male S. bovis can only infect Biomphalaria glabrata snails. Evolutionary and epidemiological consequences are discussed.
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Changes in the lipid profile of hamster liver after Schistosoma mansoni infection, characterized by mass spectrometry imaging and LC-MS/MS analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:3653-3665. [PMID: 35320368 PMCID: PMC9035427 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, is one of the WHO-listed neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and it has severe impact on morbidity and mortality, especially in Africa. Not only the adult worms but also their eggs are responsible for health problems. Up to 50% of the eggs produced by the female worms are not excreted with the feces but are trapped in the host tissue, such as the liver, where they provoke immune responses and a change in the lipid profile. We built up a database with 372 infection markers found in livers of S. mansoni-infected hamsters, using LC-MS/MS for identification, followed by statistical analysis. Most of them belong to the lipid classes of phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and triglycerides (TGs). We assigned some of these markers to specific anatomical structures by applying high-resolution MALDI MSI to cryosections of hamster liver and generating ion images based on the marker list from the LC-MS/MS experiments. Furthermore, enrichment and depletion of several markers were visualized.
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Stitz M, Chaparro C, Lu Z, Olzog VJ, Weinberg CE, Blom J, Goesmann A, Grunau C, Grevelding CG. Satellite-Like W-Elements: Repetitive, Transcribed, and Putative Mobile Genetic Factors with Potential Roles for Biology and Evolution of Schistosoma mansoni. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6361599. [PMID: 34469545 PMCID: PMC8490949 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A large portion of animal and plant genomes consists of noncoding DNA. This part includes tandemly repeated sequences and gained attention because it offers exciting insights into genome biology. We investigated satellite-DNA elements of the platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni, a parasite with remarkable biological features. Schistosoma mansoni lives in the vasculature of humans causing schistosomiasis, a disease of worldwide importance. Schistosomes are the only trematodes that have evolved separate sexes, and the sexual maturation of the female depends on constant pairing with the male. The schistosome karyotype comprises eight chromosome pairs, males are homogametic (ZZ) and females are heterogametic (ZW). Part of the repetitive DNA of S. mansoni are W-elements (WEs), originally discovered as female-specific satellite DNAs in the heterochromatic block of the W-chromosome. Based on new genome and transcriptome data, we performed a reanalysis of the W-element families (WEFs). Besides a new classification of 19 WEFs, we provide first evidence for stage-, sex-, pairing-, gonad-, and strain-specific/preferential transcription of WEs as well as their mobile nature, deduced from autosomal copies of full-length and partial WEs. Structural analyses suggested roles as sources of noncoding RNA-like hammerhead ribozymes, for which we obtained functional evidence. Finally, the variable WEF occurrence in different schistosome species revealed remarkable divergence. From these results, we propose that WEs potentially exert enduring influence on the biology of S. mansoni. Their variable occurrence in different strains, isolates, and species suggests that schistosome WEs may represent genetic factors taking effect on variability and evolution of the family Schistosomatidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stitz
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- IHPE, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | | | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Alexander Goesmann
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
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7
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Kincaid-Smith J, Mathieu-Bégné E, Chaparro C, Reguera-Gomez M, Mulero S, Allienne JF, Toulza E, Boissier J. No pre-zygotic isolation mechanisms between Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis parasites: From mating interactions to differential gene expression. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009363. [PMID: 33945524 PMCID: PMC8127863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Species usually develop reproductive isolation mechanisms allowing them to avoid interbreeding. These preventive barriers can act before reproduction, "pre-zygotic barriers", or after reproduction, "post-zygotic barriers". Pre-zygotic barriers prevent unfavourable mating, while post-zygotic barriers determine the viability and selective success of the hybrid offspring. Hybridization in parasites and the underlying reproductive isolation mechanisms maintaining their genetic integrity have been overlooked. Using an integrated approach this work aims to quantify the relative importance of pre-zygotic barriers in Schistosoma haematobium x S. bovis crosses. These two co-endemic species cause schistosomiasis, one of the major debilitating parasitic diseases worldwide, and can hybridize naturally. Using mate choice experiments we first tested if a specific mate recognition system exists between both species. Second, using RNA-sequencing we analysed differential gene expression between homo- and hetero-specific pairing in male and female adult parasites. We show that homo- and hetero-specific pairing occurs randomly between these two species, and few genes in both sexes are affected by hetero-specific pairing. This suggests that i) mate choice is not a reproductive isolating factor, and that ii) no pre-zygotic barrier except spatial isolation "by the final vertebrate host" seems to limit interbreeding between these two species. Interestingly, among the few genes affected by the pairing status of the worms, some can be related to pathways affected during male and female interactions and may also present interesting candidates for species isolation mechanisms and hybridization in schistosome parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Kincaid-Smith
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, Perpignan, France
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED), Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences (PPS), Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Campus, Herts, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Marta Reguera-Gomez
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Stephen Mulero
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, Perpignan, France
| | | | - Eve Toulza
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, Perpignan, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, Perpignan, France
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8
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Lu DB, Yu QF, Zhang JY, Sun MT, Gu MM, Webster JP, Liang YS. Extended survival and reproductive potential of single-sex male and female Schistosoma japonicum within definitive hosts. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:887-891. [PMID: 33905765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is caused by dioecious helminths of the genus Schistosoma. Recent work indicated that unpaired female and male schistosomes can survive within their definitive host for at least 1 year, although the viability or fertility of these worms after subsequent pairing remained untested. We performed two experiments on laboratory mice, one with female Schistosoma japonicum exposure first and male schistosomes second and another vice versa. After surviving as single-sex unpaired forms for up to 1 year, 58.5% of male and 70% of female schistosomes were able to mate and produce viable eggs. This highlights an additional biological challenge in achieving elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Bing Lu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China.
| | - Qiu-Fu Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Jie-Ying Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Meng-Tao Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Man-Man Gu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China; Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China; Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED), Department of Pathology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - You-Sheng Liang
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
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Rey O, Webster BL, Huyse T, Rollinson D, Van den Broeck F, Kincaid-Smith J, Onyekwere A, Boissier J. Population genetics of African Schistosoma species. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 89:104727. [PMID: 33486128 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Blood flukes within the genus Schistosoma (schistosomes) are responsible for the major disease, schistosomiasis, in tropical and sub-tropical areas. This disease is predominantly present on the African continent with more than 85% of the human cases. Schistosomes are also parasites of veterinary importance infecting livestock and wildlife. Schistosoma population genetic structure and diversity are important characteristics that may reflect variations in selection pressures such as those induced by host (mammalian and snail) environments, habitat change, migration and also treatment/control interventions, all of which also shape speciation and evolution of the whole Schistosoma genus. Investigations into schistosome population genetic structure, diversity and evolution has been an area of important debate and research. Supported by advances in molecular techniques with capabilities for multi-locus genetic analyses for single larvae schistosome genetic investigations have greatly progressed in the last decade. This paper aims to review the genetic studies of both animal and human infecting schistosome. Population genetic structures are reviewed at different spatial scales: local, regional or continental (i.e. phylogeography). Within species genetic diversities are discussed compared and the compounding factors discussed, including the effect of mass drug administration. Finally, the ability for intra-species hybridisation questions species integrities and poses many questions in relation to the natural epidemiology of co-endemic species. Here we review molecularly confirmed hybridisation events (in relation to human disease) and discuss the possible impact for ongoing and future control and elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Rey
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, F-66000 Perpignan, France
| | - B L Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - T Huyse
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium; Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Ch. Deberiotstraat 32, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - D Rollinson
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London School of Public Health, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - F Van den Broeck
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - J Kincaid-Smith
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED), Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences (PPS), Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Campus, Herts AL9 7TA, United Kingdom
| | - A Onyekwere
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, F-66000 Perpignan, France
| | - J Boissier
- Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, IHPE, F-66000 Perpignan, France.
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10
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Liu S, Piao X, Hou N, Cai P, Ma Y, Chen Q. Duplex real-time PCR for sexing Schistosoma japonicum cercariae based on W chromosome-specific genes and its applications. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008609. [PMID: 32822351 PMCID: PMC7467314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As a unique feature among otherwise hermaphroditic trematodes, Schistosoma species are gonochoric parasites whose sex is genetically determined (ZZ for males and ZW for females). However, schistosome larvae are morphologically identical, and sex can only be discriminated by molecular methods. Here, we integrated published Schistosoma. japonicum transcriptome and genome data to identify W chromosome-specific genes as sex biomarkers. Three W chromosome-specific genes of S. japonicum were identified as sex biomarkers from a panel of 12 genes expressed only in females. An efficient duplex real-time PCR (qPCR) method for sexing cercariae was developed which could identify the sex of cercariae within 2 h without DNA extraction. Moreover, this method can be used to identify not only single-sex but also mixed-sex schistosome-infected snails. We observed a nearly equal proportion of single-male, single-female, and mixed-sex schistosome infections in artificially infected snails. Sex-known schistosome-infected snail models can be efficiently constructed with the aid of duplex qPCR. A field study revealed that single-sex schistosome infections were predominant among naturally infected snails. Finally, a schistosomiasis mouse model based on sex-known cercariae infection was shown to be more reliable than a model based on sex-unknown cercariae infection. The developed duplex qPCR method for sexing S. japonicum cercariae can be widely used for schistosomiasis modeling, genetic experiments, and field-based molecular epidemiological studies. Schistosoma japonicum is a major causative agent of human schistosomiasis. Unlike other parasitic worms, S. japonicum females are determined by the heterogametic sex chromosome (ZW) and males by the homogametic sex chromosome (ZZ). The life cycle of S. japonicum includes the egg, miracidium, mother sporocyst, daughter sporocyst, cercaria, schistosomulum, and adult stages. The sex of adult male and female worms can be morphologically distinguished, whereas the sex of larvae, such as cercariae, can only be discriminated by molecular methods. In this study, we established an efficient duplex real-time PCR method for sexing S. japonicum cercariae based on newly identified W chromosome-specific genes. The established duplex real-time PCR method will facilitate construction of sex-controlled schistosome-infected intermediate host or definitive host models for schistosome-host interplays and schistosomiasis studies. This method is also a powerful tool for investigating the epidemiology of single-sex and mixed-sex schistosome-infected snails in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (SL); (QC)
| | - Xianyu Piao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Nan Hou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yu Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Qijun Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (SL); (QC)
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11
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Doenhoff MJ, Modha J, Walker AJ. Failure of in vitro-cultured schistosomes to produce eggs: how does the parasite meet its needs for host-derived cytokines such as TGF-β? Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:747-757. [PMID: 31348959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
