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Al-Jawabreh R, Lastik D, McKenzie D, Reynolds K, Suleiman M, Mousley A, Atkinson L, Hunt V. Advancing Strongyloides omics data: bridging the gap with Caenorhabditis elegans. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220437. [PMID: 38008117 PMCID: PMC10676819 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0437] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Among nematodes, the free-living model organism Caenorhabditis elegans boasts the most advanced portfolio of high-quality omics data. The resources available for parasitic nematodes, including Strongyloides spp., however, are lagging behind. While C. elegans remains the most tractable nematode and has significantly advanced our understanding of many facets of nematode biology, C. elegans is not suitable as a surrogate system for the study of parasitism and it is important that we improve the omics resources available for parasitic nematode species. Here, we review the omics data available for Strongyloides spp. and compare the available resources to those for C. elegans and other parasitic nematodes. The advancements in C. elegans omics offer a blueprint for improving omics-led research in Strongyloides. We suggest areas of priority for future research that will pave the way for expansions in omics resources and technologies. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Strongyloides: omics to worm-free populations'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Al-Jawabreh
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Dominika Lastik
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | | | - Kieran Reynolds
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Mona Suleiman
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | | | | | - Vicky Hunt
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
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2
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Tiberti N, Manfredi M, Piubelli C, Buonfrate D. Progresses and challenges in Strongyloides spp. proteomics. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220447. [PMID: 38008115 PMCID: PMC10676815 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0447] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The availability of high-quality data of helminth genomes provided over the past two decades has supported and accelerated large-scale 'omics studies and, consequently, the achievement of a more in-depth molecular characterization of a number of pathogens. This has also involved Strongyloides spp. and since their genome was made available transcriptomics has been rather frequently applied to investigate gene expression regulation across their life cycle. Strongyloides proteomics characterization has instead been somehow neglected, with only a few reports performing high-throughput or targeted analyses associated with protein identification by tandem mass spectrometry. Such investigations are however necessary in order to discern important aspects associated with human strongyloidiasis, including understanding parasite biology and the mechanisms of host-parasite interaction, but also to identify novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this review article, we will give an overview of the published proteomics studies investigating strongyloidiasis at different levels, spanning from the characterization of the somatic proteome and excretory/secretory products of different parasite stages to the investigation of potentially immunogenic proteins. Moreover, in the effort to try to start filling the current gap in host-proteomics, we will also present the first serum proteomics analysis in patients suffering from human strongyloidiasis. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Strongyloides: omics to worm-free populations'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Tiberti
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella (Verona), Italy
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Chiara Piubelli
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella (Verona), Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella (Verona), Italy
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3
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McClure CR, Patel R, Hallem EA. Invade or die: behaviours and biochemical mechanisms that drive skin penetration in Strongyloides and other skin-penetrating nematodes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220434. [PMID: 38008119 PMCID: PMC10676818 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0434] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin-penetrating nematodes, including the human threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms in the genera Necator and Ancylostoma, are gastrointestinal parasites that are a major cause of neglected tropical disease in low-resource settings worldwide. These parasites infect hosts as soil-dwelling infective larvae that navigate towards hosts using host-emitted sensory cues such as odorants and body heat. Upon host contact, they invade the host by penetrating through the skin. The process of skin penetration is critical for successful parasitism but remains poorly understood and understudied. Here, we review current knowledge of skin-penetration behaviour and its underlying mechanisms in the human parasite S. stercoralis, the closely related rat parasite Strongyloides ratti, and other skin-penetrating nematodes such as hookworms. We also highlight important directions for future investigations into this underexplored process and discuss how recent advances in molecular genetic and genomic tools for Strongyloides species will enable mechanistic investigations of skin penetration and other essential parasitic behaviours in future studies. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Strongyloides: omics to worm-free populations'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney R. McClure
- Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ruhi Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Elissa A. Hallem
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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4
