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Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Sifaoui I, Salazar-Villatoro L, Bethencourt-Estrella CJ, Fernández JJ, Díaz-Marrero AR, Sutak R, Omaña-Molina M, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Staurosporine as a Potential Treatment for Acanthamoeba Keratitis Using Mouse Cornea as an Ex Vivo Model. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:423. [PMID: 39330304 PMCID: PMC11433162 DOI: 10.3390/md22090423] [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: 08/22/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is a ubiquitous genus of amoebae that can trigger a severe and progressive ocular disease known as Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK). Furthermore, current treatment protocols are based on the combination of different compounds that are not fully effective. Therefore, an urgent need to find new compounds to treat Acanthamoeba infections is clear. In the present study, we evaluated staurosporine as a potential treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis using mouse cornea as an ex vivo model, and a comparative proteomic analysis was conducted to elucidate a mechanism of action. The obtained results indicate that staurosporine altered the conformation of actin and tubulin in treated trophozoites of A. castellanii. In addition, proteomic analysis of treated trophozoites revealed that this molecule induced overexpression and a downregulation of proteins related to key functions for Acanthamoeba infection pathways. Additionally, the ex vivo assay used validated this model for the study of the pathogenesis and therapies of AK. Finally, staurosporine eliminated the entire amoebic population and prevented the adhesion and infection of amoebae to the epithelium of treated mouse corneas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén L. Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (C.J.B.-E.); (J.E.P.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (C.J.B.-E.); (J.E.P.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lizbeth Salazar-Villatoro
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 07360, Mexico;
| | - Carlos J. Bethencourt-Estrella
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (C.J.B.-E.); (J.E.P.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - José J. Fernández
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (J.J.F.); (A.R.D.-M.)
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ana R. Díaz-Marrero
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (J.J.F.); (A.R.D.-M.)
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Robert Sutak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 252 50 Vestec, Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Maritza Omaña-Molina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Medicina, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (C.J.B.-E.); (J.E.P.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (C.J.B.-E.); (J.E.P.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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Borges SDL, de Macedo EDS, da Silva FAV, Ataíde BJDA, Mendes NDSF, Passos ADCF, de Moraes SAS, Herculano AM, Oliveira KRHM, Bahia CP, Dolabella SS, Batista EDJO. Experimental Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis Caused by Acanthamoeba castellanii. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:145. [PMID: 39058187 PMCID: PMC11281140 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9070145] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba genus can affect humans with diseases such as granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), a highly lethal neuroinfection. Several aspects of the disease still need to be elucidated. Animal models of GAE have advanced our knowledge of the disease. This work tested Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) as an animal model of GAE. For this, 32 animals were infected with 1 × 106A. castellanii trophozoites of the T4 genotype. Ameba recovery tests were carried out using agar plates, vascular extravasation assays, behavioral tests, and histopathological technique with H/E staining. Data were subjected to linear regression analysis, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's test, performed in the GraphPad Prism® 8.0 program, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results revealed the efficiency of the model. Amebae were recovered from the liver, lungs, and brain of infected animals, and there were significant encephalic vascular extravasations and behavioral changes in these animals, but not in the control animals. However, not all infected animals showed positive histopathology for the analyzed organs. Nervous tissues were the least affected, demonstrating the role of the BBB in the defense of the CNS. Supported by the demonstrated evidence, we confirm the difficulties and the feasibilities of using rats as an animal model of GAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel da Luz Borges
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil; (E.d.S.d.M.); (F.A.V.d.S.); (E.d.J.O.B.)
- Laboratório de Biologia, Campus Castanhal, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Castanhal 68740-970, Brazil
| | - Eberson da Silva de Macedo
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil; (E.d.S.d.M.); (F.A.V.d.S.); (E.d.J.O.B.)
| | - Felipe Alexandre Vinagre da Silva
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil; (E.d.S.d.M.); (F.A.V.d.S.); (E.d.J.O.B.)
| | - Brenda Jaqueline de Azevedo Ataíde
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia Experimental, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (B.J.d.A.A.); (N.d.S.F.M.); (A.d.C.F.P.); (S.A.S.d.M.); (A.M.H.); (K.R.H.M.O.)
| | - Nívia de Souza Franco Mendes
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia Experimental, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (B.J.d.A.A.); (N.d.S.F.M.); (A.d.C.F.P.); (S.A.S.d.M.); (A.M.H.); (K.R.H.M.O.)
| | - Adelaide da Conceição Fonseca Passos
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia Experimental, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (B.J.d.A.A.); (N.d.S.F.M.); (A.d.C.F.P.); (S.A.S.d.M.); (A.M.H.); (K.R.H.M.O.)
| | - Suellen Alessandra Soares de Moraes
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia Experimental, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (B.J.d.A.A.); (N.d.S.F.M.); (A.d.C.F.P.); (S.A.S.d.M.); (A.M.H.); (K.R.H.M.O.)
