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Liu Y, Abuzeid AMI, Huang Y, He L, Zhao Q, Zhu S, Zhuang T, Chen X, Li X, Liu J, Li G. Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of aspartyl protease inhibitor from Ancylostoma ceylanicum. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 22:100464. [PMID: 33308749 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Aspartyl protease inhibitors (APIs) from parasitic intestinal nematodes are highly immunogenic and have been suggested as potential vaccine antigens. Ac-API-1 from Ancylostoma caninum showed strong immunogenicity and its polyclonal antibodies could specifically recognize the excretory/secretory products of adult worms. However, little is known about molecular characteristics and biological function of API from Ancylostoma ceylanicum (Ace-API). In this study, the Ace-API mature peptide coding sequence was cloned and expressed, and molecular characteristics of its full length sequence were analyzed. Ace-API cDNA was 684 bp in length, which encoded 228 amino acids. The similarity of the Ace-API amino acid sequence to Ac-API-1 and Adu-API-1 was 96.93% and 96.49%, respectively, and they clustered together in the phylogenetic tree. Escheria coli-expressed recombinant protein was mainly soluble in the supernatant of bacterial cell lysate. Western blot showed that Ace-API protein had good reactivity to the serum of infected dogs. Pepsin inhibition assay revealed that the recombinant protein had inhibitory activity on pepsin. Immunofluorescence results demonstrated that Ace-API was mainly localized to the epidermis, excretory glands, and pseudocoelomic fluid of the adult. Using the quantitative real-time PCR, the expression of Ace-api mRNA in adults was significantly higher than that in the third stage (L3) larvae. Together, these data indicate that Ace-API is secreted extracellularly by the parasite, and might play a role in protecting the parasite against the proteolytic digestion by the host proteases, which stimulate further studies to explore this protein as a potential hookworm vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqiu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Asmaa M I Abuzeid
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Yue Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Long He
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Shilan Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Tingting Zhuang
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Xiu Li
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Jumei Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China
| | - Guoqing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510542, China.
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Characterization of IL-10-producing neutrophils in cattle infected with Ostertagia ostertagi. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20292. [PMID: 31889109 PMCID: PMC6937330 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56824-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-10 is a master regulator of immune responses, but its cellular source and function in cattle during the initial phase of immune priming have not been well established. Despite a massive B cell response in the abomasal draining lymph nodes in Ostertagia ostertagi (OO)-infected cattle, protective immunity is slow to develop, and partial protection requires years of repeated exposure. In addressing this problem, our initial hypothesis was that B cells produce IL-10 that downregulates the host protective immune response. However, our results showed that neutrophils made up the majority of IL-10-producing cells in circulation and in secondary lymphoid tissues, particularly the spleen (80%). Conversely, IL-10-producing B cells were rare. In addition, approximately 10% to 20% of the neutrophils in the blood and spleen expressed MHC II and were IL-10 negative, suggesting that neutrophils could also participate in antigen presentation. In vitro investigation of bovine neutrophils revealed that exposure thereof to OO extract increased IL-10 and MHC II expression in these cells in a dose-dependent manner, consistent with IL-10+/MHC II+ neutrophils detected in cattle shortly after experimental OO infection. Co-culture of untreated neutrophils with anti-CD3 antibody (Ab)-stimulated CD4+ T cells led to enhanced T cell activation; also, IL-10 depletion with neutralizing Ab enhanced the stimulatory function of neutrophils. OO extract depressed neutrophil stimulation of CD4+ T cells in the presence of IL-10-neutralizing Ab, suggesting that OO utilizes both IL-10-dependent and independent mechanisms to manipulate the bovine immune response. Finally, contact and viability were required for T cell-stimulatory neutrophil function. This report, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to demonstrate that neutrophil-derived IL-10 is directly involved in T cell regulation in cattle. Our data suggest that neutrophils and neutrophil-derived IL-10 are co-opted by nematode parasites and other pathogens to attenuate host immune responses and facilitate pathogen survival.
