51
|
Arez F, Rebelo SP, Fontinha D, Simão D, Martins TR, Machado M, Fischli C, Oeuvray C, Badolo L, Carrondo MJT, Rottmann M, Spangenberg T, Brito C, Greco B, Prudêncio M, Alves PM. Flexible 3D Cell-Based Platforms for the Discovery and Profiling of Novel Drugs Targeting Plasmodium Hepatic Infection. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:1831-1842. [PMID: 31479238 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The restricted pipeline of drugs targeting the liver stage of Plasmodium infection reflects the scarcity of cell models that mimic the human hepatic phenotype and drug metabolism, as well as Plasmodium hepatic infection. Using stirred-tank culture systems, spheroids of human hepatic cell lines were generated, sustaining a stable hepatic phenotype over 4 weeks of culture. Spheroids were employed in the establishment of 3D Plasmodium berghei infection platforms that relied on static or dynamic culture conditions. P. berghei invasion and development were recapitulated in the hepatic spheroids, yielding blood-infective merozoites. The translational potential of the 3D platforms was demonstrated by comparing the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration of M5717, a compound under clinical development, with in vivo plasma concentrations that clear liver stage P. berghei in mice. Our results show that the 3D platforms are flexible and scalable and can predict the efficacy of antiplasmodial therapies, constituting a powerful tool for integration in drug discovery programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Arez
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sofia P. Rebelo
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Daniel Simão
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Tatiana R. Martins
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Marta Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Christoph Fischli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4051, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Claude Oeuvray
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Lassina Badolo
- Discovery and Development Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Manuel J. T. Carrondo
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Matthias Rottmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4051, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Spangenberg
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Catarina Brito
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Beatrice Greco
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula M. Alves
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Sanches-Vaz M, Temporão A, Luis R, Nunes-Cabaço H, Mendes AM, Goellner S, Carvalho T, Figueiredo LM, Prudêncio M. Trypanosoma brucei infection protects mice against malaria. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008145. [PMID: 31703103 PMCID: PMC6867654 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleeping sickness and malaria are parasitic diseases with overlapping geographical distributions in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that the immune response elicited by an infection with Trypanosoma brucei, the etiological agent of sleeping sickness, would inhibit a subsequent infection by Plasmodium, the malaria parasite, decreasing the severity of its associated pathology. To investigate this, we established a new co-infection model in which mice were initially infected with T. brucei, followed by administration of P. berghei sporozoites. We observed that a primary infection by T. brucei significantly attenuates a subsequent infection by the malaria parasite, protecting mice from experimental cerebral malaria and prolonging host survival. We further observed that an ongoing T. brucei infection leads to an accumulation of lymphocyte-derived IFN-γ in the liver, limiting the establishment of a subsequent hepatic infection by P. berghei sporozoites. Thus, we identified a novel host-mediated interaction between two parasitic infections, which may be epidemiologically relevant in regions of Trypanosoma/Plasmodium co-endemicity. Despite the geographical overlap between the parasites that cause sleeping sickness and malaria, the reciprocal impact of a co-infection by T. brucei and Plasmodium had hitherto not been assessed. We hypothesized that the strong immune response elicited by a T. brucei infection could potentially limit the ability of Plasmodium parasites to infect the same host. In this study, we showed that a primary infection by T. brucei significantly attenuates a subsequent infection by the malaria parasite. Importantly, a significant proportion of the co-infected mice do not develop Plasmodium parasitemia, and those few that do, do not display symptoms of severe malaria and survive longer than their singly infected counterparts. We further showed that the prevention or delay in appearance of malaria parasites in the blood results from a dramatic impairment of the preceding liver infection by Plasmodium, which is mediated by the strong immune response mounted against the primary T. brucei infection. Our study provides new insights for a novel inter-pathogen interaction that may bear great epidemiological significance in regions of Trypanosoma/Plasmodium co-endemicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Sanches-Vaz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Adriana Temporão
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rafael Luis
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Helena Nunes-Cabaço
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António M. Mendes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sarah Goellner
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tânia Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luisa M. Figueiredo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail: (LMF); (MP)
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail: (LMF); (MP)
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Beus M, Fontinha D, Held J, Rajić Z, Uzelac L, Kralj M, Prudêncio M, Zorc B. Primaquine and Chloroquine Fumardiamides as Promising Antiplasmodial Agents. Molecules 2019; 24:E2812. [PMID: 31374989 PMCID: PMC6695747 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24152812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper describes a continuation of our efforts in the pursuit of novel antiplasmodial agents with optimized properties. Following our previous discovery of biologically potent asymmetric primaquine (PQ) and halogenaniline fumardiamides (1-6), we now report their significant in vitro activity against the hepatic stages of Plasmodium parasites. Furthermore, we successfully prepared chloroquine (CQ) analogue derivatives (11-16) and evaluated their activity against both the hepatic and erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium. Our results have shown that PQ fumardiamides (1-6) exert both higher activity against P. berghei hepatic stages and lower toxicity against human hepatoma cells than the parent drug and CQ derivatives (11-16). The favourable cytotoxicity profile of the most active compounds, 5 and 6, was corroborated by assays performed on human cells (human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and non-tumour embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T)), even when glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was inhibited. The activity of CQ fumardiamides on P. falciparum erythrocytic stages was higher than that of PQ derivatives, comparable to CQ against CQ-resistant strain PfDd2, but lower than CQ when tested on the CQ-sensitive strain Pf3D7. In addition, both sets of compounds showed favourable drug-like properties. Hence, quinoline fumardiamides could serve as a starting point towards the development of safer and more effective antiplasmodial agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maja Beus
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jana Held
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Lidija Uzelac
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Therapy, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marijeta Kralj
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Therapy, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Branka Zorc
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, HR-10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Updating the modified Thompson test by using whole-body bioluminescence imaging to replace traditional efficacy testing in experimental models of murine malaria. Malar J 2019; 18:38. [PMID: 30767768 PMCID: PMC6376706 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodent malaria models are extensively used to predict treatment outcomes in human infections. There is a constant need to improve and refine these models by innovating ways to apply new scientific findings and cutting edge technologies. In addition, and in accordance with the three R's of animal use in research, in vivo studies should be constantly refined to avoid unnecessary pain and distress to the experimental animals by using preemptive euthanasia as soon as the main scientific study objective has been accomplished. METHODS The new methodology described in this manuscript uses the whole-body bioluminescence signal emitted by transgenic, luciferase-expressing Plasmodium berghei parasites to assess the parasite load predicted parasitaemia (PLPP) in drug and control treated female ICR-CD1 mice infected with 1 × 105 luciferase-expressing P. berghei (ANKA strain) infected erythrocytes. This methodology can replace other time-consuming and expensive methods that are routinely used to measure parasitaemia in infected animals, such as Giemsa-stained thin blood smears and flow cytometry. RESULTS There is a good correlation between whole-body bioluminescence signal and parasitaemia measured using Giemsa-stained thin blood smears and flow cytometry respectively in donor and study mice in the modified Thompson test. The algebraic formulas which represent these correlations can be successfully used to assess PLPP in donor and study mice. In addition, the new methodology can pinpoint sick animals 2-8 days before they would have been otherwise diagnosed based on behavioural or any other signs of malaria disease. CONCLUSIONS The new method for predicting parasitaemia in the modified Thompson test is simple, precise, objective, and minimizes false positive results that can lead to the premature removal of animals from study. Furthermore, from the animal welfare perspective of replace, reduce, and refine, this new method facilitates early removal of sick animals from study as soon as the study objective has been achieved, in many cases well before the clinical signs of disease are present.
Collapse
|
55
|
Kumar M, Okombo J, Mambwe D, Taylor D, Lawrence N, Reader J, van der Watt M, Fontinha D, Sanches-Vaz M, Bezuidenhout BC, Lauterbach SB, Liebenberg D, Birkholtz LM, Coetzer TL, Prudêncio M, Egan TJ, Wittlin S, Chibale K. Multistage Antiplasmodium Activity of Astemizole Analogues and Inhibition of Hemozoin Formation as a Contributor to Their Mode of Action. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:303-315. [PMID: 30525439 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A drug repositioning approach was leveraged to derivatize astemizole (AST), an antihistamine drug whose antimalarial activity was previously identified in a high-throughput screen. The multistage activity potential against the Plasmodium parasite's life cycle of the subsequent analogues was examined by evaluating against the parasite asexual blood, liver, and sexual gametocytic stages. In addition, the previously reported contribution of heme detoxification to the compound's mode of action was interrogated. Ten of the 17 derivatives showed half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of <0.1 μM against the chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum NF54 ( PfNF54) strain while maintaining submicromolar potency against the multidrug-resistant strain, PfK1, with most showing low likelihood of cross-resistance with CQ. Selected analogues ( PfNF54-IC50 < 0.1 μM) were tested for cytotoxicity on Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells and found to be highly selective (selectivity index > 100). Screening of AST and its analogues against gametocytes revealed their moderate activity (IC50: 1-5 μM) against late stage P. falciparum gametocytes, while the evaluation of activity against P. berghei liver stages identified one compound (3) with 3-fold greater activity than the parent AST compound. Mechanistic studies showed a strong correlation between in vitro inhibition of β-hematin formation by the AST derivatives and their antiplasmodium IC50s. Analyses of intracellular inhibition of hemozoin formation within the parasite further yielded signatures attributable to a possible perturbation of the heme detoxification machinery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malkeet Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - John Okombo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Dickson Mambwe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Dale Taylor
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Nina Lawrence
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
| | - Janette Reader
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Mariëtte van der Watt
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida Sanches-Vaz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Belinda C. Bezuidenhout
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Sonja B. Lauterbach
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Dale Liebenberg
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Theresa L. Coetzer
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Timothy J. Egan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Aguiar L, Machado M, Sanches-Vaz M, Prudêncio M, Vale N, Gomes P. Coupling the cell-penetrating peptides transportan and transportan 10 to primaquine enhances its activity against liver-stage malaria parasites. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:221-226. [PMID: 30881610 PMCID: PMC6390471 DOI: 10.1039/c8md00447a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Novel primaquine-cell penetrating peptide conjugates were synthesised and tested in vitro against liver stage Plasmodium berghei parasites. Generally, the conjugates were more active than the parent peptides and, in some cases, than the parent drug. These are unprecedented findings that may open a new route towards antimalarial drug rescuing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Aguiar
- LAQV-REQUIMTE , Departamento de Química e Bioquímica , Faculdade de Ciências , Universidade do Porto , Rua do Campo Alegre 687 , P-4169-007 Porto , Portugal .
