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Gutierrez-Gongora D, Geddes-McAlister J. Peptidases: promising antifungal targets of the human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. Facets (Ott) 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2021-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is a globally important fungal pathogen, primarily inflicting disease on immunocompromised individuals. The widespread use of antifungal agents in medicine and agriculture supports the development of antifungal resistance through evolution, and the emergence of new strains with intrinsic resistance drives the need for new therapeutics. For C. neoformans, the production of virulence factors, including extracellular peptidases (e.g., CnMpr-1 and May1) with mechanistic roles in tissue invasion and fungal survival, constitute approximately 2% of the fungal proteome and cover five classes of enzymes. Given their role in fungal virulence, peptidases represent promising targets for anti-virulence discovery in the development of new approaches against C. neoformans. Additionally, intracellular peptidases, which are involved in resistance mechanisms against current treatment options (e.g., azole drugs), as well as capsule biosynthesis and elaboration of virulence factors, present additional opportunities to combat the pathogen. In this review, we highlight key cryptococcal peptidases with defined or predicted roles in fungal virulence and assess sequence alignments against their human homologs. With this information, we define the feasibility of the select peptidases as “druggable” targets for inhibition, representing prospective therapeutic options against the deadly fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davier Gutierrez-Gongora
- The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
- The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- Canadian Proteomics and Artificial Intelligence Research and Training Consortium
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2
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From Naturally-Sourced Protease Inhibitors to New Treatments for Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7121016. [PMID: 34946998 PMCID: PMC8704869 DOI: 10.3390/jof7121016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteases are involved in a broad range of physiological processes, including host invasion by fungal pathogens, and enzymatic inhibition is a key molecular mechanism controlling proteolytic activity. Importantly, inhibitors from natural or synthetic sources have demonstrated applications in biochemistry, biotechnology, and biomedicine. However, the need to discover new reservoirs of these inhibitory molecules with improved efficacy and target range has been underscored by recent protease characterization related to infection and antimicrobial resistance. In this regard, naturally-sourced inhibitors show promise for application in diverse biological systems due to high stability at physiological conditions and low cytotoxicity. Moreover, natural sources (e.g., plants, invertebrates, and microbes) provide a large reservoir of undiscovered and/or uncharacterized bioactive molecules involved in host defense against predators and pathogens. In this Review, we highlight discoveries of protease inhibitors from environmental sources, propose new opportunities for assessment of antifungal activity, and discuss novel applications to combat biomedically-relevant fungal diseases with in vivo and clinical purpose.
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Santos ALS, Braga-Silva LA, Gonçalves DS, Ramos LS, Oliveira SSC, Souza LOP, Oliveira VS, Lins RD, Pinto MR, Muñoz JE, Taborda CP, Branquinha MH. Repositioning Lopinavir, an HIV Protease Inhibitor, as a Promising Antifungal Drug: Lessons Learned from Candida albicans-In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7060424. [PMID: 34071195 PMCID: PMC8229492 DOI: 10.3390/jof7060424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The repurposing strategy was applied herein to evaluate the effects of lopinavir, an aspartic protease inhibitor currently used in the treatment of HIV-infected individuals, on the globally widespread opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans by using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches in order to decipher its targets on fungal cells and its antifungal mechanisms of action. Secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) are the obviously main target of lopinavir. To confirm this hypothesis, molecular docking assays revealed that lopinavir bound to the Sap2 catalytic site of C. albicans as well as inhibited the Sap hydrolytic activity in a typically dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of Saps culminated in the inability of C. albicans yeasts to assimilate the unique nitrogen source (albumin) available in the culture medium, culminating with fungal growth inhibition (IC50 = 39.8 µM). The antifungal action of lopinavir was corroborated by distinct microscopy analyses, which evidenced drastic and irreversible changes in the morphology that justified the fungal death. Furthermore, our results revealed that lopinavir was able to (i) arrest the yeasts-into-hyphae transformation, (ii) disturb the synthesis of neutral lipids, including ergosterol, (iii) modulate the surface-located molecules, such as Saps and mannose-, sialic acid- and N-acetylglucosamine-containing glycoconjugates, (iv) diminish the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, such as Saps and esterase, (v) negatively influence the biofilm formation on polystyrene surface, (vi) block the in vitro adhesion to epithelial cells, (vii) contain the in vivo infection in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice and (viii) reduce the Sap production by yeasts recovered from kidneys of infected animals. Conclusively, the exposed results highlight that lopinavir may be used as a promising repurposing drug against C. albicans infection as well as may be used as a lead compound for the development of novel antifungal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- André L. S. Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica (PPGBq), Instituto de Química (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
- Correspondence: (A.L.S.S.); (M.H.B.); Tel.: +55-21-3938-0366 (A.L.S.S.)
