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Ibañez-Escribano A, Gomez-Muñoz MT, Mateo M, Fonseca-Berzal C, Gomez-Lucia E, Perez RG, Alunda JM, Carrion J. Microbial Matryoshka: Addressing the Relationship between Pathogenic Flagellated Protozoans and Their RNA Viral Endosymbionts (Family Totiviridae). Vet Sci 2024; 11:321. [PMID: 39058005 PMCID: PMC11281412 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11070321] [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: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Three genera of viruses of the family Totiviridae establish endosymbiotic associations with flagellated protozoa responsible for parasitic diseases of great impact in the context of One Health. Giardiavirus, Trichomonasvirus, and Leishmaniavirus infect the protozoa Giardia sp., Trichomonas vaginalis, and Leishmania sp., respectively. In the present work, we review the characteristics of the endosymbiotic relationships established, the advantages, and the consequences caused in mammalian hosts. Among the common characteristics of these double-stranded RNA viruses are that they do not integrate into the host genome, do not follow a lytic cycle, and do not cause cytopathic effects. However, in cases of endosymbiosis between Leishmaniavirus and Leishmania species from the Americas, and between Trichomonasvirus and Trichomonas vaginalis, it seems that it can alter their virulence (degree of pathogenicity). In a mammalian host, due to TLR3 activation of immune cells upon the recognition of viral RNA, uncontrolled inflammatory signaling responses are triggered, increasing pathological damage and the risk of failure of conventional standard treatment. Endosymbiosis with Giardiavirus can cause the loss of intestinal adherence of the protozoan, resulting in a benign disease. The current knowledge about viruses infecting flagellated protozoans is still fragmentary, and more research is required to unravel the intricacies of this three-way relationship. We need to develop early and effective diagnostic methods for further development in the field of translational medicine. Taking advantage of promising biotechnological advances, the aim is to develop ad hoc therapeutic strategies that focus not only on the disease-causing protozoan but also on the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ibañez-Escribano
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.-E.); (M.M.); (C.F.-B.)
| | - Maria Teresa Gomez-Muñoz
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.-E.); (M.M.); (C.F.-B.)
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Fonseca-Berzal
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.I.-E.); (M.M.); (C.F.-B.)
| | - Esperanza Gomez-Lucia
- Animal Viruses Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Raquel Garcia Perez
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Jose M. Alunda
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrion
- ICPVet Research Group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.G.-M.); (R.G.P.); (J.M.A.)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
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Assefa M, Biset S. Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among visceral leishmaniasis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1415330. [PMID: 38983633 PMCID: PMC11231734 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1415330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections during multiple injections and the anti-leishmanial treatment possesses a potential hepatotoxic effect. This systematic review and meta-analysis determined the pooled prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in VL patients. Methods This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), with the assigned number CRD42024516889, and conducted as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA version 11.0 software. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect size of outcome variables across studies with a 95% confidence interval and was displayed in a forest plot. The I 2 statistic was used to check for heterogeneity. The presence of publication bias was determined using a funnel plot and Egger's test with a p value <0.05 evidence of statistically significant bias. Results Among 216 retrieved records, seven studies were eligible for systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 937 VL patients were examined, revealing that 105 and 93 were infected with HBV and HCV, respectively. The pooled prevalence of HBV was 16.15% (95% CI: -4.10 to 36.39), with a significant heterogeneity (I 2 = 91.4%, p < 0.001). The combined prevalence of HCV was 13.74% (95% CI: 1.32-26.16, I 2 = 71.6%, p = 0.003). The funnel plot (symmetry), and Egger's test in both HBV (p value = 0.650) and HCV (p value = 0.841) revealed no publication bias. In subgroup analysis, high HBV and HCV prevalence was detected in Sudan; 20.64% (95% CI: -13.60 to 54.88) and India; 18.26% (95% CI: -0.40 to 36.92%), respectively. Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of both HBV and HCV infections in VL patients. In subgroup analysis, the prevalence of HBV and HCV was high in Sudan and India, respectively. Therefore, screening of VL patients for HBV and HCV, vaccination of VL patients in endemic regions, and collaboration between kala-azar and hepatitis elimination programs are required. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/export_details_pdf.php#page=1.00&gsr=0, identifier: CRD42024516889.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muluneh Assefa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Sirak Biset
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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González JF, Dea-Ayuela MA, Huck L, Orduña JM, Bolás-Fernández F, de la Cuesta E, Haseen N, Mohammed AA, Menéndez JC. Dual Antitubercular and Antileishmanial Profiles of Quinoxaline Di- N-Oxides Containing an Amino Acidic Side Chain. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:487. [PMID: 38675447 PMCID: PMC11054274 DOI: 10.3390/ph17040487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We present a new category of quinoxaline di-N-oxides (QdNOs) containing amino acid side chains with dual antituberculosis and antileishmanial activity. These compounds were synthesized by combining a regioselective 2,5-piperazinedione opening and a Beirut reaction and were screened for their activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the promastigote and amastigote forms of representative species of the Leishmania genus. Most QdNOs exhibited promising antitubercular activity with IC50 values ranging from 4.28 to 49.95 μM, comparable to clinically established drugs. Structure-activity relationship analysis emphasized the importance of substituents on the aromatic ring and the side chain. Antileishmanial tests showed that some selected compounds exhibited activity comparable to the positive control miltefosine against promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania donovani. Notably, some compounds were found to be also more potent and less toxic than miltefosine in intracellular amastigote assays against Leishmania amazonensis. The compound showing the best dual antitubercular and leishmanicidal profile and a good selectivity index, 4h, can be regarded as a hit compound that opens up new opportunities for the development of integrated therapies against co-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. González
- Unidad de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.F.G.); (L.H.); (J.M.O.); (E.d.l.C.)
