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Moghaddami R, Mahdipour M, Ahmadpour E. Inflammatory pathways of Toxoplasmagondii infection in pregnancy. Travel Med Infect Dis 2024; 62:102760. [PMID: 39293589 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102760] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), an obligate intracellular parasite, is considered as an opportunistic infection and causes toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. Congenital toxoplasmosis can influence pregnancy and cause mild to severe consequences for the fetal and neonatal. During early T. gondii infection, neutrophils as the most abundant white blood cells provide a front line of defense mechanism against infection. The activated dendritic cells are then responsible for initiating an inflammatory response via T-helper 1 (Th1) cells. As part of its robust immune response, the infected host cells produce interferon (IFN-γ). IFN-γ inhibits T. gondii replication and promotes its transformation from an active form to tissue cysts. Although anti- T. gondii antibodies play an important role in infection control, T-helper 2 (Th2) immune response, can facilitate the growth and proliferation of T. gondii in the host cell. In pregnant women infected with T. gondii, the expression of cytokines may vary and in response diverse outcomes are expected. Cytokine profiles serve as valuable indicators for estimating the patho-immunological effects of T. gondii infection. This demonstrates the intricate relationship between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as their influence on the various pregnancy outcomes in T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyhaneh Moghaddami
- Department of Plant, Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Mahdipour
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Jeske R, Becker N, Kroeller L, Mentzer AJ, Brenner N, Guy E, Waterboer T, Butt J. Advancing Toxoplasma gondii multiplex serology. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0361823. [PMID: 38385741 PMCID: PMC10986549 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03618-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent pathogen causing zoonotic infections with significant public health implications. Yet, our understanding of long-term consequences, associated risk factors, and the potential role of co-infections is still limited. Seroepidemiological studies are a valuable approach to address open questions and enhance our insights into T. gondii across human populations. Here, we present substantial advancements to our previously developed T. gondii multiplex serology assay, which is based on the immunodominant antigens SAG1 and P22. While our previous bead-based assay quantified antibody levels against multiple targets in a high-throughput fashion requiring only a small sample volume, impaired assay characteristics emerged in sample dilutions beyond 1:100 and when being transferred to magnetic beads. Both are now critical for inclusion in large-scale seroprevalence studies. Using the truncated versions, SAG1D1 and P22trunc, significantly enhanced signal-to-noise ratios were achieved with almost perfect concordance with the gold-standard Sabin-Feldman dye test. In sample dilutions of 1:100, the diagnostic accuracy of SAG1D1 and P22trunc reached sensitivities (true positive rates) of 98% and 94% and specificities (true negative rates) of 93% and 95%, respectively. Importantly, performance metrics were reproducible in a 1:1,000 sample dilution, using both magnetic and nonmagnetic beads. Thresholds for seropositivity were derived from finite mixture models and performed equally well as thresholds by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Our improved multiplex serology assay is therefore able to generate robust and reproducible performance metrics under various assay conditions. Inclusion of T. gondii antibody measurements with other pathogens, in multiplex serology panels will allow for large-scale seroepidemiological research. IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen of significant public health concern due to its widespread prevalence and zoonotic potential. However, our understanding of key aspects, such as risk factors for infection and disease, potential outcomes, and their trends, remains limited. Seroepidemiological studies in large cohorts are invaluable for addressing these questions but remain scarce. Our revised multiplex serology assay equips researchers with a powerful tool capable of delivering T. gondii serum antibody measurements with high sensitivity and specificity under diverse assay conditions. This advancement paves the way for the integration of T. gondii antibody measurements into multi-pathogen multiplex serology panels, promising valuable insights into public health and pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Jeske
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nico Becker
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lea Kroeller
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Brenner
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Edward Guy
- Toxoplasma Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Waterboer
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Butt
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Prescott S, Mutka T, Baumgartel K, Yoo JY, Morgan H, Postolache TT, Seyfang A, Gostner JM, Fuchs D, Kim K, Groer ME. Tryptophan metabolism and immune alterations in pregnant Hispanic women with chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 90:e13768. [PMID: 37641377 PMCID: PMC10538252 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Pregnancy markedly modifies women's metabolism and immune functions. We hypothesized that pregnancy might alter the immune and metabolic responses to chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY A population of 690 pregnant Hispanic women were screened for antibodies to T. gondii and 158 women were positive (23% positivity) with 83% showing high avidity indices. These seropositive women were followed through their pregnancies with four data collection time points and a postpartum collection at two clinics in Tampa, Florida. A T. gondii seronegative group (N = 128) was randomly selected to serve as a control group and measured along pregnancy in the same way. Serum levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, and their ratio, phenylalanine, tyrosine and their ratio, neopterin, and nitrite were measured through pregnancy and the postpartum. A plasma cytokine panel (IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, IL-6, IL-17) was analyzed in parallel. RESULTS The major findings suggest that indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1) was less activated in T. gondii seropositive pregnant Hispanic women with chronic infection. Evidence for IDO-1 suppression was that tryptophan catabolism was less pronounced and there were lower levels of multiple inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, which is the major inducer of IDO-1, and higher nitrite concentration, a surrogate marker for nitric oxide, an inhibitor of IDO. CONCLUSIONS Latent T. gondii infection was associated with higher plasma tryptophan levels, and lower inflammatory cytokines across pregnancy, suggesting suppression of the IDO-1 enzyme, and possible T cell exhaustion during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Prescott