| | - Anderson Manoel Herculano
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia Experimental, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (B.J.d.A.A.); (N.d.S.F.M.); (A.d.C.F.P.); (S.A.S.d.M.); (A.M.H.); (K.R.H.M.O.)
| | - Karen Renata Herculano Matos Oliveira
- Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia Experimental, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (B.J.d.A.A.); (N.d.S.F.M.); (A.d.C.F.P.); (S.A.S.d.M.); (A.M.H.); (K.R.H.M.O.)
| | - Carlomagno Pacheco Bahia
- Laboratório de Neuroplasticidade, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil;
| | - Silvio Santana Dolabella
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Parasitologia Tropical, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracajú 49060-108, Brazil;
| | - Evander de Jesus Oliveira Batista
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil; (E.d.S.d.M.); (F.A.V.d.S.); (E.d.J.O.B.)
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Ilyas M, Stapleton F, Willcox MDP, Henriquez F, Peguda HK, Rayamajhee B, Zahid T, Petsoglou C, Carnt NA. Epidemiology of and Genetic Factors Associated with Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Pathogens 2024; 13:142. [PMID: 38392880 PMCID: PMC10892102 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020142] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe, rare protozoal infection of the cornea. Acanthamoeba can survive in diverse habitats and at extreme temperatures. AK is mostly seen in contact lens wearers whose lenses have become contaminated or who have a history of water exposure, and in those without contact lens wear who have experienced recent eye trauma involving contaminated soil or water. Infection usually results in severe eye pain, photophobia, inflammation, and corneal epithelial defects. The pathophysiology of this infection is multifactorial, including the production of cytotoxic proteases by Acanthamoeba that degrades the corneal epithelial basement membrane and induces the death of ocular surface cells, resulting in degradation of the collagen-rich corneal stroma. AK can be prevented by avoiding risk factors, which includes avoiding water contact, such as swimming or showering in contact lenses, and wearing protective goggles when working on the land. AK is mostly treated with an antimicrobial therapy of biguanides alone or in combination with diaminidines, although the commercial availability of these medicines is variable. Other than anti-amoeba therapies, targeting host immune pathways in Acanthamoeba disease may lead to the development of vaccines or antibody therapeutics which could transform the management of AK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ilyas
- Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department, Punjab 54000, Pakistan; (M.I.)
| | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia (H.K.P.)
| | - Mark D. P. Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia (H.K.P.)
| | - Fiona Henriquez
- School of Health and Life Sciences, The University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow G72 0LH, UK
| | - Hari Kumar Peguda
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia (H.K.P.)
| | - Binod Rayamajhee
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia (H.K.P.)
| | - Tasbiha Zahid
- Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department, Punjab 54000, Pakistan; (M.I.)
| | | | - Nicole A. Carnt
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia (H.K.P.)
- Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
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Sharma C, Khurana S, Bhatia A, Arora A, Gupta A. The gene expression and proteomic profiling of Acanthamoeba isolates. Exp Parasitol 2023; 255:108630. [PMID: 37820893 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108630] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The free-living protozoan Acanthamoeba can cause severe keratitis known as Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). The pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba includes intricate interactions between the organism and the host's immune system. The downstream analysis of a well-annotated genome assembly along with proteomic analysis can unravel several biological processes and aid in the identification of potential genes involved in pathogenicity. METHODS Based on the next-generation sequencing data analysis, genes including lysophospholipase, phospholipase, S8/S53 peptidase, carboxylesterase, and mannose-binding protein were selected as probable pathogenic targets that were validated by conventional PCR in a total of 30 Acanthamoeba isolates. This was followed by real-time PCR for the evaluation of relative gene expression in the keratitis and amoebic encephalitis animal model induced using keratitis (CHA5), encephalitis (CHA24) and non-pathogenic environmental isolate (CHA36). In addition, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed for keratitis, encephalitis, and non-pathogenic environmental isolate before and after treatment with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). RESULTS The conventional PCR demonstrated the successful amplification of lysophospholipase, phospholipase, S8/S53 peptidase, carboxylesterase, and mannose-binding protein genes in clinical and environmental isolates. The expression analysis revealed phospholipase, lysophospholipase, and mannose-binding genes to be significantly upregulated in the keratitis isolate (CHA 5) during AK in the animal model. In the case of the amoebic encephalitis model, phospholipase, lysophospholipase, S8/S53 peptidase, and carboxylesterase were significantly upregulated in the encephalitis isolate compared to the keratitis isolate. The proteomic data revealed differential protein expression in pathogenic versus non-pathogenic isolates in the pre and post-treatment with PHMB. CONCLUSION The gene expression data suggests that lysophospholipase, phospholipase, S8/S53 peptidase, carboxylesterase, and mannose-binding protein (MBP) could play a role in the contact-dependent and independent mechanisms of Acanthamoeba pathogenesis. In addition, the proteomic profiling of the 3 isolates revealed differential protein expression crucial for parasite growth, survival, and virulence. Our results provide baseline data for selecting possible pathogenic targets that could be utilized for designing knockout experiments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayan Sharma
