scholarly journals Post-genomic progress in helminth parasitology

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (8) ◽  
pp. 835-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul McVeigh
Keyword(s):  
British Society ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Parasite Life Cycle ◽  
Current State ◽  
Genomic Tools ◽  
Parasite Biology ◽  
Genomics Tools ◽  
Surrogate Systems

AbstractHelminth parasitology is an important discipline, which poses often unique technical challenges. One challenge is that helminth parasites, particularly those in humans, are often difficult to obtain alive and in sufficient quantities for study; another is the challenge of studying these organisms in vitro – no helminth parasite life cycle has been fully recapitulated outside of a host. Arguably, the key issue retarding progress in helminth parasitology has been a lack of experimental tools and resources, certainly relative to the riches that have driven many parasitologists to adopt free-living model organisms as surrogate systems. In response to these needs, the past 10–12 years have seen the beginnings of helminth parasitology's journey into the ‘omics’ era, with the release of abundant sequencing resources, and the functional genomics tools with which to test biological hypotheses. To reflect this progress, the 2019 Autumn Symposium of the British Society for Parasitology was held in Queen's University Belfast on the topic of ‘post-genomic progress in helminth parasitology’. This issue presents examples of the current state of play in the field, while this editorial summarizes how genomic datasets and functional genomic tools have stimulated impressive recent progress in our understanding of parasite biology.

Considering RNAi experimental design in parasitic helminths

Parasitology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 589-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHNATHAN J. DALZELL ◽  
NEIL D. WARNOCK ◽  
PAUL MCVEIGH ◽  
NIKKI J. MARKS ◽  
ANGELA MOUSLEY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Gene Function ◽  
Experimental Validation ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Parasitic Helminth ◽  
Parasitic Helminths ◽  
Parasite Biology

SUMMARYAlmost a decade has passed since the first report of RNA interference (RNAi) in a parasitic helminth. Whilst much progress has been made with RNAi informing gene function studies in disparate nematode and flatworm parasites, substantial and seemingly prohibitive difficulties have been encountered in some species, hindering progress. An appraisal of current practices, trends and ideals of RNAi experimental design in parasitic helminths is both timely and necessary for a number of reasons: firstly, the increasing availability of parasitic helminth genome/transcriptome resources means there is a growing need for gene function tools such as RNAi; secondly, fundamental differences and unique challenges exist for parasite species which do not apply to model organisms; thirdly, the inherent variation in experimental design, and reported difficulties with reproducibility undermine confidence. Ideally, RNAi studies of gene function should adopt standardised experimental design to aid reproducibility, interpretation and comparative analyses. Although the huge variations in parasite biology and experimental endpoints make RNAi experimental design standardization difficult or impractical, we must strive to validate RNAi experimentation in helminth parasites. To aid this process we identify multiple approaches to RNAi experimental validation and highlight those which we deem to be critical for gene function studies in helminth parasites.

scholarly journals Developmental Sensitivity inSchistosoma mansonito Puromycin To Establish Drug Selection of Transgenic Schistosomes

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Bin Yan ◽  
Michael J. Smout ◽  
Chuan Ju ◽  
Anne E. Folley ◽  
Danielle E. Skinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Drug Selection ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Parasite Biology ◽  
Important Disease ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Dual Staining

ABSTRACTSchistosomiasis is considered the most important disease caused by helminth parasites, in terms of morbidity and mortality. Tools to facilitate gain- and loss-of-function approaches can be expected to precipitate the discovery of novel interventions, and drug selection of transgenic schistosomes would facilitate the establishment of stable lines of engineered parasites. Sensitivity of developmental stages of schistosomes to the aminonucleoside antibiotic puromycin was investigated. For the schistosomulum and sporocyst stages, viability was quantified by fluorescence microscopy following dual staining with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodine. By 6 days in culture, the 50% lethal concentration (LC50) for schistosomula was 19 μg/ml whereas the sporocysts were 45-fold more resilient. Puromycin potently inhibited the development ofin vitro-laid eggs (LC50, 68 ng/ml) but was less effective against liver eggs (LC50, 387 μg/ml). Toxicity for adult stages was evaluated using the xCELLigence-based, real-time motility assay (xWORM), which revealed LC50s after 48 h of 4.9 and 17.3 μg/ml for male and female schistosomes, respectively. Also, schistosomula transduced with pseudotyped retrovirus encoding the puromycin resistance marker were partially rescued when cultured in the presence of the antibiotic. Together, these findings will facilitate selection on puromycin of transgenic schistosomes and the enrichment of cultures of transgenic eggs and sporocysts to facilitate the establishment of schistosome transgenic lines. Streamlining schistosome transgenesis with drug selection will open new avenues to understand parasite biology and hopefully lead to new interventions for this neglected tropical disease.

