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Ponzo E, Midiri A, Manno A, Pastorello M, Biondo C, Mancuso G. Insights into the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and differential diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2024; 14:86-96. [PMID: 38498078 PMCID: PMC11097794 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2024.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. There are five human pathogenic species, of which Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum are the most prevalent worldwide and cause the greatest burden of disease in terms of mortality and morbidity. In addition, hybrid schistosomes have been identified through molecular analysis. Human infection occurs when cercariae, the larval form of the parasite, penetrate the skin of people while bathing in contaminated waters such as lakes and rivers. Schistosomiasis can cause both urogenital and intestinal symptoms. Urogenital symptoms include haematuria, bladder fibrosis, kidney damage, and an increased risk of bladder cancer. Intestinal symptoms may include abdominal pain, sometimes accompanied by diarrhoea and blood in the stool. Schistosomiasis affects more than 250 million people and causes approximately 70 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), mainly in Africa, South America, and Asia. To control infection, it is essential to establish sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for epidemiological surveillance and morbidity reduction. This review provides an overview of schistosomiasis, with a focus on available diagnostic tools for Schistosoma spp. Current molecular detection methods and progress in the development of new diagnostics for schistosomiasis infection are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ponzo
- Department of Human Pathology, Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Messina, 98125Messina, Italy
| | - Angelina Midiri
- Department of Human Pathology, Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Messina, 98125Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Manno
- Department of Human Pathology, Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Messina, 98125Messina, Italy
| | - Martina Pastorello
- Department of Human Pathology, Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Messina, 98125Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Biondo
- Department of Human Pathology, Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Messina, 98125Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancuso
- Department of Human Pathology, Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Messina, 98125Messina, Italy
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de Souza Silva MS, Dos Santos MLMF, da Silva AM, França WWM, Araújo SB, da Silva RL, do Nascimento WRC, da Silva Santos NP, da Cruz Filho IJ, de Azevedo Albuquerque MCP, de Araújo HDA, de Lima Aires A. Sanguinarine: an alkaloid with promising in vitro and in vivo antiparasitic activity against different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni and in silico pharmacokinetic properties (ADMET). Parasitol Res 2024; 123:143. [PMID: 38407619 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08153-w] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo schistosomicidal activity of sanguinarine (SA) on Schistosoma mansoni and its in silico pharmacokinetic parameters. ADMET parameters and oral bioavailability were evaluated using the PkCSM and SwissADME platforms, respectively. The activity of SA in vitro, at the concentrations of 1.0-25 µM, was analyzed through the parameters of motility, mortality, and cell viability of the worms at intervals of 3-24 h. Mice were infected with cercariae and treated by gavage with SA (5 mg/kg/day, in a single dose or two doses of 2.5 mg/kg every 12 h for 5 consecutive days) on the 1st (skin schistosomula), 14th (pulmonary schistosomula), 28th (young worms), and 45th (adult worms) days after infection. In vitro and in vivo praziquantel was the control. In vitro, SA showed schistosomicidal activity against schistosomula, young worms, and couples; with total mortality and reduced cell viability at low concentrations and incubation time. In a single dose of 5 mg/kg/day, SA reduces the total worm load by 47.6%, 54%, 55.2%, and 27.1%, and female worms at 52.0%, 39.1%, 52.7%, and 20.2%, respectively, results which are similar to the 2.5 mg/kg/day dose. SA reduced the load of eggs in the liver, and in histopathological and histomorphometric analyses, there was a reduction in the number and volume of hepatic granulomas, which exhibited less inflammatory infiltrate. SA has promising in vitro and in vivo schistosomicidal activity against different developmental stages of S. mansoni, in addition to reducing granulomatous liver lesions. Furthermore, in silico, SA showed good predictive pharmacokinetic ADMET profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stéphanny de Souza Silva
- Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Morfotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Instituto Keizo Asami (iLIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Wilza Wanessa Melo França
- Instituto Keizo Asami (iLIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Centro de Ciências Médicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Wheverton Ricardo Correia do Nascimento
- Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Morfotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Instituto Keizo Asami (iLIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Centro de Ciências Médicas, Área Acadêmica de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Noemia Pereira da Silva Santos
- Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Morfotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia E Fármacos e Laboratório de Tecnologia de Biomateriais, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória de Santo Antão, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brazil
| | - Iranildo José da Cruz Filho
- Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Morfotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Mônica Camelo Pessoa de Azevedo Albuquerque
- Instituto Keizo Asami (iLIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Centro de Ciências Médicas, Área Acadêmica de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Hallysson Douglas Andrade de Araújo
- Instituto Keizo Asami (iLIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia E Fármacos e Laboratório de Tecnologia de Biomateriais, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória de Santo Antão, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brazil
| | - André de Lima Aires
- Centro de Biociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Morfotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
- Instituto Keizo Asami (iLIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
- Centro de Ciências Médicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
- Centro de Ciências Médicas, Área Acadêmica de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
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Li X, Weth O, Haimann M, Möscheid MF, Huber TS, Grevelding CG. Rhodopsin orphan GPCR20 interacts with neuropeptides and directs growth, sexual differentiation, and egg production in female Schistosoma mansoni. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0219323. [PMID: 38047698 PMCID: PMC10783048 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02193-23] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Schistosomes cause schistosomiasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases as defined by the WHO. For decades, the treatment of schistosomiasis relies on a single drug, praziquantel. Due to its wide use, there is justified fear of resistance against this drug, and a vaccine is not available. Besides its biological relevance in signal transduction processes, the class of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is also well suited for drug design. Against this background, we characterized one GPCR of Schistosoma mansoni, SmGPCR20, at the molecular and functional level. We identified two potential neuropeptides (NPPs) as ligands, SmNPP26 and SmNPP40, and unraveled their roles, in combination with SmGPCR20, in neuronal processes controlling egg production, oogenesis, and growth of S. mansoni females. Since eggs are closely associated with the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis, our results contribute to the understanding of processes leading to egg production in schistosomes, which is under the control of pairing in this exceptional parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Li
- Institute for Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver Weth
- Institute for Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Haimann
- Institute for Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Max F. Möscheid
- Institute for Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Theresa S. Huber
- Institute for Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Batista ICA, Gava SG, Tavares NC, Calzavara-Silva CE, Mourão MM. Hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferases SmHGPRTases functional roles in Schistosoma mansoni. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1064218. [PMID: 36578572 PMCID: PMC9791060 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1064218] [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: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Extracellular/environmental stimuli trigger cellular responses to allow Schistosoma sp. parasites adaptation and decide development and survival fate. In this context, signal transduction involving eukaryotic protein kinases (ePKs) has an essential role in regulatory mechanisms. Functional studies had shown the importance of MAPK pathway for Schistosoma mansoni development. In addition, early studies demonstrated that Smp38 MAPK regulates the expression of a large set of genes, among them the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 (SmHGPRTase 1, Smp_103560), a key enzyme in the purine salvage pathway that is part of a family comprising five different proteins. Methods First, the regulation of this gene family by the MAPKs pathways was experimentally verified using Smp38-predicted specific inhibitors. In silico analysis showed significant differences in the predicted structure and the domain sequence among the schistosomal HGPRTase family and their orthologs in humans. In order to interrogate the HGPRTases (Smp_103560, Smp_148820, Smp_168500, Smp_312580 and Smp_332640, henceforth SmHGPRTase -1, -2, -3, -4, -5) functional roles, schistosomula, sporocysts, and adult worms were knocked-down using specific dsRNAs. Results Our results suggest that SmHGPRTases activity has an essential role in sporocysts and schistosomula development since significant differences in viability, size, and/ or shape were observed after the in vitro knockdown. Also, the knockdown of SmHGPRTases in schistosomula influenced the ovary development and egg maturation in female adult worms during mammalian infection. We also observed alterations in the movement of female adult worms knocked-down in vitro. Most of these results were shown when all gene family members were knocked-down simultaneously, suggesting a redundant function among them. Discussion Thus, this study helps to elucidate the functional roles of the SmHGPRTase gene family in the S. mansoni life cycle and provides knowledge for future studies required for schistosomiasis treatment and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabella Cristina Andrade Batista
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil,Grupo de Imunologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sandra Grossi Gava
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Naiara Clemente Tavares
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Moraes Mourão
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil,*Correspondence: Marina Moraes Mourão,
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Neolignans isolated from Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae) exhibit efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19320. [PMID: 36369516 PMCID: PMC9652300 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23110-2] [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: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by the blood fluke of the genus Schistosoma, affects over 230 million people, especially in developing countries. Despite the significant economic and public health consequences, only one drug is currently available for treatment of schistosomiasis, praziquantel. Thus, there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Based on our continuous studies involving the chemical prospection of floristic biodiversity aiming to discover new bioactive compounds, this work reports the in vitro antiparasitic activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms of neolignans threo-austrobailignan-6 and verrucosin, both isolated from Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae). These neolignans showed a significant in vitro schistosomicidal activity, with EC50 values of 12.6-28.1 µM. Further analysis revealed a pronounced reduction in the number of S. mansoni eggs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed morphological alterations when schistosomes were exposed to either threo-austrobailignan-6 or verrucosin. These relevant antischistosomal properties were accompanied by low cytotoxicity potential against the animal (Vero) and human (HaCaT) cell lines, resulting in a high selectivity index. Considering the promising chemical and biological properties of threo-austrobailignan-6 and verrucosin, this research should be of interest to those in the area of neglected diseases and in particular antischistosomal drug discovery.