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Sumeeta Khurana
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Amit Arora
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Amit Gupta
- Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
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Kot K, Kupnicka P, Tarnowski M, Tomasiak P, Kosik-Bogacka D, Łanocha-Arendarczyk N. The role of apoptosis and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of Acanthamoeba spp. infection in the kidneys of hosts with different immunological status. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:445. [PMID: 38041167 PMCID: PMC10693070 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06052-0] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acanthamoeba spp. are opportunistic pathogens that cause inflammation, mostly in the brain, lungs and cornea. Recent reports indicate kidney dysfunction in hosts with systemic acanthamoebiasis. The aim of the study was to analyze the gene expression and protein concentration of NADPH oxidase 2 and 4 (NOX2 and NOX4, respectively) and nuclear erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) in the kidneys of hosts with systemic acanthamoebiasis. We also aimed to determine the protein and gene expressions of Bcl2, Bax, caspases 3 and 9. METHODS Mice were divided into four groups based on their immunological status and Acanthamoeba sp. infection: A, immunocompetent Acanthamoeba sp.-infected mice; AS, immunosuppressed Acanthamoeba sp.- infected mice; C, immunocompetent uninfected mice; CS, immunosuppressed uninfected mice. NOX2, NOX4 and Nrf2 were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and ELISA methods, while pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bcl-2, respectively), Cas9, Cas3 were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot methods. RESULTS: Increased gene expression and/or protein concentration of NOX2 and NOX4 were found in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice infected with Acanthamoeba sp. (groups A and AS, respectively). Gene expression and/or protein concentration of Nrf2 were higher in group A than in control animals. Compared to control mice, in the AS group the expression of the Nrf2 gene was upregulated while the concentration of Nrf2 protein was decreased. Additionally in A group, higher gene and protein expression of Bcl-2, and lower gene as well as protein expression of Bax, caspases 3 and 9 were noted. In contrast, the AS group showed lower gene and protein expression of Bcl-2, and higher gene as well as protein expression of Bax, caspases 3 and 9. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to address the mechanisms occurring in the kidneys of hosts infected with Acanthamoeba sp. The contact of Acanthamoeba sp. with the host cell surface and/or the oxidative burst caused by elevated levels of NOXs lead to an antioxidant response enhanced by the Nrf2 pathway. Acanthamoeba sp. have various strategies concerning apoptosis. In immunocompetent hosts, amoebae inhibit the apoptosis of kidney cells, and in immunosuppressed hosts, they lead to increased apoptosis by the intrinsic pathway and thus to a more severe course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Kupnicka
- Department of Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Maciej Tarnowski
- Department of Physiology in Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Patrycja Tomasiak
- Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Danuta Kosik-Bogacka
- Independent Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Botany, Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
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Sierra-López F, Castelan-Ramírez I, Hernández-Martínez D, Salazar-Villatoro L, Segura-Cobos D, Flores-Maldonado C, Hernández-Ramírez VI, Villamar-Duque TE, Méndez-Cruz AR, Talamás-Rohana P, Omaña-Molina M. Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Acanthamoeba culbertsoni Have COX and Proteolytic Activity and Induce Hemolysis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2762. [PMID: 38004773 PMCID: PMC10673465 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112762] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Several species of Acanthamoeba genus are potential pathogens and etiological agents of several diseases. The pathogenic mechanisms carried out by these amoebae in different target tissues have been documented, evidencing the relevant role of contact-dependent mechanisms. With the purpose of describing the pathogenic processes carried out by these protozoans more precisely, we considered it important to determine the emission of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as part of the contact-independent pathogenicity mechanisms of A. culbertsoni, a highly pathogenic strain. Through transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), EVs were characterized. EVs showed lipid membrane and a size between 60 and 855 nm. The secretion of large vesicles was corroborated by confocal and TEM microscopy. The SDS-PAGE of EVs showed proteins of 45 to 200 kDa. Antigenic recognition was determined by Western Blot, and the internalization of EVs by trophozoites was observed through Dil-labeled EVs. In addition, some EVs biological characteristics were determined, such as proteolytic, hemolytic and COX activity. Furthermore, we highlighted the presence of leishmanolysin in trophozites and EVs. These results suggest that EVs are part of a contact-independent mechanism, which, together with contact-dependent ones, allow for a better understanding of the pathogenicity carried out by Acanthamoeba culbertsoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Sierra-López
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico (I.C.-R.); (D.H.-M.); (D.S.-C.); (A.R.M.-C.)
| | - Ismael Castelan-Ramírez
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico (I.C.-R.); (D.H.-M.); (D.S.-C.); (A.R.M.-C.)
| | - Dolores Hernández-Martínez
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico (I.C.-R.); (D.H.-M.); (D.S.-C.); (A.R.M.-C.)
| | - Lizbeth Salazar-Villatoro
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (L.S.-V.); (V.I.H.-R.); (P.T.-R.)