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Al-Jawabreh R, Anderson R, Atkinson LE, Bickford-Smith J, Bradbury RS, Breloer M, Bryant AS, Buonfrate D, Cadd LC, Crooks B, Deiana M, Grant W, Hallem E, Hedtke SM, Hunt V, Khieu V, Kikuchi T, Kounosu A, Lastik D, van Lieshout L, Liu Y, McSorley HJ, McVeigh P, Mousley A, Murcott B, Nevin WD, Nosková E, Pomari E, Reynolds K, Ross K, Streit A, Suleiman M, Tiberti N, Viney M. Strongyloides questions-a research agenda for the future. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230004. [PMID: 38008122 PMCID: PMC10676812 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0004] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The Strongyloides genus of parasitic nematodes have a fascinating life cycle and biology, but are also important pathogens of people and a World Health Organization-defined neglected tropical disease. Here, a community of Strongyloides researchers have posed thirteen major questions about Strongyloides biology and infection that sets a Strongyloides research agenda for the future. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Strongyloides: omics to worm-free populations'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roy Anderson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
| | - Louise E. Atkinson
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | | | | | - Minka Breloer
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg 20359, Germany
| | - Astra S. Bryant
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Luke C. Cadd
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Bethany Crooks
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Michela Deiana
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Warwick Grant
- Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Elissa Hallem
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles 90095, USA
| | - Shannon M. Hedtke
- Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Vicky Hunt
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Virak Khieu
- National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Cambodia Ministry of Health, Cambodia
| | - Taisei Kikuchi
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8652, Japan
| | - Asuka Kounosu
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Dominika Lastik
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Department of Evolution, Ecology & Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Henry J. McSorley
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Paul McVeigh
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Angela Mousley
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Ben Murcott
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - William David Nevin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Eva Nosková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Pomari
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Kieran Reynolds
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Kirstin Ross
- Environmental Health, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Adrian Streit
- Department of Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Mona Suleiman
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Natalia Tiberti
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Mark Viney
- Department of Evolution, Ecology & Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
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Cardoso de Souza Z, Humberto Xavier Júnior F, Oliveira Pinheiro I, de Souza Rebouças J, Oliveira de Abreu B, Roberto Ribeiro Mesquita P, de Medeiros Rodrigues F, Costa Quadros H, Manuel Fernandes Mendes T, Nguewa P, Marques Alegretti S, Paiva Farias L, Rocha Formiga F. Ameliorating the antiparasitic activity of the multifaceted drug ivermectin through a polymer nanocapsule formulation. Int J Pharm 2023; 639:122965. [PMID: 37084836 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Ivermectin (IVM) is a potent antiparasitic widely used in human and veterinary medicine. However, the low oral bioavailability of IVM restricts its therapeutic potential in many parasitic infections, highlighting the need for novel formulation approaches. In this study, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules containing IVM were successfully developed using the nanoprecipitation method. Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) was used as an oily core in the developed nanocapsules. Previously, PSO was chemically analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). The solubility of IVM in PSO was found to be 4,266.5 ± 38.6 μg/mL. In addition, the partition coefficient of IVM in PSO/water presented a logP of 2.44. A number of nanocapsule batches were produced by factorial design resulting in an optimized formulation. Negatively charged nanocapsules measuring around 400 nm demonstrated unimodal size distribution, and presented regular spherical morphology under transmission electron microscopy. High encapsulation efficiency (98-100%) was determined by HPLC. IVM-loaded capsules were found to be stable in nanosuspensions at 4°C and 25°C, with no significant variations in particle size observed over a period of 150 days. Nanoencapsulated IVM (0.3 mM) presented reduced toxicity to J774 macrophages and L929 fibroblasts compared to free IVM. Moreover, IVM-loaded nanocapsules also demonstrated enhanced in vitro anthelmintic activity against Strongyloides venezuelensis in comparison to free IVM. Collectively, the present findings demonstrate the promising potential of PCL-PSO nanocapsules to improve the antiparasitic effects exerted by IVM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilyane Cardoso de Souza
- Graduate Program in Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), 50100-130, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Irapuan Oliveira Pinheiro
- Graduate Program in Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), 50100-130, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Brenda Oliveira de Abreu
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Pernambuco (UPE), 50100-130 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Helenita Costa Quadros
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute (IGM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | | | - Paul Nguewa
- University of Navarra, ISTUN Institute of Tropical Health, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31009, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silmara Marques Alegretti
- Departament of Animal Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Paiva Farias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute (IGM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Fabio Rocha Formiga
- Graduate Program in Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), 50100-130, Recife, PE, Brazil; Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil.
