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Liu F, Wu M, Wang J, Wen H, An R, Cai H, Yu L, Shen J, Chen L, Du J. Protective Effect Against Toxoplasmosis in BALB/c Mice Vaccinated With Recombinant Toxoplasma gondii MIF, CDPK3, and 14-3-3 Protein Cocktail Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:755792. [PMID: 35003067 PMCID: PMC8727341 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.755792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii can infect almost all endotherm organisms including humans and cause life-threatening toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals, which leads to serious public health problems. Developing an excellent vaccine against this disease is impending. In present study, we formulated a cocktail protein vaccine including the TgMIF, TgCDPK3, and Tg14-3-3 proteins, which play critical roles in T. gondii infection. The recombinant protein vaccines were constructed and assessed by vaccination in BALB/c mice. We organized the mice in various protein combination groups of vaccines, and all mice were immunized with corresponding proteins at 0, 2, and 4 weeks. The specific protective effects of the vaccines on mice against T. gondii were analyzed by the mensuration of cytokines, serum antibodies, splenocyte proliferation assay, survival time, and parasite cyst burden of mice after the challenge. The study indicated that mice immunized with all three multicomponent proteins vaccine triggered a strong immune response with highest levels of IFN-γ production and IgG antibody compared with the other two protein combinations and controls. Moreover, there was an increase in IL-4 production and antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation. The parasite cysts were significantly reduced (resulting in an 82.7% reduction), and survival time was longer in immunized mice with three multicomponent proteins compared with the other groups of mice. The enhanced humoral and cell-mediated immunity indicated that the protein cocktail vaccine containing three antigens provided effective protection for mice. These results indicated that recombinant TgMIF, TgCDPK3, and Tg14-3-3 multicomponent proteins were potential candidates for vaccine against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Minmin Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hongyang Wen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ran An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Haijian Cai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Yu
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jilong Shen
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lijian Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Lijian Chen, ; Jian Du, ;
| | - Jian Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions of Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Lijian Chen, ; Jian Du, ;
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Mirzaei A, Maleki M, Masoumi E, Maspi N. A historical review of the role of cytokines involved in leishmaniasis. Cytokine 2020; 145:155297. [PMID: 32972825 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by the Leishmania genus, affecting millions of persons in the world. Despite increased studies, no vaccine has been developed against leishmaniasis, and drug resistance is evolving in some Leishmania species (spp). Innate and acquired immune cells and their associated cytokines interplay together to determine the immune responses related outcomes in leishmaniasis. Interferon (IFN)-γ or macrophage activating factor (MAF) is the first effective lymphokine (LK), with a related function to leishmaniasis, discovered in 1979. This review article discussed the history of cytokines involved in Leishmania infection, and it is the first report demonstrating the involvement in the disease by focusing on cutaneous leishmaniasis. Up to now, the role of many cytokines has been determined and the literature review showed that IL-35 is the latest known cytokine involved in leishmaniasis. This review revealed that the cytokines have pleiotropic effects, depending upon the cytokine environment, generated during the infection and the host genetic background or infecting Leishmania spp. Overall, advances in our knowledge of immune cells and their secreted cytokines, contributing to the protection or pathological process of leishmaniasis may help to reach new approaches for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Mirzaei
- Department of Parasitology, School of Paramedicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Maryam Maleki
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Elham Masoumi
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Nahid Maspi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Paramedicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
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Role of Host and Parasite MIF Cytokines during Leishmania Infection. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5010046. [PMID: 32244916 PMCID: PMC7157535 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an immunoregulatory cytokine that has been extensively characterized in human disease and in mouse models. Its pro-inflammatory functions in mammals includes the retention of tissue macrophages and a unique ability to counteract the immunosuppressive activity of glucocorticoids. MIF also acts as a survival factor by preventing activation-induced apoptosis and by promoting sustained expression of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and nitric oxide. The pro-inflammatory activity of MIF has been shown to be protective against Leishmania major infection in mouse models of cutaneous disease, however the precise role of this cytokine in human infections is less clear. Moreover, various species of Leishmania produce their own MIF orthologs, and there is evidence that these may drive an inflammatory environment that is detrimental to the host response. Herein the immune response to Leishmania in mouse models and humans will be reviewed, and the properties and activities of mammalian and Leishmania MIF will be integrated into the current understandings in this field. Furthermore, the prospect of targeting Leishmania MIF for therapeutic purposes will be discussed.