| | - David Segura-Cobos
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico (I.C.-R.); (D.H.-M.); (D.S.-C.); (A.R.M.-C.)
| | - Catalina Flores-Maldonado
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neurosciences, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Verónica Ivonne Hernández-Ramírez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (L.S.-V.); (V.I.H.-R.); (P.T.-R.)
| | - Tomás Ernesto Villamar-Duque
- General Biotery, Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico;
| | - Adolfo René Méndez-Cruz
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico (I.C.-R.); (D.H.-M.); (D.S.-C.); (A.R.M.-C.)
| | - Patricia Talamás-Rohana
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (L.S.-V.); (V.I.H.-R.); (P.T.-R.)
| | - Maritza Omaña-Molina
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies Iztacala, Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico (I.C.-R.); (D.H.-M.); (D.S.-C.); (A.R.M.-C.)
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Sharma C, Khurana S, Megha K, Thakur A, Bhatia A, Gupta A. Assessment of pathogenic potential of Acanthamoeba isolates by in vitro and in vivo tests. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2109-2118. [PMID: 37418019 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07910-7] [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: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba are free-living protozoa present ubiquitously in numerous environmental reservoirs that exist as an actively feeding trophozoite or a dormant cyst stage. The pathogenic Acanthamoeba are known to cause Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Despite their omnipresence, the number of infections is quite low. The reason behind this low frequency of Acanthamoeba infections could be the existence of many non-pathogenic strains or a successful host immune response to these infections. Studies in the past have proposed a few physiological parameters for the differentiation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. Additionally, in vivo experiments are known to play an essential role in understanding the virulence of parasites, immunological aspects, and disease pathogenesis. The thermotolerance (30 °C, 37 °C, and 40 °C) and osmotolerance (0.5 M, 1 M, and 1.5 M) tests were performed on 43 Acanthamoeba isolates from patients with keratitis (n = 22), encephalitis (n = 5), and water samples (n = 16). In addition, the genotype of 10 Acanthamoeba isolates (keratitis (n = 2), encephalitis (n = 2), water (n = 6)) was determined and were then evaluated for pathogenicity on mouse model by inducing Acanthamoeba keratitis and amoebic encephalitis. The results of the thermotolerance and osmotolerance assays categorized 29/43 (67.4%) isolates as pathogenic, 8 as low pathogenic (18.6%), and the remaining 6 (13.9%) as non-pathogenic. The 10 Acanthamoeba isolates were categorized as T11 (5 isolates), T5 (2 isolates), T4 (2 isolates), and T10 (1 isolate) genotypes. Out of 10 Acanthamoeba isolates, 9 were successful in establishing AK, amoebic encephalitis, or both in the mice model, and a single isolate was found non-pathogenic. Two isolates from water samples were non-pathogenic in the physiological tests but successfully established Acanthamoeba infection in the mice model. The results of the physiological assays and in vivo experiments were analogous for 7 isolates while 1 isolate from the water was low pathogenic in the physiological assays but failed to produce pathogenicity during in vivo experiments. The physiological parameters are not very dependable to test the pathogenic potential of Acanthamoeba isolates, and thus results must always be validated by in vivo experiments. There is no infallible approach for determining the potential pathogenicity of environmental isolates of Acanthamoeba because several parameters regulate the pathogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayan Sharma
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Sumeeta Khurana
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
| | - Kirti Megha
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Anchal Thakur
- Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Amit Gupta
- Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
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Wang Y, Jiang L, Zhao Y, Ju X, Wang L, Jin L, Fine RD, Li M. Biological characteristics and pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1147077. [PMID: 37089530 PMCID: PMC10113681 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1147077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoa, which exists widely in nature and is mainly distributed in soil and water. Acanthamoeba usually exists in two forms, trophozoites and cysts. The trophozoite stage is one of growth and reproduction while the cyst stage is characterized by cellular quiescence, commonly resulting in human infection, and the lack of effective monotherapy after initial infection leads to chronic disease. Acanthamoeba can infect several human body tissues such as the skin, cornea, conjunctiva, respiratory tract, and reproductive tract, especially when the tissue barriers are damaged. Furthermore, serious infections can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, skin, and lung infections. With an increasing number of Acanthamoeba infections in recent years, the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba is becoming more relevant to mainstream clinical care. This review article will describe the etiological characteristics of Acanthamoeba infection in detail from the aspects of biological characteristic, classification, disease, and pathogenic mechanism in order to provide scientific basis for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Acanthamoeba infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehua Wang
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, China
