Schistosomiasis continues to be a significant issue impacting public health. Schistosoma sp. is a human parasite that utilizes components from its host blood for nutrition and survival. In order to penetrate the host skin, the aquatic form of Schistosoma, the cercariae, releases serine proteases. The parasitic worm, once fully matured, releases cathepsins or cysteine proteases that play a crucial role in its ability to extract essential nutrients from the host’s blood effectively. This mechanism not only secures the worm’s nourishment but also facilitates its survival and shields it from the host’s immune system. Different cathepsins can be identified that differ in their specificities and share similarities in sequence and structure. Significant distinctions exist among the three species of Schistosoma in terms of the specific types of proteases they possess. Consequently, these differences impact their respective abilities to invade the host and elude immune responses.

This research topic aims to investigate the proteases secreted by different forms of the Schistosoma parasite, with a focus on understanding their role in evading the host’s immune system. The specific objectives are to examine the variations in protease composition among different Schistosoma species and to elucidate how these enzymes strategically function regarding essential components in the host’s blood. Additionally, this article collection seeks to unravel the host’s immune responses aimed at neutralizing these proteases. By understanding the host’s defense mechanisms, valuable insights can be gained to inform the development of efficient therapeutics or remedies for schistosomiasis, specifically targeting the parasite’s proteases.

To gather further insights into the complex interplay between Schistosoma species, their secreted proteases, and the host immune response, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Schistosoma immune evasion cathepsins types
- Serine proteases differences between Schistosoma sp.
- Evaded immune molecules such as complement molecules
- Host mechanisms and memory innate specific evasion
- Adaptive immune escape immunometabolism during infection

We encourage contributions from experts in Schistosoma species, particularly those with experience in parasite immune evasion, cathepsins, and serine proteases. Additionally, insights into host immune mechanisms, including immune memory, are highly valued to further enrich our understanding of these interactions.

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Frontiers in Parasitology

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