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Rios-Valencia DG, Estrada K, Calderón-Gallegos A, Tirado-Mendoza R, Bobes RJ, Laclette JP, Cabrera-Bravo M. Effect of Hydroxyurea on Morphology, Proliferation, and Protein Expression on Taenia crassiceps WFU Strain. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6061. [PMID: 38892261 PMCID: PMC11172544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116061] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Flatworms are known for their remarkable regenerative ability, one which depends on totipotent cells known as germinative cells in cestodes. Depletion of germinative cells with hydroxyurea (HU) affects the regeneration of the parasite. Here, we studied the reduction and recovery of germinative cells in T. crassiceps cysticerci after HU treatment (25 mM and 40 mM of HU for 6 days) through in vitro assays. Viability and morphological changes were evaluated. The recovery of cysticerci's mobility and morphology was evaluated at 3 and 6 days, after 6 days of treatment. The number of proliferative cells was evaluated using EdU. Our results show morphological changes in the size, shape, and number of evaginated cysticerci at the 40 mM dose. The mobility of cysticerci was lower after 6 days of HU treatment at both concentrations. On days 3 and 6 of recovery after 25 mM of HU treatment, a partial recovery of the proliferative cells was observed. Proteomic and Gene Ontology analyses identified modifications in protein groups related to DNA binding, DNA damage, glycolytic enzymes, cytoskeleton, skeletal muscle, and RNA binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana G. Rios-Valencia
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacan, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (D.G.R.-V.); (R.T.-M.)
| | - Karel Estrada
- Unit for Massive Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Biotechnology Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacan, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Arturo Calderón-Gallegos
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-G.); (R.J.B.)
| | - Rocío Tirado-Mendoza
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacan, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (D.G.R.-V.); (R.T.-M.)
| | - Raúl J. Bobes
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-G.); (R.J.B.)
| | - Juan P. Laclette
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-G.); (R.J.B.)
| | - Margarita Cabrera-Bravo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacan, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (D.G.R.-V.); (R.T.-M.)
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Bobes RJ, Estrada K, Rios-Valencia DG, Calderón-Gallegos A, de la Torre P, Carrero JC, Sanchez-Flores A, Laclette JP. The Genomes of Two Strains of Taenia crassiceps the Animal Model for the Study of Human Cysticercosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:876839. [PMID: 35619649 PMCID: PMC9128525 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.876839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cysticercosis by Taenia solium is the major cause of neurological illness in countries of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. Publication of four cestode genomes (T. solium, Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus and Hymenolepis microstoma) in the last decade, marked the advent of novel approaches on the study of the host-parasite molecular crosstalk for cestode parasites of importance for human and animal health. Taenia crassiceps is another cestode parasite, closely related to T. solium, which has been used in numerous studies as an animal model for human cysticercosis. Therefore, characterization of the T. crassiceps genome will also contribute to the understanding of the human infection. Here, we report the genome of T. crassiceps WFU strain, reconstructed to a noncontiguous finished resolution and performed a genomic and differential expression comparison analysis against ORF strain. Both strain genomes were sequenced using Oxford Nanopore (MinION) and Illumina technologies, achieving high quality assemblies of about 107 Mb for both strains. Dotplot comparison between WFU and ORF demonstrated that both genomes were extremely similar. Additionally, karyotyping results for both strains failed to demonstrate a difference in chromosome composition. Therefore, our results strongly support the concept that the absence of scolex in the ORF strain of T. crassiceps was not the result of a chromosomal loss as proposed elsewhere. Instead, it appears to be the result of subtle and extensive differences in the regulation of gene expression. Analysis of variants between the two strains identified 2,487 sites with changes distributed in 31 of 65 scaffolds. The differential expression analysis revealed that genes related to development and morphogenesis in the ORF strain might be involved in the lack of scolex formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl J. Bobes
- Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Karel Estrada
- Biotechnology Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | | | | | - Patricia de la Torre
- Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Julio C. Carrero
- Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Sanchez-Flores
- Biotechnology Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Juan P. Laclette, ; Alejandro Sanchez-Flores,
| | - Juan P. Laclette
- Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Juan P. Laclette, ; Alejandro Sanchez-Flores,
