Proteomic analysis of mouse jejunal epithelium and its response to infection with the intestinal nematode, Trichinella spiralis.

Infection with the intestinal nematode Trichinella spiralis induces profound, but stereotypic pathological changes to the epithelium, which are common to many nematode infections. This study describes changes in jejunal epithelial protein expression that reflect these stereotypic responses. Adult male BALB/c mice were infected with T. spiralis, and groups (n = 4) examined on day 14/15 (time of worm rejection) were compared with uninfected controls (n = 4). Jejunal epithelium was harvested and extracted for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Tryptic peptide mass fingerprinting was used to create a reference map consisting of a total of 52 landmark spots. Of these, 16 were observed to change in intensity during infection. The changes observed at day 14/15 were of relevance to such mechanisms as lipid utilization and transport (increase in triacylglycerol lipase, and reduction in intestinal fatty acid binding protein) and innate immunity (appearance of intelectin-2). As a result, candidate molecules have been identified for further focused studies on their role in the host response to intestinal nematode infection.