RNA interference in vivo in Schistosoma japonicum: Establishing and optimization of RNAi mediated suppression of gene expression by long dsRNA in the intra-mammalian life stages of worms

Schistosomes are parasitic platyhelminths that threaten over 600 million people globally. In recent years, RNA interference (RNAi) has been widely used as a molecular tool in research into the genomic function of parasites. We aim to develop effective protocols for application of RNAi technology in the intra-mammalian life stages of Schistosoma japonicum. In this work, the expression of the parasite gene encoding cathepsin B1 (SjCB1) was targeted by exposing the worms to 10 μg of long dsRNA dissolved in 0.1 ml of 0.7% NaCl injected into the tail vein of infected mice. This method was effective and specific for eliciting SjCB1 gene suppression in both male and female adult worms in vivo (>79.4% in male and >91.5% in female knockdown relative to control). In 60 cercaria infected mice, RNAi suppression of gene expression was best achieved by using 10 μg of target dsRNA for at least 4 days. The recommended procedure for interference producing long-term suppression was an injection of dsRNA on the first day of infection with booster injections administered every 4 days for up to 26 days. Long-term suppression of three published functional genes (peroxiredoxin-1, mago nashi, insulin receptor) in S. japonicum provided more information about the role of the expression of these genes in producing particular phenotypes. The protocols described here may be more convenient, economical and applicable, than currently available technology and have contributed to the observation of more phenotypes during worm development from schistosomula to adult. These approaches may promote and facilitate further studies into functional schistosome genomics.