When adult schistosome worm pairs are transferred from experimental hosts to in vitro culture they cease producing viable eggs within a few days. Female worms in unisexual infections fail to mature, and when mature adult females are separated from male partners they regress sexually. Worms cultured from the larval stage are also permanently reproductively defective. The cytokine transforming growth factor beta derived from the mammalian host is considered important in stimulating schistosome female worm maturation and maintenance of fecundity. The means by which schistosomes acquire TGF-β have not been elucidated, but direct uptake in vivo seems unlikely as the concentration of free, biologically active cytokine in host blood is very low. Here we review the complexities of schistosome development and male-female interactions, and we speculate about two possibilities on how worms obtain the TGF-β they are assumed to need: (i) worms may have mechanisms to free active cytokine from the latency-inducing complex of proteins in which it is associated, and/or (ii) they may obtain the cytokine from alpha 2-macroglobulin, a blood-borne protease inhibitor to which TGF-β can bind. These ideas are experimentally testable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Doenhoff
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Jay Modha
- Modha Biomedical Ltd, 9B St Cuthberts Avenue, Great Glen, Leicester LE8 9EJ, UK
| | - Anthony J Walker
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK
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Kincaid-Smith J, Picard MAL, Cosseau C, Boissier J, Severac D, Grunau C, Toulza E. Parent-of-Origin-Dependent Gene Expression in Male and Female Schistosome Parasites. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:840-856. [PMID: 29447366 PMCID: PMC5861417 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are the causative agents of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting over 230 million people worldwide. Additionally to their major impact on human health, they are also models of choice in evolutionary biology. These parasitic flatworms are unique among the common hermaphroditic trematodes as they have separate sexes. This so-called “evolutionary scandal” displays a female heterogametic genetic sex-determination system (ZZ males and ZW females), as well as a pronounced adult sexual dimorphism. These phenotypic differences are determined by a shared set of genes in both sexes, potentially leading to intralocus sexual conflicts. To resolve these conflicts in sexually selected traits, molecular mechanisms such as sex-biased gene expression could occur, but parent-of-origin gene expression also provides an alternative. In this work we investigated the latter mechanism, that is, genes expressed preferentially from either the maternal or the paternal allele, in Schistosoma mansoni species. To this end, transcriptomes from male and female hybrid adults obtained by strain crosses were sequenced. Strain-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers allowed us to discriminate the parental origin, while reciprocal crosses helped to differentiate parental expression from strain-specific expression. We identified genes containing SNPs expressed in a parent-of-origin manner consistent with paternal and maternal imprints. Although the majority of the SNPs was identified in mitochondrial and Z-specific loci, the remaining SNPs found in male and female transcriptomes were situated in genes that have the potential to explain sexual differences in schistosome parasites. Furthermore, we identified and validated four new Z-specific scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Kincaid-Smith
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Marion A L Picard
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Céline Cosseau
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Dany Severac
- MGX, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Eve Toulza
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
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Single-sex schistosome infections of definitive hosts: Implications for epidemiology and disease control in a changing world. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006817. [PMID: 29494686 PMCID: PMC5833269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Picard MAL, Boissier J, Roquis D, Grunau C, Allienne JF, Duval D, Toulza E, Arancibia N, Caffrey CR, Long T, Nidelet S, Rohmer M, Cosseau C. Sex-Biased Transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni: Host-Parasite Interaction, Genetic Determinants and Epigenetic Regulators Are Associated with Sexual Differentiation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004930. [PMID: 27677173 PMCID: PMC5038963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Among more than 20,000 species of hermaphroditic trematodes, Schistosomatidae are unusual since they have evolved gonochorism. In schistosomes, sex is determined by a female heterogametic system, but phenotypic sexual dimorphism appears only after infection of the vertebrate definitive host. The completion of gonad maturation occurs even later, after pairing. To date, the molecular mechanisms that trigger the sexual differentiation in these species remain unknown, and in vivo studies on the developing schistosomulum stages are lacking. To study the molecular basis of sex determination and sexual differentiation in schistosomes, we investigated the whole transcriptome of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni in a stage- and sex-comparative manner. Methodology/ Principal Findings We performed a RNA-seq on males and females for five developmental stages: cercariae larvae, three in vivo schistosomulum stages and adults. We detected 7,168 genes differentially expressed between sexes in at least one of the developmental stages, and 4,065 of them were functionally annotated. Transcriptome data were completed with H3K27me3 histone modification analysis using ChIP-Seq before (in cercariae) and after (in adults) the phenotypic sexual dimorphism appearance. In this paper we present (i) candidate determinants of the sexual differentiation, (ii) sex-biased players of the interaction with the vertebrate host, and (iii) different dynamic of the H3K27me3 histone mark between sexes as an illustration of sex-biased epigenetic landscapes. Conclusions/ Significance Our work presents evidence that sexual differentiation in S. mansoni is accompanied by distinct male and female transcriptional landscapes of known players of the host-parasite crosstalk, genetic determinants and epigenetic regulators. Our results suggest that such combination could lead to the optimized sexual dimorphism of this parasitic species. As S. mansoni is pathogenic for humans, this study represents a promising source of therapeutic targets, providing not only data on the parasite development in interaction with its vertebrate host, but also new insights on its reproductive function. Parasitic flatworms include more than 20,000 species that are classically hermaphrodites. Among them, the roughly hundred species of Schistosomatidae are intriguing because they are gonochoric. Schistosomes are responsible of the second most important parasitic disease worldwide, and eggs are the main cause of the inflammatory symptoms. Thus, studying the sexual reproduction mechanisms of schistosomes is of particular interest for drug development. Schistosome’s sex is genetically determined by the presence of sex chromosomes: ZZ in males or ZW in females. There is, however, no phenotypic dimorphism in the larval stages: sexual dimorphism appears only in the vertebrate host. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic sexual dimorphism, we performed a transcriptome analysis (RNA-Seq) in five different stages of the parasite lifecycle as well as a chromatin status analysis (ChIP-Seq) in the non-differentiated stage cercariae and in the adult differentiated stage, for males and females separately. Our work presents evidence that sexual differentiation in S. mansoni is accompanied by distinct male and female transcriptional landscapes of known players of the host-parasite crosstalk, developmental pathways and epigenetic regulators. Our sex-comparative approach provides therefore new potential therapeutic targets to affect development and sexual reproduction of parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion A. L. Picard
