Molecular characterization of a novel gene encoding an 8-kDa-subunit of antigen B from Echinococcus granulosus genotypes 1 and 6

Antigen B in hydatid cyst fluid of Echinococcus granulosus is a polymeric lipoprotein of 160 kDa, and is an aggregate of several different but homologous small proteins with approximately 8 kDa which are encoded by a multigene family. Four genes encoding 8-kDa-subunit monomers of the antigen B have been identified from E. granulosus. Recently, we have isolated another novel gene from Echinococcus multilocularis encoding a fifth 8-kDa-subunit of AgB (named EmAgB8/5), predominantly transcribed in the adult worm, but not in vesicles of metacestodes. In this study, we cloned and characterized two EmAgB8/5 homologue genes from E. granulosus genotypes 1 and 6 by PCR, and named as EgG1AgB8/5 and EgG6AgB8/5, respectively. The phylogenetic relationship of these genes with other genes encoding the antigen B 8-kDa-subunit monomers was also discussed.     

Recombinant subunits as tools for the structural and functional characterization of Echinococcus granulosus antigen B

Antigen B (AgB) is a major protein component of the Echinococcus granulosus metacestode. It is oligomeric and this raises several questions regarding the subunit structure and composition of AgB. Several genes that encode different AgB subunits have been identified, and some of these have been cloned and expressed to produce recombinant subunits. The study of these recombinant subunits may provide new insights into the structure, physical-chemical properties, and functional aspects of AgB. Like native AgB, the AgB8/1, AgB8/2, and AgB8/3 recombinant subunits produced in our laboratory form 120-160 kDa oligomers that have stable secondary structures, are strongly antigenic and immunogenic, and selectively bind hydrophobic compounds. Here, we review these results and discuss their implications for the elucidation of the structure and function of AgB. This includes a possible role for AgB in host-parasite interactions.     

Immunomodulatory mechanisms during Echinococcus granulosus infection

The pathologic events that ensue after humans ingest the eggs of Echinococcus granulosus and continue while cystic echinococcosis develops, provide an excellent example illustrating the evasive strategies helminth parasites use to develop, progress and cause chronic disease. The hydatid cyst secretes and exposes numerous immunomodulatory molecules to the host’s immune system. By characterizing these molecules we can understand the mechanisms that E. granulosus uses for increasing the efficiency and persistency of infection in the host. These molecules modulate both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response and appear to target cellular and humoral responses. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the immunobiology of host-E. granulosus interactions that provide intriguing insights into the complex interplay between host and parasite that ultimately facilitates parasite survival.     

Genetic Variability of Antigen B among Echinococcus granulosus Egyptian Isolates

Genetic polymorphisms of encoding antigen B2 gene (AgB2) in Echinococcus granulosus were studied using PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing among 20 Egyptian isolates. Five isolates from different host origins (humans, camels, pigs, and sheep) were collected and used. All examined isolates of each host group gave very similar patterns of PCR-RFLP after restriction enzyme digestion with AluI, with the gene size of approximately 140 bp and 240 bp for sheep and human isolates, and approximately 150 bp and 250 bp for pig and camel isolates. No digestion pattern was obtained after incubation of all studied isolates with EcoRI. These results reveal high intra-group homogeneity. DNA sequence analysis highlighted that human infecting strain showed 100% identity with respect to sheep infecting isolate, 96% and 99% with pig and camel infecting isolates, respectively.     

细粒棘球蚴AgB8/2基因的原核表达及免疫学鉴定

旨在克隆细粒棘球蚴 AgB8/2基因,优化原核表达体系,鉴定纯化蛋白并初步确定其诊断价值.采用 RT-PCR扩增 AgB8/2基因 cDNA,构建原核表达载体pET-AgB8/2并在大肠杆菌 BL21(DE3)中表达,优化表达条件.纯化的AgB8/2融合蛋白经 Western blot鉴定正确后,采用斑点免疫金渗滤法初步验证其血清学诊断价值.结果显示,克隆的 AgB8/2基因包含了 273 bp的完整ORF,序列分析表明与其它已报道的AgB8/2 cDNA序列的同源性在 99%～100%之间.优化的表达条件为,当菌液 OD600值为0.6时,加入终浓度为0.05 mmol/L的 IPTG,37℃,振荡培养5 h.纯化的蛋白经 Western blot鉴定为目的蛋白.克隆的 AgB8/2基因高度保守,原核表达载体pET-AgB8/2构建正确并高效表达可溶性融合蛋白,可作为特异性抗原应用于斑点免疫金渗滤法检测血清抗体.