| | - Marta Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes , Faculdade de Medicina , Universidade de Lisboa , Avenida Professor Egas Moniz , P-1648-028 Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Margarida Sanches-Vaz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes , Faculdade de Medicina , Universidade de Lisboa , Avenida Professor Egas Moniz , P-1648-028 Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes , Faculdade de Medicina , Universidade de Lisboa , Avenida Professor Egas Moniz , P-1648-028 Lisboa , Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- Laboratório de Farmacologia , Departamento de Ciências do Medicamento , Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade do Porto , Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228 , P-4050-313 Porto , Portugal
- Ipatimup/Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S) , Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 , 4200-135 Porto , Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE , Departamento de Química e Bioquímica , Faculdade de Ciências , Universidade do Porto , Rua do Campo Alegre 687 , P-4169-007 Porto , Portugal .
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Leven M, Held J, Duffy S, Alves Avelar LA, Meister S, Delves M, Plouffe D, Kuna K, Tschan S, Avery VM, Winzeler EA, Mordmüller B, Kurz T. 8-Aminoquinolines with an Aminoxyalkyl Side Chain Exert in vitro Dual-Stage Antiplasmodial Activity. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:501-511. [PMID: 30605243 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel 8-aminoquinolines (8-AQs) with an aminoxyalkyl side chain were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial properties against asexual blood stages, liver stages, and sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum. 8-AQs bearing 2-alkoxy and 5-phenoxy substituents on the quinoline ring system were found to be the most promising compounds under study, exhibiting potent blood schizontocidal and moderate tissue schizontocidal in vitro activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Leven
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jana Held
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Duffy
- Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane Innovation Park Campus, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Leandro A Alves Avelar
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stephan Meister
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michael Delves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David Plouffe
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation Department, Novartis, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Krystina Kuna
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Serena Tschan
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane Innovation Park Campus, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Benjamin Mordmüller
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurz
- Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Fernandes P, Howland SW, Heiss K, Hoffmann A, Hernández-Castañeda MA, Obrová K, Frank R, Wiedemann P, Bendzus M, Rénia L, Mueller AK. A Plasmodium Cross-Stage Antigen Contributes to the Development of Experimental Cerebral Malaria. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1875. [PMID: 30154793 PMCID: PMC6102508 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria is a complex neurological syndrome caused by an infection with Plasmodium falciparum parasites and is exclusively attributed to a series of host–parasite interactions at the pathological blood-stage of infection. In contrast, the preceding intra-hepatic phase of replication is generally considered clinically silent and thereby excluded from playing any role in the development of neurological symptoms. In this study, however, we present an antigen PbmaLS_05 that is presented to the host immune system by both pre-erythrocytic and intra-erythrocytic stages and contributes to the development of cerebral malaria in mice. Although deletion of the endogenous PbmaLS_05 prevented the development of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) in susceptible mice after both sporozoite and infected red blood cell (iRBC) infections, we observed significant differences in contribution of the host immune response between both modes of inoculation. Moreover, PbmaLS_05-specific CD8+ T cells contributed to the development of ECM after sporozoite but not iRBC-infection, suggesting that pre-erythrocytic antigens like PbmaLS_05 can also contribute to the development of cerebral symptoms. Our data thus highlight the importance of the natural route of infection in the study of ECM, with potential implications for vaccine and therapeutic strategies against malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Fernandes
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shanshan W Howland
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kirsten Heiss
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angelika Hoffmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Experimental Radiology, Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Klára Obrová
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Frank
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Wiedemann
- Department of Biotechnology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Martin Bendzus
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Experimental Radiology, Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Mueller
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Dai Y, Wang G, Chen D, Yin J, Zhan Y, Nie Y, Wu K, Liang J, Chen X. Intravenous Administration-Oriented Pharmacokinetic Model for Dynamic Bioluminescence Imaging. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2018; 66:843-847. [PMID: 30047868 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2018.2858774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a promising tool for monitoring the growth and metastasis of tumors. However, quantitative BLI research based on intravenous (IV) injection is limited, which greatly restricts its further application. To address this problem, we designed a pharmacokinetic (PK) model which is suitable for applying on IV administration of small amounts of D-Luciferin. METHODS After three weeks of postimplantation, mkn28-luc xenografted mice were subjected to 40-min dynamic BLI immediately following D-Luciferin intravenous injection on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Furthermore, the PK model was applied on dynamic BLI data to obtain the sum of kinetic rate constants (SKRC). RESULTS Results showed that the SKRC values decreased rapidly with the growth of the tumor. There was a statistical difference between the SKRC values measured at different time points, while the time point of luminous intensity peak was unaffected by the growth of the tumor. CONCLUSION In short, our results imply that dynamic BLI combined with our PK model can predict tumor growth earlier and with higher sensitivity compared to the conventional method, which is crucial for improving drug evaluation efficacy. In addition, the dynamic BLI may provide a valuable reference for the noninvasive acquiring arterial input function, which may also provide a new application prospect for hybrid PET-optical imaging.
Collapse
|
60
|
Macedo TS, Villarreal W, Couto CC, Moreira DRM, Navarro M, Machado M, Prudêncio M, Batista AA, Soares MBP. Platinum(ii)-chloroquine complexes are antimalarial agents against blood and liver stages by impairing mitochondrial function. Metallomics 2018; 9:1548-1561. [PMID: 28960224 DOI: 10.1039/c7mt00196g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chloroquine is an antimalarial agent with strong activity against the blood stage of Plasmodium infection, but with low activity against the parasite's liver stage. In addition, the resistance to chloroquine limits its clinical use. The discovery of new molecules possessing multistage activity and overcoming drug resistance is needed. One possible strategy to achieve this lies in combining antimalarial quinolones with the pharmacological effects of transition metals. We investigated the antimalarial activity of four platinum(ii) complexes composed of chloroquine and phosphine ligands, denoted as WV-90, WV-92, WV-93 and WV-94. In comparison with chloroquine, the complexes were less potent against the chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strain but they were as active as chloroquine in inhibiting the chloroquine-resistant W2 strain of P. falciparum. Regarding selectivity, the complexes WV-90 and WV-93 displayed higher indexes. Unlike chloroquine, the complexes act as irreversible parasiticidal agents against trophozoites and the WV-93 complex displayed activity against the hepatic stage of P. berghei. The in vivo suppression activity against P. berghei in the Peters 4 day test displayed by the complexes was similar to that of chloroquine. However, the efficacy in an established P. berghei infection in the Thompson test was superior for the WV-93 complex compared to chloroquine. The complexes' antimalarial mechanism of action is initiated by inhibiting the hemozoin formation. While chloroquine efficiently inhibits hemozoin, parasites treated with the platinum complexes display residual hemozoin crystals. This is explained since the interaction of the platinum complexes with ferriprotoporphyrin is weaker than that of chloroquine. However, the complexes caused a loss of mitochondrial integrity and subsequent reduction in mitochondrial activity, and their effects on mitochondria were more pronounced than those in the chloroquine-treated parasites. The dual effect of the platinum complexes may explain their activity against the hemozoin-lacking parasites (hepatic stage), where chloroquine has no activity. Our findings indicate that the platinum(ii)-chloroquine complexes are multifunctional antimalarial compounds and reinforce the importance of metal complexes in antimalarial drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taís S Macedo
- FIOCRUZ, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, CEP 40296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
61
|
Posfai D, Sylvester K, Reddy A, Ganley JG, Wirth J, Cullen QE, Dave T, Kato N, Dave SS, Derbyshire ER. Plasmodium parasite exploits host aquaporin-3 during liver stage malaria infection. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007057. [PMID: 29775485 PMCID: PMC5979039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the liver a single Plasmodium parasite transforms into thousands of blood-infective forms to cause malaria. Here, we use RNA-sequencing to identify host genes that are upregulated upon Plasmodium berghei infection of hepatocytes with the hypothesis that host pathways are hijacked to benefit parasite development. We found that expression of aquaporin-3 (AQP3), a water and glycerol channel, is significantly induced in Plasmodium-infected hepatocytes compared to uninfected cells. This aquaglyceroporin localizes to the parasitophorous vacuole membrane, the compartmental interface between the host and pathogen, with a temporal pattern that correlates with the parasite’s expansion in the liver. Depletion or elimination of host AQP3 expression significantly reduces P. berghei parasite burden during the liver stage and chemical disruption by a known AQP3 inhibitor, auphen, reduces P. falciparum asexual blood stage and P. berghei liver stage parasite load. Further use of this inhibitor as a chemical probe suggests that AQP3-mediated nutrient transport is an important function for parasite development. This study reveals a previously unknown potential route for host-dependent nutrient acquisition by Plasmodium which was discovered by mapping the transcriptional changes that occur in hepatocytes throughout P. berghei infection. The dataset reported may be leveraged to identify additional host factors that are essential for Plasmodium liver stage infection and highlights Plasmodium’s dependence on host factors within hepatocytes. Plasmodium parasites undergo an obligatory morphogenesis and replication within the liver before they invade red blood cells and cause malaria. The liver stage is clinically silent but essential for the Plasmodium parasite to complete its life cycle. During this time, the parasite relies on the host cell to support a massive replication event, yet host factors that are critical to this expansion are largely unknown. We identify human aquaporin-3 (AQP3), a water and glycerol channel, as essential for the proper development of the parasite within the liver cell. AQP3 localizes to the parasitophorous vacuole membrane, the interface between the host cytoplasm and the parasite, possibly aiding in the nutritional uptake for the parasite. Genetic disruption or treatment with the AQP3 inhibitor auphen, reduces parasite load in liver and blood cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dora Posfai
