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Barrios AA, Mouhape C, Schreiber L, Zhang L, Nell J, Suárez-Martins M, Schlapp G, Meikle MN, Mulet AP, Hsu TL, Hsieh SL, Mourglia-Ettlin G, González C, Crispo M, Barth TFE, Casaravilla C, Jenkins SJ, Díaz Á. Mucins Shed from the Laminated Layer in Cystic Echinococcosis Are Captured by Kupffer Cells via the Lectin Receptor Clec4F. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0003123. [PMID: 37162364 PMCID: PMC10269144 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00031-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis is caused by the larval stages (hydatids) of cestode parasites belonging to the species cluster Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, with E. granulosus sensu stricto being the main infecting species. Hydatids are bladderlike structures that attain large sizes within various internal organs of livestock ungulates and humans. Hydatids are protected by the massive acellular laminated layer (LL), composed mainly of mucins. Parasite growth requires LL turnover, and abundant LL-derived particles are found at infection sites in infected humans, raising the question of how LL materials are dealt with by the hosts. In this article, we show that E. granulosus sensu stricto LL mucins injected into mice are taken up by Kupffer cells, the liver macrophages exposed to the vascular space. This uptake is largely dependent on the intact mucin glycans and on Clec4F, a C-type lectin receptor which, in rodents, is selectively expressed in Kupffer cells. This uptake mechanism operates on mucins injected both in soluble form intravenously (i.v.) and in particulate form intraperitoneally (i.p.). In mice harboring intraperitoneal infections by the same species, LL mucins were found essentially only at the infection site and in the liver, where they were taken up by Kupffer cells via Clec4F. Therefore, shed LL materials circulate in the host, and Kupffer cells can act as a sink for these materials, even when the parasite grows in sites other than the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabella A. Barrios
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Camila Mouhape
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Linyun Zhang
- Institute of Pathology, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Juliane Nell
- Institute of Pathology, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mariana Suárez-Martins
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Geraldine Schlapp
- Unidad de Biotecnología en Animales de Laboratorio, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Noel Meikle
- Unidad de Biotecnología en Animales de Laboratorio, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Paula Mulet
- Unidad de Biotecnología en Animales de Laboratorio, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Tsui-Ling Hsu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Gustavo Mourglia-Ettlin
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Martina Crispo
- Unidad de Biotecnología en Animales de Laboratorio, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Cecilia Casaravilla
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Stephen J. Jenkins
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Álvaro Díaz
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Díaz Á, Barrios AA, Grezzi L, Mouhape C, Jenkins SJ, Allen JE, Casaravilla C. Immunology of a unique biological structure: the Echinococcus laminated layer. Protein Cell 2023; 14:87-104. [PMID: 36929004 PMCID: PMC10019577 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The larval stages of the cestode parasites belonging to the genus Echinococcus grow within internal organs of humans and a range of animal species. The resulting diseases, collectively termed echinococcoses, include major neglected tropical diseases of humans and livestock. Echinococcus larvae are outwardly protected by the laminated layer (LL), an acellular structure that is unique to this genus. The LL is based on a fibrillar meshwork made up of mucins, which are decorated by galactose-rich O-glycans. In addition, in the species cluster termed E. granulosus sensu lato, the LL features nano-deposits of the calcium salt of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (Insp6). The main purpose of our article is to update the immunobiology of the LL. Major recent advances in this area are (i) the demonstration of LL "debris" at the infection site and draining lymph nodes, (ii) the characterization of the decoy activity of calcium Insp6 with respect to complement, (iii) the evidence that the LL mucin carbohydrates interact specifically with a lectin receptor expressed in Kupffer cells (Clec4F), and (iv) the characterization of what appear to be receptor-independent effects of LL particles on dendritic cells and macrophages. Much information is missing on the immunology of this intriguing structure: we discuss gaps in knowledge and propose possible avenues for research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anabella A Barrios
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Grezzi
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Camila Mouhape
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Stephen J Jenkins
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU, UK
| | - Judith E Allen
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9NQ, UK
| | - Cecilia Casaravilla
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) and Cátedra de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Shi C, Zhou X, Yang W, Wu J, Bai M, Zhang Y, Zhao W, Yang H, Nagai A, Yin M, Gao X, Ding S, Zhao J. Proteomic Analysis of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles From Mice With Echinococcus granulosus at Different Infection Stages and Their Immunomodulatory Functions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:805010. [PMID: 35360110 PMCID: PMC8960237 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.805010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The globally distributed cystic echinococcosis (CE) is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus), a cosmopolitan and zoonotic disease with potentially life-threatening complications in humans. The emerging roles for extracellular vesicles (EVs) in parasitic infection include transferring proteins and modifying host cell gene expression to modulate host immune responses. Few studies focused on the host-derived EVs and its protein profiles. We focused on the EVs from mouse infected with E. granulosus at different stages. ExoQuick kit was used for isolating EVs from mouse plasma and ExoEasy Maxi kit was used for isolating protoscolex culture supernatant (PCS) and hydatid cyst fluid (HCF). Firstly, EVs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and immunoblot. Secondly, the proteins of plasma EVs were identified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The resulting LC–MS/MS data were processed using Maxquant search engine (v 1.5.2.8). Tandem mass spectra were researched against the mice and E. granulosus proteins database in the NCBI. The differentially expressed proteins are performed by proteomic label-free quantitative analysis and bioinformatics. Thirdly, in vitro experiment, the results of co-culture of plasma EVs and spleen mononuclear cells showed that 7W-EVs can increase the relative abundance of regulatory T (Treg) cells and IL-10. We further verified that EVs can be internalized by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). These results implied host-derived EVs are multidirectional immune modulators. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of the role of host-derived EVs which are the optimal vehicle to transfer important cargo into host immune system. In addition, we have found several important proteins associated with E. granulosus and identified in infected mouse plasma at different stages. Furthermore, our study further highlighted the proteomics and immunological function of EVs from mouse infected with E. granulosus protoscoleces at different infection stages. We have laid a solid foundation for the role of EVs in cystic echinococcosis in the future research and supplemented a unique dataset for this E. granulosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Shi
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Centre for Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhou
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Department of Neurology, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo, Japan
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jianwen Wu
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Min Bai
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Research Center for Medical Science and Technology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Institute of Medical Science, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Research Center for Medical Science and Technology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Institute of Medical Science, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China
| | - Atsushi Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo, Japan
| | - Mei Yin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiaoping Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Shuqin Ding
- Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- *Correspondence: Jiaqing Zhao, ; Shuqin Ding,
| | - Jiaqing Zhao
- School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Research Center for Medical Science and Technology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Institute of Medical Science, Yinchuan, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Common Infectious Diseases, Yinchuan, China
- *Correspondence: Jiaqing Zhao, ; Shuqin Ding,
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Grüner B, Peters L, Hillenbrand A, Voßberg P, Schweiker J, Rollmann EG, Rodriguez LH, Blumhardt J, Burkert S, Kern P, Köhler C, Soboslay PT. Echinococcus multilocularis specific antibody, systemic cytokine, and chemokine levels, as well as antigen-specific cellular responses in patients with progressive, stable, and cured alveolar echinococcosis: A 10-year follow-up. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010099. [PMID: 35108275 PMCID: PMC8809567 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis larvae may persist in humans for up to decades without evident clinical symptoms. Longitudinal investigations are needed to understand the dynamic immunological processes in alveolar echinococcosis (AE) patients associated with an active and progressive, a stable or a regressive course of disease. Methodology/Principal findings This study evaluated the E. multilocularis specific antibody responses, systemic cytokine, and chemokine serum levels over a 10-year follow-up period, as well as cellular responsiveness in AE patients. Our results demonstrate a rapid decrease in antibodies against E. multilocularis specific antigen Em2+. Especially in cured patients, these antibodies remained negative, making them a significant predictor for cured AE. E. multilocularis specific IgG4, and indirect hemagglutination IHA decreased later in time, after around 5 years. While total IgE did not show significant dynamics over the course of disease, E. multilocularis specific IgE decreased after one to two years, and increasing levels were a significant predictor of progressive disease. There was no significant change in systemic IL-8, IL-9, CCL18 or CCL20 serum levels over time. Univariate analysis across groups indicated lower IL-8 levels in cured patients; however, this result could not be confirmed by multivariate analysis. Levels of CCL17 decreased during treatment, especially in cured patients, and thus might serve as a predictive or risk factor for progressive disease. Levels of IL-10 and CCL13 decreased during disease, especially after five and ten years of intervention. The E. multilocularis antigen (EmAg) inducible cellular productions of MCP1(CCL13), TARC(CCL17) and PARC(CCL18) were lowest in patients with cured AE and infection-free controls, while the EmAg inducible cellular production of IFN-γ increased after cure. Significant positive cytokine and chemokine correlations were observed in AE patients for IL-9, IL-10, CCL13(MCP-4), CCL17(TARC) and CCL20(LARC)(for all p<0.001). E. multilocularis specific IgG4 response correlated positively with TARC (p<0.001). Both markers enhanced over time in progressive disease and decreased after cure. The levels of IL-8, IL-10, MCP4 and LARC enhanced with AE regression. Conclusions/Significance Repeated biomarker surveys are advisable to evaluate progression or regression of disease during longitudinal follow-up and such analyses can support imaging techniques and improve staging of AE patients. Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, the fox tapeworm. Humans exposed to E. multilocularis may develop severe AE with progressive tissue and organ infiltrating growth of the larval stage. The E. multilocularis larvae appear to have developed effective immune evasion mechanisms which facilitate an asymptomatic incubation and an extended host and parasite coexistence for decades. Over a 10-year follow-up, this investigation aimed to gain a better understanding of the immunological process associated with an active and progressive, a stable or a regressive course of AE. In summary, the rapid decrease of antibodies against the E. multilocularis specific antigen Em2+, especially in cured patients, makes them a significant predictor for cured AE. The positive relation of E. multilocularis specific IgG4 responses and chemokine levels of TARC can indicate AE progression when both enhance over time. Enhanced levels of cytokines IL-8, IL-10, and chemokines MCP4 and LARC may predict AE regression. Repeated biomarker surveys are advisable to evaluate progression or regression of AE during longitudinal follow up, and such analyses can support imaging techniques and improve staging of AE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Grüner
- University Hospital of Ulm, Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Infectious Diseases, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lynn Peters
- University Hospital of Ulm, Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Infectious Diseases, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andreas Hillenbrand
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick Voßberg
- University Clinics Tübingen, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Schweiker
- University Clinics Tübingen, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth G. Rollmann
- University Clinics Tübingen, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura H. Rodriguez
- University Clinics Tübingen, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jasmin Blumhardt
- University Clinics Tübingen, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sanne Burkert
- University Hospital of Ulm, Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Infectious Diseases, Ulm, Germany