| | - Lys A. Braga-Silva
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica (PPGBq), Instituto de Química (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Diego S. Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica (PPGBq), Instituto de Química (IQ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Lívia S. Ramos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
| | - Simone S. C. Oliveira
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
| | - Lucieri O. P. Souza
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
| | - Vanessa S. Oliveira
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (V.S.O.); (R.D.L.)
| | - Roberto D. Lins
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (V.S.O.); (R.D.L.)
| | - Marcia R. Pinto
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói 24210-130, Brazil;
| | - Julian E. Muñoz
- MICROS Group, Medicine Traslacional Institute, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia;
| | - Carlos P. Taborda
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica—LIM53/IMTSP, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Marta H. Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (L.A.B.-S.); (D.S.G.); (L.S.R.); (S.S.C.O.); (L.O.P.S.)
- Correspondence: (A.L.S.S.); (M.H.B.); Tel.: +55-21-3938-0366 (A.L.S.S.)
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Kryštůfek R, Šácha P, Starková J, Brynda J, Hradilek M, Tloušt'ová E, Grzymska J, Rut W, Boucher MJ, Drąg M, Majer P, Hájek M, Řezáčová P, Madhani HD, Craik CS, Konvalinka J. Re-emerging Aspartic Protease Targets: Examining Cryptococcus neoformans Major Aspartyl Peptidase 1 as a Target for Antifungal Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2021; 64:6706-6719. [PMID: 34006103 PMCID: PMC8165695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Cryptococcosis is
an invasive infection that accounts for 15% of
AIDS-related fatalities. Still, treating cryptococcosis remains a
significant challenge due to the poor availability of effective antifungal
therapies and emergence of drug resistance. Interestingly, protease
inhibitor components of antiretroviral therapy regimens have shown
some clinical benefits in these opportunistic infections. We investigated
Major aspartyl peptidase 1 (May1), a secreted Cryptococcus
neoformans protease, as a possible target for the
development of drugs that act against both fungal and retroviral aspartyl
proteases. Here, we describe the biochemical characterization of May1,
present its high-resolution X-ray structure, and provide its substrate
specificity analysis. Through combinatorial screening of 11,520 compounds,
we identified a potent inhibitor of May1 and HIV protease. This dual-specificity
inhibitor exhibits antifungal activity in yeast culture, low cytotoxicity,
and low off-target activity against host proteases and could thus
serve as a lead compound for further development of May1 and HIV protease
inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Kryštůfek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic.,Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityHlavova 8, Prague 2 12843, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Šácha
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityHlavova 8, Prague 2 12843, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Starková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Brynda
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic.,Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hradilek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Tloušt'ová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Justyna Grzymska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, Wroclaw 50-370, Poland
| | - Wioletta Rut
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, Wroclaw 50-370, Poland
| | - Michael J Boucher
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, UCSF Genentech Hall, 600 16th St Rm N374, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Marcin Drąg
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, Wroclaw 50-370, Poland
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Hájek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Řezáčová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic.,Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Hiten D Madhani
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, UCSF Genentech Hall, 600 16th St Rm N374, San Francisco, California 94158, United States.,Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, 499 Illinois Street, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Genentech Hall, 600 16th St Rm S512, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo n. 2, Prague 6 16610, Czech Republic.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles UniversityHlavova 8, Prague 2 12843, Czech Republic
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5
