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Mazumder R, Ichudaule, Ghosh A, Deb S, Ghosh R. Significance of Chalcone Scaffolds in Medicinal Chemistry. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2024; 382:22. [PMID: 38937401 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-024-00468-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Chalcone is a simple naturally occurring α,β-unsaturated ketone with biological importance, which can also be easily synthesized in laboratories by reaction between two aromatic scaffolds. In plants, chalcones occur as polyphenolic compounds of different frameworks which are bioactive molecules that have been in traditional medicinal practice for many years. Chalcone-based lead molecules have been developed, possessing varied potentials such as antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, antihyperurecemic, and anti-ulcer effects. Chalcones contribute considerable fragments to give important heterocyclic molecules with therapeutic utilities targeting various diseases. These characteristic features have made chalcone a topic of interest among researchers and have attracted investigations into this widely applicable structure. This review highlights the extensive exploration carried out on the synthesis, biotransformations, chemical reactions, hybridization, and pharmacological potentials of chalcones, and aims to provide an extensive, thorough, and critical review of their importance, with emphasis on their properties, chemistry, and biomedical applications to boost future investigations into this potential scaffold in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishav Mazumder
- Laboratory of Developing Drug Candidates, Department of Pharmacy, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar, Agartala, Tripura, 799022, India
| | - Ichudaule
- Laboratory of Developing Drug Candidates, Department of Pharmacy, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar, Agartala, Tripura, 799022, India
| | - Ashmita Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Techno India University Tripura, Maheshkhola, Anandanagar, Agartala, Tripura, 799004, India
| | - Subrata Deb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, Miami, FL, 33169, USA.
| | - Rajat Ghosh
- Laboratory of Developing Drug Candidates, Department of Pharmacy, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar, Agartala, Tripura, 799022, India.
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Mahanta PJ, Lhouvum K. Plasmodium falciparum proteases as new drug targets with special focus on metalloproteases. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 258:111617. [PMID: 38554736 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111617] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Malaria poses a significant global health threat particularly due to the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection. With the emergence of parasite resistance to existing drugs including the recently discovered artemisinin, ongoing research seeks novel therapeutic avenues within the malaria parasite. Proteases are promising drug targets due to their essential roles in parasite biology, including hemoglobin digestion, merozoite invasion, and egress. While exploring the genomic landscape of Plasmodium falciparum, it has been revealed that there are 92 predicted proteases, with only approximately 14 of them having been characterized. These proteases are further distributed among 26 families grouped into five clans: aspartic proteases, cysteine proteases, metalloproteases, serine proteases, and threonine proteases. Focus on metalloprotease class shows further role in organelle processing for mitochondria and apicoplasts suggesting the potential of metalloproteases as viable drug targets. Holistic understanding of the parasite intricate life cycle and identification of potential drug targets are essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies against malaria and mitigating its devastating global impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimjolly Lhouvum
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
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3
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Das A, Rajkhowa S, Sinha S, Zaki MEA. Unveiling potential repurposed drug candidates for Plasmodium falciparum through in silico evaluation: A synergy of structure-based approaches, structure prediction, and molecular dynamics simulations. Comput Biol Chem 2024; 110:108048. [PMID: 38471353 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2024.108048] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The rise of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum, rendering current treatments ineffective, has hindered efforts to eliminate malaria. To address this issue, the study employed a combination of Systems Biology approach and a structure-based pharmacophore method to identify a target against P. falciparum. Through text mining, 448 genes were extracted, and it was discovered that plasmepsins, found in the Plasmodium genus, play a crucial role in the parasite's survival. The metabolic pathways of these proteins were determined using the PlasmoDB genomic database and recreated using CellDesigner 4.4.2. To identify a potent target, Plasmepsin V (PF13_0133) was selected and examined for protein-protein interactions (PPIs) using the STRING Database. Topological analysis and global-based methods identified PF13_0133 as having the highest centrality. Moreover, the static protein knockout PPIs demonstrated the essentiality of PF13_0133 in the modeled network. Due to the unavailability of the protein's crystal structure, it was modeled and subjected to a molecular dynamics simulation study. The structure-based pharmacophore modeling utilized the modeled PF13_0133 (PfPMV), generating 10 pharmacophore hypotheses with a library of active and inactive compounds against PfPMV. Through virtual screening, two potential candidates, hesperidin and rutin, were identified as potential drugs which may be repurposed as potential anti-malarial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhichandan Das
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam 786004, India
| | - Sanchaita Rajkhowa
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam 786004, India.
| | - Subrata Sinha
- Department of Computational Sciences, Brainware University, Barasat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700125, India
| | - Magdi E A Zaki
- Department of Chemistry, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Dorta D, Plazaola C, Carrasco J, Alves-Rosa MF, Coronado LM, Correa R, Zambrano M, Gutiérrez-Medina B, Sarmiento-Gómez E, Spadafora C, Gonzalez G. Mechanical Characterization of the Erythrocyte Membrane Using a Capacitor-Based Technique. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:590. [PMID: 38793163 PMCID: PMC11122917 DOI: 10.3390/mi15050590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Pathological processes often change the mechanical properties of cells. Increased rigidity could be a marker of cellular malfunction. Erythrocytes are a type of cell that deforms to squeeze through tiny capillaries; changes in their rigidity can dramatically affect their functionality. Furthermore, differences in the homeostatic elasticity of the cell can be used as a tool for diagnosis and even for choosing the adequate treatment for some illnesses. More accurate types of equipment needed to study biomechanical phenomena at the single-cell level are very costly and thus out of reach for many laboratories around the world. This study presents a simple and low-cost technique to study the rigidity of red blood cells (RBCs) through the application of electric fields in a hand-made microfluidic chamber that uses a capacitor principle. As RBCs are deformed with the application of voltage, cells are observed under a light microscope. From mechanical force vs. deformation data, the elastic constant of the cells is determined. The results obtained with the capacitor-based method were compared with those obtained using optical tweezers, finding good agreement. In addition, P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes were tested with the electric field applicator. Our technique provides a simple means of testing the mechanical properties of individual cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doriana Dorta
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y Tecnología, Universidad de Panamá, Panama City 06001-01103, Panama;
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama City 1843-01103, Panama; (J.C.); (M.F.A.-R.); (L.M.C.); (R.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Carlos Plazaola
- Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama;
| | - Jafeth Carrasco
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama City 1843-01103, Panama; (J.C.); (M.F.A.-R.); (L.M.C.); (R.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Maria F. Alves-Rosa
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama City 1843-01103, Panama; (J.C.); (M.F.A.-R.); (L.M.C.); (R.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Lorena M. Coronado
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama City 1843-01103, Panama; (J.C.); (M.F.A.-R.); (L.M.C.); (R.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Ricardo Correa
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama City 1843-01103, Panama; (J.C.); (M.F.A.-R.); (L.M.C.); (R.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Maytee Zambrano
- Facultad de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama;
- Centro de Estudios Multidisciplinarios en Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología (CEMCIT-AIP), Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
| | - Braulio Gutiérrez-Medina
- Advanced Materials Division, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A. C. (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí 78216, Mexico;
| | - Erick Sarmiento-Gómez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Física, División de Ciencias e Ingenierías, Campus León, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato 37320, Mexico;
| | - Carmenza Spadafora
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Panama City 1843-01103, Panama; (J.C.); (M.F.A.-R.); (L.M.C.); (R.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Guadalupe Gonzalez
- Facultad de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama;
- Centro de Estudios Multidisciplinarios en Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología (CEMCIT-AIP), Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
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Sahoo P, Pathak NK, Scott Bohle D, Dodd EL, Tripathy U. Hematin anhydride (β-hematin): An analogue to malaria pigment hemozoin possesses nonlinearity. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2024; 310:123902. [PMID: 38281463 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.123902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Hematin anhydride (β-hematin), the synthetic analogue of the malaria pigment, "hemozoin", is a heme dimer produced by reciprocal covalent bonds among carboxylic acid groups on the protoporphyrin-IX ring and the iron atom present in the two adjacent heme molecules. Hemozoin is a disposal product formed from the digestion of hemoglobin present in the red blood cells infected with hematophagous malaria parasites. Besides, as the parasites invade red blood cells, hemozoin crystals are eventually released into the bloodstream, where they accumulate over time in tissues. Severe malaria infection leads to significant dysfunction in vital organs such as the liver, spleen, and brain in part due to the autoimmune response to the excessive accumulation of hemozoin in these tissues. Also, the amount of these crystals in the vasculature correlates with disease progression. Thus, hemozoin is a unique indicator of infection used as a malaria biomarker and hence, used as a target for the development of antimalarial drugs. Hence, exploring various properties of hemozoin is extremely useful in the direction of diagnosis and cure. The present study focuses on finding one of the unknown properties of β-hematin in physiological conditions by using the Z-scan technique, which is simple, sensitive, and economical. It is observed that hemozoin possesses one of the unique material properties, i.e., nonlinearity with a detection limit of ∼ 15 µM. The self-defocusing action causes β-hematin to exhibit negative refractive nonlinearity. The observed data is analyzed with a thermal lensing model. We strongly believe that our simple and reliable approach to probing the nonlinearity of β-hematin will provide fresh opportunities for malaria diagnostics & cure in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyadarshi Sahoo
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad 826004, Jharkhand, India
| | - Nitesh Kumar Pathak
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad 826004, Jharkhand, India
| | - D Scott Bohle
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0B8, Quebec, Canada
| | - Erin L Dodd
- Département de Chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, 2101, rue Jeanne-Mance Montréal, H2X 2J6 Québec, Canada
| | - Umakanta Tripathy
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad 826004, Jharkhand, India.
