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Rodríguez-Morales O, Mendoza-Téllez EJ, Morales-Salinas E, Arce-Fonseca M. Effectiveness of Nitazoxanide and Electrolyzed Oxiding Water in Treating Chagas Disease in a Canine Model. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051479. [PMID: 37242721 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051479] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and affects seven million people in Latin America. Side effects and the limited efficacy of current treatment have led to new drug research. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of nitazoxanide (NTZ) and electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) in a canine model of experimental CD. Náhuatl dogs were infected with the T. cruzi H8 strain and NTZ- or EOW-treated orally for 10 days. Seronegativity was shown at 12 months post-infection (mpi) in the NTZ-, EOW-, and benznidazole (BNZ)-treated groups. The NTZ and BNZ groups had high levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12B, and IL-1β at 1.5 mpi and low levels of IL-10. Electrocardiographic studies showed alterations from 3 mpi and worsening at 12 mpi; NTZ treatment produced fewer cardiac pathomorphological changes compared to EOW, similar to BNZ treatment. There was no cardiomegaly in any group. In conclusion, although NTZ and EOW did not prevent changes in cardiac conductivity, they were able to avoid the severity of heart damage in the chronic phase of CD. NTZ induced a favorable proinflammatory immune response after infection, being a better option than EOW as a possible treatment for CD after BNZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology of Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Erika Jocelin Mendoza-Téllez
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology of Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Morales-Salinas
- Department of Pathology of Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Col. Copilco Universidad, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology of Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
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Vanrell MC, Martinez SJ, Muñoz LI, Salassa BN, Gambarte Tudela J, Romano PS. Induction of Autophagy by Ursolic Acid Promotes the Elimination of Trypanosoma cruzi Amastigotes From Macrophages and Cardiac Cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:919096. [PMID: 36004334 PMCID: PMC9394444 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.919096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is an infectious illness endemic to Latin America and still lacks an effective treatment for the chronic stage. In a previous study in our laboratory, we established the protective role of host autophagy in vivo during T. cruzi infection in mice and proposed this process as one of the mechanisms involved in the innate immune response against this parasite. In the search for an autophagy inducer that increases the anti-T. cruzi response in the host, we found ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpene with many biological actions including autophagy induction. The aim of this work was to study the effect of UA on T. cruzi infection in vitro in the late infection stage, when the nests of intracellular parasites are forming, in both macrophages and cardiac cells. To test this effect, the cells were infected with T. cruzi for 24 h and then treated with UA (5–10 µM). The data showed that UA significantly decreased the number of amastigotes found in infected cells in comparison with non-treated cells. UA also induced the autophagy response in both macrophages and cardiac cells under the studied conditions, and the inhibition of this pathway during UA treatment restored the level of infection. Interestingly, LC3 protein, the main marker of autophagy, was recruited around amastigotes and the acidic probe LysoTracker localized with them, two key features of xenophagy. A direct cytotoxic effect of UA was also found on trypomastigotes of T. cruzi, whereas epimastigotes and amastigotes displayed more resistance to this drug at the studied concentrations. Taken together, these data showed that this natural compound reduces T. cruzi infection in the later stages by promoting parasite damage through the induction of autophagy. This action, in addition to the effect of this compound on trypomastigotes, points to UA as an interesting lead for Chagas disease treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cristina Vanrell
- Laboratorio de biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IHEM-CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- *Correspondence: María Cristina Vanrell, ; Patricia Silvia Romano,
| | - Santiago José Martinez
- Laboratorio de biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IHEM-CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Lucila Ibel Muñoz
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad Juan Agustín Maza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Betiana Nebaí Salassa
- Laboratorio de biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IHEM-CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | - Patricia Silvia Romano
- Laboratorio de biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza, Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IHEM-CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- *Correspondence: María Cristina Vanrell, ; Patricia Silvia Romano,
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Nielebock MAP, de Freitas Campos Miranda L, Americano do Brasil PEA, de Jesus S Pereira TO, da Silva AF, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, Sangenis LHC, Saraiva RM. Blood culture positivity rate for Trypanosoma cruzi in patients with chronic Chagas disease differs among different clinical forms. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:720-725. [PMID: 33150435 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this research was to compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with chronic Chagas disease with and without positive blood cultures for Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODS This was a retrospective longitudinal study that included 139 patients with chronic Chagas disease who underwent blood culture for T. cruzi. Blood cultures were performed using Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle medium enriched with Schneider's medium. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis adjusting for age and sex was performed to identify if positive blood culture for T. cruzi was associated with all-cause mortality. RESULTS The blood culture positivity rate was 30.9%. Most patients were born in the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil. Patients with positive blood cultures were older (52±13 vs 45±13 y; p=0.0009) and more frequently women (72.1% vs. 53.1%; p=0.03) than patients with negative blood cultures. The frequency of patients with cardiac or cardiodigestive forms was higher among patients with positive vs negative blood cultures (74.4% vs 54.1%; p=0.02). A total of 28 patients died during a mean follow-up time of 6.6±4.1 y. A positive blood culture was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.26 [95% confidence interval 1.02 to 5.01], p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS We found a higher proportion of patients with Chagas heart disease among patients with T. cruzi-positive blood cultures. A positive blood culture was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Therefore T. cruzi persistence may influence Chagas disease pathogenesis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antonio Prates Nielebock
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
| | - Luciana de Freitas Campos Miranda
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
| | | | | | - Aline Fagundes da Silva
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
| | | | - Luiz Henrique Conde Sangenis
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
| | - Roberto Magalhães Saraiva
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
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Wesley M, Moraes A, Rosa ADC, Lott Carvalho J, Shiroma T, Vital T, Dias N, de Carvalho B, do Amaral Rabello D, Borges TKDS, Dallago B, Nitz N, Hagström L, Hecht M. Correlation of Parasite Burden, kDNA Integration, Autoreactive Antibodies, and Cytokine Pattern in the Pathophysiology of Chagas Disease. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1856. [PMID: 31496999 PMCID: PMC6712995 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is the main parasitic disease in the Western Hemisphere. Unfortunately, its physiopathology is not completely understood, and cardiomegaly development is hard to predict. Trying to explain tissue lesion and the fact that only a percentage of the infected individuals develops clinical manifestations, a variety of mechanisms have been suggested as the provokers of CD, such as parasite persistence and autoimmune responses. However, holistic analysis of how parasite and host-related elements may connect to each other and influence clinical outcome is still scarce in the literature. Here, we investigated murine models of CD caused by three different pathogen strains: Colombian, CL Brener and Y strains, and employed parasitological and immunological tests to determine parasite load, antibody reactivity, and cytokine production during the acute and chronic phases of the disease. Also, we developed a quantitative PCR (qPCR) protocol to quantify T. cruzi kDNA minicircle integration into the mammalian host genome. Finally, we used a correlation analysis to interconnect parasite- and host-related factors over time. Higher parasite load in the heart and in the intestine was significantly associated with IgG raised against host cardiac proteins. Also, increased heart and bone marrow parasitism was associated with a more intense leukocyte infiltration. kDNA integration rates correlated to the levels of IgG antibodies reactive to host cardiac proteins and interferon production, both influencing tissue inflammation. In conclusion, our results shed light into how inflammatory process associates with parasite load, kDNA transfer to the host, autoreactive autoantibody production and cytokine profile. Altogether, our data support the proposal of an updated integrative theory regarding CD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Wesley
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Aline Moraes
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ana de Cássia Rosa
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Shiroma
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tamires Vital
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nayra Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruna de Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Doralina do Amaral Rabello
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Karla Dos Santos Borges
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dallago