Current State of In vitro Cell-Based Renal Models

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elnaz Gozalpour ◽  
Katherine S. Fenner
Keyword(s):  
Current State

scholarly journals An In Vitro Cell Culture Model for Pyoverdine-Mediated Virulence

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Donghoon Kang ◽  
Natalia V. Kirienko
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Cell Culture Model ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
In Vitro Cell Culture ◽  
Mitochondrial Homeostasis ◽  
Culture Model ◽  
Wide Range

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant, opportunistic pathogen that utilizes a wide-range of virulence factors to cause acute, life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients, especially those in intensive care units. It also causes debilitating chronic infections that shorten lives and worsen the quality of life for cystic fibrosis patients. One of the key virulence factors in P. aeruginosa is the siderophore pyoverdine, which provides the pathogen with iron during infection, regulates the production of secreted toxins, and disrupts host iron and mitochondrial homeostasis. These roles have been characterized in model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans and mice. However, an intermediary system, using cell culture to investigate the activity of this siderophore has been absent. In this report, we describe such a system, using murine macrophages treated with pyoverdine. We demonstrate that pyoverdine-rich filtrates from P. aeruginosa exhibit substantial cytotoxicity, and that the inhibition of pyoverdine production (genetic or chemical) is sufficient to mitigate virulence. Furthermore, consistent with previous observations made in C. elegans, pyoverdine translocates into cells and disrupts host mitochondrial homeostasis. Most importantly, we observe a strong correlation between pyoverdine production and virulence in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, confirming pyoverdine’s value as a promising target for therapeutic intervention. This in vitro cell culture model will allow rapid validation of pyoverdine antivirulents in a simple but physiologically relevant manner.

scholarly journals The Autophagy Machinery in Human-Parasitic Protists; Diverse Functions for Universally Conserved Proteins

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1258
Author(s):  
Hirokazu Sakamoto ◽  
Kumiko Nakada-Tsukui ◽  
Sébastien Besteiro
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Unicellular Eukaryotes ◽  
Current State ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
Molecular Machinery ◽  
Cellular Machinery ◽  
Apparent Reduction ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Genome Projects

Autophagy is a eukaryotic cellular machinery that is able to degrade large intracellular components, including organelles, and plays a pivotal role in cellular homeostasis. Target materials are enclosed by a double membrane vesicle called autophagosome, whose formation is coordinated by autophagy-related proteins (ATGs). Studies of yeast and Metazoa have identified approximately 40 ATGs. Genome projects for unicellular eukaryotes revealed that some ATGs are conserved in all eukaryotic supergroups but others have arisen or were lost during evolution in some specific lineages. In spite of an apparent reduction in the ATG molecular machinery found in parasitic protists, it has become clear that ATGs play an important role in stage differentiation or organelle maintenance, sometimes with an original function that is unrelated to canonical degradative autophagy. In this review, we aim to briefly summarize the current state of knowledge in parasitic protists, in the light of the latest important findings from more canonical model organisms. Determining the roles of ATGs and the diversity of their functions in various lineages is an important challenge for understanding the evolutionary background of autophagy.

scholarly journals In Vitro Production of Embryos from Prepubertal Holstein Cattle and Mediterranean Water Buffalo: Problems, Progress and Potential

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2275
Author(s):  
Luke Currin ◽  
Hernan Baldassarre ◽  
Vilceu Bordignon
Keyword(s):  
Water Buffalo ◽  
Holstein Cattle ◽  
In Vitro Production ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Follicular Aspiration ◽  
Current State ◽  
Widespread Implementation ◽  
Vitro Production ◽  
Mediterranean Water

Laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) coupled with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in prepubertal cattle and buffalo accelerates genetic gain. This article reviews LOPU-IVEP technology in prepubertal Holstein Cattle and Mediterranean Water Buffalo. The recent expansion of genomic-assisted selection has renewed interest and demand for prepubertal LOPU-IVEP schemes; however, low blastocyst development rates has constrained its widespread implementation. Here, we present an overview of the current state of the technology, limitations that persist and suggest possible solutions to improve its efficiency, with a focus on gonadotropin stimulations strategies to prime oocytes prior to follicular aspiration, and IVEP procedures promoting growth factor metabolism and limiting oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Ethnoveterinary plant preparations as livestock dewormers: practices, popular beliefs, pitfalls and prospects for the future