| | - Peter Kern
- University Hospital of Ulm, Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Infectious Diseases, Ulm, Germany
| | - Carsten Köhler
- University Clinics Tübingen, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter T. Soboslay
- University Clinics Tübingen, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Liu C, Bi X, Fan H, Ma L, Ge RL. Microcyst fluid promotes the migration and invasion of fibroblasts in the adventitial layer of alveolar echinococcosis. Acta Trop 2021; 223:106084. [PMID: 34389327 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis), characterized by lesions composed of an aggregate of microcysts embedded in a granulomatous host's reaction. The periphery of parasite granulomas often additionally displays fibrotic reactions of varying intensity, in which E. multilocularis microenvironment fibroblasts (EMFs) laid down collagen. However, the regulation of EMFs by the infiltration of E. multilocularis microcyst fluid (MF) into granulomas remains poorly defined. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MF on migration and invasion of primary isolated EMFs cells. A mouse model of secondary infection with AE was established, and the model construction was evaluated by HE staining. EMFs were cultured in primary by tissue block adherency method. The isolated cells were identified by qPCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot. Then CCK-8 assay, cell migration/invasion assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect the effects of MF on the proliferation, migration, invasion and cell cycle of EMFs, respectively. The expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 at mRNA and protein levels in EMFs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The effect of PI3K-Akt signal transduction pathway on regulating the expression of MMPs expression was assessed by Western blot. As indicated from the results, EMFs were successfully isolated from the E. multilocularis microenvironment and identified as myofibroblasts. MF significantly facilitated the proliferation and cell cycle progression of EMFs. In addition, MF significantly improved the migration and invasion of EMFs. MF was further confirmed to up-regulate mRNA and protein expressions of MMP2 and MMP9 in EMFs, which was related to the activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The present study demonstrates that MF can promote the migration and invasion of EMFs cells significantly, which might be via activating PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
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Mačák Kubašková T, Mudroňová D, Velebný S, Hrčková G. The utilisation of human dialyzable leukocyte extract (IMMODIN) as adjuvant in albendazole therapy on mouse model of larval cestode infection: Immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects. Int Immunopharmacol 2018; 65:148-158. [PMID: 30316073 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.09.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Metacestode (larval) stages of zoonotic cestodes of medical and veterinary importance cause chronic infections associated with immunosuppression. During mouse model of cestode infection induced by larvae of Mesocestoides (M.) vogae, we investigated the effects of dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE) containing low-molecular weight substances (under 10 kDa) prepared from peripheral blood leukocytes of healthy human donors (available under commercial name IMMODIN). In the experiment, the effects of DLE as adjuvant to anthelmintic albendazole (ABZ) as well ABZ mono-therapy were also investigated. We showed that DLE enhanced therapeutic effect of ABZ by significant reduction of parasites number in both biased sites. Furthermore, administration of DLE reduced fibrosis and concentrations of lipid peroxides in the liver and thereby showed cytoprotective effect. In contrast, higher hydroxyproline level and numbers of larvae enclosed in fibrous capsules were found in ABZ-treated group. In order to investigate whether DLE could affect parasite-induced immunosuppression, we evaluated selected immune parameters. The results showed that DLE administration to mice increased proliferation of concanavalin A stimulated splenic cells ex vivo. Similarly, in vitro study confirmed that DLE ameliorated hypo-responsiveness of T lymphocytes and partially reverted suppressive effect of parasites excretory-secretory products. In addition, flow cytometric analysis revealed higher numbers of T helper and NK cells in the spleen and peritoneal cavity of infected mice after DLE + ABZ therapy. We also found strongly reduced serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-17 as well as modulation of cytokines associated with Th1/Th2 immunity. These results suggest that IMMODIN could serve as a suitable adjuvant to the primary anthelmintic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terézia Mačák Kubašková
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 04001 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Dagmar Mudroňová
- The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Samuel Velebný
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 04001 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Gabriela Hrčková
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 04001 Košice, Slovak Republic; IMUNA PHARM, a.s., Jarková 269/17, Šarišské Michaľany, Slovak Republic.
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Extracellular vesicles as a target for the development of anti-helminth vaccines. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:659-665. [PMID: 33525849 DOI: 10.1042/etls20170095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
There is a rapidly growing body of evidence that production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a universal feature of cellular life. More recently, EVs have been identified in a broad range of both unicellular and multicellular parasites where they play roles in parasite-parasite intercommunication as well as parasite-host interactions. Parasitic helminth-derived EVs traverse host target cell membranes whereupon they offload their molecular cargo - proteins, lipids, and genetic information such as mRNAs and miRNAs - which are thought to hijack the target cell and modulate its gene expression to promote parasite survival. As such, EVs represent a novel mechanism of intercellular communication that could be targeted for vaccine-mediated interruption, given the abundance of surface antigens expressed on helminth EVs, and the ability of antibodies to block their uptake by target cells. In this Perspective article, we review recent developments in the field of helminth-derived EVs and highlight their roles in helminth vaccine discovery and development.
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8
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Ahn CS, Kim JG, Han X, Kang I, Kong Y. Comparison of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus hydatid fluid proteome provides molecular strategies for specialized host-parasite interactions. Oncotarget 2017; 8:97009-97024. [PMID: 29228589 PMCID: PMC5722541 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alveolar and cystic echinococcoses, caused by the metacestodes of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus, are prevalent in several regions and invoke deleterious zoonotic helminthiases. Hydatid fluid (HF), which contains proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous secretions of the parasite- and host-derived components, critically affects the host-parasite interplay and disease progression. We conducted HF proteome profiling of fully mature E. multilocularis vesicle (nine months postinfection) and E. granulosus cyst (stage 2). We identified 120 and 153 proteins, respectively, in each fluid. Fifty-six and 84 proteins represented distinct species; 44 and 66 were parasites, and 12 and 18 were host-derived proteins. The five major parasite protein populations, which included antigen B isoforms, metabolic enzymes, proteases and inhibitors, extracellular matrix molecules (ECMs), and developmental proteins, were abundantly distributed in both fluids and also exclusively in one sample or the other. Carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes were enriched in E. granulosus HF. In the E. multilocularis HF, proteins that constitute ECMs, which might facilitate adhesion and cytogenesis, were highly expressed. Those molecules had physical and functional relationships along with their biochemical properties through protein-protein interaction networks. Twelve host-derived proteins were largely segregated to serum components. The major proteins commonly and uniquely detected in these HFs and their symbiotic interactome relationships might reflect their biological roles in similar but distinct modes of maturation, invasion, and the longevity of the parasites in the hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Seob Ahn
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jeong-Geun Kim
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Xiumin Han
- Qinghai Province Institute for Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Xining, China.,Clinical Research Institute for Hydatid Disease, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Insug Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon Kong
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
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Valot B, Rognon B, Prenel A, Baraquin A, Knapp J, Anelli M, Richou C, Bresson-Hadni S, Grenouillet F, Wang J, Vuitton DA, Gottstein B, Millon L. Screening of antigenic vesicular fluid proteins of Echinococcus multilocularis as potential viability biomarkers to monitor drug response in alveolar echinococcosis patients. Proteomics Clin Appl 2017; 11. [PMID: 28697272 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201700010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The only drugs available to treat alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are mostly parasitostatic and in many cases prescribed for life. Decision criteria for discontinuation rely on the absence of parasitic viability. The aim of the present study is to search for candidate proteins that may exhibit good potential as biomarkers for viability. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Sixteen serum samples (five healthy controls, 11 patients with AE), are used. AE-patients are classified into three groups "Cured" (n = 2), "ABZ-responders" (n = 4) and "ABZ-nonresponders" (n = 5). Immunoreactive proteins from vesicular fluid (VF) are identified and quantified by LC-MS/MS analysis after immunoprecipitation (IP) using all 16 serum samples. RESULTS Shotgun analysis of VF lead to the identification of 107 E. multilocularis proteins. Comparative proteomics reveal nine proteins more abundant in IP eluates from ABZ-nonresponder patients (cathepsin b, prosaposin a preprotein, actin modulator protein, fucosidase alpha L1 tissue, gluthatione-S-tranferase, beta galactosidase, elongation factor 2, H17g protein tegumental antigen, and NiemannPick C2 protein). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Detection of antibodies against these proteins by ELISA could be helpful to monitor the course of alveolar echinococcosis under albendazole (ABZ) treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Valot
- UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Bénédicte Rognon
- UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.,Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Anais Prenel
- UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Alice Baraquin
- UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Jenny Knapp
- UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.,Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Mathilde Anelli
- UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Carine Richou
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Treatment of Echinococcosis, and French National Reference Centre for Alveolar Echinococcosis, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France.,Hepatology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Solange Bresson-Hadni
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Treatment of Echinococcosis, and French National Reference Centre for Alveolar Echinococcosis, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Frederic Grenouillet
- UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.,Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Junhua Wang
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Angèle Vuitton
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Treatment of Echinococcosis, and French National Reference Centre for Alveolar Echinococcosis, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Bruno Gottstein
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Millon
- UMR/CNRS 6249 Chrono-Environnement, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.,Parasitology-Mycology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
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10
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Laboratory Diagnosis of Echinococcus spp. in Human Patients and Infected Animals. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2017; 96:159-257. [PMID: 28212789 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Among the species composing the genus Echinococcus, four species are of human clinical interest. The most prevalent species are Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis, followed by Echinococcus vogeli and Echinococcus oligarthrus. The first two species cause cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) respectively. Both diseases have a complex clinical management, in which laboratory diagnosis could be an adjunctive to the imaging techniques. To date, several approaches have been described for the laboratory diagnosis and followup of CE and AE, including antibody, antigen and cytokine detection. All of these approaches are far from being optimal as adjunctive diagnosis particularly for CE, since they do not reach enough sensitivity and/or specificity. A combination of several methods (e.g., antibody and antigen detection) or of several (recombinant) antigens could improve the performance of the adjunctive laboratory methods, although the complexity of echinococcosis and heterogeneity of clinical cases make necessary a deep understanding of the host-parasite relationships and the parasite phenotype at different developmental stages to reach the best diagnostic tool and to make it accepted in clinical practice. Standardization approaches and a deep understanding of the performance of each of the available antigens in the diagnosis of echinococcosis for the different clinical pictures are also needed. The detection of the parasite in definitive hosts is also reviewed in this chapter. Finally, the different methods for the detection of parasite DNA in different analytes and matrices are also reviewed.
