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Russell AC, Bush P, Grigorean G, Kyle DE. Characterization of the extracellular vesicles, ultrastructural morphology, and intercellular interactions of multiple clinical isolates of the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1264348. [PMID: 37808283 PMCID: PMC10558758 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1264348] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction As global temperatures rise to unprecedented historic levels, so too do the latitudes of habitable niches for the pathogenic free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. This opportunistic parasite causes a rare, but >97% fatal, neurological infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Despite its lethality, this parasite remains one of the most neglected and understudied parasitic protozoans. Methods To better understand amoeboid intercellular communication, we elucidate the structure, proteome, and potential secretion mechanisms of amoeba-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are membrane-bound communication apparatuses that relay messages and can be used as biomarkers for diagnostics in various diseases. Results and Discussion Herein we propose that N. fowleri secretes EVs in clusters from the plasma membrane, from multivesicular bodies, and via beading of thin filaments extruding from the membrane. Uptake assays demonstrate that EVs are taken up by other amoebae and mammalian cells, and we observed a real-time increase in metabolic activity for mammalian cells exposed to EVs from amoebae. Proteomic analysis revealed >2,000 proteins within the N. fowleri-secreted EVs, providing targets for the development of diagnostics or therapeutics. Our work expands the knowledge of intercellular interactions among these amoebae and subsequently deepens the understanding of the mechanistic basis of PAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Cassiopeia Russell
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Peter Bush
- School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Gabriela Grigorean
- Proteomics Core Facility, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Dennis E. Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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Ricafrente A, Cwiklinski K, Nguyen H, Dalton JP, Tran N, Donnelly S. Stage-specific miRNAs regulate gene expression associated with growth, development and parasite-host interaction during the intra-mammalian migration of the zoonotic helminth parasite Fasciola hepatica. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:419. [PMID: 35659245 PMCID: PMC9167548 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08644-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression in organisms ranging from viruses to mammals. There is great relevance in understanding how miRNAs regulate genes involved in the growth, development, and maturation of the many parasitic worms (helminths) that together afflict more than 2 billion people. Results Here, we describe the miRNAs expressed by each of the predominant intra-mammalian development stages of Fasciola hepatica, a foodborne flatworm that infects a wide range of mammals worldwide, most importantly humans and their livestock. A total of 124 miRNAs were profiled, 72 of which had been previously reported and three of which were conserved miRNA sequences described here for the first time. The remaining 49 miRNAs were novel sequences of which, 31 were conserved with F. gigantica and the remaining 18 were specific to F. hepatica. The newly excysted juveniles express 22 unique miRNAs while the immature liver and mature bile duct stages each express 16 unique miRNAs. We discovered several sequence variant miRNAs (IsomiRs) as well as miRNA clusters that exhibit strict temporal expression paralleling parasite development. Target analysis revealed the close association between miRNA expression and stage-specific changes in the transcriptome; for example, we identified specific miRNAs that target parasite proteases known to be essential for intestinal wall penetration (cathepsin L3). Moreover, we demonstrate that miRNAs fine-tune the expression of genes involved in the metabolic pathways that allow the parasites to move from an aerobic external environment to the anerobic environment of the host. Conclusions These results provide novel insight into the regulation of helminth parasite development and identifies new genes and miRNAs for therapeutic development to limit the virulence and pathogenesis caused by F. hepatica. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08644-z.
