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Silva TL, Lopes CS, Silva MC, Ferreira FB, Barros HLS, Silva MF, Silva NM, Oliveira F, Mineo TWP, Mineo JR. Ileal inflammation is reduced due to treatment with a metalloprotease from BmooMP-α-I snake venom in an experimental model of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:65. [PMID: 38133827 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08033-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The selection process for advanced therapies in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) must prioritize safety, especially when considering new biologic agents or oral molecule modulators. In C57BL/6 mice, oral infection with Toxoplasma gondii induces intestinal inflammation through excessive tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production, making TNF neutralization a potential therapeutic intervention. Considering this, the present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of BmooMP-α-I, a snake venom metalloprotease isolated from Bothrops moojeni, which could promote TNF hydrolysis, in treating T. gondii-induced ileitis. The results showed that C57BL/6 mice orally infected with 50 cysts of T. gondii from the Me49 strain and treated with BmooMP-α-I exhibited prolonged survival and improved morbidity scores. Additionally, the treatment ameliorated both the macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the intestine, reduced macrophage influx, and decreased the production of inflammatory mediators by mesenteric lymph node cells. These findings provide compelling experimental evidence supporting the ability of BmooMP-α-I to alleviate ileal inflammation. Considering that the currently available therapeutic protocols are not completely effective and often result in side effects, the exploration of alternative strategies involving novel therapeutic agents, as demonstrated in this study, has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamires Lopes Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carolina Salomão Lopes
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maraisa Cristina Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Flávia Batista Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Heber Leão Silva Barros
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana Ferreira Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fabio Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Nano-Biopharmaceutical (N-Biofar), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mario Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Coutinho LB, de Oliveira MC, Araujo ECB, França FBF, Almeida MPO, Cariaco Y, Czarnewski P, Silva NM. Both C57BL/KsJ (H2 d haplotype) and CB10-H2 (H2 b haplotype) mice are highly susceptible to congenital toxoplasmosis. Acta Trop 2023; 248:107022. [PMID: 37716667 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis may cause abortion, neonatal death, or foetal abnormalities. Despite little information from human studies, a genetic influence over congenital disease was demonstrated and, host genome have been implicated to resistance/susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii infection in both human and mice. It was previously shown that BALB/c mice (H2d) were more resistant to congenital toxoplasmosis than C57BL/6 mice (H2b). However, it is unclear whether these differences are attributable to the MHC haplotype or to other components of the mouse's genetic background. Therefore, in this work, we intend to address this question by investigating the pregnancy outcome in H2d -congenic C57BL/6 mice (C57BL/KsJ-H2d) and H2b-congenic BALB/c mice (CB10-H2-H2b). For this, animals were infected by intragastric route on the first day of pregnancy and examined on days 8 (8dP/8dI) or 18 (18dP/18dI) of gestation and infection. The pregnancy outcome, parasite burden, systemic cytokine profile and antibody response to infection were evaluated. Infected mice showed adverse pregnancy outcomes, in parallel low parasite detection in the uterus/placenta, being that the C57BL/KsJ showed the worst results in relation to CB10-H2 mice. Both mouse lineages showed an increase in IFN-γ and TNF levels systemically on 8dP/8dI and on 18dP/18dI, and C57BL/KsJ showed an increase in IL-6 levels in both gestation/infection periods. Additionally, C57BL/KsJ showed 7- and 7-fold increase in IL-6, 4- and 2.5-fold increase in IFN-γ and, 6- and 4-fold increase in TNF production on 8dP/8dI and 18dP/18dI, respectively in association with 1.5-fold decrease in TGF-β levels on 8dP/8dI compared to CB10-H2 mice. In conclusion, the high IFN-γ and TNF serum levels observed in C57BL/KsJ (H2d) and CB10-H2 (H2b) mice were involved in the poor pregnancy outcomes in congenital toxoplasmosis. In addition, the higher IFN-γ, IL-6 and TNF levels detected in C57BL/KsJ in relation to CB10-H2 mice on 8dP/8dI seem to be related to the genetic background of C57BL/6J mice that may have contributed to the worse pregnancy outcome in this mouse lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loyane Bertagnolli Coutinho
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mário Cézar de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ester Cristina Borges Araujo
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Flávia Batista Ferreira França
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Yusmaris Cariaco
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Czarnewski
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Present address: Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Peyvandi A, Gorgani-Firouzjaee T, Najafzadehvarzi H, Jafarzadeh J. Urtica dioica Extract Leads to Cyst Reduction, Enhanced Cell-Mediated Immune Response, and Antioxidant Activity in Experimental Toxoplasmosis. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:880-890. [PMID: 37924457 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00727-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii which is commonly treated by pyrimethamine (PYR) plus sulfadiazine (SDZ) with several adverse side effects. The present study evaluated the therapeutic effects of Urtica dioica L. aqueous extract (UDE) on acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in mice. METHODS For this purpose, mice were infected with 20 cysts (acute infection) or 10 cysts (chronic infection) of T. gondii (Me49 strain). The mice were treated with 200 mg/kg of UDE intraperitoneally (IP) and intragastric route (IG). The UDE-treated mice were compared with the PYR + SDZ treatment. The histopathological changes, cyst count, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) assay, and serum INF-γ were also evaluated. RESULTS In the acute toxoplasmosis, UDE by IP and IG administration significantly reduced the number of brain cysts by 93.74 and 92.55%, respectively, and increased the survival rate to 80% compared with 60% in untreated controls. In the chronic infection, cyst burden decreased at 88.2 and 83.4%, respectively, for IP and IG treatments. Moreover, UDE significantly increased INF- γ levels in acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. Tissue inflammatory lesions were reduced in the UDE-treated subgroups compared to the untreated group. UDE treatment significantly reduced MDA levels and elevated TAC in both acute and chronic infections. CONCLUSION The results show that U. dioica possesses significant immunostimulant and antioxidant activity with a higher cyst reduction in the brain during acute toxoplasmosis. Further studies are required to investigate the fractionations of UDE against T. gondii and its combination with other standard drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Peyvandi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Gorgani-Firouzjaee
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Ganj-Afroz Ave., Babol, Iran.
