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Alpizar-Sosa EA, Zimbres FM, Mantilla BS, Dickie EA, Wei W, Burle-Caldas GA, Filipe LNS, Van Bocxlaer K, Price HP, Ibarra-Meneses AV, Beaudry F, Fernandez-Prada C, Whitfield PD, Barrett MP, Denny PW. Evaluation of the Leishmania Inositol Phosphorylceramide Synthase as a Drug Target Using a Chemical and Genetic Approach. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2913-2928. [PMID: 39023360 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The lack of effective vaccines and the development of resistance to the current treatments highlight the urgent need for new anti-leishmanials. Sphingolipid metabolism has been proposed as a promising source of Leishmania-specific targets as these lipids are key structural components of the eukaryotic plasma membrane and are involved in distinct cellular events. Inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) is the primary sphingolipid in the Leishmania species and is the product of a reaction mediated by IPC synthase (IPCS). The antihistamine clemastine fumarate has been identified as an inhibitor of IPCS in L. major and a potent anti-leishmanial in vivo. Here we sought to further examine the target of this compound in the more tractable species L. mexicana, using an approach combining genomic, proteomic, metabolomic and lipidomic technologies, with molecular and biochemical studies. While the data demonstrated that the response to clemastine fumarate was largely conserved, unexpected disturbances beyond sphingolipid metabolism were identified. Furthermore, while deletion of the gene encoding LmxIPCS had little impact in vitro, it did influence clemastine fumarate efficacy and, importantly, in vivo pathogenicity. Together, these data demonstrate that clemastine does inhibit LmxIPCS and cause associated metabolic disturbances, but its primary target may lie elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavia M Zimbres
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
| | - Brian S Mantilla
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
| | - Emily A Dickie
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
| | - Gabriela A Burle-Caldas
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Laura N S Filipe
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
| | - Katrien Van Bocxlaer
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York YO10 5NG, U.K
| | - Helen P Price
- School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, U.K
| | - Ana V Ibarra-Meneses
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Département de Biomédecine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Philip D Whitfield
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K
| | - Michael P Barrett
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
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2
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Abbasi Shiran J, Kaboudin B, Panahi N, Razzaghi-Asl N. Privileged small molecules against neglected tropical diseases: A perspective from structure activity relationships. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116396. [PMID: 38643671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) comprise diverse infections with more incidence in tropical/sub-tropical areas. In spite of preventive and therapeutic achievements, NTDs are yet serious threats to the public health. Epidemiological reports of world health organization (WHO) indicate that more than 1.5 billion people are afflicted with at least one NTD type. Among NTDs, leishmaniasis, chagas disease (CD) and human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) result in substantial morbidity and death, particularly within impoverished countries. The statistical facts call for robust efforts to manage the NTDs. Currently, most of the anti-NTD drugs are engaged with drug resistance, lack of efficient vaccines, limited spectrum of pharmacological effect and adverse reactions. To circumvent the issue, numerous scientific efforts have been directed to the synthesis and pharmacological development of chemical compounds as anti-infectious agents. A survey of the anti-NTD agents reveals that the majority of them possess privileged nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen-based heterocyclic structures. In this review, recent achievements in anti-infective small molecules against parasitic NTDs are described, particularly from the SAR (Structure activity relationship) perspective. We also explore current advocating strategies to extend the scope of anti-NTD agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Abbasi Shiran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, PO Code: 5618953141, Iran
| | - B Kaboudin
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - N Panahi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - N Razzaghi-Asl
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, PO Code: 5618953141, Iran; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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3
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Agostino VS, Buerdsell ML, Uliana SRB, Denny PW, Coelho AC, Steel PG. Clemastine/tamoxifen hybrids as easily accessible antileishmanial drug leads. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:1812-1820. [PMID: 38328995 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob02091f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
A library of hybrid molecules is developed based on the common chemical features shared by clemastine and tamoxifen both of which are well known for their antileishmanial activities. In the initial screening against Leishmania major and L. amazonensis promastigotes, as well as cytotoxicity assays using HepG2 cells, several hybrids showed submicromolar activity against the parasite and no toxicity against human cells. The compounds with an EC50 < 2 μM against promastigotes of both species and a selectivity index >10 were further characterized against intracellular amastigotes as well as promastigotes of species that cause both visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, such as L. infantum and L. braziliensis, respectively. These sequential screenings revealed the high pan-activity of this class of molecules against these species, with several compounds displaying an EC50 ≤ 2 μM against both promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. Two of them were identified as the potential templates for lead optimization of this series having shown the highest activities against all species in both stages of parasite. The present findings can serve as a good starting point in the search for novel antileishmanial compounds that are easy to access and highly active.
