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Elizalde-Velázquez LE, Schlosser-Brandenburg J, Laubschat A, Oser L, Kundik A, Adjah J, Groenhagen S, Kühl AA, Rausch S, Hartmann S. Th2-biased immune responses to body migrating Ascaris larvae in primary infection are associated with pathology but not protection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14919. [PMID: 38942904 PMCID: PMC11213949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65281-0] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections lead to an overdispersion of the parasites in humans as well as in animals. We asked whether early immune responses against migrating Ascaris larvae are responsible for the unequal distribution of worms in natural host populations and thus investigated a susceptible versus a resistant mouse strain. In mice, the roundworm larvae develop until the lung stage and thus early anti-Ascaris immune responses against the migrating larvae in the liver and lung can be deciphered. Our data show that susceptible C57BL/6 mice respond to Ascaris larval migration significantly stronger compared to resistant CBA mice and the anti-parasite reactivity is associated with pathology. Increased eosinophil recruitment was detected in the liver and lungs, but also in the spleen and peritoneal cavity of susceptible mice on day 8 post infection compared to resistant mice. In serum, eosinophil peroxidase levels were significantly higher only in the susceptible mice, indicating functional activity of the recruited eosinophils. This effect was associated with an increased IL-5/IL-13 production by innate lymphoid cells and CD4+ T cells and a pronounced type 2 macrophage polarization in the lungs of susceptible mice. Furthermore, a comparison of wildtype BALB/c and eosinophil-deficient dblGATA-1 BALB/c mice showed that eosinophils were not essential for the early control of migrating Ascaris larvae. In conclusion, in primary infection, a strong local and systemic type 2 immune response during hepato-tracheal helminth larval migration is associated with pathology rather than protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Elizalde-Velázquez
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josephine Schlosser-Brandenburg
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Laubschat
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Larissa Oser
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arkadi Kundik
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joshua Adjah
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Saskia Groenhagen
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja A Kühl
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, iPATH.Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rausch
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Hartmann
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Rinaldi G, Loukas A, Sotillo J. Trematode Genomics and Proteomics. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1454:507-539. [PMID: 39008274 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-60121-7_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Trematode infections stand out as one of the frequently overlooked tropical diseases, despite their wide global prevalence and remarkable capacity to parasitize diverse host species and tissues. Furthermore, these parasites hold significant socio-economic, medical, veterinary and agricultural implications. Over the past decades, substantial strides have been taken to bridge the information gap concerning various "omic" tools, such as proteomics and genomics, in this field. In this edition of the book, we highlight recent progress in genomics and proteomics concerning trematodes with a particular focus on the advances made in the past 5 years. Additionally, we present insights into cutting-edge technologies employed in studying trematode biology and shed light on the available resources for exploring the molecular facets of this particular group of parasitic helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Rinaldi
- Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - Alex Loukas
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Javier Sotillo
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain.
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Mules TC, Inns S, Le Gros G. Helminths' therapeutic potential to treat intestinal barrier dysfunction. Allergy 2023; 78:2892-2905. [PMID: 37449458 DOI: 10.1111/all.15812] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The intestinal barrier is a dynamic multi-layered structure which can adapt to environmental changes within the intestinal lumen. It has the complex task of allowing nutrient absorption while limiting entry of harmful microbes and microbial antigens present in the intestinal lumen. Excessive entry of microbial antigens via microbial translocation due to 'intestinal barrier dysfunction' is hypothesised to contribute to the increasing incidence of allergic, autoimmune and metabolic diseases, a concept referred to as the 'epithelial barrier theory'. Helminths reside in the intestinal tract are in intimate contact with the mucosal surfaces and induce a range of local immunological changes which affect the layers of the intestinal barrier. Helminths are proposed to prevent, or even treat, many of the diseases implicated in the epithelial barrier theory. This review will focus on the effect of helminths on intestinal barrier function and explore whether this could explain the proposed health benefits delivered by helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Mules
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
- University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Graham Le Gros
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
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Li H, Gazzola D, Hu Y, Aroian RV. An efficient method for viable cryopreservation and recovery of hookworms and other gastrointestinal nematodes in the laboratory. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:451-458. [PMID: 37201563 PMCID: PMC10330584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Hookworms (genera Ancylostoma and Necator) are amongst the most prevalent and important parasites of humans globally. These intestinal parasites ingest blood, resulting in anemia, growth stunting, malnutrition, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. They are also critical parasites of dogs and other animals. In addition, hookworms and hookworm products are being explored for their use in treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. There is thus a significant and growing interest in these mammalian host-obligate parasites. Laboratory research is hampered by the lack of good means of cryopreservation and recovery of parasites. Here, we describe a robust method for long-term (≥3 year) cryopreservation and recovery of both Ancylostoma and Necator hookworms that is also applicable to two other intestinal parasites that passage through the infective L3 stage, Strongyloides ratti and Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri. The key is a revised recovery method, in which cryopreserved L1s are thawed and raised to the infective L3 stage using activated charcoal mixed with uninfected feces from a permissive host. This technique will greatly facilitate research on and availability of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes with great importance to global health, companion animal health, and autoimmune/inflammatory disease therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanchen Li
