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Schaub GA. Interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi, Triatomines and the Microbiota of the Vectors-A Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:855. [PMID: 38792688 PMCID: PMC11123833 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, its vectors, triatomines, and the diverse intestinal microbiota of triatomines, which includes mutualistic symbionts, and highlights open questions. T. cruzi strains show great biological heterogeneity in their development and their interactions. Triatomines differ from other important vectors of diseases in their ontogeny and the enzymes used to digest blood. Many different bacteria colonize the intestinal tract of triatomines, but only Actinomycetales have been identified as mutualistic symbionts. Effects of the vector on T. cruzi are indicated by differences in the ability of T. cruzi to establish in the triatomines and in colonization peculiarities, i.e., proliferation mainly in the posterior midgut and rectum and preferential transformation into infectious metacyclic trypomastigotes in the rectum. In addition, certain forms of T. cruzi develop after feeding and during starvation of triatomines. Negative effects of T. cruzi on the triatomine vectors appear to be particularly evident when the triatomines are stressed and depend on the T. cruzi strain. Effects on the intestinal immunity of the triatomines are induced by ingested blood-stage trypomastigotes of T. cruzi and affect the populations of many non-symbiotic intestinal bacteria, but not all and not the mutualistic symbionts. After the knockdown of antimicrobial peptides, the number of non-symbiotic bacteria increases and the number of T. cruzi decreases. Presumably, in long-term infections, intestinal immunity is suppressed, which supports the growth of specific bacteria, depending on the strain of T. cruzi. These interactions may provide an approach to disrupt T. cruzi transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter A Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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4,7-Didehydro-neophysalin B Protects Rat Lung Epithelial Cells against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage through Nrf2-Mediated Signaling Pathway. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:4189083. [PMID: 36132230 PMCID: PMC9484967 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4189083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The administration of 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B is expected to be a promising strategy for mitigating oxidative stress in respiratory diseases. This study was aimed at investigating the efficacy of 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B for apoptosis resistance of rat lung epithelial cells (RLE-6TN) to oxidative stress and evaluating its underlying mechanism of action. The RLE-6TN cells treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were divided into five groups, and 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B was administered into it. To evaluate its mechanism of action, the expression of oxidative stress and apoptotic proteins was investigated. 4,7-Didehydro-neophysalin B significantly inhibited H2O2-induced RLE-6TN cell damage. It also activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway which was evident from the increased transcription of antioxidant responsive of KLF9, NQO1, Keap-1, and HO-1. Nrf2 was found to be a potential target of 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B. The protein levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were increased while Bax and p53 were decreased significantly. Flow cytometry showed that 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B protected RLE-6TN cells from apoptosis and has improved the oxidative damage. This study provided a promising evidence that 4,7-didehydro-neophysalin B can be a therapeutic option for oxidative stress in respiratory diseases.
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Meira CS, Soares JWC, Dos Reis BPZC, Pacheco LV, Santos IP, Silva DKC, de Lacerda JC, Daltro SRT, Guimarães ET, Soares MBP. Therapeutic Applications of Physalins: Powerful Natural Weapons. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:864714. [PMID: 35450054 PMCID: PMC9016203 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.864714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Physalins, or 16,24-cyclo-13,14-seco steroids, are compounds belonging to the class of withanolides that can be found in plants of Solanaceae family, mainly in species belonging to the genus Physalis spp., which are annual herbaceous plants widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Physalins are versatile molecules that act in several cell signaling pathways and activate different mechanisms of cell death or immunomodulation. A number of studies have shown a variety of actions of these compounds, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, and antiviral activities. Here we reviewed the main findings related to the anticancer, immunomodulatory, and antiparasitic activities of physalins and its mechanisms of action, highlighting the \challenges and future directions in the pharmacological application of physalins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cássio Santana Meira
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil.,Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Life Sciences, State University of Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Julia Costa de Lacerda
- Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Bahiana Foundation for the Development of Sciences, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Elisalva Teixeira Guimarães
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Life Sciences, State University of Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador, Brazil.,Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Brazil
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Yang J, Sun Y, Cao F, Yang B, Kuang H. Natural Products from Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino: A Review on Their Structural Analysis, Quality Control, Pharmacology, and Pharmacokinetics. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030695. [PMID: 35163960 PMCID: PMC8840080 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The calyxes and fruits of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino (P. alkekengi), a medicinal and edible plant, are frequently used as heat-clearing and detoxifying agents in thousands of Chinese medicine prescriptions. For thousands of years in China, they have been widely used in clinical practice to treat throat disease, hepatitis, and bacillary dysentery. This systematic review summarizes their structural analysis, quality control, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics. Furthermore, the possible development trends and perspectives for future research studies on this medicinal plant are discussed. Relevant information on the calyxes and fruits of P. alkekengi was collected from electronic databases, Chinese herbal classics, and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Moreover, information was collected from ancient documents in China. The components isolated and identified in P. alkekengi include steroids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, nucleosides, terpenoids, megastigmane, aliphatic derivatives, organic acids, coumarins, and sucrose esters. Steroids, particularly physalins and flavonoids, are the major characteristic and bioactive ingredients in P. alkekengi. According to the literature, physalins are synthesized by the mevalonate and 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate pathways, and flavonoids are synthesized by the phenylpropanoid pathway. Since the chemical components and pharmacological effects of P. alkekengi are complex and varied, there are different standards for the evaluation of its quality and efficacy. In most cases, the analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection. A pharmacological study showed that the crude extracts and isolated compounds from P. alkekengi had extensive in vitro and in vivo biological activities (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immunosuppressive, antibacterial, anti-leishmanial, anti-asthmatic, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, anti-malarial, anti-Alzheimer's disease, and vasodilatory). Moreover, the relevant anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor mechanisms were elucidated. The reported activities indicate the great pharmacological potential of P. alkekengi. Similarly, studies on the pharmacokinetics of specific compounds will also contribute to the progress of clinical research in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (J.Y.); (Y.S.); (B.Y.)
