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Rossi IV, de Souza DAS, Ramirez MI. The End Justifies the Means: Chagas Disease from a Perspective of the Host- Trypanosoma cruzi Interaction. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:488. [PMID: 38672758 PMCID: PMC11050810 DOI: 10.3390/life14040488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The neglected Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Despite CD dispersion throughout the world, it prevails in tropical areas affecting mainly poor communities, causing devastating health, social and economic consequences. Clinically, CD is marked by a mildly symptomatic acute phase, and a chronic phase characterized by cardiac and/or digestive complications. Current treatment for CD relies on medications with strong side effects and reduced effectiveness. The complex interaction between the parasite and the host outlines the etiology and progression of CD. The unique characteristics and high adaptability of T. cruzi, its mechanisms of persistence, and evasion of the immune system seem to influence the course of the disease. Despite the efforts to uncover the pathology of CD, there are many gaps in understanding how it is established and reaches chronicity. Also, the lack of effective treatments and protective vaccines constitute challenges for public health. Here, we explain the background in which CD is established, from the peculiarities of T. cruzi molecular biology to the development of the host's immune response leading to the pathophysiology of CD. We also discuss the state of the art of treatments for CD and current challenges in basic and applied science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izadora Volpato Rossi
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Carlos Chagas Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ-PR), Curitiba 81310-020, PR, Brazil;
| | - Denise Andréa Silva de Souza
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Carlos Chagas Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ-PR), Curitiba 81310-020, PR, Brazil;
| | - Marcel Ivan Ramirez
- Graduate Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Carlos Chagas Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ-PR), Curitiba 81310-020, PR, Brazil;
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2
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Gonzaga BMDS, Ferreira RR, Coelho LL, Carvalho ACC, Garzoni LR, Araujo-Jorge TC. Clinical trials for Chagas disease: etiological and pathophysiological treatment. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1295017. [PMID: 38188583 PMCID: PMC10768561 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1295017] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. It is endemic in Latin America. Nowadays around 6 million people are affected worldwide, and 75 million are still at risk. CD has two evolutive phases, acute and chronic. The acute phase is mostly asymptomatic, or presenting unspecific symptoms which makes it hard to diagnose. At the chronic phase, patients can stay in the indeterminate form or develop cardiac and/or digestive manifestations. The two trypanocide drugs available for the treatment of CD are benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox (NFX), introduced in the clinic more than five decades ago. WHO recommends treatment for patients at the acute phase, at risk of congenital infection, for immunosuppressed patients and children with chronic infection. A high cure rate is seen at the CD acute phase but better treatment schemes still need to be investigated for the chronic phase. There are some limitations within the use of the trypanocide drugs, with side effects occurring in about 40% of the patients, that can lead patients to interrupt treatment. In addition, patients with advanced heart problems should not be treated with BZ. This is a neglected disease, discovered 114 years ago that still has no drug effective for their chronic phase. Multiple social economic and cultural barriers influence CD research. The high cost of the development of new drugs, in addition to the low economical return, results in the lack of investment. More economic support is required from governments and pharmaceutical companies on the development of more research for CD treatment. Two approaches stand out: repositioning and combination of drugs, witch drastically decrease the cost of this process, when compared to the development of a new drug. Here we discuss the progress of the clinical trials for the etiological and pathophysiological treatment for CD. In summary, more studies are needed to propose a new drug for CD. Therefore, BZ is still the best option for CD. The trials in course should clarify more about new treatment regimens, but it is already possible to indicate that dosage and time of treatment need to be adjusted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tania C. Araujo-Jorge
- Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos - Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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3
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Tanaka DM, Fabricio CG, Marin-Neto JA, de Barros Filho ACL, de Oliveira LFL, Mejia J, Almeida RR, de Souza Vieira R, Lopes CD, Batah SS, Moreira HT, de Lourdes Higuchi M, Neto EC, Fabro AT, Nekolla SG, Romano MMD, Simões MV. Pentoxifylline reduces inflammation and prevents myocardial perfusion derangements in experimental chronic Chagas' cardiomyopathy. J Nucl Cardiol 2023; 30:2327-2337. [PMID: 37165114 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-023-03270-y] [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: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myocardial perfusion defect (MPD) is common in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) and is associated with inflammation and development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that pentoxifylline (PTX) could reduce inflammation and prevent the development of MPD in a model of CCC in hamsters. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated with echocardiogram and rest myocardial perfusion scintigraphy at baseline (6-months after T. cruzi infection/saline) and post-treatment (after additional 2-months of PTX/saline administration), female Syrian hamsters assigned to 3 groups: T. cruzi-infected animals treated with PTX (CH + PTX) or saline (CH + SLN); and uninfected control animals (CO). At the baseline, all groups showed similar left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and MPD areas. At post-treatment evaluation, there was a significant increase of MPD in CH + SLN group (0.8 ± 1.6 to 9.4 ± 9.7%), but not in CH + PTX (1.9 ± 3.0% to 2.7 ± 2.7%) that exhibited MPD area similar to CO (0.0 ± 0.0% to 0.0 ± 0.0%). The LVEF decreased in both infected groups. Histological analysis showed a reduced inflammatory infiltrate in CH + PTX group (395.7 ± 88.3 cell/mm2), as compared to CH + SLN (515.1 ± 133.0 cell/mm2), but larger than CO (193.0 ± 25.7 cell/mm2). The fibrosis and TNF-α expression was higher in both infected groups. CONCLUSIONS The prolonged use of PTX is associated with positive effects, including prevention of MPD development and reduction of inflammation in the chronic hamster model of CCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - José A Marin-Neto
- Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jorge Mejia
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Ribeiro Almeida
- Faculty of Medicine, Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raquel de Souza Vieira
- Faculty of Medicine, Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Duque Lopes
- Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Edecio Cunha Neto
- Faculty of Medicine, Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Stephan G Nekolla
- Department of Nuclear Medicine at Technische Universität, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Marcus Vinícius Simões
- Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Cardiology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14048900, Brazil.
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4
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Francisco AF, Sousa GR, Vaughan M, Langston H, Khan A, Jayawardhana S, Taylor MC, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Cardiac Abnormalities in a Predictive Mouse Model of Chagas Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:1364. [PMID: 38003828 PMCID: PMC10674564 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) results from infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is a prevalent cause of heart disease in endemic countries. We previously found that cardiac fibrosis can vary widely in C3H/HeN mice chronically infected with T. cruzi JR strain, mirroring the spectrum of heart disease in humans. In this study, we examined functional cardiac abnormalities in this host:parasite combination to determine its potential as an experimental model for CCC. We utilised electrocardiography (ECG) to monitor T. cruzi-infected mice and determine whether ECG markers could be correlated with cardiac function abnormalities. We found that the C3H/HeN:JR combination frequently displayed early onset CCC indicators, such as sinus bradycardia and right bundle branch block, as well as prolonged PQ, PR, RR, ST, and QT intervals in the acute stage. Our model exhibited high levels of cardiac inflammation and enhanced iNOS expression in the acute stage, but denervation did not appear to have a role in pathology. These results demonstrate the potential of the C3H/HeN:JR host:parasite combination as a model for CCC that could be used for screening new compounds targeted at cardiac remodelling and for examining the potential of antiparasitic drugs to prevent or alleviate CCC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Giovane R. Sousa
- Harvard Medical School, Section on Immunobiology, Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Mhairi Vaughan
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Harry Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Archie Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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5
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Avalos-Borges EE, Jiménez-Coello M, Chan-Pérez JI, Cigarroa-Toledo N, Garg NJ, Guillermo-Cordero L, Segura-Correa JC, Ortega-Pacheco A. Congenital Transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Naturally Infected Dogs. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:465-474. [PMID: 37339451 PMCID: PMC10625467 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0086] [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] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Congenital transmission (CT) of Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs has not been clearly demonstrated, even though dogs are important reservoirs of this agent. Materials and Methods: Seventeen late pregnant dogs seropositive for T. cruzi were selected, and a total of 84 fetuses were obtained. Blood and heart tissues from the fetuses and dams, and placental tissue from dam were collected. All tissues were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for T. cruzi DNA (TcDNA) and inflammatory infiltrate and pathology by histological examination. CT was determined when physical, histological, or molecular evidence of T. cruzi was detected in blood or tissues of the fetuses. Results: A general transmission frequency of 59% was found, and 0.20 ± 0.24 of fetuses per litter were infected. Dams that were qPCR positive for TcDNA in cardiac tissue or blood displayed a transmission frequency of 100% and 67%, respectively. The highest parasite burden was noted in dams that were positive for TcDNA in both blood (82E-01 ± 1.54E-01) and cardiac (5.28E+03 ± 8.85E+03) tissues. In fetuses, higher parasitic burden in blood and cardiac tissue was found in those carried by dams that were seropositive and qPCR positive for TcDNA in cardiac tissue and blood. No amastigote nests were recorded in the cardiac tissue of fetuses in the histopathological studies, but typical lesions of T. cruzi infection were identified in all fetuses where CT occurred. Conclusions: CT of T. cruzi occurred at a high frequency in naturally infected pregnant dogs from the endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo E. Avalos-Borges
- Doctorado Institucional en Ciencias Agropecuarias, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Matilde Jiménez-Coello
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Jose I. Chan-Pérez
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr Hideyo Noguchi,” Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Nohemi Cigarroa-Toledo
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr Hideyo Noguchi,” Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Nisha J. Garg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Leonardo Guillermo-Cordero
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Jose C. Segura-Correa
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Antonio Ortega-Pacheco
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
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6
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Vellozo NS, Matos-Silva TC, Lopes MF. Immunopathogenesis in Trypanosoma cruzi infection: a role for suppressed macrophages and apoptotic cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1244071. [PMID: 37662946 PMCID: PMC10469960 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244071] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During Trypanosoma cruzi infection, macrophages phagocytose parasites and remove apoptotic cells through efferocytosis. While macrophage 1 (M1) produces proinflammatory cytokines and NO and fights infection, M2 macrophages are permissive host cells that express arginase 1 and play a role in tissue repair. The regulation of M1 and M2 phenotypes might either induce or impair macrophage-mediated immunity towards parasite control or persistence in chronic Chagas disease. Here, we highlight a key role of macrophage activation in early immune responses to T. cruzi that prevent escalating parasitemia, heart parasitism, and mortality during acute infection. We will discuss the mechanisms of macrophage activation and deactivation, such as T cell cytokines and efferocytosis, and how to improve macrophage-mediated immunity to prevent parasite persistence, inflammation, and the development of chagasic cardiomyopathy. Potential vaccines or therapy must enhance early T cell-macrophage crosstalk and parasite control to restrain the pathogenic outcomes of parasite-induced inflammation in the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marcela F. Lopes
