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Zheng T, Liu JH, Zhu TY, Li B, Li JS, Gu YY, Nie J, Xiong T, Lu FG. Novel insights into the glucose metabolic alterations of freshwater snails: a pathway to molluscicide innovation and snail control strategies. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:257. [PMID: 38940835 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08274-2] [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: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
As ecosystem disruptors and intermediate hosts for various parasites, freshwater snails have significant socioeconomic impacts on human health, livestock production, and aquaculture. Although traditional molluscicides have been widely used to mitigate these effects, their environmental impact has encouraged research into alternative, biologically based strategies to create safer, more effective molluscicides and diminish the susceptibility of snails to parasites. This review focuses on alterations in glucose metabolism in snails under the multifaceted stressors of parasitic infections, drug exposure, and environmental changes and proposes a novel approach for snail management. Key enzymes within the glycolytic pathway, such as hexokinase and pyruvate kinase; tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle; and electron transport chains, such as succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase, are innovative targets for molluscicide development. These targets can affect both snails and parasites and provide an important direction for parasitic disease prevention research. For the first time, this review summarises the reverse TCA cycle and alternative oxidase pathway, which are unique metabolic bypasses in invertebrates that have emerged as suitable targets for the formulation of low-toxicity molluscicides. Additionally, it highlights the importance of other metabolic pathways, including lactate, alanine, glycogenolysis, and pentose phosphate pathways, in snail energy supply, antioxidant stress responses, and drug evasion mechanisms. By analysing the alterations in key metabolic enzymes and their products in stressed snails, this review deepens our understanding of glucose metabolic alterations in snails and provides valuable insights for identifying new pharmacological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jia Hao Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ting Yao Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jia Shan Li
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yun Yang Gu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Nie
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tao Xiong
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Fang Guo Lu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Pennance T, Calvelo J, Tennessen JA, Burd R, Cayton J, Bollmann SR, Blouin MS, Spaan JM, Hoffmann FG, Ogara G, Rawago F, Andiego K, Mulonga B, Odhiambo M, Loker ES, Laidemitt MR, Lu L, Iriarte A, Odiere MR, Steinauer ML. The genome and transcriptome of the snail Biomphalaria sudanica s.l.: immune gene diversification and highly polymorphic genomic regions in an important African vector of Schistosoma mansoni. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:192. [PMID: 38373909 PMCID: PMC10875847 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10103-w] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Control and elimination of schistosomiasis is an arduous task, with current strategies proving inadequate to break transmission. Exploration of genetic approaches to interrupt Schistosoma mansoni transmission, the causative agent for human intestinal schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa and South America, has led to genomic research of the snail vector hosts of the genus Biomphalaria. Few complete genomic resources exist, with African Biomphalaria species being particularly underrepresented despite this being where the majority of S. mansoni infections occur. Here we generate and annotate the first genome assembly of Biomphalaria sudanica sensu lato, a species responsible for S. mansoni transmission in lake and marsh habitats of the African Rift Valley. Supported by whole-genome diversity data among five inbred lines, we describe orthologs of immune-relevant gene regions in the South American vector B. glabrata and present a bioinformatic pipeline to identify candidate novel pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). RESULTS De novo genome and transcriptome assembly of inbred B. sudanica originating from the shoreline of Lake Victoria (Kisumu, Kenya) resulted in a haploid genome size of ~ 944.2 Mb (6,728 fragments, N50 = 1.067 Mb), comprising 23,598 genes (BUSCO = 93.6% complete). The B. sudanica genome contains orthologues to all described immune genes/regions tied to protection against S. mansoni in B. glabrata, including the polymorphic transmembrane clusters (PTC1 and PTC2), RADres, and other loci. The B. sudanica PTC2 candidate immune genomic region contained many PRR-like genes across a much wider genomic region than has been shown in B. glabrata, as well as a large inversion between species. High levels of intra-species nucleotide diversity were seen in PTC2, as well as in regions linked to PTC1 and RADres orthologues. Immune related and putative PRR gene families were significantly over-represented in the sub-set of B. sudanica genes determined as hyperdiverse, including high extracellular diversity in transmembrane genes, which could be under pathogen-mediated balancing selection. However, no overall expansion in immunity related genes was seen in African compared to South American lineages. CONCLUSIONS The B. sudanica genome and analyses presented here will facilitate future research in vector immune defense mechanisms against pathogens. This genomic/transcriptomic resource provides necessary data for the future development of molecular snail vector control/surveillance tools, facilitating schistosome transmission interruption mechanisms in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Pennance
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, USA.
| | - Javier Calvelo
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | | | - Ryan Burd
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, USA
| | - Jared Cayton
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, USA
| | | | | | - Johannie M Spaan
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, USA
| | - Federico G Hoffmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, USA
- Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - George Ogara
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Fredrick Rawago
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Kennedy Andiego
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Boaz Mulonga
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Meredith Odhiambo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric S Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Martina R Laidemitt
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Andrés Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de La República, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - Maurice R Odiere
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Michelle L Steinauer
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, USA.
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Abou-El-Naga IF, Mogahed NMFH. Immuno-molecular profile for Biomphalaria glabrata/Schistosoma mansoni interaction. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 150:105083. [PMID: 37852455 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.105083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The complex innate immune defense of Biomphalaria glabrata, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, governs the successful development of the intramolluscan stages of the parasite. The interaction between the snail and the parasite involves a complex immune molecular crosstalk between several parasite antigens and the snail immune recognition receptors, evoking different signals and effector molecules. This work seeks to discuss the immune-related molecules that influence compatibility in Biomphalaria glabrata/Schistosoma mansoni interaction and the differential expression of these molecules between resistant and susceptible snails. It also includes the current understanding of the immune molecular determinants that govern the compatibility in sympatric and allopatric interactions, and the expression of these molecules after immune priming and the secondary immune response. Herein, the differences in the immune-related molecules in the interaction of other Biomphalaria species with Schistosoma mansoni compared to the Biomphalaria glabrata model snail are highlighted. Understanding the diverse immune molecular determinants in the snail/schistosome interaction can lead to alternative control strategies for schistosomiasis.