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Duran J, Poolsup S, Allers L, Lemus MR, Cheng Q, Pu J, Salemi M, Phinney B, Jia J. A mechanism that transduces lysosomal damage signals to stress granule formation for cell survival. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.29.587368. [PMID: 38617306 PMCID: PMC11014484 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.29.587368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Lysosomal damage poses a significant threat to cell survival. Our previous work has reported that lysosomal damage induces stress granule (SG) formation. However, the importance of SG formation in determining cell fate and the precise mechanisms through which lysosomal damage triggers SG formation remains unclear. Here, we show that SG formation is initiated via a novel calcium-dependent pathway and plays a protective role in promoting cell survival in response to lysosomal damage. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that during lysosomal damage, ALIX, a calcium-activated protein, transduces lysosomal damage signals by sensing calcium leakage to induce SG formation by controlling the phosphorylation of eIF2α. ALIX modulates eIF2α phosphorylation by regulating the association between PKR and its activator PACT, with galectin-3 exerting a negative effect on this process. We also found this regulatory event of SG formation occur on damaged lysosomes. Collectively, these investigations reveal novel insights into the precise regulation of SG formation triggered by lysosomal damage, and shed light on the interaction between damaged lysosomes and SGs. Importantly, SG formation is significant for promoting cell survival in the physiological context of lysosomal damage inflicted by SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, adenovirus infection, Malaria hemozoin, proteopathic tau as well as environmental hazard silica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Duran
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
- Autophagy, Inflammation and Metabolism Center of Biochemical Research Excellence, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
| | - Suttinee Poolsup
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
- Autophagy, Inflammation and Metabolism Center of Biochemical Research Excellence, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
| | - Lee Allers
- Autophagy, Inflammation and Metabolism Center of Biochemical Research Excellence, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
| | - Monica Rosas Lemus
- Autophagy, Inflammation and Metabolism Center of Biochemical Research Excellence, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
| | - Qiuying Cheng
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
| | - Jing Pu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
| | - Michelle Salemi
- Proteomics Core Facility, University of California Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Brett Phinney
- Proteomics Core Facility, University of California Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jingyue Jia
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
- Autophagy, Inflammation and Metabolism Center of Biochemical Research Excellence, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
- Lead Contact
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Nkungli NK, Fouegue ADT, Tasheh SN, Bine FK, Hassan AU, Ghogomu JN. In silico investigation of falcipain-2 inhibition by hybrid benzimidazole-thiosemicarbazone antiplasmodial agents: A molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and kinetics study. Mol Divers 2024; 28:475-496. [PMID: 36622482 PMCID: PMC9838286 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of artemisinin-resistant variants of Plasmodium falciparum necessitates the urgent search for novel antimalarial drugs. In this regard, an in silico study to screen antimalarial drug candidates from a series of benzimidazole-thiosemicarbazone hybrid molecules with interesting antiplasmodial properties and explore their falcipain-2 (FP2) inhibitory potentials has been undertaken herein. FP2 is a key cysteine protease that degrades hemoglobin in Plasmodium falciparum and is an important biomolecular target in the development of antimalarial drugs. Pharmacokinetic properties, ADMET profiles, MM/GBSA-based binding free energies, reaction mechanisms, and associated barrier heights have been investigated. DFT, molecular dynamics simulation, molecular docking, and ONIOM methods were used. From the results obtained, four 4N-substituted derivatives of the hybrid molecule (E)-2-(1-(5-chloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (1A) denoted 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E are drug-like and promising inhibitors of FP2, exhibiting remarkably small inhibitory constants (5.94 × 10-14 - 2.59 × 10-04 n M) and favorable binding free energies (-30.32 to -17.17 kcal/mol). Moreover, the ONIOM results have revealed that 1B and possibly 1C and 1D may act as covalent inhibitors of FP2. The rate-determining step of the thermodynamically favorable covalent binding mechanism occurs across a surmountable barrier height of 24.18 kcal/mol in water and 28.42 kcal/mol in diethyl ether. Our findings are useful for further experimental investigations on the antimalarial activities of the hybrid molecules studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyiang Kennet Nkungli
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, P. O. Box 39, Bamenda, Cameroon.
| | - Aymard Didier Tamafo Fouegue
- Department of Chemistry, Higher Teacher Training College Bertoua, University of Bertoua, P.O. Box 652, Bertoua, Cameroon
| | - Stanley Numbonui Tasheh
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, P. O. Box 39, Bamenda, Cameroon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Fritzgerald Kogge Bine
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Abrar Ul Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, 54400, PK, Pakistan
| | - Julius Numbonui Ghogomu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, P. O. Box 39, Bamenda, Cameroon
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon
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Omorou R, Delabie B, Lavoignat A, Chaker V, Bonnot G, Traore K, Bienvenu AL, Picot S. Nanoparticle tracking analysis of natural hemozoin from Plasmodium parasites. Acta Trop 2024; 250:107105. [PMID: 38135133 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107105] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemozoin is a byproduct of hemoglobin digestion crucial for parasite survival. It forms crystals that can be of interest as drug targets or biomarkers of malaria infection. However, hemozoin has long been considered as an amorphous crystal of simple morphology. Studying the consequences of biomineralization of this crystal during the parasite growth may provide more comprehensive evidence of its role during malaria. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the interest of nanoparticles tracker analysis for measuring the concentration and size of hemozoin particles produced from different parasite sources and conditions. METHODS Hemozoin was extracted from several clones of Plasmodium falciparum both asexual and sexual parasites. Hemozoin was also extracted from blood samples of malaria patients and from saliva of asymptomatic malaria carriers. Nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA) was performed to assess the size and concentration of hemozoin. RESULTS NTA data showed variation in hemozoin concentration, size, and crystal clusters between parasite clones, species, and stages. Among parasite clones, hemozoin concentration ranged from 131 to 2663 particles/infected red blood cell (iRBC) and size ranged from 149.6 ± 6.3 nm to 234.8 ± 40.1 nm. The mean size was lower for Plasmodium vivax (176 ± 79.2 nm) than for Plasmodium falciparum (254.8 ± 74.0 nm). Sexual NF54 parasites showed a 7.5-fold higher concentration of hemozoin particles (28.7 particles/iRBC) compared to asexual parasites (3.8 particles/iRBC). In addition, the mean hemozoin size also increased by approximately 60 % for sexual parasites. Compared to in vitro cultures of parasites, blood samples showed low hemozoin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the potential of NTA as a useful method for analyzing hemozoin, demonstrating its ability to provide detailed information on hemozoin characterization. However, further research is needed to adapt the NTA for hemozoin analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roukayatou Omorou
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France.
| | - Blanche Delabie
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - Adeline Lavoignat
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - Victorien Chaker
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - Guillaume Bonnot
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France
| | - Karim Traore
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
| | - Anne-Lise Bienvenu
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France; Service Pharmacie, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon 69004, France
| | - Stephane Picot
- Malaria Research Unit, UMR 5246 CNRS-INSA-CPE, University Lyon1, University Lyon, Villeurbanne 69100, France; Institute of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon 69004, France
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9
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Skorokhod O, Vostokova E, Gilardi G. The role of P450 enzymes in malaria and other vector-borne infectious diseases. Biofactors 2024; 50:16-32. [PMID: 37555735 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Vector-borne infectious diseases are still an important global health problem. Malaria is the most important among them, mainly pediatric, life-threatening disease. Malaria and other vector-borne disorders caused by parasites, bacteria, and viruses have a strong impact on public health and significant economic costs. Most vector-borne diseases could be prevented by vector control, with attention to the ecological and biodiversity conservation aspects. Chemical control with pesticides and insecticides is widely used as a measure of prevention although increasing resistance to insecticides is a serious issue in vector control. Metabolic resistance is the most common mechanism and poses a big challenge. Insect enzyme systems, including monooxygenase CYP P450 enzymes, are employed by vectors mainly to metabolize insecticides thus causing resistance. The discovery and application of natural specific inhibitors/blockers of vector P450 enzymes as synergists for commonly used pesticides will contribute to the "greening" of insecticides. Besides vector CYPs, host CYP enzymes could also be exploited to fight against vector-borne diseases: using mostly their detoxifying properties and involvement in the immune response. Here, we review published research data on P450 enzymes from all players in vector-borne infections, that is, pathogens, vectors, and hosts, regarding the potential role of CYPs in disease. We discuss strategies on how to exploit cytochromes P450 in vector-borne disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksii Skorokhod
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Ekaterina Vostokova
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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10
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Liffner B, Cepeda Diaz AK, Blauwkamp J, Anaguano D, Frolich S, Muralidharan V, Wilson DW, Dvorin JD, Absalon S. Atlas of Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic development using expansion microscopy. eLife 2023; 12:RP88088. [PMID: 38108809 PMCID: PMC10727503 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites exhibit tremendous diversity in much of their fundamental cell biology, but study of these organisms using light microscopy is often hindered by their small size. Ultrastructural expansion microscopy (U-ExM) is a microscopy preparation method that physically expands the sample by ~4.5×. Here, we apply U-ExM to the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum during the asexual blood stage of its lifecycle to understand how this parasite is organized in three dimensions. Using a combination of dye-conjugated reagents and immunostaining, we have cataloged 13 different P. falciparum structures or organelles across the intraerythrocytic development of this parasite and made multiple observations about fundamental parasite cell biology. We describe that the outer centriolar plaque and its associated proteins anchor the nucleus to the parasite plasma membrane during mitosis. Furthermore, the rhoptries, Golgi, basal complex, and inner membrane complex, which form around this anchoring site while nuclei are still dividing, are concurrently segregated and maintain an association to the outer centriolar plaque until the start of segmentation. We also show that the mitochondrion and apicoplast undergo sequential fission events while maintaining an association with the outer centriolar plaque during cytokinesis. Collectively, this study represents the most detailed ultrastructural analysis of P. falciparum during its intraerythrocytic development to date and sheds light on multiple poorly understood aspects of its organelle biogenesis and fundamental cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liffner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Ana Karla Cepeda Diaz
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s HospitalBostonUnited States
| | - James Blauwkamp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - David Anaguano
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Sonja Frolich
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
| | - Vasant Muralidharan
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial RoadMelbourneAustralia
| | - Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s HospitalBostonUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
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11
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Yadav S, Bhardwaj R, Mishra P, Singh JP. A magnetic field augmented ultra-thin layer chromatography coupled surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy separation of hemozoin from bacterial mixture. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1708:464318. [PMID: 37660559 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464318] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is considered as one the most widespread disease with highest possibility of co-infection at all levels of the disease prognosis. Rapid detection and discrimination of malaria from other co-infections remains a challenge. Hemozoin is a metabolic biproduct of malaraia possessing paramagnetic property due to presence of iron at its centre. Here, we report a label free, rapid and highly sensitive magnetic field based ultra-thin layer chromatography (UTLC) coupled with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique for detection and separation of hemozoin from a bacterial mixture. Highly optimized silver nanorods chip fabricated using glancing angle deposition (GLAD) is explored for the UTLC-SERS separation. These chips possessing channel like characteristic and high surface to the volume ratio serve as excellent UTLC plates. The magnetic nature of hemozoin has been exploited for its separation from the mixture of P. aeruginosa (Gram-negative) and S. aureus (Gram-positive) by allocating a 0.6 T magnet over the UTLC flow setup. The solvent front migrated approximately to a distance of 13 mm from the sample point due to the magnetic environment. Spatially resolved SERS data was collected along the mobile phase and separation of mixture was confirmed. Further, staining of hemozoin, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus was done using methylene blue, acridine orange and rhodamine 6 G respectively. The separation was confirmed for the stained analytes. The present developed method provides plate height as low as 18 µm and hemozoin detection limit as <10 parasites/mL. Therefore, we establish a highly specific and sensitive technique capable of separating small amounts of bioanalytes, aiding in the removal of co-infections from the disease at a very early stage of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarjana Yadav
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Ritu Bhardwaj
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Prashant Mishra
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - J P Singh
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
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12
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Liffner B, Cepeda Diaz AK, Blauwkamp J, Anaguano D, Frölich S, Muralidharan V, Wilson DW, Dvorin J, Absalon S. Atlas of Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic development using expansion microscopy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.22.533773. [PMID: 36993606 PMCID: PMC10055389 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.22.533773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites exhibit tremendous diversity in much of their fundamental cell biology, but study of these organisms using light microscopy is often hindered by their small size. Ultrastructural expansion microscopy (U-ExM) is a microscopy preparation method that physically expands the sample ~4.5x. Here, we apply U-ExM to the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum during the asexual blood stage of its lifecycle to understand how this parasite is organized in three-dimensions. Using a combination of dye-conjugated reagents and immunostaining, we have catalogued 13 different P. falciparum structures or organelles across the intraerythrocytic development of this parasite and made multiple observations about fundamental parasite cell biology. We describe that the outer centriolar plaque and its associated proteins anchor the nucleus to the parasite plasma membrane during mitosis. Furthermore, the rhoptries, Golgi, basal complex, and inner membrane complex, which form around this anchoring site while nuclei are still dividing, are concurrently segregated and maintain an association to the outer centriolar plaque until the start of segmentation. We also show that the mitochondrion and apicoplast undergo sequential fission events while maintaining an association with the outer centriolar plaque during cytokinesis. Collectively, this study represents the most detailed ultrastructural analysis of P. falciparum during its intraerythrocytic development to date, and sheds light on multiple poorly understood aspects of its organelle biogenesis and fundamental cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liffner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ana Karla Cepeda Diaz
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
| | - James Blauwkamp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - David Anaguano
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sonja Frölich
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Vasant Muralidharan
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Danny W. Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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13
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Mandal A, Kushwaha R, Mandal AA, Bajpai S, Yadav AK, Banerjee S. Transition Metal Complexes as Antimalarial Agents: A Review. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300326. [PMID: 37436090 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300326] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
In antimalarial drug development research, overcoming drug resistance has been a major challenge for researchers. Nowadays, several drugs like chloroquine, mefloquine, sulfadoxine, and artemisinin are used to treat malaria. But increment in drug resistance has pushed researchers to find novel drugs to tackle drug resistance problems. The idea of using transition metal complexes with pharmacophores as ligands/ligand pendants to show enhanced antimalarial activity with a novel mechanism of action has gained significant attention recently. The advantages of metal complexes include tunable chemical/physical properties, redox activity, avoiding resistance factors, etc. Several recent reports have successfully demonstrated that the metal complexation of known organic antimalarial drugs can overcome drug resistance by showing enhanced activities than the parent drugs. This review has discussed the fruitful research works done in the past few years falling into this criterion. Based on transition metal series (3d, 4d, or 5d), the antimalarial metal complexes have been divided into three broad categories (3d, 4d, or 5d metal-based), and their activities have been compared with the similar control complexes as well as the parent drugs. Furthermore, we have also commented on the potential issues and their possible solution for translating these metal-based antimalarial complexes into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurba Mandal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Rajesh Kushwaha
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Arif Ali Mandal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Sumit Bajpai
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Ashish Kumar Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Samya Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
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14
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Chen C, Hamza I. Notes from the Underground: Heme Homeostasis in C. elegans. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1149. [PMID: 37509184 PMCID: PMC10377359 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Heme is an iron-containing tetrapyrrole that plays a critical role in various biological processes, including oxygen transport, electron transport, signal transduction, and catalysis. However, free heme is hydrophobic and potentially toxic to cells. Organisms have evolved specific pathways to safely transport this essential but toxic macrocycle within and between cells. The bacterivorous soil-dwelling nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a powerful animal model for studying heme-trafficking pathways, as it lacks the ability to synthesize heme but instead relies on specialized trafficking pathways to acquire, distribute, and utilize heme. Over the past 15 years, studies on this microscopic animal have led to the identification of a number of heme-trafficking proteins, with corresponding functional homologs in vertebrates. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the heme-trafficking proteins identified in C. elegans and their corresponding homologs in related organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyong Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Iqbal Hamza
- Center for Blood Oxygen Transport and Hemostasis, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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15
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Berger F, Gomez GM, Sanchez CP, Posch B, Planelles G, Sohraby F, Nunes-Alves A, Lanzer M. pH-dependence of the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter is linked to the transport cycle. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4234. [PMID: 37454114 PMCID: PMC10349806 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39969-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The chloroquine resistance transporter, PfCRT, of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is sensitive to acidic pH. Consequently, PfCRT operates at 60% of its maximal drug transport activity at the pH of 5.2 of the digestive vacuole, a proteolytic organelle from which PfCRT expels drugs interfering with heme detoxification. Here we show by alanine-scanning mutagenesis that E207 is critical for pH sensing. The E207A mutation abrogates pH-sensitivity, while preserving drug substrate specificity. Substituting E207 with Asp or His, but not other amino acids, restores pH-sensitivity. Molecular dynamics simulations and kinetics analyses suggest an allosteric binding model in which PfCRT can accept both protons and chloroquine in a partial noncompetitive manner, with increased proton concentrations decreasing drug transport. Further simulations reveal that E207 relocates from a peripheral to an engaged location during the transport cycle, forming a salt bridge with residue K80. We propose that the ionized carboxyl group of E207 acts as a hydrogen acceptor, facilitating transport cycle progression, with pH sensing as a by-product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Berger
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guillermo M Gomez
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cecilia P Sanchez
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Britta Posch
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gabrielle Planelles
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Unité 1138, CNRS ERL8228, Université Pierre et Marie Curie and Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, 75006, France
| | - Farzin Sohraby
- Institute of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ariane Nunes-Alves
- Institute of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Michael Lanzer
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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16
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Skorokhod O, Triglione V, Barrera V, Di Nardo G, Valente E, Ulliers D, Schwarzer E, Gilardi G. Posttranslational Modification of Human Cytochrome CYP4F11 by 4-Hydroxynonenal Impairs ω-Hydroxylation in Malaria Pigment Hemozoin-Fed Monocytes: The Role in Malaria Immunosuppression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10232. [PMID: 37373382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a frequent parasitic infection becomes life threatening due to the disequilibrated immune responses of the host. Avid phagocytosis of malarial pigment hemozoin (HZ) and HZ-containing Plasmodium parasites incapacitates monocyte functions by bioactive lipoperoxidation products 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). CYP4F conjugation with 4-HNE is hypothesised to inhibit ω-hydroxylation of 15-HETE, leading to sustained monocyte dysfunction caused by 15-HETE accumulation. A combined immunochemical and mass-spectrometric approach identified 4-HNE-conjugated CYP4F11 in primary human HZ-laden and 4-HNE-treated monocytes. Six distinct 4-HNE-modified amino acid residues were revealed, of which C260 and H261 are localized in the substrate recognition site of CYP4F11. Functional consequences of enzyme modification were investigated on purified human CYP4F11. Palmitic acid, arachidonic acid, 12-HETE, and 15-HETE bound to unconjugated CYP4F11 with apparent dissociation constants of 52, 98, 38, and 73 µM, respectively, while in vitro conjugation with 4-HNE completely blocked substrate binding and enzymatic activity of CYP4F11. Gas chromatographic product profiles confirmed that unmodified CYP4F11 catalysed the ω-hydroxylation while 4-HNE-conjugated CYP4F11 did not. The 15-HETE dose dependently recapitulated the inhibition of the oxidative burst and dendritic cell differentiation by HZ. The inhibition of CYP4F11 by 4-HNE with consequent accumulation of 15-HETE is supposed to be a crucial step in immune suppression in monocytes and immune imbalance in malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksii Skorokhod
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Triglione
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Barrera
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Valente
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Daniela Ulliers
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Evelin Schwarzer
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torino, Italy
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17
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Schats R. Developing an archaeology of malaria. A critical review of current approaches and a discussion on ways forward. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2023; 41:32-42. [PMID: 36930997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This paper presents the current state of the art in the investigation of past malaria by providing an extensive review of previous studies and identifying research possibilities for the future. MATERIALS All previous research on the detection of malaria in human skeletal material using macroscopic and biomolecular approaches is considered. METHODS The approaches and methods used by scholars and the results they obtained are evaluated and the limitations discussed. RESULTS There is a link between malaria and porous lesions with significantly higher prevalence in malaria-endemic areas, however, they are not pathognomonic or specific for malaria. Malaria can be identified using biomolecular techniques, yet, to date there is no completely satisfactory method that is able to consistently diagnose the disease. CONCLUSIONS Using macroscopic and biomolecular techniques, malaria can be investigated in past populations and the impact of the disease studied. Yet, this is not a straightforward process and the use of multiple lines of evidence is necessary to obtain the best results. SIGNIFICANCE The extensive discussion on ways malaria can and cannot be identified in past populations and the suggestions for new approaches provide a steppingstone for future research into this debilitating, global disease. LIMITATIONS Malaria is a difficult disease to study archaeologically and successful identification depends on many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH More large-scale spatial analyses of porous lesions as well as targeting different tissues or molecules for biomolecular identification may improve the archaeological understanding of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Schats
- Leiden University, Faculty of Archaeology, Laboratory for Human Osteoarchaeology, Einsteinweg 2, 2333CC Leiden, the Netherlands.
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18
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Patra J, Rana D, Arora S, Pal M, Mahindroo N. Falcipains: Biochemistry, target validation and structure-activity relationship studies of inhibitors as antimalarials. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 252:115299. [PMID: 36996716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a tropical disease with significant morbidity and mortality burden caused by Plasmodium species in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. Pathogenic Plasmodium species have lately become increasingly resistant to approved chemotherapeutics and combination therapies. Therefore, there is an emergent need for identifying new druggable targets and novel chemical classes against the parasite. Falcipains, cysteine proteases required for heme metabolism in the erythrocytic stage, have emerged as promising drug targets against Plasmodium species that infect humans. This perspective discusses the biology, biochemistry, structural features, and genetics of falcipains. The efforts to identify selective or dual inhibitors and their structure-activity relationships are reviewed to give a perspective on the design of novel compounds targeting falcipains for antimalarial activity evaluating reasons for hits and misses for this important target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeevan Patra
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acres, Bidholi, Via Prem Nagar, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Devika Rana
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Smriti Arora
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acres, Bidholi, Via Prem Nagar, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Mintu Pal
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, Punjab, 151001, India
| | - Neeraj Mahindroo
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acres, Bidholi, Via Prem Nagar, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; School of Health Sciences and Technology, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, 124 Paud Road, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra, 411038, India.
