Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE94132: Effect of Praziquantel on the Differential Expression of Mouse Hepatic Genes and Parasite ATP Binding Cassette Transporter Gene Family Members During Schistosoma mansoni Infection

Bulk RNA sequencing

Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms that significantly impacts on the lives of approximately 250 million people. During infection, female parasites release thousands of eggs, a significant number of which become trapped in the liver. The entrapment of the eggs triggers immune and inflammatory responses that in turn cause many of the health problems associated with the disease. In this study we analyzed the gene expression profiles of livers from mice infected with the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni over multiple time points, beginning when the parasites start to lay eggs. Mice were treated with a lethal dose of the anti-schistosomal drug praziquantel, and we identified a number of different genes and pathways that are central to immune and inflammatory responses that are active even in the absence of egg deposition. Praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, however it is ineffective against juvenile parasites during the early stages of mammalian infection. We also show that the development of drug resistance may be due to the improved efficacy of the juvenile parasite to actively excrete the drug. These results provide insights into the effect of praziquantel on the host response to infection as well as ability of juvenile parasites to overcome the lethal effect of the drug. SOURCE: Charles Cunningham (ccunnin@unm.edu) - University of New Mexico