Flatworm-specific transcriptional regulators promote the specification of tegumental progenitors in Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomes infect more than 200 million people. These parasitic flatworms rely on a syncytial outer coat called the tegument to survive within the vasculature of their host. Although the tegument is pivotal for their survival, little is known about maintenance of this tissue during the decades schistosomes survive in the bloodstream. Here, we demonstrate that the tegument relies on stem cells (neoblasts) to specify fusogenic progenitors that replace tegumental cells lost to turnover. Molecular characterization of neoblasts and tegumental progenitors led to the discovery of two flatworm-specific zinc finger proteins that are essential for tegumental cell specification. These proteins are homologous to a protein essential for neoblast-driven epidermal maintenance in free-living flatworms. Therefore, we speculate that related parasites (i.e., tapeworms and flukes) employ similar strategies to control tegumental maintenance. Since parasitic flatworms infect every vertebrate species, understanding neoblast-driven tegumental maintenance could identify broad-spectrum therapeutics to fight diseases caused by these parasites.

Ultrastructural changes to the tegumental system and the gastrodermal cells in adult Fasciola hepatica following in vivo treatment with the experimental fasciolicide, compound alpha

SUMMARYSheep infected with the triclabendazole-susceptible, Cullompton isolate of Fasciola hepatica were dosed with 15 mg/kg of compound alpha at 12 weeks post-infection. Adult flukes were recovered from the bile ducts at 24, 48 and 72 h post-treatment (p.t.). Ultrastructural changes to the flukes were assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with a view to gathering information on the mechanism(s) of action for compound alpha and on the possible route of its entry into F. hepatica. The tegumental syncytium was more severely affected than the gut at all time-points p.t. with compound alpha, suggesting a predominantly trans-tegumental route of uptake. Disruption to the tegumental system became increasingly severe over time. A stress response was observed at 24 h p.t. and took the form of blebbing and increases in the production and transport of secretory bodies. By 72 h p.t., extensive tegumental loss and degeneration of the tegumental cell bodies had occurred. Degeneration of subtegumental tissues and internal flooding were also observed. Changes in the gastrodermal cells were slow to develop: reduced secretory activity was evident at 72 h p.t.. There was progressive disruption to the somatic muscle layers, with disorganization of the muscle blocks and loss of muscle fibres.

Ultrastructure of the tegument of Saccocoelioides godoyi

The tegument of adultSaccocoelioides godoyiKohn & Froes, 1986 (Digenea: Haploporidae), specimens of which were collected from the intestine of the freshwater fish,Leporinus friderici(Bloch, 1794) (Anostomidae) from the reservoir of Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Station, Parana State, Brazil, was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The tegument comprises an external anucleate layer, covered by a surface plasma membrane and associated glycocalyx. The surface layer is bound by the basal plasma membrane and contains spines, two types of inclusion bodies and mitochondria. Tegumental cell bodies are located beneath the surface musculature and contain a single nucleus, cytoplasm with rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, ribosomes, and inclusion bodies similar to those found in the external layer. Cytoplasmic strands connect the cell bodies to the external surface layer, suggesting that the inclusion bodies are produced in these cells and pass up into the syncytium, as is known for other digeneans from experimental evidence.

Intranuclear bodies in the tissues of the scolex of the cestode Hymenolepis microstoma

Intranuclear bodies were observed in the tissues of the scolex of Hymenolepis microstoma where they were most frequent and well developed in the rostellar tegumental cell bodies. The intranuclear bodies in the electron microscope appeared as bundles of fibrillae oriented in a loose lattice structure, set in a featureless lucent nucleoplasm. The fibrillae were ~8 nm in diameter with a longitudinal periodicity of ~6 nm. These bodies, restricted almost entirely to the scolex, were observed only after the scolex had migrated into the bile duct. The correlation of these bodies with possibly viral, pathological, and hypermetabolic states is discussed.

Formation of the cyst wall and related changes in the structure of the tegument ofBucephalus haimeanus(Lacaze-Duthiers, 1854) during its metamorphosis from the cercarial to the metacercarial stage

SUMMARYThe formation of the cyst wall surroundingBucephalus haimeanusand the related changes in the parasite tegument during its metamorphosis from the cercarial to the metacercarial stage have been investigated by means of experimental infections inGobiusculus flavescens. The initial fibrous cyst wall is formed from secretions produced by both the anterior gland cells and the tegument of the parasite. These secretions gradually become compacted against the surrounding hepatic cells until by the 20–30th day post-infection the 3-zoned inner layer, characteristic of the fully developed cyst wall, is formed. Hepatic cells immediately adjacent to this inner cyst wall layer are disrupted by the arrival of the metacercaria and form the middle vacuolated layer. As the metacercaria grows, the cyst increases in size causing still further hepatic cells to become flattened and incorporated into the cyst structure forming the outer nucleated layer. The structure of the cercarial tegument is described. Development of the metacercarial tegument is accomplished by the sequential movement of secretory vesicles from tegumental cell bodies into the outer cytoplasmic tegument. Vesicles of the types V. 1–5 are released from the outer cytoplasmic tegument, resulting in an almost complete breakdown of this layer prior to its replacement by the tegument of the fully developed metacercaria. The latter is characterized by the V. 6–9 type vesicles, dorso-ventrally flattened spines which terminate in 5–7 digits and by sensory cilia.

The role of the tegument of the metacercarial stage of Bucephalus haimeanus (Lacaze-Duthiers, 1854) in the absorption of particulate material and small molecules in solution

SUMMARYUptake by the tegument of metacercariae of Bucephalus haimeanus of both particulate material and small molecules in solution is demonstrated by the use of electron-dense tracers and autoradiographic techniques. Ruthenium red (RR) uptake involved pinocystosis and the formation of large, electron-lucent vesicles in the outer cytoplasmic tegument. RR lost its association with these vesicles and became freely dispersed within the cytoplasm as it passed through the outer cytoplasmic tegument, down the cytoplasmic bridges and into the tegumental cell bodies. Ferritin, iodinated insulin and iodinated human serum albumin were also located within the outer cytoplasmic tegument and ferritin collected beneath the inner plasma membrane of the outer cytoplasmic tegument. Horseradish peroxidase was not absorbed by the tegument although it bound strongly to the outer surface of the metacercariae. C-labelled glucose, phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine were all detected in the outer cytoplasmic tegument.