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Zhu L, Qi W, Yang G, Yang Y, Wang Y, Zheng L, Fu Y, Cheng X. Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Protein 7 (ROP7) Interacts with NLRP3 and Promotes Inflammasome Hyperactivation in THP-1-Derived Macrophages. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101630. [PMID: 35626667 PMCID: PMC9139738 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a common opportunistic protozoan pathogen that can parasitize the karyocytes of humans and virtually all other warm-blooded animals. In the host’s innate immune response to T. gondii infection, inflammasomes can mediate the maturation of pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18, which further enhances the immune response. However, how intercellular parasites specifically provoke inflammasome activation remains unclear. In this study, we found that the T. gondii secretory protein, rhoptry protein 7 (ROP7), could interact with the NACHT domain of NLRP3 through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and co-immunoprecipitation assays. When expressing ROP7 in differentiated THP-1 cells, there was significant up-regulation in NF-κB and continuous release of IL-1β. This process is pyroptosis-independent and leads to inflammasome hyperactivation through the IL-1β/NF-κB/NLRP3 feedback loop. The loss of ROP7 in tachyzoites did not affect parasite proliferation in host cells but did attenuate parasite-induced inflammatory activity. In conclusion, these findings unveil that a T. gondii-derived protein is able to promote inflammasome activation, and further study of ROP7 will deepen our understanding of host innate immunity to parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Zhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (L.Z.); (W.Q.); (X.C.)
| | - Wanjun Qi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (L.Z.); (W.Q.); (X.C.)
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Yurong Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China;
| | - Yuwen Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, The Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; (Y.W.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lulu Zheng
- Engineering Research Center of Optical Instrument and System, The Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Modern Optical System, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; (Y.W.); (L.Z.)
| | - Yongfeng Fu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (L.Z.); (W.Q.); (X.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Xunjia Cheng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (L.Z.); (W.Q.); (X.C.)
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Pazoki H, Mohammad Rahimi H, Mirjalali H, Niyyati M, Mosaffa N, Seyed Tabaei SJ, Shahrokh S, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Zali MR. Soluble total antigen derived from Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites increased the expression levels of NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, and the release of mature form of IL1β, but downregulated the expression of IL1β and IL18 genes in THP-1cell line. Microb Pathog 2021; 158:105072. [PMID: 34192597 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular parasitic protozoan infecting homoeothermic animals and about a third of the world's population. Inflammasomes are intracellular multi-protein complex, which are activated by many factors. Inflammasomes are activated during toxoplasmosis; however, there are a lot of obscure aspects. THP-1 monocyte cells were converted to M0 macrophages by PMA and treated by 100 μg/mL soluble total Ag (STAg) derived from T. gondii strain RH for two time points 3 h and 24 h. After total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression pattern of NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, IL1β, and IL18 was evaluated by relative real-time PCR. In addition, the cytokine release of IL1β and TNFα was evaluated in the supernatant of each well. The results showed statistically significant time-dependent overexpression of inflammasomes. NLRP1 and NLRP3 showed the higher and lower expression, respectively, during 3 h and 24 h after exposure. Both IL1β and IL18 downregulated 3 h after exposure. IL18 presented statistically significant upregulation after 24 h, but IL1β showed statistically significant downregulation after 24 h. The release of IL1β increased after 3 h, but it slightly decreased during 24 h after exposure. The concentration of TNFα showed an insignificant decrease compared to control, while it increased during 24 h after exposure. Taken together, this study suggested that T. gondii STAg induces NLRP1 more than NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2. Our findings also proposed that T. gondii STAg downregulates the gene expression of IL1β, but increases the release of this cytokine. It seems that Toxoplasma STAg probably increase the release of IL1β via activating NLRPs and AIM2 to cleave pro-caspase 1 to caspase 1 that leads to conversion of pro IL1β to mature IL1β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Pazoki
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nariman Mosaffa
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Javad Seyed Tabaei
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shabnam Shahrokh
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Chu JQ, Gao FF, Wu W, Li C, Pan Z, Sun J, Wang H, Huang C, Lee SH, Quan JH, Lee YH. Expression profiles of NOD-like receptors and regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in Toxoplasma gondii-infected human small intestinal epithelial cells. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:153. [PMID: 33712075 PMCID: PMC7953608 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04666-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that primarily infects through the oral route. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) play crucial roles in the immune responses generated during parasitic infection and also drive the inflammatory response against invading parasites. However, little is known about the regulation of NLRs and inflammasome activation in T. gondii-infected human small intestinal epithelial (FHs 74 Int) cells. METHODS FHs 74 Int cells infected with T. gondii were subsequently evaluated for morphological changes, cytotoxicity, expression profiles of NLRs, inflammasome components, caspase-cleaved interleukins (ILs), and the mechanisms of NLRP3 and NLRP6 inflammasome activation. Immunocytochemistry, lactate dehydrogenase assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and western blotting techniques were utilized for analysis. RESULTS Under normal and T. gondii-infected conditions, members of the NLRs, inflammasome components and caspase-cleaved ILs were expressed in the FHs Int 74 cells, except for NLRC3, NLRP5, and NLRP9. Among the NLRs, mRNA expression of NOD2, NLRP3, NLRP6, and NAIP1 was significantly increased in T. gondii-infected cells, whereas that of NLRP2, NLRP7, and CIITA mRNAs decreased significantly in a time-dependent manner. In addition, T. gondii infection induced NLRP3, NLRP6 and NLRC4 inflammasome activation and production of IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33 in FHs 74 Int cells. T. gondii-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation was strongly associated with the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK; however, JNK1/2 had a weak effect. NLRP6 inflammasome activation was not related to the MAPK pathway in FHs 74 Int cells. CONCLUSIONS This study highlighted the expression profiles of NLRs and unraveled the underlying mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in T. gondii-infected FHs 74 Int cells. These findings may contribute to understanding of the mucosal and innate immune responses induced by the NLRs and inflammasomes during T. gondii infection in FHs 74 Int cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Chu
- Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fei Fei Gao
- Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea.,Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Weiyun Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, 524001, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunchao Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, 524001, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaobin Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, 524001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhui Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, 524001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, 524001, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sang Hyuk Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sun General Hospital, Daejeon, 34084, Republic of Korea.,Department of Infection Biology, Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, 6 Munhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 35015, Korea
| | - Juan-Hua Quan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, 524001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Young-Ha Lee
- Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Infection Biology, Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, 6 Munhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 35015, Korea.
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Wang Y, Zhu J, Cao Y, Shen J, Yu L. Insight Into Inflammasome Signaling: Implications for Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583193. [PMID: 33391259 PMCID: PMC7772217 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammasomes are multimeric protein complexes regulating the innate immune response to invading pathogens or stress stimuli. Recent studies have reported that nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLRs) proteins and DNA sensor absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) serve as inflammasome sentinels, whose stimulation leads to the proteolytic activation of caspase-1, proinflammatory cytokine secretion, and pyroptotic cell death. Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite of phylum Apicomplexans, is reportedly involved in NLRP1, NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes activation; however, mechanistic evidence regarding the activation of these complexes is preliminary. This review describes the current understanding of inflammasome signaling in rodent and human models of T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jinjin Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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5
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Li ZY, Guo HT, Calderón-Mantilla G, He JJ, Wang JL, Bonev BB, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM. Immunostimulatory efficacy and protective potential of putative TgERK7 protein in mice experimentally infected by Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Med Microbiol 2020; 310:151432. [PMID: 32654774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2020.151432] [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: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) serve as important determinants of cellular signal transduction pathways, and hence may play important roles during infections. Previous work suggested that putative ERK7 of Toxoplasma gondii is required for efficient intracellular replication of the parasite. However, the antigenic and immunostimulatory properties of TgERK7 protein remain unknown. The objective of this study was to produce a recombinant TgERK7 protein in vitro and to evaluate its effect on the induction of humoral and T cell-mediated immune responses against T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice. Immunization using TgERK7 mixed with Freund's adjuvants significantly increased the ratio of CD3e+CD4+ T/CD3e+CD8a+ T lymphocytes in spleen and elevated serum cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-23, MCP-1, and TNF-α) in immunized mice compared to control mice. On the contrary, immunization did not induce high levels of serum IgG antibodies. Five predicted peptides of TgERK7 were synthesized and conjugated with KLH and used to analyze the antibody specificity in the sera of immunized mice. We detected a progressive increase in the antibody level only against TgERK7 peptide A (DEVDKHVLRKYD). Antibody raised against this peptide significantly decreased intracellular proliferation of T. gondii in vitro, suggesting that peptide A can potentially induce a protective antibody response. We also showed that immunization improved the survival rate of mice challenged with a virulent strain and significantly reduced the parasite cyst burden within the brains of chronically infected mice. Our data show that TgERK7-based immunization induced TgERK7 peptide A-specific immune responses that can impart protective immunity against T. gondii infection. The therapeutic potential of targeting ERK7 signaling pathway for future toxoplasmosis treatment is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yuan Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Basic Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, 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, Gansu, 730046, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Hai-Ting Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Basic Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, China
| | - Guillermo Calderón-Mantilla
- Universidad de La Sabana, Campus del Puente del Común, Km. 7, Autopista Norte de Bogotá. Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia
| | - Jun-Jun He
- 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, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- 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, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Boyan B Bonev
- School of life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- 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, Gansu, 730046, 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.
