Avaliação do proteoma de trichuris trichiura como potencial fonte de moléculas com atividade imunomodulatória

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), such as Trichuris trichiura, represent a significant global health challenge, particularly affecting children and leading to substantial morbidity. However, T. trichiura's ability to manipulate the host's immune responses offers a promising avenue for identifying biomolecules with therapeutic potential in inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune disorders. This study marks the inaugural comprehensive exploration of the proteome of adult male and female T. trichiura worms using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The analysis resulted in the identification of 810 parasite proteins. Genetic ontology was employed to assess the profile of each group (complete male, exclusive proteins, complete female, exclusive proteins, and proteins shared between genders). This facilitated the identification of protein groups with their respective components, functions, and processes, contributing to a deeper comprehension of the parasite's biology. Notably, several proteins with immunomodulatory potential surfaced in both genders, including a Kunitz protease inhibitor and glutamate dehydrogenase, showcasing promise for therapeutic applications. The recombinantly produced rc4299 protein demonstrated immunomodulatory characteristics, notably an increase in IL-10 secretion, suggesting potential use in treating autoimmune and allergic diseases. This study illuminates the intricacies of the T. trichiura proteome, uncovering promising therapeutic targets and emphasizing the intricate interplay between the parasite and the host's immune system.