Plasticity demonstrated in the proteome of a parasitic nematode within the intestine of different host strains

The soluble global proteome of adult nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus (H. p.) bakeri, a hookworm laboratory model was compared for the first time in the intestines of a slow-responder mouse host strain (C57/BL10) that is known to support a primary parasite infection for many months, and rapid-responder mouse host (SWR) that is known to eliminate the nematode infection by week 6 postinfection. At week 4 postinfection, major adult nematode proteins selectively produced following establishment of infection in C57/BL10 hosts include several globin forms, calreticulin and a phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein. The increased synthesis of forms of myosin, actin and troponin in the nematode living in the rapid-responder SWR host may relate to the attempted reorganisation or repair of the cytoskeleton and/or muscle layer in the host immune initiated, increased mucus production and smooth muscle activity within intestinal environment. Initial evidence suggests weakly antigenic forms of globins dominant in the cytosol of H. p. bakeri adults in the intestinal environment compared to their low production in a related free-living nematode. The demonstration of considerable plasticity within a parasitic nematode proteome provides a molecular basis for the previously observed phenotypic plasticity within different host environments. Proteome plasticity has relevance to the efficiency of future vaccine and drug therapy, and the continued failure of defined antigen vaccines in mammalian populations.