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Marlais T, Bickford-Smith J, Talavera-López C, Le H, Chowdhury F, Miles MA. A comparative 'omics' approach for prediction of candidate Strongyloides stercoralis diagnostic coproantigens. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0010777. [PMID: 37068106 PMCID: PMC10138266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human infection with the intestinal nematode Strongyloides stercoralis is persistent unless effectively treated, and potentially fatal in immunosuppressed individuals. Epidemiological data are lacking, partially due to inadequate diagnosis. A rapid antigen detection test is a priority for population surveillance, validating cure after treatment, and for screening prior to immunosuppression. We used a targeted analysis of open access 'omics' data sets and used online predictors to identify S. stercoralis proteins that are predicted to be present in infected stool, Strongyloides-specific, and antigenic. Transcriptomic data from gut and non-gut dwelling life cycle stages of S. stercoralis revealed 328 proteins that are differentially expressed. Strongyloides ratti proteomic data for excreted and secreted (E/S) proteins were matched to S. stercoralis, giving 1,057 orthologues. Five parasitism-associated protein families (SCP/TAPS, prolyl oligopeptidase, transthyretin-like, aspartic peptidase, acetylcholinesterase) were compared phylogenetically between S. stercoralis and outgroups, and proteins with least homology to the outgroups were selected. Proteins that overlapped between the transcriptomic and proteomic datasets were analysed by multiple sequence alignment, epitope prediction and 3D structure modelling to reveal S. stercoralis candidate peptide/protein coproantigens. We describe 22 candidates from seven genes, across all five protein families for further investigation as potential S. stercoralis diagnostic coproantigens, identified using open access data and freely-available protein analysis tools. This powerful approach can be applied to many parasitic infections with 'omic' data to accelerate development of specific diagnostic assays for laboratory or point-of-care field application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tegwen Marlais
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Bickford-Smith
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Talavera-López
- Institute of Computational Biology, Computational Health Centre, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Hai Le
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fatima Chowdhury
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Dishnica K, Piubelli C, Manfredi M, Kondaveeti RT, Longoni SS, Degani M, Buonfrate D, Giorgetti A, Tiberti N. Novel insights into the somatic proteome of Strongyloides stercoralis infective third-stage larvae. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:45. [PMID: 36721249 PMCID: PMC9890704 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05675-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting an estimated 600 million people, particularly in resource-limited settings. The infection can persist lifelong due to unusual auto-infective cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis. The lack of a diagnostic gold standard and limited knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning this chronic infection are key issues in disease management. To date, only a few proteomics studies have been conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with Strongyloides parasitism or to highlight novel immunological markers, with the result that our knowledge of S. stercoralis proteome remains limited. This study aims at expanding the characterization of S. stercoralis infective larvae (iL3) in order to further explore the mechanisms of parasitism and to highlight possible novel targets for serodiagnosis. METHODS iL3 obtained from an infected subject were analysed by high-throughput tandem mass spectrometry. To achieve a more comprehensive characterization of the iL3 proteome we analysed the experimental dataset using an automatic search strategy combined with manual annotation, which included gene ontology (GO) analysis, InterPro annotation, assessment of the homology with Homo sapiens and other pathogens of clinical importance and B-cell epitope prediction. RESULTS Our pipeline identified 430 S. stercoralis proteins, 187 (43%) of which were uncharacterized. Oxidoreductases and peptidases were amongst the most represented protein categories, as highlighted by molecular function GO analyses, while membrane and mitochondrial proteins were the most represented cellular component GO categories. A high proportion of proteins bearing the CAP, SCP or thioredoxin domain or belonging to cysteine-rich secretory, transthyretin-like or peptidase protein families were also identified. Additionally, we highlighted nine proteins displaying low homology with H. sapiens or other related pathogens and bearing amino acid sequences with immunogenic properties. CONCLUSIONS Our comprehensive description and annotation of the S. stercoralis iL3 proteome contribute to expanding the 'omics characterization of this parasite and provide experimental evidence on the most represented proteins associated with S. stercoralis parasitism, as inferred from genomic and transcriptomic data. Moreover, novel candidate immunogenic proteins to be evaluated as novel serological diagnostic markers are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klevia Dishnica
- grid.5611.30000 0004 1763 1124Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Piubelli
- grid.416422.70000 0004 1760 2489Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar Di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- grid.16563.370000000121663741Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Ravi Teja Kondaveeti
