title: Schistosoma haematobium: identification of new estrogenic molecules with estradiol antagonistic activity and ability to inactivate estrogen receptor in mammalian cells.
abstract: We have previously identified the expression of an estradiol (E2)-related molecule by Schistosoma haematobium total antigen (Sh). We now show that this molecule has an antagonistic effect of estradiol in vitro. Our results are consistent with the existence of an estrogenic molecule that antagonizes the activity of estradiol. We found evidence for this molecule as we identified and characterized by mass spectrometry new estrogenic molecules previously unknown, present in schistosome worm extracts and sera of Schistosoma-infected individuals. We also show that Sh is able to interact in vitro with estrogen receptor (ER), explaining how host endocrine system can favor the establishment of schistosomes. These findings highlight the exploitation of the host endocrine system by schistosomes and represent an additional regulatory component of schistosome development that defines a novel paradigm enabling host-parasite interactions. The identification of these molecules opens new ways for the development of alternative drugs to treat schistosomiasis.
authors.affiliation: CIBP - Centre for Parasite Immunology and Biology, INSA, Porto, Portugal. monicabotelho@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mónica Catarina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Botelho
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vale
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Vânia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Camilo
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Correia da Costa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D016466:CHO Cells; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000276:immunology; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D008647:Mesocricetus; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology*; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000469:parasitology / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D004967:Estrogens; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D004958:Estradiol; D007781:Lactoferrin