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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7
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Ricci AD, Bracco L, Salas-Sarduy E, Ramsey JM, Nolan MS, Lynn MK, Altcheh J, Ballering GE, Torrico F, Kesper N, Villar JC, Marcipar IS, Marco JD, Agüero F. The Trypanosoma cruzi Antigen and Epitope Atlas: antibody specificities in Chagas disease patients across the Americas. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1850. [PMID: 37012236 PMCID: PMC10070320 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37522-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During an infection the immune system produces pathogen-specific antibodies. These antibody repertoires become specific to the history of infections and represent a rich source of diagnostic markers. However, the specificities of these antibodies are mostly unknown. Here, using high-density peptide arrays we examined the human antibody repertoires of Chagas disease patients. Chagas disease is a neglected disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that evades immune mediated elimination and mounts long-lasting chronic infections. We describe a proteome-wide search for antigens, characterised their linear epitopes, and show their reactivity on 71 individuals from diverse human populations. Using single-residue mutagenesis we revealed the core functional residues for 232 of these epitopes. Finally, we show the diagnostic performance of identified antigens on challenging samples. These datasets enable the study of the Chagas antibody repertoire at an unprecedented depth and granularity, while also providing a rich source of serological biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro D Ricci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonel Bracco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emir Salas-Sarduy
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Janine M Ramsey
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Tapachula, México
| | - Melissa S Nolan
- Laboratory of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - M Katie Lynn
- Laboratory of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP) - GCBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Griselda E Ballering
- Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Norival Kesper
- LIM-49, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Juan C Villar
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga y Fundación Cardioinfantil - Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Iván S Marcipar
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorge D Marco
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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8
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Venturini G, Alvim JM, Padilha K, Toepfer CN, Gorham JM, Wasson LK, Biagi D, Schenkman S, Carvalho VM, Salgueiro JS, Cardozo KHM, Krieger JE, Pereira AC, Seidman JG, Seidman CE. Cardiomyocyte infection by Trypanosoma cruzi promotes innate immune response and glycolysis activation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1098457. [PMID: 36814444 PMCID: PMC9940271 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1098457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chagas cardiomyopathy, a disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection, is a major contributor to heart failure in Latin America. There are significant gaps in our understanding of the mechanism for infection of human cardiomyocytes, the pathways activated during the acute phase of the disease, and the molecular changes that lead to the progression of cardiomyopathy. Methods To investigate the effects of T. cruzi on human cardiomyocytes during infection, we infected induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) with the parasite and analyzed cellular, molecular, and metabolic responses at 3 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours post infection (hpi) using transcriptomics (RNAseq), proteomics (LC-MS), and metabolomics (GC-MS and Seahorse) analyses. Results Analyses of multiomic data revealed that cardiomyocyte infection caused a rapid increase in genes and proteins related to activation innate and adaptive immune systems and pathways, including alpha and gamma interferons, HIF-1α signaling, and glycolysis. These responses resemble prototypic responses observed in pathogen-activated immune cells. Infection also caused an activation of glycolysis that was dependent on HIF-1α signaling. Using gene editing and pharmacological inhibitors, we found that T. cruzi uptake was mediated in part by the glucose-facilitated transporter GLUT4 and that the attenuation of glycolysis, HIF-1α activation, or GLUT4 expression decreased T. cruzi infection. In contrast, pre-activation of pro-inflammatory immune responses with LPS resulted in increased infection rates. Conclusion These findings suggest that T. cruzi exploits a HIF-1α-dependent, cardiomyocyte-intrinsic stress-response activation of glycolysis to promote intracellular infection and replication. These chronic immuno-metabolic responses by cardiomyocytes promote dysfunction, cell death, and the emergence of cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Venturini
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana M. Alvim
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kallyandra Padilha
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christopher N. Toepfer
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom,Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua M. Gorham
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lauren K. Wasson
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Sergio Schenkman
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Jose E. Krieger
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre C. Pereira
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Christine E. Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Christine E. Seidman,
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9
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis (visceral and cutaneous), Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis cause substantial death and morbidity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although the situation has improved for human African trypanosomiasis, there remains an urgent need for new medicines to treat leishmaniasis and Chagas disease; the clinical development pipeline is particularly sparse for Chagas disease. In this Review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of the biology of the causative pathogens, particularly from the drug discovery perspective, and we explore the progress that has been made in the development of new drug candidates and the identification of promising molecular targets. We also explore the challenges in developing new clinical candidates and discuss potential solutions to overcome such hurdles.
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10
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Rigoni TS, Vellozo NS, Guimarães-Pinto K, Cabral-Piccin M, Fabiano-Coelho L, Matos-Silva TC, Filardy AA, Takiya CM, Lopes MF. Axl receptor induces efferocytosis, dampens M1 macrophage responses and promotes heart pathology in Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1421. [PMID: 36581764 PMCID: PMC9800583 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04401-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immunity controls Trypanosoma cruzi infection, but the protozoan parasite persists and causes Chagas disease. T cells undergo apoptosis, and the efferocytosis of apoptotic cells might suppress macrophages and exacerbate parasite infection. Nonetheless, the receptors involved in the efferocytosis of apoptotic lymphocytes during infection remain unknow. Macrophages phagocytose apoptotic cells by using the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, Mer) family of receptors. To address how the efferocytosis of apoptotic cells affects macrophage-mediated immunity, we employ here Axl receptor- and Mer receptor-deficient mouse strains. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), both Axl and Mer receptors play a role in the efferocytosis of proapoptotic T cells from T. cruzi-infected mice. Moreover, treatment with a TAM receptor inhibitor blocks efferocytosis and upregulates M1 hallmarks induced by immune T cells from infected mice. Remarkably, the use of Axl-/- but not Mer-/- macrophages increases T-cell-induced M1 responses, such as nitric oxide production and control of parasite infection. Furthermore, infected Axl-/- mice show reduced peak parasitemia, defective efferocytosis, improved M1 responses, and ameliorated cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, Axl induces efferocytosis, disrupts M1 responses, and promotes parasite infection and pathology in experimental Chagas disease. Axl stands as a potential host-direct target for switching macrophage phenotypes in infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís S. Rigoni
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Natália S. Vellozo
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Kamila Guimarães-Pinto
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Mariela Cabral-Piccin
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Laryssa Fabiano-Coelho
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Thayane C. Matos-Silva
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Alessandra A. Filardy
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Christina M. Takiya
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Marcela F. Lopes
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
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11
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Martín-Escolano R, Rosales MJ, Marín C. Biological characteristics of the Trypanosoma cruzi Arequipa strain make it a good model for Chagas disease drug discovery. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106679. [PMID: 36096184 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106679] [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: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD), is a genuine parasite with tremendous genetic diversity and a complex life cycle. Scientists have studied this disease for more than 100 years, and CD drug discovery has been a mainstay due to the absence of an effective treatment. Technical advances in several areas have contributed to a better understanding of the complex biology and life cycle of this parasite, with the aim of designing the ideal profile of both drug and therapeutic options to treat CD. Here, we present the T. cruzi Arequipa strain (MHOM/Pe/2011/Arequipa) as an interesting model for CD drug discovery. We characterized acute-phase parasitaemia and chronic-phase tropism in BALB/c mice and determined the in vitro and in vivo benznidazole susceptibility profile of the different morphological forms of this strain. The tropism of this strain makes it an interesting model for the screening of new compounds with a potential anti-Chagas profile for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - María José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, Granada 18071, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, Granada 18071, Spain.
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12
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Olivo Freites C, Sy H, Gharamti A, Higuita NIA, Franco-Paredes C, Suárez JA, Henao-Martínez AF. Chronic Chagas Disease-the Potential Role of Reinfections in Cardiomyopathy Pathogenesis. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2022; 19:279-289. [PMID: 35951245 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-022-00568-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Chagas disease is a neglected anthropozoonosis of global importance with significant cardiovascular-associated mortality. This review focuses on the Trypanosoma cruzi reinfections' role in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy pathogenesis. We discuss and summarize the available data related to pathology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of reinfections. RECENT FINDINGS Reinfections influence the genetic and regional diversity of T. cruzi, tissue tropism, modulation of the host's immune system response, clinical manifestations, the risk for congenital infections, differences in diagnostics performances, response to antiparasitic therapy, and the natural history of the disease. Animal models suggest that reinfections lead to worse outcomes and increased mortality, while other studies showed an association between reinfections and lower parasitemia levels and subsequent infection protection. In some regions, the human risk of reinfections is 14% at 5 years. Evidence has shown that higher anti-T. cruzi antibodies are correlated with an increased rate of cardiomyopathy and death, suggesting that a higher parasite exposure related to reinfections may lead to worse outcomes. Based on the existing literature, reinfections may play a role in developing and exacerbating chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy and are linked to worse outcomes. Control efforts should be redirected to interventions that address structural poverty for the successful and sustainable prevention of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Olivo Freites
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hendrik Sy
- Internal Medicine Department, Mount Sinai Health System, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amal Gharamti
- Internal Medicine Department, Yale-Waterbury Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - José Antonio Suárez
- Clinical Research Department, Investigador SNI Senacyt Panamá, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de La Salud, Panamá City, Republic of Panama
| | - Andrés F Henao-Martínez
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Avenue, Mail Stop B168, Aurora, CO, USA.