- grid.416422.70000 0004 1760 2489Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar Di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Silvia Stefania Longoni
- grid.416422.70000 0004 1760 2489Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar Di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Monica Degani
- grid.416422.70000 0004 1760 2489Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar Di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- grid.416422.70000 0004 1760 2489Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar Di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Alejandro Giorgetti
- grid.5611.30000 0004 1763 1124Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Natalia Tiberti
- grid.416422.70000 0004 1760 2489Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar Di Valpolicella, Italy
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8
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Bosi G, Maynard BJ, Pironi F, Sayyaf Dezfuli B. Parasites and the neuroendocrine control of fish intestinal function: an ancient struggle between pathogens and host. Parasitology 2022; 149:1842-1861. [PMID: 36076315 PMCID: PMC11010486 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Most individual fish in wild and farmed populations can be infected with parasites. Fish intestines can harbour protozoans, myxozoans and helminths, which include several species of digeneans, cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephalans. Enteric parasites often induce inflammation of the intestine; the pathogen provokes changes in the host physiology, which will be genetically selected for if they benefit the parasite. The host response to intestinal parasites involves neural, endocrine and immune systems and interaction among these systems is coordinated by hormones, chemokines, cytokines and neurotransmitters including peptides. Intestinal fish parasites have effects on the components of the enteric nervous and endocrine systems; mechanical/chemical changes impair the activity of these systems, including gut motility and digestion. Investigations on the role of the neuroendocrine system in response to fish intestinal parasites are very few. This paper provides immunohistochemical and ultrastructural data on effects of parasites on the enteric nervous system and the enteric endocrine system in several fish–parasite systems. Emphasis is on the occurrence of 21 molecules including cholecystokinin-8, neuropeptide Y, enkephalins, galanin, vasoactive intestinal peptide and serotonin in infected tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampaolo Bosi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, St. dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Barbara J. Maynard
- The Institute for Learning and Teaching, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Flavio Pironi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, St. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Bahram Sayyaf Dezfuli
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, St. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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9
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Roldán Gonzáles WH, Coelho GR, Pimenta DC, de Paula FM, Gryschek RCB. Proteomic analysis of the excretory-secretory products from Strongyloides venezuelensis infective larvae: new insights for the immunodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3155-3170. [PMID: 36044090 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07636-y] [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: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis is a practical alternative to parasitological methods due to its high sensitivity. However, cross-reactivity with other helminth infections limits its utility, and this problem is due to the use of homologous or heterologous somatic extracts of the parasite as an antigen source. Excretory-secretory (E/S) products from Strongyloides infective larvae can be used to improve the serodiagnosis. The combined use of western blot and proteomics became an interesting strategy to identify immunological markers for the serodiagnosis of strongyloidiasis. The present study describes the proteomic analysis of the antigenic components from E/S products of S. venezuelensis infective larvae that were recognized by IgG antibodies from patients with strongyloidiasis. Our results showed that IgG antibodies from patients with strongyloidiasis recognized between 15 and 16 antigenic bands in the E/S products from S. venezuelensis that were incubated in PBS or in RPMI culture medium, respectively. Overall, antigenic bands of low and high molecular weight were more specific than those of intermediate molecular weight, which were cross-reactive. A 36-kDa antigenic band was 93% sensitive and 100% specific (a probably arginine kinase of 37 kDa), while other antigenic bands were highly sensitive but low specific. Proteomic analysis revealed differences between the protein profiles from E/S-RPMI and E/S-PBS since only one-third of all proteins identified were common in both types of E/S products. Bioinformatic analysis showed that more than 50% of the proteins from E/S products are secreted within extracellular vesicles and only a small percentage of them are actually released by the classical secretory pathway. Several components from the E/S products were identified as plasminogen-binding proteins, probably used as an immune evasion mechanism. The data provided here provide valuable information to increase understanding of E/S products from S. venezuelensis infective larvae. This may help us to find new targets for the immunodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Henry Roldán Gonzáles
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM/06), Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | - Fabiana Martins de Paula
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM/06), Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
