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Infectious Diseases of Poverty May 2024The three most important genera of snails for the transmission of schistosomes are Bulinus, Biomphalaria and Oncomelania. Each of these genera, found in two distantly...
The three most important genera of snails for the transmission of schistosomes are Bulinus, Biomphalaria and Oncomelania. Each of these genera, found in two distantly related families, includes species that act as the intermediate host for one of the three most widespread schistosome species infecting humans, Schistosoma haematobium, S. mansoni and S. japonicum, respectively. An important step in the fight against schistosomiasis in Asia has been taken with the publication of the article "Chromosome-level genome assembly of Oncomelania hupensis: the intermediate snail host of Schistosoma japonicum", which means that genomes for all three major genera, including species across three continents, are now available in the public domain. This includes the first genomes of African snail vectors, namely Biomphalaria sudanica, Bi. pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus, as well as high-quality chromosome level assemblies for South American Bi. glabrata. Most importantly, the wealth of new genomic and transcriptomic data is helping to establish the specific molecular mechanisms that underly compatibility between snails and their schistosomes, which although diverse and complex, may help to identify potential targets dictating host parasite interactions that can be utilised in future transmission control strategies. This new work on Oncomelania hupensis and indeed studies on other snail vectors, which provide deep insights into the genome, will stimulate research that may well lead to new and much needed control interventions.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Disease Vectors; Genomics; Host-Parasite Interactions; Schistosomiasis; Snails
PubMed: 38711151
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01199-z -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021() infection can induce serious organ damage and cause schistosomiasis japonica which is mainly prevalent in Asia and currently one of the most seriously neglected... (Review)
Review
() infection can induce serious organ damage and cause schistosomiasis japonica which is mainly prevalent in Asia and currently one of the most seriously neglected tropical diseases. Treatment of schistosomiasis largely depends on the drug praziquantel (PZQ). However, PZQ exhibits low killing efficacy on juvenile worms and the potential emergence of its drug resistance is a continual concern. Protein kinases (PKs) are enzymes that catalyze the phosphorylation of proteins and can participate in many signaling pathways . Recent studies confirmed the essential roles of PKs in the growth and development of , as well as in schistosome-host interactions, and researches have screened drug targets about PKs from (SjPKs), which provide new opportunities of developing new treatments on schistosomiasis. The aim of this review is to present the current progress on SjPKs from classification, different functions and their potential to become drug targets compared with other schistosomes. The efficiency of related protein kinase inhibitors on schistosomes is highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and problems in the study of SjPKs are proposed, which can provide future guidance for developing anti-schistosomiasis drugs and vaccines.
Topics: Animals; Asia; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Protein Kinases; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 34277472
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.691757 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022It is known that schistosome-derived antigens induce innate and adaptive immune responses that are essential for the formation of hepatic immunopathology. Here, we...
It is known that schistosome-derived antigens induce innate and adaptive immune responses that are essential for the formation of hepatic immunopathology. Here, we screened and synthesized four peptides derived from () heat shock protein 90α (Sjp90α-1, -2, -3, and -4), which is widely expressed in adults and eggs of the genus and induces remarkable immune reactions. To define the antigenicity of these peptides, we stimulated splenocytes with peptides, and the results showed that only the Sjp90α-1 peptide could predominately induce the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages as well as alter the proportion of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Next, CD4 T cells were purified and cocultured with mouse bone-marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) with or without Sjp90α-1 peptide stimulation , and the results showed that Sjp90α-1-stimulated BMDCs can significantly induce CD4 T-cell differentiation into Tfh cells, while the direct stimulation of CD4 T cells with Sjp90α-1 did not induce Tfh cells, indicating that the Sjp90α-1 peptide promotes Tfh cell differentiation depending on the presence of DCs. Furthermore, we selected and prepared an Sjp90α-1-peptide-based antibody and illustrated that it has excellent reactivity with the immunizing peptide and detects a single band of 29 kDa corresponding to the Sjp90α protein. The immunolocalization results showed that the protein recognized by this Sjp90α-1-peptide-based antibody is present in the mature eggs and the tegument of adults, implying that the parasite-derived peptide has a potential interaction with the host immune system. Finally, we evaluated antipeptide IgG antibodies and revealed a significantly higher level of anti-Sjp90α-1 peptide IgG antibodies in mice 3 weeks after infection. In conclusion, we illustrate that these synthetic peptides warrant further investigation by evaluating their antigen-specific immune response and their ability to efficiently induce Tfh cells. Moreover, they may constitute a potentially helpful method for the laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica.
