1
|
Nieto-Meneses R, Castillo R, Hernández-Campos A, Nogueda-Torres B, López-Villegas EO, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Matadamas-Martínez F, Yépez-Mulia L. Characterization of the Effect of N-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1 H-benzimidazol-2-amine, Compound 8, against Leishmania mexicana and Its In Vivo Leishmanicidal Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:659. [PMID: 38203832 PMCID: PMC10779428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010659] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy currently available for leishmaniasis treatment has many adverse side effects and drug resistance. Therefore, the identification of new targets and the development of new drugs are urgently needed. Previously, we reported the synthesis of a N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine, named compound 8, with an IC50 value in the micromolar range against L. mexicana, it also inhibited 68.27% the activity of recombinant L. mexicana arginase. Herein, we report studies carried out to characterize the mechanism of action of compound 8, as well as its in vivo leishmanicidal activity. It was shown in our ultrastructural studies that compound 8 induces several changes, such as membrane blebbing, the presence of autophagosomes, membrane detachment and mitochondrial and kinetoplast disorganization, among others. Compound 8 triggers the production of ROS and parasite apoptosis. It reduced 71% of the parasite load of L. mexicana in an experimental model of cutaneous leishmaniasis in comparison with a control. Altogether, the data obtained suggest the potential use of compound 8 in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Nieto-Meneses
- Departamento de Parasitología, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.N.-M.); (B.N.-T.)
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Rafael Castillo
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (R.C.); (A.H.-C.)
| | - Alicia Hernández-Campos
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (R.C.); (A.H.-C.)
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (R.N.-M.); (B.N.-T.)
| | | | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico;
| | - Félix Matadamas-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Lilián Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias-UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hassan AH, Bayoumi WA, El-Sayed SM, Phan TN, Oh T, Ham G, Mahmoud K, No JH, Lee YS. Design, Synthesis, and Repurposing of Rosmarinic Acid-β-Amino-α-Ketoamide Hybrids as Antileishmanial Agents. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1594. [PMID: 38004459 PMCID: PMC10675174 DOI: 10.3390/ph16111594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of rosmarinic acid-β-amino-α-ketoamide hybrids were synthesized and rationally repurposed towards the identification of new antileishmanial hit compounds. Two hybrids, 2g and 2h, showed promising activity (IC50 values of 9.5 and 8.8 μM against Leishmania donovani promastigotes, respectively). Their activities were comparable to erufosine. In addition, cytotoxicity evaluation employing human THP-1 cells revealed that the two hybrids 2g and 2h possess no cytotoxic effects up to 100 µM, while erufosine possessed cytotoxicity with CC50 value of 19.4 µM. In silico docking provided insights into structure-activity relationship emphasizing the importance of the aliphatic chain at the α-carbon of the cinnamoyl carbonyl group establishing favorable binding interactions with LdCALP and LARG in both hybrids 2g and 2h. In light of these findings, hybrids 2g and 2h are suggested as potential safe antileishmanial hit compounds for further development of anti-leishmanial agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H.E. Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Waleed A. Bayoumi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Selwan M. El-Sayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Trong-Nhat Phan
- Institute of Applied Science and Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Applied Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Taegeun Oh
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeongpyo Ham
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Kazem Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City 11829, Egypt
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si 13488, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sup Lee
