1
|
Lu L, Bu L, Laidemitt MR, Zhang SM, Loker ES. Different metazoan parasites, different transcriptomic responses, with new insights on parasitic castration by digenetic trematodes in the schistosome vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:608. [PMID: 38886647 PMCID: PMC11184841 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10454-4] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastropods of the genus Biomphalaria (Family Planorbidae) are exploited as vectors by Schistosoma mansoni, the most common causative agent of human intestinal schistosomiasis. Using improved genomic resources, overviews of how Biomphalaria responds to S. mansoni and other metazoan parasites can provide unique insights into the reproductive, immune, and other systems of invertebrate hosts, and their responses to parasite challenges. RESULTS Using Illumina-based RNA-Seq, we compared the responses of iM line B. glabrata at 2, 8, and 40 days post-infection (dpi) to single infections with S. mansoni, Echinostoma paraensei (both digenetic trematodes) or Daubaylia potomaca (a nematode parasite of planorbid snails). Responses were compared to unexposed time-matched control snails. We observed: (1) each parasite provoked a distinctive response with a predominance of down-regulated snail genes at all time points following exposure to either trematode, and of up-regulated genes at 8 and especially 40dpi following nematode exposure; (2) At 2 and 8dpi with either trematode, several snail genes associated with gametogenesis (particularly spermatogenesis) were down-regulated. Regarding the phenomenon of trematode-mediated parasitic castration in molluscs, we define for the first time a complement of host genes that are targeted, as early as 2dpi when trematode larvae are still small; (3) Differential gene expression of snails with trematode infection at 40dpi, when snails were shedding cercariae, was unexpectedly modest and revealed down-regulation of genes involved in the production of egg mass proteins and peptide processing; and (4) surprisingly, D. potomaca provoked up-regulation at 40dpi of many of the reproduction-related snail genes noted to be down-regulated at 2 and 8dpi following trematode infection. Happening at a time when B. glabrata began to succumb to D. potomaca, we hypothesize this response represents an unexpected form of fecundity compensation. We also document expression patterns for other Biomphalaria gene families, including fibrinogen domain-containing proteins (FReDs), C-type lectins, G-protein coupled receptors, biomphalysins, and protease and protease inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Our study is relevant in identifying several genes involved in reproduction that are targeted by parasites in the vector snail B. glabrata and that might be amenable to manipulation to minimize their ability to serve as vectors of schistosomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Lu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA.
| | - Lijing Bu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
| | - Martina R Laidemitt
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
| | - Eric S Loker
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary & Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhong D, Bu L, Habib MR, Lu L, Yan G, Zhang SM. A haplotype-like, chromosome-level assembled and annotated genome of Biomphalaria glabrata, an important intermediate host of schistosomiasis and the best studied model of schistosomiasis vector snails. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011983. [PMID: 38421953 PMCID: PMC10903818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the world's most devastating parasitic diseases, afflicting 251 million people globally. The Neotropical snail Biomphalaria glabrata is an important intermediate host of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni and a predominant model for schistosomiasis research. To fully exploit this model snail for biomedical research, here we report a haplotype-like, chromosome-level assembled and annotated genome of the homozygous iM line of B. glabrata that we developed at the University of New Mexico. Using multiple sequencing platforms, including Illumina, PacBio, and Omni-C sequencing, 18 sequence contact matrices representing 18 haploid chromosomes (2n = 36) were generated (337x genome coverage), and 96.5% of the scaffold sequences were anchored to the 18 chromosomes. Protein-coding genes (n = 34,559), non-coding RNAs (n = 2,406), and repetitive elements (42.52% of the genome) were predicted for the whole genome, and detailed annotations for individual chromosomes were also provided. Using this genomic resource, we have investigated the genomic structure and organization of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and fibrinogen-domain containing protein (FReD) genes, the two important immune-related gene families. Notably, TLR-like genes are scattered on 13 chromosomes. In contrast, almost all (39 of 40) fibrinogen-related genes (FREPs) (immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) + fibrinogen (FBG)) are clustered within a 5-million nucleotide region on chromosome 13, yielding insight into mechanisms involved in the diversification of FREPs. This is the first genome of schistosomiasis vector snails that has been assembled at the chromosome level, annotated, and analyzed. It serves as a valuable resource for a deeper understanding of the biology of vector snails, especially Biomphalaria snails.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Mohamed R. Habib
