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Menezes SA, Tasca T. Extracellular vesicles in parasitic diseases - from pathogenesis to future diagnostic tools. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105310. [PMID: 38316376 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105310] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases are still a major public health problem especially among individuals of low socioeconomic status in underdeveloped countries. In recent years it has been demonstrated that parasites can release extracellular vesicles that participate in the host-parasite communication, immune evasion, and in governing processes associated with host infection. Extracellular vesicles are membrane-bound structures released into the extracellular space that can carry several types of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites, which directly impact the target cells. Extracellular vesicles have attracted wide attention due to their relevance in host-parasite communication and for their potential value in applications such as in the diagnostic biomarker discovery. This review of the literature aimed to join the current knowledge on the role of extracellular vesicles in host-parasite interaction and summarize its molecular content, providing information for the acquisition of new tools that can be used in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. These findings shed light to the potential of extracellular vesicle cargo derived from protozoan parasites as novel diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saulo Almeida Menezes
- Faculdade de Farmácia e Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Tiana Tasca
- Faculdade de Farmácia e Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
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2
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Menezes CADS, de Oliveira ALG, Barbosa ICM, de Jesus ACP, Chaves AT, Rocha MODC. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-2) as potential biomarkers for the clinical evolution of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. Acta Trop 2024; 252:107153. [PMID: 38373528 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107153] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is responsible for the highest morbidity and worst prognosis in Chagas disease patients. However, predicting factors that correlate with disease progression, morbidity, and mortality is challenging. It is necessary to have simple, quantitative, and economical risk biomarkers that add value to conventional methods and assist in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with CCC or in evolution. OBJECTIVES We evaluated molecules related to cardiac remodeling and fibrosis, such as MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-1, PICP, CTXI, and Gal-3, and correlated these biomarkers with echocardiographic variables (LVDD, LVEF, and E/e' ratio). METHODS Blood samples from Chagasic patients without apparent cardiopathy (WAC), CCC patients, and healthy individuals were used to perform plasma molecule dosages using Luminex or ELISA. RESULTS MMP-2 and TIMP-2 presented higher levels in CCC; in these patients, the inhibitory role of TIMP-2 over MMP-2 was reinforced. The ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 in WAC patients showed a bias in favor of the gelatinase pathway. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 showed higher levels in Chagas patients compared to healthy subjects. PICP and CTXI are not associated with cardiac deterioration in Chagas disease. Increased levels of Gal-3 are associated with worse cardiac function in CCC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified Gal-3 and TIMP-2 as putative biomarkers to discriminate WAC from cardiac patients. CONCLUSIONS Among the molecules evaluated, Gal-3 and TIMP-2 have the potential to be used as biomarkers of cardiac remodeling and progressive myocardial fibrosis in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Alves da Silva Menezes
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Ana Laura Grossi de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Isabela Cristina Magalhães Barbosa
- Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Augusto César Parreiras de Jesus
- Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Thereza Chaves
- Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Manoel Otávio da Costa Rocha
- Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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3
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de Sousa AS, Vermeij D, Ramos AN, Luquetti AO. Chagas disease. Lancet 2024; 403:203-218. [PMID: 38071985 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01787-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease persists as a global public health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality burden. Despite the possibility of a cure and advances in transmission control, epidemiological transformations, such as urbanisation and globalisation, and the emerging importance of oral and vertical transmission mean that Chagas disease should be considered an emerging disease, with new cases occurring worldwide. Important barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and care remain, resulting in repressed numbers of reported cases, which in turn leads to inadequate public policies. The validation of new diagnostic tools and treatment options is needed, as existing tools pose serious limitations to access to health care. Integrated models of surveillance, with community and intersectional participation, embedded in the concept of One Health, are essential for control. In addition, mitigation strategies for the main social determinants of health, including difficulties imposed by migration, are important to improve access to comprehensive health care in a globalised scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa Silvestre de Sousa
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Debbie Vermeij
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alberto Novaes Ramos
- Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Alejandro O Luquetti
- Center of Studies for Chagas Disease, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
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Madeira RP, Meneghetti P, Lozano N, Namiyama GM, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Torrecilhas AC. Exploring Peripheral Blood-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers: Implications for Chronic Chagas Disease with Viral Infection or Transplantation. Microorganisms 2024; 12:116. [PMID: 38257943 PMCID: PMC10818975 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010116] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer envelopes that encapsulate cell-specific cargo, rendering them promising biomarkers for diverse diseases. Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, poses a significant global health burden, transcending its initial epicenter in Latin America to affect individuals in Europe, Asia, and North America. In this study, we aimed to characterize circulating EVs derived from patients with chronic Chagas disease (CCD) experiencing a reactivation of acute symptoms. Blood samples collected in EDTA were processed to isolate plasma and subsequently subjected to ultracentrifugation for particle isolation and purification. The EVs were characterized using a nanoparticle tracking analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our findings revealed distinctive differences in the size, concentration, and composition of EVs between immunosuppressed patients and those with CCD. Importantly, these EVs play a critical role in the pathophysiology of Chagas disease and demonstrate significant potential as biomarkers in the chronic phase of the disease. Overall, our findings support the potential utility of the CL-ELISA assay as a specific sensitive tool for detecting circulating EVs in chronic Chagasic patients, particularly those with recurrent infection following an immunosuppressive treatment or with concurrent HIV and Chagas disease. Further investigations are warranted to identify and validate the specific antigens or biomarkers responsible for the observed reactivity in these patient groups, which may have implications for diagnosis, the monitoring of treatment, and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pedro Madeira
- Disciplina de Infectologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil; (R.P.M.); (N.L.)
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil;
| | - Paula Meneghetti
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil;
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil
| | - Nicholy Lozano
- Disciplina de Infectologia, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-900, Brazil; (R.P.M.); (N.L.)
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil;
| | - Gislene M. Namiyama
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo 01246-900, Brazil;
| | - Vera Lucia Pereira-Chioccola
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Fungos e Parasitas, Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil;
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Gonzaga BMDS, Ferreira RR, Coelho LL, Carvalho ACC, Garzoni LR, Araujo-Jorge TC. Clinical trials for Chagas disease: etiological and pathophysiological treatment. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1295017. [PMID: 38188583 PMCID: PMC10768561 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1295017] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. It is endemic in Latin America. Nowadays around 6 million people are affected worldwide, and 75 million are still at risk. CD has two evolutive phases, acute and chronic. The acute phase is mostly asymptomatic, or presenting unspecific symptoms which makes it hard to diagnose. At the chronic phase, patients can stay in the indeterminate form or develop cardiac and/or digestive manifestations. The two trypanocide drugs available for the treatment of CD are benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox (NFX), introduced in the clinic more than five decades ago. WHO recommends treatment for patients at the acute phase, at risk of congenital infection, for immunosuppressed patients and children with chronic infection. A high cure rate is seen at the CD acute phase but better treatment schemes still need to be investigated for the chronic phase. There are some limitations within the use of the trypanocide drugs, with side effects occurring in about 40% of the patients, that can lead patients to interrupt treatment. In addition, patients with advanced heart problems should not be treated with BZ. This is a neglected disease, discovered 114 years ago that still has no drug effective for their chronic phase. Multiple social economic and cultural barriers influence CD research. The high cost of the development of new drugs, in addition to the low economical return, results in the lack of investment. More economic support is required from governments and pharmaceutical companies on the development of more research for CD treatment. Two approaches stand out: repositioning and combination of drugs, witch drastically decrease the cost of this process, when compared to the development of a new drug. Here we discuss the progress of the clinical trials for the etiological and pathophysiological treatment for CD. In summary, more studies are needed to propose a new drug for CD. Therefore, BZ is still the best option for CD. The trials in course should clarify more about new treatment regimens, but it is already possible to indicate that dosage and time of treatment need to be adjusted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tania C. Araujo-Jorge
- Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos - Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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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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Laynez-Roldán P, Losada-Galván I, Posada E, de la Torre Ávila L, Casellas A, Sanz S, Subirà C, Rodriguez-Valero N, Camprubí-Ferrer D, Vera I, Roldán M, Aldasoro E, Oliveira-Souto I, Calvo-Cano A, Valls ME, Álvarez-Martínez MJ, Gállego M, Abras A, Ballart C, Muñoz J, Gascón J, Pinazo MJ. Characterization of Latin American migrants at risk for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a non-endemic setting. Insights into initial evaluation of cardiac and digestive involvement. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011330. [PMID: 37440480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease (CD), a potentially fatal disease characterized by cardiac disorders and digestive, neurological or mixed alterations. T. cruzi is transmitted to humans by the bite of triatomine vectors; both the parasite and disease are endemic in Latin America and the United States. In the last decades, population migration has changed the classic epidemiology of T. cruzi, contributing to its global spread to traditionally non-endemic countries. Screening is recommended for Latin American populations residing in non-endemic countries. METHODS The present study analyzes the epidemiological characteristics of 2,820 Latin American individuals who attended the International Health Service (IHS) of the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona between 2002 and 2019. The initial assessment of organ damage among positive cases of T. cruzi infection was analyzed, including the results of electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, barium enema and esophagogram. RESULTS Among all the screened individuals attending the clinic, 2,441 (86.6%) were born in Bolivia and 1,993 (70.7%) were female. Of individuals, 1,517 (81.5%) reported previous exposure to the vector, which is a strong risk factor associated with T. cruzi infection; 1,382 individuals were positive for T. cruzi infection. The first evaluation of individuals with confirmed T. cruzi infection, showed 148 (17.1%) individuals with Chagasic cardiomyopathy, the main diagnostic method being an ECG and the right bundle branch block (RBBB) for the most frequent disorder; 16 (10.8%) individuals had a normal ECG and were diagnosed of Chagasic cardiomyopathy by echocardiogram. CONCLUSIONS We still observe many Latin American individuals who were at risk of T. cruzi infection in highly endemic areas in their countries of origin, and who have not been previously tested for T. cruzi infection. In fact, even in Spain, a country with one of the highest proportion of diagnosis of Latin American populations, T. cruzi infection remains underdiagnosed. The screening of Latin American populations presenting with a similar profile as reported here should be promoted. ECG is considered necessary to assess Chagasic cardiomyopathy in positive individuals, but echocardiograms should also be considered as a diagnostic approach given that it can detect cardiac abnormalities when the ECG is normal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Laynez-Roldán
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Losada-Galván
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Posada
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo de la Torre Ávila
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aina Casellas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sanz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Subirà
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia Rodriguez-Valero
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Vera
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Roldán
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Edelweiss Aldasoro
- The International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC), Schiphol, The Netherlands
| | - Inés Oliveira-Souto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine & International Health Unit Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonia Calvo-Cano
- Department of Infectious Pathology, Badajoz University Hospital, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Maria-Eugenia Valls
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Míriam J Álvarez-Martínez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Gállego
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Parasitology section, Departament of Biology, Health and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Network Biothecnological Research in Infectious Diseases (CIBERISCIII), Madridy, Spain
| | - Alba Abras
- Genetic Area, Department of Biology, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona, Spain
| | - Cristina Ballart
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Parasitology section, Departament of Biology, Health and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Muñoz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Gascón
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Network Biothecnological Research in Infectious Diseases (CIBERISCIII), Madridy, Spain
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Network Biothecnological Research in Infectious Diseases (CIBERISCIII), Madridy, Spain
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Silva Grijó Farani P, Iandra da Silva Ferreira B, Begum K, Vilar-Pereira G, Pereira IR, Fernández-Figueroa EA, Cardenas-Ovando RA, Almeida IC, Roy S, Lannes-Vieira J, Moreira OC. Treatment with benznidazole and pentoxifylline regulates microRNA transcriptomic profile in a murine model of Chagas chronic cardiomyopathy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011223. [PMID: 36972298 PMCID: PMC10121046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disorders in endemic areas of Chagas disease (CD), a neglected tropical illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. CCC is characterized by parasite persistence and inflammatory response in the heart tissue, which occur parallel to microRNA (miRNA) alterations. Here, we investigated the miRNA transcriptome profiling in the cardiac tissue of chronically T. cruzi-infected mice treated with a suboptimal dose of benznidazole (Bz), the immunomodulator pentoxifylline alone (PTX), or the combination of both (Bz+PTX), following the CCC onset. At 150 days post-infection, Bz, PTX, and Bz+PTX treatment regimens improved electrocardiographic alterations, reducing the