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Csi-let-7a-5p delivered by extracellular vesicles from a liver fluke activates M1-like macrophages and exacerbates biliary injuries. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102206118. [PMID: 34772807 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102206118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with liver flukes (such as Clonorchis sinensis) can induce severe biliary injuries, which can cause cholangitis, biliary fibrosis, and even cholangiocarcinoma. The release of extracellular vesicles by C. sinensis (CsEVs) is of importance in the long-distance communication between the hosts and worms. However, the biological effects of EVs from liver fluke on biliary injuries and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly characterized. In the present study, we found that CsEVs induced M1-like activation. In addition, the mice that were administrated with CsEVs showed severe biliary injuries associated with remarkable activation of M1-like macrophages. We further characterized the signatures of miRNAs packaged in CsEVs and identified a miRNA Csi-let-7a-5p, which was highly enriched. Further study showed that Csi-let-7a-5p facilitated the activation of M1-like macrophages by targeting Socs1 and Clec7a; however, CsEVs with silencing Csi-let-7a-5p showed a decrease in proinflammatory responses and biliary injuries, which involved in the Socs1- and Clec7a-regulated NF-κB signaling pathway. Our study demonstrates that Csi-let-7a-5p delivered by CsEVs plays a critical role in the activation of M1-like macrophages and contributes to the biliary injuries by targeting the Socs1- and Clec7a-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway, which indicates a mechanism contributing to biliary injuries caused by fluke infection. However, molecules other than Csi-let-7a-5p from CsEVs that may also promote M1-like polarization and exacerbate biliary injuries are not excluded.
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Tritten L, Burkman EJ, Clark T, Verocai GG. Secretory microRNA Profiles of Third- and Fourth-Stage Dirofilaria immitis Larvae with Different Macrocyclic Lactone Susceptibility: In Search of Biomarkers for Early Detection of Infection. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070786. [PMID: 34206439 PMCID: PMC8308655 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, is among the most important parasites of dogs in the United States and worldwide, and may cause severe and potentially fatal disease. Current diagnostic recommendations rely on serological detection of an adult female antigen, and visualization of microfilariae in the blood. Therefore, a reliable diagnosis can be only performed approximately six months post-infection. There is a growing need to characterize novel diagnostic markers that are capable of detecting the early stages of heartworm infection, in special markers associated with third-stage larvae (L3) and fourth-stage larvae (L4). The early detection of infection would guide medical interventions that could impede the development of patent infections and further parasite transmission. We cultured D. immitis L3 and L4 of two laboratorial strains with different susceptibility statuses to macrocyclic lactone drugs in vitro. Excretory/secretory microRNAs were sequenced and analyzed. We identified two miRNA novel candidates secreted abundantly by both L3 and L4 of both strains. These candidates were previously detected in the secretions of other D. immitis stages and one of them was found in the blood of D. immitis-infected dogs. These miRNAs have not been found in the secretions of other nematodes and could be D. immitis-specific diagnostic biomarkers, which could allow for the early detection of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucienne Tritten
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (L.T.); (G.G.V.); Tel.: +41-44-635-8501 (L.T.); +1-979-862-4999 (G.G.V.)
| | - Erica J. Burkman
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Tobias Clark
- Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Zoetis Inc., 333 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA;
| | - Guilherme G. Verocai
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Correspondence: (L.T.); (G.G.V.); Tel.: +41-44-635-8501 (L.T.); +1-979-862-4999 (G.G.V.)