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Zheng WB, Zou Y, Elsheikha HM, Liu GH, Hu MH, Wang SL, Zhu XQ. Serum metabolomic alterations in Beagle dogs experimentally infected with Toxocara canis. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:447. [PMID: 31506092 PMCID: PMC6737696 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3703-5] [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: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxocara canis, a globally distributed roundworm, can cause debilitating disease in dogs and humans; however, little is known about the metabolomic response of the hosts to T. canis infection. There is an increasing need to understand the metabolic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of T. canis infection in dogs. Here, we examined the metabolomic changes in Beagle dogsʼ serum following T. canis infection using LC-MS/MS. Results The metabolic profiles of Beagle dogsʼ serum were determined at 12 h, 24 h, 10 d and 36 d after oral infection with 300 infectious T. canis eggs by LC-MS/MS. We tested whether the T. canis-associated differentially abundant metabolites could distinguish the serum of infected dogs from controls, as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The differentially expressed metabolites were further evaluated by principal components analysis and pathway enrichment analysis. A total of 5756 and 5299 ions were detected in ESI+ and ESI− mode, respectively. ROC curve analysis revealed nine and five metabolite markers, at 12 hpi and 24 hpi to 36 dpi, respectively, with potential diagnostic value for toxocariasis. The levels of taurocholate, estradiol, prostaglandins and leukotriene were significantly changed. Primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway, steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids pathway were significantly altered by T. canis infection. Conclusions These findings show that T. canis infection can induce several changes in the dog serum metabolome and that the metabolic signature associated with T. canis infection in dogs has potential for toxocariasis diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bin Zheng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Min-Hua Hu
- National Seed Center of Experimental Dogs, Guangzhou General Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, 510240, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shui-Lian Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccines, Hunan Engineering Technology Research Center of Veterinary Drugs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, People's Republic of China.
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Abstract
The concept of repurposing previously approved medications to the treatment of new indications by taking advantage of off-target effects has gained traction in recent years, particularly in areas of medicine that do not offer large profits to pharmaceutical firms. As infectious disease discovery research has declined among large pharmaceutical companies, the potential payoff of repurposing has become attractive. The concept of repurposing previously approved medications to the treatment of new indications by taking advantage of off-target effects has gained traction in recent years, particularly in areas of medicine that do not offer large profits to pharmaceutical firms. As infectious disease discovery research has declined among large pharmaceutical companies, the potential payoff of repurposing has become attractive. From these efforts, the triphenylethylene class of selective estrogen receptor modulators related to tamoxifen has shown activity against a wide range of medically important human pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Because it has activity against many pathogens affecting people in resource-limited areas of the world, TAM and related drugs may be particularly useful. Here, we review the in vitro, in vivo, and mechanistic studies of the anti-infective activity of tamoxifen, toremifene, clomiphene, and their analogs. We also discuss the pharmacologic properties of this privileged scaffold and its potential utility in treating infectious diseases.
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Proteomic profile associated with cell death induced by androgens in Taenia crassiceps cysticerci: proposed interactome. J Helminthol 2018; 93:539-547. [DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x18000706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAndrogens have been shown to exert a cysticidal effect uponTaenia crassiceps, an experimental model of cysticercosis. To further inquire into this matter, theTaenia crassicepsmodel was used to evaluate the expression of several proteins after testosterone (T4) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)in vitrotreatment. Under 2-D proteomic maps, parasite extracts were resolved into approximately 130 proteins distributed in a molecular weight range of 10–250 kDa and isoelectrical point range of 3–10. The resultant proteomic pattern was analysed, and significant changes were observed in response to T4 and DHT. Based on our experience with electrophoretic patterns and proteomic maps of cytoskeletal proteins, alteration in the expression of isoforms of actin, tubulin and paramyosin and of other proteins was assessed. Considering that androgens may exert their biological activity in taeniids through the non-specific progesterone receptor membrane component (PGRMC), we harnessed bioinformatics to propose the identity of androgen-regulated proteins and establish their hypothetical physiological role in the parasites. These analyses yield a possible explanation of how androgens exert their cysticidal effects through changes in the expression of proteins involved in cytoskeletal rearrangement, dynamic vesicular traffic and transduction of intracellular signals.