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Pennance T, Calvelo J, Tennessen JA, Burd R, Cayton J, Bollmann SR, Blouin MS, Spaan JM, Hoffmann FG, Ogara G, Rawago F, Andiego K, Mulonga B, Odhiambo M, Loker ES, Laidemitt MR, Lu L, Iriarte A, Odiere M, Steinauer ML. The genome and transcriptome of the snail Biomphalaria sudanica s.l.: Immune gene diversification and highly polymorphic genomic regions in an important African vector of Schistosoma mansoni. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.01.565203. [PMID: 37961413 PMCID: PMC10635097 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Background Control and elimination of schistosomiasis is an arduous task, with current strategies proving inadequate to break transmission. Exploration of genetic approaches to interrupt Schistosoma mansoni transmission, the causative agent for human intestinal schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa and South America, has led to genomic research of the snail vector hosts of the genus Biomphalaria. Few complete genomic resources exist, with African Biomphalaria species being particularly underrepresented despite this being where the majority of S. mansoni infections occur. Here we generate and annotate the first genome assembly of Biomphalaria sudanica sensu lato, a species responsible for S. mansoni transmission in lake and marsh habitats of the African Rift Valley. Supported by whole-genome diversity data among five inbred lines, we describe orthologs of immune-relevant gene regions in the South American vector B. glabrata and present a bioinformatic pipeline to identify candidate novel pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). Results De novo genome and transcriptome assembly of inbred B. sudanica originating from the shoreline of Lake Victoria (Kisumu, Kenya) resulted in a haploid genome size of ~944.2 Mb (6732 fragments, N50=1.067 Mb), comprising 23,598 genes (BUSCO=93.6% complete). The B. sudanica genome contains orthologues to all described immune genes/regions tied to protection against S. mansoni in B. glabrata. The B. sudanica PTC2 candidate immune genomic region contained many PRR-like genes across a much wider genomic region than has been shown in B. glabrata, as well as a large inversion between species. High levels of intra-species nucleotide diversity were seen in PTC2, as well as in regions linked to PTC1 and RADres orthologues. Immune related and putative PRR gene families were significantly over-represented in the sub-set of B. sudanica genes determined as hyperdiverse, including high extracellular diversity in transmembrane genes, which could be under pathogen-mediated balancing selection. However, no overall expansion in immunity related genes were seen in African compared to South American lineages. Conclusions The B. sudanica genome and analyses presented here will facilitate future research in vector immune defense mechanisms against pathogens. This genomic/transcriptomic resource provides necessary data for the future development of molecular snail vector control/surveillance tools, facilitating schistosome transmission interruption mechanisms in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Pennance
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon OR, USA
| | - Javier Calvelo
- Laboratorio Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | | | - Ryan Burd
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon OR, USA
| | - Jared Cayton
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon OR, USA
| | | | | | - Johannie M Spaan
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon OR, USA
| | - Federico G Hoffmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS USA
| | - George Ogara
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Fredrick Rawago
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Kennedy Andiego
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Boaz Mulonga
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Meredith Odhiambo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric S Loker
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, U.S.A
| | - Martina R Laidemitt
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, U.S.A
| | - Lijun Lu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, U.S.A
| | - Andrés Iriarte
- Laboratorio Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Maurice Odiere
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS USA
| | - Michelle L Steinauer
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon OR, USA
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Bu L, Lu L, Laidemitt MR, Zhang SM, Mutuku M, Mkoji G, Steinauer M, Loker ES. A genome sequence for Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the major vector snail for the human-infecting parasite Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011208. [PMID: 36961841 PMCID: PMC10075465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011208] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomphalaria pfeifferi is the world's most widely distributed and commonly implicated vector snail species for the causative agent of human intestinal schistosomiasis, Schistosoma mansoni. In efforts to control S. mansoni transmission, chemotherapy alone has proven insufficient. New approaches to snail control offer a way forward, and possible genetic manipulations of snail vectors will require new tools. Towards this end, we here offer a diverse set of genomic resources for the important African schistosome vector, B. pfeifferi. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Based largely on PacBio High-Fidelity long reads, we report a genome assembly size of 772 Mb for B. pfeifferi (Kenya), smaller in size than known genomes of other planorbid schistosome vectors. In a total of 505 scaffolds (N50 = 3.2Mb), 430 were assigned to 18 large linkage groups inferred to represent the 18 known chromosomes, based on whole genome comparisons with Biomphalaria glabrata. The annotated B. pfeifferi genome reveals a divergence time of 3.01 million years with B. glabrata, a South American species believed to be similar to the progenitors of B. pfeifferi which undertook a trans-Atlantic colonization < five million years ago. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The genome for this preferentially self-crossing species is less heterozygous than related species known to be preferential out-crossers; its smaller genome relative to congeners may similarly reflect its preference for selfing. Expansions of gene families with immune relevance are noted, including the FReD gene family which is far more similar in its composition to B. glabrata than to Bulinus truncatus, a vector for Schistosoma haematobium. Provision of this annotated genome will help better understand the dependencies of trematodes on snails, enable broader comparative insights regarding factors contributing to susceptibility/ resistance of snails to schistosome infections, and provide an invaluable resource with respect to identifying and manipulating snail genes as potential targets for more specific snail control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Bu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lijun Lu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Martina R Laidemitt
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Martin Mutuku
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michelle Steinauer
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Eric S Loker
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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Orlov IA, Ataev GL, Gourbal B, Tokmakova AS, Bobrovskaya AV, Prokhorova EE. The transcriptomic analysis of Planorbarius corneus hemocytes (Gastropoda) naturally infected with Bilharziella polonica (Schistosomatidae). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 140:104607. [PMID: 36473549 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The study of molluscan innate immunity is essential for understanding the evolution of the immune system. An advance in the knowledge of their immune system can be achieved by increasing the number of model species. Our study focuses on the immunity of Planorbarius corneus, a pulmonate snail widely distributed in Eurasia. These snails are intermediate hosts of many trematodes, including Bilharziella polonica (Schistosomatidae). In this paper we obtained and analyzed transcriptomes of hemocytes of uninfected snails Planorbarius corneus and snails naturally infected with Bilharziella polonica. The transcriptomes were found to contain transcripts encoding all major groups of immune factors previously described for other gastropods. Pathogen-recognition molecules were the most diverse group of immune factors. Comparison of the transcriptomes of the infected and the uninfected molluscs showed that the expression of some genes changed during infection. Our results extend the knowledge of immune responses of pulmonate snails to trematode invasion and promote P. corneus as a new model for the study of molluscan defence reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Orlov
- Laboratory of Experimental Zoology, Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Russia
| | - G L Ataev
- Laboratory of Experimental Zoology, Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Russia
| | - B Gourbal
- IHPE, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - A S Tokmakova
- Laboratory of Experimental Zoology, Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Russia
| | - A V Bobrovskaya
- Laboratory of Experimental Zoology, Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Russia
| | - E E Prokhorova
- Laboratory of Experimental Zoology, Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Russia.
