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Hassan AHE, Alam MM, Phan TN, Baek KH, Lee H, Cho SB, Lee CH, Kim YJ, No JH, Lee YS. Repurposing of conformationally-restricted cyclopentane-based AKT-inhibitors leads to discovery of potential and more selective antileishmanial agents than miltefosine. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106890. [PMID: 37783099 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Conformational restriction was addressed towards the development of more selective and effective antileishmanial agents than currently used drugs for treatment of Leishmania donovani; the causative parasite of the fatal visceral leishmaniasis. Five types of cyclopentane-based conformationally restricted miltefosine analogs that were previously explored in literature as anticancer AKT-inhibitors were reprepared and repurposed as antileishmanial agents. Amongst, positions-1 and 2 cis-conformationally-restricted compound 1a and positions-2 and 3 trans-conformationally-restricted compound 3b were highly potent eliciting sub-micromolar IC50 values for inhibition of infection and inhibition of parasite number compared with the currently used miltefosine drug that showed low micromolar IC50 values for inhibition of infection and inhibition of parasite number. Compounds 1a and 3b eradicated the parasite without triggering host cells cytotoxicity over more than one log concentration interval which is a superior performance compared to miltefosine. In silico studies suggested that conformational restriction conserved the conformer capable of binding LdAKT-like kinase while it might be possible that it excludes other conformers mediating undesirable effects and/or toxicity of miltefosine. Together, this study presents compounds 1a and 3b as antileishmanial agents with superior performance over the currently used miltefosine drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H E Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mohammad Maqusood Alam
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Trong-Nhat Phan
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Baek
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeryon Lee
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Bin Cho
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Hyeon Lee
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Ju Kim
- Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, 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, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; Department of Fundamental Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Cabral FV, Cerone M, Persheyev S, Lian C, Samuel IDW, Ribeiro MS, Smith TK. New insights in photodynamic inactivation of Leishmania amazonensis: A focus on lipidomics and resistance. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289492. [PMID: 37713373 PMCID: PMC10503701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of drug resistance in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has become a major problem over the past decades. The spread of resistant phenotypes has been attributed to the wide misuse of current antileishmanial chemotherapy, which is a serious threat to global health. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be effective against a wide spectrum of drug-resistant pathogens. Due to its multi-target approach and immediate effects, it may be an attractive strategy for treatment of drug-resistant Leishmania species. In this study, we sought to evaluate the activity of PDT in vitro using the photosensitizer 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue (DMMB), against promastigotes of two Leishmania amazonensis strains: the wild-type (WT) and a lab induced miltefosine-resistant (MFR) strain. The underlying mechanisms of DMMB-PDT action upon the parasites was focused on the changes in the lipid metabolism of both strains, which was conducted by a quantitative lipidomics analysis. We also assessed the production of ROS, mitochondrial labeling and lipid droplets accumulation after DMMB-PDT. Our results show that DMMB-PDT produced high levels of ROS, promoting mitochondrial membrane depolarization due to the loss of membrane potential. In addition, both untreated strains revealed some differences in the lipid content, in which MFR parasites showed increased levels of phosphatidylcholine, hence suggesting this could also be related to their mechanism of resistance to miltefosine. Moreover, the oxidative stress and consequent lipid peroxidation led to significant phospholipid alterations, thereby resulting in cellular dysfunction and parasite death. Thus, our results demonstrated that DMMB-mediated PDT is effective to kill L. amazonensis MFR strain and should be further studied as a potential strategy to overcome antileishmanial drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda V. Cabral
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michela Cerone
- Schools of Biology & Chemistry, BSRC, University of St. Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
| | - Saydulla Persheyev
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Cheng Lian
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Ifor D. W. Samuel
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Martha S. Ribeiro
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Schools of Biology & Chemistry, BSRC, University of St. Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
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Yuan D, Chen J, Zhao Z, Qin H. Metabolomics analysis of visceral leishmaniasis based on urine of golden hamsters. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:304. [PMID: 37649093 PMCID: PMC10469881 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05881-3] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases and is spread mainly in impoverished regions of the world. Although many studies have focused on the host's response to Leishmania invasion, relatively less is known about the complex processes at the metabolic level, especially the metabolic alterations in the infected hosts. METHODS In this study, we conducted metabolomics analysis on the urine of golden hamsters in the presence or absence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system tandem high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS). The metabolic characteristics of urine samples, along with the histopathological change and the parasite burden of liver and spleen tissues, were detected at 4 and 12 weeks post infection (WPI), respectively. RESULTS Amino acid metabolism was extensively affected at both stages of VL progression. Meanwhile, there were also distinct metabolic features at different stages. At 4 WPI, the significantly affected metabolic pathways involved alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), histidine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. At 12 WPI, the markedly enriched metabolic pathways were almost concentrated on amino acid metabolism, including tyrosine metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. The dysregulated metabolites and metabolic pathways at 12 WPI were obviously less than those at 4 WPI. In addition, seven metabolites that were dysregulated at both stages through partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) tests were screened to be of diagnostic potential. The combination of these metabolites as a potential biomarker panel showed satisfactory performance in distinguishing infection groups from control groups as well as among different stages of infection. CONCLUSION Our findings could provide valuable information for further understanding of the host response to Leishmania infection from the aspect of the urine metabolome. The proposed urine biomarker panel could help in the development of a novel approach for the diagnosis and prognosis of VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Yuan
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwei Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hanxiao Qin
- Clinical Trial Center, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610021, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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Fairlamb AH, Wyllie S. The critical role of mode of action studies in kinetoplastid drug discovery. FRONTIERS IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2023; 3:fddsv.2023.1185679. [PMID: 37600222 PMCID: PMC7614965 DOI: 10.3389/fddsv.2023.1185679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the target and mode of action of compounds identified by phenotypic screening can greatly facilitate the process of drug discovery and development. Here, we outline the tools currently available for target identification against the neglected tropical diseases, human African trypanosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis and Chagas' disease. We provide examples how these tools can be used to identify and triage undesirable mechanisms, to identify potential toxic liabilities in patients and to manage a balanced portfolio of target-based campaigns. We review the primary targets of drugs that are currently in clinical development that were initially identified via phenotypic screening, and whose modes of action affect protein turnover, RNA trans-splicing or signalling in these protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan H. Fairlamb
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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Hughes K, Le TB, Van Der Smissen P, Tyteca D, Mingeot-Leclercq MP, Quetin-Leclercq J. The Antileishmanial Activity of Eugenol Associated with Lipid Storage Reduction Rather Than Membrane Properties Alterations. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093871. [PMID: 37175277 PMCID: PMC10179746 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that still infects thousands of people per year throughout the world. The occurrence of resistance against major treatments for this disease causes a healthcare burden in low-income countries. Eugenol is a phenylpropanoid that has shown in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania mexicana mexicana (Lmm) promastigotes with an IC50 of 2.72 µg/mL and a high selectivity index. Its specific mechanism of action has yet to be studied. We prepared large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), mimicking Lmm membranes, and observed that eugenol induced an increase in membrane permeability and a decrease in membrane fluidity at concentrations much higher than IC50. The effect of eugenol was similar to the current therapeutic antibiotic, amphotericin B, although the latter was effective at lower concentrations than eugenol. However, unlike amphotericin B, eugenol also affected the permeability of LUVs without sterol. Its effect on the membrane fluidity of Lmm showed that at high concentrations (≥22.5× IC50), eugenol increased membrane fluidity by 20-30%, while no effect was observed at lower concentrations. Furthermore, at concentrations below 10× IC50, a decrease in metabolic activity associated with the maintenance of membrane integrity revealed a leishmaniostatic effect after 24 h of incubation with Lmm promastigotes. While acidocalcisomes distribution and abundance revealed by Trypanosoma brucei vacuolar H+ pyrophosphatase (TbVP1) immunolabeling was not modified by eugenol, a dose-dependent decrease of lipid droplets assessed by the Nile Red assay was observed. We hereby demonstrate that the antileishmanial activity of eugenol might not directly involve plasma membrane sterols such as ergosterol, but rather target the lipid storage of Lmm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristelle Hughes
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 72, B1.72.03, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thanh Binh Le
