Preliminary Proteomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Potential Serum Biomarkers for Identifying Alveolar Echinococcosis in Mice

TL;DR

This study identifies potential blood-based biomarkers for early detection of alveolar echinococcosis in mice using proteomic and metabolomic analyses.

Contribution

The study presents novel serum biomarkers for early diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis through integrated proteomic and metabolomic profiling in mice.

Findings

22 proteins and 182 metabolites showed significant differences between AE-infected and healthy mice.

Disruptions in energy metabolism and multi-organ function were observed in infected mice.

Amino acid metabolism was strongly associated with AE development, potentially supporting parasite colonization.

Abstract

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is frequently undetected during early infection and is typically diagnosed at advanced stages through imaging-based methods. Current therapeutic strategies are limited to pharmacological treatment or surgical intervention. To develop improved early diagnostic approaches, in this study, we used eight mice in the infected group and eight mice in the control group to perform metabolomic analysis. In addition, four mice from each group were randomly selected for proteomic analysis based on sample quality and volume. Proteomic and metabolomic analyses identified significant differences in 22 proteins and 182 metabolites between the AE-infected and healthy mice. These alterations suggest potential disruptions in host energy metabolism and multi-organ function during infection. The distinct molecular profiles observed in this study may serve as candidate biomarkers for AE, potentially enabling minimally invasive diagnostic strategies. These findings provide a foundation for the development of rapid, non-invasive early detection methods, which could support timely intervention and improved outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings where AE is endemic.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic and potentially fatal zoonotic parasitic disease that seriously affects the host’s health. It is caused by the proliferation of Echinococcus multilocularis larvae within the liver. Due to its long incubation period following host infection, early diagnosis of the disease is currently not feasible. Treatment options are extremely limited, with the only choice being curative surgical resection combined with benzimidazole medication. Thus, the development of early, rapid, and minimally invasive diagnostic methods is crucial for enhancing patient prognosis. This study conducted proteomic and metabolomic analyses of protein and metabolite changes in the serum of a treatment group and control group, aiming to compare the differences between them. Overall, 22 proteins showed significant differences between the treatment and control groups, primarily involved in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. The upregulation of genes related to immune response and enhanced glycolysis were observed, possibly associated with the reproduction of E. multilocularis in the liver. A total of 182 metabolites were screened to distinguish between the treatment group and control group. A significant increase in the cytochrome P450 (cP450) metabolite of arachidonic acid indicated signs of renal and splenic involvement in the treatment group. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis highlighted a strong association between amino acid metabolism and the development of AE. The observed changes in amino acid levels may provide nutrients that facilitate E. multilocularis colonization and contribute to the pathogenesis of AE. In summary, by investigating the different characteristics of the AE and control group through proteomic (n = 4/group/time point) and metabolomic (n = 8/group/time point) analyses, potential serum biomarkers for diagnosing mice with AE were identified.

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