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González-Montero MC, Andrés-Rodríguez J, García-Fernández N, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R, García-Estrada C. Targeting Trypanothione Metabolism in Trypanosomatids. Molecules 2024; 29:2214. [PMID: 38792079 PMCID: PMC11124245 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by trypanosomatids, including African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Chagas disease, and different forms of leishmaniasis, are Neglected Tropical Diseases affecting millions of people worldwide, mainly in vulnerable territories of tropical and subtropical areas. In general, current treatments against these diseases are old-fashioned, showing adverse effects and loss of efficacy due to misuse or overuse, thus leading to the emergence of resistance. For these reasons, searching for new antitrypanosomatid drugs has become an urgent necessity, and different metabolic pathways have been studied as potential drug targets against these parasites. Considering that trypanosomatids possess a unique redox pathway based on the trypanothione molecule absent in the mammalian host, the key enzymes involved in trypanothione metabolism, trypanothione reductase and trypanothione synthetase, have been studied in detail as druggable targets. In this review, we summarize some of the recent findings on the molecules inhibiting these two essential enzymes for Trypanosoma and Leishmania viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- María-Cristina González-Montero
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Julia Andrés-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Nerea García-Fernández
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Estrada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain; (M.-C.G.-M.); (J.A.-R.); (N.G.-F.); (Y.P.-P.); (R.M.R.)
- Instituto de Biomedicina (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
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2
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Carrillo AK, Kadayat TM, Hwang JY, Chen Y, Zhu F, Holbrook G, Gillingwater K, Connelly MC, Yang L, Kaiser M, Guy RK. Antitrypanosomal Chloronitrobenzamides. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3437-3447. [PMID: 38363074 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (Tbg) or Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (Tbr), remains a significant public health concern with over 55 million people at risk of infection. Current treatments for HAT face the challenges of poor efficacy, drug resistance, and toxicity. This study presents the synthesis and evaluation of chloronitrobenzamides (CNBs) against Trypanosoma species, identifying previously reported compound 52 as a potent and selective orally bioavailable antitrypanosomal agent. 52 was well tolerated in vivo and demonstrated favorable oral pharmacokinetics, maintaining plasma concentrations surpassing the cellular EC50 for over 24 h and achieving peak brain concentrations exceeding 7 μM in rodents after single oral administration (50 mg/kg). Treatment with 52 significantly extended the lifespan of mice infected with Trypanosoma congolense and T. brucei rhodesiense. These results demonstrate that 52 is a strong antitrypanosomal lead with potential for developing treatments for both human and animal African trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela K Carrillo
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Tara Man Kadayat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509, United States
| | - Jong Yeon Hwang
- Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Daejeon, KR 34114, United States
| | - Yizhe Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509, United States
| | - Fangyi Zhu
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Gloria Holbrook
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Kirsten Gillingwater
- Department of Medical Parasitology & Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, Allschwil 4123, Switzerland
| | - Michele C Connelly
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology & Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, Allschwil 4123, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - R Kiplin Guy
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0509, United States
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3
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Guo G, Lin Y, Zhu X, Ding F, Xue X, Zhang Q. Emerging roles of the epitranscriptome in parasitic protozoan biology and pathogenesis. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:214-229. [PMID: 38355313 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
RNA modifications (epitranscriptome) - such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and pseudouridine (Ψ) - modulate RNA processing, stability, interaction, and translation, thereby playing critical roles in the development, replication, virulence, metabolism, and life cycle adaptations of parasitic protozoa. Here, we summarize potential homologs of the major human RNA modification regulatory factors in parasites, outline current knowledge on how RNA modifications affect parasitic protozoa, highlight the regulation of RNA modifications and their crosstalk, and discuss current progress in exploring RNA modifications as potential drug targets. This review contributes to our understanding of epitranscriptomic regulation of parasitic protozoa biology and pathogenesis and provides new perspectives for the treatment of parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gangqiang Guo
- Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-related Pathogens and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yutong Lin
- First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xinqi Zhu
- First Clinical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiangyang Xue
- Wenzhou Collaborative Innovation Center of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Basic Research and Precision Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer-related Pathogens and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
| | - Qingfeng Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital; Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.
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4
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Stijlemans B, De Baetselier P, Van Molle I, Lecordier L, Hendrickx E, Romão E, Vincke C, Baetens W, Schoonooghe S, Hassanzadeh-Ghassabeh G, Korf H, Wallays M, Pinto Torres JE, Perez-Morga D, Brys L, Campetella O, Leguizamón MS, Claes M, Hendrickx S, Mabille D, Caljon G, Remaut H, Roelants K, Magez S, Van Ginderachter JA, De Trez C. Q586B2 is a crucial virulence factor during the early stages of Trypanosoma brucei infection that is conserved amongst trypanosomatids. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1779. [PMID: 38413606 PMCID: PMC10899635 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46067-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, is characterized by the manipulation of the host's immune response to ensure parasite invasion and persistence. Uncovering key molecules that support parasite establishment is a prerequisite to interfere with this process. We identified Q586B2 as a T. brucei protein that induces IL-10 in myeloid cells, which promotes parasite infection invasiveness. Q586B2 is expressed during all T. brucei life stages and is conserved in all Trypanosomatidae. Deleting the Q586B2-encoding Tb927.6.4140 gene in T. brucei results in a decreased peak parasitemia and prolonged survival, without affecting parasite fitness in vitro, yet promoting short stumpy differentiation in vivo. Accordingly, neutralization of Q586B2 with newly generated nanobodies could hamper myeloid-derived IL-10 production and reduce parasitemia. In addition, immunization with Q586B2 delays mortality upon a challenge with various trypanosomes, including Trypanosoma cruzi. Collectively, we uncovered a conserved protein playing an important regulatory role in Trypanosomatid infection establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Stijlemans
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Patrick De Baetselier
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Van Molle
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laurence Lecordier
- Biology of Membrane Transport Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Erika Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Ema Romão
- VIB Nanobody Core, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cécile Vincke
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wendy Baetens
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Hannelie Korf
- Laboratory of Hepatology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie Wallays
- Laboratory of Hepatology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joar E Pinto Torres
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Perez-Morga
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Lea Brys
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Oscar Campetella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María S Leguizamón
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mathieu Claes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Hygiene (LMPH), Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Hygiene (LMPH), Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dorien Mabille
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Hygiene (LMPH), Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Hygiene (LMPH), Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Han Remaut
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim Roelants
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carl De Trez
- Brussels Center for Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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5
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Ajayi O, Metibemu DS, Crown O, Adeyinka OS, Kaiser M, Shoji N, Silva M, Rodriguez A, Ogungbe IV. Discovery of an orally active nitrothiophene-based antitrypanosomal agent. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115954. [PMID: 37984297 PMCID: PMC10843616 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and rhodesiense, is a parasitic disease endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Untreated cases of HAT can be severely debilitating and fatal. Although the number of reported cases has decreased progressively over the last decade, the number of effective and easily administered medications is very limited. In this work, we report the antitrypanosomal activity of a series of potent compounds. A subset of molecules in the series are highly selective for trypanosomes and are metabolically stable. One of the compounds, (E)-N-(4-(methylamino)-4-oxobut-2-en-1-yl)-5-nitrothiophene-2-carboxamide (10), selectively inhibited the growth of T. b. brucei, T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense, have excellent oral bioavailability and was effective in treating acute infection of HAT in mouse models. Based on its excellent bioavailability, compound 10 and its analogs are candidates for lead optimization and pre-clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatomi Ajayi
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA
| | - Damilohun S Metibemu
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA; Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA
| | - Olamide Crown
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA; Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA
| | - Olawale S Adeyinka
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA; Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Shoji
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | | | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | - Ifedayo Victor Ogungbe
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA; Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA.