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Serafin CF, Paris AP, Paula CR, Simão RCG, Gandra RF. Repression of Proteases and Hsp90 Chaperone Expression Induced by an Antiretroviral in Virulent Environmental Strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2017; 73:583-589. [PMID: 27909750 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-016-0900-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of the antiretroviral ritonavir on protease secretion in different strains of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from the environment and investigated the expression of heat shock protein (Hsp90), classically described virulence factors in other yeast in the presence of the same antiretroviral. The presence of the enzyme was detected by the formation of a degradation of the halo around the colonies. The results were classified as follows: level 1 (without proteases), level 2 (positive for proteases), and level 3 (strongly positive for proteases). Total protein extract isolated from the cell walls of the 12 strains incubated in the absence and presence of ritonavir (0.3125 mg mL-1) were resolved by SDS-PAGE and analyzed by Western blot assays using an antiserum against Hsp90 from Blastocladiella emersonii. All strains tested showed inhibition of proteinase activity in the presence of ritonavir at 0.3125 to 1.25 mg mL-1. High levels of Hsp90 were observed in the absence of ritonavir (0.3125 mg mL-1), except for the non-virulent control cells. In contrast, in the presence of the antiretroviral, a drastic reduction in the expression of the chaperone was observed. The data suggest that ritonavir, in addition to containing viral replication, could inhibit the expression of virulence factors in opportunistic yeast, as proteases and Hsp90. According to our current knowledge, this is the first time that the inhibition of Hsp90 by an antiretroviral was reported for environmental isolates of C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleber Fernando Serafin
- Hospital Universitário do Oeste do Paraná, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - UNIOESTE, Av Tancredo Neves, 3224, Cascavel, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Paris
- Hospital Universitário do Oeste do Paraná, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - UNIOESTE, Av Tancredo Neves, 3224, Cascavel, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Rita Cássia Garcia Simão
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Molecular, Centro de Ciências Médicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, UNIOESTE, Cascavel, PR, Brazil
| | - Rinaldo Ferreira Gandra
- Hospital Universitário do Oeste do Paraná, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - UNIOESTE, Av Tancredo Neves, 3224, Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
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Coelho C, Casadevall A. Cryptococcal therapies and drug targets: the old, the new and the promising. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:792-9. [PMID: 26990050 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Half a century after the introduction of Amphotericin B the management of cryptococcosis remains unsatisfactory. The disease, caused primarily by the two fungal species Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, remains responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality despite standard medical care. Current therapeutic options are limited to Amphotericin B, azoles and 5-flucytosine. However, this organism has numerous well-characterized virulence mechanisms that are amenable to pharmacological interference and are thus potential therapeutic targets. Here, we discuss existing approved antifungal drugs, resistance mechanisms to these drugs and non-standard antifungal drugs that have potential in treatment of cryptococcosis, including immunomodulatory strategies that synergize with antifungal drugs, such as cytokine administration or monoclonal antibodies. Finally, we summarize attempts to target well-described virulence factors of Cryptococcus, the capsule or fungal melanin. This review emphasizes the pressing need for new therapeutic alternatives for cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Coelho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
Enzymes play key roles in fungal pathogenesis. Manipulation of enzyme expression or activity can significantly alter the infection process, and enzyme expression profiles can be a hallmark of disease. Hence, enzymes are worthy targets for better understanding pathogenesis and identifying new options for combatting fungal infections. Advances in genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and mass spectrometry have enabled the identification and characterization of new fungal enzymes. This review focuses on recent developments in the virulence-associated enzymes from Cryptococcus neoformans. The enzymatic suite of C. neoformans has evolved for environmental survival, but several of these enzymes play a dual role in colonizing the mammalian host. We also discuss new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies that could be based on the underlying enzymology.
