Worm Extracts Research Articles

Moonlighting on the Fasciola hepatica tegument: Enolase, a glycolytic enzyme, interacts with the extracellular matrix and fibrinolytic system of the host.

Enolase is a 47 kDa enzyme that functions within the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways involved in the reversible conversion of D-2-phosphoglycerate (2PGA) to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). However, in the context of host-pathogen interactions, enolase from different species of parasites, fungi and bacteria have been shown to contribute to adhesion processes by binding to proteins of the host extracellular matrix (ECM), such as fibronectin (FN) or laminin (LM). In addition, enolase is a plasminogen (PLG)-binding protein and induces its activation to plasmin, the main protease of the host fibrinolytic system. These secondary 'moonlighting' functions of enolase are suggested to facilitate pathogen migration through host tissues. This study aims to uncover the moonlighting role of enolase from the parasite Fasciola hepatica, shedding light on its relevance to host-parasite interactions in fasciolosis, a global zoonotic disease of increasing concern. A purified recombinant form of F. hepatica enolase (rFhENO), functioning as an active homodimeric glycolytic enzyme of ~94 kDa, was successfully obtained, fulfilling its canonical role. Immunoblotting studies on adult worm extracts showed that the enzyme is present in the tegument and the excretory/secretory products of the parasite, which supports its key role at the host-parasite interface. Confocal immunolocalisation studies of the protein in newly excysted juveniles and adult worms also localised its expression within the parasite tegument. Finally, we showed by ELISA that rFhENO can act as a parasitic adhesin by binding host LM, but not FN. rFhENO also binds PLG and enhances its conversion to plasmin in the presence of the tissue-type and urokinase-type PLG activators (t-PA and u-PA). This moonlighting adhesion-like function of the glycolytic protein enolase could contribute to the mechanisms by which F. hepatica efficiently invades and migrates within its host and encourages further research efforts that are designed to impede this function by vaccination or drug design.

A systematic review of antiproliferative and antitumour activity of earthworm extracts

Earthworm extracts have become an interesting research concept in cancer studies because they have various cancer-stopping and preventive substances. Determining the anticancer effect of the extract on cancer cells may lead to new treatment strategies and alternative medicine against the toxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, this study aims to raise awareness for drug development and future anticancer therapeutics by emphasizing the nature of earthworm extracts and the types of cancer they are used in through a systematic review. A systematic search of CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were conducted to identify articles published between January 2018 and December 2022. We utilized various arrangements of the keywords ‘earthworm’, ‘earthworm extract’, and ‘anticancer effect’. We identified original studies written in English depicting in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic impact of worm extracts on cancer cells were included in the review. We found 15 studies matching our search criteria. Among the studies, Eisenia Foetida was determined as the most studied type of earthworm, while Colon cancer was the most frequently studied cancer type. Coleomic Fluid was found to be the commonly used extract to test for anticancer activity with positive results. The study contributes to the literature by providing information about earthworm extracts' antiproliferative and antitumor effects.

Immunoblotting Identification of Diagnostic Antigens of Paragonimus westermani Type 1 for the Detection of Human Pulmonary Paragonimiasis in North East India.

Human pulmonary paragonimiasis, an emerging concern in North East India, frequently masquerades as pulmonary tuberculosis due to clinical and radiological similarities, leading to diagnostic challenges. This research aimed to harness the immunoblotting technique to discern immunodiagnostic protein antigens from both adult worm and excretory-secretory (ES) extracts of the prevalent Paragonimus westermani type 1 in Arunachal Pradesh, North East India. We studied the time kinetics of immunoreactive patterns in relation to the duration of infection in rodent models. Immunoblot analyses were also conducted using sera from ELISA-positive patients confirmed with paragonimiasis, facilitating the selection of antigenic extracts with diagnostic potential. Further, ES protein antigens were subjected to 2D immunoblot analysis and immunoreactive protein spots identified using MALDI-TOF MS. The immunoreactivity patterns of ES antigens with sera of paragonimiasis-positive patients were detailed, and specific immunoreactive protein antigens were pinpointed using peptide mass fingerprinting (MALDI-TOF). This work underscores the enhanced diagnostic accuracy when combining ELISA with immunoblotting for pulmonary paragonimiasis in regions like North East India, marked by co-existing helminth infections.