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kayla Sylvester
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Anupama Reddy
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jack G. Ganley
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Johannes Wirth
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Quinlan E. Cullen
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Tushar Dave
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Nobutaka Kato
- The Broad Institute, 7 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sandeep S. Dave
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emily R. Derbyshire
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
A Plasmodium Parasite with Complete Late Liver Stage Arrest Protects against Preerythrocytic and Erythrocytic Stage Infection in Mice. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00088-18. [PMID: 29440367 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00088-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetically attenuated malaria parasites (GAP) that arrest during liver stage development are powerful immunogens and afford complete and durable protection against sporozoite infection. Late liver stage-arresting GAP provide superior protection against sporozoite challenge in mice compared to early live stage-arresting attenuated parasites. However, very few late liver stage-arresting GAP have been generated to date. Therefore, identification of additional loci that are critical for late liver stage development and can be used to generate novel late liver stage-arresting GAPs is of importance. We further explored genetic attenuation in Plasmodium yoelii by combining two gene deletions, PlasMei2 and liver-specific protein 2 (LISP2), that each cause late liver stage arrest with various degrees of infrequent breakthrough to blood stage infection. The dual gene deletion resulted in a synthetic lethal phenotype that caused complete attenuation in a highly susceptible mouse strain. P. yoeliiplasmei2-lisp2- arrested late in liver stage development and did not persist in livers beyond 3 days after infection. Immunization with this GAP elicited robust protective antibody responses in outbred and inbred mice against sporozoites, liver stages, and blood stages as well as eliciting protective liver-resident T cells. The immunization afforded protection against both sporozoite challenge and blood stage challenge. These findings provide evidence that completely attenuated late liver stage-arresting GAP are achievable via the synthetic lethal approach and might enable a path forward for the creation of a completely attenuated late liver stage-arresting P. falciparum GAP.
Collapse
|
63
|
Posfai D, Eubanks AL, Keim AI, Lu KY, Wang GZ, Hughes PF, Kato N, Haystead TA, Derbyshire ER. Identification of Hsp90 Inhibitors with Anti-Plasmodium Activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e01799-17. [PMID: 29339390 PMCID: PMC5913967 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01799-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global health burden partly due to Plasmodium parasite resistance to first-line therapeutics. The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) has emerged as an essential protein for blood-stage Plasmodium parasites, but details about its function during malaria's elusive liver stage are unclear. We used target-based screens to identify compounds that bind to Plasmodium falciparum and human Hsp90, which revealed insights into chemotypes with species-selective binding. Using cell-based malaria assays, we demonstrate that all identified Hsp90-binding compounds are liver- and blood-stage Plasmodium inhibitors. Additionally, the Hsp90 inhibitor SNX-0723 in combination with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor PIK-75 synergistically reduces the liver-stage parasite load. Time course inhibition studies with the Hsp90 inhibitors and expression analysis support a role for Plasmodium Hsp90 in late-liver-stage parasite development. Our results suggest that Plasmodium Hsp90 is essential to liver- and blood-stage parasite infections and highlight an attractive route for development of species-selective PfHsp90 inhibitors that may act synergistically in combination therapies to prevent and treat malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dora Posfai
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amber L Eubanks
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Allison I Keim
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kuan-Yi Lu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Grace Z Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Philip F Hughes
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Timothy A Haystead
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
Protection from experimental cerebral malaria with a single intravenous or subcutaneous whole-parasite immunization. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3085. [PMID: 29449638 PMCID: PMC5814423 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21551-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria is a life-threatening complication of Plasmodia infection and a major cause of child mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. We report that protection from experimental cerebral malaria in the rodent model is obtained by a single intravenous or subcutaneous whole-parasite immunization. Whole-parasite immunization with radiation-attenuated sporozoites was equally protective as immunization with non-attenuated sporozoites under chemoprophylaxis. Both immunization regimens delayed the development of blood-stage parasites, but differences in cellular and humoral immune mechanisms were observed. Single-dose whole-parasite vaccination might serve as a relatively simple and feasible immunization approach to prevent life-threatening cerebral malaria.
Collapse
|
65
|
Pichugin A, Zarling S, Perazzo L, Duffy PE, Ploegh HL, Krzych U. Identification of a Novel CD8 T Cell Epitope Derived from Plasmodium berghei Protective Liver-Stage Antigen. Front Immunol 2018; 9:91. [PMID: 29434602 PMCID: PMC5796907 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently identified novel Plasmodium berghei (Pb) liver stage (LS) genes that as DNA vaccines significantly reduce Pb LS parasite burden (LPB) in C57Bl/6 (B6) mice through a mechanism mediated, in part, by CD8 T cells. In this study, we sought to determine fine antigen (Ag) specificities of CD8 T cells that target LS malaria parasites. Guided by algorithms for predicting MHC class I-restricted epitopes, we ranked sequences of 32 Pb LS Ags and selected ~400 peptides restricted by mouse H-2Kb and H-2Db alleles for analysis in the high-throughput method of caged MHC class I-tetramer technology. We identified a 9-mer H-2Kb restricted CD8 T cell epitope, Kb-17, which specifically recognized and activated CD8 T cell responses in B6 mice immunized with Pb radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS) and challenged with infectious sporozoites (spz). The Kb-17 peptide is derived from the recently described novel protective Pb LS Ag, PBANKA_1031000 (MIF4G-like protein). Notably, immunization with the Kb-17 epitope delivered in the form of a minigene in the adenovirus serotype 5 vector reduced LPB in mice infected with spz. On the basis of our results, Kb-17 peptide was available for CD8 T cell activation and recall following immunization with Pb RAS and challenge with infectious spz. The identification of a novel MHC class I-restricted epitope from the protective Pb LS Ag, MIF4G-like protein, is crucial for advancing our understanding of immune responses to Plasmodium and by extension, toward vaccine development against malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Pichugin
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Stasya Zarling
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Leah Perazzo
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Patrick Emmet Duffy
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, (NIH), Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Hidde Lolke Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MD, United States
| | - Urszula Krzych
- Department of Cellular Immunology, Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
66
|
Poonam, Gupta Y, Gupta N, Singh S, Wu L, Chhikara BS, Rawat M, Rathi B. Multistage inhibitors of the malaria parasite: Emerging hope for chemoprotection and malaria eradication. Med Res Rev 2018; 38:1511-1535. [DOI: 10.1002/med.21486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Poonam
- Department of Chemistry; Miranda House, University of Delhi; India
| | - Yash Gupta
- National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR); New Delhi India
| | - Nikesh Gupta
- Special Centre for Nanosciences; Jawaharlal Nehru University; New Delhi India
| | - Snigdha Singh
- Laboratory for Translational Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry; Hansraj College University Enclave, University of Delhi; Delhi India
| | - Lidong Wu
- Department of Chemistry; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge MA USA
- Key Laboratory of Control of Quality and Safety for Aquatic Products; Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences; Beijing China
| | | | - Manmeet Rawat
- Department of Internal Medicine; University of New Mexico School of Medicine; Albuquerque NM USA
| | - Brijesh Rathi
- Laboratory for Translational Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry; Hansraj College University Enclave, University of Delhi; Delhi India
- Department of Chemistry; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge MA USA
| |
Collapse
|
67
|
Dhadve A, Thakur B, Ray P. Dual Modality Imaging of Promoter Activity as a Surrogate for Gene Expression and Function. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1790:1-12. [PMID: 29858779 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7860-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Molecular functional imaging with optical reporter genes (both bioluminescence and fluorescence) is a rapidly evolving method that allows noninvasive, sensitive, real-time monitoring of many cellular events in live cells and whole organisms. These reporter genes with optical signatures when expressed from gene-specific promoters or Cis/Trans elements mimic the endogenous expression pattern without perturbing cellular physiology. With advanced recombinant molecular biology techniques, several strategies for optimal expression from constitutive or inducible, tissue-specific and weak promoters have been developed and used for dynamic and functional imaging. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the applications of this powerful technology for imaging gene expression in living cells and rodent models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Dhadve
- Imaging Cell Signaling & Therapeutics Lab, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Bhushan Thakur
- Imaging Cell Signaling & Therapeutics Lab, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Pritha Ray
- Imaging Cell Signaling & Therapeutics Lab, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India.