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6
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de Bie J, Lim CK, Guillemin GJ. Progesterone Alters Kynurenine Pathway Activation in IFN-γ-Activated Macrophages - Relevance for Neuroinflammatory Diseases. Int J Tryptophan Res 2016; 9:89-93. [PMID: 27980422 PMCID: PMC5147515 DOI: 10.4137/ijtr.s40332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 10/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that the kynurenine pathway (KP), the major biochemical pathway for tryptophan metabolism, is dysregulated in many inflammatory disorders that are often associated with sexual dimorphisms. We aimed to identify a potential functional interaction between the KP and gonadal hormones. We have treated primary human macrophages with progesterone in the presence and absence of inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (interferon-γ) that is known to be a potent inducer of regulating the KP enzyme. We found that progesterone attenuates interferon-γ-induced KP activity, decreases the levels of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid, and increases the neuroprotective kynurenic acid levels. We also showed that progesterone was able to reduce the inflammatory marker neopterin. These results may shed light on the gender disparity in response to inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. de Bie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - C. K. Lim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - G. J. Guillemin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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D'Cruz RF, Ng SM, Dassan P. Neurocysticercosis in pregnancy: maternal and fetal outcomes. Oxf Med Case Reports 2016; 2016:138-40. [PMID: 27471595 PMCID: PMC4962885 DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omw019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection with the larvae of Taenia solium from contaminated pork. It is a leading cause of seizures in the developing world. Symptoms may be secondary to live or degenerating cysts, or previous infection causing calcification or gliosis. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, radiological confirmation of intracranial lesions and immunological testing. Management involves symptom control with antiepileptics and antiparasitic agents. Few cases have been described of maternal NCC during pregnancy. We describe a 25-year-old female presenting to a London hospital with secondary generalized seizures. MRI of the brain confirmed a calcified lesion in the right parietal lobe, and she gave a corroborative history of NCC during her childhood in India. She was stabilized initially on antiepileptics, but during her pregnancy presented with breakthrough seizures and radiological evidence of NCC reactivation. She was managed symptomatically with antiepileptics and completed the pregnancy to term with no fetal complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca F D'Cruz
- Department of Neurology , Ealing Hospital, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust , Southall , UK
| | - Sher M Ng
- Department of Neurology , Ealing Hospital, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust , Southall , UK
| | - Pooja Dassan
- Department of Neurology , Ealing Hospital, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust , Southall , UK
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Androgens Exert a Cysticidal Effect upon Taenia crassiceps by Disrupting Flame Cell Morphology and Function. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127928. [PMID: 26076446 PMCID: PMC4468188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of testosterone (T4) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the survival of the helminth cestode parasite Taenia crassiceps, as well as their effects on actin, tubulin and myosin expression and their assembly into the excretory system of flame cells are described in this paper. In vitro evaluations on parasite viability, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, video-microscopy of live flame cells, and docking experiments of androgens interacting with actin, tubulin, and myosin were conducted. Our results show that T4 and DHT reduce T. crassiceps viability in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, reaching 90% of mortality at the highest dose used (40 ng/ml) and time exposed (10 days) in culture. Androgen treatment does not induce differences in the specific expression pattern of actin, tubulin, and myosin isoforms as compared with control parasites. Confocal microscopy demonstrated a strong disruption of the parasite tegument, with reduced assembly, shape, and motion of flame cells. Docking experiments show that androgens are capable of affecting parasite survival and flame cell morphology by directly interacting with actin, tubulin and myosin without altering their protein expression pattern. We show that both T4 and DHT are able to bind actin, tubulin, and myosin affecting their assembly and causing parasite intoxication due to impairment of flame cell function. Live flame cell video microscopy showing a reduced motion as well changes in the shape of flame cells are also shown. In summary, T4 and DHT directly act on T. crassiceps cysticerci through altering parasite survival as well as the assembly and function of flame cells.
