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Silva CAO, Alves SDS, Rodrigues BDC, Fraga Egidio JA, Ribeiro L, Logullo C, Mury FB, Santos DDG, Portal T, Monteiro-de-Barros C, Roberto da Silva J, Nepomuceno-Silva JL, Nunes-da-Fonseca R. The mlpt smORF gene is essential for digestive physiology and molting during nymphal stages in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 172:104154. [PMID: 38972513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease affects around 8 million people globally, with Latin America bearing approximately 10,000 deaths each year. Combatting the disease relies heavily on vector control methods, necessitating the identification of new targets. Within insect genomes, genes harboring small open reading frames (smORFs - < 100 amino acids) present numerous potential candidates. In our investigation, we elucidate the pivotal role of the archetypal smORF-containing gene, mille-pattes/polished-rice/tarsalless (mlpt/pri/tal), in the post-embryonic development of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus. Injection of double-stranded RNA targeting mlpt (dsmlpt) during nymphal stages yields a spectrum of phenotypes hindering post-embryonic growth. Notably, fourth or fifth stage nymphs subjected to dsmlpt do not undergo molting. These dsmlpt nymphs display heightened mRNA levels of JHAMT-like and EPOX-like, enzymes putatively involved in the juvenile hormone (JH) pathway, alongside increased expression of the transcription factor Kr-h1, indicating changes in the hormonal control. Histological examination reveals structural alterations in the hindgut and external cuticle of dsmlpt nymphs compared to control (dsGFP) counterparts. Furthermore, significant changes in the vector's digestive physiology were observed, with elevated hemozoin and glucose levels in the posterior midgut of dsmlpt nymphs. Importantly, dsmlpt nymphs exhibit impaired metacyclogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, underscoring the crucial role of proper gut organization in parasite differentiation. Thus, our findings constitute the first evidence of a smORF-containing gene's regulatory influence on vector physiology, parasitic cycle, and disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Azevedo Oliveira Silva
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sandy da Silveira Alves
- Laboratório Integrado de Biociências Translacionais (LIBT), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bruno da Costa Rodrigues
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jonatha Anderson Fraga Egidio
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lupis Ribeiro
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - Flavia Borges Mury
- Laboratório Integrado de Biociências Translacionais (LIBT), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - Daniele das Graças Santos
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Taynan Portal
- Laboratório Integrado de Biociências Translacionais (LIBT), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cintia Monteiro-de-Barros
- Laboratório Integrado de Biociências Translacionais (LIBT), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Roberto da Silva
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - José Luciano Nepomuceno-Silva
- Laboratório Integrado de Bioquímica Hatisaburo Masuda (LIBHM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Nunes-da-Fonseca
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM/UFRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular - INCT-EM, Brazil.
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Ouali R, Bousbata S. Unveiling the Peptidase Network Orchestrating Hemoglobin Catabolism in Rhodnius prolixus. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100775. [PMID: 38663568 PMCID: PMC11135036 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is transmitted to humans by obligatory hematophagous insects of Triatominae subfamily, which feeds on various hosts to acquire their nutritional sustenance derived from blood proteins. Hemoglobin (Hb) digestion is a pivotal metabolic feature of triatomines, representing a key juncture in their competence toward Trypanosoma cruzi; however, it remains poorly understood. To explore the Hb digestion pathway in Rhodnius prolixus, a major Chagas disease vector, we employed an array of approaches for activity profiling of various midgut-associated peptidases using specific substrates and inhibitors. Dissecting the individual contribution of each peptidase family in Hb digestion has unveiled a predominant role played by aspartic proteases and cathepsin B-like peptidases. Determination of peptidase-specific cleavage sites of these key hemoglobinases, in conjunction with mass spectrometry-based identification of in vivo Hb-derived fragments, has revealed the intricate network of peptidases involved in the Hb digestion pathway. This network is initiated by aspartic proteases and subsequently sustained by cysteine proteases belonging to the C1 family. The process is continued simultaneously by amino and carboxypeptidases. The comprehensive profiling of midgut-associated aspartic proteases by quantitative proteomics has enabled the accurate revision of gene annotations within the A1 family of the R. prolixus genome. Significantly, this study also serves to illuminate a potentially important role of the anterior midgut in blood digestion. The expanded repertoire of midgut-associated proteases presented in this study holds promise for the identification of novel targets aimed at controlling the transmission of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radouane Ouali
- Laboratory of Vector-Pathogen Biology, Proteomic Platform, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium.
| | - Sabrina Bousbata
- Laboratory of Vector-Pathogen Biology, Proteomic Platform, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium.
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Barbosa HJ, Quevedo YS, Torres AM, Veloza GAG, Carranza Martínez JC, Urrea-Montes DA, Robello-Porto C, Vallejo GA. Comparative proteomic analysis of the hemolymph and salivary glands of Rhodnius prolixus and R. colombiensis reveals candidates associated with differential lytic activity against Trypanosoma cruzi Dm28c and T. cruzi Y. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011452. [PMID: 38568999 PMCID: PMC10990223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011452] [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: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune response of triatomines plays an important role in the success or failure of transmission of T. cruzi. Studies on parasite-vector interaction have shown the presence of trypanolytic factors and have been observed to be differentially expressed among triatomines, which affects the transmission of some T. cruzi strains or DTUs (Discrete Typing Units). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Trypanolytic factors were detected in the hemolymph and saliva of R. prolixus against epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of the Y strain (T. cruzi II). To identify the components of the immune response that could be involved in this lytic activity, a comparative proteomic analysis was carried out, detecting 120 proteins in the hemolymph of R. prolixus and 107 in R. colombiensis. In salivary glands, 1103 proteins were detected in R. prolixus and 853 in R. colombiensis. A higher relative abundance of lysozyme, prolixin, nitrophorins, and serpin as immune response proteins was detected in the hemolymph of R. prolixus. Among the R. prolixus salivary proteins, a higher relative abundance of nitrophorins, lipocalins, and triabins was detected. The higher relative abundance of these immune factors in R. prolixus supports their participation in the lytic activity on Y strain (T. cruzi II), but not on Dm28c (T. cruzi I), which is resistant to lysis by hemolymph and salivary proteins of R. prolixus due to mechanisms of evading oxidative stress caused by immune factors. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The lysis resistance observed in the Dm28c strain would be occurring at the DTU I level. T. cruzi I is the DTU with the greatest geographic distribution, from the south of the United States to central Chile and Argentina, a distribution that could be related to resistance to oxidative stress from vectors. Likewise, we can say that lysis against strain Y could occur at the level of DTU II and could be a determinant of the vector inability of these species to transmit T. cruzi II. Future proteomic and transcriptomic studies on vectors and the interactions of the intestinal microbiota with parasites will help to confirm the determinants of successful or failed vector transmission of T. cruzi DTUs in different parts of the Western Hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamilton J. Barbosa
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Yazmin Suárez Quevedo
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Arlid Meneses Torres
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Gustavo A. Gaitán Veloza
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Julio C. Carranza Martínez
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Daniel A. Urrea-Montes
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Carlos Robello-Porto
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gustavo A. Vallejo
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
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Andrade LC, Majerowicz D, Oliveira PL, Guarneri AA. Alterations in energy metabolism of Rhodnius prolixus induced by Trypanosoma rangeli infection. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 159:103987. [PMID: 37429385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma rangeli is a protozoan parasite that infects triatomines and mammals in the Americas, producing mixed infections with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The former parasite is not pathogenic to humans, but has different levels of pathogenicity, as well as causing physiological and behavioral alterations, to its invertebrate hosts. In this study, we measured locomotory activity, and the glyceride accumulation profile in the hemolymph and fat body, as well as the expression of key genes related to triglyceride metabolism, of Rhodnius prolixus nymphs infected with T. rangeli. We found that the locomotory activity of the insects was correlated with the amount of triglycerides in the fat body. Infected nymphs had increased activity when starved, and also had an accumulation of glycerides in the fat body and hemolymph. These alterations were also associated with a higher expression of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase, lipophorin and lipophorin receptor genes in the fat body. We infer that T. rangeli is able to alter the energetic processes of its invertebrate host, in order to increase the availability of lipids to the parasite, which, in turn modifies the activity levels of the insect. These alterations are discussed with regard to their potential to increase the transmission rate of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila C Andrade
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 30190-009, Brazil
| | - David Majerowicz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Prédio do CCS, bloco A, 2° andar, sala 48, CEP: 21941-590, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil; INCT-EM, Brazil
| | - Alessandra A Guarneri
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 30190-009, Brazil; INCT-EM, Brazil.