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19
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Liu L, Zhang Z, Liu H, Zhu S, Zhou T, Wang C, Hu M. Identification and characterisation of the haemozoin of Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:88. [PMID: 36879311 PMCID: PMC9990328 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05714-3] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most haematophagous organisms constantly suck the host's haemoglobin, which produces toxic free haem. This toxic haem aggregation into the nontoxic crystallisation complex known as haemozoin represents one of the most important detoxification pathways in living organisms, but very little is known about the features of haemozoin in parasitic nematodes. Here, we identified and characterised the haemozoin of an economically significant blood-sucking nematode, Haemonchus contortus. METHODS Using electron microscopy, spectrophotometry analyses and biochemical approaches, haemozoin crystallisation was identified and characterised in parasitic fourth-stage larvae (L4s) and/or adult worms as well as L4s of in vitro culture. RESULTS The haemozoin was formed in intestinal lipid droplets of the parasitic L4s and adult worms. The characterisation of the haemozoin showed regularly spherical structures and had a 400-nm absorption peak. Furthermore, the haemozoin in in vitro cultured L4s was associated with the culture time and concentration of red blood cells added into the medium, and its formation could be inhibited by chloroquine-derived drugs. CONCLUSIONS This work provides detailed insight into the haemozoin formation of H. contortus and should have important implications for developing novel therapeutic targets against this parasite or related haematophagous organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zongshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shengnan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Taoxun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chunqun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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20
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Paica IC, Rusu I, Popescu O, Brînzan A, Pencea I, Dobrinescu C, Kelemen B. Tentative indicators of malaria in archaeological skeletal samples, a pilot study testing different methods. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2023; 40:109-116. [PMID: 36724549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study attempts to integrate multiple methods to investigate the presence of malaria in human skeletal samples from an archaeological context. MATERIALS 33 well preserved human remains originating from a 17th-century archaeological site in southeastern Romania. METHODS The human bone samples were analyzed using rapid diagnostic tests for malaria antigens and PCR amplification of Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen 1. A preliminary test was performed to identify and briefly characterize the presence of hemozoin using a combination of TEM imaging and diffraction. RESULTS The rapid diagnostic tests indicated that more than half of the examined samples were positive for Plasmodium antigens, but no traces of the parasites' genetic material were detected despite repeated attempts. The TEM images indicated that hemozoin might be a promising diagnostic marker of malaria in ancient bones. CONCLUSIONS The indisputable identification of malaria in the analyzed archaeological population was not possible as none of the applied methodological strategies turned out to be straightforward. SIGNIFICANCE This study reinforces the intricacy and limitations of unequivocally identifying malaria in past populations and sets the stage for future studies on such life-threatening infectious disease in a geographical space, which is currently underrepresented in the bioarchaeological literature. LIMITATIONS The low sample size and the lack of consistency across all assays hindered understanding the role of malaria in the studied population. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Further thorough multidisciplinary approaches on malaria detection in ancient settlements would be appropriate to inform our knowledge of its origins, frequency, and pathogen changes over centuries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ioana Rusu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, 400006, Romania; Molecular Biology Centre, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, 400271, Romania.
| | - Octavian Popescu
- Institute of Biology Bucharest of Romanian Academy, Bucharest, 060031, Romania; Molecular Biology Centre, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, 400271, Romania; Emil G. Racoviță Institute, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, 400006, Romania
| | - Alexandru Brînzan
- Institute of Biology Bucharest of Romanian Academy, Bucharest, 060031, Romania
| | - Ion Pencea
- Department of Metallic Material Science and Physical Metallurgy, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, 060042, Romania
| | - Cătălin Dobrinescu
- Department of Research-Development and Projects, Museum of National History and Archaeology, Constanţa, 900745, Romania
| | - Beatrice Kelemen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, 400006, Romania; Molecular Biology Centre, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, 400271, Romania
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21
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Salgar S, Bolívar BE, Flanagan JM, Anum SJ, Bouchier-Hayes L. The NLRP3 inflammasome fires up heme-induced inflammation in hemolytic conditions. Transl Res 2023; 252:34-44. [PMID: 36041706 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Overactive inflammatory responses are central to the pathophysiology of many hemolytic conditions including sickle cell disease. Excessive hemolysis leads to elevated serum levels of heme due to saturation of heme scavenging mechanisms. Extracellular heme has been shown to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to activation of caspase-1 and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Heme also activates the non-canonical inflammasome pathway, which may contribute to NLRP3 inflammasome formation and leads to pyroptosis, a type of inflammatory cell death. Some clinical studies indicate there is a benefit to blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in patients with sickle cell disease and other hemolytic conditions. However, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of heme-induced inflammasome activation is needed to fully leverage this pathway for clinical benefit. This review will explore the mechanisms of heme-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the role of this pathway in hemolytic conditions including sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suruchi Salgar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Texas Children's Hospital William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Houston, Texas
| | - Beatriz E Bolívar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Texas Children's Hospital William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Houston, Texas; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jonathan M Flanagan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Texas Children's Hospital William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Houston, Texas
| | - Shaniqua J Anum
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Texas Children's Hospital William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Houston, Texas
| | - Lisa Bouchier-Hayes
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Texas Children's Hospital William T. Shearer Center for Human Immunobiology, Houston, Texas; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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22
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Plasmodium berghei Purified Hemozoin Associated with DNA Strongly Inhibits P. berghei Liver-Stage Development in BALB/c Mice after Intravenous Inoculation. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0030422. [PMID: 36622216 PMCID: PMC9872621 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00304-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the acidic lysosome-like digestive vacuole, Plasmodium parasites crystallize heme from hemoglobin into hemozoin, or malaria pigment. Upon release of progeny merozoites, the residual hemozoin is phagocytized by macrophages principally in the liver and spleen where the heme crystals can persist for months to years, as heme oxygenase does not readily degrade the crystal. Previous studies demonstrated hemozoin modulation of monocytes and macrophages. Hemozoin modulates immune function activity of monocytes/macrophages. Here, we used purified/washed hemozoin (W-Hz) isolated from murine Plasmodium berghei infections and intravenously (i.v.) injected it back into naive mice. We characterized the modulating effect of W-Hz on liver-stage replication. Purified washed hemozoin decreases P. berghei liver levels both at 1 week and 1 month after i.v. injection in a dose and time dependent fashion. The injected hemozoin fully protected in nine out of 10 mice given a 50 sporozoite inoculum, and in 10 out of 10 mice against 2,000 sporozoites when they were infected an hour or a day after hemozoin inoculation. DNase treatment at the hemozoin reversed the observed liver load reduction. The liver load reduction was similar in mature B- and T-cell-deficient RAG-1 knockout (KO) mice suggesting an innate immune protection mechanism. This work indicates a role for residual hemozoin in down modulation of Plasmodium liver stages.
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23
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Baptista V, Silva M, Ferreira GM, Calçada C, Minas G, Veiga MI, Catarino SO. Optical Spectrophotometry as a Promising Method for Quantification and Stage Differentiation of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:140-149. [PMID: 36490289 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most life-threatening infectious diseases worldwide, claiming half a million lives yearly. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial for disease control and elimination. Currently used diagnostic methods require blood sampling and fail to detect low-level infections. At the symptomatic stage of infection, the parasites feed on red blood cells' (RBCs) hemoglobin, forming inert crystals, the hemozoin, in the process. Thus, along with parasite maturation inside the RBCs, the hemoglobin and hemozoin proportion is inversely related, and they generate specific optical spectra, according to their concentration. Herein, to address the issues of finger prick sampling and the lack of sensitivity of the parasitological test, we explored the optical features of Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs through absorbance and reflectance spectrophotometric characterization, aiming for their detection. This is the first work fully characterizing the spectrophotometric properties of P. falciparum-infected RBCs by using only 16 specific wavelengths within the visible optical spectra and two different post-processing algorithms. With such an innovative methodology, low-level infections can be detected and quantified, and early- and late-stage development can be clearly distinguished, not only improving the current detection limits but also proving the successful applicability of spectrophotometry for competitive and accurate malaria diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória Baptista
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.,LABBELS─Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Braga/, Portugal
| | - Miguel Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Braga/, Portugal
| | - Gabriel M Ferreira
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.,LABBELS─Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carla Calçada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Braga/, Portugal
| | - Graça Minas
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.,LABBELS─Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Braga/, Portugal
| | - Susana O Catarino
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.,LABBELS─Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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24
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Abstract
Ferric heme b (= ferric protoporphyrin IX = hemin) is an important prosthetic group of different types of enzymes, including the intensively investigated and widely applied horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In HRP, hemin is present in monomeric form in a hydrophobic pocket containing among other amino acid side chains the two imidazoyl groups of His170 and His42. Both amino acids are important for the peroxidase activity of HRP as an axial ligand of hemin (proximal His170) and as an acid/base catalyst (distal His42). A key feature of the peroxidase mechanism of HRP is the initial formation of compound I under heterolytic cleavage of added hydrogen peroxide as a terminal oxidant. Investigations of free hemin dispersed in aqueous solution showed that different types of hemin dimers can form, depending on the experimental conditions, possibly resulting in hemin crystallization. Although it has been recognized already in the 1970s that hemin aggregation can be prevented in aqueous solution by using micelle-forming amphiphiles, it remains a challenge to prepare hemin-containing micellar and vesicular systems with peroxidase-like activities. Such systems are of interest as cheap HRP-mimicking catalysts for analytical and synthetic applications. Some of the key concepts on which research in this fascinating and interdisciplinary field is based are summarized, along with major accomplishments and possible directions for further improvement. A systematic analysis of the physico-chemical properties of hemin in aqueous micellar solutions and vesicular dispersions must be combined with a reliable evaluation of its catalytic activity. Future studies should show how well the molecular complexity around hemin in HRP can be mimicked by using micelles or vesicles. Because of the importance of heme b in virtually all biological systems and the fact that porphyrins and hemes can be obtained under potentially prebiotic conditions, ideas exist about the possible role of heme-containing micellar and vesicular systems in prebiotic times.
