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Itani S, Hamie M, El Jammal R, Abdine W, Doumit M, Charafeddine A, El-Sabban M, Patinote C, Masquefa C, Bonnet PA, Obeid M, El Hajj H. Imiquimod Reverses Chronic Toxoplasmosis-Associated Behavioral and Neurocognitive Anomalies in a Rat Model. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1295. [PMID: 38927503 PMCID: PMC11202296 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061295] [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: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a highly prevalent parasitosis. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) transits in the brain from acute (AT) to chronic toxoplasmosis (CT), under host immune control. In immunocompromised patients, reactivation of CT is potentially life-threatening. Behavioral and neurological complications have been associated with CT. Furthermore, an effective treatment targeting CT is still lacking. We previously reported the efficacy of imiquimod against CT. Here, we demonstrate the molecular effects of imiquimod or imiquimod followed by the clinically used combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine (SDZ + PYR) on CT-associated behavior in a rat model. Imiquimod decreased the number of cysts in the brains of chronically infected rats due to an induced reactivation of bradyzoites into tachyzoites. Importantly, this decrease was more pronounced in rats treated with imiquimod followed by SDZ + PYR. Rats chronically infected with T. gondii exhibited an anxiety-like behavior. Notably, treatment with imiquimod reversed this behavior aberrancy, with even a more pronounced effect with imiquimod followed by SDZ/PYR. Similarly, rats chronically infected with T. gondii exhibited learning deficits, and imiquimod alone or followed by SDZ/PYR reversed this behavior. Our results enhance our knowledge of the implications of CT on behavioral aberrancies and highlight the potency of imiquimod followed by SDZ + PYR on these CT-associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa Itani
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Reem El Jammal
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Wassim Abdine
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Mark Doumit
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Adib Charafeddine
- College of Pharmacy, American University of Iraq-Baghdad, Baghdad 10071, Iraq;
| | - Marwan El-Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Cindy Patinote
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Carine Masquefa
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Pierre-Antoine Bonnet
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Makram Obeid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
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Wang S, Wang D, Bai Y, Zheng G, Han Y, Wang L, Hu J, Zhu H, Bai Y. Expression of Toll-like receptors and host defence peptides in the cecum of chicken challenged with Eimeria tenella. Parasite Immunol 2024; 46:e13022. [PMID: 38384176 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13022] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Chicken coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria protozoa, affects poultry farming. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and host defence peptides (HDPs) help host innate immune responses to eliminate invading pathogens, but their roles in Eimeria tenella infection remain poorly understood. Herein, 14-day-old chickens were treated orally with 50,000 E. tenella oocysts and the cecum was dissected at different timepoints. mRNA expression of 10 chicken TLRs (chTLRs) and five HDPs was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. chTLR7 and chTLR15 were upregulated significantly at 3 h post-infection while other chTLRs were downregulated (p < .05). chTLR1a, chTLR1b, chTLR2b and chTLR4 peaked at 36 h post-infection, chTLR3, chTLR5 and chTLR15 peaked at 72 h post-infection and chTLR21 expression was highest among chTLRs, peaking at 48 h post-infection (p < 0.05). For HDPs, cathelicidin (CATH) 1 to 3 and B1 peaked at 48 h post-infection, liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 peaked at 96 h post-infection, and CATH 2 expression was highest among HDPs. CATH2 and CATH3 were markedly upregulated at 3 h post-infection (p < .05). The results provide insight into innate immune molecules during E. tenella infection in chicken, and indicate that innate immune responses may mediate resistance to chicken coccidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Postdoctoral Research Base, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Danni Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yilin Bai
- School of Agricultural Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guijie Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanhui Han
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jianhe Hu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huili Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yueyu Bai
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Animal Pathogens and Biosafety, Zhengzhou, China
