Heat shock and stress response of Taenia solium and T. crassiceps (Cestoda)

Cestodes in the genomic era

The first cestode genomes were obtained by an international consortium led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute that included representative institutions from countries where the sequenced parasites have been studied for decades, in part because they are etiological agents of endemic diseases (Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, USA, Japan, and China). After this, several complete genomes were obtained reaching 16 species to date. Cestode genomes have smaller relative size compared to other animals including free-living flatworms. Moreover, the features genome size and repeat content seem to differ in the two analyzed orders. Cyclophyllidean species have smaller genomes and with fewer repetitive content than Diphyllobothriidean species. On average, cestode genomes have 13,753 genes with 6 exons per gene and 41% GC content. More than 5,000 shared cestode proteins were accurately annotated by the integration of gene predictions and transcriptome evidence being more than 40% of these proteins of unknown function. Several gene losses and reduction of gene families were found and could be related to the extreme parasitic lifestyle of these species. The application of cutting-edge sequencing technology allowed the characterization of the terminal sequences of chromosomes that possess unique characteristics. Here, we review the current status of knowledge of complete cestode genomes and place it within a comparative genomics perspective. Multidisciplinary work together with the implementation of new technologies will provide valuable information that can certainly improve our chances to finally eradicate or at least control diseases caused by cestodes.

Taenia solium proteins: a beautiful kaleidoscope of pro and anti-inflammatory antigens

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is an acquired infection of central nervous system associated with epileptic seizures. The parasite 'Taenia solium' causes this disease and has a complex life cycle and molts into various stages that influence the host-parasite interaction. The disease has a long asymptomatic phase with viable cyst and degeneration of cyst and leaking cyst fluid has been associated with symptomatic phase. The parasite proteome holds the answers and clues to this complex clinical presentation and hence unraveling of proteome of parasite antigens is needed for better understanding of host-parasite interactions. Objective: To understand the proteome make-up of T. solium cyst vesicular fluid (VF) and excretory secretory proteins (ESPs). Methodology: The VF and ESPs for the study were prepared from cyst harvested from naturally infected swine. The samples were prepared for nano LC-MS by in-tube digestion of proteins. The spectra obtained were annotated and enrichment analysis was performed and in silico analysis was done. Results: T. solium VF and ESPs have 206 and 247 proteins of varied make-up including pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory nature. Conclusions: Due to varied make-up of VF and ESPs it can generate complex humoral and cellular immune response.

The transcriptomic and proteomic responses of Daphnia pulex to changes in temperature and food supply comprise environment-specific and clone-specific elements

Background

Regulatory adjustments to acute and chronic temperature changes are highly important for aquatic ectotherms because temperature affects their metabolic rate as well as the already low oxygen concentration in water, which can upset their energy balance. This also applies to severe changes in food supply. Thus, we studied on a molecular level (transcriptomics and/or proteomics) the immediate responses to heat stress and starvation and the acclimation to different temperatures in two clonal isolates of the model microcrustacean Daphnia pulex from more or less stressful environments, which showed a higher (clone M) or lower (clone G) tolerance to heat and starvation.

Results

The transcriptomic responses of clone G to acute heat stress (from 20 °C to 30 °C) and temperature acclimation (10 °C, 20 °C, and 24 °C) and the proteomic responses of both clones to acute heat, starvation, and heat-and-starvation stress comprised environment-specific and clone-specific elements. Acute stress (in particular heat stress) led to an early upregulation of stress genes and proteins (e.g., molecular chaperones) and a downregulation of metabolic genes and proteins (e.g., hydrolases). The transcriptomic responses to temperature acclimation differed clearly. They also varied depending on the temperature level. Acclimation to higher temperatures comprised an upregulation of metabolic genes and, in case of 24 °C acclimation, a downregulation of genes for translational processes and collagens. The proteomic responses of the clones M and G differed at any type of stress. Clone M showed markedly stronger and less stress-specific proteomic responses than clone G, which included the consistent expression of a specific heat shock protein (HSP60) and vitellogenin (VTG-SOD).