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Li B, Gadahi JA, Gao W, Zhang Z, Ehsan M, Xu L, Song X, Li X, Yan R. Characterization of a novel aspartyl protease inhibitor from Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:191. [PMID: 28420411 PMCID: PMC5395858 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2137-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aspartyl protease inhibitor (API) was thought to protect intestinal parasitic nematodes from their hostile proteolytic environment. Studies on Ostertagia ostertagi, Ascaris suum and Brugia malayi indicated that aspins might play roles in nematode infection. In a recent study, proteins differentially expressed between free-living third-stage larvae (L3) and activated L3 (xL3) of Haemonchus contortus were identified by 2D-DIGE. API was found downregulated in xL3 when compared with L3. However, there was no report about the functions of H. contortus API in the parasite-host interaction. In this study, the gene encoding API from H. contortus was cloned, expressed, and part of its biological characteristics were studied. Results A DNA fragment of 681 bp was amplified by RT-PCR. Ninety one percent of the amino acid sequence was similar with that for aspin from O. ostertagi. The recombinant API protein was fusion-expressed with a molecular weight of 48 × 103. Results of Western blot showed that the recombinant API could be recognized by serum from goat infected with H. contortus. It was found that API was localized exclusively in the subcutaneous tissue and epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract in adult H. contortus. qRT-PCR suggested that the API gene was differentially transcribed in different life-cycle stages, with the lowest level in female adults and the highest in free-living L3 larvae. Enzyme inhibition assay indicated that the recombinant API can inhibit the activity of pepsin significantly, and the optimal reaction pH and temperature were 4.0 and 37–50 °C respectively. In vitro study showed that the recombinant API could induce goat PBMCs to express IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10. Conclusions A new aspartyl protease inhibitor was cloned from H. contortus and its characteristics were studied for the first time. The results indicate that API may regulate the immune response of the host and play roles in the infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2137-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojie Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Javaid Ali Gadahi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China.,Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan
| | - Wenxiang Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenchao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Ehsan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaokai Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China.
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Tak IR, Dar JS, Dar SA, Ganai BA, Chishti MZ, Ahmad F. A comparative analysis of various antigenic proteins found in Haemonchus contortus—a review. Mol Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893315060217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Wang F, Xu L, Song X, Li X, Yan R. Identification of differentially expressed proteins between free-living and activated third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus. Vet Parasitol 2015; 215:72-7. [PMID: 26790740 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The disease caused by Haemonchus contortus, a blood-feeding nematode of small ruminants, is of major economic importance worldwide. The infective third-stage larva (L3) of this nematode is enclosed in a second cuticle. Once the L3 is ingested by the host, the outer cuticle undergoes an exsheathment process that marks the transition from the free-living stage to the parasitic stage. This study explored the changes in protein expression relative to this transition. Proteins extracted from free living L3 and exsheathed L3 (xL3) were analyzed by two dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). More than 2200 protein spots were recognized, and 124 of them was found to be differentially expressed (average ratio of xL3/L3>1.5 or xL3/L3<-1.5, p<0.05). Of these, 83 spots were up-regulated and 41 spots were down-regulated in xL3 when compared with L3. These differentially expressed spots were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) or MALDI-TOF-MS/MS and 40 proteins were identified. To predict the functions of these identified proteins, they were assigned for gene ontology (GO) annotation. Results showed that the proteins may be involved in biological processes of reproduction, cellular organization or biogenesis, multi-cellular organismal processes, single-organism processes, metabolic processes, signaling, biological regulation, response to stimulus, cellular processes, biological adhesion, growth, locomotion, localization, developmental processes and multi-organism processes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotations were also performed, which was useful for exploring the process of metabolism and signal transduction pathways. This study indicated that some key alterations taking place, during the transition from L3 to xL3 may be interesting antiparasite targets, and some of the proteins involved in this process might be candidate antigens for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Lixin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Xiaokai Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