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13
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de Castro Nobre AC, Pimentel CF, do Rêgo GMS, Paludo GR, Pereira Neto GB, de Castro MB, Nitz N, Hecht M, Dallago B, Hagström L. Insights from the use of erythropoietin in experimental Chagas disease. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 19:65-80. [PMID: 35772309 PMCID: PMC9253553 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In addition to the long-established role in erythropoiesis, erythropoietin (Epo) has protective functions in a variety of tissues, including the heart. This is the most affected organ in chronic Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Despite seven million people being infected with T. cruzi worldwide, there is no effective treatment preventing the disease progression to the chronic phase when the pathological involvement of the heart is often observed. Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy has a wide variety of manifestations, like left ventricular systolic dysfunction, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. Since Epo may help maintain cardiac function by reducing myocardial necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, this study aimed to evaluate whether the Epo has positive effects on experimental Chagas disease. For that, we assessed the earlier (acute phase) and also the later (chronic phase) use of Epo in infected C57BL/6 mice. Blood cell count, biochemical parameters, parasitic load, and echocardiography data were evaluated. In addition, histopathological analysis was carried out. Our data showed that Epo had no trypanocide effect nor did it modify the production of anti-T. cruzi antibodies. Epo-treated groups exhibited parasitic burden much lower in the heart compared to blood. No pattern of hematological changes was observed combining infection with treatment with Epo. Chronic Epo administration reduced CK-MB serum activity from d0 to d180, irrespectively of T. cruzi infection. Likewise, echocardiography and histological results indicate that Epo treatment is more effective in the chronic phase of experimental Chagas disease. Since treatment is one of the greatest challenges of Chagas disease, alternative therapies should be investigated, including Epo combined with benznidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos Fernando Pimentel
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - George Magno Sousa do Rêgo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Giane Regina Paludo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Bueno Pereira Neto
- Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Márcio Botelho de Castro
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dallago
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil; Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil; Faculty of Physical Education, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
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14
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Kent RS, Briggs EM, Colon BL, Alvarez C, Silva Pereira S, De Niz M. Paving the Way: Contributions of Big Data to Apicomplexan and Kinetoplastid Research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:900878. [PMID: 35734575 PMCID: PMC9207352 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.900878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the age of big data an important question is how to ensure we make the most out of the resources we generate. In this review, we discuss the major methods used in Apicomplexan and Kinetoplastid research to produce big datasets and advance our understanding of Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania biology. We debate the benefits and limitations of the current technologies, and propose future advancements that may be key to improving our use of these techniques. Finally, we consider the difficulties the field faces when trying to make the most of the abundance of data that has already been, and will continue to be, generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn S. Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Emma M. Briggs
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice L. Colon
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Catalina Alvarez
- de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sara Silva Pereira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Mariana De Niz,
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15
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Kratz JM, Gonçalves KR, Romera LM, Moraes CB, Bittencourt-Cunha P, Schenkman S, Chatelain E, Sosa-Estani S. The translational challenge in Chagas disease drug development. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e200501. [PMID: 35613156 PMCID: PMC9128742 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is an urgent need for safe, effective, and accessible new treatments since the currently approved drugs have serious limitations. Drug development for Chagas disease has historically been hampered by the complexity of the disease, critical knowledge gaps, and lack of coordinated R&D efforts. This review covers some of the translational challenges associated with the progression of new chemical entities from preclinical to clinical phases of development, and discusses how recent technological advances might allow the research community to answer key questions relevant to the disease and to overcome hurdles in R&D for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadel M Kratz
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karolina R Gonçalves
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lavínia Md Romera
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Carolina Borsoi Moraes
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Diadema, SP, Brasil
| | - Paula Bittencourt-Cunha
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Sosa-Estani
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland.,Epidemiology and Public Health Research Centre, CIESP-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Ward AI, Lewis MD, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Incomplete Recruitment of Protective T Cells Is Associated with Trypanosoma cruzi Persistence in the Mouse Colon. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0038221. [PMID: 34780279 PMCID: PMC8853677 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00382-21] [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: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Following T cell-mediated suppression of acute-phase infection, this intracellular eukaryotic pathogen persists long-term in a limited subset of tissues at extremely low levels. The reasons for this tissue-specific chronicity are not understood. Using a dual bioluminescent-fluorescent reporter strain and highly sensitive tissue imaging that allows experimental infections to be monitored at single-cell resolution, we undertook a systematic analysis of the immunological microenvironments of rare parasitized cells in the mouse colon, a key site of persistence. We demonstrate that incomplete recruitment of T cells to a subset of colonic infection foci permits the occurrence of repeated cycles of intracellular parasite replication and differentiation to motile trypomastigotes at a frequency sufficient to perpetuate chronic infections. The lifelong persistence of parasites in this tissue site continues despite the presence, at a systemic level, of a highly effective T cell response. Overcoming this low-level dynamic host-parasite equilibrium represents a major challenge for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Gutierrez BC, Lammel E, González-Cappa SM, Poncini CV. Early Immune Response Elicited by Different Trypanosoma cruzi Infective Stages. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:768566. [PMID: 34900754 PMCID: PMC8656353 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.768566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that affects millions of people in Latin America. Infection occurs by vectorial transmission or by transfusion or transplacental route. Immune events occurring immediately after the parasite entrance are poorly explored. Dendritic cells (DCs) are target for the parasite immune evasion mechanisms. Recently, we have demonstrated that two different populations of DCs display variable activation after interaction with the two infective forms of the parasite: metacyclic or blood trypomastigotes (mTp or bTp) in vitro. The skin constitutes a complex network with several populations of antigen-presenting cells. Previously, we have demonstrated T. cruzi conditioning the repertoire of cells recruited into the site of infection. In the present work, we observed that mTp and bTp inoculation displayed differences in cell recruitment to the site of infection and in the activation status of APCs in draining lymph nodes and spleen during acute infection. Animals inoculated with mTp exhibited 100% of survival with no detectable parasitemia, in contrast with those injected with bTp that displayed high mortality and high parasite load. Animals infected with mTp and challenged with a lethal dose of bTp 15 days after primary infection showed no mortality and incremented DC activation in secondary lymphoid organs compared with controls injected only with bTp or non-infected mice. These animals also displayed a smaller number of amastigote nests in cardiac tissue and more CD8 T cells than mice infected with bTp. All the results suggest that both Tp infective stages induce an unequal immune response since the beginning of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Celeste Gutierrez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular e Inmunopatología de Infecciones, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Medica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Estela Lammel
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular e Inmunopatología de Infecciones, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Medica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Stella Maris González-Cappa
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular e Inmunopatología de Infecciones, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Medica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Verónica Poncini
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular e Inmunopatología de Infecciones, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Medica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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18
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Mateus J, Nocua P, Lasso P, López MC, Thomas MC, Egui A, Cuervo C, González JM, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A. CD8 + T Cell Response Quality Is Related to Parasite Control in an Animal Model of Single and Mixed Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:723121. [PMID: 34712620 PMCID: PMC8546172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.723121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD) is a chronic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This highly diverse intracellular parasite is classified into seven genotypes or discrete typing units (DTUs) and they overlap in geographic ranges, vectors, and clinical characteristics. Although studies have suggested that ChD progression is due to a decline in the immune response quality, a direct relationship between T cell responses and disease outcome is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between parasite control and immune T cell responses, we used two distinct infection approaches in an animal model to explore the histological and parasitological outcomes and dissect the T cell responses in T. cruzi-infected mice. First, we performed single infection experiments with DA (TcI) or Y (TcII) T. cruzi strains to compare the infection outcomes and evaluate its relationship with the T cell response. Second, because infections with diverse T. cruzi genotypes can occur in naturally infected individuals, mice were infected with the Y or DA strain and subsequently reinfected with the Y strain. We found different infection outcomes in the two infection approaches used. The single chronic infection showed differences in the inflammatory infiltrate level, while mixed chronic infection by different T. cruzi DTUs showed dissimilarities in the parasite loads. Chronically infected mice with a low inflammatory infiltrate (DA-infected mice) or low parasitemia and parasitism (Y/Y-infected mice) showed increases in early-differentiated CD8+ T cells, a multifunctional T cell response and lower expression of inhibitory receptors on CD8+ T cells. In contrast, infected mice with a high inflammatory infiltrate (Y-infected mice) or high parasitemia and parasitism (DA/Y-infected mice) showed a CD8+ T cell response distinguished by an increase in late-differentiated cells, a monofunctional response, and enhanced expression of inhibitory receptors. Overall, our results demonstrated that the infection outcomes caused by single or mixed T. cruzi infection with different genotypes induce a differential immune CD8+ T cell response quality. These findings suggest that the CD8+ T cell response might dictate differences in the infection outcomes at the chronic T. cruzi stage. This study shows that the T cell response quality is related to parasite control during chronic T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Nocua
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Ciencias de Laboratorio Clínico, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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19
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Bethencourt-Estrella CJ, Nocchi N, López-Arencibia A, San Nicolás-Hernández D, Souto ML, Suárez-Gómez B, Díaz-Marrero AR, Fernández JJ, Lorenzo-Morales J, Piñero JE. Antikinetoplastid Activity of Sesquiterpenes Isolated from the Zoanthid Palythoa aff. clavata. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111095. [PMID: 34832876 PMCID: PMC8625207 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are neglected tropical diseases that cause problems in developing countries. The causative agents, Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, produce a clinical picture that can be fatal for the patient, such as Chagas heart disease, visceral leishmaniasis and megacolon, among others. Current treatments for these diseases are not very effective and highly toxic, since they require very prolonged treatments. The development of innovative, effective and safe drugs to fight infections caused by these parasites remains a challenge. For this reason, in recent years, there has been an increase in the search for new therapies. In this study, the antikinetoplastid activity of 13 sesquiterpene lactones obtained from Palythoa aff. clavata was screened against L. amazonensis, L. donovani and T. cruzi. The results revealed that the sesquiterpene lactones anhydroartemorin (2), cis,trans-costunolide-14-acetate (3) and 4-hydroxyarbusculin A (11) were the most selective against the kinetoplastid species studied. These molecules seem to induce the mechanisms involved in an apoptotic-like death or programmed cell death (PCD) in the kinetoplastids, and since they do not cause necrosis, the inflammatory events associated with this type of cell death will not be triggered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J. Bethencourt-Estrella
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain; (C.J.B.-E.); (A.L.-A.); (D.S.N.-H.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nathalia Nocchi
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Spain; (N.N.); (M.L.S.); (B.S.-G.)