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - David Roquis
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Jean-François Allienne
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Eve Toulza
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Nathalie Arancibia
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Thavy Long
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | | | | | - Céline Cosseau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail:
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Wang J, Wang S, Liu X, Xu B, Chai R, Zhou P, Ju C, Sun J, Brindley PJ, Hu W. Intake of Erythrocytes Required for Reproductive Development of Female Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126822. [PMID: 25978643 PMCID: PMC4433235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The reproductive development and maturation of female schistosomes are crucial since their released eggs are responsible for the host immunopathology and transmission of schistosomiasis. However, little is known about the nutrients required by female Schistosoma japonicum during its sexual maturation. We evaluated the promoting effect of several nutrients (calf serum, red blood cells (RBCs), ATP and hypoxanthine) on the reproductive development of pre-adult females at 18 days post infection (dpi) from mixed infections and at 50 dpi from unisexual infections of laboratory mice in basic medium RPMI-1640. We found RBCs, rather than other nutrients, promoted the female sexual maturation and egg production with significant morphological changes. In 27% of females (18 dpi) from mixed infections that paired with males in vitro on day 14, vitelline glands could be positively stained by Fast Blue B; and in 35% of females (50 dpi) from unisexual infections on day 21, mature vitelline cells were observed. Infertile eggs were detected among both groups. To analyze which component of mouse RBCs possesses the stimulating effect, RBCs were fractionated and included in media. However, the RBC fractions failed to stimulate development of the female reproductive organs. In addition, bovine hemoglobin hydrolysate, digested by neutral protease, was found to exhibit the promoting activity instead of untreated bovine hemoglobin. The other protein hydrolysate, lactalbumin hydrolysate, exhibited a similar effect with bovine hemoglobin hydrolysate. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we found the expression levels of four reproduction-related genes were significantly stimulated by RBCs. These data indicate that RBCs provide essential nutrients for the sexual maturation of female S. japonicum and that the protein component of RBCs appeared to constitute the key nutrient. These findings would improve laboratory culture of pre-adult schistosomes to adult worms in medium with well-defined components, which is important to investigate the function of genes related to female sexual maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuqi Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiufeng Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Riyi Chai
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pan Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan Ju
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine development, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for the Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of Ministry of Public Health, Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
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Ramirez B, Bickle Q, Yousif F, Fakorede F, Mouries MA, Nwaka S. Schistosomes: challenges in compound screening. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 2:S53-61. [PMID: 23489033 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2.s1.s53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Major progress in studying the biology of schistosomes had been achieved since the late 1960s with the successful laboratory cultivation of the parasite's life cycle stages in the vertebrate (in vivo animal models) and snail hosts. This was followed by establishment of in vitro culture techniques for cultivation of the different life cycle stages to understand the mechanisms regulating the parasite's growth, development, transformation, pathogenicity and survival, with prospects to develop and identify relevant candidate diagnostic, immunological and chemotherapeutic targets. Chemotherapeutic measures have been the mainstay in the control of schistosomiasis. The use of praziquantel, a relatively safe and orally administered drug, in targeted or mass treatment programmes had significantly reduced the prevalence of schistosomiasis in disease-endemic countries. However, with only one drug of choice for treatment, parasite resistance remains a major concern. Thus, new drug discovery against schistosomes cannot be overemphasised. Undoubtedly, this will require an integrated system that includes not only rational chemical synthesis and lead optimisation, but also appropriate drug screening strategies. This paper reviews the present state of in vitro and in vivo drug screening strategies against schistosomes. It also highlights the best practices for compound screening in the TDR-designated compound screening centres and details some of the challenges involved in in vitro and in vivo compound screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Ramirez
- Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, 20, Avenue Appia - 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland +41 22 791 1060 ; +41 22 791 4825 ;
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Gobert GN, You H, Jones MK, McInnes R, McManus DP. Differences in genomic architecture between two distinct geographical strains of the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum reveal potential phenotype basis. Mol Cell Probes 2012; 27:19-27. [PMID: 22940009 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 08/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The Chinese (SjC) and Philippine (SjP) strains of the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum have been shown to present clearly different phenotypes in fecundity, pathology, drug sensitivity and immunology. We used microarray based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) to investigate structural differences in the genomes of the two strains and identified seven distinct regions of the S. japonicum genome that present differential aCGH representing either deletion or duplication regions in SjP. Within these regions, genes predicted to be associated with the recognised phenotypic differences were identified and that may provide new insights into the biology and evolution of the two strains, with implications for the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis japonica in China and the Philippines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey N Gobert
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research-QIMR, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia.
