Min-Jun Xu

Publications (32)83.12 Total impact

• Article: Changes in the proteomic profiles of mouse brain after infection with cyst-forming Toxoplasma gondii.

  Dong-Hui Zhou, Fu-Rong Zhao, Si-Yang Huang, Min-Jun Xu, Hui-Qun Song, Chunlei Su, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogenic protozoan parasite, which infects approximately one third of the human population worldwide, causing opportunistic zoonotic toxoplasmosis. The predilection of T. gondii for the central nervous system (CNS) causes behavioral disorders and fatal necrotizing encephalitis and thus constitutes a major threat especially to AIDS patients. METHODS: In the present study, we explored the proteomic profiles of brain tissues of the specific pathogen-free (SPF) Kunming mice at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after infection with cysts of the Toxoplasma gondii Prugniaud (PRU) strain (Genotype II), by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). RESULTS: A total of 60 differentially expressed protein spots were selected. Fifty-six spots were successfully identified, which corresponded to 45 proteins of the mouse. Functional analysis using a Gene Ontology database showed that these proteins were mainly involved in metabolism, cell structure, signal transduction and immune responses, and will be beneficial for the understanding of molecular mechanisms of T. gondii pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified some mouse brain proteins involved in the response with cyst-forming T. gondii PRU strain. These results provided an insight into the responsive relationship between T. gondii and the host brain tissues, which will shed light on our understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis in toxoplasmic encephalitis, and facilitate the discovery of new methods of diagnosis, prevention, control and treatment of toxoplasmic encephalopathy.
  Parasites & Vectors 04/2013; 6(1):96. · 2.94 Impact Factor
• Article: Effects of vitamin E on expressions of eight microRNAs in the liver of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

  Xue-Lian Tang, Min-Jun Xu, Zhi-Hua Li, Qing Pan, Jing-Hua Fu
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  ABSTRACT: Currently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate cellular processes such as apoptosis, differentiation, cell cycle, and immune functions, and their expression can be altered by distinct stress conditions, such as oxidative stress. In immune systems of fish, vitamin E (VE) has a defined role as an antioxidant. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of vitamin E defending from oxidative stress, three groups of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (initial weight 3.25 ± 0.02g) were fed to satiation with 3 semi-purified diets containing VE (DL-ɑ-tocopherol acetate) of 0, 50, and 2500 mg /kg supplementation, respectively, with the expressions of 8 miRNAs (miR-21, miR-223, miR-146a, miR-125b, miR-181a, miR-16, miR-155 and miR-122) in the liver of tilapia subsequently detected after 8-week growth experiment. Results showed that VE-deficient (0mg/kg supplementation) elevated the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased the expressions of miR-223, miR-146a, miR-16 and miR-122, while excessive supplementation of VE (2500mg/kg) elevated SOD activity and increased the expressions of all the 8 miRNAs. The targets of the 8 miRNAs were further predicated with bioinformatic approach and the possible regulating mechanisms of VE via miRNAs were analyzed. The present study confirmed that the differences in dietary VE affected expression of hepatic miRNAs which may partly demonstrate the molecular mechanism of VE, and the new idea of introducing miRNAs into research will provide the basic data for researches of molecular nutrition.
  Fish &amp Shellfish Immunology 03/2013; · 3.32 Impact Factor
• Article: Seroprevalence of chlamydial infection in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, southern China.

  Dong-Hui Zhou, Fu-Rong Zhao, Hui-Yan Xia, Min-Jun Xu, Si-Yang Huang, Hui-Qun Song, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Chlamydia spp. are obligate intracellular gram-negative bacteria that cause a wide range of significant diseases in humans and animals worldwide, resulting in significant economic losses. Chlamydial infection in cattle has been reported in many countries including China. However, there has been no survey of chlamydial infection of dairy cattle in Guangzhou, southern China. The objective of the present investigation was to examine the chlamydial seroprevalence in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, subtropical southern China by using an indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). The overall seroprevalence of chlamydial infection in dairy cattle was 7.25% (29/400). Greater than or equal to eight-yr-old dairy cattle had the highest seroprevalence (10.34%), followed by those that were >= 6 years old or < 7 years old dairy cattle (10.20%), although there were no statistically significant differences among different groups (P > 0.05). Dairy cattle with 5 pregnancies had the highest seroprevalence (10.81%). These results indicate that chlamydial infection was present in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, subtropical southern China, and integrated strategies and measures should be executed to control and prevent chlamydial infection and disease outbreak in the study region.
  Irish veterinary journal 02/2013; 66(1):2. · 0.33 Impact Factor
• Article: Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the pancreatic fluke Eurytrema pancreaticum.

