Cell repertoire and proliferation of germinative cells of the model cestode Mesocestoides corti.

The phylum Platyhelminthes shares a unique population of undifferentiated cells responsible for the proliferation capacity needed for cell renewal, growth, tissue repair and regeneration. These cells have been extensively studied in free-living flatworms, whereas in cestodes the presence of a set of undifferentiated cells, known as germinative cells, has been demonstrated in classical morphology studies, but poorly characterized with molecular biology approaches. Furthermore, several genes have been identified as neoblast markers in free-living flatworms that deserve study in cestode models. Here, different cell types of the model cestode Mesocestoides corti were characterized, identifying differentiated and germinative cells. Muscle cells, tegumental cells, calcareous corpuscle precursor cells and excretory system cells were identified, all of which are non-proliferative, differentiated cell types. Besides those, germinative cells were identified as a population of small cells with proliferative capacity in vivo. Primary cell culture experiments in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), Echinococcus hydatid fluid and hepatocyte conditioned media in non-reductive or reductive conditions confirmed that the germinative cells were the only ones with proliferative capacity. Since several genes have been identified as markers of undifferentiated neoblast cells in free-living flatworms, the expression of pumilio and pL10 genes was analysed by qPCR and in situ hybridization, showing that the expression of these genes was stronger in germinative cells but not restricted to this cell type. This study provides the first tools to analyse and further characterise undifferentiated cells in a model cestode.

Transcriptional effects of electroporation on Echinococcus multilocularis primary cell culture.

Echinococcus multilocularis is the etiological agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a serious parasitic disease in the Northern Hemisphere. The E. multilocularis primary cell cultivation system, together with E. multilocularis genome data and a range of pioneering molecular-based tools have advanced the research on this and other cestodes. RNA interference (RNAi) and microRNA knock-down have recently contributed to the study of the cellular and molecular basis of tapeworm development and host-parasite interaction. These, as well as other techniques, normally involve an electroporation step for the delivery of RNA, DNA, peptides, and small molecules into cells. Using transcriptome data and bioinformatic analyses, we herein report a genome-wide comparison between primary cells of E. multilocularis and primary cells under electroporated conditions after 48 h of culture. We observed that ~ 15% of genes showed a significant variation in expression level, including highly upregulated genes in electroporated cells, putatively involved in detoxification and membrane remodeling. Furthermore, we found genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, proteolysis, calcium ion binding and microtubule processing significantly altered, which could explain the cellular dispersion and the reduced formation of cellular aggregates observed during the first 48 h after electroporation.

Metformin Suppresses Development of the Echinococcus multilocularis Larval Stage by Targeting the TOR Pathway.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe disease caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis Current chemotherapeutic treatment options based on benzimidazoles are of limited effectiveness, which underlines the need to find new antiechinococcosis drugs. Metformin is an antihyperglycemic and antiproliferative agent that shows activity against the related parasite Echinococcus granulosus Hence, we assessed the in vitro and in vivo effects of the drug on E. multilocularis Metformin exerted significant dose-dependent killing effects on in vitro cultured parasite stem cells and protoscoleces and significantly reduced the dedifferentiation of protoscoleces into metacestodes. Likewise, oral administration of metformin (50 mg/kg of body weight/day for 8 weeks) was effective in achieving a significant reduction of parasite weight in a secondary murine AE model. Our results revealed mitochondrial membrane depolarization, activation of Em-AMPK, suppression of Em-TOR, and overexpression of Em-Atg8 in the germinal layer of metformin-treated metacestode vesicles. The opposite effects on the level of active Em-TOR in response to exogenous insulin and rapamycin suggest that Em-TOR is part of the parasite's insulin signaling pathway. Finally, the presence of the key lysosomal pathway components, through which metformin reportedly acts, was confirmed in the parasite by in silico assays. Taken together, these results introduce metformin as a promising candidate for AE treatment. Although our study highlights the importance of those direct mechanisms by which metformin reduces parasite viability, it does not necessarily preclude any additional systemic effects of the drug that might reduce parasite growth in vivo.

Fatty acid-binding proteins in Echinococcus spp.: the family has grown.

Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are small intracellular proteins that reversibly bind fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. In cestodes, due to their inability to synthesise fatty acids de novo, FABPs have been proposed as essential proteins, and thus, as possible drug targets and/or carriers against these parasites. We performed data mining in Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus genomes in order to test whether this family of proteins is more complex than previously reported. By exploring the genomes of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus, six genes coding for FABPs were found in each organism. In the case of E. granulosus, all of them have different coding sequences, whereas in E. multilocularis, two of the genes code for the same protein. Remarkably, one of the genes (in both cestodes) encodes a FABP with a C-terminal extension unusual for this family of proteins. The newly described genes present variations in their structure in comparison with previously described FABP genes in Echinococcus spp. The coding sequences for E. multilocularis were validated by cloning and sequencing. Moreover, differential expression patterns of FABPs were observed at different stages of the life cycle of E. multilocularis by exploring transcriptomic data from several sources. In summary, FABP family in cestodes is far more complex than previously thought and includes new members that seem to be only present in flatworms.

Divergent Axin and GSK-3 paralogs in the beta-catenin destruction complexes of tapeworms.

The Wnt/beta-catenin pathway has many key roles in the development of animals, including a conserved and central role in the specification of the primary (antero-posterior) body axis. The posterior expression of Wnt ligands and the anterior expression of secreted Wnt inhibitors are known to be conserved during the larval metamorphosis of tapeworms. However, their downstream signaling components for Wnt/beta-catenin signaling have not been characterized. In this work, we have studied the core components of the beta-catenin destruction complex of the human pathogen Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis. We focused on two Axin paralogs that are conserved in tapeworms and other flatworm parasites. Despite their divergent sequences, both Axins could robustly interact with one E. multilocularis beta-catenin paralog and limited its accumulation in a heterologous mammalian expression system. Similarly to what has been described in planarians (free-living flatworms), other beta-catenin paralogs showed limited or no interaction with either Axin and are unlikely to function as effectors in Wnt signaling. Additionally, both Axins interacted with three divergent GSK-3 paralogs that are conserved in free-living and parasitic flatworms. Axin paralogs have highly segregated expression patterns along the antero-posterior axis in the tapeworms E. multilocularis and Hymenolepis microstoma, indicating that different beta-catenin destruction complexes may operate in different regions during their larval metamorphosis.

Comparative analysis of Wnt expression identifies a highly conserved developmental transition in flatworms.

BACKGROUND: Early developmental patterns of flatworms are extremely diverse and difficult to compare between distant groups. In parasitic flatworms, such as tapeworms, this is confounded by highly derived life cycles involving indirect development, and even the true orientation of the tapeworm antero-posterior (AP) axis has been a matter of controversy. In planarians, and metazoans generally, the AP axis is specified by the canonical Wnt pathway, and we hypothesized that it could also underpin axial formation during larval metamorphosis in tapeworms. RESULTS: By comparative gene expression analysis of Wnt components and conserved AP markers in the tapeworms Echinococcus multilocularis and Hymenolepis microstoma, we found remarkable similarities between the early stages of larval metamorphosis in tapeworms and late embryonic and adult development in planarians. We demonstrate posterior expression of specific Wnt factors during larval metamorphosis and show that scolex formation is preceded by localized expression of Wnt inhibitors. In the highly derived larval form of E. multilocularis, which proliferates asexually within the mammalian host, we found ubiquitous expression of posterior Wnt factors combined with localized expression of Wnt inhibitors that correlates with the asexual budding of scoleces. As in planarians, muscle cells are shown to be a source of secreted Wnt ligands, providing an explanation for the retention of a muscle layer in the immotile E. multilocularis larva. CONCLUSIONS: The strong conservation of gene expression between larval metamorphosis in tapeworms and late embryonic development in planarians suggests, for the first time, a homologous developmental period across this diverse phylum. We postulate these to represent the phylotypic stages of these flatworm groups. Our results support the classical notion that the scolex is the true anterior end of tapeworms. Furthermore, the up-regulation of Wnt inhibitors during the specification of multiple anterior poles suggests a mechanism for the unique asexual reproduction of E. multilocularis larvae.

Host insulin stimulates Echinococcus multilocularis insulin signalling pathways and larval development.

