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Hoffmann G, Lukarska M, Clare RH, Masters EK, Johnston KL, Ford L, Turner JD, Ward SA, Taylor MJ, Jensen MR, Palencia A. Targeting a microbiota Wolbachian aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase to block its pathogenic host. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado1453. [PMID: 38985862 PMCID: PMC11235159 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between humans and their microbiome is crucial for various physiological processes, including nutrient absorption, immune defense, and maintaining homeostasis. Microbiome alterations can directly contribute to diseases or heighten their likelihood. This relationship extends beyond humans; microbiota play vital roles in other organisms, including eukaryotic pathogens causing severe diseases. Notably, Wolbachia, a bacterial microbiota, is essential for parasitic worms responsible for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, devastating human illnesses. Given the lack of rapid cures for these infections and the limitations of current treatments, new drugs are imperative. Here, we disrupt Wolbachia's symbiosis with pathogens using boron-based compounds targeting an unprecedented Wolbachia enzyme, leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), effectively inhibiting its growth. Through a compound demonstrating anti-Wolbachia efficacy in infected cells, we use biophysical experiments and x-ray crystallography to elucidate the mechanism behind Wolbachia LeuRS inhibition. We reveal that these compounds form adenosine-based adducts inhibiting protein synthesis. Overall, our study underscores the potential of disrupting key microbiota to control infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Hoffmann
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Maria Lukarska
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Rachel H. Clare
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Ellen K.G. Masters
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Kelly L. Johnston
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Louise Ford
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Joseph D. Turner
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Steve A. Ward
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Mark J. Taylor
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | | | - Andrés Palencia
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France
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Devereux G, Bula M, Tripp K, Fitzgerald R, Eraut N, Alam MS, Moriyama T, Shinkyo R, Walker L, Wang D, Gusovsky F, van der Velde J, Turner JD, Hong WD, O'Neill PM, Taylor MJ, Ward SA. A Phase 1, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose Trial of AWZ1066S, an Anti-Wolbachia Candidate Macrofilaricide. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2024. [PMID: 38924387 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.1441] [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: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
AWZ1066S has been developed as a potential treatment for the neglected tropical diseases lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. AWZ1066S targets the Wolbachia bacterial endosymbiont present in the causative nematode parasites. This phase 1, first-in-human study aimed to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of AWZ1066S in healthy human participants. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study, healthy adults received a single oral dose of AWZ1066S (or placebo) and were followed up for 10 days. The planned single doses of AWZ1066S ranged from 100 to 1600 mg, and each dose was administered to a cohort of 8 participants (6 AWZ1066S and 2 placebo). In total 30 people participated, 18 (60%) female, median age 30.0 years (minimum 20, maximum 61). The cohorts administered 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg of AWZ1066S progressed unremarkably. After single 700-mg doses all 4 participants developed symptoms of acute gastritis and transient increases in liver enzymes. The severity of these adverse events ranged from mild to severe, with 1 participant needing hospital admission. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that AWZ1066S is rapidly absorbed with predictable pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, safety concerns prevented this study from reaching the human exposures needed for AWZ1066S to be clinically effective against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Devereux
- Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Marcin Bula
- Clinical Research Facility, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karen Tripp
- Clinical Research Facility, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Richard Fitzgerald
- Clinical Research Facility, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | | | - Raku Shinkyo
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Eisai Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lauren Walker
- Clinical Research Facility, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Duolao Wang
- Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Joseph D Turner
- Centres for Drugs & Diagnostics and Neglected Tropical Disease, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Paul M O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mark J Taylor
- Centres for Drugs & Diagnostics and Neglected Tropical Disease, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Stephen A Ward
- Centres for Drugs & Diagnostics and Neglected Tropical Disease, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Pratelli A, Riparbelli MG, Callaini G. Axonemal tubules in the distal sperm tail of Wolbachia-infected Drosophila simulans males contain ring-like intraluminal structures that persist after axoneme fragmentation. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 38923204 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21891] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Wolbachia are obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria that enhance their spreading by altering the reproductive mechanisms of several invertebrates. Among the reproductive alterations, Wolbachia also causes cytoplasmic incompatibility that leads to embryo death when infected males are crossed with uninfected females, thus selecting infected females. However, the presence of Wolbachia has important fitness costs and infected Drosophila simulans males produce less sperm than their uninfected counterparts. Such sperm suffer, indeed, of some structural alterations that hinder their proper function. We took advantage of the fact that several sperm have abnormal distal regions of the tail, in which the plasma membrane is broken and the axonemal components splayed, making the ultrastructural aspects clearly observable. We found that axoneme reduction in the distal region of the sperm does not follow a unique pattern as observed in other insects, but occurs by losing accessory tubules or peripheral doublets. The axonemal tubules contain distinct coaxial ring-like structures that are still observed after axoneme fragmentation and form large clusters of several units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Pratelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Cantin LJ, Gregory V, Blum LN, Foster JM. Dual RNA-seq in filarial nematodes and Wolbachia endosymbionts using RNase H based ribosomal RNA depletion. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1418032. [PMID: 38832111 PMCID: PMC11144916 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1418032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis is caused by parasitic nematodes and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Many filarial worms contain the bacterium Wolbachia as an obligate endosymbiont. RNA sequencing is a common technique used to study their molecular relationships and to identify potential drug targets against the nematode and bacteria. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is the most abundant RNA species, accounting for 80-90% of the RNA in a sample. To reduce sequencing costs, it is necessary to remove ribosomal reads through poly-A enrichment or ribosomal depletion. Bacterial RNA does not contain a poly-A tail, making it difficult to sequence both the nematode and Wolbachia from the same library preparation using standard poly-A selection. Ribosomal depletion can utilize species-specific oligonucleotide probes to remove rRNA through pull-down or degradation methods. While species-specific probes are commercially available for many commonly studied model organisms, there are currently limited depletion options for filarial parasites. Here, we performed total RNA sequencing from Brugia malayi containing the Wolbachia symbiont (wBm) and designed ssDNA depletion probes against their rRNA sequences. We compared the total RNA library to poly-A enriched, Terminator 5'-Phosphate-Dependent Exonuclease treated, NEBNext Human/Bacteria rRNA depleted and our custom nematode probe depleted libraries. The custom nematode depletion library had the lowest percentage of ribosomal reads across all methods, with a 300-fold decrease in rRNA when compared to the total RNA library. The nematode depletion libraries also contained the highest percentage of Wolbachia mRNA reads, resulting in a 16-1,000-fold increase in bacterial reads compared to the other enrichment and depletion methods. Finally, we found that the Brugia malayi depletion probes can remove rRNA from the filarial worm Dirofilaria immitis and the majority of rRNA from the more distantly related free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These custom filarial probes will allow for future dual RNA-seq experiments between nematodes and their bacterial symbionts from a single sequencing library.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey J. Cantin