| | - Ronaldo Cesar Borges Gryschek
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM/06), Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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10
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Scheifler M, Sanchez-Brosseau S, Magnanou E, Desdevises Y. Diversity and structure of sparids external microbiota (Teleostei) and its link with monogenean ectoparasites. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:27. [PMID: 35418308 PMCID: PMC9009028 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00180-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Animal-associated microbial communities appear to be key factors in host physiology, ecology, evolution and its interactions with the surrounding environment. Teleost fish have received relatively little attention in the study of surface-associated microbiota. Besides the important role of microbiota in homeostasis and infection prevention, a few recent studies have shown that fish mucus microbiota may interact with and attract some specific parasitic species. However, our understanding of external microbial assemblages, in particular regarding the factors that determine their composition and potential interactions with parasites, is still limited. This is the objective of the present study that focuses on a well-known fish-parasite interaction, involving the Sparidae (Teleostei), and their specific monogenean ectoparasites of the Lamellodiscus genus. We characterized the skin and gill mucus bacterial communities using a 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, tested how fish ecological traits and host evolutionary history are related to external microbiota, and assessed if some microbial taxa are related to some Lamellodiscus species. Results Our results revealed significant differences between skin and gill microbiota in terms of diversity and structure, and that sparids establish and maintain tissue and species-specific bacterial communities despite continuous exposure to water. No phylosymbiosis pattern was detected for either gill or skin microbiota, suggesting that other host-related and environmental factors are a better regulator of host-microbiota interactions. Diversity and structure of external microbiota were explained by host traits: host species, diet and body part. Numerous correlations between the abundance of given bacterial genera and the abundance of given Lamellodiscus species have been found in gill mucus, including species-specific associations. We also found that the external microbiota of the only unparasitized sparid species in this study, Boops boops, harbored significantly more Fusobacteria and three genera, Shewenella, Cetobacterium and Vibrio, compared to the other sparid species, suggesting their potential involvement in preventing monogenean infection. Conclusions This study is the first to explore the diversity and structure of skin and gill microbiota from a wild fish family and present novel evidence on the links between gill microbiota and monogenean species in diversity and abundance, paving the way for further studies on understanding host-microbiota-parasite interactions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42523-022-00180-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Scheifler
- Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, BIOM, Observatoire Océanologique, Sorbonne Université - CNRS, 66650, Banyuls/Mer, France.
| | - Sophie Sanchez-Brosseau
- Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, BIOM, Observatoire Océanologique, Sorbonne Université - CNRS, 66650, Banyuls/Mer, France
| | - Elodie Magnanou
- Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, BIOM, Observatoire Océanologique, Sorbonne Université - CNRS, 66650, Banyuls/Mer, France
| | - Yves Desdevises
- Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, BIOM, Observatoire Océanologique, Sorbonne Université - CNRS, 66650, Banyuls/Mer, France
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11
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Proteomic Profiling and In Silico Characterization of the Secretome of Anisakis simplex Sensu Stricto L3 Larvae. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020246. [PMID: 35215189 PMCID: PMC8879239 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) L3 larvae are one of the major etiological factors of human anisakiasis, which is one of the most important foodborne parasitic diseases. Nevertheless, to date, Anisakis secretome proteins, with important functions in nematode pathogenicity and host-parasite interactions, have not been extensively explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and characterize the excretory-secretory (ES) proteins of A. simplex L3 larvae. ES proteins of A. simplex were subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, and the identified proteins were then analyzed using bioinformatics tools. A total of 158 proteins were detected. Detailed bioinformatic characterization of ES proteins was performed, including Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, identification of enzymes, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis, protein family classification, secretory pathway prediction, and detection of essential proteins. Furthermore, of all detected ES proteins, 1 was identified as an allergen, which was Ani s 4, and 18 were potential allergens, most of which were homologs of nematode and arthropod allergens. Nine potential pathogenicity-related proteins were predicted, which were predominantly homologs of chaperones. In addition, predicted host-parasite interactions between the Anisakis ES proteins and both human and fish proteins were identified. In conclusion, this study represents the first global analysis of Anisakis ES proteins. The findings provide a better understanding of survival and invasion strategies of A. simplex L3 larvae.
