Host tissue proteomics reveal insights into the molecular basis of Schistosoma haematobium-induced bladder pathology

• Main Authors: Derick N. M. Osakunor, Kenji Ishida, Olivia K. Lamanna, Mario Rossi, Louis Dwomoh, Michael H. Hsieh
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/454f0f14689b4521baeb34045435bd38

Urogenital schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern worldwide. In response to egg deposition, the host bladder undergoes gross and molecular morphological changes relevant for disease manifestation. However, limited mechanistic studies to date imply that the molecular mechanisms underlying pathology are not well-defined. We leveraged a mouse model of urogenital schistosomiasis to perform for the first time, proteome profiling of the early molecular events that occur in the bladder after exposure to S. haematobium eggs, and to elucidate the protein pathways involved in urogenital schistosomiasis-induced pathology. Purified S. haematobium eggs or control vehicle were microinjected into the bladder walls of mice. Mice were sacrificed seven days post-injection and bladder proteins isolated and processed for proteome profiling using mass spectrometry. We demonstrate that biological processes including carcinogenesis, immune and inflammatory responses, increased protein translation or turnover, oxidative stress responses, reduced cell adhesion and epithelial barrier integrity, and increased glucose metabolism were significantly enriched in S. haematobium infection. S. haematobium egg deposition in the bladder results in significant changes in proteins and pathways that play a role in pathology. Our findings highlight the potential bladder protein indicators for host-parasite interplay and provide new insights into the complex dynamics of pathology and characteristic bladder tissue changes in urogenital schistosomiasis. The findings will be relevant for development of improved interventions for disease control. Author summary The molecular mechanisms underlying the urinary and genital pathology from urogenital schistosomiasis have not been well-defined. This has mainly been due to limited mechanistic studies and the lack of a suitable animal model for S. haematobium infection. We leveraged a mouse model of urogenital schistosomiasis, along with proteomics analysis, to determine the early molecular events ...