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain
| | - Atteneri López-Arencibia
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain; (C.J.B.-E.); (A.L.-A.); (D.S.N.-H.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Desirée San Nicolás-Hernández
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain; (C.J.B.-E.); (A.L.-A.); (D.S.N.-H.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María L. Souto
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Spain; (N.N.); (M.L.S.); (B.S.-G.)
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain
| | - Blanca Suárez-Gómez
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Spain; (N.N.); (M.L.S.); (B.S.-G.)
| | - Ana R. Díaz-Marrero
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Spain; (N.N.); (M.L.S.); (B.S.-G.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.D.-M.); (J.J.F.); (J.L.-M.); (J.E.P.)
| | - José J. Fernández
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO AG), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 2, 38206 La Laguna, Spain; (N.N.); (M.L.S.); (B.S.-G.)
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.R.D.-M.); (J.J.F.); (J.L.-M.); (J.E.P.)
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain; (C.J.B.-E.); (A.L.-A.); (D.S.N.-H.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.R.D.-M.); (J.J.F.); (J.L.-M.); (J.E.P.)
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain; (C.J.B.-E.); (A.L.-A.); (D.S.N.-H.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Spain
- Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red M.P. (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.R.D.-M.); (J.J.F.); (J.L.-M.); (J.E.P.)
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Dean DA, Gautham G, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH, Dorrestein PC, McCall LI. Spatial metabolomics identifies localized chemical changes in heart tissue during chronic cardiac Chagas Disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009819. [PMID: 34606502 PMCID: PMC8516257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of nineteen neglected tropical diseases. CD is a vector-borne disease transmitted by triatomines, but CD can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, T. cruzi-contaminated food and drinks, and congenital transmission. While endemic to the Americas, T. cruzi infects 7–8 million people worldwide and can induce severe cardiac symptoms including apical aneurysms, thromboembolisms and arrhythmias during the chronic stage of CD. However, these cardiac clinical manifestations and CD pathogenesis are not fully understood. Using spatial metabolomics (chemical cartography), we sought to understand the localized impact of chronic CD on the cardiac metabolome of mice infected with two divergent T. cruzi strains. Our data showed chemical differences in localized cardiac regions upon chronic T. cruzi infection, indicating that parasite infection changes the host metabolome at specific sites in chronic CD. These sites were distinct from the sites of highest parasite burden. In addition, we identified acylcarnitines and glycerophosphocholines as discriminatory chemical families within each heart region, comparing infected and uninfected samples. Overall, our study indicated global and positional metabolic differences common to infection with different T. cruzi strains and identified select infection-modulated pathways. These results provide further insight into CD pathogenesis and demonstrate the advantage of a systematic spatial perspective to understand infectious disease tropism. Chagas disease (CD) is a tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. CD originated in the Americas but is now found globally due to population movements. CD is transmitted through a triatomine vector, organ transplants, blood transfusions, T. cruzi-contaminated food and drinks, and congenitally. It occurs in two stages, an acute stage (usually asymptomatic) and a chronic stage. Twenty to thirty percent of chronic stage cases present severe cardiac symptoms such as heart failure, localized aneurysms and cardiomyopathy. Unfortunately, what causes severe cardiac symptoms in some individuals in chronic CD is not fully understood. Therefore, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to analyze the heart tissue of chronically T. cruzi-infected and uninfected mice, to understand the impact of infection on the tissue metabolome. We identified discriminatory small molecules related to T. cruzi infection and determined that regions with the highest parasite burden are distinct from the regions with the largest changes in overall metabolite profile. These locations of high metabolic perturbation provide a molecular mechanism to explain why localized cardiac symptoms occur in CD, particularly at the heart apex. Overall, our work gives insight into chronic cardiac CD symptom development and shapes a framework for novel CD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danya A. Dean
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Gautham Gautham
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Pieter C. Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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21
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Liu Z, Ulrich vonBargen R, McCall LI. Central role of metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi tropism and Chagas disease pathogenesis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:204-209. [PMID: 34455304 PMCID: PMC8463485 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. During mammalian infection, T. cruzi alternates between an intracellular stage and extracellular stage. T. cruzi adapts its metabolism to this lifestyle, while also reshaping host metabolic pathways. Such host metabolic adaptations compensate for parasite-induced stress, but may promote parasite survival and proliferation. Recent work has demonstrated that metabolism controls parasite tropism and location of Chagas disease symptoms, and regulates whether infection is mild or severe. Such findings have important translational applications with regards to treatment and diagnostic test development, though further research is needed with regards to in vivo parasite metabolic gene expression, relationship between magnitude of local metabolic perturbation, parasite strain and disease location, and host-parasite-microbiota co-metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019, United States; Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019, United States
| | - Rebecca Ulrich vonBargen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019, United States
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019, United States; Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019, United States; Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019, United States.
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22
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das Dores Pereira R, Rabelo RAN, Leite PG, Cramer A, Botelho AFM, Cruz JS, Régis WCB, Perretti M, Teixeira MM, Machado FS. Role of formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) in modulating immune response and heart inflammation in an experimental model of acute and chronic Chagas disease. Cell Immunol 2021; 369:104427. [PMID: 34482259 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is an important disease of the heart. Lipoxins have important regulatory functions in host immune response (IR). Herein, we examined whether the receptor for lipoxin A4, the formyl peptide receptor (FPR) 2, had an effect on Trypanosoma cruzi infection. In vitro, FPR2 deficiency or inhibition improved the activity of macrophages against T. cruzi. In vivo, during the acute phase, the absence of FPR2 reduced parasitemia and increased type 2 macrophages, type 2 neutrophils, and IL-10-producing dendritic cells. Moreover, the acquired IR was characterized by greater proportions of Th1/Th2/Treg, and IFNγ-producing CD8+T cells, and reductions in Th17 and IL-17-producing CD8+T cells. However, during the chronic phase, FPR2 deficient mice presented and increased inflammatory profile regarding innate and acquired IR cells (Th1/IFN-γ-producing CD8+T cells). Notably, FPR2 deficiency resulted in increased myocarditis and impaired heart function. Collectively, our data suggested that FPR2 is important for the orchestration of IR and prevention of severe T. cruzi-induced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela das Dores Pereira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Program in Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine/Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rayane Aparecida Nonato Rabelo
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Program in Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine/Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo Gaio Leite
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Allysson Cramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Flávia Machado Botelho
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Jader Santos Cruz
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Wiliam César Bento Régis
- Postgraduate Program in Vertebrate Biology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Mauro Perretti
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Program in Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine/Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Simão Machado
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Program in Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine/Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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23
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Dumoulin PC, Burleigh BA. Metabolic flexibility in Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes: implications for persistence and drug sensitivity. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:244-249. [PMID: 34455305 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Throughout their life cycle, parasitic organisms experience a variety of environmental conditions. To ensure persistence and transmission, some protozoan parasites are capable of adjusting their replication or converting to distinct life cycle stages. Trypanosoma cruzi is a 'generalist' parasite that is competent to infect various insect (triatomine) vectors and mammalian hosts. Within the mammalian host, T. cruzi replicates intracellularly as amastigotes and can persist for the lifetime of the host. The persistence of the parasites in tissues can lead to the development of Chagas disease. Recent work has identified growth plasticity and metabolic flexibility as aspects of amastigote biology that are important determinants of persistence in varied growth conditions and under drug pressure. A better understanding of the link between amastigote and host/tissue metabolism will aid in the development of new drugs or therapies that can limit disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C Dumoulin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Barbara A Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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24
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Taylor MC, Ward AI, Olmo F, Francisco AF, Jayawardhana S, Costa FC, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Bioluminescent:Fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi Reporter Strains as Tools for Exploring Chagas Disease Pathogenesis and Drug Activity. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1733-1740. [PMID: 33234096 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201124113214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease results from infection with the trypanosomatid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Progress in developing new drugs has been hampered by the long term and complex nature of the condition and by our limited understanding of parasite biology. Technical difficulties in assessing the parasite burden during the chronic stage of infection have also proven to be a particular challenge. In this context, the development of noninvasive, highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging procedures based on parasites that express a red-shifted luciferase has greatly enhanced our ability to monitor infections in experimental models. Applications of this methodology have led to new insights into tissue tropism and infection dynamics and have been a major driver in drug development. The system has been further modified by the generation of parasite reporter lines that express bioluminescent:fluorescent fusion proteins, an advancement that has allowed chronic infections in mice to be examined at a cellular level. By exploiting bioluminescence, to identify the rare sites of tissue infection, and fluorescence to detect T. cruzi at the level of individual host cells in histological sections, it has been possible to investigate the replication and differentiation status of parasites in vivo and to examine the cellular environment of infection foci. In combination, these data provide a framework for the detailed dissection of disease pathogenesis and drug activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander I Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda F Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Fernanda C Costa