percentage of mice afflicted by sinus arrhythmia and second-degree atrioventricular block (AVB2) when compared with the vehicle-treated animals. miRNA Transcriptome profiling revealed considerable changes in the differential expression of miRNAs in the Bz and Bz+PTX treatment groups compared with the control (infected, vehicle-treated) group. The latter showed pathways related to organismal abnormalities, cellular development, skeletal muscle development, cardiac enlargement, and fibrosis, likely associated with CCC. Bz-Treated mice exhibited 68 differentially expressed miRNAs related to signaling pathways like cell cycle, cell death and survival, tissue morphology, and connective tissue function. Finally, the Bz+PTX-treated group revealed 58 differentially expressed miRNAs associated with key signaling pathways related to cellular growth and proliferation, tissue development, cardiac fibrosis, damage, and necrosis/cell death. The T. cruzi-induced upregulation of miR-146b-5p, previously shown in acutely infected mice and in vitro T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes, was reversed upon Bz and Bz+PTX treatment regimens when further experimentally validated. Our results further our understanding of molecular pathways related to CCC progression and evaluation of treatment response. Moreover, the differentially expressed miRNAs may serve as drug targets, associated molecular therapy, or biomarkers of treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Silva Grijó Farani
- Real-Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Parasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Iandra da Silva Ferreira
- Real-Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Parasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Khodeza Begum
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edith A. Fernández-Figueroa
- Computational and Integrative Genomics, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Arenal Tepepan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Igor C. Almeida
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sourav Roy
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio Cruz Moreira
- Real-Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Parasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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9
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Garcez EM, Gomes N, Moraes AS, Pogue R, Uenishi RH, Hecht M, Carvalho JL. Extracellular vesicles in the context of Chagas Disease - A systematic review. Acta Trop 2023; 242:106899. [PMID: 36935050 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicle (EVs) traffic is considered an important cellular communication process between cells that can be part of a single organism or belong to different living beings. The relevance of EV-mediated cellular communication is increasingly studied and appreciated, especially in relation to pathological conditions, including parasitic disorders, in which the EV release and uptake processes have been documented. In the context of Chagas Disease (CD), EVs have been explored, however, current data have not been systematically revised in order to provide an overview of the published literature and the main results obtained thus far. In this systematic review, 25 studies involving the investigation of EVs in CD were identified. The studies involved Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc)-derived EVs (Tc-EVs), as well as EVs derived from T. cruzi-infected mammalian cells-derived EVs, mainly isolated by ultracentrifugation and poorly characterized. The objectives of the identified studies included the characterization of the protein and RNA cargo of Tc-EVs, as well as investigation of EVs in parasitic infections and immune-related processes. Overall, our systematic review reveals that EVs play critical roles in several mechanisms related to the interaction between T. cruzi and mammalian hosts, their contribution to immune system evasion by the parasite, and to chronic inflammation in the host. Future studies will benefit from the consolidation of isolation and characterization methods, as well as the elucidation of the role of EVs in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emãnuella Melgaço Garcez
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Nélio Gomes
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Aline Silva Moraes
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Robert Pogue
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program. Catholic University of Brasília, 71966-700, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Rosa Harumi Uenishi
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program. Catholic University of Brasília, 71966-700, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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10
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Campos-Estrada C, Urarte E, Denegri M, Villalón L, González-Herrera F, Kemmerling U, Maya JD. Effect of statins on inflammation and cardiac function in patients with chronic Chagas disease: A protocol for pathophysiological studies in a multicenter, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept phase II trial. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280335. [PMID: 36638112 PMCID: PMC9838836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac complications, including heart failure and arrhythmias, are the leading causes of disability and death in Chagas disease (CD). CD, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, afflicts 7 million people in Latin America, and its incidence is increasing in non-endemic countries due to migration. The cardiac involvement is explained by parasite-dependent, immune-mediated myocardial injury, microvascular abnormalities, and ischemia. Current treatment of early CD includes the administration of nifurtimox and benznidazole. However, their efficacy is low in the chronic phase and may induce severe adverse events, forcing therapy to halt. Therefore, finding innovative approaches to treat this life-threatening tropical disease is of utmost importance. Thus, improving the efficacy of the current antichagasic drugs by modifying the inflammatory response would render the current treatment more effective. It has been reported that, in mice, simvastatin decreases cardiac inflammation and endothelial activation, and improves cardiac function, effects that require clinical confirmation. OBJECTIVE The study aims to analyze whether two doses of Atorvastatin, administered after CD treatment is completed, are safe and more efficacious than the antiparasitic drugs alone in reducing general inflammation and improving endothelial and cardiac functions in a proof-of-concept, placebo-controlled phase II trial. METHODS 300 subjects will be recruited from four Chilean hospitals with an active Program for the Control of Chagas Disease. 