Life-Cycle-Dependent Toxicities of Mono- and Bifunctional Alkylating Agents in the 3R-Compliant Model Organism C. elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is gaining recognition and importance as an organismic model for toxicity testing in line with the 3Rs principle (replace, reduce, refine). In this study, we explored the use of C. elegans to examine the toxicities of alkylating sulphur mustard analogues, specifically the monofunctional agent 2-chloroethyl-ethyl sulphide (CEES) and the bifunctional, crosslinking agent mechlorethamine (HN2). We exposed wild-type worms at different life cycle stages (from larvae L1 to adulthood day 10) to CEES or HN2 and scored their viability 24 h later. The susceptibility of C. elegans to CEES and HN2 paralleled that of human cells, with HN2 exhibiting higher toxicity than CEES, reflected in LC50 values in the high µM to low mM range. Importantly, the effects were dependent on the worms' developmental stage as well as organismic age: the highest susceptibility was observed in L1, whereas the lowest was observed in L4 worms. In adult worms, susceptibility to alkylating agents increased with advanced age, especially to HN2. To examine reproductive effects, L4 worms were exposed to CEES and HN2, and both the offspring and the percentage of unhatched eggs were assessed. Moreover, germline apoptosis was assessed by using ced-1p::GFP (MD701) worms. In contrast to concentrations that elicited low toxicities to L4 worms, CEES and HN2 were highly toxic to germline cells, manifesting as increased germline apoptosis as well as reduced offspring number and percentage of eggs hatched. Again, HN2 exhibited stronger effects than CEES. Compound specificity was also evident in toxicities to dopaminergic neurons-HN2 exposure affected expression of dopamine transporter DAT-1 (strain BY200) at lower concentrations than CEES, suggesting a higher neurotoxic effect. Mechanistically, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) has been linked to mustard agent toxicities. Therefore, the NAD+-dependent system was investigated in the response to CEES and HN2 treatment. Overall NAD+ levels in worm extracts were revealed to be largely resistant to mustard exposure except for high concentrations, which lowered the NAD+ levels in L4 worms 24 h post-treatment. Interestingly, however, mutant worms lacking components of NAD+-dependent pathways involved in genome maintenance, namely pme-2, parg-2, and sirt-2.1 showed a higher and compound-specific susceptibility, indicating an active role of NAD+ in genotoxic stress response. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that C. elegans represents an attractive model to study the toxicology of alkylating agents, which supports its use in mechanistic as well as intervention studies with major strength in the possibility to analyze toxicities at different life cycle stages.

Effect of Lumbricus terrestris Earthworm Extract and Coelomic Fluid on Some Pathogenic Bacteria

The research aims to find natural alternatives that can inhibit the growth of types of pathogenic bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. Lumbricus terrestris is one of the most common worms in the world. In this study, extracts of the bodies of earthworms L. terrestris are used against different types of bacteria isolated from different disease states. Effective antibacterial chemical compounds have also been using L. terrestris extract by technique Gc-mass, which showed the presence of the compound Thiodiglycol in the rate of (43.38%) and the compound s-(2-Aminoethyl)-L-cysteine ( 22.11%), As well as the compound Dimethylamine in the rate of ( 21.20%). As well as the compound methylthio phosphonamidic acid at the rate of (3.85%). While the FTIR assay showed in its analysis that the active groups containing the hydroxyl group OH and the amide group C = O, When using methanol and acetone solvent for worm extract, it gave a high inhibitory activity at a concentration of 6.2 mg/ml, reaching (22, 30) mm when S. typhia was treated with the two solvents. We conclude from the study that earthworms contain compounds that can inhibit bacterial growth better than antibiotics. Keywords: Lumbricus terrestris, Coelomic Fluid, Gc mass, Lumbricus, Extract antibacterial.