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Division, New England BioLabs, Ipswich, MA, United States
| | - Vanessa Gregory
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Division, New England BioLabs, Ipswich, MA, United States
| | - Laura N. Blum
- Applications and Product Development, New England BioLabs, Ipswich, MA, United States
| | - Jeremy M. Foster
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Division, New England BioLabs, Ipswich, MA, United States
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Hayashi N, Hosokawa K, Yamamoto Y, Kodama S, Kurokawa A, Nakao R, Nonaka N. A filarial parasite potentially associated with the health burden on domestic chickens in Japan. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6316. [PMID: 38491072 PMCID: PMC10943242 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55284-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Chickens in free-range environments are at risk of exposure to various pathogens, such as filarioids transmitted via hematophagous vectors. However, the study of filarioids in poultry has been largely neglected compared to the extensive studies focused on viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. Here, we performed histological and molecular investigations of the filarioids detected in domestic chickens from two different flocks in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. In the first case, adult worms were present in the pulmonary artery and right ventricle, and microfilariae were present in multiple organs of deceased chickens. In the second case, similar filarioids were detected in the organs and blood of one necropsied layer. Phylogenetic analysis using 18S rRNA gene fragments positioned the filarioid in the same clade as that of Onchocercidae sp., previously identified in a deceased chicken from Chiba Prefecture, Japan, that is located 500 km away from Hiroshima Prefecture. Based on 28S rRNA and mitochondrial COI gene fragments, the filarioid was positioned distinctly from previously reported genera of avian filarioids. These results suggest that the filarioids are potentially associated with the health burden on domestic chickens and belong to the genus Paronchocerca. Furthermore, we developed a nested PCR assay targeting mitochondrial COI and detected the parasite DNA from the biting midge Culicoides arakawae captured near the flock, suggesting that it serves as a vector. Our findings fill the knowledge gap regarding avian filarioids, laying the groundwork for future studies examining the epidemiology, life cycle, and species diversity of this neglected parasite group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Hayashi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, N 18 W 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Kumiko Hosokawa
- Western Center for Livestock Hygiene Service, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
| | - Yu Yamamoto
- National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0856, Japan
| | - Sachiko Kodama
- Western Center for Livestock Hygiene Service, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
| | - Aoi Kurokawa
- National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0856, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, N 18 W 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, N 18 W 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
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6
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Kanza EM, Nyathirombo A, Larbelee JP, Opoku NO, Bakajika DK, Howard HM, Mambandu GL, Nigo MM, Wonyarossi DU, Ngave F, Kennedy KK, Kataliko K, Bolay KM, Attah SK, Olipoh G, Asare S, Mumbere M, Vaillant M, Halleux CM, Kuesel AC. Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in the anterior chambers of the eye and ocular adverse events after a single dose of 8 mg moxidectin or 150 µg/kg ivermectin: results of a randomized double-blind Phase 3 trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana and Liberia. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:137. [PMID: 38491528 PMCID: PMC10943894 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06087-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After ivermectin became available, diethylcarbamazine (DEC) use was discontinued because of severe adverse reactions, including ocular reactions, in individuals with high Onchocerca volvulus microfilaridermia (microfilariae/mg skin, SmfD). Assuming long-term ivermectin use led to < 5 SmfD with little or no eye involvement, DEC + ivermectin + albendazole treatment a few months after ivermectin was proposed. In 2018, the US FDA approved moxidectin for treatment of O. volvulus infection. The Phase 3 study evaluated SmfD, microfilariae in the anterior chamber (mfAC) and adverse events (AEs) in ivermectin-naïve individuals with ≥ 10 SmfD after 8 mg moxidectin (n = 978) or 150 µg/kg ivermectin (n = 494) treatment. METHODS We analyzed the data from 1463 participants with both eyes evaluated using six (0, 1-5, 6-10, 11-20, 21-40, > 40) mfAC and three pre-treatment (< 20, 20 to < 50, ≥ 50) and post-treatment (0, > 0-5, > 5) SmfD categories. A linear mixed model evaluated factors and covariates impacting mfAC levels. Ocular AEs were summarized by type and start post-treatment. Logistic models evaluated factors and covariates impacting the risk for ocular AEs. RESULTS Moxidectin and ivermectin had the same effect on mfAC levels. These increased from pre-treatment to Day 4 and Month 1 in 20% and 16% of participants, respectively. Six and 12 months post-treatment, mfAC were detected in ≈5% and ≈3% of participants, respectively. Ocular Mazzotti reactions occurred in 12.4% of moxidectin- and 10.2% of ivermectin-treated participants without difference in type or severity. The risk for ≥ 1 ocular Mazzotti reaction increased for women (OR 1.537, 95% CI 1.096-2.157) and with mfAC levels pre- and 4 days post-treatment (OR 0: > 10 mfAC 2.704, 95% CI 1.27-5.749 and 1.619, 95% CI 0.80-3.280, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The impact of SmfD and mfAC levels before and early after treatment on ocular AEs needs to be better understood before making decisions on the risk-benefit of strategies including DEC. Such decisions should take into account interindividual variability in SmfD, mfAC levels and treatment response and risks to even a small percentage of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Kanza
- Centre de Recherche Clinique de Butembo, Université Catholique du Graben, Site Horizon, Butembo, Nord Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Programme National de Lutte Contre Les Maladies Tropicales Négligées À Chimio-Thérapie Préventive (PNLMTN-CTP), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Amos Nyathirombo
- Centre de Recherche en Maladies Tropicale de L'Ituri, Hôpital Générale de Référence de Rethy, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Jemmah P Larbelee
- Clinical Research Center, Liberia Institute for Biomedical Research, Bolahun, Liberia
- Ministry of Health, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Nicholas O Opoku
- Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Research Center, Hohoe, Ghana
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | - Didier K Bakajika
- Centre de Recherche en Maladies Tropicale de L'Ituri, Hôpital Générale de Référence de Rethy, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- ESPEN, African Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO/AFRO/ESPEN), Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Hayford M Howard
- Clinical Research Center, Liberia Institute for Biomedical Research, Bolahun, Liberia
- Ganta United Methodist Hospital, Ganta City, Nimba County, Liberia
| | - Germain L Mambandu
- Centre de Recherche en Maladies Tropicale de L'Ituri, Hôpital Générale de Référence de Rethy, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Inspection Provinciale de La Santé de La Tshopo, Division Provinciale de La Santé de La Tshopo, Kisangani, Province de La Tshopo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Maurice M Nigo
- Centre de Recherche en Maladies Tropicale de L'Ituri, Hôpital Générale de Référence de Rethy, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Institut Supérieur Des Techniques Médicales de Nyankunde, Bunia, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Deogratias Ucima Wonyarossi
- Centre de Recherche en Maladies Tropicale de L'Ituri, Hôpital Générale de Référence de Rethy, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Françoise Ngave
- Centre de Recherche en Maladies Tropicale de L'Ituri, Hôpital Générale de Référence de Rethy, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Kambale Kasonia Kennedy
- Centre de Recherche Clinique de Butembo, Université Catholique du Graben, Site Horizon, Butembo, Nord Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kambale Kataliko
- Centre de Recherche en Maladies Tropicale de L'Ituri, Hôpital Générale de Référence de Rethy, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Centre de Santé CECA 20 de Mabakanga, Beni, Nord Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Kpehe M Bolay
- Clinical Research Center, Liberia Institute for Biomedical Research, Bolahun, Liberia