BACKGROUND: The metacestode of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, a lethal zoonosis. Infections are initiated through establishment of parasite larvae within the intermediate host's liver, where high concentrations of insulin are present, followed by tumour-like growth of the metacestode in host organs. The molecular mechanisms determining the organ tropism of E. multilocularis or the influences of host hormones on parasite proliferation are poorly understood. RESULTS: Using in vitro cultivation systems for parasite larvae we show that physiological concentrations (10 nM) of human insulin significantly stimulate the formation of metacestode larvae from parasite stem cells and promote asexual growth of the metacestode. Addition of human insulin to parasite larvae led to increased glucose uptake and enhanced phosphorylation of Echinococcus insulin signalling components, including an insulin receptor-like kinase, EmIR1, for which we demonstrate predominant expression in the parasite's glycogen storage cells. We also characterized a second insulin receptor family member, EmIR2, and demonstrated interaction of its ligand binding domain with human insulin in the yeast two-hybrid system. Addition of an insulin receptor inhibitor resulted in metacestode killing, prevented metacestode development from parasite stem cells, and impaired the activation of insulin signalling pathways through host insulin. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that host insulin acts as a stimulant for parasite development within the host liver and that E. multilocularis senses the host hormone through an evolutionarily conserved insulin signalling pathway. Hormonal host-parasite cross-communication, facilitated by the relatively close phylogenetic relationship between E. multilocularis and its mammalian hosts, thus appears to be important in the pathology of alveolar echinococcosis. This contributes to a closer understanding of organ tropism and parasite persistence in larval cestode infections. Furthermore, our data show that Echinococcus insulin signalling pathways are promising targets for the development of novel drugs.

Urogenital schistosomiasis among school children in northwestern Tanzania: Prevalence, intensity of infection, associated factors, and pattern of urinary tract morbidities.

Background: The planning and implementation of intervention measures against schistosomiasis, particularly mass administration, require knowledge of the current status of the infection. This is important for monitoring the impact of the intervention on disease indicators such as a decline in infection prevalence, intensity of infection, and urogenital morbidities. Following repeated rounds of mass treatment in northwestern Tanzania, the epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis has changed; thus, for the effective planning and allocation of resources, it is important to understand the current status of the disease in the targeted groups. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence, intensity, and associated factors of Schistosoma haematobium infection and urinary tract morbidities in school-aged children from northwestern Tanzania. Materials and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren aged 5-17 years between November and December 2022. A single urine sample was collected from each child and examined for the presence of S. haematobium eggs and microhaematuria using a urine filtration technique and a urine reagent dipstick. Each child underwent an ultrasonographic examination of the urinary tract according to the World Health Organization standards (Niamey protocol) to detect S. haematobium-related morbidities. Results: Of the 3225 participants, 54.2 % were female, and the mean age was 10.9 (±1.89) years. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium was 17.7 % (95 % CI: 16.4-19.1, 572/3225). Of the 572 infected children, 81.8 % (95 % CI: 78.4-84.9, 468/572) had light-intensity infections, and 18.2 % (95 % CI: 14.9-21.4, 104/572) had heavy-intensity infections. The prevalence of macro- and microhaematuria was 2.4 % (95 % CI: 1.9-3) and 18.5 % (95 % CI: 17.2-19.8), respectively. Age (aOR: 1.2, 95 % CI: 1.0-1.5), district of residence (aOR: 2.1, 95 % CI: 1.7-2.7) and history of schistosomiasis (aOR: 2.5, 95 % CI: 1.9-3.2) were significantly associated with urinary schistosomiasis infection. However, swallowing praziquantel during the last mass drug administration was protective (aOR 0.6, 95 % CI: 0.4-0.8). The overall prevalence of ultrasound-detectable urinary tract abnormalities was 9.9 % (95 % CI: 8.9-11.1, 299/2994) and included urinary bladder abnormalities in 9.9 % (95 % CI: 8.8-11, 297/2994), ureter abnormalities in 0.2 % (95 % CI: 0.07-0.4, 6/2994), and kidney abnormalities in 0.2 % (95 % CI: 0.09-0.4, 7/2994). Calcification of the urinary bladder was observed in 0.9 % (95 % CI: 0.6-1.3, 29/2994) of the examined children. Conclusions: Schistosoma haematobium infection is still prevalent among schoolchildren in the study setting, and it causes substantial morbidity at an early age. Transmission is driven by the age of the child, district of residence, and history of schistosomiasis. However, swallowing praziquantel in rounds of mass drug administration reduces transmission. Urogenital schistosomiasis infection is associated with haematuria and ultrasound-detectable morbidities. In S. haematobium endemic areas, routine ultrasound screening for urinary tract morbidities could be considered in annual mass treatment programmes for early management. Special attention should be given to children with proteinuria, microhaematuria, and heavy infection intensities.

Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of Echinococcus multilocularis larvae and germinative cell cultures reveals genes involved in parasite stem cell function.

The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis is caused by tumour-like growth of the metacestode stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis within host organs. We previously demonstrated that metacestode proliferation is exclusively driven by somatic stem cells (germinative cells), which are the only mitotically active parasite cells that give rise to all differentiated cell types. The Echinococcus gene repertoire required for germinative cell maintenance and differentiation has not been characterised so far. We herein carried out Illumina sequencing on cDNA from Echinococcus metacestode vesicles, from metacestode tissue depleted of germinative cells, and from Echinococcus primary cell cultures. We identified a set of ~1,180 genes associated with germinative cells, which contained numerous known stem cell markers alongside genes involved in replication, cell cycle regulation, mitosis, meiosis, epigenetic modification, and nucleotide metabolism. Interestingly, we also identified 44 stem cell associated transcription factors that are likely involved in regulating germinative cell differentiation and/or pluripotency. By in situ hybridization and pulse-chase experiments, we also found a new general Echinococcus stem cell marker, EmCIP2Ah, and we provide evidence implying the presence of a slow cycling stem cell sub-population expressing the extracellular matrix factor Emkal1. RNA-Seq analyses on primary cell cultures revealed that metacestode-derived Echinococcus stem cells display an expanded differentiation capability and do not only form differentiated cell types of the metacestode, but also cells expressing genes specific for protoscoleces, adult worms, and oncospheres, including an ortholog of the schistosome praziquantel target, EmTRPMPZQ. Finally, we show that primary cell cultures contain a cell population expressing an ortholog of the tumour necrosis factor α receptor family and that mammalian TNFα accelerates the development of metacestode vesicles from germinative cells. Taken together, our analyses provide a robust and comprehensive characterization of the Echinococcus germinative cell transcriptome, demonstrate expanded differentiation capability of metacestode derived stem cells, and underscore the potential of primary germinative cell cultures to investigate developmental processes of the parasite. These data are relevant for studies into the role of Echinococcus stem cells in parasite development and will facilitate the design of anti-parasitic drugs that specifically act on the parasite germinative cell compartment.

Cytosine methylation is a conserved epigenetic feature found throughout the phylum Platyhelminthes.

BACKGROUND: The phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms) contains an important group of bilaterian organisms responsible for many debilitating and chronic infectious diseases of human and animal populations inhabiting the planet today. In addition to their biomedical and veterinary relevance, some platyhelminths are also frequently used models for understanding tissue regeneration and stem cell biology. Therefore, the molecular (genetic and epigenetic) characteristics that underlie trophic specialism, pathogenicity or developmental maturation are likely to be pivotal in our continued studies of this important metazoan group. Indeed, in contrast to earlier studies that failed to detect evidence of cytosine or adenine methylation in parasitic flatworm taxa, our laboratory has recently defined a critical role for cytosine methylation in Schistosoma mansoni oviposition, egg maturation and ovarian development. Thus, in order to identify whether this epigenetic modification features in other platyhelminth species or is a novelty of S. mansoni, we conducted a study simultaneously surveying for DNA methylation machinery components and DNA methylation marks throughout the phylum using both parasitic and non-parasitic representatives. RESULTS: Firstly, using both S. mansoni DNA methyltransferase 2 (SmDNMT2) and methyl-CpG binding domain protein (SmMBD) as query sequences, we illustrate that essential DNA methylation machinery components are well conserved throughout the phylum. Secondly, using both molecular (methylation specific amplification polymorphism, MSAP) and immunological (enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay, ELISA) methodologies, we demonstrate that representative species (Echinococcus multilocularis, Protopolystoma xenopodis, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum, Fasciola hepatica and Polycelis nigra) within all four platyhelminth classes (Cestoda, Monogenea, Trematoda and 'Turbellaria') contain methylated cytosines within their genome compartments. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings provide the first direct evidence for a functionally conserved and enzymatically active DNA methylation system throughout the Platyhelminthes. Defining how this epigenetic feature shapes phenotypic diversity and development within the phylum represents an exciting new area of metazoan biology.

