Induction of protective immunity in cattle against infection with Fasciola hepatica by vaccination with cathepsin L proteinases and with hemoglobin

Spatial transcriptomics of a parasitic flatworm provides a molecular map of drug targets and drug resistance genes

The spatial organization of gene expression dictates tissue functions in multicellular parasites. Here, we present the spatial transcriptome of a parasitic flatworm, the common liver fluke Fasciola hepatica. We identify gene expression profiles and marker genes for eight distinct tissues and validate the latter by in situ hybridization. To demonstrate the power of our spatial atlas, we focus on genes with substantial medical importance, including vaccine candidates (Ly6 proteins) and drug resistance genes (glutathione S-transferases, ABC transporters). Several of these genes exhibit unique expression patterns, indicating tissue-specific biological functions. Notably, the prioritization of tegumental protein kinases identifies a PKCβ, for which small-molecule targeting causes parasite death. Our comprehensive gene expression map provides unprecedented molecular insights into the organ systems of this complex parasitic organism, serving as a valuable tool for both basic and applied research.

Construction and mouse antibody response evaluation of juvenile stage-specific chimeric protein from Fasciola gigantica

Fasciolosis, caused by the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica, is a major parasitic disease that affects livestock and therefore causes significant economic losses in tropical countries. Although anthelminthic drugs can kill the parasite, drug-resistant liver fluke populations are increasing. In this study, a recombinant F. gigantica chimeric protein (rFgCHI) consisting of cathepsin L1H (FgCL1H), cathepsin B3 (FgCB3), and Saposin-like protein 1 (FgSAP1) was designed and expressed in Escherichia coli (BL21). The molecular weight of rFgCHI was 61 kDa. To study the antibody response, male BALB/c mice were immunized via the subcutaneous injection of rFgCHI combined with Quil A. Immunization with rFgCHI showed the induction of IgG1 and IgG2a with a higher IgG1 isotype level, indicating the potential of mixed Th1/Th2 immune responses, with Th2 predominating. However, the results showed high levels of IgG against the single proteins, except for rFgSAP1. Through Western blotting, mouse anti-rFgCHI polyclonal antibodies could be detected to the native proteins obtained from the parasite at all stages. Immunolocalization also revealed that the anti-rFgCHI antibodies could detect targeted antigens in the cecal epithelium of the parasite. These results demonstrated that rFgCHI is immunogenic to the mouse immune system and may potentially be a protein candidate for the development of a fasciolosis vaccine.

An update on proteases and protease inhibitors from trematodes

Trematodes, a class of parasitic flatworms, are responsible for a variety of devastating diseases in humans and animals, with schistosomiasis and fascioliasis being prominent examples. Trematode proteolytic systems involved in the host-parasite interaction have emerged as key contributors to the success of trematodes in establishing and maintaining infections. This review concentrates on diverse proteases and protease inhibitors employed by trematodes and provides an update on recent advances in their molecular-level characterization, with a focus on function, structure, and therapeutic target potential.

Advancement in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccines against Fasciola hepatica: A Comprehensive Review

In this review article, we aim to provide an overview of fasciolosis in ruminants. Diagnosis through new coprological methods (such as Flukefinder®, FLOTAC®, and Mini-FLOTAC®) remains the most suitable approach for farms. Regarding treatment, there is a scarcity of available drugs, and resistance to them has prompted new approaches (including drug combinations, enhanced metabolism, or the use of natural compounds) to address this issue. Additionally, several researchers have developed vaccines to control the disease, but their efficacy varies, and none are currently sufficient for commercial use. Further studies are needed to better understand all aspects discussed in this manuscript, with the goal of improving diagnosis, treatment, and disease control. It is important to note that this manuscript does not delve into in-depth knowledge of the discussed aspects; rather, it provides an overview of the different methodologies related to these three aspects of parasitic disease.

Fasciolosis: pathogenesis, host-parasite interactions, and implication in vaccine development

Fasciola hepatica is distributed worldwide, causing substantial economic losses in the animal husbandry industry. Human fasciolosis is an emerging zoonosis in Andean America, Asia, and Africa. The control of the disease, both in humans and animals, is based on using anthelmintic drugs, which has resulted in increased resistance to the most effective anthelmintics, such as triclabendazole, in many countries. This, together with the concerns about drug residues in food and the environment, has increased the interest in preventive measures such as a vaccine to help control the disease in endemic areas. Despite important efforts over the past two decades and the work carried out with numerous vaccine candidates, none of them has demonstrated consistent and reproducible protection in target species. This is at least in part due to the high immunomodulation capacity of the parasite, making ineffective the host response in susceptible species such as ruminants. It is widely accepted that a deeper knowledge of the host-parasite interactions is needed for a more rational design of vaccine candidates. In recent years, the use of emerging technologies has notably increased the amount of data about these interactions. In the present study, current knowledge of host-parasite interactions and their implication in Fasciola hepatica vaccine development is reviewed.

Roles of Cysteine Proteases in Biology and Pathogenesis of Parasites

Cysteine proteases, also known as thiol proteases, are a class of nucleophilic proteolytic enzymes containing cysteine residues in the enzymatic domain. These proteases generally play a pivotal role in many biological reactions, such as catabolic functions and protein processing, in all living organisms. They specifically take part in many important biological processes, especially in the absorption of nutrients, invasion, virulence, and immune evasion of parasitic organisms from unicellular protozoa to multicellular helminths. They can also be used as parasite diagnostic antigens and targets for gene modification and chemotherapy, as well as vaccine candidates, due to their species and even life-cycle stage specificity. This article highlights current knowledge on parasitic cysteine protease types, biological functions, and their applications in immunodiagnosis and chemotherapy.

High relatedness of bioinformatic data and realistic experimental works on the potentials of Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica cathepsin L1 as a diagnostic and vaccine antigen

Introduction

Fascioliasis is a parasitic foodborne disease caused by the liver flukes, Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. Such parasites cause serious illness in numerous domestic animals and also in humans. Following infection, the parasite secretes a variety of molecules that immediately interact with the host immunity to establish successful infection. These molecules include cathepsin L peptidase 1 (CatL1); the highly investigated diagnostic and vaccine antigens using various animal models. However, a few studies have analyzed the potentials of FhCatL1 as a diagnostic or vaccine antigen using bioinformatic tools and much less for FgCatL1. The present study provides inclusive and exclusive information on the physico-chemical, antigenic and immunogenic properties of F. hepatica cathepsin L1 (FhCatL1) protein using multiple bioinformatic analysis tools and several online web servers. Also, the validation of our employed available online servers was conducted against a huge collection of previously published studies focusing on the properties of FhCatL1as a diagnostic and vaccine antigen.

Methods

For this purpose, the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of FhCatL1 protein were also predicted and analyzed using the SWISS-MODEL server. Validation of the modeled structures was performed by Ramachandran plots. The antigenic epitopes of the protein were predicted by IEDB server.

Results and discussion

Our findings revealed the low similarity of FhCatL1 with mammalian CatL1, lacking signal peptides or transmembrane domain, and the presence of 33 phosphorylation sites. Also, the containment of FhCatL1 for many topological, physico-chemical, immunological properties that favored its function of solubility and interaction with the immune components were reported. In addition, the earlier worldwide reports documented the high efficacy of FhCatL1 as a diagnostic and vaccine antigen in different animals. Altogether, FhCatL1 is considered an excellent candidate for using in commercialized diagnostic assays or vaccine products against fascioliasis in different animal species. Our assessment also included FgCatL1 and reported very similar findings and outputs to those of FhCatL1.

