Work

Cysteine proteases during larval migration and development of helminths in their final host

Year: 2018

Type: review

Abstract: Neglected tropical diseases caused by metazoan parasites are major public health concerns, and therefore, new methods for their control and elimination are needed.Research over the last 25 years has revealed the vital contribution of cysteine proteases to invasion of and migration by (larval) helminth parasites through host tissues, in addition to their roles in embryogenesis, molting, egg hatching, and yolk degradation.Their central function to maintaining parasite survival in the host has made them prime intervention targets for novel drugs and vaccines.This review focuses on those helminth cysteine proteases that have been functionally characterized during the varied early stages of development in the human host and embryogenesis. Cathepsin B-and L-like proteases facilitate invasion of host tissues by larval helminth parasitesThe skin and intestinal wall represent physical barriers to pathogen entry into their hosts.In order to successfully breach these barriers, parasites must effectively degrade an array of host proteins.At the same time, parasites need to minimize tissue damage and the induction of innate immune responses in order to quickly and successfully establish infection in the human or animal host.Cysteine proteases of parasitic organisms are the focus of considerable attention, as they are specifically adapted to effectively degrade host tissues to aid penetration and migration. Skin penetration by schistosome larvae-A role fulfilled by evolutionarily diverse proteasesInvasive larvae (cercariae) of the schistosome blood fluke must penetrate the epidermis and dermis in order to access the circulatory system and facilitate their establishment in the host.

Source: PLoS neglected tropical diseases

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005919

Authors: Alexandra Grote, Conor R. Caffrey, Karina M. Rebello, David Smith, John P. Dalton, Sara Lustigman