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Nikolakis ZL, Adams RH, Wade KJ, Lund AJ, Carlton EJ, Castoe TA, Pollock DD. Prospects for genomic surveillance for selection in schistosome parasites. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 2:932021. [PMID: 38455290 PMCID: PMC10910990 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2022.932021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by multiple parasitic Schistosoma species, and which impacts over 200 million people globally, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Genomic surveillance to detect evidence for natural selection in schistosome populations represents an emerging and promising approach to identify and interpret schistosome responses to ongoing control efforts or other environmental factors. Here we review how genomic variation is used to detect selection, how these approaches have been applied to schistosomes, and how future studies to detect selection may be improved. We discuss the theory of genomic analyses to detect selection, identify experimental designs for such analyses, and review studies that have applied these approaches to schistosomes. We then consider the biological characteristics of schistosomes that are expected to respond to selection, particularly those that may be impacted by control programs. Examples include drug resistance, host specificity, and life history traits, and we review our current understanding of specific genes that underlie them in schistosomes. We also discuss how inherent features of schistosome reproduction and demography pose substantial challenges for effective identification of these traits and their genomic bases. We conclude by discussing how genomic surveillance for selection should be designed to improve understanding of schistosome biology, and how the parasite changes in response to selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary L. Nikolakis
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States
| | - Richard H. Adams
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA, United States
| | - Kristen J. Wade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Andrea J. Lund
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Elizabeth J. Carlton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Todd A. Castoe
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States
| | - David D. Pollock
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
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Summers S, Bhattacharyya T, Allan F, Stothard JR, Edielu A, Webster BL, Miles MA, Bustinduy AL. A review of the genetic determinants of praziquantel resistance in Schistosoma mansoni: Is praziquantel and intestinal schistosomiasis a perfect match? FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.933097] [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
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by parasitic trematodes belonging to the Schistosoma genus. The mainstay of schistosomiasis control is the delivery of a single dose of praziquantel (PZQ) through mass drug administration (MDA) programs. These programs have been successful in reducing the prevalence and intensity of infections. Due to the success of MDA programs, the disease has recently been targeted for elimination as a public health problem in some endemic settings. The new World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines aim to provide equitable access to PZQ for individuals above two years old in targeted areas. The scale up of MDA programs may heighten the drug selection pressures on Schistosoma parasites, which could lead to the emergence of PZQ resistant schistosomes. The reliance on a single drug to treat a disease of this magnitude is worrying should drug resistance develop. Therefore, there is a need to detect and track resistant schistosomes to counteract the threat of drug resistance to the WHO 2030 NTD roadmap targets. Until recently, drug resistance studies have been hindered by the lack of molecular markers associated with PZQ resistance. This review discusses recent significant advances in understanding the molecular basis of PZQ action in S. mansoni and proposes additional genetic determinants associated with PZQ resistance. PZQ resistance will also be analyzed in the context of alternative factors that may decrease efficacy within endemic field settings, and the most recent treatment guidelines recommended by the WHO.
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Young ND, Kinkar L, Stroehlein AJ, Korhonen PK, Stothard JR, Rollinson D, Gasser RB. Mitochondrial genome of Bulinus truncatus (Gastropoda: Lymnaeoidea): Implications for snail systematics and schistosome epidemiology. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2022; 1:100017. [PMID: 35284876 PMCID: PMC8906109 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Many freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus act as intermediate hosts in the life-cycles of schistosomes in Africa and adjacent regions. Currently, 37 species of Bulinus representing four groups are recognised. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene has shown utility for identifying and differentiating Bulinus species and groups, but taxonomic relationships based on genetic data are not entirely consistent with those inferred using morphological and biological features. To underpin future systematic studies of members of the genus, we characterised here the mitochondrial genome of Bulinus truncatus (from a defined laboratory strain) using a combined second- and third-generation sequencing and informatics approach, enabling taxonomic comparisons with other planorbid snails for which mitochondrial (mt) genomes were available. Analyses showed consistency in gene order and length among mitochondrial genomes of representative planorbid snails, with the lowest and highest nucleotide diversities being in the cytochrome c oxidase and nicotinamide dehydrogenase subunit genes, respectively. This first mt genome for a representative of the genus Bulinus should provide a useful resource for future investigations of the systematics, population genetics, epidemiology and/or ecology of Bulinus and related snails. The sequencing and informatic workflow employed here should find broad applicability to a range of other snail intermediate hosts of parasitic trematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil D Young
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liina Kinkar
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas J Stroehlein
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - J Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Rollinson
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK.,London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London, UK
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Bais S, Norwillo A, Ruthel G, Herbert DR, Freedman BD, Greenberg RM. Schistosome TRPML channels play a role in neuromuscular activity and tegumental integrity. Biochimie 2022; 194:108-117. [PMID: 34990770 PMCID: PMC8950431 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Mono-therapeutic treatment of this disease with the drug praziquantel, presents challenges such as inactivity against immature worms and inability to prevent reinfection. Importantly, ion channels are important targets for many current anthelmintics. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are important mediators of sensory signals with marked effects on cellular functions and signaling pathways. TRPML channels are a class of Ca2+-permeable TRP channels expressed on endolysosomal membranes. They regulate lysosomal function and trafficking, among other functions. Schistosoma mansoni is predicted to have a single TRPML gene (SmTRPML) with two splice variants differing by 12 amino acids. This study focuses on exploring the physiological properties of SmTRPML channels to better understand their role in schistosomes. In mammalian cells expressing SmTRPML, TRPML activators elicit a rise in intracellular Ca2+. In these cells, SmTRPML localizes both to lysosomes and the plasma membrane. These same TRPML activators elicit an increase in adult worm motility that is dependent on SmTRPML expression, indicating a role for these channels in parasite neuromuscular activity. Suppression of SmTRPML in adult worms, or exposure of adult worms to TRPML inhibitors, results in tegumental vacuolations, balloon-like surface exudates, and membrane blebbing, similar to that found following TRPML loss in other organisms. Together, these findings indicate that SmTRPML may regulate the function of the schistosome endolysosomal system. Further, the role of SmTRPML in neuromuscular activity and in parasite tegumental integrity establishes this channel as a candidate anti-schistosome drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Bais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
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Praziquantel-encapsulated niosomes against Schistosoma mansoni with reduced sensitivity to praziquantel. BIOMÉDICA 2022; 42:67-84. [PMID: 35471171 PMCID: PMC9059922 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only commercially available drug for schistosomiasis. The current shortage of alternative effective drugs and the lack of successful preventive measures enhance its value. The increase in the prevalence of PZQ resistance under sustained drug pressure is, therefore, an upcoming issue. Objective: To overcome the tolerance to PZQ using nanotechnology after laboratory induction of a Schistosoma mansoni isolate with reduced sensitivity to the drug during the intramolluscan phase. Materials and methods: Shedding snails were treated with PZQ doses of 200 mg/kg twice/ week followed by an interval of one week and then repeated twice in the same manner. The success of inducing reduced sensitivity was confirmed in vitro via the reduction of cercarial response to PZQ regarding their swimming activity and death percentage at different examination times. Results: Oral treatment with a single PZQ dose of 500 mg/kg in mice infected with cercariae with reduced sensitivity to PZQ revealed a non-significant reduction (35.1%) of total worm burden compared to non-treated control mice. Orally inoculated PZQ- encapsulated niosomes against S. mansoni with reduced sensitivity to PZQ successfully regained the pathogen’s sensitivity to PZQ as evidenced by measuring different parameters in comparison to the non-treated infected animals with parasites with reduced sensitivity to PZQ. The mean total worm load was 1.33 ± 0.52 with a statistically significant reduction of 94.09% and complete eradication of male worms. We obtained a remarkable increase in the percentage reduction of tissue egg counts in the liver and intestine (97.68% and 98.56%, respectively) associated with a massive increase in dead eggs and the complete absence of immature stages. Conclusion: PZQ-encapsulated niosomes restored the drug sensitivity against laboratory- induced S. mansoni adult worms with reduced sensitivity to PZQ.
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Romero AA, Cobb SA, Collins JNR, Kliewer SA, Mangelsdorf DJ, Collins JJ. The Schistosoma mansoni nuclear receptor FTZ-F1 maintains esophageal gland function via transcriptional regulation of meg-8.3. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010140. [PMID: 34910770 PMCID: PMC8673669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes infect over 200 million of the world's poorest people, but unfortunately treatment relies on a single drug. Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate diverse processes in metazoans, yet few have been functionally characterized in schistosomes. During a systematic analysis of nuclear receptor function, we found that an FTZ-F1-like receptor was essential for parasite survival. Using a combination of transcriptional profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we discovered that the micro-exon gene meg-8.3 is a transcriptional target of SmFTZ-F1. We found that both Smftz-f1 and meg-8.3 are required for esophageal gland maintenance as well as integrity of the worm's head. Together, these studies define a new role for micro-exon gene function in the parasite and suggest that factors associated with the esophageal gland could represent viable therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracely A. Romero
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Julie N. R. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Steven A. Kliewer
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - David J. Mangelsdorf
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - James J. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
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Le Clec’h W, Chevalier FD, McDew-White M, Menon V, Arya GA, Anderson TJ. Genetic architecture of transmission stage production and virulence in schistosome parasites. Virulence 2021; 12:1508-1526. [PMID: 34167443 PMCID: PMC8237990 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1932183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Both theory and experimental data from pathogens suggest that the production of transmission stages should be strongly associated with virulence, but the genetic bases of parasite transmission/virulence traits are poorly understood. The blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni shows extensive variation in numbers of cercariae larvae shed and in their virulence to infected snail hosts, consistent with expected trade-offs between parasite transmission and virulence. We crossed schistosomes from two populations that differ 8-fold in cercarial shedding and in their virulence to Biomphalaria glabrata snail hosts, and determined four-week cercarial shedding profiles in F0 parents, F1 parents and 376 F2 progeny from two independent crosses in inbred snails. Sequencing and linkage analysis revealed that cercarial production is polygenic and controlled by five QTLs (i.e. Quantitative Trait Loci). These QTLs act additively, explaining 28.56% of the phenotypic variation. These results demonstrate that the genetic architecture of key traits relevant to schistosome ecology can be dissected using classical linkage mapping approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winka Le Clec’h
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Vinay Menon
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Grace-Ann Arya
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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13