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5
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Gama MDVF, Alexandre YDN, Pereira da Silva JM, Castro DP, Genta FA. Digestive α-L-fucosidase activity in Rhodnius prolixus after blood feeding: effect of secretagogue and nutritional stimuli. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1123414. [PMID: 37538373 PMCID: PMC10394381 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1123414] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is an important vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas Disease. This insect is a model for the study of insect physiology, especially concerning the digestion of blood. Among the enzymes produced in the midgut of R. prolixus after blood feeding there is a α-L-fucosidase activity. There are very few studies on α-L-fucosidase of insects, and the role of R. prolixus α-L-fucosidase is still not clear. In this work, we tested if the mechanism for production of this enzyme is similar to the observed for proteases, a secretatogue mechanism that respond to the protein contents of the meal. Methods: We tested if specific proteins or sugars elicit this response, which may help to understand the nature of the physiological substrate for this enzyme. Results: In general, our results showed that the Anterior Midgut was the only midgut fraction that responds to the blood meal in terms of α-L-fucosidase production. Besides that, this response was not triggered by midgut distension or by ingestion of the blood cell fraction. Conversely, the enzyme was produced after feeding with the plasma fraction. However, the production of α-L-fucosidase was also triggered by different biochemical stimuli, as protein or fucoidan ingestion. Discussion: This suggested that the production of the enzyme in the anterior midgut was a general physiological response under control of different convergent signals. Besides that, the comparison between different treatments for artificial blood feeding showed that heparinated blood was the choice with minor side effects for the study of the midgut α-L-fucosidase, when compared to defibrinated or citrated blood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniele Pereira Castro
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Resisting an invasion: A review of the triatomine vector (Kissing bug) defense strategies against a Trypanosoma sp infection. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106745. [PMID: 36375520 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106745] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Triatomines are an important group of insects in the Americas. They serve as transmission vectors for Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent responsible for the deadly Chagas disease in humans. The digenetic parasite has a complex life cycle, alternating between mammalian and insect hosts, facing different environments. In the insect vector, the metacyclic trypomastigote (non-replicative) and epimastigote (replicative) stages face a set of insect-mediated environmental changes, such as intestinal pH, body temperature, nutrient availability, and vector immune response. These insects have the ability to differentiate between self and non-self-particles using their innate immune system. This immune system comprises physical barriers, cellular responses (phagocytosis, nodules and encapsulation), humoral factors, including effector mechanisms (antimicrobial peptides and prophenoloxidase cascade) and the intestinal microbiota. Here, we consolidate and synthesize the available literature to describe the defense mechanisms deployed by the triatomine vector against the parasite, as documented in recent years, the possible mechanisms developed by the parasite to protect against the insect's specific microenvironment and innate immune responses, and future perspectives on the Triatomine-Trypanosome interaction.
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Gama MDVF, Moraes CS, Gomes B, Diaz-Albiter HM, Mesquita RD, Seabra-Junior E, Azambuja P, Garcia EDS, Genta FA. Structure and expression of Rhodnius prolixus GH18 chitinases and chitinase-like proteins: Characterization of the physiological role of RpCht7, a gene from subgroup VIII, in vector fitness and reproduction. Front Physiol 2022; 13:861620. [PMID: 36262251 PMCID: PMC9574080 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.861620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chitinases are enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of glycosidic linkages within chitin chains. In insects, chitinases are typically members of the multigenic glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18). They participate in the relocation of chitin during development and molt, and in digestion in detritivores and predatory insects, and they control the peritrophic membrane thickness. Chitin metabolism is a promising target for developing vector control strategies, and knowledge of the roles of chitinases may reveal new targets and illuminate unique aspects of their physiology and interaction with microorganisms. Rhodnius prolixus is an important vector of Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In this study, we performed annotation and structural characterization of nine chitinase and chitinase-like protein genes in the R. prolixus genome. The roles of their corresponding transcripts were studied in more depth; their physiological roles were studied through RNAi silencing. Phylogenetic analysis of coding sequences showed that these genes belong to different subfamilies of GH18 chitinases already described in other insects. The expression patterns of these genes in different tissues and developmental stages were initially characterized using RT-PCR. RNAi screening showed silencing of the gene family members with very different efficiencies. Based on the knockdown results and the general lack of information about subgroup VIII of GH18, the RpCht7 gene was chosen for phenotype analysis. RpCht7 knockdown doubled the mortality in starving fifth-instar nymphs compared to dsGFP-injected controls. However, it did not alter blood intake, diuresis, digestion, molting rate, molting defects, sexual ratio, percentage of hatching, or average hatching time. Nevertheless, female oviposition was reduced by 53% in RpCht7-silenced insects, and differences in oviposition occurred within 14–20 days after a saturating blood meal. These results suggest that RpCht7 may be involved in the reproductive physiology and vector fitness of R. prolixus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bruno Gomes
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hector Manuel Diaz-Albiter
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, ECOSUR, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Rafael Dias Mesquita
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eloy Seabra-Junior
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Azambuja
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eloi de Souza Garcia
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Fernando Ariel Genta, ,
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Nishide Y, Nagamine K, Kageyama D, Moriyama M, Futahashi R, Fukatsu T. A new antimicrobial peptide, Pentatomicin, from the stinkbug Plautia stali. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16503. [PMID: 36192417 PMCID: PMC9529961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20427-w] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play crucial roles in the innate immunity of diverse organisms, which exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structural property and antimicrobial spectrum. Here, we describe a new AMP, named Pentatomicin, from the stinkbug Plautia stali (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Orthologous nucleotide sequences of Pentatomicin were present in stinkbugs and beetles but not in other insect groups. Notably, orthologous sequences were also detected from a horseshoe crab, cyanobacteria and proteobacteria, suggesting the possibility of inter-domain horizontal gene transfers of Pentatomicin and allied protein genes. The recombinant protein of Pentatomicin was effective against an array of Gram-positive bacteria but not against Gram-negative bacteria. Upon septic shock, the expression of Pentatomicin drastically increased in a manner similar to other AMPs. On the other hand, unlike other AMPs, mock and saline injections increased the expression of Pentatomicin. RNAi-mediated downregulation of Imd pathway genes (Imd and Relish) and Toll pathway genes (MyD88 and Dorsal) revealed that the expression of Pentatomicin is under the control of Toll pathway. Being consistent with in vitro effectiveness of the recombinant protein, adult insects injected with dsRNA of Pentatomicin exhibited higher vulnerability to Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus than to Gram-negative Escherichia coli. We discovered high levels of Pentatomicin expression in eggs, which is atypical of other AMPs and suggestive of its biological functioning in eggs. Contrary to the expectation, however, RNAi-mediated downregulation of Pentatomicin did not affect normal embryonic development of P. stali. Moreover, the downregulation of Pentatomicin in eggs did not affect vertical symbiont transmission to the offspring even under heavily contaminated conditions, which refuted our expectation that the antimicrobial activity of Pentatomicin may contribute to egg surface-mediated symbiont transmission by suppressing microbial contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Nishide
- grid.416835.d0000 0001 2222 0432Institute of Agrobiological Sciences Ohwashi, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, 305-8634 Japan
| | - Keisuke Nagamine
- grid.416835.d0000 0001 2222 0432Institute of Agrobiological Sciences Ohwashi, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, 305-8634 Japan ,grid.54432.340000 0001 0860 6072Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Tokyo, 102-0083 Japan
| | - Daisuke Kageyama
- grid.416835.d0000 0001 2222 0432Institute of Agrobiological Sciences Ohwashi, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, 305-8634 Japan
| | - Minoru Moriyama
- grid.208504.b0000 0001 2230 7538National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8566 Japan
| | - Ryo Futahashi
- grid.208504.b0000 0001 2230 7538National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8566 Japan
| | - Takema Fukatsu
- grid.208504.b0000 0001 2230 7538National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8566 Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan ,grid.20515.330000 0001 2369 4728Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8572 Japan
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Ratcliffe NA, Furtado Pacheco JP, Dyson P, Castro HC, Gonzalez MS, Azambuja P, Mello CB. Overview of paratransgenesis as a strategy to control pathogen transmission by insect vectors. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:112. [PMID: 35361286 PMCID: PMC8969276 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05132-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This article presents an overview of paratransgenesis as a strategy to control pathogen transmission by insect vectors. It first briefly summarises some of the disease-causing pathogens vectored by insects and emphasises the need for innovative control methods to counter the threat of resistance by both the vector insect to pesticides and the pathogens to therapeutic drugs. Subsequently, the state of art of paratransgenesis is described, which is a particularly ingenious method currently under development in many important vector insects that could provide an additional powerful tool for use in integrated pest control programmes. The requirements and recent advances of the paratransgenesis technique are detailed and an overview is given of the microorganisms selected for genetic modification, the effector molecules to be expressed and the environmental spread of the transgenic bacteria into wild insect populations. The results of experimental models of paratransgenesis developed with triatomines, mosquitoes, sandflies and tsetse flies are analysed. Finally, the regulatory and safety rules to be satisfied for the successful environmental release of the genetically engineered organisms produced in paratransgenesis are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman A Ratcliffe
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil. .,Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK.
| | - João P Furtado Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil.,Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil
| | - Paul Dyson
- Institute of Life Science, Medical School, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
| | - Helena Carla Castro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil
| | - Marcelo S Gonzalez
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil.,Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil
| | - Patricia Azambuja
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil.,Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil
| | - Cicero B Mello
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil.,Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Instituto de Biologia (EGB), Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brazil
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10
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Barletta Ferreira AB, Bahia AC, Pitaluga AN, Barros E, Gama dos Santos D, Bottino-Rojas V, Kubota MS, Oliveira PLD, Pimenta PFP, Traub-Csekö YM, Sorgine MHF. Sexual Dimorphism in Immune Responses and Infection Resistance in Aedes aegypti and Other Hematophagous Insect Vectors. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.847109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in immune function is prevalent across different species, where males trade their ability to fight pathogens for a practical reproductive function while females favor an extended lifespan. In insects, these differences in immune function reflect an evolutionary life strategy, where females have a presumably more robust immune system than insect males. Here, we evaluate immune functioning in four male and female insect vectors, Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae), Anopheles aquasalis (Diptera, Culicidae), Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera, Psychodidae) and Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae). We show evidence that challenges the concept of immune sexual dimorphism in three of these insect vectors. In the three Diptera species, A. aegypti, A. aquasalis and L. longipalpis that transmit arboviruses, Plasmodium spp. (Haemospororida, Plasmodiidae) and Leishmania spp. (Trypanosomatida, Trypanosomatidae), respectively, unchallenged adult males express higher levels of immune-related genes than adult females and immature developmental stages. The main components of the Toll, IMD, and Jak/STAT pathways and antimicrobial effectors are highly expressed in whole-body males. Additionally, males present lower midgut basal microbiota levels than females. In A. aegypti mosquitoes, the differences in immune gene expression and microbiota levels are established in adult mosquitoes but are not present at the recently emerged adults and pupal stage. Antibiotic treatment does not affect the consistently higher expression of immune genes in males, except defensin, which is reduced significantly after microbiota depletion and restored after re-introduction. Our data suggest that Diptera males have a basal state of activation of the immune system and that activation of a more robust response through systemic immune challenge acutely compromises their survival. The ones who survive clear the infection entirely. Females follow a different strategy where a moderate immune reaction render higher tolerance to infection and survival. In contrast, hematophagous adult males of the Hemiptera vector R. prolixus, which transmits Trypanosoma cruzi, present no differences in immune activation compared to females, suggesting that diet differences between males and females may influence immune sexual dimorphism. These findings expand our understanding of the biology of insect vectors of human pathogens, which can help to direct the development of new strategies to limit vector populations.
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11
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Lopes DM, Provençano AF, de Mello CB, Feder MD, Cunha JA, Nogueira N, Lechuga GC, Bourguignon SC, de Souza W, Garcia ES, das Chagas EF, Azambuja P, Gonzalez MS. Ecdysone modulates both ultrastructural arrangement of hindgut and attachment of Trypanosoma cruzi DM 28c to the rectum cuticle of Rhodnius prolixus fifth-instar nymph. Exp Parasitol 2022; 236-237:108247. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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12
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Carmona-Peña S, Contreras-Garduño J, Castro D, Manjarrez J, Vázquez-Chagoyán J. The innate immune response of triatomines against Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli with an unresolved question: Do triatomines have immune memory? Acta Trop 2021; 224:106108. [PMID: 34450058 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The present work aimed to review the immune response from different triatomines against Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli and propose the study of immune memory in such insects. Trypanosoma use triatomines as vectors to reach and infect mammals. A key question to be answered about vector-parasite interaction is why the immune defense and resistance of the insect against the parasites vary. Up to date data shows that the defense of triatomines against parasites includes cellular (phagocytosis, nodulation and encapsulation) and humoral (antimicrobial peptides, phenoloxidase and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species) responses. The immune response varies depending on the triatomine species, the trypanosome strain and species, and the insect intestinal microbiota. Despite significant advances to understand parasite-insect interaction, it is still unknown if triatomines have immune memory against parasites and if this memory may derive from tolerance to parasites attack. Therefore, a closer study of such interaction could contribute and establish new proposals to control the parasite at the vector level to reduce parasite transmission to mammals, including men. For instance, if immune memory exists in the triatomines, it would be interesting to induce weak infections in insects to find out if subsequent infections are less intense and if the insects succeed in eliminating the parasites.