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Morris CP, Bennuru S, Kropp LE, Zweben JA, Meng Z, Taylor RT, Chan K, Veenstra TD, Nutman TB, Mitre E. A Proteomic Analysis of the Body Wall, Digestive Tract, and Reproductive Tract of Brugia malayi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004054. [PMID: 26367142 PMCID: PMC4569401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Filarial worms are parasitic nematodes that cause devastating diseases such as lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis. Filariae are nematodes with complex anatomy including fully developed digestive tracts and reproductive organs. To better understand the basic biology of filarial parasites and to provide insights into drug targets and vaccine design, we conducted a proteomic analysis of different anatomic fractions of Brugia malayi, a causative agent of LF. Approximately 500 adult female B. malayi worms were dissected, and three anatomical fractions (body wall, digestive tract, and reproductive tract) were obtained. Proteins from each anatomical fraction were extracted, desalted, trypsinized, and analyzed by microcapillary reverse-phase liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry. In total, we identified 4,785 B. malayi proteins. While 1,894 were identified in all three anatomic fractions, 396 were positively identified only within the digestive tract, 114 only within the body wall, and 1,011 only within the reproductive tract. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed a bias for transporters to be present within the digestive tract, suggesting that the intestine of adult filariae is functional and important for nutrient uptake or waste removal. As expected, the body wall exhibited increased frequencies of cytoskeletal proteins, and the reproductive tract had increased frequencies of proteins involved in nuclear regulation and transcription. In assessing for possible vaccine candidates, we focused on proteins sequestered within the digestive tract, as these could possibly represent “hidden antigens” with low risk of prior allergic sensitization. We identified 106 proteins that are enriched in the digestive tract and are predicted to localize to the surface of cells in the the digestive tract. It is possible that some of these proteins are on the luminal surface and may be accessible by antibodies ingested by the worm. A subset of 27 of these proteins appear especially promising vaccine candidates as they contain significant non-cytoplasmic domains, only 1–2 transmembrane domains, and a high degree of homology to W. bancrofti and/or O. volvulus. Filarial worms are parasitic worms that can live for years within humans and cause diseases such as elephantiasis and river blindness. In this study, we identified the proteins that exist within the worm's digestive tract, reproductive tract, and body wall. In addition to increasing our understanding of the basic biology of these parasites, this information is valuable for predicting which proteins may be candidates for vaccine development and rational drug design. Specifically, by analyzing which intestinal proteins are likely expressed on the surface of cells contained within the parasite's digestive tract and have little similarity to human proteins, we identified 27 possible vaccine candidates that warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Paul Morris
- Department of Microbiology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sasisekhar Bennuru
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Laura E. Kropp
- Department of Microbiology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jesse A. Zweben
- Department of Microbiology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Zhaojing Meng
- Protein Characterization Laboratory Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rebekah T. Taylor
- Department of Biology, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, Maryland, United States of America
| | - King Chan
- Protein Characterization Laboratory Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Timothy D. Veenstra
- Protein Characterization Laboratory Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Thomas B. Nutman
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Edward Mitre
