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Parasite Biology and Host-Parasite Interactions: 2nd Edition
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Parasite Biology and Host-Parasite Interactions: 2nd Edition

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2024 | Viewed by 3791

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Michael Stear

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Australia
Interests: genetic variation in immunity to nematodes; selective breeding for disease resistance; host–parasite interactions; immunomodulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Katarzyna Donskow-Lysoniewska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Experimental Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University, 02-662 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: nematodes; Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri infection model; immunomodulation; regulatory T cells; immunomodulatory proteins; autoimmune disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue continues on from the previous edition, “Parasite Biology and Host-Parasite Interactions”.

Protozoan and metazoan parasites are a major cause of disease and death in humans and domestic animals, including livestock and wildlife. Host–parasite interactions are complex, with the host immune response recognizing hundreds of parasite molecules and parasites through multiple mechanisms and producing multiple molecules to manipulate the immune system. Nonetheless, there has been steady progress in understanding and controlling parasite infections.

This Special Issue will bring together original research articles and reviews to collate our knowledge of parasite biology, the interactions between hosts and parasites, and progress in parasite control and to highlight approaches that are proving to be productive. Although the focus of this issue is molecular interactions, clinical submissions presenting biomolecular experiments are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Michael Stear
Dr. Katarzyna Donskow-Lysoniewska
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • parasite
  • immunity
  • immunomodulation
  • helper T cells
  • IgA
  • IgE
  • eosinophils
  • mast cells
  • regulatory T cells
  • galectin