Conclusions

The expression changes under acute stress can be interpreted as a switch from standard products of gene expression to stress-specific products. The expression changes under temperature acclimation probably served for an increase in energy intake (via digestion) and, if necessary, a decrease in energy expenditures (e.g, for translational processes). The stronger and less stress-specific proteomic responses of clone M indicate a lower degree of cell damage and an active preservation of the energy balance, which allowed adequate proteomic responses under stress, including the initiation of resting egg production (VTG-SOD expression) as an emergency reaction.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4742-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Development of the multi-epitope chimeric antigen rqTSA-25 from Taenia saginata for serological diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis

Bovine cysticercosis is a worldwide distributed zoonosis caused by the larval form of Taenia saginata present in bovine muscles. The diagnosis is based on the postmortem inspection at slaughterhouses and consists of the macroscopic visualization of lesions caused by cysticercosis in muscle sites. However, parasitized animals can pass unnoticed during sanitary inspection. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize and evaluate the performance of different peptides from different regions of T. saginata for the cysticercosis diagnosis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We generated and evaluated a new recombinant protein chimera derived from the fusion of different peptides. We selected three distinct regions of T. saginata and predicted six peptides with antigenic potential (EP2–EP7). These peptides were analyzed individually and selected for generating a new chimeric recombinant protein. The new protein was termed rqTSA-25, and its performance rates were: 93.3% sensitivity (confidence interval (CI) = 76–98%), 95.3% specificity (CI = 82–99%), 93% positive predictive value (CI = 76–98%), 95% negative predictive value (CI = 82–99%), and 95% accuracy. In the immunoblot, this protein showed no false positive or false negative reaction. Thus, the use of rqTSA-25 is recommended for the diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis.

Taenia saginata cysticercosis occurs worldwide. The prevalence related is higher mainly in developing countries, causing damage to public health and economic losses. Through our study, a new antigen with high diagnostic potential was developed for use in laboratory serological tests, aiming at the detection of bovine cysticercosis. In this way, it was possible to contribute significantly to the improvement of the diagnosis of this disease.

Recent advances in Echinococcus genomics and stem cell research

Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis, caused by the metacestode larval stages of the tapeworms Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus, respectively, are life-threatening diseases and very difficult to treat. The introduction of benzimidazole-based chemotherapy, which targets parasite β-tubulin, has significantly improved the life-span and prognosis of echinococcosis patients. However, benzimidazoles show only parasitostatic activity, are associated with serious adverse side effects and have to be administered for very long time periods, underlining the need for new drugs. Very recently, the nuclear genomes of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus have been characterised, revealing a plethora of data for gaining a deeper understanding of host-parasite interaction, parasite development and parasite evolution. Combined with extensive transcriptome analyses of Echinococcus life cycle stages these investigations also yielded novel clues for targeted drug design. Recent years also witnessed significant advancements in the molecular and cellular characterisation of the Echinococcus 'germinative cell' population, which forms a unique stem cell system that differs from stem cells of other organisms in the expression of several genes associated with the maintenance of pluripotency. As the only parasite cell type capable of undergoing mitosis, the germinative cells are central to all developmental transitions of Echinococcus within the host and to parasite expansion via asexual proliferation. In the present article, we will briefly introduce and discuss recent advances in Echinococcus genomics and stem cell research in the context of drug design and development. Interestingly, it turns out that benzimidazoles seem to have very limited effects on Echinococcus germinative cells, which could explain the high recurrence rates observed after chemotherapeutic treatment of echinococcosis patients. This clearly indicates that future efforts into the development of parasitocidal drugs should also target the parasite's stem cell system.

Genome analysis of Excretory/Secretory proteins in Taenia solium reveals their Abundance of Antigenic Regions (AAR)

Excretory/Secretory (ES) proteins play an important role in the host-parasite interactions. Experimental identification of ES proteins is time-consuming and expensive. Alternative bioinformatics approaches are cost-effective and can be used to prioritize the experimental analysis of therapeutic targets for parasitic diseases. Here we predicted and functionally annotated the ES proteins in T. solium genome using an integration of bioinformatics tools. Additionally, we developed a novel measurement to evaluate the potential antigenicity of T. solium secretome using sequence length and number of antigenic regions of ES proteins. This measurement was formalized as the Abundance of Antigenic Regions (AAR) value. AAR value for secretome showed a similar value to that obtained for a set of experimentally determined antigenic proteins and was different to the calculated value for the non-ES proteins of T. solium genome. Furthermore, we calculated the AAR values for known helminth secretomes and they were similar to that obtained for T. solium. The results reveal the utility of AAR value as a novel genomic measurement to evaluate the potential antigenicity of secretomes. This comprehensive analysis of T. solium secretome provides functional information for future experimental studies, including the identification of novel ES proteins of therapeutic, diagnosis and immunological interest.