| | - Linzhe Jiang
- General Surgery, Jilin People’s Hospital, Jilin City, China
| | - Yitong Zhao
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, China
| | - Xiaohong Ju
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Jilin City, China
| | - Liang Jin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Jilin City, China
| | - Ryan D. Fine
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Mingguang Li
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin City, China
- *Correspondence: Mingguang Li,
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An Insight into the Genome of Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Acanthamoeba. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121558. [PMID: 36558892 PMCID: PMC9783929 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acanthamoeba are amphizoic amoeba majorly responsible for causing Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Despite its ubiquitous nature, the frequency of infections is not high, probably due to the existence of non-pathogenic isolates. The whole-genome sequencing and an annotated genome assembly can unravel the biological functions and help in identifying probable genes related to pathogenicity. METHODS Illumina and Nanopore sequencing were performed for keratitis, encephalitis, and non-pathogenic environmental isolates. Hybrid assembly was prepared for the AK and GAE isolates, while only the Illumina reads were utilized for a non-pathogenic environmental isolate. Protein coding genes were identified using the GeneMark-ES program and BLASTx module of Diamond used for gene prediction. Additionally, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotation and cluster of orthologous group's annotation using RPS-blast against the CDD database was performed. The subsequent data analysis and validation will help identify probable pathogenic genes. RESULTS The genome assemblies of 9.67, 8.34, and 8.89 GBs were reported for GAE, AK, and non-pathogenic isolate, respectively. KEGG reported 22,946 in GAE, 24,231 in keratitis, and 9367 genes in the environmental isolate. The COG annotation revealed 3232 in GAE, 3403 in keratitis, and 1314 genes in the non-pathogenic isolate. CONCLUSION The present study has attempted to generate de novo hybrid genome assemblies of Acanthamoeba that would help decode the genome of free-living amoeba and will provide genomic data for a better understanding of virulence-related factors.
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Ahmed U, Ho KY, Simon SE, Saad SM, Ong SK, Anwar A, Tan KO, Sridewi N, Khan KM, Khan NA, Anwar A. Potential anti-acanthamoebic effects through inhibition of CYP51 by novel quinazolinones. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106440. [PMID: 35378058 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. are free living amoebae which can give rise to Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. The surface of Acanthamoeba contains ergosterol which is an important target for drug development against eukaryotic microorganisms. A library of ten functionally diverse quinazolinone derivatives (Q1-Q10) were synthesised to assess their activity against Acanthamoeba castellanii T4. The in-vitro effectiveness of these quinazolinones were investigated against Acanthamoeba castellanii by amoebicidal, excystation, host cell cytopathogenicity, and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase assays. Furthermore, wound healing capability was assessed at different time durations. Maximum inhibition at 50 μg/mL was recorded for compounds Q5, Q6 and Q8, while the compound Q3 did not exhibit amoebicidal effects at tested concentrations. Moreover, LDH assay was conducted to assess the cytotoxicity of quinazolinones against HaCaT cell line. The results of wound healing assay revealed that all compounds are not cytotoxic and are likely to promote wound healing at 10 μg/mL. The excystation assays revealed that these compounds significantly inhibit the morphological transformation of A. castellanii. Compound Q3, Q7 and Q8 elevated the level of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase up to five folds. Sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) a reference enzyme in ergosterol pathway was used as a potential target for anti-amoebic drugs. In this study using i-Tasser, the protein structure of Acanthamoeba castellanii (AcCYP51) was developed in comparison with Naegleria fowleri protein (NfCYP51) structure. The sequence alignment of both proteins has shown 42.72% identity. Compounds Q1-Q10 were then molecularly docked with the predicted AcCYP51. Out of ten quinazolinones, three compounds (Q3, Q7 and Q8) showed good binding activity within 3 Å of TYR 114. The in-silico study confirmed that these compounds are the inhibitor of CYP51 target site. This report presents several potential lead compounds belonging to quinazolinone derivatives for drug discovery against Acanthamoeba infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Keat-Yie Ho
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Samson Eugin Simon
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Seng-Kai Ong
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Areeba Anwar
- Faculty of Defence Science and Technology, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kuan Onn Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nanthini Sridewi
- Faculty of Defence Science and Technology, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Khalid Mohammed Khan