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Ambrosio JR, Ostoa-Saloma P, Palacios-Arreola MI, Ruíz-Rosado A, Sánchez-Orellana PL, Reynoso-Ducoing O, Nava-Castro KE, Martínez-Velázquez N, Escobedo G, Ibarra-Coronado EG, Valverde-Islas L, Morales-Montor J. Oestradiol and progesterone differentially alter cytoskeletal protein expression and flame cell morphology in Taenia crassiceps. Int J Parasitol 2014; 44:687-96. [PMID: 24879953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
We examined the effects of oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) on cytoskeletal protein expression in the helminth Taenia crassiceps - specifically actin, tubulin and myosin. These proteins assemble into flame cells, which constitute the parasite excretory system. Total protein extracts were obtained from E2- and P4-treated T. crassiceps cysticerci and untreated controls, and analysed by one- and two-dimensional protein electrophoresis, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and videomicroscopy. Exposure of T. crassiceps cysticerci to E2 and P4 induced differential protein expression patterns compared with untreated controls. Changes in actin, tubulin and myosin expression were confirmed by flow cytometry of parasite cells and immunofluorescence. In addition, parasite morphology was altered in response to E2 and P4 versus controls. Flame cells were primarily affected at the level of the ciliary tuft, in association with the changes in actin, tubulin and myosin. We conclude that oestradiol and progesterone act directly on T. crassiceps cysticerci, altering actin, tubulin and myosin expression and thus affecting the assembly and function of flame cells. Our results increase our understanding of several aspects of the molecular crosstalk between host and parasite, which might be useful in designing anthelmintic drugs that exclusively impair parasitic proteins which mediate cell signaling and pathogenic reproduction and establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier R Ambrosio
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio A, 2do piso, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Pedro Ostoa-Saloma
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - M Isabel Palacios-Arreola
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Azucena Ruíz-Rosado
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Pedro L Sánchez-Orellana
- Departamento de Fisiología Biofísica y Neurociencias, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. Instituto Politecnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, México DF 07360, Mexico
| | - Olivia Reynoso-Ducoing
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio A, 2do piso, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Karen E Nava-Castro
- Centro de investigación sobre enfermedades infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 62100 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Nancy Martínez-Velázquez
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Galileo Escobedo
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Hospital General de México, AP 06726, México DF, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth G Ibarra-Coronado
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Laura Valverde-Islas
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio A, 2do piso, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, México DF 04510, Mexico.
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Dlugosz EM, Downs CJ, Khokhlova IS, Degen AA, Krasnov BR. Ectoparasite performance when feeding on reproducing mammalian females: an unexpected decrease when on pregnant hosts. J Exp Biol 2014; 217:1058-64. [PMID: 24311805 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.098376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction is an energy-demanding activity in mammalian females, with increased energy requirements during pregnancy and, especially, during lactation. To better understand the interactions between parasitism and host reproduction, we investigated feeding and reproductive performance of fleas (Xenopsylla ramesis) parasitizing non-reproducing, pregnant or lactating gerbilline rodents (Meriones crassus). Based on energetic considerations, we predicted that feeding and reproductive performance of fleas would be lowest on non-breeding females, moderate on pregnant females and highest on lactating females. We estimated feeding performance of the fleas via absolute and mass-specific bloodmeal size and reproductive performance via egg production and latency to peak oviposition. Host reproductive status had no effect on either absolute or mass-specific bloodmeal size or the day of peak oviposition, but significantly affected the daily number of eggs produced by a female flea. Surprisingly, and contrary to our predictions, egg production of fleas fed on pregnant rodents was significantly lower than that of fleas on non-reproducing and lactating rodents, while no difference in egg production between fleas feeding on non-reproducing and lactating hosts was found. Our results suggest that differences in parasite reproduction when feeding on hosts of different reproductive status are not associated with the different energy requirements of the hosts at non-breeding, pregnancy and lactation but rather with variation in hormonal and/or immune status during these periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Dlugosz
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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11
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Abdoli A, Pirestani M. Are pregnant women with chronic helminth infections more susceptible to congenital infections? Front Immunol 2014; 5:53. [PMID: 24575099 PMCID: PMC3921675 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abdoli
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Science , Kashan , Iran ; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran , Iran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran , Iran
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12
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Human neurocysticercosis: immunological features involved in the host's susceptibility to become infected and to develop disease. Microbes Infect 2013; 15:524-30. [PMID: 23542217 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2013.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Human neurocysticercosis (NC) is a clinically and radiologically heterogeneous disease caused by the establishment of Taenia solium larvae in the central nervous system. Herein, the immunological and endocrinological features involved in resistance to infection and severe forms of the disease are reviewed, and their clinical relevance is discussed.
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Antolová D, Reiterová K. Influence of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on reproduction and cellular immune response of mice. Parasite Immunol 2010; 32:384-7. [PMID: 20500667 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2009.01194.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The influence of secondary Echinococcus multilocularis infection on reproduction and cellular immune response of mice was studied in BALB/c mice infected with 2000 E. multilocularis protoscoleces. Of the total infected mothers, 11.7% did not give birth and 10% of uninfected ones did not deliver. Both, healthy and infected mothers, produced on average 6-7 offspring per litter. The changes in production of seral IFN-gamma, TNF and IL-10 did not significantly influence the course of gravidity. On the other hand, more intensive metacestode growth was observed after the delivery. This study confirmed the ability of host organism to adapt to severe damage caused by E. multilocularis, not only in normal conditions, but also during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Antolová
- Parasitological Institute of SAS, Hlinkova, Kosice, Slovak Republic.