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Cai Q, He B, Wang S, Fletcher S, Niu D, Mitter N, Birch PRJ, Jin H. Message in a Bubble: Shuttling Small RNAs and Proteins Between Cells and Interacting Organisms Using Extracellular Vesicles. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 72:497-524. [PMID: 34143650 PMCID: PMC8369896 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-081720-010616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Communication between plant cells and interacting microorganisms requires the secretion and uptake of functional molecules to and from the extracellular environment and is essential for the survival of both plants and their pathogens. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-enclosed spheres that deliver RNA, protein, and metabolite cargos from donor to recipient cells and participate in many cellular processes. Emerging evidencehas shown that both plant and microbial EVs play important roles in cross-kingdom molecular exchange between hosts and interacting microbes to modulate host immunity and pathogen virulence. Recent studies revealed that plant EVs function as a defense system by encasing and delivering small RNAs (sRNAs) into pathogens, thereby mediating cross-species and cross-kingdom RNA interference to silence virulence-related genes. This review focuses on the latest advances in our understanding of plant and microbial EVs and their roles in transporting regulatory molecules, especially sRNAs, between hosts and pathogens. EV biogenesis and secretion are also discussed, as EV function relies on these important processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Cai
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92507, USA;
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Baoye He
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92507, USA;
| | - Shumei Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92507, USA;
| | - Stephen Fletcher
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Dongdong Niu
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Neena Mitter
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Paul R J Birch
- Division of Plant Sciences, School of Life Science, University of Dundee at James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom
- Cell and Molecular Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom
| | - Hailing Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Center for Plant Cell Biology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92507, USA;
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Loghry HJ, Yuan W, Zamanian M, Wheeler NJ, Day TA, Kimber MJ. Ivermectin inhibits extracellular vesicle secretion from parasitic nematodes. J Extracell Vesicles 2020; 10:e12036. [PMID: 33318780 PMCID: PMC7726798 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a disease caused by parasitic filarial nematodes that is endemic in 49 countries of the world and affects or threatens over 890 million people. Strategies to control LF rely heavily on mass administration of anthelmintic drugs including ivermectin (IVM), a macrocyclic lactone drug considered an Essential Medicine by the WHO. However, despite its widespread use the therapeutic mode of action of IVM against filarial nematodes is not clear. We have previously reported that filarial nematodes secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) and that their cargo has immunomodulatory properties. Here we investigate the effects of IVM and other anti-filarial drugs on parasitic nematode EV secretion, motility, and protein secretion. We show that inhibition of EV secretion was a specific property of IVM, which had consistent and significant inhibitory effects across nematode life stages and species, with the exception of male parasites. IVM inhibited EV secretion, but not parasite motility, at therapeutically relevant concentrations. Protein secretion was inhibited by IVM in the microfilariae stage, but not in any other stage tested. Our data provides evidence that inhibiting the secretion of immunomodulatory EVs by parasitic nematodes could explain, at least in part, IVM mode of action and provides a phenotype for novel drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J. Loghry
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Wang Yuan
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Pathobiological SciencesUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Nicolas J. Wheeler
- Department of Pathobiological SciencesUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Timothy A. Day
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
| | - Michael J. Kimber
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineIowa State UniversityAmesIowaUSA
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Abstract
Helminth parasitology is an important discipline, which poses often unique technical challenges. One challenge is that helminth parasites, particularly those in humans, are often difficult to obtain alive and in sufficient quantities for study; another is the challenge of studying these organisms in vitro – no helminth parasite life cycle has been fully recapitulated outside of a host. Arguably, the key issue retarding progress in helminth parasitology has been a lack of experimental tools and resources, certainly relative to the riches that have driven many parasitologists to adopt free-living model organisms as surrogate systems. In response to these needs, the past 10–12 years have seen the beginnings of helminth parasitology's journey into the ‘omics’ era, with the release of abundant sequencing resources, and the functional genomics tools with which to test biological hypotheses. To reflect this progress, the 2019 Autumn Symposium of the British Society for Parasitology was held in Queen's University Belfast on the topic of ‘post-genomic progress in helminth parasitology’. This issue presents examples of the current state of play in the field, while this editorial summarizes how genomic datasets and functional genomic tools have stimulated impressive recent progress in our understanding of parasite biology.
