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Teixeira SC, de Souza G, Junior JPDL, Rosini AM, Martínez AFF, Fernandes TADM, Ambrósio SR, Veneziani RCS, Bastos JK, Martins CHG, Barbosa BF, Ferro EAV. Copaifera spp. oleoresins and two isolated compounds (ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid) inhibit Toxoplasma gondii growth in vitro. Exp Parasitol 2024; 262:108771. [PMID: 38723847 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis affects about one-third of the world's population. The disease treatment methods pose several side effects and do not efficiently eliminate the parasite, making the search for new therapeutic approaches necessary. We aimed to assess the anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of four Copaifera oleoresins (ORs) and two isolated diterpene acids, named ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid. We used HeLa cells as an experimental model of toxoplasmosis. Uninfected and infected HeLa cells were submitted to the treatments, and the parasite intracellular proliferation, cytokine levels and ROS production were measured. Also, tachyzoites were pre-treated and the parasite invasion was determined. Finally, an in silico analysis was performed to identify potential parasite targets. Our data show that the non-cytotoxic concentrations of ORs and diterpene acids controlled the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii in HeLa cells, thus highlighting the possible direct action on parasites. In addition, some compounds tested controlled parasite proliferation in an irreversible manner. An additional and non-exclusive mechanism of action involves the modulation of host cell components, by affecting the upregulation of the IL-6. Additionally, molecular docking suggested that ent-polyalthic acid has a high affinity for the active site of the TgCDPK1 protein. Copaifera ORs have great antiparasitic activity against T. gondii, and this effect can be partially explained by the presence of the isolated compounds ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Joed Pires de Lima Junior
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Aryani Felixa Fajardo Martínez
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Sergio Ricardo Ambrósio
- Nucleus of Research in Technological and Exact Sciences, Universidade de Franca, Franca, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Jairo Kenupp Bastos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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Martínez AFF, Teixeira SC, de Souza G, Rosini AM, Júnior JPDL, Melo GN, Blandón KOE, Gomes AO, Ambrósio SR, Veneziani RCS, Bastos JK, Martins CHG, Ferro EAV, Barbosa BF. Leaf hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin from Copaifera multijuga control Toxoplasma gondii infection in human trophoblast cells and placental explants from third-trimester pregnancy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1113896. [PMID: 36860986 PMCID: PMC9970041 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1113896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The conventional treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis is mainly based on the combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. However, therapy with these drugs is associated with severe side effects and resistance, requiring the study of new therapeutic strategies. There are currently many studies with natural products, including Copaifera oleoresin, showing actions against some pathogens, as Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the leaf hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin from Copaifera multijuga against Toxoplasma gondii in human villous (BeWo) and extravillous (HTR8/SVneo) trophoblast cells, as well as in human villous explants from third-trimester pregnancy. For this purpose, both cells and villous explants were infected or not with T. gondii, treated with hydroalcoholic extract or oleoresin from C. multijuga and analyzed for toxicity, parasite proliferation, cytokine and ROS production. In parallel, both cells were infected by tachyzoites pretreated with hydroalcoholic extract or oleoresin, and adhesion, invasion and replication of the parasite were observed. Our results showed that the extract and oleoresin did not trigger toxicity in small concentrations and were able to reduce the T. gondii intracellular proliferation in cells previously infected. Also, the hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin demonstrated an irreversible antiparasitic action in BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cells. Next, adhesion, invasion and replication of T. gondii were dampened when BeWo or HTR8/SVneo cells were infected with pretreated tachyzoites. Finally, infected and treated BeWo cells upregulated IL-6 and downmodulated IL-8, while HTR8/SVneo cells did not change significantly these cytokines when infected and treated. Finally, both the extract and oleoresin reduced the T. gondii proliferation in human explants, and no significant changes were observed in relation to cytokine production. Thus, compounds from C. multijuga presented different antiparasitic activities that were dependent on the experimental model, being the direct action on tachyzoites a common mechanism operating in both cells and villi. Considering all these parameters, the hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin from C. multijuga can be a target for the establishment of new therapeutic strategy for congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryani Felixa Fajardo Martínez
