Dataset Information

TGF-? superfamily members from the helminth Fasciola hepatica show intrinsic effects on viability and development.

ABSTRACT: The helminth Fasciola hepatica causes fasciolosis throughout the world, a major disease of livestock and an emerging zoonotic disease in humans. Sustainable control mechanisms such as vaccination are urgently required. To discover potential vaccine targets we undertook a genome screen to identify members of the transforming growth factor (TGF) family of proteins. Herein we describe the discovery of three ligands belonging to this superfamily and the cloning and characterisation of an activin/TGF like molecule we term FhTLM. FhTLM has a limited expression pattern both temporally across the parasite stages but also spatially within the worm. Furthermore, a recombinant form of this protein is able to enhance the rate (or magnitude) of multiple developmental processes of the parasite indicating a conserved role for this protein superfamily in the developmental biology of a major trematode parasite. Our study demonstrates for the first time the existence of this protein superfamily within F. hepatica and assigns a function to one of the three identified ligands. Moreover further exploration of this superfamily may yield future targets for diagnostic or vaccination purposes due to its stage restricted expression and functional role.

SUBMITTER: Japa O

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4354977 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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TGF-β superfamily members from the helminth Fasciola hepatica show intrinsic effects on viability and development.

Japa Ornampai O Hodgkinson Jane E JE Emes Richard D RD Flynn Robin J RJ

Veterinary research 20150311

The helminth Fasciola hepatica causes fasciolosis throughout the world, a major disease of livestock and an emerging zoonotic disease in humans. Sustainable control mechanisms such as vaccination are urgently required. To discover potential vaccine targets we undertook a genome screen to identify members of the transforming growth factor (TGF) family of proteins. Herein we describe the discovery of three ligands belonging to this superfamily and the cloning and characterisation of an activin/TGF ...[more]

PMID: 25879787

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Project description:BackgroundFasciola hepatica (liver fluke) affects grazing animals including horses but the extent to which it affects UK horses is unknown.ObjectivesTo define how liver fluke affects the UK horse population.Study designDescriptive, cross-sectional, observational study.MethodsAn F. hepatica excretory-secretory antibody detection ELISA with a diagnostic sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 97% was validated and used to analyse serum samples. An abattoir study was performed to determine prevalence. A case-control study of 269 horses compared fluke exposure between horses with liver disease and controls. Data on clinical signs and blood test results were collected for sero-positive horses. Genotyping of adult fluke was used to produce a multilocus genotype for each parasite.ResultsFour (2.2%) of 183 horses registered in the UK, sampled in the abattoir, had adult flukes in the liver, and the sero-prevalence of F. hepatica was estimated as 8.7%. In the case-control study, horses showing signs consistent with liver disease had significantly higher odds of testing positive for F. hepatica on ELISA than control horses. In 23 sero-positive horses, a range of non-specific clinical signs and blood test abnormalities was reported, with a third of the horses showing no signs. Genotypic analysis of liver flukes from horses provided evidence that these came from the same population as flukes from sheep and cattle.Main limitationsBias could have arisen in the prevalence and case-control studies due to convenience sampling methods, in particular the geographic origin of the horses. Only a small number of horses tested positive so the data on clinical signs are limited.ConclusionsExposure to liver fluke occurs frequently in horses and may be an under-recognised cause of liver disease. Flukes isolated from horses are from the same population as those found in ruminants. When designing and implementing parasite control plans, fluke should be considered, and horses should be tested if appropriate.

Dataset Information

TGF-? superfamily members from the helminth Fasciola hepatica show intrinsic effects on viability and development.

Publications

TGF-β superfamily members from the helminth Fasciola hepatica show intrinsic effects on viability and development.

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