Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
07:17
Culturing and Genetically Manipulating Entomopathogenic Nematodes
Published on: March 31, 2022
Caspase dependent programmed cell death in developing embryos: a potential target for therapeutic intervention
Alok Das Mohapatra1, Sunil Kumar, Ashok Kumar Satapathy
1Department of Infectious Disease Biology, Institute of Life Sciences, DBT, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, Bhubaneswar, India.
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
|September 21, 2011
Summary
Inducing apoptosis in parasitic worm embryos offers a new therapeutic strategy. Flow cytometry assays effectively measure programmed cell death in nematode embryos, with curcumin showing promise as an anti-parasitic agent.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Embryogenesis is crucial for parasitic worm survival and pathology.
- Targeting embryogenesis via apoptosis offers a novel anti-parasitic strategy.
- Apoptosis induction for helminth parasites remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate flow cytometry assays for apoptosis in parasitic nematode embryos.
- To investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis in Setaria digitata embryos.
- To evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological compounds in inducing apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Developed flow cytometry assays for apoptosis in Setaria digitata embryos.
- Validated programmed cell death using immunofluorescence and apoptosis-related protein expression.
- Assessed caspase dependency and reactive oxygen species (ROS) involvement.
- Evaluated pharmacological agents including curcumin, primaquine, and chloroquine.
Main Results:
- Established flow cytometry assays for assessing apoptosis in nematode embryos.
- Confirmed apoptosis as a caspase-dependent process mediated by ROS.
- Curcumin demonstrated the highest efficacy in inducing apoptosis, followed by primaquine.
- Demonstrated in-situ apoptosis in adult parasites from a bovine model.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis induction in developing embryos is a viable therapeutic approach against nematodes.
- Flow cytometry is a valuable tool for studying embryogenesis in parasitic worms.
- Findings provide a framework for understanding anti-fecundity immunity in helminth infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Caspases
Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
01:15Anthelminthic Agents
Anthelmintic drugs differ significantly from antiparasitic therapies targeting protozoa, primarily due to differences in parasite biology. Whereas most protozoal treatments act on proliferating cells, anthelmintics are typically directed against mature, nonproliferative helminths. The therapeutic approach considers the helminth's reliance on neuromuscular coordination, glucose metabolism, and microtubular integrity for survival, reproduction, and localization within the host. Most anthelmintics...
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...