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25
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Nwonuma CO, Balogun EA, Gyebi GA. Evaluation of Antimalarial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Annona muricata L.: An in vivo and an in silico Approach. J Evid Based Integr Med 2023; 28:2515690X231165104. [PMID: 37019435 PMCID: PMC10084581 DOI: 10.1177/2515690x231165104] [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: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In Nigeria, Annona muricata L. has been used to treat a variety of ailments. The mechanism of the antimalarial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Annona muricata (EEAML) was investigated using both an in vivo and an in silico approach. The experimental mice were divided into five groups: A-F. The mice in groups B-F were inoculated with Plasmodium berghei NK-65 and treated accordingly. Groups A and B are the negative and positive controls (infected and untreated), respectively. Group C received 10 mg/kg chloroquine (standard drug), whereas groups D-F received 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight of the extract orally respectively. The mice were euthanized eight days after infection, and their liver and blood were collected and used in biochemical tests. Molecular docking was performed using the extract's HPLC compounds and Plasmodium falciparum proteins. In the suppressive, prophylactic, and curative tests, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in parasitemia levels in groups treated with the extract compared to the positive control and standard drug. When compared to the positive control, there was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in liver MDA, total cholesterol, and total triglyceride levels. The binding energies of luteolin and apigenin-pfprotein complexes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared to their respective references. The anti-plasmodial activity of the extract may result from its hypolipidemic effect, which deprives the parasite of essential lipid molecules needed for parasite growth, as well as from the inhibitory effects of apigenin and luteolin on specific proteins required for the Plasmodium metabolic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Obiora Nwonuma
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Pure and Applied Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | | | - Gideon Ampoma Gyebi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bingham University, Karu, Nigeria
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26
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Structure- and ligand-based drug design methods for the modeling of antimalarial agents: a review of updates from 2012 onwards. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10481-10506. [PMID: 34129805 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1932598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria still persists as one of the deadliest infectious disease having a huge morbidity and mortality affecting the higher population of the world. Structure and ligand-based drug design methods like molecular docking and MD simulations, pharmacophore modeling, QSAR and virtual screening are widely used to perceive the accordant correlation between the antimalarial activity and property of the compounds to design novel dominant and discriminant molecules. These modeling methods will speed-up antimalarial drug discovery, selection of better drug candidates for synthesis and to achieve potent and safer drugs. In this work, we have extensively reviewed the literature pertaining to the use and applications of various ligand and structure-based computational methods for the design of antimalarial agents. Different classes of molecules are discussed along with their target interactions pattern, which is responsible for antimalarial activity. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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27
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Hirako IC, Antunes MM, Rezende RM, Hojo-Souza NS, Figueiredo MM, Dias T, Nakaya H, Menezes GB, Gazzinelli RT. Uptake of Plasmodium chabaudi hemozoin drives Kupffer cell death and fuels superinfections. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19805. [PMID: 36396745 PMCID: PMC9671901 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23858-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Kupffer cells (KCs) are self-maintained tissue-resident macrophages that line liver sinusoids and play an important role on host defense. It has been demonstrated that upon infection or intense liver inflammation, KCs might be severely depleted and replaced by immature monocytic cells; however, the mechanisms of cell death and the alterations on liver immunity against infections deserves further investigation. We explored the impact of acute Plasmodium infection on KC biology and on the hepatic immune response against secondary infections. Similar to patients, infection with Plasmodium chabaudi induced acute liver damage as determined by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation. This was associated with accumulation of hemozoin, increased of proinflammatory response and impaired bacterial and viral clearance, which led to pathogen spread to other organs. In line with this, mice infected with Plasmodium had enhanced mortality during secondary infections, which was associated with increased production of mitochondrial superoxide, lipid peroxidation and increased free iron within KCs-hallmarks of cell death by ferroptosis. Therefore, we revealed that accumulation of iron with KCs, triggered by uptake of circulating hemozoin, is a novel mechanism of macrophage depletion and liver inflammation during malaria, providing novel insights on host susceptibility to secondary infections. Malaria can cause severe liver damage, along with depletion of liver macrophages, which can predispose individuals to secondary infections and enhance the chances of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella C Hirako
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Lazare Research Building, 3rd Floor, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maísa Mota Antunes
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafael Machado Rezende
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Thomaz Dias
- Escola de Ciências Farmacêuticas - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Helder Nakaya
- Escola de Ciências Farmacêuticas - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Batista Menezes
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Tostes Gazzinelli
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Lazare Research Building, 3rd Floor, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Departamento de Bioquímica E Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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28
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Kuaprasert B, Chitnumsub P, Leartsakulpanich U, Suginta W, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, Sitthichot N, Rattanabunyong S, Kiriwan D, Choowongkomon K. Dual role of azo compounds in inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum adenosine deaminase and hemozoin biocrystallization. Exp Parasitol 2022; 243:108384. [PMID: 36154837 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108384] [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: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein-ligand (GOLD) docking of the NCI compounds into the ligand-binding site of Plasmodium falciparum adenosine deaminase (PfADA) identified three most active azo compounds containing 4-[(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1H-quinolin-3-yl) moiety. These compounds showed IC50 of 3.7-15.4 μM against PfADA, as well as inhibited the growth of P. falciparum strains 3D7 (chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive) and K1 (CQ-resistant) with IC50 of 1.8-3.1 and 1.7-3.6 μM, respectively. The identified compounds have structures similar to the backbone structure (4-N-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)) in CQ, and NSC45545 could mimic CQ by inhibiting the bioformation of hemozoin in parasitic food vacuole. The amount of in situ hemozoin in the ring-stage parasite was determined using a combination of synchrotron transmission Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and Principal Component Analysis. Stretching of the C-O bond of hemozoin propionate group measured at 1220-1210 cm-1 in untreated intraerythrocytic P. falciparum strains 3D7 and K1 was disappeared following treatment with 1.85 and 1.74 μM NSC45545, similar to those treated with 0.02 and 0.13 μM CQ, respectively. These findings indicate a novel dual function of 4-[(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1H-quinolin-3-yl) azo compounds in inhibiting both PfADA and in situ hemozoin biocrystallization. These lead compounds hold promise for further development of new antimalarial therapeutics that could delay the onset of parasitic drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buabarn Kuaprasert
- Research and Facility Department, Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), 111 University Avenue, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand.
| | - Penchit Chitnumsub
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Phahon Yothin Road, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Ubolsree Leartsakulpanich
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, 113 Phahon Yothin Road, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Wipa Suginta
- School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BSE), Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), 555 Payupnai, Wangchan, Rayong, 21210, Thailand
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 317 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 317 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Naruemon Sitthichot
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, 317 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Siriluk Rattanabunyong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyaow, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Duangnapa Kiriwan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyaow, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyaow, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand; Center for Advanced Studies in Nanotechnology for Chemical, Food and Agricultural Industries, KU Institute for Advanced Studies, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyaow, Chatuchak, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
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29
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Chopin N, Bosson J, Iikawa S, Picot S, Bienvenu AL, Lavoignat A, Bonnot G, Riou M, Beaugé C, Guillory V, Biot C, Pilet G, Chessé M, Davioud-Charvet E, Elhabiri M, Bouillon JP, Médebielle M. Evaluation of ferrocenyl-containing γ-hydroxy-γ-lactam-derived tetramates as potential antiplasmodials. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114735. [PMID: 36122550 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114735] [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: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A series of ferrocenyl-containing γ-hydroxy-γ-lactam tetramates were prepared in 2-3 steps through ring opening-ring closure (RORC) process of γ-ylidene-tetronate derivatives in the presence of ferrocenyl alkylamines. The compounds were screened in vitro for their antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) clones of P. falciparum, displaying activity in the range of 0.12-100 μM, with generally good resistance index. The most active ferrocene in these series exhibited IC50 equal to 0.09 μM (3D7) and 0.12 μM (W2). The low cytotoxicity of the ferrocenyl-containing γ-hydroxy-γ-lactam tetramates against Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial (HUVEC) cell line demonstrated selective antiparasitic activity. The redox properties of these ferrocene-derived tetramates were studied and physico-biochemical studies evidenced that these derivatives can exert potent antimalarial activities via a mechanism distinct from ferroquine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Chopin
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Julien Bosson
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Shinya Iikawa
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Stéphane Picot
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Villeurbanne, France; Institut de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Anne-Lise Bienvenu
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Villeurbanne, France; Service Pharmacie, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Adeline Lavoignat
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Guillaume Bonnot
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Mickael Riou
- INRAE, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie Expérimentale (PFIE), Centre Val de Loire, Nouzilly, France
| | - Corinne Beaugé
- INRAE, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie Expérimentale (PFIE), Centre Val de Loire, Nouzilly, France
| | - Vanaïque Guillory
- INRAE, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie Expérimentale (PFIE), Centre Val de Loire, Nouzilly, France; INRAE, UMR-1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique (ISP), Centre Val de Loire - Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Christophe Biot
- Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
| | - Guillaume Pilet
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, LMI, UMR 5615, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Matthieu Chessé
- UMR 7042 Université de Strasbourg‒CNRS‒UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Team Bio(IN)organic and Medicinal Chemistry, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25 Rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet
- UMR 7042 Université de Strasbourg‒CNRS‒UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Team Bio(IN)organic and Medicinal Chemistry, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25 Rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Mourad Elhabiri
- UMR 7042 Université de Strasbourg‒CNRS‒UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Team Bio(IN)organic and Medicinal Chemistry, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25 Rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Jean-Philippe Bouillon
- Normandie Université, COBRA, UMR 6014 et FR 3038, Université de Rouen, INSA Rouen, CNRS, Mont Saint-Aignan, France.
| | - Maurice Médebielle
- Univ. Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, INSA, CPE-Lyon, ICBMS, UMR 5246, Villeurbanne, France.