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Choopani S, Kiani B, Aliakbari S, Babaie J, Golkar M, Pourbadie HG, Sayyah M. Latent toxoplasmosis impairs learning and memory yet strengthens short-term and long-term hippocampal synaptic plasticity at perforant pathway-dentate gyrus, and Schaffer collatterals-CA1 synapses. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8959. [PMID: 37268701 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35971-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigating long-term potentiation (LTP) in disease models provides essential mechanistic insight into synaptic dysfunction and relevant behavioral changes in many neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases. Toxoplasma (T) gondii is an intracellular parasite causing bizarre changes in host's mind including losing inherent fear of life-threatening situations. We examined hippocampal-dependent behavior as well as in vivo short- and long-term synaptic plasticity (STP and LTP) in rats with latent toxoplasmosis. Rats were infected by T. gondii cysts. Existence of REP-529 genomic sequence of the parasite in the brain was detected by RT-qPCR. Four and eight weeks after infection, spatial, and inhibitory memories of rats were assessed by Morris water maze and shuttle box tests, respectively. Eight weeks after infection, STP was assessed in dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 by double pulse stimulation of perforant pathway and Shaffer collaterals, respectively. High frequency stimulation (HFS) was applied to induce LTP in entorhinal cortex-DG (400 Hz), and CA3-CA1 (200 Hz) synapses. T. gondii infection retarded spatial learning and memory performance at eight weeks post-infection period, whereas inhibitory memory was not changed. Unlike uninfected rats that normally showed paired-pulse depression, the infected rats developed paired-pulse facilitation, indicating an inhibitory synaptic network disruption. T. gondii-infected rats displayed strengthened LTP of both CA1-pyramidal and DG-granule cell population spikes. These data indicate that T. gondii disrupts inhibition/excitation balance and causes bizarre changes to the post-synaptic neuronal excitability, which may ultimately contribute to the abnormal behavior of the infected host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Choopani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahereh Kiani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Shayan Aliakbari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Babaie
- Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Golkar
- Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Sayyah
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Baquedano LE, Bernal EG, Carrion DJ, Delgado AD, Gavidia CM, Kirwan DE, Gilman RH, Verastegui MR. Impaired spatial working memory and reduced hippocampal neuronal density in a rat model of neurocysticercosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1183322. [PMID: 37323586 PMCID: PMC10267319 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1183322] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic disease affecting the nervous system and is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide, as well as cognitive impairment, especially affecting memory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NCC on spatial working memory and its correlation with hippocampal neuronal density, in a rat model of NCC. This experimental study was conducted on female (n = 60) and male (n = 73) Holtzman rats. NCC was induced by intracranial inoculation of T. solium oncospheres in 14 day-old-rats. Spatial working memory was assessed using the T-maze test at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-inoculation, and sensorimotor evaluation was performed at 12 months post-inoculation. Hippocampal neuronal density was evaluated by immunostaining of NeuN-positive cells of the CA1 region. Of the rats inoculated with T. solium oncospheres, 87.2% (82/94) developed NCC. The study showed a significant decline in spatial working memory over a 1-year follow-up period in rats experimentally infected with NCC. Males showed an early decline that started at 3 months, while females demonstrated it at 9 months. Additionally, a decrease in neuronal density was observed in the hippocampus of NCC-infected rats, with a more significant reduction in rats with cysts in the hippocampus than in rats with cysts in other brain areas and control rats. This rat model of NCC provides valuable support for the relationship between neurocysticercosis and spatial working memory deficits. Further investigations are required to determine the mechanisms involved in cognitive impairment and establish the basis for future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Baquedano
- Parasitological Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
- The Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru, Lima, Peru
| | - Edson G. Bernal
- The Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru, Lima, Peru
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Daniel J. Carrion
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy and Human Sciences, Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya, Lima, Peru
| | - Ana D. Delgado
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Cesar M. Gavidia
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
- The Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru, Lima, Peru
| | - Daniela E. Kirwan
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert H. Gilman
- The Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru, Lima, Peru
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MA, United States
| | - Manuela R. Verastegui
- The Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru, Lima, Peru
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Asociación Benéfica PRISMA, Lima, Peru
