The_transcriptome_of_Schistosoma_mansoni_developing_eggs_reveals_key_mediators_in_pathogenesis_and_life_cycle_propagation_. The_transcriptome_of_Schistosoma_mansoni_developing_eggs_reveals_key_mediators_in_pathogenesis_and_life_cycle_propagation_

Schistosomiasis, the most important helminthic disease of humanity in terms of morbidity and mortality, is caused by the infection with blood flukes of the genera Schistosoma. The disease is mainly driven by parasite eggs entrapped in host tissues, including liver, intestines and bladder, followed by inflammation and granuloma formation. Although transcriptome data are abundant for most developmental stages of the three main species infecting humans, i.e. Schistosoma mansoni, S. japonicum and S. haematobium, the transcriptome profile of developing eggs remains largely unexplored. In this study, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of S. mansoni developing eggs. Eggs laid in vitro by mixed-sex adult worms in culture were harvested 3 and 6 days after worm recovery from mice, for RNA isolation and RNA-seq library preparation. Transcriptome analysis of differentially-expressed genes identified hundreds of up-regulated genes in 6- vs 3-day-old eggs, including venom allergen-like (VAL) proteins and well-established immunomodulators such as the major egg antigen (p40), omega and kappa genes. In addition, the transcriptomes of the in vitro laid and developed eggs were compared with the publicly available RNA-seq dataset from S. mansoni eggs. Enriched GO terms and pathway analyses revealed cell division and protein synthesis processes associated with immature eggs, whereas cellular metabolic processes, microtubule-based movement, and microtubule cytoskeleton organization were found enriched in mature eggs. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first transcriptome analysis of developing S. mansoni eggs. The study of transcriptome profiles underlying egg development will shine light not only on the parasite developmental biology, but on key mediators involved in the pathogenesis of this major neglected tropical disease. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/