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Adewale B, Heintz JR, Pastore CF, Rossi HL, Hung LY, Rahman N, Bethony J, Diemert D, Babatunde JA, Herbert DR. Parasitic helminth infections in humans modulate Trefoil Factor levels in a manner dependent on the species of parasite and age of the host. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009550. [PMID: 34662329 PMCID: PMC8553090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections, including hookworms and Schistosomes, can cause severe disability and death. Infection management and control would benefit from identification of biomarkers for early detection and prognosis. While animal models suggest that Trefoil Factor Family proteins (TFF2 and TFF3) and interleukin-33 (IL-33) -driven type 2 immune responses are critical mediators of tissue repair and worm clearance in the context of hookworm infection, very little is known about how they are modulated in the context of human helminth infection. We measured TFF2, TFF3, and IL-33 levels in serum from patients in Brazil infected with Hookworm and/or Schistosomes, and compared them to endemic and non-endemic controls. TFF2 was specifically elevated by Hookworm infection in females, not Schistosoma or co-infection. This elevation was correlated with age, but not worm burden. TFF3 was elevated by Schistosoma infection and found to be generally higher in females. IL-33 was not significantly altered by infection. To determine if this might apply more broadly to other species or regions, we measured TFFs and cytokine levels (IFNγ, TNFα, IL-33, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-10) in both the serum and urine of Nigerian school children infected with S. haematobium. We found that serum levels of TFF2 and 3 were reduced by infection, likely in an age dependent manner. In the serum, only IL-10 and IL-13 were significantly increased, while in urine IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-22, and IL-10 were significantly increased in by infection. Taken together, these data support a role for TFF proteins in human helminth infection. Billions of people are infected with parasitic helminths across the globe, especially in resource poor regions. These infections can result in severe developmental delay, disability, and death. Adequate management of helminth infection would benefit from the identification of host biomarkers in easily obtained samples (e.g. serum or urine) that correlate to infection state. Our goal was to determine if specific proteins involved in tissue repair and immune modulation are altered by infection with specific helminth species in Brazil (hookworm and S. mansoni species of blood fluke) or Nigeria (S. haematobium species of blood fluke). One of these proteins, Trefoil Factor 2 (TFF2), was elevated in the serum of hookworm infected women from Brazil, while another, TFF3 is higher in women than men, but also increased by S. mansoni blood fluke infection. In contrast, both TFFs were decreased in the serum of Nigerian children infected by S. haematobium, while many pro-inflammatory cytokines were increased in the urine, where the eggs emerge from host tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babatunde Adewale
- Public Health Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Jonathan R. Heintz
- University of Pennsylvania, Perlman School of Medicine Biostatistics Analysis Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Christopher F. Pastore
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of Amerca
| | - Heather L. Rossi
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of Amerca
| | - Li-Yin Hung
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of Amerca
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of Amerca
| | - Nurudeen Rahman
- Public Health Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Jeff Bethony
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of Amerca
| | - David Diemert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of Amerca
| | - James Ayorinde Babatunde
- Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - De’Broski R. Herbert
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of Amerca
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of Amerca
- * E-mail:
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14
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Dey P, Roy B, Mohanta R. A kaempferol derivative isolated from Lysimachia ramosa (Wall ex. Duby) induced alteration of acetyl cholinesterase and nitric oxide synthase in Raillietina echinobothrida. Vet Parasitol 2021; 296:109461. [PMID: 34214945 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109461] [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: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Lysimachia ramosa has been used as a traditional medicine among the tribal population of Meghalaya, northeast India, for the control of helminthosis. The anthelmintic efficacy of L. ramosa has been documented earlier. In the present study, the active compound from L. ramosa has been isolated and identified using mass and NMR spectra. It's in vitro anthelmintic activity was evaluated against Raillietina echinobothrida, one of the most pathogenic cestode of domestic fowl. The isolated active compound was characterized to be a kaempferol derivative which showed potent anthelmintic activity against R. echinobothrida by changing surface ultrastructure and also inhibiting the activity of two neurotransmitter enzymes: acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), both of which are known to perform dynamic roles in the intracellular communication mediated through neuromuscular system. Motility reduction, deformation in the surface architecture, extensive ultrastructural alterations and reduced histochemical stain intensity in both AChE and NOS was observed in the treated parasites. Biochemical result also revealed alteration in the enzyme activities in the treated parasites. Further, depletion in the nitric oxide (NO) production in the bioactive component exposed tissues of R. echinobothrida was also detected. The results provided evidence that the bioactive compound could be further explored to control helminthosis at a large scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulomi Dey
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India
| | - Bishnupada Roy
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India.
| | - Rahul Mohanta
- Department of Chemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India
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15
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Long non-coding RNA levels can be modulated by 5-azacytidine in Schistosoma mansoni. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21565. [PMID: 33299037 PMCID: PMC7725772 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78669-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni is a flatworm that causes schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide. There is only one drug indicated for treatment, praziquantel, which may lead to parasite resistance emergence. The ribonucleoside analogue 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) is an epigenetic drug that inhibits S. mansoni oviposition and ovarian development through interference with parasite transcription, translation and stem cell activities. Therefore, studying the downstream pathways affected by 5-AzaC in S. mansoni may contribute to the discovery of new drug targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides with low or no protein coding potential that have been involved in reproduction, stem cell maintenance and drug resistance. We have recently published a catalog of lncRNAs expressed in S. mansoni life-cycle stages, tissues and single cells. However, it remains largely unknown if lncRNAs are responsive to epigenetic drugs in parasites. Here, we show by RNA-Seq re-analyses that hundreds of lncRNAs are differentially expressed after in vitro 5-AzaC treatment of S. mansoni females, including intergenic, antisense and sense lncRNAs. Many of these lncRNAs belong to co-expression network modules related to male metabolism and are also differentially expressed in unpaired compared with paired females and ovaries. Half of these lncRNAs possess histone marks at their genomic loci, indicating regulation by histone modification. Among a selected set of 8 lncRNAs, half of them were validated by RT-qPCR as differentially expressed in females, and some of them also in males. Interestingly, these lncRNAs are also expressed in other life-cycle stages. This study demonstrates that many lncRNAs potentially involved with S. mansoni reproductive biology are modulated by 5-AzaC and sheds light on the relevance of exploring lncRNAs in response to drug treatments in parasites.
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16
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Du P, Giri BR, Liu J, Xia T, Grevelding CG, Cheng G. Proteomic and deep sequencing analysis of extracellular vesicles isolated from adult male and female Schistosoma japonicum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008618. [PMID: 32986706 PMCID: PMC7521736 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are the causative agent of schistosomiasis, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Unlike other trematode parasites, schistosomes (along with the Didymozoidae) have evolved separate sexes. Pairing of males and females is a prerequisite for female sexual development and subsequent egg production. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes remain poorly understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to play important roles in many biological processes. In the present study, we characterized EVs isolated from adult male and female Schistosoma japonicum. Proteomic analyses of the isolated EVs revealed that some proteins are significantly enriched in male or female EVs. RNA-sequencing analysis of a small RNA population associated with EVs identified 18 miRNAs enriched in male and female S. japonicum EVs. Among these, miR-750 was specifically enriched in female EVs. Additionally, the inhibition of miR-750 by a miRNA inhibitor led to decreased egg production in female schistosomes cultured in vitro. Collectively, our results suggest that miR-750 within female EV cargo may be involved in regulating ovary development and egg production in S. japonicum females. Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the genus Schistosoma and affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Previously, we and other groups found that Schistosoma japonicum can secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are taken up by mammalian cells. Here, we characterized EVs isolated from adult male and female S. japonicum and found that some proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) were significantly enriched in male or female EVs. More importantly, the inhibition of miR-750, which is specifically enriched in female EVs, resulted in decreased egg production. Overall, our study suggests that female EV miRNA cargo may play important roles in regulating female ovary development and egg production during male-female pairing in S. japonicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Du
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | - Bikash R. Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | - Juntao Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | - Tianqi Xia
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | | | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: ,
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17
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Bais S, Greenberg RM. Schistosome TRP channels: An appraisal. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2020; 13:1-7. [PMID: 32250774 PMCID: PMC7138929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels underlie electrical excitability in cells and are essential for a variety of functions, most notably neuromuscular and sensory activity. They are also validated targets for a preponderance of approved anthelmintic compounds. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels constitute an ion channel superfamily whose members play important roles in sensory signaling, regulation of ion homeostasis, organellar trafficking, and other key cellular and organismal activities. Unlike most other ion channels, TRP channels are often polymodal, gated by a variety of mechanisms. Furthermore, TRP channels fall into several classes or subtypes based on sequence and structure. Until recently, there had been very little investigation of the properties and functions of TRP channels from parasitic helminths, including schistosomes, but that situation has changed in the past few years. Indeed, it is now clear that at least some schistosome TRP channels exhibit unusual pharmacological properties, and, intriguingly, both a mammalian and a schistosome TRP channel are activated by praziquantel, the current antischistosomal drug of choice. With the latest release of the Schistosoma mansoni genome database, several changes in predicted TRP channel sequences appeared, some of which were significant. This review updates and reassesses the TRP channel repertoire in S. mansoni, examines recent findings regarding these potential therapeutic targets, and provides guideposts for some of the physiological functions that may be mediated by these channels in schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Bais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Robert M Greenberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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18
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Effect of Praziquantel on Schistosoma mekongi Proteome and Phosphoproteome. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060417. [PMID: 32471184 PMCID: PMC7350297 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mekongi causes schistosomiasis in southeast Asia, against which praziquantel (PZQ) is the only treatment option. PZQ resistance has been reported, thus increasing the requirement to understand mechanism of PZQ. Herein, this study aimed to assess differences in proteome and phosphoproteome of S. mekongi after PZQ treatment for elucidating its action. Furthermore, key kinases related to PZQ effects were predicted to identify alternative targets for novel drug development. Proteomes of S. mekongi were profiled after PZQ treatment at half maximal inhibitory concentration and compared with untreated worms. A total of 144 proteins were differentially expressed after treatment. In parallel, immunohistochemistry indicated a reduction of phosphorylation, with 43 phosphoproteins showing reduced phosphorylation, as identified by phosphoproteomic approach. Pathway analysis of mass spectrometric data showed that calcium homeostasis, worm antigen, and oxidative stress pathways were influenced by PZQ treatment. Interestingly, two novel mechanisms related to protein folding and proteolysis through endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation pathways were indicated as a parasiticidal mechanism of PZQ. According to kinase–substrate predictions with bioinformatic tools, Src kinase was highlighted as the major kinase related to the alteration of phosphorylation by PZQ. Interfering with these pathways or applying Src kinase inhibitors could be alternative approaches for further antischistosomal drug development.
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19
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Thomas CM, Timson DJ. The Mechanism of Action of Praziquantel: Can New Drugs Exploit Similar Mechanisms? Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:676-696. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180926145537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for treating infection with worms from the
genus Schistosoma. The drug is effective, cheap and has few side effects. However, despite its
use in millions of patients for over 40 years its molecular mechanism of action remains elusive.