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2430 KiB  
Article
Nematode Galectin Inhibits Basophilic Leukaemia RBL-2H3 Cells Apoptosis in IgE-Mediated Activation
by Marta Maruszewska-Cheruiyot, Ludmiła Szewczak, Katarzyna Krawczak-Wójcik, Michael James Stear and Katarzyna Donskow-Łysoniewska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7419; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137419 - 6 Jul 2024
Viewed by 411
Abstract
Mast cells are essential immune cells involved in the host’s defence against gastrointestinal nematodes. To evade the immune response, parasitic nematodes produce a variety of molecules. Galectin 1, produced by Teladorsagia circumcincta (Tci-gal-1), reduces mast cell degranulation and selectively regulates mediator production and [...] Read more.
Mast cells are essential immune cells involved in the host’s defence against gastrointestinal nematodes. To evade the immune response, parasitic nematodes produce a variety of molecules. Galectin 1, produced by Teladorsagia circumcincta (Tci-gal-1), reduces mast cell degranulation and selectively regulates mediator production and release in an IgE-dependent manner. To uncover the activity of Tci-gal-1, we have examined the effect of the protein on gene expression, protein production, and apoptosis in activated basophilic leukaemia RBL-2H3 cells. Rat RBL-2H3 cells were activated with anti-DNP IgE and DNP-HSA, and then treated with Tci-gal-1. Microarray analysis was used to examine gene expression. The levels of several apoptosis-related molecules and cytokines were determined using antibody arrays and ELISA. Early and late apoptosis was evaluated cytometrically. Degranulation of cells was determined by a β-hexosaminidase release assay. Treatment of activated RBL-2H3 cells with Tci-gal-1 resulted in inhibited apoptosis and decreased degranulation, although we did not detect significant changes in gene expression. The production of pro-apoptotic molecules, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and Fas ligand (FasL), and the cytokines IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-α, and IL-2 was strongly inhibited. Tci-gal-1 modulates apoptosis, degranulation, and production of cytokines by activated RBL-2H3 cells without detectable influence on gene transcription. This parasite protein is crucial for modulation of the protective immune response and the inhibition of chronic inflammation driven by mast cell activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasite Biology and Host-Parasite Interactions: 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 1163 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Genomic and Transcriptomic Resources for Trichinella pseudospiralis and T. spiralis to Underpin the Discovery of Molecular Differences between Stages and Species
by Pasi K. Korhonen, Giuseppe La Rosa, Sunita B. Sumanam, Maria Angeles Gomez Morales, Alessandra Ludovisi, Edoardo Pozio, Daniele Tonanzi, Bill C. H. Chang, Neil D. Young and Robin B. Gasser
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7366; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137366 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 457
Abstract
Nematodes of the genus Trichinella are important pathogens of humans and animals. This study aimed to enhance the genomic and transcriptomic resources for T. pseudospiralis (non-encapsulated phenotype) and T. spiralis (encapsulated phenotype) and to explore transcriptional profiles. First, we improved the assemblies of [...] Read more.
Nematodes of the genus Trichinella are important pathogens of humans and animals. This study aimed to enhance the genomic and transcriptomic resources for T. pseudospiralis (non-encapsulated phenotype) and T. spiralis (encapsulated phenotype) and to explore transcriptional profiles. First, we improved the assemblies of the genomes of T. pseudospiralis (code ISS13) and T. spiralis (code ISS534), achieving genome sizes of 56.6 Mb (320 scaffolds, and an N50 of 1.02 Mb) and 63.5 Mb (568 scaffolds, and an N50 value of 0.44 Mb), respectively. Then, for each species, we produced RNA sequence data for three key developmental stages (first-stage muscle larvae [L1s], adults, and newborn larvae [NBLs]; three replicates for each stage), analysed differential transcription between stages, and explored enriched pathways and processes between species. Stage-specific upregulation was linked to cellular processes, metabolism, and host–parasite interactions, and pathway enrichment analysis showed distinctive biological processes and cellular localisations between species. Indeed, the secreted molecules calmodulin, calreticulin, and calsyntenin—with possible roles in modulating host immune responses and facilitating parasite survival—were unique to T. pseudospiralis and not detected in T. spiralis. These insights into the molecular mechanisms of Trichinella–host interactions might offer possible avenues for developing new interventions against trichinellosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasite Biology and Host-Parasite Interactions: 2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 2643 KiB  
Article
Inference of Essential Genes of the Parasite Haemonchus contortus via Machine Learning
by Túlio L. Campos, Pasi K. Korhonen, Neil D. Young, Tao Wang, Jiangning Song, Richard Marhoefer, Bill C. H. Chang, Paul M. Selzer and Robin B. Gasser
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137015 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 998
Abstract
Over the years, comprehensive explorations of the model organisms Caenorhabditis elegans (elegant worm) and Drosophila melanogaster (vinegar fly) have contributed substantially to our understanding of complex biological processes and pathways in multicellular organisms generally. Extensive functional genomic–phenomic, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data sets [...] Read more.
Over the years, comprehensive explorations of the model organisms Caenorhabditis elegans (elegant worm) and Drosophila melanogaster (vinegar fly) have contributed substantially to our understanding of complex biological processes and pathways in multicellular organisms generally. Extensive functional genomic–phenomic, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data sets have enabled the discovery and characterisation of genes that are crucial for life, called ‘essential genes’. Recently, we investigated the feasibility of inferring essential genes from such data sets using advanced bioinformatics and showed that a machine learning (ML)-based workflow could be used to extract or engineer features from DNA, RNA, protein, and/or cellular data/information to underpin the reliable prediction of essential genes both within and between C. elegans and D. melanogaster. As these are two distantly related species within the Ecdysozoa, we proposed that this ML approach would be particularly well suited for species that are within the same phylum or evolutionary clade. In the present study, we cross-predicted essential genes within the phylum Nematoda (evolutionary clade V)—between C. elegans and the pathogenic parasitic nematode H. contortus—and then ranked and prioritised H. contortus proteins encoded by these genes as intervention (e.g., drug) target candidates. Using strong, validated predictors, we inferred essential genes of H. contortus that are involved predominantly in crucial biological processes/pathways including ribosome biogenesis, translation, RNA binding/processing, and signalling and which are highly transcribed in the germline, somatic gonad precursors, sex myoblasts, vulva cell precursors, various nerve cells, glia, or hypodermis. The findings indicate that this in silico workflow provides a promising avenue to identify and prioritise panels/groups of drug target candidates in parasitic nematodes for experimental validation in vitro and/or in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasite Biology and Host-Parasite Interactions: 2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 2105 KiB  
Article
The Development of Toxoplasma gondii Recombinant Trivalent Chimeric Proteins as an Alternative to Toxoplasma Lysate Antigen (TLA) in Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Detection of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Small Ruminants
by Bartłomiej Tomasz Ferra, Maciej Chyb, Karolina Sołowińska, Lucyna Holec-Gąsior, Marta Skwarecka, Karolina Baranowicz and Justyna Gatkowska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4384; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084384 - 16 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1336
Abstract
This study presents an evaluation of seventeen newly produced recombinant trivalent chimeric proteins (containing the same immunodominant fragment of SAG1 and SAG2 of Toxoplasma gondii antigens, and an additional immunodominant fragment of one of the parasite antigens, such as AMA1, GRA1, GRA2, GRA5, [...] Read more.
This study presents an evaluation of seventeen newly produced recombinant trivalent chimeric proteins (containing the same immunodominant fragment of SAG1 and SAG2 of Toxoplasma gondii antigens, and an additional immunodominant fragment of one of the parasite antigens, such as AMA1, GRA1, GRA2, GRA5, GRA6, GRA7, GRA9, LDH2, MAG1, MIC1, MIC3, P35, and ROP1) as a potential alternative to the whole-cell tachyzoite lysate (TLA) used in the detection of infection in small ruminants. These recombinant proteins, obtained by genetic engineering and molecular biology methods, were tested for their reactivity with specific anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies contained in serum samples of small ruminants (192 samples of sheep serum and 95 samples of goat serum) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The reactivity of six recombinant trivalent chimeric proteins (SAG1-SAG2-GRA5, SAG1-SAG2-GRA9, SAG1-SAG2-MIC1, SAG1-SAG2-MIC3, SAG1-SAG2-P35, and SAG1-SAG2-ROP1) with IgG antibodies generated during T. gondii invasion was comparable to the sensitivity of TLA-based IgG ELISA (100%). The obtained results show a strong correlation with the results obtained for TLA. This suggests that these protein preparations may be a potential alternative to TLA used in commercial tests and could be used to develop a cheaper test for the detection of parasite infection in small ruminants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasite Biology and Host-Parasite Interactions: 2nd Edition)
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