Identification of proteins of laminated layer of Echinococcus granulosus: Interface among host and parasite

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis is one of the major echinococcosis which is caused by the larval form of tape worm Echinococcus granulosus. The chronicity of the parasitic infection is related to the strategies adopted by parasite to escape the host immuneresponse. Several studies were performed to clarify the host-Echinococcus granulosus interaction allowing the adaptation of the metacestode to the host. Many proteomics analyses allowed the identification of proteins in hydatid fluid, protoscoleces adult worm and hydatid walls. Our study is focused on the identification of proteins associated to the laminated layer which constitutes the interface between metacestode and the host immune response. In this context, protein extracts obtained were separated by SDS-PAGE and analyzed by nano-liquid chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry. Our results revealed the presence of host proteins. Most of them were sera proteins and would be involved in the immune response indicating their involvement in the local inflammatory response and others involved in transport. Interestingly, our results also identified a few parasitic proteins such as glioma pathogenesis protein 1, paramyosin, and myoferlin. Globally, our study indicated the presence of proteins that might be involved in host-parasite interaction and pointed some of them as potential drug and vaccine targets.