Abstract

Wolbachia are required for filarial nematode survival and fertility and contribute to the immune responses associated with human filarial diseases. Here we developed whole-mount immunofluorescence techniques to characterize Wolbachia somatic and germline transmission patterns and tissue distribution in Brugia malayi, a nematode responsible for lymphatic filariasis. In the initial embryonic divisions, Wolbachia segregate asymmetrically such that they occupy only a small subset of cells in the developing embryo, facilitating their concentration in the adult hypodermal chords and female germline. Wolbachia are not found in male reproductive tissues and the absence of Wolbachia from embryonic germline precursors in half of the embryos indicates Wolbachia loss from the male germline may occur in early embryogenesis. Wolbachia rely on fusion of hypodermal cells to populate adult chords. Finally, we detect Wolbachia in the secretory canal lumen suggesting living worms may release bacteria and/or their products into their host.

Highlights

  • Filarial nematodes are the causative agents of human filariasis, affecting over 150 million individuals

  • Filarial diseases affect over 150 million people in tropical countries

  • They are caused by parasitic nematodes like Brugia malayi that rely on their endosymbiont Wolbachia for their survival and fertility

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Summary

Introduction

Filarial nematodes are the causative agents of human filariasis, affecting over 150 million individuals. Three filarial nematode species are responsible for lymphatic filariasis: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori, causing pathologies that include hydrocoele and lymphoedema (elephantiasis). Onchocerciasis is caused by Onchocerca volvulus, leading to skin disease, ‘‘onchocercoma nodules’’ and visual impairment, including blindness. These parasitic nematodes rely on alpha-proteobacterial Wolbachia endosymbionts for development, viability and fertility (for reviews see, [3,4]). This obligate dependence was first discovered using anti-Rickettsial tetracycline antibiotics, in in vitro and in vivo model systems. Human trials with doxycycline or rifampicin provide evidence for long-term sterilization and macrofilaricidal (adulticidal) effects against both lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis [5,6,7,8]

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