ICOSL deficiency promotes M1 polarization to alleviate liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis mice.

The expression of inducible co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL) on macrophage (Mφ) implies their ability to interact with inducible co-stimulator (ICOS)-expressing T cells, thereby modulating immune responses within the liver microenvironment. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying ICOS/ICOSL signaling in the regulation of Mφ polarization during Schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis. To investigate this, ICOSL-knock out (KO) and wildtype (WT) C57BL/6 mice were infected with Schistosoma japonicum (S.

Small change, big difference: A promising praziquantel derivative designated P96 with broad-spectrum antischistosomal activity for chemotherapy of schistosomiasis japonica.

Background: Praziquantel (PZQ) has been the first line antischistosomal drug for all species of Schistosoma, and the only available drug for schistosomiasis japonica, without any alternative drugs since the 1980s. However, PZQ cannot prevent reinfection, and cannot cure schistosomiasis thoroughly because of its poor activity against juvenile schistosomes. In addition, reliance on a single drug is extremely dangerous, the development and spread of resistance to PZQ is becoming a great concern.

Synergistic effect of combination chemotherapy with praziquantel and DW-3-15 for Schistosoma japonicum in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a debilitating and neglected tropical disease for which praziquantel (PZQ) remains the first-choice drug for treatment and control of the disease. In our previous studies, we found that the patented compound DW-3-15 (patent no. ZL201110142538.

MiR-130a-3p Alleviates Liver Fibrosis by Suppressing HSCs Activation and Skewing Macrophage to Ly6C Phenotype.

Emerging evidences have highlighted the crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the liver cirrhosis, but the relationship between miR-130a-3p and liver cirrhosis is not entirely clear. As we all know, schistosomiasis, as one of the zoonoses, can lead to liver cirrhosis when it advances. In this study, we investigated the biological functions of miR-130a-3p on the liver fibrosis of schistosomiasis and .

Seasonal variations and public search interests in Toxoplasma: a 16-year retrospective analysis of big data on Google Trends.

Background: This study aims to understand whether there is a seasonal change in the internet search interest for Toxoplasma by using the data derived from Google Trends (GT).

Methods: The present study searched for the relative search volume (RSV) for the search term 'Toxoplasma' in GT within six major English-speaking countries (Australia, New Zealand [Southern Hemisphere] and Canada, Ireland, the UK and the USA [Northern Hemisphere] from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2019, utilizing the category of 'health'. Data regarding the RSV of Toxoplasma was obtained and further statistical analysis was performed in R software using the 'season' package.

Increased risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cancer patients: A meta-analysis of current evidence based on case-control study.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan parasite that often infects warm-blooded animals or causes opportunistic infections if exists a suppressed immunity. This study aims to investigate the seroprevalence of T.

[Relation between ICOS signaling and Th9 cell polarization in mice infected with ].

Objective: To detect the expression level of ICOS on Th9 cells in mice infected with , and investigate the relation between ICOS signaling and Th9 cell polarization.

Methods: Twenty-five mice with infection were used as models. IL-9cells in CD4 T cells and ICOS cells in Th9 cells of the mice were detected by flow cytometry 0, 4, 7, 9 weeks and 12 weeks after the infection.

Early detection of circulating DNA of Schistosoma japonicum in sentinel mice models.

Currently in China, the schistosomiasis control program has shifted its focus from transmission control to the elimination of the disease. Effective forecast and surveillance systems of schistiosomiasis are of great importance for issuing timely and early warnings on risk of infection, and therefore implementing preventive measures to avoid infection. There is great demand in more sensitive and specific methods to improve the surveillance system for early detection of S.

[Effect of ICOS signaling on CD154/CD40 expressions in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To explore the effect of ICOS signaling on the CD154/CD40 expressions and immunopathology in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.

Methods: ICOS transgenic (ICOS-Tg) mice and wildtype FVB/NJ mice were used as experimental schistosomiasis models. The expressions of CD154 and CD40 on splenocytes and on inflammatory cells around granulomatous infiltration of the liver in the mice infected with S.

[Dynamic alteration of CD154/CD40 and its effects on Th1/Th2 polarization in inducible co-stimulator ligand knockout mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To analyze effect on the CD154-CD40 signaling pathway and Th1/Th2 polarization by deficient inducible co-stimulator (ICOS)-ICOS ligand (ICOSL) signaling in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.

Methods: ICOSL knockout (ICOSL-KO) mice and wild-type C57BL/6J mice were used as experimental Schistosomiasis model infected with Schistosoma japonicum. The expressions of CD154 and CD40 on splenocytes and on inflammatory cells around granulomatous infiltration of liver in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum were analyzed by flow cytometry,immunohistochemical staining, respectively, on the day before infection (0 week)and at the end of 4, 7, 12, 16 and 20 weeks post-infection.

DNA detection of Schistosoma japonicum: diagnostic validity of a LAMP assay for low-intensity infection and effects of chemotherapy in humans.

Background: Schistosomiasis has decreased significantly in prevalence and intensity of infection in China, thus more accurate and sensitive methods are desperately needed for the further control of schistosomiasis. The present work aimed to assess the utility of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detection of light intensity infection or false-negative patients and patients post-treatment, targeting the highly repetitive retrotransposon SjR2 of Schistosoma japonicum.