Transcriptome sequencing and analysis of the zoonotic parasite Spirometra erinacei spargana (plerocercoids)

BACKGROUND

Although spargana, which are the plerocercoids of Spirometra erinacei, are of biological and clinical importance, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from this parasite have not been explored. To understand molecular and biological features of this parasite, sparganum ESTs were examined by large-scale EST sequencing and multiple bioinformatics tools.

METHODS

Total RNA was isolated from spargana and then ESTs were generated, assembled and sequenced. Many biological aspects of spargana were investigated using multi-step bioinformatics tools.

RESULTS

A total of 5,634 ESTs were collected from spargana. After clustering and assembly, the functions of 1,794 Sparganum Assembled ESTs (SpAEs) including 934 contigs and 860 singletons were analyzed. A total of 1,351 (75%) SpAEs were annotated using a hybrid of BLASTX and InterProScan. Of these genes, 1,041 (58%) SpAEs had high similarity to tapeworms. In the context of the biology of sparganum, our analyses reveal: (i) a highly expressed fibronectin 1, a ubiquitous and abundant glycoprotein; (ii) up-regulation of enzymes related with glycolysis pathway; (iii) most frequent domains of protein kinase and RNA recognition motif domain; (iv) a set of helminth-parasitic and spargana-specific genes that may offer a number of antigen candidates.

CONCLUSIONS

Our transcriptomic analysis of S. erinacei spargana demonstrates biological aspects of a parasite that invades and travels through subcutaneous tissue in intermediate hosts. Future studies should include comparative analyses using combinations of transcriptome and proteome data collected from the entire life cycle of S. erinacei.

Immunodiagnosis of porcine cysticercosis: identification of candidate antigens through immunoproteomics

Cysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium, is a zoonotic disease affecting pigs and humans that is endemic to developing countries in Latin America, Africa and South East Asia. The prevalence of infection in pigs, the intermediate host for T. solium, has been used as an indicator for monitoring disease transmission in endemic areas. However, accurate and specific diagnostic tools for porcine cysticercosis remain to be established. Using proteomic approaches and the T. solium genome sequence, seven antigens were identified as specific for porcine cysticercosis, namely, tropomyosin 2, alpha-1 tubulin, beta-tubulin 2, annexin B1, small heat-shock protein, 14-3-3 protein, and cAMP-dependent protein kinase. None of these proteins were cross-reactive when tested with sera from pigs infected with Ascaris spp., Cysticercus tenuicollis and hydatid cysts of Echinococcus spp. or with serum from a Taenia saginata-infected cow. Comparison with orthologues, indicated that the amino acid sequences of annexin B1 and cAMP-dependent protein kinase possessed highly specific regions, which might make them suitable candidates for development of a specific diagnostic assay for porcine cysticercosis.

The genomes of four tapeworm species reveal adaptations to parasitism

Tapeworms cause debilitating neglected diseases that can be deadly and often require surgery due to ineffective drugs. Here we present the first analysis of tapeworm genome sequences using the human-infective species Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus, Taenia solium and the laboratory model Hymenolepis microstoma as examples. The 115-141 megabase genomes offer insights into the evolution of parasitism. Synteny is maintained with distantly related blood flukes but we find extreme losses of genes and pathways ubiquitous in other animals, including 34 homeobox families and several determinants of stem cell fate. Tapeworms have species-specific expansions of non-canonical heat shock proteins and families of known antigens; specialised detoxification pathways, and metabolism finely tuned to rely on nutrients scavenged from their hosts. We identify new potential drug targets, including those on which existing pharmaceuticals may act. The genomes provide a rich resource to underpin the development of urgently needed treatments and control.