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Hassan Abood A, Khteer Al-Hadraawy S, Abdulhur Alibraheemi N, Zabibah RS, Khalfa HM. Histological Changes and Ghrelin, P-Selectin, and Leptin Parameter in Patients with Hepatic Hydatidosis in Iraq. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2022; 77:585-590. [PMID: 36284960 PMCID: PMC9548257 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2021.356856.1927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Humans and animals are affected by hydatid cyst disease as a worldwide zoonotic disease, which is caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus spp. This study was performed to evaluate the histological change of liver and blood concentrations of biomarkers, such as ghrelin, p-selectin, and leptin, in humans infected with hydatid cyst. A total of 30 surgical specimens of liver and blood of infected humans and 30 healthy individuals as a control group were evaluated. Liver tissue sections in cases infected with hydatid cyst and control group, histological abnormalities in the liver, including fibrosis, increased inflammatory cells, dystrophic areas, and necrosis were compared in this study. In addition, serum leptin levels were significantly lower in patients with hydatid cyst disease QUOTE <0.05) than in the control group (P-value<0.05), whereas p-selectin and ghrelin levels significantly decreased in patients (P-value<0.05). The results of this research can be effective in improving and promoting the treatment programs of hydatidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - R S Zabibah
- Department of Radiology Techniques, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - H M Khalfa
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq
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Dowran B, Khanaliha K, Mohammadzadeh T. Toxoplasmosis and Anxiety: A Review Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTERIC PATHOGENS 2021. [DOI: 10.34172/ijep.2021.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasmosis, a significant zoonotic parasitic disease with serious health problems, is caused by apicomplexan protozoa, Toxoplasma gondii. Evidence has shown that Toxoplasma can also lead to psychological diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study was to collect information on the relationship between anxiety and toxoplasmosis. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, Noormags, and Magiran databases were searched for studies published from 2010 to October 2020. Studies that assessed the relationship between toxoplasmosis/toxoplasma and anxiety were included in the analysis. Synthesis of the results was the primary strategy for data analysis. Results: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles were selected. They had been conducted in Iran, the USA, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Finland, Mexico, Austria, and Denmark. In general, the results of 8 out of 11 investigated human studies indicated that T. gondii infection was associated with anxiety. Moreover, five of them were non-human studies, and most of them showed that T. gondii caused anxiety-related symptoms. Conclusion: The results of most studies showed that toxoplasmosis could be associated with anxiety. However, more studies are needed to look closely at how anxiety relates to this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Dowran
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Khanaliha
- Research Center of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Mohammadzadeh
- Health Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Cheng JH, Xu X, Li YB, Zhao XD, Aosai F, Shi SY, Jin CH, Piao JS, Ma J, Piao HN, Jin XJ, Piao LX. Arctigenin ameliorates depression-like behaviors in Toxoplasma gondii-infected intermediate hosts via the TLR4/NF-κB and TNFR1/NF-κB signaling pathways. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 82:106302. [PMID: 32086097 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a known neurotropic protozoan that remains in the central nervous system and induces neuropsychiatric diseases in intermediate hosts. Arctigenin (AG) is one of the major bioactive lignans of the fruit Arctium lappa L. and has a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-T. gondii effects. However, the effect of AG against depressive behaviors observed in T. gondii-infected hosts has not yet been clarified. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of AG against T. gondii-induced depressive behaviors in intermediate hosts using a microglia cell line (BV2 cells) and brain tissues of BALB/c mice during the acute phase of infection with the RH strain of T. gondii. AG attenuated microglial activation and neuroinflammation via the Toll-like receptor/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1/NF-κB signaling pathways, followed by up-regulating the dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels and inhibiting the depression-like behaviors of hosts. AG also significantly decreased the T. gondii burden in mouse brain tissues. In conclusion, we elucidated the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of AG against depressive behaviors induced by T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Ying-Biao Li
- Department of Neurology, Affliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, Jilin, China
| | - Xu-Dong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Fumie Aosai
- Department of Infection and Host Defense, Graduate School of Medicine, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Su-Yun Shi
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Cheng-Hua Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Jing-Shu Piao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Juan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Hu-Nan Piao
- Department of Neurology, Affliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, Jilin, China.
