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Zhou X, Zhang Q, Chen JH, Dai JF, Kassegne K. Revisiting the antigen markers of vector-borne parasitic diseases identified by immunomics: identification and application to disease control. Expert Rev Proteomics 2024; 21:205-216. [PMID: 38584506 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2024.2336994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Protein microarray is a promising immunomic approach for identifying biomarkers. Based on our previous study that reviewed parasite antigens and recent parasitic omics research, this article expands to include information on vector-borne parasitic diseases (VBPDs), namely, malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, babesiosis, trypanosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis. AREAS COVERED We revisit and systematically summarize antigen markers of vector-borne parasites identified by the immunomic approach and discuss the latest advances in identifying antigens for the rational development of diagnostics and vaccines. The applications and challenges of this approach for VBPD control are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION The immunomic approach has enabled the identification and/or validation of antigen markers for vaccine development, diagnosis, disease surveillance, and treatment. However, this approach presents several challenges, including limited sample size, variability in antigen expression, false-positive results, complexity of omics data, validation and reproducibility, and heterogeneity of diseases. In addition, antigen involvement in host immune evasion and antigen sensitivity/specificity are major issues in its application. Despite these limitations, this approach remains promising for controlling VBPD. Advances in technology and data analysis methods should continue to improve candidate antigen identification, as well as the use of a multiantigen approach in diagnostic and vaccine development for VBPD control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, School of Biology & Basic Medical Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Hainan Tropical Diseases Research Center (Hainan Sub-Center, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Haikou, China
| | - Jian-Feng Dai
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kokouvi Kassegne
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- One Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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2
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Vance GM, Khouri MI, Neto APDS, James S, Leite LCC, Farias LP, Wilson RA. Antigenic epitope targets of rhesus macaques self-curing from Schistosoma mansoni infection. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1269336. [PMID: 38464672 PMCID: PMC10921417 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1269336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The self-cure of rhesus macaques from a schistosome infection and their subsequent strong immunity to a cercarial challenge should provide novel insights into the way these parasites can be eliminated by immunological attack. High-density arrays comprising overlapping 15-mer peptides from target proteins printed on glass slides can be used to screen sera from host species to determine antibody reactivity at the single epitope level. Careful selection of proteins, based on compositional studies, is crucial to encompass only those exposed on or secreted from the intra-mammalian stages and is intended to focus the analysis solely on targets mediating protection. We report the results of this approach using two pools of sera from hi- and lo-responder macaques undergoing self-cure, to screen arrays comprising tegument, esophageal gland, and gastrodermis proteins. We show that, overall, the target epitopes are the same in both groups, but the intensity of response is twice as strong in the high responders. In addition, apart from Sm25, tegument proteins elicit much weaker responses than those originating in the alimentary tract, as was apparent in IFNγR KO mice. We also highlight the most reactive epitopes in key proteins. Armed with this knowledge, we intend to use multi-epitope constructs in vaccination experiments, which seek to emulate the self-cure process in experimental animals and potentially in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariana I. Khouri
- Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Almiro Pires da Silva Neto
- Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Sally James
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Luciana C. C. Leite
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Paiva Farias
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - R. Alan Wilson
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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Kafle A, Suttiprapa S. Current State of Knowledge on Blood and Tissue-Based Biomarkers for Opisthorchis viverrini-induced Cholangiocarcinoma: A Review of Prognostic, Predictive, and Diagnostic Markers. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2024; 25:25-41. [PMID: 38285765 PMCID: PMC10911713 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2024.25.1.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a prevalent cancer in Southeast Asia, with Opisthorchis viverrini (O.viverrini) infection being the primary risk factor. Most CCA cases in this region are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to unfavorable prognoses. The development of stage-specific biomarkers for Opisthorchis viverrini-induced cholangiocarcinoma (Ov-CCA) holds crucial significance, as it facilitates early detection and timely administration of curative interventions, effectively mitigating the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with this disease in the Great Mekong region. Biomarkers are a promising approach for early detection, prognosis, and targeted treatment of CCA. Disease-specific biomarkers facilitate early detection and enable monitoring of therapy effectiveness, allowing for any necessary corrections. This review provides an overview of the potential O. viverrini-specific molecular biomarkers and important markers for diagnosing and monitoring Ov-CCA, discussing their prognostic, predictive, and diagnostic value. Despite the limited research in this domain, several potential biomarkers have been identified, encompassing both worm-induced and host-induced factors. This review offers a thorough examination of historical and contemporary progress in identifying biomarkers through multiomics techniques, along with their potential implications for early detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Kafle
- Tropical Medicine Graduate Program, Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Sutas Suttiprapa
- Tropical Medicine Graduate Program, Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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4
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Zhu P, Wu K, Zhang C, Batool SS, Li A, Yu Z, Huang J. Advances in new target molecules against schistosomiasis: A comprehensive discussion of physiological structure and nutrient intake. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011498. [PMID: 37498810 PMCID: PMC10374103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a severe parasitic disease, is primarily caused by Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, or Schistosoma haematobium. Currently, praziquantel is the only recommended drug for human schistosome infection. However, the lack of efficacy of praziquantel against juvenile worms and concerns about the emergence of drug resistance are driving forces behind the research for an alternative medication. Schistosomes are obligatory parasites that survive on nutrients obtained from their host. The ability of nutrient uptake depends on their physiological structure. In short, the formation and maintenance of the structure and nutrient supply are mutually reinforcing and interdependent. In this review, we focus on the structural features of the tegument, esophagus, and intestine of schistosomes and their roles in nutrient acquisition. Moreover, we introduce the significance and modes of glucose, lipids, proteins, and amino acids intake in schistosomes. We linked the schistosome structure and nutrient supply, introduced the currently emerging targets, and analyzed the current bottlenecks in the research and development of drugs and vaccines, in the hope of providing new strategies for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kaijuan Wu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chaobin Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Syeda Sundas Batool
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Anqiao Li
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zheng Yu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Watakulsin K, Surapaitoon A, Ulag LH, Kaing S, Suyapoh W, Saichua P, Salao K, Tangkawatana S, Suttiprapa S. Distinct antibody response in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts of the carcinogenic liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini infection. Parasitology 2023; 150:653-660. [PMID: 37288733 PMCID: PMC10410377 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Opisthorchis viverrini is a carcinogenic parasite that can cause bile duct cancer called cholangiocarcinoma. A study of the immune response of this parasite in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts may provide a clue to develop vaccines and immunodiagnostic markers, which are currently not available. Here, we compared the antibody response in susceptible Golden Syrian hamsters and non-susceptible BALB/c mice infected by the liver fluke. In mice, the antibody was detected between 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, whereas it was positive between 2 and 4 weeks post-infection in hamsters. Immunolocalization revealed that the antibody from mice reacts strongly with the tegumental surface and gut epithelium of the worm, while hamster antibody showed a weak signal in the tegument and a comparable signal in the gut of the worm. Immunoblot of the tegumental proteins demonstrated that while hamster antibody showed a broad specificity, mice strongly reacted with a single protein band. Mass spectrometry revealed these immunogenic targets. Recombinant proteins of the reactive targets were produced in the bacterial expression system. The immunoblot of these recombinant proteins confirm the reactivity of their native form. In summary, there is a different antibody response against O. viverrini infection in susceptible and non-susceptible hosts. The non-susceptible host reacts quicker and stronger than the susceptible host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krongkarn Watakulsin