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Strategies of statistical image analysis of 2D immunoblots: The case of IgG response in experimental Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis. J Immunol Methods 2009; 351:46-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2009.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2009] [Revised: 09/18/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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15
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Arteaga-Silva M, Vargas-Villavicencio JA, Vigueras-Villaseñor RM, Rodríguez-Dorantes M, Morales-Montor J. Taenia crassiceps infection disrupts estrous cycle and reproductive behavior in BALB/c female mice. Acta Trop 2009; 109:141-5. [PMID: 19041292 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2008.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2008] [Revised: 06/21/2008] [Accepted: 10/17/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previously, it has been shown that parasitic infections are able to alter the normal mammal physiology, at several extents. Thus, we investigated the effects on estrous cycle and sexual behavior induced by intraperitoneal infection with Taenia crassiceps in female host mice. Along the weeks of infection, parasites were collected from the peritoneal cavity of female mice, showing the maximum parasite load at 16 weeks. No parasites were found outside peritoneal cavity. Vaginal estrous cycle was monitored daily for 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of infection, and results compared against age-matched female mice. Female sexual behavior (FSB) tests were performed, one test per week. Immediately after the last behavioral test, blood was collected by cardiac puncture for steroid determinations. First of all, there was a strong tissular damage in the female reproductive tract in all infected females. The phases of the estrous cycle were interrupted at 12 and 16 weeks, with increased leukocytes and the presence of a few cornified epithelial cells and nucleated epithelial cells. The FSB decreased starting 6 weeks post infection. On the 16th week, all infected female mice ceased to exhibit sexual responses, and estradiol levels showed a significant decrease. Control mice continued showing FSB and the different phases of the estrous cycle throughout the observation period. Our results strength the notion that parasites may be considered as an evolutionary force in the reproductive ability of mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Arteaga-Silva
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, A.P., México, D.F., Mexico
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Vargas-Villavicencio JA, Larralde C, De León-Nava MA, Escobedo G, Morales-Montor J. Tamoxifen treatment induces protection in murine cysticercosis. J Parasitol 2008; 93:1512-7. [PMID: 18314701 DOI: 10.1645/ge-1191.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Administration of tamoxifen (an antiestrogen) produced an 80% parasite load reduction in female mice, and a weaker effect of 50% in male mice. This protective effect was associated in both sexes, with an increase in the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-2 (a cytokine associated with protection against cysticerci) and IL-4 (no effect on infection). tamoxifen treatment modified 17-beta estradiol production in females, whereas serum testosterone was not affected. However, the expression of the 2 types of estrogen receptor (ER), i.e., ER-alpha and ER-beta, in the spleen of infected mice of both sexes, was decreased by tamoxifen treatment. In vitro, treatment of Taenia crassiceps with tamoxifen reduced reproduction and loss of motility. These results indicate that tamoxifen treatment is a new therapeutic possibility to treat cysticercosis, because it can act at both ends of the host-parasite relationship, i.e., by increasing the cellular immune response protective against the parasite and by directly affecting the parasite's reproduction and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Antonio Vargas-Villavicencio
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México AP70228, México D.F. 04510, México
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Vargas-Villavicencio JA, Larralde C, Morales-Montor J. Treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone in vivo and in vitro inhibits reproduction, growth and viability of Taenia crassiceps metacestodes. Int J Parasitol 2007; 38:775-81. [PMID: 18082750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2007.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2007] [Revised: 10/18/2007] [Accepted: 10/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to explore the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the establishment, growth and reproduction of the metacestode stage of the tapeworm Taenia crassiceps, both in vivo and in vitro. Administration of DHEA prior to infection in mice of both sexes reduced the parasite load by 50% compared with untreated mice. This protective effect was not associated with the immune response, since there was no effect of DHEA treatment on mRNA levels of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4 or IL-10. DHEA treatment of infected mice increased androgen receptor expression in splenocytes of both sexes. Moreover, in vitro treatment of T. crassiceps with DHEA reduced reproduction, motility and viability in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Results indicate that DHEA has strong negative direct modulatory effects on murine cysticercosis. We suggest the use of hormonal-analogues for protective purposes as a therapeutic approach to prevent murine cysticercosis.
