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Rooney J, Rivera-de-Torre E, Li R, Mclean K, Price DR, Nisbet AJ, Laustsen AH, Jenkins TP, Hofmann A, Bakshi S, Zarkan A, Cantacessi C. Structural and functional analyses of nematode-derived antimicrobial peptides support the occurrence of direct mechanisms of worm-microbiota interactions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1522-1533. [PMID: 38633385 PMCID: PMC11021794 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.04.019] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The complex relationships between gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and the host gut microbiota have been implicated in key aspects of helminth disease and infection outcomes. Nevertheless, the direct and indirect mechanisms governing these interactions are, thus far, largely unknown. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate that the excretory-secretory products (ESPs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) of key GI nematodes contain peptides that, when recombinantly expressed, exert antimicrobial activity in vitro against Bacillus subtilis. In particular, using time-lapse microfluidics microscopy, we demonstrate that exposure of B. subtilis to a recombinant saposin-domain containing peptide from the 'brown stomach worm', Teladorsagia circumcincta, and a metridin-like ShK toxin from the 'barber's pole worm', Haemonchus contortus, results in cell lysis and significantly reduced growth rates. Data from this study support the hypothesis that GI nematodes may modulate the composition of the vertebrate gut microbiota directly via the secretion of antimicrobial peptides, and pave the way for future investigations aimed at deciphering the impact of such changes on the pathophysiology of GI helminth infection and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Rooney
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ruizhe Li
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Mclean
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Kulmbach, Germany
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Somenath Bakshi
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ashraf Zarkan
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Rooney J, Northcote HM, Williams TL, Cortés A, Cantacessi C, Morphew RM. Parasitic helminths and the host microbiome - a missing 'extracellular vesicle-sized' link? Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:737-747. [PMID: 35820945 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Infections by gastrointestinal (GI) helminths have been associated with significant alterations of the structure of microbial communities inhabiting the host gut. However, current understanding of the biological mechanisms that regulate these relationships is still lacking. We propose that helminth-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) likely represent key players in helminth-microbiota crosstalk. Here, we explore knowledge of helminth EVs with an emphasis on their putative antimicrobial properties, and we argue that (i) an enhanced understanding of the mechanisms governing such interactions might assist the discovery and development of novel strategies of parasite control, and that (ii) the identification and characterisation of helminth molecules with antimicrobial properties might pave the way towards the discovery of novel antibiotics, thus aiding the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Rooney
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Holly M Northcote
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 2DA, UK
| | - Tim L Williams
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Alba Cortés
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK; Departament de Farmàcia i Tecnologia Farmacèutica i Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.
| | - Russell M Morphew
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 2DA, UK.
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Wititkornkul B, Hulme BJ, Tomes JJ, Allen NR, Davis CN, Davey SD, Cookson AR, Phillips HC, Hegarty MJ, Swain MT, Brophy PM, Wonfor RE, Morphew RM. Evidence of Immune Modulators in the Secretome of the Equine Tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070912. [PMID: 34358062 PMCID: PMC8308605 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Anoplocephala perfoliata is a neglected gastro-intestinal tapeworm, commonly infecting horses worldwide. Molecular investigation of A. perfoliata is hampered by a lack of tools to better understand the host-parasite interface. This interface is likely influenced by parasite derived immune modulators released in the secretome as free proteins or components of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Therefore, adult RNA was sequenced and de novo assembled to generate the first A. perfoliata transcriptome. In addition, excretory secretory products (ESP) from adult A. perfoliata were collected and EVs isolated using size exclusion chromatography, prior to proteomic analysis of the EVs, the EV surface and EV depleted ESP. Transcriptome analysis revealed 454 sequences homologous to known helminth immune modulators including two novel Sigma class GSTs, five α-HSP90s, and three α-enolases with isoforms of all three observed within the proteomic analysis of the secretome. Furthermore, secretome proteomics identified common helminth proteins across each sample with known EV markers, such as annexins and tetraspanins, observed in EV fractions. Importantly, 49 of the 454 putative immune modulators were identified across the secretome proteomics contained within and on the surface of EVs in addition to those identified in free ESP. This work provides the molecular tools for A. perfoliata to reveal key players in the host-parasite interaction within the horse host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boontarikaan Wititkornkul
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80240, Thailand
| | - Benjamin J. Hulme
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - John J. Tomes
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Nathan R. Allen
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Chelsea N. Davis
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Sarah D. Davey
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Alan R. Cookson
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Helen C. Phillips
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Matthew J. Hegarty
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Martin T. Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Peter M. Brophy
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
| | - Ruth E. Wonfor
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
- Correspondence: (R.E.W.); (R.M.M.)
| | - Russell M. Morphew
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK; (B.W.); (B.J.H.); (J.J.T.); (N.R.A.); (C.N.D.); (S.D.D.); (A.R.C.); (H.C.P.); (M.J.H.); (M.T.S.); (P.M.B.)
- Correspondence: (R.E.W.); (R.M.M.)
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Gut-microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles: Overlooked mediators in host-helminth interactions? Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:690-693. [PMID: 34154932 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Helminth infections impact the composition of the mammalian gut microbiota; however, the mechanisms underpinning these interactions are, thus far, unknown. In this article, we propose that microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles might represent key players in host-helminth-microbiome crosstalk, and outline future directions to elucidate their role(s) in host-parasite relationships.
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