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6
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El-Nashar HAS, Sayed AM, El-Sherief HAM, Rateb ME, Akil L, Khadra I, Majrashi TA, Al-Rashood ST, Binjubair FA, El Hassab MA, Eldehna WM, Abdelmohsen UR, Mostafa NM. Metabolomic profile, anti-trypanosomal potential and molecular docking studies of Thunbergia grandifolia. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2199950. [PMID: 37080775 PMCID: PMC10120545 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2199950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease transmitted via Trypanosoma brucei. This study aimed to examine the metabolic profile and anti-trypanosomal effect of methanol extract of Thunbergia grandifolia leaves. The liquid chromatography-high resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC-HRESIMS) revealed the identification of fifteen compounds of iridoid, flavonoid, lignan, phenolic acid, and alkaloid classes. The extract displayed a promising inhibitory activity against T. brucei TC 221 with MIC value of 1.90 μg/mL within 72 h. A subsequent in silico analysis of the dereplicated compounds (i.e. inverse docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and absolute binding free energy) suggested both rhodesain and farnesyl diphosphate synthase as probable targets for two compounds among those dereplicated ones in the plant extract (i.e. diphyllin and avacennone B). The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiling of diphyllin and avacennone were calculated accordingly, where both compounds showed acceptable drug-like properties. This study highlighted the antiparasitic potential of T. grandifolia leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba A S El-Nashar
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Sayed
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Hany A M El-Sherief
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Mostafa E Rateb
- School, of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | - Lina Akil
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ibrahim Khadra
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Taghreed A Majrashi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara T Al-Rashood
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faizah A Binjubair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud A El Hassab
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Salman International University (KSIU), Ras Sudr, Egypt
| | - Wagdy M Eldehna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Universities Zone, New Minia City, Egypt
| | - Nada M Mostafa
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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7
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Tiwari R, Gupta RP, Singh VK, Kumar A, Rajneesh, Madhukar P, Sundar S, Gautam V, Kumar R. Nanotechnology-Based Strategies in Parasitic Disease Management: From Prevention to Diagnosis and Treatment. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:42014-42027. [PMID: 38024747 PMCID: PMC10655914 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic infections are a major global health issue causing significant mortality and morbidity. Despite substantial advances in the diagnostics and treatment of these diseases, the currently available options fall far short of expectations. From diagnosis and treatment to prevention and control, nanotechnology-based techniques show promise as an alternative approach. Nanoparticles can be designed with specific properties to target parasites and deliver antiparasitic medications and vaccines. Nanoparticles such as liposomes, nanosuspensions, polymer-based nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles have been shown to overcome limitations such as limited bioavailability, poor cellular permeability, nonspecific distribution, and rapid drug elimination from the body. These nanoparticles also serve as nanobiosensors for the early detection and treatment of these diseases. This review aims to summarize the potential applications of nanoparticles in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis, malaria, and trypanosomiasis. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these applications and their market values and highlights the need for further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Tiwari
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Rohit P. Gupta
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
- Applied
Microbiology, Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Vishal K. Singh
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Awnish Kumar
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Rajneesh
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Prasoon Madhukar
- Department
of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department
of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Vibhav Gautam
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Centre
of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
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8
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Sinton MC, Chandrasegaran PRG, Capewell P, Cooper A, Girard A, Ogunsola J, Perona-Wright G, M Ngoyi D, Kuispond N, Bucheton B, Camara M, Kajimura S, Bénézech C, Mabbott NA, MacLeod A, Quintana JF. IL-17 signalling is critical for controlling subcutaneous adipose tissue dynamics and parasite burden during chronic murine Trypanosoma brucei infection. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7070. [PMID: 37923768 PMCID: PMC10624677 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42918-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the skin, Trypanosoma brucei colonises the subcutaneous white adipose tissue, and is proposed to be competent for forward transmission. The interaction between parasites, adipose tissue, and the local immune system is likely to drive the adipose tissue wasting and weight loss observed in cattle and humans infected with T. brucei. However, mechanistically, events leading to subcutaneous white adipose tissue wasting are not fully understood. Here, using several complementary approaches, including mass cytometry by time of flight, bulk and single cell transcriptomics, and in vivo genetic models, we show that T. brucei infection drives local expansion of several IL-17A-producing cells in the murine WAT, including TH17 and Vγ6+ cells. We also show that global IL-17 deficiency, or deletion of the adipocyte IL-17 receptor protect from infection-induced WAT wasting and weight loss. Unexpectedly, we find that abrogation of adipocyte IL-17 signalling results in a significant accumulation of Dpp4+ Pi16+ interstitial preadipocytes and increased extravascular parasites in the WAT, highlighting a critical role for IL-17 signalling in controlling preadipocyte fate, subcutaneous WAT dynamics, and local parasite burden. Taken together, our study highlights the central role of adipocyte IL-17 signalling in controlling WAT responses to infection, suggesting that adipocytes are critical coordinators of tissue dynamics and immune responses to T. brucei infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Sinton
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- Division of Cardiovascular Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Praveena R G Chandrasegaran
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paul Capewell
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anneli Cooper
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alex Girard
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - John Ogunsola
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Georgia Perona-Wright
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dieudonné M Ngoyi
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Member of TrypanoGEN, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Nono Kuispond
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Member of TrypanoGEN, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Bruno Bucheton
- Member of TrypanoGEN, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Unité Mixte de Recherche IRD-CIRAD 177, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
| | - Mamadou Camara
- Member of TrypanoGEN, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Programme National de Lutte contre la Trypanosomiase Humaine Africaine, Ministère de la Santé, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Shingo Kajimura
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Cécile Bénézech
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
| | - Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Annette MacLeod
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Member of TrypanoGEN, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Juan F Quintana
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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9
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Carvalho DT, Teixeira M, Luelmo S, Santarém N, Pinto E, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Sousa E. Synthesis and Evaluation of Marine-Inspired Compounds Result in Hybrids with Antitrypanosomal and Antileishmanial Activities. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:551. [PMID: 37999375 PMCID: PMC10671849 DOI: 10.3390/md21110551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products are a very rich source for obtaining new compounds with therapeutic potential. In the search for new antiparasitic and antimicrobial agents, molecular hybrids were designed based on the structures of antimicrobial marine quinazolinones and eugenol, a natural phenolic compound. Following reports of the therapeutic potential of quinazolinones and eugenol derivatives, it was expected that the union of these pharmacophores could generate biologically relevant substances. The designed compounds were obtained by classical synthetic procedures and were characterized by routine spectrometric techniques. Nine intermediates and final products were then evaluated in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania infantum. Antifungal and antibacterial activity were also evaluated. Six compounds (9b, 9c, 9d, 10b, 10c, and 14) showed mild activity against T. brucei with IC50 in the range of 11.17-31.68 μM. Additionally, intermediate 9c showed anti-Leishmania activity (IC50 7.54 μM) and was six times less cytotoxic against THP-1 cells. In conclusion, novel derivatives with a simple quinazolinone scaffold showing selectivity against parasites without antibacterial and antifungal activities were disclosed, paving the way for new antitrypanosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Teixeira Carvalho
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Laboratory of Research in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Food and Drugs, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Melissa Teixeira
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (E.P.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
| | - Sara Luelmo
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (E.P.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Eugénia Pinto
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (E.P.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (E.P.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Emília Sousa
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
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10
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Hervé P, Monic S, Bringaud F, Rivière L. Phospholipases A and Lysophospholipases in protozoan parasites. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2023; 10:204-216. [PMID: 37786811 PMCID: PMC10513453 DOI: 10.15698/mic2023.10.805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipases (PLs) and Lysophospholipases (LysoPLs) are a diverse group of esterases responsible for phospholipid or lysophospholipid hydrolysis. They are involved in several biological processes, including lipid catabolism, modulation of the immune response and membrane maintenance. PLs are classified depending on their site of hydrolysis as PLA1, PLA2, PLC and PLD. In many pathogenic microorganisms, from bacteria to fungi, PLAs and LysoPLs have been described as critical virulence and/or pathogenicity factors. In protozoan parasites, a group containing major human and animal pathogens, growing literature show that PLAs and LysoPLs are also involved in the host infection. Their ubiquitous presence and role in host-pathogen interactions make them particularly interesting to study. In this review, we summarize the literature on PLAs and LysoPLs in several protozoan parasites of medical relevance, and discuss the growing interest for them as potential drug and vaccine targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Hervé
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sarah Monic
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Frédéric Bringaud
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | - Loïc Rivière
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, CNRS UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
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11
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Nascimento IJDS, Cavalcanti MDAT, de Moura RO. Exploring N-myristoyltransferase as a promising drug target against parasitic neglected tropical diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115550. [PMID: 37336067 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) constitute a group of approximately 20 infectious diseases that mainly affect the impoverished population without basic sanitation in tropical countries. These diseases are responsible for many deaths worldwide, costing billions of dollars in public health investment to treat and control these infections. Among them are the diseases caused by protozoa of the Trypanosomatid family, which constitute Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease), Trypanosoma brucei (sleeping sickness), and Leishmaniasis. In addition, there is a classification of other diseases, called the big three, AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which are endemic in countries with tropical conditions. Despite the high mortality rates, there is still a gap in the treatment. The drugs have a high incidence of side effects and protozoan resistance, justifying the investment in developing new alternatives. In fact, the Target-Based Drug Design (TBDD) approach is responsible for identifying several promising compounds, and among the targets explored through this approach, N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) stands out. It is an enzyme related to the co-translational myristoylation of N-terminal glycine in various peptides. The myristoylation process is a co-translation that occurs after removing the initiator methionine. This process regulates the assembly of protein complexes and stability, which justifies its potential as a drug target. In order to propose NMT as a potential target for parasitic diseases, this review will address the entire structure and function of this enzyme and the primary studies demonstrating its promising potential against Leishmaniasis, T. cruzi, T. brucei, and malaria. We hope our information can help researchers worldwide search for potential drugs against these diseases that have been threatening the health of the world's population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor José Dos Santos Nascimento
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil; Cesmac University Center, Pharmacy Departament, Maceió, Brazil; Drug Development and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil.