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Characterization of the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase LmPRL-1 Secreted by Leishmania major via the Exosome Pathway. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00084-17. [PMID: 28507071 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00084-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Similar to other intracellular pathogens, Leishmania parasites are known to evade the antimicrobial effector functions of host immune cells. To date, however, only a few virulence factors have been described for Leishmania major, one of the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Here, we have characterized the expression and function of an L. major phosphatase, which we termed LmPRL-1. This enzyme shows a strong structural similarity to the human phosphatases of regenerating liver (PRL-1, -2, and -3) that regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and motility of cells. The biochemical characterization of the L. major phosphatase revealed that the enzyme is redox sensitive. When analyzing the subcellular localization of LmPRL-1 in promastigotes, amastigotes, and infected macrophages, we found that the phosphatase was predominantly expressed and secreted by promastigotes via the exosome route. Finally, we observed that ectopic expression of LmPRL-1 in L. major led to an increased number of parasites in macrophages. From these data, we conclude that the L. major phosphatase LmPRL-1 contributes to the intracellular survival of the parasites in macrophages.
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Sparkes A, De Baetselier P, Roelants K, De Trez C, Magez S, Van Ginderachter JA, Raes G, Bucala R, Stijlemans B. Reprint of: The non-mammalian MIF superfamily. Immunobiology 2017; 222:858-867. [PMID: 28552269 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was first described as a cytokine 50 years ago, and emerged in mammals as a pleiotropic protein with pro-inflammatory, chemotactic, and growth-promoting activities. In addition, MIF has gained substantial attention as a pivotal upstream mediator of innate and adaptive immune responses and with pathologic roles in several diseases. Of less importance in mammals is an intrinsic but non-physiologic enzymatic activity that points to MIF's evolution from an ancient defense molecule. Therefore, it is not surprising that mif-like genes also have been found across a range of different organisms including bacteria, plants, protozoa, helminths, molluscs, arthropods, fish, amphibians and birds. While Genebank analysis identifying mif-like genes across species is extensive, contained herein is an overview of the non-mammalian MIF-like proteins that have been most well studied experimentally. For many of these organisms, MIF contributes to an innate defense system or plays a role in development. For parasitic organisms however, MIF appears to function as a virulence factor aiding in the establishment or persistence of infection by modulating the host immune response. Consequently, a combined targeting of both parasitic and host MIF could lead to more effective treatment strategies for parasitic diseases of socioeconomic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Sparkes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Patrick De Baetselier
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim Roelants
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carl De Trez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; VIB Structural Biology Research Center, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; VIB Structural Biology Research Center, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Raes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Richard Bucala
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Benoît Stijlemans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.
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Sparkes A, De Baetselier P, Roelants K, De Trez C, Magez S, Van Ginderachter JA, Raes G, Bucala R, Stijlemans B. The non-mammalian MIF superfamily. Immunobiology 2017; 222:473-482. [PMID: 27780588 PMCID: PMC5293613 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was first described as a cytokine 50 years ago, and emerged in mammals as a pleiotropic protein with pro-inflammatory, chemotactic, and growth-promoting activities. In addition, MIF has gained substantial attention as a pivotal upstream mediator of innate and adaptive immune responses and with pathologic roles in several diseases. Of less importance in mammals is an intrinsic but non-physiologic enzymatic activity that points to MIF's evolution from an ancient defense molecule. Therefore, it is not surprising that mif-like genes also have been found across a range of different organisms including bacteria, plants, protozoa, helminths, molluscs, arthropods, fish, amphibians and birds. While Genebank analysis identifying mif-like genes across species is extensive, contained herein is an overview of the non-mammalian MIF-like proteins that have been most well studied experimentally. For many of these organisms, MIF contributes to an innate defense system or plays a role in development. For parasitic organisms however, MIF appears to function as a virulence factor aiding in the establishment or persistence of infection by modulating the host immune response. Consequently, a combined targeting of both parasitic and host MIF could lead to more effective treatment strategies for parasitic diseases of socioeconomic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Sparkes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Gent, Belgium
| | - Patrick De Baetselier
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Gent, Belgium
| | - Kim Roelants
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carl De Trez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; VIB Structural Biology Research Center, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; VIB Structural Biology Research Center, Brussels, Belgium; Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Gent, Belgium
| | - Geert Raes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Gent, Belgium
| | - Richard Bucala
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Benoît Stijlemans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium; Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Gent, Belgium.