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Arpa Surapaitoon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Lorina Handayani Ulag
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences, Jakarta 13210, Indonesia
| | - Sunheng Kaing
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Watcharapol Suyapoh
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
| | - Prasert Saichua
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Kanin Salao
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Sirikachorn Tangkawatana
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Sutas Suttiprapa
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
- Tropical Disease Research Center, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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You H, Jones MK, Gordon CA, Arganda AE, Cai P, Al-Wassiti H, Pouton CW, McManus DP. The mRNA Vaccine Technology Era and the Future Control of Parasitic Infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2023; 36:e0024121. [PMID: 36625671 PMCID: PMC10035331 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00241-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite intensive long-term efforts, with very few exceptions, the development of effective vaccines against parasitic infections has presented considerable challenges, given the complexity of parasite life cycles, the interplay between parasites and their hosts, and their capacity to escape the host immune system and to regulate host immune responses. For many parasitic diseases, conventional vaccine platforms have generally proven ill suited, considering the complex manufacturing processes involved and the costs they incur, the inability to posttranslationally modify cloned target antigens, and the absence of long-lasting protective immunity induced by these antigens. An effective antiparasite vaccine platform is required to assess the effectiveness of novel vaccine candidates at high throughput. By exploiting the approach that has recently been used successfully to produce highly protective COVID mRNA vaccines, we anticipate a new wave of research to advance the use of mRNA vaccines to prevent parasitic infections in the near future. This article considers the characteristics that are required to develop a potent antiparasite vaccine and provides a conceptual foundation to promote the development of parasite mRNA-based vaccines. We review the recent advances and challenges encountered in developing antiparasite vaccines and evaluate the potential of developing mRNA vaccines against parasites, including those causing diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis, against which vaccines are currently suboptimal or not yet available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Catherine A. Gordon
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alexa E. Arganda
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Harry Al-Wassiti
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Colin W. Pouton
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Department of Infection and Inflammation, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
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Castro-Borges W, Wilson RA. Schistosome proteomics: updates and clinical implications. Expert Rev Proteomics 2022; 19:247-261. [PMID: 36331139 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2022.2142565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Schistosomes are long-lived blood dwelling helminth parasites using intricate mechanisms to invade, mature, and reproduce inside their vertebrate hosts, whilst simultaneously deploying immune evasion strategies. Their multi-tissue organization and solid body plan presents particular problems for the definition of sub-proteomes. AREAS COVERED Here, we focus on the two host-parasite interfaces of the adult worm accessible to the immune system, namely the tegument and the alimentary tract, but also on the secretions of the infective cercaria, the migrating schistosomulum and the mature egg. In parallel, we introduce the concepts of "leakyome' and 'disintegrome' to emphasize the importance of interpreting data in the context of schistosome biology so that misleading conclusions about the distinct proteome compositions are avoided. Lastly, we highlight the possible clinical implications of the reviewed proteomic findings for pathogenesis, vaccine design and diagnostics. EXPERT OPINION Proteomics has provided considerable insights into the biology of schistosomes, most importantly for rational selection of novel vaccine candidates that might confer protective immunity, but also into the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis. However, given the increasing sensitivity of mass spectrometric instrumentation, we stress the need for care in data interpretation since schistosomes do not deviate from the fundamental rules of eukaryotic cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Castro-Borges
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brasil
| | - R Alan Wilson
- Department of Biology and York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Heslington, York, UK
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Molehin AJ, McManus DP, You H. Vaccines for Human Schistosomiasis: Recent Progress, New Developments and Future Prospects. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2255. [PMID: 35216369 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by human trematode blood flukes (schistosomes), remains one of the most prevalent and serious of the neglected tropical parasitic diseases. Currently, treatment of schistosomiasis relies solely on a single drug, the anthelmintic praziquantel, and with increased usage in mass drug administration control programs for the disease, the specter of drug resistance developing is a constant threat. Vaccination is recognized as one of the most sustainable options for the control of any pathogen, but despite the discovery and reporting of numerous potentially promising schistosome vaccine antigens, to date, no schistosomiasis vaccine for human or animal deployment is available. This is despite the fact that Science ranked such an intervention as one of the top 10 vaccines that need to be urgently developed to improve public health globally. This review summarizes current progress of schistosomiasis vaccines under clinical development and advocates the urgent need for the establishment of a revolutionary and effective anti-schistosome vaccine pipeline utilizing cutting-edge technologies (including developing mRNA vaccines and exploiting CRISPR-based technologies) to provide novel insight into future vaccine discovery, design, manufacture and deployment.
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Panzner U, Excler JL, Kim JH, Marks F, Carter D, Siddiqui AA. Recent Advances and Methodological Considerations on Vaccine Candidates for Human Schistosomiasis. Front Trop Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.719369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains a neglected tropical disease of major public health concern with high levels of morbidity in various parts of the world. Although considerable efforts in implementing mass drug administration programs utilizing praziquantel have been deployed, schistosomiasis is still not contained. A vaccine may therefore be an essential part of multifaceted prevention control efforts. In the 1990s, a joint United Nations committee promoting parasite vaccines shortlisted promising candidates including for schistosomiasis discussed below. After examining the complexity of immune responses in human hosts infected with schistosomes, we review and discuss the antigen design and preclinical and clinical development of the four leading vaccine candidates: Sm-TSP-2 in Phase 1b/2b, Sm14 in Phase 2a/2b, Sm-p80 in Phase 1 preparation, and Sh28GST in Phase 3. Our assessment of currently leading vaccine candidates revealed some methodological issues that preclude a fair comparison between candidates and the rationale to advance in clinical development. These include (1) variability in animal models - in particular non-human primate studies - and predictive values of each for protection in humans; (2) lack of consensus on the assessment of parasitological and immunological parameters; (3) absence of reliable surrogate markers of protection; (4) lack of well-designed parasitological and immunological natural history studies in the context of mass drug administration with praziquantel. The controlled human infection model - while promising and unique - requires validation against efficacy outcomes in endemic settings. Further research is also needed on the impact of advanced adjuvants targeting specific parts of the innate immune system that may induce potent, protective and durable immune responses with the ultimate goal of achieving meaningful worm reduction.
