Metabolomics and lipidomics studies of parasitic helminths: molecular diversity and identification levels achieved by using different characterisation tools

Abstract

Introduction Helminths are parasitic worms that infect millions of people worldwide and secrete a variety of excretory-secretory products (ESPs), including proteins, peptides, and small molecules. Despite this, there is currently no comprehensive review article on cataloging small molecules from helminths, particularly focusing on the different classes of metabolites (polar and lipid molecules) identified from the ESP and somatic tissue extracts of helminths that were studied in isolation from their hosts. Objective This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the metabolomics and lipidomics studies of parasitic helminths using all available analytical platforms. Method To achieve this objective, we conducted a meta-analysis of the identification and characterization tools, metabolomics approaches, metabolomics standard initiative (MSI) levels, software, and databases commonly applied in helminth metabolomics studies published until November 2021. Result This review analyzed 29 studies reporting the metabolomic assessment of ESPs and somatic tissue extracts of 17 helminth species grown under ex vivo/in vitro culture conditions. Of these 29 studies, 19 achieved the highest level of metabolite identification (MSI level-1), while the remaining studies reported MSI level-2 identification. Only 155 small molecule metabolites, including polar and lipids, were identified using MSI level-1 characterization protocols from various helminth species. Despite the significant advances made possible by the ‘omics’ technology, standardized software and helminth-specific metabolomics databases remain significant challenges in this field. Overall, this review highlights the potential for future studies to better understand the diverse range of small molecules that helminths produce and leverage their unique metabolomic features to develop novel treatment options.

Taenia solium cysticerci's extracellular vesicles Attenuate the AKT/mTORC1 pathway for Alleviating DSS‐induced colitis in a murine model

“…Metabolic signatures of helminth parasites were actively explored in various studies, however in the context of EVs, data are few and sparsely available (Wangchuk et al., 2023 ; Whitman et al., 2021 ). Interestingly unlike other helminth parasites, EV from T. solium induced anti‐inflammatory gene expression in macrophages and did not show any change in the expression of IL‐1β and TNF‐α (Figure 3a ).…”

Approaches, Strategies and Procedures for Identifying Anti-Inflammatory Drug Lead Molecules from Natural Products

“…Recent studies conducted by Wangchuk’s group at James Cook identified the pharmaceutical potential of Australian Wet Tropics plants affected by climate change, and they have also discovered two novel drug lead molecules from one of the ecologically-directed tropical montane cloud forest plants [ 53 , 54 ]. Similarly, potent small molecules anti-inflammatory excretory-secretory products (ESP) derived from parasitic helminths were identified using metabolomics and lipidomics platforms [ 55 , 56 ].…”