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Holowka T, Castilho TM, Garcia AB, Sun T, McMahon-Pratt D, Bucala R. Leishmania-encoded orthologs of macrophage migration inhibitory factor regulate host immunity to promote parasite persistence. FASEB J 2016; 30:2249-65. [PMID: 26956417 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201500189r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania major encodes 2 orthologs of the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), whose functions in parasite growth or in the host-parasite interaction are unknown. To determine the importance of Leishmania-encoded MIF, both LmMIF genes were removed to produce an mif(-/-) strain of L. major This mutant strain replicated normally in vitro but had a 2-fold increased susceptibility to clearance by macrophages. Mice infected with mif(-/-) L. major, when compared to the wild-type strain, also showed a 3-fold reduction in parasite burden. Microarray and functional analyses revealed a reduced ability of mif(-/-) L. major to activate antigen-presenting cells, resulting in a 2-fold reduction in T-cell priming. In addition, there was a reduction in inflammation and effector CD4 T-cell formation in mif(-/-) L. major-infected mice when compared to mice infected with wild-type L. major Notably, effector CD4 T cells that developed during infection with mif(-/-) L. major demonstrated statistically significant differences in markers of functional exhaustion, including increased expression of IFN-γ and IL-7R, reduced expression of programmed death-1, and decreased apoptosis. These data support a role for LmMIF in promoting parasite persistence by manipulating the host response to increase the exhaustion and depletion of protective CD4 T cells.-Holowka, T., Castilho, T. M., Baeza Garcia, A., Sun, T., McMahon-Pratt, D., Bucala, R. Leishmania-encoded orthologs of macrophage migration inhibitory factor regulate host immunity to promote parasite persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Holowka
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; and
| | - Tiago M Castilho
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Alvaro Baeza Garcia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; and
| | - Tiffany Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; and
| | - Diane McMahon-Pratt
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Richard Bucala
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; and Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Aguiar BGA, Coelho DL, Costa DL, Drumond BP, Coelho LFL, Figueiredo LC, Zacarias DA, Silva JCD, Alonso DP, Ribolla PEM, Ishikawa EAY, Gaído SB, Costa CHN. Genes that encodes NAGT, MIF1 and MIF2 are not virulence factors for kala-azar caused by Leishmania infantum. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2014; 47:593-8. [PMID: 25467261 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0183-2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Kala-azar is a disease resulting from infection by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum. Most patients with the disease exhibit prolonged fever, wasting, anemia and hepatosplenomegaly without complications. However, some patients develop severe disease with hemorrhagic manifestations, bacterial infections, jaundice, and edema dyspnea, among other symptoms, followed by death. Among the parasite molecules that might influence the disease severity are the macrophage migration inhibitory factor-like proteins (MIF1 and MIF2) and N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (NAGT), which act in the first step of protein N-glycosylation. This study aimed to determine whether MIF1, MIF2 and NAGT are virulence factors for severe kala-azar. METHODS To determine the parasite genotype in kala-azar patients from Northeastern Brazil, we sequenced the NAGT genes of L. infantum from 68 patients as well as the MIF1 and MIF2 genes from 76 different subjects with diverse clinical manifestations. After polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the fragments were sequenced, followed by polymorphism identification. RESULTS The nucleotide sequencing of the 144 amplicons revealed the absence of genetic variability of the NAGT, MIF1 and MIF2 genes between the isolates. The conservation of these genes suggests that the clinical variability of kala-azar does not depend upon these genes. Additionally, this conservation suggests that these genes may be critical for parasite survival. CONCLUSIONS NAGT, MIF1 and MIF2 do not alter the severity of kala-azar. NAGT, MIF1 and MIF2 are highly conserved among different isolates of identical species and exhibit potential for use in phylogenetic inferences or molecular diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Guedes Alcoforado Aguiar
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brasil
| | - Daniela Lemos Coelho
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brasil
| | - Dorcas Lamounier Costa
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brasil
| | - Betânia Paiva Drumond
- Laboratório de Virologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | | | - Lívio Carvalho Figueiredo
- Departamento de Agricultura, Centro de Ciências Humanas, Sociais e Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Bananeiras, PB, Brasil