- University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida, USA
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Tina Mutka
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Kelley Baumgartel
- University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Ji Youn Yoo
- University of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Hailey Morgan
- University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Teodor T Postolache
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- VISN 5 MIRECC, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andreas Seyfang
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Johanna M Gostner
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Fuchs
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kami Kim
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Maureen E Groer
- University of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Castaño BL, Silva AA, Hernandez-Velasco LL, Pinheiro APDS, Gibaldi D, Mineo JR, Silva NM, Lannes-Vieira J. Sulfadiazine Plus Pyrimethamine Therapy Reversed Multiple Behavioral and Neurocognitive Changes in Long-Term Chronic Toxoplasmosis by Reducing Brain Cyst Load and Inflammation-Related Alterations. Front Immunol 2022; 13:822567. [PMID: 35572567 PMCID: PMC9091718 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.822567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infects one-third of the world population. For decades, it has been considered a silent lifelong infection. However, chronically T. gondii-infected persons may present psychiatric and neurocognitive changes as anxiety, depression, and memory loss. In a model of long-term chronic infection, behavioral alterations parallel neuroinflammation and systemic high cytokine levels, and may reflect brain cyst load. Recent findings support that in chronic infection an active parasite-host interplay involves an immune-mediated control of tissue cysts. Here, we tested the idea that etiological treatment in chronic phase may add advantage to intrinsic immune-mediated cyst control and impact behavioral changes. Thus, we combined sulfadiazine-plus-pyrimethamine (S+P), the first-choice therapy for toxoplasmosis, to study the association of brain cyst load and biological processes related to the immune response (neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier -BBB- disruption and serum cytokine levels), with behavioral and neurocognitive changes of long-term chronic infection. Female C57BL/6 mice (H-2b) were infected (5 cysts, ME-49 strain) and treated with S+P from 30 to 60 days postinfection (dpi), compared with vehicle (Veh)-treated and noninfected controls. At endpoints (pre-therapy, 30 dpi; S+P therapy, 60 dpi; after ceased therapy, 90 dpi), independent groups were subjected to behavioral tests, and brain tissues and sera were collected. Multiple behavioral and neurocognitive changes were detected in the early (30 dpi) and long-term (60 and 90 dpi) chronic infection. S+P therapy resolved locomotor alterations, anxiety, and depressive-like behavior, partially or transiently ameliorated hyperactivity and habituation memory loss. Analysis after therapy cessation showed that S+P therapy reduced the number of stimuli required for aversive memory consolidation. S+P therapy resulted in reduced brain cyst load, neuroinflammation and BBB disruption, and lowered systemic Th1-cytokine levels. Correlation analysis revealed association between IFNγ, TNF and MCP-1/CCL2 serum levels, brain cyst load and behavioral and neurocognitive alterations. Moreover, principal-component analysis (PCA-2D and 3D projections) highlighted distinction between clusters (noninfected; Veh-treated and S+P-treated infected). Thus, our data suggest that S+P therapy added gain to intrinsic brain cyst control and, direct or indirectly, ameliorated inflammation-related alterations, traits associated with behavioral and neurocognitive alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barrios Leda Castaño
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea Alice Silva
- Multiuser Laboratory for Research Support in Nephrology and Medical Sciences, Federal University Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | | | | | - Daniel Gibaldi
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Sugi T, Tomita T, Kidaka T, Kawai N, Hayashida K, Weiss LM, Yamagishi J. Single Cell Transcriptomes of In Vitro Bradyzoite Infected Cells Reveals Toxoplasma gondii Stage Dependent Host Cell Alterations. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:848693. [PMID: 35372115 PMCID: PMC8964302 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.848693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites establish chronic infections within their host cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that several parasite effector proteins are translocated to host cells during the bradyzoite stage of chronic infection. To understand the interaction between host cells and bradyzoites at the transcriptomic landscape level, we utilized single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-Seq) to characterize the bradyzoite-induced host cell response. Distinct gene expression profiles were observed in infected host, cells with low parasite mapped reads, and mock (non-exposed) control cells. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that c-Myc and NF-κB signaling and energy metabolic pathways were upregulated by infection. Type I and II interferon response pathways were upregulated in cells with low parasite mapped reads compared to the non-exposed host control cells, and this upregulation effect was reversed in infected cells. Differences were observed in the host cells depending on the differentiation status of the parasites, as determined by BAG1 and SAG1 expression. NF-κB, inflammatory response pathways, and IFN-γ response pathways were downregulated in host cells containing T. gondiiBAG1+/SAG1-, whereas this downregulation effect was reversed in case of T. gondiiBAG1-/SAG1+. We also identified two distinct host cell subsets that contained T. gondiiBAG1+/SAG1-, one of which displayed distinct transcriptomes with upregulated c-Myc expression. Overall, these data clearly demonstrate that host cell transcriptional alteration by bradyzoite infection is different from that of tachyzoite infection, indicating fine-tuning of the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuki Sugi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tadakimi Tomita
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Taishi Kidaka
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naoko Kawai
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kyoko Hayashida
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Louis M. Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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