Early studies demonstrated that PZQ disrupts calcium ion homeostasis in the worm and
the current consensus is that it antagonises voltage-gated calcium channels. It is hypothesised
that disruption of these channels results in uncontrolled calcium ion influx leading to uncontrolled
muscle contraction and paralysis. However, other experimental studies have suggested
a role for myosin regulatory light chains and adenosine uptake in the drug’s mechanism of
action. Assuming voltage-gated calcium channels do represent the main molecular target of
PZQ, the precise binding site for the drug remains to be identified. Unlike other commonly
used anti-parasitic drugs, there are few definitive reports of resistance to PZQ in the literature.
The lack of knowledge about PZQ’s molecular mechanism(s) undermines our ability to predict
how resistance might arise and also hinder our attempts to develop alternative antischistosomal
drugs which exploit the same target(s). Some PZQ derivatives have been identified
which also kill or paralyse schistosomes in culture. However, none of these are in widespread
clinical use. There is a pressing need for fundamental research into the molecular mechanism(
s) of action of PZQ. Such research would enable new avenues for antischsistosomal
drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M. Thomas
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Timson
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
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20
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In vitro activity of usnic acid potassium salt against different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni: An ultrastructural study. Acta Trop 2020; 201:105159. [PMID: 31491401 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Currently, the control of schistosomiasis is based on a single drug, praziquantel, which is effective against all species of Schistosoma but only in the adult stage, presenting a schistosomicidal deficit at the other developmental stages of the parasites. Recently our research group has demonstrated that the potassium salt of usnic acid (PS-UA) presented schistosomicidal property against couples of adult worms of S. mansoni. Thus, the present study seeks to report for the first time the in vitro activity of PS-UA against different developmental stages of S. mansoni (schistosomules and young worms). As schistosomicide parameters, we evaluated motility, mortality, cell viability of the worms and tegument changes by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 3 h exposure, PS-UA was lethal to schistosomules at concentrations of 100 and 50 μM, whereas for concentrations 25 and 12.5 μM, 38 and 18% of mortality and 62 and 24% changes in motility, respectively, were reached. Yet for schistosomules, concentration of 25 μM caused 90 and 100% of death after 6 and 12 h, respectively. In the concentration of 12.5 μM at intervals of 12 and 24 h mortality was 68 and 100%, respectively. For young worms, after 3 h of exposure at concentrations of 200 and 100 μM caused 57 and 27% mortality, respectively. After 12 and 24 h, these concentrations caused mortality of 90 and 100% and 47 and 60% respectively. After 24 h, concentrations of 50 and 25 μM caused 80 and 30% change in motility, respectively. However, at the 12.5 μM concentration no change was observed. In addition, PS-UA reduced the cellular viability of young worms by 50.98% and 85.87% at concentrations of 100 and 200 μM, respectively. In both stages of worms and at different exposure intervals, PS-UA caused alterations such as: dorsoventral contraction, peeling, swelling, blisters, erosion, exposure of subtegumental tissue and disintegration of tegument. According to the results, changes in motility and mortality caused by PS-UA against schistosomules and young worms were concentration and time-dependents, also PS-UA even at low concentration, was able to cause profound ultrastructural changes in the integument of the worms. PS-UA is a promising candidate as prophylactic agent in the control of schistosomiasis mansoni.
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21
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The Journey to Discovering a Flatworm Target of Praziquantel: A Long TRP. Trends Parasitol 2019; 36:182-194. [PMID: 31787521 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by parasitic flatworms impose a considerable worldwide health burden. One of the most impactful is schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic blood flukes. Treatment of schistosomiasis has relied on a single drug - praziquantel (PZQ) - for decades. The utility of PZQ as an essential medication is, however, intertwined with a stark gap in our knowledge as to how this drug works. No flatworm target has been identified that readily explains how PZQ paralyzes and damages schistosomes. Recently, a schistosome ion channel was discovered that is activated by PZQ and displays characteristics which mirror key features of PZQ action on schistosomes. Here, the journey to discovery of this target, properties of this ion channel, and remaining questions are reviewed.
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22
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Giri BR, Cheng G. Host miR-148 regulates a macrophage-mediated immune response during Schistosoma japonicum infection. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:993-997. [PMID: 31726056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are critical regulators of host-parasite interactions. We previously demonstrated that Schistosoma japonicum EVs contain a remarkably high abundance of host miR-148a. Here, we characterised the abundance of miR-148a in circulation, in peripheral immune cells, and in plasma EVs of S. japonicum-infected mice. The results suggested the high abundance of miR-148a in macrophages to be likely linked to S. japonicum EVs. Additionally, miR-148a was found to target PTEN through the PI3K/AKT pathway to regulate cytokine production in macrophages. Consequently, our findings suggest that high abundance of miR-148a in macrophages may be associated with S. japonicum EVs, and regulate the host immune response during schistosome infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Ranjan Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai 200241, China.
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23
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Enhancement of the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel in murine Schistosomiasis mansoni using silica nanocarrier. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3519-3533. [PMID: 31673833 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06475-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this work is preparation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with praziquantel (PZQ-Si) in order to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel (PZQ). Mice were experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni and treated 6 weeks post-infection with PZQ in different doses via either oral or intraperitoneal (IP) routes. PZQ in the same doses orally administered to S. mansoni-infected mice was used as a drug control, and infected and non-infected non-treated mice served as positive and negative controls, respectively. PZQ-Si exhibited good physicochemical attributes in terms of small uniform size (105 nm), spherical shape, and PZQ entrapment efficiency (83%). A maximum antischistosomal effect was achieved using orally administered PZQ-Si as reflected by total worm burden, tissue egg count, oogram pattern, and hepatic granuloma count and diameter. The biomarkers related to liver oxidative stress status and immunomodulatory effect (serum TNF-α and IL-10) were significantly improved. Data obtained implied that IP route was less efficacious for the delivery of PZQ-Si. Encapsulation of PZQ permits the reduction of the used therapeutic dose of PZQ. Hepatic DNA fragmentation, measured by comet assay, was significantly improved in infected mice treated with maximum dose of PZQ-Si as compared to positive or PZQ control groups. The results indicate that mesoporous silica NP is a promising safe nanocarrier for PZQ potentiating its antischistosomal, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory action in animal model infected with S. mansoni. From a practical standpoint, PZQ-Si using a lower dose of PZQ could be suggested for effective PZQ antischistosomal mass chemotherapy.
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24
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Park SK, Gunaratne GS, Chulkov EG, Moehring F, McCusker P, Dosa PI, Chan JD, Stucky CL, Marchant JS. The anthelmintic drug praziquantel activates a schistosome transient receptor potential channel. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:18873-18880. [PMID: 31653697 PMCID: PMC6901322 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ac119.011093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ) is used to treat schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide. PZQ causes Ca2+ influx and spastic paralysis of adult worms and rapid vacuolization of the worm surface. However, the mechanism of action of PZQ remains unknown even after 40 years of clinical use. Here, we demonstrate that PZQ activates a schistosome transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, christened SmTRPMPZQ, present in parasitic schistosomes and other PZQ-sensitive parasites. Several properties of SmTRPMPZQ were consistent with known effects of PZQ on schistosomes, including (i) nanomolar sensitivity to PZQ; (ii) stereoselectivity toward (R)-PZQ; (iii) mediation of sustained Ca2+ signals in response to PZQ; and (iv) a pharmacological profile that mirrors the well-known effects of PZQ on muscle contraction and tegumental disruption. We anticipate that these findings will spur development of novel therapeutic interventions to manage schistosome infections and broader interest in PZQ, which is finally unmasked as a potent flatworm TRP channel activator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Kyu Park
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Gihan S Gunaratne
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Evgeny G Chulkov
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Francie Moehring
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Paul McCusker
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Peter I Dosa
- Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414
| | - John D Chan
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Cheryl L Stucky
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226.
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Nonato MC, de Pádua RA, David JS, Reis RA, Tomaleri GP, D'Muniz Pereira H, Calil FA. Structural basis for the design of selective inhibitors for Schistosoma mansoni dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Biochimie 2019; 158:180-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Abstract
Schistosomiasis affects millions globally. There is no vaccine, and treatment depends entirely on praziquantel (PZQ). Field isolates exhibit reduced susceptibility to PZQ, and resistance has been experimentally induced, suggesting that reliance on a single treatment is particularly dangerous. The present study investigated the value of cinnarizine and griseofulvin against Schistosoma mansoni through their in vitro effects on adult worms and oviposition as well as in vivo evaluation in early and late infection, compared to PZQ, in a preliminary experimental model. In vitro, both cinnarizine and griseofulvin showed uncoupling, sluggish worm movement and complete absence of ova at 100 μg/ml. In early infection, cinnarizine showed a significant reduction in the number of porto-mesenteric couples compared to the griseofulvin and control groups, a finding similar to PZQ. Remarkably, cinnarizine significantly exceeded PZQ and griseofulvin in reducing the total worm burden. In late infection, cinnarizine and griseofulvin showed results similar to PZQ by significantly reducing the numbers of hepatic and porto-mesenteric couples and total worm burden compared to controls. Cinnarizine performed better than griseofulvin by reducing hepatic and intestinal ovum counts, and it led to complete disappearance of the first two immature stages. The current work suggests the possibility of using cinnarizine and griseofulvin, mainly in late S. mansoni infection, especially cinnarizine, which showed similar results to PZQ and surpassed it in early infection. Further studies are required to elucidate their exact mechanisms of action and particularly their synergistic effect with PZQ.
