1
|
Fernandes KA, Fadul JC, Fiore MF, Pinto E. A systematic review on guanitoxin: General characteristics and ecological risks. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141277. [PMID: 38307340 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141277] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Guanitoxin (GNT) is a potent cyanotoxin, with a relatively low number of publications (n = 51) compared to other cyanotoxins. Among the published studies, 35 % were on the effect of the toxin in animals, mainly in rodents and in vitro testing, followed by studies that identified species of cyanobacteria that produce GNT in aquatic systems and consequently accidental poisoning in wild and domestic animals (27 %). Studies that developed or tested methods for identifying the molecule, based on colorimetric and analytical techniques, represented 14 %, while 8 % were on GNT biosynthesis. Review articles and chemical isolation (6 %) and on the stability of the molecule (4 %) were the topics with the lowest number of publications. The results show the occurrence of GNT was identified mainly in eutrophic environments with a higher incidence in the American continent. Chemical characteristics of the molecule, such as short half-life in the environment, instability in solutions with alkaline pH values, temperature >23 °C, added to the lack of an analytical standard, are factors that make it difficult to identify and quantify it. However, GNT monitoring can be performed using LC-MS-MRM methods or genes specific to the newly discovered molecule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Afonsina Fernandes
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo. Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Jéssica Chaves Fadul
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo. Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marli Fátima Fiore
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo. Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ernani Pinto
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo. Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jacinavicius FR, Valverde Campos TG, Passos LS, Pinto E, Geraldes V. A rapid LC-MS/MS method for multi-class identification and quantification of cyanotoxins. Toxicon 2023; 234:107282. [PMID: 37678578 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107282] [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] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria can form harmful blooms in specific environmental conditions due to certain species producing toxic metabolites known as cyanotoxins. These toxins pose significant risks to public health and the environment, making it critical to identify and quantify them in food and water sources to avoid contamination. However, current screening methods only focus on a single class of cyanotoxins, limiting their effectiveness. Thus, fast and sensitive liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to analyze eighteen cyanotoxins simultaneously. A simplified extraction procedure using lyophilized samples of cyanobacterial biomass was also used, eliminating the need for traditional solid-phase extraction methods. This method uses multiple reaction monitoring and allows accurate determination and quantification of eighteen cyanotoxins, including anatoxin-a, homoanatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, deoxy-cylindrospermopsin, nodularin, guanitoxin, seven microcystins (RR, [D-Asp3] RR, LA, LR, LY, LW, and YR), and five saxitoxins (gonyautoxins - GTX-1&4, GTX-2&3, GTX-5), decarbamoylgonyautoxin (dcGTX-2&3), and N-Sulfocarbamoylgonyautoxin (C1&C2), all in a short acquisition time of 8 min. Therefore, this method provides a simple and efficient approach to identify and quantify harmful compounds produced by cyanobacteria. Hence, this represents the first method to detecting guanitoxin among cyanotoxins. By expanding the range of toxins analyzed, this method can help ensure high-quality food and drinking water and protect recreational users from exposure to cyanotoxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Rios Jacinavicius
- Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Larissa Souza Passos
- Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Ernani Pinto
- Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil; Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON - CEPID), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Vanessa Geraldes
- Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zheng JL, Wang X, Song Z, Zhou P, Zhang GJ, Diao JJ, Han CE, Jia GY, Zhou X, Zhang BQ. Network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix treatment for acute lung injury. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:4579-4600. [PMID: 37469744 PMCID: PMC10353494 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i19.4579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix (PCRR), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), inhibits inflammation associated with various human diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of PCRR in acute lung injury (ALI) and the underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear.
AIM To determine the ingredients related to PCRR for treatment of ALI using multiple databases to obtain potential targets for fishing.
METHODS Recognized and candidate active compounds for PCRR were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology, STITCH, and PubMed databases. Target ALI databases were built using the Therapeutic Target, DrugBank, DisGeNET, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, and Genetic Association databases. Network pharmacology includes network construction, target prediction, topological feature analysis, and enrichment analysis. Bioinformatics resources from the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery were utilized for gene ontology biological process and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes network pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking techniques were adopted to verify the combination of major active ingredients and core targets.
RESULTS Thirteen bioactive compounds corresponding to the 433 PCRR targets were identified. In addition, 128 genes were closely associated with ALI, 60 of which overlapped with PCRR targets and were considered therapeutically relevant. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that PCRR exerted its pharmacological effects in ALI by modulating multiple pathways, including the cell cycle, cell apoptosis, drug metabolism, inflammation, and immune modulation. Molecular docking results revealed a strong associative relationship between the active ingredient and core target.