- Laboratory of Animal Welfare, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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Barry MA, Versteeg L, Wang Q, Pollet J, Zhan B, Gusovsky F, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Jones KM. A therapeutic vaccine prototype induces protective immunity and reduces cardiac fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007413. [PMID: 31145733 PMCID: PMC6542517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, develops into chronic Chagas’ cardiomyopathy in ~30% of infected individuals, characterized by conduction disorders, arrhythmias, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death. Current anti-parasitic treatments are plagued by significant side effects and poor efficacy in the chronic phase of disease; thus, there is a pressing need for new treatment options. A therapeutic vaccine could bolster the protective TH1-mediated immune response, thereby slowing or halting the progression of chronic Chagas’ cardiomyopathy. Prior work in mice has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of a Tc24 recombinant protein vaccine in the acute phase of Chagas disease. However, it is anticipated that humans will be vaccinated therapeutically when in the chronic phase of disease. This study investigates the therapeutic efficacy of a vaccine prototype containing recombinant protein Tc24, formulated with an emulsion containing the Toll-like receptor 4 agonist E6020 as an immunomodulatory adjuvant in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection. Among outbred ICR mice vaccinated during chronic T. cruzi infection, there is a significant increase in the number of animals with undetectable systemic parasitemia (60% of vaccinated mice compared to 0% in the sham vaccine control group), and a two-fold reduction in cardiac fibrosis over the control group. The vaccinated mice produce a robust protective TH1-biased immune response to the vaccine, as demonstrated by a significant increase in antigen-specific IFNγ-production, the number of antigen-specific IFNγ-producing cells, and IgG2a antibody titers. Importantly, therapeutic vaccination significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis in chronically infected mice. This is a first study demonstrating therapeutic efficacy of the prototype Tc24 recombinant protein and E6020 stable emulsion vaccine against cardiac fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection. Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can cause severe heart disease. Current treatments do not work well and have significant side effects. Because of this, the authors created a new vaccine prototype with the goal that it could be given to infected people to prevent Chagas-associated heart disease. The vaccine contains a manufactured protein identical to a protein in the parasite (called Tc24) as well as a component to help the body produce a protective immune response (a vaccine adjuvant called E6020). The vaccine would boost the body’s natural immune response to the parasite infection, reducing the number of parasites in the body, and protecting the heart. Frequently, people are not diagnosed until later in the infection, because the early (or acute) stage of disease can be mistaken for a common cold. Because of this, it is important to test the vaccine when given in the later (or chronic) stage of infection. The authors tested the vaccine in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection and found that the vaccinated mice had lower levels of parasites in their body and less damage to their hearts. This research shows promising value of a therapeutic vaccine to prevent Chagas-associated heart disease in a mouse model, with the hope that the same effect could be found in humans one day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan A. Barry
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MB); (KJ)
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Qian Wang
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jeroen Pollet
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Bin Zhan
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fabian Gusovsky
- Eisai, Inc., Eisai Inc, Andover, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kathryn M. Jones
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MB); (KJ)
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Fonseca R, Salgado RM, Borges da Silva H, do Nascimento RS, D'Império-Lima MR, Alvarez JM. Programmed Cell Death Protein 1-PDL1 Interaction Prevents Heart Damage in Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Front Immunol 2018; 9:997. [PMID: 29867974 PMCID: PMC5949529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected parasitic infection that affects around six to seven million people, mainly in Latin America. About 30–35% of infected people present chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), which eventually leads to death. This condition is characterized by local parasite persistence and leukocyte infiltration. In a murine model of CCC, we observed that among infiltrating leukocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were in higher frequency in the heart of chronically infected mice, although elevated expression of the regulatory molecules programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and PDL1 suggested these cells could be inhibited. To investigate if PD1–PDL1 interaction in the heart of chronically infected mice negatively impacts on the local immune response, facilitating parasite persistence, and progression to CCC, we attempted to recover the local immune response by treating chronically infected mice with anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1-blocking antibodies together with irradiated Trypanosoma cruzi, which provides immune response boosting. Irradiated parasites promote expression of costimulatory molecules in dendritic cells and provide specific parasite antigen, which should aid T cell reactivation upon checkpoint blockade. Following treatment, there was an increased frequency of heart-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with an effector memory phenotype, an increased histopathology score and decreased heart rate, supporting our previous hypothesis of local immunosuppression induced by this pathway during CCC. In addition, blood parasitemia was reduced, which was associated with increased T. cruzi-specific immunoglobulin G 1 antibodies. However, no difference was observed in cytokine production or T. cruzi burden in the hearts of treated mice. Taken together, our results suggest PD1–PDL1 interaction protects the heart from excessive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raíssa Fonseca
