Project description:This study aims to investigate the immunemodulatory effects of excretory-secretory products (ESPs) from the parasite Taenia solium on human macrophages to understand immunopathogenesis of neurocysticercosis (NCC). NCC is an infection of the central nervous system caused by the larvae of T. solium and is a major contributor to acquired epilepsy. Although ESPs from parasites are known to possess immune-modulating properties, the specific mechanisms of their action in NCC remains unclear. Therefore, this expression study seeks to shed light on the exact mechanism by which T. solium ESPs exert their immune-suppressive effects on human macrophages. Understanding this mechanism can provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of NCC and potentially contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for managing the disease. The study employed miRNA microarray technology to investigate the post-translational effects of excretory-secretory products (ESPs) from Taenia solium on human macrophage function. microRNAs, are small non-coding RNA molecules that play a crucial role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. The aim of study is to identify specific miRNAs that might be responsible for modulating macrophage function. Altered expression of miRNAs can influence the translation and stability of target mRNA molecules, subsequently affecting the production of proteins and the overall function of macrophages, thus affecting immune homeostasis in infection. Understanding the miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms involved in the immune response to T. solium infection can contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of neurocysticercosis and potentially uncover novel therapeutic targets for managing the disease.
Project description:Combined community health programs aiming at health education, preventive antiparasitic chemotherapy, and vaccination of pigs have proven their potential to regionally reduce and even eliminate Taenia solium infections that are associated with a high risk of neurological disease through ingestion of T. solium eggs. Yet it remains challenging to target T. solium endemic regions precisely or to make exact diagnoses in individual patients. One major reason is that the widely available stool microscopy may identify Taenia ssp. eggs in stool samples as such, but fails to distinguish between invasive (T. solium) and less invasive Taenia (T. saginata, T. asiatica, and T. hydatigena) species. The identification of Taenia ssp. eggs in routine stool samples often prompts a time-consuming and frequently unsuccessful epidemiologic workup in remote villages far away from a diagnostic laboratory. Here we present “mail order” single egg RNA-sequencing, a new method allowing the identification of the exact Taenia ssp. based on a few eggs found in routine diagnostic stool samples. We provide first T. solium transcriptome data, which show extremely high mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transcript counts that can be used for subspecies identification. “Mail order” RNA-sequencing can be administered by health personnel equipped with basic laboratory tools such as a microscope, a Bunsen burner, and access to an international post office for shipment of samples to a next generation sequencing facility. Our suggested workflow combines traditional stool microscopy, RNA-extraction from single Taenia eggs with mitochondrial RNA-sequencing, followed by bioinformatic processing with a basic laptop computer. The workflow could help to better target preventive healthcare measures and improve diagnostic specificity in individual patients based on incidental findings of Taenia ssp. eggs in diagnostic laboratories with limited resources.
Project description:Here, in this objective by employing 2D_gel electrophoresis and NCC positive serum sample, we identified immune reactive proteins present in Taenia solium cyst fluid that were subsequently utilized for in-silico vaccine preparation.
Project description:We tested the ability of helminth Taenia crassiceps parasite excreted/secreted products (TcES) to induce a regulatory-associated profile in bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). We also compared gene expression and microRNA profile of BMDMs exposed to TcES with those exposed to LPS which elicits a well-known inflammatory program.
Project description:We tested the ability of helminth Taenia crassiceps parasite excreted/secreted products (TcES) to induce a regulatory-associated profile in bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). We also compared gene expression and microRNA profile of BMDMs exposed to TcES with those exposed to LPS which elicits a well-known inflammatory program.