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Parn S, Lewis G, Knight M. Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase using aspirin is a novel method to block schistosomiasis infection of the parasitic trematode, Schistosoma mansoni, in the intermediate snail host, Biomphalaria glabrata. Exp Parasitol 2023; 254:108618. [PMID: 37696327 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major public health concern worldwide. Although praziquantel is currently available as the only treatment option for schistosomiasis, the absence of reliable diagnostic and prognostic tools highlights the need for the identification and characterization of new drug targets. Recently, we identified the B. glabrata homolog (accession number XP_013075832.1) of human CAXIV, showing 37% amino acid sequence identity, from a BLAST search in NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information). Carbonic Anhydrases (CAs) are metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration/dehydration of CO2/HCO3. These enzymes are associated with many physiological processes, and their role in tumorigenesis has been widely implicated. CAs create an acidic extracellular environment that facilitates the survival, metastasis, and growth of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the role of CA inhibition in B. glabrata snails exposed to S. mansoni miracidia. We analyzed the expression of the B. glabrata CA encoding transcript in juvenile susceptible and resistant snails, with and without exposure to S. mansoni. Our results showed that the expression of the CA mRNA encoding transcript was upregulated during early and prolonged infection in susceptible snails (BBO2), but not in the resistant BS-90 stock. Notably, sodium salicylate, a form of aspirin, inhibited the expression of CA, post-exposure, to the parasite. Increasing research between parasites and cancer has shown that schistosomes and cancer cells share similarities in their capacity to proliferate, survive, and evade host immune mechanisms. Here, we show that this model system is a potential new avenue for understanding the role of CA in the metastasis and proliferation of cancer cells. Further studies are needed to explore the potential of CA as a biomarker for infection in other schistosomiasis-causing parasites, including S. japonicum and S. haematobium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Parn
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, D.C., 20008, USA
| | - Gabriela Lewis
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, D.C., 20008, USA
| | - Matty Knight
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, D.C., 20008, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University Ross Hall, 2300 I Street, NW Washington DC, 20037, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lu L, Bu L, Zhang SM, Buddenborg SK, Loker ES. An Overview of Transcriptional Responses of Schistosome-Susceptible (M line) or -Resistant (BS-90) Biomphalaria glabrata Exposed or Not to Schistosoma mansoni Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 12:805882. [PMID: 35095891 PMCID: PMC8791074 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.805882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We seek to provide a comprehensive overview of transcriptomics responses of immune-related features of the gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata (Bg) following exposure to Schistosoma mansoni (Sm), a trematode causing human schistosomiasis. Responses of schistosome-susceptible (M line, or SUS) and -resistant (BS-90, or RES) Bg strains were characterized following exposure to Sm for 0.5, 2, 8 or 40 days post-exposure (dpe). Methods RNA-Seq and differential expression analysis were undertaken on 56 snails from 14 groups. We considered 7 response categories: 1) constitutive resistance factors; 2) constitutive susceptibility factors; 3) generalized stress responses; 4) induced resistance factors; 5) resistance factors suppressed in SUS snails; 6) suppressed/manipulated factors in SUS snails; and 7) tolerance responses in SUS snails. We also undertook a gene co-expression network analysis. Results from prior studies identifying schistosome resistance/susceptibility factors were examined relative to our findings. Results A total of 792 million paired-end reads representing 91.2% of the estimated 31,985 genes in the Bg genome were detected and results for the 7 categories compiled and highlighted. For both RES and SUS snails, a single most supported network of genes with highly correlated expression was found. Conclusions 1) Several constitutive differences in gene expression between SUS and RES snails were noted, the majority over-represented in RES; 2) There was little indication of a generalized stress response shared by SUS and RES snails at 0.5 or 2 dpe; 3) RES snails mounted a strong, multi-faceted response by 0.5 dpe that carried over to 2 dpe; 4) The most notable SUS responses were at 40 dpe, in snails shedding cercariae, when numerous features were either strongly down-regulated indicative of physiological distress or parasite manipulation, or up-regulated, suggestive of tolerance or survival-promoting effects; 5) Of 55 genes previously identified in genome wide mapping studies, 29 (52.7%) were responsive to Sm, as were many familiar resistance-associated genes (41.0%) identified by other means; 6) Both network analysis and remarkably specific patterns of expression of lectins and G protein-coupled receptors in categories 4, 6 and 7 were indicative of orchestrated responses of different suites of genes in SUS or RES snails following exposure to Sm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Sarah K Buddenborg