  Min-Jun Xu, Chun-Ren Wang, Si-Yang Huang, Jing-Hua Fu, Dong-Hui Zhou, Qiao-Cheng Chang, Xu Zheng, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Eurytrema pancreaticum is one of the most common flukes, which mainly infects ruminants globally and infects human beings accidentally; causing eurytremiasis that has high veterinary and economic importance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs and are now considered as a key mechanism of gene regulation at the post-transcription level. METHODS: We investigated the global miRNA expression profile of E. pancreaticum adults using next-generation sequencing technology combined with real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: By using the genome of the closely-related species Schistosoma japonicum as reference, we obtained 27 miRNA candidates out of 16.45 million raw sequencing reads, with 13 of them found as known miRNAs in S. japonicum and/or S. mansoni, and the remaining 14 miRNAs were considered as novel. Five out of the 13 known miRNAs coming from one family named as sja-miR-2, including family members from miR-2a to miR-2e. Targets of 19 miRNAs were successfully predicated out of the 17401 mRNA and EST non-redundant sequences of S. japonicum. It was found that a significant high number of targets were related to "chch domain-containing protein mitochondrial precursor" (n = 29), "small subunit ribosomal protein s30e" (n = 21), and "insulin-induced gene 1 protein" (n = 9). Besides, "egg protein cp3842" (n = 2), "fumarate hydratase" (n = 2), "ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme" (n = 2), and "sperm-associated antigen 6" (n = 1) were also found as targets of the miRNAs of E. pancreaticum. CONCLUSIONS: The present study represents the first global characterization of E. pancreaticum miRNAs, which provides novel resources for a better understanding of the parasite, which, in turn, has implications for the effective control of the disease it causes.
  Parasites & Vectors 01/2013; 6(1):25. · 2.94 Impact Factor
• Article: Comparative profiling of microRNAs in male and female adults of Ascaris suum.

  Min-Jun Xu, Jing-Hua Fu, Alasdair J Nisbet, Si-Yang Huang, Dong-Hui Zhou, Rui-Qing Lin, Hui-Qun Song, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Ascaris nematodes, which cause ascariasis in humans and pigs, are among the most important nematodes from both health and economic perspectives. microRNA (miRNA) is now recognized as key regulator of gene expression at posttranscription level. The public availability of the genome and transcripts of Ascaris suum provides powerful resources for the research of miRNA profiles of the parasite. Therefore, we investigated and compared the miRNA profiles of male and female adult A. suum using Solexa deep sequencing combined with bioinformatic analysis and stem-loop reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Deep sequencing of small RNAs yielded 11.71 and 11.72 million raw reads from male and female adults of A. suum, respectively. Analysis showed that the noncoding RNA of the two genders, including tRNA, rRNA, snRNA, and snoRNA, were similar. By mapping to the A. suum genome, we obtained 494 and 505 miRNA candidates from the female and male parasite, respectively, and 87 and 82 of miRNA candidates were consistent with A. suum miRNAs deposited in the miRBase database. Among the miRNA candidates, 154 were shared by the two genders, and 340 and 351 were female and male specific with their target numbers ranged from one to thousands, respectively. Functional prediction revealed a set of elongation factors, heat shock proteins, and growth factors from the targets of gender-specific miRNAs, which were essential for the development of the parasite. Moreover, major sperm protein and nematode sperm cell motility protein were found in targets of the male-specific miRNAs. Ovarian message protein was found in targets of the female-specific miRNAs. Enrichment analysis revealed significant differences among Gene Ontology terms of miRNA targets of the two genders, such as electron carrier and biological adhesion process. The regulating functions of gender-specific miRNAs was therefore not only related to the fundamental functions of cells but also were essential to the germ development of the parasite. The present study provides a framework for further research of Ascaris miRNAs, and consequently leads to the development of potential nucleotide vaccines against Ascaris of human and animal health significance.
  Parasitology Research 01/2013; · 2.15 Impact Factor
• Article: Mitochondrial Genome of the Eyeworm, Thelazia callipaeda (Nematoda: Spirurida), as the First Representative from the Family Thelaziidae.