| |
Collapse
|
68
|
Šafratová M, Hošťálková A, Hulcová D, Breiterová K, Hrabcová V, Machado M, Fontinha D, Prudêncio M, Kuneš J, Chlebek J, Jun D, Hrabinová M, Nováková L, Havelek R, Seifrtová M, Opletal L, Cahlíková L. Alkaloids from Narcissus poeticus cv. Pink Parasol of various structural types and their biological activity. Arch Pharm Res 2017; 41:208-218. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-017-1000-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
69
|
Machado M, Sanches-Vaz M, Cruz JP, Mendes AM, Prudêncio M. Inhibition of Plasmodium Hepatic Infection by Antiretroviral Compounds. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:329. [PMID: 28770176 PMCID: PMC5515864 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent WHO guidelines on control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) call for the widespread use of antiretroviral (AR) therapy (ART) for people living with HIV. Given the considerable overlap between infections by HIV and Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, it is important to understand the impact of AR compounds and ART regimens on infections by malaria parasites. We undertook a systematic approach to identify AR drugs and ART drug combinations with inhibitory activity against the obligatory hepatic stage of Plasmodium infection. Our in vitro screen of a wide array of AR drugs identified the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors efavirenz and etravirine (ETV), and the protease inhibitor nelfinavir, as compounds that significantly impair the development of the rodent malaria parasite P. berghei in an hepatoma cell line. Furthermore, we show that WHO-recommended ART drug combinations currently employed in the field strongly inhibit Plasmodium liver infection in mice, an effect that may be significantly enhanced by the inclusion of ETV in the treatment. Our observations are the first report of ETV as an anti-Plasmodial drug, paving the way for further evaluation and potential use of ETV-containing ARTs in regions of geographical overlap between HIV and Plasmodium infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Machado
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida Sanches-Vaz
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| | - João P Cruz
- iMed.UL-Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| | - António M Mendes
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de LisboaLisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
70
|
Abstract
Prior to infecting erythrocytes and causing malaria symptoms, Plasmodium parasites undergo an obligatory phase of invasion and extensive replication inside their mammalian host's liver cells that depends on the parasite's ability to obtain the nutrients it requires for its intra-hepatic growth and multiplication. Here, we show that L-arginine (Arg) uptake through the host cell's SLC7A2-encoded transporters is essential for the parasite's development and maturation in the liver. Our data suggest that the Arg that is taken up is primarily metabolized by the arginase pathway to produce the polyamines required for Plasmodium growth. Although the parasite may hijack the host's biosynthesis pathway, it relies mainly upon its own arginase-AdoMetDC/ODC pathway to acquire the polyamines it needs to develop. These results identify for the first time a pivotal role for Arg-dependent polyamine production during Plasmodium's hepatic development and pave the way to the exploitation of strategies to impact liver infection by the malaria parasite through the modulation of Arg uptake and polyamine synthesis.
Collapse
|
71
|
Othman AS, Marin-Mogollon C, Salman AM, Franke-Fayard BM, Janse CJ, Khan SM. The use of transgenic parasites in malaria vaccine research. Expert Rev Vaccines 2017; 16:1-13. [DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2017.1333426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Syibli Othman
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Catherin Marin-Mogollon
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Blandine M. Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Shahid M. Khan
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
72
|
Bioluminescence Method for In Vitro Screening of Plasmodium Transmission-Blocking Compounds. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02699-16. [PMID: 28348156 PMCID: PMC5444155 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02699-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The sporogonic stage of the life cycle of Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, occurs inside the parasite's mosquito vector, where a process of fertilization, meiosis, and mitotic divisions culminates in the generation of large numbers of mammalian-infective sporozoites. Efforts to cultivate Plasmodium mosquito stages in vitro have proved challenging and yielded only moderate success. Here, we describe a methodology that simplifies the in vitro screening of much-needed transmission-blocking (TB) compounds employing a bioluminescence-based method to monitor the in vitro development of sporogonic stages of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Our proof-of-principle assessment of the in vitro TB activity of several commonly used antimalarial compounds identified cycloheximide, thiostrepton, and atovaquone as the most active compounds against the parasite's sporogonic stages. The TB activity of these compounds was further confirmed by in vivo studies that validated our newly developed in vitro approach to TB compound screening.
Collapse
|
73
|
Tavares J, Costa DM, Teixeira AR, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Amino R. In vivo imaging of pathogen homing to the host tissues. Methods 2017; 127:37-44. [PMID: 28522323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematogenous dissemination followed by tissue tropism is a characteristic of the infectious process of many pathogens including those transmitted by blood-feeding vectors. After entering into the blood circulation, these pathogens must arrest in the target organ before they infect a specific tissue. Here, we describe a non-invasive method to visualize and quantify the homing of pathogens to the host tissues. By using in vivo bioluminescence imaging we quantify the accumulation of luciferase-expressing parasites in the host organs during the first minutes following their intravascular inoculation in mice. Using this technique we show that in the malarial infection, once in the blood circulation, most of bioluminescent Plasmodium berghei sporozoites, the parasite stage transmitted to the host skin by a mosquito bite, rapidly home to the liver where they invade and develop inside hepatocytes. This homing is specific to this developmental stage since blood stage parasites do not accumulate in the liver, as well as extracellular Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream forms and liver-infecting Leishmania infantum amastigotes. Finally, this method can be used to study the dynamics of tissue tropism of parasites, dissect the molecular and cellular basis of their increased arrest in organs and to evaluate immune interventions designed to block this targeted interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Tavares
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
| | - David Mendes Costa
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Rafaela Teixeira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Portugal
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Unit of Malaria Infection and Immunity, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
74
|
Salman AM, Montoya-Díaz E, West H, Lall A, Atcheson E, Lopez-Camacho C, Ramesar J, Bauza K, Collins KA, Brod F, Reis F, Pappas L, González-Cerón L, Janse CJ, Hill AVS, Khan SM, Reyes-Sandoval A. Rational development of a protective P. vivax vaccine evaluated with transgenic rodent parasite challenge models. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46482. [PMID: 28417968 PMCID: PMC5394459 DOI: 10.1038/srep46482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of a protective and broadly-acting vaccine against the most widely distributed human malaria parasite, Plasmodium vivax, will be a major step towards malaria elimination. However, a P. vivax vaccine has remained elusive by the scarcity of pre-clinical models to test protective efficacy and support further clinical trials. In this study, we report the development of a highly protective CSP-based P. vivax vaccine, a virus-like particle (VLP) known as Rv21, able to provide 100% sterile protection against a stringent sporozoite challenge in rodent models to malaria, where IgG2a antibodies were associated with protection in absence of detectable PvCSP-specific T cell responses. Additionally, we generated two novel transgenic rodent P. berghei parasite lines, where the P. berghei csp gene coding sequence has been replaced with either full-length P. vivax VK210 or the allelic VK247 csp that additionally express GFP-Luciferase. Efficacy of Rv21 surpassed viral-vectored vaccination using ChAd63 and MVA. We show for the first time that a chimeric VK210/247 antigen can elicit high level cross-protection against parasites expressing either CSP allele, which provide accessible and affordable models suitable to support the development of P. vivax vaccines candidates. Rv21 is progressing to GMP production and has entered a path towards clinical evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Salman
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.,Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, (LUMC, L4-Q), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Montoya-Díaz
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Heather West
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Amar Lall
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Erwan Atcheson
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Cesar Lopez-Camacho
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Jai Ramesar
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, (LUMC, L4-Q), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karolis Bauza
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Katharine A Collins
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Florian Brod
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Fernando Reis
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte - MG - Brasil
| | - Leontios Pappas
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Lilia González-Cerón
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 4ta Avenida Norte y Calle 19 Poniente, Tapachula, Chiapas, CP 30740, Mexico
| | - Chris J Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, (LUMC, L4-Q), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adrian V S Hill
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Shahid M Khan
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, (LUMC, L4-Q), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arturo Reyes-Sandoval
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
75
|
Long-Term Prophylaxis and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Intramuscular Nano- and Microparticle Decoquinate in Mice Infected with P. berghei Sporozoites. Malar Res Treat 2017; 2017:7508291. [PMID: 28491482 PMCID: PMC5406721 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7508291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Decoquinate nanoparticle and microparticle suspended in an oily vehicle to retard drug release are evaluated for long-term malaria prophylaxis. Pharmacokinetic studies in normal animals and antimalarial efficacy in liver stage malaria mice were conducted at various single intramuscular-decoquinate doses for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks prior to infection with P. berghei sporozoites. The liver stage efficacy evaluation was monitored by using an in vivo imaging system. Full causal prophylaxis was shown in mice with a single intramuscular dose at 120 mg/kg of nanoparticle decoquinate (0.43 μm) for 2-3 weeks and with microparticle decoquinate (8.31 μm) injected 8 weeks earlier than inoculation. The time above MIC of 1,375 hr observed with the microparticle formulation provided a 2.2-fold longer drug exposure than with the nanoparticle formulation (624 hr). The prophylactic effect of the microparticle formulation observed in mice was shown to be 3-4 times longer than the nanoparticle decoquinate formulation.