| | - Misael de Azevedo Teotônio Cavalcanti
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil; Drug Development and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Olimpio de Moura
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil; Drug Development and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil
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12
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Gaona-López C, Vazquez-Jimenez LK, Gonzalez-Gonzalez A, Delgado-Maldonado T, Ortiz-Pérez E, Nogueda-Torres B, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Vázquez K, Saavedra E, Rivera G. Advances in Protozoan Epigenetic Targets and Their Inhibitors for the Development of New Potential Drugs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040543. [PMID: 37111300 PMCID: PMC10143871 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasite diseases cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Factors such as climate change, extreme poverty, migration, and a lack of life opportunities lead to the propagation of diseases classified as tropical or non-endemic. Although there are several drugs to combat parasitic diseases, strains resistant to routinely used drugs have been reported. In addition, many first-line drugs have adverse effects ranging from mild to severe, including potential carcinogenic effects. Therefore, new lead compounds are needed to combat these parasites. Although little has been studied regarding the epigenetic mechanisms in lower eukaryotes, it is believed that epigenetics plays an essential role in vital aspects of the organism, from controlling the life cycle to the expression of genes involved in pathogenicity. Therefore, using epigenetic targets to combat these parasites is foreseen as an area with great potential for development. This review summarizes the main known epigenetic mechanisms and their potential as therapeutics for a group of medically important protozoal parasites. Different epigenetic mechanisms are discussed, highlighting those that can be used for drug repositioning, such as histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs). Exclusive parasite targets are also emphasized, including the base J and DNA 6 mA. These two categories have the greatest potential for developing drugs to treat or eradicate these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gaona-López
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Lenci K Vazquez-Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Alonzo Gonzalez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Timoteo Delgado-Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Eyrá Ortiz-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Avenida Universidad S/N, Ex Hacienda Cinco Señores, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico
| | - Karina Vázquez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Francisco Villa 20, General Escobedo 66054, Mexico
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
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13
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Weinmann J, Kirchner L, Engstler M, Meinel L, Holzgrabe U. Design, synthesis and biological evaluations of quinolone amides against African trypanosomiasis with improved solubility. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115176. [PMID: 36805945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The human African trypanosomiasis is a devastating parasitic infection, which is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei and transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly. An untreated infection usually results in death and only few drugs with significant drawbacks are currently available for treatment. Previous investigations revealed the quinolone amide MB007 as a lead compound with an excellent selectivity for T. b. brucei. Here, new quinolone amides were synthesized for deeper insights into the structure-activity relationship. Furthermore, the aqueous solubility of the compounds was analyzed, as the poor solubility of previous quinolone amides impeded in vivo studies for target identification. The biological evaluation led to the new lead structure 9f, which exhibits a promising in vitro activity against T. b. brucei (IC50 = 22 nM) and showed no cytotoxicity against macrophages. Moreover, compounds 10b and 10c were discovered, which possessed an improved solubility combined with a decent selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Weinmann
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Kirchner
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Engstler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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14
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Álvarez-Rodríguez A, Jin BK, Radwanska M, Magez S. Recent progress in diagnosis and treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis has made the elimination of this disease a realistic target by 2030. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1037094. [PMID: 36405602 PMCID: PMC9669443 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1037094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by unicellular flagellated protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma brucei. The subspecies T. b. gambiense is mainly responsible for mostly chronic anthroponotic infections in West- and Central Africa, accounting for roughly 95% of all HAT cases. Trypanosoma b. rhodesiense results in more acute zoonotic infections in East-Africa. Because HAT has a two-stage pathogenesis, treatment depends on clinical assessment of patients and the determination whether or not parasites have crossed the blood brain barrier. Today, ultimate confirmation of parasitemia is still done by microscopy analysis. However, the introduction of diagnostic lateral flow devices has been a major contributor to the recent dramatic drop in T. b. gambiense HAT. Other techniques such as loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and recombinant polymerase amplification (RPA)-based tests have been published but are still not widely used in the field. Most recently, CRISPR-Cas technology has been proposed to improve the intrinsic diagnostic characteristics of molecular approaches. This will become crucial in the near future, as preventing the resurgence of HAT will be a priority and will require tools with extreme high positive and negative predicted values, as well as excellent sensitivity and specificity. As for treatment, pentamidine and suramin have historically been the drugs of choice for the treatment of blood-stage gambiense-HAT and rhodesiense-HAT, respectively. For treatment of second-stage infections, drugs that pass the blood brain barrier are needed, and melarsoprol has been effectively used for both forms of HAT in the past. However, due to the high occurrence of post-treatment encephalopathy, the drug is not recommended for use in T. b. gambiense HAT. Here, a combination therapy of eflornithine and nifurtimox (NECT) has been the choice of treatment since 2009. As this treatment requires IV perfusion of eflornithine, efforts were launched in 2003 by the drugs for neglected disease initiative (DNDi) to find an oral-only therapy solution, suitable for rural sub-Saharan Africa treatment conditions. In 2019 this resulted in the introduction of fexinidazole, with a treatment regimen suitable for both the blood-stage and non-severe second-stage T. b. gambiense infections. Experimental treatment of T. b. rhodesiense HAT has now been initiated as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bo-Kyung Jin
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Magdalena Radwanska
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Stefan Magez,
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15
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Knieß R, Leeder W, Reißig P, Geyer FK, Göringer HU. Core-Shell DNA-Cholesterol Nanoparticles Exert Lysosomolytic Activity in African Trypanosomes. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200410. [PMID: 36040754 PMCID: PMC9826209 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is the causal infectious agent of African trypanosomiasis in humans and Nagana in livestock. Both diseases are currently treated with a small number of chemotherapeutics, which are hampered by a variety of limitations reaching from efficacy and toxicity complications to drug-resistance problems. Here, we explore the forward design of a new class of synthetic trypanocides based on nanostructured, core-shell DNA-lipid particles. In aqueous solution, the particles self-assemble into micelle-type structures consisting of a solvent-exposed, hydrophilic DNA shell and a hydrophobic lipid core. DNA-lipid nanoparticles have membrane-adhesive qualities and can permeabilize lipid membranes. We report the synthesis of DNA-cholesterol nanoparticles, which specifically subvert the membrane integrity of the T. brucei lysosome, killing the parasite with nanomolar potencies. Furthermore, we provide an example of the programmability of the nanoparticles. By functionalizing the DNA shell with a spliced leader (SL)-RNA-specific DNAzyme, we target a second trypanosome-specific pathway (dual-target approach). The DNAzyme provides a backup to counteract the recovery of compromised parasites, which reduces the risk of developing drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Knieß
- Molecular GeneticsTechnical University DarmstadtSchnittspahnstr. 1064287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Wolf‐Matthias Leeder
- Molecular GeneticsTechnical University DarmstadtSchnittspahnstr. 1064287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Paul Reißig
- Molecular GeneticsTechnical University DarmstadtSchnittspahnstr. 1064287DarmstadtGermany
| | - Felix Klaus Geyer
- Molecular GeneticsTechnical University DarmstadtSchnittspahnstr. 1064287DarmstadtGermany
| | - H. Ulrich Göringer
- Molecular GeneticsTechnical University DarmstadtSchnittspahnstr. 1064287DarmstadtGermany
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16
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Dolensky J, Hinteregger C, Leitner A, Seebacher W, Saf R, Belaj F, Mäser P, Kaiser M, Weis R. Antiprotozoal Activity of Azabicyclo-Nonanes Linked to Tetrazole or Sulfonamide Cores. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196217. [PMID: 36234752 PMCID: PMC9572860 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
N-(Aminoalkyl)azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes possess antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activity. A series with terminal tetrazole or sulfonamido partial structure was prepared. The structures of all new compounds were confirmed by NMR and IR spectroscopy and by mass spectral data. A single crystal structure analysis enabled the distinction between isomers. The antiprotozoal activities were examined in vitro against strains of Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (STIB 900). The most active sulfonamide and tetrazole derivates showed activities in the submicromolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Dolensky
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Clemens Hinteregger
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Leitner
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Werner Seebacher
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Robert Saf
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM), Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Ferdinand Belaj
- Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstraße 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstraße 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Robert Weis
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, A-8010 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-316-380-5379
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17
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Koester DC, Marx VM, Williams S, Jiricek J, Dauphinais M, René O, Miller SL, Zhang L, Patra D, Chen YL, Cheung H, Gable J, Lakshminarayana SB, Osborne C, Galarneau JR, Kulkarni U, Richmond W, Bretz A, Xiao L, Supek F, Wiesmann C, Honnappa S, Be C, Mäser P, Kaiser M, Ritchie R, Barrett MP, Diagana TT, Sarko C, Rao SPS. Discovery of Novel Quinoline-Based Proteasome Inhibitors for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). J Med Chem 2022; 65:11776-11787. [PMID: 35993839 PMCID: PMC9469205 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a vector-borne disease caused by kinetoplastid parasites of the Trypanosoma genus. The disease proceeds in two stages, with a hemolymphatic blood stage and a meningo-encephalic brain stage. In the latter stage, the parasite causes irreversible damage to the brain leading to sleep cycle disruption and is fatal if untreated. An orally bioavailable treatment is highly desirable. In this study, we present a brain-penetrant, parasite-selective 20S proteasome inhibitor that was rapidly optimized from an HTS singleton hit to drug candidate compound 7 that showed cure in a stage II mouse efficacy model. Here, we describe hit expansion and lead optimization campaign guided by cryo-electron microscopy and an in silico model to predict the brain-to-plasma partition coefficient Kp as an important parameter to prioritize compounds for synthesis. The model combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments allowed us to advance compounds with favorable unbound brain-to-plasma ratios (Kp,uu) to cure a CNS disease such as HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis C. Koester
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Vanessa M. Marx
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Sarah Williams
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jan Jiricek
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Maxime Dauphinais
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Olivier René
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Sarah L. Miller
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Lei Zhang
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Debjani Patra
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Yen-Liang Chen
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Harry Cheung
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jonathan Gable
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Suresh B. Lakshminarayana
- Pharmacokinetic
Sciences, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Colin Osborne
- Pharmacokinetic
Sciences, Pharmacology and Comparative Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jean-Rene Galarneau
- Preclinical
Safety, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical
Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Upendra Kulkarni
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Profiling, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Wendy Richmond
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Angela Bretz
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Linda Xiao
- Pharmacology, Novartis Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Frantisek Supek
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | | | - Srinivas Honnappa
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Celine Be
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University
of Basel, CH 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University
of Basel, CH 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ryan Ritchie
- University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K
| | | | - Thierry T. Diagana
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Christopher Sarko
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Srinivasa P. S. Rao
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
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18