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 72, B1.72.03, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Van Der Smissen
- CELL Unit and PICT Imaging Platform, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 75, B1.75.05, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Donatienne Tyteca
- CELL Unit and PICT Imaging Platform, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 75, B1.75.05, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie-Paule Mingeot-Leclercq
- Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Unit (FACM), Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, B1.73.05, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Quetin-Leclercq
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 72, B1.72.03, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
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Cabral FV, Yoshimura TM, Teixeira da Silva DDF, Cortez M, Ribeiro MS. Photodynamic therapy mediated by a red LED and methylene blue inactivates resistant Leishmania amazonensis. JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. A, OPTICS, IMAGE SCIENCE, AND VISION 2023; 40:996-1005. [PMID: 37133199 DOI: 10.1364/josaa.482314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease that leads to destructive lesions. The emergence of drug resistance has been a global concern over the past years. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by a red LED and methylene blue (MB) involves the overproduction of oxidative stress, which oxidizes several cellular biomolecules and prevents the selection of resistant strains. Herein, we investigated the potential of PDT mediated by MB against wild-type and miltefosine-resistant strains of Leishmania amazonensis. As a result, both strains were susceptible to PDT, thus encouraging us to seek the best conditions to overcome the drug resistance problem in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Olías-Molero AI, Botías P, Cuquerella M, García-Cantalejo J, Barcia E, Torrado S, Torrado JJ, Alunda JM. Effect of Clindamycin on Intestinal Microbiome and Miltefosine Pharmacology in Hamsters Infected with Leishmania infantum. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:362. [PMID: 36830274 PMCID: PMC9952363 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Leishmania donovani and L. infantum (Kinetoplastida), affects humans and dogs, being fatal unless treated. Miltefosine (MIL) is the only oral medication for VL and is considered a first choice drug when resistance to antimonials is present. Comorbidity and comedication are common in many affected patients but the relationship between microbiome composition, drugs administered and their pharmacology is still unknown. To explore the effect of clindamycin on the intestinal microbiome and the availability and distribution of MIL in target organs, Syrian hamsters (120-140 g) were inoculated with L. infantum (108 promastigotes/animal). Infection was maintained for 16 weeks, and the animals were treated with MIL (7 days, 5 mg/kg/day), clindamycin (1 mg/kg, single dose) + MIL (7 days, 5 mg/kg/day) or kept untreated. Infection was monitored by ELISA and fecal samples (16 wpi, 18 wpi, end point) were analyzed to determine the 16S metagenomic composition (OTUs) of the microbiome. MIL levels were determined by LC-MS/MS in plasma (24 h after the last treatment; end point) and target organs (spleen, liver) (end point). MIL did not significantly affect the composition of intestinal microbiome, but clindamycin provoked a transient albeit significant modification of the relative abundance of 45% of the genera, including Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Ruminococcus 2; Bacteroides and (Eubacterium) ruminantium group, besides its effect on less abundant phyla and families. Intestinal dysbiosis in the antibiotic-treated animals was associated with significantly lower levels of MIL in plasma, though not in target organs at the end of the experiment. No clear relationship between microbiome composition (OTUs) and pharmacological parameters was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Olías-Molero
- ICPVet, Department of Animal Health, School of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Botías
- Genomics Unit, Research Assistance Center of Biological Techniques, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat Cuquerella
- ICPVet, Department of Animal Health, School of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús García-Cantalejo
- Genomics Unit, Research Assistance Center of Biological Techniques, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilia Barcia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy UCM, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Torrado
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy UCM, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Torrado
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy UCM, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Alunda
- ICPVet, Department of Animal Health, School of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy UCM, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Cerone M, Roberts M, Smith TK. The lipidome of Crithidia fasiculataand its plasticity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:945750. [DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.945750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crithidia fasiculata belongs to the trypanosomatidae order of protozoan parasites, bearing close relation to other kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. As an early diverging lineage of eukaryotes, the study of kinetoplastid parasites has provided unique insights into alternative mechanisms to traditional eukaryotic metabolic pathways. Crithidia are a monogenetic parasite for mosquito species and have two distinct lifecycle stages both taking place in the mosquito gut. These consist of a motile choanomastigote form and an immotile amastigote form morphologically similar to amastigotes in Leishmania. Owing to their close relation to Leishmania, Crithidia are a growing research tool, with continuing interest in its use as a model organism for kinetoplastid research with the added benefit that they are non-pathogenic to humans and can be grown with no special equipment or requirements for biological containment. Although comparatively little research has taken place on Crithidia, similarities to other kinetoplast species has been shown in terms of energy metabolism and genetics. Crithidia also show similarities to kinetoplastids in their production of the monosaccharide D-arabinopyranose similar to Leishmania, which is incorporated into a lipoarabinogalactan a major cell surface GPI-anchored molecule. Additionally, Crithidia have been used as a eukaryotic expression system to express proteins from other kinetoplastids and potentially other eukaryotes including human proteins allowing various co- and post-translational protein modifications to the recombinant proteins. Despite the obvious usefulness and potential of this organism very little is known about its lipid metabolism. Here we describe a detailed lipidomic analyses and demonstrate the possible placidity of Crithidia’s lipid metabolis. This could have important implications for biotechnology approaches and how other kinetoplastids interact with, and scavenge nutrients from their hosts.
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Ibarra-Meneses AV, Corbeil A, Wagner V, Beaudry F, do Monte-Neto RL, Fernandez-Prada C. Exploring direct and indirect targets of current antileishmanial drugs using a novel thermal proteomics profiling approach. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:954144. [PMID: 35992178 PMCID: PMC9381709 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.954144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is an oft-fatal neglected tropical disease. In the absence of an effective vaccine, the control of leishmaniasis relies exclusively on chemotherapy. Due to the lack of established molecular/genetic markers denoting parasite resistance, clinical treatment failure is often used as an indicator. Antimony-based drugs have been the standard antileishmanial treatment for more than seven decades, leading to major drug resistance in certain regions. Likewise, drug resistance to miltefosine and amphotericin B continues to spread at alarming rates. In consequence, innovative approaches are needed to accelerate the identification of antimicrobial drug targets and resistance mechanisms. To this end, we have implemented a novel approach based on thermal proteome profiling (TPP) to further characterize the mode of action of antileishmanials antimony, miltefosine and amphotericin B, as well as to better understand the mechanisms of drug resistance deployed by Leishmania. Proteins become more resistant to heat-induced denaturation when complexed with a ligand. In this way, we used multiplexed quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to monitor the melting profile of thousands of expressed soluble proteins in WT, antimony-resistant, miltefosine-resistant, and amphotericin B-resistant L. infantum parasites, in the presence (or absence) of the above-mentioned drugs. Bioinformatics analyses were performed, including data normalization, melting profile fitting, and identification of proteins that underwent changes (fold change > 4) caused by complexation with a drug. With this unique approach, we were able to narrow down the regions of the L. infantum proteome that interact with antimony, miltefosine, and amphotericin B; validating previously-identified and unveiling novel drug targets. Moreover, analyses revealed candidate proteins potentially involved in drug resistance. Interestingly, we detected thermal proximity coaggregation for several proteins belonging to the same metabolic pathway (i.e., tryparedoxin peroxidase and aspartate aminotransferase in proteins exposed to antimony), highlighting the importance of these pathways. Collectively, our results could serve as a jumping-off point for the future development of innovative diagnostic tools for the detection and evaluation of antimicrobial-resistant Leishmania populations, as well as open the door for new on-target therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Victoria Ibarra-Meneses
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Audrey Corbeil
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Victoria Wagner
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Département de Biomédecine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- Centre de recherche sur le cerveau et l’apprentissage (CIRCA), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Rubens L. do Monte-Neto
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP) - Instituto René Rachou – Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Christopher Fernandez-Prada,
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Bhattacharya A, Fernandez-Prada C, Alonso GD, Biswas A. Editorial: Signaling in stress sensing and resistance in parasitic protozoa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:962047. [PMID: 35967874 PMCID: PMC9372558 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.962047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Bhattacharya
- Deptartment of Biological Sciences, Adamas University, Kolkata, India
- *Correspondence: Arijit Bhattacharya, ; Christopher Fernandez-Prada, christopher.fernandez.prada @ umontreal.ca; Guillermo Daniel Alonso, ; Arunima Biswas,
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Arijit Bhattacharya, ; Christopher Fernandez-Prada, christopher.fernandez.prada @ umontreal.ca; Guillermo Daniel Alonso, ; Arunima Biswas,
| | - Guillermo Daniel Alonso
