Advances in gastropod immunity from the study of the interaction between the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and its parasites: A review of research progress over the last decade

Abstract

This review summarizes the research progress made over the past decade in the field of gastropod immunity resulting from investigations of the interaction between the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and its trematode parasites. A combination of integrated approaches, including cellular, genetic and comparative molecular and proteomic approaches have revealed novel molecular components involved in mediating Biomphalaria immune responses that provide insights into the nature of host-parasite compatibility and the mechanisms involved in parasite recognition and killing. The current overview emphasizes that the interaction between B. glabrata and its trematode parasites involves a complex molecular crosstalk between numerous antigens, immune receptors, effectors and anti-effector systems that are highly diverse structurally and extremely variable in expression between and within host and parasite populations. Ultimately, integration of these molecular signals will determine the outcome of a specific interaction between a B. glabrata individual and its interacting trematodes. Understanding these complex molecular interactions and identifying key factors that may be targeted to impairment of schistosome development in the snail host is crucial to generating new alternative schistosomiasis control strategies.

Dynamics of haemocytes from Pseudosuccinea columella circulating infected by Fasciola hepatica

“…This recognition pattern may be associated with the specificity of the mollusc-helminth interactions (PEREIRA et al, 2008). It should also be noted that the mollusc innate immune system, comprised of haemocytes and hemolymph soluble factors can recognize not only the parasite and excreted-secreted products (ES), but also the induced inflammation process (COUSTAU et al, 2015) a fact not demonstrated in this study.…”

“…Despite the high specificity between molluscs and trematodes, immunobiological studies between F. hepatica and lymnaeids are little explored. Nevertheless, the recognition of the trematode by the mollusc's internal defense system, made by haemocytes and soluble factors present in the haemolymph, from the penetration of miracidium to the transformation of sporocyst followed by the formation of rediae until the release of cercariae, may resemble the associations reported for other digenetic trematodes and gastropod molluscs (PEREIRA et al, 2008;CARON et al, 2014;COUSTAU et al, 2015). Fluctuations in the number of Lymnaea stagnalis haemocytes in the haemolymph during infection by Trichobilharzia ocellata have been observed ( VAN DER KNAAP et al, 1987;AMEN et al, 1991).…”

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Punica Granatum L. Peels and Its Role as Immunostimulant Against Schistosoma Mansoni Infection in Biomphalaria Alexandrina

“…The immune system of Biomphalaria is composed of cellular and humoral components acting independently or together to fight invading microbes or parasites [51,52]. The first line of defense is mediated by circulating phagocytic cells known as hemocytes (also known as amoebocytes) found in the hemolymph of the snail.…”

Comparative immunogenomics of molluscs

“…Erwin et al, 2011). As such, study of molluscs will continue to broaden understanding of the evolution of immune function across the range of metazoan phylogeny, especially because recent insights suggest that molluscs are capable of sophisticated and specific immune responses (Adema and Loker, 2015; Coustau et al, 2015; Guo et al, 2015). …”