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Weber CJ, Hargan-Calvopiña J, Graef KM, Manner CK, Dent J. WIPO Re:Search-A Platform for Product-Centered Cross-Sector Partnerships for the Elimination of Schistosomiasis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:E11. [PMID: 30634429 PMCID: PMC6473617 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide, and with over 700 million people estimated to be at risk of contracting this disease, it is a pressing issue in global health. However, research and development (R&D) to develop new approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating schistosomiasis has been relatively limited. Praziquantel, a drug developed in the 1970s, is the only agent used in schistosomiasis mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns, indicating a critical need for a diversified therapeutic pipeline. Further, gaps in the vaccine and diagnostic pipelines demonstrate a need for early-stage innovation in all areas of schistosomiasis product R&D. As a platform for public-private partnerships (PPPs), the WIPO Re:Search consortium engages the private sector in early-stage R&D for neglected diseases by forging mutually beneficial collaborations and facilitating the sharing of intellectual property (IP) assets between the for-profit and academic/non-profit sectors. The Consortium connects people, resources, and ideas to fill gaps in neglected disease product development pipelines by leveraging the strengths of these two sectors. Using WIPO Re:Search as an example, this article highlights the opportunities for the PPP model to play a key role in the elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callie J Weber
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1950, Seattle, WA 98121, USA.
| | | | - Katy M Graef
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1950, Seattle, WA 98121, USA.
| | - Cathyryne K Manner
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1950, Seattle, WA 98121, USA.
| | - Jennifer Dent
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1950, Seattle, WA 98121, USA.
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28
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Calixto NM, dos Santos DB, Bezerra JCB, Silva LDA. In silico repositioning of approved drugs against Schistosoma mansoni energy metabolism targets. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203340. [PMID: 30596650 PMCID: PMC6312253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected parasitosis caused by Schistosoma spp. Praziquantel is used for the chemoprophylaxis and treatment of this disease. Although this monotherapy is effective, the risk of resistance and its low efficiency against immature worms compromises its effectiveness. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new schistosomicide drugs. However, the development of new drugs is a long and expensive process. The repositioning of approved drugs has been proposed as a quick, cheap, and effective alternative to solve this problem. This study employs chemogenomic analysis with use of bioinformatics tools to search, identify, and analyze data on approved drugs with the potential to inhibit Schistosoma mansoni energy metabolism enzymes. The TDR Targets Database, Gene DB, Protein, DrugBank, Therapeutic Targets Database (TTD), Promiscuous, and PubMed databases were used. Fifty-nine target proteins were identified, of which 18 had one or more approved drugs. The results identified 20 potential drugs for schistosomiasis treatment; all approved for use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Melo Calixto
- Department of Bioinformatics, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano—Campus Ceres, Ceres, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Daniela Braz dos Santos
- LAERPH- Laboratory of Parasite-Host Relationship Study, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública da Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - José Clecildo Barreto Bezerra
- LAERPH- Laboratory of Parasite-Host Relationship Study, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública da Universidade Federal de Goiás Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Lourival de Almeida Silva
- Department of Bioinformatics, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano—Campus Ceres, Ceres, Goiás, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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29
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Bais S, Greenberg RM. TRP channels as potential targets for antischistosomals. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2018; 8:511-517. [PMID: 30224169 PMCID: PMC6287577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels are membrane protein complexes that underlie electrical excitability in cells, allowing ions to diffuse through cell membranes in a regulated fashion. They are essential for normal functioning of the neuromusculature and other tissues. Ion channels are also validated targets for many current anthelmintics, yet the properties of only a small subset of ion channels in parasitic helminths have been explored in any detail. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels comprise a widely diverse superfamily of ion channels with important roles in sensory signaling, regulation of ion homeostasis, organellar trafficking, and other functions. There are several subtypes of TRP channels, including TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels, both of which are involved in, among other functions, sensory, nociceptive, and inflammatory signaling in mammals. Several lines of evidence indicate that TRPA1-like channels in schistosomes exhibit pharmacological sensitivities that differ from their mammalian counterparts and that may signify unique physiological properties as well. Thus, in addition to responding to TRPA1 modulators, schistosome TRPA1-like channels also respond to compounds that in other organisms modulate TRPV1 channels. Notably, TRPV channel genes are not found in schistosome genomes. Here, we review the evidence leading to these conclusions and examine potential implications. We also discuss recent results showing that praziquantel, the current drug of choice against schistosomiasis, selectively targets host TRP channels in addition to its likely primary targets in the parasite. The results we discuss add weight to the notion that schistosome TRP channels are worthy of investigation as candidate therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Bais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert M Greenberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA.
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30
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Phytochemical Molluscicides and Schistosomiasis: What We Know and What We Still Need to Learn. Vet Sci 2018; 5:vetsci5040094. [PMID: 30404145 PMCID: PMC6313863 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci5040094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide schistosomiasis remains a serious public health problem with approximately 67 million people infected and 200 million at risk of infection from inhabiting or transiting endemically active regions. Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East are the main transmission regions of Schistosoma mansoni. The fight against transmission through the use of molluscicides is not recent and has been advocated as the only activity with the possibility of interruption of transmission in small, epidemiologically active outbreaks. Euphorbia milii var. hislopii (syn. splendens) (Des Moulins, 1826) is the most promising for use in official schistosomiasis control programs according to the WHO. In this review, we show that an understanding of some how E. milii latex affects the snail vector and their parasites from a molecular level to field conditions is lacking. On the other hand, this type of treatment could also provide a rationale for the control of schistosomiasis and other parasitosis. Several publications contribute to enforcing the use of E. milii latex in endemic countries as a cheap alternative or complement to mass drug treatment with praziquantel, the only available drug to cure the patients (without preventing re-infection).
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31
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Rugel A, Tarpley RS, Lopez A, Menard T, Guzman MA, Taylor AB, Cao X, Kovalskyy D, Chevalier FD, Anderson TJC, Hart PJ, LoVerde PT, McHardy SF. Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Novel Small Molecules as Broad Range Antischistosomal Agents. ACS Med Chem Lett 2018; 9:967-973. [PMID: 30344901 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major human parasitic disease afflicting more than 250 million people, historically treated with chemotherapies praziquantel or oxamniquine. Since oxamniquine is species-specific, killing Schistosoma mansoni but not other schistosome species (S. haematobium or S. japonicum) and evidence for drug resistant strains is growing, research efforts have focused on identifying novel approaches. Guided by data from X-ray crystallographic studies and Schistosoma worm killing assays on oxamniquine, our structure-based drug design approach produced a robust structure-activity relationship (SAR) program that identified several new lead compounds with effective worm killing. These studies culminated in the discovery of compound 12a, which demonstrated broad-species activity in killing S. mansoni (75%), S. haematobium (40%), and S. japonicum (83%).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reid S. Tarpley
- Center for Innovative
Drug Discovery, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Ambrosio Lopez
- Center for Innovative
Drug Discovery, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Travis Menard
- Center for Innovative
Drug Discovery, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | | | - Alexander B. Taylor
- X-ray Crystallography Core Laboratory,Institutional Research Cores, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | | | | | - Frédéric D. Chevalier
- Texas BioMedical Research Institute, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78227-5301, United States
| | - Timothy J. C. Anderson
- Texas BioMedical Research Institute, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78227-5301, United States
| | - P. John Hart
- X-ray Crystallography Core Laboratory,Institutional Research Cores, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | | | - Stanton F. McHardy
- Center for Innovative
Drug Discovery, University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Chemistry, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
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32
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Molefe PF, Masamba P, Oyinloye BE, Mbatha LS, Meyer M, Kappo AP. Molecular Application of Aptamers in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer and Communicable Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11040093. [PMID: 30274155 PMCID: PMC6315466 DOI: 10.3390/ph11040093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer and infectious diseases such as Ebola, HIV, tuberculosis, Zika, hepatitis, measles and human schistosomiasis are serious global health hazards. The increasing annual morbidities and mortalities of these diseases have been blamed on drug resistance and the inefficacy of available diagnostic tools, particularly those which are immunologically-based. Antibody-based tools rely solely on antibody production for diagnosis and for this reason they are the major cause of diagnostic delays. Unfortunately, the control of these diseases depends on early detection and administration of effective treatment therefore any diagnostic delay is a huge challenge to curbing these diseases. Hence, there is a need for alternative diagnostic tools, discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents. Studies have demonstrated that aptamers could potentially offer one of the best solutions to these problems. Aptamers are short sequences of either DNA or RNA molecules, which are identified in vitro through a SELEX process. They are sensitive and bind specifically to target molecules. Their promising features suggest they may serve as better diagnostic agents and can be used as drug carriers for therapeutic purposes. In this article, we review the applications of aptamers in the theranostics of cancer and some infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philisiwe Fortunate Molefe
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
| | - Priscilla Masamba
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
| | - Babatunji Emmanuel Oyinloye
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Sciences, Afe Babalola University, PMB 5454, Ado-Ekiti 360001, Nigeria.
| | - Londiwe Simphiwe Mbatha
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
| | - Mervin Meyer
- DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - Abidemi Paul Kappo
- Biotechnology and Structural Biochemistry (BSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa.