- CONICET Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular Dr. Héctor N. Torres (INGEBI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Arijit Bhattacharya, ; Christopher Fernandez-Prada, christopher.fernandez.prada @ umontreal.ca; Guillermo Daniel Alonso, ; Arunima Biswas,
| | - Arunima Biswas
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Deptartment of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, India
- *Correspondence: Arijit Bhattacharya, ; Christopher Fernandez-Prada, christopher.fernandez.prada @ umontreal.ca; Guillermo Daniel Alonso, ; Arunima Biswas,
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Qin H, Zhang J, Dong K, Chen D, Yuan D, Chen J. Metabolic characterization and biomarkers screening for visceral leishmaniasis in golden hamsters. Acta Trop 2022; 225:106222. [PMID: 34757045 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A better understanding of the changes in metabolic molecules during visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is essential to develop new strategies for diagnosis and treatment. Previous metabolomics studies on Leishmania have increased our knowledge of leishmaniasis and its causative pathogen. As these studies were mainly carried out in vitro, to go further, we conducted this global metabolomics analysis on the serum of golden hamsters. Serum samples were detected over a time course of 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post infection. Our results revealed that under extensively disturbed metabolomes between the infection group and controls, glycerophospholipid (GPL) metabolism was most affected over the infection time, followed by α-linoleic acid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism. Within GPLs, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were found to be significantly increased, while their enzyme-catalysed metabolites lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) showed no significant changes. Moreover, eight differential metabolites were selected. The ability of these metabolites to be used as a diagnostic biomarker panel was supported by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Our findings revealed that GPL metabolism might play an important role in the response of the host to Leishmania infection. The metabolism of PC and PE might be crucial in the in vivo progression of VL. The panel of eight potential biomarkers might contribute to the diagnosis of VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxiao Qin
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Dong
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dali Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Yuan
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Parab AR, Thomas D, Lostracco-Johnson S, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH, Dorrestein PC, McCall LI. Dysregulation of Glycerophosphocholines in the Cutaneous Lesion Caused by Leishmania major in Experimental Murine Models. Pathogens 2021; 10:593. [PMID: 34068119 PMCID: PMC8152770 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common disease form caused by a Leishmania parasite infection and considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD), affecting 700,000 to 1.2 million new cases per year in the world. Leishmania major is one of several different species of the Leishmania genus that can cause CL. Current CL treatments are limited by adverse effects and rising resistance. Studying disease metabolism at the site of infection can provide knowledge of new targets for host-targeted drug development. In this study, tissue samples were collected from mice infected in the ear or footpad with L. major and analyzed by untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Significant differences in overall metabolite profiles were noted in the ear at the site of the lesion. Interestingly, lesion-adjacent, macroscopically healthy sites also showed alterations in specific metabolites, including selected glycerophosphocholines (PCs). Host-derived PCs in the lower m/z range (m/z 200-799) showed an increase with infection in the ear at the lesion site, while those in the higher m/z range (m/z 800-899) were decreased with infection at the lesion site. Overall, our results expanded our understanding of the mechanisms of CL pathogenesis through host metabolism and may lead to new curative measures against infection with Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adwaita R. Parab
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA;
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Diane Thomas
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Sharon Lostracco-Johnson
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
| | - Pieter C. Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (D.T.); (S.L.-J.); (J.L.S.-N.); (J.H.M.); (P.C.D.)
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA;
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
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13
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Yadav S, Mandal H, Saravanan V, Das P, Singh SK. In vitro and in silico analysis of L. donovani enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase - A possible drug target. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:6056-6069. [PMID: 32762412 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1802337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of increased resistance to the available drugs has created a situation that demands to find out more specific molecular drug targets for Leishmaniasis. The enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR), a regulatory enzyme in type II fatty acid synthesis, was confirmed as a novel drug target and triclosan as its specific inhibitor in many microorganisms. In this study, the triclosan was tested for the leishmanicidal property against Leishmania donovani (L. donovani) and the results of in vitro and ex vivo drug assays on promastigotes and amastigotes showed that triclosan possessed antileishmanial activity with a half minimal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 30 µM. Consequently, adopting in silico approach, we have tested the triclosan's ability to bind with the L. donovani enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (LdENR). The 3D structure of LdENR was modelled, triclosan and cofactors were docked in LdENR model and molecular dynamic simulations were performed to observe the protein-ligands interactions, stability, compactness and binding energy calculation of the ligands-LdENR complexes. The observation showed that triclosan stably interacted with LdENR in presence of both the cofactors (NADPH and NADH), however, simulation results favor NADH as a preferred co-factor for LdENR. These results support that the reduction of L. donovani growth in the in vitro and ex vivo drug assays may be due to the interaction of triclosan with LdENR, which should be confirmed through enzymatic assays. The results of this study suggest that LdENR could be a potential drug target and triclosan as a lead for Leishmaniasis.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Yadav
- Department of Microbiology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, ICMR, Patna, India
| | - Haraprasad Mandal
- Department of Microbiology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, ICMR, Patna, India.,Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, India
| | - Vijayakumar Saravanan
- Division of Bioinformatics, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, ICMR, Patna, India
| | - Pradeep Das
- Division of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), ICMR, Patna, India
| | - Shubhankar Kumar Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, ICMR, Patna, India
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14
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Van den Kerkhof M, Sterckx YGJ, Leprohon P, Maes L, Caljon G. Experimental Strategies to Explore Drug Action and Resistance in Kinetoplastid Parasites. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E950. [PMID: 32599761 PMCID: PMC7356981 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are the causative agents of leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and American trypanosomiasis. They are responsible for high mortality and morbidity in (sub)tropical regions. Adequate treatment options are limited and have several drawbacks, such as toxicity, need for parenteral administration, and occurrence of treatment failure and drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgency for the development of new drugs. Phenotypic screening already allowed the identification of promising new chemical entities with anti-kinetoplastid activity potential, but knowledge on their mode-of-action (MoA) is lacking due to the generally applied whole-cell based approach. However, identification of the drug target is essential to steer further drug discovery and development. Multiple complementary techniques have indeed been used for MoA elucidation. In this review, the different 'omics' approaches employed to define the MoA or mode-of-resistance of current reference drugs and some new anti-kinetoplastid compounds are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Yann G.-J. Sterckx
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
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15
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Eberhardt E, Bulté D, Van Bockstal L, Van den Kerkhof M, Cos P, Delputte P, Hendrickx S, Maes L, Caljon G. Miltefosine enhances the fitness of a non-virulent drug-resistant Leishmania infantum strain. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:395-406. [PMID: 30412253 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dky450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Miltefosine is currently the only oral drug for visceral leishmaniasis, and although deficiency in an aminophospholipid/miltefosine transporter (MT) is sufficient to elicit drug resistance, very few naturally miltefosine-resistant (MIL-R) strains have yet been isolated. This study aimed to make a detailed analysis of the impact of acquired miltefosine resistance and miltefosine treatment on in vivo infection. Methods Bioluminescent versions of a MIL-R strain and its syngeneic parental line were generated by integration of the red-shifted firefly luciferase PpyRE9. The fitness of both lines was compared in vitro (growth rate, metacyclogenesis and macrophage infectivity) and in BALB/c mice through non-invasive bioluminescence imaging under conditions with and without drug pressure. Results This study demonstrated a severe fitness loss of MT-deficient parasites, resulting in a complete inability to multiply and cause a typical visceral leishmaniasis infection pattern in BALB/c mice. The observed fitness loss could not be rescued by host immune suppression with cyclophosphamide, whereas episomal reconstitution with a wild-type MT restored parasite virulence, hence linking parasite fitness to MT mutation. Remarkably, in vivo miltefosine treatment or in vitro miltefosine pre-exposure significantly rescued MIL-R parasite virulence. The in vitro pre-exposed MIL-R promastigotes showed a longer and more slender morphology, suggesting an altered membrane composition. Conclusions The profound fitness loss of MT-deficient parasites most likely explains the low frequency of MIL-R clinical isolates. The observation that miltefosine can reverse this phenotype indicates a drug dependency of the MT-deficient parasites and emphasizes the importance of resistance profiling prior to miltefosine administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Eberhardt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Bulté
