A Kruppel-like factor establishes cellular heterogeneity during schistosome tegumental maintenance.

ABSTRACT: Schistosomes are blood dwelling parasitic flatworms that can survive in the circulation of their human hosts for decades. These parasites possess a unique syncytial skin-like surface tissue known as the tegument that is thought to be uniquely adapted for survival in the blood by mediating evasion of host defenses. Previous studies have shown that cell bodies within the tegumental syncytium are turned over and perpetually replaced by new tegumental cells derived from a pool of somatic stem cells called neoblasts. Thus, neoblast-driven tegumental homeostasis has been suggested to be a key part of the parasite's strategy for long-term survival in the blood. However, the comprehensive set of molecular programs that control the specification of tegumental cells are not defined. To better unders

SUBMITTER: Zhao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11978072 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature