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Caspe SG, Konrad JL, Moore DP, Sala JM, Della-Rosa P, Ortega-Mora LM, Bacigalupe DR, Venturini MC, Campero CM, Barbeito CG. Infection with different Neospora caninum strains causes differences in the glycosylation pattern in the uteri and placentae of Neospora caninum-infected heifers. J Comp Pathol 2024; 210:29-37. [PMID: 38552538 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2024.02.006] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes abortion in ruminants. Different strains produce differences in the severity of disease outcomes. These differences may cause physiological or pathological changes in cells, modifying the intercellular interactions and intracellular transport pathways that could be evidenced by identifying the terminal sugars. This study aimed to characterize the oligosaccharide pattern in the bovine placenta and uterus after infection with tachyzoites of three different strains of N. caninum (Nc-1, Nc-6 Argentina and Nc Spain-7) during early gestation. Fourteen heifers were inoculated intravenously on day 70 of gestation with 2 × 108 N. caninum tachyzoites and samples of placentae and uteri were analysed by histology and lectin histochemistry. In the infected groups, severe placentitis was associated with changes in lectin binding in the vascular endothelium by Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) and Ricinus communis I (RCA-I) lectins, in the epithelial cells of the endometrial glands by RCA-I, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), succinylated wheat germ agglutinin, peanut agglutinin (PNA), concanavalin-A (CON-A), LCA, PSA and Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin (PHA-e), and in the trophoblast layer by PNA, CON-A, LCA, PSA, PHA-e, soybean agglutinin, RCA-I, DBA and Bandieraea simplicifolia agglutinin (BSA-I). The results suggest that N. caninum causes changes in the glycosylation pattern in the maternofetal interface tissues and might cause abortions in early gestation due to changes in the cellular structure of the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio G Caspe
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Av. Rivadavia 1439, C1033AAE, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Jose L Konrad
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Blvd. 27 de Febrero 210 Bis, S2000EZP Rosario, Sante Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad del Nordeste, Juan Bautista Cabral 2131, W3402BKG, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Dadin P Moore
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Av. Rivadavia 1439, C1033AAE, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Blvd. 27 de Febrero 210 Bis, S2000EZP Rosario, Sante Fe, Argentina
| | - Juan M Sala
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Av. Rivadavia 1439, C1033AAE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paola Della-Rosa
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Av. Rivadavia 1439, C1033AAE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro, s/n, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana R Bacigalupe
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Avenue 7 No. 776, CP1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Zoonosis, Municipalidad de Rauch, Rivadavia 750, B7203 Rauch, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria C Venturini
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Avenue 7 No. 776, CP1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos M Campero
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Claudio G Barbeito
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Blvd. 27 de Febrero 210 Bis, S2000EZP Rosario, Sante Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Avenue 7 No. 776, CP1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Benavides J, González-Warleta M, Arteche-Villasol N, Pérez V, Mezo M, Gutiérrez-Expósito D. Ovine Neosporosis: The Current Global Situation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162074. [PMID: 36009665 PMCID: PMC9405361 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162074] [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: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review summarizes the current global situation of Neospora caninum infection in sheep by referring to all of the available descriptions of natural ovine neosporosis to date, focusing on epidemiology, clinical signs, lesions, and diagnosis. The data suggest that ovine neosporosis is more prevalent than currently thought, that it has increased in the last few decades, and that it should now be considered in the differential diagnosis when investigating abortion in sheep. Abstract In the past 20 years, Neospora caninum infection in sheep has been reported in at least 31 countries worldwide from all sheep-rearing continents (Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania), and its role as an abortifacient agent is becoming more evident. Most studies of ovine neosporosis have focused on its epidemiology, based primarily on serological analysis, with only a few studies investigating the actual presence of the parasite by PCR and/or IHC. Individual seroprevalence rates were highly variable between countries, and even between regions within the same country, ranging from 0.0% to 67.4% positive. Furthermore, most of the studies were not directly comparable due to differences in experimental designs, sample sizes, husbandry systems, ecological factors, and serological tests (e.g., IFAT, ELISA, MAT, Western blot). The latter, along with the scarcity of studies on the relevance of N. caninum as an abortifacient agent, may bias the perception of the importance of this disease. This review summarizes the situation of N. caninum infection in sheep using all available published studies describing natural ovine neosporosis. The epidemiology shows that ovine neosporosis is found worldwide, and it poses a relevant risk to the sustainability of sheep flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
| | - Marta González-Warleta
- Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Parasitology Laboratory, Axencia Galega da Calidade Alimentaria (AGACAL)-Xunta de Galicia, Ctra, Betanzos a Mesón do Vento km 7, Abegondo, 15318 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Noive Arteche-Villasol
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Mercedes Mezo
- Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Parasitology Laboratory, Axencia Galega da Calidade Alimentaria (AGACAL)-Xunta de Galicia, Ctra, Betanzos a Mesón do Vento km 7, Abegondo, 15318 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Arteche-Villasol N, Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Vallejo R, Espinosa J, Elguezabal N, Ladero-Auñon I, Royo M, Del Carmen Ferreras M, Benavides J, Pérez V. Early response of monocyte-derived macrophages from vaccinated and non-vaccinated goats against in vitro infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Vet Res 2021; 52:69. [PMID: 33980310 PMCID: PMC8117269 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00940-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Paratuberculosis is a disease of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map). Vaccination is the most cost-effective control method. However, despite the fact that macrophages are the main target cells for this pathogen, the precise mechanisms behind the response of the macrophage to Map infection and how it is modified by vaccination are yet poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Silirum® vaccination in the early immune response of caprine monocyte-derived macrophages (CaMØs). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from vaccinated and non-vaccinated goats, cultured in vitro until differentiation to macrophages and infected with Map. After a 24 h incubation, Map viability and DNA were assessed in culture by viable colony count and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In addition, Map phagocytosis and expression of IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6 and MIP-1β were also evaluated through immunofluorescence labelling and reverse transcriptase qPCR (RT-qPCR), respectively. A significant reduction of Map viability was observed in both supernatants (P < 0.05) and CaMØs (P < 0.001) from the vaccinated group. Similarly, the percentage of infected CaMØs and the number of internalized Map by CaMØs (P < 0.0001) was higher in the vaccinated group. Finally, iNOS (P < 0.01) and IL-10 were significantly up-regulated in CaMØs from vaccinated goats, whereas only MIP-1β was up-regulated in non-vaccinated animals (P < 0.05). These results show that vaccination modifies the immune response of CaMØs, suggesting that the phagocytosis and microbiocidal activity of macrophages against Map is enhanced after vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noive Arteche-Villasol
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007, León, Spain.
| | - Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007, León, Spain
| | - Raquel Vallejo
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007, León, Spain
| | - Jose Espinosa
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007, León, Spain
| | - Natalia Elguezabal
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Berreaga 1, Derio, 48169, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Iraia Ladero-Auñon
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Berreaga 1, Derio, 48169, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Marcos Royo
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007, León, Spain
| | - María Del Carmen Ferreras
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007, León, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE),, Finca Marzanas-Grulleros, 24346, León, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007, León, Spain
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Jiménez-Pelayo L, García-Sánchez M, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Horcajo P, Collantes-Fernández E, Gómez-Bautista M, Hambruch N, Pfarrer C, Ortega-Mora LM. Differential susceptibility of bovine caruncular and trophoblast cell lines to infection with high and low virulence isolates of Neospora caninum. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:463. [PMID: 29017582 PMCID: PMC5634964 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2409-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neospora caninum, one of the main causes of abortion in cattle, is very effective at crossing the placental barrier and placental damage is crucial in the pathogenesis of abortion. Bovine trophoblast and caruncular cell layers are key cellular components in the maternal-foetal interface in placentomes, playing a fundamental role in placental functionality. Methods We studied tachyzoite adhesion, invasion, proliferation and egress of high- (Nc-Spain7) and low- (Nc-Spain1H) virulence N. caninum isolates in established cultures of bovine caruncular epithelial (BCEC-1) and trophoblast (F3) cells. The parasite invasion rate (pInvR) and the cell infection rate (cInfR) were determined by immunostaining plaque assay at different time points and multiplicities of infection (MOIs), respectively. In addition, tachyzoite growth kinetics were investigated using real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis and immunostaining plaque assay at different times. Results Neospora caninum invaded and proliferated in both cell lines. The pInvR was higher in F3 compared to BCEC-1 cells for the Nc-Spain7 isolate (P < 0.05), and higher for the Nc-Spain7 than the Nc-Spain1H in F3 cells (P < 0.01). The cInfR was also higher in F3 cells than in BCEC-1 cells for both isolates (P < 0.0001), and the cInfR for the Nc-Spain7 isolate was higher than for the Nc-Spain1H isolate in both cell lines (P < 0.05). Tachyzoite growth kinetics showed tachyzoite exponential growth until egress at 58 hpi for both isolates in F3, whereas Nc-Spain1H showed a non-exponential growth pattern in BCEC-1. Asynchronous egress of both isolates was observed from 22 h post-infection onwards in BCEC-1. In addition, the tachyzoite yield (TY58h) was higher in F3 than in BCEC-1 infected by both isolates (P < 0.0001), highlighting better replication abilities of both parasites in F3. Nc-Spain7 showed shorter doubling times and higher TY58h compared to Nc-Spain1H in F3 cells; adhesion, invasion and proliferation mechanisms were very similar for both isolates in BCEC-1. Conclusions Our results indicate a highly similar behavior of high- and low-virulence isolates in their interactions with maternal caruncular cells and suggest an important role of foetal trophoblasts in the pathogenesis of N. caninum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jiménez-Pelayo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta García-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Horcajo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Collantes-Fernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Gómez-Bautista
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nina Hambruch
- Department of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christiane Pfarrer
- Department of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Aguado-Martínez A, Basto AP, Leitão A, Hemphill A. Neospora caninum in non-pregnant and pregnant mouse models: cross-talk between infection and immunity. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:723-735. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Importance of serological cross-reactivity among Toxoplasma gondii, Hammondia spp., Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp. and Besnoitia besnoiti. Parasitology 2017; 144:851-868. [PMID: 28241894 PMCID: PMC5471829 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp., Hammondia spp. and Besnoitia besnoiti are genetically related cyst-forming coccidia. Serology is frequently used for the identification of T. gondii, Neospora spp. and B. besnoiti-exposed individuals. Serologic cross-reactions occur in different tests among animals infected with T. gondii and H. hammondi, as well as among animals infected by T. gondii and N. caninum. Infections caused by N. caninum and N. hughesi are almost indistinguishable by serology. Neospora caninum, B. besnoiti and Sarcocystis spp. infections in cattle show some degree of serologic cross-reactivity. Antibody cross-reactivity between Neospora spp. and H. heydorni-infected animals is suspected, but not proven to occur. We review serologic cross-reactivity among animals and/or humans infected with T. gondii, Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp., Hammondia spp. and B. besnoiti. Emphasis is laid upon antigens and serological methods for N. caninum diagnosis which were tested for cross-reactivity with related protozoa. Species-specific antigens, as well as stage-specific proteins have been identified in some of these parasites and have promising use for diagnosis and epidemiological surveys.