- National Public Health Institute of Liberia, Public Health & Medical Research, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Simon K Attah
- Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Research Center, Hohoe, Ghana
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
- Baldwin University College, Accra, Ghana
| | - George Olipoh
- Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Research Center, Hohoe, Ghana
- National Assay Centre, Precious Minerals Marketing Company Ltd., Diamond House, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sampson Asare
- Onchocerciasis Chemotherapy Research Center, Hohoe, Ghana
- Bell Laboratories Inc, Window, WI, USA
| | - Mupenzi Mumbere
- Centre de Recherche Clinique de Butembo, Université Catholique du Graben, Site Horizon, Butembo, Nord Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Medicines Development for Global Health (MDGH), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michel Vaillant
- Competence Center for Methodology and Statistics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Christine M Halleux
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Annette C Kuesel
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
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7
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Cantin LJ, Dunning Hotopp JC, Foster JM. Improved metagenome assemblies through selective enrichment of bacterial genomic DNA from eukaryotic host genomic DNA using ATAC-seq. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1352378. [PMID: 38426058 PMCID: PMC10902005 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1352378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomics can be used to study the complex relationships between hosts and their microbiota. Many bacteria cannot be cultured in the laboratory, making it difficult to obtain adequate amounts of bacterial DNA and to limit host DNA contamination for the construction of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). For example, Wolbachia is a genus of exclusively obligate intracellular bacteria that live in a wide range of arthropods and some nematodes. While Wolbachia endosymbionts are frequently described as facultative reproductive parasites in arthropods, the bacteria are obligate mutualistic endosymbionts of filarial worms. Here, we achieve 50-fold enrichment of bacterial sequences using ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing) with Brugia malayi nematodes, containing Wolbachia (wBm). ATAC-seq uses the Tn5 transposase to cut and attach Illumina sequencing adapters to accessible DNA lacking histones, typically thought to be open chromatin. Bacterial and mitochondrial DNA in the lysates are also cut preferentially since they lack histones, leading to the enrichment of these sequences. The benefits of this include minimal tissue input (<1 mg of tissue), a quick protocol (<4 h), low sequencing costs, less bias, correct assembly of lateral gene transfers and no prior sequence knowledge required. We assembled the wBm genome with as few as 1 million Illumina short paired-end reads with >97% coverage of the published genome, compared to only 12% coverage with the standard gDNA libraries. We found significant bacterial sequence enrichment that facilitated genome assembly in previously published ATAC-seq data sets from human cells infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and C. elegans contaminated with their food source, the OP50 strain of E. coli. These results demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of using ATAC-seq to easily obtain bacterial genomes to aid in symbiosis, infectious disease, and microbiome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey J. Cantin
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Division, New England BioLabs, Ipswich, MA, United States
| | - Julie C. Dunning Hotopp
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jeremy M. Foster
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Division, New England BioLabs, Ipswich, MA, United States
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8
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Voronin D, Tricoche N, Peguero R, Kaminska AM, Ghedin E, Sakanari JA, Lustigman S. Repurposed Drugs That Activate Autophagy in Filarial Worms Act as Effective Macrofilaricides. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:256. [PMID: 38399310 PMCID: PMC10891619 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020256] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are two neglected tropical diseases caused by filarial nematodes that utilize insect vectors for transmission to their human hosts. Current control strategies are based on annual or biannual mass drug administration (MDA) of the drugs Ivermectin or Ivermectin plus Albendazole, respectively. These drug regimens kill the first-stage larvae of filarial worms (i.e., microfilariae) and interrupt the transmission of infections. MDA programs for these microfilaricidal drugs must be given over the lifetime of the filarial adult worms, which can reach 15 years in the case of Onchocerca volvulus. This is problematic because of suboptimal responses to ivermectin in various endemic regions and inefficient reduction of transmission even after decades of MDA. There is an urgent need for the development of novel alternative treatments to support the 2030 elimination goals of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. One successful approach has been to target Wolbachia, obligatory endosymbiotic bacteria on which filarial worms are dependent for their survival and reproduction within the human host. A 4-6-week antibiotic therapy with doxycycline, for example, resulted in the loss of Wolbachia that subsequently led to extensive apoptosis of somatic cells, germline, embryos, and microfilariae, as well as inhibition of fourth-stage larval development. However, this long-course regimen has limited use in MDA programs. As an alternative approach to the use of bacteriostatic antibiotics, in this study, we focused on autophagy-inducing compounds, which we hypothesized could disturb various pathways involved in the interdependency between Wolbachia and filarial worms. We demonstrated that several such compounds, including Niclosamide, an FDA-approved drug, Niclosamide ethanolamine (NEN), and Rottlerin, a natural product derived from Kamala trees, significantly reduced the levels of Wolbachia in vitro. Moreover, when these compounds were used in vivo to treat Brugia pahangi-infected gerbils, Niclosamide and NEN significantly decreased adult worm survival, reduced the release of microfilariae, and decreased embryonic development depending on the regimen and dose used. All three drugs given orally significantly reduced Wolbachia loads and induced an increase in levels of lysosome-associated membrane protein in worms from treated animals, suggesting that Niclosamide, NEN, and Rottlerin were effective in causing drug-induced autophagy in these filarial worms. These repurposed drugs provide a new avenue for the clearance of adult worms in filarial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Voronin
- Systems Genomics Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Nancy Tricoche
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ricardo Peguero
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anna Maria Kaminska
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elodie Ghedin
- Systems Genomics Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Judy A. Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - Sara Lustigman
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Hegde S, Marriott AE, Pionnier N, Steven A, Bulman C, Gunderson E, Vogel I, Koschel M, Ehrens A, Lustigman S, Voronin D, Tricoche N, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP, Sakanari J, Aljayyoussi G, Gusovsky F, Dagley J, Hong DW, O'Neill P, Ward SA, Taylor MJ, Turner JD. Combinations of the azaquinazoline anti- Wolbachia agent, AWZ1066S, with benzimidazole anthelmintics synergise to mediate sub-seven-day sterilising and curative efficacies in experimental models of filariasis. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1346068. [PMID: 38362501 PMCID: PMC10867176 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1346068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are two major neglected tropical diseases that are responsible for causing severe disability in 50 million people worldwide, whilst veterinary filariasis (heartworm) is a potentially lethal parasitic infection of companion animals. There is an urgent need for safe, short-course curative (macrofilaricidal) drugs to eliminate these debilitating parasite infections. We investigated combination treatments of the novel anti-Wolbachia azaquinazoline small molecule, AWZ1066S, with benzimidazole drugs (albendazole or oxfendazole) in up to four different rodent filariasis infection models: Brugia malayi-CB.17 SCID mice, B. malayi-Mongolian gerbils, B. pahangi-Mongolian gerbils, and Litomosoides sigmodontis-Mongolian gerbils. Combination treatments synergised to elicit threshold (>90%) Wolbachia depletion from female worms in 5 days of treatment, using 2-fold lower dose-exposures of AWZ1066S than monotherapy. Short-course lowered dose AWZ1066S-albendazole combination treatments also delivered partial adulticidal activities and/or long-lasting inhibition of embryogenesis, resulting in complete transmission blockade in B. pahangi and L. sigmodontis gerbil models. We determined that short-course AWZ1066S-albendazole co-treatment significantly augmented the depletion of Wolbachia populations within both germline and hypodermal tissues of B. malayi female worms and in hypodermal tissues in male worms, indicating that anti-Wolbachia synergy is not limited to targeting female embryonic tissues. Our data provides pre-clinical proof-of-concept that sub-seven-day combinations of rapid-acting novel anti-Wolbachia agents with benzimidazole anthelmintics are a promising curative and transmission-blocking drug treatment strategy for filarial diseases of medical and veterinary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrilakshmi Hegde