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de Oliveira CS, Savadelis MD, McLean NJ, Verocai GG. Assessing the potential cross-reactivity using a commercial heartworm ELISA kits of serum from dogs naturally infected with Onchocerca lupi. Vet Parasitol 2020; 280:109070. [PMID: 32247934 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Onchocerca lupi is an emerging zoonotic parasite of dogs, endemic to the southwestern USA and areas of the Old World. Currently, there are no specific serological diagnostic tests able to detect O. lupi infection. Recent literature has demonstrated that commercially available heartworm antigen tests, despite being highly sensitive, may cross-react with infections by other filarid nematodes. There is no information on potential cross-reactivity of such tests in serum of dogs infected with O. lupi. Our objective was to assess serum samples of dogs naturally-infected with O. lupi for potential cross-reactivity before and after heat-treatment using a commercial heartworm ELISA kit. We obtained serum from 23 dogs naturally-infected with O. lupi. These dogs presented with ocular disease, and were consulted to schedule either surgical removal of ocular nodules due to infection or enucleation. Samples were tested in triplicate using the DiroCHEK® Heartworm Antigen Test kit (Synbiotics Corporation, Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI, USA) following the manufacturers' protocol pre- and post-heat-treatment. Samples were heat-treated using a dry heat block at 103 °C for 10 min and then centrifuged at 1818×g for 20 min. Out of a total of 23 dogs, 19 (82.6 %) had no antigen detected regardless of heat-treatment, three dogs tested positive before and after heat-treatment, and a single dog turned positive after heat-treatment. These three dogs that were positive before and after heat-treatment were confirmedly co-infected with Dirofilaria immitis by the veterinarians responsible for these cases, and we were unable to get the history or follow up with the dog that turned positive post-heat-treatment only. Our data suggest that O. lupi infections should not result in false-positives when using the DiroCHEK® in dog serum, before or after heat-treatment. Dogs with clinical ocular onchocercosis that test antigen-positive in DiroCHEK® are likely co-infected with D. immitis, and should be further tested, including evaluation of microfilariae in blood and diagnostic imaging. If heartworm infection is confirmed, the animals should be enrolled in the recommended treatment protocol in accordance to the guidelines of the American Heartworm Society or other local organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Sobotyk de Oliveira
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Molly D Savadelis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA; Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | - Nancy Johnstone McLean
- Ophthalmology, VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87111, USA
| | - Guilherme G Verocai
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Abstract
Small RNAs are important regulators of gene expression. They were first identified in Caenorhabditis elegans, but it is now apparent that the main small RNA silencing pathways are functionally conserved across diverse organisms. Availability of genome data for an increasing number of parasitic nematodes has enabled bioinformatic identification of small RNA sequences. Expression of these in different lifecycle stages is revealed by small RNA sequencing and microarray analysis. In this review we describe what is known of the three main small RNA classes in parasitic nematodes – microRNAs (miRNAs), Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) – and their proposed functions. miRNAs regulate development in C. elegans and the temporal expression of parasitic nematode miRNAs suggest modulation of target gene levels as parasites develop within the host. miRNAs are also present in extracellular vesicles released by nematodes in vitro, and in plasma from infected hosts, suggesting potential regulation of host gene expression. Roles of piRNAs and siRNAs in suppressing target genes, including transposable elements, are also reviewed. Recent successes in RNAi-mediated gene silencing, and application of small RNA inhibitors and mimics will continue to advance understanding of small RNA functions within the parasite and at the host–parasite interface.
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Quintana JF, Kumar S, Ivens A, Chow FWN, Hoy AM, Fulton A, Dickinson P, Martin C, Taylor M, Babayan SA, Buck AH. Comparative analysis of small RNAs released by the filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis in vitro and in vivo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007811. [PMID: 31770367 PMCID: PMC6903752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The release of small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) has been reported in parasitic nematodes, trematodes and cestodes of medical and veterinary importance. However, little is known regarding the diversity and composition of sRNAs released by different lifecycle stages and the portion of sRNAs that persist in host tissues during filarial infection. This information is relevant to understanding potential roles of sRNAs in parasite-to-host communication, as well as to inform on the location within the host and time point at which they can be detected. Methodology and principal findings We have used small RNA (sRNA) sequencing analysis to identify sRNAs in replicate samples of the excretory-secretory (ES) products of developmental stages of the filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis in vitro and compare this to the parasite-derived sRNA detected in host tissues. We show that all L. sigmodontis developmental stages release RNAs in vitro, including ribosomal RNA fragments, 5’-derived tRNA fragments (5’-tRFs) and, to a lesser extent, microRNAs (miRNAs). The gravid adult females (gAF) produce the largest diversity and abundance of miRNAs in the ES compared to the adult