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Affiliation(s)
- V S Agostino
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, UK.
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - S R B Uliana
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - P W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, UK
| | - A C Coelho
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Brazil
| | - P G Steel
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, UK.
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4
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Dos Santos NSA, Estevez-Castro CF, Macedo JP, Chame DF, Castro-Gomes T, Santos-Cardoso M, Burle-Caldas GA, Covington CN, Steel PG, Smith TK, Denny PW, Teixeira SMR. Disruption of the inositol phosphorylceramide synthase gene affects Trypanosoma cruzi differentiation and infection capacity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011646. [PMID: 37729272 PMCID: PMC10545103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SLs) are essential components of all eukaryotic cellular membranes. In fungi, plants and many protozoa, the primary SL is inositol-phosphorylceramide (IPC). Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease (CD), a chronic illness for which no vaccines or effective treatments are available. IPC synthase (IPCS) has been considered an ideal target enzyme for drug development because phosphoinositol-containing SL is absent in mammalian cells and the enzyme activity has been described in all parasite forms of T. cruzi. Furthermore, IPCS is an integral membrane protein conserved amongst other kinetoplastids, including Leishmania major, for which specific inhibitors have been identified. Using a CRISPR-Cas9 protocol, we generated T. cruzi knockout (KO) mutants in which both alleles of the IPCS gene were disrupted. We demonstrated that the lack of IPCS activity does not affect epimastigote proliferation or its susceptibility to compounds that have been identified as inhibitors of the L. major IPCS. However, disruption of the T. cruzi IPCS gene negatively affected epimastigote differentiation into metacyclic trypomastigotes as well as proliferation of intracellular amastigotes and differentiation of amastigotes into tissue culture-derived trypomastigotes. In accordance with previous studies suggesting that IPC is a membrane component essential for parasite survival in the mammalian host, we showed that T. cruzi IPCS null mutants are unable to establish an infection in vivo, even in immune deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nailma S A Dos Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carlos F. Estevez-Castro
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juan P. Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniela F. Chame
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thiago Castro-Gomes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mariana Santos-Cardoso
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriela A. Burle-Caldas
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Courtney N. Covington
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Global Infectious Disease, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick G. Steel
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Global Infectious Disease, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K. Smith
- BSRC School of Biology, Biomolecular Science Building, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences and Centre for Global Infectious Diseases, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Santuza M. R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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5
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Impact of Laboratory-Adapted Intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi Strains on the Activity Profiles of Compounds with Anti- T. cruzi Activity. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020476. [PMID: 36838441 PMCID: PMC9967867 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease causes ~12,000 deaths annually and is one of the world's 20 neglected tropical diseases, as defined by the World Health Organisation. The drug discovery pipeline for Chagas disease currently has few new clinical candidates, with high attrition rates an ongoing issue. To determine if the Trypanosoma cruzi strain utilised to assess in vitro compound activity impacts activity, a comparison of laboratory-adapted T. cruzi strains from differing geographical locations was undertaken for a selection of compounds with anti-T. cruzi activity. To minimise the possible effect of differences in experimental methodology, the same host cell and multiplicity of infection were utilised. To determine whether the compound exposure time influenced results, activity was determined following exposure for 48 and 72 h of incubation. To ascertain whether replication rates affected outcomes, comparative rates of replication of the T. cruzi strains were investigated, using the nucleoside analogue, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine. Minimal differences in the in vitro activity of compounds between strains were observed following 48 h incubation, whereas significant differences were observed following 72 h incubation, in particular for the cytochrome P450 inhibitors tested and the cell cycle inhibitor, camptothecin. Thus, the use of panels of laboratory adapted strains in vitro may be dependent on the speed of action that is prioritised. For the identification of fast-acting compounds, an initial shorter duration assay using a single strain may be used. A longer incubation to identify compound activity may alternatively require profiling of compounds against multiple T. cruzi strains.