| | - Yanping Sun
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (J.Y.); (Y.S.); (B.Y.)
| | - Feng Cao
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China;
| | - Bingyou Yang
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (J.Y.); (Y.S.); (B.Y.)
| | - Haixue Kuang
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (J.Y.); (Y.S.); (B.Y.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0451-82197188
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Wu J, Zhao J, Zhang T, Gu Y, Khan IA, Zou Z, Xu Q. Naturally occurring physalins from the genus Physalis: A review. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2021; 191:112925. [PMID: 34487922 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Physalins, including physalins and neophysalins, are a class of highly oxygenated ergostane-type steroids. They are commonly known by the name of 16,24-cyclo-13,14-seco steroids, in which the disconnection of C-13 and C-14 produces an eight or nine-membered ring and the carbocyclization of C-16 and C-24 generates a new six-membered ring. Meanwhile, the oxidation of C-18 methyl to carboxyl group forms a 18,20-lactone, and the oxidation of C-14 and C-17 gets a heterocyclic oxygen acrossing rings C and D. Additionly, physalins frequently form an oxygen bridge to connect C-14 to C-27. Physalins are a kind of characteristic constituents from the species of the genus Physalis (Solanaceae), which are reported with a wide array of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, antimicrobial, trypanocidal and leishmanicidal, antinociceptive, antidiabetic and some other activities. Herein,the research progress of physalins from the genus Physalis during the decade from 1970 to 2021 on phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and application in China are systematically presented and discussed for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Wu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jianping Zhao
- National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yucheng Gu
- Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Berkshire, RE42 6EY, UK
| | - Ikhlas A Khan
- National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Zhongmei Zou
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Qiongming Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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Vieira CS, Figueiredo MB, Moraes CDS, Pereira SB, Dyson P, Mello CB, Castro DP, Azambuja P. Azadirachtin interferes with basal immunity and microbial homeostasis in the Rhodnius prolixus midgut. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 114:103864. [PMID: 32918931 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus is an insect vector of two flagellate parasites, Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi, the latter being the causative agent of Chagas disease in Latin America. The R. prolixus neuroendocrine system regulates the synthesis of the steroid hormone ecdysone, which is essential for not only development and molting but also insect immunity. Knowledge for how this modulates R. prolixus midgut immune responses is essential for understanding interactions between the vector, its parasites and symbiotic microbes. In the present work, we evaluated the effects of ecdysone inhibition on R. prolixus humoral immunity and homeostasis with its microbiota, using the triterpenoid natural product, azadirachtin. Our results demonstrated that azadirachtin promoted a fast and lasting inhibitory effect on expression of both RpRelish, a nuclear factor kappa B transcription factor (NF-kB) component of the IMD pathway, and several antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes. On the other hand, RpDorsal, encoding the equivalent NF-kB transcription factor in the Toll pathway, and the defC AMP gene were upregulated later in azadirachtin treated insects. The treatment also impacted on proliferation of Serratia marcescens, an abundant commensal bacterium. The simultaneous administration of ecdysone and azadirachtin in R. prolixus blood meals counteracted the azadirachtin effects on insect molting and also on expression of RpRelish and AMPs genes. These results support the direct involvement of ecdysone in regulation of the IMD pathway in the Rhodnius prolixus gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Stahl Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcela Barbosa Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Caroline da Silva Moraes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Suelen Bastos Pereira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paul Dyson
- School of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Cícero Brasileiro Mello
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniele Pereira Castro
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Azambuja
- Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil.