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33
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Anderson TJC, LoVerde PT, Le Clec'h W, Chevalier FD. Genetic Crosses and Linkage Mapping in Schistosome Parasites. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:982-996. [PMID: 30150002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Linkage mapping - utilizing experimental genetic crosses to examine cosegregation of phenotypic traits with genetic markers - is now 100 years old. Schistosome parasites are exquisitely well suited to linkage mapping approaches because genetic crosses can be conducted in the laboratory, thousands of progeny are produced, and elegant experimental work over the last 75 years has revealed heritable genetic variation in multiple biomedically important traits such as drug resistance, host specificity, and virulence. Application of this approach is timely because the improved genome assembly for Schistosoma mansoni and developing molecular toolkit for schistosomes increase our ability to link phenotype with genotype. We describe current progress and potential future directions of linkage mapping in schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Winka Le Clec'h
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas 78227, USA
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34
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Bais S, Berry CT, Liu X, Ruthel G, Freedman BD, Greenberg RM. Atypical pharmacology of schistosome TRPA1-like ion channels. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006495. [PMID: 29746471 PMCID: PMC5963811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma cause schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease estimated to affect over 200 million people worldwide. Praziquantel is the only antischistosomal currently available for treatment, and there is an urgent need for new therapeutics. Ion channels play key roles in physiology and are targets for many anthelmintics, yet only a few representatives have been characterized in any detail in schistosomes and other parasitic helminths. The transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily comprises a diverse family of non-selective cation channels that play key roles in sensory transduction and a wide range of other functions. TRP channels fall into several subfamilies. Members of both the TRPA and TRPV subfamilies transduce nociceptive and inflammatory signals in mammals, and often also respond to chemical and thermal signals. We previously showed that although schistosomes contain no genes predicted to encode TRPV channels, TRPV1-selective activators such as capsaicin and resiniferatoxin elicit dramatic hyperactivity in adult worms and schistosomula. Surprisingly, this response requires expression of a S. mansoni TRPA1-like orthologue (SmTRPA). Here, we show that capsaicin induces a rise in intracellular Ca2+ in mammalian cells expressing either SmTRPA or a S. haematobium TRPA1 orthologue (ShTRPA). We also test SmTRPA and ShTRPA responses to various TRPV1 and TRPA1 modulators. Interestingly, in contrast to SmTRPA, ShTRPA is not activated by the TRPA1 activator AITC (allyl isothiocyanate), nor do S. haematobium adult worms respond to this compound, a potentially intriguing species difference. Notably, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a host-derived, inflammatory product that directly activates mammalian TRPA1, also activates both SmTRPA and ShTRPA. Our results point to parasite TRPA1-like channels which exhibit atypical, mixed TRPA1/TRPV1-like pharmacology, and which may also function to transduce endogenous host signals. Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms that infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. They cause schistosomiasis, a disease with major consequences for human health and economic development. There is only a single drug available for treatment and control of this highly prevalent disease, and there is an urgent need for development of new treatments. TRP ion channels play key roles in sensory (and other) functions. One type of TRP channel, TRPV1, is activated by capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers. However, schistosomes do not have any TRPV-like channels. Nonetheless, we previously showed that capsaicin and similar compounds induce dramatic hyperactivity in schistosomes, and that this response is abolished by suppressing expression of SmTRPA, a schistosome TRPA1-like channel. Mammalian TRPA1 channels are not sensitive to capsaicin. Here, we show that the SmTRPA channel itself responds to capsaicin, resulting in an influx of Ca2+ into cells. ShTRPA, a TRPA1-like channel from another schistosome, S. haematobium, is also sensitive to capsaicin. Thus, the pharmacology of schistosome TRPA1 channels apparently differs from that of host mammalian channels, a characteristic that could indicate mixed TRPA/TRPV functionality and might be exploitable for development of new antischistosomal drugs. Furthermore, we show that schistosome TRPA1-like channels are activated by host-derived compounds, perhaps indicating a mechanism by which the parasite can respond to host signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Bais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Corbett T. Berry
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gordon Ruthel
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Bruce D. Freedman
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Greenberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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35
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Viana M, Faust CL, Haydon DT, Webster JP, Lamberton PHL. The effects of subcurative praziquantel treatment on life-history traits and trade-offs in drug-resistant Schistosoma mansoni. Evol Appl 2018; 11:488-500. [PMID: 29636801 PMCID: PMC5891057 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural selection acts on all organisms, including parasites, to maximize reproductive fitness. Drug resistance traits are often associated with life-history costs in the absence of treatment. Schistosomiasis control programmes rely on mass drug administration to reduce human morbidity and mortality. Although hotspots of reduced drug efficacy have been reported, resistance is not widespread. Using Bayesian state-space models (SSMs) fitted to data from an in vivo laboratory system, we tested the hypothesis that the spread of resistant Schistosoma mansoni may be limited by life-history costs not present in susceptible counterparts. S. mansoni parasites from a praziquantel-susceptible (S), a praziquantel-resistant (R) or a mixed line of originally resistant and susceptible parasites (RS) were exposed to a range of praziquantel doses. Parasite numbers at each life stage were quantified in their molluscan intermediate and murine definitive hosts across four generations, and SSMs were used to estimate key life-history parameters for each experimental group over time. Model outputs illustrated that parasite adult survival and fecundity in the murine host decreased across all lines, including R, with increasing drug pressure. Trade-offs between adult survival and fecundity were observed in all untreated lines, and these remained strong in S with praziquantel pressure. In contrast, trade-offs between adult survival and fecundity were lost under praziquantel pressure in R. As expected, parasite life-history traits within the molluscan host were complex, but trade-offs were demonstrated between parasite establishment and cercarial output. The observed trade-offs between generations within hosts, which were modified by praziquantel treatment in the R line, could limit the spread of R parasites under praziquantel pressure. Whilst such complex life-history costs may be difficult to detect using standard empirical methods, we demonstrate that SSMs provide robust estimates of life-history parameters, aiding our understanding of costs and trade-offs of resistant parasites within this system and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Viana
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Christina L. Faust
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular ParasitologyUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Daniel T. Haydon
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Joanne P. Webster
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease ResearchDepartment of Infectious Disease EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthImperial College LondonLondonUK
- Centre for Endemic, Emerging and Exotic DiseasesThe Royal Veterinary CollegeUniversity of LondonLondonUK
| | - Poppy H. L. Lamberton
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease ResearchDepartment of Infectious Disease EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthImperial College LondonLondonUK
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular ParasitologyUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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36
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Torben W, Molehin AJ, Blair RV, Kenway C, Shiro F, Roslyn D, Chala B, Gutu D, Kebede MA, Ahmad G, Zhang W, Aye P, Mohan M, Lackner A, Siddiqui AA. The self-curing phenomenon of schistosome infection in rhesus macaques: insight from in vitro studies. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017; 1408:79-89. [PMID: 29239481 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A reduction in the burden of schistosomiasis is potentially achievable by integrating a schistosomiasis vaccine with current control measures. Here, we determine parasite-specific in vitro responses of B, T, and NK cells from naive uninfected rhesus macaques to Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) egg (SmEA) and worm antigen (SmWA) preparations isolated from infected baboons. Pronounced B cell responses to SmEA and NK cell responses to both SmEA and SmWA were observed. High levels of IL-2 and IL-21 responses against Sm antigens were observed in T and non-T cells of lymph nodes (LNs) and gut lamina propria-derived lymphocytes (LPLs). Data analysis showed multifunctionality of LN-derived CD4+ , CD8+ , and CD4+ CD8+ double positive T cells against either SmWA or SmWA+SmEA antigen preparations. Distinct SmEA-specific multifunctional responses were observed in gut LPLs, suggesting simultaneous responses against egg antigens. These data provide insight into the immune effectors involved in schistosome responses by rhesus macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Workineh Torben
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, TNPRC, Comparative Pathology/Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Adebayo J Molehin
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Robert V Blair
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, TNPRC, Comparative Pathology/Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Carys Kenway
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, TNPRC, Comparative Pathology/Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Faith Shiro
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, TNPRC, Comparative Pathology/Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Davis Roslyn
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, TNPRC, Comparative Pathology/Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Bayissa Chala
- Department of Applied Biology, Adama Science and Technology University, School of Applied Natural Sciences, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Gutu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Michael A Kebede
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Gul Ahmad
- Department of Biology, Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska
| | - Weidong Zhang
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Pyone Aye
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, TNPRC, Comparative Pathology/Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Mahesh Mohan
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, TNPRC, Comparative Pathology/Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Andrew Lackner
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, TNPRC, Comparative Pathology/Immunology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Afzal A Siddiqui
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
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Abd El-Aal NF, Hamza RS, Harb O. Paeoniflorin targets apoptosis and ameliorates fibrosis in murine schistosomiasis mansoni : A novel insight. Exp Parasitol 2017; 183:23-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Taylor AB, Roberts KM, Cao X, Clark NE, Holloway SP, Donati E, Polcaro CM, Pica-Mattoccia L, Tarpley RS, McHardy SF, Cioli D, LoVerde PT, Fitzpatrick PF, Hart PJ. Structural and enzymatic insights into species-specific resistance to schistosome parasite drug therapy. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:11154-11164. [PMID: 28536265 PMCID: PMC5500785 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.766527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The antischistosomal prodrug oxamniquine is activated by a sulfotransferase (SULT) in the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni. Of the three main human schistosome species, only S. mansoni is sensitive to oxamniquine therapy despite the presence of SULT orthologs in Schistosoma hematobium and Schistosoma japonicum The reason for this species-specific drug action has remained a mystery for decades. Here we present the crystal structures of S. hematobium and S. japonicum SULTs, including S. hematobium SULT in complex with oxamniquine. We also examined the activity of the three enzymes in vitro; surprisingly, all three are active toward oxamniquine, yet we observed differences in catalytic efficiency that implicate kinetics as the determinant for species-specific toxicity. These results provide guidance for designing oxamniquine derivatives to treat infection caused by all species of schistosome to combat emerging resistance to current therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B Taylor
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and
- the X-ray Crystallography Core Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229
| | - Kenneth M Roberts
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of South Carolina, Aiken, South Carolina 29801
| | - Xiaohang Cao
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and
| | | | | | - Enrica Donati
- Institute of Chemical Methodologies, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Salaria Km 29.500, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara M Polcaro
- Institute of Chemical Methodologies, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Salaria Km 29.500, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia Pica-Mattoccia
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via E. Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Reid S Tarpley
- Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas 78249, and
| | - Stanton F McHardy
- Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, Department of Chemistry, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas 78249, and
| | - Donato Cioli
- Institute of Chemical Methodologies, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Salaria Km 29.500, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Philip T LoVerde
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and
- Pathology and
| | | | - P John Hart
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and
- the X-ray Crystallography Core Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229
- Department of Veterans Affairs, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas 78229
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Aguiar PHN, Fernandes NMGS, Zani CL, Mourão MM. A high-throughput colorimetric assay for detection of Schistosoma mansoni viability based on the tetrazolium salt XTT. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:300. [PMID: 28637488 PMCID: PMC5480175 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma mansoni is a trematode parasite that causes schistosomiasis, one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases, leading to the loss of 2.6 million disability-adjusted life years. Praziquantel is the only drug available, and new drugs are required. The most common strategy in schistosomiasis drug discovery is the use of the schistosomula larval-stage for a pre-screen in drug sensitivity assays. However, assessing schistosomula viability by microscopy has always been a limitation to the throughput of such assays. Hence, the development of validated, robust high-throughput in vitro assays for Schistosoma with simple readouts is needed. Here, we present a simple and affordable alternative to assess schistosomula viability. The method employed is based on the hydrosoluble tetrazolium salt XTT which has been widely used in other organisms but has never been used to drug screen in schistosomes. RESULTS We showed that schistosomula reduce XTT salt to a coloured formazan product and that absorbance levels reflected the viability and parasites number. This XTT viability assay was validated for high throughput screening of compounds in schistosomula, and dose-response curves of compounds could be reproduced. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the XTT viability assay could be applied for the screening of large compounds collections in S. mansoni and accelerate the identification of novel antischistosomal compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carlos Leomar Zani
- Laboratório de Química dos Produtos Naturais, René Rachou Research Center, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Marina Moraes Mourão
- Laboratório de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, René Rachou Research Center, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
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Polymorphism in ABC transporter genes of Dirofilaria immitis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2017; 7:227-235. [PMID: 28494332 PMCID: PMC5421822 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Dirofilaria immitis, a filarial nematode, causes dirofilariasis in dogs, cats and occasionally in humans. Prevention of the disease has been mainly by monthly use of the macrocyclic lactone (ML) endectocides during the mosquito transmission season. Recently, ML resistance has been confirmed in D. immitis and therefore, there is a need to find new classes of anthelmintics. One of the mechanisms associated with ML resistance in nematodes has been the possible role of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters in reducing drug concentrations at receptor sites. ABC transporters, mainly from sub-families B, C and G, may contribute to multidrug resistance (MDR) by active efflux of drugs out of the cell. Gene products of ABC transporters may thus serve as the targets for agents that may modulate susceptibility to drugs, by inhibiting drug transport. ABC transporters are believed to be involved in a variety of physiological functions critical to the parasite, such as sterol transport, and therefore may also serve as the target for drugs that can act as anthelmintics on their own. Knowledge of polymorphism in these ABC transporter genes in nematode parasites could provide useful information for the process of drug design. We have identified 15 ABC transporter genes from sub-families A, B, C and G, in D. immitis, by comparative genomic approaches and analyzed them for polymorphism. Whole genome sequencing data from four ML susceptible (SUS) and four loss of efficacy (LOE) pooled populations were used for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. Out of 231 SNPs identified in those 15 ABC transporter genes, 89 and 75 of them were specific to the SUS or LOE populations, respectively. A few of the SNPs identified may affect gene expression, protein function, substrate specificity or resistance development and may be useful for transporter inhibitor/anthelmintic drug design, or in order to anticipate resistance development. In the D. immitis genome, all ABC-A, -B, -C and -G transporter genes were identified. Within 15 ABC transporter genes identified in D. immitis, 231 SNP loci were found. Four exonic SNPs caused changes in predicted secondary structure of ABC proteins. D. immitis populations have low genetic variability among ABC transporter genes.