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McManus DP. The Search for a Schistosomiasis Vaccine: Australia's Contribution. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080872. [PMID: 34451997 PMCID: PMC8402410 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, results in considerable human morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, but also parts of the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia. The anti-schistosome drug praziquantel is efficacious and safe against the adult parasites of all Schistosoma species infecting humans; however, it does not prevent reinfection and the development of drug resistance is a constant concern. The need to develop an effective vaccine is of great importance if the health of many in the developing world is to be improved. Indeed, vaccination, in combination with other public health measures, can provide an invaluable tool to achieve lasting control, leading to schistosomiasis elimination. Australia has played a leading role in schistosomiasis vaccine research over many years and this review presents an overview of some of the significant contributions made by Australian scientists in this important area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, Australia
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11
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You H, Mayer JU, Johnston RL, Sivakumaran H, Ranasinghe S, Rivera V, Kondrashova O, Koufariotis LT, Du X, Driguez P, French JD, Waddell N, Duke MG, Ittiprasert W, Mann VH, Brindley PJ, Jones MK, McManus DP. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of Schistosoma mansoni acetylcholinesterase. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21205. [PMID: 33337558 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001745rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing shows cogent potential for the genetic modification of helminth parasites. We report successful gene knock-in (KI) into the genome of the egg of Schistosoma mansoni by combining CRISPR/Cas9 with single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs). We edited the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gene of S. mansoni targeting two guide RNAs (gRNAs), X5 and X7, located on exon 5 and exon 7 of Smp_154600, respectively. Eggs recovered from livers of experimentally infected mice were transfected by electroporation with a CRISPR/Cas9-vector encoding gRNA X5 or X7 combining with/ without a ssODN donor. Next generation sequencing analysis of reads of amplicon libraries spanning targeted regions revealed that the major modifications induced by CRISPR/Cas9 in the eggs were generated by homology directed repair (HDR). Furthermore, soluble egg antigen from AChE-edited eggs exhibited markedly reduced AChE activity, indicative that programed Cas9 cleavage mutated the AChE gene. Following injection of AChE-edited schistosome eggs into the tail veins of mice, an significantly enhanced Th2 response involving IL-4, -5, -10, and-13 was detected in lung cells and splenocytes in mice injected with X5-KI eggs in comparison to control mice injected with unmutated eggs. A Th2-predominant response, with increased levels of IL-4, -13, and GATA3, also was induced by X5 KI eggs in small intestine-draining mesenteric lymph node cells when the gene-edited eggs were introduced into the subserosa of the ileum of the mice. These findings confirmed the potential and the utility of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing for functional genomics in schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Rebecca L Johnston
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Haran Sivakumaran
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shiwanthi Ranasinghe
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Vanessa Rivera
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Olga Kondrashova
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lambros T Koufariotis
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Xiaofeng Du
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Patrick Driguez
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Juliet D French
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mary G Duke
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Wannaporn Ittiprasert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Victoria H Mann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Paul J Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Pearson MS, Tedla BA, Becker L, Nakajima R, Jasinskas A, Mduluza T, Mutapi F, Oeuvray C, Greco B, Sotillo J, Felgner PL, Loukas A. Immunomics-Guided Antigen Discovery for Praziquantel-Induced Vaccination in Urogenital Human Schistosomiasis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:663041. [PMID: 34113343 PMCID: PMC8186320 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.663041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the enormous morbidity attributed to schistosomiasis, there is still no vaccine to combat the disease for the hundreds of millions of infected people. The anthelmintic drug, praziquantel, is the mainstay treatment option, although its molecular mechanism of action remains poorly defined. Praziquantel treatment damages the outermost surface of the parasite, the tegument, liberating surface antigens from dying worms that invoke a robust immune response which in some subjects results in immunologic resistance to reinfection. Herein we term this phenomenon Drug-Induced Vaccination (DIV). To identify the antigenic targets of DIV antibodies in urogenital schistosomiasis, we constructed a recombinant proteome array consisting of approximately 1,000 proteins informed by various secretome datasets including validated proteomes and bioinformatic predictions. Arrays were screened with sera from human subjects treated with praziquantel and shown 18 months later to be either reinfected (chronically infected subjects, CI) or resistant to reinfection (DIV). IgG responses to numerous antigens were significantly elevated in DIV compared to CI subjects, and indeed IgG responses to some antigens were completely undetectable in CI subjects but robustly recognized by DIV subjects. One antigen in particular, a cystatin cysteine protease inhibitor stood out as a unique target of DIV IgG, so recombinant cystatin was produced, and its vaccine efficacy assessed in a heterologous Schistosoma mansoni mouse challenge model. While there was no significant impact of vaccination with adjuvanted cystatin on adult worm numbers, highly significant reductions in liver egg burdens (45-55%, P<0.0001) and intestinal egg burdens (50-54%, P<0.0003) were achieved in mice vaccinated with cystatin in two independent trials. This study has revealed numerous antigens that are targets of DIV antibodies in urogenital schistosomiasis and offer promise as subunit vaccine targets for a drug-linked vaccination approach to controlling schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S. Pearson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Bemnet A. Tedla
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Luke Becker
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Rie Nakajima
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Al Jasinskas
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Takafira Mduluza
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- TIBA Partnership, NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) at the University of Edinburgh based in Harare (TIBA Zimbabwe), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Francisca Mutapi
- Institute of Immunology and infection Research, Ashworth Laboratories, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- TIBA Partnership, NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Claude Oeuvray
- TIBA Partnership, NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Greco
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany), Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Javier Sotillo
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Philip L. Felgner
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
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13
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Al-Naseri A, Al-Absi S, El Ridi R, Mahana N. A comprehensive and critical overview of schistosomiasis vaccine candidates. J Parasit Dis 2021; 45:557-580. [PMID: 33935395 PMCID: PMC8068781 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01387-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A digenetic platyhelminth Schistosoma is the causative agent of schistosomiasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases that affect humans and animals in numerous countries in the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, South America and China. Several control methods were used for prevention of infection or treatment of acute and chronic disease. Mass drug administration led to reduction in heavy-intensity infections and morbidity, but failed to decrease schistosomiasis prevalence and eliminate transmission, indicating the need to develop anti-schistosome vaccine to prevent infection and parasite transmission. This review summarizes the efficacy and protective capacity of available schistosomiasis vaccine candidates with some insights and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Al-Naseri
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo Univesity, Giza, 12613 Egypt
| | - Samar Al-Absi
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo Univesity, Giza, 12613 Egypt
| | - Rashika El Ridi
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo Univesity, Giza, 12613 Egypt
| | - Noha Mahana
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo Univesity, Giza, 12613 Egypt
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14
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McCusker P, Rohr CM, Chan JD. Schistosoma mansoni alter transcription of immunomodulatory gene products following in vivo praziquantel exposure. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009200. [PMID: 33657133 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Control of the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis relies almost entirely on praziquantel (PZQ) monotherapy. How PZQ clears parasite infections remains poorly understood. Many studies have examined the effects of PZQ on worms cultured in vitro, observing outcomes such as muscle contraction. However, conditions worms are exposed to in vivo may vary considerably from in vitro experiments given the short half-life of PZQ and the importance of host immune system engagement for drug efficacy in animal models. Here, we investigated the effects of in vivo PZQ exposure on Schistosoma mansoni. Measurement of pro-apoptotic caspase activation revealed that worm death occurs only after parasites shift from the mesenteric vasculature to the liver, peaking 24 hours after drug treatment. This indicates that PZQ is not directly schistocidal, since PZQ’s half-life is ~2 hours in humans and ~30 minutes in mice, and focuses attention on parasite interactions with the host immune system following the shift of worms to the liver. RNA-Seq of worms harvested from mouse livers following sub-lethal PZQ treatment revealed drug-evoked changes in the expression of putative immunomodulatory and anticoagulant gene products. Several of these gene products localized to the schistosome esophagus and may be secreted into the host circulation. These include several Kunitz-type protease inhibitors, which are also found in the secretomes of other blood feeding animals. These transcriptional changes may reflect mechanisms of parasite immune-evasion in response to chemotherapy, given the role of complement-mediated attack and the host innate/humoral immune response in parasite elimination. One of these isoforms, SmKI-1, has been shown to exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-coagulant properties. These data provide insight into the effect of in vivo PZQ exposure on S. mansoni, and the transcriptional response of parasites to the stress of chemotherapy. The disease schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic worms that live within the circulatory system. While this disease infects over 200 million people worldwide, treatment relies almost entirely on one drug, praziquantel, whose mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of praziquantel treatment on the gene expression of parasites harvested from mice treated with praziquantel chemotherapy. Despite the rapid action of the drug on worms in vitro, we found that key outcomes in vivo (measurement of cell death and changes in gene expression) occurred relatively late (12+ hours after drug administration). We found that worms increased the expression of immunomodulatory gene products in response to praziquantel, including a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor that localized to the worm esophagus and may be secreted to the external host environment. These are an intriguing class of proteins, because they display anti-coagulant and immunomodulatory properties. Up-regulation of these gene products may reflect a parasite mechanism of immune-evasion in response to chemotherapy. This research provides insight into the mechanism of praziquantel by observing the effect of this drug on worms within the context of the host immune system.
