Potential involvement of Brugia malayi cysteine proteases in the maintenance of the endosymbiotic relationship with Wolbachia

•Bm-cpl-3 and Bm-cpl-6 are involved during development and endosymbiosis.•In tetracycline-treated worms Bm-cpl-3 and -6 are regulated in a bimodal pattern.•Reduction in Bm-cpl-3 and -6 levels resulted in hindered microfilarial development.•Reduction in Bm-cpl-3 and -6 levels resulted in reduced Wolbachia DNA levels.•These enzymes might be strong drug target candidates.