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Joed Pires de Lima Júnior
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Nogueira Melo
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Kelvin Orlando Espinoza Blandón
- Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Angelica Oliveira Gomes
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Sergio Ricardo Ambrósio
- Nucleus of Research in Technological and Exact Sciences, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | | | - Jairo Kenupp Bastos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Bellisa Freitas Barbosa,
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Guimarães Gois PS, Franco PS, Cota Teixeira S, Guirelli PM, de Araújo TE, da Fonseca Batistão DW, de Oliveira FC, Lícia Santos Ferreira G, de Oliveira Gomes A, Favoreto S, Mineo JR, de Freitas Barbosa B, Ferro EAV. Polarisation of human macrophages towards an M1 subtype triggered by an atypical Brazilian strain of Toxoplasma gondii results in a reduction in parasite burden. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2022; 69. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2022.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Placental Models for Evaluation of Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Systems for Pregnancy Associated Disorders. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050936. [PMID: 35625672 PMCID: PMC9138319 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated disorders affect around 20% of pregnancies each year around the world. The risk associated with pregnancy therapeutic management categorizes pregnant women as “drug orphan” patients. In the last few decades, nanocarriers have demonstrated relevant properties for controlled drug delivery, which have been studied for pregnancy-associated disorders. To develop new drug dosage forms it is mandatory to have access to the right evaluation models to ensure their usage safety and efficacy. This review exposes the various placental-based models suitable for nanocarrier evaluation for pregnancy-associated therapies. We first review the current knowledge about nanocarriers as drug delivery systems and how placenta can be used as an evaluation model. Models are divided into three categories: in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo placental models. We then examine the recent studies using those models to evaluate nanocarriers behavior towards the placental barrier and which information can be gathered from these results. Finally, we propose a flow chart on the usage and the combination of models regarding the nanocarriers and nanoparticles studied and the intended therapeutic strategy.
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da Silva Castro A, Angeloni MB, de Freitas Barbosa B, de Miranda RL, Teixeira SC, Guirelli PM, de Oliveira FC, José da Silva R, Franco PS, Ribeiro M, Milian ICB, de Oliveira Gomes A, Ietta F, Júnior SF, Mineo TWP, Mineo JR, de Oliveira Simões Alves CM, Ferro EAV. BEWO trophoblast cells and Toxoplasma gondii infection modulate cell death mechanisms in THP-1 monocyte cells by interference in the expression of death receptor and intracellular proteins. Tissue Cell 2021; 73:101658. [PMID: 34597888 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101658] [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: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Crosstalk between trophoblast and monocytes is essential for gestational success, and it can be compromised in congenital toxoplasmosis. Cell death is one of the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of pregnancy, and this study aimed to evaluate the role of trophoblast in the modulation of monocyte cell death in the presence or absence of Toxoplasma gondii infection. THP-1 cells were stimulated with supernatants of BeWo cells and then infected or not with T. gondii. The supernatants were collected and analyzed for the secretion of human Fas ligand, and cells were used to determine cell death and apoptosis, cell death receptor, and intracellular proteins expression. Cell death and apoptosis index were higher in uninfected THP-1 cells stimulated with supernatants of BeWo cells; however, apoptosis index was reduced by T. gondii infection. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, secreted by BeWo cells, altered the cell death and apoptosis rates in THP-1 cells. In infected THP-1 cells, the expression of Fas/CD95 and secretion of FasL was significantly higher; however, caspase 3 and phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) were downregulated. Results suggest that soluble factors secreted by BeWo cells induce cell death and apoptosis in THP-1 cells, and Fas/CD95 can be involved in this process. On the other hand, T. gondii interferes in the mechanism of cell death and inhibits THP-1 cell apoptosis, which can be associated with active caspase 3 and phosphorylated ERK1/2. In conclusion, our results showed that human BeWo trophoblast cells and T. gondii infection modulate cell death in human THP-1 monocyte cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa da Silva Castro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Mariana Bodini Angeloni
- School of Medicine, Healthy Sciences Special Academic Unit, University of Goiás-Jataí, Jataí, GO, Brazil
| | - Bellisa de Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Renata Lima de Miranda
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Pâmela Mendonça Guirelli