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hassan AHE, Mahmoud K, Phan TN, Shaldam MA, Lee CH, Kim YJ, Cho SB, Bayoumi WA, El-Sayed SM, Choi Y, Moon S, No JH, Lee YS. Bestatin analogs-4-quinolinone hybrids as antileishmanial hits: Design, repurposing rational, synthesis, in vitro and in silico studies. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115211. [PMID: 36827952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Amongst different forms of leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. donovani is highly mortal. Identification of new hit compounds might afford new starting points to develop novel therapeutics. In this lieu, a rationally designed small library of bestatin analogs-4-quinolone hybrids were prepared and evaluated. Analysis of SAR unveiled distinct profiles for hybrids type 1 and type 2, which might arise from their different molecular targets. Amongst type 1 bestatin analog-4-quinolone hybrids, hybrid 1e was identified as potential hit inhibiting growth of L. donovani promastigotes by 91 and 53% at 50 and 25 μM concentrations, respectively. Meanwhile, hybrid 2j was identified amongst type 2 bestatin analog-4-quinolone hybrids as potential hit compound inhibiting growth of L. donovani promastigotes by 50 and 38% at 50 and 25 μM concentrations, respectively. Preliminary safety evaluation of the promising hit compounds showed that they are 50-100 folds safer against human derived monocytic THP-1 cells relative to the drug erufosine. In silico study was conducted to predict the possible binding of hybrid 1e with methionine aminopeptidases 1 and 2 of L. donovani. Molecular dynamic simulations verified the predicted binding modes and provide more in depth understanding of the impact of hybrid 1e on LdMetAP-1 and LdMetAP-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H E Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt; Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kazem Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City, Cairo, 11829, Egypt
| | - Trong-Nhat Phan
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Moataz A Shaldam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt
| | - Chae Hyeon Lee
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Ju Kim
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Bin Cho
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Waleed A Bayoumi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Selwan M El-Sayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Yeonwoo Choi
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Suyeon Moon
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hwan No
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Sup Lee
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Antileishmanial Efficacy of the Calpain Inhibitor MDL28170 in Combination with Amphotericin B. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7020029. [PMID: 35202224 PMCID: PMC8878347 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7020029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The necessity of drug combinations to treat leishmaniasis came to the surface mainly because of the toxicity of current treatments and the emergence of resistant strains. The calpain inhibitor MDL28170 has previously shown anti-Leishmania activity, therefore its use in association with standard drugs could provide a new alternative for the treatment strategy against leishmaniasis. In this study, we analyzed the potential of the combination of MDL28170 and the antileishmanial drug amphotericin B against Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania chagasi. The compounds were tested in the combination of the ½ × IC50 value of MDL28170 plus the ¼ × IC50 value of amphotericin B, which led to an increment in the anti-promastigote activity when compared to the single drug treatments. This drug association revealed several and severe morphophysiological changes on parasite cells, such as loss of plasma membrane integrity, reduced size of flagellum, and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential besides increased reactive oxygen species production. In addition, the combination of both drugs had a deleterious effect on the Leishmania–macrophage interaction, reflecting in a significant anti-amastigote action, which achieved a reduction of 50% in the association index. These results indicate that the combination treatment proposed here may represent a new alternative for leishmaniasis chemotherapy.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ennes-Vidal V, dos Santos ALS, Branquinha MH, d’Avila-Levy CM. Proteolytic inhibitors as alternative medicines to treat trypanosomatid-caused diseases: experience with calpain inhibitors. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220017. [PMID: 35352772 PMCID: PMC8958894 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment for tropical neglected diseases, such as Chagas disease (CD) and leishmaniasis, is extremely limited to a handful of drugs that suffer from unacceptable toxicity, tough administration routes, like parenteral, and increasing treatment failures due to the parasite resistance. Consequently, there is urgency for the development of new therapeutic options to treat such diseases. Since peptidases from these parasites are responsible for crucial functions in their biology, these molecules have been explored as alternative targets. In this context, a myriad of proteolytic inhibitors has been developed against calcium-dependent cysteine-type peptidases, collectively called calpains, which are implicated in several human pathophysiological diseases. These molecules are highly expanded in the genome of trypanosomatids and they have been reported participating in several parasite biological processes. In the present perspective, we discuss our almost two decades of experience employing the calpain inhibitors as an interesting shortcut to a possible repurpose strategy to treat CD and leishmaniasis.