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15
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Wu HW, Park S, Pond-Tor S, Stuart R, Zhou S, Hong Y, Ruiz AE, Acosta L, Jarilla B, Friedman JF, Jiz M, Kurtis JD. Whole-Proteome Differential Screening Identifies Novel Vaccine Candidates for Schistosomiasis japonica. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:1265-1274. [PMID: 33606021 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains a leading cause of chronic morbidity in endemic regions despite decades of widespread mass chemotherapy with praziquantel. Using our whole proteome differential screening approach, and plasma and epidemiologic data from a longitudinal cohort of individuals living in a Schistosoma japonicum-endemic region of the Philippines, we interrogated the parasite proteome to identify novel vaccine candidates for Schistosoma japonicum. We identified 16 parasite genes which encoded proteins that were recognized by immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulin E antibodies in the plasma of individuals who had developed resistance to reinfection, but were not recognized by antibodies in the plasma of individuals who remained susceptible to reinfection. Antibody levels to Sj6-8 and Sj4-1 measured in the entire cohort (N = 505) 1 month after praziquantel treatment were associated with significantly decreased risk of reinfection and lower intensity of reinfection over 18 months of follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah W Wu
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Sangshin Park
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Graduate School of Urban Public Health, University of Seoul, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunthorn Pond-Tor
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ron Stuart
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Sha Zhou
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Hong
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Shanghai, China
| | - Amanda E Ruiz
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Luz Acosta
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Blanca Jarilla
- Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Jennifer F Friedman
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Mario Jiz
- Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Jonathan D Kurtis
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Tedla BA, Pickering D, Becker L, Loukas A, Pearson MS. Vaccination with Schistosoma mansoni Cholinesterases Reduces the Parasite Burden and Egg Viability in a Mouse Model of Schistosomiasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E162. [PMID: 32260125 PMCID: PMC7349746 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, which kills 300,000 people every year in developing countries, and there is no vaccine. Recently, we have shown that cholinesterases (ChEs)-enzymes that regulate neurotransmission-from Schistosoma mansoni are expressed on the outer tegument surface and present in the excretory/secretory products of larval schistosomula and adult worms, and are essential for parasite survival in the definitive host, highlighting their utility as potential schistosomiasis vaccine targets. When treated in vitro with anti-schistosome cholinesterase (SmChE) IgG, both schistosomula and adult worms displayed significantly decreased ChE activity, which eventually resulted in parasite death. Vaccination with individual SmChEs, or a combination of all three SmChEs, significantly reduced worm burdens in two independent trials compared to controls. Average adult worm numbers and liver egg burdens were significantly decreased for all vaccinated mice across both trials, with values of 29-39% and 13-46%, respectively, except for those vaccinated with SmAChE1 in trial 1. Egg viability, as determined by egg hatching from liver homogenates, was significantly reduced in the groups vaccinated with the SmChE cocktail (40%) and SmAChE2 (46%). Furthermore, surviving worms from each vaccinated group were significantly stunted and depleted of glycogen stores, compared to controls. These results suggest that SmChEs could be incorporated into a vaccine against schistosomiasis to reduce the pathology and transmission of this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mark S. Pearson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (B.A.T.); (D.P.); (L.B.); (A.L.)
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17
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Li XH, Vance GM, Cartwright J, Cao JP, Wilson RA, Castro-Borges W. Mapping the epitopes of Schistosoma japonicum esophageal gland proteins for incorporation into vaccine constructs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229542. [PMID: 32107503 PMCID: PMC7046203 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of a schistosome vaccine has proved challenging but we have suggested that characterisation of the self-cure mechanism in rhesus macaques might provide a route to an effective product. The schistosome esophagus is a complex structure where blood processing is initiated by secretions from anterior and posterior glands, achieved by a mixture of ~40 unique proteins. The mechanism of self-cure in macaques involves cessation of feeding, after which worms slowly starve to death. Antibody coats the esophagus lumen and disrupts the secretory processes from the glands, potentially making their secretions ideal vaccine targets. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We have designed three peptide arrays comprising overlapping 15-mer peptides encompassing 32 esophageal gland proteins, and screened them for reactivity against 22-week infection serum from macaques versus permissive rabbit and mouse hosts. There was considerable intra- and inter-species variation in response and no obvious unique target was associated with self-cure status, which suggests that self-cure is achieved by antibodies reacting with multiple targets. Some immuno-dominant sequences/regions were evident across species, notably including: MEGs 4.1C, 4.2, and 11 (Array 1); MEG-12 and Aspartyl protease (Array 2); a Tetraspanin 1 loop and MEG-n2 (Array 3). Responses to MEGs 8.1C and 8.2C were largely confined to macaques. As proof of principle, three synthetic genes were designed, comprising several key targets from each array. One of these was expressed as a recombinant protein and used to vaccinate rabbits. Higher antibody titres were obtained to the majority of reactive regions than those elicited after prolonged infection. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE It is feasible to test simultaneously the additive potential of multiple esophageal proteins to induce protection by combining their most reactive regions in artificial constructs that can be used to vaccinate suitable hosts. The efficacy of the approach to disrupt esophageal function now needs to be tested by a parasite challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hong Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gillian M. Vance
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, York, England, United Kingdom
| | - Jared Cartwright
- Protein Production Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of York, York, England, United Kingdom
| | - Jian-Ping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - R Alan Wilson
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, York, England, United Kingdom
| | - William Castro-Borges
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil
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18
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McManus DP, Bergquist R, Cai P, Ranasinghe S, Tebeje BM, You H. Schistosomiasis-from immunopathology to vaccines. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:355-71. [PMID: 32076812 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00789-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is a neglected tropical disease caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. The transmission cycle involves human (or other mammalian) water contact with surface water contaminated by faeces or urine, as well as specific freshwater snails acting as intermediate hosts. The main disease-causing species are S. haematobium, S. mansoni and S. japonicum. According to the World Health Organisation, over 250 million people are infected worldwide, leading to considerable morbidity and the estimated loss of 1.9 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), a likely underestimated figure. Schistosomiasis is characterised by focal epidemiology and an over-dispersed population distribution, with higher infection rates in children. Complex immune mechanisms lead to the slow acquisition of immune resistance, but innate factors also play a part. Acute schistosomiasis, a feverish syndrome, is most evident in travellers following a primary infection. Chronic schistosomiasis affects mainly individuals with long-standing infections residing in poor rural areas. Immunopathological reactions against schistosome eggs trapped in host tissues lead to inflammatory and obstructive disease in the urinary system (S. haematobium) or intestinal disease, hepatosplenic inflammation and liver fibrosis (S. mansoni and S. japonicum). An effective drug—praziquantel—is available for treatment but, despite intensive efforts, no schistosomiasis vaccines have yet been accepted for public use. In this review, we briefly introduce the schistosome parasites and the immunopathogenic manifestations resulting from schistosomiasis. We then explore aspects of the immunology and host-parasite interplay in schistosome infections paying special attention to the current status of schistosomiasis vaccine development highlighting the advancement of a new controlled human challenge infection model for testing schistosomiasis vaccines.