CONCLUSION PCRR alleviates ALI symptoms via molecular mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology. This study proposes a strategy to elucidate the mechanisms of TCM at the network pharmacology level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Lin Zheng
- Department of Respiratory, The First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Respiratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhe Song
- Department of Respiratory, The First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China
| | - Peng Zhou
- Department of Respiratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Gui-Ju Zhang
- Department of Respiratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Juan-Juan Diao
- Department of Respiratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Cheng-En Han
- Department of Respiratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guang-Yuan Jia
- Department of Respiratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- Department of Respiratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bao-Qing Zhang
- Department of Respiratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Passos LS, Jacinavicius FR, Geraldes V, Nunes de Freitas PN, Helena da Silva G, Costa de Almeida É, Priscila do Carmo Alves A, Orlando TM, da Silva Cerozi B, Teodoro Martinez DS, Pinto E. Ecotoxicological assessment of guanitoxin-producing cyanobacteria in Danio rerio and Daphnia similis. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 332:138846. [PMID: 37146772 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activity has dramatically deteriorated aquatic ecosystems in recent years. Such environmental alterations could change the primary producers' composition, exacerbating the proliferation of harmful microorganisms such as cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria can produce several secondary metabolites, including guanitoxin, a potent neurotoxin and the only naturally occurring anticholinesterase organophosphate ever reported in the literature. Therefore, this study investigated the acute toxicity of guanitoxin-producing cyanobacteria Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae (ITEP-024 strain) aqueous and 50% methanolic extracts in zebrafish (Danio rerio) hepatocytes (ZF-L cell line), zebrafish embryos (fish embryo toxicity - FET) and specimens of the microcrustacean Daphnia similis. For this, hepatocytes were exposed to 1-500 mg/L of the ITEP-024 extracts for 24 h, the embryos to 31.25-500 mg/L for 96 h, and D. similis to 10-3000 mg/L for 48 h. Non-target metabolomics was also performed to analyze secondary metabolites produced by the ITEP-024 using LC-MS/MS. Metabolomics indicated the guanitoxin presence just in the aqueous extract of the ITEP-024 and the presence of the cyanopeptides namalides, spumigins, and anabaenopeptins in the methanolic extract. The aqueous extract decreased the viability of zebrafish hepatocytes (EC(I)50(24h) = 366.46 mg/L), and the methanolic extract was not toxic. FET showed that the aqueous extract (LC50(96) = 353.55 mg/L) was more toxic than the methanolic extract (LC50(96) = 617.91 mg/L). However, the methanolic extract had more sublethal effects, such as abdominal and cardiac (cardiotoxicity) edema and deformation (spinal curvature of the larvae). Both extracts immobilized daphnids at the highest concentration analyzed. However, the aqueous extract was nine times more lethal (EC(I)50(48h) = 108.2 mg/L) than the methanolic extract (EC(I)50(48h) = 980.65 mg/L). Our results showed an imminent biological risk for aquatic fauna living in an ecosystem surrounded by ITEP-024 metabolites. Our findings thus highlight the urgency of understanding the effects of guanitoxin and cyanopeptides in aquatic animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Souza Passos
- Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil; Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Rios Jacinavicius
- Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Geraldes
- Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil; Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paloma Nathane Nunes de Freitas
- Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Helena da Silva
- National Nanotechnology Laboratory, National Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Éryka Costa de Almeida
- Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Tamira Maria Orlando
- Department of Animal Science, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Brunno da Silva Cerozi
- Department of Animal Science, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | | | - Ernani Pinto
- Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil; Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Food Research Center (FoRC - CEPID), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Passos LS, Gomes LC, Pereira TM, Sadauskas-Henrique H, Pont GD, Ostrensky A, Pinto E. Response of Oreochromis niloticus (Teleostei: Cichlidae) exposed to a guanitoxin-producing cyanobacterial strain using multiple biomarkers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155471. [PMID: 35472340 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Changes in environmental conditions in aquatic ecosystems caused by anthropic actions can modify the composition of primary producers, promoting the excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria. These organisms can form cyanobacterial blooms, which directly affect aquatic life. The present study investigated the mutagenicity of the cyanobacterium Sphaerospermopsis torques-reginae (strain ITEP-024), guanitoxin-producing (natural organophosphate), and sublethal effects on fish in relevant environment concentrations. For this, the Ames test (Salmonella/microsome) was performed as a mutagenic assay for extracts of the ITEP-024 strain. Specimens of Oreochromis niloticus (Teleostei: Cichlidae) were subjected to acute 96 h exposure to different concentrations of aqueous extract of the strain: C = control group; T1 = 31.25 mg/L; T2 = 62.5 mg/L; T3 = 125 mg/L; and T4 = 250 mg/L. Genotoxic, biochemical, osmoregulatory, and physiologic biomarkers were analyzed. Our results showed that the cyanobacterium had a weak mutagenic response for the TA102 strain of Salmonella with and without metabolic activation by S9. Strains TA98 and TA100 were not affected. Fish from treatments T3 and T4 showed changes in oxidative stress (CAT, SOD, and GST enzymes), inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase activity, micronucleus formation, and osmoregulatory disorders. No guanitoxin accumulation was detected in the different tissues of O. niloticus by LC-MS/MS. Our results showed unprecedented mutagenicity data of the guanitoxin-producing cyanobacteria by the Ames test and biochemical, osmoregulatory, and genotoxic disorders in fish, providing efficient aquatic contamination biomarkers. Despite the great concern related to the presence of guanitoxin in blooms in freshwater ecosystems, its concentration is not yet regulated, and thus there is no monitoring agenda in current legislation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Souza Passos
- Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Levy Carvalho Gomes
- Laboratory of Applied Ichthyology, Vila Velha University, Rua José Dantas de Melo, 29102-770 Vila Velha, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Miura Pereira
- Laboratory of Applied Ichthyology, Vila Velha University, Rua José Dantas de Melo, 29102-770 Vila Velha, Brazil
| | - Helen Sadauskas-Henrique
- Laboratory of Marine and Coastal Organisms, University of Santa Cecília, Rua Oswaldo Cruz, 11045-907 Santos, Brazil
| | - Giorgi Dal Pont
- Integrated Group for Aquaculture and Environmental Studies, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 80035-050 Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Antonio Ostrensky
- Integrated Group for Aquaculture and Environmental Studies, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 80035-050 Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ernani Pinto
- Laboratory of Toxins and Natural Algae Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil; Tropical Ecosystems Operation Division, Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Center, University of São Paulo, Av. Centenário, 13416-000 Piracicaba, Brazil; Food Research Center (FoRC-CEPID), University of São Paulo, Rua do Lago, 05508-080 São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mahmoudinia S, Niapour A, Ghasemi Hamidabadi H, Mazani M. 2,4-D causes oxidative stress induction and apoptosis in human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:26170-26183. [PMID: 31280441 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05837-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
2,4-Dicholorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) is a worldwide used hormone herbicide. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) as a potential source of mesenchymal stem cells provide a confident model system for the assessments of chemicals in vitro. The main objective of this study was to examine the biological effects and damages attributed to 2,4-D on hDPSCs. hDPSCs were isolated from third molar pulp tissues and their mesenchymal identity were evaluated. Then, hDPSCs were treated with increasing concentrations of 2,4-D (0.1 μM-10 mM). Cell viability assay and cumulative cell counting were carried out to address 2,4-D effects on biological parameters of hDPSCs. Cell cycle distribution, ROS level and ALP activity were measured before and after treatment. AO/EB staining and caspase 3/7 activity were investigated to detect the possible mechanisms of cell death. Flow-cytometric immunophenotyping and differentiation data confirmed the mesenchymal identity of cultivated hDPSCs. 2,4-D treatment caused a hormetic response in the viability and growth rate of hDPSCs. G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, enhanced ROS level, and reduced ALP activity were detected in hDPSCs treated with EC50 dose of 2,4-D. AO/EB staining showed a higher percentage of alive cells in lower concentrations of the herbicide. The increment in 2,4-D dose and the number of early and late apoptotic cells were increased. DAPI staining and caspase 3/7 assay validated the induction of apoptosis. 2,4-D concentrations up to 100 μM did not affect hDPSCs viability and proliferation. The intense cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis were observed at higher concentration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samira Mahmoudinia
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Ali Niapour
- Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
| | - Hatef Ghasemi Hamidabadi
- Immunogenetic Research Center, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mazani
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Braid LR, Wood CA, Ford BN. Human umbilical cord perivascular cells: A novel source of the organophosphate antidote butyrylcholinesterase. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 305:66-78. [PMID: 30926319 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a well-characterized bioscavenger with significant potential as a prophylactic or post-exposure treatment for organophosphate poisoning. Despite substantial efforts, BChE has proven technically challenging to produce in recombinant systems. Recombinant BChE tends to be insufficiently or incorrectly glycosylated, and consequently exhibits a truncated half-life, compromised activity, or is immunogenic. Thus, expired human plasma remains the only reliable source of the benchmark BChE tetramer, but production is costly and time intensive and presents possible blood-borne disease hazards. Here we report a human BChE production platform that produces functionally active, tetrameric BChE enzyme, without the addition of external factors such as polyproline peptides or chemical or gene modification required by other systems. Human umbilical cord perivascular cells (HUCPVCs) are a rich population of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from Wharton's jelly. We show that HUCPVCs naturally and stably secrete BChE during culture in xeno- and serum-free media, and can be gene-modified to increase BChE output. However, BChE secretion from HUCPVCs is limited by innate feedback mechanisms that can be interrupted by addition of miR 186 oligonucleotide mimics or by competitive inhibition of muscarinic cholinergic signalling receptors by addition of atropine. By contrast, adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells neither secrete measurable levels of BChE naturally, nor after gene modification. Further work is required to fully characterize and disable the intrinsic ceiling of HUCPVC-mediated BChE secretion to achieve commercially relevant enzyme output. However, HUCPVCs present a unique opportunity to produce both native and strategically engineered recombinant BChE enzyme in a human platform with the innate capacity to secrete the benchmark human plasma form.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena R Braid
- Aurora BioSolutions Inc., PO Box 21053, Crescent Heights PO, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 6N0, Canada.