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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25
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Volpini X, Ambrosio LF, Brajín MA, Brugo MB, Aoki MP, Rivarola HW, Alfonso F, Fozzatti L, Cervi L, Motran CC. Wnt Signaling Plays a Key Role in the Regulation of the Immune Response and Cardiac Damage during Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:566-578. [PMID: 33573383 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chagas cardiomyopathy is the consequence of a compromised electrical and mechanical cardiac function, with parasite persistence, unbalanced inflammation, and pathological tissue remodelling, being intricately related to myocardial aggression and impaired function. Recent studies have shown that Wnt signaling pathways play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiac and vascular diseases. In addition, we have reported that Trypanosoma cruzi infection activates Wnt signaling to promote intracellular replication of the parasites in macrophages, with the treatment of mice with IWP-L6 (an inhibitor of the O-acyl-transferase, PORCN, responsible for the post-translational modifications necessary for Wnt protein secretion) being able to diminish parasitemia and tissue parasitism. Here, we show that inhibition of Wnt signaling during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection controls the parasite replication, inhibits the development of parasite-prone and fibrosis-prone Th2-type immune response, and prevents the development of cardiac abnormalities characteristics of chronic Chagas disease. Our results suggest that the Wnt signaling pathway might be a potential target to prevent the development of T. cruzi-induced cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Volpini
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Fernanda Ambrosio
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Agustina Brajín
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Belen Brugo
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Pilar Aoki
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Hector Walter Rivarola
- Centro de Estudios e Investigación de la Enfermedad de Chagas y Leishmaniasis, Cátedra de Física Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESV Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA-CONICET), Bv. De la Reforma y Enfermera Gordillo, Pabellón
de Biología Celular. Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Fernando Alfonso
- Centro de Estudios e Investigación de la Enfermedad de Chagas y Leishmaniasis, Cátedra de Física Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESV Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA-CONICET), Bv. De la Reforma y Enfermera Gordillo, Pabellón
de Biología Celular. Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Fozzatti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Cervi
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Claudia Cristina Motran
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
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26
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Libisch MG, Rego N, Robello C. Transcriptional Studies on Trypanosoma cruzi - Host Cell Interactions: A Complex Puzzle of Variables. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:692134. [PMID: 34222052 PMCID: PMC8248493 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.692134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas Disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects nearly eight million people in the world. T. cruzi is a complex taxon represented by different strains with particular characteristics, and it has the ability to infect and interact with almost any nucleated cell. The T. cruzi-host cell interactions will trigger molecular signaling cascades in the host cell that will depend on the particular cell type and T. cruzi strain, and also on many different experimental variables. In this review we collect data from multiple transcriptomic and functional studies performed in different infection models, in order to highlight key differences between works that in our opinion should be addressed when comparing and discussing results. In particular, we focus on changes in the respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation of host cells in response to infection, which depends on the experimental model of T. cruzi infection. Finally, we also discuss host cell responses which reiterate independently of the strain, cell type and experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gabriela Libisch
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Natalia Rego
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Carlos Robello,
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27
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CD8low T cells expanded following acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection and benznidazole treatment are a relevant subset of IFN-γ producers. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008969. [PMID: 33347472 PMCID: PMC7785226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8 T cells are regarded as pivotal players in both immunoprotection and immunopathology following Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Previously, we demonstrated the expansion of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the spleen of T. cruzi-infected mice under treatment with benznidazole (N-benzyl-2-nitroimidazole acetamide; Bz), a drug available for clinical therapy. This finding underlies the concept that the beneficial effects of Bz on controlling acute T. cruzi infection are related to a synergistic process between intrinsic trypanocidal effect and indirect triggering of the active immune response. In the present study, we particularly investigated the effect of Bz treatment on the CD8+ T cell subset following T. cruzi infection. Herein we demonstrated that, during acute T. cruzi infection, Bz treatment reduces and abbreviates the parasitemia, but maintains elevated expansion of CD8+ T cells. Within this subset, a remarkable group of CD8low cells was found in both Bz-treated and non-treated infected mice. In Bz-treated mice, early pathogen control paralleled the lower frequency of recently activated CD8low cells, as ascertained by CD69 expression. However, the CD8low subset sustains significant levels of CD44highCD62Llow and CD62LlowT-bethigh effector memory T cells, in both Bz-treated and non-treated infected mice. These CD8low cells also comprise the main group of spontaneous interferon (IFN)-γ-producing CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, following in vitro anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation, CD8+ T cells from Bz-treated T. cruzi-infected mice exhibited higher frequency of IFN-γ+ cells, which bear mostly a CD8low phenotype. Altogether, our results point to the marked presence of CD8low T cells that arise during acute T. cruzi infection, with Bz treatment promoting their significant expansion along with a potential effector program for high IFN-γ production. Chagas disease is a neglected illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which affects 6 to 7 million people worldwide. The current treatment for acutely-infected patients is mostly limited to the benznidazole (Bz) drug, reaching up to 80% of cure. It has been proposed that Bz therapy efficacy involves both trypanocidal and immunonodulatory effects. In this sense, we previously suggested that CD8+ T cells, highly expanded after Bz treatment of acute T. cruzi-infected mice, might play a particular role in parasite control. Here, by further investigating those expanded CD8+ T cells, we observed that they bear a clear-cut effector phenotype and that a significant part of them stand out as a subpopulation bearing low levels of CD8 on their surface. Interestingly, besides the evident parasite control, Bz-treated mice sustain a group of effector CD8low cells with spontaneous IFN-γ production. Moreover, in vitro-stimulated CD8+ T cells, sorted from infected and Bz-treated mice, present a relevant group of IFN-γ+ cells with a CD8low phenotype. Altogether, our data indicate the particular subset of CD8low cells as potentially contributing for a sustained protective immunity in T. cruzi-infected animals under Bz therapy.
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Martín-Escolano J, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. Chagas Disease: Current View of an Ancient and Global Chemotherapy Challenge. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:2830-2843. [PMID: 33034192 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease and a global public health issue. In terms of treatment, no progress has been made since the 1960s, when benznidazole and nifurtimox, two obsolete drugs still prescribed, were used to treat this disease. Hence, currently, there are no effective treatments available to tackle Chagas disease. Over the past 20 years, there has been an increasing interest in the disease. However, parasite genetic diversity, drug resistance, tropism, and complex life cycle, along with the limited understanding of the disease and inadequate methodologies and strategies, have resulted in the absence of new insights in drugs development and disappointing outcomes in clinical trials so far. In summary, new drugs are urgently needed. This Review considers the relevant aspects related to the lack of drugs for Chagas disease, resumes the advances in tools for drug discovery, and discusses the main features to be taken into account to develop new effective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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O'Neal AJ, Butler LR, Rolandelli A, Gilk SD, Pedra JH. Lipid hijacking: a unifying theme in vector-borne diseases. eLife 2020; 9:61675. [PMID: 33118933 PMCID: PMC7595734 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne illnesses comprise a significant portion of human maladies, representing 17% of global infections. Transmission of vector-borne pathogens to mammals primarily occurs by hematophagous arthropods. It is speculated that blood may provide a unique environment that aids in the replication and pathogenesis of these microbes. Lipids and their derivatives are one component enriched in blood and are essential for microbial survival. For instance, the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, among others, have been shown to scavenge and manipulate host lipids for structural support, metabolism, replication, immune evasion, and disease severity. In this Review, we will explore the importance of lipid hijacking for the growth and persistence of these microbes in both mammalian hosts and arthropod vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya J O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - L Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Stacey D Gilk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Joao Hf Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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A sensitive and reliable quantitative immunohistochemistry technique to evaluate the percentage of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected tissue area. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102210. [PMID: 33148532 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Quantification of parasites in the context of Chagas disease is required to monitor the treatment with benznidazole, disease-associated cardiomyopathies and graft rejection after heart transplantation. As parasitological exams lack sensitivity, Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rt-PCR) has emerged to evaluate the parasite load in blood samples and cardiac biopsies. However, despite its higher sensitivity, rt-PCR does not provide information on the location and distribution of amastigote nests within infected tissues, the characterization of inflammatory infiltrates or changes to tissue architecture. On the contrary, a sensitive immunohistochemistry technique (IHC) could fill these gaps. In the present study, a quantitative IHC exam was standardized and validated by testing adipose and cardiac tissues of experimentally infected mice containing variable parasite load levels of T. cruzi assessed by a sensitive Sybr Green rt-PCR with kDNA primers. Tissues were divided into four groups according to the parasite load: group A- 100 parasites/50 ng of DNA; group B -10 parasites; group C - around 1 parasite and group D - less than 1 parasite/50 ng/DNA. IHC was able to detect T. cruzi in the four groups, even in group D tissues containing fractions of a single parasite/50 ng of DNA sample according to rt-PCR. In conclusion, a highly sensitivity and reliable quantitative immunohistochemistry technique was developed and is proposed to estimate the percentage of T. cruzi-infected tissue area in chagasic patients presenting with cardiomyopathies, as a complementary test to rt-PCR.
