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Wangchuk P, Yeshi K, Loukas A. Metabolomics and lipidomics studies of parasitic helminths: molecular diversity and identification levels achieved by using different characterisation tools. Metabolomics 2023; 19:63. [PMID: 37356029 PMCID: PMC10290966 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-023-02019-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Helminths are parasitic worms that infect millions of people worldwide and secrete a variety of excretory-secretory products (ESPs), including proteins, peptides, and small molecules. Despite this, there is currently no comprehensive review article on cataloging small molecules from helminths, particularly focusing on the different classes of metabolites (polar and lipid molecules) identified from the ESP and somatic tissue extracts of helminths that were studied in isolation from their hosts. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the metabolomics and lipidomics studies of parasitic helminths using all available analytical platforms. METHOD To achieve this objective, we conducted a meta-analysis of the identification and characterization tools, metabolomics approaches, metabolomics standard initiative (MSI) levels, software, and databases commonly applied in helminth metabolomics studies published until November 2021. RESULT This review analyzed 29 studies reporting the metabolomic assessment of ESPs and somatic tissue extracts of 17 helminth species grown under ex vivo/in vitro culture conditions. Of these 29 studies, 19 achieved the highest level of metabolite identification (MSI level-1), while the remaining studies reported MSI level-2 identification. Only 155 small molecule metabolites, including polar and lipids, were identified using MSI level-1 characterization protocols from various helminth species. Despite the significant advances made possible by the 'omics' technology, standardized software and helminth-specific metabolomics databases remain significant challenges in this field. Overall, this review highlights the potential for future studies to better understand the diverse range of small molecules that helminths produce and leverage their unique metabolomic features to develop novel treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phurpa Wangchuk
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878 Australia
| | - Karma Yeshi
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878 Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878 Australia
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Untargeted serum metabolomics analysis of Trichinella spiralis-infected mouse. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011119. [PMID: 36809241 PMCID: PMC9943014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichinellosis, caused by a parasitic nematode of the genus Trichinella, is a zoonosis that affects people worldwide. After ingesting raw meat containing Trichinella spp. larvae, patients show signs of myalgia, headaches, and facial and periorbital edema, and severe cases may die from myocarditis and heart failure. The molecular mechanisms of trichinellosis are unclear, and the sensitivity of the diagnostic methods used for this disease are unsatisfactory. Metabolomics is an excellent tool for studying disease progression and biomarkers; however, it has never been applied to trichinellosis. We aimed to elucidate the impacts of Trichinella infection on the host body and identify potential biomarkers using metabolomics. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Mice were infected with T. spiralis larvae, and sera were collected before and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after infection. Metabolites in the sera were extracted and identified using untargeted mass spectrometry. Metabolomic data were annotated via the XCMS online platform and analyzed with Metaboanalyst version 5.0. A total of 10,221 metabolomic features were identified, and the levels of 566, 330, and 418 features were significantly changed at 2-, 4-, and 8-weeks post-infection, respectively. The altered metabolites were used for further pathway analysis and biomarker selection. A major pathway affected by Trichinella infection was glycerophospholipid metabolism, and glycerophospholipids comprised the main metabolite class identified. Receiver operating characteristic revealed 244 molecules with diagnostic power for trichinellosis, with phosphatidylserines (PS) being the primary lipid class. Some lipid molecules, e.g., PS (18:0/19:0)[U] and PA (O-16:0/21:0), were not present in metabolome databases of humans and mice, thus they may have been secreted by the parasites. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our study highlighted glycerophospholipid metabolism as the major pathway affected by trichinellosis, hence glycerophospholipid species are potential markers of trichinellosis. The findings of this study represent the initial steps in biomarker discovery that may benefit future trichinellosis diagnosis.