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Amy E. Marriott
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Pionnier
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Steven
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Bulman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, Unites States
| | - Emma Gunderson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, Unites States
| | - Ian Vogel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, Unites States
| | - Marianne Koschel
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Ehrens
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sara Lustigman
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, Unites States
| | - Denis Voronin
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, Unites States
| | - Nancy Tricoche
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, Unites States
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Judy Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, Unites States
| | - Ghaith Aljayyoussi
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jessica Dagley
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - David W. Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A. Ward
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J. Taylor
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph D. Turner
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Rinaldi G, Paz Meseguer C, Cantacessi C, Cortés A. Form and Function in the Digenea, with an Emphasis on Host-Parasite and Parasite-Bacteria Interactions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1454:3-45. [PMID: 39008262 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-60121-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
This review covers the general aspects of the anatomy and physiology of the major body systems in digenetic trematodes, with an emphasis on new knowledge of the area acquired since the publication of the second edition of this book in 2019. In addition to reporting on key recent advances in the morphology and physiology of tegumentary, sensory, neuromuscular, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems, and their roles in host-parasite interactions, this edition includes a section discussing the known and putative roles of bacteria in digenean biology and physiology. Furthermore, a brief discussion of current trends in the development of novel treatment and control strategies based on a better understanding of the trematode body systems and associated bacteria is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Rinaldi
- Department of Life Sciences, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - Carla Paz Meseguer
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alba Cortés
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
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11
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Portela CS, Mendes de Araújo CP, Moura Sousa P, Gomes Simão CL, Silva de Oliveira JC, Crainey JL. Filarial disease in the Brazilian Amazon and emerging opportunities for treatment and control. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 5:100168. [PMID: 38283060 PMCID: PMC10821485 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Following the successful eradication of Wuchereria bancrofti, there are now just three species of conventional microfilaremic human filarial parasites endemic to the Brazilian Amazon region: Mansonella ozzardi, Mansonella perstans and Onchocerca volvulus. The zoonotic filarial parasite Dirofilaria immitis is also found in the Amazon region as are several sylvatic filarial parasites, some of which have been recorded causing zoonoses and some of which have never been recorded outside the region. Onchocerca volvulus is only found in the Amazonia onchocerciasis focus in the Brazilian state of Roraima where it affects the people of the Yanomami tribe living around the densely forested Venezuela border region. Mansonella ozzardi is by far the most common filarial parasite in Brazil and has a broad but patchy distribution throughout the western Amazon region. Recorded in the Brazilian states of Acre, Roraima, Matto Grosso, and within almost every municipality of Amazonas state, it is believed that pollution of the urban stream and river systems prevents the development of the simuliid vectors of M. ozzardi and explains the parasite's reduced distribution within urban areas and an absence of recent reports from the state capital Manaus. Decades of WHO-led periodic ivermectin treatment of Yanomami tribe's people have resulted in the partial suppression of O. volvulus transmission in this focus and has also probably affected the transmission of M. ozzardi in the region. Mansonella perstans, O. volvulus and very probably M. ozzardi infections can all be treated and most likely cured with a 4-6-week treatment course of doxycycline. The Brazilian Ministry of Health does not, however, presently recommend any treatment for mansonellosis infections and thus parasitic infections outside the Amazonia focus are typically left untreated. While the long treatment courses required for doxycycline-based mansonellosis therapies preclude their use in control programmes, new fast-acting filarial drug treatments are likely to soon become available for the treatment of both onchocerciasis and mansonellosis in the Amazon region. Filarial disease management in the Brazilian Amazon is thus likely to become dramatically more viable at a time when the public health importance of these diseases is increasingly being recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleudecir Siqueira Portela
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Amazônia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Doutorado em Biologia da Interação Patógeno Hospedeiro, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Patrícia Mendes de Araújo
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Amazônia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Doutorado em Biologia da Interação Patógeno Hospedeiro, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Moura Sousa
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Amazônia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Doutorado em Biologia da Interação Patógeno Hospedeiro, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Carla Letícia Gomes Simão
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Amazônia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Mestrado em Condições de Vida e Situações de Saúde na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Silva de Oliveira
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Amazônia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Doutorado em Saúde Pública na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - James Lee Crainey
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Amazônia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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12
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Lin Y, Jung H, Bulman CA, Ng J, Vinck R, O'Beirne C, Zhong S, Moser MS, Tricoche N, Peguero R, Li RW, Urban JF, Le Pape P, Pagniez F, Moretto M, Weil T, Lustigman S, Cariou K, Mitreva M, Sakanari JA, Gasser G. Discovery of New Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infectives for Eukaryotic Pathogens Using Bioorganometallic Chemistry. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15867-15882. [PMID: 38009931 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance observed with many anti-infectives clearly highlights the need for new broad-spectrum agents to treat especially neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by eukaryotic parasitic pathogens, including fungal infections. Herein, we show that the simple modification of one of the most well-known antifungal drugs, fluconazole, with organometallic moieties not only improves the activity of the parent drug but also broadens the scope of application of the new derivatives. These compounds were highly effective in vivo against pathogenic fungal infections and potent against parasitic worms such as Brugia, which causes lymphatic filariasis and Trichuris, one of the soil-transmitted helminths that infects millions of people globally. Notably, the identified molecular targets indicate a mechanism of action that differs greatly from that of the parental antifungal drug, including targets involved in biosynthetic pathways that are absent in humans, offering great potential to expand our armamentarium against drug-resistant fungal infections and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) targeted for elimination by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lin
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Hyeim Jung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Christina A Bulman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - James Ng
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Robin Vinck