| | - Danielle Alves Zacarias
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brasil
| | - Jailthon Carlos da Silva
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brasil
| | - Diego Peres Alonso
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Edna Aoba Yassui Ishikawa
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Samara Belchior Gaído
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brasil
| | - Carlos Henrique Nery Costa
- Laboratório de Leishmanioses, Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brasil
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Qu G, Fetterer R, Leng L, Du X, Zarlenga D, Shen Z, Han W, Bucala R, Tuo W. Ostertagia ostertagi macrophage migration inhibitory factor is present in all developmental stages and may cross-regulate host functions through interaction with the host receptor. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:355-67. [PMID: 24583184 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) of Ostertagia ostertagi, an abomasal parasite of cattle, was characterised in the present study. Phylogenetic analysis identified at least three O. ostertagi MIFs (Oos-MIFs), each encoded by a distinct transcript: Oos-MIF-1.1, Oos-MIF-1.2 and Oos-MIF-2. Oos-MIF-2 is only distantly related to Oos-MIF-1s, but has higher sequence similarity with the Caenorhabditis elegans MIF2. Oos-MIF-1.1 and Oos-MIF-1.2 are similar (93%) and thus collectively referred to as Oos-MIF-1 when characterised with immunoassays. Recombinant Oos-MIF-1.1 (rOos-MIF-1.1) is catalytically active as a tautomerase. A mutation (rOos-MIF-1.1P1G) or duplication of Pro1 residue (rOos-MIF-1.1P1+P) resulted in reduced oligomerisation and loss of tautomerase activity. The tautomerase activity of rOos-MIF-1.1 was only partially inhibited by ISO-1 but was abrogated by a rOos-MIF-1.1-specific antibody. Oos-MIF-1 was detected in all developmental stages of O. ostertagi, with higher levels in the adult stage; it was also detected in adult worm excretory/secretory product. Oos-MIF-1 was localised to the hypodermis/muscle, reproductive tract and intestine, but not to the cuticle. rOos-MIF-1.1, but not rOos-MIF-1.1P1G, was able to specifically bind to human CD74, a MIF cell surface receptor, with an affinity comparable with human MIF. Immunostaining indicated that macrophages were able to internalise rOos-MIF-1.1, further supporting receptor-mediated transportation. Herein we also show that rOos-MIF-1.1 inhibited migration of bovine macrophages and restored glucocorticoid-suppressed, lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α and IL-8 in human and/or bovine macrophages. Given its dual role in self-regulation and molecular mimicry, this secreted parasite protein warrants investigation as a vaccine candidate against O. ostertagi infections in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanggang Qu
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; Shangdong Binzhou Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Binzhou City, Shandong 256600, China
| | - Raymond Fetterer
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Lin Leng
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Dante Zarlenga
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Shangdong Binzhou Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Binzhou City, Shandong 256600, China
| | - Wenyu Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Richard Bucala
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Wenbin Tuo
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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Qu G, Fetterer R, Jenkins M, Leng L, Shen Z, Murphy C, Han W, Bucala R, Tuo W. Characterization of Neospora caninum macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Exp Parasitol 2013; 135:246-56. [PMID: 23850997 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2012] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study is the first characterization of Neospora caninum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (NcMIF). BLAST-N analysis of NcMIF revealed high similarity (87%) to the Toxoplasma gondii MIF. NcMIF was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli in 3 forms, NcMIF (mature protein), NcMIFm (mutation of proline-2 to glycine), and NcMIFhis (addition of a polyhistidine tag at the N-terminus). None of these recombinant NcMIFs (rNcMIF) had tautomerase, oxidoreductase, or immunologic regulatory activities. rNcMIF was unable to compete with recombinant human MIF for a MIF receptor (CD74), suggesting that NcMIF does not bind to this MIF receptor. The glycine substitution for proline-2 of NcMIF resulted in increased retention time on SEC-HPLC and decreased formation of dimers and trimers. The addition of N-terminal HIS-tag led to increased formation of trimers. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that NcMIF was localized to the apical end of N. caninum tachyzoites. Immunoelectron microscopy further revealed that NcMIF was present in the micronemes, rhoptries, dense granules, and nuclei. NcMIF was abundant in the tachyzoite lysate and present in excretory and secretory antigen (ESAg) preparations. Total and secretory NcMIF was more abundant in a non-pathologic clone, Ncts-8, than in the wild type isolate (NC1). Furthermore, NcMIF release by the both isolates was increased in the presence of calcium ionophore. This differential production of NcMIF by the pathologic and non-pathologic isolates of N. caninum may suggest a critical role of this molecule in the infectious pathogenesis of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanggang Qu