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Lieselotte Van Bockstal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Magali Van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sarah Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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16
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Reimão JQ, Pita Pedro DP, Coelho AC. The preclinical discovery and development of oral miltefosine for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis: a case history. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:647-658. [PMID: 32202449 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1743674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum. Closely related to poverty, VL is fatal and represents one of the main burdens on public health in developing countries. Treatment of VL relies exclusively on chemotherapy, a strategy still experiencing numerous limitations. Miltefosine (MF) has been used in the chemotherapy of VL in some endemic areas, and has been expanded to other regions, being considered crucial in eradication programs. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the most relevant preclinical and clinical aspects of MF, its mechanism of action and resistance to Leishmania parasites, as well as its limitations. The authors also give their perspectives on the treatment of VL. EXPERT OPINION The discovery of MF represented an enormous advance in the chemotherapy of VL, since it was the first oral drug for this neglected disease. Beyond selection of resistant parasites due to drug pressure, several other factors can lead to treatment failure such as, for example, factors intrinsic to the host, parasite and the drug itself. Although its efficacy as a monotherapy has reduced over recent years, MF is still an important alternative in VL chemotherapy, especially when used in combination with other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Q Reimão
- Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí , Jundiaí, Brazil
| | - Débora P Pita Pedro
- Departamento de Morfologia e Patologia Básica, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí , Jundiaí, Brazil
| | - Adriano C Coelho
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas , Campinas, Brazil
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17
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Agostini A, Yuchun D, Li B, Kendall DA, Pardon MC. Sex-specific hippocampal metabolic signatures at the onset of systemic inflammation with lipopolysaccharide in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 83:87-111. [PMID: 31560941 PMCID: PMC6928588 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic inflammation enhances the risk and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent pro-inflammatory endotoxin produced by the gut, is found in excess levels in AD where it associates with neurological hallmarks of pathology. Sex differences in susceptibility to inflammation and AD progression have been reported, but how this impacts on LPS responses remains under investigated. We previously reported in an APP/PS1 model of AD that systemic LPS administration rapidly altered hippocampal metabolism in males. Here, we used untargeted metabolomics to comprehensively identify hippocampal metabolic processes occurring at onset of systemic inflammation with LPS (100 µg/kg, i.v.) in APP/PS1 mice, at an early pathological stage, and investigated the sexual dimorphism in this response. Four hours after LPS administration, pathways regulating energy metabolism, immune and oxidative stress responses were simultaneously recruited in the hippocampi of 4.5-month-old mice with a more protective response in females despite their pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant metabolic signature in the absence of immune stimulation. LPS induced comparable behavioural sickness responses in male and female wild-type and APP/PS1 mice and comparable activation of both the serotonin and nicotinamide pathways of tryptophan metabolism in their hippocampi. Elevations in N-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide, a major toxic metabolite of nicotinamide, correlated with behavioural sickness regardless of sex, as well as with the LPS-induced hypothermia seen in males. Males also exhibited a pro-inflammatory-like downregulation of pyruvate metabolism, exacerbated in APP/PS1 males, and methionine metabolism whereas females showed a greater cytokine response and anti-inflammatory-like downregulation of hippocampal methylglyoxal and methionine metabolism. Metabolic changes were not associated with morphological markers of immune cell activation suggesting that they constitute an early event in the development of LPS-induced neuroinflammation and AD exacerbation. These data suggest that the female hippocampus is more tolerant to acute systemic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Agostini
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Ding Yuchun
- School of Computer Sciences, University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK; School of Computing Science, Urban Sciences Building, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Science Central, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK(1)
| | - Bai Li
- School of Computing Science, Urban Sciences Building, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Science Central, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG, UK(1)
| | - David A Kendall
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Marie-Christine Pardon
- School of Life Sciences, Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
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Carballeira NM, Alequín D, Lotti Diaz LM, Matos VJ, Ferreira LLG, Andricopulo AD, Golovko MY, Reguera RM, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Balaña-Fouce R. Synthesis of a novel brominated vinylic fatty acid with antileishmanial activity that effectively inhibits the Leishmania topoisomerase IB enzyme mediated by halogen bond formation. PURE APPL CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1515/pac-2018-1113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Many marine derived fatty acids, mainly from sponges, possess vinylic halogenated moieties (bromine or iodine) but their assessment as antileishmanial candidates remains elusive. In this work, we undertook the first total synthesis of a novel series of 2-allyl-3-halo-2-nonadecenoic acids, which preferentially inhibit the Leishmania DNA topoisomerase IB enzyme (LTopIB) over the human topoisomerase IB enzyme (hTopIB). The synthesis of 2-allyl-3-bromo-2E-nonadecenoic acid (1a) and 2-allyl-3-chloro-2E-nonadecenoic acid (2a) was achieved through a palladium catalyzed haloallylation of 2-nonadecynoic acid (2-NDA) using either allyl bromide or allyl chloride in the presence of PdCl2(PhCN)2 in 57–83 % overall yields. Among the new halogenated synthetic compounds, 1a was the most inhibitory of LTopIB with an EC50 = 7 μM, while the shorter chain analogs 2-allyl-3-bromo-2E-dodecenoic acid (1b) and 2-allyl-3-chloro-2E-dodecenoic acid (2b), synthesized from 2-dodecynoic acid, were not inhibitory of LTopIB (EC50 > 100 μM) resulting in the overall order of inhibition 1a > 2-NDA > 2a > > 1b ≅ 2b. The acids 1a and 2a inhibit LTopIB by a Gimatecan-independent mechanism. The enhanced LTopIB inhibition of 1a was computationally rationalized in terms of a halogen bond between the bromine in 1a and a DNA phosphate (binding energy = − 4.85 kcal/mol). Acid 1a also displayed preferential cytotoxicity towards Leishmania infantum amastigotes (EC50 = 2.5 μM) over L. infantum promastigotes (EC50 > 25 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor M. Carballeira
- University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus, 17 Ave Universidad STE 1701 , San Juan, PR 00925-2537 , USA , Tel.: (787)-764-0000 ext, 88561
| | - Denisse Alequín
- Department of Chemistry , University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus , San Juan, PR , USA
| | - Leilani M. Lotti Diaz
- Department of Chemistry , University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus , San Juan, PR , USA
| | - Victorio Jauregui Matos
- Department of Chemistry , University of Puerto Rico , Río Piedras Campus , San Juan, PR , USA
| | - Leonardo L. G. Ferreira
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Center for Research and Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, Physics Institute of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Carlos , SP 13563-120 , Brazil
| | - Adriano D. Andricopulo
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Center for Research and Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, Physics Institute of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Carlos , SP 13563-120 , Brazil
| | - Mikhail Y. Golovko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences , 1301 N Columbia Road , Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037 , USA
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of León , Campus de Vegazana , León 24071 , Spain
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of León , Campus de Vegazana , León 24071 , Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of León , Campus de Vegazana , León 24071 , Spain
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20
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Quilles JC, Tezuka DY, Lopes CD, Ribeiro FL, Laughton CA, de Albuquerque S, Montanari CA, Leitão A. Dipeptidyl nitrile derivatives have cytostatic effects against Leishmania spp. promastigotes. Exp Parasitol 2019; 200:84-91. [PMID: 30954455 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine proteases are involved in critical cell processes to the protozoa from Leishmania genus, and their inhibition is a therapeutic alternative to treat the disease. In this work, derivatives of dipeptidyl nitriles acting as reversible covalent inhibitors of cysteine proteases were studied as cytostatic agents. The proteolytic activity inside the living and lysed parasite cells was quantified using a selective substrate for cysteine proteases (Z-FR-MCA) from Leishmania amazonensis and L. infantum. The overall proteolytic activity of intact cells and even cell extracts was only marginally affected at high concentrations, with the observation of cytostatic activity and cell cycle arrest of promastigotes. However, the cytotoxic effects were only observed for infected J774 macrophages, which impaired further analysis of the amastigote infection. Therefore, the proteolytic inhibition in intact L. amazonensis and L. infantum promastigotes had no relationship to the cytostatic activity, which emphasizes that these dipeptidyl nitriles act through another mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- José C Quilles
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13.566-590, Brazil.
| | - Daiane Y Tezuka
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13.566-590, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioengenharia, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Carla D Lopes
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13.566-590, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioengenharia, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda L Ribeiro
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13.566-590, Brazil.
| | - Charles A Laughton
- School of Pharmacy and Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Sérgio de Albuquerque
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Falculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13.566-590, Brazil.
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), São Carlos Institute of Chemistry (IQSC), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São-carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13.566-590, Brazil.