  Guo-Hua Liu, Robin B Gasser, Domenico Otranto, Min-Jun Xu, Ji-Long Shen, Namitha Mohandas, Dong-Hui Zhou, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Human thelaziosis is an underestimated parasitic disease caused by Thelazia species (Spirurida: Thelaziidae). The oriental eyeworm, Thelazia callipaeda, infects a range of mammalian definitive hosts, including canids, felids and humans. Although this zoonotic parasite is of socio-economic significance in Asian countries, its genetics, epidemiology and biology are poorly understood. Mitochondrial (mt) DNA is known to provide useful genetic markers to underpin fundamental investigations, but no mt genome had been characterized for any members of the family Thelaziidae. In the present study, we sequenced and characterized the mt genome of T. callipaeda. This AT-rich (74.6%) mt genome (13,668 bp) is circular and contains 12 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes, but lacks an atp8 gene. All protein-coding genes are transcribed in the same direction; the gene order is the same as those of Dirofilaria immitis and Setaria digitata (Onchocercidae), but distinct from Dracunculus medinensis (Dracunculidae) and Heliconema longissimum (Physalopteridae). Phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated amino acid sequence data for all 12 protein-coding genes by Bayesian inference (BI) showed that T. callipaeda (Thelaziidae) is related to the family Onchocercidae. This is the first mt genome of any member of the family Thelaziidae and should represent a new source of genetic markers for studying the epidemiology, ecology, population genetics and systematics of this parasite of humans and other mammals.
  PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 01/2013; 7(1):e2029. · 4.69 Impact Factor
• Article: Characterization of Dicrocoelium chinensis from domestic yaks in Gansu and Sichuan provinces, China, using genetic markers in two mitochondrial genes.

  Xing-Ye Wang, Guang-Hui Zhao, Guo-Hua Liu, Jia-Yuan Li, Dong-Hui Zhou, Min-Jun Xu, Qing Lin, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Dicrocoelium chinensis is commonly known as the "lancet fluke" or "small liver fluke" which lives in the bile ducts and gall bladder of domestic and wild ruminants. In this study, we examined sequence variability in two mitochondrial (mt) genes, namely cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes, among D. chinensis isolated from domestic yaks in Gansu and Sichuan provinces, China. A portion of the cox1 (pcox1) and nad1 (pnad1) genes was amplified by PCR separately from the individual adult D. chinensis, and the amplicons were subjected to sequencing from both directions. The lengths of the sequences of pcox1 and pnad1 were 358 and 458 bp, respectively. The A+T contents of the sequences were 58.94-59.22% for pcox1 and 60.04-60.48% for pnad1, respectively. The intra-specific sequence variations within D. chinensis were 0-0.84% for pcox1 and 0-0.87% for pnad1. The inter-specific sequence differences among members of the examined trematodes were significantly higher, being 22.9-29.3% and 33.6-41.5% for pcox1 and pnad1, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis utilizing combined sequences of pcox1 and pnad1 using Bayesian inference revealed that all of the D. chinensis isolates grouped together with high statistical support. These findings demonstrated the existence of low intra-specific variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences among the D. chinensis isolates from domestic yaks in China and had implications for studying the molecular epidemiology and population genetics of D. chinensis.
  Mitochondrial DNA 11/2012; · 1.49 Impact Factor
• Article: Genetic variability among Trichuris ovis isolates from different hosts in Guangdong Province, China revealed by sequences of three mitochondrial genes.