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; Shangdong Binzhou Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Binzhou City, Shandong 256600, China
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Ajonina-Ekoti I, Kurosinski MA, Younis AE, Ndjonka D, Tanyi MK, Achukwi M, Eisenbarth A, Ajonina C, Lüersen K, Breloer M, Brattig NW, Liebau E. Comparative analysis of macrophage migration inhibitory factors (MIFs) from the parasitic nematode Onchocerca volvulus and the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:3335-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3513-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Sommerville C, Richardson JM, Williams RAM, Mottram JC, Roberts CW, Alexander J, Henriquez FL. Biochemical and immunological characterization of Toxoplasma gondii macrophage migration inhibitory factor. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:12733-41. [PMID: 23443656 PMCID: PMC3642319 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.419911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2012] [Revised: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory molecule in mammals that, unusually for a cytokine, exhibits tautomerase and oxidoreductase enzymatic activities. Homologues of this well conserved protein are found within diverse phyla including a number of parasitic organisms. Herein, we produced recombinant histidine-tagged Toxoplasma gondii MIF (TgMIF), a 12-kDa protein that lacks oxidoreductase activity but exhibits tautomerase activity with a specific activity of 19.3 μmol/min/mg that cannot be inhibited by the human MIF inhibitor ISO-1. The crystal structure of the TgMIF homotrimer has been determined to 1.82 Å, and although it has close structural homology with mammalian MIFs, it has critical differences in the tautomerase active site that account for the different inhibitor sensitivity. We also demonstrate that TgMIF can elicit IL-8 production from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells while also activating ERK MAPK pathways in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages. TgMIF may therefore play an immunomodulatory role during T. gondii infection in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Sommerville
- From the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Julia M. Richardson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Roderick A. M. Williams
- From the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, United Kingdom, and
| | - Craig W. Roberts
- From the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - James Alexander
- From the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona L. Henriquez
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Characterization of molecular determinants of the conformational stability of macrophage migration inhibitory factor: leucine 46 hydrophobic pocket. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45024. [PMID: 23028743 PMCID: PMC3448610 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 08/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a key mediator of inflammatory responses and innate immunity and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The oligomerization of MIF, more specifically trimer formation, is essential for its keto-enol tautomerase activity and probably mediates several of its interactions and biological activities, including its binding to its receptor CD74 and activation of certain signaling pathways. Therefore, understanding the molecular factors governing the oligomerization of MIF and the role of quaternary structure in modulating its structural stability and multifunctional properties is crucial for understanding the function of MIF in health and disease. Herein, we describe highly conserved intersubunit interactions involving the hydrophobic packing of the side chain of Leu46 onto the β-strand β3 of one monomer within a hydrophobic pocket from the adjacent monomer constituted by residues Arg11, Val14, Phe18, Leu19, Val39, His40, Val41, Val42, and Pro43. To elucidate the structural significance of these intersubunit interactions and their relative contribution to MIF’s trimerization, structural stability and catalytic activity, we generated three point mutations where Leu46 was replaced by glycine (L46G), alanine (L46A) and phenylalanine (L46F), and their structural properties, stability, oligomerization state, and catalytic activity were characterized using a battery of biophysical methods and X-ray crystallography. Our findings provide new insights into the role of the Leu46 hydrophobic pocket in stabilizing the conformational state of MIF in solution. Disrupting the Leu46 hydrophobic interaction perturbs the secondary and tertiary structure of the protein but has no effect on its oligomerization state.