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11
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Wang J, Gottstein B. Immunoregulation in larval Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:182-92. [PMID: 26536823 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a clinically very severe zoonotic helminthic disease, characterized by a chronic progressive hepatic damage caused by the continuous proliferation of the larval stage (metacestode) of Echinococcus multilocularis. The proliferative potential of the parasite metacestode tissue is dependent on the nature/function of the periparasitic immune-mediated processes of the host. Immune tolerance and/or down-regulation of immunity are a marked characteristic increasingly observed when disease develops towards its chronic (late) stage of infection. In this context, explorative studies have clearly shown that T regulatory (Treg) cells play an important role in modulating and orchestrating inflammatory/immune reactions in AE, yielding a largely Th2-biased response, and finally allowing thus long-term parasite survival, proliferation and maturation. AE is fatal if not treated appropriately, but the current benzimidazole chemotherapy is far from optimal, and novel options for control are needed. Future research should focus on the elucidation of the crucial immunological events that lead to anergy in AE, and focus on providing a scientific basis for the development of novel and more effective immunotherapeutical options to support cure AE by abrogating anergy, anticipating also that a combination of immuno- and chemotherapy could provide a synergistic therapeutical effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wang
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - B Gottstein
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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12
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Abstract
Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis are severe chronic helminthic diseases caused by the cystic growth or the intrahepatic tumour-like growth of the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus or Echinococcus multilocularis, respectively. Both parasites have evolved sophisticated strategies to escape host immune responses, mainly by manipulating and directing this immune response towards anergy and/or tolerance. Recent research studies have revealed a number of respective immunoregulatory mechanisms related to macrophages and dendritic cell as well as T cell activities (regulatory T cells, Tregs). A better understanding of this complex parasite-host relationship, and the elucidation of specific crucial events that lead to disease, represents targets towards the development of novel treatment strategies and options.
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13
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Wang S, Wei W, Cai X. Genome-wide analysis of excretory/secretory proteins in Echinococcus multilocularis: insights into functional characteristics of the tapeworm secretome. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:666. [PMID: 26715441 PMCID: PMC4696181 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cestode Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE). However, this life-threatening disease is still difficult to treat and control, due to the lack of efficient drugs and vaccines. Excretory/secretory (ES) proteins are crucial for parasite survival and represent potential preferred targets for novel intervention strategies. However, the ES protein features in this parasite have been poorly investigated until now. The current study was carried out to identify and characterise a repertoire of ES proteins in E. multilocularis at the genome-wide level. Methods Here we predicted and functionally annotated the classical and non-classical ES proteins, and comprehensively compared the features and evolution of ES and non-ES proteins in E. multilocularis genome using an integration of bioinformatics tools. The intervention target and antigen potentials as well as the transcription information were also investigated. Results Computational analysis of the E. multilocularis proteins identified 673 putative ES proteins (6.4 %), of which 617 (91.68 %) could be supported by transcription analyses. The predicted ES proteins in E. multilocularis were mostly represented by molecular functions of protease inhibitors, proteases, glycoside hydrolases, immunoglobulin-like folds and growth factors. Analysis of the ratio between synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates (dN/dS) revealed no significant difference of the evolution selection pressure on ES and non-ES protein coding genes. ES proteins showed higher antigenic density measured by AAR values as compared with the transmembrane proteins but had no significant difference of that feature with intracellular proteins. Additionally, 383 possible ideal drug targets were identified in ES proteins, of which four proteins have corresponding known drugs. Conclusions The present study is the first to identify a repertoire of predicted ES proteins at the genome-wide level in E. multilocularis. The comprehensive analysis provides some novel understanding of the parasite ES protein features and a valuable resource of potential targets for future experimental studies to develop new intervention tools against this parasite. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1282-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China.
| | - Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China.
| | - Xuepeng Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China.
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14
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Díaz Á, Fernández C, Pittini Á, Seoane PI, Allen JE, Casaravilla C. The laminated layer: Recent advances and insights into Echinococcus biology and evolution. Exp Parasitol 2015; 158:23-30. [PMID: 25816974 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The laminated layer is the unique mucin-based extracellular matrix that protects Echinococcus larvae, and thus to an important extent, shapes host-parasite relationships in the larval echinococcoses. In 2011, we published twin reviews summarizing what was known about this structure. Since then, important advances have been made. Complete genomes and some RNAseq data are now available for E. multilocularis and E. granulosus, leading to the inference that the E. multilocularis LL is probably formed by a single type of mucin backbone, while a second apomucin subfamily additionally contributes to the E. granulosus LL. Previously suspected differences between E. granulosus and E. multilocularis in mucin glycan size have been confirmed and pinned down to the virtual absence of Galβ1-3 chains in E. multilocularis. The LL carbohydrates from both species have been found to interact selectively with the Kupffer cell receptor expressed in rodent liver macrophages, highlighting the ancestral adaptations to rodents as intermediate hosts and to the liver as infection site. Finally, LL particles have been shown to possess carbohydrate-independent mechanisms profoundly conditioning non-liver-specific dendritic cells and macrophages. These advances are discussed in an integrated way, and in the context of the newly determined phylogeny of Echinococcus and its taenid relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Díaz
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) e Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Cecilia Fernández
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) e Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Álvaro Pittini
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) e Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula I Seoane
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) e Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Judith E Allen
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cecilia Casaravilla
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) e Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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15
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Vendelova E, Lutz MB, Hrčková G. Immunity and immune modulation elicited by the larval cestode Mesocestoides vogae and its products. Parasite Immunol 2015. [PMID: 26218296 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Larval cestodes (metacestodes) induce long-lasting infections leading to considerable pathology in humans and livestock. Their survival is typically associated with Th2-biased immune responses and immunosuppressive effects and depends on the parasite's ability to excrete/secrete antigens with immunoregulatory properties. Here, Mesocestoides vogae, a natural parasite of mice, is proposed as a new model species for the identification and characterization of cestode-derived immunomodulatory factors. We followed the kinetics of immune parameters after infection with M. vogae or exposure to their excretory/secretory (ES) products in a permissive strain of mice. Besides, a dominant IL-10 production and accumulation of macrophages and eosinophils expressing mRNA for Fizz-1, YM1 and Arg-1, mice showed minimal IFN-γ and transient IL-4 production at early time points with a complete loss at later stages of infection. We found that serum-free ES products without host contamination directly induced M2 macrophages and suppressed IFN-γ production in vivo and in vitro. This study highlights the use of the M. vogae as a cestode infection model and its ES products as a valuable tool for the identification of new therapeutic targets for the control of larval cestodiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Vendelova
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - M B Lutz
- Institute of Virology and Immunobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - G Hrčková
- Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
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16