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Boundenga L, Mombo IM, Augustin MO, Barthélémy N, Nzassi PM, Moukodoum ND, Rougeron V, Prugnolle F. Molecular Identification of Trypanosome Diversity in Domestic Animals Reveals the Presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Historical Foci of Human African Trypanosomiasis in Gabon. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11090992. [PMID: 36145424 PMCID: PMC9502807 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11090992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the Trypanosoma genus. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a significant threat as many people are at risk of infection. Despite this, HAT is classified as a neglected tropical disease. Over the last few years, several studies have reported the existence of a wide diversity of trypanosome species circulating in African animals. Thus, domestic and wild animals could be reservoirs of potentially dangerous trypanosomes for human populations. However, very little is known about the role of domestic animals in maintaining the transmission cycle of human trypanosomes in central Africa, especially in Gabon, where serious cases of infection are recorded each year, sometimes leading to hospitalization or death of patients. Komo-Mondah, located within Estuaries (Gabonese province), stays the most active HAT disease focus in Gabon, with a mean of 20 cases per year. In this study, we evaluated the diversity and prevalence of trypanosomes circulating in domestic animals using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. We found that 19.34% (53/274) of the domestic animals we studied were infected with trypanosomes. The infection rates varied among taxa, with 23.21% (13/56) of dogs, 16.10% (19/118) of goats, and 21.00% (21/100) of sheep infected. In addition, we have observed a global mixed rate of infections of 20.75% (11/53) among infected individuals. Molecular analyses revealed that at least six Trypanosome species circulate in domestic animals in Gabon (T. congolense, T. simiae, T. simiae Tsavo, T. theileri, T. vivax, T. brucei (including T. brucei brucei, and T. brucei gambiense)). In conclusion, our study showed that domestic animals constitute important potential reservoirs for trypanosome parasites, including T. brucei gambiense, which is responsible for HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larson Boundenga
- International Centre for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +241-62521281
| | - Illich Manfred Mombo
- International Centre for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon
| | | | - Ngoubangoye Barthélémy
- International Centre for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Patrice Makouloutou Nzassi
- International Centre for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon
- Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, Tropical Ecology Research Institute (IRET-CENAREST), Libreville BP 13354, Gabon
| | - Nancy D. Moukodoum
- International Centre for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon
| | - Virginie Rougeron
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, CNRS-NMU-UCBL, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6529, South Africa
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- REHABS, International Research Laboratory, CNRS-NMU-UCBL, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6529, South Africa
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19
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Sáez Conde J, Dean S. Structure, function and druggability of the African trypanosome flagellum. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:2654-2667. [PMID: 35616248 PMCID: PMC9323424 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
African trypanosomes are early branching protists that cause human and animal diseases, termed trypanosomiases. They have been under intensive study for more than 100 years and have contributed significantly to our understanding of eukaryotic biology. The combination of conserved and parasite‐specific features mean that their flagellum has gained particular attention. Here, we discuss the different structural features of the flagellum and their role in transmission and virulence. We highlight the possibilities of targeting flagellar function to cure trypanosome infections and help in the fight to eliminate trypanosomiases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sáez Conde
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Samuel Dean
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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20
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Tauheed AM, Mamman M, Ahmed A, Suleiman MM, Balogun EO. Antitrypanosomal properties of Anogeissus leiocarpa extracts and their inhibitory effect on trypanosome alternative oxidase. PHYTOMEDICINE PLUS : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 2:100223. [PMID: 37378019 PMCID: PMC10295807 DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Background African trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease with huge socio-economic burden to sub-Saharan African exceeding US$4.6 annual loss. To mitigate the incidence of trypanosomal drug resistance, efforts are geared towards discovery of molecules, especially from natural products, with potential to inhibit important molecular target (trypanosome alternative oxidase, TAO) in trypanosomes that are critical to their survival. Method Crude methanol extract of Anogeissus leiocarpa was subjected to in vitro bioassay-guided antitrypanosomal assay to identify the most active extract with trypanocidal activity. The most active extract was run on a column chromatography yielding five fractions, F1-F5. The fractions were assayed for inhibitory effect on TAO. The most promising TAO inhibitor was subjected to antitrypanosomal evaluation by trypanosome count, drug incubation infectivity test (DIIT) and in vivo studies. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify and quantify phytochemical constituents of the potential TAO-inhibiting fraction. Results Ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc) significantly (p<0.05) produced trypanocidal effect and was the most active extract. Of the five fractions, only F4 significantly (p<0.05) inhibited TAO compared to the control. F4 completely immobilised the trypanosomes up to 0.5 μg/μl, yielding an EC50 of 0.024 μg/μl compared to the 0.502 μg/μl of diminazene aceturate positive control group. The DIIT showed that F4 was significantly (p<0.05) potent up to 0.1 μg/μl. F4 significantly (p<0.05) suppressed parasite multiplication in systemic circulation of the treated rats and significantly (p<0.05) maintained high PCV when compared to the 5% DMSO group. Furthermore, F4 significantly (p<0.05) lowered serum concentrations of malondialdehyde. Phytoconstituents identified by the GC-MS include tetradecene; cetene; 3-(benzylthio) acrylic acid, methyl ester; 1-octadecene; 9-heptadecanone; hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester; dibutyl phthalate; eicosene; octadecenoic acid, methyl ester; oleic acid; 2-methyl-Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienol; 1-docosene; 3-phenylthiane, s-oxide; phenol, 3-methyl; phthalic acid, di(2-propylpentyl) ester and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) ester. Conclusion F4 from EtOAc contains six carbohydrates (9.58%), two free fatty acids (6.48%), five fatty acid esters (27.73%), two aromatic compounds (50.63%) and one organosulphide (5.61%). It inhibited TAO and demonstrated antitrypanosomal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M. Tauheed
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Mohammed Mamman
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Abubakar Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Mohammed M. Suleiman
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel O. Balogun
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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21
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Xie Y, Yang L, Cao P, Li S, Zhang W, Dang W, Xin S, Jiang M, Xin Y, Li J, Long S, Wang Y, Zhang S, Yang Y, Lu J. Plasma Exosomal Proteomic Pattern of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:821311. [PMID: 35464963 PMCID: PMC9019563 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.821311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome, which is caused by EBV infection that is usually refractory to treatment and shows relapse. The development of new biomarkers for the early diagnosis and clinical treatment of EBV-HLH is urgently needed. Exosomes have been shown to mediate various biological processes and are ideal non-invasive biomarkers. Here, we present the differential plasma exosomal proteome of a patient with EBV-HLH before vs. during treatment and with that of his healthy twin brother. A tandem mass tag-labeled LC-MS technique was employed for proteomic detection. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses indicated that differential proteomic profiles were related to virus infection, coagulopathy, nervous system dysfunction, imbalance of immune response, and abnormal liver function. The candidate biomarkers were first identified in the patient’s plasma exosomes at different treatment and follow-up time points. Then, 14 additional EBV-HLH exosome samples were used to verify six differentially expressed proteins. The upregulation of C-reactive protein, moesin, galectin three-binding protein, and heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein and the downregulation of plasminogen and fibronectin 1 could serve as potential biomarkers of EBV-HLH. This plasma exosomal proteomic analysis provides new insights into the diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of EBV-HLH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xie
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pengfei Cao
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shen Li
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wentao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Dang
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuyu Xin
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mingjuan Jiang
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yujie Xin
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Sijing Long
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yiwei Wang
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Senmiao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianhong Lu
- Department of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Healthcare Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Jianhong Lu,
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22
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Kumar R, Gupta S, Bhutia WD, Vaid RK, Kumar S. Atypical human trypanosomosis: Potentially emerging disease with lack of understanding. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:259-276. [PMID: 35355422 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomes are the hemoflagellate kinetoplastid protozoan parasites affecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts having insufficient host specificity. Climatic change, deforestation, globalization, trade agreements, close association and genetic selection in links with environmental, vector, reservoir and potential susceptible hosts' parameters have led to emergence of atypical human trypanosomosis (a-HT). Poor recording of such neglected tropical disease, low awareness in health professions and farming community has approached a serious intimidation for mankind. Reports of animal Trypanosoma species are now gradually increasing in humans, and lack of any compiled literature has diluted the issue. In the present review, global reports of livestock and rodent trypanosomes reported from human beings are assembled and discrepancies with the available literature are discussed along with morphological features of Trypanosoma species. We have described 21 human cases from the published information. Majority of cases 10 (47%) are due to T. lewisi, followed by 5 (24%) cases of T. evansi, 4 (19%) cases of T. brucei and 1 (5%) case each of T. vivax and T. congolense. Indian subcontinent witnessed 13 cases of a-HT, of which 9 cases are reported from India, which includes 7 cases of T. lewisi and 2 cases of T. evansi. Apart from, a-HT case reports, epidemiological investigation and treatment aspects are also discussed. An attempt has been made to provide an overview of the current situation of atypical human trypanosomosis caused by salivarian animal Trypanosoma globally. The probable role of Trypanosoma lytic factors (TLF) present in normal human serum (NHS) in providing innate immunity against salivarian animal Trypanosoma species and the existing paradox in medical science after the finding on intact functional apolipoprotein L1 (ApoL1) in Vietnam T. evansi Type A case is also discussed to provide an update on all aspects of a-HT. Insufficient data and poor reporting in Asian and African countries are the major hurdle resulting in under-reporting of a-HT, which is a potential emerging threat. Therefore, concerted efforts must be directed to address attentiveness, preparedness and regular surveillance in suspected areas with training of field technicians, medical health professionals and veterinarians. Enhancing a one health approach is specifically important in case of trypanosomosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajender Kumar
- Parasitology Lab, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Snehil Gupta
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India
| | | | | | - Sanjay Kumar
- Parasitology Lab, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
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23
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Howlett WP. Rapidly progressive dementia: limitations in Africa. Pract Neurol 2022; 22:342-343. [DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2022-003385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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24
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Imran M, Khan SA, Alshammari MK, Alqahtani AM, Alanazi TA, Kamal M, Jawaid T, Ghoneim MM, Alshehri S, Shakeel F. Discovery, Development, Inventions and Patent Review of Fexinidazole: The First All-Oral Therapy for Human African Trypanosomiasis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020128. [PMID: 35215241 PMCID: PMC8878566 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT or ‘sleeping sickness’) is a neglected tropical disease. If untreated, it is always fatal and leads to death. A few treatments are available for HAT, but most of them require a skilled professional, which increases the financial burden on the patient. Recently, fexinidazole (FEX) has been approved by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) as the first all-oral therapy for the treatment of stage-1 (hemolymphatic) as well as stage-2 (meningoencephalitic) of HAT. Before the FEX approval, there were separate treatments for stage-1 and stage-2 of HAT. This study reviews the discovery, development timeline, inventions, and patent literature of FEX. It was first approved by EMA and USFDA in 2018 and 2021, respectively. FEX was also added to the World Health Organization’s list of essential drugs in 2019. The patent literature search revealed many types of patents/patent applications (compound, salt, process, method of treatment, drug combinations, and compositions) related to FEX, which have been summarized in this article. The authors foresee a great scope to develop more inventions based on FEX (novel salts, polymorphs, drug conjugates, cyclodextrin complex, etc.) for the treatment of many protozoal diseases (Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease), inflammatory diseases, and other microbial infections. New combinations of FEX with other treatments of HAT may also provide fruitful results. This review might be useful to the scientists working on the HAT and other neglected diseases to develop novel inventions and innovations of therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Imran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 91911, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (M.I.); (F.S.)
| | - Shah Alam Khan
- College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Muscat 130, Oman;
| | | | | | | | - Mehnaz Kamal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Talha Jawaid
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13317, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammed M. Ghoneim
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Ad Diriyah 13713, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sultan Alshehri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Faiyaz Shakeel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
- Correspondence: (M.I.); (F.S.)