- Laboratory of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Moysés Salgado
- Laboratory of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Henrique Borges da Silva
- Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Rogério Silva do Nascimento
- Laboratory of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Regina D'Império-Lima
- Laboratory of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Maria Alvarez
- Laboratory of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Host triacylglycerols shape the lipidome of intracellular trypanosomes and modulate their growth. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006800. [PMID: 29281741 PMCID: PMC5760102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular infection and multi-organ colonization by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, underlie the complex etiology of human Chagas disease. While T. cruzi can establish cytosolic residence in a broad range of mammalian cell types, the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain poorly understood. Despite the anticipated capacity for fatty acid synthesis in this parasite, recent observations suggest that intracellular T. cruzi amastigotes may rely on host fatty acid metabolism to support infection. To investigate this prediction, it was necessary to establish baseline lipidome information for the mammalian-infective stages of T. cruzi and their mammalian host cells. An unbiased, quantitative mass spectrometric analysis of lipid fractions was performed with the identification of 1079 lipids within 30 classes. From these profiles we deduced that T. cruzi amastigotes maintain an overall lipid identity that is distinguishable from mammalian host cells. A deeper analysis of the fatty acid moiety distributions within each lipid subclass facilitated the high confidence assignment of host- and parasite-like lipid signatures. This analysis unexpectedly revealed a strong host lipid signature in the parasite lipidome, most notably within its glycerolipid fraction. The near complete overlap of fatty acid moiety distributions observed for host and parasite triacylglycerols suggested that T. cruzi amastigotes acquired a significant portion of their lipidome from host triacylglycerol pools. Metabolic tracer studies confirmed long-chain fatty acid scavenging by intracellular T. cruzi amastigotes, a capacity that was significantly diminished in host cells deficient for de novo triacylglycerol synthesis via the diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT1/2). Reduced T. cruzi amastigote proliferation in DGAT1/2-deficient fibroblasts further underscored the importance of parasite coupling to host triacylglycerol pools during the intracellular infection cycle. Thus, our comprehensive lipidomic dataset provides a substantially enhanced view of T. cruzi infection biology highlighting the interplay between host and parasite lipid metabolism with potential bearing on future therapeutic intervention strategies. The development of human Chagas disease is associated with persistent intracellular infection with the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which displays tropism for tissues with characteristically high fatty acid flux, such as heart and adipose tissues. Previous studies have highlighted fatty acid metabolism as likely critical to support the growth and survival of this intracellular pathogen, however biochemical data supporting this prediction is currently lacking. Employing an untargeted lipid mass spectrometry approach, we defined the lipidome of intracellular T. cruzi parasites and their mammalian host cells. Comparative analyses revealed that the fatty acid signatures in the triacylglycerol (TG) pools were highly conserved between parasite and host, suggesting a major route of fatty acid acquisition by this pathogen via host TG. Metabolic tracer studies demonstrated intracellular parasite incorporation of exogenous palmitate into both neutral and phospholipid subclasses that was diminished in host cells deficient for TG synthesis. Moreover, parasites grown in these cells displayed reduced proliferation, demonstrating the importance of parasite coupling to host TG pools during the intracellular infection cycle.
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Exacerbated skeletal muscle inflammation and calcification in the acute phase of infection by Mexican Trypanosoma cruzi DTUI strain. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:450389. [PMID: 24991553 PMCID: PMC4060783 DOI: 10.1155/2014/450389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A murine model was used to study the histopathological aspects and cytokine expression levels in skeletal muscle provoked by the infection with Mexican TcI strains. BALB/c mice were inoculated with the virulent Querétaro strain and the nonvirulent Ninoa strain. Parasite numbers were counted in blood and skeletal muscle at different times post-infection, and real time-PCR expression levels of the cytokines IL-12, IL-4, IL-10, IFN- γ , and TNF- α were evaluated. In the acute phase of infection, a high parasitic load, both in blood and skeletal muscle, was detected. The histopathological analyses showed an exacerbated inflammation and granulomatous-like infiltrate with the Querétaro strain. Interestingly, extensive calcification areas were observed in the skeletal muscle surrounded by inflammatory infiltrates. TNF- α and IL-10 expression exhibited a significant increase at the peak of infection. In summary, Querétaro strain, a Mexican TcI strain, is virulent enough to induce high inflammation and calcification in skeletal muscle of the hind limbs, which could be related to high expression levels of TNF- α .
