Host-Parasite Relationships in Porcine Ascariosis: Anticoagulant Potential of the Third Larval Stage of Ascaris suum as a Possible Survival Mechanism

Host–Parasite Relationships in Veterinary Parasitology: Get to Know Your Enemy before Fighting It

The evolutionary success of parasitism is directly related to the huge number of species that have evolved this way of life [...]

Ascaris suum Nutrient Uptake and Metabolic Release, and Modulation of Host Intestinal Nutrient Transport by Excretory-Secretory and Cuticle Antigens In Vitro

Ascaris suum, the most important pig parasite, also infects humans as a zoonotic pathogen. Malabsorption upon infection probably results from impaired nutrient transport, presumably mediated by the parasite’s excretory-secretory (ES) or cuticle somatic (CSO) antigens. The present study investigated the electrogenic transport (ΔI_sc) of glucose, alanine and the dipeptide glycyl-l-glutamine (glygln), as well as glucose net flux rates in pig jejunal tissue after in vitro exposure to adult A. suum total ES or CSO antigens in Ussing chambers. ΔI_sc of glucose, alanine and glucose net flux rate were significantly decreased after one hour of exposure to total ES antigen. In contrast, CSO antigens increased the transport of glygln. Additionally, nutrient uptake and ES antigen pattern were compared in culture medium from untreated adult worms and those with sealed mouth and anal openings. Untreated worms completely absorbed glucose, while cuticular absorption in sealed worms led to 90% reduction. Amino acid absorption was 30% less effective in sealed worms, and ammonia excretion decreased by 20%. Overall, the results show that A. suum total ES antigen rapidly impairs nutrient transport in vitro. Future studies confirming the results in vivo, narrowing down the ES components responsible and investigating underlying molecular mechanisms are needed.

Insights into the functional expansion of the astacin peptidase family in parasitic helminths

Helminths secrete a plethora of proteins involved in parasitism-related processes such as tissue penetration, migration, feeding and immunoregulation. Astacins, a family of zinc metalloproteases belonging to the peptidase family M12, are one of the most abundantly represented protein families in the secretomes of helminths. Despite their involvement in virulence, very few studies have addressed the role of this loosely defined protein group in parasitic helminths. Herein, we have analysed the predicted proteomes from 154 helminth species and confirmed the expansion of the astacin family in several nematode taxa. The astacin domain associated with up to 110 other domains into 145 unique domain architectures, where CUB and ShK constitute the principal and nearly independent bi-domain frameworks. The presence of co-existing domains suggests promiscuous adaptable functions to several roles. These activities could be related either to substrate specificity or to higher-order functions, such as anti-angiogenesis and immunomodulation, where the astacin domain would play an accessory role. Furthermore, some phylogenetically restricted mutations in the astacin domain affected residues located at the active cleft and binding sub-pockets, suggesting adaptation to different substrate specificities. Altogether, these findings suggest the astacin domain is a highly adaptable module that fulfils multiple proteolytic needs of the parasitic lifestyle. This study contributes to the understanding of helminth-secreted astacins and, ultimately, provides the foundation to guide future investigations about the role of this diverse family of proteins in host-parasite interactions.