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Nayeri T, Sarvi S, Daryani A. Effective factors in the pathogenesis of Toxoplasmagondii. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31558. [PMID: 38818168 PMCID: PMC11137575 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite in humans and animals. It infects about 30 % of the human population worldwide and causes potentially fatal diseases in immunocompromised hosts and neonates. For this study, five English-language databases (ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) and the internet search engine Google Scholar were searched. This review was accomplished to draw a global perspective of what is known about the pathogenesis of T. gondii and various factors affecting it. Virulence and immune responses can influence the mechanisms of parasite pathogenesis and these factors are in turn influenced by other factors. In addition to the host's genetic background, the type of Toxoplasma strain, the routes of transmission of infection, the number of passages, and different phases of parasite life affect virulence. The identification of virulence factors of the parasite could provide promising insights into the pathogenesis of this parasite. The results of this study can be an incentive to conduct more intensive research to design and develop new anti-Toxoplasma agents (drugs and vaccines) to treat or prevent this infection. In addition, further studies are needed to better understand the key agents in the pathogenesis of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooran Nayeri
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Hajj RE, Tawk L, Itani S, Hamie M, Ezzeddine J, El Sabban M, El Hajj H. Toxoplasmosis: Current and Emerging Parasite Druggable Targets. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122531. [PMID: 34946133 PMCID: PMC8707595 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a prevalent disease affecting a wide range of hosts including approximately one-third of the human population. It is caused by the sporozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which instigates a range of symptoms, manifesting as acute and chronic forms and varying from ocular to deleterious congenital or neuro-toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis may cause serious health problems in fetuses, newborns, and immunocompromised patients. Recently, associations between toxoplasmosis and various neuropathies and different types of cancer were documented. In the veterinary sector, toxoplasmosis results in recurring abortions, leading to significant economic losses. Treatment of toxoplasmosis remains intricate and encompasses general antiparasitic and antibacterial drugs. The efficacy of these drugs is hindered by intolerance, side effects, and emergence of parasite resistance. Furthermore, all currently used drugs in the clinic target acute toxoplasmosis, with no or little effect on the chronic form. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive overview on the currently used and emergent drugs and their respective parasitic targets to combat toxoplasmosis. We will also abridge the repurposing of certain drugs, their targets, and highlight future druggable targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy against toxoplasmosis, hence lessening its burden and potentially alleviating the complications of its associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana El Hajj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, P.O. Box 11-5020, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon;
| | - Lina Tawk
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut 1100 2807, Lebanon; (L.T.); (J.E.)
| | - Shaymaa Itani
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.)
| | - Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.)
| | - Jana Ezzeddine
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut 1100 2807, Lebanon; (L.T.); (J.E.)
| | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +961–1-350000 (ext. 4897)
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Nasiru Wana M, Mohd Moklas MA, Watanabe M, Nordin N, Zasmy Unyah N, Alhassan Abdullahi S, Ahmad Issa Alapid A, Mustapha T, Basir R, Abd. Majid R. A Review on the Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Humans and Animals Reported in Malaysia from 2008-2018. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E4809. [PMID: 32635389 PMCID: PMC7369958 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Human toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in Malaysia has increased since it was first reported in 1973 as shown in previous reviews of 1991 and 2007. However, over a decade since the last review, comprehensive data on toxoplasmosis in Malaysia is lacking. This work aimed at reviewing articles on toxoplasmosis research in Malaysia in order to identify the research gaps, create public awareness, and efforts made so far and proffer management options on the disease. The present review examines the available published research articles from 2008 to 2018 related to toxoplasmosis research conducted in Malaysia. The articles reviewed were retrieved from nine credible databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Wiley online library, Ovid, and Cochrane using the keywords; Malaysia, toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasma encephalitis, seroprevalence, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, pregnant women, genotype strain, anti-toxoplasma antibodies, felines, and vaccine. The data highlighted seropositive cases from healthy community members in Pangkor Island (59.7%) and among migrant workers (57.4%) at alarming rates, as well as 42.5% in pregnant women. Data on animal seroprevalence were limited and there was no information on cats as the definitive host. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from HIV patients; pregnant women, and domestic cats is lacking. This present review on toxoplasmosis is beneficial to researchers, health workers, animal health professionals, and policymakers. Therefore, attention is required to educate and enlighten health workers and the general public about the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Nasiru Wana
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.); (T.M.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, 740272 Bauchi, Nigeria
| | - Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Malaika Watanabe
- Department of Companion Animal Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Norshariza Nordin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Ngah Zasmy Unyah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.); (T.M.)
| | - Sharif Alhassan Abdullahi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.); (T.M.)