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Zuo R, Shi J, Jiang S, Chu M, Wang Q, Kong L, Kang Q, Guo Y, Guan J. Promotion of the genipin crosslinked chitosan-fiber hydrogel loaded with sustained release of clemastine fumarate in diabetic wound repair. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 226:900-914. [PMID: 36502950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic skin disorders are lingering and refractory clinical diseases. In this study, a genipin-crosslinked porous chitosan fiber (CSF) hydrogel was fabricated to achieve rapid wound healing. By embedding clemastine fumarate (CF) in the CSF hydrogel pores, we synthesised a CSF/CF hydrogel for the treatment of diabetic wounds. The microstructure, chemical elements, spectral variation, mechanical properties, swelling ratios, degradability, and toxicity of the CSF/CF hydrogels were studied. Compared with the typical CS power hydrogel, the porous CSF hydrogel crosslinked with genipin possesses a stable structure and improved physicochemical properties. Moreover, CF was slowly released from the CSF hydrogel. Molecular simulation also showed that CF was evenly embedded inside the cavity formed by the novel CSF hydrogel. The results suggested that CF can resist damage from high glucose levels and promote proliferation, tube formation, and migration of endothelial cells (ECs) and fibroblasts. The CSF/CF hydrogel promoted wound healing in a rat model. Mechanistically, the beneficial effect of CF on wound healing may be related to activation of the MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways. In conclusion, genipin-crosslinked CSF/CF hydrogel can accelerate wound healing and may be an effective therapeutic method for treating diabetic skin lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongtai Zuo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Shi
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Susu Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Chu
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Qiyang Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Kunming Univ Sci & Technol, Peoples Hosp Yunnan Prov 1, Dept Orthoped Surg, Key Lab Digital Orthopedic Yunnan Prov, Affiliated H, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Lingchi Kong
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinglin Kang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - YaPing Guo
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China.
| | - Junjie Guan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Alpizar-Sosa EA, Ithnin NRB, Wei W, Pountain AW, Weidt SK, Donachie AM, Ritchie R, Dickie EA, Burchmore RJS, Denny PW, Barrett MP. Amphotericin B resistance in Leishmania mexicana: Alterations to sterol metabolism and oxidative stress response. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010779. [PMID: 36170238 PMCID: PMC9581426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphotericin B is increasingly used in treatment of leishmaniasis. Here, fourteen independent lines of Leishmania mexicana and one L. infantum line were selected for resistance to either amphotericin B or the related polyene antimicrobial, nystatin. Sterol profiling revealed that, in each resistant line, the predominant wild-type sterol, ergosta-5,7,24-trienol, was replaced by other sterol intermediates. Broadly, two different profiles emerged among the resistant lines. Whole genome sequencing then showed that these distinct profiles were due either to mutations in the sterol methyl transferase (C24SMT) gene locus or the sterol C5 desaturase (C5DS) gene. In three lines an additional deletion of the miltefosine transporter gene was found. Differences in sensitivity to amphotericin B were apparent, depending on whether cells were grown in HOMEM, supplemented with foetal bovine serum, or a serum free defined medium (DM). Metabolomic analysis after exposure to AmB showed that a large increase in glucose flux via the pentose phosphate pathway preceded cell death in cells sustained in HOMEM but not DM, indicating the oxidative stress was more significantly induced under HOMEM conditions. Several of the lines were tested for their ability to infect macrophages and replicate as amastigote forms, alongside their ability to establish infections in mice. While several AmB resistant lines showed reduced virulence, at least two lines displayed heightened virulence in mice whilst retaining their resistance phenotype, emphasising the risks of resistance emerging to this critical drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edubiel A. Alpizar-Sosa
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Nur Raihana Binti Ithnin
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew W. Pountain
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Institute for Computational Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Stefan K. Weidt
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anne M. Donachie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan Ritchie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Emily A. Dickie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. S. Burchmore
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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8
