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Schaub GA. Interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi, Triatomines and the Microbiota of the Vectors-A Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:855. [PMID: 38792688 PMCID: PMC11123833 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050855] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, its vectors, triatomines, and the diverse intestinal microbiota of triatomines, which includes mutualistic symbionts, and highlights open questions. T. cruzi strains show great biological heterogeneity in their development and their interactions. Triatomines differ from other important vectors of diseases in their ontogeny and the enzymes used to digest blood. Many different bacteria colonize the intestinal tract of triatomines, but only Actinomycetales have been identified as mutualistic symbionts. Effects of the vector on T. cruzi are indicated by differences in the ability of T. cruzi to establish in the triatomines and in colonization peculiarities, i.e., proliferation mainly in the posterior midgut and rectum and preferential transformation into infectious metacyclic trypomastigotes in the rectum. In addition, certain forms of T. cruzi develop after feeding and during starvation of triatomines. Negative effects of T. cruzi on the triatomine vectors appear to be particularly evident when the triatomines are stressed and depend on the T. cruzi strain. Effects on the intestinal immunity of the triatomines are induced by ingested blood-stage trypomastigotes of T. cruzi and affect the populations of many non-symbiotic intestinal bacteria, but not all and not the mutualistic symbionts. After the knockdown of antimicrobial peptides, the number of non-symbiotic bacteria increases and the number of T. cruzi decreases. Presumably, in long-term infections, intestinal immunity is suppressed, which supports the growth of specific bacteria, depending on the strain of T. cruzi. These interactions may provide an approach to disrupt T. cruzi transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter A Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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2
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Urbano P, Hernández C, Velásquez-Ortiz N, Ballesteros N, Páez-Triana L, Vega L, Urrea V, Ramírez A, Muñoz M, Ibarra-Cerdeña CN, González C, Ramírez JD. Transmission ecology of Trypanosoma cruzi by Rhodnius prolixus (Reduviidae: Triatominae) infesting palm-tree species in the Colombian Orinoco, indicates risks to human populations. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011981. [PMID: 38377140 PMCID: PMC10906903 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease, affecting approximately eight million individuals in tropical regions, is primarily transmitted by vectors. Rhodnius prolixus, a triatomine vector, commonly inhabits in ecotopes with diverse palm tree species, creating optimal conditions for vector proliferation. This study aims to explore the transmission ecology of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative parasite of Chagas disease, by investigating the feeding patterns and natural infection rates of R. prolixus specimens collected from various wild palm species in the Colombian Orinoco region. MATERIALS AND METHODS To achieve this objective, we sampled 35 individuals from three palm species (Attalea butyracea, Acrocomia aculeata, and Mauritia flexuosa) in a riparian forest in the Casanare department of eastern Colombia, totaling 105 sampled palm trees. DNA was extracted and analyzed from 115 R. prolixus specimens at different developmental stages using quantitative PCR (qPCR) for T. cruzi detection and identification of discrete typing units. Feeding preferences were determined by sequencing the 12S rRNA gene amplicon through next-generation sequencing. RESULTS A total of 676 R. prolixus specimens were collected from the sampled palms. The study revealed variation in population densities and developmental stages of R. prolixus among palm tree species, with higher densities observed in A. butyracea and lower densities in M. flexuosa. TcI was the exclusive T. cruzi discrete typing unit (DTU) found, with infection frequency positively correlated with R. prolixus abundance. Insects captured in A. butyracea exhibited higher abundance and infection rates than those from other palm species. The feeding sources comprised 13 mammal species, showing no significant differences between palm species in terms of blood sources. However, Didelphis marsupialis and Homo sapiens were present in all examined R. prolixus, and Dasypus novemcinctus was found in 89.47% of the insects. CONCLUSION This study highlights the significance of wild palms, particularly A. butyracea, as a substantial risk factor for T. cruzi transmission to humans in these environments. High population densities and infection rates of R. prolixus were observed in each examined palm tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Plutarco Urbano
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigaciones Biológicas de la Orinoquia, Universidad Internacional del Trópico Americano (Unitrópico), Yopal, Colombia
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Hernández
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States of America
- Centro de Tecnología en Salud (CETESA), Innovaseq SAS, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natalia Velásquez-Ortiz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nathalia Ballesteros
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luisa Páez-Triana
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura Vega
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Vanessa Urrea
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Angie Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos N. Ibarra-Cerdeña
- Departamento de Ecología Humana, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav), Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Camila González
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States of America
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3
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Zingales B, Macedo AM. Fifteen Years after the Definition of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs: What Have We Learned? Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2339. [PMID: 38137940 PMCID: PMC10744745 DOI: 10.3390/life13122339] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan causative of Chagas disease (ChD), exhibits striking genetic and phenotypic intraspecific diversity, along with ecoepidemiological complexity. Human-pathogen interactions lead to distinct clinical presentations of ChD. In 2009, an international consensus classified T. cruzi strains into six discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI to TcVI, later including TcBat, and proposed reproducible genotyping schemes for DTU identification. This article aims to review the impact of classifying T. cruzi strains into DTUs on our understanding of biological, ecoepidemiological, and pathogenic aspects of T. cruzi. We will explore the likely origin of DTUs and the intrinsic characteristics of each group of strains concerning genome organization, genomics, and susceptibility to drugs used in ChD treatment. We will also provide an overview of the association of DTUs with mammalian reservoirs, and summarize the geographic distribution, and the clinical implications, of prevalent specific DTUs in ChD patients. Throughout this review, we will emphasize the crucial roles of both parasite and human genetics in defining ChD pathogenesis and chemotherapy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zingales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréa M. Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil;
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Fesser A, Beilstein S, Kaiser M, Schmidt RS, Mäser P. Trypanosoma cruzi STIB980: A TcI Strain for Drug Discovery and Reverse Genetics. Pathogens 2023; 12:1217. [PMID: 37887733 PMCID: PMC10610277 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101217] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first published genome sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi in 2005, there have been tremendous technological advances in genomics, reverse genetics, and assay development for this elusive pathogen. However, there is still an unmet need for new and better drugs to treat Chagas disease. Here, we introduce a T. cruzi assay strain that is useful for drug research and basic studies of host-pathogen interactions. T. cruzi STIB980 is a strain of discrete typing unit TcI that grows well in culture as axenic epimastigotes or intracellular amastigotes. We evaluated the optimal parameters for genetic transfection and constructed derivatives of T. cruzi STIB980 that express reporter genes for fluorescence- or bioluminescence-based drug efficacy testing, as well as a Cas9-expressing line for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. The genome of T. cruzi STIB980 was sequenced by combining short-read Illumina with long-read Oxford Nanopore technologies. The latter served as the primary assembly and the former to correct mistakes. This resulted in a high-quality nuclear haplotype assembly of 28 Mb in 400 contigs, containing 10,043 open-reading frames with a median length of 1077 bp. We believe that T. cruzi STIB980 is a useful addition to the antichagasic toolbox and propose that it can serve as a DTU TcI reference strain for drug efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fesser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabina Beilstein
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Remo S Schmidt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
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5
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Cruz-Saavedra L, Caceres T, Ballesteros N, Posada-Forero B, Ramírez JD. Differential expression of meiosis and homologous recombination-related genes in the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitol Res 2023:10.1007/s00436-023-07850-2. [PMID: 37272974 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07850-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi has a complex life cycle consisting of four morphological and distinct biological stages. Although some authors suggest that T. cruzi primarily follows clonal reproduction, recent genomic and transcriptomic studies indicate an unorthodox capacity for recombination. We aimed to estimate the differential gene expression of 10 meiosis/homologous recombination-related genes during the T. cruzi life cycle, including epimastigotes, under two different types of stress (oxidative stress and pH changes). We performed RT-qPCR tests using novel-designed primers to estimate the differential gene expression (∆Ct and ∆∆Ct) of nine genes (SPO11, HAP2, RAD50, MRN complex, BRCA2, DMC1, MND1, and RPA1) and RAD51, which was previously reported. Our results show basal expression of all genes during the life cycle, indicating their hypothetical role in several cellular processes but with specific signatures of differential gene expression during the life cycle (HAP2, RPA, RAD50, BRCA2, MND1, and DMC1) and oxidative stress (RPA, MRE11, NBS1, BRCA2, MND1, and RAD51). Additionally, we found that the MRN complex has an independent level of expression in T. cruzi, with profiles of MRE11 and NBS1 upregulated in some stages. Recent studies on other trypanosomatids have highlighted the influence of HAP2 and RPA in recombination and hybridization. If T. cruzi uses the same repertoire of genes, our findings could suggest that metacyclogenesis may be the putative step that the parasite uses to undergo recombination. Likewise, our study reveals the differential profiles of genes expressed in response to oxidative and pH stress. Further studies are necessary to confirm our findings and understand the recombination mechanism in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Tatiana Caceres
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nathalia Ballesteros
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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6
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da Silva VS, Machado CR. Sex in protists: A new perspective on the reproduction mechanisms of trypanosomatids. Genet Mol Biol 2022; 45:e20220065. [PMID: 36218381 PMCID: PMC9552303 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2022-0065] [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: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The Protist kingdom individuals are the most ancestral representatives of
eukaryotes. They have inhabited Earth since ancient times and are currently
found in the most diverse environments presenting a great heterogeneity of life
forms. The unicellular and multicellular algae, photosynthetic and heterotrophic
organisms, as well as free-living and pathogenic protozoa represents the protist
group. The evolution of sex is directly associated with the origin of eukaryotes
being protists the earliest protagonists of sexual reproduction on earth. In
eukaryotes, the recombination through genetic exchange is a ubiquitous mechanism
that can be stimulated by DNA damage. Scientific evidences support the
hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced DNA damage can promote
sexual recombination in eukaryotes which might have been a decisive factor for
the origin of sex. The fact that some recombination enzymes also participate in
meiotic sex in modern eukaryotes reinforces the idea that sexual reproduction
emerged as consequence of specific mechanisms to cope with mutations and
alterations in genetic material. In this review we will discuss about origin of
sex and different strategies of evolve sexual reproduction in some protists such
that cause human diseases like malaria, toxoplasmosis, sleeping sickness, Chagas
disease, and leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verônica Santana da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Genética,
Ecologia e Evolução, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlos Renato Machado
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Bioquímica e
Imunologia, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Martín-Escolano J, Marín C, Rosales MJ, Tsaousis AD, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. An Updated View of the Trypanosoma cruzi Life Cycle: Intervention Points for an Effective Treatment. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1107-1115. [PMID: 35652513 PMCID: PMC9194904 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Chagas disease (CD)
is a parasitic, systemic, chronic, and often
fatal illness caused by infection with the protozoan Trypanosoma
cruzi. The World Health Organization classifies CD as the
most prevalent of poverty-promoting neglected tropical diseases, the
most important parasitic one, and the third most infectious disease
in Latin America. Currently, CD is a global public health issue that
affects 6–8 million people. However, the current approved treatments
are limited to two nitroheterocyclic drugs developed more than 50
years ago. Many efforts have been made in recent decades to find new
therapies, but our limited understanding of the infection process,
pathology development, and long-term nature of this disease has made
it impossible to develop new drugs, effective treatment, or vaccines.