40 or 80 mg/day of atorvastatin or placebo will be administered after completion of the antichagasic therapy. The patients will be followed up for 12 months. Efficacy will be determined by measuring changes in plasma levels of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines, soluble cell adhesion molecules, BNP, and cTnT. Also, the resting 12-lead ECG and a 2D-echocardiogram will be obtained to evaluate cardiac function. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04984616.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edurne Urarte
- Departamento de Pediatría y Cirugía Infantil Occidente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marisol Denegri
- Departamento de Pediatría y Cirugía Infantil Occidente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Litzi Villalón
- Servicio de Salud Viña del Mar-Quillota, Hospital Gustavo Fricke, Viña del Mar, Chile
| | - Fabiola González-Herrera
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (JDM); (UK)
| | - Juan D. Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (JDM); (UK)
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11
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Beatriz Vermelho A, Rodrigues GC, Nocentini A, Mansoldo FRP, Supuran CT. Discovery of novel drugs for Chagas disease: is carbonic anhydrase a target for antiprotozoal drugs? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1147-1158. [PMID: 36039500 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2117295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Carbonic anhydrase (CA) arose significant interest as a potential new target for Chagas disease since its discovery in Trypanosoma cruzi in 2013. Benznidazole and Nifurtimox have been used for Chagas disease treatment for 60 years despite all efforts done for obtaining more efficient treatments, acting in the acute and chronic phases of illness, with fewer side effects and resistance induction. AREAS COVERED We discuss the positive and negative aspects of T. cruzi CA (TcCA) studies as a target for developing new drugs. The current research discoveries and the classes of TcCA inhibitors are reviewed. The sulfonamides and their derivatives are the main inhibitor classes, but hydroxamates and the thiols, were investigated too. These compounds inhibited the growth of the evolutive forms of the parasite. A comparative analysis was done with CAs from other Trypanosomatids and protozoans. EXPERT OPINION The search for new targets and drugs is a significant challenge worldwide, and TcCA is a potential candidate for developing new drugs. Several studied inhibitors were active against Trypanosoma cruzi, but their penetration and toxicity problems emerged. New approaches are in progress to obtain inhibitors with desired properties, allowing further steps such as tests using an adequate animal model and subsequent developments for the preclinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Beatriz Vermelho
- BIOINOVAR - Biotechnology Laboratories: Biocatalysis, Bioproducts, and Bioenergy, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Goes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Giseli Capaci Rodrigues
- UNIGRANRIO - Universidade do Grande Rio Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino das Ciências, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alessio Nocentini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child's Health, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Felipe R P Mansoldo
- BIOINOVAR - Biotechnology Laboratories: Biocatalysis, Bioproducts, and Bioenergy, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Goes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child's Health, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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12
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Extracellular Vesicles in Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: Immunomodulatory Effects and Future Perspectives as Potential Control Tools against Chagas Disease. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:5230603. [PMID: 36033396 PMCID: PMC9402373 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5230603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoa parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected tropical disease and a major public health problem affecting more than 6 million people worldwide. Many challenges remain in the quest to control Chagas disease: the diagnosis presents several limitations and the two available treatments cause several side effects, presenting limited efficacy during the chronic phase of the disease. In addition, there are no preventive vaccines or biomarkers of therapeutic response or disease outcome. Trypomastigote form and T. cruzi-infected cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are involved in cell-to-cell communication and can modulate the host immune response. Importantly, EVs have been described as promising tools for the development of new therapeutic strategies, such as vaccines, and for the discovery of new biomarkers. Here, we review and discuss the role of EVs secreted during T. cruzi infection and their immunomodulatory properties. Finally, we briefly describe their potential for biomarker discovery and future perspectives as vaccine development tools for Chagas Disease.
