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Wang X, Qu L, Chen J, Hu K, Zhou Z, Zhang J, An Y, Zheng J. Rhoptry proteins affect the placental barrier in the context of Toxoplasma gondii infection: Signaling pathways and functions. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 280:116567. [PMID: 38850700 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116567] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic and pathogenic obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan that is widespread worldwide and can infect most warm-blooded animals, seriously endangering human health and affecting livestock production. Toxoplasmosis caused by T. gondii infection has different clinical manifestations, which are mainly determined by the virulence of T. gondii and host differences. Among the manifestations of this condition, abortion, stillbirth, and fetal malformation can occur if a woman is infected with T. gondii in early pregnancy. Here, we discuss how the T. gondii rhoptry protein affects host pregnancy outcomes and speculate on the related signaling pathways involved. The effects of rhoptry proteins of T. gondii on the placental barrier are complex. Rhoptry proteins not only regulate interferon-regulated genes (IRGs) to ensure the survival of parasites in activated cells but also promote the spread of worms in tissues and the invasive ability of the parasites. The functions of these rhoptry proteins and the associated signaling pathways highlight relevant mechanisms by which Toxoplasma crosses the placental barrier and influences fetal development and will guide future studies to uncover the complexity of the host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lai Qu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kaisong Hu
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhengjie Zhou
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yiming An
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jingtong Zheng
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Wang X, Qu L, Chen J, Jin Y, Hu K, Zhou Z, Zhang J, An Y, Zheng J. Toxoplasma rhoptry proteins that affect encephalitis outcome. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:439. [PMID: 38049394 PMCID: PMC10696021 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01742-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a widespread obligate intracellular parasite, can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The cellular barrier of the central nervous system (CNS) is generally able to protect the brain parenchyma from infectious damage. However, T. gondii typically causes latent brain infections in humans and other vertebrates. Here, we discuss how T. gondii rhoptry proteins (ROPs) affect signaling pathways in host cells and speculate how this might affect the outcome of Toxoplasma encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Lai Qu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yufen Jin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Kaisong Hu
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Zhengjie Zhou
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yiming An
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jingtong Zheng
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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3
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Yuan H, Zhang XX, Yang ZP, Wang XH, Mahmmod YS, Zhang P, Yan ZJ, Wang YY, Ren ZW, Guo QY, Yuan ZG. Unveiling of brain transcriptome of masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) with chronic infection of Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:263. [PMID: 35871661 PMCID: PMC9308931 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05378-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the transcriptomic changes that occur in a wild species when infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The masked palm civet, an artifically domesticated animal, was used as the model of a wild species. Transcriptome analysis was used to study alterations in gene expression in the domesticated masked palm civet after chronic infection with T. gondii. METHODS Masked palm civets were infected with 105 T. gondii cysts and their brain tissue collected after 4 months of infection. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to gain insight into the spectrum of genes that were differentially expressed due to infection. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was also used to validate the level of expression of a set of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) obtained by sequencing. RESULTS DEGs were screened from the sequencing results and analyzed. A total of 2808 DEGs were detected, of which 860 were upregulated and 1948 were downregulated. RNA-Seq results were confirmed by qRT-PCR. DEGs were mainly enriched in cellular process and metabolic process based on gene ontology enrichment analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that transcriptional changes in the brain of infected masked palm civets evolved over the course of infection and that DEGs were mainly enriched in the signal transduction, immune system processes, transport and catabolic pathways. Finally, 10 essential driving genes were identified from the immune signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed novel host genes which may provide target genes for the development of new therapeutics and detection methods for T. gondii infection in wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yuan
- grid.413251.00000 0000 9354 9799College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052 Xinjiang People’s Republic of China ,grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China ,grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642 People’s Republic of China ,grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Zi-Peng Yang
- grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China ,grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Hu Wang
- grid.135769.f0000 0001 0561 6611Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Yasser S. Mahmmod
- grid.31451.320000 0001 2158 2757Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511 Sharika Egypt ,grid.444463.50000 0004 1796 4519Veterinary Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, 17155- Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Pian Zhang
- grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Zi-Jing Yan
- grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-Yun Wang
- grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Wen Ren
- grid.20561.300000 0000 9546 5767College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing-Yong Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