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Wedrychowicz H, Kesik M, Kaliniak M, Kozak-Cieszczyk M, Jedlina-Panasiuk L, Jaros S, Plucienniczak A. Vaccine potential of inclusion bodies containing cysteine proteinase of Fasciola hepatica in calves and lambs experimentally challenged with metacercariae of the fluke. Vet Parasitol 2007; 147:77-88. [PMID: 17481823 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2006] [Revised: 03/18/2007] [Accepted: 03/21/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite intensive research efforts, progress in the development of effective anti-Fasciola hepatica vaccine has not been satisfactory. However, it has been found that cysteine proteinases of F. hepatica are very important candidates for a vaccine antigen because of their role in fluke biology and in the host-parasite relationship. In our previous experiments we found that recombinant cysteine proteinase which we have cloned from adult F. hepatica (CPFhW) can protect rats against the liver fluke infection when administered intramuscularly or when given intranasally in the form of cDNA. In the present experiments we aimed to evaluate the protectivity of the mucosal vaccination in calves and lambs with inclusion bodies containing recombinant CPFhW using different vaccination doses and various sites of antigen delivery. Female calves vaccinated intranasally with two doses of 300 microg of the recombinant CPFhW showed 54.2% protection against the subsequent challenge of 400 metacercariae (mc). Flukes which developed in vaccinated calves showed a reduction of reproductive potential. Male Corriedale lambs vaccinated at the age of 4 months demanded three doses of the antigen to gain 56.5% of protection to a challenge with 250 mc of F. hepatica. Vaccinated animals showed significantly lower blood eosinophil counts. No correlation was found between serum and mucosal IgG or IgA reacting with F. hepatica ES antigens and the protection level.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Wedrychowicz
- W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa, Poland.
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Vargas-Villavicencio JA, Larralde C, Morales-Montor J. Gonadectomy and progesterone treatment induce protection in murine cysticercosis. Parasite Immunol 2006; 28:667-74. [PMID: 17096646 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2006.00906.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The effects of progesterone on castrated mice of both sexes infected with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci were studied. Gonadectomy and treatment with progesterone before infection decreased parasite loads by 100% compared with intact uninfected mice. mRNA levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 (typically associated to Th1-like profiles) were markedly decreased in infected gonadectomized (Gx) mice, whereas progesterone treatment of infected Gx mice did not affected its expression. mRNA levels of IL-4, and IL-10 (typically associated with Th2-like profiles) were reduced by gonadectomy, whereas restitution with progesterone did not affected this pattern in infected Gx progesterone-treated mice. Infection markedly induced expression of progesterone receptor isoform A in splenocytes of Gx mice (5-fold), whereas isoform B had no changes. Progesterone metabolism to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Gx animals was increased 3-fold only in infected progesterone-treated uninfecteds of both sexes, but was not detectable in infected Gx progesterone-treated mice. Conversely, DHEA levels increased 100-fold in infected Gx progesterone-treated mice. However, androgen receptor expression in splenocytes of male mice showed a reduction by gonadectomy, and by infection, whereas in females AR expression showed no changes in the different mouse groups. These results suggest that progesterone, through its metabolism to DHEA, negatively affects the establishment, growth, and reproduction of Taenia crassiceps, by a mechanism that does not implicate a classic genomic pathway involving a nuclear androgen receptor.
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Escobedo G, Roberts CW, Carrero JC, Morales-Montor J. Parasite regulation by host hormones: an old mechanism of host exploitation? Trends Parasitol 2005; 21:588-93. [PMID: 16236553 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2005.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2005] [Revised: 08/10/2005] [Accepted: 09/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent experimental evidence suggests that parasites can not only evade immune responses actively but also exploit the hormonal microenvironment within the host to favor their establishment, growth and reproduction. The benefit for parasites of hormonal exploitation is so great that they have evolved structures similar to the steroid and protein hormone receptors expressed in upper vertebrates that can bind to the hormonal metabolites synthesized by the host. This strategy is exemplified by two parasites that respond to adrenal steroids and sexual steroids, respectively: Schistosoma mansoni and Taenia crassiceps. Understanding how the host endocrine system can, under certain circumstances, favor the establishment of a parasite, and characterizing the parasite hormone receptors that are involved might aid the design of hormonal analogs and drugs that affect the parasite exclusively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galileo Escobedo
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México AP 70228, Mexico City 04510, México
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