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Rosa BA, Curtis K, Erdmann Gilmore P, Martin J, Zhang Q, Sprung R, Weil GJ, Townsend RR, Fischer PU, Mitreva M. Direct Proteomic Detection and Prioritization of 19 Onchocerciasis Biomarker Candidates in Humans. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 22:100454. [PMID: 36435333 PMCID: PMC9792368 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Onchocerca volvulus, the causative agent of onchocerciasis, infects over 20 million people and can cause severe dermatitis and ocular conditions including blindness. Current treatments employed in mass drug administration programs do not kill adult female worms, and common diagnostic tests cannot reliably assess viability of adult worms. There is an urgent need for better diagnostic tests to facilitate monitoring the efficacy of new treatments and disease elimination efforts. Here, eight plasma samples collected from individuals infected with O. volvulus and seven from uninfected individuals were analyzed by MS/MS spectrometry to directly identify O. volvulus proteins present in infected but absent in uninfected control samples. This direct proteomic approach for biomarker discovery had not been previously employed for onchocerciasis. Among all detected proteins, 19 biomarker candidates were supported by two or more unique peptides, identified in the plasma of at least three O. volvulus-infected human samples and absent in all control samples. Comprehensive analysis and ranking of these candidates included detailed functional annotation and a review of RNA-seq gene expression profiles. Isotope-labeled standard peptides were run in parallel and validated MS/MS peptide identifications for 15 peptides from 11 of the 19 proteins, and two infected urine and one uninfected urine sample was used for additional validation. A major antigen/OVOC11613 was identified as the most promising candidate with eight unique peptides across five plasma samples and one urine sample. Additional strong candidates included OVOC1523/ATP synthase, OVOC247/laminin and OVOC11626/PLK5, and along with OVOC11613, and were also detected in urine samples from onchocerciasis patients. This study has identified a promising novel set of proteins that will be carried forward to develop assays that can be used for diagnosis of O. volvulus infections and for monitoring treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A. Rosa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kurt Curtis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Petra Erdmann Gilmore
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robert Sprung
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gary J. Weil
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - R. Reid Townsend
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Peter U. Fischer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA,Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA,McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA,For correspondence: Makedonka Mitreva
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Wang T, Nie S, Reid GE, Gasser RB. Helminth lipidomics: Technical aspects and future prospects. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2022; 1:100018. [PMID: 35284853 PMCID: PMC8906070 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Lipidomics is a relatively recent molecular research field, and explores lipids (fats) and their biology using advanced mass spectrometry technologies. Although this field has expanded significantly in biomedical and biotechnological disciplines, it is still in its infancy in molecular parasitology. Our goal here is to review and discuss technical aspects of MS-based lipidomics and its recent applications to parasitic worms, as well as challenges and future directions for worm lipid research. In a multi-omic paradigm, we expect that the exploration of lipidomic data for parasitic worms will yield important insights into lipid-associated biological pathways and processes, including the regulation of essential signalling pathways, parasite invasion, establishment, adaptation and development. Lipids are involved in critical biological functions in parasitic worms. Lipidomics is an emerging research field in molecular helminthology. This article covers technological advances and applications to parasitic worms. It also discusses challenges and future directions for lipidomic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Bio21 Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Gavin E Reid
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010 Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Lagatie O, Njumbe Ediage E, Van Roosbroeck D, Van Asten S, Verheyen A, Batsa Debrah L, Debrah A, Odiere MR, T’Kindt R, Dumont E, Sandra K, Dillen L, Verhaeghe T, Vreeken R, Cuyckens F, Stuyver LJ. Multimodal biomarker discovery for active Onchocerca volvulus infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009999. [PMID: 34843471 PMCID: PMC8659328 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The neglected tropical disease onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is caused by infection with the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus. Current estimates indicate that 17 million people are infected worldwide, the majority of them living in Africa. Today there are no non-invasive tests available that can detect ongoing infection, and that can be used for effective monitoring of elimination programs. In addition, to enable pharmacodynamic studies with novel macrofilaricide drug candidates, surrogate endpoints and efficacy biomarkers are needed but are non-existent. We describe the use of a multimodal untargeted mass spectrometry-based approach (metabolomics and lipidomics) to identify onchocerciasis-associated metabolites in urine and plasma, and of specific lipid features in plasma of infected individuals (O. volvulus