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Wu X, Gong H, Hu X, Shi P, Cen H, Li C. Effect of verapamil on bone mass, microstructure and mechanical properties in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022; 23:363. [PMID: 35436905 PMCID: PMC9016927 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05294-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Verapamil was mainly used to treat hypertension, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and improve blood glucose in patients with diabetes, but its effects on bone mass, microstructure and mechanical properties were unclear. This study described the effects of verapamil on bone mass, microstructure, macro and nano mechanical properties in type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS Rat models of type 2 diabetes were treated with verapamil at doses of 4, 12, 24 and 48 mg/kg/day by gavage respectively, twice a day. After 12 weeks, all rats were sacrificed under general anesthesia. Blood glucose, blood lipid, renal function and biochemical markers of bone metabolism were obtained by serum analysis, Micro-CT scanning was used to assess the microstructure parameters of cancellous bone of femoral head, three-point bending test was used to measure maximum load and elastic modulus of femoral shaft, and nano-indentation tests were used to measure indentation moduli and hardnesses of longitudinal cortical bone in femoral shaft, longitudinal and transverse cancellous bones in femoral head. RESULTS Compared with T2DM group, transverse indentation moduli of cancellous bones in VER 24 group, longitudinal and transverse indentation moduli and hardnesses of cancellous bones in VER 48 group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the effects of verapamil on blood glucoses, microstructures and mechanical properties in type 2 diabetic rats were dependent on drug dose. Starting from verapamil dose of 12 mg/kg/day, with dose increasing, the concentrations of P1NP, BMD, BV/TV, Tb. Th, Tb. N, maximum loads, elastic moduli, indentation moduli and hardnesses of femurs in rats in treatment group increased gradually, the concentrations of CTX-1 decreased gradually, but these parameters did not return to the level of the corresponding parameters of normal rats. Verapamil (48 mg/kg/day) had the best therapeutic effect. CONCLUSION Verapamil treatment (24, 48 mg/kg/day) significantly affected nano mechanical properties of the femurs, and tended to improve bone microstructures and macro mechanical properties of the femurs, which provided guidance for the selection of verapamil dose in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - He Gong
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Xiaorong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Peipei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Haipeng Cen
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chenchen Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
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Lin JF, Liu YS, Huang YC, Chi CW, Tsai CC, Tsai TH, Chen YJ. Borneol and Tetrandrine Modulate the Blood-Brain Barrier and Blood-Tumor Barrier to Improve the Therapeutic Efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil in Brain Metastasis. Integr Cancer Ther 2022; 21:15347354221077682. [PMID: 35168384 PMCID: PMC8855435 DOI: 10.1177/15347354221077682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of brain metastasis may
be compromised by the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–tumor barrier (BTB).
P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a multidrug resistance protein that potentially limits
the penetration of chemotherapeutics through the BBB and BTB. 5-Fluorouracil
(5-FU) is widely used to treat cancer. Bioactive constituents of medicinal
herbs, such as borneol and tetrandrine, potentially improve drug penetration
through the BBB and BTB. We hypothesized that borneol and tetrandrine might
modulate the BBB and BTB to enhance 5-FU penetration into the brain. To
investigate this, in vitro and in vivo models were developed to explore the
modulatory effects of borneol and tetrandrine on 5-FU penetration through the
BBB and BTB. In the in vitro models, barrier integrity, cell viability, barrier
penetration, P-gp activity, and NF-κB expression were assessed. In the in vivo
brain metastasis models, cancer cells were injected into the internal carotid
artery to evaluate tumor growth. The experimental results demonstrated that
borneol and borneol + tetrandrine reduced BBB integrity. The efflux pump
function of P-gp was partially inhibited by tetrandrine and
borneol + tetrandrine. In the in vivo experiment, borneol + tetrandrine
effectively prolonged survival without compromising body weight. In conclusion,
BBB and BTB integrity was modulated by borneol and borneol + tetrandrine. The
combination of borneol and tetrandrine could be used to improve the
chemotherapeutic control of brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Feng Lin
- Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Shuo Liu
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chuen Huang
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wen Chi
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chia Tsai
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hu Tsai
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Chen
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei, Taiwan
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Gao HJ, Sun XD, Luo YP, Pang HS, Ma XM, Zhang T, Jing T, Hu W, Shen YJ, Cao JP. Anti-echinococcal effect of verapamil involving the regulation of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II response in vitro and in a murine infection model. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:108. [PMID: 33588933 PMCID: PMC7885340 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04618-4] [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] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Echinococcosis, which is caused by the larvae of cestodes of the genus Echinococcus, is a parasitic zoonosis that poses a serious threat to the health of humans and animals globally. Albendazole is the drug of choice for the treatment of echinococcosis, but it is difficult to meet clinical goals with this chemotherapy due to its low cure rate and associated side effects after its long-term use. Hence, novel anti-parasitic targets and effective treatment alternatives are urgently needed. A previous study showed that verapamil (Vepm) can suppress the growth of Echinococcus granulosus larvae; however, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to gain insight into the anti-echinococcal effect of Vepm on Echinococcus with a particular focus on the regulatory effect of Vepm on calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Ca2+/CaM-CaMKII) in infected mice. Methods The anti-echinococcal effects of Vepm on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces (PSC) in vitro and Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes in infected mice were assessed. The morphological alterations in Echinococcus spp. induced by Vepm were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the changes in calcium content in both the parasite and mouse serum and liver were measured by SEM-energy dispersive spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and alizarin red staining. Additionally, the changes in the protein and mRNA levels of CaM and CaMKII in infected mice, and in the mRNA levels of CaMKII in E. granulosus PSC, were evaluated after treatment with Vepm by immunohistochemistry and/or real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results In vitro, E. granulosus PSC could be killed by Vepm at a concentration of 0.5 μg/ml or higher within 8 days. Under these conditions, the ultrastructure of PSC was damaged, and this damage was accompanied by obvious calcium loss and downregulation of CaMKII mRNA expression. In vivo, the weight and the calcium content of E. multilocularis metacestodes from mice were reduced after treatment with 40 mg/kg Vepm, and an elevation of the calcium content in the sera and livers of infected mice was observed. In addition, downregulation of CaM and CaMKII protein and mRNA expression in the livers of mice infected with E. multilocularis metacestodes was found after treatment with Vepm. Conclusions Vepm exerted a parasiticidal effect against Echinococcus both in vitro and in vivo through downregulating the expression of Ca2+/CaM-CaMKII, which was over-activated by parasitic infection. The results suggest that Ca2+/CaM-CaMKII may be a novel drug target, and that Vepm is a potential anti-echinococcal drug for the future control of echinococcosis.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Jun Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.,National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.,Ganzr Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kangding, 626000, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu-Dong Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Ping Luo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua-Sheng Pang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis Prevention and Control, Tibet Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lhasa, 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Ming Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China. .,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis Prevention and Control, Tibet Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lhasa, 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tao Jing
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei Hu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Juan Shen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Ping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
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Li JX, He JJ, Elsheikha HM, Ma J, Xu XP, Zhu XQ. ROP18-Mediated Transcriptional Reprogramming of HEK293T Cell Reveals New Roles of ROP18 in the Interplay Between Toxoplasma gondii and the Host Cell. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:586946. [PMID: 33330132 PMCID: PMC7734210 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.586946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii secretes a number of virulence-related effector proteins, such as the rhoptry protein 18 (ROP18). To further broaden our understanding of the molecular functions of ROP18, we examined the transcriptional response of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) to ROP18 of type I T. gondii RH strain. Using RNA-sequencing, we compared the transcriptome of ROP18-expressing HEK293T cells to control HEK293T cells. Our analysis revealed that ROP18 altered the expression of 750 genes (467 upregulated genes and 283 downregulated genes) in HEK293T cells. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix– and immune–related GO terms and pathways. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were involved in several disease-related pathways, such as nervous system diseases and eye disease. ROP18 significantly increased the alternative splicing pattern “retained intron” and altered the expression of 144 transcription factors (TFs). These results provide new insight into how ROP18 may influence biological processes in the host cells via altering the expression of genes, TFs, and pathways. More in vitro and in vivo studies are required to substantiate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Xi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jun-Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Jun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Pei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
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8
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Structural, Functional, and Metabolic Alterations in Human Cerebrovascular Endothelial Cells during Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Amelioration by Verapamil In Vitro. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091386. [PMID: 32927732 PMCID: PMC7564162 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is a frequent cause of brain infection. Despite its known ability to invade the brain, there is still a dire need to better understand the mechanisms by which this parasite interacts with and crosses the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The present study revealed structural and functional changes associated with infection and replication of T. gondii within human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) in vitro. T. gondii proliferated within the BMECs and disrupted the integrity of the cerebrovascular barrier through diminishing the cellular viability, disruption of the intercellular junctions and increasing permeability of the BMEC monolayer, as well as altering lipid homeostasis. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics combined with multivariate data analysis revealed profiles that can be attributed to infection and variations in the amounts of certain metabolites (e.g., amino acids, fatty acids) in the extracts of infected compared to control cells. Notably, treatment with the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil rescued BMEC barrier integrity and restricted intracellular replication of the tachyzoites regardless of the time of treatment application (i.e., prior to infection, early- and late-infection). This study provides new insights into the structural and functional changes that accompany T. gondii infection of the BMECs, and sheds light upon the ability of verapamil to inhibit the parasite proliferation and to ameliorate the adverse effects caused by T. gondii infection.
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