Collapse
|
76
|
Towards a Humanized Mouse Model of Liver Stage Malaria Using Ectopic Artificial Livers. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45424. [PMID: 28361899 PMCID: PMC5374446 DOI: 10.1038/srep45424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria liver stage is an attractive target for antimalarial development, and preclinical malaria models are essential for testing such candidates. Given ethical concerns and costs associated with non-human primate models, humanized mouse models containing chimeric human livers offer a valuable alternative as small animal models of liver stage human malaria. The best available human liver chimeric mice rely on cellular transplantation into mice with genetically engineered liver injury, but these systems involve a long and variable humanization process, are expensive, and require the use of breeding-challenged mouse strains which are not widely accessible. We previously incorporated primary human hepatocytes into engineered polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based nanoporous human ectopic artificial livers (HEALs), implanted them in mice without liver injury, and rapidly generated human liver chimeric mice in a reproducible and scalable fashion. By re-designing the PEG scaffold to be macroporous, we demonstrate the facile fabrication of implantable porous HEALs that support liver stage human malaria (P. falciparum) infection in vitro, and also after implantation in mice with normal liver function, 60% of the time. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of applying a tissue engineering strategy towards the development of scalable preclinical models of liver stage malaria infection for future applications.
Collapse
|
77
|
Singh K, Okombo J, Brunschwig C, Ndubi F, Barnard L, Wilkinson C, Njogu PM, Njoroge M, Laing L, Machado M, Prudêncio M, Reader J, Botha M, Nondaba S, Birkholtz LM, Lauterbach S, Churchyard A, Coetzer TL, Burrows JN, Yeates C, Denti P, Wiesner L, Egan TJ, Wittlin S, Chibale K. Antimalarial Pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles: Lead Optimization, Parasite Life Cycle Stage Profile, Mechanistic Evaluation, Killing Kinetics, and in Vivo Oral Efficacy in a Mouse Model. J Med Chem 2017; 60:1432-1448. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Singh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry
and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - John Okombo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Christel Brunschwig
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, South Africa
| | - Ferdinand Ndubi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Linley Barnard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Chad Wilkinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Peter M. Njogu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya
| | - Mathew Njoroge
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, South Africa
| | - Lizahn Laing
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, South Africa
| | - Marta Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade
de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade
de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Janette Reader
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Sustainable
Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Mariette Botha
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Sustainable
Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Sindisiwe Nondaba
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Sustainable
Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marie Birkholtz
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Sustainable
Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Sonja Lauterbach
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty
of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Alisje Churchyard
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty
of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Theresa L. Coetzer
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty
of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Jeremy N. Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, P.O. Box 1826, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Clive Yeates
- Inpharma Consultancy, 6 Dudley Hill Close, Welwyn, Hertfordshire AL60QQ, U.K
| | - Paolo Denti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, South Africa
| | - Lubbe Wiesner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, 7925, South Africa
| | - Timothy J. Egan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry
and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
78
|
Plasmodium berghei EXP-1 interacts with host Apolipoprotein H during Plasmodium liver-stage development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E1138-E1147. [PMID: 28137845 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1606419114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The first, obligatory replication phase of malaria parasite infections is characterized by rapid expansion and differentiation of single parasites in liver cells, resulting in the formation and release of thousands of invasive merozoites into the bloodstream. Hepatic Plasmodium development occurs inside a specialized membranous compartment termed the parasitophorous vacuole (PV). Here, we show that, during the parasite's hepatic replication, the C-terminal region of the parasitic PV membrane protein exported protein 1 (EXP-1) binds to host Apolipoprotein H (ApoH) and that this molecular interaction plays a pivotal role for successful Plasmodium liver-stage development. Expression of a truncated EXP-1 protein, missing the specific ApoH interaction site, or down-regulation of ApoH expression in either hepatic cells or mouse livers by RNA interference resulted in impaired intrahepatic development. Furthermore, infection of mice with sporozoites expressing a truncated version of EXP-1 resulted in both a significant reduction of liver burden and delayed blood-stage patency, leading to a disease outcome different from that generally induced by infection with wild-type parasites. This study identifies a host-parasite protein interaction during the hepatic stage of infection by Plasmodium parasites. The identification of such vital interactions may hold potential toward the development of novel malaria prevention strategies.
Collapse
|
79
|
Inhibition of Plasmodium Liver Infection by Ivermectin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02005-16. [PMID: 27895022 PMCID: PMC5278742 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02005-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Avermectins are powerful endectocides with an established potential to reduce the incidence of vector-borne diseases. Here, we show that several avermectins inhibit the hepatic stage of Plasmodium infection in vitro. Notably, ivermectin potently inhibits liver infection in vivo by impairing parasite development inside hepatocytes. This impairment has a clear impact on the ensuing blood stage parasitemia, reducing disease severity and enhancing host survival. Ivermectin has been proposed as a tool to control malaria transmission because of its effects on the mosquito vector. Our study extends the effect of ivermectin to the early stages of mammalian host infection and supports the inclusion of this multipurpose drug in malaria control strategies.
Collapse
|
80
|
Rapid Generation of Marker-Free P. falciparum Fluorescent Reporter Lines Using Modified CRISPR/Cas9 Constructs and Selection Protocol. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168362. [PMID: 27997583 PMCID: PMC5172577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful genome editing technique employed in a wide variety of organisms including recently the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum. Here we report on further improvements to the CRISPR/Cas9 transfection constructs and selection protocol to more rapidly modify the P. falciparum genome and to introduce transgenes into the parasite genome without the inclusion of drug-selectable marker genes. This method was used to stably integrate the gene encoding GFP into the P. falciparum genome under the control of promoters of three different Plasmodium genes (calmodulin, gapdh and hsp70). These genes were selected as they are highly transcribed in blood stages. We show that the three reporter parasite lines generated in this study (GFP@cam, GFP@gapdh and GFP@hsp70) have in vitro blood stage growth kinetics and drug-sensitivity profiles comparable to the parental P. falciparum (NF54) wild-type line. Both asexual and sexual blood stages of the three reporter lines expressed GFP-fluorescence with GFP@hsp70 having the highest fluorescent intensity in schizont stages as shown by flow cytometry analysis of GFP-fluorescence intensity. The improved CRISPR/Cas9 constructs/protocol will aid in the rapid generation of transgenic and modified P. falciparum parasites, including those expressing different reporters proteins under different (stage specific) promoters.
Collapse
|
81
|
Carrasco MP, Machado M, Gonçalves L, Sharma M, Gut J, Lukens AK, Wirth DF, André V, Duarte MT, Guedes RC, Dos Santos DJVA, Rosenthal PJ, Mazitschek R, Prudêncio M, Moreira R. Probing the Azaaurone Scaffold against the Hepatic and Erythrocytic Stages of Malaria Parasites. ChemMedChem 2016; 11:2194-2204. [PMID: 27538856 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201600327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The potential of azaaurones as dual-stage antimalarial agents was investigated by assessing the effect of a small library of azaaurones on the inhibition of liver and intraerythrocytic lifecycle stages of the malaria parasite. The whole series was screened against the blood stage of a chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain and the liver stage of P. berghei, yielding compounds with dual-stage activity and sub-micromolar potency against erythrocytic parasites. Studies with genetically modified parasites, using a phenotypic assay based on the P. falciparum Dd2-ScDHODH line, which expresses yeast dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), showed that one of the azaaurone derivatives has the potential to inhibit the parasite mitochondrial electron-transport chain. The global urgency in finding new therapies for malaria, especially against the underexplored liver stage, associated with chemical tractability of azaaurones, warrants further development of this chemotype. Overall, these results emphasize the azaaurone chemotype as a promising scaffold for dual-stage antimalarials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta P Carrasco
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal. .,Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 412 96, Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - Marta Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lídia Gonçalves
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Moni Sharma
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jiri Gut
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Amanda K Lukens
- The Broad Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- The Broad Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Vânia André
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Duarte
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rita C Guedes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Daniel J V A Dos Santos
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal.,LAQV@REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Philip J Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- The Broad Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Center for System Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Richard B. Simches Research Center, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Rui Moreira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
82
|
Meireles P, Sales-Dias J, Andrade CM, Mello-Vieira J, Mancio-Silva L, Simas JP, Staines HM, Prudêncio M. GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake plays a crucial role during Plasmodium hepatic infection. Cell Microbiol 2016; 19. [PMID: 27404888 PMCID: PMC5297879 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens have evolved mechanisms to ensure their survival and development inside their host cells. Here, we show that glucose is a pivotal modulator of hepatic infection by the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei and that glucose uptake via the GLUT1 transporter is specifically enhanced in P. berghei‐infected cells. We further show that ATP levels of cells containing developing parasites are decreased, which is known to enhance membrane GLUT1 activity. In addition, GLUT1 molecules are translocated to the membrane of the hepatic cell, increasing glucose uptake at later stages of infection. Chemical inhibition of GLUT1 activity leads to a decrease in glucose uptake and the consequent impairment of hepatic infection, both in vitro and in vivo. Our results reveal that changes in GLUT1 conformation and cellular localization seem to be part of an adaptive host response to maintain adequate cellular nutrition and energy levels, ensuring host cell survival and supporting P. berghei hepatic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Meireles
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Sales-Dias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina M Andrade
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Mello-Vieira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Mancio-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J Pedro Simas
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Henry M Staines
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
83
|
Chloroquine-containing organoruthenium complexes are fast-acting multistage antimalarial agents. Parasitology 2016; 143:1543-56. [PMID: 27439976 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We report the pharmacological activity of organoruthenium complexes containing chloroquine (CQ) as a chelating ligand. The complexes displayed intraerythrocytic activity against CQ-sensitive 3D7 and CQ-resistant W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum, with potency and selectivity indexes similar to those of CQ. Complexes displayed activity against all intraerythrocytic stages, but moderate activity against Plasmodium berghei liver stages. However, unlike CQ, organoruthenium complexes impaired gametocyte viability and exhibited fast parasiticidal activity against trophozoites for P. falciparum. This functional property results from the ability of complexes to quickly induce oxidative stress. The parasitaemia of P. berghei-infected mice was reduced by treatment with the complex. Our findings demonstrated that using chloroquine for the synthesis of organoruthenium complexes retains potency and selectivity while leading to an increase in the spectrum of action and parasite killing rate relative to CQ.