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12
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Costa IN, Bosqui LR, Corral MA, Costa-Cruz JM, Gryschek RCB, de Paula FM. Diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis: Application in clinical practice. Acta Trop 2021; 223:106081. [PMID: 34364894 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This review considers the advantages and disadvantages of parasitological techniques, methods of detecting antibodies and antigens, as well as molecular biology techniques in the diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. In addition, it elucidates the potential of different techniques for rapid and effective detection of clinical cases, thus enabling early treatment and preventing fatal consequences of this helminthiasis.
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13
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Roldán Gonzáles WH, Meisel DMCL, de Paula FM, Gryschek RCB. Diagnostic accuracy of somatic and excretory-secretory antigens from Strongyloides venezuelensis infective larvae for the immunodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Parasitology 2021; 148:1522-1527. [PMID: 35060455 PMCID: PMC11010145 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021001207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of three types of antigenic preparations from Strongyloides venezuelensis infective larvae for detection of serum IgG anti-Strongyloides antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Soluble somatic fractions (SSF) and membrane somatic fractions (MSF) and excretory−secretory (E/S) products from S. venezuelensis infective larvae were evaluated against 71 sera from individuals with strongyloidiasis, 105 sera from healthy individuals, and 84 sera from individuals with other helminth infections. Using an ELISA cut-off for 100% sensitivity, E/S products were 97.88% specific followed by MSF (93.12%) and then by SSF (85.2%). The occurrence of cross-reactivity with other helminths was 4.76% (4/84) with E/S products, 8.33% (7/84) with MSF, and 17.86% (15/84) with SSF. For a cut-off for 100% specificity, E/S products showed a sensitivity of 88.73% whereas MSF and SSF showed sensitivities of 59.15% and 53.52%, respectively. In conclusion, E/S products were the best antigenic option for the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Henry Roldán Gonzáles
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (Laboratório de Investigação Médica, LIM-06) Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dirce Mary Correia Lima Meisel
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (Laboratório de Investigação Médica, LIM-06) Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Martins de Paula
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (Laboratório de Investigação Médica, LIM-06) Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Cesar Borges Gryschek
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (Laboratório de Investigação Médica, LIM-06) Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Mining nematode protein secretomes to explain lifestyle and host specificity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009828. [PMID: 34587193 PMCID: PMC8504978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes are highly successful pathogens, inflicting disease on humans, animals and plants. Despite great differences in their life cycles, host preference and transmission modes, these parasites share a common capacity to manipulate their host's immune system. This is at least partly achieved through the release of excretory/secretory proteins, the most well-characterized component of nematode secretomes, that are comprised of functionally diverse molecules. In this work, we analyzed published protein secretomes of parasitic nematodes to identify common patterns as well as species-specific traits. The 20 selected organisms span 4 nematode clades, including plant pathogens, animal parasites, and the free-living species Caenorhabditis elegans. Transthyretin-like proteins were the only component common to all adult secretomes; many other protein classes overlapped across multiple datasets. The glycolytic enzymes aldolase and enolase were present in all parasitic species, but missing from C. elegans. Secretomes from larval stages showed less overlap between species. Although comparison of secretome composition across species and life-cycle stages is challenged by the use of different methods and depths of sequencing among studies, our workflow enabled the identification of conserved protein families and pinpointed elements that may have evolved as to enable parasitism. This strategy, extended to more secretomes, may be exploited to prioritize therapeutic targets in the future.