This Review aims to provide a comprehensive update on our understanding
of the current life cycle, new morphological forms, and genetic diversity
of T. cruzi, as well as identify intervention points
in the life cycle where new drugs and treatments could achieve a parasitic
cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, E41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - María J. Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Anastasios D. Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Encarnación Medina-Carmona
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
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8
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Cruz-Saavedra L, Schwabl P, Vallejo GA, Carranza JC, Muñoz M, Patino LH, Paniz-Mondolfi A, Llewellyn MS, Ramírez JD. Genome plasticity driven by aneuploidy and loss of heterozygosity in Trypanosoma cruzi. Microb Genom 2022; 8. [PMID: 35748878 PMCID: PMC9455712 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi the causative agent of Chagas disease shows a marked genetic diversity and divided into at least six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs). High intra genetic variability has been observed in the TcI DTU, the most widely distributed DTU, where patterns of genomic diversity can provide information on ecological and evolutionary processes driving parasite population structure and genome organization. Chromosomal aneuploidies and rearrangements across multigene families represent an evidence of T. cruzi genome plasticity. We explored genomic diversity among 18 Colombian T. cruzi I clones and 15 T. cruzi I South American strains. Our results confirm high genomic variability, heterozygosity and presence of a clade compatible with the TcIdom genotype, described for strains from humans in Colombia and Venezuela. TcI showed high structural plasticity across the geographical region studied. Differential events of whole and segmental aneuploidy (SA) along chromosomes even between clones from the same strain were found and corroborated by the depth and allelic frequency. We detected loss of heterozygosity (LOH) events in different chromosomes, however, the size and location of segments under LOH varied between clones. Genes adjacent to breakpoints were evaluated, and retrotransposon hot spot genes flanked the beginning of segmental aneuploidies. Our results suggest that T. cruzi genomes, like those of Leishmania, may have a highly unstable structure and there is now an urgent need to design experiments to explore any potential adaptive role for the plasticity observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Gustavo A Vallejo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Parasitología Tropical, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Julio C Carranza
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Parasitología Tropical, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luz Helena Patino
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Martin S Llewellyn
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.,Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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9
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Matos GM, Lewis MD, Talavera-López C, Yeo M, Grisard EC, Messenger LA, Miles MA, Andersson B. Microevolution of Trypanosoma cruzi reveals hybridization and clonal mechanisms driving rapid genome diversification. eLife 2022; 11:75237. [PMID: 35535495 PMCID: PMC9098224 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoa and fungi are known to have extraordinarily diverse mechanisms of genetic exchange. However, the presence and epidemiological relevance of genetic exchange in Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, has been controversial and debated for many years. Field studies have identified both predominantly clonal and sexually recombining natural populations. Two of six natural T. cruzi lineages (TcV and TcVI) show hybrid mosaicism, using analysis of single-gene locus markers. The formation of hybrid strains in vitro has been achieved and this provides a framework to study the mechanisms and adaptive significance of genetic exchange. Using whole genome sequencing of a set of experimental hybrids strains, we have confirmed that hybrid formation initially results in tetraploid parasites. The hybrid progeny showed novel mutations that were not attributable to either (diploid) parent showing an increase in amino acid changes. In long-term culture, up to 800 generations, there was a variable but gradual erosion of progeny genomes towards triploidy, yet retention of elevated copy number was observed at several core housekeeping loci. Our findings indicate hybrid formation by fusion of diploid T. cruzi, followed by sporadic genome erosion, but with substantial potential for adaptive evolution, as has been described as a genetic feature of other organisms, such as some fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Machado Matos
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Talavera-López
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Computational Biology, Computational Health Centre, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edmundo C Grisard
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Louisa A Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Barbosa CG, Gómez-Hernández C, da Silva MV, Rezende-Oliveira K, Ferreira PTM, de Oliveira ACM, Desidério CS, Helmo FR, de Carvalho-Costa TM, Dos Santos IKP, Saraiva LKA, de Oliveira CJF, Machado JR, Ferro EAV, Rodrigues V, Ramirez LE. Congenital transmission of Mexican strains of Trypanosoma cruzi TcIa: interaction between parasite and human placental explants. Parasitology 2022; 149:418-426. [PMID: 34814960 PMCID: PMC11010536 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021002018] [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: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Congenital transmission of Chagas disease plays an important role in endemic countries because it is not a diagnosis that is encountered frequently in prenatal care. Due to limited information regarding congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Mexico, the present study aimed to investigate protozoan infectivity and modulation of immune responses in human placental explants infected with T. cruzi Ia Mexican strains. The Inc-5 strain showed increased infectivity and modulated IL-1β, IL-10 and TLR-4, decreasing their expression after 24 h of infection. Both strains (Inc-5 and Ninoa) stimulated the production of TNF-α and decreased IL-6 levels 96 h after infection. An important detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast caused by infection with T. cruzi was observed after 24 h of infection. In this study, ex vivo infection of human placental villi was performed to better understand interactions involving parasitic T. cruzi and human placental tissue. It was concluded that the strains of TcIa present parasitism in placental tissue, modulation of the innate immune system of the placenta, and cause intense detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast, a fact that may be more associated with abortion and premature birth events than the congenital transmission itself, justifying the low rate of this transmission mechanism by this genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Gomes Barbosa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - César Gómez-Hernández
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinícius da Silva
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Karine Rezende-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia – Pontal Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Ituiutaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Paula Tatiana Mutão Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Morais de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Chamberttan Souza Desidério
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Rodrigues Helmo
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Tamires Marielem de Carvalho-Costa
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Ingrid Ketlen Pereira Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Lorena Kelly Alves Saraiva
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlo José Freire de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Juliana Reis Machado
- Department of General Pathology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Virmondes Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Luís Eduardo Ramirez
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
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11
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Zingales B, Bartholomeu DC. Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity: impact on transmission cycles and Chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210193. [PMID: 35544857 PMCID: PMC9088421 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease (ChD), exhibits remarkable biological and genetic diversity, along with eco-epidemiological complexity. In order to facilitate communication among researchers aiming at the characterisation of biological and epidemiological aspects of T. cruzi, parasite isolates and strains were partitioned into seven discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and TcBat, identifiable by reproducible genotyping protocols. Here we present the potential origin of the genetic diversity of T. cruzi and summarise knowledge about eco-epidemiological associations of DTUs with mammalian reservoirs and vectors. Circumstantial evidence of a connection between T. cruzi genotype and ChD manifestations is also discussed emphasising the role of the host’s immune response in clinical ChD progression. We describe genomic aspects of DTUs focusing on polymorphisms in multigene families encoding surface antigens that play essential functions for parasite survival both in the insect vector and the mammalian host. Such antigens most probably contributed to the parasite success in establishing infections in different hosts and exploring several niches. Gaps in the current knowledge and challenges for future research are pointed out.
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12
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Souza TKMD, Westphalen EVN, Westphalen SDR, Taniguchi HH, Elias CR, Motoie G, Gava R, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Novaes CTG, Carvalho NB, Bocchi EA, Cruz FDDD, Rocha MC, Shinjo SK, Shikanai-Yasuda MA, Ortiz PA, Teixeira MMG, Tolezano JE. Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi strains isolated from chronic chagasic patients and non-human hosts in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220125. [PMID: 36383785 PMCID: PMC9651066 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi shows an exuberant genetic diversity. Currently, seven phylogenetic lineages, called discrete typing units (DTUs), are recognised: TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. Despite advances in studies on T. cruzi and its populations, there is no consensus regarding its heterogeneity. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to perform molecular characterisation of T. cruzi strains, isolated in the state of São Paulo, to identify the DTUs involved and evaluate their genetic diversity. METHODS T. cruzi strains were isolated from biological samples of chronic chagasic patients, marsupials and triatomines through culture techniques and subjected to molecular characterisation using the fluorescent fragment length barcoding (FFLB) technique. Subsequently, the results were correlated with complementary information to enable better discrimination between the identified DTUs. FINDINGS It was possible to identify TcI in two humans and two triatomines; TcII/VI in 19 humans, two marsupials and one triatomine; and TcIII in one human host, an individual that also presented a result for TcI, which indicated the possibility of a mixed infection. Regarding the strains characterised by the TcII/VI profile, the correlation with complementary information allowed to suggest that, in general, these parasite populations indeed correspond to the TcII genotype. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The TcII/VI profile, associated with domestic cycles and patients with chronic Chagas disease, was the most prevalent among the identified DTUs. Furthermore, the correlation of the study results with complementary information made it possible to suggest that TcII is the predominant lineage of this work.
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13
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Ramírez JC, Acevedo GR, Torres C, Parrado R, De La Barra A, Villarroel S, García L, Gascon J, Ortiz L, Torrico F, Ribeiro I, Schijman AG. Genetic polymorphism of Trypanosoma cruzi bloodstream populations in adult chronic indeterminate Chagas disease patients from the E1224 clinical trial. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 77:578-584. [PMID: 34865002 PMCID: PMC8865008 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role that the genetic diversity of natural Trypanosoma cruzi populations plays in response to trypanocidal treatment of chronic Chagas disease (CD) patients remains to be understood. We analysed the genetic polymorphisms of parasite bloodstream populations infecting chronic CD patients enrolled in the E1224 clinical trial. METHODS A total of 506 baseline and post-treatment follow-up samples from 188 patients were analysed. T. cruzi satellite DNA (satDNA) was amplified and sequenced using cruzi1/cruzi2 primers, and samples with TcI/III, TcII, TcIV or hybrid satDNA sequences were identified. Minicircle signatures were obtained after kinetoplast DNA amplification using 121/122 primers and restriction enzyme digestion. Genetic distances between baseline and post-treatment minicircle signatures were estimated using the Jaccard coefficient. RESULTS At baseline, 74.3% TcII, 17.9% hybrid and 7.8% TcI/III satDNA sequences were found, whereas at the end of follow-up the distribution was 55.2% TcII, 35.2% hybrid and 9.5% TcI/III. The placebo arm was the treatment group with the highest variation of satDNA sequences between baseline and post-treatment follow-up. Genetic distances between baseline and post-treatment minicircle signatures were similar among all treatment arms. No association between minicircle signature variability and satDNA type distribution was found. CONCLUSIONS Genetic variability of T. cruzi bloodstream populations during post-treatment follow-up did not differ from that observed during chronic infection in the absence of treatment, suggesting that there were no selection events of E1224-resistant parasite populations. This is the first report documenting the genetic polymorphism of natural T. cruzi populations in chronic patients in the context of clinical trials with trypanocidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Raúl Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Torres
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rudy Parrado
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Anabelle De La Barra
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Sandro Villarroel
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Lineth García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Ortiz
- Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho, Tarija, Bolivia
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Colectivo de Estudios Aplicados y Desarrollo Social (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Corresponding author. E-mail: or
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14
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Schaub GA. An Update on the Knowledge of Parasite-Vector Interactions of Chagas Disease. Res Rep Trop Med 2021; 12:63-76. [PMID: 34093053 PMCID: PMC8169816 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s274681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focusses on the interactions between the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, and its triatomine vector. The flagellate mainly colonizes the intestinal tract of the insect. The effect of triatomines on trypanosomes is indicated by susceptibility and refractoriness phenomena that vary according to the combination of the strains. Other effects are apparent in the different regions of the gut. In the stomach, the majority of ingested blood trypomastigotes are killed while the remaining transform to round stages. In the small intestine, these develop into epimastigotes, the main replicative stage. In the rectum, the population density is the highest and is where the infectious stage develops, the metacyclic trypomastigote. In all regions of the gut, starvation and feeding of the triatomine affect T. cruzi. In the small intestine and rectum, starvation reduces the population density and more spheromastigotes develop. In the rectum, feeding after short-term starvation induces metacyclogenesis and after long-term starvation the development of specific cells, containing several nuclei, kinetoplasts and flagella. When considering the effects of T. cruzi on triatomines, the flagellate seems to be of low pathogenicity. However, during stressful periods, which are normal in natural populations, effects occur often on the behaviour, eg, in readiness to approach the host, the period of time before defecation, dispersal and aggregation. In nymphs, the duration of the different instars and the mortality rates increase, but this seems to be induced by repeated infections or blood quality by the feeding on infected hosts. Starvation resistance is often reduced by infection. Longevity and reproduction of adults is reduced, but only after infection with some strains of T. cruzi. Only components of the surface coat of blood trypomastigotes induce an immune reaction. However, this seems to act against gut bacteria and favours the development of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter A Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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15
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Reproduction in Trypanosomatids: Past and Present. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10060471. [PMID: 34071741 PMCID: PMC8230138 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The reproduction of trypanosomatids is a fundamental issue for host–parasite interaction, and its biological importance lies in knowing how these species acquire new defense mechanisms against the countermeasures imposed by the host, which is consistent with the theory of the endless race or the Red Queen hypothesis for the existence of meiotic sex. Moreover, the way these species re-produce may also be at the origin of novel and more virulent clades and is relevant from a thera-peutic or vaccination point of view, as sex may contribute to increased tolerance and even to the rapid acquisition of drug resistance mechanisms. Kinetoplastids are single-celled organisms, many of them being responsible for important parasitic diseases, globally termed neglected diseases, which are endemic in low-income countries. Leishmaniasis, African (sleeping sickness) and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) caused by trypanosomatids are among the most ne-glected tropical scourges related to poverty and poor health systems. The reproduction of these microorganisms has long been considered to be clonal due to population genetic observations. However, there is increasing evidence of true sex and genetic exchange events under laboratory conditions. We would like to highlight the importance of this topic in the field of host/parasite in-terplay, virulence, and drug resistance. Abstract Diseases caused by trypanosomatids (Sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis) are a serious public health concern in low-income endemic countries. These diseases are produced by single-celled parasites with a diploid genome (although aneuploidy is frequent) organized in pairs of non-condensable chromosomes. To explain the way they reproduce through the analysis of natural populations, the theory of strict clonal propagation of these microorganisms was taken as a rule at the beginning of the studies, since it partially justified their genomic stability. However, numerous experimental works provide evidence of sexual reproduction, thus explaining certain naturally occurring events that link the number of meiosis per mitosis and the frequency of mating. Recent techniques have demonstrated genetic exchange between individuals of the same species under laboratory conditions, as well as the expression of meiosis specific genes. The current debate focuses on the frequency of genomic recombination events and its impact on the natural parasite population structure. This paper reviews the results and techniques used to demonstrate the existence of sex in trypanosomatids, the inheritance of kinetoplast DNA (maxi- and minicircles), the impact of genetic exchange in these parasites, and how it can contribute to the phenotypic diversity of natural populations.
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16
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Gibson W. The sexual side of parasitic protists. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 243:111371. [PMID: 33872659 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Much of the vast evolutionary landscape occupied by Eukaryotes is dominated by protists. Though parasitism has arisen in many lineages, there are three main groups of parasitic protists of relevance to human and livestock health: the Apicomplexa, including the malaria parasite Plasmodium and coccidian pathogens of livestock such as Eimeria; the excavate flagellates, encompassing a diverse range of protist pathogens including trypanosomes, Leishmania, Giardia and Trichomonas; and the Amoebozoa, including pathogenic amoebae such as Entamoeba. These three groups represent separate, deep branches of the eukaryote tree, underlining their divergent evolutionary histories. Here, I explore what is known about sex in these three main groups of parasitic protists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Gibson
- School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom.
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17
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da Silva MS. DNA Double-Strand Breaks: A Double-Edged Sword for Trypanosomatids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:669041. [PMID: 33937271 PMCID: PMC8085331 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.669041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
For nearly all eukaryotic cells, stochastic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are one of the most deleterious types of DNA lesions. DSB processing and repair can cause sequence deletions, loss of heterozygosity, and chromosome rearrangements resulting in cell death or carcinogenesis. However, trypanosomatids (single-celled eukaryotes parasites) do not seem to follow this premise strictly. Several studies have shown that trypanosomatids depend on DSBs to perform several events of paramount importance during their life cycle. For Trypanosoma brucei, DSBs formation is associated with host immune evasion via antigenic variation. In Trypanosoma cruzi, DSBs play a crucial role in the genetic exchange, a mechanism that is still little explored but appear to be of fundamental importance for generating variability. In Leishmania spp., DSBs are necessary to generate genomic changes by gene copy number variation (CNVs), events that are essential for these organisms to overcome inhospitable conditions. As DSB repair in trypanosomatids is primarily conducted via homologous recombination (HR), most of the events associated with DSBs are HR-dependent. This review will discuss the latest findings on how trypanosomatids balance the benefits and inexorable challenges caused by DSBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Santos da Silva
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory (DRRL), Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
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18
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Padilla AM, Yao PY, Landry TJ, Cooley GM, Mahaney SM, Ribeiro I, VandeBerg JL, Tarleton RL. High variation in immune responses and parasite phenotypes in naturally acquired Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a captive non-human primate breeding colony in Texas, USA. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009141. [PMID: 33788859 PMCID: PMC8041201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of human Chagas disease, is endemic to the southern region of the United States where it routinely infects many host species. The indoor/outdoor housing configuration used in many non-human primate research and breeding facilities in the southern of the USA provides the opportunity for infection by T. cruzi and thus provides source material for in-depth investigation of host and parasite dynamics in a natural host species under highly controlled and restricted conditions. For cynomolgus macaques housed at such a facility, we used a combination of serial blood quantitative PCR (qPCR) and hemoculture to confirm infection in >92% of seropositive animals, although each method alone failed to detect infection in >20% of cases. Parasite isolates obtained from 43 of the 64 seropositive macaques were of 2 broad genetic types (discrete typing units, (DTU's) I and IV); both within and between these DTU groupings, isolates displayed a wide variation in growth characteristics and virulence, elicited host immune responses, and susceptibility to drug treatment in a mouse model. Likewise, the macaques displayed a diversity in T cell and antibody response profiles that rarely correlated with parasite DTU type, minimum length of infection, or age of the primate. This study reveals the complexity of infection dynamics, parasite phenotypes, and immune response patterns that can occur in a primate group, despite being housed in a uniform environment at a single location, and the limited time period over which the T. cruzi infections were established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M. Padilla
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Phil Y. Yao
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Tre J. Landry
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Gretchen M. Cooley
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Susan M. Mahaney
- Department of Human Genetics, South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville/Edinburg/Harlingen, Texas, United States of America
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - John L. VandeBerg
