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Cayla M, Spanos C, McWilliam K, Waskett E, Rappsilber J, Matthews KR. Differentiation granules, a dynamic regulator of T. brucei development. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2972. [PMID: 38582942 PMCID: PMC10998879 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47309-1] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Adaptation to a change of environment is an essential process for survival, in particular for parasitic organisms exposed to a wide range of hosts. Such adaptations include rapid control of gene expression through the formation of membraneless organelles composed of poly-A RNA and proteins. The African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei is exquisitely sensitive to well-defined environmental stimuli that trigger cellular adaptations through differentiation events that characterise its complex life cycle. The parasite has been shown to form stress granules in vitro, and it has been proposed that such a stress response could have been repurposed to enable differentiation and facilitate parasite transmission. Therefore, we explored the composition and positional dynamics of membraneless granules formed in response to starvation stress and during differentiation in the mammalian host between the replicative slender and transmission-adapted stumpy forms. We find that T. brucei differentiation does not reflect the default response to environmental stress. Instead, the developmental response of the parasites involves a specific and programmed hierarchy of membraneless granule assembly, with distinct components and regulation by protein kinases such as TbDYRK, that are required for the parasite to successfully progress through its life cycle development and prepare for transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Cayla
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.
| | - Christos Spanos
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kirsty McWilliam
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eliza Waskett
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Keith R Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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2
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Iribarren PA, Di Marzio LA, Berazategui MA, Saura A, Coria L, Cassataro J, Rojas F, Navarro M, Alvarez VE. Depolymerization of SUMO chains induces slender to stumpy differentiation in T. brucei bloodstream parasites. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012166. [PMID: 38635823 PMCID: PMC11060531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012166] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei are protozoan parasites that cause sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle. Inside the mammalian host, a quorum sensing-like mechanism coordinates its differentiation from a slender replicative form into a quiescent stumpy form, limiting growth and activating metabolic pathways that are beneficial to the parasite in the insect host. The post-translational modification of proteins with the Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) enables dynamic regulation of cellular metabolism. SUMO can be conjugated to its targets as a monomer but can also form oligomeric chains. Here, we have investigated the role of SUMO chains in T. brucei by abolishing the ability of SUMO to polymerize. We have found that parasites able to conjugate only SUMO monomers are primed for differentiation. This was demonstrated for monomorphic lines that are normally unable to produce stumpy forms in response to quorum sensing signaling in mice, and also for pleomorphic cell lines in which stumpy cells were observed at unusually low parasitemia levels. SUMO chain mutants showed a stumpy compatible transcriptional profile and better competence to differentiate into procyclics. Our study indicates that SUMO depolymerization may represent a coordinated signal triggered during stumpy activation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ana Iribarren
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr. Rodolfo Ugalde”–IIBIO (UNSAM-CONICET), San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucía Ayelén Di Marzio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr. Rodolfo Ugalde”–IIBIO (UNSAM-CONICET), San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Agustina Berazategui
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr. Rodolfo Ugalde”–IIBIO (UNSAM-CONICET), San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andreu Saura
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Lorena Coria
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr. Rodolfo Ugalde”–IIBIO (UNSAM-CONICET), San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juliana Cassataro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr. Rodolfo Ugalde”–IIBIO (UNSAM-CONICET), San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Rojas
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel Navarro
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Vanina Eder Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr. Rodolfo Ugalde”–IIBIO (UNSAM-CONICET), San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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3
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Faria JRC, Tinti M, Marques CA, Zoltner M, Yoshikawa H, Field MC, Horn D. An allele-selective inter-chromosomal protein bridge supports monogenic antigen expression in the African trypanosome. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8200. [PMID: 38081826 PMCID: PMC10713589 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44043-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
UPF1-like helicases play roles in telomeric heterochromatin formation and X-chromosome inactivation, and also in monogenic variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) expression via VSG exclusion-factor-2 (VEX2), a UPF1-related protein in the African trypanosome. We show that VEX2 associates with chromatin specifically at the single active VSG expression site on chromosome 6, forming an allele-selective connection, via VEX1, to the trans-splicing locus on chromosome 9, physically bridging two chromosomes and the VSG transcription and splicing compartments. We further show that the VEX-complex is multimeric and self-regulates turnover to tightly control its abundance. Using single cell transcriptomics following VEX2-depletion, we observed simultaneous derepression of many other telomeric VSGs and multi-allelic VSG expression in individual cells. Thus, an allele-selective, inter-chromosomal, and self-limiting VEX1-2 bridge supports monogenic VSG expression and multi-allelic VSG exclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana R C Faria
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
- Biology Department, University of York, York, UK.