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Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in protozoan infections. J Parasitol Res 2012; 2012:413052. [PMID: 22496958 PMCID: PMC3306950 DOI: 10.1155/2012/413052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Revised: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that plays a central role in immune and inflammatory responses. In the present paper, we discussed the participation of MIF in the immune response to protozoan parasite infections. As a general trend, MIF participates in the control of parasite burden at the expense of promoting tissue damage due to increased inflammation.
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Younis AE, Soblik H, Ajonina-Ekoti I, Erttmann KD, Luersen K, Liebau E, Brattig NW. Characterization of a secreted macrophage migration inhibitory factor homologue of the parasitic nematode Strongyloides acting at the parasite-host cell interface. Microbes Infect 2011; 14:279-89. [PMID: 22037391 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2011.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Revised: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is a tropical parasitosis characterized by an alternation between free-living and parasitic stages, and by long-term infection via autoinfection. Since invasion and evasion processes of helminth parasites are substantially attained by the involvement of excretory-secretory products, we identified and characterized the 13.5 kDa macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-like protein in Strongyloides ratti. Sra-MIF is mainly secreted from the infective stage larvae (iL3), while the transcript was found at lower levels in parasitic and free-living females. Sequence analysis of the full-length cDNA showed the highest homology to the human pathogen Strongyloides stercoralis, and both are related to the MIF type-2. Unlike other mif genes, the Sra-mif includes no intron. The protein was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Sra-MIF exhibited no in vitro tautomerase activity. The exposure of Sra-MIF to the host immune system is confirmed by high IgG reactivities found in the hosts' sera following infection or immunization. Flow cytometric analysis indicated the binding of Sra-MIF to the monocytes/macrophage lineage but not to peripheral lymphocytes. After exposure to Sra-MIF, monocytes released IL-10 but not TNF-alpha suggesting the involvement of the secreted parasite MIF in host immune responses.
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Ouertatani-Sakouhi H, El-Turk F, Fauvet B, Roger T, Le Roy D, Karpinar DP, Leng L, Bucala R, Zweckstetter M, Calandra T, Lashuel HA. A new class of isothiocyanate-based irreversible inhibitors of macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Biochemistry 2009; 48:9858-70. [PMID: 19737008 DOI: 10.1021/bi900957e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a homotrimeric multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Current therapeutic strategies for targeting MIF focus on developing inhibitors of its tautomerase activity or modulating its biological activities using anti-MIF neutralizing antibodies. Herein we report a new class of isothiocyanate (ITC)-based irreversible inhibitors of MIF. Modification by benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and related analogues occurred at the N-terminal catalytic proline residue without any effect on the oligomerization state of MIF. Different alkyl and arylalkyl ITCs modified MIF with nearly the same efficiency as BITC. To elucidate the mechanism of action, we performed detailed biochemical, biophysical, and structural studies to determine the effect of BITC and its analogues on the conformational state, quaternary structure, catalytic activity, receptor binding, and biological activity of MIF. Light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation, and NMR studies on unmodified and ITC-modified MIF demonstrated that modification of Pro1 alters the tertiary, but not the secondary or quaternary, structure of the trimer without affecting its thermodynamic stability. BITC induced drastic effects on the tertiary structure of MIF, in particular residues that cluster around Pro1 and constitute the tautomerase active site. These changes in tertiary structure and the loss of catalytic activity translated into a reduction in MIF receptor binding activity, MIF-mediated glucocorticoid overriding, and MIF-induced Akt phosphorylation. Together, these findings highlight the role of tertiary structure in modulating the biochemical and biological activities of MIF and present new opportunities for modulating MIF biological activities in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajer Ouertatani-Sakouhi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Functional Neuroproteomics, Brain Mind Institute and Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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