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21
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Neira LF, Mantilla JC, Escobar P. Anti-leishmanial activity of a topical miltefosine gel in experimental models of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2019; 74:1634-1641. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fernanda Neira
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CINTROP-UIS), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Julio Cesar Mantilla
- PAT-UIS, Departamento de Patología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Patricia Escobar
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CINTROP-UIS), Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
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22
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Efficacy of lapachol on treatment of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Exp Parasitol 2019; 199:67-73. [PMID: 30797783 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most important neglected diseases worldwide. It is a life-threatening disease and causes significant morbidity, long-term disability, and early death. Treatment involves disease control or use of intervention measures, although the currently used drugs require long-lasting therapy, and display toxicity and reduced efficacy. The use of natural products isolated from plants, such as lapachol, an abundant naphthoquinone naturally occurring in South American Handroanthus species (Tabebuia, Bignoniaceae), is a promising option for the treatment of leishmaniasis. In this study, we investigated the leishmanicidal activity of lapachol in vitro and in vivo against Leishmania infantum and L. amazonensis, causative agents of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. Low cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells (3405.8 ± 261.33 μM), good anti-Leishmania activity, and favorable selectivity indexes (SI) against promastigotes of both L. amazonensis (IC50 = 79.84 ± 9.10 μM, SI = 42.65) and L. infantum (IC50 = 135.79 ± 33.04 μM, SI = 25.08) were observed. Furthermore, anti-Leishmania activity assays performed on intracellular amastigotes showed good activity for lapachol (IC50 = 191.95 μM for L. amazonensis and 171.26 μM for L. infantum). Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect of lapachol in Leishmania promastigotes was caused by apoptosis-like death. Interestingly, the in vitro leishmanicidal effect of lapachol was confirmed in vivo in murine models of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, as lapachol (25 mg/kg oral route for 24 h over 10 days) was able to significantly reduce the parasitic load in skin lesions, liver, and spleen, similar to amphotericin B, the reference drug. These results reinforce the therapeutic potential of lapachol, which warrants further investigations as an anti-leishmaniasis therapeutic.
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Protective efficacy of Chlorophytum borivilianum root extract against murine visceral leishmaniasis by immunomodulating the host responses. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2018; 11:53-61. [PMID: 30120057 PMCID: PMC7125388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The available drugs for treating visceral leishmaniasis are limited. Moreover, the disease is associated with suppression of immune function. Therefore, therapies with effective immunomodulatory agents are needed which can decrease parasitic burden and enhance adaptive immunity. OBJECTIVES The present study was planned to evaluate the antileishmanial efficacy of crude ethanolic extract of roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum (CBREE) against murine visceral leishmaniasis through immunomodulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The in vitro studies were carried out to check leishmanicidal activity against promastigote form and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. The parasite load in liver smears, immunological and biochemical changes induced by 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.wt. of CBREE were assessed on 1, 7, 14 and 21 post treatment days in infected and treated BALB/c mice. RESULTS CBREE showed inhibitory effect on growth of promastigotes with IC50 of 28.25 μg/mL and negligible cytotoxicity. The extract was toxicologically safe in BALB/c mice when administered orally with 5 g/kg b.wt. of extract. A significant reduction in parasite load was observed along with active immunomodulation through enhanced Th1 type of immune responses and suppressed Th2 type of immune responses. CONCLUSION The treatment with both doses showed no toxic effect as evidenced by normal liver and kidney function tests and normal histological observations of liver and kidney. Therefore, it should be further explored for its active components in pursuit of the new effective antileishmanial agents in the plant kingdom.
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24
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Armitage EG, Alqaisi AQI, Godzien J, Peña I, Mbekeani AJ, Alonso-Herranz V, López-Gonzálvez Á, Martín J, Gabarro R, Denny PW, Barrett MP, Barbas C. Complex Interplay between Sphingolipid and Sterol Metabolism Revealed by Perturbations to the Leishmania Metabolome Caused by Miltefosine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e02095-17. [PMID: 29463533 PMCID: PMC5923112 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02095-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With the World Health Organization reporting over 30,000 deaths and 200,000 to 400,000 new cases annually, visceral leishmaniasis is a serious disease affecting some of the world's poorest people. As drug resistance continues to rise, there is a huge unmet need to improve treatment. Miltefosine remains one of the main treatments for leishmaniasis, yet its mode of action (MoA) is still unknown. Understanding the MoA of this drug and parasite response to treatment could help pave the way for new and more successful treatments for leishmaniasis. A novel method has been devised to study the metabolome and lipidome of Leishmania donovani axenic amastigotes treated with miltefosine. Miltefosine caused a dramatic decrease in many membrane phospholipids (PLs), in addition to amino acid pools, while sphingolipids (SLs) and sterols increased. Leishmania major promastigotes devoid of SL biosynthesis through loss of the serine palmitoyl transferase gene (ΔLCB2) were 3-fold less sensitive to miltefosine than wild-type (WT) parasites. Changes in the metabolome and lipidome of miltefosine-treated L. major mirrored those of L. donovani A lack of SLs in the ΔLCB2 mutant was matched by substantial alterations in sterol content. Together, these data indicate that SLs and ergosterol are important for miltefosine sensitivity and, perhaps, MoA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Armitage
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences & Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Amjed Q I Alqaisi
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
- University of Baghdad, College of Science, Biology Department, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Joanna Godzien
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Imanol Peña
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alison J Mbekeani
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Vanesa Alonso-Herranz
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángeles López-Gonzálvez
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Martín
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Gabarro
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences & Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Coral Barbas
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
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25
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Fragiadaki I, Katogiritis A, Calogeropoulou T, Brückner H, Scoulica E. Synergistic combination of alkylphosphocholines with peptaibols in targeting Leishmania infantum in vitro. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:194-202. [PMID: 29631127 PMCID: PMC6039304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anti-leishmanial treatment increasingly encounters therapeutic limitations due to drug toxicity and development of resistance. The effort for new therapeutic strategies led us to work on combinations of chemically different compounds that could yield enhanced leishmanicidal effect. Peptaibols are a special type of antimicrobial peptides that are able to form ion channels in cell membranes and potentially affect cell viability. We assayed the antileishmanial activity of two well studied helical peptaibols, the 16-residue antiamoebin and the 20-residue alamethicin-analogue suzukacillin, and we evaluated the biological effect of their combination with the alkylphosphocholine miltefosine and its synthetic analogue TC52. The peptaibols tested exhibited only moderate antileishmanial activity, however their combination with miltefosine had a super-additive effect against the intracellular parasite (combination index 0.83 and 0.43 for antiamoebin and suzukacillin respectively). Drug combinations altered the redox stage of promastigotes, rapidly dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential and induced concatenation of mitochondrial network promoting spheroidal morphology. These results evidenced a potent and specific antileishmanial effect of the peptaibols/miltefosine combinations, achieved with significantly lower concentrations of the compounds compared to monotherapy. Furthermore, they revealed the importance of exploring novel classes of bioactive compounds such as peptaibols and demonstrated for the first time that they can act in synergy with currently used antileishmanial drugs to improve the therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Fragiadaki
- University of Crete, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 2208, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Anna Katogiritis
- University of Crete, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 2208, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Biology Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., 116 35, Athens, Greece
| | - Hans Brückner
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Interdisciplinary Research Center (IFZ), University of Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Effie Scoulica
- University of Crete, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 2208, Heraklion, Greece.
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26
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Fernandez-Prada C, Sharma M, Plourde M, Bresson E, Roy G, Leprohon P, Ouellette M. High-throughput Cos-Seq screen with intracellular Leishmania infantum for the discovery of novel drug-resistance mechanisms. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:165-173. [PMID: 29602064 PMCID: PMC6039308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Increasing drug resistance towards first line antimony-derived compounds has forced the introduction of novel therapies in leishmaniasis endemic areas including amphotericin B and miltefosine. However, their use is threatened by the emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains. In order to discover stage-dependent resistance genes, we have adapted the Cos-Seq approach through the introduction of macrophage infections in the pipeline. A L. infantum intracellular amastigote population complemented with a L. infantum cosmid library was submitted to increasing concentrations of miltefosine, amphotericin B and pentavalent antimonials in experimental infections of THP-1 cells. For each step of selection, amastigotes were extracted and cosmids were isolated and submitted to next-generation sequencing, followed by subsequent gene-enrichment analyses. Cos-Seq screen in amastigotes revealed four highly enriched loci for antimony, five for miltefosine and one for amphotericin B. Of these, a total of seven cosmids were recovered and tested for resistance in both promastigotes and amastigotes. Candidate genes within the pinpointed genomic regions were validated using single gene overexpression in wild-type parasites and/or gene disruption by means of a CRISPR-Cas9-based approach. This led to the identification and validation of a stage-independent antimony-resistance gene (LinJ.06.1010) coding for a putative leucine rich repeat protein and a novel amastigote-specific miltefosine-resistance gene (LinJ.32.0050) coding for a member of the SEC13 family of WD-repeat proteins. This study further reinforces the power of Cos-Seq approach to discover novel drug-resistance genes, some of which are life-stages specific. The Cos-Seq led to the discovery of several new genomic regions selected with drugs. This work led to the validation of novel drug-resistance genes in Leishmania. Gene LinJ.06.1010 is involved in antimony resistance in both life stages of the parasite. Gene LinJ.32.0050 is involved in miltefosine resistance in amastigotes. The amastigote screen is labour intensive but complements screens in promastigotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada; Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Mansi Sharma
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie Plourde
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Eva Bresson
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Gaétan Roy
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada.