males or microfilariae. Analysis of sRNAs detected in serum and macrophages from infected animals reveals that parasite miRNAs are preferentially detected in vivo, compared to their low levels in the ES products, and identifies miR-92-3p and miR-71-5p as L. sigmodontis miRNAs that are stably detected in host cells in vivo. Conclusions Our results suggest that gravid adult female worms secrete the largest diversity of extracellular sRNAs compared to adult males or microfilariae. We further show differences in the parasite sRNA biotype distribution detected in vitro versus in vivo. We identify macrophages as one reservoir for parasite sRNA during infection, and confirm the presence of parasite miRNAs and tRNAs in host serum during patent infection. Lymphatic and visceral filariasis, as well as loiasis and onchocerciasis, are parasitic infections caused by filarial nematodes that can cause extensive and diverse clinical manifestations, including edemas of the lower limbs and visual impairment. These parasites successfully maintain a crosstalk with the immune system of their host and one potential mediator of this communication is extracellular small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) released by the parasite. However, little is known of the mechanisms of sRNA export, how the exported sRNAs differ between lifecycle stages, and how the parasite microenvironment (e.g. in vitro vs. in vivo) contributes to the composition of sRNAs that can be detected. In this report, we show that all the developmental stages of the filarial parasite Litomosoides sigmodontis release sRNAs, which include tRNA fragments and miRNAs, in vitro. A subset of the miRNAs are differentially represented in the ES products between adult stages (males and gravid females) and larval stages (microfilariae) in vitro, however all of the miRNAs detected in serum or macrophages in vivo are present in the ES from all life stages. We show that the parasite-derived miRNAs are protected from degradation in vitro and are stable in vivo, as they are readily detectable in the serum of infected jirds. Several parasite miRNAs are also detected within macrophages purified from infected hosts, consistent with parasite RNAs having a yet unidentified functional role in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. Quintana
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sujai Kumar
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alasdair Ivens
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Franklin W. N. Chow
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M. Hoy
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Fulton
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Dickinson
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Coralie Martin
- Unite Molecules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245), Sorbonne Universites, Museum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, CP52, Paris, France
| | - Matthew Taylor
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Simon A. Babayan
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Amy H. Buck
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Qi T, Guo J, Peng H, Liu P, Kang Z, Guo J. Host-Induced Gene Silencing: A Powerful Strategy to Control Diseases of Wheat and Barley. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E206. [PMID: 30626050 PMCID: PMC6337638 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Wheat and barley are the most highly produced and consumed grains in the world. Various pathogens-viruses, bacteria, fungi, insect pests, and nematode parasites-are major threats to yield and economic losses. Strategies for the management of disease control mainly depend on resistance or tolerance breeding, chemical control, and biological control. The discoveries of RNA silencing mechanisms provide a transgenic approach for disease management. Host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) employing RNA silencing mechanisms and, specifically, silencing the targets of invading pathogens, has been successfully applied in crop disease prevention. Here, we cover recent studies that indicate that HIGS is a valuable tool to protect wheat and barley from diseases in an environmentally friendly way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jia Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Huan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Peng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Zhensheng Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jun Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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A new level of complexity in parasite-host interaction: The role of extracellular vesicles. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2019; 104:39-112. [PMID: 31030771 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Humans and animals have co-existed with parasites in a battle of constant adaptation to one another. It is becoming increasingly clear that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play important roles in this co-existence and pathology. This chapter reviews the current research on EVs released by protozoa, nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes with a special focus on EVs in parasite life cycles. The environmental changes experienced by the parasite during its life cycle is associated with distinct changes in EV release and content. The function of these EV seems to have a significant influence on parasite pathology and survival in the host by concomitantly modulating host immune responses and triggering parasite differentiation. The role of EVs in communication between the parasites and the host adds a new level of complexity in our understanding of parasite biology, which may be a key to further understand the complexity behind host-parasite interactions and communication. This increased understanding can, in turn, open up new avenues for vaccine, diagnostic, and therapeutic development for a wide variety of diseases such as parasite infection, cancers, and immunological disorders.