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Praziquantel for Schistosomiasis: Single-Drug Metabolism Revisited, Mode of Action, and Resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.02582-16. [PMID: 28264841 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02582-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a major neglected tropical disease, affects more than 250 million people worldwide. Treatment of schistosomiasis has relied on the anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ) for more than a generation. PZQ is the drug of choice for the treatment of schistosomiasis; it is effective against all major forms of schistosomiasis, although it is less active against juvenile than mature parasites. A pyrazino-isoquinoline derivative, PZQ is not considered to be toxic and generally causes few or transient, mild side effects. Increasingly, mass drug administration targeting populations in sub-Saharan Africa where schistosomiasis is endemic has led to the appearance of reduced efficacy of PZQ, which portends the selection of drug-resistant forms of these pathogens. The synthesis of improved derivatives of PZQ is attracting attention, e.g., in the (i) synthesis of drug analogues, (ii) rational design of pharmacophores, and (iii) discovery of new compounds from large-scale screening programs. This article reviews reports from the 1970s to the present on the metabolism and mechanism of action of PZQ and its derivatives against schistosomes.
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Anderson L, Gomes MR, daSilva LF, Pereira ADSA, Mourão MM, Romier C, Pierce R, Verjovski-Almeida S. Histone deacetylase inhibition modulates histone acetylation at gene promoter regions and affects genome-wide gene transcription in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005539. [PMID: 28406899 PMCID: PMC5404884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease infecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Treatment depends on a single drug, praziquantel, which kills the Schistosoma spp. parasite only at the adult stage. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) such as Trichostatin A (TSA) induce parasite mortality in vitro (schistosomula and adult worms), however the downstream effects of histone hyperacetylation on the parasite are not known. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS TSA treatment of adult worms in vitro increased histone acetylation at H3K9ac and H3K14ac, which are transcription activation marks, not affecting the unrelated transcription repression mark H3K27me3. We investigated the effect of TSA HDACi on schistosomula gene expression at three different time points, finding a marked genome-wide change in the transcriptome profile. Gene transcription activity was correlated with changes on the chromatin acetylation mark at gene promoter regions. Moreover, combining expression data with ChIP-Seq public data for schistosomula, we found that differentially expressed genes having the H3K4me3 mark at their promoter region in general showed transcription activation upon HDACi treatment, compared with those without the mark, which showed transcription down-regulation. Affected genes are enriched for DNA replication processes, most of them being up-regulated. Twenty out of 22 genes encoding proteins involved in reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation were down-regulated. Dozens of genes encoding proteins with histone reader motifs were changed, including SmEED from the PRC2 complex. We targeted SmEZH2 methyltransferase PRC2 component with a new EZH2 inhibitor (GSK343) and showed a synergistic effect with TSA, significantly increasing schistosomula mortality. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Genome-wide gene expression analyses have identified important pathways and cellular functions that were affected and may explain the schistosomicidal effect of TSA HDACi. The change in expression of dozens of histone reader genes involved in regulation of the epigenetic program in S. mansoni can be used as a starting point to look for possible novel schistosomicidal targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Anderson
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Lucas Ferreira daSilva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana da Silva Andrade Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina M. Mourão
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Christophe Romier
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Illkirch, France
| | - Raymond Pierce
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Cosseau C, Wolkenhauer O, Padalino G, Geyer KK, Hoffmann KF, Grunau C. (Epi)genetic Inheritance in Schistosoma mansoni: A Systems Approach. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:285-294. [PMID: 28040375 PMCID: PMC6125318 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The G×E concept, in which genotype × environment interactions bring about the phenotype, is widely used to describe biological phenomena. We propose to extend the initial notion of the concept, replacing G by 'inheritance system'. This system, comprised of both genome and epigenome components, collectively interacts with the environment to shape the development of a phenotype. In the case of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, responsible for intestinal bilharzia, the phenotypic trait that is most relevant to global health is infection success. Taking a systems biology view we show how genetic and epigenetic interactions result in ephemeral, but also heritable, phenotypic variations that are important for infection success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Cosseau
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Dept of Systems Biology & Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, D-18051 Rostock, Germany; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Kathrin K Geyer
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Christoph Grunau
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France.
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Sm-p80-Based Schistosomiasis Vaccine: Preparation for Human Clinical Trials. Trends Parasitol 2016; 33:194-201. [PMID: 27865740 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mass antiparasitic drug administration programs and other control strategies have made important contributions in reducing the global prevalence of helminths. Schistosomiasis, however, continues to spread to new geographic areas. The advent of a viable vaccine and its deployment, coupled with existing control efforts, is expected to make significant headway towards sustained schistosomiasis control. In 2016, Science ranked the schistosomiasis vaccine as one of the top 10 vaccines that needs to be urgently developed. A vaccine that is effective against geographically distinct forms of intestinal/hepatic and urinary disease is essential to make a meaningful impact in global reduction of the disease burden. In this opinion article, we focus on salient features of schistosomiasis vaccines in different phases of the clinical development pipeline and highlight the Sm-p80-based vaccine which is now being prepared for human clinical trials.
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Fernández-Delgado M, Cortez J, Sulbarán G, Matos C, Incani RN, Ballén DE, Cesari IM. Differential distribution and biochemical characteristics of hydrolases among developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni may offer new anti-parasite targets. Parasitol Int 2016; 66:816-820. [PMID: 27693560 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni enzymes play important roles in host-parasite interactions and are potential targets for immunological and/or pharmacological attack. The aim of this study was to comparatively assess the presence of hydrolytic activities (phosphatases, glycosidases, aminopeptidases) in soluble (SF) and membrane (MF) fractions from different S. mansoni developmental stages (schistosomula 0 and 3h, juveniles, and adult worms of 28 and 45days-old, respectively), by using simple enzyme-substrate microassays. Our results show and confirm the prominent presence of alkaline phosphatase (AlP) activity in the MF of all the above parasite stages, highlighting also the relevant presence of MF-associated α-mannosidase (α-MAN) activity in juveniles. A soluble AlP activity, together with β-N-D-acetylglucosaminidase (β-NAG), and α-MAN activities, was detected in SF of schistosomulum 0h. Soluble β-NAG, α-MAN, acid phosphatase (AcP), leucin (LAP) and alanine (AAP) aminopeptidase activities were also seen in the SF of the other different developmental stages. This work shows different soluble and membrane-associated hydrolytic capacities in each S. mansoni developmental stage from schistosomula to adults that might be exploitable as potential new targets for immune and/or chemoprophylactic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagro Fernández-Delgado
- Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jackeline Cortez
- Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Guiden Sulbarán
- Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - César Matos
- Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Renzo Nino Incani
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela.