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayero University Kano, 700241 Kano, Nigeria
| | - Ashraf Ahmad Issa Alapid
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.); (T.M.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science-Alasaba, University of Gharyan, 010101 Gharyan, Libya
| | - Tijjani Mustapha
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.N.W.); (N.Z.U.); (S.A.A.); (A.A.I.A.); (T.M.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Yobe State University Damaturu, 620101 Damaturu, Nigeria
| | - Rusliza Basir
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Roslaini Abd. Majid
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kem Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Selangor, Malaysia
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Zininga T, Shonhai A. Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting the Heat Shock Protein System of Human Obligate Protozoan Parasites. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5930. [PMID: 31775392 PMCID: PMC6929125 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obligate protozoan parasites of the kinetoplastids and apicomplexa infect human cells to complete their life cycles. Some of the members of these groups of parasites develop in at least two systems, the human host and the insect vector. Survival under the varied physiological conditions associated with the human host and in the arthropod vectors requires the parasites to modulate their metabolic complement in order to meet the prevailing conditions. One of the key features of these parasites essential for their survival and host infectivity is timely expression of various proteins. Even more importantly is the need to keep their proteome functional by maintaining its functional capabilities in the wake of physiological changes and host immune responses. For this reason, molecular chaperones (also called heat shock proteins)-whose role is to facilitate proteostasis-play an important role in the survival of these parasites. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and Hsp70 are prominent molecular chaperones that are generally induced in response to physiological stress. Both Hsp90 and Hsp70 members are functionally regulated by nucleotides. In addition, Hsp70 and Hsp90 cooperate to facilitate folding of some key proteins implicated in cellular development. In addition, Hsp90 and Hsp70 individually interact with other accessory proteins (co-chaperones) that regulate their functions. The dependency of these proteins on nucleotide for their chaperone function presents an Achille's heel, as inhibitors that mimic ATP are amongst potential therapeutic agents targeting their function in obligate intracellular human parasites. Most of the promising small molecule inhibitors of parasitic heat shock proteins are either antibiotics or anticancer agents, whose repurposing against parasitic infections holds prospects. Both cancer cells and obligate human parasites depend upon a robust protein quality control system to ensure their survival, and hence, both employ a competent heat shock machinery to this end. Furthermore, some inhibitors that target chaperone and co-chaperone networks also offer promising prospects as antiparasitic agents. The current review highlights the progress made so far in design and application of small molecule inhibitors against obligate intracellular human parasites of the kinetoplastida and apicomplexan kingdoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Addmore Shonhai
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa;
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Tu V, Yakubu R, Weiss LM. Observations on bradyzoite biology. Microbes Infect 2018; 20:466-476. [PMID: 29287987 PMCID: PMC6019562 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tachyzoites of the Apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii cause acute infection, disseminate widely in their host, and eventually differentiate into a latent encysted form called bradyzoites that are found within tissue cysts. During latent infection, whenever transformation to tachyzoites occurs, any tachyzoites that develop are removed by the immune system. In contrast, cysts containing bradyzoites are sequestered from the immune system. In the absence of an effective immune response released organisms that differentiate into tachyzoites cause acute infection. Tissue cysts, therefore, serve as a reservoir for the reactivation of toxoplasmosis when the host becomes immunocompromised by conditions such as HIV infection, organ transplantation, or due to the impaired immune response that occurs when pathogens are acquired in utero. While tachyzoites and bradyzoites are well defined morphologically, there is no clear consensus on how interconversion occurs or what exact signal(s) mediate this transformation. Advances in research methods have facilitated studies on T. gondii bradyzoites providing important new insights into the biology of latent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Tu
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Rama Yakubu
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Louis M Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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Olotu F, Adeniji E, Agoni C, Bjij I, Khan S, Elrashedy A, Soliman M. An update on the discovery and development of selective heat shock protein inhibitors as anti-cancer therapy. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:903-918. [PMID: 30207185 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1516035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the years, not a single HSP inhibitor has progressed into the post-market phase of drug development despite the success recorded in various pre-clinical and clinical studies. The inability of existing drugs to specifically target oncogenic HSPs has majorly accounted for these setbacks. Recent combinatorial strategies that incorporated computer-aided drug design (CADD) techniques are geared towards the development of highly specific HSP inhibitors with increased activities and minimal toxicities. Areas covered: In this review, strategic therapeutic approaches that have recently aided the development of selective HSP inhibitors were highlighted. Also, the significant contributions of CADD techniques over the years were discussed in detail. This article further describes promising computational paradigms and their applications towards the discovery of highly specific inhibitors of oncogenic HSPs. Expert opinion: The recent shift towards highly selective and specific HSP inhibition has shown great promise as evidenced by the development of paralog/isoform-selective HSP drugs. It could be further augmented with computer-aided drug design strategies, which incorporate reliable methods that would greatly enhance the design and optimization of novel inhibitors with improved activities and minimal toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fisayo Olotu
- a Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Emmanuel Adeniji
- a Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Clement Agoni
- a Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Imane Bjij
- a Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Shama Khan
- a Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | | | - Mahmoud Soliman
- a Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences , University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
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Homology Modeling of 5-alpha-Reductase 2 Using Available Experimental Data. Interdiscip Sci 2018; 11:475-484. [PMID: 29383563 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-017-0280-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
5-Alpha-reductase 2 is an interesting pharmaceutical target for the treatment of several diseases, including prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, male pattern baldness, acne, and hirsutism. One of the main approaches in computer aided drug design is structure-based drug discovery. However, the experimental 3D structure of 5-alpha-reductase 2 is not available at present. Therefore, a homology modeling method and molecular dynamics simulation were used to develop a reliable model of 5-alpha-reductase 2 for inhibitor pose prediction and virtual screening. Despite the low sequence identity between the target and template sequences, a useful 3D model of 5-alpha-reductase 2 was generated by the inclusion of experimental data.
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