| | - Hossein Najafzadehvarzi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Jalal Jafarzadeh
- Department of Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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Shi Y, Li J, Yang W, Chen J. Protective immunity induced by DNA vaccine containing Tg GRA35, Tg GRA42, and Tg GRA43 against Toxoplasma gondii infection in Kunming mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1236130. [PMID: 38029261 PMCID: PMC10644269 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1236130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii can cause congenital infection and abortion in humans and warm-blooded animals. T. gondii dense granule proteins, GRA35, GRA42, and GRA43, play a critical role in the establishment of chronic infection. However, their potential to induce protective immunity against T. gondii infection remains unexplored. Objective This study aimed to test the efficacy of a DNA vaccine encompassing GRA35, GRA42, and GRA43 in inducing protective immunity against the highly virulent T. gondii RH strain (type I) and the brain cyst-forming PRU strain (type II). Methods The eukaryotic plasmids pVAX-GRA35, pVAX-GRA42, and pVAX-GRA43 were constructed and formulated into two- or three-gene cocktail DNA vaccines. The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to analyze their expression and immunogenicity. Mice were immunized with a single-gene, two-genes, or multicomponent eukaryotic plasmid, intramuscularly. We assessed antibody levels, cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) responses, cytokines, and lymphocyte surface markers by using flow cytometry. Additionally, mouse survival and cyst numbers in the brain of mice challenged 1 to 2 months postvaccination were determined. Results Specific humoral and cellular immune responses were elicited in mice immunized with single-, two-, or three-gene cocktail DNA vaccine, as indicated by significant increases in serum antibody concentrations of total IgG, IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, cytokine levels (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, IL-4, and IL-10), lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte populations (CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes), CTL activities, and survival, as well as decreased brain cysts, in comparison with control mice. Moreover, compared with pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42, pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43, or pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA43, multicomponent DNA vaccine with three genes (pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43) induced the higher humoral and cellular immune responses, including serum antibody concentrations, cytokine levels, lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte populations, CTL activities and survival, resulting in prolonged survival time and reduced brain cyst loads. Furthermore, mice immunized with pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42, pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43, or pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA43 showed greater Th1 immune responses and protective efficacy than the single-gene-vaccinated groups. Conclusion These results demonstrate that TgGRA35, TgGRA42, or TgGRA43 are vaccine candidates against T. gondii infection, and the three-gene DNA vaccine cocktail conferred the strongest protection against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youbo Shi
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jianbing Li
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Weili Yang
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jia Chen
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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Sang X, Li X, Chen R, Feng Y, He T, Zhang X, El-Ashram S, Al-Olayan E, Yang N. Co-Immunization with DNA Vaccines Expressing SABP1 and SAG1 Proteins Effectively Enhanced Mice Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii Acute Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1190. [PMID: 37515006 PMCID: PMC10384583 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071190] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has many intermediate hosts, obligately invades nucleated cells, and seriously threatens human and animal health due to a lack of effective drugs and vaccines. Sialic acid-binding protein 1 (SABP1) is a novel invasion-related protein that, like surface antigen 1 (SAG1), is found on the plasma membrane of T. gondii. To investigate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DNA vaccines expressing SABP1 and SAG1 proteins against T. gondii acute infection, the recombinant plasmids pVAX1-SABP1 and pVAX1-SAG1 were produced and administered intramuscularly in Balb/c mice. Serum antibody levels and subtypes, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokines were used to assess immunized mice's humoral and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, the ability of DNA vaccines to protect mice against T. gondii RH tachyzoites was tested. Immunized mice exhibited substantially higher IgG levels, with IgG2a titers higher than IgG1. When the immune group mice's splenocytes were stimulated with T. gondii lysate antigen, Th1-type cytokines (IL-12p70, IFN-γ, and IL-2) and Th2-type cytokine (IL-4) increased significantly. The combined DNA vaccine significantly increased the immunized mouse survival compared to the control group, with an average death time extended by 4.33 ± 0.6 days (p < 0.0001). These findings show that DNA vaccines based on the SABP1 and SAG1 genes induced robust humoral and cellular immunity in mice, effectively protecting against acute toxoplasmosis and potentially serving as a viable option for vaccination to prevent T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ting He
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Ebtsam Al-Olayan
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
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Activity of isoflavone biochanin A in chronic experimental toxoplasmosis: impact on inflammation. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2405-2414. [PMID: 35710847 PMCID: PMC9279236 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide prevalent parasite. The infection has been linked to variable inflammatory effects including neuroinflammation. Biochanin A (BCA) is an isoflavone, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this study, we examined the effect of BCA on the brain and liver inflammatory lesions in a murine model with chronic toxoplasmosis. Mice were divided in to six groups: non-infected control, non-infected BCA-treated, and four infected groups with Toxoplasmagondii Me49-type II cystogenic strain: infected control, BCA (50 mg/kg/day)-treated, combined BCA/cotrimoxazole-treated and cotrimoxazole (370 mg/kg/day) alone-treated. Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR in the brain and liver tissues. In the infected control group, an upregulation of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression levels was found. However, a downregulation of iNOS expression was detected in the brain of infected control mice. In both BCA- and combined-treated groups, the brain and liver tissues showed significantly reduced inflammatory lesions compared to the infected control mice with inhibited TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels. The iNOS expression levels in the brain tissues of BCA group were significantly higher than the levels of the infected control group. BCA alone or combined significantly reduced T. gondii cyst count in the brain tissues. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory activity of BCA was demonstrated in the brain tissues of mice with chronic toxoplasmosis with decreased TNF-α and IL-1β expression levels and increased iNOS expression levels.
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Toxoplasma gondii Infection Decreases Intestinal 5-Lipoxygenase Expression, while Exogenous LTB 4 Controls Parasite Growth. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0002922. [PMID: 35658510 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00029-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) is an enzyme required for the production of leukotrienes and lipoxins and interferes with parasitic infections. In vitro, Toxoplasma gondii inhibits leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production, and mice deficient in 5-LO are highly susceptible to infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the pharmacological inhibition of the 5-LO pathway and exogenous LTB4 supplementation during experimental toxoplasmosis. For this purpose, susceptible C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with T. gondii and treated with LTB4 or MK886 (a selective leukotriene inhibitor through inhibition of 5-LO-activating protein [FLAP]). The parasitism, histology, and immunological parameters were analyzed. The infection decreased 5-LO expression in the small intestine, and treatment with MK886 reinforced this reduction during infection; in addition, MK886-treated infected mice presented higher intestinal parasitism, which was associated with lower local interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. In contrast, treatment with LTB4 controlled parasite replication in the small intestine, liver, and lung and decreased pulmonary pathology. Interestingly, treatment with LTB4 also preserved the number of Paneth cells and increased α-defensins expression and IgA levels in the small intestine of infected mice. Altogether, these data demonstrated that T. gondii infection is associated with a decrease in 5-LO expression, and on the other hand, treatment with the 5-LO pathway product LTB4 resulted in better control of parasite growth in the organs, adding to the knowledge about the pathogenesis of T. gondii infection.
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Transcriptomic Analysis of the Effects of Chemokine Receptor CXCR3 Deficiency on Immune Responses in the Mouse Brain during Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112340. [PMID: 34835465 PMCID: PMC8620038 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii infects warm-blooded animals, including humans. We previously revealed through a whole-brain transcriptome analysis that infection with T. gondii in mice causes immune response-associated genes to be upregulated, for instance, chemokines and chemokine receptors such as CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) and its ligand CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10). Here, we describe the effect of CXCR3 on responses against T. gondii infection in the mouse brain. In vivo assays using CXCR3-deficient mice showed that the absence of CXCR3 delayed the normal recovery of body weight and increased the brain parasite burden, suggesting that CXCR3 plays a role in the control of pathology in the brain, the site where chronic infection occurs. Therefore, to further analyze the function of CXCR3 in the brain, we profiled the gene expression patterns of primary astrocytes and microglia by RNA sequencing and subsequent analyses. CXCR3 deficiency impaired the normal upregulation of immune-related genes during T. gondii infection, in astrocytes and microglia alike. Collectively, our results suggest that the immune-related genes upregulated by CXCR3 perform a particular role in controlling pathology when the host is chronically infected with T. gondii in the brain.
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Zhu YC, Ma LJ, Zhang JL, Liu JF, He Y, Feng JY, Chen J. Protective Immunity Induced by TgMIC5 and TgMIC16 DNA Vaccines Against Toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:686004. [PMID: 34595126 PMCID: PMC8476850 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.686004] [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: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite, which is responsible for a widely distributed zoonosis. Effective vaccines against toxoplasmosis are necessary to protect the public health. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immune efficacy of DNA vaccines encoding TgMIC5 and TgMIC16 genes against T. gondii infection. The recombinant plasmid pVAX-MIC5 and pVAX-MIC16 were constructed and injected intramuscularly in mice. The specific immune responses and protection against challenge with T. gondii RH tachyzoites were evaluated by measuring the cytokine levels, serum antibody concentrations, lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte populations, and the survival time. The protection against challenge with the T. gondii RH tchyzoites and PRU cysts was examined by evaluation of the reduction in the brain cyst burden. The results indicated that immunized mice showed significantly increased levels of IgG, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12p70, and IL-12p40 and percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Additionally, vaccination prolonged the mouse survival time and reduced brain cysts compared with controls. Mouse groups immunized with a two-gene cocktail of pVAX-MIC5 + pVAX-MIC16 were more protected than mouse groups immunized with a single gene of pVAX-MIC5 or pVAX-MIC16. These results demonstrate that TgMIC5 and TgMIC16 induce effective immunity against toxoplasmosis and may serve as a good vaccine candidate against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chao Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Li-Juan Ma
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Oncology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ji-Li Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Jian-Fa Liu
- Immunology Innovation Team, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Yong He
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Ji-Ye Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China.,Immunology Innovation Team, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
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An Exaggerated Immune Response in Female BALB/c Mice Controls Initial Toxoplasma gondii Multiplication but Increases Mortality and Morbidity Relative to Male Mice. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091154. [PMID: 34578186 PMCID: PMC8470933 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies indicate that female mice are more susceptible to T. gondii infection, as defined by higher mortality rates in comparison to male mice. However, whether this is due to an inability to control initial parasite multiplication or due to detrimental effects of the immune system has not been determined. Therefore, the following studies were undertaken to determine the influence of sex on early parasite multiplication and the immune response during T. gondii infection and to correlate this with disease outcome. Early parasite replication was studied through applying an in vivo imaging system (IVIS) with luciferase expressing T. gondii. In parallel immunological events were studied by cytometric bead array to quantify key immunological mediators. The results confirmed the previous findings that female mice are more susceptible to acute infection, as determined by higher mortality rates and weight loss compared with males. However, conflicting with expectations, female mice had lower parasite burdens during the acute infection than male mice. Female mice also exhibited significantly increased production of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), Interferon (IFN)-γ, and Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α than male mice. MCP-1 was found to be induced by T. gondii in a dose dependent manner suggesting that the observed increased levels detected in female mice was due to a host-mediated sex difference rather than due to parasite load. However, MCP-1 was not affected by physiological concentration of estrogen or testosterone, indicating that MCP-1 differences observed between the sexes in vivo are due to an as yet unidentified intermediary factor that in turn influences MCP-1 levels. These results suggest that a stronger immune response in female mice compared with male mice enhances their ability to control parasite replication but increases their morbidity and mortality.
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Lysenkov SP, Muzhenya DV, Tuguz AR, Urakova TU, Shumilov DS, Thakushinov IA. Participation of nitrogen oxide and its metabolites in the genesis of hyperimmune inflammation in COVID-19. CHINESE J PHYSIOL 2021; 64:167-176. [PMID: 34472447 DOI: 10.4103/cjp.cjp_38_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the success in the tactics of treating COVID-19, there are many unexplored issues related to the development and progression of the process in the lungs, brain, and other organs, as well as the role of individual elements, in particular, nitric oxide (NO), and in the pathogenesis of organ damage. Based on the analyzed literature data, we considered a possible pathophysiological mechanism of action of NO and its derivatives in COVID-19. It can be noted that hyperimmune systemic inflammation and "cytokine storm" are enhanced by the production of NO, products of its oxidation ("nitrosative stress"). It is noted in the work that as a result of the oxidation of NO, a large amount of the toxic compound peroxynitrite is formed, which is a powerful proinflammatory agent. Its presence significantly damages the endothelium of the vascular walls and also oxidizes lipids, hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochrome, binds SH-groups of proteins, and damages DNA in the target cells. This is confirmed by the picture of the vessels of the lungs on computed tomography and the data of biochemical studies. In case of peroxynitrite overproduction, inhibition of the synthesis of NO and its metabolic products seems to be justified. Another aspect considered in this work is the mechanism of damage by the virus to the central and peripheral nervous system, which remains poorly understood but may be important in understanding the consequences, as well as predicting brain functions in persons who have undergone COVID-19. According to the analyzed literature, it can be concluded that brain damage is possible due to the direct effect of the virus on the peripheral nerves and central structures, and indirectly through the effect on the endothelium of cerebral vessels. Disturbances in the central nervous regulation of immune responses may be associated with the insufficient function of the acetylcholine anti-inflammatory system. It is proposed to further study several approaches to influence various links of NO exchange, which are of interest for theoretical and practical medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Petrovich Lysenkov
- Department of Pathomorphology and Clinical Pathophysiology, Medical Institute, FSBEI HE "Maikop State Technological University", Maikop, Republic of Adygeya, Russia
| | - Dmitriy Vitalevich Muzhenya
- Department of Pathomorphology and Clinical Pathophysiology, Medical Institute, FSBEI HE "Maikop State Technological University", Maikop, Republic of Adygeya, Russia
| | - Aminat Ramazanovna Tuguz
- Immunogenetic Laboratory of the Research, Institute of Complex Problems, FSBEI HE "Adyghe State University", Maikop, Republic of Adygeya, Russia
| | - Tamara Ur'evna Urakova
- Department of Pathomorphology and Clinical Pathophysiology, Medical Institute, FSBEI HE "Maikop State Technological University", Maikop, Republic of Adygeya, Russia
| | - Dmitriy Sergeevich Shumilov
- Immunogenetic Laboratory of the Research, Institute of Complex Problems, FSBEI HE "Adyghe State University", Maikop, Republic of Adygeya, Russia
| | - Ibragim Askarbievich Thakushinov
- Department of Pathomorphology and Clinical Pathophysiology, Medical Institute, FSBEI HE "Maikop State Technological University", Maikop, Republic of Adygeya, Russia
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Hamed EFA, Mostafa NE, Fawzy EM, Ibrahim MN, Attia R, Salama MA. The delayed death-causing nature of Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extracts and their mixture within experimental chronic toxoplasmosis: Therapeutic and prophylactic implications. Acta Trop 2021; 221:105992. [PMID: 34089696 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The restricted effect, significant toxicity, and emerging resistance of anti-toxoplasmosis synthetic agents impose the search for alternatives. The current research aimed to evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of Rosmarinus officinalis extracts and their mixtures against chronic murine toxoplasmosis and to clarify the phenomenon of delayed death. METHODS This research included two experimental designs, the first to test the preventive and curative efficacy of the extracts and the second to assess delayed death in mice infected with the ME49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii. The essential oils of the plant were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS Treatment with a mixture of rosemary extracts displayed reduction rates of 81% for T. gondii cyst burden and 23% for cyst viability. The reinfected group with the pretreated cysts reported 93.4% reduction in cyst burden and 95.4% in cyst viability. Moreover, 90% reduction of the infectivity rate was obtained. The therapeutic efficacy of this mixture was superior to its valuable prophylactic effect. Histopathological examination of liver and brain tissue exhibited marked improvement. Both extracts possess free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities evidenced by high expression of iNOS stain. Our results were signified by low BAG-1 gene expression and massive mutilation of T. gondii cyst in the targeted group using scanning electron microscopy. Analysis of R. officinalis revealed the presence of isobornylformate as a novel ingredient. CONCLUSIONS R. officinalis displays a therapeutic rather than prophylactic potential, indicating the emergence of an effective safe alternative therapy.