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Boubaker G, Hemphill A, Huber CO, Spiliotis M, Babba H, Gottstein B. Prevention and Immunotherapy of Secondary Murine Alveolar Echinococcosis Employing Recombinant EmP29 Antigen. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003795. [PMID: 26053794 PMCID: PMC4460070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by infection with the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. An increasing understanding of immunological events that account for the metacestode survival in human and murine AE infection prompted us to undertake explorative experiments tackling the potential of novel preventive and/or immunotherapeutic measures. In this study, the immunoprotective and immunotherapeutic ability of recombinant EmP29 antigen (rEmP29) was assessed in mice that were intraperitoneally infected with E. multilocularis metacestodes. For vaccination, three intraperitoneal injections with 20μg rEmP29 emulsified in saponin adjuvants were applied over 6 weeks. 2 weeks after the last boost, mice were infected, and at 90 days post-infection, rEmP29-vaccinated mice exhibited a median parasite weight that was reduced by 75% and 59% when compared to NaCl- or saponin–treated control mice, respectively. For immunotherapeutical application, the rEmP29 (20μg) vaccine was administered to experimentally infected mice, starting at 1 month post-infection, three times with 2 weeks intervals. Mice undergoing rEmP29 immunotherapy exhibited a median parasite load that was reduced by 53% and 49% when compared to NaCl- and saponin–treated control mice, respectively. Upon analysis of spleen cells, both, vaccination and treatment with rEmP29, resulted in low ratios of Th2/Th1 (IL-4/IFN-γ) cytokine mRNA and low levels of mRNA coding for IL-10 and IL-2. These results suggest that reduction of the immunosuppressive environment takes place in vaccinated as well as immunotreated mice, and a shift towards a Th1 type of immune response may be responsible for the observed increased restriction of parasite growth. The present study provides the first evidence that active immunotherapy may present a sustainable route for the control of AE. Current medical management of AE that relies on surgery and continuous benzimidazole administration is of limited effectiveness. Therefore, alternative preventive and therapeutic tools need to be explored. Here, we demonstrate that vaccination with recombinant antigen EmP29 (rEmP29), prior or after secondary infection of BALB/c mice, resulted in a significant reduction of the median parasite weight when compared to different control groups. We then characterized the transcription level of splenic IL-4 and IFN-γ cytokines as hallmarks for AE-anti-protective humoral immune reaction (Th2) and for AE-effective (restrictive) cellular response (Th1), respectively. Results revealed that vaccinated mice in pre- or post-infection situation exhibited the lowest IL-4/IFN-γ mRNA ratios. In addition, those groups showed also significantly low levels of IL-10-encoding mRNA coding (immunosuppressive cytokine), as well as IL-2. These findings suggest that reduction of parasite load in rEmP29-vaccinated mice (in pre- or post-infection status) might be triggered by a decline of the immunosuppressive environment and a change of the host immune reaction towards a Th1-re-oriented cell-mediated immune defense. A similar non-specific effect appears also to be yielded by the immunostimulating adjuvants. This study provides the first insight into the potential benefits of antigen-specific immunotherapy as new treatment option of AE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Biology B, Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology–Mycology (LR12ES08), University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Markus Spiliotis
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Biology B, Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Parasitology–Mycology (LR12ES08), University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Bruno Gottstein
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Deletion of Fibrinogen-like Protein 2 (FGL-2), a Novel CD4+ CD25+ Treg Effector Molecule, Leads to Improved Control of Echinococcus multilocularis Infection in Mice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003755. [PMID: 25955764 PMCID: PMC4425495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The growth potential of the tumor-like Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode (causing alveolar echinococcosis, AE) is directly linked to the nature/function of the periparasitic host immune-mediated processes. We previously showed that Fibrinogen-like-protein 2 (FGL2), a novel CD4+CD25+ Treg effector molecule, was over-expressed in the liver of mice experimentally infected with E. multilocularis. However, little is known about its contribution to the control of this chronic helminth infection. Methods/Findings Key parameters for infection outcome in E. multilocularis-infected fgl2-/- (AE-fgl2-/-) and wild type (AE-WT) mice at 1 and 4 month(s) post-infection were (i) parasite load (i. e. wet weight of parasitic metacestode tissue), and (ii) parasite cell proliferation as assessed by determining E. multilocularis 14-3-3 gene expression levels. Serum FGL2 levels were measured by ELISA. Spleen cells cultured with ConA for 48h or with E. multilocularis Vesicle Fluid (VF) for 96h were analyzed ex-vivo and in-vitro. In addition, spleen cells from non-infected WT mice were cultured with rFGL2/anti-FGL2 or rIL-17A/anti-IL-17A for further functional studies. For Treg-immune-suppression-assays, purified CD4+CD25+ Treg suspensions were incubated with CD4+ effector T cells in the presence of ConA and irradiated spleen cells as APCs. Flow cytometry and qRT-PCR were used to assess Treg, Th17-, Th1-, Th2-type immune responses and maturation of dendritic cells. We showed that AE-fgl2-/- mice exhibited (as compared to AE-WT-animals) (a) a significantly lower parasite load with reduced proliferation activity, (b) an increased T cell proliferative response to ConA, (c) reduced Treg numbers and function, and (d) a persistent capacity of Th1 polarization and DC maturation. Conclusions FGL2 appears as one of the key players in immune regulatory processes favoring metacestode survival by promoting Treg cell activity and IL-17A production that contributes to FGL2-regulation. Prospectively, targeting FGL2 could be an option to develop an immunotherapy against AE and other chronic parasitic diseases. In larval E. multilocularis infection causing alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in humans as well as mice, immune tolerance and/or down-regulation of protective immunity is a marked characteristic of this chronic disease. Our study provides a comprehensive evidence for a major involvement of the recently identified CD4+ CD25+ Regulatory T Cell Effector Molecule FGL2 to the outcome of AE. Our major findings are as follows: 1) FGL2 is mostly secreted by Tregs and partly contributes to their functions; 2) FGL2 can down-regulate the maturation of DCs, suppress Th1 and Th17 immune responses, and support Th2 and Treg immune responses, and finally 3) IL-17A contributes to FGL2 secretion. Based on the present findings in mice, we will investigate FGL2 as a potential marker of progression of AE in human patients, or as a potential immunotherapeutical target. Early prediction of parasite regression (currently not yet possible) would allow clinicians to plan for withdrawing benzimidazole treatment, which is currently administered for life. Then, FGL2 should be investigated as a target for an anticipated immunomodulatory treatment of patients with progressive AE, especially of those who are non- or low-responders to benzimidazole treatment, or who suffer from side-effects due to chemotherapy.
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In vitro induction of lymph node cell proliferation by mouse bone marrow dendritic cells following stimulation with different Echinococcus multilocularis antigens. J Helminthol 2014; 85:128-37. [PMID: 21226990 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x10000878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The immune response of mice experimentally infected with Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes becomes impaired so as to allow parasite survival and proliferation. Our study tackled the question on how different classes of E. multilocularis antigens (crude vesicular fluid (VF); purified proteinic rec-14-3-3; purified carbohydrate Em2(G11)) are involved in the maturation process of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and subsequent exposure to lymph node (LN) cells. In our experiments, we used BMDCs cultivated from either naïve (control) or alveolar echinococcosis (AE)-infected C57BL/6 mice. We then tested surface markers (CD80, CD86, MHC class II) and cytokine expression levels (interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12p40 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α) of non-stimulated BMDCs versus BMDCs stimulated with different Em-antigens or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). While LPS and rec-14-3-3-antigen were able to induce CD80, CD86 and (to a lower extent) MHC class II surface expression, Em2(G11) and, strikingly, also VF-antigen failed to do so. Similarly, LPS and rec-14-3-3 yielded elevated IL-12, TNF-α and IL-10 expression levels, while Em2(G11) and VF-antigen didn't. When naïve BMDCs were loaded with VF-antigen, they induced a strong non-specific proliferation of uncommitted LN cells. For both, BMDCs or LN cells, isolated from AE-infected mice, proliferation was abrogated. The most striking difference, revealed by comparing naïve with AE-BMDCs, was the complete inability of LPS-stimulated AE-BMDCs to activate lymphocytes from any LN cell group. Overall, the presenting activity of BMDCs from AE-infected mice seemed to trigger unresponsiveness in T cells, especially in the case of VF-antigen stimulation, thus contributing to the suppression of clonal expansion during the chronic phase of AE infection.