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Pérez-Mazliah D, Ward AI, Lewis MD. Host-parasite dynamics in Chagas disease from systemic to hyper-local scales. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12786. [PMID: 32799361 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a remarkably versatile parasite. It can parasitize almost any nucleated cell type and naturally infects hundreds of mammal species across much of the Americas. In humans, it is the cause of Chagas disease, a set of mainly chronic conditions predominantly affecting the heart and gastrointestinal tract, which can progress to become life threatening. Yet around two thirds of infected people are long-term asymptomatic carriers. Clinical outcomes depend on many factors, but the central determinant is the nature of the host-parasite interactions that play out over the years of chronic infection in diverse tissue environments. In this review, we aim to integrate recent developments in the understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of T. cruzi infections with established and emerging concepts in host immune responses in the corresponding phases and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Pérez-Mazliah
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Alexander I Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Chatelain E, Scandale I. Animal models of Chagas disease and their translational value to drug development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:1381-1402. [PMID: 32812830 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1806233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION American trypanosomiasis, better known as Chagas disease, is a global public health issue. Current treatments targeting the causative parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, are limited to two old nitroheterocyclic compounds; new, safer drugs are needed. New tools to identify compounds suitable for parasitological cure in humans have emerged through efforts in drug discovery. AREAS COVERED Animal disease models are an integral part of the drug discovery process. There are numerous experimental models of Chagas disease described and in use; rather than going through each of these and their specific features, the authors focus on developments in recent years, in particular the imaging technologies that have dramatically changed the Chagas R&D landscape, and provide a critical view on their value and limitations for moving compounds forward into further development. EXPERT OPINION The application of new technological advances to the field of drug development for Chagas disease has led to the implementation of new and robust/standardized in vivo models that contributed to a better understanding of host/parasite interactions. These new models should also build confidence in their translational value for moving compounds forward into clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Chatelain
- R&D Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) , Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- R&D Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) , Geneva, Switzerland
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Abstract
Infections with Trypanosoma cruzi are usually lifelong despite generating a strong adaptive immune response. Identifying the sites of parasite persistence is therefore crucial to understanding how T. cruzi avoids immune-mediated destruction. However, this is a major technical challenge, because the parasite burden during chronic infections is extremely low. Here, we describe an integrated approach involving comprehensive tissue processing, ex vivo imaging, and confocal microscopy, which allowed us to visualize infected host cells in murine tissue with exquisite sensitivity. Using bioluminescence-guided tissue sampling, with a detection level of <20 parasites, we showed that in the colon, smooth muscle myocytes in the circular muscle layer are the most common infected host cell type. Typically, during chronic infections, the entire colon of a mouse contains only a few hundred parasites, often concentrated in a small number of cells each containing >200 parasites, which we term mega-nests. In contrast, during the acute stage, when the total parasite burden is considerably higher and many cells are infected, nests containing >50 parasites are rarely found. In C3H/HeN mice, but not BALB/c mice, we identified skeletal muscle as a major site of persistence during the chronic stage, with most parasites being found in large mega-nests within the muscle fibers. Finally, we report that parasites are also frequently found in the skin during chronic murine infections, often in multiple infection foci. In addition to being a site of parasite persistence, this anatomical reservoir could play an important role in insect-mediated transmission and have implications for drug development.IMPORTANCE Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, the most important parasitic infection in Latin America. Major pathologies include severe damage to the heart and digestive tract, although symptoms do not usually appear until decades after infection. Research has been hampered by the complex nature of the disease and technical difficulties in locating the extremely low number of parasites. Here, using highly sensitive imaging technology, we reveal the sites of parasite persistence during chronic-stage infections of experimental mice at single-cell resolution. We show that parasites are frequently located in smooth muscle cells in the circular muscle layer of the colon and that skeletal muscle cells and the skin can also be important reservoirs. This information provides a framework for investigating how the parasite is able to survive as a lifelong infection, despite a vigorous immune response. It also informs drug development strategies by identifying tissue sites that must be accessed to achieve a curative outcome.
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Arun A, Rayford KJ, Cooley A, Rachakonda G, Villalta F, Pratap S, Lima MF, Sheibani N, Nde PN. Thrombospondin-1 Plays an Essential Role in Yes-Associated Protein Nuclear Translocation during the Early Phase of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Heart Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144912. [PMID: 32664627 PMCID: PMC7403984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease. This neglected tropical disease causes severe morbidity and mortality in endemic regions. About 30% of T. cruzi infected individuals will present with cardiac complications. Invasive trypomastigotes released from infected cells can be carried in the vascular endothelial system to infect neighboring and distant cells. During the process of cellular infection, the parasite induces host cells, to increase the levels of host thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), to facilitate the process of infection. TSP-1 plays important roles in the functioning of vascular cells, including vascular endothelial cells with important implications in cardiovascular health. Many signal transduction pathways, including the yes-associated protein 1 (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator, with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling, which are upstream of TSP-1, have been linked to the pathophysiology of heart damage. The molecular mechanisms by which T. cruzi signals, and eventually infects, heart endothelial cells remain unknown. To evaluate the importance of TSP-1 expression in heart endothelial cells during the process of T. cruzi infection, we exposed heart endothelial cells prepared from Wild Type and TSP-1 Knockout mouse to invasive T. cruzi trypomastigotes at multiple time points, and evaluated changes in the hippo signaling cascade using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. We found that the parasite turned off the hippo signaling pathway in TSP-1KO heart endothelial cells. The levels of SAV1 and MOB1A increased to a maximum of 2.70 ± 0.23 and 5.74 ± 1.45-fold at 3 and 6 h, respectively, in TSP-1KO mouse heart endothelial cells (MHEC), compared to WT MHEC, following a parasite challenge. This was accompanied by a significant continuous increase in the nuclear translocation of downstream effector molecule YAP, to a maximum mean nuclear fluorescence intensity of 10.14 ± 0.40 at 6 h, compared to wild type cells. Furthermore, we found that increased nuclear translocated YAP significantly colocalized with the transcription co-activator molecule pan-TEAD, with a maximum Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.51 ± 0.06 at 6 h, compared to YAP-Pan-TEAD colocalization in the WT MHEC, which decreased significantly, with a minimum Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.30 ± 0.01 at 6 h. Our data indicate that, during the early phase of infection, upregulated TSP-1 is essential for the regulation of the hippo signaling pathway. These studies advance our understanding of the molecular interactions occurring between heart endothelial cells and T. cruzi, in the presence and absence of TSP-1, providing insights into processes linked to parasite dissemination and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Arun
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Kayla J. Rayford
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Ayorinde Cooley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Girish Rachakonda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Siddharth Pratap
- School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (S.P.); (M.F.L.)
| | - Maria F. Lima
- School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (S.P.); (M.F.L.)
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Nader Sheibani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering and Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Pius N. Nde
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-615-327-6997
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Francisco AF, Jayawardhana S, Olmo F, Lewis MD, Wilkinson SR, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Challenges in Chagas Disease Drug Development. Molecules 2020; 25:E2799. [PMID: 32560454 PMCID: PMC7355550 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, an important public health problem throughout Latin America. Current therapeutic options are characterised by limited efficacy, long treatment regimens and frequent toxic side-effects. Advances in this area have been compromised by gaps in our knowledge of disease pathogenesis, parasite biology and drug activity. Nevertheless, several factors have come together to create a more optimistic scenario. Drug-based research has become more systematic, with increased collaborations between the academic and commercial sectors, often within the framework of not-for-profit consortia. High-throughput screening of compound libraries is being widely applied, and new technical advances are helping to streamline the drug development pipeline. In addition, drug repurposing and optimisation of current treatment regimens, informed by laboratory research, are providing a basis for new clinical trials. Here, we will provide an overview of the current status of Chagas disease drug development, highlight those areas where progress can be expected, and describe how fundamental research is helping to underpin the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda F. Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Shane R. Wilkinson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
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Drug-cured experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infections confer long-lasting and cross-strain protection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007717. [PMID: 32302312 PMCID: PMC7190179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long term and complex nature of Chagas disease in humans has restricted studies on vaccine feasibility. Animal models also have limitations due to technical difficulties in monitoring the extremely low parasite burden that is characteristic of chronic stage infections. Advances in imaging technology offer alternative approaches that circumvent these problems. Here, we describe the use of highly sensitive whole body in vivo imaging to assess the efficacy of recombinant viral vector vaccines and benznidazole-cured infections to protect mice from challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Mice were infected with T. cruzi strains modified to express a red-shifted luciferase reporter. Using bioluminescence imaging, we assessed the degree of immunity to re-infection conferred after benznidazole-cure. Those infected for 14 days or more, prior to the onset of benznidazole treatment, were highly protected from challenge with both homologous and heterologous strains. There was a >99% reduction in parasite burden, with parasites frequently undetectable after homologous challenge. This level of protection was considerably greater than that achieved with recombinant vaccines. It was also independent of the route of infection or size of the challenge inoculum, and was long-lasting, with no significant diminution in immunity after almost a year. When the primary infection was benznidazole-treated after 4 days (before completion of the first cycle of intracellular infection), the degree of protection was much reduced, an outcome associated with a minimal T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ+ T cell response. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that a protective Chagas disease vaccine must have the ability to eliminate parasites before they reach organs/tissues, such as the GI tract, where once established, they become largely refractory to the induced immune response.