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - David Gazzola
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Yan Hu
- Department of Biology, Worcester State University, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Raffi V Aroian
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Pollo SMJ, Leon-Coria A, Liu H, Cruces-Gonzalez D, Finney CAM, Wasmuth JD. Transcriptional patterns of sexual dimorphism and in host developmental programs in the model parasitic nematode Heligmosomoides bakeri. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:171. [PMID: 37246221 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05785-2] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heligmosomoides bakeri (often mistaken for Heligmosomoides polygyrus) is a promising model for parasitic nematodes with the key advantage of being amenable to study and manipulation within a controlled laboratory environment. While draft genome sequences are available for this worm, which allow for comparative genomic analyses between nematodes, there is a notable lack of information on its gene expression. METHODS We generated biologically replicated RNA-seq datasets from samples taken throughout the parasitic life of H. bakeri. RNA from tissue-dwelling and lumen-dwelling worms, collected under a dissection microscope, was sequenced on an Illumina platform. RESULTS We find extensive transcriptional sexual dimorphism throughout the fourth larval and adult stages of this parasite and identify alternative splicing, glycosylation, and ubiquitination as particularly important processes for establishing and/or maintaining sex-specific gene expression in this species. We find sex-linked differences in transcription related to aging and oxidative and osmotic stress responses. We observe a starvation-like signature among transcripts whose expression is consistently upregulated in males, which may reflect a higher energy expenditure by male worms. We detect evidence of increased importance for anaerobic respiration among the adult worms, which coincides with the parasite's migration into the physiologically hypoxic environment of the intestinal lumen. Furthermore, we hypothesize that oxygen concentration may be an important driver of the worms encysting in the intestinal mucosa as larvae, which not only fully exposes the worms to their host's immune system but also shapes many of the interactions between the host and parasite. We find stage- and sex-specific variation in the expression of immunomodulatory genes and in anthelmintic targets. CONCLUSIONS We examine how different the male and female worms are at the molecular level and describe major developmental events that occur in the worm, which extend our understanding of the interactions between this parasite and its host. In addition to generating new hypotheses for follow-up experiments into the worm's behavior, physiology, and metabolism, our datasets enable future more in-depth comparisons between nematodes to better define the utility of H. bakeri as a model for parasitic nematodes in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M J Pollo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Aralia Leon-Coria
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Hongrui Liu
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David Cruces-Gonzalez
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Constance A M Finney
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - James D Wasmuth
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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6
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Li H, Gazzola D, Hu Y, Aroian RV. An efficient method for viable cryopreservation of hookworms and other gastrointestinal nematodes in the laboratory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.01.526637. [PMID: 36778351 PMCID: PMC9915591 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.01.526637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hookworms (genera Ancylostoma and Necator ) are amongst of the most prevalent and important parasites of humans globally. These intestinal parasites ingest blood, resulting in anemia, growth stunting, malnutrition, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. They are also critical parasites of dogs and other animals. In addition, hookworms and hookworm products are being explored for their use in treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. There is thus a significant and growing interest in these mammalian host-obligate parasites. Laboratory research is hampered by the lack of good means of cryopreservation. Here, we describe a robust method for long-term (≥3 year) cryoprotection and recovery of both Ancylostoma and Necator hookworms that is also applicable to two other intestinal parasites that passages through the infective third larval stage, Strongyloides ratti and H eligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri . The key is the use cryo-preserved first-staged larvae raised to the infective third larval stage using activated charcoal mixed with uninfected feces from a permissive host. This technique will greatly facilitate research on and availability of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes with great importance to global health, companion animal health, and autoimmune/inflammatory disease therapies.
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7
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Inclan-Rico JM, Rossi HL, Herbert DR. "Every cell is an immune cell; contributions of non-hematopoietic cells to anti-helminth immunity". Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1199-1211. [PMID: 35538230 PMCID: PMC9646929 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00518-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Helminths are remarkably successful parasites that can invade various mammalian hosts and establish chronic infections that can go unnoticed for years despite causing severe tissue damage. To complete their life cycles, helminths migrate through multiple barrier sites that are densely populated by a complex array of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells. While it is clear that type 2 cytokine responses elicited by immune cells promote worm clearance and tissue healing, the actions of non-hematopoietic cells are increasingly recognized as initiators, effectors and regulators of anti-helminth immunity. This review will highlight the collective actions of specialized epithelial cells, stromal niches, stem, muscle and neuroendocrine cells as well as peripheral neurons in the detection and elimination of helminths at mucosal sites. Studies dissecting the interactions between immune and non-hematopoietic cells will truly provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that ensure homeostasis in the context of helminth infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Inclan-Rico
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heather L Rossi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - De'Broski R Herbert
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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8
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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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