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cillian O'Beirne
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Shuai Zhong
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Matthew S Moser
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Nancy Tricoche
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Ricardo Peguero
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Robert W Li
- United States Department of Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, United States
| | - Joseph F Urban
- United States Department of Agriculture, Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, United States
| | - Patrice Le Pape
- Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l'Immunité, IICiMed, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Fabrice Pagniez
- Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l'Immunité, IICiMed, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Marco Moretto
- Fondazione Edmund Mach Via E. Mach 1, Research and Innovation Centre, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Tobias Weil
- Fondazione Edmund Mach Via E. Mach 1, Research and Innovation Centre, Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Sara Lustigman
- Molecular Parasitology, New York Blood Center, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Kevin Cariou
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, United States
| | - Judy A Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005 Paris, France
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13
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Riparbelli MG, Pratelli A, Callaini G. Wolbachia Induces Structural Defects Harmful to Drosophila simulans Riverside Spermiogenesis. Cells 2023; 12:2337. [PMID: 37830551 PMCID: PMC10571642 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192337] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between cytoplasmic incompatibility and the obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria Wolbachia has for a long time been reported. Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for this reproductive alteration are beginning to be understood, the effects of Wolbachia on germ cell structure and dynamics have not yet been fully investigated. We report here that the presence of Wolbachia in infected cysts of elongating spermatids is associated with major structural defects that become more evident in mature sperm. We find mitochondrial defects, an improper axoneme structure, reduced sperm numbers, and individualization failures. The large heterogeneous variety of the ultrastructural defects found in elongating spermatids and mature sperm provide the first cytological evidence for the reduced fertility associated with Wolbachia infection in Drosophila simulans males. The observed abnormalities could be the result of the mechanical stress induced by the high bacteria numbers during the process of spermatid elongation, rather than the result of the released factors affecting the proper morphogenesis of the germ cells. Moreover, high Wolbachia densities in male germ cells may not be appropriate for causing cytoplasmic incompatibility as the bacteria are harmful for spermatid differentiation, leading to abnormal sperm that is unlikely to be functional.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giuliano Callaini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.G.R.); (A.P.)
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14
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Alami N, Carter DC, Kwatra NV, Zhao W, Snodgrass L, Porcalla AR, Klein CE, Cohen DE, Gallenberg L, Neenan M, Carr RA, Marsh KC, Kempf DJ. A Phase-I pharmacokinetic, safety and food-effect study on flubentylosin, a novel analog of Tylosin-A having potent anti-Wolbachia and antifilarial activity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011392. [PMID: 37428804 PMCID: PMC10368248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The parasitic filariae responsible for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are host to an endosymbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia, which is essential to the fertility and development of the parasites. We performed a Phase-I pharmacokinetic, safety and food-effect study on single and multiple ascending doses of flubentylosin (ABBV-4083), a macrolide antibacterial with activity against Wolbachia, intended to sterilize and eliminate the parasites. METHODS Seventy-eight healthy adults were exposed to flubentylosin; 36 were exposed to single ascending 40, 100, 200, 400 or 1000 mg doses; 12 received 1000 mg in the food-effect part; and 30 received multiple ascending daily doses of 100 mg for 7 days, 200 mg for 7 or 14 days, or 400 mg for 7 or 14 days. Twenty-two subjects received placebo. RESULTS Maximum concentrations (Cmax) of flubentylosin were reached after 1-2 hours, with a half-life < 4 hours at doses ≤ 400 mg. Cmax and AUC increased in a more than dose-proportional manner, with similar exposure after multiple dose administration. The most frequently reported adverse events were nausea (8/78, 10%) and headache (6/78, 8%). Two subjects given a single dose of flubentylosin 1000 mg in the food-effect part experienced reversible asymptomatic ALT and AST elevations at Grade 2 or Grade 4, with no elevation in bilirubin, deemed related to study drug. The effect of food on exposure parameters was minimal. No treatment-related serious adverse events were reported. DISCUSSION Flubentylosin 400 mg for 14 days was the maximum tolerated dose in this first-in-human, Phase-I study in healthy adults. Based on preclinical pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling, flubentylosin 400 mg once daily for 7 or 14 days is expected to be an effective dose. A Phase-II, proof-of-concept study with flubentylosin using these regimens is currently ongoing in patients with onchocerciasis in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Alami
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Pfizer, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - David C Carter
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Retirees of AbbVie, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Nisha V Kwatra
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Weihan Zhao
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | | | | | - Cheri E Klein
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Daniel E Cohen
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Loretta Gallenberg
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Retirees of AbbVie, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Melina Neenan
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Robert A Carr
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Retirees of AbbVie, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kennan C Marsh
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Dale J Kempf
- AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Retirees of AbbVie, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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15
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Lin Y, Jung H, Bulman CA, Ng J, Vinck R, O'Beirne C, Moser MS, Tricoche N, Peguero R, Li RW, Urban JF, Pape PL, Pagniez F, Moretto M, Weil T, Lustigman S, Cariou K, Mitreva M, Sakanari JA, Gasser G. Discovery of New Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infectives for Eukaryotic Pathogens Using Bioorganometallic Chemistry. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546819. [PMID: 37425761 PMCID: PMC10327022 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance observed with many anti-infectives clearly highlights the need for new broad-spectrum agents to treat especially neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by eukaryotic parasitic pathogens including fungal infections. Since these diseases target the most vulnerable communities who are disadvantaged by health and socio-economic factors, new agents should be, if possible, easy-to-prepare to allow for commercialization based on their low cost. In this study, we show that simple modification of one of the most well-known antifungal drugs, fluconazole, with organometallic moieties not only improves the activity of the parent drug but also broadens the scope of application of the new derivatives. These compounds were highly effective in vivo against pathogenic fungal infections and potent against parasitic worms such as Brugia, which causes lymphatic filariasis and Trichuris, one of the soil-transmitted helminths that infects millions of people globally. Notably, the identified molecular targets indicate a mechanism of action that differs greatly from the parental antifungal drug, including targets involved in biosynthetic pathways that are absent in humans, offering great potential to expand our armamentarium against drug-resistant fungal infections and NTDs targeted for elimination by 2030. Overall, the discovery of these new compounds with broad-spectrum activity opens new avenues for the development of treatments for several current human infections, either caused by fungi or by parasites, including other NTDs, as well as newly emerging diseases. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY Simple derivatives of the well-known antifungal drug fluconazole were found to be highly effective in vivo against fungal infections, and also potent against the parasitic nematode Brugia, which causes lymphatic filariasis and against Trichuris, one of the soil-transmitted helminths that infects millions of people globally.
