Hc-daf-2 encodes an insulin-like receptor kinase in the barber’s pole worm, Haemonchus contortus, and restores partial dauer regulation

Infective L3s (iL3s) of parasitic nematodes share common behavioural, morphological and developmental characteristics with the developmentally arrested (dauer) larvae of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. It is proposed that similar molecular mechanisms regulate entry into or exit from the dauer stage in C. elegans, and the transition from free-living to parasitic forms of parasitic nematodes. In C. elegans, one of the key factors regulating the dauer transition is the insulin-like receptor (designated Ce-DAF-2) encoded by the gene Ce-daf-2. However, nothing is known about DAF-2 homologues in most parasitic nematodes. Here, using a PCR-based approach, we identified and characterised a gene (Hc-daf-2) and its inferred product (Hc-DAF-2) in Haemonchus contortus (a socioeconomically important parasitic nematode of ruminants). The sequence of Hc-DAF-2 displays significant sequence homology to insulin receptors (IR) in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and contains conserved structural domains. A sequence encoding an important proteolytic motif (RKRR) identified in the predicted peptide sequence of Hc-DAF-2 is consistent with that of the human IR, suggesting that it is involved in the formation of the IR complex. The Hc-daf-2 gene was transcribed in all life stages of H. contortus, with a significant up-regulation in the iL3 compared with other stages. To compare patterns of expression between Hc-daf-2 and Ce-daf-2, reporter constructs fusing the Ce-daf-2 or Hc-daf-2 promoter to sequence encoding GFP were microinjected into the N2 strain of C. elegans, and transgenic lines were established and examined. Both genes showed similar patterns of expression in amphidial (head) neurons, which relate to sensation and signal transduction. Further study by heterologous genetic complementation in a daf-2-deficient strain of C. elegans (CB1370) showed partial rescue of function by Hc-daf-2. Taken together, these findings provide a first insight into the roles of Hc-daf-2/Hc-DAF-2 in the biology and development of H. contortus, particularly in the transition to parasitism.     

A unique thioredoxin of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus with glutaredoxin activity

The dependency of parasites on the cellular redox systems has led to their investigation as novel drug targets. Defence against oxidative damage is through the thioredoxin and glutathione systems. The classic thioredoxin is identified by the active site Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys (CGPC). Here we describe the identification of a unique thioredoxin in the parasitic nematode, Haemonchus contortus. This thioredoxin-related protein, termed HcTrx5, has an arginine in its active site (Cys-Arg-Ser-Cys; CRSC) that is not found in any other organism. Recombinant HcTrx5 was able to reduce the disulfide bond in insulin, and be regenerated by mammalian thioredoxin reductase with a K_m 2.19 ± 1.5 μM, similar to the classic thioredoxins. However, it was also able to reduce insulin when glutathione and glutathione reductase replaced the thioredoxin reductase. When coupled with H. contortus peroxiredoxin, HcTrx5 was active using either the thioredoxin reductase or the glutathione and glutathione reductase. HcTrx5 is expressed through the life cycle, with highest expression in the adult stage. The unique activity of this thioredoxin makes it a potential drug target for the control of this parasite.     

Immunity acquired by sheep from an experimental infection with haemonchus contortus

Adams D.B. and Beh K.J. 1981. Immunity acquired by sheep from an experimental infection with Haemonchus contortus. International Journal for Parasitology11: 381–386. A primary infection of sheep with a single dose of Haemonchus contortus larvae was traced by faecal egg counts until it had substantially declined after 55 weeks. These primed sheep were then given a sequence of two reinfections with the parasite. Comparison of faecal egg counts in primed sheep and in two separate groups of previously worm-free sheep showed that primary infection conferred significant immunity. This, however, was not sufficiently protective to prevent the development of further anaemia and faecal egg counts indicative of clinical haemonchosis. It is suggested that an adaptation in the host-parasite relationship which promotes the longevity of primary infection with H. contortus may also moderate the induction of acquired immunity.The titre of haemagglutinating antibody specific for H. contortus rose in serum during the course of primary infection, but the two reinfections did not stimulate a rise in titre. Titres of haemagglutinating antibody before reinfection did not correlate with subsequent faecal egg counts.     