Collapse
|
84
|
A Plasmodium yoelii Mei2-Like RNA Binding Protein Is Essential for Completion of Liver Stage Schizogony. Infect Immun 2016; 84:1336-1345. [PMID: 26883588 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01417-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites employ posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms as their life cycle transitions between host cell invasion and replication within both the mosquito vector and mammalian host. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) provide one mechanism for modulation of RNA function. To explore the role of Plasmodium RBPs during parasite replication, we searched for RBPs that might play a role during liver stage development, the parasite stage that exhibits the most extensive growth and replication. We identified a parasite ortholog of the Mei2 (Meiosis inhibited 2) RBP that is conserved among Plasmodium species (PlasMei2) and exclusively transcribed in liver stage parasites. Epitope-tagged Plasmodium yoelii PlasMei2 was expressed only during liver stage schizogony and showed an apparent granular cytoplasmic location. Knockout of PlasMei2 (plasmei2(-)) in P. yoelii only affected late liver stage development. The P. yoelii plasmei2(-) liver stage size increased progressively until late in development, similar to wild-type parasite development. However, P. yoelii plasmei2(-) liver stage schizonts exhibited an abnormal DNA segregation phenotype and failed to form exoerythrocytic merozoites. Consequently the cellular integrity of P. yoelii plasmei2(-) liver stages became increasingly compromised late in development and the majority of P. yoelii plasmei2(-) underwent cell death by the time wild-type liver stages mature and release merozoites. This resulted in a complete block of P. yoelii plasmei2(-) transition from liver stage to blood stage infection in mice. Our results show for the first time the importance of a Plasmodium RBP in the coordinated progression of late liver stage schizogony and maturation of new invasive forms.
Collapse
|
85
|
De Niz M, Stanway RR, Wacker R, Keller D, Heussler VT. An ultrasensitive NanoLuc-based luminescence system for monitoring Plasmodium berghei throughout its life cycle. Malar J 2016; 15:232. [PMID: 27102897 PMCID: PMC4840902 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1291-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bioluminescence imaging is widely used for cell-based assays and animal imaging studies, both in biomedical research and drug development. Its main advantages include its high-throughput applicability, affordability, high sensitivity, operational simplicity, and quantitative outputs. In malaria research, bioluminescence has been used for drug discovery in vivo and in vitro, exploring host-pathogen interactions, and studying multiple aspects of Plasmodium biology. While the number of fluorescent proteins available for imaging has undergone a great expansion over the last two decades, enabling simultaneous visualization of multiple molecular and cellular events, expansion of available luciferases has lagged behind. The most widely used bioluminescent probe in malaria research is the Photinus pyralis firefly luciferase, followed by the more recently introduced Click-beetle and Renilla luciferases. Ultra-sensitive imaging of Plasmodium at low parasite densities has not been previously achieved. With the purpose of overcoming these challenges, a Plasmodium berghei line expressing the novel ultra-bright luciferase enzyme NanoLuc, called PbNLuc has been generated, and is presented in this work. Results NanoLuc shows at least 150 times brighter signal than firefly luciferase in vitro, allowing single parasite detection in mosquito, liver, and sexual and asexual blood stages. As a proof-of-concept, the PbNLuc parasites were used to image parasite development in the mosquito, liver and blood stages of infection, and to specifically explore parasite liver stage egress, and pre-patency period in vivo. Conclusions PbNLuc is a suitable parasite line for sensitive imaging of the entire Plasmodium life cycle. Its sensitivity makes it a promising line to be used as a reference for drug candidate testing, as well as the characterization of mutant parasites to explore the function of parasite proteins, host-parasite interactions, and the better understanding of Plasmodium biology. Since the substrate requirements of NanoLuc are different from those of firefly luciferase, dual bioluminescence imaging for the simultaneous characterization of two lines, or two separate biological processes, is possible, as demonstrated in this work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana De Niz
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Rebecca R Stanway
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Wacker
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Derya Keller
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Volker T Heussler
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
86
|
Ribeiro CJ, Espadinha M, Machado M, Gut J, Gonçalves LM, Rosenthal PJ, Prudêncio M, Moreira R, Santos MM. Novel squaramides with in vitro liver stage antiplasmodial activity. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:1786-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
87
|
Efficient monitoring of the blood-stage infection in a malaria rodent model by the rotating-crystal magneto-optical method. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23218. [PMID: 26983695 PMCID: PMC4794716 DOI: 10.1038/srep23218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Intense research efforts have been focused on the improvement of the efficiency and sensitivity of malaria diagnostics, especially in resource-limited settings for the detection of asymptomatic infections. Our recently developed magneto-optical (MO) method allows the accurate quantification of malaria pigment crystals (hemozoin) in blood by their magnetically induced rotation. First evaluations of the method using β-hematin crystals and in vitro P. falciparum cultures implied its potential for high-sensitivity malaria diagnosis. To further investigate this potential, here we study the performance of the method in monitoring the in vivo onset and progression of the blood-stage infection in a rodent malaria model. Our results show that the MO method can detect the first generation of intraerythrocytic P. berghei parasites 66–76 hours after sporozoite injection, demonstrating similar sensitivity to Giesma-stained light microscopy and exceeding that of flow cytometric techniques. Magneto-optical measurements performed during and after the treatment of P. berghei infections revealed that both the follow up under treatment and the detection of later reinfections are feasible with this new technique. The present study demonstrates that the MO method – besides being label and reagent-free, automated and rapid – has a high in vivo sensitivity and is ready for in-field evaluation.
Collapse
|
88
|
Herman JD, Pepper LR, Cortese JF, Estiu G, Galinsky K, Zuzarte-Luis V, Derbyshire ER, Ribacke U, Lukens AK, Santos SA, Patel V, Clish CB, Sullivan WJ, Zhou H, Bopp SE, Schimmel P, Lindquist S, Clardy J, Mota MM, Keller TL, Whitman M, Wiest O, Wirth DF, Mazitschek R. The cytoplasmic prolyl-tRNA synthetase of the malaria parasite is a dual-stage target of febrifugine and its analogs. Sci Transl Med 2016; 7:288ra77. [PMID: 25995223 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaa3575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of drug resistance is a major limitation of current antimalarials. The discovery of new druggable targets and pathways including those that are critical for multiple life cycle stages of the malaria parasite is a major goal for developing next-generation antimalarial drugs. Using an integrated chemogenomics approach that combined drug resistance selection, whole-genome sequencing, and an orthogonal yeast model, we demonstrate that the cytoplasmic prolyl-tRNA (transfer RNA) synthetase (PfcPRS) of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is a biochemical and functional target of febrifugine and its synthetic derivative halofuginone. Febrifugine is the active principle of a traditional Chinese herbal remedy for malaria. We show that treatment with febrifugine derivatives activated the amino acid starvation response in both P. falciparum and a transgenic yeast strain expressing PfcPRS. We further demonstrate in the Plasmodium berghei mouse model of malaria that halofuginol, a new halofuginone analog that we developed, is active against both liver and asexual blood stages of the malaria parasite. Halofuginol, unlike halofuginone and febrifugine, is well tolerated at efficacious doses and represents a promising lead for the development of dual-stage next-generation antimalarials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Herman
- Infectious Diseases Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Harvard/Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lauren R Pepper
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Joseph F Cortese
- Infectious Diseases Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Guillermina Estiu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kevin Galinsky
- Infectious Diseases Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Vanessa Zuzarte-Luis
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa,1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ulf Ribacke
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amanda K Lukens
- Infectious Diseases Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sofia A Santos
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, Lisbon 1640-003, Portugal
| | - Vishal Patel
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Clary B Clish
- Infectious Diseases Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - William J Sullivan
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Huihao Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biology, Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Selina E Bopp
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Paul Schimmel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. The Scripps Research Institute, Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Susan Lindquist
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jon Clardy
- Infectious Diseases Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Maria M Mota
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa,1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tracy L Keller
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Malcolm Whitman
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Olaf Wiest
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Laboratory for Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- Infectious Diseases Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Infectious Diseases Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
89
|
Portnoy E, Vakruk N, Bishara A, Shmuel M, Magdassi S, Golenser J, Eyal S. Indocyanine Green Liposomes for Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Cerebral Malaria. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:167-76. [PMID: 26877776 PMCID: PMC4729766 DOI: 10.7150/thno.13653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a major cause of death of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Misdiagnosis of CM often leads to treatment delay and mortality. Conventional brain imaging technologies are rarely applicable in endemic areas. Here we address the unmet need for a simple, non-invasive imaging methodology for early diagnosis of CM. This study presents the diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring using liposomes containing the FDA-approved fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) in a CM murine model. Increased emission intensity of liposomal ICG was demonstrated in comparison with free ICG. The Liposomal ICG's emission was greater in the brains of the infected mice compared to naïve mice and drug treated mice (where CM was prevented). Histological analyses suggest that the accumulation of liposomal ICG in the cerebral vasculature is due to extensive uptake mediated by activated phagocytes. Overall, liposomal ICG offers a valuable diagnostic tool and a biomarker for effectiveness of CM treatment, as well as other diseases that involve inflammation and blood vessel occlusion.