METABOLIC ADAPTATION OF FISH INTESTINAL HELMINTHS: INHIBITORY ABILITY TOWARDS PROTEASES IN CESTODES <i>TRIAENOPHORUS NODULOSUS</i>

The inhibitory ability towards proteases was studied in the extracts of plerocercoids from the liver of perch (Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus), as well as in the excretory-secretory products and extracts of mature and immature cestodes Triaenophorus nodulosus (Pallas, 1781) from the intestine of pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus). It was found that excretory-secretory products and extracts of both mature and immature T. nodulosus display varying degrees of inhibitory ability against proteases. A significant decrease in activity was noted under the action of the studied samples on the activity of commercial trypsin. Tapeworm extracts exhibit a greater inhibitory ability compared to excretory-secretory products. At the same time, the extract of immature worms inhibits the activity of proteases more strongly than that of mature ones. The inhibitory ability is more closely associated with the extract of worms lacking the brush border than with the tegumental brush border fraction.

Cystatins from the Human Liver Fluke Opisthorchis viverrini: Molecular Characterization and Functional Analysis.

A high incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) has been observed in Thailand. This usually rare cancer has been associated with infection with the human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini. Secretions of the parasite that interact with the host are thought to be a major component of its pathogenicity and proteolysis is a key biological activity of the secreted molecules. In this study, we present a molecular analysis of cysteine proteinase inhibitors (cystatins) of Opisthorchis viverrini. Six cDNA coding sequences of Opisthorchis viverrini cystatins, OvCys1-6, were cloned from the adult stage of the parasite using RT-PCR. Based on their sequences, OvCys1 and OvCys2 are classified as type 1 cystatins, while OvCys3-6 are classified as type 2 cystatins, with each containing a signal peptide and only one C-terminal disulfide bond. Their C-terminal region sequences are diverse compared with other cystatin members. Cystatins OvCys1, 3 and 4 were found in crude worm extracts and excretory-secretory (ES) products from the adult parasite using Western blot detection, while the other isoforms were not. Thus, OvCys1, 3 and 4 were selected for inhibition analysis and immune reactivity with Opisthorchis viverrini-infected hamster sera. OvCys1, 3, and 4 inhibited mammalian cathepsin L more effectively than cathepsin B. The pH range for their full activity was very wide (pH 3-9) and they were heat stable for at least 3 h. Unlike Fasciola gigantica cystatins, they showed no immune reactivity with infected hamster sera based on indirect ELISA. Our findings suggest that Opisthorchis viverrini cystatins are not major antigenic components in the ES product of this parasite and that other effects of Opisthorchis viverrini cystatins should be investigated.

Assessment of an Immuno-Diagnostic Method for Hookworm-Related Cutaneous Larva Migrans Using Crude Extracts of Ancylostoma caninum

People can become infected with cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) through skin penetration by the infective zoonotic larvae of hookworms. Few studies have investigated CLM's immunodiagnosis, and the existing studies were limited to crude somatic or excretory/secretory antigens (Ags) from adult worms. Here, we aimed to develop an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to differentiate and diagnose hwCLM by detecting immunoglobulin (Ig)E, IgG, and IgG subclasses 1-4 (IgG1-4) against the somatic Ag of adult Ancylostoma caninum checkerboard titrations of adult A. caninum worm extract. Pooled serum controls were immunocharacterized using an indirect ELISA. The IgG1-4 and IgE results were unsatisfactory; however, the use of total IgG achieved results comparable to those of immunoblotting. Thus, we continued to analyze the IgG-ELISA using serum samples from patients with hwCLM and heterologous infections as well as from healthy controls. The sensitivity and excellent specificity of the total IgG-ELISA were 93.75% and 98.37%, respectively, and its positive and negative predictive values were 75% and 99.67%, respectively. Antibodies from five cases of angiostrongyliasis, gnathostomiasis, and dirofilariasis cross-reacted with the somatic Ag of adult A. caninum. This new assay can adequately serodiagnose hwCLM when combined with clinical features and/or histological examination.