- Department of Human Genetics, South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville/Edinburg/Harlingen, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rick L. Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Mule SN, Costa-Martins AG, Rosa-Fernandes L, de Oliveira GS, Rodrigues CMF, Quina D, Rosein GE, Teixeira MMG, Palmisano G. PhyloQuant approach provides insights into Trypanosoma cruzi evolution using a systems-wide mass spectrometry-based quantitative protein profile. Commun Biol 2021; 4:324. [PMID: 33707618 PMCID: PMC7952728 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01762-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a complex of seven genetic subdivisions termed discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. The relevance of T. cruzi genetic diversity to the variable clinical course of the disease, virulence, pathogenicity, drug resistance, transmission cycles and ecological distribution requires understanding the parasite origin and population structure. In this study, we introduce the PhyloQuant approach to infer the evolutionary relationships between organisms based on differential mass spectrometry-based quantitative features. In particular, large scale quantitative bottom-up proteomics features (MS1, iBAQ and LFQ) were analyzed using maximum parsimony, showing a correlation between T. cruzi DTUs and closely related trypanosomes' protein expression and sequence-based clustering. Character mapping enabled the identification of synapomorphies, herein the proteins and their respective expression profiles that differentiate T. cruzi DTUs and trypanosome species. The distance matrices based on phylogenetics and PhyloQuant clustering showed statistically significant correlation highlighting the complementarity between the two strategies. Moreover, PhyloQuant allows the identification of differentially regulated and strain/DTU/species-specific proteins, and has potential application in the identification of specific biomarkers and candidate therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ngao Mule
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Monadeli F Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Quina
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Graziella E Rosein
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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20
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Talavera-López C, Messenger LA, Lewis MD, Yeo M, Reis-Cunha JL, Matos GM, Bartholomeu DC, Calzada JE, Saldaña A, Ramírez JD, Guhl F, Ocaña-Mayorga S, Costales JA, Gorchakov R, Jones K, Nolan MS, Teixeira SMR, Carrasco HJ, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Murray KO, Grijalva MJ, Burleigh B, Grisard EC, Miles MA, Andersson B. Repeat-Driven Generation of Antigenic Diversity in a Major Human Pathogen, Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:614665. [PMID: 33747978 PMCID: PMC7966520 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.614665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, a zoonotic kinetoplastid protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease). Having a very plastic, repetitive and complex genome, the parasite displays a highly diverse repertoire of surface molecules, with pivotal roles in cell invasion, immune evasion and pathogenesis. Before 2016, the complexity of the genomic regions containing these genes impaired the assembly of a genome at chromosomal level, making it impossible to study the structure and function of the several thousand repetitive genes encoding the surface molecules of the parasite. We here describe the genome assembly of the Sylvio X10/1 genome sequence, which since 2016 has been used as a reference genome sequence for T. cruzi clade I (TcI), produced using high coverage PacBio single-molecule sequencing. It was used to analyze deep Illumina sequence data from 34 T. cruzi TcI isolates and clones from different geographic locations, sample sources and clinical outcomes. Resolution of the surface molecule gene distribution showed the unusual duality in the organization of the parasite genome, a synteny of the core genomic region with related protozoa flanked by unique and highly plastic multigene family clusters encoding surface antigens. The presence of abundant interspersed retrotransposons in these multigene family clusters suggests that these elements are involved in a recombination mechanism for the generation of antigenic variation and evasion of the host immune response on these TcI strains. The comparative genomic analysis of the cohort of TcI strains revealed multiple cases of such recombination events involving surface molecule genes and has provided new insights into T. cruzi population structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Talavera-López
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Louisa A. Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Machado Matos
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | - José E. Calzada
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama
| | - Azael Saldaña
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Felipe Guhl
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Tropical Parasitology Research Center, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sofía Ocaña-Mayorga
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jaime A. Costales
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Rodion Gorchakov
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kathryn Jones
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Melissa S. Nolan
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Santuza M. R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Hernán José Carrasco
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Protozoarios, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kristy O. Murray
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mario J. Grijalva
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Barbara Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Edmundo C. Grisard
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Martín-Escolano J, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. Chagas Disease: Current View of an Ancient and Global Chemotherapy Challenge. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:2830-2843. [PMID: 33034192 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease and a global public health issue. In terms of treatment, no progress has been made since the 1960s, when benznidazole and nifurtimox, two obsolete drugs still prescribed, were used to treat this disease. Hence, currently, there are no effective treatments available to tackle Chagas disease. Over the past 20 years, there has been an increasing interest in the disease. However, parasite genetic diversity, drug resistance, tropism, and complex life cycle, along with the limited understanding of the disease and inadequate methodologies and strategies, have resulted in the absence of new insights in drugs development and disappointing outcomes in clinical trials so far. In summary, new drugs are urgently needed. This Review considers the relevant aspects related to the lack of drugs for Chagas disease, resumes the advances in tools for drug discovery, and discusses the main features to be taken into account to develop new effective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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22
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Patino LH, Muñoz M, Cruz-Saavedra L, Muskus C, Ramírez JD. Genomic Diversification, Structural Plasticity, and Hybridization in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:582192. [PMID: 33178631 PMCID: PMC7596589 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.582192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is an important Leishmania species circulating in several Central and South American countries. Among Leishmania species circulating in Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, L. braziliensis has the highest genomic variability. However, genomic variability at the whole genome level has been only studied in Brazilian and Peruvian isolates; to date, no Colombian isolates have been studied. Considering that in Colombia, L. braziliensis is a species with great clinical and therapeutic relevance, as well as the role of genetic variability in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis, we analyzed and evaluated intraspecific genomic variability of L. braziliensis from Colombian and Bolivian isolates and compared them with Brazilian isolates. Twenty-one genomes were analyzed, six from Colombian patients, one from a Bolivian patient, and 14 Brazilian isolates downloaded from public databases. The results obtained of Phylogenomic analysis showed the existence of four well-supported clades, which evidenced intraspecific variability. The whole-genome analysis revealed structural variations in the somy, mainly in the Brazilian genomes (clade 1 and clade 3), low copy number variations, and a moderate number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in all genomes analyzed. Interestingly, the genomes belonging to clades 2 and 3 from Colombia and Brazil, respectively, were characterized by low heterozygosity (~90% of SNP loci were homozygous) and regions suggestive of loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Additionally, we observed the drastic whole genome loss of heterozygosity and possible hybridization events in one genome belonging to clade 4. Unique/shared SNPs between and within the four clades were identified, revealing the importance of some of them in biological processes of L. braziliensis. Our analyses demonstrate high genomic variability of L. braziliensis in different regions of South America, mainly in Colombia and suggest that this species exhibits striking genomic diversity and a capacity of genomic hybridization; additionally, this is the first study to report whole-genome sequences of Colombian L. braziliensis isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz H Patino
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Muskus
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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23
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Ramirez JL. Trypanosoma cruzi Genome 15 Years Later: What Has Been Accomplished? Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E129. [PMID: 32781761 PMCID: PMC7559697 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5030129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
On 15 July 2020 was the 15th anniversary of the Science Magazine issue that reported three trypanosomatid genomes, namely Leishmania major, Trypanosoma brucei, and Trypanosoma cruzi. That publication was a milestone for the research community working with trypanosomatids, even more so, when considering that the first draft of the human genome was published only four years earlier after 15 years of research. Although nowadays, genome sequencing has become commonplace, the work done by researchers before that publication represented a huge challenge and a good example of international cooperation. Research in neglected diseases often faces obstacles, not only because of the unique characteristics of each biological model but also due to the lower funds the research projects receive. In the case of Trypanosoma cruzi the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, the first genome draft published in 2005 was not complete, and even after the implementation of more advanced sequencing strategies, to this date no final chromosomal map is available. However, the first genome draft enabled researchers to pick genes a la carte, produce proteins in vitro for immunological studies, and predict drug targets for the treatment of the disease or to be used in PCR diagnostic protocols. Besides, the analysis of the T. cruzi genome is revealing unique features about its organization and dynamics. In this work, I briefly summarize the actions of Latin American researchers that contributed to the first publication of the T. cruzi genome and discuss some features of the genome that may help to understand the parasite's robustness and adaptive capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Ramirez
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela and Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1080, Venezuela
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24
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Cruz-Saavedra L, Vallejo GA, Guhl F, Ramírez JD. Transcriptomic changes across the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi II. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8947. [PMID: 32461822 PMCID: PMC7231504 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a flagellated protozoan that causes Chagas disease; it presents a complex life cycle comprising four morphological stages: epimastigote (EP), metacyclic trypomastigote (MT), cell-derived trypomastigote (CDT) and amastigote (AM). Previous transcriptomic studies on three stages (EPs, CDTs and AMs) have demonstrated differences in gene expressions among them; however, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have reported on gene expressions in MTs. Therefore, the present study compared differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and signaling pathway reconstruction in EPs, MTs, AMs and CDTs. The results revealed differences in gene expressions in the stages evaluated; these differences were greater between MTs and AMs-PTs. The signaling pathway that presented the highest number of DEGs in all the stages was associated with ribosomes protein profiles, whereas the other related pathways activated were processes related to energy metabolism from glucose, amino acid metabolism, or RNA regulation. However, the role of autophagy in the entire life cycle of T. cruzi and the presence of processes such as meiosis and homologous recombination in MTs (where the expressions of SPO11 and Rad51 plays a role) are crucial. These findings represent an important step towards the full understanding of the molecular basis during the life cycle of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Gustavo A Vallejo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Parasitología Tropical, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Felipe Guhl
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
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25