infected cases: 68 individuals with palpable nodules; lymphatic filariasis cases: 8 individuals; non-endemic controls: 20 individuals). This work resulted in the identification of elevated concentrations of the plasma metabolites inosine and hypoxanthine as biomarkers for filarial infection, and of the urine metabolite cis-cinnamoylglycine (CCG) as biomarker for O. volvulus. During the targeted validation study, metabolite-specific cutoffs were determined (inosine: 34.2 ng/ml; hypoxanthine: 1380 ng/ml; CCG: 29.7 ng/ml) and sensitivity and specificity profiles were established. Subsequent evaluation of these biomarkers in a non-endemic population from a different geographical region invalidated the urine metabolite CCG as biomarker for O. volvulus. The plasma metabolites inosine and hypoxanthine were confirmed as biomarkers for filarial infection. With the availability of targeted LC-MS procedures, the full potential of these 2 biomarkers in macrofilaricide clinical trials, MDA efficacy surveys, and epidemiological transmission studies can be investigated. Today’s diagnosis of infection with the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus mainly depends on the microscopic analysis of skin biopsies and serological testing. The work presented here describes the use of multiple mass spectrometry-based screening methods (metabolomics and lipidomics) to search for biomarkers indicative of infection with Onchocerca volvulus. This resulted in the identification of elevated concentrations of the plasma metabolites inosine and hypoxanthine as biomarkers for filarial infection, and of the urine metabolite cis-cinnamoylglycine as biomarker for O. volvulus. Further evaluation of these biomarkers in a geographically distinct non-endemic population however invalidated the use of urine cis-cinnamoylglycine. These findings are of utmost importance as it not only opens new avenues in the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools for filarial infections, but also emphasizes the need for evaluation and validation of newly discovered biomarkers in different populations from different geographies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Lagatie
- J&J Global Public Health, Janssen R&D, Beerse, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | | | - Ann Verheyen
- J&J Global Public Health, Janssen R&D, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Linda Batsa Debrah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Alex Debrah
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Maurice R. Odiere
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ruben T’Kindt
- Research Institute for Chromatography (RIC), Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Emmie Dumont
- Research Institute for Chromatography (RIC), Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Koen Sandra
- Research Institute for Chromatography (RIC), Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Lieve Dillen
- Discovery Sciences, Janssen R&D, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Rob Vreeken
- Discovery Sciences, Janssen R&D, Beerse, Belgium
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Metabolic Analysis of the Development of the Plant-Parasitic Cyst Nematodes Heterodera schachtii and Heterodera trifolii by Capillary Electrophoresis Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910488. [PMID: 34638828 PMCID: PMC8508704 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The cyst nematodes Heterodera schachtii and Heterodera trifolii, whose major hosts are sugar beet and clover, respectively, damage a broad range of plants, resulting in significant economic losses. Nematodes synthesize metabolites for organismal development and social communication. We performed metabolic profiling of H. schachtii and H. trifolii in the egg, juvenile 2 (J2), and female stages. In all, 392 peaks were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which revealed a lot of similarities among metabolomes. Aromatic amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, choline metabolism, methionine salvage pathway, glutamate metabolism, urea cycle, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, coenzyme metabolism, purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle for energy conversion (β-oxidation and branched-chain amino acid metabolism) energy storage were involved in all stages studied. The egg and female stages synthesized higher levels of metabolites compared to the J2 stage. The key metabolites detected were glycerol, guanosine, hydroxyproline, citric acid, phosphorylcholine, and the essential amino acids Phe, Leu, Ser, and Val. Metabolites, such as hydroxyproline, acetylcholine, serotonin, glutathione, and glutathione disulfide, which are associated with growth and reproduction, mobility, and neurotransmission, predominated in the J2 stage. Other metabolites, such as SAM, 3PSer, 3-ureidopropionic acid, CTP, UDP, UTP, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-hydroxy-4-methylvaleric acid, Gly Asp, glucuronic acid-3 + galacturonic acid-3 Ser-Glu, citrulline, and γ-Glu-Asn, were highly detected in the egg stage. Meanwhile, nicotinamide, 3-PG, F6P, Cys, ADP-Ribose, Ru5P, S7P, IMP, DAP, diethanolamine, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid, and γ-Glu-Arg_divalent were unique to the J2 stage. Formiminoglutamic acid, nicotinaminde riboside + XC0089, putrescine, thiamine 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3-methyladenine, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, m-hydrobenzoic acid, o- and p-coumaric acid, and shikimic acid were specific to the female stage. Overall, highly similar identities and quantities of metabolites between the corresponding stages of the two species of nematode were observed. Our results will be a valuable resource for further studies of physiological changes related to the development of nematodes and nematode-plant interactions.