Fasciola hepatica Cathepsin L Zymogens: Immuno-Proteomic Evidence for Highly Immunogenic Zymogen-Specific Conformational Epitopes to Support Diagnostics Development

Fasciola hepatica, the common liver fluke and causative agent of zoonotic fasciolosis, impacts on food security with global economic losses of over $3.2 BN per annum through deterioration of animal health, productivity losses, and livestock death and is also re-emerging as a foodborne human disease. Cathepsin proteases present a major vaccine and diagnostic target of the F. hepatica excretory/secretory (ES) proteome, but utilization in diagnostics of the highly antigenic zymogen stage of these proteins is surprisingly yet to be fully exploited. Following an immuno-proteomic investigation of recombinant and native procathepsins ((r)FhpCL1), including mass spectrometric analyses (DOI: 10.6019/PXD030293), and using counterpart polyclonal antibodies to a recombinant mutant procathepsin L (anti-rFhΔpCL1), we have confirmed recombinant and native cathepsin L zymogens contain conserved, highly antigenic epitopes that are conformationally dependent. Furthermore, using diagnostic platforms, including pilot serum and fecal antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests, the diagnostic capacities of cathepsin L zymogens were assessed and validated, offering promising efficacy as markers of infection and for monitoring treatment efficacy.

Targeting Secreted Protease/Anti-Protease Balance as a Vaccine Strategy against the Helminth Fasciola hepatica

The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is an economically important global pathogen of humans and their livestock. To facilitate host invasion and migration, F. hepatica secretes an abundance of cathepsin peptidases but prevents excessive damage to both parasite and host tissues by co-secreting regulatory peptidase inhibitors, cystatins/stefins and Kunitz-type inhibitors. Here, we report a vaccine strategy aimed at disrupting the parasite's protease/anti-protease balance by targeting these key inhibitors. Our vaccine cocktail containing three recombinant stefins (rFhStf-1, rFhStf-2, rFhStf-3) and a Kunitz-type inhibitor (rFhKT1) formulated in adjuvant Montanide 61VG was assessed in two independent sheep trials. While fluke burden was not reduced in either trial, in Trial 1 the vaccinated animals showed significantly greater weight gain (p < 0.05) relative to the non-vaccinated control group. In both trials we observed a significant reduction in egg viability (36-42%). Multivariate regression analyses showed vaccination and increased levels of IgG2 antibodies specific for the F. hepatica peptidase inhibitors were positive indicators for increased weight gain and levels of haemoglobin within the normal range at 16 weeks post-infection (wpi; p < 0.05). These studies point to the potential of targeting peptidase inhibitors as vaccine cocktails for fasciolosis control in sheep.

Evaluation of Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Fasciola hepatica Tetraspanin 2 (TSP2) Fused to E. coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin B Subunit LTB Adjuvant Following Intranasal Vaccination of Cattle

Fasciolosis, caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica, is an economically important and globally distributed zoonotic disease. Liver fluke infections in livestock cause significant losses in production and are of particular concern to regions where drug resistance is emerging. Antigens of the F. hepatica surface tegument represent promising vaccine candidates for controlling this disease. Tetraspanins are integral tegumental antigens that have shown partial protection as vaccine candidates against other trematode species. The Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin's B subunit (LTB) is a potent mucosal adjuvant capable of inducing an immune response to fused antigens. This study investigates the potential of F. hepatica tetraspanin 2 extracellular loop 2 (rFhTSP2) as a protective vaccine antigen and determines if fusion of FhTSP2 to LTB can enhance protection in cattle. Cattle were immunised subcutaneously with rFhTSP2 mixed in the Freund's adjuvant and intranasally with rLTB-FhTSP2 in saline, accounting for equal molar ratios of tetraspanin in both groups. Vaccination with rFhTSP2 stimulated a strong specific serum IgG response, whereas there was no significant serum IgG response following rLTB-FhTSP2 intranasal vaccination. There was no substantial antigen specific serum IgA generated in all groups across the trial. Contrastingly, after the fluke challenge, a rise in antigen specific saliva IgA was observed in both vaccination groups on Day 42, with the rLTB-FhTSP2 vaccination group showing significant mucosal IgA production at Day 84. However, neither vaccine group showed a significant reduction of fluke burden nor faecal egg output. These results suggest that intranasal vaccination with rLTB-FhTSP2 does elicit a humoral mucosal response but further work is needed to evaluate if mucosal delivery of liver fluke antigens fused to LTB is a viable vaccine strategy.

Analysis of daily variation in the release of faecal eggs and coproantigen of Fasciola hepatica in naturally infected dairy cattle and the impact on diagnostic test sensitivity

The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) is a widespread parasite infection in dairy cattle in Victoria, South-eastern Australia. Robust diagnosis of fluke infection is needed in dairy cattle to identify sub-clinical infections which often go unnoticed, causing significant production losses. We tested the coproantigen ELISA (cELISA) and the FlukeFinder faecal egg count kit® on naturally infected cows in a fluke endemic region of Victoria. The aim of the study was to investigate the variation in the release of coproantigens and eggs into faeces over a 5-day period, at the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) milkings, and to assess the impact of the timing of faecal sample collection on diagnostic test sensitivity. Ten cows were enrolled into the study based on positive F. hepatica faecal egg counts (LFEC) and faecal samples from the ten cows were collected twice daily, at the 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM milking, for five consecutive days. At the conclusion of the sampling period, the cows were euthanized and F. hepatica burden determined at necropsy. A moderate negative correlation between cow age and cELISA optical density (OD) was observed using data from all samples (R -0.63; 95 % CI -0.68 to -0.57). Over the 5-day sampling period, we observed within-animal variation between days for both the cELISA OD (2.6-8.9 fold) and LFEC (5-16 fold), with more variation in values observed in the PM samples for both tests. The correlation with total fluke burden was higher in the AM sampling using both the cELISA and LFEC (R 0.64 and 0.78, respectively). The sensitivity was 100 % for the cELISA using various cut offs from the literature (0.014 OD, 0.030 OD, and 1.3 % or 1.6 % of the positive control). The sensitivity of the FlukeFinder kit® (based on 588 faecal samples and not accounting for lack of independence in the data) was 88 % (95 % CI 85 %-90 %). Seventy one false negatives were recorded from the 588 LFEC tests all of which were observed in the cows with fluke burdens <14 flukes; 42 of the 71 false negative LFECs occurred in one individual cow which had the lowest burden of nine flukes. In dairy cows, the cut-off for production losses due to fasciolosis is estimated at> 10 fluke. Both the cELISA and the LFEC identified all cows that had burdens equal to or greater than this cut-off. Five of the ten cows also exhibited relatively high paramphistome egg counts.

The combined recombinant cathepsin L1H and cathepsin B3 vaccine against Fasciola gigantica infection

Protections against Fasciola gigantica infection in mice immunized with the individual and combined cathepsin L1H and cathepsin B3 vaccines were assessed. The vaccines comprised recombinant (r) pro-proteins of cathepsin L1H and B3 (rproFgCatL1H and rproFgCatB3) and combined proteins which were expressed in Pichia pastoris. The experimental trials were performed in ICR mice (n = 10 per group) by subcutaneous injection with 50 μg of the recombinant proteins combined with Alum or Freund's adjuvants. At two weeks after the third immunization, mice were infected with 15 F. gigantica metacercariae per mouse by oral route. The percents of protection of rproFgCatL1H, rproFgCatB3 and combined vaccines against F. gigantica were approximately 58.8 to 75.0% when compared with adjuvant-infected control. These protective effects were similar among groups receiving vaccines with Alum or Freund's adjuvants. By determining the levels of IgG1 and IgG2a in the immune sera, which are indicative of Th1 and Th2 immune responses, it was found that both Th1 and Th2 humoral immune responses were significantly increased in vaccinated groups compared with the control groups, with higher levels of IgG1 (Th2) than IgG2a (Th1). Mice in vaccinated groups showed reduction in liver pathological lesions when compared with control groups. This study indicates that the combined rproFgCatB3 and rproFgCatL1H vaccine had a high protective potential than a single a vaccine, with Alum and Freund's adjuvants showing similar level of protection. These results can serve as guidelines for the testing of this F. gigantica vaccine in larger economic animals.