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19
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Ma L, Zhao W, Hou X, Liu M, Li Y, Shen L, Xu X. Identification of linear epitopes in SjSP-13 of Schistosoma japonicum using a GST-peptide fusion protein microplate array. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:507. [PMID: 31666115 PMCID: PMC6822365 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3767-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The identification and characterization of epitopes facilitate the discovery and development of new therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics for infectious diseases. In this study, we developed a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-peptide fusion protein microplate array for the identification of linear B-cell epitopes and applied this novel method to the identification of linear B-cell epitopes of SjSP-13, an immunodiagnostic biomarker of schistosomiasis japonica. Methods SjSP-13 was divided into 17 overlapped peptides (p1-17), and the coding sequence of each peptide was obtained by annealing two complementary oligonucleotides. SjSP-13 peptides were expressed by fusion with an N-terminal GST tag and a C-terminal 6xHis tag. The GST-peptide-His fusion protein was specifically bound to the Immobilizer Glutathione MicroWell 96-well plates without purification. SjSP-13 peptides and core epitopes that could be recognized by sera from schistosomiasis patients were identified by ELISA and confirmed by Western blot analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the diagnostic validity of the identified peptide. Results Full-length GST-peptide-His fusion proteins were successfully expressed and specifically bound to the Immobilizer Glutathione MicroWell 96-well plates. Two adjacent peptides (p7 and p8) were found to be highly immunogenic in humans. The core epitope of p7 and p8 is an 11-aa peptide (80KCLDVTDNLPE90) and an 8-aa peptide (90EKIIQFAE97), respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of the peptide which contains the two identified epitopes is 0.947 ± 0.019. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the peptide is 76.7% (95% CI: 68.8–84.5%) and 100%, respectively. Conclusions 90EKIIQFAE97 and 80KCLDVTDNLPE90 are the two linear epitopes of SjSP-13 recognized by patient sera, and could be potential serological markers for schistosomiasis japonica.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenrong Zhao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xunya Hou
- Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanna Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Shen
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xindong Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Abstract
Trematode infections are among the most neglected tropical diseases despite their worldwide distribution and extraordinary ability to parasitise many different host species and host tissues. Furthermore, these parasites are of great socioeconomic, medical, veterinary and agricultural importance. During the last 10 years, there have been increasing efforts to overcome the lack of information on different "omic" resources such as proteomics and genomics. Herein, we focus on the recent advances in genomics and proteomics from trematodes of human importance, including liver, blood, intestinal and lung flukes. We also provide information on the latest technologies applied to study the biology of trematodes as well as on the resources available for the study of the molecular aspects of this group of helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sotillo
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
| | - Mark S Pearson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
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21
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Hotez PJ, Bottazzi ME, Bethony J, Diemert DD. Advancing the Development of a Human Schistosomiasis Vaccine. Trends Parasitol 2018; 35:104-108. [PMID: 30455112 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Three vaccines against human schistosomiasis are in different phases of clinical development, and a fourth is expected to enter the clinic soon. Successful introduction of an efficacious preventive human schistosomiasis vaccine will require integration into existing health systems such as those that deliver childhood vaccines or mass drug administration programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA; James A. Baker III Institute of Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey Bethony
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David D Diemert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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You H, Liu C, Du X, Nawaratna S, Rivera V, Harvie M, Jones M, McManus DP. Suppression of Schistosoma japonicum Acetylcholinesterase Affects Parasite Growth and Development. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2426. [PMID: 30115897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To further investigate the importance of Schistosoma japonicum acetylcholinesterase (SjAChE) in cholinergic signaling for parasite growth and development, we used RNA interference (RNAi) to knock-down its expression in adults and eggs in vitro. This resulted in its reduced transcription but also expression of other important genes involved both in cholinergic signaling and glucose uptake were impacted substantially. Significant decreases in AChE protein expression, AChE enzymatic activity, and glucose uptake were observed in the SjAChE-knockdown parasites compared with luciferase controls. In vaccine/challenge experiments, we found that immunization of mice with recombinant SjAChE (rSjAChE) expressed in Escherichia coli elicited reductions in male worm numbers (33%), liver granuloma density (41%), and reduced numbers of mature intestinal eggs (73%) in the vaccinated group compared with the control group. These results indicate AChE plays an important role in the metabolism of male worms, and impacts indirectly on female fecundity leading to increased numbers of immature eggs being released and reduced sizes of liver granulomas. Furthermore, cytokine analysis showed that immunization of mice with rSjAChE elicited a predominantly Th1-type immune response characterized by increased production of IFNγ in splenic CD4+ T cells of vaccinated mice. The study confirms the potential of SjAChE as a vaccine/drug candidate against zoonotic schistosomiasis japonica.
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Leontovyč A, Ulrychová L, O’Donoghue AJ, Vondrášek J, Marešová L, Hubálek M, Fajtová P, Chanová M, Jiang Z, Craik CS, Caffrey CR, Mareš M, Dvořák J, Horn M. SmSP2: A serine protease secreted by the blood fluke pathogen Schistosoma mansoni with anti-hemostatic properties. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006446. [PMID: 29677188 PMCID: PMC5931690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serine proteases are important virulence factors for many pathogens. Recently, we discovered a group of trypsin-like serine proteases with domain organization unique to flatworm parasites and containing a thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSR-1). These proteases are recognized as antigens during host infection and may prove useful as anthelminthic vaccines, however their molecular characteristics are under-studied. Here, we characterize the structural and proteolytic attributes of serine protease 2 (SmSP2) from Schistosoma mansoni, one of the major species responsible for the tropical infectious disease, schistosomiasis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS SmSP2 comprises three domains: a histidine stretch, TSR-1 and a serine protease domain. The cleavage specificity of recombinant SmSP2 was determined using positional scanning and multiplex combinatorial libraries and the determinants of specificity were identified with 3D homology models, demonstrating a trypsin-like endopeptidase mode of action. SmSP2 displayed restricted proteolysis on protein substrates. It activated tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen as key components of the fibrinolytic system, and released the vasoregulatory peptide, kinin, from kininogen. SmSP2 was detected in the surface tegument, esophageal glands and reproductive organs of the adult parasite by immunofluorescence microscopy, and in the excretory/secretory products by immunoblotting. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The data suggest that SmSP2 is secreted, functions at the host-parasite interface and contributes to the survival of the parasite by manipulating host vasodilatation and fibrinolysis. SmSP2 may be, therefore, a potential target for anti-schistosomal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Leontovyč
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Ulrychová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Jiří Vondrášek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Marešová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hubálek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Fajtová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Chanová
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zhenze Jiang
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Charles S. Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Dvořák
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail: (MH); (JD)
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail: (MH); (JD)
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Shears RK, Bancroft AJ, Sharpe C, Grencis RK, Thornton DJ. Vaccination Against Whipworm: Identification of Potential Immunogenic Proteins in Trichuris muris Excretory/Secretory Material. Sci Rep 2018. [PMID: 29540816 PMCID: PMC5851985 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22783-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) is one of the four major soil-transmitted helminth infections of man, affecting an estimated 465 million people worldwide. An effective vaccine that induces long-lasting protective immunity against T. trichiura would alleviate the morbidity associated with this intestinal-dwelling parasite, however the lack of known host protective antigens has hindered vaccine development. Here, we show that vaccination with ES products stimulates long-lasting protection against chronic infection in male C57BL/6 mice. We also provide a framework for the identification of immunogenic proteins within T. muris ES, and identify eleven candidates with direct homologues in T. trichiura that warrant further study. Given the extensive homology between T. muris and T. trichiura at both the genomic and transcriptomic levels, this work has the potential to advance vaccine design for T. trichiura.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K Shears
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and Manchester Immunology Group, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, England
| | - Allison J Bancroft
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and Manchester Immunology Group, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, England
| | - Catherine Sharpe
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and Manchester Immunology Group, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, England
| | - Richard K Grencis
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and Manchester Immunology Group, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, England
| | - David J Thornton
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and Manchester Immunology Group, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, England.
