Trends in parasitology最新文献

Parasitoid wasp venoms are widely studied for their immunosuppressive properties. Work by Dong et al. expands the venom repertoire to include manipulation of host metabolites with the discovery of the Leptopilina-specific venom lipase (LVL). LVL is an active lipase that converts host lipids to support parasitoid embryogenesis following infection.

The mRNA vaccine platform should help research on East Coast fever subunit vaccines, but it remains unexplored. A theoretical strength of this platform, namely its capacity to prime cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, is appealing as these, rather than antibodies, are the major mediators of immunity induced by a live parasite-based vaccine. Here, I highlight knowledge on functionally relevant bovine adaptive cellular and antibody immune responses to Theileria parva and antigens targeted by them that could help to assess this vaccine platform, and in the design of a broad-spectrum subunit vaccine. The view that N-glycosylated parasite antigens may exist is unlikely as the pathogen does not encode genomic capacity to catalyze this post-translational modification.

This review explores the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic and therapeutic targets to enhance control programs for cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic parasitic disease posing significant threats to global human and animal health. Scientific evidence has demonstrated that Echinococcus-derived miRNAs are present in the biofluids of infected hosts, underscoring their potential for CE diagnosis. Additionally, specific miRNAs from Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato have been shown to influence host-parasite interactions, making them promising therapeutic targets for CE. In conclusion, further investigation into the role of miRNAs in CE could lead to significant breakthroughs in the fight against this neglected disease.

The boosted sterile insect technique, which involves releasing sterile males treated with a biocide such as pyriproxyfen to contaminate breeding sites, has been shown to be effective against Aedes vectors. This approach could prevent the establishment of invasive mosquitoes sharing the same larval habitats, such as Anopheles stephensi.

It is enigmatic, but important, to understand how Toxoplasma gondii, with felids as the ultimate source, enters and circulates among wildlife, people, and the environment of the Arctic, where felids are rare. Informed by studies in the last 15 years, we opine that: (i) marked regional differences in human seroprevalence across the North American Arctic are supported by more numerous animal sentinel studies; (ii) tissue cysts in migratory geese and oocysts shed by felids travel north as 'parasite pollutants' into Arctic ecosystems, moving from land to sea and back again; and (iii) exposure to T. gondii is increasing in polar bears, linked to increased time on land and climate change in the most rapidly warming region of the globe.

Cryptosporidium causes diarrhea globally, with limited treatment options. Host-parasite interactions are incompletely understood. Rodrigues et al. identified MVP1, one of a family of six exported microvilli proteins, and a new Cryptosporidium virulence determinant which interacts with host cell MBP50 and CDC42 to induce elongation of intestinal epithelial cell microvilli.

Trogocytosis - a process whereby cells physically nibble and ingest membrane fragments and other components from neighboring cells - plays a critical role in host-parasite interactions by modulating parasite survival and host immune responses. This review explores trogocytosis in parasitic infections, revealing its dual roles: parasites use it for nutrient acquisition and immune evasion, whereas hosts use it for pathogen clearance. We analyze the molecular machinery driving this process, its impact on infection outcomes, and parallels in tumors/transplantation. Emerging therapeutic opportunities and unresolved challenges are critically evaluated, providing a roadmap for future research to harness trogocytosis in disease control.