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de Mattos Pereira L, de Jezuz MPG, Rangel AR, Baldasso BD, Zaluski AB, Graeff-Teixeira C, Morassutti AL. De novo transcriptome reveals blood coagulation/antithrombin factors and infection mechanisms in Angiostrongylus cantonensis adult worms. Parasitology 2021; 148:857-870. [PMID: 33729108 PMCID: PMC11010222 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the main aetiological agent of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans. Several outbreaks have been documented around the world, cementing its status as an emerging global public health concern. As a result, new strategies for the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of cerebral angiostrongyliasis are urgently needed. In this study, we report on the de novo assembly of the A. cantonensis transcriptome, its full functional annotation and a reconstruction of complete metabolic pathways. All results are available at AngiostrongylusDB (http://angiostrongylus.lad.pucrs.br/admin/welcome). The aim of this study was to identify the active genes and metabolic pathways involved in the mechanisms of infection and survival inside Rattus norvegicus. Among 389 metabolic mapped pathways, the blood coagulation/antithrombin pathways of heparan sulphate/heparin are highlighted. Moreover, we identified genes codified to GP63 (leishmanolysin), CALR (calreticulin), ACE (peptidyl-dipeptidase A), myoglobin and vWD (von Willebrand factor type D domain protein) involved in the infection invasion and survival of the parasite. The large dataset of functional annotations provided and the full-length transcripts identified in this research may facilitate future functional genomics studies and provides a basis for the development of new techniques for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cerebral angiostrongyliasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro de Mattos Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Databiomics, Parque Tecnológico Tecnovates, Lajeado, RS95914-014, Brazil
| | - Milene Pereira Guimarães de Jezuz
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Amaranta Ramos Rangel
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna Dalcin Baldasso
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Amanda Bungi Zaluski
- Laboratório de Biologia e Desenvolvimento do Sistema Nervoso, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carlos Graeff-Teixeira
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Loureiro Morassutti
- Escola de Medicina IMED, Passo Fundo, RS99070-220, Brazil
- Instituto de Patologia de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS99010-081, Brazil
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Yan LZ, Shi XM, Zu YW, Shen YY, Chen XX, Zhao MJ, Li XP, Yan BL, Huang HC. The opposite roles of PAS-5 and Galectin-1 in immune response during the early infection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:318. [PMID: 29843794 PMCID: PMC5975691 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2894-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a human zoonotic nematode parasite. Our previous studies found that PAS-5 and Galectin-1 (Gal-1) proteins of A. cantonensis could be strongly recognized by sera from mice infected with A. cantonensis. In this study, we further evaluated the potential roles of these two proteins in the induction of immune response in mice. METHODS Mice were immunized with recombinant PAS-5 or Gal-1 and then challenged with 30 infective A. cantonensis larvae following the last immunization. We then examined the infected mice for changes in serum antibodies and cytokines by ELISA, CD4+ T cells and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) by flow cytometry, and tissue damage severity by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS Compared with control mice, the PAS-5-immunized mice exhibited increased levels of serum antibodies and cytokines (except for IL-10) at different time points post-infection. PAS-5 immunization promoted significant proliferation of CD4+ T cells, and caused more damage in the brain tissue. Vaccination with Gal-1 inhibited the production of antibodies (except for IgG1) and IFN-γ, but promoted the expression of IL-4 and IL-10. Gal-1 immunization results in significant increases in the levels of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs, and mild inflammatory changes. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings show that PAS-5 enhances, but Gal-1 inhibits the immune response in the early stage of A. cantonensis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Zhu Yan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory of Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050082 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Meng Shi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-Wen Zu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Shen
- School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi-Xi Chen
- School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
| | - Meng-Jing Zhao
- School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xing-Pan Li
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
| | - Bao-Long Yan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui-Cong Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035 People’s Republic of China
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Angiostrongylus cantonensis: a review of its distribution, molecular biology and clinical significance as a human pathogen. Parasitology 2016; 143:1087-118. [PMID: 27225800 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016000652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a metastrongyloid nematode found widely in the Asia-Pacific region, and the aetiological agent of angiostrongyliasis; a disease characterized by eosinophilic meningitis. Rattus rats are definitive hosts of A. cantonensis, while intermediate hosts include terrestrial and aquatic molluscs. Humans are dead-end hosts that usually become infected upon ingestion of infected molluscs. A presumptive diagnosis is often made based on clinical features, a history of mollusc consumption, eosinophilic pleocytosis in cerebral spinal fluid, and advanced imaging such as computed tomography. Serological tests are available for angiostrongyliasis, though many tests are still under development. While there is no treatment consensus, therapy often includes a combination of anthelmintics and corticosteroids. Angiostrongyliasis is relatively rare, but is often associated with morbidity and sometimes mortality. Recent reports suggest the parasites' range is increasing, leading to fatalities in regions previously considered Angiostrongylus-free, and sometimes, delayed diagnosis in newly invaded regions. Increased awareness of angiostrongyliasis would facilitate rapid diagnosis and improved clinical outcomes. This paper summarizes knowledge on the parasites' life cycle, clinical aspects and epidemiology. The molecular biology of Angiostrongylus spp. is also discussed. Attention is paid to the significance of angiostrongyliasis in Australia, given the recent severe cases reported from the Sydney region.