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30
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Sovari SN, Golding TM, Mbaba M, Mohunlal R, Egan TJ, Smith GS, Zobi F. Rhenium(I) derivatives of aminoquinoline and imidazolopiperidine-based ligands: Synthesis, in vitro and in silico biological evaluation against Plasmodium falciparum. J Inorg Biochem 2022; 234:111905. [PMID: 35752063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.111905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A small library of aminoquinoline and imidazolopiperidine (IMP)-based ligands, containing the 1,2,3-triazole moiety, and their corresponding tricarbonyl rhenium complexes were synthesised and their inhibitory activities evaluated against the chloroquine-sensitive (CQS) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains (NF54 and K1, respectively) of P. falciparum. The quinoline-based compounds (L1, L2, ReL1, and ReL2) were at least six-fold more potent than their IMP-based counterparts (L3, L4, ReL3, and ReL4) against both strains of P. falciparum, with the most promising compound (L1) displaying activity comparable to chloroquine diphosphate (CQDP) in the MDR strain. Additionally, all of the synthesised compounds have resistance indices less than CQDP. To gain insight into a possible mechanism of action, in silico hemozoin docking simulations were performed. These studies proposed that the tested compounds may act via hemozoin inhibition, as the new aminoquinoline-derivatives, with the exception of complex ReL2 (binding affinity: -12.62 kcal/mol), showed higher binding affinities than the reference drug chloroquine (CQ, -13.56 kcal/mol). Furthermore, the ligands exhibited superior binding affinity relative to their corresponding Re(I) complexes, which is reflected in their antiplasmodial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nasiri Sovari
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Taryn M Golding
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Mziyanda Mbaba
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Roxanne Mohunlal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Timothy J Egan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Gregory S Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
| | - Fabio Zobi
- Department of Chemistry, Fribourg University, Chemin Du Musée 9, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
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Sanchez CP, Manson EDT, Moliner Cubel S, Mandel L, Weidt SK, Barrett MP, Lanzer M. The Knock-Down of the Chloroquine Resistance Transporter PfCRT Is Linked to Oligopeptide Handling in Plasmodium falciparum. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0110122. [PMID: 35867395 PMCID: PMC9431119 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01101-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The chloroquine resistance transporter, PfCRT, is an essential factor during intraerythrocytic development of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. PfCRT resides at the digestive vacuole of the parasite, where hemoglobin taken up by the parasite from its host cell is degraded. PfCRT can acquire several mutations that render PfCRT a drug transporting system expelling compounds targeting hemoglobin degradation from the digestive vacuole. The non-drug related function of PfCRT is less clear, although a recent study has suggested a role in oligopeptide transport based on studies conducted in a heterologous expression system. The uncertainty about the natural function of PfCRT is partly due to a lack of a null mutant and a dearth of functional assays in the parasite. Here, we report on the generation of a conditional PfCRT knock-down mutant in P. falciparum. The mutant accumulated oligopeptides 2 to at least 8 residues in length under knock-down conditions, as shown by comparative global metabolomics. The accumulated oligopeptides were structurally diverse, had an isoelectric point between 4.0 and 5.4 and were electrically neutral or carried a single charge at the digestive vacuolar pH of 5.2. Fluorescently labeled dipeptides and live cell imaging identified the digestive vacuole as the compartment where oligopeptides accumulated. Our findings suggest a function of PfCRT in oligopeptide transport across the digestive vacuolar membrane in P. falciparum and associated with it a role in nutrient acquisition and the maintenance of the colloid osmotic balance. IMPORTANCE The chloroquine resistance transporter, PfCRT, is important for the survival of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. It increases the tolerance to many antimalarial drugs, and it is essential for the development of the parasite within red blood cells. While we understand the role of PfCRT in drug resistance in ever increasing detail, the non-drug resistance functions are still debated. Identifying the natural substrate of PfCRT has been hampered by a paucity of functional assays to test putative substrates in the parasite system and the absence of a parasite mutant deficient for the PfCRT encoding gene. By generating a conditional PfCRT knock-down mutant, together with comparative metabolomics and uptake studies using fluorescently labeled oligopeptides, we could show that PfCRT is an oligopeptide transporter. The oligopeptides were structurally diverse and were electrically neutral or carried a single charge. Our data support a function of PfCRT in oligopeptide transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia P. Sanchez
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Sonia Moliner Cubel
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Stefan K. Weidt
- Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Lanzer
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
An abundant metal in the human body, iron is essential for key biological pathways including oxygen transport, DNA metabolism, and mitochondrial function. Most iron is bound to heme but it can also be incorporated into iron-sulfur clusters or bind directly to proteins. Iron's capacity to cycle between Fe2+ and Fe3+ contributes to its biological utility but also renders it toxic in excess. Heme is an iron-containing tetrapyrrole essential for diverse biological functions including gas transport and sensing, oxidative metabolism, and xenobiotic detoxification. Like iron, heme is essential yet toxic in excess. As such, both iron and heme homeostasis are tightly regulated. Here we discuss molecular and physiologic aspects of iron and heme metabolism. We focus on dietary absorption; cellular import; utilization; and export, recycling, and elimination, emphasizing studies published in recent years. We end with a discussion on current challenges and needs in the field of iron and heme biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohini Dutt
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences and Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Iqbal Hamza
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences and Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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Sharma S, Ali ME. Nonreductive homolytic scission of endoperoxide bond for activation of artemisinin: A parallel mechanism to Heterolytic cleavage. J PHYS ORG CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/poc.4392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Sharma
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology Knowledge City India
| | - Md. Ehesan Ali
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology Knowledge City India
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Balevic SJ, Raja SM, Randell R, Deye GA, Conrad T, Nakamura A, Peyton DH, Shotwell S, Liebman K, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Guptill JT. Adverse Reactions in a Phase 1 Trial of the Anti-Malarial DM1157: An Example of Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Simulation Guiding Clinical Trial Decisions. Infect Dis Ther 2022; 11:841-852. [PMID: 35184256 PMCID: PMC8960550 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-022-00605-z] [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: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is an urgent need to develop new drugs to treat malaria due to increasing resistance to first-line therapeutics targeting the causative organism, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). One drug candidate is DM1157, a small molecule that inhibits the formation of hemozoin, which protects P. falciparum from heme toxicity. We describe a first-in-human, phase 1 trial of DM1157 in healthy adult volunteers that was halted early because of significant toxicity. Methods Adverse events were summarized using descriptive statistics. We used pharmacokinetic modeling to quantitatively assess whether the DM1157 exposure needed for P. falciparum inhibition was achievable at safe doses. Results We found that there was no dose where both the safety and efficacy target were simultaneously achieved; conversely, the model predicted that 27 mg was the highest dosage at which patients would consistently maintain safe exposure with multiple dosing. By pre-defining dose escalation stopping rules and conducting an interim pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis, we determined that the study would be unable to safely achieve a dosage needed to observe an anti-malarial effect, thereby providing strong rationale to halt the study. Conclusion This study provides an important example of the risks and challenges of conducting early phase research as well as the role of modeling and simulation to optimize participant safety (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03490162). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40121-022-00605-z.
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Baptista V, Peng WK, Minas G, Veiga MI, Catarino SO. Review of Microdevices for Hemozoin-Based Malaria Detection. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12020110. [PMID: 35200370 PMCID: PMC8870200 DOI: 10.3390/bios12020110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria still puts almost half of the world's population at risk. Thus, prompt, accurate and sensitive malaria diagnosis is crucial for disease control and elimination. Optical microscopy and immuno-rapid tests are the standard malaria diagnostic methods in the field. However, these are time-consuming and fail to detect low-level parasitemia. Biosensors and lab-on-a-chip devices, as reported to different applications, usually offer high sensitivity, specificity, and ease of use at the point of care. Thus, these can be explored as an alternative for malaria diagnosis. Alongside malaria infection inside the human red blood cells, parasites consume host hemoglobin generating the hemozoin crystal as a by-product. Hemozoin is produced in all parasite species either in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, hemozoin crystals are produced as the parasites invade the red blood cells and their content relates to disease progression. Hemozoin is, therefore, a unique indicator of infection, being used as a malaria biomarker. Herein, the so-far developed biosensors and lab-on-a-chip devices aiming for malaria detection by targeting hemozoin as a biomarker are reviewed and discussed to fulfil all the medical demands for malaria management towards elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória Baptista
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (G.M.); (S.O.C.)
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Weng Kung Peng
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Building A1, University Innovation Park, Dongguan 523808, China;
| | - Graça Minas
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (G.M.); (S.O.C.)
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana O. Catarino
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (G.M.); (S.O.C.)
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
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The “Invisible Enemy” SARS-CoV-2: Viral Spread and Drug Treatment. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58020261. [PMID: 35208584 PMCID: PMC8875987 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58020261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has become the main subject of the scientific medical world and all World Organizations, causing millions of deaths worldwide. In this review, we have highlighted the context of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, how the virus spreads, the symptoms and complications that may occur, and, especially, the drug treatment of viral infection, with emphasis on monoclonal antibodies. While well-known strains such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and, especially, Delta have shown an accelerated transmission among the population, the new Omicron variant (discovered on 24 November 2021) indicates more significant infectiousness and the poor efficacy of monoclonal antibody therapy due to mutations on the spike protein receptor-binding domain. With these discoveries, the experiments began, the first being in silico and in vitro, but these are not enough, and in vivo experiments are needed to see exactly the cause of neutralization of the action of these drugs. Following the documentation of the latest medical and scientific research, it has been concluded that there are many chemical molecules that have the potential to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection, but more detailed clinical trials are needed for their use in therapy. In addition, it is important to consider the structure of the viral strain in the administration of treatment.
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Kucharski DJ, Jaszczak MK, Boratyński PJ. A Review of Modifications of Quinoline Antimalarials: Mefloquine and (hydroxy)Chloroquine. Molecules 2022; 27:1003. [PMID: 35164267 PMCID: PMC8838516 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27031003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Late-stage modification of drug molecules is a fast method to introduce diversity into the already biologically active scaffold. A notable number of analogs of mefloquine, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine have been synthesized, starting from the readily available active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). In the current review, all the modifications sites and reactivity types are summarized and provide insight into the chemistry of these molecules. The approaches include the introduction of simple groups and functionalities. Coupling to other drugs, polymers, or carriers afforded hybrid compounds or conjugates with either easily hydrolyzable or more chemically inert bonds. The utility of some of the compounds was tested in antiprotozoal, antibacterial, and antiproliferative assays, as well as in enantiodifferentiation experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Przemysław J. Boratyński
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Wrocław University of Technology, Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; (D.J.K.); (M.K.J.)
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Tsamesidis I, Mousavizadeh F, Egwu CO, Amanatidou D, Pantaleo A, Benoit-Vical F, Reybier K, Giannis A. In Vitro and In Silico Antimalarial Evaluation of FM-AZ, a New Artemisinin Derivative. MEDICINES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:8. [PMID: 35200752 PMCID: PMC8880451 DOI: 10.3390/medicines9020008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) are currently the frontline treatment against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but parasite resistance to artemisinin (ART) and its derivatives, core components of ACTs, is spreading in the Mekong countries. In this study, we report the synthesis of several novel artemisinin derivatives and evaluate their in vitro and in silico capacity to counteract Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin resistance. Furthermore, recognizing that the malaria parasite devotes considerable resources to minimizing the oxidative stress that it creates during its rapid consumption of hemoglobin and the release of heme, we sought to explore whether further augmentation of this oxidative toxicity might constitute an important addition to artemisinins. The present report demonstrates, in vitro, that FM-AZ, a newly synthesized artemisinin derivative, has a lower IC50 than artemisinin in P. falciparum and a rapid action in killing the parasites. The docking studies for important parasite protein targets, PfATP6 and PfHDP, complemented the in vitro results, explaining the superior IC50 values of FM-AZ in comparison with ART obtained for the ART-resistant strain. However, cross-resistance between FM-AZ and artemisinins was evidenced in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Tsamesidis
- UMR 152 Pharma-Dev, Universite de Toulouse III, IRD, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France; (C.O.E.); (K.R.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Farnoush Mousavizadeh
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 29, 04301 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Chinedu O. Egwu
- UMR 152 Pharma-Dev, Universite de Toulouse III, IRD, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France; (C.O.E.); (K.R.)
- Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010, Abakaliki 482131, Nigeria
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination, LCC—CNRS, Universite de Toulouse, 31077 Toulouse, France;
| | - Dionysia Amanatidou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Antonella Pantaleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Françoise Benoit-Vical
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination, LCC—CNRS, Universite de Toulouse, 31077 Toulouse, France;
| | - Karine Reybier
- UMR 152 Pharma-Dev, Universite de Toulouse III, IRD, UPS, 31400 Toulouse, France; (C.O.E.); (K.R.)
| | - Athanassios Giannis
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 29, 04301 Leipzig, Germany;
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Oguike OE, Ugwuishiwu CH, Asogwa CN, Nnadi CO, Obonga WO, Attama AA. Systematic review on the application of machine learning to quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling against Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Divers 2022; 26:3447-3462. [PMID: 35064444 PMCID: PMC8782692 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10380-1] [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: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Malaria accounts for over two million deaths globally. To flatten this curve, there is a need to develop new and high potent drugs against Plasmodium falciparum. Some major challenges include the dearth of suitable animal models for anti-P. falciparum assays, resistance to first-line drugs, lack of vaccines and the complex life cycle of Plasmodium. Gladly, newer approaches to antimalarial drug discovery have emerged due to the release of large datasets by pharmaceutical companies. This review provides insights into these new approaches to drug discovery covering different machine learning tools, which enhance the development of new compounds. It provides a systematic review on the use and prospects of machine learning in predicting, classifying and clustering IC50 values of bioactive compounds against P. falciparum. The authors identified many machine learning tools yet to be applied for this purpose. However, Random Forest and Support Vector Machines have been extensively applied though on a limited dataset of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osondu Everestus Oguike
- Machine Learning Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.,Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Chikodili Helen Ugwuishiwu
- Machine Learning Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.,Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Caroline Ngozi Asogwa
- Machine Learning Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.,Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Charles Okeke Nnadi
- Machine Learning Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria. .,Deprtment of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.
| | - Wilfred Ofem Obonga
- Machine Learning Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.,Deprtment of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Anthony Amaechi Attama
- Machine Learning Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
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Synthesis and antiplasmodial activity of regioisomers and epimers of second-generation dual acting ivermectin hybrids. Sci Rep 2022; 12:564. [PMID: 35022455 PMCID: PMC8755717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04532-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
With its strong effect on vector-borne diseases, and insecticidal effect on mosquito vectors of malaria, inhibition of sporogonic and blood-stage development of Plasmodium falciparum, as well as in vitro and in vivo impairment of the P. berghei development inside hepatocytes, ivermectin (IVM) continues to represent an antimalarial therapeutic worthy of investigation. The in vitro activity of the first-generation IVM hybrids synthesized by appending the IVM macrolide with heterocyclic and organometallic antimalarial pharmacophores, against the blood-stage and liver-stage infections by Plasmodium parasites prompted us to design second-generation molecular hybrids of IVM. Here, a structural modification of IVM to produce novel molecular hybrids by using sub-structures of 4- and 8-aminoquinolines, the time-tested antiplasmodial agents used for treating the blood and hepatic stage of Plasmodium infections, respectively, is presented. Successful isolation of regioisomers and epimers has been demonstrated, and the evaluation of their in vitro antiplasmodial activity against both the blood stages of P. falciparum and the hepatic stages of P. berghei have been undertaken. These compounds displayed structure-dependent antiplasmodial activity, in the nM range, which was more potent than that of IVM, its aglycon or primaquine, highlighting the superiority of this hybridization strategy in designing new antiplasmodial agents.
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Abstract
The challenges in malaria diagnosis continue to threaten the malaria elimination goal in India and other malaria-endemic countries. A rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit is widely used in resource-constrained areas where microscopy and molecular methods are not easily deployable. Considering the problems associated with the currently available RDT kit, such as histidine-rich protein 2 gene deletion and prolonged stability of the protein in the blood, it suggests that new potential biomarkers are urgently needed. Hemozoin (Hz) is an important biomarker for malaria diagnosis, which is the by-product of a detoxification mechanism in the malaria parasite. This article highlights the importance of "Hz" for point-of-care malaria diagnosis when India and other countries are moving toward the goal of malaria elimination.
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Endo T, Takemae H, Sharma I, Furuya T. Multipurpose Drugs Active Against Both Plasmodium spp. and Microorganisms: Potential Application for New Drug Development. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:797509. [PMID: 35004357 PMCID: PMC8740689 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.797509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, a disease caused by the protozoan parasites Plasmodium spp., is still causing serious problems in endemic regions in the world. Although the WHO recommends artemisinin combination therapies for the treatment of malaria patients, the emergence of artemisinin-resistant parasites has become a serious issue and underscores the need for the development of new antimalarial drugs. On the other hand, new and re-emergences of infectious diseases, such as the influenza pandemic, Ebola virus disease, and COVID-19, are urging the world to develop effective chemotherapeutic agents against the causative viruses, which are not achieved to the desired level yet. In this review article, we describe existing drugs which are active against both Plasmodium spp. and microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. We also focus on the current knowledge about the mechanism of actions of these drugs. Our major aims of this article are to describe examples of drugs that kill both Plasmodium parasites and other microbes and to provide valuable information to help find new ideas for developing novel drugs, rather than merely augmenting already existing drug repurposing efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuro Endo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Takemae
- Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Indu Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hampton University, Hampton, VA, United States
| | - Tetsuya Furuya
- Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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Kottom TJ, Carmona EM, Schaefbauer K, Limper AH. Additional C-type lectin receptors mediate interactions with Pneumocystis organisms and major surface glycoprotein. J Med Microbiol 2021; 70:001470. [PMID: 34889727 PMCID: PMC8744274 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns' (PAMPs) are microbial signatures that are recognized by host myeloid C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). These CLRs interact with micro-organisms via their carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) and engage signalling pathways within the cell resulting in pro-inflammatory and microbicidal responses.Gap statement. In this article, we extend our laboratory study of additional CLRs that recognize fungal ligands against Pneumocystis murina and Pneumocystis carinii and their purified major surface glycoproteins (Msgs).Aim. To study the potential of newly synthesized hFc-CLR fusions on binding to Pneumocystis and its Msg.Methods. A library of new synthesized hFc-CLR fusions was screened against Pneumocystis murina and Pneumocystis carinii organisms and their purified major surface glycoproteins (Msgs) found on the respective fungi via modified ELISA. Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was implemented and quantified to verify results. mRNA expression analysis by quantitative PCR (q-PCR) was employed to detect respective CLRs found to bind fungal organisms in the ELISA and determine their expression levels in the mouse immunosuppressed Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) model.Results. We detected a number of the CLR hFc-fusions displayed significant binding with P. murina and P. carinii organisms, and similarly to their respective Msgs. Significant organism and Msg binding was observed for CLR members C-type lectin domain family 12 member A (CLEC12A), Langerin, macrophage galactose-type lectin-1 (MGL-1), and specific intracellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing non-integrin homologue-related 3 (SIGNR3). Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with the respective CLR hFc-fusions against whole P. murina life forms corroborated these findings. Lastly, we surveyed the mRNA expression profiles of the respective CLRs tested above in the mouse immunosuppressed Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) model and determined that macrophage galactose type C-type lectin (Mgl-1), implicated in recognizing terminal N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) found in the glycoproteins of microbial pathogens was significantly up-regulated during infection.Conclusion. The data herein add to the growing list of CLRs recognizing Pneumocystis and provide insights for further study of organism/host immune cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J. Kottom
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA,*Correspondence: Theodore J. Kottom,
| | - Eva M. Carmona
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kyle Schaefbauer
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Andrew H. Limper
- Thoracic Diseases Research Unit, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
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Baptista V, Costa MS, Calçada C, Silva M, Gil JP, Veiga MI, Catarino SO. The Future in Sensing Technologies for Malaria Surveillance: A Review of Hemozoin-Based Diagnosis. ACS Sens 2021; 6:3898-3911. [PMID: 34735120 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c01750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Early and effective malaria diagnosis is vital to control the disease spread and to prevent the emergence of severe cases and death. Currently, malaria diagnosis relies on optical microscopy and immuno-rapid tests; however, these require a drop of blood, are time-consuming, or are not specific and sensitive enough for reliable detection of low-level parasitaemia. Thus, there is an urge for simpler, prompt, and accurate alternative diagnostic methods. Particularly, hemozoin has been increasingly recognized as an attractive biomarker for malaria detection. As the disease proliferates, parasites digest host hemoglobin, in the process releasing toxic haem that is detoxified into an insoluble crystal, the hemozoin, which accumulates along with infection progression. Given its magnetic, optical, and acoustic unique features, hemozoin has been explored for new label-free diagnostic methods. Thereby, herein, we review the hemozoin-based malaria detection methods and critically discuss their challenges and potential for the development of an ideal diagnostic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória Baptista
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s − PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mariana S. Costa
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carla Calçada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s − PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s − PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - José Pedro Gil
- Stockholm Malaria Center, Department of Microbiology and Tumour Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s − PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana O. Catarino
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
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Nakada-Tsukui K, Nozaki T. Trogocytosis in Unicellular Eukaryotes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112975. [PMID: 34831198 PMCID: PMC8616307 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Trogocytosis is a mode of internalization of a part of a live cell by nibbling and is mechanistically distinct from phagocytosis, which implies internalization of a whole cell or a particle. Trogocytosis has been demonstrated in a broad range of cell types in multicellular organisms and is also known to be involved in a plethora of functions. In immune cells, trogocytosis is involved in the "cross-dressing" between antigen presenting cells and T cells, and is thus considered to mediate intercellular communication. On the other hand, trogocytosis has also been reported in a variety of unicellular organisms including the protistan (protozoan) parasite Entamoeba histolytica. E. histolytica ingests human T cell line by trogocytosis and acquires complement resistance and cross-dresses major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I on the cell surface. Furthermore, trogocytosis and trogocytosis-like phenomena (nibbling of a live cell, not previously described as trogocytosis) have also been reported in other parasitic protists such as Trichomonas, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and free-living amoebae. Thus, trogocytosis is conserved in diverse eukaryotic supergroups as a means of intercellular communication. It is depicting the universality of trogocytosis among eukaryotes. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of trogocytosis in unicellular organisms, including the history of its discovery, taxonomical distribution, roles, and molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumiko Nakada-Tsukui
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.N.-T.); (T.N.); Tel.: +81-3-5285-1111 (K.N.-T.); +81-3-5841-3526 (T.N.)