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Rusman F, Floridia-Yapur N, Ragone PG, Diosque P, Tomasini N. Evidence of hybridization, mitochondrial introgression and biparental inheritance of the kDNA minicircles in Trypanosoma cruzi I. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007770. [PMID: 32004318 PMCID: PMC7015434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genetic exchange in Trypanosoma cruzi is controversial not only in relation to its frequency, but also to its mechanism. Parasexual genetic exchange has been proposed based on laboratory hybrids, but population genomics strongly suggests meiosis in T. cruzi. In addition, mitochondrial introgression has been reported several times in natural isolates although its mechanism is not fully understood yet. Moreover, hybrid T. cruzi DTUs (TcV and TcVI) have inherited at least part of the kinetoplastic DNA (kDNA = mitochondrial DNA) from both parents. Methodology/Principal findings In order to address such topics, we sequenced and analyzed fourteen nuclear DNA fragments and three kDNA maxicircle genes in three TcI stocks which are natural clones potentially involved in events of genetic exchange. We also deep-sequenced (a total of 6,146,686 paired-end reads) the minicircle hypervariable region (mHVR) of the kDNA in such three strains. In addition, we analyzed the DNA content by flow cytometry to address cell ploidy. We observed that most polymorphic sites in nuclear loci showed a hybrid pattern in one cloned strain and the other two cloned strains were compatible as parental strains (or nearly related to the true parents). The three clones had almost the same ploidy and the DNA content was similar to the reference strain Sylvio (a nearly diploid strain). Despite maxicircle genes evolve faster than nuclear housekeeping ones, we detected no polymorphisms in the sequence of three maxicircle genes showing mito-nuclear discordance. Lastly, the hybrid stock shared 66% of its mHVR clusters with one putative parent and 47% with the other one; in contrast, the putative parental stocks shared less than 30% of the mHVR clusters between them. Conclusions/significance The results suggest a reductive division, a natural hybridization, biparental inheritance of the minicircles in the hybrid and maxicircle introgression. The models including such phenomena and explaining the relationships between these three clones are discussed. Chagas disease, an important public health problem in Latin America, is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Despite being a widely studied parasite, several questions on the biology of genetic exchange remain unanswered. Population genomic studies have inferred meiosis in T. cruzi, but this cellular division mechanism has not been observed in laboratory yet. In addition, previous results suggest that mitochondrial DNA (called kDNA) may be inherited from both parents in hybrids. Here, we analyzed a hybrid strain and its potential parents to address the mechanisms of genetic exchange at nuclear and mitochondrial levels. We observed that the hybrid strain had heterozygous patterns and DNA content compatible with a meiosis event. Also, we observed that the evolutionary histories of nuclear DNA and kDNA maxicircles were discordant and that the three strains shared identical DNA sequences. Mitochondrial introgression of maxicircle DNA from one genotype to another may explain this observation. In addition, we demonstrated that the hybrid strain shared kDNA minicircles with both parental strains. Our results suggest that hybridization implied meiosis and biparental inheritance of the kDNA. Further research is required to address such phenomena in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Rusman
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Noelia Floridia-Yapur
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Paula G. Ragone
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Patricio Diosque
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Tomasini
- Unidad de Epidemiología Molecular (UEM), Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Salta, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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26
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Bern C, Messenger LA, Whitman JD, Maguire JH. Chagas Disease in the United States: a Public Health Approach. Clin Microbiol Rev 2019; 33:e00023-19. [PMID: 31776135 PMCID: PMC6927308 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00023-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, usually transmitted by triatomine vectors. An estimated 20 to 30% of infected individuals develop potentially lethal cardiac or gastrointestinal disease. Sylvatic transmission cycles exist in the southern United States, involving 11 triatomine vector species and infected mammals such as rodents, opossums, and dogs. Nevertheless, imported chronic T. cruzi infections in migrants from Latin America vastly outnumber locally acquired human cases. Benznidazole is now FDA approved, and clinical and public health efforts are under way by researchers and health departments in a number of states. Making progress will require efforts to improve awareness among providers and patients, data on diagnostic test performance and expanded availability of confirmatory testing, and evidence-based strategies to improve access to appropriate management of Chagas disease in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caryn Bern
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey D Whitman
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James H Maguire
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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27
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Schwabl P, Imamura H, Van den Broeck F, Costales JA, Maiguashca-Sánchez J, Miles MA, Andersson B, Grijalva MJ, Llewellyn MS. Meiotic sex in Chagas disease parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3972. [PMID: 31481692 PMCID: PMC6722143 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11771-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic exchange enables parasites to rapidly transform disease phenotypes and exploit new host populations. Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasitic agent of Chagas disease and a public health concern throughout Latin America, has for decades been presumed to exchange genetic material rarely and without classic meiotic sex. We present compelling evidence from 45 genomes sequenced from southern Ecuador that T. cruzi in fact maintains truly sexual, panmictic groups that can occur alongside others that remain highly clonal after past hybridization events. These groups with divergent reproductive strategies appear genetically isolated despite possible co-occurrence in vectors and hosts. We propose biological explanations for the fine-scale disconnectivity we observe and discuss the epidemiological consequences of flexible reproductive modes. Our study reinvigorates the hunt for the site of genetic exchange in the T. cruzi life cycle, provides tools to define the genetic determinants of parasite virulence, and reforms longstanding theory on clonality in trypanosomatid parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schwabl
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Hideo Imamura
- Unit of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 155 Nationalestraat, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Frederik Van den Broeck
- Unit of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 155 Nationalestraat, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jaime A Costales
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America, School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jalil Maiguashca-Sánchez
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America, School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Michael A Miles
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Bjorn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum 9C, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mario J Grijalva
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America, School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Biomedical Sciences Department, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, 45701, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Martin S Llewellyn
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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28
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Caballero E Z, Correa R, Nascimento MS, Villarreal A, Llanes A, Kesper N. High sensitivity and reproducibility of in-house ELISAs using different genotypes of Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasite Immunol 2019; 41:e12627. [PMID: 30908676 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The adequate choice of Trypanosoma cruzi strains as antigen source for the diagnosis of Chagas disease is still controversial due to differences in terms of accuracy reported between different diagnostic tests. In this study was determined if the genetic variability between different genotypes of T. cruzi (TcI, TcII and TcIV) affect the final diagnosis of Chagas disease. The sensitivity and specificity index of in-house ELISA tests prepared with different T. cruzi strains were evaluated with chagasic and non-chagasic control sera and using the TESA-blot as a reference test. The results of this study revealed that the sensitivity index did not vary, with percentages of 100% for all strains in both tests. However, the specificity index for ELISA tests showed differences between 92% and 98%, but were reduced to 78%-89% when Leishmania-positive sera were included. All ELISAs and TESA-blot prepared with different antigens and the recombinant Wiener test were challenged in an endemic community for Chagas disease in Panama. Both ELISAs and TESA-blot recognized the same positive sera, corroborating the sensitivity indexes (100%) found with the control sera. The TESA-blot maintained the specificity index of 100% and did not display false positives. However, the recombinant Wiener test decreased its sensitivity to 81.25%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuleima Caballero E
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT-AIP), Panamá, República of Panamá.,Sistema Nacional de Investigación - Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SNI-SENACYT), Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Ricardo Correa
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT-AIP), Panamá, República of Panamá.,Sistema Nacional de Investigación - Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SNI-SENACYT), Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Marilda S Nascimento
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical da Universidade de São Paulo (IMT-USP), São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Alcibiades Villarreal
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación - Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SNI-SENACYT), Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Alejandro Llanes
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Asociación de Interés Público (INDICASAT-AIP), Panamá, República of Panamá
| | - Norival Kesper
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical da Universidade de São Paulo (IMT-USP), São Paulo, Brasil
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29
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Reis-Cunha JL, Baptista RP, Rodrigues-Luiz GF, Coqueiro-Dos-Santos A, Valdivia HO, de Almeida LV, Cardoso MS, D'Ávila DA, Dias FHC, Fujiwara RT, Galvão LMC, Chiari E, Cerqueira GC, Bartholomeu DC. Whole genome sequencing of Trypanosoma cruzi field isolates reveals extensive genomic variability and complex aneuploidy patterns within TcII DTU. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:816. [PMID: 30424726 PMCID: PMC6234542 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5198-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, is currently divided into six discrete typing units (DTUs), named TcI-TcVI. TcII is among the major DTUs enrolled in human infections in South America southern cone, where it is associated with severe cardiac and digestive symptoms. Despite the importance of TcII in Chagas disease epidemiology and pathology, so far, no genome-wide comparisons of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of TcII field isolates have been performed to track the variability and evolution of this DTU in endemic regions. RESULTS In the present work, we have sequenced and compared the whole nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of seven TcII strains isolated from chagasic patients from the central and northeastern regions of Minas Gerais, Brazil, revealing an extensive genetic variability within this DTU. A comparison of the phylogeny based on the nuclear or mitochondrial genomes revealed that the majority of branches were shared by both sequences. The subtle divergences in the branches are probably consequence of mitochondrial introgression events between TcII strains. Two T. cruzi strains isolated from patients living in the central region of Minas Gerais, S15 and S162a, were clustered in the nuclear and mitochondrial phylogeny analysis. These two strains were isolated from the other five by the Espinhaço Mountains, a geographic barrier that could have restricted the traffic of insect vectors during T. cruzi evolution in the Minas Gerais state. Finally, the presence of aneuploidies was evaluated, revealing that all seven TcII strains have a different pattern of chromosomal duplication/loss. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of genomic variability and aneuploidies suggests that there is significant genomic variability within Minas Gerais TcII strains, which could be exploited by the parasite to allow rapid selection of favorable phenotypes. Also, the aneuploidy patterns vary among T. cruzi strains and does not correlate with the nuclear phylogeny, suggesting that chromosomal duplication/loss are recent and frequent events in the parasite evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo P Baptista
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,The University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Gabriela F Rodrigues-Luiz
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | - Hugo O Valdivia
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,U.S. Naval Medical Research, Lima, Peru
| | - Laila Viana de Almeida
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mariana Santos Cardoso
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Lúcia M C Galvão
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Egler Chiari
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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30
