Helminth parasite proteomics: from experimental models to human infections

Abstract

SUMMARYSchistosomiasis is a major human helminth infection endemic in developing countries. Urogenital schistosomiasis, caused by S. haematobium, is the most prevalent human schistosome disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently control of schistosome infection is by treatment of infected people with the anthelmintic drug praziquantel, but there are calls for continued efforts to develop a vaccine against the parasites. In order for successful vaccine development, it is necessary to understand the biology and molecular characteristics of the parasite. Ultimately, there is need to understand the nature and dynamics of the relationship between the parasite and the natural host. Thus, my studies have focused on molecular characterization of different parasite stages and integrating this information with quantitative approaches to investigate the nature and development of protective immunity against schistosomes in humans. Proteomics has proved a powerful tool in these studies allowing the proteins expressed by the parasite to be characterized at a molecular and immunological level. In this review, the application of proteomic approaches to understanding the human-schistosome relationship as well as testing specific hypotheses on the nature and development of schistosome-specific immune responses is discussed. The contribution of these approaches to informing schistosome vaccine development is highlighted.

In-depth proteomic characterization of Schistosoma haematobium: Towards the development of new tools for elimination

“…Despite the clear role of soluble egg proteins in the development of granulomas and a carcinogenic environment, the protein composition of this or other S . haematobium tissues/organs has not been fully characterised, although a few studies have identified several immunogenic proteins [21]. In contrast, different proteomes from the related species S .…”

Immunization of sheep against Echinococcus granulosus with protoscolex tegumental surface antigens

“…The public health significance of CE has stimulated a sustained period of investigation of immunity to E. granulosus , particularly in sheep which are the most common intermediate host involved in transmission of the parasite [ 20 ]. Immunization of livestock intermediate host animals could have an important effect in control of the disease both from an economic aspect and also their significant contribution in canine infections and so to accidental infections of human [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 21 ].…”

The helminth parasite proteome at the host–parasite interface – Informing diagnosis and control

“…In addition, treatment of schistosomiasis alone is not enough to manage the disease; there is also a need for enhanced proteomic research that focuses on identifying vaccine candidates. Proteomic vaccine candidate studies try to identify antigens that normally stimulate a protective immune response (Mutapi, 2012). A recent focus of research is the potential use of a combination of antigens as vaccine candidates, which may be more effective than a single recombinant antigen vaccine (Ludolf et al, 2014).…”

“…Another advantage of proteomic studies is that it gives information about differences in post-translational modifications (PTMs) (Mutapi, 2012). For example, multiple protein spots were found to be present on electrophoreses gels for the same protein in soluble egg antigen (SEA) samples of S. mansoni (Mathieson and Wilson, 2010), in ESP of F. hepatica (Jefferies et al, 2001) and in S. japonicum (Zhong et al, 2010).…”