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16
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Marriott AE, Dagley JL, Hegde S, Steven A, Fricks C, DiCosty U, Mansour A, Campbell EJ, Wilson CM, Gusovsky F, Ward SA, Hong WD, O'Neill P, Moorhead A, McCall S, McCall JW, Taylor MJ, Turner JD. Dirofilariasis mouse models for heartworm preclinical research. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1208301. [PMID: 37426014 PMCID: PMC10324412 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1208301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Dirofilariasis, including heartworm disease, is a major emergent veterinary parasitic infection and a human zoonosis. Currently, experimental infections of cats and dogs are used in veterinary heartworm preclinical drug research. Methods As a refined alternative in vivo heartworm preventative drug screen, we assessed lymphopenic mouse strains with ablation of the interleukin-2/7 common gamma chain (γc) as susceptible to the larval development phase of Dirofilaria immitis. Results Non-obese diabetic (NOD) severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)γc-/- (NSG and NXG) and recombination-activating gene (RAG)2-/-γc-/- mouse strains yielded viable D. immitis larvae at 2-4 weeks post-infection, including the use of different batches of D. immitis infectious larvae, different D. immitis isolates, and at different laboratories. Mice did not display any clinical signs associated with infection for up to 4 weeks. Developing larvae were found in subcutaneous and muscle fascia tissues, which is the natural site of this stage of heartworm in dogs. Compared with in vitro-propagated larvae at day 14, in vivo-derived larvae had completed the L4 molt, were significantly larger, and contained expanded Wolbachia endobacteria titres. We established an ex vivo L4 paralytic screening system whereby assays with moxidectin or levamisole highlighted discrepancies in relative drug sensitivities in comparison with in vitro-reared L4 D. immitis. We demonstrated effective depletion of Wolbachia by 70%-90% in D. immitis L4 following 2- to 7-day oral in vivo exposures of NSG- or NXG-infected mice with doxycycline or the rapid-acting investigational drug, AWZ1066S. We validated NSG and NXG D. immitis mouse models as a filaricide screen by in vivo treatments with single injections of moxidectin, which mediated a 60%-88% reduction in L4 larvae at 14-28 days. Discussion Future adoption of these mouse models will benefit end-user laboratories conducting research and development of novel heartworm preventatives via increased access, rapid turnaround, and reduced costs and may simultaneously decrease the need for experimental cat or dog use.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. E. Marriott
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - J. L. Dagley
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - S. Hegde
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - A. Steven
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - C. Fricks
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
| | - U. DiCosty
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
| | - A. Mansour
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
| | - E. J. Campbell
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - C. M. Wilson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - F. Gusovsky
- Eisai Global Health, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - S. A. Ward
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - W. D. Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - P. O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - A. Moorhead
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - S. McCall
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
| | - J. W. McCall
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - M. J. Taylor
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - J. D. Turner
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Multivariate chemogenomic screening prioritizes new macrofilaricidal leads. Commun Biol 2023; 6:44. [PMID: 36639423 PMCID: PMC9839782 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04435-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of direct acting macrofilaricides for the treatment of human filariases is hampered by limitations in screening throughput imposed by the parasite life cycle. In vitro adult screens typically assess single phenotypes without prior enrichment for chemicals with antifilarial potential. We developed a multivariate screen that identified dozens of compounds with submicromolar macrofilaricidal activity, achieving a hit rate of >50% by leveraging abundantly accessible microfilariae. Adult assays were multiplexed to thoroughly characterize compound activity across relevant parasite fitness traits, including neuromuscular control, fecundity, metabolism, and viability. Seventeen compounds from a diverse chemogenomic library elicited strong effects on at least one adult trait, with differential potency against microfilariae and adults. Our screen identified five compounds with high potency against adults but low potency or slow-acting microfilaricidal effects, at least one of which acts through a novel mechanism. We show that the use of microfilariae in a primary screen outperforms model nematode developmental assays and virtual screening of protein structures inferred with deep learning. These data provide new leads for drug development, and the high-content and multiplex assays set a new foundation for antifilarial discovery.
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18
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Hong WD, O’Neill PM, Taylor MJ, Turner JD, Ward SA, Gusovsky F, Benayoud F, Shibuguchi N, Girish D, Fang FG, Talabhakthla RK, Vaddi A, Challa C, Reddy KSA, Kalla V, Srinivasa Rao S, Nagireddi DMK, Patel J, Khile AS. Transformation of the Manufacturing Process from Discovery to Kilogram Scale for AWZ1066S: A Highly Specific Anti- Wolbachia Drug Candidate for a Short-Course Treatment of Filariasis. Org Process Res Dev 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.oprd.2c00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- W. David Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZD Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. O’Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZD Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J. Taylor
- Research Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph D. Turner
- Research Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A. Ward
- Research Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom
| | - Fabian Gusovsky
- G2D2 Eisai Inc., 35 Cambridgepark Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Farid Benayoud
- Eisai AiM Institute, Eisai, Inc., Andover, Massachusetts 01810, United States
| | - Nao Shibuguchi
- Analytical Research, Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, CFU, Medicine Development Center, Eisai Co. Ltd., 5-1-3-Tokodai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 300-2635, Japan
| | - Dixit Girish
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Francis Gerard Fang
- Eisai AiM Institute, Eisai, Inc., Andover, Massachusetts 01810, United States
| | - Ravi Kumar Talabhakthla
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Anand Vaddi
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Chiranjeevi Challa
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Karri Satya Ammi Reddy
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Vijay Kalla
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Sugandham Srinivasa Rao
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Durga Mahesh Kumar Nagireddi
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Jayesh Patel
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
| | - Anil Shahaji Khile
- Eisai Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd., Ramky Pharma City, (SEZ), Plot Nos.96, 97, 98,124 &126, Parawada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531019, India
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19
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Frallonardo L, Di Gennaro F, Panico GG, Novara R, Pallara E, Cotugno S, Guido G, De Vita E, Ricciardi A, Totaro V, Camporeale M, De Iaco G, Bavaro DF, Lattanzio R, Patti G, Brindicci G, Papagni R, Pellegrino C, Santoro CR, Segala FV, Putoto G, Nicastri E, Saracino A. Onchocerciasis: Current knowledge and future goals. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.986884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Onchocerciasis, caused by infection by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus, is a neglected public health disease that affects millions of people in the endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It is also called river blindness because the Blackflies that transmit infection breeds in rapidly flowing fresh water streams and rivers. This review features state-of-the-art data on the parasite, its endobacteria Wolbachia, the prevalence of the infection and its geographical distribution, its diagnostics, the interaction between the parasite and its host, and the pathology of Onchocerciasis. By development and optimization of the control measures, transmission by the vector has been interrupted in foci of countries in the Americas (Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Guatemala)and inSudan, followed by Onchocerciasis eliminations. The current state and future perspectives for vector control and elimination strategy are described.