Morphological and molecular characterization,predatory behaviour and effect of organic extracts of four nematophagous fungi from Mexico

Four nematophagous fungi (NF) were identified by traditional and molecular techniques, and their in vitro predatory activity (PA) against Haemonchus contortus (Hc), and Panagrellus redivivus (Pr) was assessed. Additionally, the nematocidal activity (NA) of fungal organic extracts (OEs) obtained from a methanol/dichloromethane system was assessed. Fungi were grown in PDB medium under shaking (SchC) and static conditions (StatC). The PA of Arthrobotrys conoides (Ac), A. oligospora (Ao), A. arthrobotryoides (Aa) and Purpureocillium lilacinum (Pl) against Hc were 75, 71, 66 and 52%, respectively. Meanwhile, the PA against Pr for same fungal genera/species were 99.8, 99.9, 99.4 and 96.3%, respectively. The highest NA of the OEs were 89.5, 81.6 and 72.1% for Aa, Ac and Ao, respectively, under StatC. Moreover, Pl cultured under SchC caused 78% Hc larval mortality. The four assessed NF and their OEs are promising candidates as potential biocide agents against parasitic nematodes.     

Proteomic Analysis of Mecistocirrus digitatus and Haemonchus contortus Intestinal Protein Extracts and Subsequent Efficacy Testing in a Vaccine Trial

Background

Gastrointestinal nematode infections, such as Haemonchus contortus and Mecistocirrus digitatus, are ranked in the top twenty diseases affecting small-holder farmers'' livestock, yet research into M. digitatus, which infects cattle and buffalo in Asia is limited. Intestine-derived native protein vaccines are effective against Haemonchus, yet the protective efficacy of intestine-derived M. digitatus proteins has yet to be determined.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A simplified protein extraction protocol (A) is described and compared to an established method (B) for protein extraction from H. contortus. Proteomic analysis of the H. contortus and M. digitatus protein extracts identified putative vaccine antigens including aminopeptidases (H11), zinc metallopeptidases, glutamate dehydrogenase, and apical gut membrane polyproteins. A vaccine trial compared the ability of the M. digitatus extract and two different H. contortus extracts to protect sheep against H. contortus challenge. Both Haemonchus fractions (A and B) were highly effective, reducing cumulative Faecal Egg Counts (FEC) by 99.19% and 99.89% and total worm burdens by 87.28% and 93.64% respectively, compared to the unvaccinated controls. There was no effect on H. contortus worm burdens following vaccination with the M. digitatus extract and the 28.2% reduction in cumulative FEC was not statistically significant. However, FEC were consistently lower in the M. digitatus extract vaccinates compared to the un-vaccinated controls from 25 days post-infection.

Conclusions/Significance

Similar, antigenically cross-reactive proteins are found in H. contortus and M. digitatus; this is the first step towards developing a multivalent native vaccine against Haemonchus species and M. digitatus. The simplified protein extraction method could form the basis for a locally produced vaccine against H. contortus and, possibly M. digitatus, in regions where effective cold chains for vaccine distribution are limited. The application of such a vaccine in these regions would reduce the need for anthelmintic treatment and the resultant selection for anthelmintic resistant parasites.     

Efficiency of a genetic test to detect benzimidazole resistant Haemonchus contortus nematodes in sheep farms in Quebec,Canada

Haemonchus contortus is a hemophilic nematode which infects sheep and causes anemia and death to lambs. Benzimidazole drugs are used to remove these parasites, but the phenomenon of resistance has arisen worldwide. A sensitive test to detect resistance before treatment would be a useful tool to enable farmers to anticipate the efficiency of the drug before drenching the flock. In this study, we compared a test for benzimidazole resistance based on detection of genetic markers in H. contortus before treatment with the common method of fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). We recruited 11 farms from different regions of Quebec for this study. Fecal samples from animals were collected per rectum before and after treatment in control and treated groups (10 animals per group). The 10 sheep were treated with fenbendazole at the recommended dose rate. Among the 11 farms participating in the study, we found H. contortus in 8 of them and it was the most predominant nematode species detected by egg count. Using the genetic test, we found benzimidazole resistance in each of these 8 farms. In 5 of these 8 farms there were sufficient sheep with an egg count for H. contortus above 150 eggs per gram to allow the FECRT test to be conducted. Benzimidazole resistance was observed in each of these 5 farms by the FECRT. When we compared the results from the genetic test for samples off pasture and from individual sheep, with the results from the FECRT, we concluded that the genetic test can be applied to samples collected off pasture to estimate benzimidazole resistance levels before treatment for H. contortus infections.     

Distribution of trichostrongylid nematodes in the abomasum of sheep

The distributions of Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus axei during their development in lambs were studied by freezing and sectioning the abomasum and then recovering the worms from the contents and mucosa of each section. In previously worm-free lambs, the distribution of fourth stage H. contortus was very regular, the frequency of larvae being highest in the anterior fundic area and then decreasing in each section towards the pylorus. The distributions of the early larval stages of O. circumcincta and T. axei were variable but tended to be biomodal, with one peak of larvae in the fundic area and a second in the pyloric area. It is suggested that the difference in distribution between H. contortus and the other two species may be due to a difference in the rate of response of exsheathed third stage larvae to stimuli in the abomasum. In the later stages of development, H. contortus and O. circumcincta tended to migrate towards the pyloric area. In previously infected lambs, the distribution of inhibited early-fourth stage H. contortus was similar to that of normally developing fourth stage larvae in previously worm-free lambs and appeared to be unaffected by the host response which caused an altered distribution and rejection of late-fourth stage and adult worms. The rate of rejection of adult O. circumcincta differed between the fundic and pyloric areas of the abomasum, which suggests that the host response in these two areas may be different.     