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25
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Li M, Gaussmann S, Tippler B, Ott J, Popowicz GM, Schliebs W, Sattler M, Erdmann R, Kalel VC. Novel Trypanocidal Inhibitors that Block Glycosome Biogenesis by Targeting PEX3-PEX19 Interaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:737159. [PMID: 34988071 PMCID: PMC8721105 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.737159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pathogenic trypanosomatid parasites harbor a unique form of peroxisomes termed glycosomes that are essential for parasite viability. We and others previously identified and characterized the essential Trypanosoma brucei ortholog TbPEX3, which is the membrane-docking factor for the cytosolic receptor PEX19 bound to the glycosomal membrane proteins. Knockdown of TbPEX3 expression leads to mislocalization of glycosomal membrane and matrix proteins, and subsequent cell death. As an early step in glycosome biogenesis, the PEX3–PEX19 interaction is an attractive drug target. We established a high-throughput assay for TbPEX3–TbPEX19 interaction and screened a compound library for small-molecule inhibitors. Hits from the screen were further validated using an in vitro ELISA assay. We identified three compounds, which exhibit significant trypanocidal activity but show no apparent toxicity to human cells. Furthermore, we show that these compounds lead to mislocalization of glycosomal proteins, which is toxic to the trypanosomes. Moreover, NMR-based experiments indicate that the inhibitors bind to PEX3. The inhibitors interfering with glycosomal biogenesis by targeting the TbPEX3–TbPEX19 interaction serve as starting points for further optimization and anti-trypanosomal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqiao Li
- Department of Systems Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stefan Gaussmann
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, Bavarian NMR Center, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Bettina Tippler
- Department of Systems Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Julia Ott
- Department of Systems Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Grzegorz M Popowicz
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, Bavarian NMR Center, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schliebs
- Department of Systems Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, Bavarian NMR Center, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Ralf Erdmann
- Department of Systems Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Vishal C Kalel
- Department of Systems Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Recent Progress in the Development of Indole-Based Compounds Active against Malaria, Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27010319. [PMID: 35011552 PMCID: PMC8746838 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Human protozoan diseases represent a serious health problem worldwide, affecting mainly people in social and economic vulnerability. These diseases have attracted little investment in drug discovery, which is reflected in the limited available therapeutic arsenal. Authorized drugs present problems such as low efficacy in some stages of the disease or toxicity, which result in undesirable side effects and treatment abandonment. Moreover, the emergence of drug-resistant parasite strains makes necessary an even greater effort to develop safe and effective antiparasitic agents. Among the chemotypes investigated for parasitic diseases, the indole nucleus has emerged as a privileged molecular scaffold for the generation of new drug candidates. In this review, the authors provide an overview of the indole-based compounds developed against important parasitic diseases, namely malaria, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis, by focusing on the design, optimization and synthesis of the most relevant synthetic indole scaffolds recently reported.
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Moreira RS, Filho VB, Calomeno NA, Wagner G, Miletti LC. EpiBuilder: A Tool for Assembling, Searching, and Classifying B-Cell Epitopes. Bioinform Biol Insights 2022; 16:11779322221095221. [PMID: 35571557 PMCID: PMC9102138 DOI: 10.1177/11779322221095221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epitopes are portions of a protein that are recognized by antibodies. These small amino acid sequences represent a significant breakthrough in a branch of bioinformatics called immunoinformatics. Various software are available for linear B-cell epitope (BCE) prediction such as ABCPred, SVMTrip, EpiDope, and EpitopeVec; a well-known BCE predictor is BepiPred-2.0. However, despite the prediction, there are several essential steps, such as epitope assembly, evaluation, and searching for epitopes in other proteomes. Here, we present EpiBuilder (https://epibuilder.sourceforge.io), a user friendly software that assists in epitope assembly, classifying and searching using input results of BepiPred-2.0. EpiBuilder generates several output results from these data and supports a proteome-wide processing approach. In addition, this software provides the following features: Chou & Fasman beta-turn prediction, Emini surface accessibility prediction, Karplus and Schulz flexibility prediction, Kolaskar and Tongaonkar antigenicity, Parker hydrophilicity prediction, N-glycosylation domains, and hydropathy. These information generate a unique topology for each epitope, visually demonstrating its characteristics. The software can search the entire epitope sequence in various FASTA files, and it allows to use BLASTP to identify epitopes that eventually have sequence variations. As an EpiBuilder application, we developed a epitope dataset from the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, the gram-positive bacterium Clostridioides difficile, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Simões Moreira
- Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Lages, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Santa Catarina (IFSC), Lages, Brazil
| | - Vilmar Benetti Filho
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Nathália Anderson Calomeno
- Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Lages, Brazil
| | - Glauber Wagner
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Glauber Wagner, Laboratório de Bioinformática, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus João David Ferreira Lima, Setor F, Bloco A, Sala 318, Caixa postal 476, Trindade, Florianópolis 88040-970, SC, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Claudio Miletti
- Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Lages, Brazil
- Luiz Claudio Miletti, Laboratório de Hemoparasitas e Vetores, Departamento de Produção Animal e Alimentos, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias (CAV), Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Av. Luiz de Camões, 2090 Bairro Conta Dinheiro, Lages 88520-000, SC, Brazil.
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Kotepui KU, Masangkay FR, De Jesus Milanez G, Kotepui M. Prevalence and outcomes of malaria as co-infection among patients with human African trypanosomiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23777. [PMID: 34893680 PMCID: PMC8664815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is endemic in Africa; hence, the possibility of co-infection with malaria among patients with HAT exists. The present study investigated co-infection with malaria among patients with HAT to provide current evidence and characteristics to support further studies. Potentially relevant studies that reported Plasmodium spp. infection in patients with HAT was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The risk of bias among the included studies was assessed using the checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The pooled prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infection in patients with HAT was quantitatively synthesized using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses of study sites and stages of HAT were performed to identify heterogeneity regarding prevalence among the included studies. The heterogeneity of the outcome among the included studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics for consistency. Publication bias was assessed if the number of included studies was 10 or more. For qualitative synthesis, a narrative synthesis of the impact of Plasmodium spp. infection on the clinical and outcome characteristics of HAT was performed when the included studies provided qualitative data. Among 327 studies identified from three databases, nine studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The prevalence of Plasmodium spp. co-infection (692 cases) among patients with HAT (1523 cases) was 50% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 28–72%, I2 = 98.1%, seven studies). Subgroup analysis by type of HAT (gambiense or rhodesiense HAT) revealed that among patients with gambiense HAT, the pooled prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infection was 46% (95% CI = 14–78%, I2 = 96.62%, four studies), whereas that among patients with rhodesiense HAT was 44% (95% CI = 40–49%, I2 = 98.3%, three studies). Qualitative syntheses demonstrated that Plasmodium spp. infection in individuals with HAT might influence the risk of encephalopathy syndrome, drug toxicity, and significantly longer corrected QT time. Moreover, longer hospital stays and higher treatment costs were recorded among co-infected individuals. Because of the high prevalence of malaria among patients with HAT, some patients were positive for malaria parasites despite being asymptomatic. Therefore, it is suggested to test every patient with HAT for malaria before HAT treatment. If malaria is present, then antimalarial treatment is recommended before HAT treatment. Antimalarial treatment in patients with HAT might decrease the probability of poor clinical outcomes and case fatality in HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Frederick Ramirez Masangkay
- Department of Medical Technology, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University-Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Giovanni De Jesus Milanez
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - Manas Kotepui
- Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
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Cytosolic and Mitochondrial Hsp90 in Cytokinesis, Mitochondrial DNA Replication, and Drug Action in Trypanosoma brucei. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0063221. [PMID: 34424040 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00632-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei subspecies cause African sleeping sickness in humans, an infection that is commonly fatal if not treated, and available therapies are limited. Previous studies have shown that heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors have potent and vivid activity against bloodstream-form trypanosomes. Hsp90s are phylogenetically conserved and essential catalysts that function at the crux of cell biology, where they ensure the proper folding of proteins and their assembly into multicomponent complexes. To assess the specificity of Hsp90 inhibitors and further define the role of Hsp90s in African trypanosomes, we used RNA interference (RNAi) to knock down cytosolic and mitochondrial Hsp90s (HSP83 and HSP84, respectively). Loss of either protein led to cell death, but the phenotypes were distinctly different. Depletion of cytosolic HSP83 closely mimicked the consequences of chemically depleting Hsp90 activity with inhibitor 17-AAG. In these cells, cytokinesis was severely disrupted, and segregation of the kinetoplast (the massive mitochondrial DNA structure unique to this family of eukaryotic pathogens) was impaired, leading to cells with abnormal kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) structures. Quite differently, knockdown of mitochondrial HSP84 did not impair cytokinesis but halted the initiation of new kDNA synthesis, generating cells without kDNA. These findings highlight the central role of Hsp90s in chaperoning cell cycle regulators in trypanosomes, reveal their unique function in kinetoplast replication, and reinforce their specificity and value as drug targets.
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Abstract
About half of the world's population and 80% of the world's biodiversity can be found in the tropics. Many diseases are specific to the tropics, with at least 41 diseases caused by endemic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Such diseases are of increasing concern, as the geographic range of tropical diseases is expanding due to climate change, urbanization, change in agricultural practices, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. While traditional medicines have been used for centuries in the treatment of tropical diseases, the active natural compounds within these medicines remain largely unknown. In this review, we describe infectious diseases specific to the tropics, including their causative pathogens, modes of transmission, recent major outbreaks, and geographic locations. We further review current treatments for these tropical diseases, carefully consider the biodiscovery potential of the tropical biome, and discuss a range of technologies being used for drug development from natural resources. We provide a list of natural products with antimicrobial activity, detailing the source organisms and their effectiveness as treatment. We discuss how technological advancements, such as next-generation sequencing, are driving high-throughput natural product screening pipelines to identify compounds with therapeutic properties. This review demonstrates the impact natural products from the vast tropical biome have in the treatment of tropical infectious diseases and how high-throughput technical capacity will accelerate this discovery process.
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31
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Abstract
African trypanosomes are responsible for important diseases of humans and animals in sub-Saharan Africa. The best-studied species is Trypanosoma brucei, which is characterized by development in the mammalian host between morphologically slender and stumpy forms. The latter are adapted for transmission by the parasite's vector, the tsetse fly. The development of stumpy forms is driven by density-dependent quorum-sensing (QS), the molecular basis for which is now coming to light. In this review, I discuss the historical context and biological features of trypanosome QS and how it contributes to the parasite's infection dynamics within its mammalian host. Also, I discuss how QS can be lost in different trypanosome species, such as T. brucei evansi and T. brucei equiperdum, or modulated when parasites find themselves competing with others of different genotypes or of different trypanosome species in the same host. Finally, I consider the potential to exploit trypanosome QS therapeutically. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, Ashworth Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, United Kingdom;
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32
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Cordeiro TAR, de Resende MAC, Moraes SCDS, Franco DL, Pereira AC, Ferreira LF. Electrochemical biosensors for neglected tropical diseases: A review. Talanta 2021; 234:122617. [PMID: 34364426 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A group of infectious and parasitic diseases with prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions of the planet, especially in places with difficult access, internal conflicts, poverty, and low visibility from the government and health agencies are classified as neglected tropical diseases. While some well-intentioned isolated groups are making the difference on a global scale, the number of new cases and deaths is still alarming. The development and employment of low-cost, miniaturized, and easy-to-use devices as biosensors could be the key to fast diagnosis in such areas leading to a better treatment to further eradication of such diseases. Therefore, this review contains useful information regarding the development of such devices in the past ten years (2010-2020). Guided by the updated list from the World Health Organization, the work evaluated the new trends in the biosensor field applied to the early detection of neglected tropical diseases, the efficiencies of the devices compared to the traditional techniques, and the applicability on-site for local distribution. So, we focus on Malaria, Chagas, Leishmaniasis, Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, Schistosomiasis, Leprosy, Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Lymphatic filariasis, and Rabies. Few papers were found concerning such diseases and there is no available commercial device in the market. The works contain information regarding the development of point-of-care devices, but there are only at proof of concepts stage so far. Details of electrode modification and construction of electrochemical biosensors were summarized in Tables. The demand for the eradication of neglected tropical diseases is increasing. The use of biosensors is pivotal for the cause, but appliable devices are scarce. The information present in this review can be useful for further development of biosensors in the hope of helping the world combat these deadly diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taís Aparecida Reis Cordeiro
- Institute of Science and Technology, Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Applied Nanotechnology, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, Brazil
| | | | - Simone Cristina Dos Santos Moraes
- Group of Electrochemistry Applied to Polymers and Sensors - Multidisciplinary Group of Research, Science and Technology - Laboratory of Electroanalytic Applied to Biotechnology and Food Engineering - Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Brazil
| | - Diego Leoni Franco
- Group of Electrochemistry Applied to Polymers and Sensors - Multidisciplinary Group of Research, Science and Technology - Laboratory of Electroanalytic Applied to Biotechnology and Food Engineering - Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Brazil.
| | - Arnaldo César Pereira
- Department of Natural Sciences, Federal University of São João Del-Rei, São João Del-Rei, Brazil.
| | - Lucas Franco Ferreira
- Institute of Science and Technology, Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Applied Nanotechnology, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, Brazil.
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Munteanu AC, Uivarosi V. Ruthenium Complexes in the Fight against Pathogenic Microorganisms. An Extensive Review. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:874. [PMID: 34199283 PMCID: PMC8232020 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread use of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of drug-resistant populations of microorganisms. Clearly, one can see the need to develop new, more effective, antimicrobial agents that go beyond the explored 'chemical space'. In this regard, their unique modes of action (e.g., reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, redox activation, ligand exchange, depletion of substrates involved in vital cellular processes) render metal complexes as promising drug candidates. Several Ru (II/III) complexes have been included in, or are currently undergoing, clinical trials as anticancer agents. Based on the in-depth knowledge of their chemical properties and biological behavior, the interest in developing new ruthenium compounds as antibiotic, antifungal, antiparasitic, or antiviral drugs has risen. This review will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Ru (II/III) frameworks as antimicrobial agents. Some aspects regarding the relationship between their chemical structure and mechanism of action, cellular localization, and/or metabolism of the ruthenium complexes in bacterial and eukaryotic cells are discussed as well. Regarding the antiviral activity, in light of current events related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ru (II/III) compounds used against SARS-CoV-2 (e.g., BOLD-100) are also reviewed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra-Cristina Munteanu
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Valentina Uivarosi
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
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Yang L, Weiss BL, Williams AE, Aksoy E, de Silva Orfano A, Son JH, Wu Y, Vigneron A, Karakus M, Aksoy S. Paratransgenic manipulation of a tsetse microRNA alters the physiological homeostasis of the fly's midgut environment. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009475. [PMID: 34107000 PMCID: PMC8216540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tsetse flies are vectors of parasitic African trypanosomes, the etiological agents of human and animal African trypanosomoses. Current disease control methods include fly-repelling pesticides, fly trapping, and chemotherapeutic treatment of infected people and animals. Inhibiting tsetse's ability to transmit trypanosomes by strengthening the fly's natural barriers can serve as an alternative approach to reduce disease. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is a chitinous and proteinaceous barrier that lines the insect midgut and serves as a protective barrier that inhibits infection with pathogens. African trypanosomes must cross tsetse's PM in order to establish an infection in the fly, and PM structural integrity negatively correlates with trypanosome infection outcomes. Bloodstream form trypanosomes shed variant surface glycoproteins (VSG) into tsetse's gut lumen early during the infection establishment, and free VSG molecules are internalized by the fly's PM-producing cardia. This process results in a reduction in the expression of a tsetse microRNA (miR275) and a sequential molecular cascade that compromises PM integrity. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are critical in regulating many physiological processes. In the present study, we investigated the role(s) of tsetse miR275 by developing a paratransgenic expression system that employs tsetse's facultative bacterial endosymbiont, Sodalis glossinidius, to express tandem antagomir-275 repeats (or miR275 sponges). This system induces a constitutive, 40% reduction in miR275 transcript abundance in the fly's midgut and results in obstructed blood digestion (gut weights increased by 52%), a significant increase (p-value < 0.0001) in fly survival following infection with an entomopathogenic bacteria, and a 78% increase in trypanosome infection prevalence. RNA sequencing of cardia and midgut tissues from paratransgenic tsetse confirmed that miR275 regulates processes related to the expression of PM-associated proteins and digestive enzymes as well as genes that encode abundant secretory proteins. Our study demonstrates that paratransgenesis can be employed to study microRNA regulated pathways in arthropods that house symbiotic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Brian L. Weiss
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Adeline E. Williams
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Emre Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alessandra de Silva Orfano
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jae Hak Son
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Yineng Wu
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Aurelien Vigneron
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Institute for Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mehmet Karakus
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Aksoy
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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35
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Salivarian Trypanosomes Have Adopted Intricate Host-Pathogen Interaction Mechanisms That Ensure Survival in Plain Sight of the Adaptive Immune System. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060679. [PMID: 34072674 PMCID: PMC8229994 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Salivarian trypanosomes are extracellular parasites affecting humans, livestock and game animals. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense are human infective sub-species of T. brucei causing human African trypanosomiasis (HAT—sleeping sickness). The related T. b. brucei parasite lacks the resistance to survive in human serum, and only inflicts animal infections. Animal trypanosomiasis (AT) is not restricted to Africa, but is present on all continents. T. congolense and T. vivax are the most widespread pathogenic trypanosomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Through mechanical transmission, T. vivax has also been introduced into South America. T. evansi is a unique animal trypanosome that is found in vast territories around the world and can cause atypical human trypanosomiasis (aHT). All salivarian trypanosomes are well adapted to survival inside the host’s immune system. This is not a hostile environment for these parasites, but the place where they thrive. Here we provide an overview of the latest insights into the host-parasite interaction and the unique survival strategies that allow trypanosomes to outsmart the immune system. In addition, we review new developments in treatment and diagnosis as well as the issues that have hampered the development of field-applicable anti-trypanosome vaccines for the implementation of sustainable disease control.
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36
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Carruthers LV, Munday JC, Ebiloma GU, Steketee P, Jayaraman S, Campagnaro GD, Ungogo MA, Lemgruber L, Donachie AM, Rowan TG, Peter R, Morrison LJ, Barrett MP, De Koning HP. Diminazene resistance in Trypanosoma congolense is not caused by reduced transport capacity but associated with reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Mol Microbiol 2021; 116:564-588. [PMID: 33932053 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma congolense is a principal agent causing livestock trypanosomiasis in Africa, costing developing economies billions of dollars and undermining food security. Only the diamidine diminazene and the phenanthridine isometamidium are regularly used, and resistance is widespread but poorly understood. We induced stable diminazene resistance in T. congolense strain IL3000 in vitro. There was no cross-resistance with the phenanthridine drugs, melaminophenyl arsenicals, oxaborole trypanocides, or with diamidine trypanocides, except the close analogs DB829 and DB75. Fluorescence microscopy showed that accumulation of DB75 was inhibited by folate. Uptake of [3 H]-diminazene was slow with low affinity and partly but reciprocally inhibited by folate and by competing diamidines. Expression of T. congolense folate transporters in diminazene-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei significantly sensitized the cells to diminazene and DB829, but not to oxaborole AN7973. However, [3 H]-diminazene transport studies, whole-genome sequencing, and RNA-seq found no major changes in diminazene uptake, folate transporter sequence, or expression. Instead, all resistant clones displayed a moderate reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential Ψm. We conclude that diminazene uptake in T. congolense proceed via multiple low affinity mechanisms including folate transporters; while resistance is associated with a reduction in Ψm it is unclear whether this is the primary cause of the resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren V Carruthers
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jane C Munday
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Godwin U Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Pieter Steketee
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharth Jayaraman
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gustavo D Campagnaro
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Marzuq A Ungogo
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- Glasgow Imaging Facility, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anne-Marie Donachie
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tim G Rowan
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicine, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rose Peter
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicine, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Liam J Morrison
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael P Barrett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harry P De Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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37
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Singh G, Njamnshi AK, Sander JW. Vector-borne protozoal infections of the CNS: cerebral malaria, sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. Curr Opin Neurol 2021; 34:439-446. [PMID: 33709976 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Malaria, Chagas Disease and Human African Trypanosomiasis are vector-borne protozoan illnesses, frequently associated with neurological manifestations. Intriguing but ignored, limited mainly to resource-limited, tropical settings, these disorders are now coming to light because of globalisation and improved diagnosis and treatment. Enhanced understanding of these illnesses has prompted this review. RECENT FINDINGS Methods of diagnosis have currently transitioned from blood smear examinations to immunological assays and molecular methods. Tools to assess neurological involvement, such as magnetic resonance imaging, are now increasingly available in regions and countries with high infection loads. Sleep and other electrophysiological technologies (electroencephalography, actigraphy) are also promising diagnostic tools but requiring field-validation. Access to treatments was formerly limited, even as limitations of agents used in the treatment are increasingly recognised. Newer agents are now being developed and trialled, encouraged by improved understanding of the disorders' molecular underpinnings. SUMMARY Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial in ensuring cure from the infections. Attention should also be due to the development of globally applicable treatment guidelines, the burden of neurological sequelae and elimination of the zoonoses from currently endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India.,NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alfred K Njamnshi
- Neurology Department, Central Hospital Yaoundé/Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMBS), The University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Josemir W Sander
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, UK.,Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, Netherlands
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VLP-Based Vaccines as a Suitable Technology to Target Trypanosomatid Diseases. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9030220. [PMID: 33807516 PMCID: PMC7998750 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on vaccines against trypanosomatids, a family of protozoa that cause neglected tropical diseases, such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and sleeping sickness, is a current need. Today, according to modern vaccinology, virus-like particle (VLP) technology is involved in many vaccines, including those undergoing studies related to COVID-19. The potential use of VLPs as vaccine adjuvants opens an opportunity for the use of protozoan antigens for the development of vaccines against diseases caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania spp., and Trypanosoma brucei. In this context, it is important to consider the evasion mechanisms of these protozoa in the host and the antigens involved in the mechanisms of the parasite–host interaction. Thus, the immunostimulatory properties of VLPs can be part of an important strategy for the development and evaluation of new vaccines. This work aims to highlight the potential of VLPs as vaccine adjuvants for the development of immunity in complex diseases, specifically in the context of tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids.
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Piñeyro MD, Arias D, Parodi-Talice A, Guerrero S, Robello C. Trypanothione Metabolism as Drug Target for Trypanosomatids. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1834-1846. [PMID: 33308115 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201211115329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas Disease, African sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis are neglected diseases caused by pathogenic trypanosomatid parasites, which have a considerable impact on morbidity and mortality in poor countries. The available drugs used as treatment have high toxicity, limited access, and can cause parasite drug resistance. Long-term treatments, added to their high toxicity, result in patients that give up therapy. Trypanosomatids presents a unique trypanothione based redox system, which is responsible for maintaining the redox balance. Therefore, inhibition of these essential and exclusive parasite's metabolic pathways, absent from the mammalian host, could lead to the development of more efficient and safe drugs. The system contains different redox cascades, where trypanothione and tryparedoxins play together a central role in transferring reduced power to different enzymes, such as 2-Cys peroxiredoxins, non-selenium glutathione peroxidases, ascorbate peroxidases, glutaredoxins and methionine sulfoxide reductases, through NADPH as a source of electrons. There is sufficient evidence that this complex system is essential for parasite survival and infection. In this review, we explore what is known in terms of essentiality, kinetic and structural data, and the development of inhibitors of enzymes from this trypanothione-based redox system. The recent advances and limitations in the development of lead inhibitory compounds targeting these enzymes have been discussed. The combination of molecular biology, bioinformatics, genomics, and structural biology is fundamental since the knowledge of unique features of the trypanothione-dependent system will provide tools for rational drug design in order to develop better treatments for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diego Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral y Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa F, Argentina
| | | | - Sergio Guerrero
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia del Litoral y Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas, CONICET-UNL, Santa F, Argentina
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biologia Molecular, Instituto Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Tukulula M, Louw S, Njoroge M, Chibale K. Synthesis and In Vitro Antiprotozoan Evaluation of 4-/8-Aminoquinoline-based Lactams and Tetrazoles. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25245941. [PMID: 33333924 PMCID: PMC7765388 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25245941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A second generation of 4-aminoquinoline- and 8-aminoquinoline-based tetrazoles and lactams were synthesized via the Staudinger and Ugi multicomponent reactions. These compounds were subsequently evaluated in vitro for their potential antiplasmodium activity against a multidrug-resistant K1 strain and for their antitrypanosomal activity against a cultured T. b. rhodesiense STIB900 strain. Several of these compounds (4a-g) displayed good antiplasmodium activities (IC50 = 0.20-0.62 µM) that were comparable to the reference drugs, while their antitrypanosomal activity was moderate (<20 µM). Compound 4e was 2-fold more active than primaquine and was also the most active (IC50 = 7.01 µM) against T. b. rhodesiense and also exhibited excellent aqueous solubility (>200 µM) at pH 7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matshawandile Tukulula
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-31-260-8756; Fax: +27-31-260-3091
| | - Stefan Louw
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; (S.L.); (M.N.); (K.C.)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Namibia, Windhoek 10005, Namibia
| | - Mathew Njoroge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; (S.L.); (M.N.); (K.C.)
| | - Kelly Chibale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; (S.L.); (M.N.); (K.C.)
- 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
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41
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Njamnshi AK, Seke Etet PF, Ngarka L, Perrig S, Olivera GC, Nfor LN, Njamnshi WY, Acho A, Muyembe JJ, Bentivoglio M, Rottenberg M, Kennedy PGE. The Actigraphy Sleep Score: A New Biomarker for Diagnosis, Disease Staging, and Monitoring in Human African Trypanosomiasis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:2244-2252. [PMID: 33078699 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) remains a serious public health problem with diagnostic and treatment challenges in many African countries. The absence of a gold-standard biomarker has been a major difficulty for accurate disease staging and treatment follow-up. We therefore attempted to develop a simple, affordable, and noninvasive biomarker for HAT diagnosis and staging. Simultaneous actigraphy and polysomnography as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) count, trypanosome presence, and C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL)-10 cytokine levels were performed in 20 HAT patients and nine healthy individuals (controls) using standard procedures. The International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) was scored in some patients as a surrogate for clinical assessment. From actigraphic parameters, we developed a novel sleep score and used it to determine correlations with other HAT markers, and compared their performance in differentiating between patients and controls and between HAT stages. The novel actigraphy sleep score (ASS) had the following ranges: 0-25 (healthy controls), 67-103 (HAT stage I), 111-126 (HAT intermediate), and 133-250 (HAT stage II). Compared with controls, stage I patients displayed a 7-fold increase in the ASS (P < 0.01), intermediate stage patients a 10-fold increase (P < 0.001), and HAT stage II patients an almost 20-fold increase (P < 0.001). CXCL-10 showed high interindividual differences. White blood cell counts were only marked in HAT stage II patients with a high interindividual variability. The International HIV Dementia Scale score negatively correlated with the ASS. We report the development and better performance of a new biomarker, ASS, for HAT diagnosis, disease staging, and monitoring that needs to be confirmed in large cohort studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred K Njamnshi
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon and Geneva, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Department of Neurology, Central Hospital Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Paul F Seke Etet
- Department of Neurological Sciences (DSNNMM), University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon and Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leonard Ngarka
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon and Geneva, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Department of Neurology, Central Hospital Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Stephen Perrig
- Sleep Studies Laboratory, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.,Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon and Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gabriela C Olivera
- Deparment of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leonard N Nfor
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon and Geneva, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Department of Neurology, Central Hospital Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Wepnyu Y Njamnshi
- Department of Neurology, Central Hospital Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon and Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alphonse Acho
- Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Department of Neurology, Central Hospital Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Jean-Jacques Muyembe
- Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Marina Bentivoglio
- Department of Neurological Sciences (DSNNMM), University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Martin Rottenberg
- Deparment of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter G E Kennedy
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
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42
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Del Campo C, Leeder WM, Reißig P, Göringer HU. Analyzing editosome function in high-throughput. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:e99. [PMID: 32756897 PMCID: PMC7515698 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial gene expression in African trypanosomes and other trypanosomatid pathogens requires a U-nucleotide specific insertion/deletion-type RNA-editing reaction. The process is catalyzed by a macromolecular protein complex known as the editosome. Editosomes are restricted to the trypanosomatid clade and since editing is essential for the parasites, the protein complex represents a near perfect target for drug intervention strategies. Here, we report the development of an improved in vitro assay to monitor editosome function. The test system utilizes fluorophore-labeled substrate RNAs to analyze the processing reaction by automated, high-throughput capillary electrophoresis (CE) in combination with a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) readout. We optimized the assay for high-throughput screening (HTS)-experiments and devised a multiplex fluorophore-labeling regime to scrutinize the U-insertion/U-deletion reaction simultaneously. The assay is robust, it requires only nanogram amounts of materials and it meets all performance criteria for HTS-methods. As such the test system should be helpful in the search for trypanosome-specific pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Del Campo
- Molecular Genetics, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Wolf-Matthias Leeder
- Molecular Genetics, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul Reißig
- Molecular Genetics, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - H Ulrich Göringer
- Molecular Genetics, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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Douglas RL, Haltiwanger BM, Albisetti A, Wu H, Jeng RL, Mancuso J, Cande WZ, Welch MD. Trypanosomes have divergent kinesin-2 proteins that function differentially in flagellum biosynthesis and cell viability. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs129213. [PMID: 32503938 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.129213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, has a flagellum that is crucial for motility, pathogenicity, and viability. In most eukaryotes, the intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery drives flagellum biogenesis, and anterograde IFT requires kinesin-2 motor proteins. In this study, we investigated the function of the two T. brucei kinesin-2 proteins, TbKin2a and TbKin2b, in bloodstream form trypanosomes. We found that, compared to kinesin-2 proteins across other phyla, TbKin2a and TbKin2b show greater variation in neck, stalk and tail domain sequences. Both kinesins contributed additively to flagellar lengthening. Silencing TbKin2a inhibited cell proliferation, cytokinesis and motility, whereas silencing TbKin2b did not. TbKin2a was localized on the flagellum and colocalized with IFT components near the basal body, consistent with it performing a role in IFT. TbKin2a was also detected on the flagellar attachment zone, a specialized structure that connects the flagellum to the cell body. Our results indicate that kinesin-2 proteins in trypanosomes play conserved roles in flagellar biosynthesis and exhibit a specialized localization, emphasizing the evolutionary flexibility of motor protein function in an organism with a large complement of kinesins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Douglas
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Brett M Haltiwanger
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Anna Albisetti
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Haiming Wu
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Robert L Jeng
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Joel Mancuso
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - W Zacheus Cande
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Matthew D Welch
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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44
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Zoonotic and vector-borne parasites and epilepsy in low-income and middle-income countries. Nat Rev Neurol 2020; 16:333-345. [PMID: 32427939 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-0361-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Zoonotic and vector-borne parasites are important preventable risk factors for epilepsy. Three parasitic infections - cerebral malaria, Taenia solium cysticercosis and onchocerciasis - have an established association with epilepsy. Parasitoses are widely prevalent in low-income and middle-income countries, which are home to 80% of the people with epilepsy in the world. Once a parasitic infection has taken hold in the brain, therapeutic measures do not seem to influence the development of epilepsy in the long term. Consequently, strategies to control, eliminate and eradicate parasites represent the most feasible way to reduce the epilepsy burden at present. The elucidation of immune mechanisms underpinning the parasitic infections, some of which are parasite-specific, opens up new therapeutic possibilities. In this Review, we explore the pathophysiological basis of the link between parasitic infections and epilepsy, and we consider preventive and therapeutic approaches to reduce the burden of epilepsy attributable to parasitic disorders. We conclude that a concerted approach involving medical, veterinary, parasitological and ecological experts, backed by robust political support and sustainable funding, is the key to reducing this burden.