Efficacy of a multivalent vaccine against Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep

In this work we report the protection found in a vaccination trial performed in sheep with two different vaccines composed each one by a cocktail of antigens (rCL1, rPrx, rHDM and rLAP) formulated in two different adjuvants (Montanide ISA 61 VG (G1) and Alhydrogel®(G2)). The parameters of protection tested were fluke burden, faecal egg count and evaluation of hepatic lesions. In vaccinated group 1 we found a significant decrease in fluke burden in comparison to both unimmunised and infected control group (37.2%; p = 0.002) and to vaccinated group 2 (Alhydrogel®) (27.08%; p = 0.016). The lower fluke burden found in G1 was accompanied by a decrease in egg output of 28.71% in comparison with the infected control group. Additionally, gross hepatic lesions found in vaccine 1 group showed a significant decrease (p = 0.03) in comparison with unimmunised-infected group. The serological study showed the highest level for both IgG1 and IgG2 in animals from group 1. All these data support the hypothesis of protection found in vaccine 1 group.

Differences in the antibody response to adult Fasciola hepatica excretory/secretory products in experimentally and naturally infected cattle and sheep

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Antibody response is different in animals experimentally and naturally infected with F. hepatica.

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Experimentally infected animals specifically recognised cathepsin proteins.

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Naturally infected animals showed poor recognition of a recombinant cathepsin L1.

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Antibody response of naturally infected animals is against multiple antigens.

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Diagnostic tests based on a single antigen may not be suitable for use in field.

Fasciola hepatica (the liver fluke) is a common, global parasite of livestock. It can be highly pathogenic and has health and welfare implications for infected individuals. Typically, in ruminants, infections are sub-clinical, but if undiagnosed, they can lead to significant production losses. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to identify infection. Antibody detection ELISAs are commonly used to diagnose infection due to their high sensitivity and specificity and are typically based on native fluke excretory/secretory (ES) products or cathepsin L1 (CL1), the immunodominant antigen within ES products. These tests have been developed based on the antibody response of experimentally infected animals; however, this response has not been well characterised in naturally infected animals. We compared the antibody recognition of a recombinant CL1 (rCL1) antigen and native adult fluke ES products. Whilst samples from experimentally infected animals showed strong recognition of rCL1, serum antibodies from naturally infected animals did not. These results were confirmed by peptide array. Immunoblotting sera against ES products showed that experimentally infected animals had a strong, specific response to CL1/CL2 proteins whilst antibodies from naturally infected animals recognised multiple proteins and had a variable response to CL1/CL2. Mass spectrometry of proteins separated by 2D SDS PAGE, identified several antigens recognised by serum antibodies from a naturally infected cow, including cathepsins L1, L2 and L5, glutathione S-transferase and a dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase. Overall, these results show that the antibody response in naturally infected animals to adult fluke ES products is qualitatively different to experimentally infected animals. This suggests that a diagnostic test based on CL1 alone may not be appropriate for diagnosis of natural F. hepatica infections in sheep and cattle.

Molecular characterisation and vaccine efficacy of two novel developmentally regulated surface tegument proteins of Fasciola hepatica

The surface tegument of Fasciola hepatica is a crucial tissue due to its key role at the host-parasite interface. We characterised three novel proteins, termed Fhteg1, Fhteg5 and Fhteg8, that are found in the tegument membrane fraction of adult F. hepatica. Bioinformatic analysis of proteomic datasets identified Fhteg5 and Fhteg8 as tegumental glycoproteins and revealed that Fhteg1, Fhteg5 and Fhteg8 are associated with exosomes of adult F. hepatica. Fhteg1, Fhteg5 and Fhteg8 appear to be related to uncharacterised sequences in F. gigantica, Fasciolopsis buski, Echinostoma caproni, Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni, although F. hepatica appears to have expanded this family. Fhteg1 and Fhteg5 were characterised in detail. The Fhteg1 and Fhteg5 gene transcripts each demonstrate significant upregulation in juvenile fluke 2-4 days post-excystment, with transcript levels maintained during development over 3 weeks in vitro. RNAseq data showed that both Fhtegs are expressed in the adult life stage, although the transcript levels were about 8 fold lower than those in juveniles (3 week post infection). Using immunocytochemistry, Fhteg1 and Fhteg5 were each shown to be expressed in cells adjacent to the muscle layer as well as on the surface of 1 week old juveniles, whilst Fhteg5 was also present in cells at the base of the pharynx. RNAi mediated knockdown of Fhteg1 and Fhteg5 transcripts in 4-10 day old juveniles had no effect on parasite survival, movement or growth in vitro. Although no IgG responses were observed for Fhteg1 or Fhteg5 during infection in sheep and cattle, both proteins elicited a low IgG response in a proportion of infected rats. Rats vaccinated with Fhteg1 and Fhteg5 showed good IgG responses to both proteins and a mean 48.2 % reduction in worm burden following parasite challenge. Although vaccination of cattle with both proteins induced a range of IgG responses, no protection was observed against parasite challenge. This is the first study to provide insights into the molecular properties of two novel, developmentally regulated surface tegument proteins in F. hepatica.

Fasciola hepatica serine protease inhibitor family (serpins): Purposely crafted for regulating host proteases

Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) regulate proteolytic events within diverse biological processes, including digestion, coagulation, inflammation and immune responses. The presence of serpins in Fasciola hepatica excretory-secretory products indicates that the parasite exploits these to regulate proteases encountered during its development within vertebrate hosts. Interrogation of the F. hepatica genome identified a multi-gene serpin family of seven members that has expanded by gene duplication and divergence to create an array of inhibitors with distinct specificities. We investigated the molecular properties and functions of two representatives, FhSrp1 and FhSrp2, highly expressed in the invasive newly excysted juvenile (NEJ). Consistent with marked differences in the reactive centre loop (RCL) that executes inhibitor-protease complexing, the two recombinant F. hepatica serpins displayed distinct inhibitory profiles against an array of mammalian serine proteases. In particular, rFhSrp1 efficiently inhibited kallikrein (K_i = 40 nM) whilst rFhSrp2 was a highly potent inhibitor of chymotrypsin (K_i = 0.07 nM). FhSrp1 and FhSrp2 are both expressed on the NEJ surface, predominantly around the oral and ventral suckers, suggesting that these inhibitors protect the parasites from the harmful proteolytic effects of host proteases, such as chymotrypsin, during invasion. Furthermore, the unusual inhibition of kallikrein suggests that rFhSrp1 modulates host responses such as inflammation and vascular permeability by interfering with the kallikrein-kinin system. A vaccine combination of rFhSrp1 and rFhSrp2 formulated in the adjuvant Montanide ISA 206VG elicited modest but non-significant protection against a challenge infection in a rat model, but did induce some protection against liver pathogenesis when compared to a control group and a group vaccinated with two well-studied vaccine candidates, F. hepatica cathepsin L2 and L3. This work highlights the importance of F. hepatica serpins to regulate host responses that enables parasite survival during infection and, coupled with the vaccine data, encourages future vaccine trials in ruminants.

Serpins are protease inhibitors that regulate various biological processes, including digestion, blood coagulation, inflammation and immune responses. The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, produces an array of inhibitors to regulate proteolytic enzymes they encounter during development within the mammalian host. In this study, we identified seven different serpins that have evolved to inhibit a range of host proteases. In particular, we characterized two representatives, FhSrp1 and FhSrp2, that we found highly expressed on the surface of the invasive newly excysted juvenile (NEJ), suggesting that they protect the parasites from harmful proteolytic effects during invasion. Contrasting inhibitory profiles were observed; while recombinant FhSrp1 inhibited kallikrein, recombinant FhSrp2 was a highly potent inhibitor of chymotrypsin. The unusual inhibition of kallikrein suggests that rFhSrp1 influences host responses such as inflammation and vascular permeability by interfering with the kallikrein-kinin system. Conversely, chymotrypsin is typically inhibited by trematode-specific serpins, implying a conserved mechanism to regulate digestive enzymes. The ability of the liver fluke serpin family to inhibit such an array of proteases highlights the importance of these inhibitors in parasite-host interactions and encourages future investigations of serpins as candidate anti-parasite vaccine targets for the control of fasciolosis in ruminants.

Identification of protective peptides of Fasciola hepatica-derived cathepsin L1 (FhCL1) in vaccinated sheep by a linear B-cell epitope mapping approach

Background

Fasciolosis is one of the most important parasitic diseases of livestock. The need for better control strategies gave rise to the identification of various vaccine candidates. The recombinant form of a member of the cysteine protease family, cathepsin L1 of Fasciola hepatica (FhCL1) has been a vaccine target for the past few decades since it has been shown to behave as an immunodominant antigen. However, when FhCL1 was used as vaccine, it has been observed to elicit significant protection in some trials, whereas no protection was provided in others.

