Schistosoma japonicum EKLF/KLF1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasis
Abstract Background Interruption of parasite reproduction by targeting migrating schistosomula is a promising strategy for managing schistosomiasis. Hepatic schistosomula proteins previously identified based on second-generation schistosome DNA sequencing were found to hold excellent potential for s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05947-2 |
| _version_ | 1827635433445523456 |
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| author | Xianyu Piao Ning Jiang Shuai Liu Jiamei Duan Hang dai Nan Hou Qijun Chen |
| author_facet | Xianyu Piao Ning Jiang Shuai Liu Jiamei Duan Hang dai Nan Hou Qijun Chen |
| author_sort | Xianyu Piao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Interruption of parasite reproduction by targeting migrating schistosomula is a promising strategy for managing schistosomiasis. Hepatic schistosomula proteins previously identified based on second-generation schistosome DNA sequencing were found to hold excellent potential for schistosomiasis japonica diagnosis and as vaccine candidates. However, there are still many unknown schistosomula proteins that warrant further investigations. Herein, a novel schistosomula protein, the Schistosoma japonicum erythroid Krüppel-like factor (SjEKLF/KLF1), was explored. Methods Sequence alignment was carried out to detect the amino acid sequence characteristics of SjEKLF. The expression profile of SjEKLF was determined by western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the antigenicity of SjEKLF in hosts. Mice immunised with recombinant SjEKLF were challenged to test the potential value of the protein as an immunoprotective target. Results SjEKLF is defined as EKLF/KLF1 for its C-terminal DNA-binding domain. SjEKLF is mainly expressed in hepatic schistosomula and male adults and located within the intestinal intima of the parasites. Notably, high levels of SjEKLF-specific antibodies were detected in host sera and SjEKLF exhibited outstanding sensitivity and specificity for schistosomiasis japonica immunodiagnosis but failed to distinguish between ongoing infection and previous exposure. In addition, SjEKLF immunisation reduced the infection in vivo, resulting in decreased worm and egg counts, and alleviated body weight loss and hepatomegaly in infected mice. Conclusions Overall, these findings demonstrate that SjEKLF is critical for the infection of S. japonicum and may be a potential target to help control S. japonicum infection and transmission. Graphical Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:26:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c969b02f9be94948b3d85429ea5d1ef9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:26:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-c969b02f9be94948b3d85429ea5d1ef92023-11-26T12:29:37ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052023-09-0116111110.1186/s13071-023-05947-2Schistosoma japonicum EKLF/KLF1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasisXianyu Piao0Ning Jiang1Shuai Liu2Jiamei Duan3Hang dai4Nan Hou5Qijun Chen6NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeKey Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Ruminant Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (East), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityNHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeNHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeInstitute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug ControlNHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeNHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeAbstract Background Interruption of parasite reproduction by targeting migrating schistosomula is a promising strategy for managing schistosomiasis. Hepatic schistosomula proteins previously identified based on second-generation schistosome DNA sequencing were found to hold excellent potential for schistosomiasis japonica diagnosis and as vaccine candidates. However, there are still many unknown schistosomula proteins that warrant further investigations. Herein, a novel schistosomula protein, the Schistosoma japonicum erythroid Krüppel-like factor (SjEKLF/KLF1), was explored. Methods Sequence alignment was carried out to detect the amino acid sequence characteristics of SjEKLF. The expression profile of SjEKLF was determined by western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the antigenicity of SjEKLF in hosts. Mice immunised with recombinant SjEKLF were challenged to test the potential value of the protein as an immunoprotective target. Results SjEKLF is defined as EKLF/KLF1 for its C-terminal DNA-binding domain. SjEKLF is mainly expressed in hepatic schistosomula and male adults and located within the intestinal intima of the parasites. Notably, high levels of SjEKLF-specific antibodies were detected in host sera and SjEKLF exhibited outstanding sensitivity and specificity for schistosomiasis japonica immunodiagnosis but failed to distinguish between ongoing infection and previous exposure. In addition, SjEKLF immunisation reduced the infection in vivo, resulting in decreased worm and egg counts, and alleviated body weight loss and hepatomegaly in infected mice. Conclusions Overall, these findings demonstrate that SjEKLF is critical for the infection of S. japonicum and may be a potential target to help control S. japonicum infection and transmission. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05947-2DiagnosisEKLFKLF1Schistosoma japonicumSchistosomiasis |
| spellingShingle | Xianyu Piao Ning Jiang Shuai Liu Jiamei Duan Hang dai Nan Hou Qijun Chen Schistosoma japonicum EKLF/KLF1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasis Parasites & Vectors Diagnosis EKLF KLF1 Schistosoma japonicum Schistosomiasis |
| title | Schistosoma japonicum EKLF/KLF1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasis |
| title_full | Schistosoma japonicum EKLF/KLF1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasis |
| title_fullStr | Schistosoma japonicum EKLF/KLF1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Schistosoma japonicum EKLF/KLF1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasis |
| title_short | Schistosoma japonicum EKLF/KLF1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasis |
| title_sort | schistosoma japonicum eklf klf1 is a potential immune target to tackle schistosomiasis |
| topic | Diagnosis EKLF KLF1 Schistosoma japonicum Schistosomiasis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05947-2 |
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