Stage-specific transcriptome and proteome analyses of the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus and its Wolbachia endosymbiont

Bennuru, S. et al. (2016) Stage-specific transcriptome and proteome analyses of the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus and its Wolbachia endosymbiont. mBio, 7(6), e02028-16. (doi: 10.1128/mBio.02028-16) (PMID:27881553) (PMCID:PMC5137501)

Abstract

Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is a neglected tropical disease that has been successfully targeted by mass drug treatment programs in the Americas and small parts of Africa. Achieving the long-term goal of elimination of onchocerciasis, however, requires additional tools, including drugs, vaccines, and biomarkers of infection. Here, we describe the transcriptome and proteome profiles of the major vector and the human host stages (L1, L2, L3, molting L3, L4, adult male, and adult female) of Onchocerca volvulus along with the proteome of each parasitic stage and of its Wolbachia endosymbiont (wOv). In so doing, we have identified stage-specific pathways important to the parasite’s adaptation to its human host during its early development. Further, we generated a protein array that, when screened with well-characterized human samples, identified novel diagnostic biomarkers of O. volvulus infection and new potential vaccine candidates. This immunomic approach not only demonstrates the power of this postgenomic discovery platform but also provides additional tools for onchocerciasis control programs.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cotton, Professor James and Berriman, Professor Matt
• Authors: Bennuru, S., Cotton, J. A., Ribeiro, J. M.C., Grote, A., Harsha, B., Holroyd, N., Mhashilkar, A., Molina, D. M., Randall, A. Z., Shandling, A. D., Unnasch, T. R., Ghedin, E., Berriman, M., Lustigman, S., and Nutman, T. B.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: mBio
• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
• ISSN: 2161-2129
• ISSN (Online): 2150-7511
• Published Online: 23 November 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Bennuru et al.
• First Published: First published in mBio 7(6): e02028-16
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License