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Eric S Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Matoo OB, Neiman M. Bringing Disciplines and People Together to Characterize the Plastic and Genetic Responses of Molluscs to Environmental Change. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:1689-1698. [PMID: 34435639 PMCID: PMC8699093 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molluscs are remarkably diverse and are found across nearly all ecosystems, meaning that members of this ancient animal phylum provide a powerful means to study genomic-phenotype connections in a climate change framework. Recent advances in genomic sequencing technologies and genome assembly approaches finally allow the relatively cheap and tractable assembly of high-quality mollusc genome resources. After a brief review of these issues and advances, we use a case-study approach to provide some concrete examples of phenotypic plasticity and genomic adaptation in molluscs in response to environmental factors expected to be influenced by climate change. Our goal is to use molluscs as a "common currency" to demonstrate how organismal and evolutionary biologists can use natural systems to make phenotype-genotype connections in the context of changing environments. In parallel, we emphasize the critical need to collaborate and integrate findings across taxa and disciplines in order to use new data and information to advance our understanding of mollusc biology in the context of global environmental change. We end with a brief synthetic summary of the papers inspired by the 2021 SICB Symposium "Genomic Perspectives in Comparative Physiology of Molluscs: Integration across Disciplines".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omera B Matoo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln 68588, NE, USA
| | - Maurine Neiman
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, IA, USA.,Department of Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Davison A, Neiman M. Mobilizing molluscan models and genomes in biology. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200163. [PMID: 33813892 PMCID: PMC8059959 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Molluscs are among the most ancient, diverse, and important of all animal taxa. Even so, no individual mollusc species has emerged as a broadly applied model system in biology. We here make the case that both perceptual and methodological barriers have played a role in the relative neglect of molluscs as research organisms. We then summarize the current application and potential of molluscs and their genomes to address important questions in animal biology, and the state of the field when it comes to the availability of resources such as genome assemblies, cell lines, and other key elements necessary to mobilising the development of molluscan model systems. We conclude by contending that a cohesive research community that works together to elevate multiple molluscan systems to 'model' status will create new opportunities in addressing basic and applied biological problems, including general features of animal evolution. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Molluscan genomics: broad insights and future directions for a neglected phylum'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angus Davison
- School of Life Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Maurine Neiman
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Invertebrates are becoming more popular and, as collections age, clients may seek veterinary intervention where the welfare of the animal must be considered. This article covers aging in many invertebrate species but with a focus on species likely to be seen in general practice. Supportive care may be an option to prolong life, but euthanasia must be considered for invertebrates with age-related unmanageable conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Pellett
- Animates Veterinary Clinic, 2 The Green, Thurlby, Lincolnshire PE10 0EB, UK.
| | - Michelle O'Brien
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Newgrounds Lane, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT, UK
| | - Benjamin Kennedy
- Anton Vets, Anton Trading Estate, Anton Mill Road, Andover SP10 2NJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sullivan J, Banoub M, Tellechea N. NEONATAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TO INFECTION WITH SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI IN RESISTANT BIOMPHALARIA GLABRATA. J Parasitol 2020; 106:430337. [PMID: 32227217 DOI: 10.1645/19-144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory BS-90 strain of the freshwater pulmonate snail Biomphalaria glabrata, progeny of snails collected from Salvador, Brazil, is resistant to infection with Schistosoma mansoni as juveniles or adults, which rapidly kill primary sporocysts with an attack by the internal defense system (IDS). However, neonatal snails are susceptible to infection. Although neonatal susceptibility of Salvador B. glabrata was reported in 1953 and confirmed subsequently, this phenomenon has been largely ignored. In this study, susceptibility was examined in discrete sizes (shell diameters) of BS-90 snails. We found that 1 mm snails are highly susceptible and develop patent infections. Unexpectedly, most infected 1 mm snails contain primary sporocysts in the digestive gland. Snails measuring 2 and 3 mm show reduced prevalence of infection, and 4 mm and larger snails are refractory. In snails larger than 1 mm, sporocysts fail to develop normally, as shown by reduced numbers of germinal cells at 48 hr post exposure. Moreover, in larger snails an increasingly stronger response of the IDS is mounted in the form of increased numbers of sporocysts undergoing encapsulation and destruction by hemocytes, increased layers of encapsulating hemocytes, as well as increased mitotic activity of the hematopoietic amebocyte-producing organ. These results indicate a relatively narrow size range over which resistance develops and suggest that the IDS of 1 mm snails is developmentally immature. The occurrence of infections in neonatal snails may help to explain transmission of schistosomiasis in regions of low snail susceptibility and may complicate future efforts in biological control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Sullivan
- University of San Francisco Professor Biology 2130 Fulton Street UNITED STATES San Francisco CA 94117 412-422-6363 415- 422-5975 University of San Francisco
- 0000-0002-6190-3663
| | - Mariam Banoub
- Department of Biology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94117. Correspondence should be sent to John T. Sullivan at:
| | - Nicholas Tellechea
- Department of Biology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94117. Correspondence should be sent to John T. Sullivan at:
| |
Collapse
|