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)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Da Qian, Jialu Li, Mingyao Huang, Qiuxia Cui, Xiaozhen Liu, Kailv Sun
Summary: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Immunotherapy, including tumor vaccine, has shown great success in treating breast cancer. Dendritic cells are important antigen-presenting cells that play a role in immune responses. DC-based treatments, particularly DC vaccines, have demonstrated significant anti-tumor effects in clinical studies and are undergoing trials. This review summarizes the immunomodulatory effects of DC vaccines in breast cancer, discusses related mechanisms, and presents possible challenges and future directions.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(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
Immunology
Alison Ricafrente, Hieu Nguyen, Nham Tran, Sheila Donnelly
Summary: Investigating how Fasciola hepatica regulates host immune response through miRNA and discovering the redundancy of miRNA in regulating immune cell activation provides evidence for the universal management of host immunology by this parasite.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(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
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
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
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
Parasitology
Caleb Ruiz-Jimenez, Daiana Celias, Bianca Valdes, Willy D. Ramos-Perez, Laura Cervi, Ana M. Espino
Summary: Fh12 selectively induces apoptosis in dendritic cells (DCs) while suppressing their activation and function, modulating surface molecule expression and cytokine production. This may be a strategy used by F. hepatica to prevent host immune response during early infection stages.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Maria Trelis, Christian M. Sanchez-Lopez, Liz F. Sanchez-Palencia, Victor Ramirez-Toledo, Antonio Marcilla, Dolores Bernal
Summary: The protein cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from different developmental stages of Fasciola hepatica, including embryonated eggs and newly-excysted juvenile (NEJ) flukes, have been analyzed. The analysis revealed qualitative differences in composition, reflecting the intense activity of NEJs at this early stage, with several proteins involved in membrane traffic and cell physiology.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)