Methods

In order to improve vaccine development strategy, we conducted a linear B-cell epitope mapping of FhCL1 in sheep vaccinated with FhCL1, FhHDM, FhLAP and FhPrx plus Montanide and with significant reduction of the fluke burden, sheep vaccinated with FhCL1, FhHDM, FhLAP and FhPrx plus aluminium hydroxide and with non-significant reduction of the fluke burden, and in unvaccinated-infected sheep.

Results

Our study showed that the pattern and dynamic of peptide recognition varied noticeably between both vaccinated groups, and that the regions 55–63 and 77–84, which are within the propeptide, and regions 102–114 and 265–273 of FhCL1 were specifically recognised only by vaccinated sheep with significant reduction of the fluke burden. In addition, these animals also showed significant production of specific IgG2, whereas none was observed in vaccinated-Aluminium hydroxide and in infected control animals.

Conclusions

We have identified 42 residues of FhCL1 that contributed to protective immunity against infection with F. hepatica in sheep. Our results provide indications in relation to key aspects of the immune response. Given the variable outcomes of vaccination trials conducted in ruminants to date, this study adds new insights to improve strategies of vaccine development.

Serodiagnosis of Fasciola gigantica Infection in Buffaloes with Native Cathepsin-L Proteases and Recombinant Cathepsin L1-D

AIM

Serodiagnosis of Fasciola gigantica natural infection in buffaloes with recombinant cathepsin L1-D and native cathepsin-L protease antigens.

METHODS

The recombinant cat L1-D antigen was expressed in prokaryotic expression system and native cathepsin-L proteases were purified by alcoholic fractionation from adult F. gigantica flukes. Buffaloes (n  = 325) were screened for anti-Fasciola antibodies with the above antigens in immunoglobulin-G-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (IgG-ELISA).

RESULTS

The recombinant cat L1-D antigen showed positive reactivity with 101/122 necropsy positive animals but 21/122 necropsy confirmed positive animals were negative in this ELISA (sensitivity 82.8%). However, 30/203 (14.8%) necropsy negative animals for Fasciola were seropositive with specificity of 85.2%. With native cat-L protease, 104/122 necropsy confirmed positive animals were ELISA positive but 18/122 necropsy positive animals were seronegative, thereby depicting the sensitivity of 85.2%. But ELISA with this antigen showed 27/203 (13.3%) necropsy negative animals as positive (specificity 86.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Comparative evaluation of both the antigens showed that they are suitable for serodiagnosis of F. gigantica infection in buffalo herds.

Reliability of heterophyid antigens in heterologous protection against human schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease which has been controlled by praziquantel for many decades; however, reemergence of praziquantel resistant strains has been a continuous threat. Therefore, the development of reliable antischistosomal vaccine is significantly demanded for optimal control. In the present study, comparison among Schistosoma haematobium, Schsitosoma mansoni and Pygidiopsis genata crude antigens was carried out by Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Hyperimmunization of rabbits with tested parasites' crude antigens was done to obtain hyperimmune sera. Western blotting was applied to show cross reactivity between parasites' crude antigens and either homologous or heterologous sera. Although there was no cross reaction between P. genata crude antigens and sera of both Schistosoma species and vice versa; it is supposed that the immunogenic band at 79 kDa might develop cross reactivity with Schistosma spp. SEA fractionation if used in future studies.

The Effects of pH and Temperature on Cysteine Protease (Cathepsin B) Activity in Miracidia and Eggs of Fasciola hepatica

BACKGROUND

Fascioliasis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by the trematodes Fasciola hepatica in humans and animals. Proteases are essential for the survival of parasites and have important activities such as penetration, tissue migration, and egg hatching. This study was conducted to analyze cysteine protease of the miracidia and eggs of F. hepatica, and to assess the effects of pH and temperature on the proteases activity and stability.

METHODS

Adults F. hepatica were isolated from infected livers and were morphologically identified in 2018. Eggs collected from the adults and incubated in distilled water at 28 °C for 16 d to produce miracidia. The extract was collected from miracidia and eggs. A substrate for cathepsin B (Z-Arg-Arg-Pna) was used to assess the enzyme activity at different (2-12) pH levels. After homogenization, protein level was measured with Bradford method. Estimation of optimum temperature and pH was performed in the temperature range of 10-90 ° C and pH values from 2-12.

RESULTS

The highest activity of the miracidia and eggs enzyme extracts for Z-Arg-Arg-pNA was at pH 4. The miracidia extract was most stable at neutral pH and the eggs extract was most stable in acidic pH. The optimum temperature activity for both stages was 40 °C. These proteases were stable up to 40 °C.

CONCLUSION

Upon the importance of pH and temperature in the life cycle of F. hepatica, the current findings can be used for induction of some modifications in pH and preventing the activity of the enzymes for decrement of the efficacy of miracidia penetration into the intermediate snails and egg hatching of this zoonotic parasite.

Molecular Characterization and Immunodiagnostic Potential of Various Antigenic Proteins of Fasciola Gigantica Species Isolated from Sheep of North West Himalayan Region

The control of the digenetic trematode Fasciola gigantica has been the major challenge in both cattle and small ruminants as there is a paucity of an effective and commercial vaccine. Thus, the accurate identification and prepatent diagnosis of F. gigantica is an essential prerequisite for its successful prevention and control. In the present study, the morphologically identified specimens isolated from the liver and bile ducts of sheep (Ovis aries) were validated through molecular data. The sequence analysis of ITS2 of our isolates showed high degree of similarity with F. gigantica and F. hepatica using BLAST function of NCBI. The phylogenetic analysis of our isolates showed a close relationship with previously described F. gigantica and F. hepatica isolates from different countries. The antigenic profile of somatic and E/S antigens of F. gigantica were revealed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting using sera from sheep naturally infected with F. gigantica. By SDS-PAGE, 20 distinct bands were revealed from crude somatic fraction. Immunoblotting analysis of these proteins with positive sera exhibited 8 sero-reactive bands ranging from 14 to 97 kDa. Among these 38 and 44 kDa bands were quite specific with high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. The E/S fraction comprised 7 distinct bands, as revealed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Immunoblotting analysis of these proteins with positive sera exhibited 6 antigenic bands ranging from 23 - 54 kDa. Among these 27 and 33 kDa were found to be quite specific with high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. The present study concludes that the protein bands of 38 and 44 kDa in somatic fraction and 27 and 33 kDa in E/S fraction can be used for the immunodiagnostic purpose for this economically important parasite, which may also entice further studies regarding their vaccine potential.

A Preliminary Study of a Lettuce-Based Edible Vaccine Expressing the Cysteine Proteinase of Fasciola hepatica for Fasciolosis Control in Livestock

Oral vaccination with edible vaccines is one of the most promising approaches in modern vaccinology. Edible vaccines are an alternative to conventional vaccines, which are typically delivered by injection. Here, freeze-dried transgenic lettuce expressing the cysteine proteinase of the trematode Fasciola hepatica (CPFhW) was used to orally vaccinate cattle and sheep against fasciolosis, which is the most important trematode disease due to the parasite's global distribution, wide spectrum of host species and significant economic losses of farmers. In the study, goals such as reducing the intensity of infection, liver damage and F. hepatica fecundity were achieved. Moreover, we demonstrated that the host sex influenced the outcome of infection following vaccination, with female calves and male lambs showing better protection than their counterparts. Since differences occurred following vaccination and infection, different immunization strategies should be considered for different sexes and host species when developing new control methods. The results of the present study highlight the potential of oral vaccination with plant-made and plant-delivered vaccines for F. hepatica infection control.