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.N.-T.); (T.N.); Tel.: +81-3-5285-1111 (K.N.-T.); +81-3-5841-3526 (T.N.)
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Simmons WR, Wain L, Toker J, Jagadeesh J, Garrett LJ, Pek RH, Hamza I, Bodine DM. Normal Iron Homeostasis Requires the Transporter SLC48A1 for Efficient Heme-Iron Recycling in Mammals. Front Genome Ed 2021; 2:8. [PMID: 34713217 PMCID: PMC8525403 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.00008] [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: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals over 65% of the total body iron is located within erythrocytes in the heme moieties of hemoglobin. Iron homeostasis requires iron absorbed from the diet by the gut as well as recycling of iron after the destruction of senescent erythrocytes. Senescent erythrocytes are engulfed by reticuloendothelial system macrophages where hemoglobin is broken down in the lysosomes, releasing heme for iron recovery in the cytoplasm. We recently showed that the SLC48A1 protein is responsible for transporting heme from the lysosome to the cytoplasm. CRISPR generated SLC48A1-deficient mice accumulate heme in their reticuloendothelial system macrophages as hemozoin crystals. Here we describe additional features of SLC48A1-deficient mice. We show that visible hemozoin first appears in the reticuloendothelial system macrophages of SLC48A1-deficient mice at 8 days of age, indicating the onset of erythrocyte recycling. Evaluation of normal and SLC48A1-deficient mice on iron-controlled diets show that SLC48A1-mediated iron recycling is equivalent to at least 10 parts per million of dietary iron. We propose that mutations in human SLC48A1 could contribute to idiopathic iron disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Simmons
- Hematopoiesis Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lily Wain
- Hematopoiesis Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph Toker
- Hematopoiesis Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jaya Jagadeesh
- Hematopoiesis Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lisa J Garrett
- National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Embryonic Stem Cell and Transgenic Mouse Core Facility, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Rini H Pek
- Department of Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Iqbal Hamza
- Department of Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - David M Bodine
- Hematopoiesis Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), Bethesda, MD, United States
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47
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da Silva AP, Stoute S, Hauck R, Shivaprasad HL, Jerry C. A Case Report of Avian Malaria ( Plasmodium spp.) in Pen-Reared Pigeons ( Columba livia). Avian Dis 2021; 65:213-218. [PMID: 34412450 DOI: 10.1637/0005-2086-65.2.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
One dead 6-wk-old male racing pigeon (Columba livia) was submitted for postmortem evaluation after presenting with weight loss, anorexia, dry shanks, dehydration, and lethargy. The bird belonged to a confined flock with 12 other pigeons raised by a hobbyist. Two pigeons in the flock reportedly had died with a history of similar clinical signs. On gross examination, the liver and the spleen were diffusely dark brown to black. Histopathology revealed moderate to large amounts of anisotropic, intracytoplasmic black pigment, compatible with hemozoin, in the spleen, liver, lung, and kidneys, with small amounts in the heart and meninges of the brain. Marked plasmacytic infiltrates were observed in liver, lungs, heart, and kidneys. Blood smears from a clinically affected concomitant pigeon from the flock revealed numerous light-blue, round to oval, intraerythrocytic trophozoites and meronts suggestive of Plasmodium spp. PCR and sequencing tests were performed from spleen and ceca with fragments of the 18S ribosomal RNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytB) genes. Sequencing results confirmed the presence of Plasmodium in the affected pigeon. Although an exact genetic match could not be determined, the most similar species to the isolate from this study are Plasmodium relictum, Plasmodium matutinum, Plasmodium lutzi, and Plasmodium homocircumflexum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P da Silva
- Turlock Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock, CA 95380
| | - Simone Stoute
- Turlock Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock, CA 95380
| | - Ruediger Hauck
- Department of Pathobiology and Department of Poultry Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
| | - H L Shivaprasad
- Tulare Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Tulare, CA 93274
| | - Carmen Jerry
- Turlock Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock, CA 95380,
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48
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Varpe BD, Kulkarni AA, Jadhav SB, Mali AS, Jadhav SY. Isatin Hybrids and Their Pharmacological Investigations. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 21:1182-1225. [PMID: 33302835 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520999201209213029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hybridization is an important strategy to design molecules that can be effectively used to treat fatal diseases known to mankind. Molecular hybrids and their pharmacological investigations aided in discovering several potent isatin (Indole 2, 3 dione) derivatives with anti-HIV, antimalarial, antitubercular, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Indole-2,3-dione and their derivatives have diverse pharmacological properties and have a prominent role in the discovery of new drugs. To understand the various approaches for designing new molecules based on isatin nucleus analysis of various pharmacophore hybrids, spacers/linkers between pharmacophores and isatin for hybridization and their biological activities are important. This review discusses the progress in developing isatin hybrids as biologically effective agents and their crucial aspects of design and structure-activity relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhushan D Varpe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, DKSS's Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, Swami Chincholi, Dist-Pune, 413130 Maharashtra, India
| | - Amol A Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, DKSS's Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, Swami Chincholi, Dist-Pune, 413130 Maharashtra, India
| | - Shailaja B Jadhav
- PES's Modern College of Pharmacy, Nigdi, Pune, 411044, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anil S Mali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, DKSS's Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, Swami Chincholi, Dist-Pune, 413130 Maharashtra, India
| | - Shravan Y Jadhav
- Department of Chemistry, DBF Dayanand College of Arts & Science, Solapur 413002, Maharashtra, India
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49
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Rashidzadeh H, Tabatabaei Rezaei SJ, Adyani SM, Abazari M, Rahamooz Haghighi S, Abdollahi H, Ramazani A. Recent advances in targeting malaria with nanotechnology-based drug carriers. Pharm Dev Technol 2021; 26:807-823. [PMID: 34190000 DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2021.1948568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, as one of the most common human infectious diseases, remains the greatest global health concern, since approximately 3.5 billion people around the world, especially those in subtropical areas, are at the risk of being infected by malaria. Due to the emergence and spread of drug resistance to the current antimalarials, malaria-related mortality and incidence rates have recently increased. To overcome the aforementioned obstacles, nano-vehicles based on biodegradable, natural, and non-toxic polymers have been developed. Accordingly, these systems are considered as a potential drug vehicle, which due to their unique properties such as the excellent safety profile, good biocompatibility, tunable structure, diversity, and the presence of functional groups within the polymer structure, could facilitate covalent attachment of targeting moieties and antimalarials to the polymeric nano-vehicles. In this review, we highlighted some recent developments of liposomes as unique nanoscale drug delivery vehicles and several polymeric nanovehicles, including hydrogels, dendrimers, self-assembled micelles, and polymer-drug conjugates for the effective delivery of antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Rashidzadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Laboratory of Novel Drug Delivery Systems, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.,Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Seyed Jamal Tabatabaei Rezaei
- Laboratory of Novel Drug Delivery Systems, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Seyed Masih Adyani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Morteza Abazari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Samaneh Rahamooz Haghighi
- Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Hossien Abdollahi
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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50
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Giacometti M, Milesi F, Coppadoro PL, Rizzo A, Fagiani F, Rinaldi C, Cantoni M, Petti D, Albisetti E, Sampietro M, Ciardo M, Siciliano G, Alano P, Lemen B, Bombe J, Nwaha Toukam MT, Tina PF, Gismondo MR, Corbellino M, Grande R, Fiore GB, Ferrari G, Antinori S, Bertacco R. A Lab-On-chip Tool for Rapid, Quantitative, and Stage-selective Diagnosis of Malaria. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004101. [PMID: 34306971 PMCID: PMC8292881 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Malaria remains the most important mosquito-borne infectious disease worldwide, with 229 million new cases and 409.000 deaths in 2019. The infection is caused by a protozoan parasite which attacks red blood cells by feeding on hemoglobin and transforming it into hemozoin. Despite the WHO recommendation of prompt malaria diagnosis, the quality of microscopy-based diagnosis is frequently inadequate while rapid diagnostic tests based on antigens are not quantitative and still affected by non-negligible false negative/positive results. PCR-based methods are highly performant but still not widely used in endemic areas. Here, a diagnostic tool (TMek), based on the paramagnetic properties of hemozoin nanocrystals in infected red blood cells (i-RBCs), is reported on. Exploiting the competition between gravity and magnetic forces, i-RBCs in a whole blood specimen are sorted and electrically detected in a microchip. The amplitude and time evolution of the electrical signal allow for the quantification of i-RBCs (in the range 10-105 i-RBC µL-1) and the distinction of the infection stage. A preliminary validation study on 75 patients with clinical suspect of malaria shows on-field operability, without false negative and a few false positive results. These findings indicate the potential of TMek as a quantitative, stage-selective, rapid test for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Giacometti
- Department of Electronics Information and BioengineeringPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Francesca Milesi
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Pietro Lorenzo Coppadoro
- Department of Electronics Information and BioengineeringPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Alberto Rizzo
- Specialità di Microbiologia e Virologia Università degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Federico Fagiani
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Christian Rinaldi
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Matteo Cantoni
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Daniela Petti
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Edoardo Albisetti
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Marco Sampietro
- Department of Electronics Information and BioengineeringPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Ciardo
- Dipartimento di Malattie InfettiveIstituto Superiore di SanitàViale Regina Elena n.299Roma00161Italy
| | - Giulia Siciliano
- Dipartimento di Malattie InfettiveIstituto Superiore di SanitàViale Regina Elena n.299Roma00161Italy
| | - Pietro Alano
- Dipartimento di Malattie InfettiveIstituto Superiore di SanitàViale Regina Elena n.299Roma00161Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria Rita Gismondo
- UOC Microbiologia ClinicaVirologia e Diagnostica Bioemergenza – Sacco teaching Hospital ASST FBF Saccovia GB GrassiMilano74‐20157Italy
| | - Mario Corbellino
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”University of Milanovia GB GrassiMilano74‐20157Italy
| | - Romualdo Grande
- UOC Microbiologia ClinicaVirologia e Diagnostica Bioemergenza – Sacco teaching Hospital ASST FBF Saccovia GB GrassiMilano74‐20157Italy
| | - Gianfranco Beniamino Fiore
- Department of Electronics Information and BioengineeringPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Giorgio Ferrari
- Department of Electronics Information and BioengineeringPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
| | - Spinello Antinori
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”University of Milanovia GB GrassiMilano74‐20157Italy
| | - Riccardo Bertacco
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di MilanoPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
- CNR‐IFNInstitute for Photonics and NanotechnologiesPiazza Leonardo da Vinci 32Milano20133Italy
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