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Naidoo P, Mkhize-Kwitshana ZL. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/ CRISPR associated protein 9-mediated editing of Schistosoma mansoni genes: Identifying genes for immunologically potent drug and vaccine development. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2022; 55:e0131. [PMID: 35976333 PMCID: PMC9405935 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0131-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected acute and chronic tropical disease caused by intestinal (Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum) and urogenital (Schistosoma haematobium) helminth parasites (blood flukes or digenetic trematodes). It afflicts over 250 million people worldwide, the majority of whom reside in impoverished tropical and subtropical regions in sub-Saharan Africa. Schistosomiasis is the second most common devastating parasitic disease in the world after malaria and causes over 200,000 deaths annually. Currently, there is no effective and approved vaccine available for human use, and treatment strongly relies on praziquantel drug therapy, which is ineffective in killing immature larval schistosomula stages and eggs already lodged in the tissues. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-mediated gene editing tool is used to deactivate a gene of interest to scrutinize its role in health and disease, and to identify genes for vaccine and drug targeting. The present review aims to summarize the major findings from the current literature reporting the usage of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to inactivate genes in S. mansoni (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), T2 ribonuclease omega-1 (ω1), sulfotransferase oxamniquine resistance protein (SULT-OR), and α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (SmNAGAL)), and freshwater gastropod snails, Biomphalaria glabrata (allograft inflammatory factor (BgAIF)), an obligatory component of the life cycle of S. mansoni, to identify their roles in the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis, and to highlight the importance of such studies in identifying and developing drugs and vaccines with high therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragalathan Naidoo
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Division of Research Capacity Development, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Zilungile Lynette Mkhize-Kwitshana
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Division of Research Capacity Development, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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8
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Marquez J, Dinguirard N, Gonzalez A, Kane A, Joffe N, Yoshino T, Castillo M. Molecular characterization of thioester-containing proteins in Biomphalaria glabrata and their differential gene expression upon Schistosoma mansoni exposure. Front Immunol 2022; 13:903158. [PMID: 35967434 PMCID: PMC9363628 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.903158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by trematode parasites of the genus Schistosoma that affects approximately 200 million people worldwide. Schistosomiasis has been a persistent problem in endemic areas as there is no vaccine available, currently used anti-helmintic medications do not prevent reinfection, and most concerning, drug resistance has been documented in laboratory and field isolates. Thus, alternative approaches to curtail this human disease are warranted. Understanding the immunobiology of the obligate intermediate host of these parasites, which include the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, may facilitate the development of novel methods to stop or reduce transmission to humans. Molecules from the thioester-containing protein (TEP) superfamily have been shown to be involved in immunological functions in many animals including corals and humans. In this study we identified, characterized, and compared TEP transcripts and their expression upon S. mansoni exposure in resistant and susceptible strains of B. glabrata snails. Results showed the expression of 11 unique TEPs in B. glabrata snails. These transcripts present high sequence identity at the nucleotide and putative amino acid levels between susceptible and resistant strains. Further analysis revealed differences in several TEPs’ constitutive expression levels between resistant and susceptible snail strains, with C3-1, C3-3, and CD109 having higher constitutive expression levels in the resistant (BS90) strain, whereas C3-2 and TEP-1 showed higher constitutive expression levels in the susceptible (NMRI) strain. Furthermore, TEP-specific response to S. mansoni miracidia exposure reiterated their differential expression, with resistant snails upregulating the expression of both TEP-4 and TEP-3 at 2 h and 48 h post-exposure, respectively. Further understanding the diverse TEP genes and their functions in invertebrate animal vectors will not only expand our knowledge in regard to this ancient family of immune proteins, but also offer the opportunity to identify novel molecular targets that could aid in the efforts to develop control methods to reduce schistosomiasis transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Marquez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - N. Dinguirard
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - A. Gonzalez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - A.E. Kane
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - N.R. Joffe
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - T.P. Yoshino
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - M.G. Castillo
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
- *Correspondence: M.G. Castillo,
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Vondráček O, Mikeš L, Talacko P, Leontovyč R, Bulantová J, Horák P. Differential proteomic analysis of laser-microdissected penetration glands of avian schistosome cercariae with a focus on proteins involved in host invasion. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:343-358. [PMID: 35218763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schistosome invasive stages, cercariae, leave intermediate snail hosts, penetrate the skin of definitive hosts, and transform to schistosomula which migrate to the final location. During invasion, cercariae employ histolytic and other bioactive products of specialized holocrine secretory cells - postacetabular (PA) and circumacetabular (CA) penetration glands. Although several studies attempted to characterize protein composition of the in vitro-induced gland secretions in Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum, the results were somewhat inconsistent and dependent on the method of sample collection and processing. Products of both gland types mixed during their secretion did not allow localization of identified proteins to a particular gland. Here we compared proteomes of separately isolated cercarial gland cells of the avian schistosome Trichobilharzia szidati, employing laser-assisted microdissection and shotgun LC-MS/MS, thus obtaining the largest dataset so far of the representation and localization of cercarial penetration gland proteins. We optimized the methods of sample processing with cercarial bodies (heads) first. Alizarin-pre-stained, chemically non-fixed samples provided optimal results of MS analyses, and enabled us to distinguish PA and CA glands for microdissection. Using 7.5 x 106 μm3 sample volume per gland replicate, we identified 3347 peptides assigned to 792 proteins, from which 461 occurred in at least two of three replicates in either gland type (PA = 455, 40 exclusive; CA = 421, six exclusive; 60 proteins differed significantly in their abundance between the glands). Peptidases of five catalytic types accounted for ca. 8% and 6% of reliably identified proteins in PA and CA glands, respectively. Invadolysin, nardilysin, cathepsins B2 and L3, and elastase 2b orthologs were the major gland endopeptidases. Two cystatins and a serpin were highly abundant peptidase inhibitors in the glands. While PA glands generally had rich enzymatic equipment, CA glands were conspicuously abundant in venom allergen-like proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oldřich Vondráček
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia
| | - Libor Mikeš
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia.
