Schistosoma mansoni: eicosanoid production by cercariae

Cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni are stimulated to penetrate skin by certain free fatty acids. The cercariae have an active arachidonate cascade, presumably using host skin essential fatty acids as cascade precursors. Exposing cercariae to 3.3 mM linoleate for 1, 10, and 60 min resulted in production of a wide variety of eicosanoids. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, eicosanoids coeluting with prostaglandin E2, D2, and A2, leukotriene B4, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid standards were identified, as well as unidentified peak positions. Radioimmunoassay confirmed the presence of immunoreactive prostaglandin E1, and E2, and 5- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids in cercarial extracts. No eicosanoid production occurred when cercariae were exposed to 3.3 mM oleate and 1 or 330 microM linoleate. Both high-performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay data indicated that cercariae regulate the production of eicosanoids through time. It is postulated that arachidonate metabolism and subsequent eicosanoid production are required for successful cercarial penetration.     

Schistosoma mansoni: a new parenchymal cell in cercariae

A new type of cell has been identified in cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. The perikarya (cell bodies) of these cells were located in the body (midsegment), in an area oral to the acetabulum (ventral sucker). Cytoplasmic processes extending from the perikarya ramified throughout the parenchyma of the anterior organ (oral sucker), body, and tail segments by following the path of the nerve processes from the neuropile. The perikarya of these cells had heterochromatic nuclei and a predominance of particulate material and granules (240-360 nm) in their cytoplasm. Aggregates of granules (240-360 nm) and associated vesicles (34 nm) were scattered throughout the cytoplasmic processes of the cells and formed distinct varicosed areas. These processes often connected to the tegument in the midsegment (body) of the cercariae. The granules and associated vesicles reacted (became electron dense) with fixatives reported to be detectors of biogenic amines: The glutaraldehyde/osmium tetroxide fixation procedure rendered the granules electron dense while the glutaraldehyde/chromate/osmium tetroxide fixation procedure rendered the granules and the associated vesicles electron dense. The chromate solution of the latter procedure was responsible for the electron density of the associated vesicles. The morphology of these cells (their long ramifying cytoplasmic processes) and their reaction to chromium suggests that they are probably biogenic aminergic sensory cells.     

Praziquantel-induced secretion of proteolytic enzyme from Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

The effect of praziquantel (PZQ) on secretion of proteolytic enzyme by Schistosoma mansoni cercariae was examined using an azocoll assay. The cercariae secreted proteolytic enzyme in various concentrations of PZQ (0.1, 1, and 10 micrograms/ml), but secretion of enzyme was highest at the lowest concentration. PZQ-induced secretion of proteolytic enzyme was partially inhibited by treatment with verapamil and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid but not by calmodulin antagonist W-7 and protein kinase C inhibitor H-7.     

Schistosoma mansoni: chemical stabilization of cercariae by aldehydes

Chemically stabilized cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni have been developed by inactivating surface glycoproteins which are essential for their survival. The inactivation was achieved by reaction with 0.01-0.1% glutaraldehyde, 0.1-1% formaldehyde, and 0.37-3.7 microliters citraconic anhydride. The cercariae lost their viability but retained the ability to exclude trypan blue for up to 2 years in a manner similar to live cercariae and in contrast to cercariae killed by other means, which took up the dye immediately. The chemically stabilized cercariae reacted with polyclonal and monoclonal antischistosome antibodies in an indirect immunofluorescence assay for up to 2 years, indicating the retention and preservation of surface antigens. Chemically stabilized cercariae revealed the presence of antischistosome antibodies as early as 1 week after infection when used for immunodiagnosis of mouse and rat infections. The presence of Fc receptors for human IgG on the stabilized cercariae interfered in their use as an immunodiagnostic reagent of human schistosomiasis. The stabilized cercariae were also used to screen cultures for monoclonal antischistosome antibodies. Preliminary results indicated that immunization of mice with glutaraldehyde stabilized cercariae imparted protective immunity to mice.