| | - María-Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, c/Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Lena Huck
- Unidad de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.F.G.); (L.H.); (J.M.O.); (E.d.l.C.)
| | - José María Orduña
- Unidad de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.F.G.); (L.H.); (J.M.O.); (E.d.l.C.)
| | - Francisco Bolás-Fernández
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Elena de la Cuesta
- Unidad de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.F.G.); (L.H.); (J.M.O.); (E.d.l.C.)
| | - Nazia Haseen
- AMIPRO SDN.BHD. Level 3, Bangunan Inkubator Universiti, Sains@USM, Lebuh Bukit Jambul, Bayan Lepas 11900, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia; (N.H.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Ashraf Ali Mohammed
- AMIPRO SDN.BHD. Level 3, Bangunan Inkubator Universiti, Sains@USM, Lebuh Bukit Jambul, Bayan Lepas 11900, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia; (N.H.); (A.A.M.)
| | - J. Carlos Menéndez
- Unidad de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.F.G.); (L.H.); (J.M.O.); (E.d.l.C.)
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Seyed N, Taheri T, Rafati S. Live attenuated-nonpathogenic Leishmania and DNA structures as promising vaccine platforms against leishmaniasis: innovations can make waves. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1326369. [PMID: 38633699 PMCID: PMC11021776 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1326369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasite of Leishmania genus and is a complex disease affecting mostly tropical regions of the world. Unfortunately, despite the extensive effort made, there is no vaccine available for human use. Undoubtedly, a comprehensive understanding of the host-vector-parasite interaction is substantial for developing an effective prophylactic vaccine. Recently the role of sandfly saliva on disease progression has been uncovered which can make a substantial contribution in vaccine design. In this review we try to focus on the strategies that most probably meet the prerequisites of vaccine development (based on the current understandings) including live attenuated/non-pathogenic and subunit DNA vaccines. Innovative approaches such as reverse genetics, CRISP/R-Cas9 and antibiotic-free selection are now available to promisingly compensate for intrinsic drawbacks associated with these platforms. Our main goal is to call more attention toward the prerequisites of effective vaccine development while controlling the disease outspread is a substantial need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Bekkar A, Isorce N, Snäkä T, Claudinot S, Desponds C, Kopelyanskiy D, Prével F, Reverte M, Xenarios I, Fasel N, Teixeira F. Dissection of the macrophage response towards infection by the Leishmania-viral endosymbiont duo and dynamics of the type I interferon response. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:941888. [PMID: 35992159 PMCID: PMC9386148 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.941888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) is a double-stranded RNA virus found in some strains of the human protozoan parasite Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. Interestingly, the presence of LRV1 inside Leishmania constitutes an important virulence factor that worsens the leishmaniasis outcome in a type I interferon (IFN)–dependent manner and contributes to treatment failure. Understanding how macrophages respond toward Leishmania alone or in combination with LRV1 as well as the role that type I IFNs may play during infection is fundamental to oversee new therapeutic strategies. To dissect the macrophage response toward infection, RNA sequencing was performed on murine wild-type and Ifnar-deficient bone marrow–derived macrophages infected with Leishmania guyanensis (Lgy) devoid or not of LRV1. Additionally, macrophages were treated with poly I:C (mimetic virus) or with type I IFNs. By implementing a weighted gene correlation network analysis, the groups of genes (modules) with similar expression patterns, for example, functionally related, coregulated, or the members of the same functional pathway, were identified. These modules followed patterns dependent on Leishmania, LRV1, or Leishmania exacerbated by the presence of LRV1. Not only the visualization of how individual genes were embedded to form modules but also how different modules were related to each other were observed. Thus, in the context of the observed hyperinflammatory phenotype associated to the presence of LRV1, it was noted that the biomarkers tumor-necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and the interleukin 6 (IL-6) belonged to different modules and that their regulating specific Src-family kinases were segregated oppositely. In addition, this network approach revealed the strong and sustained effect of LRV1 on the macrophage response and genes that had an early, late, or sustained impact during infection, uncovering the dynamics of the IFN response. Overall, this study contributed to shed light and dissect the intricate macrophage response toward infection by the Leishmania-LRV1 duo and revealed the crosstalk between modules made of coregulated genes and provided a new resource that can be further explored to study the impact of Leishmania on the macrophage response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Bekkar
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Isorce
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Tiia Snäkä
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - Chantal Desponds
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | | | - Florence Prével
