Comparative proteomic analysis of subcutaneous and intraperitoneal cysts of Echinococcus multilocularis

Alveolar echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease that poses serious threats to public health. We observed subcutaneous cysts (SCs) of E. multilocularis had fewer protoscoleces (PSCs) compared to intraperitoneal cysts (ICs) at 60 days post-infection. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of E. multilocularis cysts in different tissues remain unclear. In this study, we compared the proteomic profiles of E. multilocularis cysts derived from mice intraperitoneally and subcutaneously infected with PSCs at 30 days post-infection, prior to the development of mature PSCs. Proteomic analysis identified 284 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in SCs compared to ICs, with 147 upregulated DEPs and 137 downregulated DEPs. Enzymatic proteins involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were predominantly upregulated in SCs compared to ICs, whereas proteins associated with protein folding, sorting, a degradation were downregulated. Western blotting analysis confirmed that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) were upregulated, whereas transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase (TER ATPase) was downregulated in SCs compared to ICs. The identified DEPs may play crucial roles in shaping the unique characteristics of E. multilocularis cysts. This study offers valuable insights into exploring the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of metacestodes.