Low allelic diversity in vaccine candidates genes from different locations sustain hope for Fasciola hepatica immunization

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite that causes fasciolosis in animals and humans. Fasciolosis is usually treated with triclabendazole, although drug-resistant parasites have been described in several geographical locations. An alternative to drug treatment would be the use of a vaccine, although vaccination studies that have been performed mainly in ruminants over the last 30 years, show high variability in the achieved protection and are not yet ready for commercialisation. Since F. hepatica exhibits a high degree of genomic polymorphism, variation in vaccine efficacy could be attributed, at least partially, to phenotypic differences in vaccine candidate sequences amongst parasites used in the challenge infections. To begin to address this issue, a collection of F. hepatica isolates from geographically dispersed regions, as well as parasites obtained from vaccination trials performed against a field isolate from Uruguay and the experimentally maintained South Gloucester isolate (Ridgeway Research, UK), were compiled to establish a F. hepatica Biobank. These collected isolates were used for the genetic analysis of several vaccine candidates that are important in host-parasite interactions and are the focus of the H2020 PARAGONE vaccine project (https://www.paragoneh2020.eu/), namely FhCL1, FhCL2, FhPrx, FhLAP and FhHDM. Our results show that F. hepatica exhibits a high level of conservation in the sequences encoding each of these proteins. The consequential low variability in these vaccine candidates amongst parasites from different geographical regions reinforces the idea that they would be suitable immunogens against liver fluke isolates worldwide.

Intranasal delivery of a formulation containing stage-specific recombinant proteins of Fasciola hepatica cathepsin L5 and cathepsin B2 triggers an anti-fecundity effect and an adjuvant-mediated reduction in fluke burden in sheep

Fasciola hepatica infection continues to be a major problem in the agriculture sector, particularly in sheep and cattle. Cathepsin L and B proteases are major components of the excretory/secretory material of the parasite, and their roles in several important aspects of parasite invasion and survival has led to their use as targets in rational vaccine design. Previous studies in rats demonstrated that the use of stage-specific antigens, cathepsin B2 and cathepsin L5, as part of a multivalent vaccine, was able to confer significant protection against challenge. In the present study, recombinant versions of cathepsin L5 and cathepsin B2 produced in yeast were used in combination to vaccinate sheep. Intramuscular and intranasal forms of administration were applied, and sheep were subsequently challenged with 150 F. hepatica metacercariae. Intramuscular vaccination was able to induce a strong systemic antibody response against both antigens, but failed to confer significant protection. Conversely, no elevated antibody response was detected against the vaccine antigens following nasal vaccination; however, a reduction in parasite egg viability (>92%) and a statistically significant (p = 0.006), predominantly adjuvant-mediated reduction in worm burdens was observed.

Fasciola and fasciolosis in ruminants in Europe: Identifying research needs

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite with a global distribution, which is responsible for considerable disease and production losses in a range of food producing species. It is also identified by WHO as a re-emerging neglected tropical disease associated with endemic and epidemic outbreaks of disease in human populations. In Europe, F. hepatica is mostly associated with disease in sheep, cattle and goats. This study reviews the most recent advances in our understanding of the transmission, diagnosis, epidemiology and the economic impact of fasciolosis. We also focus on the impact of the spread of resistance to anthelmintics used to control F. hepatica and consider how vaccines might be developed and applied in the context of the immune-modulation driven by the parasite. Several major research gaps are identified which, when addressed, will contribute to providing focussed and where possible, bespoke, advice for farmers on how to integrate stock management and diagnosis with vaccination and/or targeted treatment to more effectively control the parasite in the face of increasing the prevalence of infection and spread of anthelmintic resistance that are likely to be exacerbated by climate change.

Sex and vaccination: Insights from female rats vaccinated with juvenile-specific proteases from Fasciola hepatica

Most animal research is less evidence-based for females, with the majority of studies conducted on males. Since immune responses vary between males and females, sexual dimorphism in immunity contributes, among other things, to sex-based differences post-vaccination. However, the issue of sex effects in animal vaccine research is rarely considered in vaccine study design. Previously, we have evaluated the efficacy of cathepsin L3 (FhCL3-1 and FhCL3-2) and B3 proteases (FhCB3) from juvenile Fasciola hepatica as vaccines against fasciolosis in male rats. Their administration resulted in reductions in liver fluke recovery in the range of 47-63% when compared with an infection control group. Here, we investigated if the protective effect of vaccination with these proteins can also be observed for female rats. The data indicates females were not protected from F. hepatica infection when vaccinated with juvenile cathepsins. Only in the FhCL3-2 vaccinated group was a low, non-significant, reduction in worm burden observed (21%). Although liver fluke mean body lengths and wet weights were reduced in vaccinated animals when compared with the infection controls, these effects were adjuvant- not vaccine-induced, while for males changes in these parameters were related primarily to vaccination. Specific humoral responses throughout the study were evident; however, trends in antibody responses in females replicated trends observed previously for male humoral responses. Formerly, elevated levels of FhCL3-1 and FhCL3-2 specific IgG1 and IgG2a were suggested to be correlated with protection. Here, despite increased and clear responses of these antibodies, protection was not observed. Hence, in the present study the roles of IgG1 and IgG2 in liver fluke reduction are questionable. Results demonstrated in our study show that observations obtained in one sex are not always applicable to the other sex. Hopefully, the findings of the study will stimulate discussion of the issue of sex impacts on post-vaccination outcomes and will encourage researchers to consider sex in their future vaccine studies.

Extracellular vesicles from parasitic helminths and their potential utility as vaccines

INTRODUCTION

Helminths are multicellular parasites affecting nearly three billion people worldwide. To orchestrate a parasitic existence, helminths secrete different molecules, either in soluble form or contained within extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are secreted by most cell types and organisms, and have varied roles in intercellular communication, including immune modulation and pathogenesis.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we describe the nucleic acid and proteomic composition of EVs from helminths, with a focus on the protein vaccine candidates present on the EV surface membrane, and discuss the potential utility of helminth EVs and their constituent proteins in the fight against helminth infections.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

A significant number of proteins present in helminth-secreted EVs are known vaccine candidates. The characterization of helminth EV proteomes will shed light on host-pathogen interactions, facilitate the discovery of new diagnostic biomarkers, and provide a novel approach for the development of new control measures against helminth infections.

Vaccination against Fasciola hepatica using cathepsin L3 and B3 proteases delivered alone or in combination

No licensed vaccine is currently available for prevention of Fasciola hepatica infections. However, considering the alarming increase in drug resistance, there is an urgent need for a safe and fully effective vaccine against fasciolosis. Here, we tested if cathepsins L (FhCL3-1, FhCL3-2) and B (FhCB3) secreted by juvenile liver flukes are viable vaccine targets when delivered alone or in combination in a rat model. Since control over the early immune response is crucial for parasite's establishment in its host, it was hypothesised that targeting fluke juvenile stages may prove beneficial. Moreover, it was assumed that selected antigens will act in a cumulative manner to interfere with liver fluke migration and thereby will reduce F. hepatica infection. Recombinant FhCL3-1 and FhCL3-2 delivered alone reduced liver fluke burdens by 47 % and 63 %, respectively. A trivalent vaccine containing rFhCL3-1/CL3-2/CB3 did not increase the protective vaccine efficacy compared to the rFhCL3-2 vaccinated group (53 %), although, reductions in liver fluke wet weight (statistically significant) and liver damage score were most pronounced. Further, the highest IgG1 and IgG2a levels were seen in rFhCL3-2 vaccinated rats, the group for which the highest reduction in worm burden was demonstrated. Moreover, IgG1 and IgG2a levels in vaccinated rats were significantly elevated compared to those reported for control groups up to 4 week post-infection. While the mechanism of protection remains unknown, it appears that it depends on vaccine-induced antibodies directed against cathepsins. The obtained results imply that F. hepatica juvenile-specific cathepsins are promising vaccine candidates that induce responses that successfully target early migratory liver fluke stages. Now, the challenge is to evaluate these juvenile-specific cathepsins for use in livestock.