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6
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Rai RC. Host inflammatory responses to intracellular invaders: Review study. Life Sci 2019; 240:117084. [PMID: 31759040 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.117084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As soon as a pathogen invades through the physical barriers of its corresponding host, host mounts a series of protective immune response to get rid of the invading pathogen. Host's pattern recognition receptors (PRR), localized at the cellular surface, cytoplasm and also in the nucleus; recognises pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and plays crucial role in directing the immune response to be specific. Inflammatory responses are among the earliest strategies to tackle the pathogen by the host and are tightly regulated by multiple molecular pathways. Inflammasomes are multi-subunit protein complex consisting of a receptor molecule viz. NLRP3, an adaptor molecule- Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and an executioner caspase. Upon infection and/or injury; inflammasome components assemble and oligomerizes leading to the auto cleavage of the pro-caspase-1 to its active form. The activated caspase-1 cleaves immature form of the pro-inflammatory cytokines to their mature form e.g. IL1-β and IL-18 which mount inflammatory response. Moreover, C-terminal end of the Gasdermin D molecule is also cleaved by the caspase-1. The activated N-terminal Gasdermin D molecule form pores in the infected cells leading to their pyroptosis. Hence, inflammasomes drive inflammation during infection and controls the establishment of the pathogen by mounting inflammatory response and activation of the pyroptotic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Chandra Rai
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
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7
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Cytosolic Recognition of Microbes and Pathogens: Inflammasomes in Action. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2018; 82:82/4/e00015-18. [PMID: 30209070 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00015-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection is a dynamic biological process underpinned by a complex interplay between the pathogen and the host. Microbes from all domains of life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoan parasites, have the capacity to cause infection. Infection is sensed by the host, which often leads to activation of the inflammasome, a cytosolic macromolecular signaling platform that mediates the release of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 and cleavage of the pore-forming protein gasdermin D, leading to pyroptosis. Host-mediated sensing of the infection occurs when pathogens inject or carry pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) into the cytoplasm or induce damage that causes cytosolic liberation of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in the host cell. Recognition of PAMPs and DAMPs by inflammasome sensors, including NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NAIP, AIM2, and Pyrin, initiates a cascade of events that culminate in inflammation and cell death. However, pathogens can deploy virulence factors capable of minimizing or evading host detection. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of microbe-induced activation of the inflammasome and the functional consequences of inflammasome activation in infectious diseases. We also explore the microbial strategies used in the evasion of inflammasome sensing at the host-microbe interaction interface.
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8
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Patel S. Inflammasomes, the cardinal pathology mediators are activated by pathogens, allergens and mutagens: A critical review with focus on NLRP3. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 92:819-825. [PMID: 28599247 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a pivotal defense system of body. Unfortunately, when homeostasis falters, the same inflammatory mechanism acts as a double-edged sword, and turns offensive, paving the path for a broad array of pathologies. A multi-protein complex termed as inflammasome perceives the PAMPs (pathogen associated molecular patterns) and DAMPs (danger associated molecular patterns), executing immune responses. This activation predominantly encompasses the elaboration of effector cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, and the cysteine proteases (caspase 1 and 11). Extensive study on an inflammasome NLRP3 has revealed its role in the onset and progression of pathogenic, metabolic, autoimmune, neural, and geriatric diseases. In this regard, this inflammasome's immune activation mechanisms and inhibition strategies have been discussed. Through this rigorous literature analysis, the superficial diversity between pathogens/allergens and mutagens, and NLRP3 activity towards them has been emphasized. Though there is a scope for inhibition of aberrant inflammasomes, including that of NLRP3, given their complexity and unpredictability, prevention of their activation by lifestyle correction has been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Patel
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Research Center, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., 92182 San Diego, CA USA.