miR-1 exacerbates cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in mouse models

Recent studies have revealed the critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating cardiac injury. Among them, the cardiac enriched microRNA-1(miR-1) has been extensively investigated and proven to be detrimental to cardiac myocytes. However, solid in vivo evidence for the role of miR-1 in cardiac injury is still missing and the potential therapeutic advantages of systemic knockdown of miR-1 expression remained unexplored. In this study, miR-1 transgenic (miR-1 Tg) mice and locked nucleic acid modified oligonucleotide against miR-1 (LNA-antimiR-1) were used to explore the effects of miR-1 on cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury (30 min ischemia followed by 24 h reperfusion). The cardiac miR-1 level was significantly increased in miR-1 Tg mice, and suppressed in LNA-antimiR-1 treated mice. When subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury, miR-1 overexpression exacerbated cardiac injury, manifested by increased LDH, CK levels, caspase-3 expression, apoptosis and cardiac infarct area. On the contrary, LNA-antimiR-1 treatment significantly attenuated cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury. The expression of PKCε and HSP60 was significantly repressed by miR-1 and enhanced by miR-1 knockdown, which may be a molecular mechanism for the role miR-1 in cardiac injury. Moreover, luciferase assay confirmed the direct regulation of miR-1 on protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60). In summary, this study demonstrated that miR-1 is a causal factor for cardiac injury and systemic LNA-antimiR-1 therapy is effective in ameliorating the problem.

Expression profile of HSP genes during different seasons in goats (Capra hircus)

The present study has demonstrated the expression of HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, and UBQ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during different seasons in three different age groups (Groups I, II, and III with age of 0-2, 2-5, and >5 years, respectively) of goats of tropical and temperate regions. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied to investigate mRNA expression of examined factors. Specificity of the desired products was documented using analysis of the melting temperature and high-resolution gel electrophoresis to verify that the transcripts are of the exact molecular size predicted. The mRNA expression of HSP60, HSP90, and UBQ was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in all age groups during peak summer season as compared with peak winter season in both tropical and temperate region goats. HSP70 mRNA expression was significantly higher (P < 0.05) during summer season as compared with winter season in tropical region goats. However, in the temperate region, in goats from all the three age groups studied, a non-significant difference of HSP70 expression between summer and winter seasons was noticed. In conclusion, results demonstrate that (1) HSP genes are expressed in caprine PBMCs and (2) higher expression of HSPs during thermal stress suggest possible involvement of them to ameliorate deleterious effect of thermal stress so as to maintain cellular integrity and homeostasis in goats.

Cellular transcripts of chicken brain tissues in response to H5N1 and Newcastle disease virus infection

Background

Highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and Newcastle disease (ND) viruses are the two most important poultry viruses in the world, with the ability to cause classic central nervous system dysfunction in poultry and migratory birds. To elucidate the mechanisms of neurovirulence caused by these viruses, a preliminary study was design to analyze host's cellular responses during infections of these viruses.

Methods

An improved mRNA differential display technique (Gene Fishing™) was undertaken to analyze differentially expressed transcripts regulated during HPAI H5N1 and velogenic neurotropic NDV infections of whole brain of chickens. The identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was made possible as this technique uses annealing control primers that generate reproducible, authentic and long PCR products that are detectable on agarose gels.

Results

Twenty-three genes were identified to be significantly regulated during infections with both viruses, where ten of the genes have been selected for validation using a TaqMan^® based real time quantitative PCR assay. Some of the identified genes demonstrated to be key factors involving the cytoskeletal system, neural signal transduction and protein folding during stress. Interestingly, Septin 5, one of the genes isolated from HPAI H5N1-infected brain tissues has been reported to participate in the pathogenic process of Parkinson's disease.

Conclusions

In this limited study, the differentially expressed genes of infected brain tissues regulated by the viruses were found not to be identical, thus suggesting that their neurovirulence and neuropathogenesis may not share similar mechanisms and pathways.