Collapse
|
90
|
Ferraz R, Noronha J, Murtinheira F, Nogueira F, Machado M, Prudêncio M, Parapini S, D'Alessandro S, Teixeira C, Gomes A, Prudêncio C, Gomes P. Primaquine-based ionic liquids as a novel class of antimalarial hits. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra10759a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionic liquids derived from active pharmaceutical ingredients may open new perspectives towards low-cost rescuing of classical antimalarial drugs.
Collapse
|
91
|
Terzić N, Konstantinović J, Tot M, Burojević J, Djurković-Djaković O, Srbljanović J, Štajner T, Verbić T, Zlatović M, Machado M, Albuquerque IS, Prudêncio M, Sciotti RJ, Pecic S, D'Alessandro S, Taramelli D, Šolaja BA. Reinvestigating Old Pharmacophores: Are 4-Aminoquinolines and Tetraoxanes Potential Two-Stage Antimalarials? J Med Chem 2015; 59:264-81. [PMID: 26640981 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The syntheses and antiplasmodial activities of various substituted aminoquinolines coupled to an adamantane carrier are described. The compounds exhibited pronounced in vitro and in vivo activity against Plasmodium berghei in the Thompson test. Tethering a fluorine atom to the aminoquinoline C(3) position afforded fluoroaminoquinolines that act as intrahepatocytic parasite inhibitors, with compound 25 having an IC50 = 0.31 μM and reducing the liver load in mice by up to 92% at 80 mg/kg dose. Screening our peroxides as inhibitors of liver stage infection revealed that the tetraoxane pharmacophore itself is also an excellent liver stage P. berghei inhibitor (78: IC50 = 0.33 μM). Up to 91% reduction of the parasite liver load in mice was achieved at 100 mg/kg. Examination of tetraoxane 78 against the transgenic 3D7 strain expressing luciferase under a gametocyte-specific promoter revealed its activity against stage IV-V Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes (IC50 = 1.16 ± 0.37 μM). To the best of our knowledge, compounds 25 and 78 are the first examples of either an 4-aminoquinoline or a tetraoxane liver stage inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Terzić
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy , 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Konstantinović
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg 16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mikloš Tot
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg 16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovana Burojević
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg 16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Jelena Srbljanović
- Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade , Dr. Subotića 4, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tijana Štajner
- Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade , Dr. Subotića 4, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Verbić
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg 16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mario Zlatović
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg 16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marta Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês S Albuquerque
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Richard J Sciotti
- Experimental Therapeutics Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research , Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Stevan Pecic
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Medicine, Columbia University , New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Sarah D'Alessandro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano , 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Taramelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano , 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Bogdan A Šolaja
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg 16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
92
|
Tailoring a Combination Preerythrocytic Malaria Vaccine. Infect Immun 2015; 84:622-34. [PMID: 26667840 PMCID: PMC4771343 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01063-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The leading malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S, based on the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP), will likely be the first publicly adopted malaria vaccine. However, this and other subunit vaccines, such as virus-vectored thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP), provide only intermediate to low levels of protection. In this study, the Plasmodium berghei homologues of antigens CSP and TRAP are combined. TRAP is delivered using adenovirus- and vaccinia virus-based vectors in a prime-boost regime. Initially, CSP is also delivered using these viral vectors; however, a reduction of anti-CSP antibodies is seen when combined with virus-vectored TRAP, and the combination is no more protective than either subunit vaccine alone. Using an adenovirus-CSP prime, protein-CSP boost regime, however, increases anti-CSP antibody titers by an order of magnitude, which is maintained when combined with virus-vectored TRAP. This combination regime using protein CSP provided 100% protection in C57BL/6 mice compared to no protection using virus-vectored TRAP alone and 40% protection using adenovirus-CSP prime and protein-CSP boost alone. This suggests that a combination of CSP and TRAP subunit vaccines could enhance protection against malaria.
Collapse
|
93
|
Discovery of Dual-Stage Malaria Inhibitors with New Targets. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 60:1430-7. [PMID: 26666931 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02110-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health problem, with more than half of the world population at risk of contracting the disease and nearly a million deaths each year. Here, we report the discovery of inhibitors that target multiple stages of malaria parasite growth. To identify these inhibitors, we took advantage of the Tres Cantos Antimalarial Compound Set (TCAMS) small-molecule library, which is comprised of diverse and potent chemical scaffolds with activities against the blood stage of the malaria parasite, and investigated their effects against the elusive liver stage of the malaria parasite using a forward chemical screen. From a screen of nearly 14,000 compounds, we identified and confirmed 103 compounds as dual-stage malaria inhibitors. Interestingly, these compounds show preferential inhibition of parasite growth in liver- versus blood-stage malaria parasite assays, highlighting the drug susceptibility of this parasite form. Mode-of-action studies were completed using genetically modified and drug-resistant Plasmodium parasite strains. While we identified some compound targets as classical antimalarial pathways, such as the mitochondrial electron transport chain through cytochrome bc1 complex inhibition or the folate biosynthesis pathway, most compounds induced parasite death through as yet unknown mechanisms of action. Importantly, the identification of new chemotypes with different modes of action in killing Plasmodium parasites represents a promising opportunity for probing essential and novel molecular processes that remain to be discovered. The chemical scaffolds identified with activity against drug-resistant Plasmodium parasites represent starting points for dual-stage antimalarial development to surmount the threat of malaria parasite drug resistance.
Collapse
|
94
|
Pereira NAL, Monteiro Â, Machado M, Gut J, Molins E, Perry MJ, Dourado J, Moreira R, Rosenthal PJ, Prudêncio M, Santos MMM. Enantiopure Indolizinoindolones with in vitro Activity against Blood- and Liver-Stage Malaria Parasites. ChemMedChem 2015; 10:2080-9. [PMID: 26525306 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality to this day, and resistance to drugs like chloroquine has led to an urgent need to discover novel chemical entities aimed at new targets. Here, we report the discovery of a novel class of potential antimalarial compounds containing an indolizinoindolone scaffold. These novel enantiopure indolizinoindolones were synthesized, in good-to-excellent yields and excellent diastereoselectivities, by cyclocondensation reaction of (S)- or (R)-tryptophanol and 2-acyl benzoic acids, followed by intramolecular α-amidoalkylation. Interestingly, we were able to synthesize for the first time 7,13b-cis indolizinoindolones in a two-step route. The novel compounds showed promising activity against erythrocytic stages of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and liver stages of the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei. In particular, an (S)-tryptophanol-derived isoindolinone was identified as a promising starting scaffold to search for novel antimalarials, combining excellent activity against both stages of the parasite's life cycle with low cytotoxicity and excellent metabolic and chemical stability in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuno A L Pereira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ângelo Monteiro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jiri Gut
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Elies Molins
- Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193, Cerdanyola, Spain
| | - M Jesus Perry
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge Dourado
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Moreira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Philip J Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Maria M M Santos
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
95
|
Humanized Mouse Models to Study Cell-Mediated Immune Responses to Liver-Stage Malaria Vaccines. Trends Parasitol 2015; 31:583-594. [PMID: 26458783 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Malaria vaccine development is hampered by the lack of small animal models that recapitulate human immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum. We review the burgeoning literature on humanized mice for P. falciparum infection, including challenges in engraftment of human immune cells, hepatocytes, and erythrocytes. Recent advances in immune-compromised mouse models and stem cell technology have already enabled proof of concept that the entire parasite life cycle can be sustained in a murine model and that adaptive human immune responses to several parasite stages can be measured. Nonetheless, optimization is needed to achieve a reproducible and relevant murine model for malaria vaccine development. This review is focused on the complexities of T cell development in a mouse humanized with both a lymphoid system and hepatocytes. An understanding of this will facilitate the use of humanized mice in the development of liver-stage vaccines.
Collapse
|
96
|
Host cell phosphatidylcholine is a key mediator of malaria parasite survival during liver stage infection. Cell Host Microbe 2015; 16:778-86. [PMID: 25498345 PMCID: PMC4271766 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
During invasion, Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, wraps itself in a parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), which constitutes a critical interface between the parasite and its host cell. Within hepatocytes, each Plasmodium sporozoite generates thousands of new parasites, creating high demand for lipids to support this replication and enlarge the PVM. Here, a global analysis of the total lipid repertoire of Plasmodium-infected hepatocytes reveals an enrichment of neutral lipids and the major membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC). While infection is unaffected in mice deficient in key enzymes involved in neutral lipid synthesis and lipolysis, ablation of rate-limiting enzymes in hepatic PC biosynthetic pathways significantly decreases parasite numbers. Host PC is taken up by both P. berghei and P. falciparum and is necessary for correct localization of parasite proteins to the PVM, which is essential for parasite survival. Thus, Plasmodium relies on the abundance of these lipids within hepatocytes to support infection.
