The secreted elastase SjCE2b drives host skin penetration by Schistosoma japonicum
Bingkuan Zhu, Yu Shen, Fang Luo, Chuan Su, Hong You, Xumin Zhang, Wei Hu
This study identifies SjCE2b as a critical elastase for Schistosoma japonicum cercariae skin penetration, showing it degrades host proteins and is neutralized by antibodies to reduce worm burden.
bioRxiv · Jul 16, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology