1
|
Roussaki M, Magoulas GE, Fotopoulou T, Santarem N, Barrias E, Pöhner I, Luelmo S, Afroudakis P, Georgikopoulou K, Nevado PT, Eick J, Bifeld E, Corral MJ, Jiménez-Antón MD, Ellinger B, Kuzikov M, Fragiadaki I, Scoulica E, Gul S, Clos J, Prousis KC, Torrado JJ, Alunda JM, Wade RC, de Souza W, Cordeiro da Silva A, Calogeropoulou T. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of antiparasitic dinitroaniline-ether phospholipid hybrids. Bioorg Chem 2023; 138:106615. [PMID: 37244229 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106615] [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: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A series of nine novel ether phospholipid-dinitroaniline hybrids were synthesized in an effort to deliver more potent antiparasitic agents with improved safety profile compared to miltefosine. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiparasitic activity against L. infantum, L.donovani, L. amazonensis, L. major and L. tropica promastigotes, L. infantum and L. donovani intracellular amastigotes, Trypanosoma brucei brucei and against different developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. The nature of the oligomethylene spacer between the dinitroaniline moiety and the phosphate group, the length of the side chain substituent on the dinitroaniline and the choline or homocholine head group were found to affect both the activity and toxicity of the hybrids. The early ADMET profile of the derivatives did not reveal major liabilities. Hybrid 3, bearing an 11-carbon oligomethylene spacer, a butyl side chain and a choline head group, was the most potent analogue of the series. It exhibited a broad spectrum antiparasitic profile against the promastigotes of New and Old World Leishmania spp., against intracellular amastigotes of two L. infantum strains and L. donovani, against T. brucei and against T. cruzi Y strain epimastigotes, intracellular amastigotes and trypomastigotes. The early toxicity studies revealed that hybrid 3 showed a safe toxicological profile while its cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) against THP-1 macrophages being >100 μM. Computational analysis of binding sites and docking indicated that the interaction of hybrid 3 with trypanosomatid α-tubulin may contribute to its mechanism of action. Furthermore, compound 3 was found to interfere with the cell cycle in T. cruzi epimastigotes, while ultrastructural studies using SEM and TEM in T. cruzi showed that compound 3 affects cellular processes that result in changes in the Golgi complex, the mitochondria and the parasite's plasma membrane. The snapshot pharmacokinetic studies showed low levels of 3 after 24 h following oral administration of 100 mg/Kg, while, its homocholine congener compound 9 presented a better pharmacokinetic profile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Roussaki
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - George E Magoulas
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Theano Fotopoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Nuno Santarem
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Parasite Disease Group, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Emile Barrias
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Ina Pöhner
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Sara Luelmo
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Pantelis Afroudakis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Kalliopi Georgikopoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Paloma Tejera Nevado
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leishmania Genetics Group, Bernhard Nocht St 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Julia Eick
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leishmania Genetics Group, Bernhard Nocht St 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Eugenia Bifeld
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leishmania Genetics Group, Bernhard Nocht St 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - María J Corral
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - María Dolores Jiménez-Antón
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Irini Fragiadaki
- University of Crete, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Voutes University Campus, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Effie Scoulica
- University of Crete, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Voutes University Campus, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leishmania Genetics Group, Bernhard Nocht St 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Kyriakos C Prousis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| | - Juan J Torrado
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28240 Madrid, Spain.
| | - José María Alunda
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rebecca C Wade
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), D-69118 Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, and Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Anabela Cordeiro da Silva
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Parasite Disease Group, Porto, Portugal; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Departmento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rivero CV, Martínez SJ, Novick P, Cueto JA, Salassa BN, Vanrell MC, Li X, Labriola CA, Polo LM, Engman DM, Clos J, Romano PS. Repurposing Carvedilol as a Novel Inhibitor of the Trypanosoma cruzi Autophagy Flux That Affects Parasite Replication and Survival. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:657257. [PMID: 34476220 PMCID: PMC8406938 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.657257] [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: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T. cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, is a parasite able to infect different types of host cells and to persist chronically in the tissues of human and animal hosts. These qualities and the lack of an effective treatment for the chronic stage of the disease have contributed to the durability and the spread of the disease around the world. There is an urgent necessity to find new therapies for Chagas disease. Drug repurposing is a promising and cost-saving strategy for finding new drugs for different illnesses. In this work we describe the effect of carvedilol on T. cruzi. This compound, selected by virtual screening, increased the accumulation of immature autophagosomes characterized by lower acidity and hydrolytic properties. As a consequence of this action, the survival of trypomastigotes and the replication of epimastigotes and amastigotes were impaired, resulting in a significant reduction of infection and parasite load. Furthermore, carvedilol reduced the whole-body parasite burden peak in infected mice. In summary, in this work we present a repurposed drug with a significant in vitro and in vivo activity against T. cruzi. These data in addition to other pharmacological properties make carvedilol an attractive lead for Chagas disease treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Vanesa Rivero
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Leishmaniasis Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Santiago José Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Paul Novick
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Juan Agustín Cueto
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Betiana Nebaí Salassa
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Cristina Vanrell
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Xiaomo Li
- Leishmaniasis Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carlos Alberto Labriola
- Laboratorio de Biología estructural y celular, Fundación Instituto Leloir (FIL-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis Mariano Polo
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - David M Engman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Joachim Clos
- Leishmaniasis Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patricia Silvia Romano
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora - Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Magoulas GE, Afroudakis P, Georgikopoulou K, Roussaki M, Borsari C, Fotopoulou T, Santarem N, Barrias E, Tejera Nevado P, Hachenberg J, Bifeld E, Ellinger B, Kuzikov M, Fragiadaki I, Scoulica E, Clos J, Gul S, Costi MP, de Souza W, Prousis KC, Cordeiro da Silva A, Calogeropoulou T. Design, Synthesis and Antiparasitic Evaluation of Click Phospholipids. Molecules 2021; 26:4204. [PMID: 34299479 PMCID: PMC8305768 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A library of seventeen novel ether phospholipid analogues, containing 5-membered heterocyclic rings (1,2,3-triazolyl, isoxazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl and 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl) in the lipid portion were designed and synthesized aiming to identify optimised miltefosine analogues. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antiparasitic activity against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani intracellular amastigotes, against Trypanosoma brucei brucei and against different developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. The nature of the substituents of the heterocyclic ring (tail) and the oligomethylene spacer between the head group and the heterocyclic ring was found to affect the activity and toxicity of these compounds leading to a significantly improved understanding of their structure-activity relationships. The early ADMET profile of the new derivatives did not reveal major liabilities for the potent compounds. The 1,2,3-triazole derivative 27 substituted by a decyl tail, an undecyl spacer and a choline head group exhibited broad spectrum antiparasitic activity. It possessed low micromolar activity against the intracellular amastigotes of two L. infantum strains and T. cruzi Y strain epimastigotes, intracellular amastigotes and trypomastigotes, while its cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) against THP-1 macrophages ranged between 50 and 100 μM. Altogether, our work paves the way for the development of improved ether phospholipid derivatives to control neglected tropical diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George E. Magoulas
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Pantelis Afroudakis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Kalliopi Georgikopoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Marina Roussaki
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Chiara Borsari
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4058 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Theano Fotopoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Nuno Santarem
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (A.C.d.S.)
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - Emile Barrias
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.); (W.d.S.)
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Paloma Tejera Nevado
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.T.N.); (J.H.); (E.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Julia Hachenberg
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.T.N.); (J.H.); (E.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Eugenia Bifeld
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.T.N.); (J.H.); (E.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany; (B.E.); (M.K.); (S.G.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany; (B.E.); (M.K.); (S.G.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irini Fragiadaki
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece; (I.F.); (E.S.)
| | - Effie Scoulica
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece; (I.F.); (E.S.)
| | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.T.N.); (J.H.); (E.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525 Hamburg, Germany; (B.E.); (M.K.); (S.G.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil; (E.B.); (W.d.S.)
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Kyriakos C. Prousis
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| | - Anabela Cordeiro da Silva
- i3S–Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (N.S.); (A.C.d.S.)
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
- Departmento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Chemical Biology, 11653 Athens, Greece; (G.E.M.); (P.A.); (K.G.); (M.R.); (T.F.); (K.C.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
High Content Analysis of Macrophage-Targeting EhPIb-Compounds against Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmania Species. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020422. [PMID: 33670713 PMCID: PMC7923059 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020422] [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: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
An immunostimulatory glycolipid molecule from the intestinal protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica (Eh) and its synthetic analogs derived from its phosphatidylinositol-b-anchor (EhPIb) previously showed considerable immunotherapeutic effects against Leishmania major infection in vitro and in vivo. Here, we describe a high content screening assay, based on primary murine macrophages. Parasites detection is based on a 90 kDA heat shock protein-specific staining, enabling the detection of several Leishmania species. We validated the assay using L. major, L. braziliensis, L. donovani, and L. infantum as well as investigated the anti-leishmanial activity of six immunostimulatory EhPIb-compounds (Eh-1 to Eh-6). Macrophages infected with dermotropic species were more sensitive towards treatment with the compounds as their viability showed a stronger reduction compared to macrophages infected with viscerotropic species. Most compounds caused a significant reduction of the infection rates and the parasite burdens depending on the infecting species. Only compound Eh-6 was found to have activity against all Leishmania species. Considering the challenges in anti-leishmanial drug discovery, we developed a multi-species screening assay capable of utilizing non-recombinant parasite strains, and demonstrated its usefulness by screening macrophage-targeting EhPIb-compounds showing their potential for the treatment of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.
Collapse
|
5
|
Application of CRISPR/Cas9-Based Reverse Genetics in Leishmania braziliensis: Conserved Roles for HSP100 and HSP23. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101159. [PMID: 33007987 PMCID: PMC7601497 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (L. braziliensis) is the main cause of human tegumentary leishmaniasis in the New World, a disease affecting the skin and/or mucosal tissues. Despite its importance, the study of the unique biology of L. braziliensis through reverse genetics analyses has so far lagged behind in comparison with Old World Leishmania spp. In this study, we successfully applied a cloning-free, PCR-based CRISPR–Cas9 technology in L. braziliensis that was previously developed for Old World Leishmania major and New World L. mexicana species. As proof of principle, we demonstrate the targeted replacement of a transgene (eGFP) and two L. braziliensis single-copy genes (HSP23 and HSP100). We obtained homozygous Cas9-free HSP23- and HSP100-null mutants in L. braziliensis that matched the phenotypes reported previously for the respective L. donovani null mutants. The function of HSP23 is indeed conserved throughout the Trypanosomatida as L. majorHSP23 null mutants could be complemented phenotypically with transgenes from a range of trypanosomatids. In summary, the feasibility of genetic manipulation of L. braziliensis by CRISPR–Cas9-mediated gene editing sets the stage for testing the role of specific genes in that parasite’s biology, including functional studies of virulence factors in relevant animal models to reveal novel therapeutic targets to combat American tegumentary leishmaniasis.
Collapse
|
6
|
Antileishmanial Effects of Synthetic EhPIb Analogs Derived from the Entamoeba histolytica Lipopeptidephosphoglycan. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00161-20. [PMID: 32393489 PMCID: PMC7318009 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00161-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With an estimated number of new cases annually of approximately 1.4 million, leishmaniasis belongs to the most important parasitic diseases in the world. Nevertheless, existing drugs against leishmaniasis in general have several drawbacks that urgently necessitate new drug development. A glycolipid molecule of the intestinal protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica and its synthetic analogs previously showed considerable immunotherapeutic effects against Leishmania major infection. With an estimated number of new cases annually of approximately 1.4 million, leishmaniasis belongs to the most important parasitic diseases in the world. Nevertheless, existing drugs against leishmaniasis in general have several drawbacks that urgently necessitate new drug development. A glycolipid molecule of the intestinal protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica and its synthetic analogs previously showed considerable immunotherapeutic effects against Leishmania major infection. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of new immunostimulatory compounds derived from the phosphatidylinositol b anchor of Entamoeba histolytica (EhPIb) subunit of the native compound and investigated their antileishmanial activity in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The new synthetic EhPIb analogs showed almost no toxicity in vitro. Treatment with the analogs significantly decreased the parasite load in murine and human macrophages in vitro. In addition, topical application of the EhPIb analog Eh-1 significantly reduced cutaneous lesions in the murine model, correlating with an increase in the production of selected Th1 cytokines. In addition, we could show in in vitro experiments that treatment with Eh-1 led to a decrease in mRNA expression of arginase-1 (Arg1) and interleukin 4 (IL-4), which are required by the parasites to circumvent their elimination by the immune response. The use of the host-targeting synthetic EhPIb compounds, either alone or in combination therapy with antiparasitic drugs, shows promise for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis and therefore might improve the current unsatisfactory status of chemotherapy against this infectious disease.
Collapse
|
7
|
Oerther S, Jöst H, Heitmann A, Lühken R, Krüger A, Steinhausen I, Brinker C, Lorentz S, Marx M, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Naucke T, Becker N. Phlebotomine sand flies in Southwest Germany: an update with records in new locations. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:173. [PMID: 32312300 PMCID: PMC7171781 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vector-borne diseases (VBD) are of growing global importance. Sand flies are potential vectors for phleboviruses (family Phenuiviridae) including Toscana virus (TOSV), Sicilian virus, Sandfly fever, Naples virus, and Leishmania parasites in Europe. To date, only two phlebotomine species have been recorded for Germany: Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus mascittii. This study updates the distribution and abundance of the two occurring species. Methods An entomological field study was carried out during 2015–2018 to assess the abundance of sand flies in Southwest Germany within the federal states Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW) and Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP). A total of 176 collection sites were examined using CDC light traps. Results A total of 149 individuals of P. mascittii were collected. During 2015–2018, P. mascittii was found at all sites known positive from previous studies and was detected at 15 additional sites previously unknown for the presence of sand flies. Although the environment has changed considerably in 30 years, no significant difference in sand fly dynamics and distribution was found. Phlebotomus perniciosus has only been trapped once since 2001. Conclusions This study showed that sand flies occur in different areas in Southern Germany where they had not been recorded previously. Therefore, it can be assumed that they are more widespread than expected. In addition, sand flies could be found over several years at the same trapping sites, indicating population stability. This supports the need for continued surveillance of possible vector populations and urgent clarification of the vector competence of P. mascittii.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Oerther
- Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Mosquito Control Association (KABS), Speyer, Germany.,Institute for Dipterology (IfD), Speyer, Germany
| | - Hanna Jöst
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Heitmann
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Krüger
- Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg-Branch Tropical Microbiology & Entomology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Michael Marx
- Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Naucke
- Parasitus Ex e.V., Niederkassel, Germany. .,Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, Bad Kissingen, Germany.
| | - Norbert Becker
- German Mosquito Control Association (KABS), Speyer, Germany.,Institute for Dipterology (IfD), Speyer, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Borsari C, Jiménez-Antón MD, Eick J, Bifeld E, Torrado JJ, Olías-Molero AI, Corral MJ, Santarem N, Baptista C, Severi L, Gul S, Wolf M, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, Reinshagen J, Witt G, Linciano P, Tait A, Costantino L, Luciani R, Tejera Nevado P, Zander-Dinse D, Franco CH, Ferrari S, Moraes CB, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Ponterini G, Clos J, Alunda JM, Costi MP. Discovery of a benzothiophene-flavonol halting miltefosine and antimonial drug resistance in Leishmania parasites through the application of medicinal chemistry, screening and genomics. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 183:111676. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
|
9
|
Hombach-Barrigah A, Bartsch K, Smirlis D, Rosenqvist H, MacDonald A, Dingli F, Loew D, Späth GF, Rachidi N, Wiese M, Clos J. Leishmania donovani 90 kD Heat Shock Protein - Impact of Phosphosites on Parasite Fitness, Infectivity and Casein Kinase Affinity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5074. [PMID: 30911045 PMCID: PMC6434042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41640-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites are thought to control protein activity at the post-translational level, e.g. by protein phosphorylation. In the pathogenic amastigote, the mammalian stage of Leishmania parasites, heat shock proteins show increased phosphorylation, indicating a role in stage-specific signal transduction. Here we investigate the impact of phosphosites in the L. donovani heat shock protein 90. Using a chemical knock-down/genetic complementation approach, we mutated 11 confirmed or presumed phosphorylation sites and assessed the impact on overall fitness, morphology and in vitro infectivity. Most phosphosite mutations affected the growth and morphology of promastigotes in vitro, but with one exception, none of the phosphorylation site mutants had a selective impact on the in vitro infection of macrophages. Surprisingly, aspartate replacements mimicking the negative charge of phosphorylated serines or threonines had mostly negative impacts on viability and infectivity. HSP90 is a substrate for casein kinase 1.2-catalysed phosphorylation in vitro. While several putative phosphosite mutations abrogated casein kinase 1.2 activity on HSP90, only Ser289 could be identified as casein kinase target by mass spectrometry. In summary, our data show HSP90 as a downstream client of phosphorylation-mediated signalling in an organism that depends on post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Despina Smirlis
- Institut Pasteur and Institut National de Santé et Recherche Médicale INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Heidi Rosenqvist
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS) University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Andrea MacDonald
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florent Dingli
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Protéomique, Centre de Recherche, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Damarys Loew
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Protéomique, Centre de Recherche, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Gerald F Späth
- Institut Pasteur and Institut National de Santé et Recherche Médicale INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
| | - Najma Rachidi
- Institut Pasteur and Institut National de Santé et Recherche Médicale INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
| | - Martin Wiese
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS) University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
While infecting humans and other mammals, Leishmania spp. are obligate intracellular parasites. Therefore, for the purpose of therapeutic intervention and the study of infectivity, the relevant form of Leishmania spp. is the intracellular amastigote. Therefore, monitoring intracellular parasite load is an essential requirement in many fields of Leishmania research. Real-time quantitative PCR is a highly accurate technique for the detection and quantification of parasite burden in in vitro or in vivo infection experiments. The quantification of DNA for standard curves shows linearity over a 5 to 6-log concentration range indicating the high sensitivity of the method. Moreover, qPCR allows for the simultaneous quantification of host and parasite DNA in the same reaction, thereby allowing for an assessment of relative parasite load for basic research, but also for low- to medium-throughput compound screening. The method also allows to analyze late stages of in vitro infections where host cells and parasites have detached from surfaces and escape microscopy-based assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Bifeld
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
- altona Diagnostics GmbH, Hamburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Genetic variant strains of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis exhibit distinct biological behaviors. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3157-3168. [PMID: 30022292 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A variety of clinical forms of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) caused by Leishmania braziliensis, as well as differing immune responses of patients, have been reported for an ACL focus in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In addition, two genetic profiles of L. braziliensis have been described, of which one variant profile (hsp70-variant) has been associated with atypical lesions. We investigated the biological behavior of genetic variant strains of L. braziliensis isolated from patients with different clinical manifestations of ACL. Experimental infections were performed with golden hamsters for five L. braziliensis strains in standardized doses of 1 × 106 parasites per inocula. The characteristics of skin lesions, histopathological features, and parasite burden were independently analyzed at 30 and 60 days post-infection. The data revealed distinct patterns in the onset time of visible skin lesions as well as in lesion size and parasite burden among the strains. The extent and density of the inflammatory infiltrate differed among strains, although cellular composition of granulomas appeared similar. Multivariate analysis indicated the occurrence of two clusters: one comprising native strains (cluster 1) and one comprising the reference strain (cluster 2). Within cluster 1, the genetic variants of L. braziliensis did not group with the non-variant strain suggesting that the distinct patterns of biological behavior of these strains could be associated with the known genetic diversity previously described for them.
Collapse
|
12
|
Bartsch K, Hombach-Barrigah A, Clos J. Hsp90 inhibitors radicicol and geldanamycin have opposing effects on Leishmania Aha1-dependent proliferation. Cell Stress Chaperones 2017; 22:729-742. [PMID: 28455612 PMCID: PMC5573691 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-017-0800-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hsp90 and its co-chaperones are essential for the medically important parasite Leishmania donovani, facilitating life cycle control and intracellular survival. Activity of Hsp90 is regulated by co-chaperones of the Aha1 and P23 families. In this paper, we studied the expression of L. donovani Aha1 in two life cycle stages, its interaction with Hsp90 and the phenotype of Aha1 null mutants during the insect stage and inside infected macrophages. This study provides a detailed in vitro analysis of the function of Aha1 in Leishmania parasites and the first instance of a reverse genetic analysis of Aha1 in a protozoan parasite. While Aha1 is non-essential under standard growth conditions and at elevated temperature, Aha1 protects against ethanol stress. However, both overexpression and lack of Aha1 affected parasite growth in the presence of the Hsp90 inhibitors radicicol (RAD) and geldanamycin (GA). Under RAD pressure, P23 and Aha1 act in an antagonistic way. By contrast, expression levels of both co-chaperones have similar effects under GA treatment, indicating different inhibition mechanisms by the two compounds. Aha1 is also secreted in virulence-enhancing exosomes. This may explain why the loss of Aha1 reduces the infectivity of L. donovani in ex vivo mouse macrophages, indicating a role during the intracellular mammalian stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Bartsch
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht St. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antje Hombach-Barrigah
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht St. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht St. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Synthetic analogs of an Entamoeba histolytica glycolipid designed to combat intracellular Leishmania infection. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9472. [PMID: 28842620 PMCID: PMC5572710 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09894-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens belonging to the genus Leishmania have developed effective strategies that enable them to survive within host immune cells. Immunostimulatory compounds that counteract such immunological escape mechanisms represent promising treatment options for diseases. Here, we demonstrate that a lipopeptidephosphoglycan (LPPG) isolated from the membrane of a protozoan parasite, Entamoeba histolytica (Eh), shows considerable immunostimulatory effects targeted against Leishmania (L.) major, a representative species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Treatment led to a marked reduction in the number of intracellular Leishmania parasites in vitro, and ameliorated CL in a mouse model. We next designed and synthesized analogs of the phosphatidylinositol anchors harbored by EhLPPG; two of these analogs reproduced the anti-leishmanial activity of the native compound by inducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The use of such compounds, either alone or as a supportive option, might improve the currently unsatisfactory treatment of CL and other diseases caused by pathogen-manipulated immune responses.
Collapse
|
14
|
Borsari C, Santarem N, Torrado J, Olías AI, Corral MJ, Baptista C, Gul S, Wolf M, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, Witt G, Gribbon P, Reinshagen J, Linciano P, Tait A, Costantino L, Freitas-Junior LH, Moraes CB, Bruno Dos Santos P, Alcântara LM, Franco CH, Bertolacini CD, Fontana V, Tejera Nevado P, Clos J, Alunda JM, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Ferrari S, Costi MP. Methoxylated 2'-hydroxychalcones as antiparasitic hit compounds. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 126:1129-1135. [PMID: 28064141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chalcones display a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Herein, a series of 2'-hydroxy methoxylated chalcones was synthesized and evaluated towards Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum. Among the synthesized library, compounds 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8 were the most potent and selective anti-T. brucei compounds (EC50 = 1.3-4.2 μM, selectivity index >10-fold). Compound 4 showed the best early-tox and antiparasitic profile. The pharmacokinetic studies of compound 4 in BALB/c mice using hydroxypropil-β-cyclodextrins formulation showed a 7.5 times increase in oral bioavailability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Borsari
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Nuno Santarem
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Juan Torrado
- Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Olías
- Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Corral
- Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Catarina Baptista
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wolf
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gesa Witt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Jeanette Reinshagen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology Screening Port, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pasquale Linciano
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tait
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Costantino
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Carolina B Moraes
- Brazilian Centre for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Vanessa Fontana
- Brazilian Centre for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Joachim Clos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - José María Alunda
- Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal and Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
A Telomeric Cluster of Antimony Resistance Genes on Chromosome 34 of Leishmania infantum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:5262-75. [PMID: 27324767 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00544-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the drug resistance of Leishmania spp. are manifold and not completely identified. Apart from the highly conserved multidrug resistance gene family known from higher eukaryotes, Leishmania spp. also possess genus-specific resistance marker genes. One of them, ARM58, was first identified in Leishmania braziliensis using a functional cloning approach, and its domain structure was characterized in L. infantum Here we report that L. infantum ARM58 is part of a gene cluster at the telomeric end of chromosome 34 also comprising the neighboring genes ARM56 and HSP23. We show that overexpression of all three genes can confer antimony resistance to intracellular amastigotes. Upon overexpression in L. donovani, ARM58 and ARM56 are secreted via exosomes, suggesting a scavenger/secretion mechanism of action. Using a combination of functional cloning and next-generation sequencing, we found that the gene cluster was selected only under antimonyl tartrate challenge and weakly under Cu(2+) challenge but not under sodium arsenite, Cd(2+), or miltefosine challenge. The selective advantage is less pronounced in intracellular amastigotes treated with the sodium stibogluconate, possibly due to the known macrophage-stimulatory activity of this drug, against which these resistance markers may not be active. Our data point to the specificity of these three genes for antimony resistance.
Collapse
|