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Nunes DF, Guedes PMDM, de Mesquita Andrade C, Câmara ACJD, Chiari E, Galvão LMDC. Troponin T autoantibodies correlate with chronic cardiomyopathy in human Chagas disease. Trop Med Int Health 2013; 18:1180-92. [DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ferreira Nunes
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences; Center for Health Sciences; Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte; Natal; Brazil
| | - Paulo Marcos da Matta Guedes
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology; Center for Biosciences; Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte; Natal; Brazil
| | - Cléber de Mesquita Andrade
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences; Center for Health Sciences; Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte; Natal; Brazil
| | - Antonia Cláudia Jácome da Câmara
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses; Center for Health Sciences; Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte; Natal; Brazil
| | - Egler Chiari
- Department of Parasitology; Institute of Biological Sciences; Federal University of Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte; Brazil
| | - Lúcia Maria da Cunha Galvão
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences; Center for Health Sciences; Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte; Natal; Brazil
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Borges DC, Araújo NM, Cardoso CR, Lazo Chica JE. Different parasite inocula determine the modulation of the immune response and outcome of experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Immunology 2013; 138:145-56. [PMID: 23113506 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During infection, the host response develops effector mechanisms to combat the parasite. However, this response can become uncontrolled or regulated by mechanisms that modulate the inflammatory reaction. The number of parasites that infects the host, such as trypomastigotes in Chagas disease, may also influence immune activation and disease pathology. We evaluated the inflammation and immune regulation that follows Trypanosoma cruzi infection with low (300), intermediate (3000) or high (30000) parasite loads. Our results showed that the load of parasite inoculum influenced disease outcome: the higher the number of parasites in the inoculum, the lower were the survival rates. There was a strong association between parasitism and inflammatory infiltrate in the heart and the parasite inoculum determined cytokine interplay in this tissue, as shown by increased interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-23 in the 300 and 30000 inoculum groups, higher IL-4 and IL-10 in the intermediate-inoculum mice, and elevated IL-6 production in the heart of mice in the 3000 and 30000 groups. The number of T cells and antigen-presenting cells was augmented in the infected groups, especially for the splenic CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells expressing CD45RB(low) , GITR, PD-1 and FoxP3 in the group with the highest inoculum. Interestingly, these mice also presented an apparent decrease in CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) cells in the cardiac infiltrate, in contrast to the intermediate inoculum group, which showed elevated numbers of these regulatory leucocytes in the heart. Finally, our results demonstrated that parasite load during T. cruzi infection is linked to the response pattern that will result in parasite/inflammation control or tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego C Borges
- Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
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Caradonna KL, Burleigh BA. Mechanisms of host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 76:33-61. [PMID: 21884886 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385895-5.00002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
One of the more accepted concepts in our understanding of the biology of early Trypanosoma cruzi-host cell interactions is that the mammalian-infective trypomastigote forms of the parasite must transit the host cell lysosomal compartment in order to establish a productive intracellular infection. The acidic environment of the lysosome provides the appropriate conditions for parasite-mediated disruption of the parasitophorous vacuole and release of T. cruzi into the host cell cytosol, where replication of intracellular amastigotes occurs. Recent findings indicate a level of redundancy in the lysosome-targeting process where T. cruzi trypomastigotes exploit different cellular pathways to access host cell lysosomes in non-professional phagocytic cells. In addition, the reversible nature of the host cell penetration process was recently demonstrated when conditions for fusion of the nascent parasite vacuole with the host endosomal-lysosomal system were not met. Thus, the concept of parasite retention as a critical component of the T. cruzi invasion process was introduced. Although it is clear that host cell recognition, attachment and signalling are required to initiate invasion, integration of this knowledge with our understanding of the different routes of parasite entry is largely lacking. In this chapter, we focus on current knowledge of the cellular pathways exploited by T. cruzi trypomastigotes to invade non-professional phagocytic cells and to gain access to the host cell lysosome compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacey L Caradonna
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston,Massachusetts, USA
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12