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Aldhoun JA, Littlewood DTJ. Orientobilharzia Dutt & Srivastava, 1955 (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae), a junior synonym of Schistosoma Weinland, 1858. Syst Parasitol 2012; 82:81-8. [PMID: 22581244 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-012-9349-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In the last few decades, phylogenetic studies of the family Schistosomatidae based on molecular markers have revealed that members of the genus Orientobilharzia Dutt & Srivastava, 1955 belong within Schistosoma Weinland, 1858. In this study, the original descriptions and redescriptions of Orientobilharzia species and related revisions are reviewed, and it is confirmed that the morphological characters correspond with the results of the molecular studies. The two genera differ only in the number of testes; however, this character varies to a large extent within particular genera of the subfamily Schistosomatinae and cannot be used to justify the separation of Orientobilharzia from Schistosoma. Also, we have verified claims suggesting the synonymy of certain species of Orientobilharzia; the four valid species of this genus are transferred to Schistosoma and two new synonymies are formally presented. The following nomenclatural changes are made: Schistosoma Weinland, 1858 [syn. Orientobilharzia Dutt & Srivastava, 1955 (syn. nov.)]; Schistosoma bomfordi Montgomery, 1906 (comb. restit.); S. turkestanicum Skrjabin, 1913 (comb. restit.) [syns Ori. turkestanica var. tuberculata (Bhalerao, 1932) (syn. nov.) and Ori. cheni Hsü & Yang, 1957 (syn. nov.)]; S. dattai (Dutt & Srivastava, 1952) n. comb.; and S. harinasutai (Kruatrachue, Bhaibulaya & Harinasuta, 1965) n. comb. The generic diagnosis of Schistosoma is amended and a revised key to the subfamily Schistosomatinae Stiles & Hassall, 1898 is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka A Aldhoun
- Parasitic Worms Group, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK.
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Cai P, Hou N, Piao X, Liu S, Liu H, Yang F, Wang J, Jin Q, Wang H, Chen Q. Profiles of small non-coding RNAs in Schistosoma japonicum during development. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1256. [PMID: 21829742 PMCID: PMC3149011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The gene regulation mechanism along the life cycle of the genus Schistosoma is complex. Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are essential post transcriptional gene regulation elements that affect gene expression and mRNA stability. Preliminary studies indicated that sncRNAs in schistosomal parasites are generated through different pathways, which are developmentally regulated. However, the data of sncRNAs of schistosomal parasites are still fragmental and a complete expression profile of sncRNAs during the parasite development requires a deep investigation. Methodology/Principal Findings We employed high-throughput genome-wide transcriptome analytic techniques to explore the dynamic expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs) of Schistosoma japonicum covering the free-living cercarial stage and all stages in the definitive host. This led us to analyze over 70 million clean reads represented both high and low abundance of the small RNA population. Patterns of differential expression of miRNAs and endo-siRNAs were observed. MiRNAs was twice more than endo-siRNAs in cercariae, but gradually decreased along with the development of the parasite. Both small RNA types were presented in equal aboudance in lung-stage schistosomula, while endo-siRNAs accumulated to 6 times more than miRNAs in adult female worms and hepatic eggs. Further, miRNAs were found mainly derived from genes located in the intergenic regions, while endo-siRNAs were mainly generated from transposable elements (TEs). The expression pattern of TE-siRNAs, as well as the pseudogene-derived siRNAs clustered in mRNAs of cytoskeletal proteins, stress proteins, enzymes related to energy metabolism also revealed distinction throughout different developmental stages. Natural antisense transcripts (NATs)-related siRNAs accounted for minor proportion of the endo-siRNAs which were dominantly expressed in cercariae. Conclusions/Significance Our results represented a comprehensive expression profile of sncRNAs in various developmental stages of S. japonicum with high accuracy and coverage. The data would facilitate a deep understanding of the parasite biology and potential discovery of novel targets for the design of anti-parasite drugs. Schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease, caused by agents of the genus Schistosoma afflicts more than 200 million people worldwide. Schistosomes could serve as an interesting model to explore gene regulation due to its evolutional position, complex life cycle and sexual dimorphism. We previously indicated that sncRNA profile in the parasite S. japonicum was developmentally regulated in hepatic and adult stages. In this study, we systematically investigated mircoRNA (miRNA) and endogenous siRNA (endo-siRNA) profile in this parasite in more detailed developmental stages (cercariae, lung-stage schistosomula, separated adult worms, and liver tissue-trapped eggs) using high-throughput RNA sequencing technology. We observed that the ratio of miRNAs to endo-siRNAs was dynamically changed throughout different developmental stages of the parasite. MiRNAs were expressed dominantly in cercariae, while endo-siRNAs accumulated in adult female worms and hepatic eggs. We demonstrated that miRNAs were mostly derived from intergenic regions whereas siRNAs were mostly derived from transposable elements. We also annotated miRNAs and siRNAs with stage- and gender- biased expression. Our findings would facilitate to understand the gene regulation mechanism of this parasite and discover novel targets for anti-parasite drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Hou
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haiying Liu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Jin
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (QC); (HW)
| | - Qijun Chen
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathogen Biology/Institute of Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- * E-mail: (QC); (HW)