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Montaner S, Galiano A, Trelis M, Martin-Jaular L, Del Portillo HA, Bernal D, Marcilla A. The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Modulating the Host Immune Response during Parasitic Infections. Front Immunol 2014; 5:433. [PMID: 25250031 PMCID: PMC4157553 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites are the cause of major diseases affecting billions of people. As the inflictions caused by these parasites affect mainly developing countries, they are considered as neglected diseases. These parasitic infections are often chronic and lead to significant immunomodulation of the host immune response by the parasite, which could benefit both the parasite and the host and are the result of millions of years of co-evolution. The description of parasite extracellular vesicles (EVs) in protozoa and helminths suggests that they may play an important role in host-parasite communication. In this review, recent studies on parasitic (protozoa and helminths) EVs are presented and their potential use as novel therapeutical approaches is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Montaner
- Àrea de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular i Parasitologia, Universitat de València , Burjassot , Spain
| | - Alicia Galiano
- Àrea de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular i Parasitologia, Universitat de València , Burjassot , Spain
| | - María Trelis
- Àrea de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular i Parasitologia, Universitat de València , Burjassot , Spain
| | - Lorena Martin-Jaular
- Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona) , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Hernando A Del Portillo
- Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona) , Barcelona , Spain ; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Dolores Bernal
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de València , Burjassot , Spain
| | - Antonio Marcilla
- Àrea de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular i Parasitologia, Universitat de València , Burjassot , Spain
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Barteneva NS, Maltsev N, Vorobjev IA. Microvesicles and intercellular communication in the context of parasitism. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2013; 3:49. [PMID: 24032108 PMCID: PMC3764926 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a rapidly growing body of evidence that production of microvesicles (MVs) is a universal feature of cellular life. MVs can incorporate microRNA (miRNA), mRNA, mtDNA, DNA and retrotransposons, camouflage viruses/viral components from immune surveillance, and transfer cargo between cells. These properties make MVs an essential player in intercellular communication. Increasing evidence supports the notion that MVs can also act as long-distance vehicles for RNA molecules and participate in metabolic synchronization and reprogramming eukaryotic cells including stem and germinal cells. MV ability to carry on DNA and their general distribution makes them attractive candidates for horizontal gene transfer, particularly between multi-cellular organisms and their parasites; this suggests important implications for the co-evolution of parasites and their hosts. In this review, we provide current understanding of the roles played by MVs in intracellular pathogens and parasitic infections. We also discuss the possible role of MVs in co-infection and host shifting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha S Barteneva
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Natasha.Barteneva@ childrens.harvard.edu
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Zheng Y. Strategies of Echinococcus species responses to immune attacks: implications for therapeutic tool development. Int Immunopharmacol 2013; 17:495-501. [PMID: 23973651 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2013.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Echinococcus species have been studied as a model to investigate parasite-host interactions. Echinococcus spp. can actively communicate dynamically with a host to facilitate infection, growth and proliferation partially via secretion of molecules, especially in terms of harmonization of host immune attacks. This review systematically outlines our current knowledge of how the Echinococcus species have evolved to adapt to their host's microenvironment. This understanding of parasite-host interplay has implications in profound appreciation of parasite plasticity and is informative in designing novel and effective tools including vaccines and drugs for the treatment of echinococcosis and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Lanzhou, Gansu, China; Key Lab of New Animal Drug Project, Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAAS, Lanzhou, Gansu, China; Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAAS, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
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Lin G, Todeschini AR, Koizumi A, Neves JL, González H, Dematteis S, Hada N, Previato JO, Ferreira F, Mendonça-Previato L, Díaz A. Further structural characterization of the Echinococcus granulosus laminated layer carbohydrates: The blood-antigen P1-motif gives rise to branches at different points of the O-glycan chains. Glycobiology 2012; 23:438-52. [DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cws220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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23
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MOURGLIA-ETTLIN G, AMEZCUA-VESELY MC, FRAGA R, BAZ A, MERINO MC, GRUPPI A, DEMATTEIS S. Echinococcus granulosus glycoconjugates induce peritoneal B cell differentiation into antibody-secreting cells and cytokine production. Parasite Immunol 2011; 33:621-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2011.01326.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Díaz A, Casaravilla C, Allen JE, Sim RB, Ferreira AM. Understanding the laminated layer of larval Echinococcus II: immunology. Trends Parasitol 2011; 27:264-73. [PMID: 21376669 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2011.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 01/27/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The laminated layer (LL) is the massive carbohydrate-rich structure that protects Echinococcus larvae, which cause cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease) and alveolar echinococcosis. Increased understanding of the biochemistry of the LL is allowing a more informed analysis of its immunology. The LL not only protects the parasite against host attack but also shapes the overall immune response against it. Because of its dense glycosylation, it probably contains few T-cell epitopes, being important instead in T-cell independent antibody responses. Crucially, it is decoded in non-inflammatory fashion by innate immunity, surely contributing to the strong immune-regulation observed in Echinococcus infections. Defining the active LL molecular motifs and corresponding host innate receptors is a feasible and promising goal in the field of helminth-derived immune-regulatory molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Díaz
- Cátedra de Inmunología. Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química/IQB, Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de la República, Montevideo CP 11600, Uruguay.
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Kouguchi H, Matsumoto J, Yamano K, Katoh Y, Oku Y, Suzuki T, Yagi K. Echinococcus multilocularis: purification and characterization of glycoprotein antigens with serodiagnostic potential for canine infection. Exp Parasitol 2011; 128:50-6. [PMID: 21300062 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Revised: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We show that a conventionally purified glycoprotein component of Echinococcus multilocularis protoscolex, designated as Emgp-89, may be useful as a serodiagnostic antigen for detecting E. multilocularis infection in dogs domesticated in endemic areas. Emgp-89 was obtained from the parasite material by a simple procedure using Con A-agarose and subsequent gel filtration chromatography. The purified fraction showed a molecular weight of >4000kDa upon gel filtration and reacted with a series of lectins that specifically bind to mannose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylgalactosamine. Subsequently, serodiagnostic performance of Emgp-89 was evaluated through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) by using sera from normal, domestic dogs and dogs infected with other helminths. Emgp-89 positively reacted with all 16 serum samples from E. multilocularis-infected dogs, thus showing that this antigen is highly sensitive. On the other hand, the specificity of Emgp-89-based ELISA, determined using 41 serum samples from dogs infected with other helminths, was relatively low (83%). As an attempt to improve the specificity of Emgp-89-based ELISA, we pretreated Emgp-89 with proteinase K or sodium periodate, expecting that these treatments would enable discrimination of true positives from false positives. The ELISA value increased after treatment with sodium periodate in most false-positive samples, whereas significant decreases were observed in sera from all dogs infected with E. multilocularis. Further evaluation of this antigen should be performed using sera from dogs infected with closely-related parasites, including taeniid cestodes, which are expected to prove that this serodiagnostic system is sufficiently specific for clinical and field applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Kouguchi
- Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, N19 W12, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Japan
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Díaz A, Casaravilla C, Irigoín F, Lin G, Previato JO, Ferreira F. Understanding the laminated layer of larval Echinococcus I: structure. Trends Parasitol 2011; 27:204-13. [PMID: 21257348 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 12/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Echinococcus larvae are protected by a massive carbohydrate-rich acellular structure, called the laminated layer. In spite of being widely considered the crucial element of these host-parasite interfaces, the laminated layer has been historically poorly understood. In fact, it is still often called 'chitinous', 'hyaline' or 'cuticular' layer, or said to be composed of polysaccharides. However, over the past few years the laminated layer was found to be comprised of mucins bearing defined galactose-rich carbohydrates, and accompanied, in the case of Echinococcus granulosus, by calcium inositol hexakisphosphate deposits. In this review, the architecture and biosynthesis of this unusual structure is discussed at depth in terms of what is known and what needs to be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Díaz
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química/Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Stadelmann B, Spiliotis M, Müller J, Scholl S, Müller N, Gottstein B, Hemphill A. Echinococcus multilocularis phosphoglucose isomerase (EmPGI): A glycolytic enzyme involved in metacestode growth and parasite–host cell interactions. Int J Parasitol 2010; 40:1563-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2010] [Revised: 05/25/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Echinococcus multilocularis: the impact of ionizing radiation on metacestodes. Exp Parasitol 2010; 127:127-34. [PMID: 20638383 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2010] [Revised: 06/29/2010] [Accepted: 07/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis is caused by the metacestode stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Current chemotherapeutical options for the treatment of echinococcosis are not satisfactory, and novel drugs and/or other potential means of therapy are needed. E. multilocularis metacestodes are characterized by almost potentially unlimited growth, and also display other features of cancerous tumours. In this study, we exposed metacestodes that were generated in vitro to 50-100 Gy ionizing irradiation, and subsequently investigated the short-term (10-12 days post-treatment) and long-term (14 weeks post-treatment) effects. We found, that in the short-term, no release of alkaline phosphatase (EmAP) activity as a measure for potentially induced damage and loss of viability could be detected, and that the protein expression pattern and protease activities in vesicle fluids and medium supernatants did not alter dramatically following irradiation. However, irradiation was associated with distinct morphological and ultrastructural alterations in the tissue of metacestodes, affecting most notably cell-cell contacts, mitochondrial shape, glycogen-storage cells and lipid droplet formation. These could be detected already at 10 days following treatment and remained as such also in the long-term. In addition, as determined after 14 weeks of culture, irradiation affected the proliferation and the growth of E. multilocularis metacestodes. Thus, we demonstrate that radiotherapy does not have a clear-cut parasitocidal effect, but can lead to metabolic impairment of E. multilocularis metacestodes, as reflected by the distinct morphological and structural alterations induced by irradiation treatment.
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Primary alveolar echinococcosis: course of larval development and antibody responses in intermediate host rodents with different genetic backgrounds after oral infection with eggs of Echinococcus multilocularis. Parasitol Int 2010; 59:435-44. [PMID: 20601109 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2010.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2010] [Revised: 06/02/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We investigated parasite establishment, subsequent larval development and antibody responses in gerbils, cotton rats and 4 inbred mouse strains until 16 weeks post inoculation (p.i.) with 200 eggs of Echinococcus multilocularis. The rate of parasite establishment in the liver determined at 4 weeks p.i. was highest in DBA/2, followed by AKR/N, C57BL/10 and C57BL/6 mice, whereas gerbils harboured few parasite foci. The accurate number of liver lesions in cotton rats could not be determined due to rapid growth and advanced multivesiculation of the parasite observed at 2 weeks p.i. The course of larval development was most advanced in DBA/2 mice with mature protoscolex formation at 16 weeks p.i., followed by AKR/N harbouring metacestodes with sparsely distributed immature protoscoleces. On the other hand, C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 mice had infertile metacestodes without any protoscolex formation. The parasite growth in mice was totally slower than those in gerbils and cotton rats. Specific IgG and IgM responses against 3 types of native crude antigens of larval E. multilocularis were evaluated using somatic extracts of and vesicle fluid of metacestode, and somatic extracts from purified protoscoleces. The 4 mouse strains demonstrated basically similar kinetics with apparent IgG and IgM increases at 9 weeks p.i. and thereafter, except C57BL/10, exhibited higher levels of IgM against crude antigens at some time point of infection. On the other hand, a follow-up determination of specific IgG and IgM levels against recombinant antigens from larval E. multilocularis revealed that each mouse strain showed different antibody-level kinetics. The findings in the present study demonstrate that the course of host-parasite interactions in primary alveolar echinococcosis, caused by larval E. multilocularis, clearly varies among intermediate host rodents with different genetic backgrounds.
