Comparative study of excretory-secretory proteins released by Schistosoma mansoni-resistant, susceptible and naive Biomphalaria glabrata

Background Schistosomiasis is a harmful neglected tropical disease caused by infection with Schistosoma spp., such as Schistosoma mansoni. Schistosoma must transition within a molluscan host to survive. Chemical analyses of schistosome-molluscan interactions indicate that host identification involves chemosensation, including naive host preference. Proteomic technique advances enable sophisticated comparative analyses between infected and naive snail host proteins. This study aimed to compare resistant, susceptible and naive Biomphalaria glabrata snail-conditioned water (SCW) to identify potential attractants and deterrents. Methods Behavioural bioassays were performed on S. mansoni miracidia to compare the effects of susceptible, F1 resistant and naive B. glabrata SCW. The F1 resistant and susceptible B. glabrata SCW excretory-secretory proteins (ESPs) were fractionated using SDS-PAGE, identified with LC-MS/MS and compared to naive snail ESPs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses based on published studies (including experiments, co-expression, text-mining and gene fusion) identified S. mansoni and B. glabrata protein interaction. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD015129. Results A total of 291, 410 and 597 ESPs were detected in the susceptible, F1 resistant and naive SCW, respectively. Less overlap in ESPs was identified between susceptible and naive snails than F1 resistant and naive snails. F1 resistant B. glabrata ESPs were predominately associated with anti-pathogen activity and detoxification, such as leukocyte elastase and peroxiredoxin. Susceptible B. glabrata several proteins correlated with immunity and anti-inflammation, such as glutathione S-transferase and zinc metalloproteinase, and S. mansoni sporocyst presence. PPI analyses found that uncharacterised S. mansoni protein Smp_142140.1 potentially interacts with numerous B. glabrata proteins. Conclusions This study identified ESPs released by F1 resistant, susceptible and naive B. glabrata to explain S. mansoni miracidia interplay. Susceptible B. glabrata ESPs shed light on potential S. mansoni miracidia deterrents. Further targeted research on specific ESPs identified in this study could help inhibit B. glabrata and S. mansoni interactions and stop human schistosomiasis.