| | - Pavel Talacko
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV Průmyslová 595, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Roman Leontovyč
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jana Bulantová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petr Horák
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia
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Single-cell RNA-seq profiling of individual Biomphalaria glabrata immune cells with a focus on immunologically relevant transcripts. Immunogenetics 2021; 74:77-98. [PMID: 34854945 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-021-01236-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The immune cells of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata are classified into hyalinocyte and granulocyte subtypes. Both subtypes are essential for the proper functioning of the snail immune response, which we understand best within the context of how it responds to challenge with the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Granulocytes are adherent phagocytic cells that possess conspicuous granules within the cell cytoplasm. Hyalinocytes, on the other hand, are predominantly non-adherent and are known to produce a handful of anti-S. mansoni immune effectors. While our understanding of these cells has progressed, an in-depth comparison of the functional capabilities of each type of immune cell has yet to be undertaken. Here, we present the results of a single-cell RNA-seq study in which single granulocytes and hyalinocytes from S. mansoni-susceptible M-line B. glabrata and S. mansoni-resistant BS-90 B. glabrata are compared without immune stimulation. This transcriptomic analysis supports a role for the hyalinocytes as producers of immune effectors such as biomphalysin and thioester-containing proteins. It suggests that granulocytes are primarily responsible for producing fibrinogen-related proteins and are armed with various pattern-recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors with a confirmed role in the anti-S. mansoni immune response. This analysis also confirms that the granulocytes and hyalinocytes of BS-90 snails are generally more immunologically prepared than their M-line counterparts. As the first single-cell analysis of the transcriptional profiles of B. glabrata immune cells, this study provides crucial context for understanding the B. glabrata immune response. It sets the stage for future investigations into how each immune cell subtype differs in its response to various immunological threats.
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de la Ballina NR, Villalba A, Cao A. Shotgun analysis to identify differences in protein expression between granulocytes and hyalinocytes of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 119:678-691. [PMID: 34748932 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recovery of wild populations of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis is important for ecosystem health and conservation of this species, because native oyster populations have dramatically declined or disappeared in most European waters. Diseases have contributed to oyster decline and are important constrains for oyster recovery. Understanding oyster immune system should contribute to design effective strategies to fight oyster diseases. Haemocytes play a pivotal role in mollusc immune responses protecting from infection. Two main types of haemocytes, granulocytes and hyalinocytes, are distinguished in O. edulis. A study aiming to explore differential functions between both haemocyte types and, thus, to enrich the knowledge of Ostrea edulis immune system, was performed by comparing the proteome of the two haemolymph cell types, using a shotgun approach through liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). Cells from oyster haemolymph were differentially separated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. Shotgun LC-MS/MS performance allowed the identification of 145 proteins in hyalinocytes and 138 in the proteome of granulocytes. After a comparative analysis, 55 proteins with main roles in defence were identified, from which 28 were representative of granulocytes and 27 of hyalinocytes, plus 11 proteins shared by both cell types. Different proteins involved in signal transduction, apoptosis, oxidative response, processes related with the cytoskeleton and structure, recognition and wound healing were identified as representatives of each haemocyte type. Important signalling pathways in the immune response such as MAPK, Ras and NF-κβ seemed to be more relevant for granulocytes, while the Wnt signalling pathway, particularly relevant for wound healing, more relevant in hyalinocytes. The differences in proteins involved in recognition and in cytoskeleton and structure suggest differential specialisation in processes of phagocytosis and internalisation of pathogens between haemocyte types. Apoptosis seemed more active in granulocytes. The differences in proteins involved in oxidative response also suggest different redox processes in each cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria R de la Ballina
- Centro de Investigacións Mariñas (CIMA), Consellería do Mar, Xunta de Galicia, 36620, Vilanova de Arousa, Spain
| | - Antonio Villalba
- Centro de Investigacións Mariñas (CIMA), Consellería do Mar, Xunta de Galicia, 36620, Vilanova de Arousa, Spain; Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48620, Plentzia, Spain.
| | - Asunción Cao
- Centro de Investigacións Mariñas (CIMA), Consellería do Mar, Xunta de Galicia, 36620, Vilanova de Arousa, Spain
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Junior NCP, de Melo ES, de Lima IL, da Rocha RET, Batista M, da Silva RA, Feitosa APS, de Lima Filho JL, Brayner FA, Alves LC. A proteomics evaluation of the primary and secondary immune response of Biomphalaria straminea challenged by Schistosoma mansoni. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4023-4035. [PMID: 34657981 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07341-2] [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: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Biomphalaria spp. snails are intermediary hosts of Schistosoma mansoni, etiologic agent of intestinal schistosomiasis, one of the most important neglected tropical diseases. Biomphalaria straminea is an important intermediary host that possess a different phenotype to parasite infection but shows a large geographic distribution and high capacity of new ecologic niche invasion. Our purpose was to characterize for the first time the differentially expressed proteome in B. straminea during two times intervals after primary and secondary exposure to S. mansoni. The hemolymph was collected at 1 and 15 days after primary and secondary exposure of snails to the parasite. Total proteins were extracted and digested with trypsin. LC-MS/MS label-free quantification was performed and analyzed using Maxquant and Perseus software. Proteins were identified and annotated using Blast2GO tools. After 1 day of exposure, most of upregulated proteins are hemoglobin type 2, C and H type lectins, molecules related to cell adhesion, and response to oxidative stress. After 15 days, we found a similar pattern of upregulated proteins but some fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs) and TEPs homologs were downregulated. Regarding the differentially expressed proteins during secondary response, the principal immune-related proteins upregulated were C and H type lectins, cellular adhesion molecules, biomphalysin, and FREP3. We noted a several upregulated biological processes during both responses that could be the one of the key points of efficacy in the immune response to parasite. Our data suggests different immune mechanisms used by B. straminea snails challenged with S. mansoni.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elverson Soares de Melo
- Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Research Center FIOCRUZ Pernambuco, Professor Moraes Rego Avenue, s/n-Campus da UFPE-Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, CEP: 50.740-465, Brazil
| | - Iasmim Lopes de Lima
- Keiso Asami Imunopatology Laboratory, UFPE, Prof. Moraes Rego Avenue, 1235 - Unversitary City, Recife, PE, CEP: 50,670-901, Brazil
| | - Rubens Emanoel Tavares da Rocha
- Keiso Asami Imunopatology Laboratory, UFPE, Prof. Moraes Rego Avenue, 1235 - Unversitary City, Recife, PE, CEP: 50,670-901, Brazil
| | - Michel Batista
- Carlos Chagas Institute FIOCRUZ Paraná, Mass Spectrometry Facility P02-004, Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader street, 3775 - Curitiba Industrial City, Curitiba, PR, CEP: 81,350,010, Brazil
| | - Roberto Afonso da Silva
