In vitro effects of glutathione on Transforming Growth Factor beta and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor genes expression in the protoscoleces and strobilated worms of Echinococcus granulosus

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) caused by the small taeniid cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is a globally distributed zoonosis. Administration of some chemicals or natural compounds could lead to significant effects on the expression of some developmentally important genes including Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-beta) and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in other parasitic organisms. The main purpose of this study was to describe the effect of glutathione (GSH) on the expression of TGF-beta and EGFR genes in different developmental stages of E. granulosus. Protoscoleces of hydatid cysts collected from naturally infected sheep liver were cultured in diphasic CMRL1066 medium. Glutathione Mono-ethyl Ester (GME) at 250 mu g/ml concentration was applied on the invaginated protoscoleces (PSCi), evaginated protoscoleces (PSCe) and strobilated worms (SW3) in vitro. TGF-beta and EGFR genes expression were evaluated by using Real Time qPCR analysis compared to the controls. In response to GME treatment TGF-beta expression was affected, however no significant effect was observed in EGFR expression. The results indicate a significant difference of TGF-beta expression in the intact protoscoleces and the strobilated worms comparing to the controls. In intact invaginated protoscoleces TGF-beta expression was significantly increased (p < 0.01) while in the strobilated worms a significant decrease was observed comparing to no-treatment controls (p < 0.001). None of the three developmental stages of E. granulosus demonstrated significant changes in EGFR expression. The results indicated that administration of GSH modified TGF-beta expression in the protoscoleces and strobilar stages of E. granulosus. To improve our understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of the parasite more in depth in vitro and in vivo studies on the morphological and molecular effects of glutathione on the parasite is recommended. Further investigation on the gene profiles in other stages including microcysts and germinal layer cells is also suggested. This paves the way for the effective treatment and control of cystic echinococcosis.