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Wang T, Nie S, Ma G, Vlaminck J, Geldhof P, Williamson NA, Reid GE, Gasser RB. Quantitative lipidomic analysis of Ascaris suum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008848. [PMID: 33264279 PMCID: PMC7710092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascaris is a soil-transmitted nematode that causes ascariasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting predominantly children and adolescents in the tropics and subtropics. Approximately 0.8 billion people are affected worldwide, equating to 0.86 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Exploring the molecular biology of Ascaris is important to gain a better understanding of the host-parasite interactions and disease processes, and supports the development of novel interventions. Although advances have been made in the genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics of Ascaris, its lipidome has received very limited attention. Lipidomics is an important sub-discipline of systems biology, focused on exploring lipids profiles in tissues and cells, and elucidating their biological and metabolic roles. Here, we characterised the lipidomes of key developmental stages and organ systems of Ascaris of porcine origin via high throughput LC-MS/MS. In total, > 500 lipid species belonging to 18 lipid classes within three lipid categories were identified and quantified–in precise molar amounts in relation to the dry weight of worm material–in different developmental stages/sexes and organ systems. The results showed substantial differences in the composition and abundance of lipids with key roles in cellular processes and functions (e.g. energy storage regulation and membrane structure) among distinct stages and among organ systems, likely reflecting differing demands for lipids, depending on stage of growth and development as well as the need to adapt to constantly changing environments within and outside of the host animal. This work provides the first step toward understanding the biology of lipids in Ascaris, with possibilities to work toward designing new interventions against ascariasis. Lipids are of vital importance in the biology of parasitic worms, particularly in relation to cellular membranes, energy storage, and intra- and intercellular signalling. However, very little is known about the biology of lipids in parasitic nematodes. Using a high-throughput LC-MS/MS approach, we characterised the first global lipidome for Ascaris. We investigated the lipid composition and abundance in key developmental stages/sexes as well as the organ systems of Ascaris. We observed substantial differences in lipid composition and abundance among these stages/sexes and among the organ systems studied. The findings provide a basis to start to understand lipid biology in Ascaris, with possible implications for developing new interventions against ascariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Bio21 Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Guangxu Ma
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Johnny Vlaminck
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Nicholas A. Williamson
- Bio21 Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gavin E. Reid
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Yeshi K, Creek DJ, Anderson D, Ritmejerytė E, Becker L, Loukas A, Wangchuk P. Metabolomes and Lipidomes of the Infective Stages of the Gastrointestinal nematodes, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Trichuris muris. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10110446. [PMID: 33171998 PMCID: PMC7694664 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10110446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths, including hookworms and whipworms, infect billions of people worldwide. Their capacity to penetrate and migrate through their hosts’ tissues is influenced by the suite of molecules produced by the infective developmental stages. To facilitate a better understanding of the immunobiology and pathogenicity of human hookworms and whipworms, we investigated the metabolomes of the infective stage of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis third-stage larvae (L3) which penetrate the skin and Trichuris muris eggs which are orally ingested, using untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We identified 55 polar metabolites through Metabolomics Standard Initiative level-1 (MSI-I) identification from N. brasiliensis and T. muris infective stages, out of which seven were unique to excretory/secretory products (ESPs) of N. brasiliensis L3. Amino acids were a principal constituent (33 amino acids). Additionally, we identified 350 putative lipids, out of which 28 (all known lipids) were unique to N. brasiliensis L3 somatic extract and four to T. muris embryonated egg somatic extract. Glycerophospholipids and glycerolipids were the major lipid groups. The catalogue of metabolites identified in this study shed light on the biology, and possible therapeutic and diagnostic targets for the treatment of these critical infectious pathogens. Moreover, with the growing body of literature on the therapeutic utility of helminth ESPs for treating inflammatory diseases, a role for metabolites is likely but has received little attention thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karma Yeshi
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Building E4, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.); (L.B.); (A.L.)