- Department of Microbiology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Verschave SH, Vercruysse J, Claerebout E, Rose H, Morgan ER, Charlier J. The parasitic phase of Ostertagia ostertagi: quantification of the main life history traits through systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:1091-104. [PMID: 25229178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Predictive models of parasite life cycles increase our understanding of how parasite epidemiology is influenced by global changes and can be used to support decisions for more targeted worm control. Estimates of parasite population dynamics are needed to parameterize such models. The aim of this study was to quantify the main life history traits of Ostertagia ostertagi, economically the most important nematode of cattle in temperate regions. The main parameters determining parasite density during the parasitic phase of O. ostertagi are (i) the larval establishment rate, (ii) hypobiosis rate, (iii) adult mortality and (iv) female fecundity (number of eggs laid per day per female). A systematic review was performed covering studies from 1962 to 2007, in which helminth-naïve calves were artificially infected with O. ostertagi. The database was further extended with results of unpublished trials conducted at the Laboratory for Parasitology of Ghent University, Belgium. Overall inverse variance weighted estimates were computed for each of the traits through random effects models. An average establishment rate (±S.E.) of 0.269±0.022 was calculated based on data of 27 studies (46 experiments). The establishment rate declined when infection dose increased and was lower in younger animals. An average proportion of larvae entering hypobiosis (±S.E.) of 0.041 (±0.009) was calculated based on 27 studies (54 experiments). The proportion of ingested larvae that went into hypobiosis was higher in animals that received concomitant infections with nematode species other than O. ostertagi (mixed infections). An average daily adult mortality (±S.E.) of 0.028 (±0.002) was computed based on data from 28 studies (70 experiments). Adult mortality was positively correlated with infection dose. A daily fecundity (±S.E.) of 284 (±45) eggs per female was found based on nine studies (10 experiments). The average female sex ratio of O. ostertagi based on individual animal data (n=75) from six different studies was estimated to be 0.55. We believe that this systematic review is the first to summarise the available data on the main life history traits of the parasitic phase of O. ostertagi. In conclusion, this meta-analysis provides novel estimates for the parameterization of life cycle-based transmission models, explicitly reports measures of variance around these estimates, gives evidence for density dependence of larval establishment and adult mortality, shows that host age affects larval establishment and, to our knowledge, provides the first evidence for O. ostertagi of a female-biased sex ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Verschave
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - J Vercruysse
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - E Claerebout
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - H Rose
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, United Kingdom; Cabot Institute, University of Bristol, Cantocks Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - E R Morgan
- Cabot Institute, University of Bristol, Cantocks Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom; School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
| | - J Charlier
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Ansell BRE, Schnyder M, Deplazes P, Korhonen PK, Young ND, Hall RS, Mangiola S, Boag PR, Hofmann A, Sternberg PW, Jex AR, Gasser RB. Insights into the immuno-molecular biology of Angiostrongylus vasorum through transcriptomics--prospects for new interventions. Biotechnol Adv 2013; 31:1486-500. [PMID: 23895945 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus vasorum is a metastrongyloid nematode of dogs and other canids of major clinical importance in many countries. In order to gain first insights into the molecular biology of this worm, we conducted the first large-scale exploration of its transcriptome, and predicted essential molecules linked to metabolic and biological processes as well as host immune responses. We also predicted and prioritized drug targets and drug candidates. Following Illumina sequencing (RNA-seq), 52.3 million sequence reads representing adult A. vasorum were assembled and annotated. The assembly yielded 20,033 contigs, which encoded proteins with 11,505 homologues in Caenorhabditis elegans, and additional 2252 homologues in various other parasitic helminths for which curated data sets were publicly available. Functional annotation was achieved for 11,752 (58.6%) proteins predicted for A. vasorum, including peptidases (4.5%) and peptidase inhibitors (1.6%), protein kinases (1.7%), G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (1.5%) and phosphatases (1.2%). Contigs encoding excretory/secretory and immuno-modulatory proteins represented some of the most highly transcribed molecules, and encoded enzymes that digest haemoglobin were conserved between A. vasorum and other blood-feeding nematodes. Using an essentiality-based approach, drug targets, including neurotransmitter receptors, an important chemosensory ion channel and cysteine proteinase-3 were predicted in A. vasorum, as were associated small molecular inhibitors/activators. Future transcriptomic analyses of all developmental stages of A. vasorum should facilitate deep explorations of the molecular biology of this important parasitic nematode and support the sequencing of its genome. These advances will provide a foundation for exploring immuno-molecular aspects of angiostrongylosis and have the potential to underpin the discovery of new methods of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan R E Ansell
