Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rafael Zafra, Leandro Buffoni, Raul Perez-Caballero, Veronica Molina-Hernandez, Maria T. Ruiz-Campillo, Jose Perez, Alvaro Martinez-Moreno, Francisco J. Martinez Moreno
Summary: In this study, sheep were vaccinated with two different vaccines containing a cocktail of antigens and formulated with different adjuvants. The results showed that the first vaccine significantly reduced fluke burden, decreased egg output, and alleviated hepatic lesions. Additionally, animals in the first vaccine group exhibited higher levels of IgG1 and IgG2 in the serological study, supporting the hypothesis of protection found in this group.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Mayowa Musah-Eroje, Rebecca C. Hoyle, Ornampai Japa, Jane E. Hodgkinson, David M. Haig, Robin J. Flynn
Summary: The trematode parasite, Fasciola hepatica, utilizes a transforming growth factor-like molecule (FhTLM) to interact with host immune cells, inducing IL-10 and various chemokines, but does not confer a growth advantage in co-culture systems. Despite similarities with other helminth TGF homologues, species-specific divergence was demonstrated.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Jackeline Checa, Cecilia Salazar, Antonella Goyeche, Mariana Rivera, Fernando Silveira, Gabriela Maggioli
Summary: Parasite M17 leucine aminopeptidases (LAPs) play critical roles in nutrition, migration, and invasion of natural hosts. Native or recombinant LAPs used as vaccine antigens have shown promising results in protecting ruminant species against Fasciola hepatica infection. This study characterizes a second recombinant LAP (FhLAP2) associated with the juvenile stage and demonstrates its potential as a candidate vaccine for fascioliasis, as immunization with FhLAP2 resulted in a significant reduction in parasite recovery in mice.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ragab M. Fereig, Samy Metwally, El-Sayed El-Alfy, Hanan H. Abdelbaky, Obeid Shanab, Mosaab A. Omar, Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
Summary: This study comprehensively analyzed and compared the physico-chemical, antigenic, and immunogenic properties of FhCatL1 and FgCatL1 using bioinformatic tools and online servers. The results showed that both FhCatL1 and FgCatL1 have favorable antigenic and immunogenic characteristics, making them potential candidates for diagnostic assays or vaccines against fascioliasis.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Mauricio Jimenez, Christian Hidalgo, Caroll Stoore, Felipe Correa, Ismael Pereira, Marcela Hernandez, Leonardo Saenz, Julio Benavides, M. Carmen Ferreras, Marcos Royo, Rodolfo Paredes
Summary: This study investigated the immune profiles of Th1/Th2 cells in the adventitial layer of fertile and non-fertile echinococcal cysts with and without co-infection of Fasciola hepatica. The results showed that non-fertile cysts had higher levels of Th1 cytokines, while fertile cysts had higher levels of Th2 cytokines. Co-infection with Fasciola hepatica led to changes in cytokine expression, highlighting the impact of polyparasitism on the immune response in naturally infected cattle.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Maria Teresa Ruiz-Campillo, Diana Maria Barrero-Torres, Nieves Abril, Jose Perez, Rafael Zafra, Leandro Buffoni, Alvaro Martinez-Moreno, Francisco Javier Martinez-Moreno, Veronica Molina-Hernandez
Summary: This study investigated the expression of immune mediators in the liver and hepatic lymph node of sheep infected and reinfected with Fasciola hepatica. Different immune response patterns were observed, with the liver exhibiting a Th2 response at early stages and a Th1/Th2 response at late stages, while the hepatic lymph node showed a mixed Th1/Th2 response at early stages. Understanding these immune responses is crucial for vaccine development and a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of fasciolosis.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Tamara Munoz-Caro, Marcela Gomez-Ceruti, Liliana M. R. Silva, Daniel Gutierrez-Exposito, Henrik Wagner, Anja Taubert, Carlos Hermosilla
Summary: This study investigates the potential role of F. hepatica soluble antigens (FhAg) in triggering neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and innate immune reactions in ovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). The results show that FhAg can induce various phenotypes of NETs in vitro, with spread NETs being the most commonly detected. Moreover, FhAg stimulation leads to degranulation of PMN and an increase in PMN migration and intracellular ROS production. However, the metabolic activities of FhAg-exposed PMN do not show a significant increase. In vivo histopathological analysis confirms the presence of NETs in F. hepatica-parasitized liver tissue sections of sheep. Overall, the findings suggest that NET formation may play a role in the pathogenesis of fasciolosis.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Gemma Zerna, Terry W. Spithill, Travis Beddoe
Summary: Maintaining sustainable agricultural systems is crucial for feeding the growing population. Parasite infections impact livestock production, including goats. Current liver fluke control methods involve drug application and pasture management.