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Aghazadeh M, Jones MK, Aland KV, Reid SA, Traub RJ, McCarthy JS, Lee R. Emergence of neural angiostrongyliasis in eastern Australia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 15:184-90. [PMID: 25793473 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1622] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite an apparent increase in cases of angiostrongyliasis in humans and animals in Australia, the epidemiology of infection with the two species of Angiostrongylus that co-exist in this country, namely A. cantonensis and A. mackerrasae, is poorly understood. This knowledge gap is particularly important with respect to A. mackerrasae, a species evidently native to Australia, as its ability to cause disease in humans is unknown. Likewise, there is little information on the roles of native and introduced species of rodents and molluscs as hosts of Angiostrongylus species in Australia. This review focuses on the gaps in the knowledge about the two species, highlighting the need for epidemiological and pathogenesis studies on the native lungworm A. mackerrasae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdis Aghazadeh
- 1 School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland , Gatton, Queensland, Australia
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Schwarz EM, Hu Y, Antoshechkin I, Miller MM, Sternberg PW, Aroian RV. The genome and transcriptome of the zoonotic hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum identify infection-specific gene families. Nat Genet 2015; 47:416-22. [PMID: 25730766 PMCID: PMC4617383 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hookworms infect over 400 million people, stunting and impoverishing them. Sequencing hookworm genomes and finding which genes they express during infection should help in devising new drugs or vaccines against hookworms. Unlike other hookworms, Ancylostoma ceylanicum infects both humans and other mammals, providing a laboratory model for hookworm disease. We determined an A. ceylanicum genome sequence of 313 Mb, with transcriptomic data throughout infection showing expression of 30,738 genes. Approximately 900 genes were upregulated during early infection in vivo, including ASPRs, a cryptic subfamily of activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs). Genes downregulated during early infection included ion channels and G protein-coupled receptors; this downregulation was observed in both parasitic and free-living nematodes. Later, at the onset of heavy blood feeding, C-lectin genes were upregulated along with genes for secreted clade V proteins (SCVPs), encoding a previously undescribed protein family. These findings provide new drug and vaccine targets and should help elucidate hookworm pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erich M Schwarz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Yan Hu
- 1] Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Igor Antoshechkin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Melanie M Miller
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Paul W Sternberg
- 1] Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA. [2] Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Raffi V Aroian
- 1] Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [2] Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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Chang SH, Tang P, Lai CH, Kuo ML, Wang LC. Identification and characterisation of microRNAs in young adults of Angiostrongylus cantonensis via a deep-sequencing approach. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 108:699-706. [PMID: 24037191 PMCID: PMC3970689 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276108062013005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an important causative agent of
eosinophilic meningitis and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that participate in a wide range of
biological processes. This study employed a deep-sequencing approach to study
miRNAs from young adults of A. cantonensis. Based on 16,880,456
high-quality reads, 252 conserved mature miRNAs including 10 antisense miRNAs
that belonging to 90 families, together with 10 antisense miRNAs were identified
and characterised. Among these sequences, 53 miRNAs from 25 families displayed
50 or more reads. The conserved miRNA families were divided into four groups
according to their phylogenetic distribution and a total of nine families
without any members showing homology to other nematodes or adult worms were
identified. Stem-loop real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of
aca-miR-1-1 and aca-miR-71-1 demonstrated that their level of expression
increased dramatically from infective larvae to young adults and then decreased
in adult worms, with the male worms exhibiting significantly higher levels of
expression than female worms. These findings provide information related to the
regulation of gene expression during the growth, development and pathogenesis of
young adults of A. cantonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hsin Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, TaoyuanCounty, Taiwan