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Pérez AR, Fontanella GH, Nocito AL, Revelli S, Bottasso OA. Short treatment with the tumour necrosis factor-alpha blocker infliximab diminishes chronic chagasic myocarditis in rats without evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi reactivation. Clin Exp Immunol 2009; 157:291-9. [PMID: 19604269 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2009.03946.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is crucial for resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi acute infection, but there is scant information on its role during the chronic phase. To address this issue, we analysed whether a short treatment with a TNF-alpha blocker affected the course and characteristics of chronic disease in a rat experimental model of T. cruzi infection. An anti-TNF-alpha agent (infliximab) was administered during the chronic phase for a period of 4 weeks (3 mg/kg/week), while control infected rats were inoculated with saline physiological solution. Search for parasites yielded non-successful results in all infected groups, irrespective of treatment. Nevertheless, the presence of T. cruzi kDNA in heart tissue was detected in infected and infected plus treated animals. Because infliximab might induce changes in the anti-parasite cytokine response, circulating levels of interleukin (IL)-10, interferon-gamma and nitric oxide were evaluated. An increase in IL-10 levels was observed only in the infected group treated with the anti-TNF-alpha blocker compared to the remaining groups (P < 0.05). A clear attenuation of histological damage associated with a diminution of cardiac TNF-alpha mRNA expression was observed in the infected and treated animals compared to the infected and non-treated group. Blocking of TNF-alpha during a relatively short period in chronically infected rats did not lead to evident parasite reactivation but reduced myocarditis severity significantly, indicating a role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of chronic myocardial damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Pérez
- Instituto de Inmunologia, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
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Oliveira FORD, Alves CR, Calvet CM, Toma L, Bouças RI, Nader HB, Castro Côrtes LMD, Krieger MA, Meirelles MDNSL, Souza Pereira MCD. Trypanosoma cruzi heparin-binding proteins and the nature of the host cell heparan sulfate-binding domain. Microb Pathog 2007; 44:329-38. [PMID: 18037261 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2007.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2007] [Revised: 10/15/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi invasion is mediated by receptor-ligand recognition between the surfaces of both parasite and target cell. We have previously demonstrated the role of heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the attachment and invasion of T. cruzi in cardiomyocytes. Herein, we have isolated the T. cruzi heparin-binding proteins (HBP-Tc) and investigated the nature of cardiomyocyte heparan sulfate (HS)-binding site to the parasite surface ligand. Two major heparin-binding proteins with molecular masses of 65.8 and 59 kDa were observed in total extract of amastigote and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi. Hydrophobic [S(35)]methionine labeled proteins eluted from heparin-sepharose affinity chromatography also revealed both proteins in trypomastigotes but only the 59 kDa is strongly recognized by biotin-conjugated glycosaminoglycans. Competition assays were performed to analyze the role of sulfated proteoglycans, including heparin, keratan sulfate and both acetylated and highly sulfated domains of heparan sulfate, in the recognition and invasion process of T. cruzi. Significant inhibitions of 84% and 35% in the percentage of infection were revealed after treatment of the parasites with heparin and the N-acetylated/ N-sulfated heparan sulfate domain, respectively, suggesting the important role of the glycuronic acid and NS glucosamine domain of the HS chain in the recognition of the HBP-Tc during the T. cruzi-cardiomyocyte interaction.
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Franco-Paredes C, Rouphael N, Méndez J, Folch E, Rodríguez-Morales AJ, Santos JI, Hurst JW. Cardiac manifestations of parasitic infections part 1: overview and immunopathogenesis. Clin Cardiol 2007; 30:195-9. [PMID: 17443654 PMCID: PMC6653029 DOI: 10.1002/clc.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infections produce a wide spectrum of cardiac manifestations. They may involve various anatomic structures of the heart and are manifested clinically as myocarditis, cardiomyopathies, pericarditis, or pulmonary hypertension in many resource-constrained settings. However, many parasitic infections involving the heart may also be currently diagnosed in developed countries due to growing worldwide travel, blood transfusions, and increasing numbers of immunosuppression states such as organ transplantation, use of immunosuppressive agents, or HIV/AIDS. Clinicians anywhere in the globe need to be aware of the potential cardiac manifestations of parasitic diseases. This is part one of a three-part series discussing parasites of the heart. In this section, we provide a general overview and immunopathogenesis of parasitic infections of the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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Garg N, Bhatia V. Current status and future prospects for a vaccine against American trypanosomiasis. Expert Rev Vaccines 2007; 4:867-80. [PMID: 16372882 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.4.6.867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The clinically relevant pathognomonic consequences of human infection by Trypanosoma cruzi are dilation and hypertrophy of the left ventricle walls and thinning of the apex. The major complications and debilitating evolutionary outcomes of chronic infection include ventricular fibrillation, thromboembolism and congestive heart failure. American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) poses serious public healthcare and budgetary concerns. The currently available drugs, although effective against acute infection, are highly toxic and ineffective in arresting or attenuating clinical disease symptoms in chronic patients. The development of an efficacious prophylactic vaccine faces many challenges, and progress is slow, despite several years of effort. Studies in animal models and human patients have revealed the pathogenic mechanisms during disease progression, pathology of disease and features of protective immunity. Accordingly, several antigens, antigen-delivery vehicles and adjuvants have been tested in animal models, and some efforts have been successful in controlling infection and disease. This review will summarize the accumulated knowledge about the parasite and disease, as well as pathogenesis and protective immunity. The authors will discuss the efforts to date, and the challenges faced in achieving an efficient prophylactic vaccine against human American trypanosomiasis, and present the future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Garg
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX 77555, USA.