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Margos M, Gottstein B. Gerbu adjuvant modulates the immune response and thus the course of infection in C56BL/6 mice immunised with Echinococcus multilocularis rec14-3-3 protein. Parasitol Res 2010; 107:623-9. [PMID: 20490547 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1907-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2010] [Accepted: 04/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination with Echinococcus multilocularis 14-3-3 protein can protect mice against primary E. multilocularis infection. The present study investigated the efficacy and efficiency of the adjuvant muramyl dipeptide Gerbu, alone or together with recombinant 14-3-3 protein, to modulate the course of secondary E. multilocularis infection in C56BL/6 mice. The application of Gerbu alone already resulted in a parasite weight reduction when compared with infected control mice, while rec14-3-3 did not add to this effect. Immunological parameters were concurrently assessed with a mixed cell reaction including bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) together with lymph node cells from mice with or without immunisation and/or infection. While mice having received Gerbu adjuvant were found to highly proliferate in response to co-cultivation with 14-3-3-stimulated bone marrow dendritic cells, a sensitisation of BMDCs with vesicle fluid (VF) antigen lead to a striking decrease of the lymphoproliferative response in comparison to that of control mice, raising the hypothesis that immunosuppressive components may be part of this VF-antigen. Anti-14-3-3 antibody production was only found in those mice that had been previously 14-3-3-immunised, whereas all other only-infected mice failed to produce such antibodies. Conclusively, Gerbu adjuvant appears to directly generate a non-specific immune response that contributes to the control of the metacestode growth, putatively in association with a BMDC activity suppressed by components of the VF-antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxi Margos
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Berne, Länggass-Strasse 122, Bern, Switzerland
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Echinococcus multilocularis and its intermediate host: a model of parasite-host interplay. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:923193. [PMID: 20339517 PMCID: PMC2842905 DOI: 10.1155/2010/923193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 01/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-parasite interactions in the E. multilocularis-intermediate host model depend on a subtle balance between cellular immunity, which is responsible for host's resistance towards the metacestode, the larval stage of the parasite, and tolerance induction and maintenance. The pathological features of alveolar echinococcosis. the disease caused by E. multilocularis, are related both to parasitic growth and to host's immune response, leading to fibrosis and necrosis, The disease spectrum is clearly dependent on the genetic background of the host as well as on acquired disturbances of Th1-related immunity. The laminated layer of the metacestode, and especially its carbohydrate components, plays a major role in tolerance induction. Th2-type and anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-β, as well as nitric oxide, are involved in the maintenance of tolerance and partial inhibition of cytotoxic mechanisms. Results of studies in the experimental mouse model and in patients suggest that immune modulation with cytokines, such as interferon-α, or with specific antigens could be used in the future to treat patients with alveolar echinococcosis and/or to prevent this very severe parasitic disease.
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Díaz A, Fontana EC, Todeschini AR, Soulé S, González H, Casaravilla C, Portela M, Mohana-Borges R, Mendonça-Previato L, Previato JO, Ferreira F. The major surface carbohydrates of the Echinococcus granulosus cyst: mucin-type O-glycans decorated by novel galactose-based structures. Biochemistry 2010; 48:11678-91. [PMID: 19877716 DOI: 10.1021/bi901112q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The cestodes constitute important but understudied human and veterinary parasites. Their surfaces are rich in carbohydrates, on which very little structural information is available. The tissue-dwelling larva (hydatid cyst) of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus is outwardly protected by a massive layer of carbohydrate-rich extracellular matrix, termed the laminated layer. The monosaccharide composition of this layer suggests that its major carbohydrate components are exclusively mucin-type O-glycans. We have purified these glycans after their release from the crude laminated layer and obtained by MS and NMR the complete structure of 10 of the most abundant components. The structures, between two and six residues in length, encompass a limited number of biosynthetic motifs. The mucin cores 1 and 2 are either nondecorated or elongated by a chain of Galpbeta1-3 residues. This chain can be capped by a single Galpalpha1-4 residue, such capping becoming more dominant with increasing chain size. In addition, the core 2 N-acetylglucosamine residue is in cases substituted with the disaccharide Galpalpha1-4Galpbeta1-4, giving rise to the blood P(1)-antigen motif. Larger, also related, glycans exist, reaching at least 18 residues in size. The glycans described are related but larger than those previously described from an Echinococcus multilocularis mucin [Hulsmeier, A. J., et al. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 5742-5748]. Our results reveal that the E. granulosus cyst exposes to the host only a few different major carbohydrate motifs. These motifs are composed essentially of galactose units and include the elongation by (Galpbeta1-3)(n) and the capping by Galpalpha1-4, novel in animal mucin-type O-glycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Díaz
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias (Facultad de Química) e Instituto de Química Biológica (Facultad de Ciencias), UdelaR, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Triggering and modulation of the host-parasite interplay byEchinococcus multilocularis: a review. Parasitology 2009; 137:557-68. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182009991533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYAs more facts emerge regarding the ways in whichE. multilocularis-derived molecules trigger the host immune response and modulate the host-parasite interplay, it becomes possible to envisage how the parasite can survive and proliferate in its intermediate host, while in other hosts it dies out. Through effects on cells of both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response,E. multiloculariscan orchestrate a range of outcomes that are beneficial not only to the parasite, in terms of facilitating its intrahepatic proliferation and maturation, and thus life cycle over all, but also to its intermediate host, in limiting pathology. The present review deals with the role of metacestode surface molecules as well as excretory/secretory (E/S) metabolic products of the parasite in the modulation of the host responses such as to optimize its own survival.
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Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode metabolites contain a cysteine protease that digests eotaxin, a CC pro-inflammatory chemokine. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:1253-60. [PMID: 19572150 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1549-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2009] [Accepted: 06/19/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In many helminthic infections, eotaxin, a CC-chemokine, triggers the mobilization of eosinophils, thus, contributing to an elevated blood and periparasitic eosinophil level. Following an experimental intraperitoneal infection of C57BL6 mice with Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes, however, we observed the absence of eosinophils in the peritoneal cavity and a low number of such cells in the blood of infected animals. Therefore, we carried out an explorative study to address the question why eosinophilia did not occur especially in the peritoneal cavity of such secondarily AE-infected mice. In an in vitro assay, we showed that metacestode antigens (in vitro generated vesicle fluid and E/S products) were able to proteolytically digest eotaxin. This effect was confirmed with semiquantitative Western blotting, which demonstrated a decreasing intensity of remaining eotaxin signals. Proteolysis of eotaxin was, thus, dose-dependent and proportional to the time of incubation with the metacestode antigens. Using appropriate inhibitors, the respective protease was identified as a cysteine protease, which required the presence of Ca(++) as co-enzyme. A chromatographic fractionation procedure by successive separation of VF molecules using a superpose column and subsequently a MonoQ column mounted on an FPLC system allowed to yield a fraction, referred to us as fraction 6; containing the enriched cysteine protease, this fraction will be used for further molecular studies. Eotaxin inactivation by VF and E/S products may contribute to explain the absence of eosinophils within the peritoneal cavity of AE-secondary infected mice. Absent eosinophils, thus, may be a part of a series of events that maintain a low level of inflammation displayed within the peritoneal cavity of experimentally infected mice.
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Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis are cestode parasites, of which the metacestode (larval) stages cause the neglected diseases cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), respectively. The benzimidazoles albendazole and mebendazole are presently used for the chemotherapeutical treatment, alone or prior to and after surgery. However, in AE these benzimidazoles do not appear to be parasiticidal in vivo. In addition, failures in drug treatments as well as the occurrence of side-effects have been reported, leading to discontinuation of treatment or to progressive disease. Therefore, new drugs are needed to cure AE and CE. Strategies that are currently employed in order to identify novel chemotherapeutical treatment options include in vitro and in vivo testing of broad-spectrum anti-infective drugs or drugs that interfere with unlimited proliferation of cancer cells. The fact that the genome of E. multilocularis has recently been sequenced has opened other avenues, such as the selection of novel drugs that interfere with the parasite signalling machinery, and the application of in silico approaches by employing the Echinococcus genome information to search for suitable targets for compounds of known mode of action.
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Zhang S, Hüe S, Sène D, Penfornis A, Bresson‐Hadni S, Kantelip B, Caillat‐Zucman S, Vuitton D. Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Chain–Related Molecule A, NKG2D, and Transforming Growth Factor–β in the Liver of Humans with Alveolar Echinococcosis: New Actors in the Tolerance to Parasites? J Infect Dis 2008; 197:1341-9. [DOI: 10.1086/586709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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Gottstein B, Hemphill A. Echinococcus multilocularis: the parasite-host interplay. Exp Parasitol 2008; 119:447-452. [PMID: 18410929 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2007] [Revised: 02/27/2008] [Accepted: 03/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe chronic helminthic disease caused by the intrahepatic tumor-like growth of the metacestode of Echinococcus multilocularis. Metacestodes are fluid-filled, asexually proliferating vesicles, which are entirely covered by the laminated layer, an acellular carbohydrate-rich surface structure that protects the parasite from immunological and physiological reactions on part of the host. The E. multilocularis metacestode has acquired specific means of manipulating and using the immunological host response to its own advantage. These include the expression of distinct immunoregulatory parasite molecules that manipulate and interfere in the functional activity of macrophages and T cells. Recent research findings have led to a better understanding of the protein- and glycoprotein composition of the laminated layer and the E/S fraction of the metacestode, including Em2- and Em492-antigens, two metacestode antigen fractions that exhibit immunosuppressive or -modulatory properties. Understanding of the events taking place at the host-parasite interface is the key for development of novel immuno-therapeutical and/or chemotherapeutical tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Gottstein
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty and Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.