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MicroRNA expression profile in the third- and fourth-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1883-96. [PMID: 24696273 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3836-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of angiostrongyliasis, resulting from the third-stage and the fourth-stage Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae invasion of the human central nervous system, remains elusive. MicroRNAs are important regulators of gene expression and involved in many biological processes. The aim of this study was to determine and characterize miRNAs of third (L3) and fourth (L4) larvae of A. cantonensis by Solex deep sequencing. A total of 629 conserved miRNAs (526 and 376 miRNAs in L3 and L4 larvae of A. cantonensis, respectively) and three novel candidate miRNA from L3 and L4 larva of A. cantonensis were identified with bioinformatic analysis. There were 163 miRNAs upregulated and 54 miRNAs downregulated (fold changes ≥5.0) in the L4 of A. cantonensis compared with that of L3 of A. cantonensis. Interestingly, Gene Ontology "biological process" classifications revealed that 26 miRNAs of significantly differential expression are associated with the immune system, which implies that these miRNAs might participate in the pathogenesis of angiostrongyliasis by regulating genes involved in immune response pathways. Furthermore, the differential expression patterns of 26 conserved miRNAs between L3 and L4 of A. cantonensis were verified. The results of real-time PCR and Northern blot showed that the aca-miR-124 and aca-miR-146a-5p have a low level expression in L3 larvae but high level expression in L4 larvae. Transfection of aca-miR-124 mimics alone significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-1β and TNF-a in the N9 cells, compared to the combination transfection of aca-miR-124 mimics and inhibitor (P < 0.05), suggesting that miR-124 of A. cantonensis have an important role in the suppression of microglia activation. In conclusion, the study presents a general picture of the expression of small RNAs in L3 and L4 of A. cantonensis and highlights conserved miRNAs differentially expressed between L3 and L4 larvae. Our data revealed that miRNAs of parasite may mediate important roles in A. cantonensis immune evasion and aca-miR-146a-5p can serve as a potential biomarker to diagnose angiostrongyliasis.
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8
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Chang SH, Tang P, Yen CM, Chow KPN, Wang LC. A transcriptomic analysis on gene expressions in the infective third and pathogenic fifth larval stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasitol Int 2014; 63:42-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Angiostrongylus cantonensis in China. TREATMENT OF HUMAN PARASITOSIS IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-39824-7_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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10
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Chen J, Liu Q, Yang X, Wu X, Zhang D, He A, Zhan X. Characterization and immunolocalization of mutated ornithine decarboxylase antizyme from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2013; 190:76-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Chuang CC, Chen CW, Su KE, Tsai YT, Du WY. A RAB family antigen of Angiostrongylus cantonensis induces a Th1-type immune response in vitro and in vivo. Exp Parasitol 2013; 134:122-7. [PMID: 23458235 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A cDNA library was constructed from an Angiostrongylus cantonensis young adult and the encoded proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli. One reactive antigen, a RAB-2 protein, was selected using an immunoscreening technique. The expression of the Th1-type cytokine IFN-γ was elicited in mouse splenic cells that were co-cultured with the recombinant RAB-2 protein and in the sera of mice that were immunised with this protein and adjuvant (50 μg at 2-week intervals). In the A. cantonensis-infected groups, the mice were orally infected with 35 infective larvae, and a subset of the infected mice were immunised with the recombinant RAB-2 protein in adjuvant. Serum samples were collected every week for ELISA, and the pathological examinations were performed at 14 days post infection (dpi). An increase in IFN-γ expression was noted in the blood, and the brain sections revealed moderate eosinophilic meningitis in the immunised mice. The RAB-2 antigen of A. cantonensis induced a Th1-type immune response both in vitro and in vivo.
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Molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of a putative activation-associated secreted protein from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasitol Res 2012. [PMID: 23192529 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-3198-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Activation-associated secreted protein (ASP) had been found in many helminthes, which was associated with pathogenesis and stage transition. A complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence encoding a putative two-domain ASP was obtained from an Angiostrongylus cantonensis fourth-stage larvae cDNA library, which we designated as AgASP. The cDNA of AgASP contains an open reading frame encoding 424 amino acids, the first 19 residues being a putative secretion signal. The expression pattern of this protein was investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. We found that this protein expressed most highly in the brain-stage larvae (Lbr) of this parasite and existed in the excretory/secretory products of this stage. Immunofluorescence showed it existed in the lumen of the Lbr. The recombinant protein can be recognized by the infection sera from mice (nonpermissive host), while it cannot be recognized by infection sera from rats (permissive host). The infiltration of neutrophils in infected nonpermissive host can be lessened by immunizing this host with this protein (immunized vs control group, 13.7 ± 10.2 vs 65.5 ± 19.2). These findings suggest that this protein plays a role in the pathogenesis of human angiostrongyliasis and is worthy of further study.