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF LANTANA CAMARA AGAINST PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA, SERRATIA MARCESCENS AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS TO DEVELOP OINTMENT BASED THERAPY

Plant extract (Lantana camara) and earthworm (Pheretima posthuma) extract have been used to treat many illnesses for centuries; they have been reported to suppress the growth of many pathogenic bacteria and are specially used for wound healing. We analyzed the antibacterial activity of the different organic extracts obtained from these species against pathogenic strains of bacteria and compared them to know which is more potent for developing antiseptic ointment. Ethanol and acetone solvents were used for the extraction and analyzed for their antibacterial activity by the disk diffusion and shake flask test. Then we identified the minimum inhibitory concentration of extracts against gram-positive and gram-negative strains. Lantana camara showed the largest growth inhibitory zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus aureus. MIC for plant extract was 150μg/ml, while earthworm extract inhibited growth at a minimum dose of 200μg/ml. We found that the plant's ethanol extract (L. camara) exhibited robust antimicrobial activity compared to the worm extract. Current investigation reinforces the application of Lantana camara extract to develop ointment to treat wound infections.

Evaluation and Comparison of the Effects of Mature Silkworm (Bombyx mori) and Silkworm Pupae Extracts on Schwann Cell Proliferation and Axon Growth: An In Vitro Study.

Silkworm products were first used by physicians more than 8500 years ago, in the early Neolithic period. In Persian medicine, silkworm extract has several uses for treating and preventing neurological, cardiac, and liver diseases. Mature silkworms (Bombyx mori) and their pupae contain a variety of growth factors and proteins that can be used in many repair processes, including nerve regeneration. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of mature silkworm (Bombyx mori), and silkworm pupae extract on Schwann cell proliferation and axon growth. Silkworm (Bombyx mori) and silkworm pupae extracts were prepared. Then, the concentration and type of amino acids and proteins in the extracts were evaluated by Bradford assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Also, the regenerative potential of extracts for improving Schwann cell proliferation and axon growth was examined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, electron microscopy, and NeuroFilament-200 (NF-200) immunostaining. According to the results of the Bradford test, the total protein content of pupae extract was almost twice that of mature worm extract. Also, SDS-PAGE analysis revealed numerous proteins and growth factors, such as bombyrin and laminin, in extracts that are involved in the repair of the nervous system. In accordance with Bradford's results, the evaluation of extracts using LC-MS/MS revealed that the number of amino acids in pupae extract was higher than in mature silkworm extract. It was found that the proliferation of Schwann cells at a concentration of 0.25 mg/mL in both extracts was higher than the concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05 mg/mL. When using both extracts on dorsal root ganglion (DRGs), an increase in length and number was observed in axons. The findings of this study demonstrated that extracts obtained from silkworms, especially pupae, can play an effective role in Schwann cell proliferation and axonal growth, which can be strong evidence for nerve regeneration, and, consequently, repairing peripheral nerve damage.

Expression of Trichinella spiralis serpin Tsp_01570 in Pichia pastoris: a first insight of its biomodulatory activity.