Worm burden and immunological responses in Corriedale and Crioula Lanada sheep following natural infection with Haemonchus contortus

The effects of natural infection with Haemonchus contortus were compared in 15 Corriedale lambs and 18 Crioula Lanada lambs kept in the grazing conditions after weaning. The following parameters were assessed weekly for 9 consecutive weeks: number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG), packed cell volume (PCV), total serum proteins (TSP) and albumin (ALB). At 10 weeks, the animals were slaughtered and autopsied to evaluate to the worm burden and eosinophil, mast cell and globule leukocyte counts in histological sections of the abomasum. EPG counts and worm burden were significantly lower in Crioula lambs, which also showed higher levels of PCV, TSP and ALB, as well as higher eosinophil and globule leukocyte counts. Mast cell counts were similar for the two breeds. These results indicate that, under intensive pasture conditions, the Crioula Lanada breed shows a better response to natural infection with H. contortus, suggesting greater resistance to parasitism.     

Purification and characterization of a small cationic protein from the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta

The prophenoloxidase (proPO) activation system is an important defense mechanism in arthropods, and activation of proPO to active phenoloxidase (PO) involves a serine proteinase cascade. Here, we report the purification and characterization of a small cationic protein CP8 from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, which can stimulate proPO activation. BLAST search showed that Manduca CP8 is similar to a fungal proteinase inhibitor-1 (AmFPI-1), an inducible serine proteinase inhibitor-1 (ISPI-1), and other small cationic proteins with unknown functions. However, we showed that Manduca CP8 did not inhibit proteinase activity, but stimulated proPO activation in plasma. When small amount (0.1 μg) of purified native CP8 or BSA was added to cell-free plasma samples and incubated for 20 min, low PO activity was observed in both groups. But significantly higher PO activity was observed in the CP8-group than in the BSA-group when more proteins (0.5 μg) were added and incubated for 20 min. However, when the plasma samples were incubated with proteins for 30 min, high PO activity was observed in both the CP8 and BSA groups regardless of the amount of proteins added. Moreover, when PO in the plasma was pre-activated with Micrococcus luteus, addition of CP8 did not have an effect on PO activity, and CP8/bacteria mixture did not stimulate PO activity to a higher level than did BSA/bacteria. These results suggest that CP8 helps activate proPO more rapidly at the initial stage. CP8 mRNA was specifically expressed in fat body and its mRNA level decreased when larvae were injected with saline or bacteria. However, CP8 protein concentration in hemolymph did not change significantly in larvae injected with saline or microorganisms.     

An expansin-like protein from Hahella chejuensis binds cellulose and enhances cellulase activity

Molecular function of the expansin superfamily has been highlighted for cellulosic biomass conversion. In this report, we identified a new bacterial expansin subfamily by analysis of related bacterial sequences and biochemically examined a member of this new subfamily from Hahella chejuensis (HcEXLX2). Among the various complex polysaccharides tested, HcEXLX2 bound most efficiently to cellulose. The relative binding constant (K _r ) against Avicel was 2.1 L g⁻¹ at pH 6.0 and 4°C. HcEXLX2 enhanced the activity of cellulase, producing about 4.6 times more hydrolysis product after a 36 h reaction relative to when only cellulase was used. The extension strength test on filter paper indicated that HcEXLX2 has a texture loosening effect on filter paper, which was 53% of that observed for 8 M urea treatment. These activities, compared with a cellulose binding domain from Clostridium thermocellum, implied that the synergistic effect of HcEXLX2 comes from not only binding to cellulose but also disrupting the hydrogen bonds in cellulose. Based on these results, we suggest that the new bacterial expansin subfamily functions by binding to cell wall polysaccharides and increasing the accessibility of cell wall degrading enzymes.     