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8
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Santos LO, Marinho FA, Altoé EF, Vitório BS, Alves CR, Britto C, Motta MCM, Branquinha MH, Santos ALS, d'Avila-Levy CM. HIV aspartyl peptidase inhibitors interfere with cellular proliferation, ultrastructure and macrophage infection of Leishmania amazonensis. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4918. [PMID: 19325703 PMCID: PMC2656615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2008] [Accepted: 01/31/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania is the etiologic agent of leishmanisais, a protozoan disease whose pathogenic events are not well understood. Current therapy is suboptimal due to toxicity of the available therapeutic agents and the emergence of drug resistance. Compounding these problems is the increase in the number of cases of Leishmania-HIV coinfection, due to the overlap between the AIDS epidemic and leishmaniasis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present report, we have investigated the effect of HIV aspartyl peptidase inhibitors (PIs) on the Leishmania amazonensis proliferation, ultrastructure, interaction with macrophage cells and expression of classical peptidases which are directly involved in the Leishmania pathogenesis. All the HIV PIs impaired parasite growth in a dose-dependent fashion, especially nelfinavir and lopinavir. HIV PIs treatment caused profound changes in the leishmania ultrastructure as shown by transmission electron microscopy, including cytoplasm shrinking, increase in the number of lipid inclusions and some cells presenting the nucleus closely wrapped by endoplasmic reticulum resembling an autophagic process, as well as chromatin condensation which is suggestive of apoptotic death. The hydrolysis of HIV peptidase substrate by L. amazonensis extract was inhibited by pepstatin and HIV PIs, suggesting that an aspartyl peptidase may be the intracellular target of the inhibitors. The treatment with HIV PIs of either the promastigote forms preceding the interaction with macrophage cells or the amastigote forms inside macrophages drastically reduced the association indexes. Despite all these beneficial effects, the HIV PIs induced an increase in the expression of cysteine peptidase b (cpb) and the metallopeptidase gp63, two well-known virulence factors expressed by Leishmania spp. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In the face of leishmaniasis/HIV overlap, it is critical to further comprehend the sophisticated interplays among Leishmania, HIV and macrophages. In addition, there are many unresolved questions related to the management of Leishmania-HIV-coinfected patients. For instance, the efficacy of therapy aimed at controlling each pathogen in coinfected individuals remains largely undefined. The results presented herein add new in vitro insight into the wide spectrum efficacy of HIV PIs and suggest that additional studies about the synergistic effects of classical antileishmanial compounds and HIV PIs in macrophages coinfected with Leishmania and HIV-1 should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia O. Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A. Marinho
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Bloco I, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ellen F. Altoé
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bianca S. Vitório
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos R. Alves
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina M. Motta
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, CCS, (UFRJ), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Bloco K, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta H. Branquinha
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Bloco I, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L. S. Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Bloco I, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia M. d'Avila-Levy
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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9
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Palmeira VF, Kneipp LF, Rozental S, Alviano CS, Santos ALS. Beneficial effects of HIV peptidase inhibitors on Fonsecaea pedrosoi: promising compounds to arrest key fungal biological processes and virulence. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3382. [PMID: 18852883 PMCID: PMC2557140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2008] [Accepted: 09/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the principal etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis, a fungal disease whose pathogenic events are poorly understood. Current therapy for chromoblastomycosis is suboptimal due to toxicity of the available therapeutic agents and the emergence of drug resistance. Compounding these problems is the fact that endemic countries and regions are economically poor. PURPOSE AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present work, we have investigated the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) peptidase inhibitors (PIs) on the F. pedrosoi conidial secreted peptidase, growth, ultrastructure and interaction with different mammalian cells. All the PIs impaired the acidic conidial-derived peptidase activity in a dose-dependent fashion, in which nelfinavir produced the best inhibitory effect. F. pedrosoi growth was also significantly reduced upon exposure to PIs, especially nelfinavir and saquinavir. PIs treatment caused profound changes in the conidial ultrastructure as shown by transmission electron microscopy, including invaginations in the cytoplasmic membrane, disorder and detachment