Collapse
|
6
|
Cysteine proteases as potential targets for anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 46:116365. [PMID: 34419821 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116365] [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: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis are endemic neglected disease in South America and Africa and considered a significant public health problem, mainly in poor communities. The limitations of the current available therapeutic options, including the lack of specificity, relatively high toxicity, and the drug resistance acquiring, drive the constant search for new targets and therapeutic options. Advances in knowledge of parasite biology have revealed essential enzymes involved in the replication, survival, and pathogenicity of Leishmania and Trypanosoma species. In this scenario, cysteine proteases have drawn the attention of researchers and they are being proposed as promising targets for drug discovery of antiprotozoal drugs. In this systematic review, we will provide an update on drug discovery strategies targeting the cysteine proteases as potential targets for chemotherapy against protozoal neglected diseases.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ennes-Vidal V, Branquinha MH, dos Santos ALS, d’Avila-Levy CM. The Diverse Calpain Family in Trypanosomatidae: Functional Proteins Devoid of Proteolytic Activity? Cells 2021; 10:cells10020299. [PMID: 33535641 PMCID: PMC7912814 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Calpains are calcium-dependent cysteine peptidases that were originally described in mammals and, thereafter, their homologues were identified in almost all known living organisms. The deregulated activity of these peptidases is associated with several pathologies and, consequently, huge efforts have been made to identify selective inhibitors. Trypanosomatids, responsible for life-threatening human diseases, possess a large and diverse family of calpain sequences in their genomes. Considering that the current therapy to treat trypanosomatid diseases is limited to a handful of drugs that suffer from unacceptable toxicity, tough administration routes, like parenteral, and increasing treatment failures, a repurposed approach with calpain inhibitors could be a shortcut to successful chemotherapy. However, there is a general lack of knowledge about calpain functions in these parasites and, currently, the proteolytic activity of these proteins is still an open question. Here, we highlight the current research and perspectives on trypanosomatid calpains, overview calpain description in these organisms, and explore the potential of targeting the calpain system as a therapeutic strategy. This review gathers the current knowledge about this fascinating family of peptidases as well as insights into the puzzle: are we unable to measure calpain activity in trypanosomatids, or are the functions of these proteins devoid of proteolytic activity in these parasites?
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vítor Ennes-Vidal
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2562-1014
| | - Marta Helena Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-901 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (M.H.B.); (A.L.S.d.S.)
| | - André Luis Souza dos Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-901 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; (M.H.B.); (A.L.S.d.S.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-909 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia Masini d’Avila-Levy
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Leishmanicidal therapy targeted to parasite proteases. Life Sci 2019; 219:163-181. [PMID: 30641084 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is considered a serious public health problem and the current available therapy has several disadvantages, which makes the search for new therapeutic targets and alternative treatments extremely necessary. In this context, this review focuses on the importance of parasite proteases as target drugs against Leishmania parasites, as a chemotherapy approach. Initially, we discuss about the current scenario for the treatment of leishmaniasis, highlighting the main drugs used and the problems related to their use. Subsequently, we describe the inhibitors of major proteases of Leishmania already discovered, such as Compound s9 (aziridine-2,3-dicarboxylate), Compound 1c (benzophenone derivative), Au2Phen (gold complex), AubipyC (gold complex), MDL 28170 (dipeptidyl aldehyde), K11777, Hirudin, diazo-acetyl norleucine methyl ester, Nelfinavir, Saquinavir, Nelfinavir, Saquinavir, Indinavir, Saquinavir, GNF5343 (azabenzoxazole), GNF6702 (azabenzoxazole), Benzamidine and TPCK. Next, we discuss the importance of the protease gene to parasite survival and the aspects of the validation of proteases as target drugs, with emphasis on gene disruption. Then, we describe novel important strategies that can be used to support the research of new antiparasitic drugs, such as molecular modeling and nanotechnology, whose main targets are parasitic proteases. And finally, we discuss possible perspectives to improve drug development. Based on all findings, proteases could be considered potential targets against leishmaniasis.
Collapse
|
9
|
Susceptibility of promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes from distinct Leishmania species to the calpain inhibitor MDL28170. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2085-2094. [PMID: 29728827 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5894-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the available drug options, leishmaniasis treatment remains unsatisfactory. The repurposing of calpain inhibitors originally developed for human diseases became an interesting alternative, since Leishmania cells express calpain-related proteins. The susceptibility of six Leishmania species (L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis, L. major, L. mexicana, L. chagasi, and L. donovani) to the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 was determined. Promastigote and intracellular amastigote viability in the presence of MDL28170 was evaluated. MDL28170 was able to reduce promastigote proliferation in a dose-dependent manner for all the parasites. A significant reduction on the general parasite metabolism was detected, as judged by resazurin assay, as well as induced important morphological alterations, including rounding promastigotes and loss of the flagellum. MDL28170 was also able to reduce the number of intracellular amastigotes in RAW macrophages. The susceptibility of both parasite stages (promastigotes and amastigotes) to MDL28170 was similar for all Leishmania species tested. MDL28170 showed a much higher toxicity to Leishmania amastigotes when compared with mammalian macrophages, displaying selectivity index values varying from 13.1 to 39.8. These results suggest that the development of calpain inhibitors may represent an interesting alternative in the treatment of leishmaniasis.