- H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, University City, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Talamás-Lara D, Lagunes-Guillen A, Chávez-Munguía B, Salazar-Villatoro L, Acosta-Virgen K, Omaña-Molina M, Espinosa-Cantellano M, Martínez-Palomo A. Acanthamoeba castellanii: Effect of neuroactive substances on trophozoite migration. Exp Parasitol 2022; 236-237:108245. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Kot K, Kosik-Bogacka D, Łanocha-Arendarczyk, Ptak M, Roszkowska P, Kram A. Histological Changes in the Kidneys and Heart in Experimental Acanthamoebiasis in Immunocompetent and Immunosuppressed Hosts. Folia Biol (Praha) 2021. [DOI: 10.3409/fb_69-4.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The course of Acanthamoeba spp. infection depends on the age and immune status of the host, and the virulence of the Acanthamoeba spp. strain. Some strains of free-living amoebae exhibit organ specificity, during the course of infection, while others may cause changes
in many organs or completely lose pathogenicity. The aim of the current study was to investigate the pathological properties of Acanthamoeba spp. isolated from a patient with acute myeloid leukemia and atypical pneumonia (AM22). Moreover, the objective was to investigate the histopathological
changes in the kidneys and heart of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice infected with Acanthamoeba spp. Amoebae were re-isolated from both the kidneys and hearts of the inoculated mice, although no cysts or trophozoites of the amoebae were detected in microscopic slides of the
fragments of these organs. Acanthamoeba spp. induced changes in the kidney and heart weight of infected mice. In immunocompetent and immunosuppressed Acanthamoeba spp. infected mice, we found some histopathological changes, including areas with less acidic cytoplasm and a relaxation
of muscle fibers. In further studies, it is important to analyze changes in gene and protein expressions in the heart and kidneys of hosts with disseminated acanthamoebiasis to better understand the course of infection in these organs, because the results of histological analysis varied depending
on the immune status and duration of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland
| | - Danuta Kosik-Bogacka
- , Independent Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Botany, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Łanocha-Arendarczyk
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland
| | - Michał Ptak
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology, and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland
| | - Paulina Roszkowska
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-204, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Kram
- Department of Pathomorphology, West Pomeranian Oncology Center, Szczecin, Poland
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13
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Sarink MJ, van der Meijs NL, Denzer K, Koenderman L, Tielens AGM, van Hellemond JJ. Three encephalitis-causing amoebae and their distinct interactions with the host. Trends Parasitol 2021; 38:230-245. [PMID: 34758928 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba spp. can cause devastating brain infections in humans which almost always result in death. The symptoms of the three infections overlap, but brain inflammation and the course of the disease differ, depending on the amoeba that is responsible. Understanding the differences between these amoebae can result in the development of strategies to prevent and treat these infections. Recently, numerous scientific advancements have been made in the understanding of pathogenicity mechanisms in general, and the basic biology, epidemiology, and the human immune response towards these amoebae in particular. In this review, we combine this knowledge and aim to identify which factors can explain the differences between the lethal brain infections caused by N. fowleri, B. mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J Sarink
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia L van der Meijs
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kristin Denzer
- Center for Translational Immunology (CTI), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leo Koenderman
- Center for Translational Immunology (CTI), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aloysius G M Tielens
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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14
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Acanthamoeba keratitis in a mouse model using a novel approach. Indian J Med Microbiol 2021; 39:523-527. [PMID: 33508396 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2021.01.005] [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: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Acanthamoeba is increasingly implicated in causing keratitis in patients wearing contact lens or ocular trauma and has a poor prognosis. Establishment of an animal model is critical to study the disease pathology, pathogenesis and to evaluate anti-amoebic drugs. Some studies have used contact lenses to establish Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in a mouse model, which is expensive and not very successful as lenses get dislodged. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of using parafilm (Bemis Company Inc., USA) as an alternative to contact lens for the establishment of AK in the mouse model. METHODS Thirty-six Balb/c mice in three groups of six mice each for two strains of Acanthamoeba were used to induce AK. Three experimental approaches used were; i) Acanthamoeba impregnated contact lens, ii) Acanthamoeba impregnated parafilm and iii) scratching followed by inoculation of Acanthamoeba suspension. In all three models, tarsorrhaphy was performed. Infection was evaluated by clinical examination and also through microscopic examination of corneal scrapings and corneal sections. RESULTS AK model was successfully established with parafilm whereas only one mouse developed AK with the use of contact lens and none with scratching and Acanthamoeba inoculation. CONCLUSION The use of parafilm is convenient, reliable and cheaper and can be considered an alternative to contact lenses to induce AK in a mouse model.