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Sanchez-Burgos G, Mezquita-Vega RG, Escobedo-Ortegon J, Ramirez-Sierra MJ, Arjona-Torres A, Ouaissi A, Rodrigues MM, Dumonteil E. Comparative evaluation of therapeutic DNA vaccines against Trypanosoma cruzi in mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 50:333-41. [PMID: 17521394 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2007.00251.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health problem in most of Latin America. A key priority is the development of new treatments, due to the poor efficacy of current ones. We report here the comparative evaluation of therapeutic DNA vaccines encoding various T. cruzi antigens. ICR mice infected with 500 parasites intraperitoneally were treated at 5 and 12 days postinfection with 20 microg of plasmid DNA encoding T. cruzi antigens TSA-1, TS, ASP-2-like, Tc52 or Tc24. Treatment with plasmid encoding TS and/or ASP-2-like antigens had no significant effect on parasitemia or survival. Treatment with Tc52 DNA significantly reduced parasitemia, as well as cardiac parasite burden, and improved survival, although myocarditis was not significantly affected. Finally, treatment with plasmids encoding Tc24 and TSA-1 induced the most complete control of disease as evidenced by significant reductions in parasitemia, mortality, myocarditis and heart parasite burden. These data demonstrate that therapeutic vaccine efficacy is dependent on the antigen and suggest that DNA vaccines encoding Tc24, TSA-1, and Tc52 represent the best candidates for further studies of a therapeutic vaccine against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilma Sanchez-Burgos
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
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17
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Ashton AW, Mukherjee S, Nagajyothi FNU, Huang H, Braunstein VL, Desruisseaux MS, Factor SM, Lopez L, Berman JW, Wittner M, Scherer PE, Capra V, Coffman TM, Serhan CN, Gotlinger K, Wu KK, Weiss LM, Tanowitz HB. Thromboxane A2 is a key regulator of pathogenesis during Trypanosoma cruzi infection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 204:929-40. [PMID: 17420269 PMCID: PMC2118547 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20062432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease is caused by infection with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. We report that infected, but not uninfected, human endothelial cells (ECs) released thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)). Physical chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry revealed that TXA(2) is the predominant eicosanoid present in all life stages of T. cruzi. Parasite-derived TXA(2) accounts for up to 90% of the circulating levels of TXA(2) in infected wild-type mice, and perturbs host physiology. Mice in which the gene for the TXA(2) receptor (TP) has been deleted, exhibited higher mortality and more severe cardiac pathology and parasitism (fourfold) than WT mice after infection. Conversely, deletion of the TXA(2) synthase gene had no effect on survival or disease severity. TP expression on somatic cells, but not cells involved in either acquired or innate immunity, was the primary determinant of disease progression. The higher intracellular parasitism observed in TP-null ECs was ablated upon restoration of TP expression. We conclude that the host response to parasite-derived TXA(2) in T. cruzi infection is possibly an important determinant of mortality and parasitism. A deeper understanding of the role of TXA(2) may result in novel therapeutic targets for a disease with limited treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony W Ashton
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Cardiology and Infectious Disease, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Gironès N, Cuervo H, Fresno M. Trypanosoma cruzi-induced molecular mimicry and Chagas' disease. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2006; 296:89-123. [PMID: 16323421 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-30791-5_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, has been considered a paradigm of infection-induced autoimmune disease. Thus, the scarcity of parasites in the chronic phase of the disease contrasts with the severe cardiac pathology observed in approximately 30% of chronic patients and suggested a role for autoimmunity as the origin of the pathology. Antigen-specific and antigen-non-specific mechanisms have been described by which T. cruzi infection might activate T and B cells, leading to autoimmunity. Among the first mechanisms, molecular mimicry has been claimed as the most important mechanism leading to autoimmunity and pathology in the chronic phase of this disease. In this regard, various T. cruzi antigens, such as B13, cruzipain and Cha, cross-react with host antigens at the B or T cell level and their role in pathogenesis has been widely studied. Immunization with those antigens and/or passive transfer of autoreactive T lymphocytes in mice lead to clinical disturbances similar to those found in Chagas' disease patients. On the other hand, the parasite is becoming increasingly detected in chronically infected hosts and may also be the cause of pathology either directly or through parasite-specific mediated inflammatory responses. Thus, the issue of autoimmunity versus parasite persistence as the cause of Chagas' disease pathology is hotly debated among many researchers in the field. We critically review here the evidence in favor of and against autoimmunity through molecular mimicry as responsible for Chagas' disease pathology from clinical, pathological and immunological perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular, CSIC-UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