of the cell wall, enlargement of fungi cytoplasmic vacuoles, and abnormal cell division. The synergistic action on growth ability between nelfinavir and amphotericin B, when both were used at sub-inhibitory concentrations, was also observed. PIs reduced the adhesion and endocytic indexes during the interaction between conidia and epithelial cells (CHO), fibroblasts or macrophages, in a cell type-dependent manner. Moreover, PIs interfered with the conidia into mycelia transformation when in contact with CHO and with the susceptibility killing by macrophage cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Overall, by providing the first evidence that HIV PIs directly affects F. pedrosoi development and virulence, these data add new insights on the wide-spectrum efficacy of HIV PIs, further arguing for the potential chemotherapeutic targets for aspartyl-type peptidase produced by this human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanila F. Palmeira
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, tuto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucimar F. Kneipp
- Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sonia Rozental
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho (IBCCF), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Celuta S. Alviano
- Laboratório de Estrutura de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, tuto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L. S. Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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10
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Cenci E, Francisci D, Belfiori B, Pierucci S, Baldelli F, Bistoni F, Vecchiarelli A. Tipranavir exhibits different effects on opportunistic pathogenic fungi. J Infect 2007; 56:58-64. [PMID: 17905438 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2007.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2007] [Revised: 07/17/2007] [Accepted: 08/08/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Tipranavir (TPV) is a non-peptidic protease inhibitor (PI) that represents one of the latest options approved in the salvage setting for HIV-infected multi-drug resistant patients. In this study, we explored whether TPV affects virulence of opportunistic fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans. METHODS C. neoformans and C. albicans were cocultured in the presence or absence of TPV for various time periods. Subsequently, growth inhibition, phospholipases, proteases and capsule size were examined. In selected in vivo experiments, TPV was administered in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice. Survival rate and colony forming units from organs were evaluated in mice systemically challenged with C. neoformans or C. albicans. RESULTS Indeed, when cultured in the presence of TPV, both fungi showed significant reduction in protease and phospholipase production, but TPV showed an opposite effect on the major virulence factors of C. neoformans and C. albicans by inhibiting capsule while promoting mycelial transition, respectively. TPV impaired in vitro growth of C. neoformans, but not of C. albicans. Moreover, TPV-treated C. neoformans, but not C. albicans, resulted more susceptible to killing by human neutrophils. Finally, TPV showed a therapeutic effect in experimental systemic cryptococcosis, as evaluated by reduced fungal burden in brain and liver of immunocompetent and immunodepressed mice. CONCLUSIONS These new data indicate that TPV could act in multiple ways by diversifying its effects on various opportunistic pathogenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elio Cenci
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
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11
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Pinti M, Orsi CF, Gibellini L, Esposito R, Cossarizza A, Blasi E, Peppoloni S, Mussini C. Identification and characterization of an aspartyl protease from Cryptococcus neoformans. FEBS Lett 2007; 581:3882-6. [PMID: 17651737 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2007] [Accepted: 07/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cryptococcosis, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, is an invasive infection often occurring in AIDS patients. Potent therapy against HIV, which includes protease inhibitors (PIs), has beneficial effects also on opportunistic infections by pathogens such as C. neoformans and C. albicans. PIs inhibit growth of C. albicans by affecting the activity of its aspartyl proteases. We identified, cloned and sequenced a cDNA from C. neoformans encoding for a putative aspartyl protease (CnAP1), and the corresponding genomic region. The gene cnap1 codifies for a protein of 505 aa, with a canonical aspartyl protease structure. We purified the recombinant protein and analyzed its activity in the presence of PIs (Indinavir, Lopinavir, Ritonavir), but did not evidence any inhibition of protease activity. The transcriptional level of cnap1 in C. neoformans is constant in different media. The absence of any inhibition activity by PIs suggests that other targets for PIs might exist in C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Pinti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chair of Immunology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 287, 41100 Modena, Italy
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12
