Dataset Information

Dual RNA-seq reveals no plastic transcriptional response of the coccidian parasite Eimeria falciformis to host immune defenses.

ABSTRACT: Parasites can either respond to differences in immune defenses that exist between individual hosts plastically or, alternatively, follow a genetically canalized ("hard wired") program of infection. Assuming that large-scale functional plasticity would be discernible in the parasite transcriptome we have performed a dual RNA-seq study of the lifecycle of Eimeria falciformis using infected mice with different immune status as models for coccidian infections.We compared parasite and host transcriptomes (dual transcriptome) between naïve and challenge infected mice, as well as between immune competent and immune deficient ones. Mice with different immune competence show transcriptional differences as well as differences in parasite reproduction (oocyst shedding). Broad gene categories represented by differently abundant host genes indicate enrichments for immune reaction and tissue repair functions. More specifically, TGF-beta, EGF, TNF and IL-1 and IL-6 are examples of functional annotations represented differently depending on host immune status. Much in contrast, parasite transcriptomes were neither different between Coccidia isolated from immune competent and immune deficient mice, nor between those harvested from naïve and challenge infected mice. Instead, parasite transcriptomes have distinct profiles early and late in infection, characterized largely by biosynthesis or motility associated functional gene groups, respectively. Extracellular sporozoite and oocyst stages showed distinct transcriptional profiles and sporozoite transcriptomes were found enriched for species specific genes and likely pathogenicity factors.We propose that the niche and host-specific parasite E. falciformis uses a genetically canalized program of infection. This program is likely fixed in an evolutionary process rather than employing phenotypic plasticity to interact with its host. This in turn might limit the potential of the parasite to adapt to new host species or niches, forcing it to coevolve with its host.

SUBMITTER: Ehret T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5584376 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Dual RNA-seq reveals no plastic transcriptional response of the coccidian parasite Eimeria falciformis to host immune defenses.

Ehret Totta T Spork Simone S Dieterich Christoph C Lucius Richard R Heitlinger Emanuel E

BMC genomics 20170905 1

<h4>Background</h4>Parasites can either respond to differences in immune defenses that exist between individual hosts plastically or, alternatively, follow a genetically canalized ("hard wired") program of infection. Assuming that large-scale functional plasticity would be discernible in the parasite transcriptome we have performed a dual RNA-seq study of the lifecycle of Eimeria falciformis using infected mice with different immune status as models for coccidian infections.<h4>Results</h4>We co ...[more]

PMID: 28870168

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Project description:Intracellular parasites reprogram the host functions for their survival and reproduction. Conversely, the infected host attempts to defend the microbial insult. The extent and relevance of parasite-mediated host response in vivo remains poorly studied. We utilized Eimeria falciformis, an obligate intracellular parasite completing its entire life cycle in the mouse intestinal epithelium, to identify and validate the host determinants of the parasite infection. The most prominent mouse genes induced during the onset of asexual (24 hrs) and sexual (144 hrs) parasite cycle include IFNg-regulated factors, e.g., immunity-related GTPases IRGA6/B6/D/M2/M3, guanylate-binding proteins GBP2/3/5/8, chemokines CxCL9-11 and several enzymes of the kynurenine pathway including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). These results indicated a multifarious innate defense (tryptophan catabolism, IRG, GBP, chemokines signaling) mounted by epithelial cells, and a consequential adaptive immune response (chemokines-cytokines signaling, lymphocyte recruitment). A notable increase in the inflammation- and immunity-associated transcripts correlated with the severity of infection and influx of B-cells, T-cells and macrophages to the parasitized tissue. Indeed, parasite growth was enhanced in the animals inhibited for CxCr3, a major chemokine receptor on immune cells. Interestingly, despite a prominent induction, the mouse IRGB6 failed to recognize and disrupt the parasitophorous vacuole in the parasite cultures, implying an immune evasion by E. falciformis. Likewise, the oocyst output was impaired in IFNg-R-/- and IDO1-/- mice, which signifies a subversion of IFNg-signaling by the parasite to promote its growth. In brief, the Eimeria-rodent model shows contrasting roles of IFNg-signaling for parasite development, identifies a retinue of potential host determinants, and epitomizes its efficacy for in vivo parasite-host interaction studies. Microarray experiments were performed as dual-color hybridizations on Agilent mouse whole genome catalog 44K arrays. To compensate for dye-specific effects, a dye-reversal color-swap was applied.

Project description:BackgroundParasite biology, by its very nature, cannot be understood without integrating it with that of the host, nor can the host response be adequately explained without considering the activity of the parasite. However, due to experimental limitations, molecular studies of parasite-host systems have been predominantly one-sided investigations focusing on either of the partners involved. Here, we conducted a dual RNA-seq time course analysis of filarial worm parasite and host mosquito to better understand the parasite processes underlying development in and interaction with the host tissue, from the establishment of infection to the development of infective-stage larva.Methodology/principal findingsUsing the Brugia malayi-Aedes aegypti system, we report parasite gene transcription dynamics, which exhibited a highly ordered developmental program consisting of a series of cyclical and state-transitioning temporal patterns. In addition, we contextualized these parasite data in relation to the concurrent dynamics of the host transcriptome. Comparative analyses using uninfected tissues and different host strains revealed the influence of parasite development on host gene transcription as well as the influence of the host environment on parasite gene transcription. We also critically evaluated the life-cycle transcriptome of B. malayi by comparing developmental stages in the mosquito relative to those in the mammalian host, providing insight into gene expression changes underpinning the mosquito-borne parasitic lifestyle of this heteroxenous parasite.Conclusions/significanceThe data presented herein provide the research community with information to design wet lab experiments and select candidates for future study to more fully dissect the whole set of molecular interactions of both organisms in this mosquito-filarial worm symbiotic relationship. Furthermore, characterization of the transcriptional program over the complete life cycle of the parasite, including stages within the mosquito, could help devise novel targets for control strategies.

Dataset Information

Dual RNA-seq reveals no plastic transcriptional response of the coccidian parasite Eimeria falciformis to host immune defenses.

Publications

Dual RNA-seq reveals no plastic transcriptional response of the coccidian parasite Eimeria falciformis to host immune defenses.

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