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Sahebnasagh A, Saghafi F, Negintaji S, Hu T, Shabani-Boroujeni M, Safdari M, Ghaleno HR, Miao L, Qi Y, Wang M, Liao P, Sureda A, Simal-Gándara J, Nabavi SM, Xiao J. Nitric Oxide and Immune Responses in Cancer: Searching for New Therapeutic Strategies. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:1561-1595. [PMID: 34238142 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210707194543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in understanding the mysterious functions of nitric oxide (NO) and how this pleiotropic signaling molecule contributes to tumorigenesis. This review attempts to expose and discuss the information available on the immunomodulatory role of NO in cancer and recent approaches to the role of NO donors in the area of immunotherapy. To address the goal, the following databases were searched to identify relevant literature concerning empirical evidence: The Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Medline, EMBASE from 1980 through March 2020. Valuable attempts have been made to develop distinctive NO-based cancer therapy. Although the data do not allow generalization, the evidence seems to indicate that low / moderate levels may favor tumorigenesis while higher levels would exert anti-tumor effects. In this sense, the use of NO donors could have an important therapeutic potential within immunotherapy, although there are still no clinical trials. The emerging understanding of NO-regulated immune responses in cancer may help unravel the recent features of this "double-edged sword" in cancer physiological and pathologic processes and its potential use as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. In short, in this review, we discuss the complex cellular mechanism in which NO, as a pleiotropic signaling molecule, participates in cancer pathophysiology. We also debate the dual role of NO in cancer and tumor progression, and clinical approaches for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) based therapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeleh Sahebnasagh
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Saghafi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Sina Negintaji
- Student Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Tingyan Hu
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mojtaba Shabani-Boroujeni
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Safdari
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Hassan Rezai Ghaleno
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Lingchao Miao
- Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yaping Qi
- Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Mingfu Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road. Hong Kong, China
| | - Pan Liao
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Antoni Sureda
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Jesus Simal-Gándara
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, E-32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - Seyed Mohammad Nabavi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, E-32004 Ourense, Spain
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Zhu Y, Xu Y, Hong L, Zhou C, Chen J. Immunization With a DNA Vaccine Encoding the Toxoplasma gondii' s GRA39 Prolongs Survival and Reduce Brain Cyst Formation in a Murine Model. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:630682. [PMID: 33995293 PMCID: PMC8113873 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.630682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, can cause infect almost all warm-blooded animals and humans. To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of T. gondii GRA39 (TgGRA39) in mice by using DNA immunization, we constructed a recombinant eukaryotic plasmid pVAX-TgGRA39. The specific immune responses in immunized mice were analyzed by serum antibody and cytokine measurements, lymphocyte proliferation assays and flow cytometry of T lymphocyte subclasses. Also, protective efficacy against acute and chronic T. gondii infection was assessed by observing the survival time after challenge with the highly virulent T. gondii RH strain (Genotype I) and counting the number of cyst-forming in brain at 4 weeks post-infection with the cyst-forming PRU strain of T. gondii (Genotype II), respectively. Our results showed that DNA immunization with pVAX-GRA39 via intramuscular injection three times, at 2-week intervals could elicit humoral and cellular immune response, indicated by enhanced levels of IgG and IgG2a antibodies (a slightly elevated IgG2a to IgG1 ratio), and increased levels of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22 and IL-23 and percentages of CD3+ CD4+ CD8- and CD3+ CD8+ CD4– T cells, in contrast to non-immunized mice. The significant increase in the expression levels of IL-6, TGF-β1, IL-1β, and the transcription factor factors RORγt, RORα, and STAT3 involved in the activation and pathway of Th17 and Tc17 cells, were also observed. However, no significant difference was detected in level of IL-4 and IL-10 (p > 0.05). These effective immune responses had mounted protective immunity against T. gondii infection, with a prolonged survival time (16.80 ± 3.50 days) and reduced cyst numbers (44.5%) in comparison to the control mice. Our data indicated that pVAX-TgGRA39 could induce effective humoral, and Th1-type, Th17, and Tc17 cellular immune responses, and may represent a promising vaccine candidate against both acute and chronic T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yanan Xu
- The Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Lu Hong
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chunxue Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,The Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital, Ningbo, China
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15
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Cristina Borges Araujo E, Cariaco Y, Paulo Oliveira Almeida M, Patricia Pallete Briceño M, Neto de Sousa JE, Rezende Lima W, Maria Costa-Cruz J, Maria Silva N. Beneficial effects of Strongyloides venezuelensis antigen extract in acute experimental toxoplasmosis. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12811. [PMID: 33247953 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with worldwide distribution and triggers a strong Th1 immune response in infected susceptible hosts. On the contrary, most helminth infections are characterized by Th2 immune response and the use of helminth-derived antigens to regulate immune response in inflammatory disorders has been broadly investigated. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with Strongyloides venezuelensis antigen extract (SvAg) would alter immune response against T gondii. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with T gondii and treated with SvAg, and parasitological, histological and immunological parameters were investigated. RESULTS It was observed that SvAg treatment improved survival rates of T gondii-infected mice. At day 7 post-infection, the parasite load was lower in the lung and small intestine of infected SvAg-treated mice than untreated infected mice. Remarkably, SvAg-treated mice infected with T gondii presented reduced inflammatory lesions in the small intestine than infected untreated mice and decreased intestinal and systemic levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6. In contrast, SvAg treatment increased T gondii-specific IgA serum levels in infected mice. CONCLUSIONS S venezuelensis antigen extract has anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory properties during T gondii infection suggesting as a possible alternative to parasite and inflammation control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Cristina Borges Araujo
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Yusmaris Cariaco
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | | | - José Eduardo Neto de Sousa
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Wânia Rezende Lima
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Catalão, Rua Terezinha Margon Vaz, s/n Residencial Barka II, Catalão, Brasil
| | - Julia Maria Costa-Cruz
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
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16
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Atmaca HT. Expression of serotonin 2A, 2C, 6 and 7 receptor and IL-6 mRNA in experimental toxoplasmic encephalitis in mice. Heliyon 2019; 5:e02890. [PMID: 31844757 PMCID: PMC6888730 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotropic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii infects about one-third of the human population. Both acute and chronic (latent or life-long) forms of toxoplasmosis are associated with specific neurologic and neuropsychiatric symptoms. In the present study, swiss albino mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 15–20 tissue cysts of the ME-49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii. The brain samples were collected on the days 10, 20, and 30 for determining the histopathological scores and the number of cysts. Furthermore, a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to find out the gene expression levels of the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HTR2A), serotonin 2C receptor (5-HTR2C), serotonin 6 receptor (5-HTR6), serotonin 7 receptor (5-HTR7), and interleukin-6. The results were compared to the histopathological findings of encephalitic toxoplasmosis. The expression levels were observed to increase for all receptors; however at different time points of infection. This experimental model demonstrates that the expression of serotonin receptors was induced in Toxoplasma gondii infections, displaying unique findings for each of the individual receptors.