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Corbucci C, Cenci E, Skrzypek F, Gabrielli E, Mosci P, Ernst JF, Bistoni F, Vecchiarelli A. Immune response toCandida albicansis preserved despite defect inO-mannosylation of secretory proteins. Med Mycol 2007; 45:709-19. [PMID: 17885949 DOI: 10.1080/13693780701537922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The PMT gene family in Candida albicans encodes five isoforms of the protein mannosyltransferases that initiate O-mannosylation of secretory proteins. Mutations at the Pmt level have been associated with differences in pathogenicity, e.g. in contrast to pmt5/pmt5, pmt2/PMT2 mutants showed poor virulence. Our objective was to determine whether these differences were related to the capacity of pmt2/PMT2 and pmt5/pmt5 to (i) express differences in selected virulence factors, and (ii) stimulate the natural immune system. The results show that pmt mutants (i) form hyphae in serum, (ii) show defective production of proteases but not of phospholipases with respect to the parental strain, (iii) undergo mycelial transition in the kidneys of hematogenously infected animals, (iv) are phagocytosed and killed by macrophages similar to the parental strain, although neutrophils are unable to destroy pmt5/pmt5, (v) engage TLR4 and stimulate MyD88 leading to NF-kappaB activation, and (vi) stimulate cytokine production by macrophages. Collectively our findings suggest that the defect in protein O-mannosylation in C. albicans cause attenuation of the virulence although the antigenic factors that retain the capacity to stimulate an efficient immune response are preserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Corbucci
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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13
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Palmeira VF, Kneipp LF, Alviano CS, dos Santos ALS. Secretory aspartyl peptidase activity from mycelia of the human fungal pathogen Fonsecaea pedrosoi: effect of HIV aspartyl proteolytic inhibitors. Res Microbiol 2006; 157:819-26. [PMID: 16959473 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2006.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2006] [Revised: 07/04/2006] [Accepted: 07/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the principal causative agent of chromoblastomycosis, which is a chronic, often debilitating, suppurative and granulomatous mycosis. Very little is known about the hydrolytic enzymes produced by this human fungal pathogen. In the present study, we have identified extracellular proteolytic activity from F. pedrosoi mycelial forms when grown in chemically defined conditions. Secretory aspartyl peptidase activity was measured during 15 days of fungal growth in vitro using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the soluble substrate and extreme acidic pH (2.0). This activity was totally inhibited by pepstatin A, a classic aspartyl peptidase inhibitor. Conversely, metallo (o-phenanthroline), cysteine (E-64) and serine (PMSF) proteolytic inhibitors failed to restrain proteolytic activity. We also evaluated the effect of four distinct HIV aspartyl peptidase inhibitors on the secretory proteolytic activity of F. pedrosoi mycelia. Indinavir, ritonavir and nelfinavir powerfully inhibited extracellular aspartyl proteolytic activity by approximately 97, 96 and 87%, respectively, whereas saquinavir did not significantly interfere with BSA hydrolysis. Mycelial-derived secretory aspartyl peptidase activity cleaved other proteinaceous substrates, including human albumin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, laminin and type I collagen. As previously reported by our group, conidia also produce secretory aspartyl peptidase. In this sense, we investigated the effect of pepstatin A on F. pedrosoi development. Pepstatin A was able to inhibit the growth of conidium and its transformation into mycelium. Taken together, our results suggest a possible participation of aspartyl peptidases in the essential fungal processes, such as growth, differentiation, nutrition and cleavage of relevant host proteinaceous components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanila Faber Palmeira
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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14
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Azzam R, Lal L, Goh SL, Kedzierska K, Jaworowski A, Naim E, Cherry CL, Wesselingh SL, Mills J, Crowe SM. Adverse effects of antiretroviral drugs on HIV-1-infected and -uninfected human monocyte-derived macrophages. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2006; 42:19-28. [PMID: 16639337 DOI: 10.1097/01.qai.0000214809.83218.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Antiretroviral drugs approved for treatment of HIV-1 infection include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs). Use of these drugs in combinations (highly active antiretroviral therapy) has delayed disease progression. However, long-term therapy is associated with potentially serious adverse effects. NRTIs are thought to contribute to these adverse effects via depletion of mtDNA. Inasmuch as macrophages (major targets for HIV-1) are highly metabolically active with large numbers of mitochondria, we investigated the effects of NRTIs (didanosine, stavudine, lamivudine, and zidovudine) on the viability and function of HIV-1-infected and -uninfected human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). We demonstrate that the combinations didanosine/stavudine and lamivudine/zidovudine decrease mtDNA content in MDMs, with HIV-1-infected MDMs displaying a greater reduction than uninfected cells. This decrease correlated with decreased complement-mediated phagocytosis (C'MP) by MDMs, a process dependent on mitochondrial function. Inasmuch as PIs have previously been reported to interact with cellular proteases and given that cellular proteases are involved in the phagocytic process, we investigated the effects of the PI indinavir on C'MP. We demonstrate that indinavir augments C'MP by uninfected MDMs, but not HIV-1-infected MDMs. This study provides additional understanding on the effects of commonly used antiretroviral drugs on cellular immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rula Azzam