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13
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Sousa G, de Carvalho SS, Atella GC. Trypanosoma cruzi Affects Rhodnius prolixus Lipid Metabolism During Acute Infection. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.737909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between Rhodnius prolixus and Trypanosoma cruzi has huge medical importance because it responds to the transmission of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects about eight million people worldwide. It is known that trypanosomatid pathogens depend on active lipid endocytosis from the insect host to meet growth and differentiation requirements. However, until now, knowledge on how the parasite affects the lipid physiology of individual insect organs was largely unknown. Herein, the biochemical and molecular dynamics of the triatomine R. prolixus lipid metabolism in response to T. cruzi acute infection were investigated. A qRT-PCR approach was used to determine the expression profile of 12 protein-coding genes involved in R. prolixus lipid physiology. In addition, microscopic and biochemical assays revealed the lipid droplet profile and the levels of the different identified lipid classes. Finally, spectrometry analyses were used to determine fatty acid and sterol composition and their modulation towards the infection. T. cruzi infection downregulated the transcript levels of protein-coding genes for lipid biosynthetic and degrading pathways in individual triatomine organs. On the other hand, upregulation of lipid receptor transcripts indicates an attempt to capture more lipids from hemolymphatic lipoproteins. Consequently, several lipid classes (such as monoacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, triacylglycerol, cholesteryl ester, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine) were involved in the response to the parasite challenge, although modulating only the insect fat body. T. cruzi never leaves the insect gut and yet it modulates non-infected tissues, suggesting that the association between the parasite and the vector organs is reached by cell signaling molecules. This hypothesis raises several intriguing issues to inspire future studies in the parasite-vector interaction field.
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14
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Stewart Merrill TE, Rapti Z, Cáceres CE. Host Controls of Within-Host Disease Dynamics: Insight from an Invertebrate System. Am Nat 2021; 198:317-332. [PMID: 34403315 DOI: 10.1086/715355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWithin-host processes (representing the entry, establishment, growth, and development of a parasite inside its host) may play a key role in parasite transmission but remain challenging to observe and quantify. We develop a general model for measuring host defenses and within-host disease dynamics. Our stochastic model breaks the infection process down into the stages of parasite exposure, entry, and establishment and provides associated probabilities for a host's ability to resist infections with barriers and clear internal infections. We tested our model on Daphnia dentifera and the parasitic fungus Metschnikowia bicuspidata and found that when faced with identical levels of parasite exposure, Daphnia patent (transmitting) infections depended on the strength of internal clearance. Applying a Gillespie algorithm to the model-estimated probabilities allowed us to visualize within-host dynamics, within which signatures of host defense could be clearly observed. We also found that early within-host stages were the most vulnerable to internal clearance, suggesting that hosts have a limited window during which recovery can occur. Our study demonstrates how pairing longitudinal infection data with a simple model can reveal new insight into within-host dynamics and mechanisms of host defense. Our model and methodological approach may be a powerful tool for exploring these properties in understudied host-parasite interactions.
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15
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Schaub GA. An Update on the Knowledge of Parasite-Vector Interactions of Chagas Disease. Res Rep Trop Med 2021; 12:63-76. [PMID: 34093053 PMCID: PMC8169816 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s274681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focusses on the interactions between the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, and its triatomine vector. The flagellate mainly colonizes the intestinal tract of the insect. The effect of triatomines on trypanosomes is indicated by susceptibility and refractoriness phenomena that vary according to the combination of the strains. Other effects are apparent in the different regions of the gut. In the stomach, the majority of ingested blood trypomastigotes are killed while the remaining transform to round stages. In the small intestine, these develop into epimastigotes, the main replicative stage. In the rectum, the population density is the highest and is where the infectious stage develops, the metacyclic trypomastigote. In all regions of the gut, starvation and feeding of the triatomine affect T. cruzi. In the small intestine and rectum, starvation reduces the population density and more spheromastigotes develop. In the rectum, feeding after short-term starvation induces metacyclogenesis and after long-term starvation the development of specific cells, containing several nuclei, kinetoplasts and flagella. When considering the effects of T. cruzi on triatomines, the flagellate seems to be of low pathogenicity. However, during stressful periods, which are normal in natural populations, effects occur often on the behaviour, eg, in readiness to approach the host, the period of time before defecation, dispersal and aggregation. In nymphs, the duration of the different instars and the mortality rates increase, but this seems to be induced by repeated infections or blood quality by the feeding on infected hosts. Starvation resistance is often reduced by infection. Longevity and reproduction of adults is reduced, but only after infection with some strains of T. cruzi. Only components of the surface coat of blood trypomastigotes induce an immune reaction. However, this seems to act against gut bacteria and favours the development of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter A Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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16
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Gabrieli P, Caccia S, Varotto-Boccazzi I, Arnoldi I, Barbieri G, Comandatore F, Epis S. Mosquito Trilogy: Microbiota, Immunity and Pathogens, and Their Implications for the Control of Disease Transmission. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:630438. [PMID: 33889137 PMCID: PMC8056039 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.630438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In mosquitoes, the interaction between the gut microbiota, the immune system, and the pathogens that these insects transmit to humans and animals is regarded as a key component toward the development of control strategies, aimed at reducing the burden of severe diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever. Indeed, different microorganisms from the mosquito microbiota have been investigated for their ability to affect important traits of the biology of the host insect, related with its survival, development and reproduction. Furthermore, some microorganisms have been shown to modulate the immune response of mosquito females, significantly shaping their vector competence. Here, we will review current knowledge in this field, focusing on i) the complex interaction between the intestinal microbiota and mosquito females defenses, both in the gut and at humoral level; ii) how knowledge on these issues contributes to the development of novel and targeted strategies for the control of mosquito-borne diseases such as the use of paratransgenesis or taking advantage of the relationship between Wolbachia and mosquito hosts. We conclude by providing a brief overview of available knowledge on microbiota-immune system interplay in major insect vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Gabrieli
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Caccia
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Arnoldi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Barbieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Comandatore
- "L. Sacco" Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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17
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Talyuli OAC, Bottino-Rojas V, Polycarpo CR, Oliveira PL, Paiva-Silva GO. Non-immune Traits Triggered by Blood Intake Impact Vectorial Competence. Front Physiol 2021; 12:638033. [PMID: 33737885 PMCID: PMC7960658 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.638033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-feeding arthropods are considered an enormous public health threat. They are vectors of a plethora of infectious agents that cause potentially fatal diseases like Malaria, Dengue fever, Leishmaniasis, and Lyme disease. These vectors shine due to their own physiological idiosyncrasies, but one biological aspect brings them all together: the requirement of blood intake for development and reproduction. It is through blood-feeding that they acquire pathogens and during blood digestion that they summon a collection of multisystemic events critical for vector competence. The literature is focused on how classical immune pathways (Toll, IMD, and JAK/Stat) are elicited throughout the course of vector infection. Still, they are not the sole determinants of host permissiveness. The dramatic changes that are the hallmark of the insect physiology after a blood meal intake are the landscape where a successful infection takes place. Dominant processes that occur in response to a blood meal are not canonical immunological traits yet are critical in establishing vector competence. These include hormonal circuitries and reproductive physiology, midgut permeability barriers, midgut homeostasis, energy metabolism, and proteolytic activity. On the other hand, the parasites themselves have a role in the outcome of these blood triggered physiological events, consistently using them in their favor. Here, to enlighten the knowledge on vector-pathogen interaction beyond the immune pathways, we will explore different aspects of the vector physiology, discussing how they give support to these long-dated host-parasite relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio A C Talyuli
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Bottino-Rojas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carla R Polycarpo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela O Paiva-Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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18