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17
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Atmaca HT, Gazyagci AN, Terzi OS, Dincel GC, Sumer T. Tracking acute phase protein response during acute and chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Lab Anim Res 2019; 35:6. [PMID: 32257894 PMCID: PMC7081684 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-019-0007-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which occurs worldwide in mammals and birds. Brain is the primary target organ because Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous intracellular parasite that causes most frequently life-threatening encephalitis in immunocompromised patients. Relation of tissue cysts number, histopathology score and acute phase proteins were investigated. In this study, 36 mice are infected with Me49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii. The control group has 6 healthy mice. After inoculation of Toxoplasma gondii, at 10., 15., 20., 30., 45., 60. days, 6 each mice euthanized after collection of blood samples. Hemopexin, haptoglobulin, macroglobulin, serum amyloid A and clusterin levels are determined by ELISA. Then, brain tissues were investigated histopathologically and lesions were scored. The average cyst numbers were determined by counting three samples (25 μl each) of each brain homogenate under light microscopy. Inflammatory reaction was observed on day 10 days after inoculation (d.a.i.) The lesions were characterized by perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration, focal mononuclear cell infiltration in the meninges, and glial proliferation. Tissue cysts were observed in all Toxoplasma gondii-infected groups. The highest lesion score was observed at 60 d.a.i. And the most tissue cyst number were on day 30. d.a.i. Serum levels of hemopexin, haptoglobulin, macroglobulin, serum amyloid A and clusterin were significantly higher than the control group on day 10-20., 10., 10-30., 10.,10-45 d.a.i., respectively. High level of acute phase proteins in mice on certain days infected with Toxoplasma gondii was exhibited a relationship between brain lesions and tissue cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Tarik Atmaca
- Department of Pathology, Balikesir University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Aycan Nuriye Gazyagci
- Department of Parasitology, Kirikkale University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey
| | - Osman Safa Terzi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Tugce Sumer
- Department of Pathology, Kirikkale University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey
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18
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El-Kowrany SI, El Ghaffar AESA, Shoheib ZS, Mady RF, Gamea GAM. Evaluation of nitazoxanide as a novel drug for the treatment of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. Acta Trop 2019; 195:145-154. [PMID: 30986380 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a widespread, neglected disease with significant morbidity and mortality. In search of an effective treatment, nitazoxanide (NTZ) was evaluated in the treatment of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in experimental mice. For this purpose, mice were infected with 20 cysts (acute infection model) or 10 cysts (chronic infection model) of Toxoplasma gondii (ME 49 strain). Treated mice received NTZ (at doses of 100 and 150 mg/kg), starting from the third day (acute model) or the fifth week (chronic model) post-infection, which continued for 14 consecutive days. The effects of NTZ were evaluated in comparison to the pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine combination. Evaluation included mortality rates, brain cyst count, inflammatory scoring and immunological studies. The latter included estimation of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In the acute infection model, NTZ at 100 and 150 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of brain cysts by 78 and 87% compared to the infected untreated controls and reduced the mortality rate to 24 and 20%, respectively, compared with 44% in the infected untreated control. In the chronic infection model, cyst reduction reached 32 and 38% for 100 and 150 mg/kg NTZ treatments, respectively. NTZ was significantly able to reduce inflammation caused by acute and chronic T. gondii infection with slight necrosis and few infiltrating mononuclear cells. Additionally, the immunological analysis revealed that NTZ significantly increased the production of serum IFN-γ and enhanced iNOS production in brain tissue, suggesting an immunomodulatory role for the drug. Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that NTZ is a potential drug for the treatment of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Wang AW, Avramopoulos D, Lori A, Mulle J, Conneely K, Powers A, Duncan E, Almli L, Massa N, McGrath J, Schwartz AC, Goes FS, Weng L, Wang R, Yolken R, Ruczinski I, Gillespie CF, Jovanovic T, Ressler K, Pulver AE, Pearce BD. Genome-wide association study in two populations to determine genetic variants associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection and relationship to schizophrenia risk. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 92:133-147. [PMID: 30610941 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
T. gondii (TOXO) infects over one billion people worldwide, yet the literature lacks a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) focused on genetic variants controlling the persistence of TOXO infection. To identify putative T. gondii susceptibility genes, we performed a GWAS using IgG seropositivity as the outcome variable in a discovery sample (n = 790) from an Ashkenazi dataset, and a second sample of predominately African Americans (The Grady Trauma Project, n = 285). We also performed a meta-analyses of the 2 cohorts. None of the SNPs in these analyses was statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. In the Ashkenazi population, the gene region of CHIA (chitinase) showed the most nominally significant association with TOXO. Prior studies have shown that the production of chitinase by macrophages in the brain responding to TOXO infection is crucial for controlling the burden of T. gondii cysts. We found a surprising number of genes involved in neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorders among our top hits even though our outcome variable was TOXO infection. In the meta-analysis combining the Ashkenazi and Grady Trauma Project samples, there was enrichment for genes implicated in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (p < .05). Upon limiting our sample to those without mental illness, two schizophrenia related genes (CNTNAP2, GABAR2) still had significant TOXO-associated variants at the p < .05 level, but did not pass the genome wide significance threshold after correction for multiple comparisons. Using Ingenuity Systems molecular network analysis, we identified molecular nodes suggesting that while different genetic variants associated with TOXO in the two population samples, the molecular pathways for TOXO susceptibility nevertheless converged on common pathways. Molecular nodes in these common pathways included NOTCH1, CD44, and RXRA. Prior studies show that CD44 participates in TOXO-induced immunopathology and that RXRA is instrumental in regulating T-helper immune responses. These data provide new insights into the pathophysiology of this common neurotropic parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex W Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Dimitrios Avramopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Adriana Lori
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer Mulle
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Karen Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Erica Duncan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1670 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033, United States
| | - Lynn Almli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Nicholas Massa
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1670 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033, United States
| | - John McGrath
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ann C Schwartz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Fernando S Goes
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lei Weng
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Ruihua Wang
- McKusick Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert Yolken
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ingo Ruczinski
- Bloomberg School of Public Heath, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Charles F Gillespie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Kerry Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard School of Medicine, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Ann E Pulver
- Bloomberg School of Public Heath, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Brad D Pearce
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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Jesus LB, Santos AB, Jesus EEV, Santos RGD, Grangeiro MS, Bispo-da-Silva A, Arruda MR, Argolo DS, Pinheiro AM, El-Bachá RS, Costa SL, Costa MFD. IDO, COX and iNOS have an important role in the proliferation of Neospora caninum in neuron/glia co-cultures. Vet Parasitol 2019; 266:96-102. [PMID: 30736955 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) is the main site for encystment of Neospora caninum in different animal species. In this tissue, glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) modulate responses to aggression in order to preserve homeostasis and neuronal function. Previous data showed that when primary cultures of glial cells are infected with N. caninum, they develop gliosis and the immune response is characterized by the release of TNF and IL-10, followed by the control of parasite proliferation. In order to elucidate this control, three enzymatic systems involved in parasite-versus-host interactions were observed on a model of neuron/glia co/cultures obtained from rat brains. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) responsible for the catabolism of tryptophan and arginine, respectively, and cycloxigenase (COX) were studied comparing their modulation by respective inhibitors with the number of tachyzoites or the immune response measured by the release of IL-10 and TNF. Cells were treated with the inhibitors of iNOS (1.5 mM L-NAME), IDO (1 mM 1-methyl tryptophan), COX-1 (1 μM indomethacin) and COX-2 (1 μM nimesulide) before infection with tachyzoites of N. caninum (1:1 cell: parasite). After 72 h of infection, immunocytochemistry showed astrogliosis and a significant increase in the number and length of neurites, compared with uninfected co-cultures, while an increase of IL-10 and TNF was verified. N. caninum did not change iNOS activity, but the inhibition of the basal levels of this enzyme stimulated parasite proliferation. Additionally, a significant increase of about 40% was verified in the IDO activity, whose inhibition caused 1.2-fold increase in parasitic growth. For COX-2 activity, infection of cultures stimulated a significant increase in release of PGE2 and its inhibition by nimesulide allowed the parasitic growth. These data indicate that iNOS, IDO and COX-2 control the proliferation of N. caninum in this in vitro model. On the other hand, the release of IL-10 by glia besides modulating the inflammation also allow the continuity of parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- L B Jesus
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - A B Santos
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - E E V Jesus
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - R G D Santos
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - M S Grangeiro
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - A Bispo-da-Silva
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - M R Arruda
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - D S Argolo
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - A M Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Centro de Ciências Agrárias Ambientais e Biológica, Universidade do Recôncavo da Bahia - URBA, R. Ruy Barbosa 710 Centro, CEP 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil
| | - R S El-Bachá
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; INCT de Neurociência Translacional (INNT)- CNPq, Brazil
| | - S L Costa
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; INCT de Neurociência Translacional (INNT)- CNPq, Brazil.
| | - M F D Costa
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n, Vale do Canela, CEP 41100-100, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; INCT de Neurociência Translacional (INNT)- CNPq, Brazil.