Collapse
|
10
|
Marinho FA, Sangenito LS, Oliveira SSC, De Arruda LB, D'Ávila-Levy CM, Santos ALS, Branquinha MH. The potent cell permeable calpain inhibitor MDL28170 affects the interaction of Leishmania amazonensis with macrophages and shows anti-amastigote activity. Parasitol Int 2017; 66:579-583. [PMID: 28663009 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the28 first drugs used in leishmaniasis treatment up to now, the search for compounds with anti-Leishmania activity without toxic effects and able to overcome the emergency of resistant strains remains a major goal to combat this neglected disease. With this in mind, in the present work, we evaluated the effects of the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 on the interaction process of Leishmania amazonensis promastigote forms with murine peritoneal macrophages and on the intracellular amastigotes. Our results showed that the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 at 15 and 30μM significantly reduced the interaction process of promastigotes with macrophages by 16% and 41%, respectively. The inhibitor was also able to drastically reduce the number of infected macrophages in a time- and dose-dependent manner: after only 24h, MDL28170 was able to significantly diminish the infection rate, presenting an IC50 value of 18.2μM for amastigotes. The treatment with MDL28170 did not alter the nitric oxide production, but the production of TNF-α was significantly raised. Altogether, the results presented here contribute to the search of new proteolytic inhibitors able to act in a selective and effective manner against the diseases caused by trypanosomatids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda A Marinho
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
| | - Leandro S Sangenito
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
| | - Simone S C Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
| | - Luciana B De Arruda
- Laboratório de Genética e Imunologia das Infecções Virais, Departamento de Virologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
| | - Claudia M D'Ávila-Levy
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Coleção de Protozoários, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes (IMPG), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Why calpain inhibitors are interesting leading compounds to search for new therapeutic options to treat leishmaniasis? Parasitology 2016; 144:117-123. [PMID: 27869056 PMCID: PMC5300003 DOI: 10.1017/s003118201600189x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease, which needs improvements in drug development, mainly due to the toxicity, parasite resistance and low compliance of patients to treatment. Therefore, the development of new chemotherapeutic compounds is an urgent need. This opinion article will briefly highlight the feasible use of calpain inhibitors as leading compounds to search for new therapeutic options to treat leishmaniasis. The milestone of this approach is to take advantage on the myriad of inhibitors developed against calpains, some of which are in advanced clinical trials. The deregulated activity of these enzymes is associated with several pathologies, such as strokes, diabetes and Parkinson's disease, to name a few. In Leishmania, calpain upregulation has been associated to drug resistance and virulence. Whereas the difficulties in developing new drugs for neglected diseases are more economical than biotechnological, repurposing approach with compounds already approved for clinical use by the regulatory agencies can be an interesting shortcut to a successful chemotherapeutic treatment for leishmaniasis.