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Haag KL, Gottstein B, Ayala FJ. Taeniid history, natural selection and antigenic diversity: evolutionary theory meets helminthology. Trends Parasitol 2008; 24:96-102. [PMID: 18182327 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2007.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2007] [Revised: 10/31/2007] [Accepted: 11/05/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Large sets of nucleotide sequence data of parasitic helminths have been accumulated in the past two decades. Our ability to improve the health of people and animals using this knowledge has not increased proportionally, however. Evolutionary biology provides the background to understand how parasites adapt to their hosts, and computational molecular biology offers the tools to infer the mechanisms involved. The study of antigenic diversity, a way for parasites to overcome host defenses against parasites, has been neglected in helminths, yet such a study could contribute to the development of more efficient drugs, diagnostic tests and vaccines. This review focuses on the study of adaptive evolution as the cause of antigenic diversity in tapeworms and its potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Haag
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 91501-970 RS, Brazil.
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Hemphill A, Spicher M, Stadelmann B, Mueller J, Naguleswaran A, Gottstein B, Walker M. Innovative chemotherapeutical treatment options for alveolar and cystic echinococcosis. Parasitology 2007; 134:1657-70. [PMID: 17631693 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182007003198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis are cestode parasites, of which the metacestode (larval) stages cause the diseases cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), respectively. Albendazole and mebendazole are presently used for chemotherapeutical treatment. However, these benzimidazoles do not appear to be parasiticidal in vivo against AE. In addition, failures in drug treatments as well as the occurrence of side-effects have been reported. New drugs are needed to cure AE and CE, which are considered to be neglected diseases. Strategies currently being implemented to identify novel chemotherapeutical treatment options include (i) conventional primary in vitro testing of broad-spectrum anti-infective drugs, either in parallel with, or followed by, animal experimentation; (ii) studies of drugs which interfere with the proliferation of cancer cells and of Echinococcus metacestodes; (iii) exploitation of the similarities between the parasite and mammalian signalling machineries, with a special focus on targeting specific signalling receptors; (iv) in silico approaches, employing the current Echinococcus genomic database information to search for suitable targets for compounds with known modes of action. In the present article, we review the efforts toward obtaining better anti-parasitic compounds which have been undertaken to improve chemotherapeutical treatment of echinococcosis, and summarize the achievements in the field of host-parasite interactions which may also lead to new immuno-therapeutical options.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Berne, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe zoonotic disease caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. The infection can have fatal consequences in humans if treatment is not provided, so early diagnosis is fundamental for initiating treatment and reducing morbidity and mortality. In addition, detection of the parasite in the definitive host plays a central role in epidemiological studies and surveillance programmes for control of AE. This review presents an overview of the present situation regarding the immunodiagnosis of E. multilocularis infection. Special attention is given to the description of the native, partially purified and recombinant antigens available currently for immunodiagnostic purposes. Recent advances in the primary serodiagnosis and follow-up of AE patients are highlighted, including the detection of specific cytokine profiles. Progress in the immunodiagnosis of intestinal E. multilocularis infection in definitive hosts, particularly the detection of excretory-secretory and integument products of the worm in faeces (copro-antigens) by ELISA, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Carmena
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain.
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42
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Persaud R, Wang A, Reardon C, McKay DM. Characterization of the immuno-regulatory response to the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta in the non-permissive mouse host. Int J Parasitol 2007; 37:393-403. [PMID: 17092505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2006.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2006] [Revised: 09/15/2006] [Accepted: 09/19/2006] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hymenolepis diminuta is spontaneously expelled from mice; concomitant with worm expulsion was protection against colitis induced by dinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (DNBS). Here we examined the immune response mobilized by Balb/c and C57Bl/6 male mice in response to H. diminuta and assessed the requirement for CD4+ cells (predominantly T cells) in worm expulsion and the anti-colitic effect. Wild-type (CD4+) or CD4 knock-out (CD4-/-) mice received five H. diminuta cysticercoids and segments of jejunum and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), or spleen, were excised 5, 8 and 1l days later for mRNA analysis and cytokine production, respectively. In separate experiments uninfected and infected mice received DNBS by intra-rectal infusion and indices of inflammation were assessed 3 days later (i.e. 11 days p.i.). Infection of Balb/c mice resulted in a time-dependent increase in intestinal mRNA for Foxp3, a marker of natural regulatory T cells, and markers of alternatively activated macrophages (arginase-1, FIZZ1), while concanavalin-A activation of MLN cells revealed a significant increase in T helper 2 (TH2) type cytokines: IL-4, -5, -9, -10, -13. MLN cells showed a reduced ability to induce Foxp3 expression upon stimulation. CD4-/- mice did not display this response to infection, but surprisingly did expel H. diminuta. Moreover, DNBS-induced colitis in CD4-/- mice (wasting, tissue damage, elevated myeloperoxidase) was not reduced by H. diminuta infection, whereas time-matched infected CD4+ C57Bl/6 mice had significantly less DNBS-induced inflammation. IN CONCLUSION (i) in addition to stereotypical TH2 events, H. diminuta-infected Balb/c mice develop a local immuno-regulatory response; and (ii) CD4+ cells are not essential for H. diminuta expulsion from mice but are critical in mediating the anti-colitic effect that accompanies infection in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Persaud
- Intestinal Disease Research Programme, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada
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Hübner MP, Manfras BJ, Margos MC, Eiffler D, Hoffmann WH, Schulz-Key H, Kern P, Soboslay PT. Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes modulate cellular cytokine and chemokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in alveolar echinococcosis patients. Clin Exp Immunol 2006; 145:243-51. [PMID: 16879243 PMCID: PMC1809686 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03142.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis causes human alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a life-threatening disease affecting primarily the liver. Despite the severity of AE, clinical symptoms often develop only many years after infection, which suggests that E. multilocularis has developed mechanisms which depress anti-parasite immune response, thus favouring immune evasion. In this study we examined the production of cytokines, chemokines and the expression of CD molecules on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from AE patients and healthy controls in response to E. multilocularis metacestode culture supernatant, viable E. multilocularis vesicles and E. multilocularis vesicle fluid antigen in vitro. After 48 h of co-culture, E. multilocularis metacestode culture supernatant and E. multilocularis vesicles depressed the release of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-12 by PBMC. This effect was dose-dependent and a suppression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-12 was observed even when PBMC were activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Comparing proinflammatory cytokine release by AE patients and controls showed that the release of IL-12 and TNF-alpha was reduced in AE patients, which was accompanied by an increased number of CD4+ CD25+ cells and a reduced release of the Th2 type chemokine CCL17 (thymus and activation regulated chemokine, TARC), suggesting an anti-inflammatory response to E. multilocularis metacestode in AE patients. Instead the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma and the expression of CD28 on CD4+ T cells were increased in PBMC from AE patients when compared to controls. This was accompanied by a higher release of the Th2-type chemokine CCL22 (macrophage derived chemokine, MDC) supporting that E. multilocularis also generates proinflammatory immune responses. These results indicate that E. multilocularis antigens modulated both regulatory and inflammatory Th1 and Th2 cytokines and chemokines. Such a mixed profile might be required for limiting parasite growth but also for reducing periparasitic tissue and organ damage in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Hübner
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
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Mejri N, Gottstein B. Intraperitoneal Echinococcus multilocularis infection in C57BL/6 mice affects CD40 and B7 costimulator expression on peritoneal macrophages and impairs peritoneal T cell activation. Parasite Immunol 2006; 28:373-85. [PMID: 16879309 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2006.00836.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
One of the most important immunopathological consequence of intraperitoneal alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in the mouse is suppression of T cell-mediated immune responses. We investigated whether and how intraperitoneal macrophages (MØs) are, respectively, implicated as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In a first step we showed that peritoneal MØs from infected mice (AE-MØs) exhibited a reduced ability to present a conventional antigen (chicken ovalbumin, C-Ova) to specific responder lymph node T cells. In a subsequent step, AE-MØs as well as naïve MØs (positive control) proved their ability to uptake and process C-Ova fluorescein isthiocyanate (FITC). Furthermore, in comparison with naïve MØs, the surface expression of Ia molecules was up-regulated on AE-MØs at the early stage of infection, suggesting that AE-MØs provide the first signal via the antigen-Ia complex. To study the accessory activity of MØs, AE-MØs obtained at the early and late stages of infection were found to decrease Con A-induced proliferation of peritoneal naïve T cells as well as of AE-sensitized peritoneal T cells, in contrast to stimulation with naïve MØs. The status of accessory molecules was assessed by analysing the expression level of costimulatory molecules on AE-MØs, with naïve MØs as controls. It was found that B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) expression remained unchanged, whereas CD40 was down-regulated and CD54 (= ICAM-1) was slightly up-regulated. In a leucocyte reaction of AE-MØs with naïve or AE-T cells, both types of T cells increased their proliferative response when CD28 - the ligand of B7 receptors - was exposed to anti-CD28 in cultures. Conversely to naïve MØs, pulsing of AE-MØs with agonistic anti-CD40 did not even partially restore their costimulatory activity and failed to increase naïve or AE-T cell proliferation. Neutralizing anti-B7-1, in combination with anti-B7-2, reduced naïve and AE-T cell proliferation, whereas anti-CD40 treatment of naïve MØs increased their proliferative response to Con A. These results point at the key role of B7 receptors as accessory molecules and the necessity of the integrity of CD40-expression by naïve MØs to improve their accessory activity. Taken together, the obstructed presenting-activity of AE-MØs appeared to trigger an unresponsiveness of T cells, contributing to the suppression of their clonal expansion during the chronic phase of AE-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Mejri
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
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Carmena D, Benito A, Eraso E. Antigens for the immunodiagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus infection: An update. Acta Trop 2006; 98:74-86. [PMID: 16527225 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2006.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2005] [Revised: 01/12/2006] [Accepted: 02/07/2006] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The taeniid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus is the causative agent of the echinococcal disease, an important zoonosis with worldwide distribution. Accurate immunodiagnosis of the infection requires highly specific and sensitive antigens to be used in immunodiagnostic assays. The choice of an appropriate source of antigenic material is a crucial point in the improvement of the diagnostic features of tests, and must be based on the developmental stage of the parasite and the host. The most common antigenic sources used for the immunodiagnosis of echinococcal disease are hydatid cyst fluid, somatic extracts and excretory-secretory products from protoscoleces or adults of E. granulosus. Hydatid cyst fluid is the antigenic source of reference for immunodiagnosis of human hydatidosis, which is mainly based on the detection of antigens B and 5. Somatic extracts have been widely used in the serodiagnosis for E. granulosus infection in dogs and ruminant intermediate hosts, although in the last few years the detection of excretory-secretory products of the worm in faeces (coproantigens) have become the most reliable method for the detection of the parasite in the definitive host. This review emphasizes recent advances in the identification and characterization of novel antigens with potential for the immunodiagnosis of echinococcal disease. Progress in recombinant technologies and synthetic peptides are also discussed. The paper highlights the need to search for new antigenic components with high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, a fact that remains a crucial task in the improvement of the immunodiagnosis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Carmena
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain.