- AIDS Pathogenesis and Clinical Research Program, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Australia
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15
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. CF, . JH, . FS, . ETF, . JB, . LL, . CG. An Overview of Mitochondrial Toxicity of Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Associated with HIV Therapy. INT J PHARMACOL 2005. [DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2006.152.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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16
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Pugliese A, Vidotto V, Beltramo T, Torre D. Phagocytic activity in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 12:889-95. [PMID: 16085904 PMCID: PMC1182180 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.12.8.889-895.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Pugliese
- Department of Medical and Sciences, Section of Clinical Microbiology, "Amedeo di Savoia" Hospital, Turin, Cittiglio,Varese, Italy
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17
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Savoia D, Allice T, Tovo PA. Antileishmanial activity of HIV protease inhibitors. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2005; 26:92-4. [PMID: 15955671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2005.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2005] [Accepted: 04/06/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The proteasomes of some protozoa are possible targets for chemotherapy. Leishmaniasis is a major health problem in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected subjects. Two HIV protease inhibitors (PI), indinavir and saquinavir, have been shown to block proteasome functions; we therefore investigated their effects on the growth of two Leishmania spp. (Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum). After 24 h of treatment, both drugs exhibited a dose-dependent antileishmanial activity, with 50% lethal dose (LD50) values of, respectively, 8.3 microM and 7 microM on L. major; minor activity was observed on L. infantum. These results add new in vitro insights into the wide-spectrum efficacy of PI and suggest studying their action on amastigote forms of leishmania within macrophages in order to validate their potential contribution against opportunistic infections in treated seropositive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianella Savoia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino at S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Torino, Italy.
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18
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Goldberg DE, Smithen LM, Angelilli A, Freeman WR. HIV-associated retinopathy in the HAART era. Retina 2005; 25:633-49; quiz 682-3. [PMID: 16077362 DOI: 10.1097/00006982-200507000-00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in restoring immune function in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has led to changes in the incidence, natural history, management, and sequelae of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated retinopathies, especially cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. METHODS The medical literature pertaining to HIV-associated retinopathies was reviewed with special attention to the differences in incidence, management strategies, and complications of these conditions in the eras both before and after the widespread use of HAART. RESULTS In the pre-HAART era, CMV retinitis was the most common HIV-associated retinopathy, occurring in 20%-40% of patients. Median time to progression was 47 to 104 days, mean survival after diagnosis was 6 to 10 months, and indefinite intravenous maintenance therapy was mandatory. Retinal detachment occurred in 24%-50% of patients annually. Herpetic retinopathy and toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis occurred in 1%-3% of patients and Pneumocystis carinii choroiditis, syphilitic retinitis, tuberculous choroiditis, cryptococcal choroiditis, and intraocular lymphoma occurred infrequently. In the HAART era the incidence of CMV retinitis has declined 80% and survival after diagnosis has increased to over 1 year. Immune recovery in patients on HAART has allowed safe discontinuation of maintenance therapy in patients with regressed CMV retinitis and other HIV-associated retinopathies. Immune recovery uveitis (IRU) is a HAART dependent inflammatory response that may occur in up to 63% of patients with regressed CMV retinitis and elevated CD4 counts and is associated with vision loss from epiretinal membrane, cataract, and cystoid macular edema. CONCLUSIONS The incidence, visual morbidity, and mortality of CMV retinitis and other HIV-associated retinopathies have decreased in the era of HAART and lifelong maintenance therapy may safely be discontinued in patients with restored immune function. Patients with regressed CMV retinitis, however, may still lose vision from epiretinal membrane, cystoid macular edema, and cataract secondary to IRU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Goldberg
- Vitreous, Retina, Macula Consultants of New York, LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Laboratory, Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, New York, New York 10022, USA.
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