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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RINALDI M, GELDHOF P. Immunologically based control strategies for ostertagiosis in cattle: where do we stand? Parasite Immunol 2012; 34:254-64. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2011.01313.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Jefferies R, Morgan ER, Shaw S, Heesom K. Identification of immuno-reactive adult Angiostrongylus vasorum proteins using mass spectrometry. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2011; 180:56-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2011] [Revised: 07/25/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Cantacessi C, Mitreva M, Campbell BE, Hall RS, Young ND, Jex AR, Ranganathan S, Gasser RB. First transcriptomic analysis of the economically important parasitic nematode, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, using a next-generation sequencing approach. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2010; 10:1199-207. [PMID: 20692378 PMCID: PMC3666958 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2010.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Strongylida), a small intestinal nematode of small ruminants, is a major cause of production and economic losses in many countries. The aims of the present study were to define the transcriptome of the adult stage of T. colubriformis, using 454 sequencing technology and bioinformatic analyses, and to predict the main pathways that key groups of molecules are linked to in this nematode. A total of 21,259 contigs were assembled from the sequence data produced from a normalized cDNA library; 7876 of these contigs had known orthologues in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and encoded, amongst others, proteins with 'transthyretin-like' (8.8%), 'RNA recognition' (8.4%) and 'metridin-like ShK toxin' (7.6%) motifs. Bioinformatic analyses inferred that relatively high proportions of the C. elegans homologues are involved in biological pathways linked to 'peptidases' (4%), 'ribosome' (3.6%) and 'oxidative phosphorylation' (3%). Highly represented were peptides predicted to be associated with the nervous system, digestion of host proteins or inhibition of host proteases. Probabilistic functional gene networking of the complement of C. elegans orthologues (n=2126) assigned significance to particular subsets of molecules, such as protein kinases and serine/threonine phosphatases. The present study represents the first, comprehensive insight into the transcriptome of adult T. colubriformis, which provides a foundation for fundamental studies of the molecular biology and biochemistry of this parasitic nematode as well as prospects for identifying targets for novel nematocides. Future investigations should focus on comparing the transcriptomes of different developmental stages, both genders and various tissues of this parasitic nematode for the prediction of essential genes/gene products that are specific to nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Forest Park Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Bronwyn E. Campbell
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross S. Hall
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil D. Young
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaron R. Jex
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shoba Ranganathan
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
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Vathipadiekal V, Umasankar PK, Patole MS, Rao M. Molecular cloning, over expression, and activity studies of a peptidic HIV-1 protease inhibitor: designed synthetic gene to functional recombinant peptide. Peptides 2010; 31:16-21. [PMID: 19818820 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Revised: 09/29/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aspartic protease inhibitor (ATBI) purified from a Bacillus sp. is a potent inhibitor of several proteases including recombinant HIV-1 protease, pepsin, and fungal aspartic protease. In this study, we report the cloning, and over expression of a synthetic gene coding for ATBI in Escherichia coli and establish a purification protocol. The ATBI molecule consists of eleven amino acids and is peptidic in nature. We used the peptide sequence data of ATBI to synthesize complementary oligonucleotides, which were annealed and subsequently cloned in-frame with the gene for glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The expression of the resulting fusion protein was induced in E. coli BL21-A1 cells using arabinose. The recombinant peptide was purified using a reduced glutathione column, and cleaved with Factor Xa to remove the GST tag. The resultant product was further purified to homogeneity using RP-HPLC. Mass spectroscopy analysis revealed that the purified peptide had a molecular weight of 1186Da which matches the theoretical molecular weight of the amino acids present in the synthetic gene. The recombinant peptide was found to be active in vitro against HIV-1 protease, pepsin, and fungal aspartic protease. The protocol described in this study may be used to clone pharmaceutically important peptide molecules.
