Single-cell sequencing analysis of Echinococcus multilocularis-2

Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, leads to high morbidity and mortality rates in humans. This worldwide disease is difficult to diagnose, treat and control. Little is known about the role of tissues of Echinococcus multilocularis in successful parasitism, which limits the development of targeted drugs for alveolar echinococcosis. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we characterized 15,541 and 32,575 cells from the protoscoleces and the larval vesicles, respectively, and identified 23 distinct cell clusters, including muscle cells , neuronal cells, stem cells, and cells of unknown clusters. The stem cells of Echinococcus multilocularis highly express the CDK1 gene, and we effectively inhibit the growth of the larval vesicles using targeted inhibitors. In summary, these data provide molecular insights into the cellular composition of this important pathogen and identify potential therapeutic targets. This study provides a platform for developing effective treatments and interventions to control alveolar echinococcosis.