Comprehensive proteomic profiling of adult Angiostrongylus costaricensis, a human parasitic nematode

• Published in: Journal of proteomics Vol. 74; no. 9; pp. 1545 - 1559
• Main Authors: Rebello, Karina M., Barros, Juliana S.L., Mota, Ester M., Carvalho, Paulo C., Perales, Jonas, Lenzi, Henrique L., Neves-Ferreira, Ana G.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 24.08.2011
• Subjects: adults; Angiostrongylus; Angiostrongylus - chemistry; Angiostrongylus - immunology; Angiostrongylus costaricensis; Animals; Antigens, Helminth - analysis; data collection; Female; genes; heat shock proteins; Helminth Proteins - analysis; helminths; Host-Parasite Interactions; human diseases; Humans; Immunogenetic Phenomena; Immunogenic proteins; Male; Nematoda; Nematode; Proteome; proteomics; Proteomics - methods; stress response; Latin America; Angiostrongylus costaricensis; Nematode; Proteome; Immunogenic proteins
• ISSN: 1874-3919; 1876-7737
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2011.04.031

Angiostrongylus costaricensis is a nematode helminth that causes an intestinal acute inflammatory process known as abdominal angiostrongyliasis, which is a poorly understood human disease occurring in Latin America. Our aim was to study the proteomic profiles of adult parasites focusing on immunogenic proteins. Total cellular extracts from both genders showed similar 2-DE profiles, with 60% of all protein spots focused between pH 5–7 and presenting molecular masses from 20.1 to 66 kDa. A total of 53 different dominant proteins were identified in our dataset and were mainly associated with the following over-represented Gene Ontology Biological Process terms: “macromolecule metabolic process”, “developmental process”, “response to stress”, and “biological regulation”. Female and male immunoblots showed similar patterns of reactive proteins. Immunoreactive spots identified by MALDI-PSD were found to represent heat shock proteins, a putative abnormal DAuer Formation family member, and galectins. To date, very few biochemical analyses have focused on the nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis. As such, our results contribute to a better understanding of its biology and the mechanisms underlying the host–parasite relationship associated with this species. Moreover, our findings represent a first step in the search for candidate proteins for diagnostic assays and the treatment of this parasitic infection. [Display omitted] ► A. costaricensis nematode is the causative agent of abdominal angiostrongyliasis. ► This human intestinal parasitism is a poorly understood acute inflammatory process. ► For the first time, dominant proteins in adult nematode extracts were uncovered. ► Nematode antigens detected by antisera from infected mice were characterized. ► Our results may contribute to improving the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.