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Beltran S, Boissier J. Male-biased sex ratio: why and what consequences for the genus Schistosoma? Trends Parasitol 2009; 26:63-9. [PMID: 20006552 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2009] [Revised: 09/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes are the cause of the most significant helminth disease of humans. Their unusual sexual biology is intriguing. Instead of being hermaphroditic, as is the rule in other trematode species, they are gonochoric. Furthermore, their mating system is considered to be monogamous, a characteristic shared by only 1% of living species, and their sex ratio is male-biased. In this paper we propose an explanation of the origin of the male-biased sex ratio in schistosomes and highlight the ecological and evolutionary consequences of this bias. We argue that schistosome gonochorism, monogamy and the biased sex ratio can be integrated into a single evolutionary scheme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Beltran
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 5244 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Parasitologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Laboratoire de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne (BETM), Université de Perpignan, France
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The Schistosoma japonicum genome reveals features of host-parasite interplay. Nature 2009; 460:345-51. [PMID: 19606140 DOI: 10.1038/nature08140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 533] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma japonicum is a parasitic flatworm that causes human schistosomiasis, which is a significant cause of morbidity in China and the Philippines. Here we present a draft genomic sequence for the worm. The genome provides a global insight into the molecular architecture and host interaction of this complex metazoan pathogen, revealing that it can exploit host nutrients, neuroendocrine hormones and signalling pathways for growth, development and maturation. Having a complex nervous system and a well-developed sensory system, S. japonicum can accept stimulation of the corresponding ligands as a physiological response to different environments, such as fresh water or the tissues of its intermediate and mammalian hosts. Numerous proteases, including cercarial elastase, are implicated in mammalian skin penetration and haemoglobin degradation. The genomic information will serve as a valuable platform to facilitate development of new interventions for schistosomiasis control.
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Beltran S, Cézilly F, Boissier J. Adult sex ratio affects divorce rate in the monogamous endoparasite Schistosoma mansoni. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-009-0757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Alsaiyah MAM, Ebssa L, Zenner A, O'Callaghan KM, Griffin CT. Sex ratios and sex-biased infection behaviour in the entomopathogenic nematode genus Steinernema. Int J Parasitol 2008; 39:725-34. [PMID: 19084020 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2008] [Revised: 11/07/2008] [Accepted: 11/10/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In experimentally infected insects, the sex ratio of first generation nematodes of five species of Steinernema was female-biased (male proportion 0.35-0.47). There was a similar female bias when the worms developed in vitro (0.37-0.44), indicating that the bias in these species is not due to a lower rate of infection by male infective juveniles (IJs). Experimental conditions influenced the proportion of males establishing in insects, indicating that male and female IJs differ in their behaviour. However, there was no evidence that males are the colonising sex in any species, contrary to what has previously been proposed. Time of emergence from the host in which the nematodes had developed influenced sex ratios in experimental infections. In three species (Steinernema longicaudum, Steinernema glaseri and Steinernema kraussei), early emerged nematodes had a higher proportion of males than those that emerged later, with the reverse trend for Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema feltiae. In a more detailed in vitro study of S. longicaudum, the proportion of males was similar whether or not the nematodes passed through the developmentally arrested IJ stage, indicating that the female bias is not due to failure of males to exit this stage. The sex ratio in vitro was independent of survival rate from juvenile to adult, and was female-biased even when all juveniles developed, indicating that the bias is not explained by failure of males to develop to adults. The female-biased sex ratio characteristic of Steinernema populations appears to be present from at least the early juvenile stage. We hypothesise that the observed female bias is the population optimal sex ratio, a response to cycles of local mate competition experienced by nematodes reproducing within insect hosts interspersed with periods of outbreeding with less closely related worms following dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A M Alsaiyah
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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24
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Cai G, Bae Y, Zhang Y, He Y, Jiang M, He L. Expression and characterization of two tyrosinases from the trematode Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Res 2008; 104:601-9. [PMID: 18972131 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2008] [Accepted: 10/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosinase (TYR) was thought to play a critical role during trematode egg production. In this study, we analyzed two genes (SjTYR1 and SjTYR2), derived from Schistosoma japonicum genome databases, which encode proteins with significant homologies to mammalian TYR. They exhibited the typical TYR topology, including two copper-binding domains and a highly conserved cysteine-rich domain. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that two SjTYR genes were mainly expressed in the female adult worm. A complementary DNA coding the putative common copper center domain of each SjTYR was cloned and inserted into a pET-28a-c(+) prokaryotic expression vector. After purification, the recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli were used to produce their specific antibodies. The native active SjTYRs enzyme appeared to function as a homodimer, the subunits of which were linked to each other via covalent disulfide bonds. Both female and male worms possessed monophenol oxidase and diphenol oxidase activities of TYR. The relative enzymatic activities were 0.165 min(-1) mg(-1) and 0.0805 min(-1) mg(-1), which were inhibited by a copper-chelating agent (allyl thiourea) and correlated with disruption of female egg production. Our results revealed that SjTYRs might play a significant role during eggshell formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobin Cai