| | - Diana E Ballén
- Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Italo M Cesari
- Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
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Bais S, Greenberg RM. TRP channels in schistosomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2016; 6:335-342. [PMID: 27496302 PMCID: PMC5196486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Praziquantel (PZQ) is effectively the only drug currently available for treatment and control of schistosomiasis, a disease affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Many anthelmintics, likely including PZQ, target ion channels, membrane protein complexes essential for normal functioning of the neuromusculature and other tissues. Despite this fact, only a few classes of parasitic helminth ion channels have been assessed for their pharmacological properties or for their roles in parasite physiology. One such overlooked group of ion channels is the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily. TRP channels share a common core structure, but are widely diverse in their activation mechanisms and ion selectivity. They are critical to transducing sensory signals, responding to a wide range of external stimuli. They are also involved in other functions, such as regulating intracellular calcium and organellar ion homeostasis and trafficking. Here, we review current literature on parasitic helminth TRP channels, focusing on those in schistosomes. We discuss the likely roles of these channels in sensory and locomotor activity, including the possible significance of a class of TRP channels (TRPV) that is absent in schistosomes. We also focus on evidence indicating that at least one schistosome TRP channel (SmTRPA) has atypical, TRPV1-like pharmacological sensitivities that could potentially be exploited for future therapeutic targeting. We provide an overview of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in schistosomes and other parasitic helminths. TRP channels are important for sensory signaling, ion homeostasis, organellar trafficking, and a host of other functions. Very little work has been done on TRP channels in parasitic helminths. TRPV channels, found throughout the Metazoa, appear not to be present in parasitic platyhelminths. TRP channels in schistosomes appear to have atypical pharmacology, perhaps an entrée for therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarna Bais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert M Greenberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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El-Moslemany RM, Eissa MM, Ramadan AA, El-Khordagui LK, El-Azzouni MZ. Miltefosine lipid nanocapsules: Intersection of drug repurposing and nanotechnology for single dose oral treatment of pre-patent schistosomiasis mansoni. Acta Trop 2016; 159:142-8. [PMID: 27039667 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A dual drug repurposing/nanotechnological approach was used to develop an alternative oral treatment for schistosomiasis mansoni using miltefosine (MFS), an anticancer alkylphosphocholine, and lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) as oral nanovectors. We demonstrated earlier that MFS possesses significant activity against different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni in the mouse model using 5 successive 20mg/kg/day oral doses. Moreover, an effective single dose (20mg/kg) oral treatment against the adult stage of S. mansoni in mice was developed using LNCs, particularly modified with CTAB, a positive charge imparting agent (MFS-LNC-CTAB(+)), or oleic acid as membrane permeabilizer (MFS-LNC-OA). Efficacy enhancement involved, at least in part, targeting of the worm tegument with MFS-LNCs as a new therapeutic entity. As the tegument surface charge and composition may differ in pre-patent stages of the parasite, it was of importance in the present study to assess the efficacy of a single oral dose of the two MFS-LNC formulations against invasive and immature stages for potential advantage relative to praziquantel. Results indicated potent schistosomicidal effects against both invasive and immature stages of S. mansoni in infected mice, efficacy being both formulation and developmental stage dependent. This was indicated by the significant reduction in the total worm burden of the invasive stage by 91.6% and 76.8% and the immature stage by 82.7% and 96.7% for MFS-LNC-CTAB+ and MFS-LNC-OA, respectively. Histopathological findings indicated amelioration of hepatic pathology with regression of the granulomatous inflammatory reaction and reduction in granulomas number and size, verifying marked improvement in architecture of hepatic lobules. From a clinical perspective, MFS-LNCs offer potential as an alternative single oral dose nanomedicine with a wide therapeutic profile for the mass chemotherapy of schistosomiasis mansoni.
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Chan JD, McCorvy JD, Acharya S, Johns ME, Day TA, Roth BL, Marchant JS. A Miniaturized Screen of a Schistosoma mansoni Serotonergic G Protein-Coupled Receptor Identifies Novel Classes of Parasite-Selective Inhibitors. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005651. [PMID: 27187180 PMCID: PMC4871480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a tropical parasitic disease afflicting ~200 million people worldwide and current therapy depends on a single drug (praziquantel) which exhibits several non-optimal features. These shortcomings underpin the need for next generation anthelmintics, but the process of validating physiologically relevant targets (‘target selection’) and pharmacologically profiling them is challenging. Remarkably, even though over a quarter of current human therapeutics target rhodopsin-like G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), no library screen of a flatworm GPCR has yet been reported. Here, we have pharmacologically profiled a schistosome serotonergic GPCR (Sm.5HTR) implicated as a downstream modulator of PZQ efficacy, in a miniaturized screening assay compatible with high content screening. This approach employs a split luciferase based biosensor sensitive to cellular cAMP levels that resolves the proximal kinetics of GPCR modulation in intact cells. Data evidence a divergent pharmacological signature between the parasitic serotonergic receptor and the closest human GPCR homolog (Hs.5HTR7), supporting the feasibility of optimizing parasitic selective pharmacophores. New ligands, and chemical series, with potency and selectivity for Sm.5HTR over Hs.5HTR7 are identified in vitro and validated for in vivo efficacy against schistosomules and adult worms. Sm.5HTR also displayed a property resembling irreversible inactivation, a phenomenon discovered at Hs.5HTR7, which enhances the appeal of this abundantly expressed parasite GPCR as a target for anthelmintic ligand design. Overall, these data underscore the feasibility of profiling flatworm GPCRs in a high throughput screening format competent to resolve different classes of GPCR modulators. Further, these data underscore the promise of Sm.5HTR as a chemotherapeutically vulnerable node for development of next generation anthelmintics. Parasitic flatworms express a diverse array of G protein coupled receptors, but our knowledge of their pharmacological profile is limited. No high throughput screen of a flatworm GPCR has been reported, even though these targets have precedent for high druggability and functionality in the chemotherapeutically vulnerable excitable cell niche. The goal of this study was to establish a method for profiling flatworm G protein coupled receptors that can be scaled to high content screening. Using a cAMP biosensor, we have performed a proof of principle miniaturized screen on a schistosome serotonergic GPCR that resolves new ligands that potently and selectivity block 5-HT receptor activity in vitro, and 5-HT evoked responses in schistosomules and adult worms. This approach evidences the pharmacological divergence of a parasitic GPCR from the closest human homolog and a capacity for high content interrogation of flatworm GPCR properties and ligand specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Chan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - John D. McCorvy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sreemoyee Acharya
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Malcolm E. Johns
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Timothy A. Day
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelmann School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program (NIMH PDSP), School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jonathan S. Marchant
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Clède S, Cowan N, Lambert F, Bertrand HC, Rubbiani R, Patra M, Hess J, Sandt C, Trcera N, Gasser G, Keiser J, Policar C. Bimodal X-ray and Infrared Imaging of an Organometallic Derivative of Praziquantel inSchistosoma mansoni. Chembiochem 2016; 17:1004-7. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Clède
- École Normale Supérieure; PSL Research University; Département de Chimie; 24 rue Lhomond 75005 Paris France
- Sorbonne Universités; UPMC Univ Paris 06; LBM; 4 place Jussieu 75005 Paris France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); UMR 7203 LBM; 75005 Paris France
| | - Noemi Cowan
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel; P. O. Box 4003 Basel Switzerland
| | - François Lambert
- École Normale Supérieure; PSL Research University; Département de Chimie; 24 rue Lhomond 75005 Paris France
- Sorbonne Universités; UPMC Univ Paris 06; LBM; 4 place Jussieu 75005 Paris France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); UMR 7203 LBM; 75005 Paris France
| | - Hélène C. Bertrand
- École Normale Supérieure; PSL Research University; Département de Chimie; 24 rue Lhomond 75005 Paris France
- Sorbonne Universités; UPMC Univ Paris 06; LBM; 4 place Jussieu 75005 Paris France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); UMR 7203 LBM; 75005 Paris France
| | - Riccardo Rubbiani
- Department of Chemistry; University of Zürich; Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Malay Patra
- Department of Chemistry; University of Zürich; Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jeannine Hess
- Department of Chemistry; University of Zürich; Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Christophe Sandt
- Synchrotron SOLEIL; L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint Aubin B. P. 48 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette France
| | - Nicolas Trcera
- Synchrotron SOLEIL; L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint Aubin B. P. 48 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette France
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Department of Chemistry; University of Zürich; Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel; P. O. Box 4003 Basel Switzerland
| | - Clotilde Policar
- École Normale Supérieure; PSL Research University; Département de Chimie; 24 rue Lhomond 75005 Paris France
- Sorbonne Universités; UPMC Univ Paris 06; LBM; 4 place Jussieu 75005 Paris France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); UMR 7203 LBM; 75005 Paris France
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50
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Vicente B, López-Abán J, Rojas-Caraballo J, del Olmo E, Fernández-Soto P, Muro A. Protection against Schistosoma mansoni infection using a Fasciola hepatica-derived fatty acid binding protein from different delivery systems. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:216. [PMID: 27090442 PMCID: PMC4836169 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1500-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is a water-borne disease afflicting over 261 million people in many areas of the developing countries with high morbidity and mortality. The control relies mainly on treatment with praziquantel. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) have demonstrated high levels of immune-protection against trematode infections. This study reports the immunoprotection induced by cross-reacting Fasciola hepatica FABP, native (nFh12) and recombinantly expressed using two different expression systems Escherichia coli (rFh15) and baculovirus (rFh15b) against Schistosoma mansoni infection. Methods BALB/c mice were vaccinated with native nFh12 or recombinant rFh15 and rFh15 FABP from F. hepatica formulated in adjuvant adaptation (ADAD) system with natural or chemical synthesised immunomodulators (PAL and AA0029) and then challenged with 150 cercariae of S. mansoni. Parasite burden, hepatic lesions and antibody response were studied in vaccination trials. Furthermore differences between rFh15 and rFh15b immunological responses (cytokine production, splenocyte population and antibody levels) were studied. Results Vaccination with nFh12 induced significant reductions in worm burden (83 %), eggs in tissues (82–92 %) and hepatic lesions (85 %) compared to infected controls using PAL. Vaccination with rFh15 showed lower total worm burden (56–64 %), eggs in the liver (21–61 %), eggs in the gut (30–77 %) and hepatic damage (67–69 %) using PAL and AA0029 as immunomodulators. In contrast, mice vaccinated with rFh15b showed only reductions in eggs trapped in the liver and intestine (53 and 60 %, respectively), and hepatic lesions (45 %). We observed a significant rise in TNFα, IL-6, IL-2, IL-4 and high antibody response (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgM and IgE) in mice immunised with either rFh15 or rFh15b. Moreover, mice immunised with rFh15b showed an increase in IFNγ and a decrease in B220 cells compared to untreated mice, and less production of IgG1 and IgM than in mice immunised by rFh15. Conclusions Higher level of protection is obtained by using Fasciola hepatica-derived FABP protein against Schistosoma mansoni infection. Native FABP is more effective than both recombinant systems. It could be due to post-translational modifications or FABP isoform or changes in the recombinant proteins. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1500-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Vicente
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Julio López-Abán
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Jose Rojas-Caraballo
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Present address: Centro de Investigación en Salud para el Trópico (CIST), Carretera Troncal del Caribe, Sector Mamatoco, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.,Present address: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Carretera Troncal del Caribe, Sector Mamatoco, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
| | - Esther del Olmo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, IBSAL-CIETUS, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro Fernández-Soto
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Antonio Muro
- Parasite and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Tropical Disease Research Centre, Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Avda. Licenciado Méndez Nieto s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
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