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Huang M, He JX, Hu HX, Zhang K, Wang XN, Zhao BB, Lou HX, Ren DM, Shen T. Withanolides from the genus Physalis: a review on their phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. J Pharm Pharmacol 2019; 72:649-669. [DOI: 10.1111/jphp.13209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Withanolides are a group of modified C28 ergostane-type steroids with a C-22, C-26 δ-lactone side chain or a C-23, C-26 γ-lactone side chain. They enjoy a limited distribution in the plant kingdom and predominantly occur in several genera of Solanaceae. Of which, the genus Physalis is an important resource for this type of natural molecules. The present review aims to comprehensively illustrate the structural characteristics and classification of withanolides, and particularly focus on the progression on phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of withanolides from Physalis ranging from January 2015 to June 2019.
Key findings
Approximately 351 natural withanolides with novel and unique structures have so far been identified from genus Physalis, mainly isolated from the species of P. angulata and P. peruviana. Withanolides demonstrated diverse biological activity, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunoregulatory, trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activity. Their observed pharmacological functions supported the uses of Physalis species in traditional or folk medicines.
Summary
Due to their unique structure skeleton and potent bioactivities, withanolides are regarded to be promising drug candidates, particularly for developing anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents. Further investigations for discovering novel withanolides of genus Physalis, exploiting their pharmacological values and evaluating their potency as therapeutic agents are significant work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ji-Xiang He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hui-Xin Hu
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Kan Zhang
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiao-Ning Wang
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bao-Bing Zhao
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hong-Xiang Lou
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dong-Mei Ren
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tao Shen
- Key Lab of Chemical Biology (MOE), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Teotônio IMSN, Dias N, Hagström-Bex L, Nitz N, Francisco AF, Hecht M. Intestinal microbiota - A modulator of the Trypanosoma cruzi-vector-host triad. Microb Pathog 2019; 137:103711. [PMID: 31491548 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease affects millions of people, and it is a major cause of death in Latin America. Prevention and development of an effective treatment for this infection can be favored by a more thorough understanding of T. cruzi interaction with the microbiome of vectors and hosts. Next-generation sequencing technology vastly broadened the knowledge about intestinal bacteria composition, showing that microbiota within each host (triatomines and mammals) is composed by high diversity of species, although few dominant phyla. This fact may represent an ecological balance that was acquired during the evolutionary process of the microbiome-host complex, and that serves to perpetuate this system. In this context, commensal microbiota is also essential to protect hosts, conferring them resistance to pathogens colonization. However, in some situations, the microbiota is not able to prevent infection but only modulate it. Here we will review the role of the microbiota on the parasite-vector-host triad with a focus on the kinetoplastida of medical importance Trypanosoma cruzi. Novel strategies to control Chagas disease based on intestinal microbiome will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nayra Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström-Bex
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
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Montoya-Porras LM, Omar TC, Alzate JF, Moreno-Herrera CX, Cadavid-Restrepo GE. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing reveals dominance of Actinobacteria in Rhodnius pallescens compared to Triatoma maculata midgut microbiota in natural populations of vector insects from Colombia. Acta Trop 2018; 178:327-332. [PMID: 29154947 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease affects more than 6 million people in Latin America, it is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted mainly by bloodsucking insects of the Triatominae subfamily. Studies on microbial communities that inhabit the insect gut are important to understanding their role in the parasite transmission and development. The present work aims to evaluate the gut bacterial composition of natural populations of triatomine species from Vichada and Magdalena, administrative states called departments in Colombia, using high-throughput sequencing technologies. The insects were collected from housing peridomestic area and Attalea butyracea palms; they were identified by conventional taxonomy as Triatoma maculata and Rhodnius pallescens, and their guts were dissected under aseptic conditions in order to obtain total DNA. After DNA quality confirmation, the sequencing of the V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was carried out using the Illumina platform MiSeq. The results showed that 13 predominant bacterial genera were present in both species, being Burkholderia, Gordonia, and Ralstonia, the most prevailing bacterial genera. Furthermore, representative genera of each species were found. Williamsia and Kocuria were the most common in R. pallescens; and Dietzia, Aeromonas, and Pelomonas were only observed in T. maculata samples. This is the first study of microbiota associated with these triatomine species using massive sequencing methods The approach allowed inferring the presence of a dominant population of bacteria according to the triatomine species in Colombia, which may suggest a strong association between microbiota and their host.