Collapse
|
12
|
Monroy VS, Flores OM, García CG, Maya YC, Fernández TD, Pérez Ishiwara DG. Calpain-like: A Ca(2+) dependent cystein protease in Entamoeba histolytica cell death. Exp Parasitol 2015; 159:245-51. [PMID: 26496790 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica programmed cell death (PCD) induced by G418 is characterized by the release of important amounts of intracellular calcium from reservoirs. Nevertheless, no typical caspases have been detected in the parasite, the PCD phenotype is inhibited by the cysteine protease inhibitor E-64. These results strongly suggest that Ca(2+)-dependent proteases could be involved in PCD. In this study, we evaluate the expression and activity of a specific dependent Ca(2+) protease, the calpain-like protease, by real-time quantitative PCR (RTq-PCR), Western blot assays and a enzymatic method during the induction of PCD by G418. Alternatively, using cell viability and TUNEL assays, we also demonstrated that the Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-al calpain inhibitor reduced the rate of cell death. The results demonstrated 4.9-fold overexpression of calpain-like gene 1.5 h after G418 PCD induction, while calpain-like protein increased almost two-fold with respect to basal calpain-like expression after 3 h of induction, and calpain activity was found to be approximately three-fold higher 6 h after treatment compared with untreated trophozoites. Taken together, these results suggest that this Ca(2+)-dependent protease could be involved in the executory phase of PCD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Sánchez Monroy
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular I, Programa Institucional de Biomedicina Molecular, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, IPN, Guillermo Massieu Helguera No.239, Fracc. La Escalera, Col. Ticomán, D.F, C.P.07320, Mexico; Laboratorio Multidisciplinario de Investigación, Escuela Militar de Graduados de Sanidad, UDEFA, Lomas de San Isidro, DF, CP 11620, Mexico
| | - Olivia Medel Flores
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular I, Programa Institucional de Biomedicina Molecular, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, IPN, Guillermo Massieu Helguera No.239, Fracc. La Escalera, Col. Ticomán, D.F, C.P.07320, Mexico
| | - Consuelo Gómez García
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular I, Programa Institucional de Biomedicina Molecular, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, IPN, Guillermo Massieu Helguera No.239, Fracc. La Escalera, Col. Ticomán, D.F, C.P.07320, Mexico
| | - Yesenia Chávez Maya
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán Izcalli, UNAM, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Estado de México CP.54740, Mexico
| | - Tania Domínguez Fernández
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular I, Programa Institucional de Biomedicina Molecular, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, IPN, Guillermo Massieu Helguera No.239, Fracc. La Escalera, Col. Ticomán, D.F, C.P.07320, Mexico
| | - D Guillermo Pérez Ishiwara
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular I, Programa Institucional de Biomedicina Molecular, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, IPN, Guillermo Massieu Helguera No.239, Fracc. La Escalera, Col. Ticomán, D.F, C.P.07320, Mexico; Centro de Investigación en Ciencia Aplicada. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Tepetitla de Lardizabal, Tlaxcala, Doctorado en Biotecnología, Red de Investigación en Biotecnología IPN, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
de Oliveira SSC, Garcia-Gomes ADS, d'Avila-Levy CM, dos Santos ALS, Branquinha MH. Expression of calpain-like proteins and effects of calpain inhibitors on the growth rate of Angomonas deanei wild type and aposymbiotic strains. BMC Microbiol 2015; 15:188. [PMID: 26415499 PMCID: PMC4587752 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-015-0519-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angomonas deanei is a trypanosomatid parasite of insects that has a bacterial endosymbiont, which supplies amino acids and other nutrients to its host. Bacterium loss induced by antibiotic treatment of the protozoan leads to an aposymbiotic strain with increased need for amino acids and results in increased production of extracellular peptidases. In this work, a more detailed examination of A. deanei was conducted to determine the effects of endosymbiont loss on the host calpain-like proteins (CALPs), followed by testing of different calpain inhibitors on parasite proliferation. Results Western blotting showed the presence of different protein bands reactive to antibodies against calpain from Drosophila melanogaster (anti-Dm-calpain), lobster calpain (anti-CDPIIb) and cytoskeleton-associated calpain from Trypanosoma brucei (anti-CAP5.5), suggesting a possible modulation of CALPs influenced by the endosymbiont. In the cell-free culture supernatant of A. deanei wild type and aposymbiotic strains, a protein of 80 kDa cross-reacted with the anti-Dm-calpain antibody; however, no cross-reactivity was found with anti-CAP5.5 and anti-CDPIIb antibodies. A search in A. deanei genome for homologues of D. melanogaster calpain, T. brucei CAP5.5 and lobster CDPIIb calpain revealed the presence of hits with at least one calpain conserved domain and also with theoretical molecular mass consistent with the recognition by each antibody. No significant hit was observed in the endosymbiont genome, indicating that calpain molecules might be absent from the symbiont. Flow cytometry analysis of cells treated with the anti-calpain antibodies showed that a larger amount of reactive epitopes was located intracellularly. The reversible calpain inhibitor MDL28170 displayed a much higher efficacy in diminishing the growth of both strains compared to the non-competitive calpain inhibitor PD150606, while the irreversible calpain inhibitor V only marginally diminished the proliferation. Conclusions Altogether, these results indicate that distinct calpain-like molecules are expressed by A. deanei, with a possible modulation in the expression influenced by the endosymbiont. In addition, treatment with MDL28170 affects the growth rate of both strains, as previously determined in the human pathogenic species Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi, with whom A. deanei shares immunological and biochemical relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Santiago Carvalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Aline dos Santos Garcia-Gomes
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Coleção de Protozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Laboratório de Microbiologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia - Campus Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Masini d'Avila-Levy
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Coleção de Protozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - André Luis Souza dos Santos
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta Helena Branquinha
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Why strategies to control Leishmania spp. multiplication based on the use of proteinase inhibitors should consider multiple targets and not only a single enzyme. J Mol Model 2014; 20:2465. [PMID: 25296889 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-014-2465-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of proteinases as targets to develop novel chemotherapies against Leishmania spp. infections is a very promising strategy. Based on a previous study by Goyal et al. [J Mol Model (2014) 20:2099], we discuss herein the idea that only a combined treatment with distinct proteinase inhibitors would be an effective antileishmanial therapy.
