Proteomic and deep sequencing analysis of extracellular vesicles isolated from adult male and female Schistosoma japonicum

Author summary Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the genusSchistosomaand affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Previously, we and other groups found thatSchistosoma japonicumcan secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are taken up by mammalian cells. Here, we characterized EVs isolated from adult male and femaleS.japonicumand found that some proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) were significantly enriched in male or female EVs. More importantly, the inhibition ofmiR-750, which is specifically enriched in female EVs, resulted in decreased egg production. Overall, our study suggests that female EV miRNA cargo may play important roles in regulating female ovary development and egg production during male-female pairing inS.japonicum. Schistosomes are the causative agent of schistosomiasis, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Unlike other trematode parasites, schistosomes (along with the Didymozoidae) have evolved separate sexes. Pairing of males and females is a prerequisite for female sexual development and subsequent egg production. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes remain poorly understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to play important roles in many biological processes. In the present study, we characterized EVs isolated from adult male and femaleSchistosoma japonicum. Proteomic analyses of the isolated EVs revealed that some proteins are significantly enriched in male or female EVs. RNA-sequencing analysis of a small RNA population associated with EVs identified 18 miRNAs enriched in male and femaleS.japonicumEVs. Among these,miR-750was specifically enriched in female EVs. Additionally, the inhibition ofmiR-750by a miRNA inhibitor led to decreased egg production in female schistosomes culturedin vitro. Collectively, our results suggest thatmiR-750within female EV cargo may be involved in regulating ovary development and egg production inS.japonicumfemales.