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Majeau A, Pronovost H, Sanford A, Cloherty E, Anderson AN, Balsamo G, Gee L, Straif-Bourgeois SC, Herrera C. Raccoons As an Important Reservoir for Trypanosoma cruzi: A Prevalence Study from Two Metropolitan Areas in Louisiana. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:535-540. [PMID: 32286921 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Raccoons are an important reservoir for Trypanosoma cruzi infection, having been reported to maintain a high and lengthy parasitemia. Although raccoon populations have historically been abundant in Louisiana, the prevalence rate of T. cruzi infection in raccoons in this state is unknown. Here, we tested raccoon tissues from two urban areas in Louisiana, namely Orleans Parish (OP) and East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP), to investigate prevalence in these areas using direct detection through polymerase chain reaction. Overall, 33.6% of raccoons tested were positive. The prevalence in OP (42.9%) was significantly higher than the prevalence in EBRP (23.2%). There was no significant difference in prevalence between sexes or based on age, but there was a significant difference in infection prevalence based on season of trapping. These results suggest the importance of raccoons as a reservoir host, maintaining T. cruzi infection and potentially posing a risk to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Majeau
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Henry Pronovost
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Anna Sanford
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Erin Cloherty
- New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent, and Termite Control, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - A Nikki Anderson
- Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Gary Balsamo
- Department of Health, Office of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Laura Gee
- Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Susanne C Straif-Bourgeois
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Claudia Herrera
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Taylor MC, Ward A, Olmo F, Jayawardhana S, Francisco AF, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Intracellular DNA replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi is asynchronous within individual host cells in vivo at all stages of infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008007. [PMID: 32196491 PMCID: PMC7112235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations into intracellular replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi within the mammalian host have been restricted by limitations in our ability to detect parasitized cells throughout the course of infection. We have overcome this problem by generating genetically modified parasites that express a bioluminescent/fluorescent fusion protein. By combining in vivo imaging and confocal microscopy, this has enabled us to routinely visualise murine infections at the level of individual host cells. These studies reveal that intracellular parasite replication is an asynchronous process, irrespective of tissue location or disease stage. Furthermore, using TUNEL assays and EdU labelling, we demonstrate that within individual infected cells, replication of both mitochondrial (kDNA) and nuclear genomes is not co-ordinated within the parasite population, and that replicating amastigotes and non-replicating trypomastigotes can co-exist in the same cell. Finally, we report the presence of distinct non-canonical morphological forms of T. cruzi in the mammalian host. These appear to represent transitional forms in the amastigote to trypomastigote differentiation process. Therefore, the intracellular life-cycle of T. cruzi in vivo is more complex than previously realised, with potential implications for our understanding of disease pathogenesis, immune evasion and drug development. Dissecting the mechanisms involved will be an important experimental challenge. Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is becoming an emerging threat in non-endemic countries and establishing new foci in endemic countries. The treatment available has not changed significantly in over 40 years. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a greater understanding of parasite biology and disease pathogenesis to identify new therapeutic targets and to maximise the efficient use of existing drugs. We have used genetically modified strains of T. cruzi carrying a bioluminescence/fluorescence dual reporter fusion gene to monitor parasite replication in vivo during both acute and chronic infections in a mouse model. Utilising TUNEL assays for mitochondrial DNA replication and EdU incorporation for total DNA replication, we have found that parasite division within infected cells is asynchronous in all phases of infection. Differentiation also appears to be uncoordinated, with replicating amastigotes co-existing with non-dividing trypomastigotes in the same host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C. Taylor
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexander Ward
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda F. Francisco
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Groom ZC, Zochios V, Protopapas AD. Translating Chagasic dilating cardiomyopathy to surgical therapies: An under published global challenge. SAGE Open Med 2020; 7:2050312119895927. [PMID: 31897298 PMCID: PMC6920581 DOI: 10.1177/2050312119895927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected parasitic anthropozoonosis of the Americas linked to social deprivation with no hope of eradication in the future. Having been the most common non-ischemic cause of dilating cardiomyopathy in Latin America, it now spreads beyond the geographical boundaries of its vector via imported and autochthonous transmission. We review the evidence on surgery in Chagasic heart failure and offer a brief narrative on the main aspects of translational management. There is very limited literature on surgery for Chagasic heart failure, especially assist devices and transplantation. This may be attributed to the often unsurmountable economic burden of this single-system parasymphatholytic heart failure to young sufferers who commonly have very limited access to the aforementioned procedures. Chagasic heart failure offers a so far neglected translational model of parasymphatholytic non-ischemic cardiac failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe C Groom
- Costello Medical Consulting Limited, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vasileios Zochios
- Birmingham Acute Care Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Centre of Translational Inflammation Research, University of Birmingham, West Midlands Deanery, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester National Health Service Trust, Leicester, UK
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Bern C, Messenger LA, Whitman JD, Maguire JH. Chagas Disease in the United States: a Public Health Approach. Clin Microbiol Rev 2019; 33:e00023-19. [PMID: 31776135 PMCID: PMC6927308 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00023-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, usually transmitted by triatomine vectors. An estimated 20 to 30% of infected individuals develop potentially lethal cardiac or gastrointestinal disease. Sylvatic transmission cycles exist in the southern United States, involving 11 triatomine vector species and infected mammals such as rodents, opossums, and dogs. Nevertheless, imported chronic T. cruzi infections in migrants from Latin America vastly outnumber locally acquired human cases. Benznidazole is now FDA approved, and clinical and public health efforts are under way by researchers and health departments in a number of states. Making progress will require efforts to improve awareness among providers and patients, data on diagnostic test performance and expanded availability of confirmatory testing, and evidence-based strategies to improve access to appropriate management of Chagas disease in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caryn Bern
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey D Whitman
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James H Maguire
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Teotônio IMSN, Dias N, Hagström-Bex L, Nitz N, Francisco AF, Hecht M. Intestinal microbiota - A modulator of the Trypanosoma cruzi-vector-host triad. Microb Pathog 2019; 137:103711. [PMID: 31491548 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease affects millions of people, and it is a major cause of death in Latin America. Prevention and development of an effective treatment for this infection can be favored by a more thorough understanding of T. cruzi interaction with the microbiome of vectors and hosts. Next-generation sequencing technology vastly broadened the knowledge about intestinal bacteria composition, showing that microbiota within each host (triatomines and mammals) is composed by high diversity of species, although few dominant phyla. This fact may represent an ecological balance that was acquired during the evolutionary process of the microbiome-host complex, and that serves to perpetuate this system. In this context, commensal microbiota is also essential to protect hosts, conferring them resistance to pathogens colonization. However, in some situations, the microbiota is not able to prevent infection but only modulate it. Here we will review the role of the microbiota on the parasite-vector-host triad with a focus on the kinetoplastida of medical importance Trypanosoma cruzi. Novel strategies to control Chagas disease based on intestinal microbiome will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nayra Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström-Bex
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.
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Wesley M, Moraes A, Rosa ADC, Lott Carvalho J, Shiroma T, Vital T, Dias N, de Carvalho B, do Amaral Rabello D, Borges TKDS, Dallago B, Nitz N, Hagström L, Hecht M. Correlation of Parasite Burden, kDNA Integration, Autoreactive Antibodies, and Cytokine Pattern in the Pathophysiology of Chagas Disease. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1856. [PMID: 31496999 PMCID: PMC6712995 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is the main parasitic disease in the Western Hemisphere. Unfortunately, its physiopathology is not completely understood, and cardiomegaly development is hard to predict. Trying to explain tissue lesion and the fact that only a percentage of the infected individuals develops clinical manifestations, a variety of mechanisms have been suggested as the provokers of CD, such as parasite persistence and autoimmune responses. However, holistic analysis of how parasite and host-related elements may connect to each other and influence clinical outcome is still scarce in the literature. Here, we investigated murine models of CD caused by three different pathogen strains: Colombian, CL Brener and Y strains, and employed parasitological and immunological tests to determine parasite load, antibody reactivity, and cytokine production during the acute and chronic phases of the disease. Also, we developed a quantitative PCR (qPCR) protocol to quantify T. cruzi kDNA minicircle integration into the mammalian host genome. Finally, we used a correlation analysis to interconnect parasite- and host-related factors over time. Higher parasite load in the heart and in the intestine was significantly associated with IgG raised against host cardiac proteins. Also, increased heart and bone marrow parasitism was associated with a more intense leukocyte infiltration. kDNA integration rates correlated to the levels of IgG antibodies reactive to host cardiac proteins and interferon production, both influencing tissue inflammation. In conclusion, our results shed light into how inflammatory process associates with parasite load, kDNA transfer to the host, autoreactive autoantibody production and cytokine profile. Altogether, our data support the proposal of an updated integrative theory regarding CD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Wesley
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Aline Moraes
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ana de Cássia Rosa
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Shiroma
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tamires Vital
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nayra Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruna de Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Doralina do Amaral Rabello
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Karla Dos Santos Borges
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dallago
- Laboratory of Animal Welfare, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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Meira CS, Santos EDS, Santo RFDE, Vasconcelos JF, Orge ID, Nonaka CKV, Barreto BC, Caria ACI, Silva DN, Barbosa-Filho JM, Macambira SG, Moreira DRM, Soares MBP. Betulinic Acid Derivative BA5, Attenuates Inflammation and Fibrosis in Experimental Chronic Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy by Inducing IL-10 and M2 Polarization. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1257. [PMID: 31244833 PMCID: PMC6579897 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a major cause of heart disease in Latin America and treatment for this condition is unsatisfactory. Here we investigated the effects of BA5, an amide semi-synthetic derivative betulinic acid, in a model of CCC. Mice chronically infected with T. cruzi were treated orally with BA5 (10 or 1 mg/Kg), three times per week, for 2 months. BA5 treatment decreased inflammation and fibrosis in heart sections but did not improve exercise capacity or ameliorate cardiac electric disturbances in infected mice. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β, as well as cardiac gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, were reduced after BA5 treatment. In contrast, a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 concentration was observed in BA5-treated mice in both tested doses compared to vehicle-treated mice. Moreover, polarization to anti-inflammatory/M2 macrophage phenotype was evidenced by a decrease in the expression of NOS2 and proinflammatory cytokines and the increase in M2 markers, such as Arg1 and CHI3 in mice treated with BA5. In conclusion, BA5 had a potent anti-inflammatory activity on a model of parasite-driven heart disease related to IL-10 production and a switch from M1 to M2 subset of macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renan Fernandes do Espírito Santo
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Science and Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Juliana Fraga Vasconcelos
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Iasmim Diniz Orge
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Carolina Kymie Vasques Nonaka
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Breno Cardim Barreto
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Daniela Nascimento Silva
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - José Maria Barbosa-Filho
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Simone Garcia Macambira
- Science and Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
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Mateus J, Guerrero P, Lasso P, Cuervo C, González JM, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A. An Animal Model of Acute and Chronic Chagas Disease With the Reticulotropic Y Strain of Trypanosoma cruzi That Depicts the Multifunctionality and Dysfunctionality of T Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:918. [PMID: 31105709 PMCID: PMC6499084 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD), a complex and persistent parasitosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, represents a natural model of chronic infection, in which some people exhibit cardiac or digestive complications that can result in death 20–40 years after the initial infection. Nonetheless, due to unknown mechanisms, some T. cruzi-infected individuals remain asymptomatic throughout their lives. Actually, no vaccine is available to prevent ChD, and treatments for chronic ChD patients are controversial. Chronically T. cruzi-infected individuals exhibit a deterioration of T cell function, an exhaustion state characterized by poor cytokine production and increased inhibitory receptor co-expression, suggesting that these changes are potentially related to ChD progression. Moreover, an effective anti-parasitic treatment appears to reverse this state and improve the T cell response. Taking into account these findings, the functionality state of T cells might provide a potential correlate of protection to detect individuals who will or will not develop the severe forms of ChD. Consequently, we investigated the T cell response, analyzed by flow cytometry with two multicolor immunofluorescence panels, to assess cytokines/cytotoxic molecules and the expression of inhibitory receptors, in a murine model of acute (10 and 30 days) and chronic (100 and 260 days) ChD, characterized by parasite persistence for up to 260 days post-infection and moderate inflammation of the colon and liver of T. cruzi-infected mice. Acute ChD induced a high antigen-specific multifunctional T cell response by producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, granzyme B, and perforin; and a high frequency of T cells co-expressed 2B4, CD160, CTLA-4, and PD-1. In contrast, chronically infected mice with moderate inflammatory infiltrate in liver tissue exhibited monofunctional antigen-specific cells, high cytotoxic activity (granzyme B and perforin), and elevated levels of inhibitory receptors (predominantly CTLA-4 and PD-1) co-expressed on T cells. Taken together, these data support our previous results showing that similar to humans, the T. cruzi persistence in mice promotes the dysfunctionality of T cells, and these changes might correlate with ChD progression. Thus, these results constitute a model that will facilitate an in-depth search for immune markers and correlates of protection, as well as long-term studies of new immunotherapy strategies for ChD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paula Guerrero
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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The fecal, oral, and skin microbiota of children with Chagas disease treated with benznidazole. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212593. [PMID: 30807605 PMCID: PMC6391005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is still prevalent in rural areas of South America. In endemic areas of Bolivia, school children are screened for the program of Chagas disease eradication of the Ministry of Health, and positive children are treated. Here, we compared the fecal, oral and skin microbiomes of children with or without Chagas disease, and before and after benznidazol treatment of infected children. Methods A total of 543 Bolivian children (5–14 years old) were tested for Chagas disease, and 20 positive children were treated with Benznidazole. Fecal samples and oral and skin swabs were obtained before and after treatment, together with samples from a group of 35 uninfected controls. The 16S rRNA genes were sequenced and analyzed using QIIME to determine Alpha diversity differences and community distances, and linear discriminant analyses to determine marker taxa by infection status or treatment. Results Twenty out of 543 children screened were seropositive for Chagas disease (3.7%) and were included in the study, together with 35 control children that were seronegative for the disease. Fecal samples, oral and skin swabs were taken at the beginning of the study and after the anti-protozoa therapy with Benznidazole to the chagasic children. Infected children had higher fecal Firmicutes (Streptococcus, Roseburia, Butyrivibrio, and Blautia), and lower Bacteroides and also showed some skin -but not oral- microbiota differences. Treatment eliminated the fecal microbiota differences from control children, increasing Dialister (class Clostridia) and members of the Enterobacteriaceae, and decreasing Prevotella and Coprococcus, with minor effects on the oral and skin bacterial diversity. Conclusions The results of this study show differences in the fecal microbiota associated with Chagas disease in children, and also evidence that treatment normalizes fecal microbiota (makes it more similar to that in controls), but is associated with oral and skin microbiota differences from control children. Since microbiota impacts in children, it is important to determine the effect of drugs on the children microbiota, since dysbiosis could lead to physiological effects which might be avoidable with microbiota restoration interventions.