Cellular transcripts regulated during infections with Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza virus in 3 host systems

Background

Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is able to infect many hosts and the virus replicates in high levels in the respiratory tract inducing severe lung lesions. The pathogenesis of the disease is actually the outcome of the infection as determined by complex host-virus interactions involving the functional kinetics of large numbers of participating genes. Understanding the genes and proteins involved in host cellular responses are therefore, critical for the elucidation of the mechanisms of infection.

Methods

Differentially expressed transcripts regulated in a H5N1 infections of whole lung organ of chicken, in-vitro chick embryo lung primary cell culture (CeLu) and a continuous Madin Darby Canine Kidney cell line was undertaken. An improved mRNA differential display technique (Gene Fishing™) using annealing control primers that generates reproducible, authentic and long PCR products that are detectable on agarose gels was used for the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Seven of the genes have been selected for validation using a TaqMan^® based real time quantitative PCR assay.

Results

Thirty seven known and unique differentially expressed genes from lungs of chickens, CeLu and MDCK cells were isolated. Among the genes isolated and identified include heat shock proteins, Cyclin D2, Prenyl (decaprenyl) diphosphate synthase, IL-8 and many other unknown genes. The quantitative real time RT-PCR assay data showed that the transcription kinetics of the selected genes were clearly altered during infection by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus.

Conclusion

The Gene Fishing™ technique has allowed for the first time, the isolation and identification of sequences of host cellular genes regulated during H5N1 virus infection. In this limited study, the differentially expressed genes in the three host systems were not identical, thus suggesting that their responses to the H5N1 infection may not share similar mechanisms and pathways.

Budding of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci in vitro is promoted by crowding in addition to hormonal, stress, and energy-related signals

Taenia crassiceps cysticerci (cysts) reproduce by budding. The cysts' production of buds was measured in vitro to explore parasite and environmental-related factors involved in the extreme individual variation in parasite loads of inbred mice. Cysts were placed in in vitro culture for 10 days at initial parasite densities of 1, 5, 10 cysts/well in 1 ml of RPMI Medium 1640 without serum. Results showed that there is considerable intrinsic initial variation among inoculated cysts in their production of buds and that increasing parasite density (crowding) stimulates the overall production of buds and recruit into budding most of the cysts. Identical cultures were then subjected to various treatments such as heating and exposure to peroxide to induce stress, or to 17ß-estradiol, insulin, glucose, or insulin+glucose to supplement putatively limiting hormonal and energy resources. All treatments increased budding but the parasites' strong budding response to crowding alone overshadows the other treatments.

Proteomic study of activated Taenia solium oncospheres

Taenia solium cysticerci are a major cause of human seizures and epilepsy in the world. In the gastrointestinal tract of infected individuals, taeniid eggs release the oncospheres, which are then activated by intestinal stimuli, getting ready to penetrate the gut wall and reach distant locations where they transform in cysticerci. Information about oncospheral molecules is scarce, and elucidation of the oncosphere proteome could help understanding the host-parasite relationship during the first steps of infection. In this study, using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, we could identify a set of oncospheral proteins involved in adhesion, protein folding, detoxification and proteolysis, among others. In addition, we have characterized one of the identified molecules, the parasite 14-3-3, by immunoblot and immunolocalization. The identification of these oncospheral proteins represents the first step to elucidate their specific roles in the biology of the host-parasite relationship.

Proteomic alterations in progeny of irradiated human liver cells

This study was designed to characterize the differential protein expression in the progeny of human liver cells surviving exposure to ionizing radiation. The progeny of irradiated cells were derived from a human liver cell line exposed to 0, 2, 4, or 6 Gy of (60)Co gamma-irradiation. Total protein of the cells was extracted by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and analyzed with ImageMaster 2D Platinum software. In total, 42 differentially expressed proteins from the progeny of irradiated cells were screened, of which 17 were identified by matrix assistant laser desorption ion-top flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis. There were 4 upregulated and 13 downregulated proteins detected. The upregulated expression of two proteins, mitochondrial heat-shock 60-kD protein (HSP60) and globin transcription factor 1 (GATA-1), was further confirmed by immunoblotting. Database search revealed that these differentially expressed proteins may function in cell cycle regulation, cytoskeleton maintenance, stress response, and tumor metastasis, indicating an effect of radiation-induced genomic instability (RIGI) in the progeny of irradiated cells. Analysis on functional roles of the screened proteins may provide insight into further mechanistic investigations underlying molecular events induced by RIGI.