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27
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Tulloch LB, Menzies SK, Coron RP, Roberts MD, Florence GJ, Smith TK. Direct and indirect approaches to identify drug modes of action. IUBMB Life 2017; 70:9-22. [PMID: 29210173 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Phenotypic assays are becoming increasingly more common among drug discovery practices, expanding drug target diversity as lead compounds identified through such screens are not limited to known targets. While increasing diversity is beneficial to the drug discovery process and the fight against disease, the unknown modes of action of new lead compounds can hamper drug discovery as, in most cases, the process of lead compound optimization is made difficult due to the unknown nature of the target; blindly changing substituents can prove fruitless due to the inexhaustible number of potential combinations, and it is therefore desirable to rapidly identify the targets of lead compounds developed through phenotypic screening. In addition, leads identified through target-based screening often have off-target effects that contribute towards drug toxicity, and by identifying those secondary targets, the drugs can be improved. However, the identification of a leads mode of action is far from trivial and now represents a major bottleneck in the drug discovery pipeline. This review looks at some of the recent developments in the identification of drug modes of action, focusing on phenotype-based methods using metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and genomics to detect changes in phenotype in response to the presence of the drug, and affinity-based methods using modified/unmodified drug as bait to capture and identify targets. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 70(1):9-22, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay B Tulloch
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry and School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Stefanie K Menzies
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry and School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Ross P Coron
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry and School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Matthew D Roberts
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry and School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Gordon J Florence
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry and School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Terry K Smith
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry and School of Biology, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
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28
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Covington BC, McLean JA, Bachmann BO. Comparative mass spectrometry-based metabolomics strategies for the investigation of microbial secondary metabolites. Nat Prod Rep 2017; 34:6-24. [PMID: 27604382 PMCID: PMC5214543 DOI: 10.1039/c6np00048g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 2000 to 2016The labor-intensive process of microbial natural product discovery is contingent upon identifying discrete secondary metabolites of interest within complex biological extracts, which contain inventories of all extractable small molecules produced by an organism or consortium. Historically, compound isolation prioritization has been driven by observed biological activity and/or relative metabolite abundance and followed by dereplication via accurate mass analysis. Decades of discovery using variants of these methods has generated the natural pharmacopeia but also contributes to recent high rediscovery rates. However, genomic sequencing reveals substantial untapped potential in previously mined organisms, and can provide useful prescience of potentially new secondary metabolites that ultimately enables isolation. Recently, advances in comparative metabolomics analyses have been coupled to secondary metabolic predictions to accelerate bioactivity and abundance-independent discovery work flows. In this review we will discuss the various analytical and computational techniques that enable MS-based metabolomic applications to natural product discovery and discuss the future prospects for comparative metabolomics in natural product discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett C Covington
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, 7330 Stevenson Center, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.
| | - John A McLean
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, 7330 Stevenson Center, Nashville, TN 37235, USA. and Center for Innovative Technology, Vanderbilt University, 5401 Stevenson Center, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Brian O Bachmann
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, 7330 Stevenson Center, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.
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29
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Hefnawy A, Berg M, Dujardin JC, De Muylder G. Exploiting Knowledge on Leishmania Drug Resistance to Support the Quest for New Drugs. Trends Parasitol 2016; 33:162-174. [PMID: 27993477 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
New drugs are needed to control leishmaniasis and efforts are currently on-going to counter the neglect of this disease. We discuss here the utility and the impact of associating drug resistance (DR) studies to drug discovery pipelines. We use as paradigm currently used drugs, antimonials and miltefosine, and complement our reflection by interviewing three experts in the field. We suggest DR studies to be involved at two different stages of drug development: (i) the efficiency of novel compounds should be confirmed on sets of strains including recent clinical isolates with DR; (ii) experimental DR should be generated to promising compounds at an early stage of their development, to further optimize them and monitor clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Hefnawy
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maya Berg
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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30
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Fernandez-Prada C, Vincent IM, Brotherton MC, Roberts M, Roy G, Rivas L, Leprohon P, Smith TK, Ouellette M. Different Mutations in a P-type ATPase Transporter in Leishmania Parasites are Associated with Cross-resistance to Two Leading Drugs by Distinct Mechanisms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005171. [PMID: 27911896 PMCID: PMC5135041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is an etiological agent of the life-threatening visceral form of leishmaniasis. Liposomal amphotericin B (AmB) followed by a short administration of miltefosine (MF) is a drug combination effective for treating visceral leishmaniasis in endemic regions of India. Resistance to MF can be due to point mutations in the miltefosine transporter (MT). Here we show that mutations in MT are also observed in Leishmania AmB-resistant mutants. The MF-induced MT mutations, but not the AmB induced mutations in MT, alter the translocation/uptake of MF. Moreover, mutations in the MT selected by AmB or MF have a major impact on lipid species that is linked to cross-resistance between both drugs. These alterations include changes of specific phospholipids, some of which are enriched with cyclopropanated fatty acids, as well as an increase in inositolphosphoceramide species. Collectively these results provide evidence of the risk of cross-resistance emergence derived from current AmB-MF sequential or co-treatments for visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabel M. Vincent
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Christine Brotherton
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Mathew Roberts
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex (BSRC), Schools of Biology & Chemistry, The North Haugh, The University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Gaétan Roy
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Luis Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex (BSRC), Schools of Biology & Chemistry, The North Haugh, The University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
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31
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Laffitte MCN, Leprohon P, Légaré D, Ouellette M. Deep-sequencing revealing mutation dynamics in the miltefosine transporter gene in Leishmania infantum selected for miltefosine resistance. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3699-703. [PMID: 27457482 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5195-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Miltefosine is the first oral drug used in chemotherapy against leishmaniasis. In vitro studies found that resistance to miltefosine in Leishmania is often associated with the acquisition of point mutations in the miltefosine transporter, leading to a decrease in drug uptake. In this study, the dynamics of mutations upon miltefosine selection was studied by deep-sequencing of the miltefosine transporter gene. Deep-sequencing data revealed that no mutation was detected in the miltefosine transporter at sub-inhibitory concentrations of miltefosine. We show that the prevalence of mutated alleles was increasing when the drug pressure heightened, that more mutations were observed in highly resistant mutants, and that most mutations remained when parasites were cultured for a few passages in the absence of miltefosine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude N Laffitte
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, CRCHU de Québec, 2705 Boul. Laurier, Québec, Qc, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, CRCHU de Québec, 2705 Boul. Laurier, Québec, Qc, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Danielle Légaré
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, CRCHU de Québec, 2705 Boul. Laurier, Québec, Qc, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, CRCHU de Québec, 2705 Boul. Laurier, Québec, Qc, G1V 4G2, Canada.