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9
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Sun H, Wang S, Zhao X, Yao C, Zhuang H, Huang Y, Chen X, Yang Y, Du A. Targeted overexpression of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase subunit in Toxoplasma gondii promotes replication and virulence in host cells. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:248-255. [PMID: 28807302 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most common parasite that can infect almost any warm-blooded animals including humans. The cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase (PKA) regulates a spectrum of intracellular signal pathways in many organisms. Protein kinase catalytic subunit (PKAC) is the core of the whole protein, and plays an important role in the life cycle of T.gondii. Here, T.gondii PKAC (TgPKAC) overexpression strain (TgPKAC-OE) was constructed. The growth of the TgPKAC-OE, RH△Ku80, and TgPKAC inhibition strains (TgPKAC-H89) were analysed by SYBR-green real-time PCR, and the ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The survival rate in mice was also recorded to analyse the virulence of the parasites. We also investigated the subcellular localization of TgPKAC in Vero cells by laser scanning microscope. We found that TgPKAC-OE strain exhibited obviously increased growth rate in Vero cells in vitro, and infected mice survived for a shorter time compared to wild type strain. Ultrastructural analysis found more autophagosomes-like structures in TgPKAC-H89 parasite compared to RH△Ku80 strain, and the relative expression level of Toxoplasma gondii autophagy-related protein (ATG8) in TgPKAC-H89 parasite was higher than wild type parasite. Laser confocal results showed that TgPKAC was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of Vero cells. In conclusion, we hypothesized that inhibition of TgPKAC could cause autophagy of Toxoplasma gondii and then influence the replication of the parasite. TgPKAC plays an important role in parasite virulence in vivo, and the subcellular localization was successfully detected in Vero cells. Our data will provide a basis for further study of TgPKAC function and help screen drug targets of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchao Sun
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Suhua Wang
- Wenzhou Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Xianfeng Zhao
- Shenzhen Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518045, China
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
| | - Haohan Zhuang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yechuan Huang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xueqiu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Yang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Aifang Du
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Chu JQ, Shi G, Fan YM, Choi IW, Cha GH, Zhou Y, Lee YH, Quan JH. Production of IL-1β and Inflammasome with Up-Regulated Expressions of NOD-Like Receptor Related Genes in Toxoplasma gondii-Infected THP-1 Macrophages. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2016; 54:711-717. [PMID: 28095655 PMCID: PMC5266351 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.6.711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that stimulates production of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which are important for innate immunity. NLRs, i.e., nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors, play a crucial role as innate immune sensors and form multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes, which mediate caspase-1-dependent processing of pro-IL-1β. To elucidate the role of inflammasome components in T. gondii-infected THP-1 macrophages, we examined inflammasome-related gene expression and mechanisms of inflammasome-regulated cytokine IL-1β secretion. The results revealed a significant upregulation of IL-1β after T. gondii infection. T. gondii infection also upregulated the expression of inflammasome sensors, including NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP8, NLRP13, AIM2, and NAIP, in a time-dependent manner. The infection also upregulated inflammasome adaptor protein ASC and caspase-1 mRNA levels. From this study, we newly found that T. gondii infection regulates NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP8, NLRP13, AIM2, and neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein (NAIP) gene expressions in THP-1 macrophages and that the role of the inflammasome-related genes may be critical for mediating the innate immune responses to T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Chu
- Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center and Laboratory Institute of Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Ge Shi
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yi-Ming Fan
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - In-Wook Choi
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea
| | - Guang-Ho Cha
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Young-Ha Lee
- Department of Infection Biology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea
| | - Juan-Hua Quan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
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