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46
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Baz A, Ettlin GM, Dematteis S. Complexity and function of cytokine responses in experimental infection by Echinococcus granulosus. Immunobiology 2006; 211:3-9. [PMID: 16446166 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2005.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2005] [Accepted: 09/02/2005] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines are important in the regulation of the immune system and are secreted by a variety of cells in response to self and non-self stimuli. Communication within cells, in the same or distant anatomical sites, occurs via cytokines which determine the quality and intensity of inflammatory and adaptive immune responses. Infection by helminths is characterized by a dominant secretion of type-2 cytokines; IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 (among others), which down-regulates the induction and functions of type-1 cytokines. The molecular mechanisms involved in the polarization of type-2 responses and their biological significance in helminthic infections are unknown, and probably depends on each host-parasite system. Understanding these issues may contribute to immune therapy against parasitic infections. Here we summarize our data obtained in Echinococcus granulosus experimental infection regarding type-2 cytokine induction and its putative role in the host-parasite interaction. Results suggest that induction of cytokine responses at different stages of infection is complex and depends on several parameters. In addition, they support the hypothesis that early IL-10, secreted by B cells in response to non-proteic antigens, may favour parasite survival and the establishment of a polarized type-2 cytokine response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Baz
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Casilla de Correos 1157, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Gottstein B, Haag K, Walker M, Matsumoto J, Mejri N, Hemphill A. Molecular survival strategies of Echinococcus multilocularis in the murine host. Parasitol Int 2005; 55 Suppl:S45-9. [PMID: 16352460 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2005.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Larval infection with Echinococcus multilocularis starts with the intrahepatic postoncospheral development of a metacestode that-at its mature stage-consists of an inner germinal and an outer laminated layer (GL & LL). In certain cases, an appropriate host immune response may inhibit parasite proliferation. Several lines of evidence obtained in vivo and in vitro indicate the important bio-protective role of the LL. For instance, the LL has been proposed to protect the GL from nitric oxide produced by periparasitic macrophages and dendritic cells, and also to prevent immune recognition by surrounding T cells. On the other hand, the high periparasitic NO production by peritoneal exsudate cells contributes to periparasitic immunosuppression, explaining why iNOS deficienct mice exhibit a significantly lower susceptibility towards experimental infection. The intense periparasitic granulomatous infiltration indicates a strong host-parasite interaction, and the involvement of cellular immunity in control of the metacestode growth kinetics is strongly suggested by experiments carried out in T cell deficient mouse strains. Carbohydrate components of the LL, such as Em2(G11) and Em492, as well as other parasite metabolites yield immunomodulatory effects that allow the parasite to survive in the host. I.e., the IgG response to the Em2(G11)-antigen takes place independently of alpha-beta+CD4+T cells, and in the absence of interactions between CD40 and CD40 ligand. Such parasite molecules also interfere with antigen presentation and cell activation, leading to a mixed Th1/Th2-type response at the later stage of infection. Furthermore, Em492 and other (not yet published) purified parasite metabolites suppress ConA and antigen-stimulated splenocyte proliferation. Infected mouse macrophages (AE-MØ) as antigen presenting cells (APC) exhibited a reduced ability to present a conventional antigen (chicken ovalbumin, C-Ova) to specific responder lymph node T cells when compared to normal MØ. As AE-MØ fully maintain their capacity to appropriately process antigens, a failure in T cell receptor occupancy by antigen-Ia complex or/and altered co-stimulatory signals can be excluded. Studying the status of accessory molecules implicated in T cell stimulation by MØ, it could be shown that B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) remained unchanged, whereas CD40 was down-regulated and CD54 (=ICAM-1) slightly up-regulated. FACS analysis of peritoneal cells revealed a decrease in the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+T cells in AE-infected mice. Taken together the obstructed presenting-activity of AE-MØ appeared to trigger an unresponsiveness of T cells leading to the suppression of their clonal expansion during the chronic phase of AE infection. Interesting information on the parasite survival strategy and potential can be obtained upon in vitro and in vivo treatment. Hence, we provided very innovative results by showing that nitazoxanide, and now also, respectively, new modified compounds may represent a useful alternative to albendazole. In the context of chemotherapeutical repression of parasite growth, we searched also for parasite molecules, whose expression levels correlate with the viability and growth activity of E. multilocularis metacestode. Expression levels of 14-3-3 and II/3-10, relatively quantified by realtime reverse transcription-PCR using a housekeeping gene beta-actin, were studied in permissive nu/nu and in low-permissive wild type BALB/c mice. At 2 months p.i., the transcription level of 14-3-3 was significantly higher in parasites actively proliferating in nu/nu mice compared to parasites moderately growing in wild type mice. Immunoblotting experiments confirmed at the protein level that 14-3-3 was over-expressed in parasites derived from nu/nu mice at 2 months p.i. In vitro-treatment of E. multilocularis with an anti-echinococcal drug nitazoxanide for a period of 8 days resulted in a significant decrease of both 14-3-3 and II/3-10 transcription levels, which correlated with the kinetics of a housekeeping gene, beta-actin. This indicates that 14-3-3-exhibits a good potential as a molecular marker to assess viability and growth activity of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Gottstein
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty and Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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Kato N, Nonaka N, Oku Y, Kamiya M. Immune responses to oral infection with Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces in gerbils: modified lymphocyte responses due to the parasite antigen. Parasitol Res 2005; 96:12-7. [PMID: 15765248 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2004] [Accepted: 12/22/2004] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune responses to oral infection with Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces in Mongolian gerbils were investigated. Gerbils not treated with prednisolone expelled most of the parasites within 3 days post-infection and induced parasite-specific intestinal IgA secretion after the oral inoculation with protoscoleces. In contrast, prednisolone-treated gerbils harbored notable numbers of parasites, and the parasite-specific intestinal IgA secretion was lower. In gerbils not treated and orally inoculated with protoscoleces (infected group), parasite-specific antibody levels in sera and intestinal washings were elevated, but blastogenesis against protoscolex antigens was observed only in cells from Peyer's patches at 14 days post-infection. Concanavalin A-induced proliferative lymphocytes from both infected and naive gerbils were suppressed by adding protoscolex somatic antigen. These data indicate that while parasite-specific antibody responses were observed, lymphocyte proliferative responses were suppressed by parasite infection/antigens in the Mongolian gerbil, prednisolone-untreated rodent definitive host model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Kato
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, 060-0818 Sapporo, Japan.
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Kato N, Nonaka N, Oku Y, Kamiya M. Modified cellular immune responses in dogs infected with Echinococcus multilocularis. Parasitol Res 2005; 95:339-45. [PMID: 15719262 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-005-1303-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2004] [Accepted: 12/20/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Parasite-specific antigen responses and lymphocyte blastogenesis in dogs orally inoculated with Echinococcus multilocuralis metacestodes were examined. Serum IgG1 (Th2-oriented) and IgG2 (Th 1-oriented) levels against somatic and excretory-secretory (ES) antigens of protoscoleces and adult worms increased from 7 days post-infection (DPI), with the highest responses against protoscolex excretory-secretory antigen (PES). Specific blastogenesis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) against the parasite antigens was not observed during the 21-day infection period, but Peyer's patches cells from one out of two dogs at 21 DPI showed blastogenesis against PES (stimulation index: 4.65). Interestingly, only at 7 DPI were concanavalin A (ConA)-induce proliferative responses of PBMC reduced. Moreover, ConA-induced proliferative responses of lymphocytes from various origins were suppressed by the addition of parasite antigens, especially with PES. These data suggest that although both Th1- and Th2-oriented humoral immune responses were observed in E. multilocularis infected dogs, the parasite antigens, especially PES, may have incompletely suppressed lymphocyte responses in these dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Kato
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, 060-0818 Sapporo, Japan.
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