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Rolandelli A, Nascimento AEC, Silva LS, Rivera-Pomar R, Guarneri AA. Modulation of IMD, Toll, and Jak/STAT Immune Pathways Genes in the Fat Body of Rhodnius prolixus During Trypanosoma rangeli Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:598526. [PMID: 33537241 PMCID: PMC7848085 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.598526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma rangeli is the second most common American trypanosome that infects man. It is vectored by triatomines from the genus Rhodnius, in which it invades the hemolymph and infects the salivary glands, avoiding the bug immune responses. In insects, these responses are initiated by well conserved pathways, mainly the IMD, Toll, and Jak/STAT. We hypothesize that long-term infection with T. rangeli in the gut or hemolymph of Rhodnius prolixus triggers different systemic immune responses, which influence the number of parasites that survive inside the vector. Thus, we investigated groups of insects with infections in the gut and/or hemolymph, and evaluated the parasite load and the expression in the fat body of transcription factors (Rp-Relish, Rp-Dorsal, and Rp-STAT) and inhibitors (Rp-Cactus and Rp-Caspar) of the IMD, Toll, and Jak/STAT pathways. We detected lower parasite counts in the gut of insects without hemolymph infection, compared to hemolymph-infected groups. Besides, we measured higher parasite numbers in the gut of bugs that were first inoculated with T. rangeli and then fed on infected mice, compared with control insects, indicating that hemolymph infection increases parasite numbers in the gut. Interestingly, we observed that genes from the three immune pathways where differentially modulated, depending on the region parasites were present, as we found (1) Rp-Relish downregulated in gut-and/or-hemolymph-infected insects, compared with controls; (2) Rp-Cactus upregulated in gut-infected insect, compared with controls and gut-and-hemolymph-infected groups; and (3) Rp-STAT downregulated in all groups of hemolymph-infected insects. Finally, we uncovered negative correlations between parasite loads in the gut and Rp-Relish and Rp-Cactus expression, and between parasite counts in the hemolymph and Rp-Relish levels, suggesting an association between parasite numbers and the IMD and Toll pathways. Overall, our findings reveal new players in R. prolixus-T. rangeli interactions that could be key for the capacity of the bug to transmit the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Rolandelli
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (CeBio), Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIT-NOBA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Pergamino, Argentina
| | - Adeisa E C Nascimento
- Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leticia S Silva
- Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rolando Rivera-Pomar
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (CeBio), Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIT-NOBA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Pergamino, Argentina
| | - Alessandra A Guarneri
- Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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19
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Araújo CAC, Pacheco JPF, Waniek PJ, Geraldo RB, Sibajev A, Dos Santos AL, Evangelho VGO, Dyson PJ, Azambuja P, Ratcliffe NA, Castro HC, Mello CB. A rhamnose-binding lectin from Rhodnius prolixus and the impact of its silencing on gut bacterial microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 114:103823. [PMID: 32800901 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lectins are ubiquitous proteins involved in the immune defenses of different organisms and mainly responsible for non-self-recognition and agglutination reactions. This work describes molecular and biological characterization of a rhamnose-binding lectin (RBL) from Rhodnius prolixus, which possesses a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a mature protein of 34.6 kDa. The in-silico analysis of the primary and secondary structures of RpLec revealed a lectin domain fully conserved among previous insects studied. The three-dimensional homology model of RpLec was similar to other RBL-lectins. Docking predictions with the monosaccharides showed rhamnose and galactose-binding sites comparable to Latrophilin-1 and N-Acetylgalactosamine-binding in a different site. The effects of RpLec gene silencing on levels of infecting Trypanosoma cruzi Dm 28c and intestinal bacterial populations in the R. prolixus midgut were studied by injecting RpLec dsRNA into the R. prolixus hemocoel. Whereas T. cruzi numbers remained unchanged compared with the controls, numbers of bacteria increased significantly. The silencing also induced the up regulation of the R. prolixus defC (defensin) expression gene. These results with RpLec reveal the potential importance of this little studied molecule in the insect vector immune response and homeostasis of the gut bacterial microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A C Araújo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - J P F Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - P J Waniek
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - R B Geraldo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - A Sibajev
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Av. Cap. Enê Garcez 2413, Boa Vista, RR, CEP 69400-000, Brazil
| | - A L Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - V G O Evangelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - P J Dyson
- Institute of Life Science, School of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - P Azambuja
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação, Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21045-900, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - N A Ratcliffe
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA28PP, UK
| | - H C Castro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil.
| | - C B Mello
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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20
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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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21
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Gumiel M, de Mattos DP, Vieira CS, Moraes CS, Moreira CJDC, Gonzalez MS, Teixeira-Ferreira A, Waghabi M, Azambuja P, Carels N. Proteome of the Triatomine Digestive Tract: From Catalytic to Immune Pathways; Focusing on Annexin Expression. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:589435. [PMID: 33363206 PMCID: PMC7755933 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.589435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus, Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma infestans, and Dipetalogaster maxima are all triatomines and potential vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi responsible for human Chagas' disease. Considering that the T. cruzi's cycle occurs inside the triatomine digestive tract (TDT), the analysis of the TDT protein profile is an essential step to understand TDT physiology during T. cruzi infection. To characterize the protein profile of TDT of D. maxima, P. megistus, R. prolixus, and T. infestans, a shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach was applied in this report. Most proteins were found to be closely related to metabolic pathways such as gluconeogenesis/glycolysis, citrate cycle, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, but also to the immune system. We annotated this new proteome contribution gathering it with those previously published in accordance with Gene Ontology and KEGG. Enzymes were classified in terms of class, acceptor, and function, while the proteins from the immune system were annotated by reference to the pathways of humoral response, cell cycle regulation, Toll, IMD, JNK, Jak-STAT, and MAPK, as available from the Insect Innate Immunity Database (IIID). These pathways were further subclassified in recognition, signaling, response, coagulation, melanization and none. Finally, phylogenetic affinities and gene expression of annexins were investigated for understanding their role in the protection and homeostasis of intestinal epithelial cells against the inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Gumiel
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Research Department, Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo (UNIFRANZ), La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Debora Passos de Mattos
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Cecília Stahl Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Caroline Silva Moraes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Salabert Gonzalez
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Waghabi
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia Azambuja
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
- Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nicolas Carels
- Laboratório de Modelagem de Sistemas Biológicos, National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation in Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Grahl MVC, Lopes FC, Martinelli AHS, Carlini CR, Fruttero LL. Structure-Function Insights of Jaburetox and Soyuretox: Novel Intrinsically Disordered Polypeptides Derived from Plant Ureases. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225338. [PMID: 33207637 PMCID: PMC7696265 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) do not have a stable 3D structure but still have important biological activities. Jaburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from the jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease and presents entomotoxic and antimicrobial actions. The structure of Jaburetox was elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance which reveals it is an IDP with small amounts of secondary structure. Different approaches have demonstrated that Jaburetox acquires certain folding upon interaction with lipid membranes, a characteristic commonly found in other IDPs and usually important for their biological functions. Soyuretox, a recombinant peptide derived from the soybean (Glycine max) ubiquitous urease and homologous to Jaburetox, was also characterized for its biological activities and structural properties. Soyuretox is also an IDP, presenting more secondary structure in comparison with Jaburetox and similar entomotoxic and fungitoxic effects. Moreover, Soyuretox was found to be nontoxic to zebra fish, while Jaburetox was innocuous to mice and rats. This profile of toxicity affecting detrimental species without damaging mammals or the environment qualified them to be used in biotechnological applications. Both peptides were employed to develop transgenic crops and these plants were active against insects and nematodes, unveiling their immense potentiality for field applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus V. Coste Grahl
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 90610-000, Brazil;
| | - Fernanda Cortez Lopes
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil;
| | - Anne H. Souza Martinelli
- Department of Biophysics & Deparment of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-Biosciences Institute (IB), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil;
| | - Celia R. Carlini
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 90610-000, Brazil;
- Brain Institute and School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil
- Correspondence: (C.R.C.); (L.L.F.); Tel.: +55-51-3320-3485 (C.R.C.); +54-351-535-3850 (L.L.F.)
| | - Leonardo L. Fruttero
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba CP 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba CP 5000, Argentina
- Correspondence: (C.R.C.); (L.L.F.); Tel.: +55-51-3320-3485 (C.R.C.); +54-351-535-3850 (L.L.F.)