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Xia J, Kong L, Zhou LJ, Wu SZ, Yao LJ, He C, He CY, Peng HJ. Genome-Wide Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation-Based Proteomic Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii ROP18's Human Interactome Shows Its Key Role in Regulation of Cell Immunity and Apoptosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:61. [PMID: 29459857 PMCID: PMC5807661 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein ROP18 (TgROP18) is a key virulence factor secreted into the host cell during invasion, where it modulates the host cell response by interacting with its host targets. However, only a few TgROP18 targets have been identified. In this study, we applied a high-throughput protein-protein interaction (PPI) screening in human cells using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) to identify the targets of Type I strain ROP18 (ROP18I) and Type II strain ROP18 (ROP18II). From a pool of more than 18,000 human proteins, 492 and 141 proteins were identified as the targets of ROP18I and ROP18II, respectively. Gene ontology, search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins PPI network, and Ingenuity pathway analyses revealed that the majority of these proteins were associated with immune response and apoptosis. This indicates a key role of TgROP18 in manipulating host's immunity and cell apoptosis, which might contribute to the immune escape and successful parasitism of the parasite. Among the proteins identified, the immunity-related proteins N-myc and STAT interactor, IL20RB, IL21, ubiquitin C, and vimentin and the apoptosis-related protein P2RX1 were further verified as ROP18I targets by sensitized emission-fluorescence resonance energy transfer (SE-FRET) and co-immunoprecipitation. Our study substantially contributes to the current limited knowledge on human targets of TgROP18 and provides a novel tool to investigate the function of parasite effectors in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xia
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Kong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shui-Zhen Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Jie Yao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng He
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cynthia Y He
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hong-Juan Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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22
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Czarnewski P, Araújo ECB, Oliveira MC, Mineo TWP, Silva NM. Recombinant TgHSP70 Immunization Protects against Toxoplasma gondii Brain Cyst Formation by Enhancing Inducible Nitric Oxide Expression. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:142. [PMID: 28487847 PMCID: PMC5403831 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is known to cause congenital infection in humans and animals and severe disease in immunocompromised individuals; consequently development of vaccines against the parasite is highly necessary. Under stress conditions, T. gondii expresses the highly immunogenic heat shock protein 70 (TgHSP70). Here, we assessed the protective efficacy of rTgHSP70 immunization combined with Alum in oral ME-49 T. gondii infection and the mechanisms involved on it. It was observed that immunized mice with rTgHSP70 or rTgHSP70 adsorbed in Alum presented a significantly reduced number of cysts in the brain that was associated with increased iNOS+ cell numbers in the organ, irrespective the use of the adjuvant. Indeed, ex vivo experiments showed that peritoneal macrophages pre-stimulated with rTgHSP70 presented increased NO production and enhanced parasite killing, and the protein was able to directly stimulate B cells toward antibody producing profile. In addition, rTgHSP70 immunization leads to high specific antibody titters systemically and a mixed IgG1/IgG2a response, with predominance of IgG1 production. Nonetheless, it was observed that the pretreatment of the parasite with rTgHSP70 immune sera was not able to control T. gondii internalization and replication by NIH fibroblast neither peritoneal murine macrophages, nor anti-rTgHSP70 antibodies were able to kill T. gondii by complement-mediated lysis, suggesting that these mechanisms are not crucial to resistance. Interestingly, when in combination with Alum, rTgHSP70 immunization was able to reduce inflammation in the brain of infected mice and in parallel anti-rTgHSP70 immune complexes in the serum. In conclusion, immunization with rTgHSP70 induces massive amounts of iNOS expression and reduced brain parasitism, suggesting that iNOS expression and consequently NO production in the brain is a protective mechanism induced by TgHSP70 immunization, therefore rTgHSP70 can be a good candidate for vaccine development against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Czarnewski
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil
| | - Ester C B Araújo
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil
| | - Mário C Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil
| | - Tiago W P Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil
| | - Neide M Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil
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23
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Castaño P, Fuertes M, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Ferre I, Fernández M, Ferreras MC, Moreno-Gonzalo J, González-Lanza C, Pereira-Bueno J, Katzer F, Ortega-Mora LM, Pérez V, Benavides J. Experimental ovine toxoplasmosis: influence of the gestational stage on the clinical course, lesion development and parasite distribution. Vet Res 2016; 47:43. [PMID: 26983883 PMCID: PMC4793618 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-016-0327-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The relation between gestational age and foetal death risk in ovine toxoplasmosis is already known, but the mechanisms involved are not yet clear. In order to study how the stage of gestation influences these mechanisms, pregnant sheep of the same age and genetic background were orally dosed with 50 oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii (M4 isolate) at days 40 (G1), 90 (G2) and 120 (G3) of gestation. In each group, four animals were culled on the second, third and fourth week post infection (pi) in order to evaluate parasite load and distribution, and lesions in target organs. Ewes from G1 showed a longer period of hyperthermia than the other groups. Abortions occurred in all groups. While in G2 they were more frequent during the acute phase of the disease, in G3 they mainly occurred after day 20 pi. After challenge, parasite and lesions in the placentas and foetuses were detected from day 19 pi in G3 while in G2 or G1 they were only detected at day 26 pi. However, after initial detection at day 19 pi, parasite burden, measured through RT-PCR, in placenta or foetus of G3 did not increase significantly and, at in the third week pi it was lower than that measured in foetal liver or placenta from G1 to G3 respectively. These results show that the period of gestation clearly influences the parasite multiplication and development of lesions in the placenta and foetus and, as a consequence, the clinical course in ovine toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Castaño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Miguel Fuertes
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Fernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - M Carmen Ferreras
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno-Gonzalo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Camino González-Lanza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Juana Pereira-Bueno
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Frank Katzer
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain.
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MIF Promotes Classical Activation and Conversion of Inflammatory Ly6C(high) Monocytes into TipDCs during Murine Toxoplasmosis. Mediators Inflamm 2016; 2016:9101762. [PMID: 27057101 PMCID: PMC4789477 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9101762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mediates immunity against Toxoplasma gondii infection by inducing inflammatory cytokines required to control the parasite replication. However, the role of this inflammatory mediator in the cell-mediated immune response against this infection is still poorly understood. Here, we used T. gondii-infected WT and Mif−/− mice to analyze the role of MIF in the maturation of CD11b+ and CD8α+ dendritic cells (DCs). We found that MIF promotes maturation of CD11b+ but not CD8α+ DCs, by inducing IL-12p70 production and CD86 expression. Infected Mif−/− mice showed significantly lower numbers of TNF and inducible nitric oxide synthase- (iNOS-) producing DCs (TipDCs) compared to infected WT mice. The adoptive transfer of Ly6Chigh monocytes into infected WT or Mif−/− mice demonstrated that MIF participates in the differentiation of Ly6Chigh monocytes into TipDCs. In addition, infected Mif−/− mice display a lower percentage of IFN-γ-producing natural killer (NK) cells compared to WT mice, which is associated with reducing numbers of TipDCs in Mif−/− mice. Furthermore, administration of recombinant MIF (rMIF) into T. gondii-infected Mif−/− mice restored the numbers of TipDCs and reversed the susceptible phenotype of Mif−/− mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate an important role for MIF inducing cell-mediated immunity to T. gondii infection.