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Zhang H, Collins J, Nyamwihura R, Crown O, Ajayi O, Ogungbe IV. Vinyl sulfone-based inhibitors of trypanosomal cysteine protease rhodesain with improved antitrypanosomal activities. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127217. [PMID: 32527539 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The number of reported cases of Human African Trypanosmiasis (HAT), caused by kinetoplastid protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, is declining in sub-Saharan Africa. Historically, such declines are generally followed by periods of higher incidence, and one of the lingering public health challenges of HAT is that its drug development pipeline is historically sparse. As a continuation of our work on new antitrypanosomal agents, we found that partially saturated quinoline-based vinyl sulfone compounds selectively inhibit the growth of T. brucei but displayed relatively weak inhibitory activity towards T. brucei's cysteine protease rhodesain. While two nitroaromatic analogues of the quinoline-based vinyl sulfone compounds displayed potent inhibition of T. brucei and rhodesain. The quinoline derivatives and the nitroaromatic-based compounds discovered in this work can serve as leads for ADME-based optimization and pre-clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaisheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Jasmine Collins
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Rogers Nyamwihura
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Olamide Crown
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Oluwatomi Ajayi
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Ifedayo Victor Ogungbe
- Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
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Xu ZS, Li FJ, Hide G, Lun ZR, Lai DH. Vacuolar ATPase depletion contributes to dysregulation of endocytosis in bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:214. [PMID: 32334612 PMCID: PMC7183646 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04068-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a highly conserved protein complex which hydrolyzes ATP and pumps protons to acidify vacuolar vesicles. Beyond its role in pH maintenance, the involvement of V-ATPase in endocytosis is well documented in mammals and plants but is less clear in Trypanosoma brucei. Methods In this study, the subcellular localization of V-ATPase subunit B (TbVAB) of T. brucei was assessed via in situ N-terminal YFP-tagging and immunofluorescence assays. Transgenic bloodstream forms (BSF) of T. brucei were generated which comprised either a V-ATPase subunit B (TbVAB) conditional knockout or a V-ATPase subunit A (TbVAA) knockdown. Acridine orange and BCECF-AM were employed to assess the roles of V-ATPase in the pH regulation of BSF T. brucei. The endocytic activities of three markers were also characterized by flow cytometry analyses. Furthermore, trypanosomes were counted from trypanolysis treatment groups (either containing 1% or 5% NHS) and endocytosed trypanosome lytic factor (TLF) was also analyzed by an immunoblotting assay. Results TbVAB was found to localize to acidocalcisomes, lysosomes and probably also to endosomes of BSF of T. brucei and was demonstrated to be essential for cell growth. TbVAB depletion neutralized acidic organelles at 24 hours post-tetracycline depletion (hpd), meanwhile the steady state intracellular pH increased from 7.016 ± 0.013 to 7.422 ± 0.058. Trypanosomes with TbVAB depletion at 24 hpd were found to take up more transferrin (2.068 ± 0.277 fold) but less tomato lectin (49.31 ± 22.57%) by endocytosis, while no significant change was detected in dextran uptake. Similar endocytic dysregulated phenotypes were also observed in TbVAA knockdown cells. In addition, TbVAB depleted trypanosomes showed a low uptake of TLF and exhibited less sensitive to lysis in both 1% and 5% NHS treatments. Conclusions TbVAB is a key component of V-ATPase and was found to play a key function in endocytosis as well as exhibiting different effects in a receptor/cargo dependent manner in BSF of T. brucei. Besides vacuolar alkalinization, the dysregulation of endocytosis in TbVAB depleted T. brucei is considered to contribute to the reduced sensitivity to lysis by normal human serum.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Shen Xu
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, The People's Republic of China
| | - Feng-Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 11754, Singapore
| | - Geoff Hide
- Biomedical Research Centre and Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, The People's Republic of China. .,Biomedical Research Centre and Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK.
| | - De-Hua Lai
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, The People's Republic of China.
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47
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Pardali V, Giannakopoulou E, Balourdas DI, Myrianthopoulos V, Taylor MC, Šekutor M, Mlinarić-Majerski K, Kelly JM, Zoidis G. Lipophilic Guanylhydrazone Analogues as Promising Trypanocidal Agents: An Extended SAR Study. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:838-866. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200210150127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In this report, we extend the SAR analysis of a number of lipophilic guanylhydrazone analogues with
respect to in vitro growth inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. Sleeping sickness and Chagas
disease, caused by the tropical parasites T. brucei and T. cruzi, constitute a significant socioeconomic burden
in low-income countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, respectively. Drug development is underfunded.
Moreover, current treatments are outdated and difficult to administer, while drug resistance is an emerging
concern. The synthesis of adamantane-based compounds that have potential as antitrypanosomal agents is
extensively reviewed. The critical role of the adamantane ring was further investigated by synthesizing and testing
a number of novel lipophilic guanylhydrazones. The introduction of hydrophobic bulky substituents onto the
adamantane ring generated the most active analogues, illustrating the synergistic effect of the lipophilic character
of the C1 side chain and guanylhydrazone moiety on trypanocidal activity. The n-decyl C1-substituted compound
G8 proved to be the most potent adamantane derivative against T. brucei with activity in the nanomolar range
(EC50=90 nM). Molecular simulations were also performed to better understand the structure-activity relationships
between the studied guanylhydrazone analogues and their potential enzyme target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Pardali
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Erofili Giannakopoulou
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios-Ilias Balourdas
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilios Myrianthopoulos
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Marina Šekutor
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kata Mlinarić-Majerski
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771 Athens, Greece
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48
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Manzano-Román R, Fuentes M. Relevance and proteomics challenge of functional posttranslational modifications in Kinetoplastid parasites. J Proteomics 2020; 220:103762. [PMID: 32244008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan parasitic infections are health, social and economic issues impacting both humans and animals, with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Protozoan parasites have complicated life cycles with both intracellular and extracellular forms. As a consequence, protozoan adapt to changing environments in part through a dynamic enzyme-catalyzed process leading to reversible posttranslational modifications (PTMs). The characterization by proteomics approaches reveals the critical role of the PTMs of the proteins involved in host-pathogen interaction. The complexity of PTMs characterization is increased by the high diversity, stoichiometry, dynamic and also co-existence of several PTMs in the same moieties which crosstalk between them. Here, we review how to understand the complexity and the essential role of PTMs crosstalk in order to provide a new hallmark for vaccines developments, immunotherapies and personalized medicine. In addition, the importance of these motifs in the biology and biological cycle of kinetoplastid parasites is highlighted with key examples showing the potential to act as targets against protozoan diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Manzano-Román
- Proteomics Unit, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain..
| | - M Fuentes
- Proteomics Unit, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain.; Proteomics Unit, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Department of Medicine and General Cytometry Service-Nucleus, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
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49
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Lee SJ, Apio RJ, Palmer JJ. Centering Patient Expectations of a Novel Home-Based Oral Drug Treatment among T. b. rhodesiense Human African Trypanosomiasis Patients in Uganda. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5010016. [PMID: 31973101 PMCID: PMC7157203 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent approval of fexinidazole for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) caused by T. b. gambiense enables improved patient management that is pivotal to elimination. Effective in both the early and late stages of the disease, it obviates the need for invasive lumbar punctures which guide therapy, in some patients. Unlike existing injectable treatments requiring systematic hospitalisation, fexinidazole’s oral administration will allow many patients to be treated in an outpatient or home-based setting. Drawing on interviews with 25 T. b. rhodesiense HAT patients managed under existing protocols in Uganda where trials of fexinidazole will begin shortly, this article explores patient expectations of the new protocol to help HAT programmes anticipate patient concerns. Alongside frightening symptoms of this life-threatening illness, the pain and anxiety associated with lumbar punctures and intravenous injections of melarsoprol contributed to a perception of HAT as a serious illness requiring expert medical care. While preferring a new protocol that would avoid these uncomfortable procedures, patients’ trust in the care they received meant that nearly half were hesitant towards shifting care out of the hospital setting. Clinical observation is an important aspect of existing HAT care for patients. Programmes may need to offer extensive counselling and monitoring support before patients are comfortable accepting care outside of hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shona J Lee
- Department of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1H 9SH, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-77060-46495
| | | | - Jennifer J Palmer
- Department of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1H 9SH, UK;
- Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh, 15a George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LD, UK
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