Collapse
|
15
|
Tschoeke DA, Nunes GL, Jardim R, Lima J, Dumaresq AS, Gomes MR, de Mattos Pereira L, Loureiro DR, Stoco PH, de Matos Guedes HL, de Miranda AB, Ruiz J, Pitaluga A, Silva FP, Probst CM, Dickens NJ, Mottram JC, Grisard EC, Dávila AM. The Comparative Genomics and Phylogenomics of Leishmania amazonensis Parasite. Evol Bioinform Online 2014; 10:131-53. [PMID: 25336895 PMCID: PMC4182287 DOI: 10.4137/ebo.s13759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by Leishmania species. Leishmania amazonensis is a New World Leishmania species belonging to the Mexicana complex, which is able to cause all types of leishmaniasis infections. The L. amazonensis reference strain MHOM/BR/1973/M2269 was sequenced identifying 8,802 codifying sequences (CDS), most of them of hypothetical function. Comparative analysis using six Leishmania species showed a core set of 7,016 orthologs. L. amazonensis and Leishmania mexicana share the largest number of distinct orthologs, while Leishmania braziliensis presented the largest number of inparalogs. Additionally, phylogenomic analysis confirmed the taxonomic position for L. amazonensis within the “Mexicana complex”, reinforcing understanding of the split of New and Old World Leishmania. Potential non-homologous isofunctional enzymes (NISE) were identified between L. amazonensis and Homo sapiens that could provide new drug targets for development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diogo A Tschoeke
- Pólo de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz/IOC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gisele L Nunes
- Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Jardim
- Pólo de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz/IOC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Joana Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Aline Sr Dumaresq
- Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Monete R Gomes
- Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leandro de Mattos Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniel R Loureiro
- Pólo de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz/IOC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patricia H Stoco
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Herbert Leonel de Matos Guedes
- Laboratório de Inflamação Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Immunity, Infection and Inflammation, College of MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Antonio Basilio de Miranda
- Pólo de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz/IOC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jeronimo Ruiz
- Pólo de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz/IOC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Instituto René Rachou (Fiocruz/IRR), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - André Pitaluga
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Floriano P Silva
- Pólo de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz/IOC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Christian M Probst
- Pólo de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz/IOC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Instituto Carlos Chagas (Fiocruz/ICC), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Nicholas J Dickens
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Immunity, Infection and Inflammation, College of MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jeremy C Mottram
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Immunity, Infection and Inflammation, College of MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Edmundo C Grisard
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Alberto Mr Dávila
- Pólo de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz/IOC), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Laboratório de Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
The calpain inhibitor MDL28170 induces the expression of apoptotic markers in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87659. [PMID: 24498160 PMCID: PMC3909198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by distinct species, including Leishmania amazonensis. Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis is far from satisfactory due to increases in drug resistance and relapses, and toxicity of compounds to the host. As a consequence for this situation, the development of new leishmanicidal drugs and the search of new targets in the parasite biology are important goals. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we investigated the mechanism of death pathway induced by the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 on Leishmania amazonensis promastigote forms. The combined use of different techniques was applied to contemplate this goal. MDL28170 treatment with IC50 (15 µM) and two times the IC50 doses induced loss of parasite viability, as verified by resazurin assay, as well as depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, which was quantified by JC-1 staining. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic images revealed drastic alterations on the parasite morphology, some of them resembling apoptotic-like death, including cell shrinking, surface membrane blebs and altered chromatin condensation pattern. The lipid rearrangement of the plasma membrane was detected by Annexin-V labeling. The inhibitor also induced a significant increase in the proportion of cells in the sub-G0/G1 phase, as quantified by propidium iodide staining, as well as genomic DNA fragmentation, detected by TUNEL assay. In cells treated with MDL28170 at two times the IC50 dose, it was also possible to observe an oligonucleossomal DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis. Conclusions/Significance The data presented in the current study suggest that MDL28170 induces apoptotic marker expression in promastigotes of L. amazonensis. Altogether, the results described in the present work not only provide a rationale for further exploration of the mechanism of action of calpain inhibitors against trypanosomatids, but may also widen the investigation of the potential clinical utility of calpain inhibitors in the chemotherapy of leishmaniases.