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Blaxter M, Kumar S, Kaur G, Koutsovoulos G, Elsworth B. Genomics and transcriptomics across the diversity of the Nematoda. Parasite Immunol 2012; 34:108-20. [PMID: 22044053 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2011.01342.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The diversity of biology in nematodes is reflected in the diversity of their genomes. Parasitic species in particular have evolved mechanisms to invade and outwit their hosts, and these offer opportunities for the development of control measures. Genomic analyses can reveal the molecular underpinnings of phenotypes such as parasitism and thus, initiate and support research programmes that explore the manipulation of host and parasite physiologies to achieve favourable outcomes. Wide sampling across nematode diversity allows phylogenetically informed formulation of research hypotheses, identification of core features shared by all species or important evolutionary novelties present in isolated clades. Many nematode species have been investigated through the use of the expressed sequence tag approach, which samples from the transcribed genome. Gene catalogues generated in this way can be explored to reveal the patterns of expression associated with parasitism and candidates for testing as drug targets or vaccine components. Analysis environments, such as NEMBASE facilitate exploitation of these data. The development of new high-throughput DNA-sequencing technologies has facilitated transcriptomic and genomic approaches to parasite biology. Whole genome sequencing offers more complete catalogues of genes and assists a systems approach to phenotype dissection. These efforts are being coordinated through the 959 Nematode Genomes initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Blaxter
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK.
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Liu Q, Yang X, Zhang M, Wang L, Liu J, Chen J, He A, Li Z, Wu Z, Zhan X. Molecular characterization and immunolocalization of a protein disulfide isomerase from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasitol Res 2012; 110:2501-7. [PMID: 22218922 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2791-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs), belonging to the thioredoxin superfamily, are oxidoreductases that catalyze the formation, reduction, and isomerization of disulfide bonds among cysteine residues of proteins. In this study, we report the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a protein disulfide isomerase (AcPDI) from a cDNA library of fourth-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The deduced amino acid sequence contains two thioredoxin domains and exhibits high identity to the homologues from other species. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed at the third-stage larvae, fourth-stage larvae, and adult stage of A. cantonensis, and the results revealed that the AcPDI mRNA, while expressed at all three stages, is expressed at a significantly higher level in female adult worms. Results of immunohistochemical studies indicated that the AcPDI expression was specifically localized in the tegument and uterus wall of female adult worms. Biochemical analysis showed that recombinant AcPDI was biologically active in vitro and exhibited the typical biochemical functions of PDIs: oxidase/isomerase and reductase activities. Collectively, these results implied that AcPDI may be a female-enriched protein and associated with the reproductive development of A. cantonensis. In addition, considering its biochemical properties, AcPDI may be involved in the formation of the cuticle of A. cantonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510089, People's Republic of China
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15
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Cheng M, Yang X, Li Z, He H, Qu Z, He A, Wu Z, Zhan X. Cloning and characterization of a novel cathepsin B-like cysteine proteinase from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasitol Res 2012; 110:2413-22. [PMID: 22215189 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2780-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine protease plays a key role in host-parasite interactions. In this study, we identified a novel gene encoding a cathepsin B-like cysteine protease (AcCBL1) from the cDNA library of Angiostrongysus cantonensis fourth-stage larvae (L4) and characterized its biological role in the parasite. Sequence and phylogeny analysis showed that AcCBL1 is related to other cathepsin B family members with the conserved catalytic triad (Cys, His, Asn) and diagnostic occluding loop. In addition, the sequence contains a specific "hemoglobinase motif" and might have a hemoglobinase (Hb)-degrading function. The recombinant AcCBL1 (rAcCBL1) exhibited the protease activity by gelation SDS/PAGE assay; rAcCBL1 can cleave the fluorogenic substrate Z-Arg-Arg-AMC, and the optimum pH was 5.5. The enzyme can hydrolyse several host proteins including Hb and human IgG in acidic pH, but low levels of hydrolysis were observed in neutral pH. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that AcCBL1 expression was detected throughout various developmental stages, L3, L4, adult male and female worms. Western blotting analysis indicated that AcCBL1 was an excretory/secretory product of L4 in mature form of protease. Immunolocalization demonstrated that AcCBL1 was mainly localized in the intestine of L4. These results suggest that rAcCBL1 may play an important role in the parasite nutrition uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
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Wang QP, Wu ZD, Wei J, Owen RL, Lun ZR. Human Angiostrongylus cantonensis: an update. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2011; 31:389-95. [PMID: 21725905 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-011-1328-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis was first discovered in 1935 and has become an important emerging pathogen causing human angiostrongyliasis. Major outbreaks of human angiostrongyliasis have been reported in endemic regions. Thousands of cases of human angiostrongyliasis have been documented worldwide. A. cantonensis has spread from its traditional endemic regions of the Pacific islands and Southeast Asia to the American continent including the USA, Caribbean islands and Brazil. Humans acquire A. cantonensis by consumption of raw or undercooked intermediate snail hosts or paratenic hosts. The main clinical manifestations of human angiostrongyliasis are eosinophilic meningitis and ocular angiostrongyliasis. The treatment of this disease includes supportive treatment, corticosteroid therapy, and combined therapy with corticosteroids and anthelminthics. The most effective method for prevention is to persuade people not to eat raw or undercooked intermediate and paratenic hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q-P Wang