Fasciola spp: Mapping of the MF6 epitope and antigenic analysis of the MF6p/HDM family of heme-binding proteins

MF6p/FhHDM-1 is a small cationic heme-binding protein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) MF6, and abundantly present in parenchymal cells and secreted antigens of Fasciola hepatica. Orthologs of this protein (MF6p/HDMs) also exist in other causal agents of important foodborne trematodiasis, such as Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini and Paragonimus westermani. Considering that MF6p/FhHDM-1 is relevant for heme homeostasis in Fasciola and was reported to have immunomodulatory properties, this protein is expected to be a useful target for vaccination. Thus, in this study we mapped the epitope recognized by mAb MF6 and evaluated its antigenicity in sheep. The sequence of the MF6p/FhHDM-1 ortholog from F. gigantica (MF6p/FgHDM-1) was also reported. By means of ELISA inhibitions with overlapping synthetic peptides, we determined that the epitope recognized by mAb MF6 is located within the C-terminal moiety of MF6p/FhHDM-1, which is the most conserved region of MF6p/HDMs. By immunoblotting analysis of parasite extracts and ELISA inhibitions with synthetic peptides we also determined that mAb MF6 reacted with the same intensity with F. hepatica and F. gigantica, and in decreasing order of intensity with C. sinensis, O.viverrini and P. westermani orthologs. On the contrary, mAb MF6 showed no reactivity against Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Schistosoma mansoni. The study of the recognition of peptides covering different regions of MF6p/FhHDM-1 by sera from immunized sheep revealed that the C-terminal moiety is the most antigenic, thus being of potential interest for vaccination. We also demonstrated that the production of antibodies to MF6p/FhHDM-1 in sheep infected by F. hepatica occurs relatively early and follows the same pattern as those produced against L-cathepsins.

A novel ex vivo immunoproteomic approach characterising Fasciola hepatica tegumental antigens identified using immune antibody from resistant sheep

A more thorough understanding of the immunological interactions between Fasciola spp. and their hosts is required if we are to develop new immunotherapies to control fasciolosis. Deeper knowledge of the antigens that are the target of the acquired immune responses of definitive hosts against both Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica will potentially identify candidate vaccine antigens. Indonesian Thin Tail sheep express a high level of acquired immunity to infection by F. gigantica within 4weeks of infection and antibodies in Indonesian Thin Tail sera can promote antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against the surface tegument of juvenile F. gigantica in vitro. Given the high protein sequence similarity between F. hepatica and F. gigantica, we hypothesised that antibody from F. gigantica-infected sheep could be used to identify the orthologous proteins in the tegument of F. hepatica. Purified IgG from the sera of F. gigantica-infected Indonesian Thin Tail sheep collected pre-infection and 4weeks p.i. were incubated with live adult F. hepatica ex vivo and the immunosloughate (immunoprecipitate) formed was isolated and analysed via liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry to identify proteins involved in the immune response. A total of 38 proteins were identified at a significantly higher abundance in the immunosloughate using week 4 IgG, including eight predicted membrane proteins, 20 secreted proteins, nine proteins predicted to be associated with either the lysosomes, the cytoplasm or the cytoskeleton and one protein with an unknown cellular localization. Three of the membrane proteins are transporters including a multidrug resistance protein, an amino acid permease and a glucose transporter. Interestingly, a total of 21 of the 38 proteins matched with proteins recently reported to be associated with the proposed small exosome-like extracellular vesicles of adult F. hepatica, suggesting that the Indonesian Thin Tail week 4 IgG is either recognising individual proteins released from extracellular vesicles or is immunoprecipitating intact exosome-like extracellular vesicles. Five extracellular vesicle membrane proteins were identified including two proteins predicted to be associated with vesicle transport/ exocytosis (VPS4, vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 4b and the Niemann-Pick C1 protein). RNAseq analysis of the developmental transcription of the 38 immunosloughate proteins showed that the sequences are expressed over a wide abundance range with 21/38 transcripts expressed at a relatively high level from metacercariae to the adult life cycle stage. A notable feature of the immunosloughates was the absence of cytosolic proteins which have been reported to be secreted markers for damage to adult flukes incubated in vitro, suggesting that the proteins observed are not inadvertent contaminants leaking from damaged flukes ex vivo. The identification of tegument protein antigens shared between F. gigantica and F. hepatica is beneficial in terms of the possible development of a dual purpose vaccine effective against both fluke species.

Immune response of rats vaccinated orally with various plant-expressed recombinant cysteine proteinase constructs when challenged with Fasciola hepatica metacercariae

Background

Cysteine proteinases of Fasciola hepatica are important candidates for vaccine antigens because of their role in fluke biology and host-parasite relationships. In our previous experiments, we found that a recombinant cysteine proteinase cloned from adult F. hepatica (CPFhW) can protect rats against liver fluke infections when it is administered intramuscularly or intranasally in the form of cDNA. We also observed considerable protection upon challenge following mucosal vaccination with inclusion bodies containing recombinant CPFhW produced in Escherichia coli.

In this study, we explore oral vaccination, which may be the desired method of delivery and is potentially capable of preventing infections at the site of helminth entry. To provide antigen encapsulation and to protect the vaccine antigen from degradation in the intestinal tract, transgenic plant-based systems are used.

Methodology

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the protective ability of mucosal vaccinations of 12-week-old rats with CPFhW produced in a transgenic-plant-based system. To avoid inducing tolerance and to maximise the immune response induced by oral immunisation, we used the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBcAg) as a carrier. Animals were immunised with two doses of the antigen and challenged with 25 or 30 metacercariae of F. hepatica.

Conclusions

We obtained substantial protection after oral administration of the plant-produced hybrids of CPFhW and HBcAg. The highest level of protection (65.4%) was observed in animals immunised with transgenic plants expressing the mature CPFhW enzyme flanked by Gly-rich linkers and inserted into c/e1 epitope of truncated HBcAg. The immunised rats showed clear IgG1 and IgM responses to CPFhW for 4 consecutive weeks after the challenge.

Infection with Fasciola hepatica, a liver fluke, is one of the most significant veterinary problems due to the worldwide distribution of this parasite, a wide spectrum of host organisms and the resulting economic loss. Human fasciolosis caused by F. hepatica is recognised by the World Health Organization as an important emerging but neglected tropical disease. Development of an effective vaccine against this disease is becoming a priority, especially as the appearance of drug-resistant strains undermine the currently employed drug-based treatments. The two primary issues when developing a vaccine are the selection of an appropriate vaccine antigen and the route of antigen administration. In our studies, we use one of the F. hepatica cysteine proteinases, which are promising antigens for vaccine construction. We evaluate the immunogenicity and protective ability of various modifications of this cysteine proteinase produced in plants. We show that substantial protection can be obtained when plant-expressed hybrid proteins are administered orally.

Development of Fasciola Vaccine in an Animal Model

Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica are the parasites that cause the zoonotic parasitic disease called fasciolosis. Although several anthelmintic drugs have been used to treat these parasitic infections, recombinant protein vaccines have been developed to overcome the anthelmintic resistance that has recently been reported in many regions of the world. These vaccines have been shown to induce high levels of immune responses and high percentages of protection in experimental and large animals. Efficacies of these vaccines suggest they could be an alternative and sustainable strategy to prevent fasciolosis in animals as well as humans in the future. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a protocol to develop a recombinant protein-based vaccine against Fasciola infection in mice. Moreover, this method can also be used as a guideline when the vaccination is performed in larger animals.

Tegument Glycoproteins and Cathepsins of Newly Excysted Juvenile Fasciola hepatica Carry Mannosidic and Paucimannosidic N-glycans

Recently, the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in some areas has increased considerably and the availability of a vaccine to protect livestock from infection would represent a major advance in tools available for controlling this disease. To date, most vaccine-target discovery research on this parasite has concentrated on proteomic and transcriptomic approaches whereas little work has been carried out on glycosylation. As the F. hepatica tegument (Teg) may contain glycans potentially relevant to vaccine development and the Newly Excysted Juvenile (NEJ) is the first lifecycle stage in contact with the definitive host, our work has focused on assessing the glycosylation of the NEJTeg and identifying the NEJTeg glycoprotein repertoire. After in vitro excystation, NEJ were fixed and NEJTeg was extracted. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis of released N-glycans revealed that oligomannose and core-fucosylated truncated N-glycans were the most dominant glycan types. By lectin binding studies these glycans were identified mainly on the NEJ surface, together with the oral and ventral suckers. NEJTeg glycoproteins were affinity purified after targeted biotinylation of the glycans and identified using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). From the total set of proteins previously identified in NEJTeg, eighteen were also detected in the glycosylated fraction, including the F. hepatica Cathepsin B3 (FhCB3) and two of the Cathepsin L3 (FhCL3) proteins, among others. To confirm glycosylation of cathepsins, analysis at the glycopeptide level by LC-ESI-ion-trap-MS/MS with collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) was carried out. We established that cathepsin B1 (FhCB1) on position N80, and FhCL3 (BN1106_s10139B000014, scaffold10139) on position N153, carry unusual paucimannosidic Man2GlcNAc2 glycans. To our knowledge, this is the first description of F. hepatica NEJ glycosylation and the first report of N-glycosylation of F. hepatica cathepsins. The significance of these findings for immunological studies and vaccine development is discussed.