Collapse
|
17
|
Branquinha MH, Marinho FA, Sangenito LS, Oliveira SSC, Goncalves KC, Ennes-Vidal V, d'Avila-Levy CM, Santos ALS. Calpains: potential targets for alternative chemotherapeutic intervention against human pathogenic trypanosomatids. Curr Med Chem 2013; 20:3174-85. [PMID: 23899207 PMCID: PMC4181241 DOI: 10.2174/0929867311320250010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The treatment for both leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, which are severe human infections caused by trypanosomatids belonging to Leishmania and Trypanosoma genera, respectively, is extremely limited because of concerns of toxicity and efficacy with the available anti-protozoan drugs, as well as the emergence of drug resistance. Consequently, the urgency for the discovery of new trypanosomatid targets and novel bioactive compounds is particularly necessary. In this context, the investigation of changes in parasite gene expression between drug resistant/sensitive strains and in the up-regulation of virulence-related genes in infective forms has brought to the fore the involvement of calpain-like proteins in several crucial pathophysiological processes performed by trypanosomatids. These studies were encouraged by the publication of the complete genome sequences of three human pathogenic trypanosomatids, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major, which allowed in silico analyses that in turn directed the identification of numerous genes with interesting chemotherapeutic characteristics, including a large family of calpain-related proteins, in which to date 23 genes were assigned as calpains in T. brucei, 40 in T. cruzi and 33 in L. braziliensis. In the present review, we intend to add to these biochemical/biological reports the investigations performed upon the inhibitory capability of calpain inhibitors against human pathogenic trypanosomatids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Investigação de Peptidases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes-IMPG, Centro de Ciências da Saúde-CCS, Bloco Esubsolo, Sala 05, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro-UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Leishmania (L.) amazonensis peptidase activities inside the living cells and in their lysates. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2012; 184:82-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2012.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Revised: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
19
|
Sangenito LS, Gonçalves KC, Abi-chacra ÉA, Sodré CL, d’Avila-Levy CM, Branquinha MH, Santos ALS. Multiple effects of pepstatin A on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote forms. Parasitol Res 2011; 110:2533-40. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2796-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|
20
|
Ennes-Vidal V, Menna-Barreto RFS, Santos ALS, Branquinha MH, d'Avila-Levy CM. MDL28170, a calpain inhibitor, affects Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis, ultrastructure and attachment to Rhodnius prolixus midgut. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18371. [PMID: 21483751 PMCID: PMC3070728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2010] [Accepted: 03/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas' disease. During the parasite life cycle, many molecules are involved in the differentiation process and infectivity. Peptidases are relevant for crucial steps of T. cruzi life cycle; as such, it is conceivable that they may participate in the metacyclogenesis and interaction with the invertebrate host. Methodology/Principal Findings In this paper, we have investigated the effect of the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 on the attachment of T. cruzi epimastigotes to the luminal midgut surface of Rhodnius prolixus, as well as on the metacyclogenesis process and ultrastructure. MDL28170 treatment was capable of significantly reducing the number of bound epimastigotes to the luminal surface midgut of the insect. Once the cross-reactivity of the anti-Dm-calpain was assessed, it was possible to block calpain molecules by the antibody, leading to a significant reduction in the capacity of adhesion to the insect guts by T. cruzi. However, the antibodies were unable to interfere in metacyclogenesis, which was impaired by the calpain inhibitor presenting a significant reduction in the number of metacyclic trypomastigotes. The calpain inhibitor also promoted a direct effect against bloodstream trypomastigotes. Ultrastructural analysis of epimastigotes treated with the calpain inhibitor revealed disorganization in the reservosomes, Golgi and plasma membrane disruption. Conclusions/Significance The presence of calpain and calpain-like molecules in a wide range of organisms suggests that these proteins could be necessary for basic cellular functions. Herein, we demonstrated the effects of MDL28170 in crucial steps of the T. cruzi life cycle, such as attachment to the insect midgut and metacyclogenesis, as well as in parasite viability and morphology. Together with our previous findings, these results help to shed some light on the functions of T. cruzi calpains. Considering the potential roles of these molecules on the interaction with both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, it is interesting to improve knowledge on these molecules in T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vítor Ennes-Vidal