- Keiso Asami Imunopatology Laboratory, UFPE, Prof. Moraes Rego Avenue, 1235 - Unversitary City, Recife, PE, CEP: 50,670-901, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Sampaio Feitosa
- Keiso Asami Imunopatology Laboratory, UFPE, Prof. Moraes Rego Avenue, 1235 - Unversitary City, Recife, PE, CEP: 50,670-901, Brazil
| | - Jose Luiz de Lima Filho
- Keiso Asami Imunopatology Laboratory, UFPE, Prof. Moraes Rego Avenue, 1235 - Unversitary City, Recife, PE, CEP: 50,670-901, Brazil
| | - Fábio André Brayner
- Keiso Asami Imunopatology Laboratory, UFPE, Prof. Moraes Rego Avenue, 1235 - Unversitary City, Recife, PE, CEP: 50,670-901, Brazil.,Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Research Center FIOCRUZ Pernambuco, Professor Moraes Rego Avenue, s/n-Campus da UFPE-Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, CEP: 50.740-465, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Alves
- Keiso Asami Imunopatology Laboratory, UFPE, Prof. Moraes Rego Avenue, 1235 - Unversitary City, Recife, PE, CEP: 50,670-901, Brazil.,Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Research Center FIOCRUZ Pernambuco, Professor Moraes Rego Avenue, s/n-Campus da UFPE-Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE, CEP: 50.740-465, Brazil
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Smith M, Yadav S, Fagunloye OG, Pels NA, Horton DA, Alsultan N, Borns A, Cousin C, Dixon F, Mann VH, Lee C, Brindley PJ, El-Sayed NM, Bridger JM, Knight M. PIWI silencing mechanism involving the retrotransposon nimbus orchestrates resistance to infection with Schistosoma mansoni in the snail vector, Biomphalaria glabrata. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009094. [PMID: 34495959 PMCID: PMC8462715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis remains widespread in many regions despite efforts at its elimination. By examining changes in the transcriptome at the host-pathogen interface in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, we previously demonstrated that an early stress response in juvenile snails, manifested by induction of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp 70) and Hsp 90 and of the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain of the B. glabrata non-LTR- retrotransposon, nimbus, were critical for B. glabrata susceptibility to S. mansoni. Subsequently, juvenile B. glabrata BS-90 snails, resistant to S. mansoni at 25°C become susceptible by the F2 generation when maintained at 32°C, indicating an epigenetic response. Methodology/Principal findings To better understand this plasticity in susceptibility of the BS-90 snail, mRNA sequences were examined from S. mansoni exposed juvenile BS-90 snails cultured either at 25°C (non-permissive temperature) or 32°C (permissive). Comparative analysis of transcriptomes from snails cultured at the non-permissive and permissive temperatures revealed that whereas stress related transcripts dominated the transcriptome of susceptible BS-90 juvenile snails at 32°C, transcripts encoding proteins with a role in epigenetics, such as PIWI (BgPiwi), chromobox protein homolog 1 (BgCBx1), histone acetyltransferase (BgHAT), histone deacetylase (BgHDAC) and metallotransferase (BgMT) were highly expressed in those cultured at 25°C. To identify robust candidate transcripts that will underscore the anti-schistosome phenotype in B. glabrata, further validation of the differential expression of the above transcripts was performed by using the resistant BS-90 (25°C) and the BBO2 susceptible snail stock whose genome has now been sequenced and represents an invaluable resource for molecular studies in B. glabrata. A role for BgPiwi in B. glabrata susceptibility to S. mansoni, was further examined by using siRNA corresponding to the BgPiwi encoding transcript to suppress expression of BgPiwi, rendering the resistant BS-90 juvenile snail susceptible to infection at 25°C. Given transposon silencing activity of PIWI as a facet of its role as guardian of the integrity of the genome, we examined the expression of the nimbus RT encoding transcript at 120 min after infection of resistant BS90 piwi-siRNA treated snails. We observed that nimbus RT was upregulated, indicating that modulation of the transcription of the nimbus RT was associated with susceptibility to S. mansoni in BgPiwi-siRNA treated BS-90 snails. Furthermore, treatment of susceptible BBO2 snails with the RT inhibitor lamivudine, before exposure to S. mansoni, blocked S. mansoni infection concurrent with downregulation of the nimbus RT transcript and upregulation of the BgPiwi encoding transcript in the lamivudine-treated, schistosome-exposed susceptible snails. Conclusions and significance These findings support a role for the interplay of BgPiwi and nimbus in the epigenetic modulation of plasticity of resistance/susceptibility in the snail-schistosome relationship. Progress is being made to eliminate schistosomiasis, a tropical disease that remains endemic in the tropics and neotropics. In 2020, WHO proposed controlling the snail population as part of a strategy toward reducing schistosomiasis, a vector borne disease, by 2025. The life cycle of the causative parasite is, however, complex and in the absence of vaccines, new drugs, and access to clean water and sanitation, reduction of schistosomiasis will remain elusive. To break the parasite’s life cycle during the snail stage of its development, a better understanding of the molecular basis of how schistosomes survive, or not, in the snail is required. By examining changes in the transcriptome at the host-pathogen interface in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni, we showed that early stress response, manifested by the induction of Heat Shock Proteins (Hsps) and the RT domain of the non-LTR retrotransposon, nimbus, were critical for snail susceptibility. Subsequently, juvenile B. glabrata BS-90 snails, resistant to S. mansoni at 25°C were observed to become susceptible by the F2 generation when maintained at 32°C, indicating an epigenetic response. This study confirms these earlier results and shows an interplay between PIWI and nimbus in the anti-schistosome response in the snail host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Smith
- Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Swara Yadav
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Olayemi G. Fagunloye
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Nana Adjoa Pels
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Horton
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nashwah Alsultan
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Andrea Borns
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Carolyn Cousin
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Freddie Dixon
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Victoria H. Mann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Clarence Lee
- Division of Science & Mathematics, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Najib M. El-Sayed
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics and Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joanna M. Bridger
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matty Knight
- Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
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Arginase Activity in Eisenia andrei Coelomocytes: Function in the Earthworm Innate Response. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073687. [PMID: 33916228 PMCID: PMC8037997 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginase is the manganese metalloenzyme catalyzing the conversion of l-arginine to l-ornithine and urea. In vertebrates, arginase is involved in the immune response, tissue regeneration, and wound healing and is an important marker of alternative anti-inflammatory polarization of macrophages. In invertebrates, data concerning the role of arginase in these processes are very limited. Therefore, in the present study, we focused on the changes in arginase activity in the coelomocytes of Eisenia andrei. We studied the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), heavy metals ions (e.g., Mn2+), parasite infection, wound healing, and short-term fasting (5 days) on arginase activity. For the first time in earthworms, we described arginase activity in the coelomocytes and found that it can be up-regulated upon in vitro stimulation with LPS and H2O2 and in the presence of Mn2+ ions. Moreover, arginase activity was also up-regulated in animals in vivo infected with nematodes or experiencing segment amputation, but not in fasting earthworms. Furthermore, we confirmed that the activity of coelomocyte arginase can be suppressed by l-norvaline. Our studies strongly suggest that similarly to the vertebrates, also in the earthworms, coelomocyte arginase is an important element of the immune response and wound healing processes.