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25
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Abstract
Trematodes, also known as flukes, are phylogenetically ancient parasitic organisms. Due to their importance as human and veterinary parasites, their proteins have been investigated extensively as drug and vaccine targets. Among those, proteases, as crucial enzymes for parasite survival, are considered candidate molecules for anti-parasitic interventions. Surprisingly however, trematode serine proteases, in comparison with other groups of proteases, are largely neglected. Genes encoding serine proteases have been identified in trematode genomes in significant abundance, but the biological roles and biochemical functions of these proteases are poorly understood. However, increasing volumes of genomic and proteomic studies, and accumulated experimental evidence, indicate that this class of proteases plays a substantial role in host-parasite interactions and parasite survival. Here, we discuss in detail serine proteases at genomic and protein levels, and their known or hypothetical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Dvorak
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamycka 129, Prague CZ 165 21, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague CZ 166 10, Czech Republic.
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26
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Wilson RA, Li XH, Castro-Borges W. Schistosome vaccines: problems, pitfalls and prospects. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:641-50. [PMID: 33525844 DOI: 10.1042/ETLS20170094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human schistosomiasis caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma remains an important public health problem in spite of concerted efforts at control. An effective vaccine would be a useful addition to control strategies that currently rely on chemotherapy, but such a product is not imminent. In this review, likely causes for the lack of progress are first considered. These include the strategies used by worms to evade the immune response, concepts that have misdirected the field, an emphasis on internal antigens, and the use of the laboratory mouse for vaccine testing. On a positive note, recent investigations on self-cure by the rhesus macaque offer the most promising context for vaccine development. The identification of proteins at the parasite-host interface, especially those of the esophageal glands involved in blood processing, has provided an entirely new category of vaccine candidates that merit evaluation.
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27
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You H, Liu C, Du X, McManus DP. Acetylcholinesterase and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Schistosomes and Other Parasitic Helminths. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22091550. [PMID: 28906438 PMCID: PMC6151654 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22091550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, which is caused by helminth trematode blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, is a serious health and economic problem in tropical areas, and the second most prevalent parasitic disease after malaria. Currently, there is no effective vaccine available and treatment is entirely dependent on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ), raising a significant potential public health threat due to the emergence of PZQ drug resistance. It is thus urgent and necessary to explore novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Previous studies demonstrated that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play important roles in the schistosome nervous system and ion channels, both of which are targeted by a number of currently approved and marketed anthelminthic drugs. To improve understanding of the functions of the cholinergic system in schistosomes, this article reviews previous studies on AChE and nAChRs in schistosomes and other helminths and discusses their potential as suitable targets for vaccine development and drug design against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Chang Liu
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
- Parasitology Laboratory, School of Animal Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Du
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
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Sotillo J, Toledo R, Mulvenna J, Loukas A. Exploiting Helminth-Host Interactomes through Big Data. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:875-888. [PMID: 28734897 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Helminths facilitate their parasitic existence through the production and secretion of different molecules, including proteins. Some helminth proteins can manipulate the host's immune system, a phenomenon that is now being exploited with a view to developing therapeutics for inflammatory diseases. In recent years, hundreds of helminth genomes have been sequenced, but as a community we are still taking baby steps when it comes to identifying proteins that govern host-helminth interactions. The information generated from genomic, immunomic, and proteomic studies, as well as from cutting-edge approaches such as proteogenomics, is leading to a substantial volume of big data that can be utilised to shed light on fundamental biology and provide solutions for the development of bioactive-molecule-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sotillo
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
| | - Rafael Toledo
- Departament de Farmacia, Tecnologia Farmacéutica y Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Valencia, Spain
| | - Jason Mulvenna
- QIMR-Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
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29
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Cameron TC, Cooke I, Faou P, Toet H, Piedrafita D, Young N, Rathinasamy V, Beddoe T, Anderson G, Dempster R, Spithill TW. A novel ex vivo immunoproteomic approach characterising Fasciola hepatica tegumental antigens identified using immune antibody from resistant sheep. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:555-567. [PMID: 28455238 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A more thorough understanding of the immunological interactions between Fasciola spp. and their hosts is required if we are to develop new immunotherapies to control fasciolosis. Deeper knowledge of the antigens that are the target of the acquired immune responses of definitive hosts against both Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica will potentially identify candidate vaccine antigens. Indonesian Thin Tail sheep express a high level of acquired immunity to infection by F. gigantica within 4weeks of infection and antibodies in Indonesian Thin Tail sera can promote antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against the surface tegument of juvenile F. gigantica in vitro. Given the high protein sequence similarity between F. hepatica and F. gigantica, we hypothesised that antibody from F. gigantica-infected sheep could be used to identify the orthologous proteins in the tegument of F. hepatica. Purified IgG from the sera of F. gigantica-infected Indonesian Thin Tail sheep collected pre-infection and 4weeks p.i. were incubated with live adult F. hepatica ex vivo and the immunosloughate (immunoprecipitate) formed was isolated and analysed via liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry to identify proteins involved in the immune response. A total of 38 proteins were identified at a significantly higher abundance in the immunosloughate using week 4 IgG, including eight predicted membrane proteins, 20 secreted proteins, nine proteins predicted to be associated with either the lysosomes, the cytoplasm or the cytoskeleton and one protein with an unknown cellular localization. Three of the membrane proteins are transporters including a multidrug resistance protein, an amino acid permease and a glucose transporter. Interestingly, a total of 21 of the 38 proteins matched with proteins recently reported to be associated with the proposed small exosome-like extracellular vesicles of adult F. hepatica, suggesting that the Indonesian Thin Tail week 4 IgG is either recognising individual proteins released from extracellular vesicles or is immunoprecipitating intact exosome-like extracellular vesicles. Five extracellular vesicle membrane proteins were identified including two proteins predicted to be associated with vesicle transport/ exocytosis (VPS4, vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 4b and the Niemann-Pick C1 protein). RNAseq analysis of the developmental transcription of the 38 immunosloughate proteins showed that the sequences are expressed over a wide abundance range with 21/38 transcripts expressed at a relatively high level from metacercariae to the adult life cycle stage. A notable feature of the immunosloughates was the absence of cytosolic proteins which have been reported to be secreted markers for damage to adult flukes incubated in vitro, suggesting that the proteins observed are not inadvertent contaminants leaking from damaged flukes ex vivo. The identification of tegument protein antigens shared between F. gigantica and F. hepatica is beneficial in terms of the possible development of a dual purpose vaccine effective against both fluke species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Cameron
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ira Cooke
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; Comparative Genomics Centre and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Pierre Faou
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hayley Toet
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Piedrafita
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Federation University, Churchill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vignesh Rathinasamy
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Travis Beddoe
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glenn Anderson
- Virbac (Australia) Pty Ltd, Milperra, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert Dempster