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Ferreirinha P, Correia A, Teixeira-Coelho M, Osório H, Teixeira L, Rocha A, Vilanova M. Mucosal immunization confers long-term protection against intragastrically established Neospora caninum infection. Vaccine 2016; 34:6250-6258. [PMID: 27814932 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite responsible for heavy economic losses in dairy and beef cattle farms worldwide. Although vaccination is widely regarded as the preferable strategy to prevent neosporosis no commercial vaccine is currently available. We have previously shown that intranasal immunization with an N. caninum antigen extract enriched in hydrophobic proteins plus CpG adjuvant protected mice against intragastrically established neosporosis. Nevertheless, the antigen specificity as well as the long-term protective effect of this immunization strategy were not determined. Here, we show that the protective effect of this intranasal immunization procedure lasted for at least 20weeks. Protection was accompanied by long-lasting elevated levels of parasite-specific serum IgG and intestinal IgA. Moreover, spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells obtained from non-infected long-term immunized mice responded by producing interferon-γ following in vitro parasite-antigen recall. Analysis of serum IgG and intestinal IgA antibody reactivity in immunized mice identified dense granule antigen 7 (NcGRA7) and microneme associated protein 1 (NcMIC1) as immunodominant antigens respectively recognized by those antibody fractions. In summary, this work shows that a previously reported mucosal immunization strategy against N. caninum infection established through the gastrointestinal tract is effective in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ferreirinha
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Correia
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Teixeira-Coelho
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hugo Osório
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; FMUP - Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luzia Teixeira
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - António Rocha
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Vilanova
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Pastor-Fernández I, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Álvarez-García G, Marugán-Hernández V, García-Lunar P, Hemphill A, Ortega-Mora LM. The tandemly repeated NTPase (NTPDase) from Neospora caninum is a canonical dense granule protein whose RNA expression, protein secretion and phosphorylation coincides with the tachyzoite egress. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:352. [PMID: 27329357 PMCID: PMC4915099 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1620-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background NTPases (also NTPDases) are enzymes with apyrase activity. They are widely distributed among eukaryotes, and also among members of the family Sarcocystidae. In Toxoplasma gondii, the TgNTPase accumulates in the dense granules, and has been commonly associated with the strain virulence. In the closely related Neospora caninum, the NcNTPase lacks nucleoside diphosphate hydrolase activity and appears to be more abundant in virulent isolates, indicating that it may contribute to the pathogenicity of neosporosis. However, so far no additional information on NcNTPase has been provided. Methods Herein, the NcNTPase coding sequences were analysed by different in silico and de novo sequencing approaches. A comparative analysis of NcNTPase and NcGRA7 in terms of protein dynamics, secretion, phosphorylation, and mRNA expression profiles during the tachyzoite lytic cycle was also carried out. Moreover, NcNTPase immunolocalization was analysed by confocal microscopy techniques over a set number of time-points. Results We describe the presence of three different loci containing three copies of the NcNTPase within the Nc-Liv genome, and report the existence of up to four different NcNTPase alleles in Nc-Liv. We also provide evidence for the occurrence of diverse protein species of the NcNTPase by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Both NcNTPase and NcGRA7 were similarly up-regulated and secreted during the egress and/or early invasion phases, and were phosphorylated. However, its secretion was not affected by the addition of calcium modulators such as A23187 and ethanol. NcNTPase and NcGRA7 localized in dense granules and parasitophorous vacuole membrane throughout the lytic cycle, although differed in their inmunolocalization during early invasion and egress. Conclusions The present study reveals the complexity of the NcNTPase loci in N. caninum. We hypothesize that the expression of different isoforms of the NcNTPase protein could contribute to parasite virulence. Our findings showed regulation of expression, secretion and phosphorylation of NcNTPase suggesting a potential role for progression through the tachyzoites lytic cycle. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1620-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Pastor-Fernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Marugán-Hernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula García-Lunar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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