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
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25
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Beltran S, Cézilly F, Boissier J. Genetic dissimilarity between mates, but not male heterozygosity, influences divorce in schistosomes. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3328. [PMID: 18841198 PMCID: PMC2553268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 09/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Correlational studies strongly suggest that both genetic similarity and heterozygosity can influence female mate choice. However, the influence of each variable has usually been tested independently, although similarity and heterozygosity might be correlated. We experimentally determined the relative influence of genetic similarity and heterozygosity in divorce and re-mating in the monogamous endoparasite Schistosoma mansoni. Methodology/Principal Findings We performed sequential infections of vertebrate hosts with controlled larval populations of parasites, where sex and individual genetic diversity and similarity were predetermined before infection. Divorce rate increased significantly when females were given the opportunity to increase genetic dissimilarity through re-mating with a new partner, independently of the intensity of male-male competition. We found however no evidence for females attempting to maximize the level of heterozygosity of their reproductive partner through divorce. Conclusions/Significance Female preference for genetically dissimilar males should result in more heterozygous offspring. Because genetic heterozygosity might partly determine the ability of parasites to counter host resistance, adaptive divorce could be an important factor in the evolutionary arms race between schistosomes and their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Beltran
- Laboratoire de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne, UMR 5244 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Frank Cézilly
- Equipe Ecologie Evolutive, UMR CNRS 5561 Biogéosciences, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- Laboratoire de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne, UMR 5244 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail:
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26
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Beltran S, Boissier J. Schistosome monogamy: who, how, and why? Trends Parasitol 2008; 24:386-91. [PMID: 18674968 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2008.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2008] [Revised: 05/06/2008] [Accepted: 05/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes represent a unique animal model for comparative analyses of monogamy. Indeed, schistosomes are classified at the lowest taxonomical level of monogamous species and lack complex social interactions, which could alter our understanding of their unusual mating system. Elements discussed here include the fact that monogamy in schistosomes could be an ancestral state between hermaphroditism and polygyny or polygynandry and the occurrence of mate changes. In addition, hypotheses are proposed to explain monogamy in schistosomes (e.g. female dispersion, the need for paternal care, oviposition site limitation or aggressiveness, and mate guarding). We also propose future experimental and analytical approaches to improve our understanding of the schistosomes' mating system.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Beltran
- UMR 5244 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Parasitologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Laboratoire de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66 860 Perpignan, France
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27
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Schistosoma mansoni: Chemoreception through n-acetyl-d-galactosamine-containing receptors in females offers insight into increased severity of schistosomiasis in individuals with blood group A. Exp Parasitol 2008; 119:67-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2007.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2007] [Revised: 12/10/2007] [Accepted: 12/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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28
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Araujo FP, Quintas LEM, Noël F, Silva CLM. Schistosoma mansoni infection enhances host portal vein contraction: role of potassium channels and p38 MAP kinase. Microbes Infect 2007; 9:1020-5. [PMID: 17544802 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2007.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2007] [Revised: 03/16/2007] [Accepted: 04/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Murine Schistosoma mansoni infection is related to an increased contraction of portal vein in response to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The present study addressed a putative alteration of ion channels and enzymes involved in vascular contraction. In control group, either inhibition of K+ channels sensitive to ATP (K(ATP)) or Ca2+ (BK(Ca)) increased 5-HT-induced contraction, but the same did not occur in infected mice. On the other hand, inhibition of p38 MAP kinase markedly decreased the vascular contraction to 5-HT in the infected mice with minor effects in the control group. Accordingly, we observed a higher density of phospho-p38 MAP kinase, that refers to the fully active state of the enzyme, in portal veins from infected mice as compared to control animals. These results suggest that the reduced function of K(ATP) and BK(Ca) channels along with an increased contribution of p38 MAP kinase contribute to the increased contraction of portal veins to 5-HT observed in murine schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F P Araujo
- Departamento de Farmacologia Básica & Clínica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, sl. J01-17, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-590, Brazil
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29