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23
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Batista KKDS, Vieira CS, Florentino EB, Caruso KFB, Teixeira PTP, Moraes CDS, Genta FA, de Azambuja P, de Castro DP. Nitric oxide effects on Rhodnius prolixus's immune responses, gut microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi development. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 126:104100. [PMID: 32822690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The immune system of Rhodnius prolixus comprehends the synthesis of different effectors that modulate the intestinal microbiota population and the life cycle of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi inside the vector midgut. One of these immune responses is the production of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) derived by the action of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Therefore, we investigated the effects of L-arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide (NO) production and Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, added in the insect blood meal. We analyzed the impact of these treatments on the immune responses and development of intestinal bacteria and parasites on R. prolixus nymphs. The L-arginine treatment in R. prolixus nymphs induced a higher NOS gene expression in the fat body and increased NO production, but reduced catalase and antimicrobial activities in the midgut. As expected, L-NAME treatment reduced NOS gene expression in the fat body. In addition, L-NAME treatment diminished catalase activity in the hemolymph and posterior midgut reduced phenoloxidase activity in the anterior midgut and increased the antimicrobial activity in the hemolymph. Both treatments caused a reduction in the cultivatable intestinal microbiota, especially in insects treated with L-NAME. However, T. cruzi development in the insect's digestive tract was suppressed after L-arginine treatment and the opposite was observed with L-NAME, which resulted in higher parasite counts. Therefore, we conclude that induction and inhibition of NOS and NO production are associated with other R. prolixus humoral immune responses, such as catalase, phenoloxidase, and antibacterial activities in different insect organs. These alterations reflect on intestinal microbiota and T. cruzi development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cecília Stahl Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Karina Francine Bravo Caruso
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Caroline da Silva Moraes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernando Ariel Genta
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto 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 de 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
| | - Daniele Pereira de Castro
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto 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.
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24
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Lopes RL, Santos-Mallet JR, Barbosa CF, Gomes SAO, Spiegel CN. Morphological and ultrastructural analysis of an important place of sexual communication of Rhodnius prolixus (Heteroptera: Reduviidae): the Metasternal Glands. Tissue Cell 2020; 67:101416. [PMID: 32979710 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2020.101416] [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] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus is an important vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Insect adults have a pair of Metasternal Glands (MGs) and the secretion emitted by these glands acts as sex pheromone. Recent studies have focused on the chemical composition of this pheromone, electrophysiological responses to MGs compounds and mating behavior assays. Morphological studies of these glands are still scarce. Thus, considering the relevance of MGs in the sex pheromone biosynthesis, we investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of R. prolixus MGs. The glandular apparatus presents a tubular structure containing secretory cells with canalicules that fuse with the central duct which conducts the secretion to a pear-shaped reservoir connected to the exterior by a droplet-shape orifice. The secretory cells are classified as class III, they present a well-developed rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is a site of lipid biosynthesis that may be involved in the mevalonate pathway, a probable route of the sex pheromone biosynthesis in this insect. The presence of rough endoplasmic reticulum indicates a possible peptides/proteins secretions site which were still not characterized in MGs. Several mitochondria are scattered in the cytoplasm that may suggest a high metabolic activity. Further studies should be carried out to correlate these data with the sex pheromone biosynthesis in this vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosane L Lopes
- Postgraduate Program of Science and Biotechnology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil; Laboratory of Insects and Pathogen Biodiversity, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Jacenir R Santos-Mallet
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Entomological Surveillance in Diptera and Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro-RJ- Brazil, Universidade Iguaçu (UNIG), Nova Iguaçu, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Catia F Barbosa
- Departamento de Geoquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Suzete A O Gomes
- Postgraduate Program of Science and Biotechnology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil; Laboratory of Insects and Pathogen Biodiversity, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Carolina N Spiegel
- Postgraduate Program of Science and Biotechnology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil.
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25
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Coste Grahl MV, Perin APA, Lopes FC, Porto BN, Uberti AF, Canavoso LE, Stanisçuaski F, Fruttero LL. The role of extracellular nucleic acids in the immune system modulation of Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 167:104591. [PMID: 32527424 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular traps (ETs) are extracellular nucleic acids associated with cytoplasmic proteins that may aid in the capture and killing of pathogens. To date, only a few insects were shown to display this kind of immune response. Jaburetox, a peptide derived from jack bean urease, showed toxic effects in Rhodnius prolixus, affecting its immune response. The present study aims to evaluate the role of extracellular nucleic acids in R. prolixus' immune response, using Jaburetox as a model entomotoxin. The insects were treated with extracellular nucleic acids and/or Jaburetox, and the cellular and humoral responses were assessed. We also evaluated the release of extracellular nucleic acids induced by toxins, and performed immunocompetence assays using pathogenic bacteria. Our results demonstrated that extracellular nucleic acids can modulate the insect immune responses, either alone or associated with the toxin. Although RNA and DNA induced a cellular immune response, only DNA was able to neutralize the Jaburetox-induced aggregation of hemocytes. Likewise, the activation of the humoral response was different for RNA and DNA. Nevertheless, it was observed that both, extracellular DNA and RNA, immunocompensated the Jaburetox effects on insect defenses upon the challenge of a pathogenic bacterium. The toxin was not able to alter cellular viability, in spite of inducing an increase in the reactive species of oxygen formation. In conclusion, we have demonstrated a protective role for extracellular nucleic acids in R. prolixus´ immune response to toxins and pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus V Coste Grahl
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Ana Paula A Perin
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda C Lopes
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara N Porto
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, Building 60, CEP 90610-000 Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Augusto F Uberti
- Laboratory of Neurotoxins, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, CEP 90610-000 Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Lilian E Canavoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Fernanda Stanisçuaski
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Building 43431, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo L Fruttero
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina.