PubMed: 36364989
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111238 -
International Journal For Parasitology Dec 2022Schistosomiasis, which is caused by parasitic schistosomes, remains the second most prevalent parasitic disease of mammals worldwide. To successfully maintain fecundity,...
Schistosomiasis, which is caused by parasitic schistosomes, remains the second most prevalent parasitic disease of mammals worldwide. To successfully maintain fecundity, schistosomes have evolved a lifecycle that involves the cooperation of morphologically distinct male and female forms. Eggs produced by worm pairs are vital to the lifecycle of the parasite and are responsible for pathogenesis. Understanding the reproductive mechanism of schistosomes will help to control infection. In this study, the proteomic profiles of single-sex infected male (SM) worms and bisexual infected mated male (MM) worms of Schistosoma japonicum at 18, 21, 23, and 25 days p.i. were identified through data-independent acquisition. In total, 674 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified for the SM and MM worms at all four timepoints. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that most of the DEPs were involved in biosynthetic processes including locomotion, cell growth and death, cell motility, and metabolic processes such as protein metabolism and glucose metabolism. Schistosoma japonicum glycosyltransferase (SjGT) and S. japonicum nicastrin protein (SjNCSTN) were selected for quantitative real‑time PCR analysis and long-term interference with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to further explore the functions of the DEPs. Sjgt mRNA expression was mainly enriched in male worms, while Sjncstn was enriched in both sexes. siRNA against SjGT and SjNCSTN resulted in minor morphological changes in the testes of male worms and significant decreased vitality and fertility. The present study provides comprehensive proteomic profiles of S. japonicum SM and MM worms at 18, 21, 23, and 25 days p.i. and offers insights into the mechanisms underlying the growth and maturation of schistosomes.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Humans; Schistosoma japonicum; Proteomics; Schistosomiasis; RNA, Small Interfering; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Schistosomiasis japonica; Mammals
PubMed: 36265673
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.09.005 -
European Journal of Microbiology &... May 2024Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. There are five human pathogenic species, of which Schistosoma... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. There are five human pathogenic species, of which Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum are the most prevalent worldwide and cause the greatest burden of disease in terms of mortality and morbidity. In addition, hybrid schistosomes have been identified through molecular analysis. Human infection occurs when cercariae, the larval form of the parasite, penetrate the skin of people while bathing in contaminated waters such as lakes and rivers. Schistosomiasis can cause both urogenital and intestinal symptoms. Urogenital symptoms include haematuria, bladder fibrosis, kidney damage, and an increased risk of bladder cancer. Intestinal symptoms may include abdominal pain, sometimes accompanied by diarrhoea and blood in the stool. Schistosomiasis affects more than 250 million people and causes approximately 70 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), mainly in Africa, South America, and Asia. To control infection, it is essential to establish sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for epidemiological surveillance and morbidity reduction. This review provides an overview of schistosomiasis, with a focus on available diagnostic tools for Schistosoma spp. Current molecular detection methods and progress in the development of new diagnostics for schistosomiasis infection are also discussed.
PubMed: 38498078
DOI: 10.1556/1886.2024.00013 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jan 2020China has made remarkable progress in reducing schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum over the past 7 decades but now faces a severe threat from imported...
China has made remarkable progress in reducing schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum over the past 7 decades but now faces a severe threat from imported schistosomiasis. Results from national surveillance during 2010-2018 indicate integrating active surveillance into current surveillance models for imported cases is urgently needed to achieve schistosomiasis elimination in China.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; China; Disease Eradication; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Schistosomiasis; Transients and Migrants; Travel
PubMed: 31855529
DOI: 10.3201/eid2601.191250 -
Acta Tropica Aug 2022The tegument of schistosomes is the interface between the worm and the host environment. Some molecules distributed on the tegument participate in host-parasite...
The tegument of schistosomes is the interface between the worm and the host environment. Some molecules distributed on the tegument participate in host-parasite interactions. Aspartyl aminopeptidase (AAP), identified on the tegument of Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum), facilitate protein turnover by acting in concert with other aminopeptidases. In this study, the gene encoding S. japonicum aspartyl aminopeptidase (SjAAP) was cloned, expressed and characterized. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that SjAAP was expressed in all studied developmental stages. The transcript level was higher in 8, 14, 21, and 28 days old worms than the other detected stages. Moreover, the level of expression in 42-day-old male worms was significantly higher than that in females. The recombinant SjAAP (rSjAAP) was expressed as both supernatant and inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli BL21 cells. The enzymatic activity of rSjAAP was 4.45 U/mg. The Km and Vmax values for H-Asp-pNA hydrolysis were discovered to be 5.93 mM and 0.018 mM·min. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that SjAAP is primarily distributed on the tegument and parenchyma of schistosomes. Western blot showed that rSjAAP possessed good immunogenicity. Although specific antibodies were produced in BALB/c mice vaccinated with rSjAAP emulsified with ISA 206 adjuvant, no significant reduction of worm burden and number of eggs in the liver was observed. Therefore, rSjAAP may not be suitable to act as a potential vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis japonica in mice. However, this study provides some foundation for further exploration of the biological function of this molecule.