- Correspondence: (K.Y.); (P.W.)
| | - Darren J. Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (D.J.C.); (D.A.)
| | - Dovile Anderson
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (D.J.C.); (D.A.)
| | - Edita Ritmejerytė
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Building E4, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.); (L.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Luke Becker
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Building E4, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.); (L.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Building E4, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.); (L.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Phurpa Wangchuk
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Building E4, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.); (L.B.); (A.L.)
- Correspondence: (K.Y.); (P.W.)
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Wang T, Ma G, Nie S, Williamson NA, Reid GE, Gasser RB. Lipid composition and abundance in the reproductive and alimentary tracts of female Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:338. [PMID: 32631412 PMCID: PMC7339462 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04208-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipids play essential structural and functional roles in the biology of animals. Studying the composition and abundance of lipids in parasites should assist in gaining a better understanding of their molecular biology, biochemistry and host-parasite interactions. METHODS Here, we used a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric analyses, combined with bioinformatics, to explore the lipid composition and abundance in the reproductive (Rt) and alimentary (At) tracts of Haemonchus contortus. RESULTS We identified and quantified 320 unique lipid species representing four categories: glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and steroid lipids. Glycerolipids (i.e. triradylglycerols) and glycerophospholipids (i.e. glycerophosphocholines) were the most commonly and abundant lipid classes identified and were significantly enriched in Rt and At, respectively. We propose that select parasite-derived lipids in Rt and At of adult female H. contortus are required as an energy source (i.e. triradylglycerol) or are involved in phospholipid biosynthesis (i.e. incorporated fatty acids) and host-parasite interactions (i.e. phospholipids and lysophospholipids). CONCLUSIONS This work provides a first foundation to explore lipids at the organ-specific and tissue-specific levels in nematodes, and to start to unravel aspects of lipid transport, synthesis and metabolism, with a perspective on discovering new intervention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Guangxu Ma
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Bio21 Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Nicholas A. Williamson
- Bio21 Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Gavin E. Reid
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
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Abstract
Outbreaks of trichinellosis caused by Trichinella papuae have been reported in South-East Asia. Mebendazole and thiabendazole are the treatments of choice for trichinellosis; however, both drugs result in significant side effects and are less effective for muscle-stage larvae (L1). An alternative therapeutic agent is needed to improve treatment. Information on lipid composition and metabolic pathways may bridge gaps in our knowledge and lead to new antiparasitics. The T. papuae L1 lipidome was analysed using a mass spectrometry-based approach, and 403 lipid components were identified. Eight lipid classes were found and glycerophospholipids were dominant, corresponding to 63% of total lipids, of which the glycerolipid DG (20:1[11Z]/22:4[7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z]/0:0) (iso2) was the most abundant. Overall, 57% of T. papuae lipids were absent in humans; therefore, lipid metabolism may be dissimilar in the two species. Proteins involved T. papuae lipid metabolism were explored using bioinformatics. We found that 4-hydroxybutyrate coenzyme A transferase, uncharacterized protein (A0A0V1MCB5) and ML-domain-containing protein are not present in humans. T. papuae glycerophospholipid metabolic and phosphatidylinositol dephosphorylation processes contain several proteins that are dissimilar to those in humans. These findings provide insights into T. papuae lipid composition and metabolism, which may facilitate the development of novel trichinellosis treatments.
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Wang T, Nie S, Ma G, Korhonen PK, Koehler AV, Ang CS, Reid GE, Williamson NA, Gasser RB. The developmental lipidome of Haemonchus contortus. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:887-895. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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