  Yan Wang, Guo-Hua Liu, Jia-Yuan Li, Min-Jun Xu, Yong-Gang Ye, Dong-Hui Zhou, Hui-Qun Song, Rui-Qing Lin, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: This study examined sequence variation in three mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) regions, namely cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) and cytochrome b (cytb), among Trichuris ovis isolates from different hosts in Guangdong Province, China. A portion of the cox1 (pcox1), nad5 (pnad5) and cytb (pcytb) genes was amplified separately from individual whipworms by PCR, and was subjected to sequencing from both directions. The size of the sequences of pcox1, pnad5 and pcytb was 618, 240 and 464 bp, respectively. Although the intra-specific sequence variations within T. ovis were 0-0.8% for pcox1, 0-0.8% for pnad5 and 0-1.9% for pcytb, the inter-specific sequence differences among members of the genus Trichuris were significantly higher, being 24.3-26.5% for pcox1, 33.7-56.4% for pnad5 and 24.8-26.1% for pcytb, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses using combined sequences of pcox1, pnad5 and pcytb, with three different computational algorithms (maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference), indicated that all of the T. ovis isolates grouped together with high statistical support. These findings demonstrated the existence of intra-specific variation in mtDNA sequences among T. ovis isolates from different hosts, and have implications for studying molecular epidemiology and population genetics of T. ovis.
  Mitochondrial DNA 08/2012; · 1.49 Impact Factor
• Article: Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genomes of two whipworms Trichuris ovis and Trichuris discolor (Nematoda: Trichuridae).

  Guo-Hua Liu, Yan Wang, Min-Jun Xu, Dong-Hui Zhou, Yong-Gang Ye, Jia-Yuan Li, Hui-Qun Song, Rui-Qing Lin, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: For many years, whipworms (Trichuris spp.) have been described with a relatively narrow range of both morphological and biometrical features. Moreover, there has been insufficient discrimination between congeners (or closely related species). In the present study, we determined the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of two whipworms Trichuris ovis and Trichuris discolor, compared them and then tested the hypothesis that T. ovis and T. discolor are distinct species by phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony) based on the deduced amino acid sequences of the mt protein-coding genes. The complete mt genomes of T. ovis and T. discolor were 13,946bp and 13,904bp in size, respectively. Both mt genomes are circular, and consist of 37 genes, including 13 genes coding for proteins, 2 genes for rRNA, and 22 genes for tRNA. The gene content and arrangement are identical to that of human and pig whipworms Trichuris trichiura and Trichuris suis. Taken together, these analyses showed genetic distinctiveness and strongly supported the recent proposal that T. ovis and T. discolor are distinct species using nuclear ribosomal DNA and a portion of the mtDNA sequence dataset. The availability of the complete mtDNA sequences of T. ovis and T. discolor provides novel genetic markers for studying the population genetics, diagnostics and molecular epidemiology of T. ovis and T. discolor.
  Infection, genetics and evolution: journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases 08/2012; 12(8):1635-1641. · 3.22 Impact Factor
• Article: Canine and feline parasitic zoonoses in China.

  Jia Chen, Min-Jun Xu, Dong-Hui Zhou, Hui-Qun Song, Chun-Ren Wang, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Canine and feline parasitic zoonoses have not been given high priority in China, although the role of companion animals as reservoirs for zoonotic parasitic diseases has been recognized worldwide. With an increasing number of dogs and cats under unregulated conditions in China, the canine and feline parasitic zoonoses are showing a trend towards being gradually uncontrolled. Currently, canine and feline parasitic zoonoses threaten human health, and cause death and serious diseases in China. This article comprehensively reviews the current status of major canine and feline parasitic zoonoses in mainland China, discusses the risks dogs and cats pose with regard to zoonotic transmission of canine and feline parasites, and proposes control strategies and measures.
  Parasites & Vectors 07/2012; 5:152. · 2.94 Impact Factor
• Article: [Research advances of interleukin-15 in anti-parasitic infection].

  Jia-Yuan Li, Zhong-Yuan Li, Yan Wang, Xing-Quan Zhu, Min-Jun Xu
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  ABSTRACT: Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and also a chemotactic factor for a variety of immune cells, which participates in and regulates the inflammatory response and immune response to organisms. Up to now, the molecular structure and receptor of IL-15 have been widely researched, with important advances in its signal transduction way. However, its application in parasitology is still a relatively new topic. This article summarizes the latest research development of IL-15 in anti-parasitic infection, prospects its mechanism and application.
  Zhongguo ji sheng chong xue yu ji sheng chong bing za zhi = Chinese journal of parasitology & parasitic diseases 06/2012; 30(3):196-200.
• Source

  Available from: PubMed Central

  Article: First report of Toxoplasma gondii infection in market-sold adult chickens, ducks and pigeons in northwest China.