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Hambrook JR, Hanington PC. Immune Evasion Strategies of Schistosomes. Front Immunol 2021; 11:624178. [PMID: 33613562 PMCID: PMC7889519 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.624178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human schistosomes combat the unique immune systems of two vastly different hosts during their indirect life cycles. In gastropod molluscs, they face a potent innate immune response composed of variable immune recognition molecules and highly phagocytic hemocytes. In humans, a wide variety of innate and adaptive immune processes exist in proximity to these parasites throughout their lifespan. To survive and thrive as the second most common parasitic disease in humans, schistosomes have evolved many techniques to avoid and combat these targeted host responses. Among these techniques are molecular mimicry of host antigens, the utilization of an immune resistant outer tegument, the secretion of several potent proteases, and targeted release of specific immunomodulatory factors affecting immune cell functions. This review seeks to describe these key immune evasion mechanisms, among others, which schistosomes use to survive in both of their hosts. After diving into foundational observational studies of the processes mediating the establishment of schistosome infections, more recent transcriptomic and proteomic studies revealing crucial components of the host/parasite molecular interface are discussed. In order to combat this debilitating and lethal disease, a comprehensive understanding of schistosome immune evasion strategies is necessary for the development of novel therapeutics and treatment plans, necessitating the discussion of the numerous ways in which these parasitic flatworms overcome the immune responses of both hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R Hambrook
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Otarigho B, Falade M, William CB. Insights from the shotgun-based proteomics analysis of Biomphalaria glabrata. Bioinformation 2021; 17:266-273. [PMID: 34393445 PMCID: PMC8340705 DOI: 10.6026/97320630017266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomphalaria glabrata is an important host in the transmission of human schistosomiasis in the Caribbean and South America. Therefore, it is of interest to analyse the proteome data of Biomphalaria glabrata hemolymph to identify immunity related proteins in host-pathogen relationship. We used shotgun proteomic and bioinformatic analyses of the non-depleted and depleted [0.5 and 0.75% Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) depletion] hemolymph of B. glabrata (LE strain). Analysis showed 148 proteins from the hemolymph. 148 were obtained from the 0.5% TFA-depleted sample. 62 proteins follow this from the 0.75% TFA-depleted sample. However, only 59 were found from non-depleted hemolymph. A number of proteins were identified from the hemolymph of this schistosomiasis snail vector linked to immunity related functions. This provides insights to the understanding of schistosome-snail interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benson Otarigho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, OR, Portland, USA
- Department of Biological Science, Edo University, Iyamho, Nigeria
| | - Mofolusho Falade
- Cellular Parasitology Programme, Cell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Castro-Borges William
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
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17
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Mendes TMF, Carrilho E, Galinaro CA, Cabral FJ, Allegretti SM. Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis: Proteomic changes in the snail host. Acta Trop 2020; 212:105684. [PMID: 32931750 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105684] [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: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the main cause of human eosinophilic meningitis. Humans are accidental hosts, becoming infected due to ingestion of raw intermediate (snails and slugs) or paratenic hosts. Once ingested, the larvae migrate towards the brain where they die, causing the disease. To develop better mollusk control strategies, it is important to first understand what happens in the snail during infection, therefore our purpose was to characterize proteomic, metabolic and immunologic changes in Biomphalaria glabrata 24 h after infection with A. cantonensis. For this purpose, proteins were extracted from infected and uninfected snails and analyzed through mass spectrometry. Hemolymph was also collected, the number of hemocytes was counted and urea, nitric oxide, calcium, glycogen levels as well as alanine and aspartate aminotransferases activities were assessed. The cephalopodal region and gonad-digestive gland complex were dissected and their glycogen content was measured. After infection with A. cantonensis, we observed an increase of hemocytes and granulocytes as well as an increase in hemoglobin type 2 proteins. Temptin-like protein was also found up-regulated in infected snails. Several proteins with structural function (such as myosin heavy chain - striated muscle - like and protein LOC106059779 with ADAM/reprosolin domain) were also differentially expressed, suggesting loss/damage of internal tissues. Increase in phosphoglycerate mutase indicates an increase in glycolysis, possible to compensate the increase in energetic needs. Consequently, there is a decrease in glycogen reserves, particularly in the gonad - digestive gland complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago M F Mendes
- Biology Institute, Animal Biology Department, Campinas State University (UNICAMP) - SP, Brazil
| | - Emanuel Carrilho
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry - University of São Paulo (USP) - SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Galinaro
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry - University of São Paulo (USP) - SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda J Cabral
- Biology Institute, Animal Biology Department, Campinas State University (UNICAMP) - SP, Brazil
| | - Silmara M Allegretti
- Biology Institute, Animal Biology Department, Campinas State University (UNICAMP) - SP, Brazil.
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Silva-Neto A, Fonseca COD, Silva LM, Coelho PMZ, Fortes-Dias CL. Interaction of Biomphalaria cells in primary cultures with Schistosoma mansoni sporocysts. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2020; 53:e20200257. [PMID: 33174957 PMCID: PMC7670744 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0257-2020] [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: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Biomphalaria snails may display varying levels of
susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni infection. We have
been developing an in vitro model to study the interaction
between the snail and the parasite, using tissue-derived cell cultures from
Biomphalaria. METHODS: The digestive gland- and kidney-derived cells from primary cultures of
resistant (B. tenagophila Taim) and susceptible (B.
tenagophila HM and B. glabrata BH) strains of
Biomphalaria were exposed to S.
mansoni sporocysts. RESULTS: S. mansoni sporocysts were surrounded and encapsulated
exclusively by cells derived from the digestive gland (DG) of B.
tenagophila Taim. The process was followed by a marked decrease
in the number of free sporocysts in the culture medium. The morphological
characteristics of DG-derived cells in culture have been described. CONCLUSIONS: Cells derived from DG (but not SK) primary cultures of B.