A model to assess the efficacy of vaccines for control of liver fluke infection

Fasciola hepatica, common liver fluke, infects cattle and sheep causing disease and production losses costing approximately $3 billion annually. Current control relies on drugs designed to kill the parasite. However, resistance is evident worldwide and widespread in some areas. Work towards a vaccine has identified several antigens of F. hepatica that show partial efficacy in terms of reducing worm burden and egg output. A critical question is what level of efficacy is required for such a vaccine to be useful? We have created the first mathematical model to assess the effectiveness of liver fluke vaccines under simulated field conditions. The model describes development of fluke within a group of animals and includes heterogeneity in host susceptibility, seasonal exposure to metacercariae and seasonal changes in temperature affecting metacercarial survival. Our analysis suggests that the potential vaccine candidates could reduce total fluke burden and egg output by up to 43% and 99%, respectively, on average under field conditions. It also suggests that for a vaccine to be effective, it must protect at least 90% of animals for the whole season. In conclusion, novel, partial, vaccines could contribute substantially towards fasciolosis control, reducing usage of anthelmintics and thus delaying the spread of anthelmintic resistance.

A preliminary proteomic characterisation of extracellular vesicles released by the ovine parasitic nematode, Teladorsagia circumcincta

Teladorsagia circumcincta is a major cause of ovine parasitic gastroenteritis in temperate climatic regions. The development of high levels of anthelmintic resistance in this nematode species challenges its future control. Recent research indicates that many parasite species release extracellular vesicles into their environment, many of which have been classified as endocytic in origin, termed exosomes. These vesicles are considered to play important roles in the intercellular communication between parasites and their hosts, and thus represent potentially useful targets for novel control strategies. Here, we demonstrate that exosome-like extracellular vesicles can be isolated from excretory-secretory (ES) products released by T. circumcincta fourth stage larvae (Tci-L4ES). Furthermore, we perform a comparative proteomic analysis of vesicle-enriched and vesicle-free Tci-L4ES. Approximately 73% of the proteins identified in the vesicle-enriched fraction were unique to this fraction, whilst the remaining 27% were present in both vesicle-enriched and vesicle-free fraction. These unique proteins included structural proteins, nuclear proteins, metabolic proteins, proteolytic enzymes and activation-associated secreted proteins. Finally, we demonstrate that molecules present within the vesicles-enriched material are targets of the IgA and IgG response in T. circumcincta infected sheep, and could potentially represent useful targets for future vaccine intervention studies.

Development of Experimental Vaccines Against Liver Flukes

A multitude of experimental vaccines have been developed against liver flukes in the past. However, there has yet to be the development of a commercial livestock vaccine. Reasons for this may be multiple, and include the lack of identification of the best antigen(s), or the immune response induced by those antigens not being appropriate in either magnitude or polarity (and therefore not protective). Cathepsin proteases are the major component of the excretory/secretory (ES) material of liver flukes in all stages of their life cycle in the definitive host and are the primary antigens of interest for the vaccine development in many studies. Hence, this chapter presents the methodologies of using cathepsin proteases as targeted antigens in recombinant protein and DNA vaccine development to engender protective immune responses against fasciolosis.First, the experimental vaccines developed in the past and the criteria of an effective vaccine for fasciolosis are briefly reviewed. Then flowcharts for recombinant protein vaccine and DNA vaccine development are presented, followed by the detailed materials and methodologies.

Vaccine potential of recombinant pro- and mature cathepsinL1 against fasciolosis gigantica in mice

In Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L1 (CatL1) is a family of predominant proteases that is expressed in caecal epithelial cells and secreted into the excretory-secretory products (ES). CatL1 isotypes are expressed in both early and late stages of the life cycle and the parasites use them for migration and digestion. Therefore, CatL1 is a plausible target for vaccination against this parasite. Recombinant pro-F.gigantica CatL1 (rproFgCatL1) and recombinant mature F.gigantica CatL1 (rmatFgCatL1) were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The vaccination was performed in Imprinting Control Region (ICR) mice (n=10) by subcutaneous injection with 50μg of rproFgCatL1 and rmatFgCatL1 combined with Freund's adjuvant. Two weeks after the second boost, mice were infected with 15 metacercariae by the oral route. The level of protection of rproFgCatL1 and rmatFgCatL1 vaccines was estimated to be 39.1, 41.7% and 44.9, 47.2% when compared with non vaccinated-infected and adjuvant-infected controls, respectively. Antibodies in the immune sera of vaccinated mice were shown by immuno-blotting to react with the native FgCatL1 in the extract of newly excysted juveniles (NEJ), 4-week-old juveniles and the ES products of 4 week-old juveniles. By determining the levels of IgG1 and IgG2a in the immune sera, which are indicative of Th2 and Th1 immune response, respectively, it was found that both Th1 and Th2 responses were significantly increased in rproFgCatL1- and rmatFgCatL1-immunized groups compared with the control groups, with higher levels of Th2 (IgG1) than Th1 (IgG2a). The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in rmatFgCatL1-immunized group showed a significant decrease when compared to rproFgCatL1-immunized group, indicating that rmatFgCatL1-vaccinated mice had reduced liver parenchyma damage. The pathological lesions of liver in vaccinated groups were significantly decreased when compared with control groups. This study indicates that rFgCatL1 has a potential as a vaccine candidate against F. gigantica in mice, and this potential will be tested in ruminants.

Juvenile-specific cathepsin proteases in Fasciola spp.: their characteristics and vaccine efficacies

Fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is one of the most neglected tropical zoonotic diseases. One sustainable control strategy against these infections is the employment of vaccines that target proteins essential for parasites' invasion and nutrition acquiring processes. Cathepsin proteases are the most abundantly expressed proteins in Fasciola spp. that have been tested successfully as vaccines against fasciolosis in experimental as well as large animals because of their important roles in digestion of nutrients, invasion, and migration. Specifically, juvenile-specific cathepsin proteases are the more effective vaccines because they could block the invasion and migration of juvenile parasites whose immune evasion mechanism has not yet been fully developed. Moreover, because of high sequence similarity and identity of cathepsins from juveniles with those of adults, the vaccines can attack both the juvenile and adult stages. In this article, the characteristics and vaccine potentials of juvenile-specific cathepsins, i.e., cathepsins L and B, of Fasciola spp. were reviewed.

Cathepsin Gene Family Reveals Transcriptome Patterns Related to the Infective Stages of the Salmon Louse Caligus rogercresseyi

Cathepsins are proteases involved in the ability of parasites to overcome and/or modulate host defenses so as to complete their own lifecycle. However, the mechanisms underlying this ability of cathepsins are still poorly understood. One excellent model for identifying and exploring the molecular functions of cathepsins is the marine ectoparasitic copepod Caligus rogercresseyi that currently affects the Chilean salmon industry. Using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, 56 cathepsin-like sequences were found distributed in five cysteine protease groups (B, F, L, Z, and S) as well as in an aspartic protease group (D). Ontogenic transcriptome analysis evidenced that L cathepsins were the most abundant during the lifecycle, while cathepsins B and K were mostly expressed in the larval stages and adult females, thus suggesting participation in the molting processes and embryonic development, respectively. Interestingly, a variety of cathepsins from groups Z, L, D, B, K, and S were upregulated in the infective stage of copepodid, corroborating the complexity of the processes involved in the parasitic success of this copepod. Putative functional roles of cathepsins were conjectured based on the differential expressions found and on roles previously described in other phylogenetically related species. Moreover, 140 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified in transcripts annotated for cysteine and aspartic proteases located into untranslated regions, or the coding region. This study reports for the first time the presence of cathepsin-like genes and differential expressions throughout a copepod lifecycle. The identification of cathepsins together with functional validations represents a valuable strategy for pinpointing target molecules that could be used in the development of new delousing drugs or vaccines against C. rogercresseyi.