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Pathological changes in acute experimental toxoplasmosis with Toxoplasma gondii strains obtained from human cases of congenital disease. Exp Parasitol 2015; 156:87-94. [PMID: 26072201 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
There is a lack of studies using Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from human patients. Here, we present a pathological study of three strains obtained from human cases of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil using inbred mice after oral infection with 10 tissue cysts. Multiplex-nested PCR-RFLP of eleven loci revealed atypical genotypes commonly found in Brazil: toxodb #8 for TgCTBr5 and TgCTBr16 strains and toxodb #11 for the TgCTBr9 strain. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were evaluated for survival and histological changes during the acute phase of the disease. All mice inoculated with the non-virulent TgCTBR5 strain survived after 30 days, although irreversible tissue damage was found. In contrast, no mice were resistant to infection with the highly virulent TgCTBR9 strain. The TgCTBr16 strain resulted in 80% survival in mice. However, this strain presented low infectivity, especially by the oral route of infection. Despite being identified with the same genotype, TgCTBr5 and TgCTBr16 strains showed biological differences. Histopathologic analysis revealed liver and lungs to be the most affected organs, and the pattern of tissue injury was similar to that found in mice inoculated perorally with strains belonging to clonal genotypes. However, there was a variation in the intensity of ileum lesions according to T. gondii strain and mouse lineage. C57BL/6 mice showed higher susceptibility than BALB/c for histological lesions. Taken together, these results revealed that the pathogenesis of T. gondii strains belonging to atypical genotypes can induce similar tissue damage to those from clonal genotypes, although intrinsic aspects of the strains seem critical to the induction of ileitis in the infected host.
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26
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Immunological changes induced by Toxoplasma gondii Glutathione-S-Transferase (TgGST) delivered as a DNA vaccine. Res Vet Sci 2015; 99:157-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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27
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Kong L, Zhang Q, Chao J, Wen H, Zhang Y, Chen H, Pappoe F, Zhang A, Xu X, Cai Y, Li M, Luo Q, Zhang L, Shen J. Polarization of macrophages induced by Toxoplasma gondii and its impact on abnormal pregnancy in rats. Acta Trop 2015; 143:1-7. [PMID: 25496968 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection is the leading cause of fetal intrauterine growth retardation among the five kinds of pathogens termed as TORCH, including Toxoplasma, Rubella virus, Cytomegalo virus, herpes virus and others during pregnancy. Pathogens infect the fetus through the placenta. T. gondii infection may result in congenital toxoplasmosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, and preemie, and increase pregnancy complications. Adaptive immune response induced by T. gondii infection stimulates T cells and macrophages to produce high levels of cytokines. Physiologically, the microenvironment of pregnancy was Th2-dominant. Here we set up a pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat model, and reported the polarization of macrophages induced by genotype Chinese 1 strain (Wh6) of Toxoplasma, and its adverse impact on pregnancy. The results showed that Wh6 infection pre- or in-gestation both led to abnormal pregnancy outcomes. Peritoneal macrophages in pre-gestation infection were polarized toward classically activated macrophages (M1), while in-gestation infection drove macrophages to polarize toward M2 activation. The Th2-dominant immune response in pregnant rat somewhat inhibits the excessive bias of the macrophages toward M1, and partially, toward M2. Infection of pre- and in-gestation may alter the physiological immune microenvironment in pregnant rats, giving rise to abnormal pregnancy outcomes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arginase/metabolism
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Culture Techniques
- Cytokines/metabolism
- DNA, Protozoan/genetics
- Female
- Macrophage Activation/physiology
- Macrophages, Peritoneal/physiology
- Male
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/immunology
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/parasitology
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/pathology
- Pregnancy Outcome
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Th1 Cells/parasitology
- Toxoplasma/pathogenicity
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/immunology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/parasitology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanting Kong
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Jing Chao
- Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical Iniversity, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Huiqin Wen
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Yihua Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - He Chen
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Faustina Pappoe
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Aimei Zhang
- The Central Laboratory of Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Xiucai Xu
- The Central Laboratory of Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Yihong Cai
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Min Li
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Qingli Luo
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Linjie Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical Iniversity, Hefei 230022, PR China.
| | - Jilong Shen
- Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Department of Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China.
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28
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Hassan IA, Wang S, Xu L, Yan R, Song X, Li X. Immunoglobulin and cytokine changes induced following immunization with a DNA vaccine encoding Toxoplasma gondii selenium-dependent glutathione reductase protein. Exp Parasitol 2014; 146:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Hassan IA, Wang S, Xu L, Yan R, Song X, Li X. DNA vaccination with a gene encoding Toxoplasma gondii Deoxyribose Phosphate Aldolase (TgDPA) induces partial protective immunity against lethal challenge in mice. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:431. [PMID: 25201636 PMCID: PMC4164750 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes a pathological status known as toxoplasmosis, which has a huge impact on human and animal health. Currently, the main control strategy depends on the usage of drugs that target the acute stage of the infection, however, drawbacks were encountered while applying this method; therefore, development of an alternative effective method would be important progress. Deoxyribose Phosphate Aldolase (TgDPA) plays an important role supporting cell invasion and providing energy for the parasite. Methods TgDPA was expressed in Escherichia coli and the purified recombinant protein was used to immunize rats. The antibodies obtained were used to verify in vitro expression of TgDPA. The vector pVAX1 was utilized to formulate a DNA vaccine designated as pTgDPA, which was used to evaluate the immunological changes and the level of protection against challenge with the virulent RH strain of T. gondii. Results DNA vaccine, TgDPA revealed that it can induce a strong humoral as well as cellular mediated response in mice. These responses were a contribution of TH1, TH2 and TH17 type of responses. Following challenge, mice immunized with TgDPA showed longer survival rates than did those in control groups. Conclusions Further investigation regarding TgDPA is required to shed more light on its immunogenicity and its possible selection as a vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiangrui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, People's Republic of China.
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Toxoplasma gondii 70 kDa heat shock protein: systemic detection is associated with the death of the parasites by the immune response and its increased expression in the brain is associated with parasite replication. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96527. [PMID: 24801069 PMCID: PMC4011789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The heat shock protein of Toxoplasma gondii (TgHSP70) is a parasite virulence factor that is expressed during T. gondii stage conversion. To verify the effect of dexamethasone (DXM)-induced infection reactivation in the TgHSP70-specific humoral immune response and the presence of the protein in the mouse brain, we produced recombinant TgHSP70 and anti-TgHSP70 IgY antibodies to detect the protein, the specific antibody and levels of immune complexes (ICs) systemically, as well as the protein in the brain of resistant (BALB/c) and susceptible (C57BL/6) mice. It was observed higher TgHSP70-specific antibody titers in serum samples of BALB/c compared with C57BL/6 mice. However, the susceptible mice presented the highest levels of TgHSP70 systemically and no detection of specific ICs. The DXM treatment induced increased parasitism and lower inflammatory changes in the brain of C57BL/6, but did not interfere with the cerebral parasitism in BALB/c mice. Additionally, DXM treatment decreased the serological TgHSP70 concentration in both mouse lineages. C57BL/6 mice presented high expression of TgHSP70 in the brain with the progression of infection and under DXM treatment. Taken together, these data indicate that the TgHSP70 release into the bloodstream depends on the death of the parasites mediated by the host immune response, whereas the increased TgHSP70 expression in the brain depends on the multiplication rate of the parasite.