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Alpizar-Sosa EA, Kumordzi Y, Wei W, Whitfield PD, Barrett MP, Denny PW. Genome deletions to overcome the directed loss of gene function in Leishmania. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:988688. [PMID: 36211960 PMCID: PMC9539739 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.988688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the global reach of the Neglected Tropical Disease leishmaniasis increasing, coupled with a tiny armory of therapeutics which all have problems with resistance, cost, toxicity and/or administration, the validation of new drug targets in the causative insect vector borne protozoa Leishmania spp is more important than ever. Before the introduction of CRISPR Cas9 technology in 2015 genetic validation of new targets was carried out largely by targeted gene knockout through homologous recombination, with the majority of genes targeted (~70%) deemed non-essential. In this study we exploit the ready availability of whole genome sequencing technology to reanalyze one of these historic cell lines, a L. major knockout in the catalytic subunit of serine palmitoyltransferase (LCB2), which causes a complete loss of sphingolipid biosynthesis but remains viable and infective. This revealed a number of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, but also the complete loss of several coding regions including a gene encoding a putative ABC3A orthologue, a putative sterol transporter. Hypothesizing that the loss of such a transporter may have facilitated the directed knockout of the catalytic subunit of LCB2 and the complete loss of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis, we re-examined LCB2 in a L. mexicana line engineered for straightforward CRISPR Cas9 directed manipulation. Strikingly, LCB2 could not be knocked out indicating essentiality. However, simultaneous deletion of LCB2 and the putative ABC3A was possible. This indicated that the loss of the putative ABC3A facilitated the loss of sphingolipid biosynthesis in Leishmania, and suggested that we should re-examine the many other Leishmania knockout lines where genes were deemed non-essential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yasmine Kumordzi
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip D. Whitfield
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Paul W. Denny,
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9
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Travi BL. Current status of antihistamine drugs repurposing for infectious diseases. MEDICINE IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medidd.2022.100140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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10
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Systematic Analysis of Clemastine, a Candidate Apicomplexan Parasite-Selective Tubulin-Targeting Agent. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010068. [PMID: 35008492 PMCID: PMC8744746 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium spp., Babesia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp., cause significant morbidity and mortality. Existing treatments are problematic due to toxicity and the emergence of drug-resistant parasites. Because protozoan tubulin can be selectively disrupted by small molecules to inhibit parasite growth, we assembled an in vitro testing cascade to fully delineate effects of candidate tubulin-targeting drugs on Toxoplasma gondii and vertebrate host cells. Using this analysis, we evaluated clemastine, an antihistamine that has been previously shown to inhibit Plasmodium growth by competitively binding to the CCT/TRiC tubulin chaperone as a proof-of-concept. We concurrently analyzed astemizole, a distinct antihistamine that blocks heme detoxification in Plasmodium. Both drugs have EC50 values of ~2 µM and do not demonstrate cytotoxicity or vertebrate microtubule disruption at this concentration. Parasite subpellicular microtubules are shortened by treatment with either clemastine or astemizole but not after treatment with pyrimethamine, indicating that this effect is not a general response to antiparasitic drugs. Immunoblot quantification indicates that the total α-tubulin concentration of 0.02 pg/tachyzoite does not change with clemastine treatment. In conclusion, the testing cascade allows profiling of small-molecule effects on both parasite and vertebrate cell viability and microtubule integrity.
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11
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Sodeifian G, Garlapati C, Razmimanesh F, Ghanaat-Ghamsari M. Measurement and modeling of clemastine fumarate (antihistamine drug) solubility in supercritical carbon dioxide. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24344. [PMID: 34934101 PMCID: PMC8692556 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03596-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The solubilities of clemastine fumarate in supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) were measured for the first time at temperature (308 to 338 K) and pressure (12 to 27 MPa). The measured solubilities were reported in terms of mole faction (mol/mol total) and it had a range from 1.61 × 10–6 to 9.41 × 10–6. Various models were used to correlate the data. The efficacy of the models was quantified with corrected Akaike’s information criterion (AICc). A new cluster salvation model was derived to correlate the solubility data. The new model was able to correlate the data and deviation was 10.3% in terms of average absolute relative deviation (AARD). Furthermore, the measured solubilities were also correlated with existing K.-W. Chen et al., model, equation of state model and a few other density models. Among density models, Reddy and Garlapati model was observed to be the best model and corresponding AARD was 7.57% (corresponding AICc was − 678.88). The temperature independent Peng–Robinson equation of state was able to correlate the data and AARD was 8.25% (corresponding AICc was − 674.88). Thermodynamic parameters like heats of reaction, sublimation and solvation of clemastine fumarate were calculated and reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholamhossein Sodeifian
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran. .,Laboratory of Supercritical Fluids and Nanotechnology, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran. .,Modeling and Simulation Centre, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran.