Anatomy and development of the larval nervous system in Echinococcus multilocularis.

BACKGROUND: The metacestode larva of Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda: Taeniidae) develops in the liver of intermediate hosts (typically rodents, or accidentally in humans) as a labyrinth of interconnected cysts that infiltrate the host tissue, causing the disease alveolar echinococcosis. Within the cysts, protoscoleces (the infective stage for the definitive canid host) arise by asexual multiplication. These consist of a scolex similar to that of the adult, invaginated within a small posterior body. Despite the importance of alveolar echinococcosis for human health, relatively little is known about the basic biology, anatomy and development of E. multilocularis larvae, particularly with regard to their nervous system. RESULTS: We describe the existence of a subtegumental nerve net in the metacestode cysts, which is immunoreactive for acetylated tubulin-α and contains small populations of nerve cells that are labeled by antibodies raised against several invertebrate neuropeptides. However, no evidence was found for the existence of cholinergic or serotoninergic elements in the cyst wall. Muscle fibers occur without any specific arrangement in the subtegumental layer, and accumulate during the invaginations of the cyst wall that form brood capsules, where protoscoleces develop. The nervous system of the protoscolex develops independently of that of the metacestode cyst, with an antero-posterior developmental gradient. The combination of antibodies against several nervous system markers resulted in a detailed description of the protoscolex nervous system, which is remarkably complex and already similar to that of the adult worm. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence for the first time of the existence of a nervous system in the metacestode cyst wall, which is remarkable given the lack of motility of this larval stage, and the lack of serotoninergic and cholinergic elements. We propose that it could function as a neuroendocrine system, derived from the nervous system present in the bladder tissue of other taeniids. The detailed description of the development and anatomy of the protoscolex neuromuscular system is a necessary first step toward the understanding of the developmental mechanisms operating in these peculiar larval stages.

Trans-splicing in the cestode Hymenolepis microstoma is constitutive across the life cycle and depends on gene structure and composition.

Spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing is a key process during mRNA maturation of many eukaryotes, in which a short sequence (SL) is transferred from a precursor SL-RNA into the 5' region of an immature mRNA. This mechanism is present in flatworms, in which it is known to participate in the resolution of polycistronic transcripts. However, most trans-spliced transcripts are not part of operons, and it is not clear if this process may participate in additional regulatory mechanisms in this group. In this work, we present a comprehensive analysis of SL trans-splicing in the model cestode Hymenolepis microstoma. We identified four different SL-RNAs which are indiscriminately trans-spliced to 622 gene models. SL trans-splicing is enriched in constitutively expressed genes and does not appear to be regulated throughout the life cycle. Operons represented at least 20% of all detected trans-spliced gene models, showed conservation to those of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, and included complex loci such as an alternative operon (processed as either a single gene through cis-splicing or as two genes of a polycistron). Most insertion sites were identified in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of monocistronic genes. These genes frequently contained introns in the 5' UTR, in which trans-splicing used the same acceptor sites as cis-splicing. These results suggest that, unlike other eukaryotes, trans-splicing is associated with internal intronic promoters in the 5' UTR, resulting in transcripts with strong splicing acceptor sites without competing cis-donor sites, pointing towards a simple mechanism driving the evolution of novel SL insertion sites.

Establishment and application of unbiased in vitro drug screening assays for the identification of compounds against Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto.

Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus s.l. are the causative agents of alveolar and cystic echinococcosis, respectively. Drug treatment options for these severe and neglected diseases are limited to benzimidazoles, which are not always efficacious, and adverse side effects are reported. Thus, novel and improved treatments are needed. In this study, the previously established platform for E. multilocularis in vitro drug assessment was adapted to E. granulosus s.s. In a first step, in vitro culture protocols for E. granulosus s.s. were established. This resulted in the generation of large amounts of E. granulosus s.s. metacestode vesicles as well as germinal layer (GL) cells. In vitro culture of these cells formed metacestode vesicles displaying structural characteristics of metacestode cysts generated in vivo. Next, drug susceptibilities of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus s.s. protoscoleces, metacestode vesicles and GL cells were comparatively assessed employing established assays including (i) metacestode vesicle damage marker release assay, (ii) metacestode vesicle viability assay, (iii) GL cell viability assay, and (iv) protoscolex motility assay. The standard drugs albendazole, buparvaquone, mefloquine, MMV665807, monepantel, niclosamide and nitazoxanide were included. MMV665807, niclosamide and nitazoxanide were active against the parasite in all four assays against both species. MMV665807 and monepantel were significantly more active against E. multilocularis metacestode vesicles, while albendazole and nitazoxanide were significantly more active against E. multilocularis GL cells. Albendazole displayed activity against E. multilocularis GL cells, but no effects were seen in albendazole-treated E. granulosus s.s. GL cells within five days. Treatment of protoscoleces with albendazole and monepantel had no impact on motility. Similar results were observed for both species with praziquantel and its enantiomers against protoscoleces. In conclusion, in vitro culture techniques and drug screening methods previously established for E. multilocularis were successfully implemented for E. granulosus s.s., allowing comparisons of drug efficacy between the two species. This study provides in vitro culture techniques for the reliable generation of E. granulosus s.s. metacestode vesicles and GL cell cultures and describes the validation of standardized in vitro drug screening methods for E. granulosus s.s.

Circulating Small RNA Profiling of Patients with Alveolar and Cystic Echinococcosis.

Alveolar (AE) and cystic (CE) echinococcosis are two parasitic diseases caused by the tapeworms Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus sensu lato (s. l.), respectively. Currently, AE and CE are mainly diagnosed by means of imaging techniques, serology, and clinical and epidemiological data. However, no viability markers that indicate parasite state during infection are available. Extracellular small RNAs (sRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that can be secreted by cells through association with extracellular vesicles, proteins, or lipoproteins. Circulating sRNAs can show altered expression in pathological states; hence, they are intensively studied as biomarkers for several diseases. Here, we profiled the sRNA transcriptomes of AE and CE patients to identify novel biomarkers to aid in medical decisions when current diagnostic procedures are inconclusive. For this, endogenous and parasitic sRNAs were analyzed by sRNA sequencing in serum from disease negative, positive, and treated patients and patients harboring a non-parasitic lesion. Consequently, 20 differentially expressed sRNAs associated with AE, CE, and/or non-parasitic lesion were identified. Our results represent an in-depth characterization of the effect E. multilocularis and E. granulosus s. l. exert on the extracellular sRNA landscape in human infections and provide a set of novel candidate biomarkers for both AE and CE detection.

Transforming growth factor-ß signalling regulates protoscolex formation in the Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode.

The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by tumor-like, infiltrative growth of the metacestode larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. We previously showed that the metacestode is composed of posteriorized tissue and that the production of the subsequent larval stage, the protoscolex, depends on re-establishment of anterior identities within the metacestode germinative layer. It is, however, unclear so far how protoscolex differentiation in Echinococcus is regulated. We herein characterized the full complement of E. multilocularis TGFß/BMP receptors, which is composed of one type II and three type I receptor serine/threonine kinases. Functional analyzes showed that all Echinococcus TGFß/BMP receptors are enzymatically active and respond to host derived TGFß/BMP ligands for activating downstream Smad transcription factors. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated that the Echinococcus TGFß/BMP receptors are mainly expressed by nerve and muscle cells within the germinative layer and in developing brood capsules. Interestingly, the production of brood capsules, which later give rise to protoscoleces, was strongly suppressed in the presence of inhibitors directed against TGFß/BMP receptors, whereas protoscolex differentiation was accelerated in response to host BMP2 and TGFß. Apart from being responsive to host TGFß/BMP ligands, protoscolex production also correlated with the expression of a parasite-derived TGFß-like ligand, EmACT, which is expressed in early brood capsules and which is strongly expressed in anterior domains during protoscolex development. Taken together, these data indicate an important role of TGFß/BMP signalling in Echinococcus anterior pole formation and protoscolex development. Since TGFß is accumulating around metacestode lesions at later stages of the infection, the host immune response could thus serve as a signal by which the parasite senses the time point at which protoscoleces must be produced. Overall, our data shed new light on molecular mechanisms of host-parasite interaction during AE and are relevant for the development of novel treatment strategies.