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Almeida LV, Coqueiro-Dos-Santos A, Rodriguez-Luiz GF, McCulloch R, Bartholomeu DC, Reis-Cunha JL. Chromosomal copy number variation analysis by next generation sequencing confirms ploidy stability in Trypanosoma brucei subspecies. Microb Genom 2018; 4. [PMID: 30256189 PMCID: PMC6249438 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although aneuploidy usually results in severe abnormalities in multicellular eukaryotes, recent data suggest that it could be beneficial for unicellular eukaryotes, such as yeast and trypanosomatid parasites, providing increased survival under stressful conditions. Among characterized trypanosomatids, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and species from the genus Leishmania stand out due to their importance in public health, infecting around 20 million people worldwide. The presence of aneuploidies in T. cruzi and Leishmania was recently confirmed by analysis based on next generation sequencing (NGS) and fluorescence in situ hybridization, where they have been associated with adaptation during transmission between their insect vectors and mammalian hosts and in promoting drug resistance. Although chromosomal copy number variations (CCNVs) are present in the aforementioned species, PFGE and fluorescence cytophotometry analyses suggest that aneuploidies are absent from T. brucei. A re-evaluation of CCNV in T. b gambiense based on NGS reads confirmed the absence of aneuploidies in this subspecies. However, the presence of aneuploidies in the other two T. brucei subspecies, T. b. brucei and T. b. rhodesiense, has not been evaluated using NGS approaches. In the present work, we tested for aneuploidies in 26 T. brucei isolates, including samples from the three T. brucei subspecies, by both allele frequency and read depth coverage analyses. These analyses showed that none of the T. brucei subspecies presents aneuploidies, which could be related to differences in the mechanisms of DNA replication and recombination in these parasites when compared with Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Viana Almeida
- 1Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Anderson Coqueiro-Dos-Santos
- 1Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriela F Rodriguez-Luiz
- 1Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Richard McCulloch
- 2University of Glasgow, Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- 1Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Alves CL, Repolês BM, da Silva MS, Mendes IC, Marin PA, Aguiar PHN, Santos SDS, Franco GR, Macedo AM, Pena SDJ, Andrade LDO, Guarneri AA, Tahara EB, Elias MC, Machado CR. The recombinase Rad51 plays a key role in events of genetic exchange in Trypanosoma cruzi. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13335. [PMID: 30190603 PMCID: PMC6127316 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of genetic exchange has been a limiting factor to deepen the knowledge on the mechanisms by which Trypanosoma cruzi is able to generate progeny and genetic diversity. Here we show that incorporation of halogenated thymidine analogues, followed by immunostaining, is a reliable method not only to detect T. cruzi fused-cell hybrids, but also to quantify their percentage in populations of this parasite. Through this approach, we were able to detect and quantify fused-cell hybrids of T. cruzi clones CL Brener and Y. Given the increased detection of fused-cell hybrids in naturally-occurring hybrid CL Brener strain, which displays increased levels of RAD51 and BRCA2 transcripts, we further investigated the role of Rad51 - a recombinase involved in homologous recombination - in the process of genetic exchange. We also verified that the detection of fused-cell hybrids in T. cruzi overexpressing RAD51 is increased when compared to wild-type cells, suggesting a key role for Rad51 either in the formation or in the stabilization of fused-cell hybrids in this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceres Luciana Alves
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruno Marçal Repolês
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Santos da Silva
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabela Cecília Mendes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Paula Andrea Marin
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Selma da Silva Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Glória Regina Franco
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Andréa Mara Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Danilo Junho Pena
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Erich Birelli Tahara
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Centro de Toxinas, Resposta Imune e Sinalização Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Renato Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Zingales B. Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity: Something new for something known about Chagas disease manifestations, serodiagnosis and drug sensitivity. Acta Trop 2018; 184:38-52. [PMID: 28941731 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas disease, is widely recognized. At present, T. cruzi is partitioned into seven discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. This article reviews the present knowledge on the parasite population structure, the evolutionary relationships among DTUs and their distinct, but not exclusive ecological and epidemiological associations. Different models for the origin of hybrid DTUs are examined, which agree that genetic exchange among T. cruzi populations is frequent and has contributed to the present parasite population structure. The geographic distribution of the prevalent DTUs in humans from the southern United States to Argentina is here presented and the circumstantial evidence of a possible association between T. cruzi genotype and Chagas disease manifestations is discussed. The available information suggests that parasite strains detected in patients, regardless of the clinical presentation, reflect the principal DTU circulating in the domestic transmission cycles of a particular region. In contrast, in several orally transmitted outbreaks, sylvatic strains are implicated. As a consequence of the genotypic and phenotypic differences of T. cruzi strains and the differential geographic distribution of DTUs in humans, regional variations in the sensitivity of the serological tests are verified. The natural resistance to benznidazole and nifurtimox, verified in vivo and in vitro for some parasite stocks, is not associated with any particular DTU, and does not explain the marked difference in the anti-parasitic efficacy of both drugs in the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease. Throughout this review, it is emphasized that the interplay between parasite and host genetics should have an important role in the definition of Chagas disease pathogenesis, anti-T. cruzi immune response and chemotherapy outcome and should be considered in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zingales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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33
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Recent advances in trypanosomatid research: genome organization, expression, metabolism, taxonomy and evolution. Parasitology 2018; 146:1-27. [PMID: 29898792 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Unicellular flagellates of the family Trypanosomatidae are obligatory parasites of invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. Dixenous species are aetiological agents of a number of diseases in humans, domestic animals and plants. Their monoxenous relatives are restricted to insects. Because of the high biological diversity, adaptability to dramatically different environmental conditions, and omnipresence, these protists have major impact on all biotic communities that still needs to be fully elucidated. In addition, as these organisms represent a highly divergent evolutionary lineage, they are strikingly different from the common 'model system' eukaryotes, such as some mammals, plants or fungi. A number of excellent reviews, published over the past decade, were dedicated to specialized topics from the areas of trypanosomatid molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, host-parasite relationships or other aspects of these fascinating organisms. However, there is a need for a more comprehensive review that summarizing recent advances in the studies of trypanosomatids in the last 30 years, a task, which we tried to accomplish with the current paper.
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34
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Roman F, das Chagas Xavier S, Messenger LA, Pavan MG, Miles MA, Jansen AM, Yeo M. Dissecting the phyloepidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi I (TcI) in Brazil by the use of high resolution genetic markers. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006466. [PMID: 29782493 PMCID: PMC5983858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, is monophyletic but genetically heterogeneous. It is currently represented by six genetic lineages (Discrete Typing Units, DTUs) designated TcI-TcVI. TcI is the most geographically widespread and genetically heterogeneous lineage, this as is evidenced by a wide range of genetic markers applied to isolates spanning a vast geographic range in Latin America. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In total, 78 TcI isolated from hosts and vectors distributed in 5 different biomes of Brazil, were analyzed using 6 nuclear housekeeping genes, 25 microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial marker. Nuclear markers reveal substantial genetic diversity, significant gene flow between biomes, incongruence in phylogenies, and haplotypic analysis indicative of intra-DTU genetic exchange. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on mitochondrial and nuclear loci were incongruent, and consistent with introgression. Structure analysis of microsatellite data reveals that, amongst biomes, the Amazon is the most genetically diverse and experiences the lowest level of gene flow. Investigation of population structure based on the host species/genus, indicated that Didelphis marsupialis might play a role as the main disperser of TcI. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The present work considers a large TcI sample from different hosts and vectors spanning multiple ecologically diverse biomes in Brazil. Importantly, we combine fast and slow evolving markers to contribute to the epizootiological understanding of TcI in five distinct Brazilian biomes. This constitutes the first instance in which MLST analysis was combined with the use of MLMT and maxicircle markers to evaluate the genetic diversity of TcI isolates in Brazil. Our results demonstrate the existence of substantial genetic diversity and the occurrence of introgression events. We provide evidence of genetic exchange in TcI isolates from Brazil and of the relative isolation of TcI in the Amazon biome. We observe the absence of strict associations with TcI genotypes to geographic areas and/or host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Roman
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Samanta das Chagas Xavier
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Louisa A. Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana María Jansen
- Laboratório de Bleiologia de Tripanossomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Tomasini N. Introgression of the Kinetoplast DNA: An Unusual Evolutionary Journey in Trypanosoma cruzi. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:133-139. [PMID: 29491741 PMCID: PMC5814961 DOI: 10.2174/1389202918666170815124832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Phylogenetic relationships between different lineages of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, have been controversial for several years. However, recent phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses clarified the nuclear relationships among such lineages. However, incongruence between nuclear and kinetoplast DNA phylogenies has emerged as a new challenge. This incongruence implies several events of mitochondrial introgression at evolutionary level. However, the mechanism that gave origin to introgressed lineages is unknown. Here, I will review and discuss how maxicircles of the kinetoplast were horizontally and vertically transferred between different lineages of T. cruzi. CONCLUSION Finally, I will discuss what we know - and what we don't - about the kDNA transference and inheritance in the context of sexual reproduction in this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Tomasini
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta, CONICET, Salta, Argentina
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36
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Reis-Cunha JL, Valdivia HO, Bartholomeu DC. Gene and Chromosomal Copy Number Variations as an Adaptive Mechanism Towards a Parasitic Lifestyle in Trypanosomatids. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:87-97. [PMID: 29491737 PMCID: PMC5814966 DOI: 10.2174/1389202918666170911161311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are a group of kinetoplastid parasites including some of great public health importance, causing debilitating and life-long lasting diseases that affect more than 24 million people worldwide. Among the trypanosomatids, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and species from the Leishmania genus are the most well studied parasites, due to their high prevalence in human infections. These parasites have an extreme genomic and phenotypic variability, with a massive expansion in the copy number of species-specific multigene families enrolled in host-parasite interactions that mediate cellular invasion and immune evasion processes. As most trypanosomatids are heteroxenous, and therefore their lifecycles involve the transition between different hosts, these parasites have developed several strategies to ensure a rapid adaptation to changing environments. Among these strategies, a rapid shift in the repertoire of expressed genes, genetic variability and genome plasticity are key mechanisms. Trypanosomatid genomes are organized into large directional gene clusters that are transcribed polycistronically, where genes derived from the same polycistron may have very distinct mRNA levels. This particular mode of transcription implies that the control of gene expression operates mainly at post-transcriptional level. In this sense, gene duplications/losses were already associated with changes in mRNA levels in these parasites. Gene duplications also allow the generation of sequence variability, as the newly formed copy can diverge without loss of function of the original copy. Recently, aneuploidies have been shown to occur in several Leishmania species and T. cruzi strains. Although aneuploidies are usually associated with debilitating phenotypes in superior eukaryotes, recent data shows that it could also provide increased fitness in stress conditions and generate drug resistance in unicellular eukaryotes. In this review, we will focus on gene and chromosomal copy number variations and their relevance to the evolution of trypanosomatid parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Hugo O. Valdivia