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Chaves de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Rafaela José da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Priscila Silva Franco
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Mayara Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Iliana Claudia Balga Milian
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Angélica de Oliveira Gomes
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Francesca Ietta
- Department of Life Science, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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de Souza G, Silva RJ, Milián ICB, Rosini AM, de Araújo TE, Teixeira SC, Oliveira MC, Franco PS, da Silva CV, Mineo JR, Silva NM, Ferro EAV, Barbosa BF. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 modulates Toxoplasma gondii infection, immune response and lipid droplets formation in human trophoblast cells and villous explants. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12709. [PMID: 34135407 PMCID: PMC8209052 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis is represented by the transplacental passage of Toxoplasma gondii from the mother to the fetus. Our studies demonstrated that T. gondii developed mechanisms to evade of the host immune response, such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induction, and these mediators can be produced/stored in lipid droplets (LDs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of COX-2 and LDs during T. gondii infection in human trophoblast cells and villous explants. Our data demonstrated that COX-2 inhibitors decreased T. gondii replication in trophoblast cells and villous. In BeWo cells, the COX-2 inhibitors induced an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and MIF), and a decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). In HTR-8/SVneo cells, the COX-2 inhibitors induced an increase of IL-6 and nitrite and decreased IL-4 and TGF-β1. In villous explants, the COX-2 inhibitors increased MIF and decreased TNF-α and IL-10. Furthermore, T. gondii induced an increase in LDs in BeWo and HTR-8/SVneo, but COX-2 inhibitors reduced LDs in both cells type. We highlighted that COX-2 is a key factor to T. gondii proliferation in human trophoblast cells, since its inhibition induced a pro-inflammatory response capable of controlling parasitism and leading to a decrease in the availability of LDs, which are essentials for parasite growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Rafaela José Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Iliana Claudia Balga Milián
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Thádia Evelyn de Araújo
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Mário Cézar Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Priscila Silva Franco
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Claudio Vieira da Silva
- Laboratory of Trypanosomatids, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Pará, 1720, Uberlândia, MG, 38405-320, Brazil.
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de Araújo TE, Milián ICB, de Souza G, da Silva RJ, Rosini AM, Guirelli PM, Franco PS, Barbosa BF, Ferro EAV, da Costa IN. Experimental models of maternal-fetal interface and their potential use for nanotechnology applications. Cell Biol Int 2020; 44:36-50. [PMID: 31469205 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the placenta regulates the transfer of oxygen, nutrients, and residual products between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams and is a key determinant of fetal exposure to xenobiotics from the mother. To study the disposition of substances through the placenta, various experimental models are used, especially the perfused placenta, placental villi explants, and cell lineage models. In this context, nanotechnology, an area of study that is on the rise, enables the creation of particles on nanometric scales capable of releasing drugs aimed at specific tissues. An important reason for furthering the studies on transplacental transfer is to explore the potential of nanoparticles (NPs), in new delivery strategies for drugs that are specifically aimed at the mother, the placenta, or the fetus and that involve less toxicity. Due to the fact that the placental barrier is essential for the interaction between the maternal and fetal organisms as well as the possibility of NPs being used in the treatment of various pathologies, the aim of this review is to present the main experimental models used in studying the maternal-fetal interaction and the action of NPs in the placental environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thádia Evelyn de Araújo
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Iliana Claudia Balga Milián
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Rafaela José da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Pâmela Mendonça Guirelli
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Priscila Silva Franco
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Idessania Nazareth da Costa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil.,Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