| | - Catherine A Wood
- Aurora BioSolutions Inc., PO Box 21053, Crescent Heights PO, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 6N0, Canada
| | - Barry N Ford
- DRDC Suffield Research Centre, Casualty Management Section, Box 4000 Station Main, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 8K6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kellershohn J, Thomas L, Hahnel SR, Grünweller A, Hartmann RK, Hardt M, Vilcinskas A, Grevelding CG, Haeberlein S. Insects in anthelminthics research: Lady beetle-derived harmonine affects survival, reproduction and stem cell proliferation of Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007240. [PMID: 30870428 PMCID: PMC6436750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products have moved into the spotlight as possible sources for new drugs in the treatment of helminth infections including schistosomiasis. Surprisingly, insect-derived compounds have largely been neglected so far in the search for novel anthelminthics, despite the generally recognized high potential of insect biotechnology for drug discovery. This motivated us to assess the antischistosomal capacity of harmonine, an antimicrobial alkaloid from the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis that raised high interest in insect biotechnology in recent years. We observed remarkably pleiotropic effects of harmonine on physiological, cellular, and molecular processes in adult male and female Schistosoma mansoni at concentrations as low as 5 μM in vitro. This included tegumental damage, gut dilatation, dysplasia of gonads, a complete stop of egg production at 10 μM, and increased production of abnormally shaped eggs at 5 μM. Motility was reduced with an EC50 of 8.8 μM and lethal effects occurred at 10–20 μM within 3 days of culture. Enzyme inhibition assays revealed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as one potential target of harmonine. To assess possible effects on stem cells, which represent attractive anthelminthic targets, we developed a novel in silico 3D reconstruction of gonads based on confocal laser scanning microscopy of worms after EdU incorporation to allow for quantification of proliferating stem cells per organ. Harmonine significantly reduced the number of proliferating stem cells in testes, ovaries, and also the number of proliferating parenchymal neoblasts. This was further supported by a downregulated expression of the stem cell markers nanos-1 and nanos-2 in harmonine-treated worms revealed by quantitative real-time PCR. Our data demonstrate a multifaceted antischistosomal activity of the lady beetle-derived compound harmonine, and suggest AChE and stem cell genes as possible targets. Harmonine is the first animal-derived alkaloid detected to have antischistosomal capacity. This study highlights the potential of exploiting insects as a source for the discovery of anthelminthics. Natural compounds represent one of the richest sources for the discovery of new active compounds against diseases such as cancer or infections, including helminth infections that cause the highest disease burden in tropical countries. Surprisingly, insects have been almost completely neglected with respect to anthelminthics discovery although they represent the most species-rich class of animals known on earth, producing a wide spectrum of compounds with biological activities. In insect biotechnology, the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis raised high interest being a rich source of antimicrobial compounds such as the alkaloid harmonine. Harmonine is thought to act as a chemical weapon keeping otherwise detrimental microsporidia in the beetle under control. Testing the antiparasitic potential of harmonine against adult Schistosoma mansoni, one of the most harmful helminths worldwide, resulted in multifaceted negative effects. The compound damaged tissues essential for survival and reproduction of schistosomes (tegument, intestine, gonads) and also affected stem-cell proliferation. Furthermore, we obtained first evidence for acetylcholinesterase as one potential molecular target, which was partially inhibited by harmonine. This is the first time to proof a direct effect of a defined insect-derived compound on a helminth parasite, a finding that will encourage further studies to explore insects as sources of novel anthelminthics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josina Kellershohn
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Laura Thomas
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Steffen R. Hahnel
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Arnold Grünweller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roland K. Hartmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin Hardt
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg—Imaging Unit, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Simone Haeberlein
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|