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Callao, Peru
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Callao, Peru
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37
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Bernstein H, Bernstein C, Michod RE. Sex in microbial pathogens. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 57:8-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Flores-Ferrer A, Marcou O, Waleckx E, Dumonteil E, Gourbière S. Evolutionary ecology of Chagas disease; what do we know and what do we need? Evol Appl 2017; 11:470-487. [PMID: 29636800 PMCID: PMC5891055 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The aetiological agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a key human pathogen afflicting most populations of Latin America. This vectorborne parasite is transmitted by haematophageous triatomines, whose control by large‐scale insecticide spraying has been the main strategy to limit the impact of the disease for over 25 years. While those international initiatives have been successful in highly endemic areas, this systematic approach is now challenged by the emergence of insecticide resistance and by its low efficacy in controlling species that are only partially adapted to human habitat. In this contribution, we review evidences that Chagas disease control shall now be entering a second stage that will rely on a better understanding of triatomines adaptive potential, which requires promoting microevolutionary studies and –omic approaches. Concomitantly, we show that our knowledge of the determinants of the evolution of T. cruzi high diversity and low virulence remains too limiting to design evolution‐proof strategies, while such attributes may be part of the future of Chagas disease control after the 2020 WHO's target of regional elimination of intradomiciliary transmission has been reached. We should then aim at developing a theory of T. cruzi virulence evolution that we anticipate to provide an interesting enrichment of the general theory according to the specificities of transmission of this very generalist stercorarian trypanosome. We stress that many ecological data required to better understand selective pressures acting on vector and parasite populations are already available as they have been meticulously accumulated in the last century of field research. Although more specific information will surely be needed, an effective research strategy would be to integrate data into the conceptual and theoretical framework of evolutionary ecology and life‐history evolution that provide the quantitative backgrounds necessary to understand and possibly anticipate adaptive responses to public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alheli Flores-Ferrer
- UMR 228, ESPACE-DEV-IMAGES, 'Institut de Modélisation et d'Analyses en Géo-Environnement et Santé'Université de Perpignan Via Domitia Perpignan France.,UMR 5096 'Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes' Université de Perpignan Via Domitia Perpignan France
| | - Olivier Marcou
- UMR 228, ESPACE-DEV-IMAGES, 'Institut de Modélisation et d'Analyses en Géo-Environnement et Santé'Université de Perpignan Via Domitia Perpignan France
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi" Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Mérida Mexico
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Department of Tropical Medicine School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Tulane University New Orleans LA USA
| | - Sébastien Gourbière
- UMR 228, ESPACE-DEV-IMAGES, 'Institut de Modélisation et d'Analyses en Géo-Environnement et Santé'Université de Perpignan Via Domitia Perpignan France.,UMR 5096 'Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes' Université de Perpignan Via Domitia Perpignan France
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Naves LL, da Silva MV, Fajardo EF, da Silva RB, De Vito FB, Rodrigues V, Lages-Silva E, Ramírez LE, Pedrosa AL. DNA content analysis allows discrimination between Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189907. [PMID: 29261763 PMCID: PMC5736184 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, a human protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of Chagas disease. Currently the species is divided into six taxonomic groups. The genome of the CL Brener clone has been estimated to be 106.4-110.7 Mb, and DNA content analyses revealed that it is a diploid hybrid clone. Trypanosoma rangeli is a hemoflagellate that has the same reservoirs and vectors as T. cruzi; however, it is non-pathogenic to vertebrate hosts. The haploid genome of T. rangeli was previously estimated to be 24 Mb. The parasitic strains of T. rangeli are divided into KP1(+) and KP1(-). Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the DNA content in different strains of T. cruzi and T. rangeli by flow cytometry. All T. cruzi and T. rangeli strains yielded cell cycle profiles with clearly identifiable G1-0 (2n) and G2-M (4n) peaks. T. cruzi and T. rangeli genome sizes were estimated using the clone CL Brener and the Leishmania major CC1 as reference cell lines because their genome sequences have been previously determined. The DNA content of T. cruzi strains ranged from 87,41 to 108,16 Mb, and the DNA content of T. rangeli strains ranged from 63,25 Mb to 68,66 Mb. No differences in DNA content were observed between KP1(+) and KP1(-) T. rangeli strains. Cultures containing mixtures of the epimastigote forms of T. cruzi and T. rangeli strains resulted in cell cycle profiles with distinct G1 peaks for strains of each species. These results demonstrate that DNA content analysis by flow cytometry is a reliable technique for discrimination between T. cruzi and T. rangeli isolated from different hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucila Langoni Naves
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
| | - Marcos Vinícius da Silva
- Departamento de Imunologia, Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
| | - Emanuella Francisco Fajardo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
| | - Raíssa Bernardes da Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
| | - Fernanda Bernadelli De Vito
- Departamento de Clínica Médica—Disciplina de Hematologia e Hemoterapia, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
| | - Virmondes Rodrigues
- Departamento de Imunologia, Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
| | - Eliane Lages-Silva
- Departamento de Imunologia, Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
| | - Luis Eduardo Ramírez
- Departamento de Imunologia, Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
| | - André Luiz Pedrosa
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brasil
- * E-mail:
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40
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Ramírez JC, Torres C, Curto MDLA, Schijman AG. New insights into Trypanosoma cruzi evolution, genotyping and molecular diagnostics from satellite DNA sequence analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006139. [PMID: 29253860 PMCID: PMC5749901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi has been subdivided into seven Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. Two major evolutionary models have been proposed to explain the origin of hybrid lineages, but while it is widely accepted that TcV and TcVI are the result of genetic exchange between TcII and TcIII strains, the origin of TcIII and TcIV is still a matter of debate. T. cruzi satellite DNA (SatDNA), comprised of 195 bp units organized in tandem repeats, from both TcV and TcVI stocks were found to have SatDNA copies type TcI and TcII; whereas contradictory results were observed for TcIII stocks and no TcIV sequence has been analyzed yet. Herein, we have gone deeper into this matter analyzing 335 distinct SatDNA sequences from 19 T. cruzi stocks representative of DTUs TcI-TcVI for phylogenetic inference. Bayesian phylogenetic tree showed that all sequences were grouped in three major clusters, which corresponded to sequences from DTUs TcI/III, TcII and TcIV; whereas TcV and TcVI stocks had two sets of sequences distributed into TcI/III and TcII clusters. As expected, the lowest genetic distances were found between TcI and TcIII, and between TcV and TcVI sequences; whereas the highest ones were observed between TcII and TcI/III, and among TcIV sequences and those from the remaining DTUs. In addition, signature patterns associated to specific T. cruzi lineages were identified and new primers that improved SatDNA-based qPCR sensitivity were designed. Our findings support the theory that TcIII is not the result of a hybridization event between TcI and TcII, and that TcIV had an independent origin from the other DTUs, contributing to clarifying the evolutionary history of T. cruzi lineages. Moreover, this work opens the possibility of typing samples from Chagas disease patients with low parasitic loads and improving molecular diagnostic methods of T. cruzi infection based on SatDNA sequence amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JCR); (AGS)
| | - Carolina Torres
- Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María de los A. Curto
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro G. Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JCR); (AGS)
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Rodrigues MS, Morelli KA, Jansen AM. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene as a DNA barcode for discriminating Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs and closely related species. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:488. [PMID: 29037251 PMCID: PMC5644147 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2457-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The DNA barcoding system using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene (cox1 or COI) is highly efficient for discriminating vertebrate and invertebrate species. In the present study, we examined the suitability of cox1 as a marker for Trypanosoma cruzi identification from other closely related species. Additionally, we combined the sequences of cox1 and the nuclear gene glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) to evaluate the occurrence of mitochondrial introgression and the presence of hybrid genotypes. METHODS Sixty-two isolates of Trypanosoma spp. obtained from five of the six Brazilian biomes (Amazon Forest, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Cerrado and Pantanal) were sequenced for cox1 and GPI gene fragments. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood, parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. Molecular species delimitation was evaluated through pairwise intraspecific and interspecific distances, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery, single-rate Poisson Tree Processes and multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes. RESULTS Both cox1 and GPI genes recognized and differentiated T. cruzi, Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei, Trypanosoma dionisii and Trypanosoma rangeli. Cox1 discriminated Tcbat, TcI, TcII, TcIII and TcIV. Additionally, TcV and TcVI were identified as a single group. Cox1 also demonstrated diversity in the discrete typing units (DTUs) TcI, TcII and TcIII and in T. c. marinkellei and T. rangeli. Cox1 and GPI demonstrated TcI and TcII as the most genetically distant branches, and the position of the other T. cruzi DTUs differed according to the molecular marker. The tree reconstructed with concatenated cox1 and GPI sequences confirmed the separation of the subgenus Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) sp. and the T. cruzi DTUs TcI, TcII, TcIII and TcIV. The evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was informative for DTU differentiation using both genes. In the cox1 analysis, one SNP differentiated heterozygous hybrids from TcIV sequences. In the GPI analysis one SNP discriminated Tcbat from TcI, while another SNP distinguished TcI from TcIII. CONCLUSIONS DNA barcoding using the cox1 gene is a reliable tool to distinguish T. cruzi from T. c. marinkellei, T. dionisii and T. rangeli and identify the main T. cruzi genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Karina Alessandra Morelli
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Jansen
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatid Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Secretome analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi by proteomics studies. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185504. [PMID: 28972996 PMCID: PMC5626432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is a debilitating often fatal disease resulting from infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease is endemic in 21 countries of the Americas, and it is an emerging disease in other countries as a result of migration. Given the chronic nature of the infection where intracellular parasites persist for years, the diagnosis of T. cruzi by direct detection is difficult, whereas serologic tests though sensitive may yield false-positive results. The development of new rapid test based on the identification of soluble parasitic antigens in serum would be a real innovation in the diagnosis of Chagas disease. Methods To identify new soluble biomarkers that may improve diagnostic tests, we investigated the proteins secreted by T. cruzi using mass spectrometric analyses of conditioned culture media devoid of serum collected during the emergence of trypomastigotes from infected Vero cells. In addition, we compared the secretomes of two T. cruzi strains from DTU Tc VI (VD and CL Brener). Results Analysis of the secretome collected during the emergence of trypomastigotes from Vero cells led to the identification of 591 T. cruzi proteins. Three hundred sixty three proteins are common to both strains and most belong to different multigenic super families (i.e. TcS, GP63, MASP, and DGF1). Ultimately we have established a list of 94 secreted proteins, common to both DTU Tc VI strains that do not belong to members of multigene families. Conclusions This study provides the first comparative analysis of the secretomes from two distinct T. cruzi strains of DTU TcVI. This led us to identify a subset of common secreted proteins that could potentially serve as serum markers for T. cruzi infection. Their potential could now be evaluated, with specific antibodies using sera collected from patients and residents from endemic regions.