  Wei Cong, Si-Yang Huang, Dong-Hui Zhou, Min-Jun Xu, Song-Ming Wu, Chao Yan, Quan Zhao, Hui-Qun Song, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii infection is a global concern, affecting a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide, including poultry. Domestic and companion birds are considered to play an important role in the transmission of T. gondii to humans and other animals. However, little information on T. gondii infection in domestic birds in Lanzhou, northwest China was available. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in domestic birds in Lanzhou, northwest China. In the present study, the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies in 413 (305 caged and 108 free-range) adult chickens, 334 (111 caged and 223 free-range) adult ducks and 312 adult pigeons in Lanzhou, northwest China, were examined using the modified agglutination test (MAT). 30 (7.26%) chickens, 38 (11.38%) ducks and 37 (11.86%) pigeons were found to be positive for T. gondii antibodies at the cut-off of 1:5. The prevalences in caged and free-range chickens were 6.23% and 10.19% respectively, however, statistical analysis showed that the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The seroprevalences in caged and free-range ducks were 6.31% and 13.90% respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The results of the present survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in adult chickens, ducks and pigeons sold for meat in poultry markets in Lanzhou, northwest China, which poses a potential risk for T. gondii infection in humans and other animals in this region. This is the first seroprevalence study of T. gondii infection in domestic birds in this region.
  Parasites & Vectors 06/2012; 5:110. · 2.94 Impact Factor
• Article: First report of Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in Tibetan pigs in Tibet, China.

  Song-Ming Wu, Danba Ciren, Si-Yang Huang, Min-Jun Xu, Gong Ga, Chao Yan, Mona S Mahmoud, Feng-Cai Zou, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii infection is widely prevalent in humans and animals, including pigs throughout the world. In this study, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in Tibetan pigs in China was investigated for the first time. A total of 427 serum samples were collected from Tibetan pigs in Nyingchi prefecture, Tibet, between April and December 2010, and were assayed for antibodies to T. gondii using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Ninety-seven (22.72%) pigs were found to be positive with MAT titers of 1:25 or higher. Slaughter pigs had the highest seroprevalence, compared with seroprevalence in fattening pigs, growing pigs, or piglets, although the difference was not statistically significant (p≥0.05). The results of the present survey indicate that T. gondii is highly prevalent in Tibetan pigs in Tibet, which poses a significant public health concern in this unique region of the world.
  Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.) 05/2012; 12(8):654-6. · 2.61 Impact Factor
• Article: Advances in molecular identification, taxonomy, genetic variation and diagnosis of Toxocara spp.

  Jia Chen, Dong-Hui Zhou, Alasdair J Nisbet, Min-Jun Xu, Si-Yang Huang, Ming-Wei Li, Chun-Ren Wang, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: The genus Toxocara contains parasitic nematodes of human and animal health significance, such as Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Toxocara vitulorum. T. canis and T. cati are among the most prevalent parasites of dogs and cats with a worldwide distribution. Human infection with T. canis and T. cati, which can cause a number of clinical manifestations such as visceral larva migrans (VLMs), ocular larva migrans (OLMs), eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EME), covert toxocariasis (CT) and neurotoxocariasis, is considered the most prevalent neglected helminthiasis in industrialized countries. The accurate identification Toxocara spp. and their unequivocal differentiation from each other and from other ascaridoid nematodes causing VLMs and OLMs has important implications for studying their taxonomy, epidemiology, population genetics, diagnosis and control. Due to the limitations of traditional (morphological) approaches for identification and diagnosis of Toxocara spp., PCR-based techniques utilizing a range of genetic markers in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes have been developed as useful alternative approaches because of their high sensitivity, specificity, rapidity and utility. In this article, we summarize the current state of knowledge and advances in molecular identification, taxonomy, genetic variation and diagnosis of Toxocara spp. with prospects for further studies.
  Infection, genetics and evolution: journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases 04/2012; 12(7):1344-8. · 3.22 Impact Factor
• Article: Ascaris suum enolase is a potential vaccine candidate against ascariasis.

