A single-cell RNAseq atlas of the pathogenic stage ofSchistosoma mansoniidentifies a key regulator of blood feeding

• DOI: 10.1101/2020.02.03.932004
• Publication Date: 2020-02-04T04:09:22Z
• Authors: George Wendt; Lu Zhao; Rui Chen; Chenxi Liu; Anthony J. O’Dono...; Conor R. Caffrey; James J. Collins
• Keywords: Schistosoma; Ex vivo

Abstract Schistosomiasis is an ancient and chronic neglected tropical disease that infects over 240 million people kills 200,000 of the world’s poorest every year 1, 2 . There are no vaccines because there only one drug available, need for new therapeutics great. The causative agents this flatworm parasites dwell inside host’s circulation, often decades, where they feed on blood lay eggs which primarily responsible pathology. As metazoans comprised multiple tissue types, understanding schistosome’s tissues a molecular level their functions during what can be decades successful parasitism could suggest novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we employ single-cell RNAseq to characterize 43,642 cells from pathogenic (adult) stage schistosome lifecycle. From these data, 68 molecularly distinct cell populations comprise nearly all described morphologically, including nervous reproductive systems. We further uncover lineage somatic stem producing maintaining parasite’s gut – primary digestion host blood. Finally, show homologue hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 ( hnf4 ) expressed in required maintenance, feeding inducing egg-associated pathology vivo Together, data highlight utility atlas understand biology identify potential interventions.