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15
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Wang T, Gasser RB. Prospects of Using High-Throughput Proteomics to Underpin the Discovery of Animal Host-Nematode Interactions. Pathogens 2021; 10:825. [PMID: 34209223 PMCID: PMC8308620 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes impose a significant public health burden, and cause major economic losses to agriculture worldwide. Due to the widespread of anthelmintic resistance and lack of effective vaccines for most nematode species, there is an urgent need to discover novel therapeutic and vaccine targets, informed through an understanding of host-parasite interactions. Proteomics, underpinned by genomics, enables the global characterisation proteins expressed in a particular cell type, tissue and organism, and provides a key to insights at the host-parasite interface using advanced high-throughput mass spectrometry-based proteomic technologies. Here, we (i) review current mass-spectrometry-based proteomic methods, with an emphasis on a high-throughput 'bottom-up' approach; (ii) summarise recent progress in the proteomics of parasitic nematodes of animals, with a focus on molecules inferred to be involved in host-parasite interactions; and (iii) discuss future research directions that could enhance our knowledge and understanding of the molecular interplay between nematodes and host animals, in order to work toward new, improved methods for the treatment, diagnosis and control of nematodiases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
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16
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Dela Justina V, Gama LA, Schönholzer T, Bressan AF, Lima VV, Americo MF, Giachini FR. Resistance mesenteric arteries display hypercontractility in the resolution time of Strongyloides venezuelensis infection. Exp Parasitol 2021; 222:108078. [PMID: 33485874 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108078] [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: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The blood flow in the mesenteric region is crucial for nutrient absorption and immune response in the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of nematodes or their excreted/secreted products seems to provoke vascular dysfunction. However, it is unclear whether and how the intestinal nematodes with habitat in the intestinal niche could affect the mesenteric vascular resistance. In this study, male Wistar rats were infected with 2000 larvae of S. venezuelensis, and experiments were conducted at 0 (non-infected control), 10 or 30 days post-infection (DPI). Eggs were counted in rats' feces and adult worms recovered from the small intestine. Second- or third-order mesenteric arteries were extracted for concentration-response curves (CRC) to phenylephrine [PE; in the presence or absence of L-NAME or indomethacin] and acetylcholine. The number of eggs and adult worms were significantly higher in the 10 DPI group than those of 30 DPI group. Augmented PE-induced contraction was seen after 30 DPI compared to 10 DPI or control group. Hypercontractility to PE was partially prevented by L-NAME and wholly abolished by indomethacin incubation. Endothelium-dependent relaxation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression were unchanged among groups. COX-1 and COX-2 display a different pattern of expression over the infection. Hypercontractility observed in mesenteric resistance arteries in the resolution time of S. venezuelensis infection may represent systemic damage, which can generate significant cardiovascular and gastrointestinal repercussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Dela Justina
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Loyane Almeida Gama
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra Do Garças, MT, Brazil; Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Schönholzer
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra Do Garças, MT, Brazil
| | - Alecsander F Bressan
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra Do Garças, MT, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Victor Vitorino Lima
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra Do Garças, MT, Brazil
| | - Madileine F Americo
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra Do Garças, MT, Brazil; Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda R Giachini
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra Do Garças, MT, Brazil.
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17
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop a simple method to purify Strongyloides eggs from rat faeces using a sucrose gradient centrifugal-flotation technique. This procedure is simple, rapid and possesses a high efficiency in recovering Strongyloides eggs without faecal detritus in less than one hour, thus eliminating the use of complex apparatus and different chemical substances. The possibility of working with pure and live Strongyloides eggs opens up a wide range of future studies on the biology of this parasite. This study constitutes the first report in the scientific literature on purifying Strongyloides eggs using a sucrose density gradient.