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Triflumuron Effects on the Physiology and Reproduction of Rhodnius prolixus Adult Females. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:8603140. [PMID: 27822479 PMCID: PMC5086386 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8603140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the efficacy of the growth regulator triflumuron (TFM) in inducing mortality and disrupting both oviposition and egg hatching in Rhodnius prolixus adult females. TFM was administered via feeding, topically or by continuous contact with impregnated surfaces. Feeding resulted in mild biological effects compared with topical and impregnated surfaces. One day after treatment, the highest mortality levels were observed with topical surface and 30 days later both topical and impregnated surfaces induced higher mortalities than feeding. Oral treatment inhibited oviposition even at lower doses, and hatching of eggs deposited by treated females was similarly affected by the three delivery modes. Topical treatment of eggs deposited by nontreated females significantly reduced hatching. However, treatment per contact of eggs oviposited by untreated females did not disrupt eclosion. Additionally, oral treatment increased the number of immature oocytes per female, and topical treatment reduced the mean size of oocytes. TFM also affected carcass chitin content, diuresis, and innate immunity of treated insects. These results suggest that TFM acts as a potent growth inhibitor of R. prolixus adult females and has the potential to be used in integrated vector control programs against hematophagous triatomine species.
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Barthel A, Vogel H, Pauchet Y, Pauls G, Kunert G, Groot AT, Boland W, Heckel DG, Heidel-Fischer HM. Immune modulation enables a specialist insect to benefit from antibacterial withanolides in its host plant. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12530. [PMID: 27561781 PMCID: PMC5007441 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of novel plant chemical defenses and counter adaptations by herbivorous insect could continually drive speciation, producing more insect specialists than generalists. One approach to test this hypothesis is to compare closely related generalist and specialist species to reveal the associated costs and benefits of these different adaptive strategies. We use the specialized moth Heliothis subflexa, which feeds exclusively on plants in the genus Physalis, and its close generalist relative H. virescens. Specialization on Physalis plants necessitates the ability to tolerate withanolides, the secondary metabolites of Physalis species that are known to have feeding deterrent and immune inhibiting properties for other insects. Here we find that only H. subflexa benefits from the antibacterial properties of withanolides, and thereby gains a higher tolerance of the pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis. We argue that the specialization in H. subflexa has been guided to a large extent by a unique role of plant chemistry on ecological immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Barthel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Yannick Pauchet
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Gerhard Pauls
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Grit Kunert
- Department of Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Astrid T. Groot
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Sciencepark 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelm Boland
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - David G. Heckel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Hanna M. Heidel-Fischer
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Street 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
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Buarque DS, Gomes CM, Araújo RN, Pereira MH, Ferreira RC, Guarneri AA, Tanaka AS. A new antimicrobial protein from the anterior midgut of Triatoma infestans mediates Trypanosoma cruzi establishment by controlling the microbiota. Biochimie 2016; 123:138-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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The Biological Fight Against Pathogenic Bacteria and Protozoa. NEW WEAPONS TO CONTROL BACTERIAL GROWTH 2016. [PMCID: PMC7123701 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-28368-5_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The animal gastrointestinal tract is a tube with two open ends; hence, from the microbial point of view it constitutes an open system, as opposed to the circulatory system that must be a tightly closed microbial-free environment. In particular, the human intestine spans ca. 200 m2 and represents a massive absorptive surface composed of a layer of epithelial cells as well as a paracellular barrier. The permeability of this paracellular barrier is regulated by transmembrane proteins known as claudins that play a critical role in tight junctions.
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Physalins B and F, seco-steroids isolated from Physalis angulata L., strongly inhibit proliferation, ultrastructure and infectivity of Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitology 2013; 140:1811-21. [PMID: 24001147 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182013001297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We previously observed that physalins have immunomodulatory properties, as well as antileishmanial and antiplasmodial activities. Here, we investigated the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of physalins B, D, F and G. We found that physalins B and F were the most potent compounds against trypomastigote and epimastigote forms of T. cruzi. Electron microscopy of trypomastigotes incubated with physalin B showed disruption of kinetoplast, alterations in Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum, followed by the formation of myelin-like figures, which were stained with MDC to confirm their autophagic vacuole identity. Physalin B-mediated alteration in Golgi apparatus was likely due to T. cruzi protease perturbation; however physalins did not inhibit activity of the trypanosomal protease cruzain. Flow cytometry examination showed that cell death is mainly caused by necrosis. Treatment with physalins reduced the invasion process, as well as intracellular parasite development in macrophage cell culture, with a potency similar to benznidazole. We observed that a combination of physalins and benznidazole has a greater anti-T. cruzi activity than when compounds were used alone. These results indicate that physalins, specifically B and F, are potent and selective trypanocidal agents. They cause structural alterations and induce autophagy, which ultimately lead to parasite cell death by a necrotic process.
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