Methodology/ Principal Findings: LAMP was first assessed in rabbits with low intensity infection (EPG<10).

Th17 down-regulation is involved in reduced progression of schistosomiasis fibrosis in ICOSL KO mice.

Background: Granulomatous and fibrosing inflammation in response to parasite eggs is the main pathology that occurs during infection with Schistosoma spp. CD4+ T cells play critical roles in both host immune responses against parasitic infection and immunopathology in schistosomiasis,and coordinate many types of immune cells that contribute to fibrosis. ICOSL plays an important role in controlling specific aspects of T cell activation, differentiation, and function.

An artemisinin derivative of praziquantel as an orally active antischistosomal agent.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a major health problem in tropical and sub-tropical areas caused by species of trematode belonging to the genus Schistosoma. The treatment and control of this disease has been relying on the use of a single drug praziquantel. However, the drug resistance concern urged the development of new drugs against schistosoma.

[In vitro effect of photoactivated hypericin on anti-Schistosoma japonicum adult male worms].

Objective: To investigate the in vitro effect of photoactivated hypericin on anti-Schistosoma japonicum adult male worms.

Methods: Kunming mice were infected with 60-80 Schistosoma japonicum single-sex cercariae. At 6 weeks post-infection, the mice were sacrificed and adult male worms of S.

[Effect of immune response mediated by ICOS signaling pathway on hepatic fibrosis in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Th2 polarization mediated by ICOS signaling pathway on hepatic fibrosis in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.

Methods: ICOS transgenic (ICOS-Tg) mice and wild-type FVB/NJ mice were used as experimental schistosomiasis model. The sera, livers and spleen lymphocytes of mice were collected, and spleen lymphocytes were stimulated with SEA for 72 h on the day before infection (0 week), and at 4, 7, 12, 16 and 20 weeks post-infection.

Development-specific differences in the proteomics of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Angiostrongyliasis is an emerging communicable disease. Several different hosts are required to complete the life cycle of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. However, we lack a complete understanding of variability of proteins across different developmental stages and their contribution to parasite survival and progression.

Development of a novel class of pyrrolo-[1,2,5]benzothiadiazepine derivatives as potential anti-schistosomal agents.

Analogues of pyrrolo-[1,2,5]benzothiadiazepine were prepared and evaluated against Schistosoma japonica. The biological data revealed that most benzothiazepine derivatives show anti-schistosomal activity to some extent, while α-chloronation of the title compound and another bioisosteric derivative pyrrolo-[1,2,5]benzodiazepine displayed the most distinct worm killing activity. This study proved that benzodiazepine may serve as a novel structural skeleton for the development of anti-schistosomal agents.

The sources and metabolic dynamics of Schistosoma japonicum DNA in serum of the host.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has turned out to be one of the most potential tools for diagnosis of schistosomiasis. However, the source and metabolic dynamics of Schistosoma japonicum DNA in the blood of hosts is not clear. In this study, rabbit models with monosexual and mixed sexual cercariae infection were established to interpret the source of the parasite DNA in serum of the hosts.

Sensitive and specific target sequences selected from retrotransposons of Schistosoma japonicum for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.

Background: Schistosomiasis japonica is a serious debilitating and sometimes fatal disease. Accurate diagnostic tests play a key role in patient management and control of the disease. However, currently available diagnostic methods are not ideal, and the detection of the parasite DNA in blood samples has turned out to be one of the most promising tools for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.

Praziquantel derivatives exhibit activity against both juvenile and adult Schistosoma japonicum.

A praziquantel analog 10-hydroxy praziquantel and eight praziquantel/peroxide conjugates were synthesized. The biological activity of these compounds was evaluated against juvenile and adult stages of Schistosoma japonicum. Unlike praziquantel, 10-hydroxy praziquantel exhibits activity against both juvenile and adult Schistosoma japonicumin.

[Advances in research on antischistosomal drugs].

The article summarizes the newest researches of antischistosomal drugs and discusses the possible alternatives to praziquantel from three aspects, so as to provide the evidence for the development of antischistosomal drugs.

Schistosoma japonicum: a PCR assay for the early detection and evaluation of treatment in a rabbit model.

A specific PCR assay for the detection of Schistosoma japonicum DNA in rabbit fecal and serum samples was developed by amplifying a 230-bp fragment from the sequence information of the clone G55A of the highly repetitive retrotransposon SjR2. The minimum amount of DNA detectable using the PCR assay was 0.8pg, and the expected PCR product was amplified when DNA equivalent of 1.

Praziquantel derivatives I: Modification of the aromatic ring.

Several analogues of the potent anthelmintic praziquantel were prepared with variation in the aromatic ring. The biological activity of these analogues was evaluated and compared against known analogues. Amination of the ring was tolerated while other variations were not.

[Immune response and immunopathology in inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS) transgenic mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

Objective: To establish the ICOS transgenic mice schistosomiasis japonica model and to observe the immune response and immunopathology of the model.

Methods: The transgenic mice were infected with Schistosoma japonicum. Spleen cells and sera of mice were harvested at week 4, 6, and 8 after infection.