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Bellafiore S, Shen Z, Rosso MN, Abad P, Shih P, Briggs SP. Direct identification of the Meloidogyne incognita secretome reveals proteins with host cell reprogramming potential. PLoS Pathog 2008; 4:e1000192. [PMID: 18974830 PMCID: PMC2568823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2008] [Accepted: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is an obligate parasite that causes significant damage to a broad range of host plants. Infection is associated with secretion of proteins surrounded by proliferating cells. Many parasites are known to secrete effectors that interfere with plant innate immunity, enabling infection to occur; they can also release pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs, e.g., flagellin) that trigger basal immunity through the nematode stylet into the plant cell. This leads to suppression of innate immunity and reprogramming of plant cells to form a feeding structure containing multinucleate giant cells. Effectors have generally been discovered using genetics or bioinformatics, but M. incognita is non-sexual and its genome sequence has not yet been reported. To partially overcome these limitations, we have used mass spectrometry to directly identify 486 proteins secreted by M. incognita. These proteins contain at least segmental sequence identity to those found in our 3 reference databases (published nematode proteins; unpublished M. incognita ESTs; published plant proteins). Several secreted proteins are homologous to plant proteins, which they may mimic, and they contain domains that suggest known effector functions (e.g., regulating the plant cell cycle or growth). Others have regulatory domains that could reprogram cells. Using in situ hybridization we observed that most secreted proteins were produced by the subventral glands, but we found that phasmids also secreted proteins. We annotated the functions of the secreted proteins and classified them according to roles they may play in the development of root knot disease. Our results show that parasite secretomes can be partially characterized without cognate genomic DNA sequence. We observed that the M. incognita secretome overlaps the reported secretome of mammalian parasitic nematodes (e.g., Brugia malayi), suggesting a common parasitic behavior and a possible conservation of function between metazoan parasites of plants and animals. Parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that cause major diseases of plants, animals, and humans. Infection is associated with secretion of proteins by the parasite; these proteins suppress the immune system and cause other changes to host cells that are required for infection. Identification of secreted proteins has been difficult because they are released only in trace amounts. We have developed very sensitive methods that enabled the discovery of 486 proteins secreted by the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita; prior to this, only a handful of secreted proteins were known. Several secreted proteins appear to mimic normal plant proteins, and they may participate in the process by which the nematode hijacks the plant cell for its own purposes. Meloidogyne species infect many crops, including corn, soybean, cotton, rice, tomato, carrots, alfalfa, and tobacco. The discovery of these secreted proteins could lead to new methods for protecting these important crops from nematode damage. We observed that the secretome of the human pathogen, Brugia malayi, overlaps that of M. incognita, suggesting a common parasitic behavior between pathogens of plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Bellafiore
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Zhouxin Shen
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Marie-Noelle Rosso
- INRA, Unité Interactions Plantes-Microorganismes et Santé Végétale, Antibes, France
| | - Pierre Abad
- INRA, Unité Interactions Plantes-Microorganismes et Santé Végétale, Antibes, France
| | - Patrick Shih
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Steven P. Briggs
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Geldhof P, De Maere V, Vercruysse J, Claerebout E. Recombinant expression systems: the obstacle to helminth vaccines? Trends Parasitol 2007; 23:527-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2007.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2007] [Revised: 08/14/2007] [Accepted: 08/14/2007] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Abstract
The concept that parasites may utilize proteinase inhibitors to survive within the host has been with us for 100 years. Given that we now know that proteinases are involved in key areas of the host anti-parasite immune response including antigen presentation, effector cell function and tissue dissolution and remodelling, it is somewhat surprising that the proteinase inhibitors of parasite origin have not generally been the subject of intense research effort. There is now substantial evidence to show that nematode parasites utilize these inhibitors to protect themselves from degradation by host proteinases, to facilitate feeding and to manipulate the host response to the parasite. The diversity of the parasite-derived inhibitors is also being revealed and they target the four major proteinase classes, namely serine, cysteine, aspartic and metallo-proteinases. This review summarizes the information available on nematode-derived proteinase inhibitors and what is known of their putative functions. Their potential as targets for immunological control is also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Knox
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, Midlothian UK.
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Abstract
The baculovirus-insect cell expression system is an approved system for the production of viral antigens with vaccine potential for humans and animals and has been used for production of subunit vaccines against parasitic diseases as well. Many candidate subunit vaccines have been expressed in this system and immunization commonly led to protective immunity against pathogen challenge. The first vaccines produced in insect cells for animal use are now on the market. This chapter deals with the tailoring of the baculovirus-insect cell expression system for vaccine production in terms of expression levels, integrity and immunogenicity of recombinant proteins, and baculovirus genome stability. Various expression strategies are discussed including chimeric, virus-like particles, baculovirus display of foreign antigens on budded virions or in occlusion bodies, and specialized baculovirus vectors with mammalian promoters that express the antigen in the immunized individual. A historical overview shows the wide variety of viral (glyco)proteins that have successfully been expressed in this system for vaccine purposes. The potential of this expression system for antiparasite vaccines is illustrated. The combination of subunit vaccines and marker tests, both based on antigens expressed in insect cells, provides a powerful tool to combat disease and to monitor infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique M van Oers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Binnenhaven 11 6709 PD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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