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Franco PS, Gois PSG, de Araújo TE, da Silva RJ, de Freitas Barbosa B, de Oliveira Gomes A, Ietta F, Dos Santos LA, Dos Santos MC, Mineo JR, Ferro EAV. Brazilian strains of Toxoplasma gondii are controlled by azithromycin and modulate cytokine production in human placental explants. J Biomed Sci 2019; 26:10. [PMID: 30665403 PMCID: PMC6340180 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0503-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes congenital toxoplasmosis by transplacental transmission. Parasite strains are genetically diverse and disease severity is related to the genotype. In Uberlândia city, Brazil, two virulent strains were isolated: TgChBrUD1 and TgChBrUD2. Congenital toxoplasmosis is more prevalent in South America compared to Europe, and more often associated with severe symptoms, usually as a result of infection with atypical strains. METHODS Considering that T. gondii has shown high genetic diversity in Brazil, the effectiveness of traditional treatment may not be the same, as more virulent strains of atypical genotypes may predominate. Thus, the aim of this study were to evaluate the Brazilian strain infection rate in human villous explants and the azithromycin efficacy with regard to the control of these strains compared to traditional therapy. Villi were infected with RH, ME49, TgChBrUD1 or TgChBrUD2 strains and treated with azithromycin, spiramycin or a combination of pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine. The villous viability was analyzed by LDH assay and morphological analysis. Parasite proliferation, as well as production of cytokines was analyzed by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the GraphPad Prism 5.0. RESULTS The treatments were not toxic and TgChBrUD1 infected villi showed a higher parasite burden compared with others strains. Treatments significantly reduced the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii, regardless of the strain. TgChBrUD1-infected villi produced a larger amount of MIF, IL-6 and TGF-β1 compared with other infected villi. Azithromycin treatment increased MIF production by RH- or TgChBrUD2-infected villi, but in ME49- or TgChBrUD1-infected villi, the MIF production was not altered by treatment. On the other hand, azithromycin treatment induced lower IL-6 production by ME49- or TgChBrUD1-infected villi. CONCLUSIONS Azithromycin treatment was effective against T. gondii Brazilian strains compared with conventional treatment. Also, the TgChBrUD1 strain replicated more in villi and modulated important cytokines involved in parasite control, showing that different strains use different strategies to evade the host immune response and ensure their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Silva Franco
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Paula Suellen Guimarães Gois
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Thádia Evelyn de Araújo
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Rafaela José da Silva
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Bellisa de Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Angelica de Oliveira Gomes
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Francesca Ietta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lara Affonso Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - Maria Célia Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratório de Imunofisiologia da Reprodução, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, Building: 2B, CEP, Uberlândia, 38405-320, Brazil.
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Radke JB, Burrows JN, Goldberg DE, Sibley LD. Evaluation of Current and Emerging Antimalarial Medicines for Inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii Growth in Vitro. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:1264-1274. [PMID: 29998728 PMCID: PMC6093624 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a common zoonotic infection of humans, and estimates indicate that 1-2 billion people are chronically infected. Although largely asymptomatic, chronic infection poses risk of serious disease due to reactivation should immunity decline. Current therapies for toxoplasmosis only control acute infection caused by actively proliferating tachyzoites but do not eradicate the chronic tissue cyst stages. As well, there are considerable adverse side effects of the most commonly used therapy of combined sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. Targeting the folate pathway is also an effective treatment for malaria, caused by the related parasites Plasmodium spp., suggesting common agents might be used to treat both infections. Here, we evaluated currently approved and newly emerging medicines for malaria to determine if such compounds might also prove useful for treating toxoplasmosis. Surprisingly, the majority of antimalarial compounds being used currently or in development for treatment of malaria were only modestly effective at inhibiting in vitro growth of T. gondii tachyzoites. These findings suggest that many essential processes in P. falciparum that are targeted by antimalarial compounds are either divergent or nonessential in T. gondii, thus limiting options for repurposing of current antimalarial medicines for toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B. Radke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University Sch. Med., 600 S. Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63110
| | - Jeremy N. Burrows
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré3Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel E. Goldberg
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University Sch. Med., 660 S. Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63110
| | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University Sch. Med., 600 S. Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63110
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