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13
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Alonso-Vega C, Urbina JA, Sanz S, Pinazo MJ, Pinto JJ, Gonzalez VR, Rojas G, Ortiz L, Garcia W, Lozano D, Soy D, Maldonado RA, Nagarkatti R, Debrabant A, Schijman A, Thomas MC, López MC, Michael K, Ribeiro I, Gascon J, Torrico F, Almeida IC. New chemotherapy regimens and biomarkers for Chagas disease: the rationale and design of the TESEO study, an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052897. [PMID: 34972765 PMCID: PMC8720984 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease (CD) affects ~7 million people worldwide. Benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX) are the only approved drugs for CD chemotherapy. Although both drugs are highly effective in acute and paediatric infections, their efficacy in adults with chronic CD (CCD) is lower and variable. Moreover, the high incidence of adverse events (AEs) with both drugs has hampered their widespread use. Trials in CCD adults showed that quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays remain negative for 12 months after standard-of-care (SoC) BZN treatment in ~80% patients. BZN pharmacokinetic data and the nonsynchronous nature of the proliferative mammal-dwelling parasite stage suggested that a lower BZN/NFX dosing frequency, combined with standard or extended treatment duration, might have the same or better efficacy than either drug SoC, with fewer AEs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS New ThErapies and Biomarkers for ChagaS infEctiOn (TESEO) is an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial, with six treatment arms (75 patients/arm, 450 patients). Primary objectives are to compare the safety and efficacy of two new proposed chemotherapy regimens of BZN and NFX in adults with CCD with the current SoC for BZN and NFX, evaluated by qPCR and biomarkers for 36 months posttreatment and correlated with CD conventional serology. Recruitment of patients was initiated on 18 December 2019 and on 20 May 2021, 450 patients (study goal) were randomised among the six treatment arms. The treatment phase was finalised on 18 August 2021. Secondary objectives include evaluation of population pharmacokinetics of both drugs in all treatment arms, the incidence of AEs, and parasite genotyping. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The TESEO study was approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), federal regulatory agency of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Ethics Committees of the participating institutions. The results will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and reports to the NIH, FDA and participating institutions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03981523.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julio A Urbina
- Center for Biochemistry and Biophysics, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC), Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
| | - Sergi Sanz
- Biostatistics and Data Management Unit, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGLOBAL), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jimy José Pinto
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Virginia R Gonzalez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Gimena Rojas
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Lourdes Ortiz
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Tarija, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho, Tarija, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Wilson Garcia
- Centro Plataforma Chagas Sucre, Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Sucre, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- Programa Departamental de Chagas Chuquisaca, Servicio Departamental de Salud de Chuquisaca, Chuquisaca, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Daniel Lozano
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Dolors Soy
- Pharmacy Service, Division of Medicines, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Investigació Biomèdica Agustí Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa A Maldonado
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Rana Nagarkatti
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alain Debrabant
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alejandro Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Granada, Spain
| | - Katja Michael
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Dynamic Portfolio Unit, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGLOBAL), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
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14