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ten Berg PW, Shaffer J, Vliegenthart ADB, McCrae J, Sharkey N, Webb DJ, Dear JW. Attending a social event and consuming alcohol is associated with changes in serum microRNA: a before and after study in healthy adults. Biomarkers 2018; 23:781-786. [DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2018.1499128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P. W. ten Berg
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - A. D. B. Vliegenthart
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J. McCrae
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - N. Sharkey
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - D. J. Webb
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - J. W. Dear
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
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14
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Bennuru S, O'Connell EM, Drame PM, Nutman TB. Mining Filarial Genomes for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Targets. Trends Parasitol 2017; 34:80-90. [PMID: 29031509 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Filarial infections of humans cause some of the most important neglected tropical diseases. The global efforts for eliminating filarial infections by mass drug administration programs may require additional tools (safe macrofilaricidal drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic biomarkers). The accurate and sensitive detection of viable parasites is essential for diagnosis and for surveillance programs. Current community-wide treatment modalities do not kill the adult filarial worms effectively; hence, there is a need to identify and develop safe macrofilaricidal drugs. High-throughput sequencing, mass spectroscopy methods and advances in computational biology have greatly accelerated the discovery process. Here, we describe post-genomic developments toward the identification of diagnostic biomarkers and drug targets for the filarial infection of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasisekhar Bennuru
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Elise M O'Connell
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Papa M Drame
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thomas B Nutman
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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15
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Entwistle LJ, Wilson MS. MicroRNA-mediated regulation of immune responses to intestinal helminth infections. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 27977850 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal helminth infections are highly prevalent in the developing world, often resulting in chronic infection and inflicting high host morbidity. With the emergence of drug-resistant parasites, a limited number of chemotherapeutic drugs available and stalling vaccine efforts, an increased understanding of antihelminth immunity is essential to provide new avenues to therapeutic intervention. MicroRNAs are a class of small, nonprotein coding RNAs which negatively regulate mRNA translation, thus providing finite control over gene expression in a plethora of biological settings. The miRNA-mediated coordinated control of gene expression has been shown to be essential in infection and immunity, in promoting and fine-tuning the appropriate immune response. This review gathers together and discusses observations of miRNA-mediated effects on the immune system and the subsequent impact on our understanding of antihelminth immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Entwistle
- Allergy and Anti-Helminth Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - M S Wilson
- Allergy and Anti-Helminth Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Leron Katsir
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Ofir Bahar
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
- * E-mail:
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17
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Britton C. microRNAs-key players in host-parasite interactions. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Britton
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
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18
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Claycomb J, Abreu-Goodger C, Buck AH. RNA-mediated communication between helminths and their hosts: The missing links. RNA Biol 2017; 14:436-441. [PMID: 28125361 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2016.1274852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs have been discovered in a wide variety of extracellular environments and are now thought to participate in communication between cells and even between different organisms and species. Helminths are parasitic worms that generally reside in extracellular niches in their hosts and can establish chronic infection through the release of immunomodulatory factors. Recent work has demonstrated that Extracellular RNA (exRNA) may be another class of immunomodulator secreted by helminths. Here we will detail what is known about small RNA pathways in helminth pathogens (focusing on nematodes) and mammalian hosts. We will then explore the computational challenges with identifying RNA-RNA interactions between 2 different species and the paradigm of RNA-RNA co-evolution that accompanies this. Finally we explore the lingering questions that require further investigation to understand the properties of exRNA that would enable it to function as an immunomodulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Claycomb
- a Department of Molecular Genetics , University of Toronto , ON , Canada
| | - Cei Abreu-Goodger
- b Unidad de Genómica Avanzada (Langebio), Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN , Irapuato, Guanajuato, México
| | - Amy H Buck
- c Institute of Immunology & Infection and Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution, University of Edinburgh , UK
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