tenagophila Taim may participate in S. mansoni
sporocyst control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristeu Silva-Neto
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto René Rachou, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.,Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Cristhiane Oliveira da Fonseca
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto René Rachou, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.,Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Luciana Maria Silva
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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19
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Roudnický P, Potěšil D, Zdráhal Z, Gelnar M, Kašný M. Laser capture microdissection in combination with mass spectrometry: Approach to characterization of tissue-specific proteomes of Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231681. [PMID: 32555742 PMCID: PMC7299319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Goto, 1891) is a hematophagous monogenean ectoparasite which inhabits the gills of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Heavy infestation can lead to anemia and in conjunction with secondary bacterial infections cause poor health and eventual death of the host. This study is based on an innovative approach to protein localization which has never been used in parasitology before. Using laser capture microdissection, we dissected particular areas of the parasite body without contaminating the samples by surrounding tissue and in combination with analysis by mass spectrometry obtained tissue-specific proteomes of tegument, intestine, and parenchyma of our model organism, E. nipponicum. We successfully verified the presence of certain functional proteins (e.g. cathepsin L) in tissues where their presence was expected (intestine) and confirmed that there were no traces of these proteins in other tissues (tegument and parenchyma). Additionally, we identified a total of 2,059 proteins, including 72 peptidases and 33 peptidase inhibitors. As expected, the greatest variety was found in the intestine and the lowest variety in the parenchyma. Our results are significant on two levels. Firstly, we demonstrated that one can localize all proteins in one analysis and without using laboratory animals (antibodies for immunolocalization of single proteins). Secondly, this study offers the first complex proteomic data on not only the E. nipponicum but within the whole class of Monogenea, which was from this point of view until recently neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Roudnický
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - David Potěšil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Gelnar
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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20
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Castillo MG, Humphries JE, Mourão MM, Marquez J, Gonzalez A, Montelongo CE. Biomphalaria glabrata immunity: Post-genome advances. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 104:103557. [PMID: 31759924 PMCID: PMC8995041 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, is an important intermediate host in the life cycle for the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, the causative agent of schistosomiasis. Current treatment and prevention strategies have not led to a significant decrease in disease transmission. However, the genome of B. glabrata was recently sequenced to provide additional resources to further our understanding of snail biology. This review presents an overview of recently published, post-genome studies related to the topic of snail immunity. Many of these reports expand on findings originated from the genome characterization. These novel studies include a complementary gene linkage map, analysis of the genome of the B. glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line, as well as transcriptomic and proteomic studies looking at snail-parasite interactions and innate immune memory responses towards schistosomes. Also included are biochemical investigations on snail pheromones, neuropeptides, and attractants, as well as studies investigating the frontiers of molluscan epigenetics and cell signaling were also included. Findings support the current hypotheses on snail-parasite strain compatibility, and that snail host resistance to schistosome infection is dependent not only on genetics and expression, but on the ability to form multimeric molecular complexes in a timely and tissue-specific manner. The relevance of cell immunity is reinforced, while the importance of humoral factors, especially for secondary infections, is supported. Overall, these studies reflect an improved understanding on the diversity, specificity, and complexity of molluscan immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Castillo
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA.
| | | | - Marina M Mourão
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Brazil
| | - Joshua Marquez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Adrian Gonzalez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Cesar E Montelongo
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
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21
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Limpanont Y, Phuphisut O, Reamtong O, Adisakwattana P. Recent advances in Schistosoma mekongi ecology, transcriptomics and proteomics of relevance to snail control. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105244. [PMID: 31669533 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mekong schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mekongi is a public health problem that occurs along the border between southern Laos and northern Cambodia. Given its restricted distribution and low prevalence, eventual eradication via an effective control program can be expected to be successful. To achieve this goal detailed knowledge of its basic biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and pathology is urgently required. In this regard, recent studies on transcriptome analysis of adult male and female S. mekongi worms, and proteome analysis of developmental stages have been reported and are discussed here. The biology, habitat, and distribution of the snail intermediate host Neotricula aperta, which are factors in disease transmission, are discussed in this review. These have initiated renewed interest in S. mekongi research and contributed promising data that will be utilized in the generation of effective control and prevention strategies.
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22
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Li H, Hambrook JR, Pila EA, Gharamah AA, Fang J, Wu X, Hanington P. Coordination of humoral immune factors dictates compatibility between Schistosoma mansoni and Biomphalaria glabrata. eLife 2020; 9:e51708. [PMID: 31916937 PMCID: PMC6970513 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune factors in snails of the genus Biomphalaria are critical for combating Schistosoma mansoni, the predominant cause of human intestinal schistosomiasis. Independently, many of these factors play an important role in, but do not fully define, the compatibility between the model snail B. glabrata, and S. mansoni. Here, we demonstrate association between four previously characterized humoral immune molecules; BgFREP3, BgTEP1, BgFREP2 and Biomphalysin. We also identify unique immune determinants in the plasma of S. mansoni-resistant B. glabrata that associate with the incompatible phenotype. These factors coordinate to initiate haemocyte-mediated destruction of S. mansoni sporocysts via production of reactive oxygen species. The inclusion of BgFREP2 in a BgFREP3-initiated complex that also includes BgTEP1 almost completely explains resistance to S. mansoni in this model. Our study unifies many independent lines of investigation to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the snail immune system in the context of infection by this important human parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Li
- Ocean CollegeBeibu Gulf UniversityQinzhouChina
- School of Public HealthUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonCanada
| | | | | | | | - Jing Fang
- Ocean CollegeBeibu Gulf UniversityQinzhouChina
- School of Public HealthUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonCanada
| | - Xinzhong Wu
- Ocean CollegeBeibu Gulf UniversityQinzhouChina
- College of Animal SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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23
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Hambrook JR, Gharamah AA, Pila EA, Hussein S, Hanington PC. Biomphalaria glabrata Granulin Increases Resistance to Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Several Biomphalaria Species and Induces the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by Haemocytes. Genes (Basel) 2019; 11:E38. [PMID: 31905675 PMCID: PMC7017051 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastropod molluscs, which have co-evolved with parasitic digenean trematodes for millions of years, utilize circulating heamocytes as the primary method of containing and killing these invading parasites. In order to do so, they must generate suitable amounts of haemocytes that are properly armed to kill parasitic worms. One method by which they generate the haemocytes required to initiate the appropriate cell mediated immune response is via the production and post-translational processing of granulins. Granulins are an evolutionarily conserved family of growth factors present in the majority of eukaryotic life forms. In their pro-granulin form, they can elicit cellular replication and differentiation. The pro-granulins can be further processed by elastase to generate smaller granulin fragments that have been shown to functionally differ from the pro-granulin precursor. In this study, we demonstrate that in vivo addition of Biomphalaria glabrata pro-granulin (BgGRN) can reduce Schistosoma mansoni infection success in numerous Biomphalaria sp. when challenged with different S. mansoni strains. We also demonstrate that cleavage of BgGRN into individual granulin subunits by elastase results in the stimulation of haemocytes to produce reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Hambrook
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.R.H.); (A.A.G.); (E.A.P.)
| | - Abdullah A. Gharamah
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.R.H.); (A.A.G.); (E.A.P.)
| | - Emmanuel A. Pila
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.R.H.); (A.A.G.); (E.A.P.)
| | - Solomon Hussein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Patrick C. Hanington
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.R.H.); (A.A.G.); (E.A.P.)
