Authors

E de la Torre-Escudero¹; A Bennett¹; M Robinson¹;  ¹ Queen's University Belfast

Discussion

Helminth parasites release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can transfer a range of effector molecules to host cells. Several studies have described the contribution of parasite-derived EVs to the modulation of the host immune system or the pathological effects on host cells. However, the mechanisms of interaction/internalisation between parasite-derived EVs and host cells remain elusive and a better understanding of these processes may open new avenues for parasite control. We recently showed that Fasciola hepatica releases an EV population loaded with various internal cargo proteins, including several known immunomodulators. Here, we have used a membrane-impermeable biotin to label proteins specifically exposed on the outer surface of the parasite vesicles. Following streptavidin pulldown and mass spectrometry we identified a number of protein functional groups, including membrane pumps, tetraspanins, integrins as well as trematode-specific antigens that detail EV surface architecture but may also provide insight into how parasite-derived EVs interact with host cells. Experiments are currently underway to investigate the role of the surface-exposed proteins and whether these could be targeted by novel anti-parasite therapies.