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Dorn PL, McClure AG, Gallaspy MD, Waleckx E, Woods AS, Monroy MC, Stevens L. The diversity of the Chagas parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, infecting the main Central American vector, Triatoma dimidiata, from Mexico to Colombia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005878. [PMID: 28957315 PMCID: PMC5619707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the strains of Trypanosoma cruzi circulating in Central America and specifically in the most important vector in this region, Triatoma dimidiata. Approximately six million people are infected with T. cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, which has the greatest negative economic impact and is responsible for ~12,000 deaths annually in Latin America. By international consensus, strains of T. cruzi are divided into six monophyletic clades called discrete typing units (DTUs TcI-VI) and a seventh DTU first identified in bats called TcBat. TcI shows the greatest geographic range and diversity. Identifying strains present and diversity within these strains is important as different strains and their genotypes may cause different pathologies and may circulate in different localities and transmission cycles, thus impacting control efforts, treatment and vaccine development. To determine parasite strains present in T. dimidiata across its geographic range from Mexico to Colombia, we isolated abdominal DNA from T. dimidiata and determined which specimens were infected with T. cruzi by PCR. Strains from infected insects were determined by comparing the sequence of the 18S rDNA and the spliced-leader intergenic region to typed strains in GenBank. Two DTUs were found: 94% of infected T. dimidiata contained TcI and 6% contained TcIV. TcI exhibited high genetic diversity. Geographic structure of TcI haplotypes was evident by Principal Component and Median-Joining Network analyses as well as a significant result in the Mantel test, indicating isolation by distance. There was little evidence of association with TcI haplotypes and host/vector or ecotope. This study provides new information about the strains circulating in the most important Chagas vector in Central America and reveals considerable variability within TcI as well as geographic structuring at this large geographic scale. The lack of association with particular vectors/hosts or ecotopes suggests the parasites are moving among vectors/hosts and ecotopes therefore a comprehensive approach, such as the Ecohealth approach that makes houses refractory to the vectors will be needed to successfully halt transmission of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia L. Dorn
- Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Annie G. McClure
- Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Meghan D. Gallaspy
- Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | | | - Adrienne S. Woods
- Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | | | - Lori Stevens
- University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
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Diez Benavente E, Florez de Sessions P, Moon RW, Holder AA, Blackman MJ, Roper C, Drakeley CJ, Pain A, Sutherland CJ, Hibberd ML, Campino S, Clark TG. Analysis of nuclear and organellar genomes of Plasmodium knowlesi in humans reveals ancient population structure and recent recombination among host-specific subpopulations. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1007008. [PMID: 28922357 PMCID: PMC5619863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The macaque parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is a significant concern in Malaysia where cases of human infection are increasing. Parasites infecting humans originate from genetically distinct subpopulations associated with the long-tailed (Macaca fascicularis (Mf)) or pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina (Mn)). We used a new high-quality reference genome to re-evaluate previously described subpopulations among human and macaque isolates from Malaysian-Borneo and Peninsular-Malaysia. Nuclear genomes were dimorphic, as expected, but new evidence of chromosomal-segment exchanges between subpopulations was found. A large segment on chromosome 8 originating from the Mn subpopulation and containing genes encoding proteins expressed in mosquito-borne parasite stages, was found in Mf genotypes. By contrast, non-recombining organelle genomes partitioned into 3 deeply branched lineages, unlinked with nuclear genomic dimorphism. Subpopulations which diverged in isolation have re-connected, possibly due to deforestation and disruption of wild macaque habitats. The resulting genomic mosaics reveal traits selected by host-vector-parasite interactions in a setting of ecological transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Diez Benavente
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Robert W. Moon
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael J. Blackman
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cally Roper
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Drakeley
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arnab Pain
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Colin J. Sutherland
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin L. Hibberd
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Biopolis, Singapore
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Taane G. Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Tihon E, Imamura H, Dujardin JC, Van Den Abbeele J, Van den Broeck F. Discovery and genomic analyses of hybridization between divergent lineages of Trypanosoma congolense, causative agent of Animal African Trypanosomiasis. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:6524-6538. [PMID: 28752916 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hybrid populations and introgressive hybridization remain poorly documented in pathogenic micro-organisms, as such that genetic exchange has been argued to play a minor role in their evolution. Recent work demonstrated the existence of hybrid microsatellite profiles in Trypanosoma congolense, a parasitic protozoan with detrimental effects on livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we present the first population genomic study of T. congolense, revealing a remarkable number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), small insertions/deletions (indels) and gene deletions among 56 parasite genomes from ten African countries. One group of parasites from Zambia was particularly diverse, displaying a substantial number of heterozygous SNP and indel sites compared to T. congolense parasites from the nine other sub-Saharan countries. Genomewide 5-kb phylogenetic analyses based on phased SNP data revealed that these parasites were the product of hybridization between phylogenetically distinct T. congolense lineages. Other parasites within the same region in Zambia presented a mosaic of haplotypic ancestry and genetic variability, indicating that hybrid parasites persisted and recombined beyond the initial hybridization event. Our observations challenge traditional views of trypanosome population biology and encourage future research on the role of hybridization in spreading genes for drug resistance, pathogenicity and virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Tihon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hideo Imamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jean-Claude Dujardin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jan Van Den Abbeele
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Prediction and Prevention of Parasitic Diseases Using a Landscape Genomics Framework. Trends Parasitol 2016; 33:264-275. [PMID: 27863902 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Substantial heterogeneity exists in the dispersal, distribution and transmission of parasitic species. Understanding and predicting how such features are governed by the ecological variation of landscape they inhabit is the central goal of spatial epidemiology. Genetic data can further inform functional connectivity among parasite, host and vector populations in a landscape. Gene flow correlates with the spread of epidemiologically relevant phenotypes among parasite and vector populations (e.g., virulence, drug and pesticide resistance), as well as invasion and re-invasion risk where parasite transmission is absent due to current or past intervention measures. However, the formal integration of spatial and genetic data ('landscape genetics') is scarcely ever applied to parasites. Here, we discuss the specific challenges and practical prospects for the use of landscape genetics and genomics to understand the biology and control of parasitic disease and present a practical framework for doing so.
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Balouz V, Agüero F, Buscaglia CA. Chagas Disease Diagnostic Applications: Present Knowledge and Future Steps. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 97:1-45. [PMID: 28325368 PMCID: PMC5363286 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a lifelong and debilitating illness of major significance throughout Latin America and an emergent threat to global public health. Being a neglected disease, the vast majority of Chagasic patients have limited access to proper diagnosis and treatment, and there is only a marginal investment into R&D for drug and vaccine development. In this context, identification of novel biomarkers able to transcend the current limits of diagnostic methods surfaces as a main priority in Chagas disease applied research. The expectation is that these novel biomarkers will provide reliable, reproducible and accurate results irrespective of the genetic background, infecting parasite strain, stage of disease, and clinical-associated features of Chagasic populations. In addition, they should be able to address other still unmet diagnostic needs, including early detection of congenital T. cruzi transmission, rapid assessment of treatment efficiency or failure, indication/prediction of disease progression and direct parasite typification in clinical samples. The lack of access of poor and neglected populations to essential diagnostics also stresses the necessity of developing new methods operational in point-of-care settings. In summary, emergent diagnostic tests integrating these novel and tailored tools should provide a significant impact on the effectiveness of current intervention schemes and on the clinical management of Chagasic patients. In this chapter, we discuss the present knowledge and possible future steps in Chagas disease diagnostic applications, as well as the opportunity provided by recent advances in high-throughput methods for biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Balouz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, B 1650 HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, B 1650 HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos A. Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, B 1650 HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Tibayrenc M, Ayala FJ. Is Predominant Clonal Evolution a Common Evolutionary Adaptation to Parasitism in Pathogenic Parasitic Protozoa, Fungi, Bacteria, and Viruses? ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 97:243-325. [PMID: 28325372 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We propose that predominant clonal evolution (PCE) in microbial pathogens be defined as restrained recombination on an evolutionary scale, with genetic exchange scarce enough to not break the prevalent pattern of clonal population structure. The main features of PCE are (1) strong linkage disequilibrium, (2) the widespread occurrence of stable genetic clusters blurred by occasional bouts of genetic exchange ('near-clades'), (3) the existence of a "clonality threshold", beyond which recombination is efficiently countered by PCE, and near-clades irreversibly diverge. We hypothesize that the PCE features are not mainly due to natural selection but also chiefly originate from in-built genetic properties of pathogens. We show that the PCE model obtains even in microbes that have been considered as 'highly recombining', such as Neisseria meningitidis, and that some clonality features are observed even in Plasmodium, which has been long described as panmictic. Lastly, we provide evidence that PCE features are also observed in viruses, taking into account their extremely fast genetic turnover. The PCE model provides a convenient population genetic framework for any kind of micropathogen. It makes it possible to describe convenient units of analysis (clones and near-clades) for all applied studies. Due to PCE features, these units of analysis are stable in space and time, and clearly delimited. The PCE model opens up the possibility of revisiting the problem of species definition in these organisms. We hypothesize that PCE constitutes a major evolutionary strategy for protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and viruses to adapt to parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tibayrenc
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - F J Ayala
- University of California at Irvine, United States
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Brenière SF, Waleckx E, Barnabé C. Over Six Thousand Trypanosoma cruzi Strains Classified into Discrete Typing Units (DTUs): Attempt at an Inventory. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004792. [PMID: 27571035 PMCID: PMC5003387 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, presents wide genetic diversity. Currently, six discrete typing units (DTUs), named TcI to TcVI, and a seventh one called TcBat are used for strain typing. Beyond the debate concerning this classification, this systematic review has attempted to provide an inventory by compiling the results of 137 articles that have used it. A total of 6,343 DTU identifications were analyzed according to the geographical and host origins. Ninety-one percent of the data available is linked to South America. This sample, although not free of potential bias, nevertheless provides today's picture of T. cruzi genetic diversity that is closest to reality. DTUs were genotyped from 158 species, including 42 vector species. Remarkably, TcI predominated in the overall sample (around 60%), in both sylvatic and domestic cycles. This DTU known to present a high genetic diversity, is very widely distributed geographically, compatible with a long-term evolution. The marsupial is thought to be its most ancestral host and the Gran Chaco region the place of its putative origin. TcII was rarely sampled (9.6%), absent, or extremely rare in North and Central America, and more frequently identified in domestic cycles than in sylvatic cycles. It has a low genetic diversity and has probably found refuge in some mammal species. It is thought to originate in the south-Amazon area. TcIII and TcIV were also rarely sampled. They showed substantial genetic diversity and are thought to be composed of possible polyphyletic subgroups. Even if they are mostly associated with sylvatic transmission cycles, a total of 150 human infections with these DTUs have been reported. TcV and TcVI are clearly associated with domestic transmission cycles. Less than 10% of these DTUs were identified together in sylvatic hosts. They are thought to originate in the Gran Chaco region, where they are predominant and where putative parents exist (TcII and TcIII). Trends in host-DTU specificities exist, but generally it seems that the complexity of the cycles and the participation of numerous vectors and mammal hosts in a shared area, maintains DTU diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Frédérique Brenière
- IRD-CIRAD, INTERTRYP (Interactions hôtes-vecteurs-parasites-environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidés), IRD Center, Montpellier, France
- Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Quito, Ecuador
- * E-mail:
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Hideyo Noguchi”, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Christian Barnabé
- IRD-CIRAD, INTERTRYP (Interactions hôtes-vecteurs-parasites-environnement dans les maladies tropicales négligées dues aux Trypanosomatidés), IRD Center, Montpellier, France
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Messenger LA, Ramirez JD, Llewellyn MS, Guhl F, Miles MA. Importation of Hybrid Human-Associated Trypanosoma cruzi Strains of Southern South American Origin, Colombia. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 22:1452-5. [PMID: 27434772 PMCID: PMC4982185 DOI: 10.3201/eid2208.150786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi of southern South American origin among humans, domestic vectors, and peridomestic hosts in Colombia using high-resolution nuclear and mitochondrial genotyping. Expanding our understanding of the geographic range of lineage TcVI, which is associated with severe Chagas disease, will help clarify risk of human infection for improved disease control.
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