Using Caenorhabditis elegans to produce functional secretory proteins of parasitic nematodes

Systems biology of Haemonchus contortus - Advancing biotechnology for parasitic nematode control

Parasitic nematodes represent a substantial global burden, impacting animal health, agriculture and economies worldwide. Of these worms, Haemonchus contortus - a blood-feeding nematode of ruminants - is a major pathogen and a model for molecular and applied parasitology research. This review synthesises some key advances in understanding the molecular biology, genetic diversity and host-parasite interactions of H. contortus, highlighting its value for comparative studies with the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Key themes include recent developments in genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic technologies and resources, which are illuminating critical molecular pathways, including the ubiquitination pathway, protease/protease inhibitor systems and the secretome of H. contortus. Some of these insights are providing a foundation for identifying essential genes and exploring their potential as targets for novel anthelmintics or vaccines, particularly in the face of widespread anthelmintic resistance. Advanced bioinformatic tools, such as machine learning (ML) algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven protein structure prediction, are enhancing annotation capabilities, facilitating and accelerating analyses of gene functions, and biological pathways and processes. This review also discusses the integration of these tools with cutting-edge single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to dissect host-parasite interactions at the cellular level. The discussion emphasises the importance of curated databases, improved culture systems and functional genomics platforms to translate molecular discoveries into practical outcomes, such as novel interventions. New research findings and resources not only advance research on H. contortus and related nematodes but may also pave the way for innovative solutions to the global challenges with anthelmintic resistance.

Screening conditions and constructs for attempted genetic transformation of C. elegans by Agrobacterium

Manipulating gene expression within a model organism is important for reverse genetic experimentation, and while techniques to generate transgenic C. elegans are available, they are optimised for creating individual lines. The ability to create libraries of genetically modified animals using C. elegans as a model would make new types of experiments possible and would speed up studies of animal physiology. Here, we describe a range of constructs designed to establish a high-throughput method of C. elegans transformation mediated by gene transfer from Agrobacterium. We demonstrate that C. elegans are able to survive on Agrobacterium as a sole food source, and screen conditions for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in this organism. While we do not achieve routine gene transfer from Agrobacterium to C. elegans, we suggest that this technique has potential following further optimization. The success of the approach would enable rapid and high-throughput transformation of C. elegans, providing an improvement on currently available methods. Here we provide details of optimization conditions tested, and a useful resource of T-binary constructs for use by the scientific community.

Oxidative Stress on Haemonchus contortus Larvae Exposed to Alternative Treatment with Artemisia cina n-Hexane Extract and Cinaguaiacin Metabolites

Anthelmintic resistance is currently negatively impacting animal production parameters, leading to an increase in the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and resulting in low profitability in small ruminants. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative control strategies to reduce the prevalence and damage caused by these parasites in extensive systems. One of these strategies involves plant extracts and their secondary metabolites, which have shown antiparasitic properties. The main aim of the present study was the evaluation of Artemisia cina (A. cina) foliage to perform an n-hexane extract and cinaguaiacin as secondary metabolite (mixture of 63% of 3'-demethoxy-6-O-demethylisoguaiacin and 37% norisoguaiacin), previously identified by chromatography technique and relative expression of three antioxidant enzyme genes of infective Haemonchus contortus larvae (L3). The results showed upregulation of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), and decreased expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes after exposure to H. contortus L3 to n-hexane extract of A. cina. Furthermore, cinaguacin displayed up- and downregulation of GPx and superoxide dismutase genes, respectively. These data suggest the active function of reactive oxidative species (ROS) genes of H. contortus L3 exposed by the extract of A. cina and cinaguaiacin to induce the larve death. In this sense, both alternatives could be promising to mitigate resistance to anthelmintic drugs.

Glycans of parasitic nematodes - from glycomes to novel diagnostic tools and vaccines

Nematodes, commonly known as roundworms, are among the most prevalent and diverse multicellular organisms on Earth, belonging to the large phylum Nematoda. In addition to free-living species, many nematodes are parasitic, infecting plants, animals, and humans. Nematodes possess a wide array of genes responsible for carbohydrate metabolism and glycosylation. The glycosylation processes in parasitic nematodes often result in unique glycan modifications that are not present in their hosts. These distinct glycans can be highly immunogenic to mammalian hosts and play significant immunoregulatory roles during infection. This mini-review article summarises the glycosylation capabilities and characteristics of parasitic nematodes based on glycomic data. It also highlights recent research advances that explore the biological significance of nematode glycans and their potential for diagnostic and vaccine applications.

Helminth-derived biomacromolecules as therapeutic agents for treating inflammatory and infectious diseases: What lessons do we get from recent findings?

Despite the tremendous progress in healthcare sectors, a number of life-threatening infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases are continuously challenging mankind throughout the globe. In this context, recent successes in utilizing helminth parasite-derived bioactive macromolecules viz. glycoproteins, enzymes, polysaccharides, lipids/lipoproteins, nucleic acids/nucleotides, and small organic molecules for treating various disorders primarily resulted from inflammation. Among the several parasites that infect humans, helminths (cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes) are known as efficient immune manipulators owing to their explicit ability to modulate and modify the innate and adaptive immune responses of humans. These molecules selectively bind to immune receptors on innate and adaptive immune cells and trigger multiple signaling pathways to elicit anti-inflammatory cytokines, expansion of alternatively activated macrophages, T-helper 2, and immunoregulatory T regulatory cell types to induce an anti-inflammatory milieu. Reduction of pro-inflammatory responses and repair of tissue damage by these anti-inflammatory mediators have been exploited for treating a number of autoimmune, allergic, and metabolic diseases. Herein, the potential and promises of different helminths/helminth-derived products as therapeutic agents in ameliorating immunopathology of different human diseases and their mechanistic insights of function at cell and molecular level alongside the molecular signaling cross-talks have been reviewed by incorporating up-to-date findings achieved in the field.