| | - Xue-Jun Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China.
| | - Lian-Xun Piao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8315-5918
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Bay-Richter C, Petersen E, Liebenberg N, Elfving B, Wegener G. Latent toxoplasmosis aggravates anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour and suggest a role of gene-environment interactions in the behavioural response to the parasite. Behav Brain Res 2019; 364:133-139. [PMID: 30768994 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (TOX) is an intracellular parasite which infects warm-blooded animals including humans. An increasing number of clinical studies now hypothesize that latent toxoplasmosis may be a risk factor for the development of psychiatric disease. For depression, the results have been varied and we speculate that genetic background is important for the response to latent toxoplasmosis. The main objective of this study was to elucidate gene - environment interactions in the behavioural response to TOX infection by use of genetically vulnerable animals (Flinders sensitive line, FSL) compared to control animals (Flinders resistant line, FRL). Our results show that all infected animals displayed increased anxiety-like behaviour whereas only genetically vulnerable animals (FSL rats) showed depressive-like behaviour as a consequence of the TOX infection. Furthermore, peripheral cytokine expression was increased following the infection, primarily independent of strain. In the given study 14 cytokines, chemokines, metabolic hormones, and growth factors were quantified with the bead-based Luminex200 system, however, only IL-1α expression was affected differently in FSL animals compared to FRL rats. These results suggest that latent TOX infection can induce anxiety-like behaviour independent of genetic background. Intriguingly, we also report that for depressive-like behaviour only the vulnerable rat strain is affected. This could explain the discrepancy in the literature as to whether TOX infection is a risk factor for depressive symptomatology. We propose that the low grade inflammation caused by the chronic infection is related to the development of behavioural symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie Bay-Richter
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8240 Risskov, Denmark.
| | - Eskild Petersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Royal Hospital, 111 Muscat, Oman; Institute for Clinical Medicine, 8000 Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Nico Liebenberg
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8240 Risskov, Denmark
| | - Betina Elfving
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8240 Risskov, Denmark
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8240 Risskov, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST Centre, Aarhus University, Risskov, Denmark
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Lach G, Schellekens H, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. Anxiety, Depression, and the Microbiome: A Role for Gut Peptides. Neurotherapeutics 2018; 15:36-59. [PMID: 29134359 PMCID: PMC5794698 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 307] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain is finely orchestrated by different systems, including the endocrine, immune, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems. Moreover, increasing evidence supports the role of the microbiome and microbiota-derived molecules in regulating such interactions; however, the mechanisms underpinning such effects are only beginning to be resolved. Microbiota-gut peptide interactions are poised to be of great significance in the regulation of gut-brain signaling. Given the emerging role of the gut-brain axis in a variety of brain disorders, such as anxiety and depression, it is important to understand the contribution of bidirectional interactions between peptide hormones released from the gut and intestinal bacteria in the context of this axis. Indeed, the gastrointestinal tract is the largest endocrine organ in mammals, secreting dozens of different signaling molecules, including peptides. Gut peptides in the systemic circulation can bind cognate receptors on immune cells and vagus nerve terminals thereby enabling indirect gut-brain communication. Gut peptide concentrations are not only modulated by enteric microbiota signals, but also vary according to the composition of the intestinal microbiota. In this review, we will discuss the gut microbiota as a regulator of anxiety and depression, and explore the role of gut-derived peptides as signaling molecules in microbiome-gut-brain communication. Here, we summarize the potential interactions of the microbiota with gut hormones and endocrine peptides, including neuropeptide Y, peptide YY, pancreatic polypeptide, cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide, corticotropin-releasing factor, oxytocin, and ghrelin in microbiome-to-brain signaling. Together, gut peptides are important regulators of microbiota-gut-brain signaling in health and stress-related psychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilliard Lach
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Harriet Schellekens
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Food for Health Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
- Food for Health Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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