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Githiori ◽  
Johan Höglund ◽  
Peter J. Waller
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Nematode Parasites ◽  
Internal Parasites ◽  
The Future ◽  
Livestock Health

AbstractEthnomedicine is an integral part of traditional medical practices in many countries of the developing world. A large proportion of the population uses this form of treatment for primary health care and for the treatment of ailments in their livestock. Livestock is a major asset for resource-poor smallholder farmers and pastoralists throughout the world and internal parasites are recognized by these communities as having an impact on livestock health. Parasitic infections are among those infections that traditional healers confidently treat and against which an enormous variety of remedies exist. Many of these are based on the use of plant preparations. Although various methods have been used for the validation of traditional phytomedical preparations, there is a lack of standardization of these procedures. The present study is aimed at providing an overview of ethnoveterinary deworming preparations, the various methods that have been used in their validation and the future prospects for their use against helminth parasites of ruminant livestock in developing countries, with an emphasis on nematode parasites. Recommendations are made on the procedures that should be followed to conduct in vivo and in vitro assays. Fostering better interaction between traditional healers and scientists is advocated to prevent harmful overexploitation, both of local knowledge and of plant species that may have effects against nematode parasites.

Synaptic Plasticity In Vitro and In Silico: Insights into an Intracellular Signaling Maze

Physiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sriram M. Ajay ◽  
Upinder S. Bhalla
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Signaling Networks ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Current State ◽  
History Of

Synaptic plasticity provides a record of neuronal activity and is a likely basis for memory. The early apparent simplicity of the process of synaptic plasticity has been lost in a flood of experimental data that now implicates some 200 signaling molecules in cellular memory. It is now clear that these signaling networks perform surprisingly sophisticated cellular decisions that weigh factors such as input patterns, location of stimulus, history of activity, and context. Computer models have followed experiments into this maze of molecular detail, often matching closely with their experimental counterparts, but perhaps losing simplicity in the process. Here, we suggest that the merger of models and experiment have begun to restore the earlier simplicity by outlining a few key functional roles for signaling networks in synaptic plasticity. In this review, we discuss the current state of understanding of synaptic plasticity in terms of models and experiments.

scholarly journals Ex VivoMaturation Assay for Testing Antimalarial Sensitivity of Rodent Malaria Parasites

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 6859-6866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Wei Chang ◽  
Benoit Malleret ◽  
Bruce Russell ◽  
Laurent Rénia ◽  
Carla Claser
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Parasite Development ◽  
Ring Stage ◽  
Malaria Parasites ◽  
Rodent Malaria ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parasite Biology

ABSTRACTEx vivoassay systems provide a powerful approach to studying human malaria parasite biology and to testing antimalarials. For rodent malaria parasites, short-termin vitroculture andex vivoantimalarial susceptibility assays are relatively cumbersome, relying onin vivopassage for synchronization, since ring-stage parasites are an essential starting material. Here, we describe a new approach based on the enrichment of ring-stagePlasmodium berghei,P. yoelii, andP. vinckei vinckeiusing a single-step Percoll gradient. Importantly, we demonstrate that the enriched ring-stage parasites develop synchronously regardless of the parasite strain or species used. Using a flow cytometry assay with Hoechst and ethidium or MitoTracker dye, we show that parasite development is easily and rapidly monitored. Finally, we demonstrate that this approach can be used to screen antimalarial drugs.

scholarly journals The state of art of neutrophil extracellular traps in protozoan and helminthic infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
César Díaz-Godínez ◽  
Julio C. Carrero
Keyword(s):  
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Extracellular Traps ◽  
Helminthic Infections ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Net Release

AbstractNeutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are DNA fibers associated with histones, enzymes from neutrophil granules and anti-microbial peptides. NETs are released in a process denominated NETosis, which involves sequential steps that culminate with the DNA extrusion. NETosis has been described as a new mechanism of innate immunity related to defense against different pathogens. The initial studies of NETs were carried out with bacteria and fungi, but currently a large variety of microorganisms capable of inducing NETs have been described including protozoan and helminth parasites. Nevertheless, we have little knowledge about how NETosis process is carried out in response to the parasites, and about its implication in the resolution of this kind of disease. In the best case, the NETs entrap and kill parasites in vitro, but in others, immobilize the parasites without affecting their viability. Moreover, insufficient studies on the NETs in animal models of infections that would help to define their role, and the association of NETs with chronic inflammatory pathologies such as those occurring in several parasitic infections have left open the possibility of NETs contributing to pathology instead of protection. In this review, we focus on the reported mechanisms that lead to NET release by protozoan and helminth parasites and the evidence that support the role of NETosis in the resolution or pathogenesis of parasitic diseases.

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