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Abstract Background Excretory-secretory products released by Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces (EgPSC-ESPs) are well-known to regulate T cell responses. However, their direct influence on the differentiation of B cell subsets remains largely elusive. This study investigated the effects of EgPSC-ESPs on the differentiation of IL-10-producing B cells (B10), and explored the possible role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) signaling in this process. Results In comparison to phosphate buffered saline (PBS), B cells exposed to the excretory–secretory products (ESPs) generated higher percentages of B10 cells, with higher expression of IL-10 mRNA, and larger amount of IL-10 production, which were in a dose dependent way. The mRNA and protein expression of TLR-2 in the ESPs-stimulated B cells were significantly higher than those in PBS, which was consistent to the results in B cells isolated from EgPSC infected mice. Moreover, TLR-2−/− B cells in response to ESPs stimulation expressed lower levels of IL-10 mRNA and produced undetectable IL-10 in comparison to those in normal B cells. In addition, Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten/AKT/Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PTEN/AKT/PI3K) pathway was activated in ESPs-treated B cells, which was also dependent on TLR-2 signaling. Pam3CSK4, the agonist of TLR-2, could mock the effects of ESPs on the expression of PTEN, AKT and PI3K. Conclusion Overall, this study revealed that TLR-2 signaling was required for B10 induction mediated by EgPSC-ESPs, which might be an immunomodulatory target against the parasite infection.

Abstract Background Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) released by helminths are well-known to regulate T cell responses in the host. However, their direct influence in the differentiation of naïve T cells, and especially B cells, remains largely unknown. This study investigated the effects of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces ESPs (EgPSC-ESPs) on the differentiation of IL-10-producing B cells (B10), IL-17A-producing B cells (B17) and Th17 cells. Methods BALB/c mice injected with EgPSC were used to evaluate the in vivo profiles of B10, B17 and Th17 cells. In vitro purified CD19+ B and naïve CD4+ T cells were cultured in the presence of native, heat-inactivated or periodate-treated EgPSC-ESPs, and the differentiation of these cell subsets were compared. Results In contrast to the control group, infected mice showed higher frequencies of B10, B17 and Th17 cells, and higher levels of IL-10 and IL-17A in the sera. Interestingly, B17 cells were first identified to express CD19+CD1dhigh. In vitro, B cells cultured with native ESPs exhibited a higher percentage of B10 cells but lower percentage of B17 and Th17 cells compared to the PBS group. Moreover, the relative expression of IL-10 and IL-17A mRNA were consistent with the altered frequencies. However, ESPs subjected to heat-inactivation or periodate treatment exhibited an inverse effect on the induction of these cell subsets. Conclusions Our findings indicate that ESPs released by EgPSC can directly regulate the differentiation of B10, B17 and Th17 cells, which appear to be heat-labile and carbohydrate-dependent.

Hydatid disease is a term used to refer infection with the methacestode of Echinococcus granulosus parasite in humans, and echinococcusis is restricted to infection with the adult stage in carnivores.Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) represents the major class of detoxification enzymes from helminth parasites such as Echinococcus protoscoleces (PSC) and it is candidate for chemotherapeutic and vaccine design. Therefore, GST of protoscoleces could be a target for evaluation of drug effect as triclabendazole in hydatid cyst. For this purpose, GST enzymes were purified from protoscoleces of hydatid cyst and sheep liver tissue by glutathione affinity chromatography using a wash-batch method and subsequently detected their SDS-PAGE pattern. Afterward, GST specific activity levels were assayed in the whole extract and purified solutions spectrophotometrically at 30°C with reduced glutathione (GSH) and 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzen (CDNB) substrate. Finally, GST inhibition assay was investigated in the solutions by powder and bolus of triclabendazole. GST fraction as a 26 kDa (MW) band was obtained on SDS-PAGE. The level of GST specific activity in purified solutions was detected 10.24 µmol/min/mg proteins for protoscoleces and 37.84 µmol/min/mg protein for liver tissue. Comparison of the effect of powder and bolus of triclabendazole in solutions revealed inhibition concentration (IC50) 8.71 and 11.16 µg/ml for protoscoleces GST and 8.65 and 9.70 µg/ml for liver tissue GSTs, respectively. These findings suggest the possibility of selective inhibition of protoscoleces. GSTs by triclabendazol in vitro and use of these results for understanding of its molecular effect in vivo.

ABSTRACT Results of the present study revealed significant inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts of the fruits of capparis spinosa, Melia azadrach and the leaves of Myrtus communis at concentrations 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/ml for each of these plants on the viability of the protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus of human and sheep origin in vitro.The concentration of 300 mg/ml and sometimes the concentration 200 mg/ml of these plants causes the death of all protoscoleces in 45 and 60 minutes.

Surgery has been found to be the best choice of treatment for hydatidosis. However, leakage of cyst contents during surgery is the foremost reason for recurrence of hydatidosis. In this study, we investigated the in vitro efficacy of lithocholic acid (LCA) against Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces. The protoscoleces were divided into a control group, an albendazole (ABZ) positive control group and LCA intervention groups at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mmol/L and stained with 0.1% eosin for observation using an inverted microscope; the protoscolecal ultrastructure was examined with SEM and TEM; the activities of ROS, SOD, and caspase-3 were investigated using an ROS kit, SOD kit, and caspase-3 kit, respectively; the contents of HO-1 and NQO-1 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and the expression level of cytochrome c (Ctyc) was analyzed by western blotting. Results: As the concentration of LCA increased, the survival rate of protoscoleces gradually decreased. The microstructure shows that the external shape and internal structure were gradually deformed and collapse. SOD, GSH, HO-1 and NQO-1 decreased more significantly in the 3 mmol/L LCA group. However, ROS levels gradually increased. LCA treatment for 3 days at all concentrations significantly increased caspase-3 activity and expression in a dose-dependent manner. LCA decreased the level of Ctyc protein in vitro. LCA demonstrated a parasiticidal effect on the protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus in vitro. LCA may induce apoptosis of E. granulosus protoscoleces by oxidative stress and mitochondrial pathways. [Display omitted] • We incubated E. granulosus protoscoleces in vitro with Lithocholic acid. • Lithocholic acid could accelerate and cause severe ultrastructural damage of E. granulosus protoscoleces than caused by ABZ. • Lithocholic acid may induce apoptosis of E. granulosus protoscoleces by oxidative stress and mitochondrial pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To establish and optimize the proteomic analysis of protoscoleces-specific antigens from Echinococcus granulosus. To provide a foundation for identifying specific antigens in the soluble proteins of E. granulosus protoscoleces for further research. Methods: Brood capsules were collected aseptically from fertile E. granulosus cysts from the livers of an infected patient. The fertile E. granulosus cysts were fractured, and protoscoleces were collected by centrifugation. The soluble proteins of protoscoleces were acquired using the 2D Quant kit according to the manufacturer''s instructions. We employed two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with immunoblot assay (Western blot) to analyze the soluble components of E. granulosus protoscoleces antigens. The 2-DE and immunoblot maps obtained were analyzed with PDQuest 8.0 image analysis software. Results: About 233 soluble protein spots were identified with Coomassie-stained gels. Most of the proteins had a molecular weight of 16 000 Da to 117 000 Da, and an isoelectric point value of 3.0 to 10.0. 2-DE immunoblot was conducted and 57 specific antigen spots were observed, among which 23 spots were identified. Conclusion: 2-DE combined with Western blot is the key to successful proteomic analysis and presents a new possibility for searching the specific E. granulosus protoscoleces antigens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]