- Virbac (Australia) Pty Ltd, Milperra, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Terry W Spithill
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
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30
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Yang YYM, Li XH, Brzezicka K, Reichardt NC, Wilson RA, van Diepen A, Hokke CH. Specific anti-glycan antibodies are sustained during and after parasite clearance in Schistosoma japonicum-infected rhesus macaques. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005339. [PMID: 28151933 PMCID: PMC5308859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human immunity to Schistosoma infection requires many years of exposure, and multiple infections and treatments to develop. Unlike humans, rhesus macaques clear an established schistosome infection naturally at the same time acquiring immunity towards re-infection. In macaques, schistosome egg production decreases after 8 weeks post-infection and by week 22, physiological impairment of the worm caused by unclarified antibody-mediated processes is observed. Since strong antibody responses have been observed against schistosome glycan antigens in human and animal infections, we here investigate if anti-glycan antibodies are associated with immunity against schistosome infections in macaques. Methods We used a microarray containing a large repertoire of glycoprotein- and glycolipid-derived glycans from different schistosome life stages to analyse anti-glycan serum IgG and IgM from S. japonicum-infected macaques during the course of infection and self-cure. We also used an in vitro schistosomula assay to investigate whether macaque sera containing anti-glycan antibodies can kill schistosomula. Conclusions/significance Antibody responses towards schistosome glycans at week 4 post-infection were dominated by IgM while IgG was high at week 8. The profound increase in IgG was observed mainly for antibodies towards a large subset of glycans that contain (multi-)fucosylated terminal GalNAcβ1-4GlcNAc (LDN), and Galβ1-4(Fucα1–3)GlcNAc (LeX) motifs. In general, glycans with a higher degree of fucosylation gave rise to stronger antibody responses than non-fucosylated glycans. Interestingly, even though many IgG and IgM responses had declined by week 22 post-infection, IgG towards O-glycans with highly fucosylated LDN motifs remained. When incubating macaque serum with schistosomula in vitro, schistosomula death was positively correlated with the duration of infection of macaques; macaque serum taken 22 weeks post-infection caused most schistosomula to die, suggesting the presence of potentially protective antibodies. We hypothesize that IgGs against highly fucosylated LDN motifs that remain when the worms deteriorate are associated with infection clearance and the resistance to re-infection in macaques. Schistosomes express many glycan antigens to which antibodies are raised by the infected host. These glycans may therefore form potential vaccine targets. Unlike humans where the disease persists chronically if not treated, schistosome-infected rhesus macaques are able to elicit a self-cure process naturally. To find out if anti-glycan responses could contribute to the natural clearance process, we followed the dynamics of anti-glycan serum antibodies in Schistosoma-infected macaques in a longitudinal study starting from the onset of infection until 22 weeks post-infection, when the macaques had eliminated most of the parasites. We found that sera of macaques taken after 22 weeks of infection contained high IgG titres towards specific schistosome glycan epitopes highly abundant on schistosome larvae. Moreover, infected macaque serum at week 22 was able to kill schistosomula in vitro. Our results suggest that anti-glycan antibodies play an important role in the self-cure process and the acquired resistance to re-infection in Schistosoma infected macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y. Y. Michelle Yang
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Xiao Hong Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Key Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - R. Alan Wilson
- Centre for Immunology & Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Angela van Diepen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H. Hokke
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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31
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Sotillo J, Doolan D, Loukas A. Recent advances in proteomic applications for schistosomiasis research: potential clinical impact. Expert Rev Proteomics 2016; 14:171-183. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2017.1271327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sotillo
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Denise Doolan
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
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32
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Affiliation(s)
- Kokouvi Kassegne
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Eniola Michael Abe
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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33
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Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused mainly by S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. japonicum, continues to be a serious tropical disease and public health problem resulting in an unacceptably high level of morbidity in countries where it is endemic. Praziquantel, the only drug currently available for treatment, is unable to kill developing schistosomes, it does not prevent re-infection and its continued extensive use may result in the future emergence of drug-resistant parasites. This scenario provides impetus for the development and deployment of anti-schistosome vaccines to be used as part of an integrated approach for the prevention, control and eventual elimination of schistosomiasis. This review considers the present status of candidate vaccines for schistosomiasis, and provides some insight on future vaccine discovery and design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biniam Mathewos Tebeje
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia. .,School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. .,Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Marina Harvie
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Hong You
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
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34
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You H, Gobert GN, Du X, Pali G, Cai P, Jones MK, McManus DP. Functional characterisation of Schistosoma japonicum acetylcholinesterase. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:328. [PMID: 27283196 PMCID: PMC4901427 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1615-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important metabolic enzyme of schistosomes present in the musculature and on the surface of the blood stage where it has been implicated in the modulation of glucose scavenging from mammalian host blood. As both a target for the antischistosomal drug metrifonate and as a potential vaccine candidate, AChE has been characterised in the schistosome species Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium and S. bovis, but not in S. japonicum. Recently, using a schistosome protein microarray, a predicted S. japonicum acetylcholinesterase precursor was significantly targeted by protective IgG1 immune responses in S. haematobium-exposed individuals that had acquired drug-induced resistance to schistosomiasis after praziquantel treatment. RESULTS We report the full-length cDNA sequence and describe phylogenetic and molecular structural analysis to facilitate understanding of the biological function of AChE (SjAChE) in S. japonicum. The protein has high sequence identity (88 %) with the AChEs in S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. bovis and has 25 % sequence similarity with human AChE, suggestive of a highly specialised role for the enzyme in both parasite and host. We immunolocalized SjAChE and demonstrated its presence on the surface of adult worms and schistosomula, as well as its lower expression in parenchymal regions. The relatively abundance of AChE activity (90 %) present on the surface of adult S. japonicum when compared with that reported in other schistosomes suggests SjAChE may be a more effective drug or immunological target against this species. We also demonstrate that the classical inhibitor of AChE, BW285c51, inhibited AChE activity in tegumental extracts of paired worms, single males and single females by 59, 22 and 50 %, respectively, after 24 h incubation with 200 μM BW284c51. CONCLUSIONS These results build on previous studies in other schistosome species indicating major differences in the enzyme between parasite and mammalian host, and provide further support for the design of an anti-schistosome intervention targeting AChE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey N Gobert
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Xiaofeng Du
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gabor Pali
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Hotez PJ, Strych U, Lustigman S, Bottazzi ME. Human anthelminthic vaccines: Rationale and challenges. Vaccine 2016; 34:3549-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.03.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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de Assis RR, Ludolf F, Nakajima R, Jasinskas A, Oliveira GC, Felgner PL, Gaze ST, Loukas A, LoVerde PT, Bethony JM, Correa-Oliveira R, Calzavara-Silva CE. A next-generation proteome array for Schistosoma mansoni. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:411-5. [PMID: 27131510 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 04/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A proteome microarray consisting of 992 Schistosoma mansoni proteins was produced and screened with sera to determine antibody signatures indicative of the clinical stages of schistosomiasis and the identification of subunit vaccine candidates. Herein, we describe the methods used to derive the gene list for this array (representing approximately 10% of the predicted S. mansoni proteome). We also probed a pilot version of the microarray with sera from individuals either acutely or chronically infected with S. mansoni from endemic areas in Brazil and sera from individuals resident outside the endemic area (USA) to determine if the array is functional and informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Ramiro de Assis
