Small RNAs and extracellular vesicles in filarial nematodes: from nematode development to diagnostics

Quintana, J.F. , Babayan, S.A. and Buck, A.H. (2017) Small RNAs and extracellular vesicles in filarial nematodes: from nematode development to diagnostics. Parasite Immunology, 39(2), e12395. (doi: 10.1111/pim.12395) (PMID:27748953)

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Abstract

Parasitic nematodes have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to communicate with their hosts in order to survive and successfully establish an infection. The transfer of RNA within extracellular vesicles (EVs) has recently been described as a mechanism that could contribute to this communication in filarial nematodes. It has been shown that these EVs are loaded with several types of RNAs, including microRNAs, leading to the hypothesis that parasites could actively use these molecules to manipulate host gene expression and to the exciting prospect that these pathways could result in new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Here we review the literature on the diverse RNAi pathways that operate in nematodes and more specifically our current knowledge of extracellular RNA (exRNA) and EVs derived from filarial nematodes in vitro and within their hosts. We further detail some of the issues and questions related to the capacity of RNA-mediated communication to function in parasite-host interactions and the ability of exRNA to enable us to distinguish and detect different nematode parasites in their hosts.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The studies on filarial nematode diagnostics are supported by a WT Pathfinder award (201083/Z/16/Z) as well as previous funding from the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany as part of a consortium grant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Basic research in AB’s lab on EVs and exRNA is supported by a WTRCDF (097394/Z/11/Z) and HFSP Young Investigator Award (RGY0069).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Quintana, Dr Juan and Babayan, Dr Simon
Authors: Quintana, J.F., Babayan, S.A., and Buck, A.H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Parasite Immunology
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0141-9838
ISSN (Online):1365-3024
Published Online:17 October 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Authors
First Published:First published in Parasite Immunology 39(2):e12395
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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