  Ning Chen, Zi-Guo Yuan, Min-Jun Xu, Dong-Hui Zhou, Xiu-Xiang Zhang, Yan-Zhong Zhang, Xiao-Wei Wang, Chao Yan, Rui-Qing Lin, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Ascariasis caused by Ascaris is the most common parasite problem in humans and pigs worldwide. No vaccines are available for the prevention of Ascaris infections. In the present study, the gene encoding Ascaris suum enolase (As-enol-1) was amplified, cloned and sequenced. Amino acid sequence alignment indicated that As-enol-1 was highly conserved between different nematodes and shared the highest identity (87%) with enolase from Anisakis simplex s.l. The recombinant pVAX-Enol was successfully expressed in Marc-145 cells. The ability of the pVAX-Enol for inducing immune protective responses against challenge infection with A. suum L3 was evaluated in Kunming mice. The immune response was evaluated by lymphoproliferative assay, cytokine and antibody measurements, and the reduction rate of recovery larvae. The results showed that the mice immunized with pVAX-Enol developed a high level of specific antibody responses against A. suum, a strong lymphoproliferative response, and significant levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 production, compared with the other groups immunized with empty plasmid or blank controls, respectively. There was a 61.13% reduction (P<0.05) in larvae recovery compared with that in the blank control group. Our data indicated that A. suum enolase is a potential vaccine candidate against A. suum infection.
  Vaccine 03/2012; 30(23):3478-82. · 3.77 Impact Factor
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  Available from: PubMed Central

  Article: Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dairy cattle in southern China.

  Dong-Hui Zhou, Fu-Rong Zhao, Ping Lu, Hui-Yan Xia, Min-Jun Xu, Li-Guo Yuan, Chao Yan, Si-Yang Huang, Shou-Jun Li, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: As an obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans and almost all warm-blooded animals. The consumption of raw or undercooked beef and milk is considered a risk for T. gondii infection in humans. However, little is known of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in metropolitan Guangzhou, southern China. This study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in dairy cattle in Guangzhou, southern China. Serum samples were collected from 350 dairy cattle on five farms in Guangzhou, China from 2009 to 2010, and all of the 350 serum samples were examined for specific antibodies to T. gondii by indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA). The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in dairy cattle was 5.7% (20/350). Among these examined dairy cattle, dairy cattle which were < 6 year old or ≥ 5 year old had the highest seroprevalence of 12.5% followed by those dairy cattle which were < 5 year old or ≥ 4 year old (8%); dairy cattle with 3 pregnancies had the highest seroprevalence (11.5%), among the examined dairy cattle, although these differences were not statistically significant. The results of the present survey indicate that T. gondii infection is prevalent in dairy cattle of all age ranges in Guangzhou, southern China, which may be a risk factor for human infection with T. gondii in this region.Dong-Hui Zhou and Fu-Rong Zhao contributed equally.
  Parasites & Vectors 03/2012; 5:48. · 2.94 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Peter Nejsum

  Article: Clear genetic distinctiveness between human- and pig-derived Trichuris based on analyses of mitochondrial datasets.

  Guo-Hua Liu, Robin B Gasser, Ang Su, Peter Nejsum, Lifei Peng, Rui-Qing Lin, Ming-Wei Li, Min-Jun Xu, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: The whipworm, Trichuris trichiura, causes trichuriasis in ∼600 million people worldwide, mainly in developing countries. Whipworms also infect other animal hosts, including pigs (T. suis), dogs (T. vulpis) and non-human primates, and cause disease in these hosts, which is similar to trichuriasis of humans. Although Trichuris species are considered to be host specific, there has been considerable controversy, over the years, as to whether T. trichiura and T. suis are the same or distinct species. Here, we characterised the entire mitochondrial genomes of human-derived Trichuris and pig-derived Trichuris, compared them and then tested the hypothesis that the parasites from these two host species are genetically distinct in a phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data. Taken together, the findings support the proposal that T. trichiura and T. suis are separate species, consistent with previous data for nuclear ribosomal DNA. Using molecular analytical tools, employing genetic markers defined herein, future work should conduct large-scale studies to establish whether T. trichiura is found in pigs and T. suis in humans in endemic regions.
  PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 02/2012; 6(2):e1539. · 4.69 Impact Factor
• Article: First report of genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from wild birds in China.