| | - Chandrasekhar Garlapati
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Puducherry Technological University, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - Fariba Razmimanesh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran.,Laboratory of Supercritical Fluids and Nanotechnology, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran.,Modeling and Simulation Centre, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran
| | - Marziehsadat Ghanaat-Ghamsari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran.,Laboratory of Supercritical Fluids and Nanotechnology, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran.,Modeling and Simulation Centre, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, 87317-53153, Kashan, Iran
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12
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Ali R, Islamuddin M, Tabrez S, Alsaweed M, Alaidarous MA, Alshehri BM, Banawas S, Bin Dukhyil AA, Rub A. Embilica officinalis L. inhibits the growth and proliferation of Leishmania donovani through the induction of ultrastructural changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptosis-like cell death. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112156. [PMID: 34649333 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by a protozoan parasite, Leishmania donovani (L. donovani). It affects around 1-2 million people around the world annually. There is an urgent need to investigate new medicament of it due to difficult method of drug administration, long period of treatment, high cost of the drug, adverse side-effects, low efficacy and development of parasite resistance to the available drugs. Medicinal plants have also been used for the treatment of different diseases in traditional system of medicines due to their holistic effects. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland has already started the program for identification of potential medicinal plant and plant products having antileishmanial potential. Keeping all these in consideration, we planned to study the antileishmanial activity of one of the medicinal plant, Embilica officinalis L. (EO) fruit extract. EO fruit extract inhibited the growth and proliferation of promastigotes as well as intra-macrophagic amastigotes in dose-dependent manner. EO fruit extract induced morphological and ultrastructural changes in parasites as observed under Electron Microscope. It also induced the oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA laddering and apotosis-like cell death in parasites. Here, we for the first time reported such a detailed mechanism of action of antileishmanial activity of EO fruit extract. Our results suggested that EO fruit extract could be used for the development of new phytomedicine against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahat Ali
- Infection and Immunity Lab (414), Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Mohammad Islamuddin
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Shams Tabrez
- Infection and Immunity Lab (414), Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Mohammed Alsaweed
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Alaidarous
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bader Mohammed Alshehri
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saeed Banawas
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Aziz Bin Dukhyil
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdur Rub
- Infection and Immunity Lab (414), Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India.
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13
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Domínguez-Asenjo B, Gutiérrez-Corbo C, Álvarez-Bardón M, Pérez-Pertejo Y, Balaña-Fouce R, Reguera RM. Ex Vivo Phenotypic Screening of Two Small Repurposing Drug Collections Identifies Nifuratel as a Potential New Treatment against Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2390-2401. [PMID: 34114790 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are vector-borne neglected diseases caused by single-celled parasites. The search for new antileishmanial drugs has experienced a strong boost thanks to the application of bioimaging to phenotypic screenings based on intracellular amastigotes. Mouse splenic explants infected with fluorescent strains of Leishmania are proven tools of drug discovery, where hits can be easily transferred to preclinical in vivo models. We have developed a two-staged platform for antileishmanial drugs. First, we screened two commercial collections of repurposing drugs with a total of 1769 compounds in ex vivo mouse splenocytes infected with an infrared emitting Leishmania infantum strain. The most active and safest compounds were scaled-up to in vivo models of chronic Leishmania donovani visceral leishmaniasis and Leishmania major cutaneous leishmaniasis. From the total of 1769 compounds, 12 hits with selective indices >35 were identified, and 4 of them were tested in vivo in a model of L. donovani visceral leishmaniasis. Nifuratel, a repurposed synthetic nitrofuran, when administered orally at 50 mg/kg bw once or twice a day for 10 days, caused >80% reduction in the parasitic load. Furthermore, the intralesional administration of nifuratel in a model of cutaneous leishmaniasis by L. major produced the parasitological cure. From the previous results we have deduced the great capacity of mouse splenic explants to identify new hits, a model which could be easily transferred to in vivo models, as well as the potential use of nifuratel as an alternative to the current treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Domínguez-Asenjo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Camino Gutiérrez-Corbo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - María Álvarez-Bardón
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pérez-Pertejo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Reguera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
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14
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Chaves MM, Savio LEB, Coutinho-Silva R. Purinergic signaling: a new front-line determinant of resistance and susceptibility in leishmaniasis. Biomed J 2021; 45:109-117. [PMID: 34175493 PMCID: PMC9133308 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that causes several clinical manifestations. Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause this disease. Spread across five continents, leishmaniasis is a particular public health problem in developing countries. Leishmania infects phagocytic cells such as macrophages, where it induces adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release at the time of infection. ATP activates purinergic receptors in the cell membranes of infected cells and promotes parasite control by inducing leukotriene B4 release and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, uridine triphosphate induces ATP release, exacerbating the immune response. However, ATP may also undergo catalysis by ectonucleotidases present in the parasite membrane, generating adenosine, which activates P1 receptors and induces the production of anti-inflammatory molecules such as prostaglandin E2 and IL-10. These mechanisms culminate in Leishmania's survival. Thus, how Leishmania handles extracellular nucleotides and the activation of purinergic receptors determines the control or the dissemination of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana M Chaves
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo B Savio
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Robson Coutinho-Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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