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Rene Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Protein Microarray Laboratory, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Fernanda Ludolf
- Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rie Nakajima
- Protein Microarray Laboratory, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Al Jasinskas
- Protein Microarray Laboratory, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Philip L Felgner
- Protein Microarray Laboratory, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Soraya T Gaze
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Rene Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Philip T LoVerde
- Departments of Biochemistry and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Bethony
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Rene Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Rodrigo Correa-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Rene Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlos E Calzavara-Silva
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Rene Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Protein Microarray Laboratory, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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Merrifield M, Hotez PJ, Beaumier CM, Gillespie P, Strych U, Hayward T, Bottazzi ME. Advancing a vaccine to prevent human schistosomiasis. Vaccine 2016; 34:2988-2991. [PMID: 27036511 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.03.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several candidate human schistosomiasis vaccines are in different stages of preclinical and clinical development. The major targets are Schistosoma haematobium (urogenitial schistosomiasis) and Schistosoma mansoni (intestinal schistosomiasis) that account for 99% of the world's 252 million cases, with 90% of these cases in Africa. Two recombinant S. mansoni vaccines - Sm-TSP-2 and Sm-14 are in Phase 1 trials, while Smp80 (calpain) is undergoing testing in non-human primates. Sh28GST, also known as Bilhvax is in advanced clinical development for S. haematobium infection. The possibility remains that some of these vaccines may cross-react to target both schistosome species. These vaccines were selected on the basis of their protective immunity in preclinical challenge models, through human immune-epidemiological studies or both. They are being advanced through a combination of academic research institutions, non-profit vaccine product development partnerships, biotechnology companies, and developing country vaccine manufacturers. In addition, new schistosome candidate vaccines are being identified through bioinformatics, OMICs approaches, and moderate throughput screening, although the full potential of reverse vaccinology for schistosomiasis has not yet been realized. The target product profiles of these vaccines vary but many focus on vaccinating children, in some cases following mass treatment with praziquantel, also known as vaccine-linked chemotherapy. Several regulatory pathways have been proposed, some of which rely on World Health Organization prequalification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Merrifield
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development Houston, TX, USA; Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development Houston, TX, USA; Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA; National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
| | - Coreen M Beaumier
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development Houston, TX, USA; National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Portia Gillespie
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development Houston, TX, USA; National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ulrich Strych
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development Houston, TX, USA; National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development Houston, TX, USA; Sabin Vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, USA; National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease of clinical significance that, despite years of research, still requires an effective vaccine and improved diagnostics for surveillance, control and potential elimination. Furthermore, the causes of host pathology during schistosomiasis are still not completely understood. The recent sequencing of the genomes of the three key schistosome species has enabled the discovery of many new possible vaccine and drug targets, as well as diagnostic biomarkers, using high-throughput and sensitive proteomics methods. This review focuses on the literature of the last 5 years that has reported on the use of proteomics to both better understand the biology of the schistosome parasites and the disease they cause in definitive mammalian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Driguez
- a QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Disease Division , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- a QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Disease Division , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia
| | - Geoffrey N Gobert
- a QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Disease Division , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashika El Ridi
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Ahmad A Othman
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Donald P McManus
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane, QLD , Australia
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Li XH, Xu YX, Vance G, Wang Y, Lv LB, van Dam GJ, Cao JP, Wilson RA. Evidence That Rhesus Macaques Self-Cure from a Schistosoma japonicum Infection by Disrupting Worm Esophageal Function: A New Route to an Effective Vaccine? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003925. [PMID: 26161644 PMCID: PMC4498593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhesus macaques are unusual among schistosome hosts, self-curing from an established infection and thereafter manifesting solid immunity against a challenge, an ideal model for vaccine development. Previously, the immunological basis of self-cure was confirmed; surviving worms had ceased feeding but how immunological pressure achieved this was unclear. The schistosome esophagus is not simply a conduit for blood but plays a central role in its processing. Secretions from the anterior and posterior esophageal glands mix with incoming blood causing erythrocyte lysis and tethering and killing of leucocytes. Methodology/Principal Findings We have analysed the self-cure process in rhesus macaques infected with Schistosoma japonicum. Faecal egg output and circulating antigen levels were used to chart the establishment of a mature worm population and its subsequent demise. The physiological stress of surviving females at perfusion was especially evident from their pale, shrunken appearance, while changes in the structure and function of the esophagus were observed in both sexes. In the anterior region electron microscopy revealed that the vesicle secretory process was disrupted, the tips of lining corrugations being swollen by greatly enlarged vesicles and the putative sites of vesicle release obscured by intense deposits of IgG. The lumen of the posterior esophagus in starving worms was occluded by cellular debris and the lining cytoplasmic plates were closely adherent, also potentially preventing secretion. Seven proteins secreted by the posterior gland were identified and IgG responses were detected to some or all of them. Intrinsic rhesus IgG colocalized with secreted SjMEGs 4.1, 8.2, 9, 11 and VAL-7 on cryosections, suggesting they are potential targets for disruption of function. Conclusions/Significance Our data suggest that rhesus macaques self-cure by blocking esophagus function with antibody; the protein products of the glands provide a new class of potential vaccine targets. Rhesus macaques can self-cure from a schistosome infection. Antibody is crucial to drive this process and adult worm elimination is preceded by cessation of blood feeding. Recently we have shown that the schistosome esophagus plays a central role in blood processing. We first confirm the self-cure process in rhesus macaques infected with Schistosoma japonicum and provide evidence that the self-cure mechanism involves blocking the worm esophagus function with antibody. In the anterior region, secretion of light vesicles is disrupted hence their contents are not released into the lumen to interact with blood components to fulfil their tasks. The plates in the posterior lining stick together whilst the lumen is occluded, hampering blood processing. Furthermore, rhesus IgG binds strongly to the worm esophageal lumen and co-localizes completely with five esophageal secreted proteins, SjMEGs 4.1, 8.2, 9, 11 and VAL-7. Our results indicate that rhesus macaques eliminate their adult worms by disrupting esophageal function making blood difficult to ingest; feeding stops eventually causing their demise because nutrient uptake across the body surface cannot fully compensate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hong Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Xin Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - Gill Vance
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Yun Wang
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, China
| | - Long-Bao Lv
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming, China
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jian-Ping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Parasitology and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, China
| | - R Alan Wilson
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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