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26
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Mesías AC, Garg NJ, Zago MP. Redox Balance Keepers and Possible Cell Functions Managed by Redox Homeostasis in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:435. [PMID: 31921709 PMCID: PMC6932984 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species appears to be merely the tip of the iceberg in the world of redox homeostasis. Now, oxidative stress can be seen as a two-sided process; at high concentrations, it causes damage to biomolecules, and thus, trypanosomes have evolved a strong antioxidant defense system to cope with these stressors. At low concentrations, oxidants are essential for cell signaling, and in fact, the oxidants/antioxidants balance may be able to trigger different cell fates. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the current knowledge of the oxidant environment experienced by T. cruzi along the different phases of its life cycle, and the molecular tools exploited by this pathogen to deal with oxidative stress, for better or worse. Further, we discuss the possible redox-regulated processes that could be governed by this oxidative context. Most of the current research has addressed the importance of the trypanosomes' antioxidant network based on its detox activity of harmful species; however, new efforts are necessary to highlight other functions of this network and the mechanisms underlying the fine regulation of the defense machinery, as this represents a master key to hinder crucial pathogen functions. Understanding the relevance of this balance keeper program in parasite biology will give us new perspectives to delineate improved treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Mesías
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - M Paola Zago
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
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27
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Garcia V, Graterol J, López A, Ortiz S, Solari A. Influence of Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) Infection on Mortality of the Sylvatic Triatomine Vector, Mepraia spinolai (Heteroptera: Reuviidae), Under Fasting. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:1384-1388. [PMID: 31322659 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted by hematophagous insect vectors that subsist on repeated blood meals over their lives separated by periods of fasting. Using naturally infected Mepraia spinolai, we measured the influence of parasite infection on this host vector's mortality during regular feeding and after fasting. After their capture, the insects were fed twice with uninfected mice to evaluate parasitic infection in their fecal samples by microscopic observation and PCR. Then the insects were subjected to a fasting period, followed by a third (final) feeding. After each feeding, a fecal sample was obtained to evaluate T. cruzi infection. To determine its progress through ontogeny, mortality and ecdysis of the infected and uninfected nymphs and adults were recorded on three occasions, over 140 d, and analyzed. Detections of infection by T. cruzi between the two first feedings increased, but this detection level was generally reduced after final feeding unless reinfected. For nymphs (stages III-V), their mortality was highest when infected after the fasting period, whereas adults were equally resistant to death after fasting when infected with T. cruzi. Metacyclic trypomastigotes were principally excreted in the fecal samples. Our results confirm that T. cruzi is pathogenic to its invertebrate hosts under nutritional stress conditions, when nymphs' mortality is higher while infected than uninfected when they were hungry. These results are epidemiologically important because T. cruzi harms the fasting vector M. spinolai, reducing its lifespan and competence as a disease vector, and thereby its rates of parasite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Garcia
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Casilla, Santiago, Chile
| | - Johsmar Graterol
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Casilla, Santiago, Chile
| | - Angélica López
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Casilla, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sylvia Ortiz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Casilla, Santiago, Chile
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Tietbohl LA, Mello CB, Silva LR, Dolabella IB, Franco TC, Enríquez JJ, Santos MG, Fernandes CP, Machado FP, Mexas R, Azambuja P, Araújo HP, Moura W, Ratcliffe NA, Feder D, Rocha L, Gonzalez MS. Green insecticide against Chagas disease: effects of essential oil from Myrciaria floribunda (Myrtaceae) on the development of Rhodnius prolixus nymphs. JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/10412905.2019.1631894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis A.C. Tietbohl
- Laboratório de Tecnologia de Produtos Naturais, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cicero B. Mello
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos–LABI, Departamento de Biologia Geral (GBG), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM, CNPq), Brazil
| | - Lucas R. Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos–LABI, Departamento de Biologia Geral (GBG), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Izadora B. Dolabella
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos–LABI, Departamento de Biologia Geral (GBG), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thais C. Franco
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos–LABI, Departamento de Biologia Geral (GBG), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jairo J.S. Enríquez
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos–LABI, Departamento de Biologia Geral (GBG), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcelo G. Santos
- Departamento de Ciências, Faculdade de Formação de Professores, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, São Gonçalo, RJ, Brazil
| | - Caio P. Fernandes
- Laboratório de Farmacotécnica, Colegiado de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Amapá, AP, Brazil
| | - Francisco P. Machado
- Laboratório de Tecnologia de Produtos Naturais, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Mexas
- Laboratório de Produção e Tratamento de Imagens, Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Azambuja
- Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM, CNPq), Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Humberto P. Araújo
- Laboratório de Vacinas Bacterianas e Soros Hiperimunes, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Wlamir Moura
- Laboratório de Vacinas Bacterianas e Soros Hiperimunes, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Norman A. Ratcliffe
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos–LABI, Departamento de Biologia Geral (GBG), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
| | - Denise Feder
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos–LABI, Departamento de Biologia Geral (GBG), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM, CNPq), Brazil
| | - Leandro Rocha
- Laboratório de Tecnologia de Produtos Naturais, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcelo S. Gonzalez
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos–LABI, Departamento de Biologia Geral (GBG), Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM, CNPq), Brazil
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González-Rete B, Salazar-Schettino PM, Bucio-Torres MI, Córdoba-Aguilar A, Cabrera-Bravo M. Activity of the prophenoloxidase system and survival of triatomines infected with different Trypanosoma cruzi strains under different temperatures: understanding Chagas disease in the face of climate change. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:219. [PMID: 31068226 PMCID: PMC6507061 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3477-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about how human disease vectors will modify their life history patterns and survival capacity as a result of climate change. One case is that of Chagas disease, which has triatomine bugs and Trypanosoma cruzi as vectors and parasite, respectively. This work aimed to determine: (i) the activity of the prophenoloxidase system (prophenoloxidase and phenoloxidase activity, two indicators of immune ability) in three intestine regions (anterior midgut, posterior midgutand rectum) of the triatomine bug Meccus pallidipennis under three temperature conditions (20 °C, 30 °C and 34 °C) against two T. cruzi strains [ITRI/MX/14/CHIL (Chilpancingo) and ITRI/MX/12/MOR (Morelos)], and (ii) whether vector survival varies under these three temperatures after infection by these T. cruzi strains. RESULTS Our results indicate that prophenoloxidase activity was lower at higher temperatures, that the level of prophenoloxidase activity elicited by each strain was different (higher in Chilpancingo than in Morelos strains), and that prophenoloxidase activity was more intense in the anterior midgut than in the posterior midgut or rectum. Survival rates were lower in insects maintained at higher temperatures and infected by Chilpancingo strains. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that climate change could lead to lower prophenoloxidase activity and survival rates in triatomines when infected with different T. cruzi strains, which could reduce the vector capacity of M. pallidipennis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paz María Salazar-Schettino
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Martha I Bucio-Torres
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Alex Córdoba-Aguilar
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. P. 70-275, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Margarita Cabrera-Bravo
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Feder D, Gonzalez MS, Mello CB, Santos MG, Rocha L, Kelecom A, Folly E. Exploring the Insecticide and Acaricide Potential of Development Regulators obtained from Restinga vegetation from Brazil. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2019; 91:e20180381. [PMID: 30994766 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920180381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As a part of our continuing search for insect and arthropod development regulators from Brazilian restinga vegetation of the Rio de Janeiro State, crude extracts, purified fractions and essential oils were submitted to screening tests seeking for biological activities on the development of the insects Rhodnius prolixus, Dysdercus peruvianus, Oncopeltus fasciatus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Up to now, 102 secondary metabolites have been detected in the fractions, among them monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and two triterpenes which were obtained from the species, Eugenia sulcata, Pilocarpus spicatus, Manilkara subsericea, Myrciaria floribunda and Zanthoxylum caribaeum. These secondary plant metabolites are considered of interest for the use of studies related to arthropod endocrinology, vector-parasite interaction system, and population control of vector insect and agricultural pest. The observed biological activities were surprisingly high, involving increased mortality, molting and metamorphosis inhibition, paralysis, corporeal deformities, apparition of permanent nymphs, of adultoids and juvenoids, partial or total inhibition of oviposition and egg hatching. These compounds are now being studied further to determine if they may or may not be useful in controlling insect populations and/or interfere with the life cycle and vector transmission of parasites to animal and human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Feder