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Dean K, Tamrakar S, Huang Y, Rose JB, Mitchell J. Modeling the Dose Response Relationship of Waterborne Acanthamoeba. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2021; 41:79-91. [PMID: 33047815 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study developed dose response models for determining the probability of eye or central nervous system infections from previously conducted studies using different strains of Acanthamoeba spp. The data were a result of animal experiments using mice and rats exposed corneally and intranasally to the pathogens. The corneal inoculations of Acanthamoeba isolate Ac 118 included varied amounts of Corynebacterium xerosis and were best fit by the exponential model. Virulence increased with higher levels of C. xerosis. The Acanthamoeba culbertsoni intranasal study with death as an endpoint of response was best fit by the beta-Poisson model. The HN-3 strain of A. castellanii was studied with an intranasal exposure and three different endpoints of response. For all three studies, the exponential model was the best fit. A model based on pooling data sets of the intranasal exposure and death endpoint resulted in an LD50 of 19,357 amebae. The dose response models developed in this study are an important step towards characterizing the risk associated with free-living amoeba like Acanthamoeba in drinking water distribution systems. Understanding the human health risk posed by free-living amoeba will allow for quantitative microbial risk assessments that support building design decisions to minimize opportunities for pathogen growth and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara Dean
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Sushil Tamrakar
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Freelancer
| | - Yin Huang
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Current address: Office of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Joan B Rose
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jade Mitchell
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Sharma C, Thakur A, Bhatia A, Gupta A, Khurana S. WITHDRAWN: Acanthamoeba keratitis in a mouse model using a novel approach. Indian J Med Microbiol 2020:S0255-0857(20)30027-X. [PMID: 33468333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayan Sharma
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anchal Thakur
- Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine & Biotechnology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Amit Gupta
- Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sumeeta Khurana
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
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Morphological Description of the Early Events during the Invasion of Acanthamoeba castellanii Trophozoites in a Murine Model of Skin Irradiated under UV-B Light. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9100794. [PMID: 32992452 PMCID: PMC7600863 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9100794] [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: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin infections have been associated with Acanthamoeba, nevertheless the events during skin invasion and UV-B light effects on it are unknown. The early morphological events of Acanthamoeba castellanii skin invasion are shown in SKH-1 mice that were chronically UV-B light irradiated. Mice that developed skin lesions (group 1) were topical and intradermally inoculated with A. castellanii trophozoites and sacrificed 48 h or 18 days later. Mice that showed no skin lesions (group 2) were intradermally inoculated and sacrificed 24, 48 or 72 h later. Mice ventral areas were considered controls with and without trophozoites intradermally inoculated. Skin samples were processed by histological and immunohistochemistry techniques. In group 1, trophozoites were immunolocalized in dermal areas, hair cysts, sebaceous glands, and blood vessels, and collagen degradation was observed. One of these mice shown trophozoites in the spleen, liver, and brain. In group 2, few trophozoites nearby collagenolytic activity zones were observed. In control samples, nor histological damage and no trophozoites were observed. Adherence and collagenolytic activity by A. castellanii were corroborated in vitro. We can infer that UV-B light irradiated skin could favor A. castellanii invasiveness causing damage in sites as far away as the brain, confirming the invasive capacity and pathogenic potential of these amphizoic amoebae.
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Schwann Cell Autophagy and Necrosis as Mechanisms of Cell Death by Acanthamoeba. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060458. [PMID: 32526974 PMCID: PMC7350333 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are etiological agents of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Recently, through an in vivo GAE model, Acanthamoeba trophozoites were immunolocalized in contact with the peripheral nervous system (PNS) cells—Schwann cells (SC). In this study, we analyzed in greater detail the in vitro early morphological events (1, 2, 3, and 4 h) during the interaction of A. culbertsoni trophozoites (ATCC 30171) with SC from Rattus norvegicus (ATCC CRL-2941). Samples were processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as confocal microscopy. After 1 h of interaction, amoebae were observed to be adhered to the SC cultures, emitting sucker-like structures associated with micro-phagocytic channels. In addition, evidence of necrosis was identified since edematous organelles as well as multivesicular and multilamellar bodies characteristics of autophagy were detected. At 2 h, trophozoites migrated beneath the SC culture in which necrosis and autophagy persisted. By 3 and 4 h, extensive lytic zones were observed. SC necrosis was confirmed by confocal microscopy. We reported for the first time the induction of autophagic and necrotic processes in PNS cells, associated in part with the contact-dependent pathogenic mechanisms of A. culbertsoni trophozoites.
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Kot K, Kosik-Bogacka D, Kupnicka P, Łanocha-Arendarczyk N. Antioxidant defense in the eyes of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice infected with Acanthamoeba spp. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:123. [PMID: 32143731 PMCID: PMC7060556 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3979-5] [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: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acanthamoeba spp. are ubiquitous pathogens which cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and disseminated infection. Moreover, Acanthamoeba spp. infection of the cornea leads to Acanthamoeba keratitis. Our previous study showed that the infection of an eyeball may also take place via the migration of trophozoites through the optic nerve from the brain to the eyes. The aim of the study was to analyze the activity of enzymatic antioxidants and the concentration of non-enzymatic antioxidant in the eyes of immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice with disseminated acanthamoebiasis. Results In the immunocompetent mice infected with Acanthamoeba spp. we noted a significant decrease in catalase activity at 8 and 16 days post-infection (dpi). Glutathione reductase activity was significantly lower at 16 dpi compared to the control group and glutathione concentration was statistically higher at 24 dpi than in the control group. In the immunosuppressed mice, a statistically significant increase in glutathione concentration in the eye samples was found at 16 dpi compared to those not infected with Acanthamoeba spp. In the immunosuppressed mice infected with Acanthamoeba spp., glutathione peroxidase activity was statistically lower at 8 dpi, and glutathione concentration was statistically significantly higher at 16 dpi compared to the control group. Conclusions The inflammatory response in the eyes of hosts with experimental acanthamoebiasis led to changes in the activity of enzymatic antioxidants and the content of non-enzymatic antioxidant. Therefore, the dysregulation of antioxidants may play a role in the pathomechanism of Acanthamoeba eye infection.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Danuta Kosik-Bogacka
- Independent of Pharmaceutical Botany, Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Kupnicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Natalia Łanocha-Arendarczyk
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
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Acanthamoeba mauritaniensis genotype T4D: An environmental isolate displays pathogenic behavior. Parasitol Int 2019; 74:102002. [PMID: 31669294 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.102002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. are free-living amoebae with a worldwide distribution. These amoebae can cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and amoebic keratitis in humans. Proteases are considered virulence factors in pathogenic Acanthamoeba. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of Acanthamoeba mauritaniensis, a nonpathogenic amoeba. We analyzed the cytopathic effect of A. mauritaniensis on RCE1(5 T5) and MDCK cells and compared it to that of Acanthamoeba castellanii. A partial biochemical characterization of proteases was performed in total crude extracts (TCE) and conditioned medium (CM). Finally, we evaluated the effect of proteases on tight junction (TJ) proteins and the transepithelial electrical resistance of MDCK cells. The results showed that this amoeba can induce substantial damage to RCE1(5T5) and MDCK cells. Moreover, the zymograms and Azocoll assays of amoebic TCE and CM revealed different protease activities, with serine proteases being the most active. Furthermore, A. mauritaniensis induced the alteration and degradation of MDCK cell TJ proteins with serine proteases. After genotyping this amoeba, we determined that it is an isolate of Acanthamoeba genotype T4D. From these data, we suggest that A. mauritaniensis genotype T4D behaves similarly to the A. castellanii strain.
