Transcriptome analysis for Schistosoma vector snail’s Oncomelania hupensis exposed to silver nanoparticles

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Zayed K.M.; Zhou X.-N.

Journal: Journal of Parasitic Diseases

Publisher: Springer

Publication Date: 3 September 2026

ISSN: 9717196

DOI: 10.1007/s12639-026-01986-5

Scopus: View on Scopus

Document Type: Article


Authors and Affiliations

Zayed K.M., Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200025, China, NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200025, China; Zhou X.-N., National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200025, China, NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research On Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200025, China, School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China


Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in various fields due to their biomedical applications, molluscicidal and antimicrobial activities. The hepatopancreatic of Oncomelania hupensis snails were compared and analyzed by SEM and transcriptomics differential expression genes under different concentrations of 20 nm spherical AgNPs after three consecutive days’s exposure. Genes set refers to the gene list obtained according to certain screening conditions. Hundreds of genes in AgNPs-exposed cells were differentially expressed according to the transcriptome analysis based on RNAseq, including genes implicated in rRNA processing, ribosome biogenesis, immunity, neurological and mitochondrial functions. In particular, in this investigation there are mark down regulation in genes of snails exposed to AgNPs that related to immunity processes like OAS1A, OAS1A-M with up regulation in genes related to fast signal transmission between cell like ACHB3 and genes responsible for anticancer, Ag conjugates, transcriptome regulation and gluconeogenesis (Like MRP1 and POLS). Furthermore, there are mark down regulation in genes related to collagens, calcium releasing, lipoprotein, mitochondrial and spermatogenesis processes. Our transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that exposure to 20 nm AgNPs induces significant alterations in multiple cellular and metabolic pathways, indicating pronounced toxic effects at the molecular level. These molecular disturbances were further supported by the observed structural damage in the hepatopancreas, whose surfaces appeared dull and highly fragile after exposure. Collectively, these findings provide important mechanistic insights into the molluscicidal action of AgNPs and highlight their potential application in the development of nanoparticle-based strategies for snail control and related biomedical or environmental toxicology studies. © Indian Society for Parasitology 2026.


Keywords

Genetics; Oncomelania hupensis; RNA-seq analysis; Silver nanoparticles; Transcriptome


Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0


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