  Si-Yang Huang, Wei Cong, Peng Zhou, Dong-Hui Zhou, Song-Ming Wu, Min-Jun Xu, Feng-Cai Zou, Hui-Qun Song, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii is an important cosmopolitan opportunistic protozoan parasite, which threatens the health of human beings and animals. Genetic characterization of isolates from South America has revealed high genetic diversity. In contrast, isolates from North America and Europe were highly clonal, with 3 major lineages known as the Types I, II, and III. However, limited information on T. gondii genotypes has been reported in The People's Republic of China. Here we conducted a survey to determine genetic diversity of this parasite in wild birds of China. In total, tissues from breast muscle of 178 wild birds, including 98 common pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ), 35 tree sparrows ( Passer montanus ), 22 house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ), 20 saxaul sparrows ( Passer ammodendri ), and 1 cinnamon sparrow ( Passer rutilans ), were tested for T. gondii infection, 4 of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. These positive DNA samples were typed at 10 genetic markers, including 9 nuclear loci, i.e., SAG1, 5'- and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8, c29-2, and an apicoplast locus Apico. Of these, 3 isolates were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and 2 genotypes (Type I and Type II variant) were identified. This is the first report of genetic typing of T. gondii isolates from wild birds from different regions in China. The results suggest that the Type I and II variant strains are circulating in wild birds in China, and these birds are potential reservoirs for T. gondii transmission.
  Journal of Parasitology 01/2012; 98(3):681-2. · 1.40 Impact Factor
• Article: Comparative Characterization of MicroRNAs from the Liver Flukes Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica.

  Min-Jun Xu, Lin Ai, Jing-Hua Fu, Alasdair J Nisbet, Qing-You Liu, Mu-Xin Chen, Dong-Hui Zhou, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcription level. The present study specifically explored and compared the miRNA expression profiles of F. gigantica and F. hepatica using an integrated sequencing and bioinformatics platform and quantitative real-time PCR. Nineteen and 16 miRNA candidates were identified from F. gigantica and F. hepatica, respectively. The two parasites shared 11 miRNAs, with 8 also showing similarity to miRNAs of Schistosoma japonicum. Another 8 miRNAs were identified as F. gigantica-specific and 5 as F. hepatica-specific, most of which were novel. Predicted target analysis with 11465 mRNA and EST sequences of F. hepatica and F. gigantica revealed that all of the miRNAs had more than one target, ranging from 2 to 398 with an average of 51 targets. Some functions of the predicted targets were only found in F. gigantica, such as "transcription regulator", while some others were only found in F. hepatica, such as "reproduction" and "response to stimulus", indicating the different metabolism and gene regulation patterns of the two parasites. The present study represents the first global comparative characterization of miRNA expression profiles of F. gigantica and F. hepatica, which has provided novel valuable resources for a better understanding of the two zoonotic trematodes.
  PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(12):e53387. · 4.09 Impact Factor
• Article: Characterization of MicroRNAs from Orientobilharzia turkestanicum, a Neglected Blood Fluke of Human and Animal Health Significance.

  Chun-Ren Wang, Min-Jun Xu, Jing-Hua Fu, Alasdair J Nisbet, Qiao-Cheng Chang, Dong-Hui Zhou, Si-Yang Huang, Feng-Cai Zou, Xing-Quan Zhu
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  ABSTRACT: The neglected blood flukes Orientobilharzia spp. belonging to the Platyhelminthes, infect animals in a number of countries of the world, and cause cercarial dermatitis in humans, as well as significant diseases and even death in economically-important animals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are now considered to be a key mechanism of gene regulation. Herein, we investigated the global miRNA expression profile of adult O. turkestanicum using next-generation sequencing technology and real-time quantitative PCR, to gain further information on the role of these molecules in host invasion and the parasitic lifestyle of this species. A total of 13.48 million high quality reads were obtained out of 13.78 million raw sequencing reads, with 828 expressed miRNAs identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the miRNAs of O. turkestanicum were still rapidly evolving and there was a "directed mutation" pattern compared with that of other species. Target mRNAs were successfully predicted to 518 miRNAs. These targets included energy metabolism, transcription initiation factors, signal transduction, growth factor receptors. miRNAs targeting egg proteins, including major egg antigen p40, and heat shock proteins were also found. Enrichment analysis indicated enrichment for mRNAs involved in catalytic, binding, transcription regulators and translation regulators. The present study represented the first large-scale characterization of O. turkestanicum miRNAs, which provides novel resources for better understanding the complex biology of this zoonotic parasite, which, in turn, has implications for the effective control of the disease it causes.
  PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(10):e47001. · 4.09 Impact Factor