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Gomes AF, Magalhães KG, Rodrigues RM, de Carvalho L, Molinaro R, Bozza PT, Barbosa HS. Toxoplasma gondii-skeletal muscle cells interaction increases lipid droplet biogenesis and positively modulates the production of IL-12, IFN-g and PGE2. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:47. [PMID: 24457118 PMCID: PMC3904159 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The interest in the mechanisms involved in Toxoplasma gondii lipid acquisition has steadily increased during the past few decades, but it remains not completely understood. Here, we investigated the biogenesis and the fate of lipid droplets (LD) of skeletal muscle cells (SkMC) during their interaction with T. gondii by confocal and electron microscopy. We also evaluated whether infected SkMC modulates the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (INF-g), and also the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene induction. Methods Primary culture of skeletal muscle cells were infected with tachyzoites of T. gondii and analysed by confocal microscopy for observation of LD. Ultrastructural cytochemistry was also used for lipid and sarcoplasmatic reticulum (SR) detection. Dosage of cytokines (IL-12 and INF-g) by ELISA technique and enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) for PGE2 measurement were employed. The COX-2 gene expression analysis was performed by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results We demonstrated that T. gondii infection of SkMC leads to increase in LD number and area in a time course dependent manner. Moreover, the ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that SR and LD are in direct contact with parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), within the vacuolar matrix, around it and interacting directly with the membrane of parasite, indicating that LD are recruited and deliver their content inside the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) in T. gondii-infected SkMC. We also observed a positive modulation of the production of IL-12 and IFN-g, increase of COX-2 mRNA levels in the first hour of T. gondii-SkMC interaction and an increase of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis from 6 h up to 48 h of infection. Conclusions Taken together, the close association between SR and LD with PV could represent a source of lipids as well as other nutrients for the parasite survival, and together with the increased levels of IL-12, INF-g and inflammatory indicators PGE2 and COX-2 might contribute to the establishment and maintenance of chronic phase of the T. gondii infection in muscle cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Helene S Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Benevides L, Cardoso CR, Milanezi CM, Castro-Filice LS, Barenco PVC, Sousa RO, Rodrigues RM, Mineo JR, Silva JS, Silva NM. Toxoplasma gondii soluble tachyzoite antigen triggers protective mechanisms against fatal intestinal pathology in oral infection of C57BL/6 mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75138. [PMID: 24086456 PMCID: PMC3782460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii induces a potent IL-12 response early in infection that results in IFN-γ-dependent control of parasite growth. It was previously shown that T. gondii soluble tachyzoite antigen (STAg) injected 48 hr before intraperitoneal infection reduces lipoxin A4 and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO)-dependent systemic IL-12 and IFN-γ production as well as hepatic immunopathology. This study investigated the ability of STAg-pretreatment to control the fatal intestinal pathology that develops in C57BL/6 mice orally infected with 100 T. gondii cysts. STAg-pretreatment prolonged the animals’ survival by decreasing tissue parasitism and pathology, mainly in the ilea. Protection was associated with decreases in the systemic IFN-γ levels and IFN-γ and TNF message levels in the ilea and with increased TGF-β production in this tissue, but protection was independent of 5-LO and IL-4. STAg-pretreatment decreased CD4+ T cell, NK cell, CD11b+ monocyte and CD11b+CD11c+ dendritic cell numbers in the lamina propria and increased CD8+ T cells in the intestinal epithelial compartment. In parallel, decreases were observed in iNOS and IL-17 expression in this organ. These results demonstrate that pretreatment with STAg can induce the recruitment of protective CD8+ T cells to the intraepithelial compartment and decrease proinflammatory immune mechanisms that promote intestinal pathology in T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Benevides
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cristina R. Cardoso
- Department of Clinical Analyses Toxicology Bromatologics, Ribeirão Preto College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cristiane M. Milanezi
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo V. C. Barenco
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Romulo O. Sousa
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | | | - José R. Mineo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - João S. Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Neide M. Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Huo XX, Wang L, Chen ZW, Chen H, Xu XC, Zhang AM, Song XR, Luo QL, Xu YH, Fu Y, Wang H, Du J, Cai YH, Lun ZR, Lu FL, Wang Y, Shen JL. Preventive effect of pidotimod on reactivated toxoplasmosis in mice. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:3041-51. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3488-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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The impaired pregnancy outcome in murine congenital toxoplasmosis is associated with a pro-inflammatory immune response, but not correlated with decidual inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Int J Parasitol 2012; 42:341-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2011] [Revised: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Wink DA, Hines HB, Cheng RYS, Switzer CH, Flores-Santana W, Vitek MP, Ridnour LA, Colton CA. Nitric oxide and redox mechanisms in the immune response. J Leukoc Biol 2011; 89:873-91. [PMID: 21233414 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1010550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 477] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of redox molecules, such as NO and ROS, as key mediators of immunity has recently garnered renewed interest and appreciation. To regulate immune responses, these species trigger the eradication of pathogens on the one hand and modulate immunosuppression during tissue-restoration and wound-healing processes on the other. In the acidic environment of the phagosome, a variety of RNS and ROS is produced, thereby providing a cauldron of redox chemistry, which is the first line in fighting infection. Interestingly, fluctuations in the levels of these same reactive intermediates orchestrate other phases of the immune response. NO activates specific signal transduction pathways in tumor cells, endothelial cells, and monocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. As ROS can react directly with NO-forming RNS, NO bioavailability and therefore, NO response(s) are changed. The NO/ROS balance is also important during Th1 to Th2 transition. In this review, we discuss the chemistry of NO and ROS in the context of antipathogen activity and immune regulation and also discuss similarities and differences between murine and human production of these intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Wink
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Alves-Filho ER, Maioli TU, Faria AMC, Noronha FSM, Silva NM, Costa MGC, Santos JLD. The biocontrol fungus Trichoderma stromaticum downregulates respiratory burst and nitric oxide in phagocytes and IFN-gamma and IL-10. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2011; 74:943-958. [PMID: 21623538 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2011.573747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Trichoderma stromaticum, a biocontrol agent of the cacao witches' broom pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa, has been used in Brazil as part of the integrated pest management of cacao. At the present time, little is known about the effects of T. stromaticum on the modulation of in vitro or in vivo immune responses. The present study examined the interaction of T. stromaticum spores with cellular and molecular components of the immune system following intranasal sensitization of mice. Our results showed that T. stromaticum spores prevented the expression and production of inflammatory mediators in macrophages stimulated with interferon (IFN)-γ plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays revealed that T. stromaticum spores inhibited the expression of dectin-1 and Toll-like-receptor (TLR)2/TLR4. Intranasal injection of BALB/c mice and subsequent challenge with spores of T. stromaticum induced a discrete inflammatory response in the lungs. Interestingly, the spores inhibited local and systemic production of the regulatory IL-10 and proinflammatory IFN-γ cytokines. In addition the spores presented an antiproliferative effect on spleen cells. These findings showed that the biopesticide T. stromaticum may exert immunosuppressive effects in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edilson R Alves-Filho
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilheus, Bahia
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Silva NM, Manzan RM, Carneiro WP, Milanezi CM, Silva JS, Ferro EAV, Mineo JR. Toxoplasma gondii: The severity of toxoplasmic encephalitis in C57BL/6 mice is associated with increased ALCAM and VCAM-1 expression in the central nervous system and higher blood–brain barrier permeability. Exp Parasitol 2010; 126:167-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2010] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Pyo KH, Jung BK, Chai JY, Shin EH. Suppressed CD31 expression in sarcoma-180 tumors after injection with Toxoplasma gondii lysate antigen in BALB/c mice. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2010; 48:171-4. [PMID: 20585536 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2010.48.2.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Revised: 05/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The anti-tumorigenic effects of Toxoplasma gondii (RH) antigens were studied in a murine sarcoma-180 tumor model. To determine the anti-tumor effects, the reduction in tumor size and expression of CD31 (an angiogenesis marker in the tumor tissue) were examined after injection of BALB/c mice with T. gondii lysate antigen (TLA) or formalin-fixed, proliferation-inhibited, T. gondii tachyzoites. Tumors were successfully produced by an intradermal injection of sarcoma-180 cells with plain Matrigel in the mid-backs of mice. After injection with TLA or formalin-fixed T. gondii tachyzoites, the increase in tumor size and weight nearly stopped while tumor growth continued in control mice that were injected with PBS. CD31 expression in TLA-treated or formalin-fixed T. gondii-injected mice was lower than the control mice. Accordingly, the present study shows that the treatment of mice with formalin-fixed T. gondii or TLA in the murine sarcoma-180 tumor model results in a decrease of both tumor size and CD31 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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