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ennes-Vidal V, Menna-Barreto RFS, Santos ALS, Branquinha MH, d'Avila-Levy CM. Effects of the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 on the clinically relevant forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro. J Antimicrob Chemother 2010; 65:1395-8. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkq154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
22
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Arrested growth of Trypanosoma cruzi by the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 and detection of calpain homologues in epimastigote forms. Parasitology 2009; 136:433-41. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182009005629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYIn this paper, we aimed to explore the effects of the calpain inhibitor III (MDL28170) and to detect calpain-like molecules (CALPs) in epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi isolate Dm28c. MDL28170 at 70 μM promoted a powerful reduction in the growth rate after 48 h. The IC50 value was calculated to be 31·7 μM. This inhibitor promoted an increase in the cellular volume, but not cell lysis, resulting in a trypanostatic effect. T. cruzi CALPs presented a strong cross-reactivity with anti-Drosophila melanogaster calpain and anti-cytoskeleton-associated protein from Trypanosoma brucei antibodies, and labelling was found mainly intracellularly. Furthermore, an 80 kDa reactive protein was detected by Western blotting assays. No significant cross-reactivity was found with anti-human brain calpain antibody. The expression of CALPs was decreased in cells kept for long periods in axenic cultures in comparison to a strain recently isolated from mice, as well as in MDL28170-treated cells, the latter being paralleled by an increased expression of cruzipain. Different levels of CALPs expression were also detected in distinct phylogenetic lineages, like Y strain (lineage TCI), Dm28c (TCII) and INPA6147 strain (Z3 zymodeme). These results may contribute for the investigation of the functions of CALPs in trypanosomatids.
Collapse
|
24
|
Cysteine peptidases in Herpetomonas samuelpessoai are modulated by temperature and dimethylsulfoxide-triggered differentiation. Parasitology 2009; 136:45-54. [PMID: 19126269 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182008005209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine peptidases of protozoa have been implicated in a variety of biological events, and the expression of these enzymes is modulated in response to distinct stimuli, including environmental changes and differentiation. In the present work, we have examined the expression of cysteine peptidases from Herpetomonas samuelpessoai grown at distinct temperatures and during dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-elicited differentiation. We demonstrated that a 45 kDa cysteine peptidase had its activity reduced during the parasite growth at 37 degrees C in comparison to 26 degrees C, and when cultured up to 72 h in the presence of DMSO. The modulation in the 45 kDa cysteine peptidase expression is connected to the differentiation process, since both temperature and DMSO are able to trigger the promastigote to paramastigote transformation in H. samuelpessoai. The possible immunological similarity of H. samuelpessoai proteins with well-known cysteine peptidases produced by trypanosomatid pathogens, including cruzipain (Trypanosoma cruzi) and cysteine peptidase b (cpb) from Leishmania mexicana, was also investigated, as well as with calpain molecules. The protein cellular lysate of H. samuelpessoai reacted with antibodies raised against cpb of L. mexicana and calpain of Drosophila melanogaster; however, no reaction was observed against cruzipain. The 35 kDa cpb-like protein had its expression diminished in DMSO-treated parasites, while the 80 kDa calpain-like molecule was enhanced and an additional 30 kDa calpain-related polypeptide was exclusively observed in these cells. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses corroborated these data. The results described above add H. samuelpessoai to the list of parasites whose differentiation seems to be correlated with cysteine peptidase expression.
Collapse
|