Serpins represent one of the most diverse families of serine protease inhibitors. Despite their complexity, they are virtually found in all organisms and play an important role in homeostasis processes such as blood coagulation, inflammation, fibrinolysis, immune responses, chromatin condensation, tumor suppression, and apoptosis. There has recently been particular interest in studying serpin functions in infection and inflammation, especially since more serpins from parasites have been identified and characterized. Among helminths, Trichinella spiralis is one of the few parasites with an extremely strong ability to induce host immune suppression. Previous studies show that serpins are present in Trichinella and are expressed differentially at different parasite stages. More interesting, there is evidence of a recombinant serpin from Trichinella pseudospiralis that alters macrophage polarization in vitro. This finding could be relevant to comprehend the modulation process of the immune response. We expressed Tsp_01570, a putative serpin gene from Trichinella spiralis, in the eukaryotic system Pichia pastoris SMD1168H and evaluated its presence at different parasite stages, finding the serine protease inhibitor in the crude extract of adult worms. The effect of recombinant serpin on THP-1 cells was tested by quantification of IL-12p40, TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10 cytokines released by ELISA. We also evaluated the expression of the M1 markers, CCR7 and CD86, and the M2 markers, CD163 and CD206, by immunofluorescence staining. This study represents the first insight in elucidating the importance of serpin Tsp_01570 as a potential molecular modulator.

An Innovative Test for the Rapid Detection of Specific IgG Antibodies in Human Whole-Blood for the Diagnosis of Opisthorchis viverrini Infection.

Chronic human liver fluke infections caused by Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis can last for decades and cause liver and biliary diseases, including life-threatening pathology prior to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). CCA generally has a poor prognosis. Serological diagnosis can support parasitological examination in diagnosing disease and screening for the risk of CCA. Here, we present an improved and innovative lateral flow immunochromatographic test (ICT) kit that uses whole-blood samples (WBS) rather than serum to diagnose human opisthorchiasis, which also successfully diagnosed human clonorchiasis. This ICT includes a soluble worm extract of O. viverrini adults and colloidal-gold-labeled conjugates of the IgG antibody to evaluate the diagnostic values with simulated WBS (n = 347). Simulated WBS were obtained by the spiking infection sera with red blood cells. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy for detecting opisthorchiasis were 95.5%, 87.0%, 80.5%, 97.2%, and 90.1%, respectively. For clonorchiasis, these findings were 85.7%, 87.0%, 53.6%, 97.2%, and 86.8%, respectively. Combined for both diseases, they were 93.2%, 87.0%, 84.0%, 94.6%, and 89.6%, respectively. The ICT kit can possibly replace the ICT platforms for antibody detection in serum samples in field surveys in remote areas where sophisticated equipment is not available.

Antigenic components, identification, and characterization of whole worm extract of Platynosomum illiciens

The antigenic components of adult Platynosomum illiciens were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting using sera from cats naturally infected with P. illiciens, Dipylidium caninum, Toxocara cati and uninfected cat sera. The whole worm extract (WWE) of P. illiciens was fractionated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography. The results showed that WWE fraction and F2 were highly antigenic as well as F1 and F3, which were moderately antigenic. For SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, the antigenic molecules of WWE and all three fractions were mostly at molecular weights (MW) ranging from 11 to 150 kDa. Four antigenic proteins of 11, 18, 27 and 75 kDa detected in WWE and F1-F3 were found to give a reaction with sera from P. illiciens infected cats, and these proteins were also identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For immunolocalization observation, it was revealed that the P. illiciens antigen was present in high concentration in the cytoplasm of vitelline cells in the vitelline glands, the shell of the eggs and the eggs within the uterus, but not in other organs, i.e., tegument, muscle, parenchymal cells, testes and oral and ventral suckers of adult fluke. This finding indicates that these proteins may be potential antigen candidates for the immunodiagnosis of feline platynosomosis caused by P. illiciens.

Measurement of Protein Content in Extract of Earthworm

Earthworms are widely used by Indonesian people as an alternative treatment of typhoid fever in addition to the main treatment using antibiotics. One of the main ingredients of earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) is protein. The amount of protein content of the extracts is highly dependent on the production process. For this reason, a spectrophotometric analysis was carried out to determine the protein content of the worm extracts in the market. As a result of the analysis using the Lowry method at a maximum wavelength of 650.8 nm, the protein content of a sample of earthworm extract obtained from the market was (10.41 ± 0.47) %.