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista, s/n, Centro, 24020-140 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco K, Sala 12, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcelo S Gonzalez
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista, s/n, Centro, 24020-140 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco K, Sala 12, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cícero B Mello
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista, s/n, Centro, 24020-140 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco K, Sala 12, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcelo G Santos
- Departamento de Ciências da Faculdade de Formação de Professores da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Dr. Francisco Portela, 1470, 24435-005 São Gonçalo, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leandro Rocha
- Laboratório de Tecnologia de Produtos Naturais, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Mário Viana, 523, Santa Rosa, 24241-000 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alphonse Kelecom
- Laboratório de Química Bio-Orgânica, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista, s/n, Centro, 24020-140 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Evelize Folly
- Laboratório de Estudos de Pragas e Parasitas, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista, s/n Centro, 24020 140 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco K, Sala 12, Cidade Universitária, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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31
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Padilla N A, Moncayo AL, Keil CB, Grijalva MJ, Villacís AG. Life Cycle, Feeding, and Defecation Patterns of Triatoma carrioni (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Under Laboratory Conditions. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:617-624. [PMID: 30768666 PMCID: PMC6467638 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). It is transmitted to humans primarily through contaminated feces of blood-sucking vectors of the subfamily Triatominae, known in Ecuador as 'chinchorros'. Some Triatominae species can adapt to domiciliary and peridomiciliary environments where T. cruzi can be transmitted to humans. Triatoma carrioni (Larrousse 1926) colonizes domestic and peridomestic habitats up to 2,242 m above sea level (masl) in southern Ecuador (Loja Province) and northern Peru. This study describes the life cycle, feeding, and defecation patterns of T. carrioni under controlled laboratory conditions using mice as hosts. Specimens were collected in Loja Province, Ecuador, and maintained in the laboratory. The life cycle was approximately 385.7 ± 110.6 d. There was a high mortality rate, 40.9% for first instars and 38.9% for fifth instars (NV). Feeding and defecation patterns for each life stage were examined by recording: insertion time of the proboscis into the host, total feeding time, time to first defecation, and weight of the bloodmeal. Total feeding time varied between 20.6 ± 11.4 min for first instars (NI) and 48.9 ± 19.0 min for adult females. The time to first defecation was variable but ranged from 9.8 ± 10.6 min for NI to 39.4 ± 24.7 min for NV during feeding. This suggests that T. carrioni has an annual life cycle and is a potential vector of T. cruzi in Loja Province. Improved knowledge of populations of T. carrioni in domestic and peridomestic environments of Ecuador can have a significant impact on the prevention and control of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana L Moncayo
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL)
| | - Clifford B Keil
- Museum of Invertebrates, School of Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Mario J Grijalva
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL)
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Biomedical Sciences Department, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH
| | - Anita G Villacís
- Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL)
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
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Mesías AC, Sasoni N, Arias DG, Pérez Brandán C, Orban OCF, Kunick C, Robello C, Comini MA, Garg NJ, Zago MP. Trypanothione synthetase confers growth, survival advantage and resistance to anti-protozoal drugs in Trypanosoma cruzi. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 130:23-34. [PMID: 30359758 PMCID: PMC6331241 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.10.436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas cardiomyopathy, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, continues to be a neglected illness, and has a major impact on global health. The parasite undergoes several stages of morphological and biochemical changes during its life cycle, and utilizes an elaborated antioxidant network to overcome the oxidants barrier and establish infection in vector and mammalian hosts. Trypanothione synthetase (TryS) catalyzes the biosynthesis of glutathione-spermidine adduct trypanothione (T(SH)2) that is the principal intracellular thiol-redox metabolite in trypanosomatids. METHODS AND RESULTS We utilized genetic overexpression (TryShi) and pharmacological inhibition approaches to examine the role of TryS in T. cruzi proliferation, tolerance to oxidative stress and resistance to anti-protozoal drugs. Our data showed the expression and activity of TryS was increased in all morphological stages of TryShi (vs. control) parasites. In comparison to controls, the TryShi epimastigotes (insect stage) recorded shorter doubling time, and both epimastigotes and infective trypomastigotes of TryShi exhibited 36-71% higher resistance to H2O2 (50-1000 μM) and heavy metal (1-500 μM) toxicity. Treatment with TryS inhibitors (5-30 μM) abolished the proliferation and survival advantages against H2O2 pressure in a dose-dependent manner in both TryShi and control parasites. Further, epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of TryShi (vs. control) T. cruzi tolerated higher doses of benznidazole and nifurtimox, the drugs currently administered for acute Chagas disease treatment. CONCLUSIONS TryS is essential for proliferation and survival of T. cruzi under normal and oxidant stress conditions, and provides an advantage to the parasite to develop resistance against currently used anti-trypanosomal drugs. TryS indispensability has been chemically validated with inhibitors that may be useful for drug combination therapy against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Mesías
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Natalia Sasoni
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral - CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diego G Arias
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral - CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Pérez Brandán
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Oliver C F Orban
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Beethovenstraße 55, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Conrad Kunick
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Beethovenstraße 55, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, and Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Redox Biology of Trypanosomes - Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - M Paola Zago
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina.
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Lipoproteins from vertebrate host blood plasma are involved in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote agglutination and participate in interaction with the vector insect, Rhodnius prolixus. Exp Parasitol 2018; 195:24-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Bomfim L, Vieira P, Fonseca A, Ramos I. Eggshell ultrastructure and delivery of pharmacological inhibitors to the early embryo of R. prolixus by ethanol permeabilization of the extraembryonic layers. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185770. [PMID: 28961275 PMCID: PMC5621698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Most vectors of arthropod-borne diseases produce large eggs with hard and opaque eggshells. In several species, it is still not possible to induce molecular perturbations to the embryo by delivery of molecules using microinjections or eggshell permeabilization without losing embryo viability, which impairs basic studies regarding development and population control. Here we tested the properties and permeability of the eggshell of R. prolixus, a Chagas disease vector, with the aim to deliver pharmacological inhibitors to the egg cytoplasm and allow controlled molecular changes to the embryo. Using field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy we found that R. prolixus egg is coated by three main layers: exochorion, vitelline layer and the plasma membrane, and that the pores that allow gas exchange (aeropiles) have an average diameter of 10 μm and are found in the rim of the operculum at the anterior pole of the egg. We tested if different solvents could permeate through the aeropiles and reach the egg cytoplasm/embryo and found that immersions of the eggs in ethanol lead to its prompt penetration through the aeropiles. A single five minute-immersion of the eggs/embryos in pharmacological inhibitors, such as azide, cyanide and cycloheximide, solubilized in ethanol resulted in impairment of embryogenesis in a dose dependent manner and DAPI-ethanol solutions were also able to label the embryo cells, showing that ethanol penetration was able to deliver those molecules to the embryo cells. Multiple immersions of the embryo in the same solutions increased the effect and tests using bafilomycin A1 and Pepstatin A, known inhibitors of the yolk proteolysis, were also able to impair embryogenesis and the yolk protein degradation. Additionally, we found that ethanol pre-treatments of the egg make the aeropiles more permeable to aqueous solutions, so drugs diluted in water can be carried after the eggs are pre-treated with ethanol. Thus, we found that delivery of pharmacological inhibitors to the embryo of R. prolixus can be performed simply by submersing the fertilized eggs in ethanol with no need for additional methods such as microinjections or electroporation. We discuss the potential importance of this methodology to the study of this vector developmental biology and population control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Bomfim
- Laboratório de bioquímica de insetos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Priscila Vieira
- Laboratório de bioquímica de insetos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ariene Fonseca
- Laboratório de bioquímica de insetos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Ramos
- Laboratório de bioquímica de insetos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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