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Mateus J, Nocua P, Lasso P, López MC, Thomas MC, Egui A, Cuervo C, González JM, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A. CD8 + T Cell Response Quality Is Related to Parasite Control in an Animal Model of Single and Mixed Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:723121. [PMID: 34712620 PMCID: PMC8546172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.723121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD) is a chronic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This highly diverse intracellular parasite is classified into seven genotypes or discrete typing units (DTUs) and they overlap in geographic ranges, vectors, and clinical characteristics. Although studies have suggested that ChD progression is due to a decline in the immune response quality, a direct relationship between T cell responses and disease outcome is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between parasite control and immune T cell responses, we used two distinct infection approaches in an animal model to explore the histological and parasitological outcomes and dissect the T cell responses in T. cruzi-infected mice. First, we performed single infection experiments with DA (TcI) or Y (TcII) T. cruzi strains to compare the infection outcomes and evaluate its relationship with the T cell response. Second, because infections with diverse T. cruzi genotypes can occur in naturally infected individuals, mice were infected with the Y or DA strain and subsequently reinfected with the Y strain. We found different infection outcomes in the two infection approaches used. The single chronic infection showed differences in the inflammatory infiltrate level, while mixed chronic infection by different T. cruzi DTUs showed dissimilarities in the parasite loads. Chronically infected mice with a low inflammatory infiltrate (DA-infected mice) or low parasitemia and parasitism (Y/Y-infected mice) showed increases in early-differentiated CD8+ T cells, a multifunctional T cell response and lower expression of inhibitory receptors on CD8+ T cells. In contrast, infected mice with a high inflammatory infiltrate (Y-infected mice) or high parasitemia and parasitism (DA/Y-infected mice) showed a CD8+ T cell response distinguished by an increase in late-differentiated cells, a monofunctional response, and enhanced expression of inhibitory receptors. Overall, our results demonstrated that the infection outcomes caused by single or mixed T. cruzi infection with different genotypes induce a differential immune CD8+ T cell response quality. These findings suggest that the CD8+ T cell response might dictate differences in the infection outcomes at the chronic T. cruzi stage. This study shows that the T cell response quality is related to parasite control during chronic T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Nocua
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Ciencias de Laboratorio Clínico, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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15
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Rodríguez-Angulo HO, Lamsfus-Calle A, Isoler-Alcaráz J, Galán-Martínez J, Herreros-Cabello A, Callejas-Hernández F, Chorro-de-Villaceballos MA, Maza MC, Santi-Rocca J, Poveda C, Moral-Salmoral JD, Marques J, Mendoza I, Ramírez JD, Guhl F, Carrillo I, Pérez-Tanoira R, Górgolas M, Pérez-Ayala A, Monge-Maillo B, Norman F, Pérez-Molina JA, López-Vélez R, Fresno M, Gironès N. Autoantibodies against the immunodominant sCha epitope discriminate the risk of sudden death in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1497:27-38. [PMID: 33682151 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In Chagas disease (ChD) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, new biomarkers to predict chronic cardiac pathology are urgently needed. Previous studies in chagasic patients with mild symptomatology showed that antibodies against the immunodominant R3 epitope of sCha, a fragment of the human basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor like 5, correlated with cardiac pathology. To validate sCha as a biomarker and to understand the origin of anti-sCha antibodies, we conducted a multicenter study with several cohorts of chagasic patients with severe cardiac symptomatology. We found that levels of antibodies against sCha discriminated the high risk of sudden death, indicating they could be useful for ChD prognosis. We investigated the origin of the antibodies and performed an alanine scan of the R3 epitope. We identified a minimal epitope MRQLD, and a BLAST search retrieved several T. cruzi antigens. Five of the hits had known or putative functions, of which phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase showed the highest cross-reactivity with sCha, confirming the role of molecular mimicry in the development of anti-sCha antibodies. Altogether, we demonstrate that the development of antibodies against sCha, which originated by molecular mimicry with T. cruzi antigens, could discriminate electrocardiographic alterations associated with a high risk of sudden death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrés Lamsfus-Calle
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.,VIVEbiotech S. L., Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | | | - Javier Galán-Martínez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - María A Chorro-de-Villaceballos
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - María C Maza
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julien Santi-Rocca
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.,Science and Healthcare for Oral Welfare - SHOW, Toulouse, France
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan Marques
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Iván Mendoza
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Felipe Guhl
- Centro de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical - CIMPAT, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Irene Carrillo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Pérez-Tanoira