Topics: Animals; Cloning, Molecular; Female; Glutamyl Aminopeptidase; Helminth Proteins; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosomiasis japonica
PubMed: 35584779
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106519 -
Parasitology Research Oct 2019Accurate discrimination of the Schistosoma japonicum cercariae gender is very important for establishing monosexual infection animal models and for standardizing the...
Accurate discrimination of the Schistosoma japonicum cercariae gender is very important for establishing monosexual infection animal models and for standardizing the real intensity of infection. In this study, a multiplex PCR technique consisting of two pairs of primers, of which one amplifies a 185-bp band specific for the W chromosome and the other amplifies a 420-bp band for the Z chromosome, was established to sex the S. japonicum cercariae. For male cercariae (ZZ), a single 420-bp band is expected, and for female cercariea (ZW), two distinct 185-bp and 420-bp bands can be observed. There was no cross-reaction with S. mansoni, S. haematobium, Clonorchis sinensis, Paragonimus westermani, and Trichinella spiralis. After sexing the cercariae escaped from a single snail, mice in group A were infected with 60 male cercariae and mice of group B were infected with 40 female cercariae. Meanwhile, mice in group C were infected with 10 male and 10 female cercariae that were sexed by multiplex PCR. At 45 days postinfection, male and female adult worms were recovered to verify the accuracy of multiplex PCR for sexing S. japonicum cercariae and to calculate the male and female survival rate and paired worm ratio. Our results showed that the multiplex PCR technique could distinguish male cercariae with 100% accuracy. However, sometimes the discrimination results of multiplex PCR mis-scored mixed sexual cercariae as female cercariae. The mean male adult worm burden in mice of group C was 10.7 ± 2.4, and the mean female adult worm burden was 7.7 ± 2.5. There was a significant difference between the male worm burden and female worm burden in group C. The P value was 0.013. The real paired worm ratio of group C was 74.2% (95%CI 56.6~91.8%). These results demonstrated a male-biased sex ratio in the mice model with equilibrated sex ratio cercariae infection, as predicted by our multiplex PCR technique. In conclusion, our multiplex PCR technique is an effective tool for sexing S. japonicum cercariae, especially for distinguishing male cercariae, which is of great value for establishing monosexual cercariae infection mice models to harvest male adult worms for anti-schistosomal drug screening.
Topics: Animals; Cercaria; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Male; Mice; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Schistosoma japonicum; Sex Characteristics; Snails
PubMed: 31448385
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06431-6 -
Journal of Travel Medicine Aug 2021
Topics: Animals; Humans; Neglected Diseases; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 34254141
DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab107 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022Schistosomiasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by schistosome infection that severely threatens human health. Therapy relies mainly on single drug treatment with...
Schistosomiasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by schistosome infection that severely threatens human health. Therapy relies mainly on single drug treatment with praziquantel. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop alternative medicines. The glutamate neurotransmitter in helminths is involved in many physiological functions by interacting with various cell-surface receptors. However, the roles and detailed regulatory mechanisms of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) in the growth and development of remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified two putative mGluRs in and named them GRM7 (Sjc_001309, similar to GRM7) and GRM (Sjc_001163, similar to mGluR). Further validation using a calcium mobilization assay showed that GRM7 and GRM are glutamate-specific. The results of hybridization showed that GRM is mainly located in the nerves of both males and gonads of females, and GRM7 is principally found in the nerves and gonads of males and females. In a RNA interference experiment, the results showed that GRM7 knockdown by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in caused edema, chassis detachment, and separation of paired worms . Furthermore, dsRNA interference of GRM7 could significantly affect the development and egg production of male and female worms and alleviate the host liver granulomas and fibrosis. Finally, we examined the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory function of mGluR using RNA sequencing. The data suggest that GRM7 propagates its signals through the G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway to promote nervous system development in . In conclusion, GRM7 is a potential target for anti-schistosomiasis. This study enables future research on the mechanisms of action of drugs.
PubMed: 36532433
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1045490