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK.
| | - Michele Tinti
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Catarina A Marques
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Martin Zoltner
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Biocev, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Harunori Yoshikawa
- Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Division of Cell Signaling, Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mark C Field
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - David Horn
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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Morrison LJ, Steketee PC, Tettey MD, Matthews KR. Pathogenicity and virulence of African trypanosomes: From laboratory models to clinically relevant hosts. Virulence 2023; 14:2150445. [PMID: 36419235 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2150445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
African trypanosomes are vector-borne protozoa, which cause significant human and animal disease across sub-Saharan Africa, and animal disease across Asia and South America. In humans, infection is caused by variants of Trypanosoma brucei, and is characterized by varying rate of progression to neurological disease, caused by parasites exiting the vasculature and entering the brain. Animal disease is caused by multiple species of trypanosome, primarily T. congolense, T. vivax, and T. brucei. These trypanosomes also infect multiple species of mammalian host, and this complexity of trypanosome and host diversity is reflected in the spectrum of severity of disease in animal trypanosomiasis, ranging from hyperacute infections associated with mortality to long-term chronic infections, and is also a main reason why designing interventions for animal trypanosomiasis is so challenging. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current understanding of trypanosome determinants of infection progression and severity, covering laboratory models of disease, as well as human and livestock disease. We will also highlight gaps in knowledge and capabilities, which represent opportunities to both further our fundamental understanding of how trypanosomes cause disease, as well as facilitating the development of the novel interventions that are so badly needed to reduce the burden of disease caused by these important pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Morrison
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Pieter C Steketee
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - Mabel D Tettey
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Keith R Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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5
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Machado H, Temudo A, Niz MD. The lymphatic system favours survival of a unique T. brucei population. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio059992. [PMID: 37870927 PMCID: PMC10651106 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei colonise and multiply in the blood vasculature, as well as in various organs of the host's body. Lymph nodes have been previously shown to harbour large numbers of parasites, and the lymphatic system has been proposed as a key site that allows T. brucei distribution through, and colonization of the mammalian body. However, visualization of host-pathogen interactions in the lymphatic system has never captured dynamic events with high spatial and temporal resolution throughout infection. In our work, we used a mixture of tools including intravital microscopy and ex vivo imaging to study T. brucei distribution in 20 sets of lymph nodes. We demonstrate that lymph node colonization by T. brucei is different across lymph node sets, with the most heavily colonised being the draining lymph nodes of main tissue reservoirs: the gonadal white adipose tissue and pancreas. Moreover, we show that the lymphatic vasculature is a pivotal site for parasite dispersal, and altering this colonization by blocking LYVE-1 is detrimental for parasite survival. Additionally, parasites within the lymphatic vasculature have unique morphological and behavioural characteristics, different to those found in the blood, demonstrating that across both types of vasculature, these environments are physically separated. Finally, we demonstrate that the lymph nodes and the lymphatic vasculature undergo significant alterations during T. brucei infection, resulting in oedema throughout the host's body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
| | - António Temudo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
- Bioimaging Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