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32
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Abstract
Eukaryotic microbial pathogens are major contributors to illness and death globally. Although much of their impact can be controlled by drug therapy as with prokaryotic microorganisms, the emergence of drug resistance has threatened these treatment efforts. Here, we discuss the challenges posed by eukaryotic microbial pathogens and how these are similar to, or differ from, the challenges of prokaryotic antibiotic resistance. The therapies used for several major eukaryotic microorganisms are then detailed, and the mechanisms that they have evolved to overcome these therapies are described. The rapid emergence of resistance and the restricted pipeline of new drug therapies pose considerable risks to global health and are particularly acute in the developing world. Nonetheless, we detail how the integration of new technology, biological understanding, epidemiology and evolutionary analysis can help sustain existing therapies, anticipate the emergence of resistance or optimize the deployment of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan H. Fairlamb
- Dundee Drug Discovery Unit, Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Neil A. R. Gow
- Aberdeen Fungal Group, Wellcome Trust Strategic Award in Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Keith R. Matthews
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical and Veterinary Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the fact that diseases caused by protozoan parasites represent serious challenges for public health, animal production and welfare, only a limited panel of drugs has been marketed for clinical applications. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors investigate two strategies, namely whole organism screening and target-based drug design. The present pharmacopoeia has resulted from whole organism screening, and the mode of action and targets of selected drugs are discussed. However, the more recent extensive genome sequencing efforts and the development of dry and wet lab genomics and proteomics that allow high-throughput screening of interactions between micromolecules and recombinant proteins has resulted in target-based drug design as the predominant focus in anti-parasitic drug development. Selected examples of target-based drug design studies are presented, and calcium-dependent protein kinases, important drug targets in apicomplexan parasites, are discussed in more detail. EXPERT OPINION Despite the enormous efforts in target-based drug development, this approach has not yet generated market-ready antiprotozoal drugs. However, whole-organism screening approaches, comprising of both in vitro and in vivo investigations, should not be disregarded. The repurposing of already approved and marketed drugs could be a suitable strategy to avoid fastidious approval procedures, especially in the case of neglected or veterinary parasitoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- a Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- a Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
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Cos-Seq for high-throughput identification of drug target and resistance mechanisms in the protozoan parasite Leishmania. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E3012-21. [PMID: 27162331 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1520693113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Innovative strategies are needed to accelerate the identification of antimicrobial drug targets and resistance mechanisms. Here we develop a sensitive method, which we term Cosmid Sequencing (or "Cos-Seq"), based on functional cloning coupled to next-generation sequencing. Cos-Seq identified >60 loci in the Leishmania genome that were enriched via drug selection with methotrexate and five major antileishmanials (antimony, miltefosine, paromomycin, amphotericin B, and pentamidine). Functional validation highlighted both known and previously unidentified drug targets and resistance genes, including novel roles for phosphatases in resistance to methotrexate and antimony, for ergosterol and phospholipid metabolism genes in resistance to miltefosine, and for hypothetical proteins in resistance to paromomycin, amphothericin B, and pentamidine. Several genes/loci were also found to confer resistance to two or more antileishmanials. This screening method will expedite the discovery of drug targets and resistance mechanisms and is easily adaptable to other microorganisms.
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Effects of nitro-heterocyclic derivatives against Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. Exp Parasitol 2016; 163:68-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Untargeted Metabolomics To Ascertain Antibiotic Modes of Action. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:2281-91. [PMID: 26833150 PMCID: PMC4808186 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02109-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the mode of action (MOA) of new antibiotics discovered through phenotypic screening is of increasing importance. Metabolomics offers a potentially rapid and cost-effective means of identifying modes of action of drugs whose effects are mediated through changes in metabolism. Metabolomics techniques also collect data on off-target effects and drug modifications. Here, we present data from an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach to identify the modes of action of eight compounds: 1-[3-fluoro-4-(5-methyl-2,4-dioxo-pyrimidin-1-yl)phenyl]-3-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea (AZ1), 2-(cyclobutylmethoxy)-5'-deoxyadenosine, triclosan, fosmidomycin, CHIR-090, carbonyl cyanidem-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), 5-chloro-2-(methylsulfonyl)-N-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-4-pyrimidinecarboxamide (AZ7), and ceftazidime. Data analysts were blind to the compound identities but managed to identify the target as thymidylate kinase for AZ1, isoprenoid biosynthesis for fosmidomycin, acyl-transferase for CHIR-090, and DNA metabolism for 2-(cyclobutylmethoxy)-5'-deoxyadenosine. Changes to cell wall metabolites were seen in ceftazidime treatments, although other changes, presumably relating to off-target effects, dominated spectral outputs in the untargeted approach. Drugs which do not work through metabolic pathways, such as the proton carrier CCCP, have no discernible impact on the metabolome. The untargeted metabolomics approach also revealed modifications to two compounds, namely, fosmidomycin and AZ7. An untreated control was also analyzed, and changes to the metabolome were seen over 4 h, highlighting the necessity for careful controls in these types of studies. Metabolomics is a useful tool in the analysis of drug modes of action and can complement other technologies already in use.
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Qvit N, Schechtman D, Pena DA, Berti DA, Soares CO, Miao Q, Liang LA, Baron LA, Teh-Poot C, Martínez-Vega P, Ramirez-Sierra MJ, Churchill E, Cunningham AD, Malkovskiy AV, Federspiel NA, Gozzo FC, Torrecilhas AC, Manso Alves MJ, Jardim A, Momar N, Dumonteil E, Mochly-Rosen D. Scaffold proteins LACK and TRACK as potential drug targets in kinetoplastid parasites: Development of inhibitors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2016; 6:74-84. [PMID: 27054066 PMCID: PMC4805777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases cause ∼500,000 deaths annually and remain a major challenge for therapeutic development. Using a rational design based approach, we developed peptide inhibitors with anti-parasitic activity that were derived from the sequences of parasite scaffold proteins LACK (Leishmania's receptor for activated C-kinase) and TRACK (Trypanosomareceptor for activated C-kinase). We hypothesized that sequences in LACK and TRACK that are conserved in the parasites, but not in the mammalian ortholog, RACK (Receptor for activated C-kinase), may be interaction sites for signaling proteins that are critical for the parasites' viability. One of these peptides exhibited leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity in culture. Moreover, in infected mice, this peptide was also effective in reducing parasitemia and increasing survival without toxic effects. The identified peptide is a promising new anti-parasitic drug lead, as its unique features may limit toxicity and drug-resistance, thus overcoming central limitations of most anti-parasitic drugs. Identified unique short sequences conserved in parasite but not in host orthologue. Peptides corresponding to these sequences are active anti-parasitic drug lead. Cyclization of the peptides generates drug leads for in vivo proof of concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Qvit
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Deborah Schechtman
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Qianqian Miao
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Research Institute of the McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Liying Annie Liang
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Research Institute of the McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Lauren A Baron
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Christian Teh-Poot
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Pedro Martínez-Vega
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Maria Jesus Ramirez-Sierra
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Eric Churchill
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Anna D Cunningham
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrey V Malkovskiy
- Biomaterials and Advanced Drug Delivery Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nancy A Federspiel
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Fabio Cesar Gozzo
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Armando Jardim
- Institute of Parasitology and Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - Ndao Momar
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Research Institute of the McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Daria Mochly-Rosen
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Mitochondrial Proteomics of Antimony and Miltefosine Resistant Leishmania infantum. Proteomes 2015; 3:328-346. [PMID: 28248274 PMCID: PMC5217391 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes3040328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimony (SbIII) and miltefosine (MIL) are important drugs for the treatment of Leishmania parasite infections. The mitochondrion is likely to play a central role in SbIII and MIL induced cell death in this parasite. Enriched mitochondrial samples from Leishmania promastigotes selected step by step for in vitro resistance to SbIII and MIL were subjected to differential proteomic analysis. A shared decrease in both mutants in the levels of pyruvate dehydrogenase, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase was observed, as well as a differential abundance in two calcium-binding proteins and the unique dynamin-1-like protein of the parasite. Both mutants presented a shared increase in the succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid-coenzyme A transferase and the abundance of numerous hypothetical proteins was also altered in both mutants. In general, the proteomic changes observed in the MIL mutant were less pronounced than in the SbIII mutant, probably due to the early appearance of a mutation in the miltefosine transporter abrogating the need for a strong mitochondrial adaptation. This study is the first analysis of the Leishmania mitochondrial proteome and offers powerful insights into the adaptations to this organelle during SbIII and MIL drug resistance.
