Evaluating the Pathogenic and Immunological Effects of Ds-GFP As a Control in in Vivo RNA Interference Studies of Schistosoma Japonicum

Overview

Journal Parasite

Specialty Parasitology

Date 2025 Feb 26

PMID 40008812

Authors

Lei Xiu

Xiaoling Wang

Shaoyun Cheng

Wanling Liu

Lu Wang

Jiaqi Li

Jinrui Zhang

Yaping Xuan

Wei Hu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis affects over 250 million people in 78 countries. Despite praziquantel as the primary treatment, concerns about resistance in schistosomes underscore the need for alternative therapies. The success of RNA interference (RNAi) in schistosomes shows promise for identifying potential drug targets to facilitate drug discovery. Meanwhile, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is commonly used in functional gene analysis via RNAi, with double-stranded green fluorescent protein (ds-GFP) widely employed as a control in schistosome-related studies. However, the potential for off-target effects of dsRNAs in various biological systems raises concerns about the reliability of conventional controls in schistosome RNAi experiments. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the safety and suitability of ds-GFP as an RNAi negative control in Schistosoma japonicum. Our data indicate that ds-GFP is innocuous and exerts no discernible impact on the host's physiology and immune responses. Comprehensive evaluations conducted in mice showed no significant alterations in body and organ weights. While a splenic immune response was observed, histopathological examinations of multiple organs confirmed the absence of significant lesions following ds-GFP treatment. Additionally, S. japonicum morphology, reproductive capacity, and host responses to parasite eggs showed no significant variations. Taken together, these findings bolster the endorsement of ds-GFP as an appropriate negative control in S. japonicum RNAi experiments, offering reliable outcomes crucial for advancing research on schistosomiasis and related parasitic diseases.

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