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Kusel JR, Al-Adhami BH, Doenhoff MJ. The schistosome in the mammalian host: understanding the mechanisms of adaptation. Parasitology 2007; 134:1477-526. [PMID: 17572930 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182007002971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYIn this review, we envisage the host environment, not as a hostile one, since the schistosome thrives there, but as one in which the relationship between the two organisms consists of constant communication, through signalling mechanisms involving sense organs, surface glycocalyx, surface membrane and internal organs of the parasite, with host fluids and cells. The surface and secretions of the schistosome egg have very different properties from those of other parasite stages, but adapted for the dispersal of the eggs and for the preservation of host liver function. We draw from studies of mammalian cells and other organisms to indicate how further work might be carried out on the signalling function of the surface glycocalyx, the raft structure of the surface and existence of pores in the surface membrane, the repair of the surface membrane, the role of the membrane structure in ion channel function (including recent work on the actin cytoskeleton and calcium channels) and the possible role of P-glycoproteins in the adaptation of the parasite to its environment. We are speculative in some areas, such as the suggestions that variability in surface properties of schistosomes may relate to the existence of membrane rafts and that parasite communities may exhibit quorum sensing. This speculative approach is adopted with the hope that future work on the whole organisms and their interactions will be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Kusel
- Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
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30
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Oliveira G. The Schistosoma mansoni transcriptome: an update. Exp Parasitol 2007; 117:229-35. [PMID: 17624328 PMCID: PMC2140242 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2007.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2007] [Revised: 05/29/2007] [Accepted: 06/01/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Large scale EST sequencing projects have been carried out for Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. This update will briefly review the most recent accomplishments in the area and discuss the use of EST data for the purposes of gene discovery, gene model development, genome annotation and SNP analysis. In addition, the use of ESTs for studying other features of the transcriptome such as splice site and transcription initiation variants will be discussed as well as approaches to assigning function to unknown transcripts. Although EST sequencing has contributed much for schistosome research, other data mining possibilities exist, including the identification of putative drug and vaccine targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Parasitology, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, Belo Horizonte, MG 30190-002, Brazil.
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31
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Dumont M, Moné H, Mouahid G, Idris MA, Shaban M, Boissier J. Influence of pattern of exposure, parasite genetic diversity and sex on the degree of protection against reinfection with Schistosoma mansoni. Parasitol Res 2007; 101:247-52. [PMID: 17310396 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0476-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2006] [Accepted: 01/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper analyzed, experimentally, the influences of pattern of exposure, parasite genetic diversity, and parasite sex on the degree of protection against reinfection with Schistosoma mansoni in the mouse. The results show that, (1) in infections with one male parasite genotype, successive infections induced a significant decrease in the infectivity of the parasite and significant increases in the spleen and liver weights compared to mass infections, (2) successive infections with one male genotype induced a significant decrease in the infectivity of the parasite compared to successive infections with five male genotypes, and (3) genotype infectivities were determined by the order at which they were used in the successive infections. These results are discussed in terms of protective effect and concomitant immunity and provide an ecological explanation of the natural sex-biased dispersal toward the male schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dumont
- UMR 5244 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Biologie et Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne Université, 52 av. Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan Cedex, France.
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32
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Silva CLM, Gontijo LS, Noël F. Noradrenaline-induced contraction of mice aorta is enhanced in schistosomiasis. Vascul Pharmacol 2006; 46:122-8. [PMID: 17049461 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2006.08.414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2006] [Revised: 06/05/2006] [Accepted: 08/30/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, an intravascular parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma mansoni, is related to alterations of murine vascular reactivity in the mesenteric bed, characterized by an impairment of the l-arginine/NO pathway and an increased potency of 5-hydroxytryptamine. The current study was performed to test the hypothesis that a similar alteration of reactivity also occurs in the aorta and to identify the mechanism behind such an increase. We found that aorta from mice infected with male S. mansoni exhibited an enhanced contraction in response to noradrenaline and 100 mM KCl. The inhibition of nitric oxide synthase increased aortic maximal contraction in response to noradrenaline in both groups, but the effect was less pronounced in infected mice than in control mice. Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine was also smaller in infected mice compared to control mice, while endothelial-independent relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside and forskolin was similar in both groups. The inhibition of voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channels reduced the maximal contraction in response to noradrenaline more effectively in infected than in control mice. Conversely the inhibition of K(ATP) channels had a smaller effect in the infected group. As a conclusion, our data indicate that schistosomiasis also alters murine vascular reactivity outside the mesenteric bed, due to a partial impairment of NO signaling, a reduced contribution of K(ATP) channels and an increased Ca(2+) influx through L-type Ca(2+) channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L M Silva
- Departamento de Farmacologia Básica e Clínica, ICB, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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