Article
Parasitology
Zhengjiao Wu, Jinhui Wang, Zhen Meng, Weikun Jin, Kangxin He, Weiyu Zhang, Wenda Di
Summary: This study conducted an in-depth investigation on Fasciola infection in buffaloes in Nanning, Guangxi, China, revealing an infection rate of 38.6% and severe liver damage. A total of 1243 Fasciola flukes were collected from the livers, showing significant morphological variations but lacking accuracy in species identification. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all flukes were Fasciola gigantica, with no presence of Fasciola hepatica or intermediate forms.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Diego Garcia-Corredor, Mateo Alvarado, Martin Pulido-Medellin, Marina Munoz, Lissa Cruz-Saavedra, Carolina Hernandez, Julio Cesar Giraldo, Luis R. Vasquez-Arteaga, Ana Cruz Morillo Coronado, Juan David Ramirez
Summary: This study investigated 105 individual Fasciola hepatica specimens collected from the bile ducts of cattle in seven regions of Colombia, assessing their phenotypic analysis, genetic diversity, and population structure. Morphological results showed that all individuals matched the morphology of F. hepatica. DNA sequences were obtained from nuclear and mitochondrial markers, revealing no strong genetic diversity and the absence of genetic structure at the country level in Colombia. Further research is needed to unveil the genetic population structure of F. hepatica across the country.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Richard Lalor, Krystyna Cwiklinski, Nichola Eliza Davies Calvani, Amber Dorey, Siobhan Hamon, Jesus Lopez Corrales, John Pius Dalton, Carolina De Marco Verissimo
Summary: Fasciolosis caused by liver flukes is an important neglected parasitic disease with high transmissibility and adaptability. The parasite's ability to survive and reproduce within their mammalian host is mainly influenced by their high frequency of non-synonymous polymorphisms in genes and excretory-secretory molecules. Through various mechanisms, liver flukes can persist for years within their host and spread rapidly.
Article
Immunology
Gemma Zerna, Vignesh A. Rathinasamy, Hayley Toet, Glenn Anderson, Robert Dempster, Terry W. Spithill, Travis Beddoe
Summary: Fasciolosis, caused by liver flukes, is an economically important zoonotic disease globally. The surface antigens of F. hepatica show promise as vaccine candidates, but further research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness in inducing protection against fluke infection in cattle.
Article
Parasitology
Krystyna Cwiklinski, Amanda McEvoy, Jesus Lopez Corrales, Heather Jewhurst, Nichola Eliza Davies Calvani, Carolina De Marco Verissimo, Amber Louise Dorey, Orla M. Keane, John Pius Dalton, Richard Lalor
Summary: Our laboratory's vaccine development strategy against the livestock parasite Fasciola hepatica focuses on disrupting key biological processes. In this study, antioxidant protein vaccines and a protease inhibitor vaccine were used to disrupt the parasite's defense mechanisms. However, the vaccine combinations did not effectively reduce the parasite burden or impact weight gain. The addition of a protease inhibitor did not improve vaccine efficacy. Liver pathology assessment revealed an association between parasite burden and liver pathology.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adam P. S. Bennett, Eduardo de la Torre-Escudero, Susan S. E. Dermott, Lawrence T. Threadgold, Robert E. B. Hanna, Mark W. Robinson
Summary: This study used laser microdissection to analyze the proteome of the gastrodermal cells in the liver fluke. The results showed that these cells are the main source of secreted proteins and may release extracellular vesicles. The study also highlighted the importance of the gastrodermal cells in nutrient acquisition and immunomodulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anand Chakroborty, Deiniol R. R. Pritchard, Marc E. E. Bouillon, Anna Cervi, Rolf Kraehenbuehl, Charlotte Wild, Caroline Fenn, Peter Holdsworth, Colin Capner, Gilda Padalino, Josephine E. E. Forde-Thomas, Joseph Payne, Brendan G. G. Smith, Maggie Fisher, Martina Lahmann, Mark S. S. Baird, Karl F. F. Hoffmann
Summary: This study explores the ex vivo anthelmintic potential of synthetic derivatives of hederagenin isolated from Hedera helix. The most active compound identified was MC042, which showed good selectivity against immature and adult flukes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florencia Ferraro, Ileana Corvo, Lucia Bergalli, Andrea Ilarraz, Mauricio Cabrera, Jorge Gil, Brian M. Susuki, Conor R. Caffrey, David J. Timson, Xavier Robert, Christophe Guillon, Teresa Freire, Guzman Alvarez
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Lucia Sanchez Di Maggio, Lucas Tirloni, Marcelle Uhl, Carlos Carmona, Carlos Logullo, Albert Mulenga, Itabajara da Silva Vaz, Patricia Berasain
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Sofia Frigerio, Valeria Costa, Monique Costa, Maria Florencia Festari, Mercedes Landeira, Santiago A. Rodriguez-Zraquia, Steffen Hartel, Jorge Toledo, Teresa Freire
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Immunology
Sinead Ryan, Jenna Shiels, Clifford C. Taggart, John P. Dalton, Sinead Weldon
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucia Bidondo, Florencia Festari, Teresa Freire, Cecilia Giacomini
Summary: The study of immobilized glycoenzymes for deglycosylation under native conditions shows efficient and reusable method for releasing glycans without altering protein structure. Immobilized PNGase F demonstrates higher thermal stability compared to its soluble counterpart, making it a robust tool for deglycosylation of glycoproteins.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lucia Lopez, Maria Laura Chiribao, Magali C. Girard, Karina A. Gomez, Paula Carasi, Marisa Fernandez, Yolanda Hernandez, Carlos Robello, Teresa Freire, Maria Dolores Pineyro
Summary: The study showed that c-TXNPx induces the recruitment of IL-12/23p40-producing innate antigen-presenting cells and promotes a strong specific Th1 immune response, while c-TXNPxC52S does not. The presence of peroxidatic cysteine is essential for the peroxidase activity and quaternary structure of the protein.
