Project description:In this study, the composition of ES of male and female L4 stage Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri in the presence (cultured together) or absence (cultured alone) of the opposite sex was examined using mass spectrometry.
Project description:We report analyses of the types and amounts of microRNAs found in culture media recovered after incubating approximately 3300 H. p. bakeri adult worms for 48 hours.
Project description:The aim of the study was to evaluate excretory-secretory protein set produced by nematode H. polygyrus L4 stage male and female developed in colitic milienu. Mass spectrometry was used to identify proteins. OmicsBox was used to investigate the functions of the discovered proteins.
Project description:Heligmosomoides polygyrus is a natural intestinal parasite of mice which exerts wide ranging modulatory effects on the immune system. This experiment was designed to investigate its abillity to modify intestinal epithelial cells, which form part of its natural niche. We tested gene expression in vitro, in differentiating organoids of small intestinal origin, exposed to cytokines and the released products of the parasite, termed HpES.
Project description:BackgroundExcretory-secretory (ES) products are crucial in maintaining helminths in the host. Consequently, the proteins of ES are potential vaccine molecules and potential therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases. Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri, a gastrointestinal parasite of mice, is a model of hookworm infection in humans. ES produced by both sexes of H. polygyrus bakeri L4 stage cultured separately shows different immunomodulatory properties than ES obtained when both sexes are cultured together. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to identify and compare the excretory-secretory molecules from single-sex and mixed cultures.MethodsThe composition of ES of male and female L4 stage nematodes in the presence (cultured together) or absence (cultured alone) of the opposite sex was examined. Proteins were identified using mass spectrometry. The functions of identified proteins were explored with Blast2GO.ResultsA total of 258 proteins derived from mixed larval culture in the presence of sex pheromones were identified, 160 proteins from pure female cultures and 172 from pure male cultures. Exposure of nematodes to the sex pheromones results in abundant production of proteins with immunomodulatory properties such as Val proteins, acetylcholinesterases, TGF-? mimic 9 and HpARI. Proteins found only in ES from mixed larval cultures were TGF-? mimics 6 and 7 as well as galectin.ConclusionsThe presence of the opposite sex strongly influences the composition of ES products, probably by chemical (pheromone) communication between individuals. However, examination of the composition of ES from various conditions gives an opportunity for searching for new potentially therapeutic compounds and anthelminthics as well as components of vaccines. Manipulation of the nematode environment might be important for the studies on the immunomodulatory potential of nematodes.
Project description:Exosomes secreted by a nematode parasite transfer small RNAs to mammalian cells and regulate genes of the innate immune system [Heligmosomoides polygyrus]
Project description:In mammalian systems, extracellular small RNAs can operate in a paracrine manner to communicate information between cells, relying on transport within vesicles. “Foreign” small RNAs derived from bacteria, plants and parasites have also been detected in mammalian body fluids, sparking interest in whether these could mediate inter-species communication. However, there is no mechanistic framework for RNA-mediated interspecies communication and the active movement of RNA via vesicles has not been shown outside of mammals. Here we demonstrate that specific microRNAs and Y RNAs are packaged into vesicles secreted by a gastrointestinal nematode, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, which naturally infects mice. Total RNA was extracted from the secretion product of adult worms and compared to the profile of small RNAs in adult worms, eggs and infective larvae.