Utilization of Rhizosphere Earthworm Extracts to Support the Immune System

Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition caused by periodontal bacteria that are recognized by Toll-like receptors on neutrophils, macrophages, and other immune cells. As a result of this interaction, immune cells produce inflammatory molecules like cytokines and chemokines. In addition to the pathogenic effects of periodontitis, dysregulation of neutrophil activity can occur. The neutrophil acts as a double-edged sword in periodontitis, mobilizing defence mediators and tissue repair mechanisms while also causing further tissue damage. The goal of this study was to determine how Lumbricus luberus worm extract (EEW) affected the number of neutrophil cells in rats with periodontitis. A post-test design was used. Five Wistar rats, each infected with P. gingivalis, were divided into groups: a control group (no earthworm extract), an oral EEW (200 mg/kg/body weight) group, and a topical EEW gel group (20%). The number of neutrophil cells was measured on days 3, 7, 14, and 21. The study was carried out at the Udayana University Analytical Laboratory and the Veterinary Medicine Laboratory. The differences between control, oral, and topical Lumbricus rubellus extract administration on days 3 and 7 were significant (p < 0.05). On days 14 and 21, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the control vs. oral administration groups and between the control vs. earthworm extract gel groups. However, on days 14 and 21, there was no significant difference between the oral administration and L. rubellus gel extract groups (p > 0.05). The number of neutrophils was significantly lower following the oral administration of L. rubellus earthworm extracts.
 Keywords: Wistar periodontitis rats, Lumbricus rubellus earthworm extract, neutrophil

Isolation and Identification of Secondary Metabolite Compounds of Laor Worm Extract as Antibacterial

Laor worms (Lysidice oela) are worms that appear on the surface of the Maluku sea to reproduce in March or April. Laor worms are usually consumed by most people because they contain 13.92% protein, 81.51% water, 1.01% fat, and 2.41% ash and contain 9 types of essential amino acids. Secondary metabolite compounds (bromophenol) from marine worms are antimicrobial. This research aimed to determine the potential of secondary metabolites in inhibiting the growth of E. coli bacteria and to determine the secondary metabolites contained in laor worms. Laor worm is extracted maceration with ethanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether. The results of each extract were tested for antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion method with variations in concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mg/mL against E. coli bacteria. The results of the extract which had the highest antibacterial activity were then tested for phytochemicals, then separated using TLC, and identified active compounds using UV-Vis spectrophotometers and their functional groups using FT-IR spectrophotometers. The results showed that laor worm extract could inhibit the growth of E. coli bacteria with an inhibition zone area of ??13.4 mm for ethanol extract; 14.8 for ethyl acetate extract and 12.6 mm for petroleum ether extract. The phytochemical test showed that the ethyl acetate extract of la worms contained flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids. Identification using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer obtained ?max was 203 nm which showed steroid compounds. The identification of active compounds using an FTIR spectrophotometer shows the functional groups O-H, C = O, C-C, C-OH primary, and C-H which are thought to be steroid compounds.

Aktivitas Antibakteri Ekstrak Cacing Laor Hasil Ekstraksi Dengan Pelarut Berbeda Terhadap Bakteri Escherichia Coli

Laor worms (Lysidice oela) are worms that appear on the surface of the Maluku sea to reproduce in March or April. Laor worms are usually consumed by the most people because they contain 13.92% protein, 81.51% water, 1.01% fat, and 2.41% ash and contain 9 types of essential amino acids. Secondary metabolite compounds (bromophenol) from marine worms are antimicrobial. The purpose of this research was to determine the potential of secondary metabolites in inhibiting the growth of E. coli bacteria. Laor worm is extracted maceration with ethanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether. The results of each extract were tested for antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion method with variations in concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/mL against E. coli bacteria. The results showed that laor worm extract could inhibit the growth of E. coli bacteria with an inhibition zone area of 13.4 mm for ethanol extract; 14.8 for ethyl acetate extract and 12.6 mm for petroleum ether extract

Inducible degradation of dosage compensation protein DPY-27 facilitates isolation of Caenorhabditis elegans males for molecular and biochemical analyses.