Collapse
|
97
|
Siddiqui AJ, Bhardwaj J, Goyal M, Prakash K, Soni A, Tiwari V, Puri SK. Assessment of real-time method to detect liver parasite burden under different experimental conditions in mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites. Microb Pathog 2015; 89:35-42. [PMID: 26341953 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Use of highly specific, sensitive and quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) based methods greatly facilitate the monitoring of experimental drug intervention and vaccination efficacy targeting liver stage malaria parasite. Here, in this study we have used qRT-PCR to detect the growing liver stage parasites following inoculation of Plasmodium yoelii sporozoite. Route of sporozoite administration and size of the sporozoite inoculums are two major determinants that affect the liver stage parasite load and therefore its detection and quantification. Thus, these factors need to be addressed to determine the accuracy of detection and quantification of Real-Time PCR method. Furthermore, applicability of quantitative RT-PCR system needs to be confirmed by analyzing the effect of different antimalarials on liver stage parasite burden. We have observed that parasite burden in mice infected via intravenous route was higher compared to that in subcutaneous, intradermal and intraperitoneal route infected mice. Moreover, this method detected liver stage parasite load with as low as 50 sporozoites. The inhibition studies with primaquine and atovaquone revealed inhibition of liver stage parasite and well correlated with patency and course of blood stage infection. This study characterized the simplicity, accuracy, and quantitative analysis of liver stage parasite development by real time PCR under different experimental conditions. Use of real time PCR method greatly improves the reproducibility and applicability to estimate the efficacy and potency of vaccine or drug candidates targeting liver stage parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arif Jamal Siddiqui
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
| | - Jyoti Bhardwaj
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
| | - Manish Goyal
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Kirtika Prakash
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Awakash Soni
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
| | - Vishvanath Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Sunil K Puri
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, (AcSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi, India.
| |
Collapse
|
98
|
Sadeghi S, Seyed N, Etemadzadeh MH, Abediankenari S, Rafati S, Taheri T. In Vitro Infectivity Assessment by Drug Susceptibility Comparison of Recombinant Leishmania major Expressing Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein or EGFP-Luciferase Fused Genes with Wild-Type Parasite. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2015; 53:385-94. [PMID: 26323836 PMCID: PMC4566512 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.4.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a worldwide uncontrolled parasitic disease due to the lack of effective drug and vaccine. To speed up effective drug development, we need powerful methods to rapidly assess drug effectiveness against the intracellular form of Leishmania in high throughput assays. Reporter gene technology has proven to be an excellent tool for drug screening in vitro. The effects of reporter proteins on parasite infectivity should be identified both in vitro and in vivo. In this research, we initially compared the infectivity rate of recombinant Leishmania major expressing stably enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) alone or EGFP-luciferase (EGFP-LUC) with the wild-type strain. Next, we evaluated the sensitivity of these parasites to amphotericin B (AmB) as a standard drug in 2 parasitic phases, promastigote and amastigote. This comparison was made by MTT and nitric oxide (NO) assay and by quantifying the specific signals derived from reporter genes like EGFP intensity and luciferase activity. To study the amastigote form, both B10R and THP-1 macrophage cell lines were infected in the stationary phase and were exposed to AmB at different time points. Our results clearly revealed that the 3 parasite lines had similar in vitro infectivity rates with comparable parasite-induced levels of NO following interferon-γ/lipopolysaccharide induction. Based on our results we proposed the more reporter gene, the faster and more sensitive evaluation of the drug efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Sadeghi
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Immunogenetic Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Saeid Abediankenari
- Immunogenetic Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
99
|
Li X, Kawamura A, Andrews CD, Miller JL, Wu D, Tsao T, Zhang M, Oren D, Padte NN, Porcelli SA, Wong CH, Kappe SHI, Ho DD, Tsuji M. Colocalization of a CD1d-Binding Glycolipid with a Radiation-Attenuated Sporozoite Vaccine in Lymph Node-Resident Dendritic Cells for a Robust Adjuvant Effect. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:2710-21. [PMID: 26254338 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1403017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A CD1d-binding glycolipid, α-Galactosylceramide (αGalCer), activates invariant NK T cells and acts as an adjuvant. We previously identified a fluorinated phenyl ring-modified αGalCer analog, 7DW8-5, displaying nearly 100-fold stronger CD1d binding affinity. In the current study, 7DW8-5 was found to exert a more potent adjuvant effect than αGalCer for a vaccine based on radiation-attenuated sporozoites of a rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium yoelii, also referred to as irradiated P. yoelii sporozoites (IrPySpz). 7DW8-5 had a superb adjuvant effect only when the glycolipid and IrPySpz were conjointly administered i.m. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of distinctly different biodistribution patterns of αGalCer and 7DW8-5 on their respective adjuvant activities. Although both glycolipids induce a similar cytokine response in sera of mice injected i.v., after i.m. injection, αGalCer induces a systemic cytokine response, whereas 7DW8-5 is locally trapped by CD1d expressed by dendritic cells (DCs) in draining lymph nodes (dLNs). Moreover, the i.m. coadministration of 7DW8-5 with IrPySpz results in the recruitment of DCs to dLNs and the activation and maturation of DCs. These events cause the potent adjuvant effect of 7DW8-5, resulting in the enhancement of the CD8(+) T cell response induced by IrPySpz and, ultimately, improved protection against malaria. Our study is the first to show that the colocalization of a CD1d-binding invariant NK T cell-stimulatory glycolipid and a vaccine, like radiation-attenuated sporozoites, in dLN-resident DCs upon i.m. conjoint administration governs the potency of the adjuvant effect of the glycolipid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangming Li
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10016
| | - Akira Kawamura
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of The City University of New York, New York, NY 10065
| | - Chasity D Andrews
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10016
| | | | - Douglass Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Tiffany Tsao
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10016
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Pathology, New York University, New York, NY 10016
| | - Deena Oren
- Structural Biology Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Neal N Padte
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10016
| | - Steven A Porcelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461; and
| | - Chi-Huey Wong
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037; Academia Sinica, Taipei 115-74, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | | | - David D Ho
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10016
| | - Moriya Tsuji
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10016;
| |
Collapse
|
100
|
Memvanga PB, Tona GL, Mesia GK, Lusakibanza MM, Cimanga RK. Antimalarial activity of medicinal plants from the Democratic Republic of Congo: A review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 169:76-98. [PMID: 25862959 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Malaria is the most prevalent parasitic disease and the foremost cause of morbidity and mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For the management of this disease, a large Congolese population recourses to traditional medicinal plants. To date the efficacy and safety of many of these plants have been validated scientifically in rodent malaria models. In order to generate scientific evidence of traditional remedies used in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the management of malaria, and show the potential of Congolese plants as a major source of antimalarial drugs, this review highlights the antiplasmodial and toxicological properties of the Congolese antimalarial plants investigated during the period of 1999-2014. In doing so, a useful resource for further complementary investigations is presented. Furthermore, this review may pave the way for the research and development of several available and affordable antimalarial phytomedicines. MATERIALS AND METHODS In order to get information on the different studies, a Google Scholar and PubMed literature search was performed using keywords (malaria, Congolese, medicinal plants, antiplasmodial/antimalarial activity, and toxicity). Data from non-indexed journals, Master and Doctoral dissertations were also collected. RESULTS Approximately 120 extracts and fractions obtained from Congolese medicinal plants showed pronounced or good antiplasmodial activity. A number of compounds with interesting antiplasmodial properties were also isolated and identified. Some of these compounds constituted new scaffolds for the synthesis of promising antimalarial drugs. Interestingly, most of these extracts and compounds possessed high selective activity against Plasmodium parasites compared to mammalian cells. The efficacy and safety of several plant-derived products was confirmed in mice, and a good correlation was observed between in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity. The formulation of several plant-derived products also led to some clinical trials and license of three plant-derived drugs (Manalaria(®), Nsansiphos(®), and Quinine Pharmakina(®)). CONCLUSION The obtained results partly justify and support the use of various medicinal plants to treat malaria in folk medicine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Antimalarial plants used in Congolese traditional medicine represent an important source for the discovery and development of new antimalarial agents. However, in order to ensure the integration of a larger number of plant-derived products in the Congolese healthcare system, some parameters and trends should be considered in further researches, in agreement with the objectives of the "Traditional Medicine Strategy" proposed by the World Health Organization in 2013. These include evaluation of geographical and seasonal variation, investigation of reproductive biology, assessment of prophylactic antimalarial activity, evaluation of natural products as adjuvant antioxidant therapy for malaria, development of plant-based combination therapies and monitoring of herbal medicines in pharmacovigilance systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick B Memvanga
- University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drugs Development, B.P. 212 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of Congo.
| | - Gaston L Tona
- University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, B.P. 212 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Gauthier K Mesia
- University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, B.P. 212 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Mariano M Lusakibanza
- University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, B.P. 212 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Richard K Cimanga
- University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, B.P. 212 Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of Congo; University of Antwerp, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|