- Division of Infectious Diseases, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Microbiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Górgolas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Pérez-Ayala
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Monge-Maillo
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesca Norman
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A Pérez-Molina
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rogelio López-Vélez
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain
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16
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New Biomarker in Chagas Disease: Extracellular Vesicles Isolated from Peripheral Blood in Chronic Chagas Disease Patients Modulate the Human Immune Response. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6650670. [PMID: 33506056 PMCID: PMC7815414 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6650670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is a major public health problem. It was initially restricted to Latin America, but it is now expanding globally. Host and pathogen interactions are crucial in the establishment of disease, and since 1970, it has been known that eukaryotic cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs), which in turn have an important role in intercellular communication in physiological and pathological conditions. Our study proposed to characterize and compare circulating EVs isolated from the plasma of chronic Chagas disease (CCD) patients and controls. For this, peripheral blood was collected from patients and controls, and mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and stimulated with parasite EVs, showing that patient cells released fewer EVs than control cells. Then, after plasma separation followed by EV total shedding enrichment, the samples were subjected to ultracentrifugation to isolate the circulating EVs, which then had their size and concentration characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). This showed that patients had a lower concentration of circulating EVs while there were no differences in size, corroborating the in vitro data. Additionally, circulating EVs were incubated with THP-1 cells (macrophages) that, after the interaction, had their supernatant analyzed by ELISA for cytokine detection. In relation to their ability to induce cytokine production, the CCD patient EVs were able to induce a differential production of IFN-γ and IL-17 in relation to controls, with differences being more evident in earlier/less severe stages of the disease. In summary, a decreased concentration of circulating EVs associated with differential activation of the immunological system in patients with CCD is related to parasite persistence and the establishment of chronic disease. It is also a potential biomarker for monitoring disease progression.
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17
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Martínez-Peinado N, Cortes-Serra N, Losada-Galvan I, Alonso-Vega C, Urbina JA, Rodríguez A, VandeBerg JL, Pinazo MJ, Gascon J, Alonso-Padilla J. Emerging agents for the treatment of Chagas disease: what is in the preclinical and clinical development pipeline? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:947-959. [PMID: 32635780 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1793955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease treatment relies on the lengthy administration of benznidazole and/or nifurtimox, which have frequent toxicity associated. The disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is mostly diagnosed at its chronic phase when life-threatening symptomatology manifest in approximately 30% of those infected. Considering that both available drugs have variable efficacy by then, and there are over 6 million people infected, there is a pressing need to find safer, more efficacious drugs. AREAS COVERED We provide an updated view of the path to achieve the aforementioned goal. From state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo assays based on genetically engineered parasites that have allowed high throughput screenings of large chemical collections, to the unfulfilled requirement of having treatment-response biomarkers for the clinical evaluation of drugs. In between, we describe the most promising pre-clinical hits and the landscape of clinical trials with new drugs or new regimens of existing ones. Moreover, the use of monkey models to reduce the pre-clinical to clinical attrition rate is discussed. EXPERT OPINION In addition to the necessary research on new drugs and much awaited biomarkers of treatment efficacy, a key step will be to generalize access to diagnosis and treatment and maximize efforts to impede transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Martínez-Peinado
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Losada-Galvan
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Alonso-Vega
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio A Urbina
- Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research , Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Ana Rodríguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine , New York, NY, USA
| | - 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/Harlingen/Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
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