Transcriptome analysis of Taenia solium cysticerci using Open Reading Frame ESTs (ORESTES)

BACKGROUND

Human infection by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium affects more than 50 million people worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Cysticercosis which arises from larval encystation can be life threatening and difficult to treat. Here, we investigate for the first time the transcriptome of the clinically relevant cysticerci larval form.

RESULTS

Using Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) produced by the ORESTES method, a total of 1,520 high quality ESTs were generated from 20 ORESTES cDNA mini-libraries and its analysis revealed fragments of genes with promising applications including 51 ESTs matching antigens previously described in other species, as well as 113 sequences representing proteins with potential extracellular localization, with obvious applications for immune-diagnosis or vaccine development.

CONCLUSION

The set of sequences described here will contribute to deciphering the expression profile of this important parasite and will be informative for the genome assembly and annotation, as well as for studies of intra- and inter-specific sequence variability. Genes of interest for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools are described and discussed.

Heat shock proteins: essential proteins for apoptosis regulation

Many different external and intrinsic apoptotic stimuli induce the accumulation in the cells of a set of proteins known as stress or heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs are conserved proteins present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These proteins play an essential role as molecular chaperones by assisting the correct folding of nascent and stress-accumulated misfolded proteins, and by preventing their aggregation. HSPs have a protective function, that is they allow the cells to survive to otherwise lethal conditions. Various mechanisms have been proposed to account for the cytoprotective functions of HSPs. Several of these proteins have demonstrated to directly interact with components of the cell signalling pathways, for example those of the tightly regulated caspasedependent programmed cell death machinery, upstream, downstream and at the mitochondrial level. HSPs can also affect caspase-independent apoptosis-like process by interacting with apoptogenic factors such as apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) or by acting at the lysosome level. This review will describe the different key apoptotic proteins interacting with HSPs and the consequences of these interactions in cell survival, proliferation and apoptotic processes. Our purpose will be illustrated by emerging strategies in targeting these protective proteins to treat haematological malignancies.

Preliminary analysis of cold stress responsive proteins in Mesocestoides corti larvae

Many parasites undergo sudden changes in environmental conditions at some stage during their life cycle. The molecular response to this variation is characterised by a rapid transcriptional activation of a specific set of genes coding for proteins generically known as stress proteins. They appear to be also involved in various biological processes including cell proliferation and differentiation. The platyhelminth parasite, Mesocestoides corti (Cestoda) presents important properties as a model organism. Under stress conditions, key molecules involved in metabolic pathways as well as in the growth and differentiation of the parasite can be identified. 2D protein expression profile of tetrathyridia of M. corti, submitted to nutritional starvation and cold stress is described, as well as the recovery pattern. A set of specifically expressed proteins was observed in each experimental condition. Quantitative and qualitative differences and stress recovery pattern are also reported. This work makes evident the high plasticity and resistance to extreme environmental conditions of these parasites at the molecular level.

Taenia solium: characterization of a small heat shock protein (Tsol-sHSP35.6) and its possible relevance to the diagnosis and pathogenesis of neurocysticercosis

A cDNA encoding for a predicted small heat shock protein (sHSP), Tsol-sfISP35.6, has been isolated by antibody screening of a Taenia solium c-DNA library. The clone was a full-length sequence (1172 bp) with an open reading frame of 945 bp and encoded for a 314 amino acid protein with deduced molecular mass of 35.6 kDa, isoelectric point of 5.6 arid the characteristic HSP20/alpha-crystallin domain duplicated. It was highly conserved, with a high sequence similarity with other platyhelminth sHSPs. Western blot analysis, using serum from neurocysticercosis patients (NCC), indicated that the purified Tsol-sHSP35.6 expression product was immunogenic, while in indirect ELISA, using the purified Tsol-sHSP35.6 expression product as antigen and serum samples from pigs and humans, 80% of T. solium infected pigs and 84% of patients with active, or 71% of patients with inactive NCC were sero-positive. The possible relevance of Tsol-sHSP35.6 in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of NCC is discussed.