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20
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Hargitai D, Kenéz L, Al-Lami M, Szenczi G, Lőrincz P, Juhász G. Autophagy controls Wolbachia infection upon bacterial damage and in aging Drosophila. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:976882. [PMID: 36299486 PMCID: PMC9589277 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.976882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process in eukaryotic cells that degrades intracellular components in lysosomes, often in an organelle-specific selective manner (mitophagy, ERphagy, etc). Cells also use autophagy as a defense mechanism, eliminating intracellular pathogens via selective degradation known as xenophagy. Wolbachia pipientis is a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium, which is one of the most common parasites on Earth affecting approximately half of terrestrial arthropods. Interestingly, infection grants the host resistance against other pathogens and modulates lifespan, so this bacterium resembles an endosymbiont. Here we demonstrate that Drosophila somatic cells normally degrade a subset of these bacterial cells, and autophagy is required for selective elimination of Wolbachia upon antibiotic damage. In line with these, Wolbachia overpopulates in autophagy-compromised animals during aging while its presence fails to affect host lifespan unlike in case of control flies. The autophagic degradation of Wolbachia thus represents a novel antibacterial mechanism that controls the propagation of this unique bacterium, behaving both as parasite and endosymbiont at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Hargitai
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lili Kenéz
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Muna Al-Lami
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Győző Szenczi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Lőrincz
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Péter Lőrincz, ; Gábor Juhász,
| | - Gábor Juhász
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Péter Lőrincz, ; Gábor Juhász,
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21
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Wolbachia infection dynamics in a natural population of the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyri (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) across its seasonal generations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16502. [PMID: 36192576 PMCID: PMC9529970 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20968-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia is one of the most abundant intracellular symbionts of arthropods and has profound effects on host biology. Wolbachia transmission and host phenotypes often depend on its density within the host, which can be affected by multiple biotic and abiotic factors. However, very few studies measured Wolbachia density in natural host populations. Here, we describe Wolbachia in the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyri from three populations in the Czech Republic. Using phylogenetic analyses based on wsp and multilocus sequence typing genes, we demonstrate that C. pyri harbours three new Wolbachia strains from supergroup B. A fourth Wolbachia strain from supergroup A was also detected in parasitised immatures of C. pyri, but likely came from a hymenopteran parasitoid. To obtain insights into natural Wolbachia infection dynamics, we quantified Wolbachia in psyllid individuals from the locality with the highest prevalence across an entire year, spanning several seasonal generations of the host. All tested females were infected and Wolbachia density remained stable across the entire period, suggesting a highly efficient vertical transmission and little influence from the environment and different host generations. In contrast, we observed a tendency towards reduced Wolbachia density in males which may suggest sex-related differences in Wolbachia-psyllid interactions.
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22
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Muema JM, Bargul JL, Obonyo MA, Njeru SN, Matoke-Muhia D, Mutunga JM. Contemporary exploitation of natural products for arthropod-borne pathogen transmission-blocking interventions. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:298. [PMID: 36002857 PMCID: PMC9404607 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An integrated approach to innovatively counter the transmission of various arthropod-borne diseases to humans would benefit from strategies that sustainably limit onward passage of infective life cycle stages of pathogens and parasites to the insect vectors and vice versa. Aiming to accelerate the impetus towards a disease-free world amid the challenges posed by climate change, discovery, mindful exploitation and integration of active natural products in design of pathogen transmission-blocking interventions is of high priority. Herein, we provide a review of natural compounds endowed with blockade potential against transmissible forms of human pathogens reported in the last 2 decades from 2000 to 2021. Finally, we propose various translational strategies that can exploit these pathogen transmission-blocking natural products into design of novel and sustainable disease control interventions. In summary, tapping these compounds will potentially aid in integrated combat mission to reduce disease transmission trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M Muema
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.
| | - Joel L Bargul
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.,International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Meshack A Obonyo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton, 20115, Kenya
| | - Sospeter N Njeru
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- Centre for Biotechnology Research Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - James M Mutunga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Kenya University (MKU), P.O. Box 54, Thika, 01000, Kenya.,School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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23
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Tagboto S, Orish V. Drug development for onchocerciasis-the past, the present and the future. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.953061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Onchocerciasis affects predominantly rural communities in Africa, and with small foci in South America and the Yemen. The disease is a major cause of blindness and other significant morbidity and mortality. Control programs have achieved a major impact on the incidence and prevalence of onchocerciasis by interrupting transmission with vector control programs, and treatment with mass drug administration using the microfilaricide ivermectin. Over the last few decades, several microfilaricides have been developed. This initially included diethylcarbamazine, which had significant side effects and is no longer used as such. Ivermectin which is a safe and highly effective microfilaricide and moxidectin which is a longer acting microfilaricide are presently recognized therapies. Suramin was the first effective macrofilaricide but was prohibitively toxic. Certain antibiotics including doxycycline can help eliminate adult worms by targeting its endosymbiont bacteria, Wolbachia pipientis. However, the dosing regimens may make this difficult to use as part of a mass disease control program in endemic areas. It is now widely recognized that treatments that are able to kill or permanently sterilize adult filarial worms should help achieve the elimination of this disease. We summarize in detail the historic drug development in onchocerciasis, including prospective future candidate drugs.