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18
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Shotgun proteomics of Strongyloides venezuelensis infective third stage larvae: Insights into host-parasite interaction and novel targets for diagnostics. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 235:111249. [PMID: 31881239 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Strongyloides venezuelensis is an important alternative source of antigen for the serologic diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Proteomics techniques applied to the analysis of the protein content of infective third stage larvae (iL3) of S. venezuelensis provide a powerful tool for the discovery of new candidates for immunodiagnosis. This study presents an overview of the protein iL3 S. venezuelensis focusing on the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. A total of 877 proteins were identified by shotgun proteomics. Many of these proteins are involved in different cellular processes, metabolic as well as structural maintenance. Our results point to a catalog of possible diagnostic targets for human strongyloidiasis and highlight the need for evaluation of uncharacterized proteins, especially the proteins within the CAP domain, transthyretin, and BTPI inhibitor domains, as a repertoire as yet unexplored in the context of strongyloidiasis diagnostic markers. We believe that the protein profile presented in this shotgun analysis extends our understanding of the protein composition within the Strongyloides genus, opening up new perspectives for research on biomarkers that may help with the diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD013703.
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19
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Abstract
Purpose of Review This paper constitutes an update of recent studies on the general biology, molecular genetics, and cellular biology of Strongyloides spp. and related parasitic nematodes. Recent Findings Increasingly, human strongyloidiasis is considered the most neglected of neglected tropical diseases. Despite this, the last 5 years has seen remarkable advances in the molecular biology of Strongyloides spp. Genome sequences for S. stercoralis, S. ratti, S. venezuelensis, S. papillosus, and the related parasite Parastrongyloides trichosuri were created, annotated, and analyzed. These genomic resources, along with a practical transgenesis platform for Strongyloides spp., aided a major achievement, the advent of targeted mutagenesis via CRISPR/Cas9 in S. stercoralis and S. ratti. The genome sequences have also enabled significant molecular epidemiologic and phylogenetic findings on human strongyloidiasis, including the first genetic evidence of zoonotic transmission of S. stercoralis between dogs and humans. Studies of molecular signaling pathways identified the nuclear receptor Ss-DAF-12 as one that can be manipulated in the parasite by exogenous application of its steroid ligands. The chemotherapeutic implications of this were unscored by a study in which a Ss-DAF-12 ligand suppressed autoinfection by S. stercoralis in a new murine model of human strongyloidiasis. Summary Seminal advances in genomics of Strongyloides spp. have transformed research into strongyloidiasis, facilitating fundamental phylogenetic and epidemiologic studies and aiding the deployment of CRISPR/Cas9 gene disruption and editing as functional genomic tools in Strongyloides spp. Studies of Ss-DAF-12 signaling in S. stercoralis demonstrated the potential of this pathway as a novel chemotherapeutic target in parasitic nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tegegn G. Jaleta
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James B. Lok
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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20
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Afrin T, Murase K, Kounosu A, Hunt VL, Bligh M, Maeda Y, Hino A, Maruyama H, Tsai IJ, Kikuchi T. Sequential Changes in the Host Gut Microbiota During Infection With the Intestinal Parasitic Nematode Strongyloides venezuelensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:217. [PMID: 31293983 PMCID: PMC6604662 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are medically important parasites that infect 1. 5 billion humans globally, causing a substantial disease burden. These parasites infect the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of their host where they co-exist and interact with the host gut bacterial flora, leading to the coevolution of the parasites, microbiota, and host organisms. However, little is known about how these interactions change through time with the progression of infection. Strongyloidiasis is a human parasitic disease caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis infecting 30-100 million people. In this study, we used a closely related rodent parasite Strongyloides venezuelensis and mice as a model of gastrointestinal parasite infection. We conducted a time-course experiment to examine changes in the fecal microbiota from the start of infection to parasite clearance. We found that bacterial taxa in the host intestinal microbiota changed significantly as the infection progressed, with an increase in the genera Bacteroides and Candidatus Arthromitus, and a decrease in Prevotella and Rikenellaceae. However, the microbiota recovered to the pre-infective state after parasite clearance from the host, suggesting that these perturbations are reversible. Microarray analysis revealed that this microbiota transition is likely to correspond with the host immune response. These findings give us an insight into the dynamics of parasite-microbiota interactions in the host gut during parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanzila Afrin
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Kazunori Murase
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Asuka Kounosu
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Vicky L Hunt
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Mark Bligh
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Yasunobu Maeda
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Akina Hino
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Maruyama
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Isheng J Tsai
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Taisei Kikuchi
- Division of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
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