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Marta Reverte
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Ioannis Xenarios
- Agora Center, Center Hospitalier Universitaire (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Fasel
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Nicolas Fasel, ; Filipa Teixeira,
| | - Filipa Teixeira
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Nicolas Fasel, ; Filipa Teixeira,
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Muñoz-Durango N, Gómez A, García-Valencia N, Roldán M, Ochoa M, Bautista-Erazo DE, Ramírez-Pineda JR. A Mouse Model of Ulcerative Cutaneous Leishmaniasis by Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis to Investigate Infection, Pathogenesis, Immunity, and Therapeutics. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:907631. [PMID: 35770175 PMCID: PMC9234518 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.907631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A mouse model of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) by Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis (L(V)p) that reproduces the characteristics of the human disease remains elusive. Here we report the development of a CL model that uses a mouse-adapted L(V)p isolate to reproducibly induce a dermal disease with a remarkable similarity to human CL. BALB/c mice infected intradermally in the ear with 105 stationary UA-946 L(V)p promastigotes develop a progressive cutaneous disease that exhibits the typical ulcerated lesions with indurated borders observed in CL patients. Although most of parasites in the inoculum die within the first week of infection, the survivors vigorously multiply at the infection site during the following weeks, paralleling disease appearance and aggravation. Regional lymphadenopathy as well as lymphatic dissemination of parasites to draining lymph nodes (dLN) was evidenced early after infection. Viable parasites were also isolated from spleen at later timepoints indicating systemic parasitic dissemination, but, strikingly, no signs of systemic disease were observed. Increasing numbers of myeloid cells and T lymphocytes producing IFNγ and IL-4 were observed in the dLN as disease progressed. A mixed adaptive L(V)p-specific T cell-mediated response was induced, since ex vivo recall experiments using dLN cells and splenocytes revealed the production of type 1 (IFNγ, IL-2), type 2 (IL-4, IL-13), regulatory (IL-10), and inflammatory (GM-CSF, IL-3) cytokines. Humoral adaptive response was characterized by early production of IgG1- followed by IgG2a-type of L(V)p-specific antibodies. IFNγ/IL-4 and IgG2a/IgG1 ratios indicated that the initial non-protective Th2 response was redirected toward a protective Th1 response. In situ studies revealed a profuse recruitment of myeloid cells and of IFNγ- and IL-4-producing T lymphocytes to the site of infection, and the typical histopathological changes induced by dermotropic Leishmania species. Evidence that this model is suitable to investigate pharmacological and immunomodulatory interventions, as well as for antigen discovery and vaccine development, is also presented. Altogether, these results support the validity and utility of this novel mouse model to study the pathogenesis, immunity, and therapeutics of L(V)p infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Muñoz-Durango
- Grupo Inmunomodulación (GIM), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Corporación Académica para el Estudio de Patologías Tropicales (CAEPT), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Alexander Gómez
- Grupo Inmunomodulación (GIM), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Corporación Académica para el Estudio de Patologías Tropicales (CAEPT), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Natalia García-Valencia
- Grupo Inmunomodulación (GIM), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Corporación Académica para el Estudio de Patologías Tropicales (CAEPT), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Miguel Roldán
- Instituto de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Marcela Ochoa
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - David E. Bautista-Erazo
- Grupo Inmunomodulación (GIM), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Corporación Académica para el Estudio de Patologías Tropicales (CAEPT), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - José R. Ramírez-Pineda
- Grupo Inmunomodulación (GIM), Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Corporación Académica para el Estudio de Patologías Tropicales (CAEPT), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- *Correspondence: José R. Ramírez-Pineda,
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Marucci G, Zullino I, Bertuccini L, Camerini S, Cecchetti S, Pietrantoni A, Casella M, Vatta P, Greenwood AD, Fiorillo A, Lalle M. Re-Discovery of Giardiavirus: Genomic and Functional Analysis of Viruses from Giardia duodenalis Isolates. Biomedicines 2021; 9:654. [PMID: 34201207 PMCID: PMC8230311 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Giardiasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis, is an intestinal diarrheal disease affecting almost one billion people worldwide. A small endosymbiotic dsRNA viruses, G. lamblia virus (GLV), genus Giardiavirus, family Totiviridae, might inhabit human and animal isolates of G. duodenalis. Three GLV genomes have been sequenced so far, and only one was intensively studied; moreover, a positive correlation between GLV and parasite virulence is yet to be proved. To understand the biological significance of GLV infection in Giardia, the characterization of several GLV strains from naturally infected G. duodenalis isolates is necessary. Here