Biological sex affects numerous aspects of biology, yet how sex influences different biological processes have not been extensively studied at the molecular level. Caenorhabditis elegans, with both hermaphrodites (functionally females as adults) and males, is an excellent system to uncover how sex influences physiology. Here, we describe a method to isolate large quantities of C. elegans males by conditionally degrading DPY-27, a component of the dosage compensation complex essential for hermaphrodite, but not male, development. We show that germ cells from males isolated following DPY-27 degradation undergo meiosis and spermiogenesis like wild type and these males are competent to mate and sire viable offspring. We further demonstrate the efficacy of this system by analyzing gene expression and performing affinity pull-downs from male worm extracts.

STUDI KELAYAKAN BUDIDAYA CACING TANAH BERBASIS JAMINAN PRODUK HALAL DI BARRU SULAWESI SELATAN

Today, earthworms have a huge potential to be cultivated professionally for commercial business purposes. This earthworm business business is very beneficial for the benefit of the animal and fish feed industry, the needs of the pharmaceutical industry. Earthworms are commodities that are useful both for soil fertility and for the world of medicine. Treatment by using earthworms has been widely attempted in the community, even according to the MUI in the MUI Fatwa Number: 139 year 2000, confirming that the law is permissible (mubah). The purpose of this research is to find out a feasibility study for the establishment of an earthworm cultivation business to meet market demand which is currently still low. Data were taken from interviews and analysis using 5 aspects to determine the location of the earthworm cultivation business. Based on the analysis of the market aspect of earthworm cultivation in Barru district using the linear regression method of forecasting where the production capacity in 2021 is 1,779 with a production plan of 10%. In market share per year. The conclusion is that the law using worm extracts is permissible meaning that it is halal to try and consume the results of worm extracts for treatment, then on the financial aspect that IRR > MARR is 37.06% > 6%, it can be said that the establishment of an earthworm cultivation business in the district just worth continuing.

Infection-Derived Monocytic MDSCs Require TGF-β to Suppress Filarial-Specific IFN-γ But Not IL-13 Release by Filarial-Specific CD4+ T Cells In Vitro

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a major health problem with severe economic repercussions in endemic communities of Sub-saharan Africa, South-East Asia and South America. The rodent-specific nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis (Ls) is used to study the immunomodulatory potential of filariae and research has elucidated pathways involving regulatory T cells (Tregs), IL-10 producing cells and alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) and that CD4+ T cells play a paramount role during infection. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been identified and characterised in man in cancer and other pathologies. The hallmark of MDSC populations is the suppression of T and B cell responses using various mechanisms, which are mostly specific to the pathology or setting. However, until now, it remains unclear whether they play a role in filarial-specific responses. We report here that monocytic MDSCs (Mo-MDSCs, CD11b+Ly6C+Ly6G-) and polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs, CD11b+Ly6Cint/loLy6G+) expanded in the thoracic cavity (TC, the site of infection) and correlated positively with filarial life-stages in Ls-infected BALB/c mice. In vitro, only infection-derived Mo-MDSCs showed a suppressive nature by preventing IL-13 and IFN-γ secretion from filarial-specific CD4+ T cells upon co-culture with soluble worm extract. This suppression was not mediated by IL-10, IL-6 or TNF-α, and did not require cell-contact, nitric oxide (NO), IL-4/IL-5 signalling pathways or CCR2. Interestingly, neutralizing TGF-β significantly rescued IFN-γ but not IL-13 production by filarial-specific CD4+ T cells. In comparison to naive cells, PCR array data showed an overall down-regulation of inflammatory pathways in both infection-derived Mo-MDSCs and PMN-MDSCs. In conclusion, these primary data sets show activity and expansion of MDSCs during Ls infection adding this regulatory cell type to the complex milieu of host responses during chronic helminth infections.