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Acanthamoeba (T4) trophozoites cross the MDCK epithelium without cell damage but increase paracellular permeability and transepithelial resistance by modifying tight junction composition. Exp Parasitol 2017; 183:69-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Omaña-Molina M, Sanchez-Rocha R, Hernandez-Martinez D, Romero Grijalva M, Salinas-Lara C, Rodriguez-Sosa M, Juarez-Avelar I, Salazar-Villatoro L, Gonzalez-Robles A, Mendez-Cruz AR, Aley-Medina P, Espinosa-Villanueva J, Castelan-Ramirez I, Lorenzo-Morales J. Type 2 diabetes mellitus BALB/c mice are more susceptible to granulomatous amoebic encephalitis: Immunohistochemical study. Exp Parasitol 2017; 183:150-159. [PMID: 28917708 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) is a chronic, difficult to resolve infection caused by amphizoic amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba, which in most cases occurs in immunosuppressed persons or with chronic diseases such as diabetes. In this study, we describe the early events of A. culbertsoni infection of GAE in diabetic mice model. Diabetes was induced in male BALB/c mice, with a dose of streptozotocin (130 mg/kg). Healthy and diabetic mice were inoculated via intranasal with 1 × 106 trophozoites of A. culbertsoni. Then were sacrificed and fixed by perfusion at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-inoculation, the brains and nasopharyngeal meatus were processed to immunohistochemical analysis. Invasion of trophozoites in diabetic mice was significantly greater with respect to inoculated healthy mice. Trophozoites and scarce cysts were immunolocalized in respiratory epithelial adjacent bone tissue, olfactory nerve packets, Schwann cells and the epineurium base since early 24 h post-inoculation. After 48 h, trophozoites were observed in the respiratory epithelium, white matter of the brain, subcortical central cortex and nasopharyngeal associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). At 72 h, cysts and trophozoites were immunolocalized in the olfactory bulb with the presence of a low inflammatory infiltrate characterized by polymorphonuclear cells. Scarce amoebae were observed in the granular layer of the cerebellum without evidence of inflammation or tissue damage. No amoebas were observed at 96 h after inoculation, suggesting penetration to other tissues at this time. In line with this, no inflammatory infiltrate was observed in the surrounding tissues where the amoebae were immunolocalized, which could contribute to the rapid spread of infection, particularly in diabetic mice. All data suggest that trophozoites invade the tissues by separating the superficial cells, penetrating between the junctions without causing cytolytic effect in the adjacent cells and subsequently reaching the CNS, importantly, diabetes increases the susceptibility to amoebae infection, which could favor the GAE development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Omaña-Molina
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies, Medicine, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico.
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Rocha
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies, Medicine, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Dolores Hernandez-Martinez
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies, Medicine, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Miriam Romero Grijalva
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies, Medicine, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Citlaltepetl Salinas-Lara
- Laboratory of Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Superior Studies, Medicine, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Miriam Rodriguez-Sosa
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity, UBIMED, Faculty of Superior Studies, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Imelda Juarez-Avelar
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity, UBIMED, Faculty of Superior Studies, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Lizbeth Salazar-Villatoro
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Arturo Gonzalez-Robles
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Rene Mendez-Cruz
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies, Medicine, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Patricia Aley-Medina
- Neuromorphology Laboratory, Faculty of Superior Studies, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Jesus Espinosa-Villanueva
- Neuromorphology Laboratory, Faculty of Superior Studies, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Ismael Castelan-Ramirez
- Laboratory of Amphizoic Amoebae, Faculty of Superior Studies, Medicine, UNAM, Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
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