Targeting Echinococcus multilocularis PIM kinase for improving anti-parasitic chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The potentially lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the metacestode larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Current AE treatment options are limited and rely on surgery as well as on chemotherapy involving benzimidazoles (BZ). BZ treatment, however, is mostly parasitostatic only, must be given for prolonged time periods, and is associated with adverse side effects. Novel treatment options are thus urgently needed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: By applying a broad range of kinase inhibitors to E. multilocularis stem cell cultures we identified the proto-oncogene PIM kinase as a promising target for anti-AE chemotherapy. The gene encoding the respective E. multilocularis ortholog, EmPim, was characterized and in situ hybridization assays indicated its expression in parasite stem cells. By yeast two-hybrid assays we demonstrate interaction of EmPim with E. multilocularis CDC25, indicating an involvement of EmPim in parasite cell cycle regulation. Small molecule compounds SGI-1776 and CX-6258, originally found to effectively inhibit human PIM kinases, exhibited detrimental effects on in vitro cultured parasite metacestode vesicles and prevented the formation of mature vesicles from parasite stem cell cultures. To improve compound specificity for EmPim, we applied a high throughput in silico modelling approach, leading to the identification of compound Z196138710. When applied to in vitro cultured metacestode vesicles and parasite cell cultures, Z196138710 proved equally detrimental as SGI-1776 and CX-6258 but displayed significantly reduced toxicity towards human HEK293T and HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Repurposing of kinase inhibitors initially designed to affect mammalian kinases for helminth disease treatment is often hampered by adverse side effects of respective compounds on human cells. Here we demonstrate the utility of high throughput in silico approaches to design small molecule compounds of higher specificity for parasite cells. We propose EmPim as a promising target for respective approaches towards AE treatment.

Molecular characterisation of a serum-responsive, DAF-12-like nuclear hormone receptor of the fox-tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.

As the primary mediators of lipophilic and steroid hormone signalling, the family of nuclear receptors (NRs) plays a central role in the regulation of metazoan development. Lipophilic hormones are also thought to be important players in the molecular interaction between larval cestodes and their hosts but no member of the NR family has yet been characterised in this group of parasites. In this work, we provide for the first time evidence for the presence of NRs in cestodes of the genus Echinococcus. By bioinformatic analyses, we identified a set of 17 NRs in the genomes of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus which broadly overlapped with the set of NRs that is expressed by schistosomes, but also contained several members that are unique to cestodes. One of these receptors, EmNHR1, displayed structural homologies to the DAF-12/HR-96 subfamily of NRs that regulates cholesterol homeostasis and longevity in metazoans. By RT-PCR analyses, we demonstrate that the EmNHR1 encoding gene is expressed in all Echinococcus larval stages that are involved in the infection of the intermediate host. By yeast two-hybrid analyses, we further demonstrate cross-communication between EmNHR1 and TGF-ß signalling pathways in Echinococcus and that mammalian serum contains a ligand that induces homodimerisation of the EmNHR1 ligand-binding domain. EmNHR1 could thus play an important role in hormonal host-parasite cross-communication mechanisms during an infection. On the basis of our results, further investigations into the role of NR signalling in cestode development and host-parasite interaction will be greatly facilitated.

Echinococcus multilocularis: molecular characterization of EmSmadE, a novel BR-Smad involved in TGF-ß and BMP signaling.