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24
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Co-Administration of Adjuvanted Recombinant Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 Vaccines Confer Protection against Natural Challenge in A Bovine Onchocerca ochengi Infection Model of Human Onchocerciasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10060861. [PMID: 35746469 PMCID: PMC9229719 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10060861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Onchocerciasis (river blindness), caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus, is a neglected tropical disease mainly of sub-Saharan Africa. Worldwide, an estimated 20.9 million individuals live with infection and a further 205 million are at risk of disease. Current control methods rely on mass drug administration of ivermectin to kill microfilariae and inhibit female worm fecundity. The identification and development of efficacious vaccines as complementary preventive tools to support ongoing elimination efforts are therefore an important objective of onchocerciasis research. We evaluated the protective effects of co-administering leading O. volvulus-derived recombinant vaccine candidates (Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2) with subsequent natural exposure to the closely related cattle parasite Onchocerca ochengi. Over a 24-month exposure period, vaccinated calves (n = 11) were shown to acquire infection and microfilaridermia at a significantly lower rate compared to unvaccinated control animals (n = 10). Furthermore, adult female worm burdens were negatively correlated with anti-Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 IgG1 and IgG2 responses. Peptide arrays identified several Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2-specific epitopes homologous to those identified as human B-cell and helper T-cell epitope candidates and by naturally-infected human subjects in previous studies. Overall, this study demonstrates co-administration of Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 with Montanide™ ISA 206 VG is highly immunogenic in cattle, conferring partial protection against natural challenge with O. ochengi. The strong, antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2 responses associated with vaccine-induced protection are highly suggestive of a mixed Th1/Th2 associated antibody responses. Collectively, this evidence suggests vaccine formulations for human onchocerciasis should aim to elicit similarly balanced Th1/Th2 immune responses.
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25
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Wolbachia depletion blocks transmission of lymphatic filariasis by preventing chitinase-dependent parasite exsheathment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2120003119. [PMID: 35377795 PMCID: PMC9169722 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120003119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease prioritized for global elimination. The filarial nematodes that cause the disease host a symbiotic bacterium, Wolbachia, which has been targeted using antibiotics, leading to cessation of parasite embryogenesis, waning of circulating larvae (microfilariae [mf]), and gradual cure of adult infection. One of the benefits of the anti-Wolbachia mode of action is that it avoids the rapid killing of mf, which can drive inflammatory adverse events. However, mf depleted of Wolbachia persist for several months in circulation, and thus patients treated with antibiotics are assumed to remain at risk for transmitting infections. Here, we show that Wolbachia-depleted mf rapidly lose the capacity to develop in the mosquito vector through a defect in exsheathment and inability to migrate through the gut wall. Transcriptomic and Western blotting analyses demonstrate that chitinase, an enzyme essential for mf exsheathment, is down-regulated in Wolbachia-depleted mf and correlates with their inability to exsheath and escape the mosquito midgut. Supplementation of in vitro cultures of Wolbachia-depleted mf with chitinase enzymes restores their ability to exsheath to a similar level to that observed in untreated mf. Our findings elucidate a mechanism of rapid transmission-blocking activity of filariasis after depletion of Wolbachia and adds to the broad range of biological processes of filarial nematodes that are dependent on Wolbachia symbiosis.
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26
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Bazzocchi C, Genchi M, Lucchetti C, Cafiso A, Ciuca L, McCall J, Kramer LH, Vismarra A. Transporter gene expression and Wolbachia quantification in adults of Dirofilaria immitis treated in vitro with ivermectin or moxidectin alone or in combination with doxycycline for 12 hours. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 249:111475. [PMID: 35346758 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111475] [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: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Due to their marked larvicidal activity, macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are used for the prevention of heartworm disease ( Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs. They have also been shown to eliminate adult parasites after long-term administration, with a so-called "slow-kill" effect. In addition, recent studies have established that a combination of doxycycline, which eliminates the endosymbiont Wolbachia, and MLs has superior adulticide effects when compared to MLs alone. It has been hypothesized that the apparent synergism between doxycycline/MLs may be due to interaction with drug efflux transport proteins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gene expression of several transport proteins in D. immitis adults treated in vitro either with doxycycline alone, ivermectin alone, moxidectin alone, or a combination of ivermectin or moxidectin with doxycycline for 12h. Quantitative PCR analysis showed a sex-dependent response to treatments. In female worms, Dim-pgp-10, Dim-haf-1 and Dim-haf-5 were upregulated compared to controls with doxycycline alone and when combined with ivermectin. Moxidectin did not induce any changes in gene expression. In males, moxidectin administered alone induced a slight increase in Dim-pgp-10, Dim-pgp-11and Di-avr-14, while ivermectin in combination with doxycycline produced significant upregulation of the ML receptor Di-avr-14. These results suggest possible synergism between the two drug classes and different susceptibility of males vs. females to adulticide effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bazzocchi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Lucchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cafiso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
| | - John McCall
- TRS Labs Inc, 215 Paradise Blvd, Athens, GA 30607, USA
| | - Laura Helen Kramer
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy.
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27
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Wanji S, Chunda VC, Fombad FF, Jélil Njouendou A, Gandjui NVT, Ritter M, Enyong PA, Mackenzie C, Taylor MJ, Hoerauf A, Turner JD. Advances in preclinical platforms of Loa loa for filarial neglected tropical disease drug and diagnostics research. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2021; 2:778724. [PMID: 38654889 PMCID: PMC7615857 DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.778724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The tropical disease, loiasis, caused by the filarial parasite, Loa, has gained prominence in global public health as a cause of excess mortality and a barrier to the elimination of the related prioritized neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, within Central Africa. There are no effective drug cures or vaccines available to treat loiasis safely. Here we review recent advances in loiasis preclinical platform technologies, including novel in vitro culturing systems, animal models and innovations in experimental infections of the L. loa vector, Chrysops, that have facilitated access to all L. loa filarial life-cycle stages. We detail applications of these new model systems in anti-filarial drug screening, diagnostic development, immunology, and pathophysiology research. Finally, we provide an overview of how loiasis preclinical platforms may be further utilized in translational medicine applications to support the development of much needed new interventions against filarial NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Wanji
- Parasite and Vector Research Unit (PAVRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Valerine Chawa Chunda
- Parasite and Vector Research Unit (PAVRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Fanny Fri Fombad
- Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Abdel Jélil Njouendou
- Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Narcisse Victor T. Gandjui
- Parasite and Vector Research Unit (PAVRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter A. Enyong
- Parasite and Vector Research Unit (PAVRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Charles Mackenzie
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center l The Task Force for Global Health, 325 Swanton Way, Decatur, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mark J Taylor
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics Research and Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn-Cologne partner site, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joseph D Turner
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics Research and Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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