Proteomic profiling of spleen in rat infected with clonorchis sinensis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis

Clonorchiasis, caused by Clonorchis sinensis, remains a significant 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 remain 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 6817 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 proteomic alterations in the spleen during C. sinensis infection, offering valuable insights into the biomarker candidates for early diagnosis. Further studies are warranted to validate these potential biomarkers and explore their utility for early diagnosis of clonorchiasis.