Smad transcription factors are central components of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways in metazoans, and regulate key developmental processes such as body axis formation or regeneration. In the present study, we have identified and characterized a novel member of this protein family, EmSmadE, in the human parasitic cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis. The cDNA of the corresponding gene, emsmadE, was fully sequenced and shown to encode a protein with considerable homologies to known members of the receptor regulated Smad (R-Smad) family of a wide variety of organisms. EmSmadE contains highly conserved MH1- and MH2-domains and, on the basis of sequence features around the L3 loop region, could be assigned to the BR-Smad subfamily that typically transmits BMP signals. RT-PCR analyses indicated expression of emsmadE in all larval stages that are involved in the infection of the intermediate host. Yeast two-hybrid interaction studies demonstrated that EmSmadE can form homodimers, and is capable of heterodimer formation with the previously identified common Smad (Co-Smad) EmSmadD and the R-Smads, EmSmadA, and EmSmadB. In a heterologous expression system, EmSmadE was specifically phosphorylated at a conserved C-terminal SSVS motif by the human BMP type I receptor and, despite being structurally a BR-Smad, also by the human TGF-ß type I receptor. Taken together, these data indicate that EmSmadE is a functionally active R-Smad that is involved in larval Echinococcus development. The data presented herein will be important for further analyses on the role of TGF-ß/BMP signaling pathways in Echinococcus pattern formation and differentiation.

Serotonin stimulates Echinococcus multilocularis larval development.

BACKGROUND: Serotonin is a phylogenetically ancient molecule that is widely distributed in most metazoans, including flatworms. In addition to its role as a neurotransmitter, serotonin acts as a morphogen and regulates developmental processes. Although several studies have focused on the serotonergic nervous system in parasitic flatworms, little is known on the role of serotonin in flatworm development. METHODS: To study the effects of serotonin on proliferation and development of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, we cloned the genes encoding the E. multilocularis serotonin transporter (SERT) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), analyzed gene expression by transcriptome analysis and whole mount in situ hybridization (WMISH) and performed cell culture experiments. RESULTS: We first characterized orthologues encoding the SERT and TPH, the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin biosynthesis. WMISH and transcriptomic analyses indicated that the genes for both SERT and TPH are expressed in the parasite nervous system. Long-term treatment of parasite stem cell cultures with serotonin stimulated development towards the parasite metacestode stage. Mature metacestode vesicles treated with serotonin showed increased rates of incorporation of the thymidine analogue 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), indicating stimulated cell proliferation. In contrast, treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine strongly affected the viability of parasite cells. Paroxetine also caused structural damage in metacestode vesicles, suggesting that serotonin transport is crucial for the integrity of parasite vesicles. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that serotonin plays an important role in E. multilocularis development and proliferation, providing evidence that the E. multilocularis SERT and TPH are expressed in the nervous system of the protoscolex. Our results further suggest that the E. multilocularis SERT has a secondary role outside the nervous system that is essential for parasite integrity and survival. Since serotonin stimulated E. multilocularis metacestode development and proliferation, serotonin might also contribute to the formation and growth of the parasite in the liver.

A MEKK1 - JNK mitogen activated kinase (MAPK) cascade module is active in Echinococcus multilocularis stem cells.

BACKGROUND: The metacestode larval stage of the fox-tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis causes alveolar echinococcosis by tumour-like growth within the liver of the intermediate host. Metacestode growth and development is stimulated by host-derived cytokines such as insulin, fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor via activation of cognate receptor tyrosine kinases expressed by the parasite. Little is known, however, concerning signal transmission to the parasite nucleus and cross-reaction with other parasite signalling systems. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using bioinformatic approaches, cloning, and yeast two-hybrid analyses we identified a novel mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) cascade module that consists of E. multilocularis orthologs of the tyrosine kinase receptor interactor Growth factor receptor-bound 2, EmGrb2, the MAPK kinase kinase EmMEKK1, a novel MAPK kinase, EmMKK3, and a close homolog to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), EmMPK3. Whole mount in situ hybridization analyses indicated that EmMEKK1 and EmMPK3 are both expressed in E. multilocularis germinative (stem) cells but also in differentiated or differentiating cells. Treatment with the known JNK inhibitor SP600125 led to a significantly reduced formation of metacestode vesicles from stem cells and to a specific reduction of proliferating stem cells in mature metacestode vesicles. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We provide evidence for the expression of a MEKK1-JNK MAPK cascade module which, in mammals, is crucially involved in stress responses, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and apoptosis, in E. multilocularis stem cells. Inhibitor studies indicate an important role of JNK signalling in E. multilocularis stem cell survival and/or maintenance. Our data are relevant for molecular and cellular studies into crosstalk signalling mechanisms that govern Echinococcus stem cell function and introduce the JNK signalling cascade as a possible target of chemotherapeutics against echinococcosis.