# Proteomic change in the upper lobe of the left lung of Beagle dogs at the lung migration stage of Toxocara canis infection

## TL;DR

This study examines how the lung proteome of Beagle dogs changes during Toxocara canis infection, identifying key proteins involved in immune and metabolic responses.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into proteomic changes in Beagle dogs during the lung migration stage of T. canis infection.

## Key findings

- 28 downregulated and 407 upregulated proteins were identified at 96 hpi.
- Key proteins like RhoC, TM4SFs, and LPCAT1 are linked to lung homeostasis maintenance.
- Proteomic changes correlate with signal transduction, lipid metabolism, and immune system pathways.

## Abstract

Toxocara canis is considered one of the most neglected parasitic zoonoses and threatens the health of millions of people worldwide with a predilection for pediatric and adolescent populations in impoverished communities. Exploring the invasion and developmental mechanisms associated with T. canis infection in its definitive canine hosts will help to better control zoonotic toxocariasis.

Proteomic changes in samples from the upper lobe of the left lung of Beagle puppies were systematically analyzed by quantitative proteomic technology of data-independent acquisition (DIA) at 96 h post-infection (hpi) with T. canis. Proteins with P-values < 0.05 and fold change > 1.5 or < 0.67 were considered proteins with differential abundance (PDAs).

A total of 28 downregulated PDAs and 407 upregulated PDAs were identified at 96 hpi, including RhoC, TM4SFs and LPCAT1, which could be associated with the maintenance and repair of lung homeostasis. GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of all identified proteins and PDAs revealed that many lung proteins have correlation to signal transduction, lipid metabolism and immune system.

The present study revealed lung proteomic alterations in Beagle dogs at the lung migration stage of T. canis infection and identified many PDAs of Beagle dog lung, which may play important roles in the pathogenesis of toxocariasis, warranting further experimental validation.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-024-06302-9.