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Chang SH, Tang P, Wang LC. A transcriptomic study on the pepsin-activated infective larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2011; 179:47-50. [PMID: 21624399 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Revised: 05/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the pepsin-activated infective (third-stage) larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis at the transcriptomic level, 1496 ESTs were generated from a cDNA library and clustered into 161 contigs and 757 singletons. Among these unigenes, 54.5% had significant sequence homology with known proteins. The most abundantly expressed transcripts were cathepsin B-like cysteine protease 1 and 2, metalloprotease I, metalloprotease 1 precursor, and extracellular superoxide dismutase. Protein complex was the most common Gene Ontology classification within the 'cellular component' category, embryonic development ending in birth or egg hatching within 'biological process', and protein binding within 'molecular function'. Moreover, 280 clusters were mapped to 158 KEGG pathways and 134 had unique EC numbers. These findings suggest that treatment with pepsin-HCl not only digests the tissues of the snail host but also activates the infective larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hsin Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33332, Taiwan
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18
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Han YP, Li ZY, Li BC, Sun X, Zhu CC, Ling XT, Zheng HQ, Wu ZD, Lv ZY. Molecular cloning and characterization of a cathepsin B from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasitol Res 2011; 109:369-78. [PMID: 21344211 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2264-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2010] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine proteases, a superfamily of hydrolytic enzymes, have numerous functions in parasites. Here, we reported the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a cathepsin B (AcCPB) from Angiostrongylus cantonensis fourth-stage larvae cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence analysis indicated AcCPB is related to other cathepsin B family members with an overall conserved architecture. AcCPB is evolutionarily more close to other parasitic nematode cathepsin B than the ones from hosts, sharing 43-53% similarities to the homologues from other organisms. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that AcCPB was expressed significantly higher in the fourth-stage larvae (L4) and the fifth-stage larvae (L5) than that in the third-stage larvae (L3) and adult worms (Aw). Unexpectedly, AcCPB was expressed at a higher level in L4 and L5 derived from mice than the larvae at the same stages derived from rats. The protease activity of recombinant AcCPB (rAcCPB) expressed in Escherichia coli showed high thermostability and acidic pH optima. The role in ovalbumin digestion and enzyme activity of rAcCPB could be evidently inhibited by cystatin from A.cantonensis. Furthermore, we found rAcCPB increased the expression levels of CD40, MHC II, and CD80 on LPS-stimulated dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we provided the first experimental evidence for the expression of cathepsin B in A.cantonensis. Besides its highly specific expression in the stages of L4 and L5 when the worms cause dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier of hosts, AcCPB displayed different expression profiles in non-permissive host- and permissive host-derived larval stages and was involved in the maturation of DCs, suggesting a potential role in the central nervous system invasion and the immunoregulation during parasite-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-ping Han
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
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Liu YH, Han YP, Li ZY, Wei J, He HJ, Xu CZ, Zheng HQ, Zhan XM, Wu ZD, Lv ZY. Molecular cloning and characterization of cystatin, a cysteine protease inhibitor, from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasitol Res 2010; 107:915-22. [PMID: 20567985 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1952-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cystatins are thiol proteinase inhibitors ubiquitously present in mammalian body and serve various important physiological functions. In the present study, a novel cystatin molecule (AcCystatin) was cloned from a cDNA library of Angiostrongylus cantonensis fourth-stage larvae. The putative 14-kDa protein contained 120 residues with cystatin-conserved motifs known to interact with the active site of cysteine peptidases and showed high identities with cystatins from other nematodes. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression pattern of AcCystatin was equal at the time points of third-stage larvae, fourth-stage larvae, and adults of the parasite life cycle. The recombinant AcCystatin (rAcCystatin) expressed and purified from Escherichia coli has been demonstrated to possess an obvious inhibitory activity against cathepsin B and could significantly upregulate nitric oxide production from IFN-gamma activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Sera from mice (non-permissive host) infected with A. cantonensis detected rAcCystatin by Western blot, while the sera from infected rats (permissive host) could not. The results implied that AcCystatin might be an immunoregulator in A. cantonensis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hong Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 2nd Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
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