Proteomic profiling of spleen in rat infected with clonorchissinensis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

Abstract

Clonorchiasis, caused by Clonorchissinensis, remains a significant yet neglected tropical disease with substantial global health implications. As the largest immune organ in mammals, the spleen plays a crucial role in defending against C. sinensis infection; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying spleen pathogenesis during such infections are poorly understood. To address this gap, quantitative Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was employed to profile protein changes in the spleens of rats infected with C. sinensis. This analysis identified 40,664 peptides from 6,817 proteins, including 371 and 464 differentially expressed proteins at 4 and 8 weeks post-infection (wpi) compared to the control groups, respectively. Clustering analysis revealed distinct proteomic profiles among the groups, while gene ontology analysis associated the differentially expressed proteins with biological binding activities and metabolic processes. KEGG analysis revealed significant enrichment of immune-related and metabolic pathways, including AMPK, IL-17, and p53 signaling pathways. These findings reveal dynamic alterations in spleen proteins during C. sinensis infection, offering valuable insights into the biomarker candidates for early diagnosis. Future studies are warranted to validate these potential biomarkers and explore their utility for early diagnosis of clonorchiasis.