Protein and antigen profiles of third-stage larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum assessed with next-generation sequencing transcriptomic information

Abstract

Gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonotic disease that can affect humans who eat improperly cooked meat containg infective third-stage larvae. Definitive diagnosis is through larval recovery. However, this is an invasive technique and is impractical if the larvae have encysted in inaccessible areas of the body. Antigen or antibody detection might be more interesting techniques for diagnosis. Proteomic could elucidate diagnostic markers and improve our understanding of parasite biology. However, proteomic studies on Gnathostoma spinigerum are hampered by the lack of a comprehensive database for protein identification. This study aimed to explore the protein and antigen profiles of advanced third-stage G. spinigerum larvae (aL3Gs) using interrogation of mass spectrometry data and an in-house transcriptomic database for protein identification. Immunoproteomic analysis found 74 proteins in 24-kDa SDS-PAGE bands, which is size-specific for the immunodiagnosis of gnathostomiasis. Moreover, 13 proteins were found in 2-DE 24-kDa bands. The data suggest that collagenase 3, cathepsin B, glutathione S-transferase 1, cuticle collagen 14, major antigen, zinc metalloproteinase nas-4, major egg antigen, peroxiredoxin, and superoxide dismutase [Cu–Zn] may be good candidates for novel human gnathostomiasis diagnostic assays. These findings improve our understanding of the parasite’s biology and provide additional potential targets for novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines.

Detection of Gnathostoma spinigerum larva in the brain with complete follow-up after surgical treatment of human neurognathostomiasis

“…Lastly, proteomics analysis revealed the presence of G. spinigerum serpin and serine proteases in the patient's serum. Previous studies found that the excretory–secretory products of the third-stage G. spinigerum larvae include serpins, and it has been demonstrated that these serpins react with sera from gnathostomiasis patients ( Nuamtanong et al, 2019 ; Nogrado et al, 2022 ). By reducing host protease activity and modifying host immunity, parasite protease inhibitors thus act to make a safer environment for the host ( Ranasinghe and McManus, 2017 ).…”