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Lisboa CV, Mangia RH, De Lima NRC, Martins A, Dietz J, Baker AJ, Ramon-Miranda CR, Ferreira LF, Fernandes O, Jansen AM. Distinct patterns of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Leontopithecus rosalia in distinct Atlantic coastal rainforest fragments in Rio de Janeiro--Brazil. Parasitology 2005; 129:703-11. [PMID: 15648693 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004005918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies on infection of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve population of wild free-ranging Leontopithecus rosalia have shown the presence of genotype T. cruzi II, associated in Brazil with human disease. Herein, this study has been extended, the infection being evaluated in L. rosalia of 3 different tamarin populations, inhabiting distinct forest areas located in the same Atlantic Coastal Rainforest. Edentata, Marsupialia, Rodentia and Chiroptera were examined exclusively in the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve. Excluding Chiroptera, T. cruzi infection was found in all orders. Biochemical and molecular characterization demonstrated that golden lion tamarins maintained stable infections by T. cruzi II. The isolates from the other mammals corresponded to T. cruzi I, suggesting independent transmission cycles occurring among the sylvatic mammals inside Poço das Antas Biological Reserve. Significant differences in the infection patterns presented by the 3 populations of wild and captive-born golden lion tamarins were noticed. In Poço das Antas a considerably higher number of positive haemocultures from tamarins with positive serological titres was observed in comparison to those obtained from other areas. The implications for conservation and public health of an active sylvatic cycle in the Atlantic Coastal Rainforest of Rio de Janeiro are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C V Lisboa
- Laboratory of Biology of Tripanosomatid, Department of Protozoology, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Av Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Dávila DF, Donis JH, Torres A, Ferrer JA. A modified and unifying neurogenic hypothesis can explain the natural history of chronic Chagas heart disease. Int J Cardiol 2004; 96:191-5. [PMID: 15262032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2003.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2003] [Revised: 06/02/2003] [Accepted: 06/09/2003] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of chronic Chagas disease still is an unresolved and controversial issue. Parasite persistence and autoimmune responses cannot explain the spectrum of chronic Chagas disease. However, a modified neurogenic hypothesis, concerning the timing and mechanisms responsible for the cardiac parasympathetic damage and for the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and of other neurohormonal systems, unifies cardiac remodelling and neurohormonal activation to explain most of the events of the natural history of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F Dávila
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Departamento de Fisiopatología, Universidad de Los Andes, Apartado Postal 590, 5101 Mérida, Venezuela.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick L Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Dumonteil E, Escobedo-Ortegon J, Reyes-Rodriguez N, Arjona-Torres A, Ramirez-Sierra MJ. Immunotherapy of Trypanosoma cruzi infection with DNA vaccines in mice. Infect Immun 2004; 72:46-53. [PMID: 14688079 PMCID: PMC343959 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.1.46-53.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2003] [Revised: 07/26/2003] [Accepted: 09/26/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms involved in the pathology of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy are still debated, and the controversy has interfered with the development of new treatments and vaccines. Because of the potential of DNA vaccines for immunotherapy of chronic and infectious diseases, we tested if DNA vaccines could control an ongoing Trypanosoma cruzi infection. BALB/c mice were infected with a lethal dose (5 x 10(4) parasites) as a model of acute infection, and then they were treated with two injections of 100 microg of plasmid DNA 1 week apart, beginning on day 5 postinfection. Control mice had high levels of parasitemia and mortality and severe cardiac inflammation, while mice treated with plasmid DNA encoding trypomastigote surface antigen 1 or Tc24 had reduced parasitemia and mild cardiac inflammation and >70% survived the infection. The efficacy of the immunotherapy also was significant when it was delayed until days 10 and 15 after infection. Parasitological analysis of cardiac tissue of surviving mice indicated that most mice still contained detectable parasite kinetoplast DNA but fewer mice contained live parasites, suggesting that there was efficient but not complete parasite elimination. DNA vaccine immunotherapy was also evaluated in CD1 mice infected with a low dose (5 x 10(2) parasites) as a model of chronic infection. Immunotherapy was initiated on day 70 postinfection and resulted in improved survival and reduced cardiac tissue inflammation. These results suggest that DNA vaccines have strong potential for the immunotherapy of T. cruzi infection and may provide new alternatives for the control of Chagas' disease.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Antigens, Protozoan/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Chagas Cardiomyopathy/mortality
- Chagas Cardiomyopathy/parasitology
- Chagas Cardiomyopathy/therapy
- Chagas Disease/mortality
- Chagas Disease/parasitology
- Chagas Disease/therapy
- Chronic Disease
- Humans
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Myocardium/pathology
- Protozoan Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Protozoan Vaccines/genetics
- Protozoan Vaccines/immunology
- Treatment Outcome
- Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics
- Trypanosoma cruzi/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma/administration & dosage
- Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma/genetics
- Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Dumonteil
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
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