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Westrop GD, Williams RAM, Wang L, Zhang T, Watson DG, Silva AM, Coombs GH. Metabolomic Analyses of Leishmania Reveal Multiple Species Differences and Large Differences in Amino Acid Metabolism. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136891. [PMID: 26368322 PMCID: PMC4569581 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Comparative genomic analyses of Leishmania species have revealed relatively minor heterogeneity amongst recognised housekeeping genes and yet the species cause distinct infections and pathogenesis in their mammalian hosts. To gain greater information on the biochemical variation between species, and insights into possible metabolic mechanisms underpinning visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, we have undertaken in this study a comparative analysis of the metabolomes of promastigotes of L. donovani, L. major and L. mexicana. The analysis revealed 64 metabolites with confirmed identity differing 3-fold or more between the cell extracts of species, with 161 putatively identified metabolites differing similarly. Analysis of the media from cultures revealed an at least 3-fold difference in use or excretion of 43 metabolites of confirmed identity and 87 putatively identified metabolites that differed to a similar extent. Strikingly large differences were detected in their extent of amino acid use and metabolism, especially for tryptophan, aspartate, arginine and proline. Major pathways of tryptophan and arginine catabolism were shown to be to indole-3-lactate and arginic acid, respectively, which were excreted. The data presented provide clear evidence on the value of global metabolomic analyses in detecting species-specific metabolic features, thus application of this technology should be a major contributor to gaining greater understanding of how pathogens are adapted to infecting their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth D. Westrop
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Roderick A. M. Williams
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Lijie Wang
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Tong Zhang
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Marta Silva
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Graham H. Coombs
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Canuto GAB, da Cruz PLR, Faccio AT, Klassen A, Tavares MFM. Neglected diseases prioritized in Brazil under the perspective of metabolomics: A review. Electrophoresis 2015; 36:2336-2347. [PMID: 26095472 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201500102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This review article compiles in a critical manner literature publications regarding seven neglected diseases (ND) prioritized in Brazil (Chagas disease, dengue, leishmaniasis, leprosy, malaria, schistosomiasis, and tuberculosis) under the perspective of metabolomics. Both strategies, targeted and untargeted metabolomics, were considered in the compilation. The majority of studies focused on biomarker discovery for diagnostic purposes, and on the search of novel or alternative therapies against the ND under consideration, although temporal progression of the infection at metabolic level was also addressed. Tuberculosis, followed by schistosomiasis, malaria and leishmaniasis are the diseases that received larger attention in terms of number of publications. Dengue and leprosy were the least studied and Chagas disease received intermediate attention. NMR and HPLC-MS technologies continue to predominate among the analytical platforms of choice in the metabolomic studies of ND. A plethora of metabolites were identified in the compiled studies, with expressive predominancy of amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, nucleosides, lipids, fatty acids, and derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele A B Canuto
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro L R da Cruz
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrea T Faccio
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Klassen
- Federal University of Sao Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
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Turner KG, Vacchina P, Robles-Murguia M, Wadsworth M, McDowell MA, Morales MA. Fitness and Phenotypic Characterization of Miltefosine-Resistant Leishmania major. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003948. [PMID: 26230675 PMCID: PMC4521777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatid parasites of the genus Leishmania are the causative agents of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease with several clinical manifestations. Leishmania major is the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), which is largely characterized by ulcerative lesions appearing on the skin. Current treatments of leishmaniasis include pentavalent antimonials and amphotericin B, however, the toxic side effects of these drugs and difficulty with distribution makes these options less than ideal. Miltefosine (MIL) is the first oral treatment available for leishmaniasis. Originally developed for cancer chemotherapy, the mechanism of action of MIL in Leishmania spp. is largely unknown. While treatment with MIL has proven effective, higher tolerance to the drug has been observed, and resistance is easily developed in an in vitro environment. Utilizing stepwise selection we generated MIL-resistant cultures of L. major and characterized the fitness of MIL-resistant L. major. Resistant parasites proliferate at a comparable rate to the wild-type (WT) and exhibit similar apoptotic responses. As expected, MIL-resistant parasites demonstrate decreased susceptibility to MIL, which reduces after the drug is withdrawn from culture. Our data demonstrate metacyclogenesis is elevated in MIL-resistant L. major, albeit these parasites display attenuated in vitro and in vivo virulence and standard survival rates in the natural sandfly vector, indicating that development of experimental resistance to miltefosine does not lead to an increased competitive fitness in L. major.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimbra G. Turner
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Paola Vacchina
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Maricela Robles-Murguia
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Mariha Wadsworth
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Miguel A. Morales
- Eck Institute for Global Health, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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42
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A Multiplatform Metabolomic Approach to the Basis of Antimonial Action and Resistance in Leishmania infantum. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130675. [PMID: 26161866 PMCID: PMC4498920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a rising resistance against antimony drugs, the gold-standard for treatment until some years ago. That is a serious problem due to the paucity of drugs in current clinical use. In a research to reveal how these drugs affect the parasite during treatment and to unravel the underlying basis for their resistance, we have employed metabolomics to study treatment in Leishmania infantum promastigotes. This was accomplished first through the untargeted analysis of metabolic snapshots of treated and untreated parasites both resistant and responders, utilizing a multiplatform approach to give the widest as possible coverage of the metabolome, and additionally through novel monitoring of the origin of the detected alterations through a 13C traceability experiment. Our data stress a multi-target metabolic alteration with treatment, affecting in particular the cell redox system that is essential to cope with detoxification and biosynthetic processes. Additionally, relevant changes were noted in amino acid metabolism. Our results are in agreement with other authors studying other Leishmania species.
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McNamara LE, Turner LA, Burgess KV. Systems Biology Approaches Applied to Regenerative Medicine. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2015; 3:37-45. [PMID: 25722955 PMCID: PMC4333234 DOI: 10.1007/s40139-015-0072-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Systems biology is the creation of theoretical and mathematical models for the study of biological systems, as an engine for hypothesis generation and to provide context to experimental data. It is underpinned by the collection and analysis of complex datasets from different biological systems, including global gene, RNA, protein and metabolite profiles. Regenerative medicine seeks to replace or repair tissues with compromised function (for example, through injury, deficiency or pathology), in order to improve their functionality. In this paper, we will address the application of systems biology approaches to the study of regenerative medicine, with a particular focus on approaches to study modifications to the genome, transcripts and small RNAs, proteins and metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. McNamara
- Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ UK
| | | | - Karl V. Burgess
- Glasgow Polyomics, TCRC, University of Glasgow, Garscube Campus, Glasgow, G61 1QH UK
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44
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Experimental resistance to drug combinations in Leishmania donovani: metabolic and phenotypic adaptations. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:2242-55. [PMID: 25645828 DOI: 10.1128/aac.04231-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Together with vector control, chemotherapy is an essential tool for the control of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), but its efficacy is jeopardized by growing resistance and treatment failure against first-line drugs. To delay the emergence of resistance, the use of drug combinations of existing antileishmanial agents has been tested systematically in clinical trials for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In vitro, Leishmania donovani promastigotes are able to develop experimental resistance to several combinations of different antileishmanial drugs after 10 weeks of drug pressure. Using an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics approach, we identified metabolic changes in lines that were experimentally resistant to drug combinations and their respective single-resistant lines. This highlighted both collective metabolic changes (found in all combination therapy-resistant [CTR] lines) and specific ones (found in certain CTR lines). We demonstrated that single-resistant and CTR parasite cell lines show distinct metabolic adaptations, which all converge on the same defensive mechanisms that were experimentally validated: protection against drug-induced and external oxidative stress and changes in membrane fluidity. The membrane fluidity changes were accompanied by changes in drug uptake only in the lines that were resistant against drug combinations with antimonials, and surprisingly, drug accumulation was higher in these lines. Together, these results highlight the importance and the central role of protection against oxidative stress in the different resistant lines. Ultimately, these phenotypic changes might interfere with the mode of action of all drugs that are currently used for the treatment of VL and should be taken into account in drug development.
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Vincent IM, Barrett MP. Metabolomic-based strategies for anti-parasite drug discovery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:44-55. [PMID: 25281738 DOI: 10.1177/1087057114551519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metabolomics-based studies are proving of great utility in the analysis of modes of action (MOAs) and resistance mechanisms of drugs in parasitic protozoa. They have helped to determine the MOA of eflornithine, half of the gold standard combination therapy in use against human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), as well as the mechanism of resistance to this drug. In Leishmania, metabolomics has also given insight into the MOA of miltefosine, an alkylphospholipid. Several studies on antimony resistance in Leishmania have been conducted, analyzing the metabolic content of resistant lines, offering clues as to the MOA of this class of drugs. A study of chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum combined metabolomics techniques with other genetic and proteomic techniques to offer new insight into the role of the PfCRT protein. The MOA and mechanism of resistance to a group of halogenated pyrimidines in Trypanosoma brucei have also recently been elucidated. Effective as metabolomics techniques are, care must be taken in the design and implementation of these experiments, to ensure the resulting data are meaningful. This review outlines the steps required to conduct a metabolomics experiment as well as provide an overview of metabolomics-based drug research in protozoa to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel M Vincent
- The Glasgow Polyomics Facility and Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michael P Barrett
- The Glasgow Polyomics Facility and Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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