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24
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Le Clecʼh W, Diaz R, Chevalier FD, McDew-White M, Anderson TJC. Striking differences in virulence, transmission and sporocyst growth dynamics between two schistosome populations. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:485. [PMID: 31619284 PMCID: PMC6796389 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3741-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasite traits associated with transmission success, such as the number of infective stages released from the host, are expected to be optimized by natural selection. However, in the trematode parasite Schistosoma mansoni, a key transmission trait, i.e. the number of cercariae larvae shed from infected Biomphalaria spp. snails, varies significantly within and between different parasite populations and selection experiments demonstrate that this variation has a strong genetic basis. In this study, we compared the transmission strategies of two laboratory schistosome population and their consequences for their snail host. Methods We infected inbred Biomphalaria glabrata snails using two S. mansoni parasite populations (SmBRE and SmLE), both isolated from Brazil and maintained in the laboratory for decades. We compared life history traits of these two parasite populations by quantifying sporocyst growth within infected snails (assayed using qPCR), output of cercaria larvae and impact on snail host physiological response (i.e. hemoglobin rate, laccase-like activity) and survival. Results We identified striking differences in virulence and transmission between the two studied parasite populations. SmBRE (low shedder (LS) parasite population) sheds very low numbers of cercariae and causes minimal impact on the snail physiological response (i.e. laccase-like activity, hemoglobin rate and snail survival). In contrast, SmLE (high shedder (HS) parasite population) sheds 8-fold more cercariae (mean ± SE cercariae per shedding: 284 ± 19 vs 2352 ± 113), causes high snail mortality and has strong impact on snail physiology. We found that HS sporocysts grow more rapidly inside the snail host, comprising up to 60% of cells within infected snails, compared to LS sporocysts, which comprised up to 31%. Cercarial production is strongly correlated to the number of S. mansoni sporocyst cells present within the snail host tissue, although the proportion of sporocyst cells alone does not explain the low cercarial shedding of SmBRE. Conclusions We demonstrated the existence of alternative transmission strategies in the S. mansoni parasite consistent with trade-offs between parasite transmission and host survival: a “boom-bust” strategy characterized by high virulence, high transmission and short duration infections and a “slow and steady” strategy with low virulence, low transmission but long duration of snail host infections.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Winka Le Clecʼh
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, P.O. Box 760549, San Antonio, Texas, 78245, USA.
| | - Robbie Diaz
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, P.O. Box 760549, San Antonio, Texas, 78245, USA
| | - Frédéric D Chevalier
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, P.O. Box 760549, San Antonio, Texas, 78245, USA
| | - Marina McDew-White
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, P.O. Box 760549, San Antonio, Texas, 78245, USA
| | - Timothy J C Anderson
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, P.O. Box 760549, San Antonio, Texas, 78245, USA
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25
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Portilho LG, Duarte BCD, Queiroz FR, Ribeiro THC, Jeremias WDJ, Babá EH, Coelho PMZ, Morais ER, Cabral FJ, Caldeira RL, Gomes MDS. Genome-wide identification, characterisation and expression profiling of the ubiquitin-proteasome genes in Biomphalaria glabrata. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2019; 114:e190052. [PMID: 31166481 PMCID: PMC6548493 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760190052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomphalaria glabrata is the major species used for the
study of schistosomiasis-related parasite-host relationships, and
understanding its gene regulation may aid in this endeavor. The
ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) performs post-translational regulation in
order to maintain cellular protein homeostasis and is related to several
mechanisms, including immune responses. OBJECTIVE The aims of this work were to identify and characterise the putative genes
and proteins involved in UPS using bioinformatic tools and also their
expression on different tissues of B. glabrata. METHODS The putative genes and proteins of UPS in B. glabrata were
predicted using BLASTp and as queries reference proteins from model
organism. We characterised these putative proteins using PFAM and CDD
software describing the conserved domains and active sites. The phylogenetic
analysis was performed using ClustalX2 and MEGA5.2. Expression evaluation
was performed from 12 snail tissues using RPKM. FINDINGS 119 sequences involved in the UPS in B. glabrata were
identified, which 86 have been related to the ubiquitination pathway and 33
to proteasome. In addition, the conserved domains found were associated with
the ubiquitin family, UQ_con, HECT, U-box and proteasome. The main active
sites were lysine and cysteine residues. Lysines are responsible and the
starting point for the formation of polyubiquitin chains, while the cysteine
residues of the enzymes are responsible for binding to ubiquitin. The
phylogenetic analysis showed an organised distribution between the organisms
and the clades of the sequences, corresponding to the tree of life of the
animals, for all groups of sequences analysed. The ubiquitin sequence was
the only one with a high expression profile found in all libraries,
inferring its wide range of performance. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results show the presence, conservation and expression profile of the UPS
in this mollusk, providing a basis and new knowledge for other studies
involving this system. Due to the importance of the UPS and B.
glabrata, this work may influence the search for new
methodologies for the control of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laysa Gomes Portilho
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
| | - Bruna Custódio Dias Duarte
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
| | - Fábio Ribeiro Queiroz
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia do Schistosoma mansoni e sua Interação com o Hospedeiro, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Thales Henrique Cherubino Ribeiro
- Universidade Federal de Lavras, Departamento de Biologia, Seção de Fisiologia de Plantas, Laboratório de Fisiologia Molecular de Plantas, Lavras, MG, Brasil
| | - Wander de Jesus Jeremias
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Departamento de Farmácia/Escola de Farmácia, Ouro Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Elio Hideo Babá
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia do Schistosoma mansoni e sua Interação com o Hospedeiro, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Paulo Marcos Zech Coelho
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia do Schistosoma mansoni e sua Interação com o Hospedeiro, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Enyara Rezende Morais
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
| | - Fernanda Janku Cabral
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Roberta Lima Caldeira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Matheus de Souza Gomes
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Patos de Minas, MG, Brasil
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