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Exploiting Genetically Modified Dual-Reporter Strains to Monitor Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi Infections and Host-Parasite Interactions. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1955:147-163. [PMID: 30868525 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9148-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, the most important parasitic infection in Latin America. Despite a global research effort, there have been no significant treatment advances for at least 40 years. Gaps in our knowledge of T. cruzi biology and pathogenesis have been major factors in limiting progress. In addition, the extremely low parasite burden during chronic infections has complicated the monitoring of both disease progression and drug efficacy, even in predictive animal models. To address these problems, we genetically modified T. cruzi to express a red-shifted luciferase. Mice infected with these highly bioluminescent parasites can be monitored by in vivo imaging, with exquisite sensitivity. However, a major drawback of bioluminescence imaging is that it does not allow visualization of host-parasite interactions at a cellular level. To facilitate this, we generated T. cruzi strains that express a chimeric protein that is both bioluminescent and fluorescent. Bioluminescence allows the tissue location of infection foci to be identified, and fluorescence can then be exploited to detect parasites in histological sections derived from excised tissue. In this article, we describe in detail the in vivo imaging and confocal microscopy protocols that we have developed for visualizing T. cruzi parasites expressing these dual-reporter fusion proteins. The approaches make it feasible to locate individual parasites within chronically infected murine tissues, to assess their replicative status, to resolve the nature of host cells, and to characterize their immunological context.
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Bonney KM, Luthringer DJ, Kim SA, Garg NJ, Engman DM. Pathology and Pathogenesis of Chagas Heart Disease. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2018; 14:421-447. [PMID: 30355152 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-020117-043711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chagas heart disease is an inflammatory cardiomyopathy that develops in approximately one-third of people infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. One way T. cruzi is transmitted to people is through contact with infected kissing bugs, which are found in much of the Western Hemisphere, including in vast areas of the United States. The epidemiology of T. cruzi and Chagas heart disease and the varied mechanisms leading to myocyte destruction, mononuclear cell infiltration, fibrosis, and edema in the heart have been extensively studied by hundreds of scientists for more than 100 years. Despite this wealth of knowledge, it is still impossible to predict what will happen in an individual infected with T. cruzi because of the tremendous variability in clonal parasite virulence and human susceptibility to infection and the lack of definitive molecular predictors of outcome from either side of the host-parasite equation. Further, while several distinct mechanisms of pathogenesis have been studied in isolation, it is certain that multiple coincident mechanisms combine to determine the ultimate outcome. For these reasons, Chagas disease is best considered a collection of related but distinct illnesses. This review highlights the pathology and pathogenesis of the most common adverse sequela of T. cruzi infection-Chagas heart disease-and concludes with a discussion of key unanswered questions and a view to the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Bonney
- Liberal Studies, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA;
| | - Daniel J Luthringer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA; , ,
| | - Stacey A Kim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA; , ,
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-1070, USA;
| | - David M Engman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA; , ,
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Assessing the Effectiveness of Curative Benznidazole Treatment in Preventing Chronic Cardiac Pathology in Experimental Models of Chagas Disease. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00832-18. [PMID: 30082291 PMCID: PMC6153806 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00832-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagasic heart disease develops in 30% of those infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, but can take decades to become symptomatic. Because of this, it has been difficult to assess the extent to which antiparasitic therapy can prevent the development of pathology. We sought to address this question using experimental murine models, exploiting highly sensitive bioluminescent imaging to monitor curative efficacy. Mice were inoculated with bioluminescent parasites and then cured in either the acute or chronic stage of infection with benznidazole. At the experimental endpoint (5 to 6 months postinfection), heart tissue was removed and assessed for inflammation and fibrosis, two widely used markers of cardiac pathology. Infection of BALB/c and C3H/HeN mice with distinct T. cruzi lineages resulted in greatly increased myocardial collagen content at a group level, indicative of fibrotic pathology. When mice were cured by benznidazole in the acute stage, the development of pathology was completely blocked. However, if treatment was delayed until the chronic stage, cardiac fibrosis was observed in the BALB/c model, although the protective effect was maintained in the case of C3H/HeN mice. These experiments therefore demonstrate that curative benznidazole treatment early in murine T. cruzi infections can prevent the development of cardiac fibrosis. They also show that treatment during the chronic stage can block pathology but the effectiveness varies between infection models. If these findings are extendable to humans, it implies that widespread chemotherapeutic intervention targeted at early-stage infections could play a crucial role in reducing Chagas disease morbidity at a population level.
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Libisch MG, Faral-Tello P, Garg NJ, Radi R, Piacenza L, Robello C. Early Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Triggers mTORC1-Mediated Respiration Increase and Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Human Primary Cardiomyocytes. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1889. [PMID: 30166980 PMCID: PMC6106620 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagasic chronic cardiomyopathy is one of the most frequent and severe manifestations of Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The pathogenic and biochemical mechanisms responsible for cardiac lesions remain not completely understood, although it is clear that hypertrophy and subsequent heart dilatation is in part caused by the direct infection of cardiomyocytes. In this work, we evaluated the initial response of human cardiomyocytes to T. cruzi infection by transcriptomic profiling. Immediately after infection, cardiomyocytes dramatically change their gene expression patterns, up regulating most of the genes encoding for respiratory chain, oxidative phosphorylation and protein synthesis. We found that these changes correlate with an increase in basal and maximal respiration, as well as in spare respiratory capacity, which is accompanied by mitochondrial biogenesis pgc-1α independent. We also demonstrate that these changes are mediated by mTORC1 and reversed by rapamycin, resembling the molecular mechanisms described for the non-chagasic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The results of the present work identify that early during infection, the activation of mTORC1, mitochondrial biogenesis and improvement in oxidative phosphorylation are key biochemical changes that provide new insights into the host response to parasite infection and the pathogenesis of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. The finding that this phenotype can be reversed opens a new perspective in the treatment of Chagas disease, through the identification of host targets, and the use of combined parasite and host targeted therapies, in order to prevent chagasic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gabriela Libisch
- Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula Faral-Tello
- Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Rafael Radi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Piacenza
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratory of Host-Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Lewis MD, Francisco AF, Jayawardhana S, Langston H, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Imaging the development of chronic Chagas disease after oral transmission. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11292. [PMID: 30050153 PMCID: PMC6062536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Transmission cycles are maintained by haematophagous triatomine bug vectors that carry infective T. cruzi in their faeces. Most human infections are acquired by contamination of mucosal membranes with triatomine faeces after being bitten, however, T. cruzi can be transmitted by several other routes. Oral transmission is an increasingly important aspect of Chagas disease epidemiology, typically involving food or drink products contaminated with triatomines. This has recently caused numerous outbreaks and been linked to unusually severe acute infections. The long-term impact of oral transmission on infection dynamics and disease pathogenesis is unclear. We used highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging and quantitative histopathology to study orally transmitted T. cruzi infections in mice. Both metacyclic and bloodform trypomastigotes were infectious via the oral cavity, but only metacyclics led to established infections by intra-gastric gavage. Mice displayed only mild acute symptoms but later developed significantly increased myocardial collagen content (p = 0.017), indicative of fibrosis. Gastrointestinal tissues and skin were the principal chronic infection reservoirs. Chronic phase parasite load profiles, tissue distribution and myocardial fibrosis severity were comparable to needle-injected controls. Thus, the oral route neither exacerbates nor ameliorates experimental Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Lewis
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Amanda F Francisco
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Langston
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C Taylor
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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