Protection against Fasciola gigantica infection in mice by vaccination with recombinant juvenile-specific cathepsin L

Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L1H (FgCatL1H) is one of the major cathepsin L released by juveniles of F. gigantica to aid in the invasion of host's tissues. Due to its high sequence similarity with other cathepsin L (CatL) isoforms of late stage F. gigantica, it was considered to be a good vaccine candidate that can block all CatL-mediated protease activities and affect juveniles as well as adult parasites. In this study, recombinant proFgCatL1H protein expressed in yeast, Pichia pastoris, system was mixed with Freund's adjuvants and used to subcutaneously immunize mice that were later challenged with metacercariae of F. gigantica. The percentage of worm protection in the rproFgCatL1H-vaccinated mice compared to the non-immunized and adjuvant control mice were approximately 62.7% and 66.1%, respectively. Anti-rproFgCatL1H antisera collected from vaccinated mice reacted specifically with rproFgCatL1H and other cathepsin L isoforms of F. gigantica, but the antibodies did not cross react with antigens from other trematode and nematode parasites, including Eurytrema pancreaticum, Opisthorchis viverrini, Fischoederius cobboldi, Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Gigantocotyle explanatum, Paramphistomum cervi, and Setaria labiato-papillosa. The levels of IgG1 and IgG2a in mouse sera increased significantly at two weeks after immunization and were highest during the sixth to eighth weeks after immunization. The IgG1 level was higher than IgG2a at all periods of immunization, implicating the dominance of the Th2 response. The levels of IgG1 and IgG2a in the immune sera were shown to be strongly correlated with the numbers of worm recovery, and the correlation coefficient was higher for IgG1. The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase were significantly lower in the sera of rproFgCatL1H-vaccinated mice than in the infected control mice indicating a lower degree of liver damage. This study demonstrated a high potential of FgCatL1H vaccine, and its efficacy is currently being studied in the larger economic animals.

Construction and evaluation of a chimeric protein made fromFasciola hepaticaleucine aminopeptidase and cathepsin L1

Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and cathepsin L1 (CL1) are important enzymes for the pathogenesis and physiology ofFasciola hepatica. These enzymes were analysedin silicoto design a chimeric protein containing the most antigenic sequences of LAP (GenBank; AAV59016.1; amino acids 192–281) and CL1 (GenBank CAC12806.1; amino acids 173–309). The cloned 681-bp chimeric fragment (rFhLAP-CL1) contains 270 bp from LAP and 411 bp from CL1, comprising three epitopes, DGRVVHLKY (amino acids 54–62) from LAP, VTGYYTVHSGSEVELKNLV (amino acids 119–137) and YQSQTCLPF (amino acids 161–169) from CL1. The ~25 kDa rFhLAP-CL1 chimeric protein was expressed from the pET15b plasmid in the Rosetta (DE3)Escherichia colistrain. The chimeric protein rFhLAP-CL1, which showed antigenic and immunogenic properties, was recognized in Western blot assays usingF. hepatica-positive bovine sera, and induced strong, specific antibody responses following immunization in rabbits. The newly generated chimeric protein may be used as a diagnostic tool for detection of antibodies againstF. hepaticain bovine sera and as an immunogen to induce protection against bovine fasciolosis.

Liver fluke vaccines in ruminants: strategies, progress and future opportunities

The development of a vaccine for Fasciola spp. in livestock is a challenge and would be advanced by harnessing our knowledge of acquired immune mechanisms expressed by resistant livestock against fluke infection. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity directed to the surface tegument of juvenile/immature flukes is a host immune effector mechanism, suggesting that antigens on the surface of young flukes may represent prime candidates for a fluke vaccine. A Type 1 immune response shortly after fluke infection is associated with resistance to infection in resistant sheep, indicating that vaccine formulations should attempt to induce Type 1 responses to enhance vaccine efficacy. In cattle or sheep, an optimal fluke vaccine would need to reduce mean fluke burdens in a herd below the threshold of 30-54 flukes to ensure sustainable production benefits. Fluke infection intensity data suggest that vaccine efficacy of approximately 80% is required to reduce fluke burdens below this threshold in most countries. With the increased global prevalence of triclabendazole-resistant Fasciolahepatica, it may be commercially feasible in the short term to introduce a fluke vaccine of reasonable efficacy that will provide economic benefits for producers in regions where chemical control of new drug-resistant fluke infections is not viable. Commercial partnerships will be needed to fast-track new candidate vaccines using acceptable adjuvants in relevant production animals, obviating the need to evaluate vaccine antigens in rodent models.

In vitro and in vivo studies for assessing the immune response and protection-inducing ability conferred by Fasciola hepatica-derived synthetic peptides containing B- and T-cell epitopes

Fasciolosis is considered the most widespread trematode disease affecting grazing animals around the world; it is currently recognised by the World Health Organisation as an emergent human pathogen. Triclabendazole is still the most effective drug against this disease; however, resistant strains have appeared and developing an effective vaccine against this disease has increasingly become a priority. Several bioinformatics tools were here used for predicting B- and T-cell epitopes according to the available data for Fasciola hepatica protein amino acid sequences. BALB/c mice were immunised with the synthetic peptides by using the ADAD vaccination system and several immune response parameters were measured (antibody titres, cytokine levels, T-cell populations) to evaluate their ability to elicit an immune response. Based on the immunogenicity results so obtained, seven peptides were selected to assess their protection-inducing ability against experimental infection with F. hepatica metacercariae. Twenty-four B- or T-epitope-containing peptides were predicted and chemically synthesised. Immunisation of mice with peptides so-called B1, B2, B5, B6, T14, T15 and T16 induced high levels of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a (p<0.05) and a mixed Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg immune response, according to IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17 and IL-10 levels, accompanied by increased CD62L+ T-cell populations. A high level of protection was obtained in mice vaccinated with peptides B2, B5, B6 and T15 formulated in the ADAD vaccination system with the AA0029 immunomodulator. The bioinformatics approach used in the present study led to the identification of seven peptides as vaccine candidates against the infection caused by Fasciola hepatica (a liver-fluke trematode). However, vaccine efficacy must be evaluated in other host species, including those having veterinary importance.

The Relevance of Structural Biology in Studying Molecules Involved in Parasite–Host Interactions: Potential for Designing New Interventions

New interventions against infectious diseases require a detailed knowledge and understanding of pathogen–host interactions and pathogeneses at the molecular level. The combination of the considerable advances in systems biology research with methods to explore the structural biology of molecules is poised to provide new insights into these areas. Importantly, exploring three-dimensional structures of proteins is central to understanding disease processes, and establishing structure–function relationships assists in identification and assessment of new drug and vaccine targets. Frequently, the molecular arsenal deployed by invading pathogens, and in particular parasites, reveals a common theme whereby families of proteins with conserved three-dimensional folds play crucial roles in infectious processes, but individual members of such families show high levels of specialisation, which is often achieved through grafting particular structural features onto the shared overall fold. Accordingly, the applicability of predictive methodologies based on the primary structure of proteins or genome annotations is limited, particularly when thorough knowledge of molecular-level mechanisms is required. Such instances exemplify the need for experimental three-dimensional structures provided by protein crystallography, which remain an essential component of this area of research. In the present article, we review two examples of key protein families recently investigated in our laboratories, which could represent intervention targets in the metabolome or secretome of parasites.

Immunodiagnosis as an aid for early detection of Fasciola gigantica by glutathione S-transferase (GST)

In the present study, effort to isolate purified GST from Fasciola gigantica homogenate and its early detection for confirmation of infection has been successful. In this study, immunoprotection studies with GST and antibody titer post-infection has revealed GST to be an immunogenic protein with high sensitivity to detect anti-Fasciola antibody as early as two weeks post-infection in large ruminants.