A TGF-β type I receptor-like molecule with a key functional role in Haemonchus contortus development

Here we investigated the gene of a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type I receptor-like molecule in Haemonchus contortus, a highly pathogenic and economically important parasitic nematode of small ruminants. Designated Hc-tgfbr1, this gene is transcribed in all developmental stages of H. contortus, and the encoded protein has glycine-serine rich and kinase domains characteristic of a TGF-β family type I receptor. Expression of a GFP reporter driven by the putative Hc-tgfbr1 promoter localised to two intestinal rings, the anterior-most intestinal ring (int ring I) and the posterior-most intestinal ring (int ring IX) in Caenorhabditis elegans in vivo. Heterologous genetic complementation using a plasmid construct containing Hc-tgfbr1 genomic DNA failed to rescue the function of Ce-daf-1 (a known TGF-β type I receptor gene) in a daf-1-deficient mutant strain of C. elegans. In addition, a TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor, galunisertib, and double-stranded RNA interference (RNAi) were employed to assess the function of Hc-tgfbr1 in the transition from exsheathed L3 (xL3) to the L4 of H. contortus in vitro, revealing that both galunisertib and Hc-tgfbr1-specific double-stranded RNA could retard L4 development. Taken together, these results provide evidence that Hc-tgfbr1 is involved in developmental processes in H. contortus in the transition from the free-living to the parasitic stage.     

The response of sheep to parenteral vaccination and immunizing infections against the abomasal nematode, Haemonchus contortus

Adams D. B., Beh K. J. and Davies H. I. 1982. The response of sheep to parenteral vaccination and immunizing infections against the abomasal nematode, Haemonchus contortus. International Journal for Parasitology12: 445–449. Subcutaneous injection of relatively large amounts of unfractionated homogenates of adults plus infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant produced a degree of protective immunity when challenge infection was given eight weeks after the first or only dose of vaccine. In an attempt to improve acquired immunity, parenteral vaccination was either followed or preceded by a short immunizing infection with H. contortus, which was terminated by anthelmintic before patency. This treatment aimed at stimulating general responsiveness to worm antigens and invoking mucosal immunity in the abomasum. Disparate results were obtained; immunizing infections either increased immunity or made sheep more susceptible to challenge infection. In this latter situation, the unresponsiveness associated with primary infection with H. contortus may have been increased.     

Ultraviolet light increases mortality of nematode larvae and can explain patterns of larval availability at pasture

Despite its documented effects on the viability of living organisms, the impact of ultraviolet (UV) light on the survival of parasitic nematode larvae has received surprisingly little attention. Infective L3s of the trichostrongyloid nematodes Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia circumcinta and Nematodirus battus, suspended in water, were exposed to direct UV irradiation in two experiments. In the first, during 6 days of constant illumination with UVA lamps at intensities simulating sunlight at ground level, the mortality rate was increased up to 100-fold compared with controls sheltered by UV-impermeable perspex. Significant differences in mortality rates were detected between the three species, with H. contortus the least sensitive. In the second experiment, larvae were exposed to natural sunlight during the temperate spring and summer, for 24-h periods on seven separate days representing a range of weather and UV doses. Mortality was again increased by UV exposure in all species, but was less in H. contortus than in T. circumcincta or N. battus. At higher daily UV doses, the mortality rate was on average 2.27 times higher in exposed larvae than in sheltered controls. Increased mortality caused by UV irradiation could help to explain patterns of abundance of infective stages at pasture, especially pronounced population declines in spring when solar radiation rises rapidly and temperature is still low. Implications for the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematode infection in ruminants, and for trade-offs in parasite life history, are discussed.     

Glutathione-S-transferase,a possible drug-metabolizing enzyme,in Haemonchus contortus: Comparative activity of a cambendazole-resistant and a susceptible strain

Kawalek J. C., Rew R. S. and Heavner J. 1984. Glutathione-S-transferase, a possible drug-metabolizing enzyme in Haemonchus contortus: comparative activity of a cambendazole-resistant and a susceptible strain. International Journal for Parasitology14: 173–175. A drug metabolizing enzyme (DME), glutathione-S-transferase, was detected in homogenates of a cambendazole-susceptible and a cambendazole-resistant strain of Haemonchus contortus. The activity was 1.5–1.8 times higher in the resistant strain. DME activation is a possible mechanism for anthelmintic resistance in H. contortus.     

Time of onset and target of immune reactions in sheep with acquired immunity against Haemonchus contortus

Adams D. B. 1982. Time of onset and target of immune reactions in sheep with acquired immunity against Haemonchus contortus. International Journal for Parasitology12: 439–443. Nonimmune sheep and sheep rendered immune by infection with the abomasal nematode, Haemonchus contortus, were infected with the parasite and treated at various times with the glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone. The results show that this immunosuppressant drug abolished acquired but not innate immunity to H. contortus and that acquired responses were not important in restraining the fecundity of adult worms during primary infection. By treating immune sheep with dexamethasone during reinfection, it was shown that the responses acting against the establishment of infection commence later than the fourth day after larval administration and are complete by the seventh day. H. contortus more advanced in development than the fourth-larval stage were relatively insusceptible to this manifestation of acquired immunity.