Article
Oncology
Edgardo Berriel, Teresa Freire, Carolina Chiale, Ernesto Rodriguez, Gabriel Moron, Gabriel Fernandez-Grana, Martina Crispo, Nora Berois, Eduardo Osinaga
Summary: Echinococcus granulosus, a cestode parasite, can inhibit colon cancer growth, and also show anti-tumor activity against LL/2 lung cancer in mice by inducing antigen-specific immune responses and activating NK1.1(+) cells. This suggests that HCF vaccination can evoke an integrated anti-tumor immune response, involving both innate and adaptive components, providing novel insights into the relationship between HCF vaccination and tumor growth.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Valeria da Costa, Sandra J. van Vliet, Paula Carasi, Sofia Frigerio, Pablo A. Garcia, Diego O. Croci, Maria Florencia Festari, Monique Costa, Mercedes Landeira, Santiago A. Rodriguez-Zraquia, Alejandro J. Cagnoni, Anabela M. Cutine, Gabriel A. Rabinovich, Eduardo Osinaga, Karina Marino, Teresa Freire
Summary: Tn antigen, originating from tumor cells, interacts with the MGL receptor to promote immunosuppression and angiogenesis, ultimately favoring tumor progression.
Article
Parasitology
Monique Costa, Anderson Saravia, Diego Ubios, Pablo Lores, Valeria da Costa, Maria Florencia Festari, Mercedes Landeira, Santiago A. Rodriguez-Zraquia, Georgget Banchero, Teresa Freire
Summary: The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between hepatic function, hematological parameters, leukocyte counts in circulation, parasite egg shedding, and the effects of triclabendazole (TCZ) treatment during Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle. The results showed increased levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the early stages of infection. Additionally, high circulating eosinophil count and plateletcrit levels were correlated with the number of flukes in the livers of infected cattle. TCZ treatment reduced parasite burden and liver damage in chronically infected cattle but did not completely eliminate them.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Valeria da Costa, Teresa Freire
Summary: This work reviews the role of aberrant glycosylation in cancer cells during tumour growth and spreading, as well as immune evasion, and discusses the potential and challenges of using these abnormalities in tumor immunotherapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Teresa Freire, Mercedes Landeira, Cecilia Giacomini, Maria Florencia Festari, Alvaro Pittini, Viviana Cardozo, Alina Brosque, Leticia Monin, Valeria da Costa, Paula Faral-Tello, Carlos Robello, Eduardo Osinaga
Summary: This study found that immunizations with a Trypanosoma cruzi lysate can prevent lung tumor growth and induce anti-tumor immune responses. The induced immunity and tumor protection are associated with the activation of natural killer cells, the production of interferon-gamma, and tumor cell cytotoxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria da Costa, Karina Marino, Santiago A. Rodriguez-Zraquia, Maria Florencia Festari, Pablo Lores, Monique Costa, Mercedes Landeira, Gabriel A. Rabinovich, Sandra J. van Vliet, Teresa Freire
Summary: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Aberrant glycosylation in lung tumors leads to the expression of tumor-associated carbohydrate structures, such as the Tn antigen, which can influence immune cell function and molecular mechanisms involved in immune regulation circuits.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Florencia Festari, Valeria da Costa, Santiago A. Rodriguez-Zraquia, Monique Costa, Mercedes Landeira, Pablo Lores, Patricia Solari-Saquieres, M. Gabriela Kramer, Teresa Freire
Summary: The study suggests that the Tn antigen plays a role in breast tumor growth and spreading, promoting lung metastases and an immunoregulatory state.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucia Bidondo, Mercedes Landeira, Florencia Festari, Teresa Freire, Cecilia Giacomini
Summary: Immobilized neuraminidase is an effective tool for desialylation of glycoproteins, maintaining activity throughout multiple cycles. This technology allows for evaluation of glycoprotein performance post-desialylation, contributing to the understanding of the role of sialic acid in biological processes.
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marta Marco, Daniela Boragno, Paola Rodriguez, Victoria Mestre Cordero, Natalia Pereira, Patricia Berasain, Florencia Caden, Cecilia Rodriguez, Alejandra Moreira, Ximena Simoff, Virginia Bianchi, Anna Barindelli, Pablo Fielitz, Silvia Olivera-Bravo
ANALES DE LA FACULTAD DE MEDICINA-UNIVERSIDAD DE LA REPUBLICA URUGUAY
(2020)