we report high-throughput sequencing of four GLVs strains, from Giardia isolates of human and animal origin. We also report on a new, unclassified viral sequence (designed GdRV-2), unrelated to Giardiavirus, encoding and expressing for a single large protein with an RdRp domain homologous to Totiviridae and Botybirnaviridae. The result of our sequencing and proteomic analyses challenge the current knowledge on GLV and strongly suggest that viral capsid protein translation unusually starts with a proline and that translation of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) occurs via a +1/-2 ribosomal frameshift mechanism. Nucleotide polymorphism, confirmed by mass-spectrometry analysis, was also observed among and between GLV strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the occurrence of at least two GLV subtypes which display different phenotypes and transmissibility in experimental infections of a GLV naïve Giardia isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Marucci
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (I.Z.); (P.V.)
| | - Ilaria Zullino
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (I.Z.); (P.V.)
| | - Lucia Bertuccini
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Serena Camerini
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Serena Cecchetti
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Agostina Pietrantoni
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Marialuisa Casella
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.B.); (S.C.); (S.C.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
| | - Paolo Vatta
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (I.Z.); (P.V.)
| | - Alex D. Greenwood
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, 10315 Berlin, Germany;
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department of Biochemical Science “A. Rossi-Fanelli”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Lalle
- Unit of Foodborne and Neglected Parasitic Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (I.Z.); (P.V.)
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Ashwin H, Sadlova J, Vojtkova B, Becvar T, Lypaczewski P, Schwartz E, Greensted E, Van Bocxlaer K, Pasin M, Lipinski KS, Parkash V, Matlashewski G, Layton AM, Lacey CJ, Jaffe CL, Volf P, Kaye PM. Characterization of a new Leishmania major strain for use in a controlled human infection model. Nat Commun 2021; 12:215. [PMID: 33431825 PMCID: PMC7801518 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20569-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is widely regarded as a vaccine-preventable disease, but the costs required to reach pivotal Phase 3 studies and uncertainty about which candidate vaccines should be progressed into human studies significantly limits progress in vaccine development for this neglected tropical disease. Controlled human infection models (CHIMs) provide a pathway for accelerating vaccine development and to more fully understand disease pathogenesis and correlates of protection. Here, we describe the isolation, characterization and GMP manufacture of a new clinical strain of Leishmania major. Two fresh strains of L. major from Israel were initially compared by genome sequencing, in vivo infectivity and drug sensitivity in mice, and development and transmission competence in sand flies, allowing one to be selected for GMP production. This study addresses a major roadblock in the development of vaccines for leishmaniasis, providing a key resource for CHIM studies of sand fly transmitted cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Ashwin
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Becvar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Eli Schwartz
- The Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Elizabeth Greensted
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Katrien Van Bocxlaer
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | - Vivak Parkash
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alison M Layton
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Charles J Lacey
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Charles L Jaffe
- The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Paul M Kaye
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK.
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9
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Campagnaro GD, de Koning HP. Purine and pyrimidine transporters of pathogenic protozoa - conduits for therapeutic agents. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1679-1714. [PMID: 32144812 DOI: 10.1002/med.21667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Purines and pyrimidines are essential nutrients for any cell. Most organisms are able to synthesize their own purines and pyrimidines, but this ability was lost in protozoans that adapted to parasitism, leading to a great diversification in transporter activities in these organisms, especially for the acquisition of amino acids and nucleosides from their hosts throughout their life cycles. Many of these transporters have been shown to have sufficiently different substrate affinities from mammalian transporters, making them good carriers for therapeutic agents. In this review, we summarize the knowledge obtained on purine and pyrimidine activities identified in protozoan parasites to date and discuss their importance for the survival of these parasites and as drug carriers, as well as the perspectives of developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo D Campagnaro
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harry P de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow, UK
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