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Larcombe SD, Briggs EM, Savill N, Szoor B, Matthews KR. The developmental hierarchy and scarcity of replicative slender trypanosomes in blood challenges their role in infection maintenance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306848120. [PMID: 37824530 PMCID: PMC10589647 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306848120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of Trypanosoma brucei in its mammalian host is marked by a distinct morphological change as replicative "slender" forms differentiate into cell cycle arrested "stumpy" forms in a quorum-sensing-dependent manner. Although stumpy forms dominate chronic infections at the population level, the proportion of replicative parasites at the individual cell level and the irreversibility of arrest in the bloodstream are unclear. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that developmental cell cycle arrest is definitively irreversible in acute and chronic infections in mice. Furthermore, analysis of replicative capacity and single-cell transcriptome profiling reveal a temporal hierarchy, whereby cell cycle arrest and appearance of a reversible stumpy-like transcriptome precede irreversible commitment and morphological change. Unexpectedly, we show that proliferating parasites are exceptionally scarce in the blood after infections are established. This challenges the ability of bloodstream trypanosomes to sustain infection by proliferation or antigenic variation, these parasites instead being overwhelmingly adapted for transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D. Larcombe
- School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth laboratories, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, EdinburghEH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Emma M. Briggs
- School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth laboratories, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, EdinburghEH9 3FL, United Kingdom
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Savill
- School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth laboratories, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, EdinburghEH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Balazs Szoor
- School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth laboratories, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, EdinburghEH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Keith R. Matthews
- School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth laboratories, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, EdinburghEH9 3FL, United Kingdom
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7
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Pham HTT, Magez S, Choi B, Baatar B, Jung J, Radwanska M. Neutrophil metalloproteinase driven spleen damage hampers infection control of trypanosomiasis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5418. [PMID: 37669943 PMCID: PMC10480172 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41089-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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent blood transcriptomic analysis of rhodesiense sleeping sickness patients has revealed that neutrophil signature genes and activation markers constitute the top indicators of trypanosomiasis-associated inflammation. Here, we show that Trypanosoma brucei infection results in expansion and differentiation of four splenic neutrophil subpopulations, including Mki67+Birc5+Gfi1+Cebpe+ proliferation-competent precursors, two intermediate immature subpopulations and Cebpb+Spi1+Irf7+Mcl1+Csf3r+ inflammation reprogrammed mature neutrophils. Transcriptomic scRNA-seq profiling identified the largest immature subpopulation by Mmp8/9 positive tertiary granule markers. We confirmed the presence of both metalloproteinases in extracellular spleen homogenates and plasma. During infection, these enzymes digest extracellular matrix components in the absence of sufficient TIMP inhibitory activity, driving remodeling of the spleen follicular architecture. Neutrophil depletion prevents the occurrence of organ damage, resulting in increased plasma cell numbers and prolonged host survival. We conclude that trypanosomiasis-associated neutrophil activation is a major contributor to the destruction of the secondary lymphoid architecture, required for maintaining an efficient adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hien Thi Thu Pham
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology KR01, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology KR01, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Boyoon Choi
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology KR01, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bolortsetseg Baatar
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology KR01, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Joohee Jung
- Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Magdalena Radwanska
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology KR01, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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8
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Ebrahimi S, Khosravi MA, Raz A, Karimipoor M, Parvizi P. CRISPR-Cas Technology as a Revolutionary Genome Editing tool: Mechanisms and Biomedical Applications. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2023; 27:219-46. [PMID: 37873636 PMCID: PMC10707817 DOI: 10.61186/ibj.27.5.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Programmable nucleases are powerful genomic tools for precise genome editing. These tools precisely recognize, remove, or change DNA at a defined site, thereby, stimulating cellular DNA repair pathways that can cause mutations or accurate replacement or deletion/insertion of a sequence. CRISPR-Cas9 system is the most potent and useful genome editing technique adapted from the defense immune system of certain bacteria and archaea against viruses and phages. In the past decade, this technology made notable progress, and at present, it has largely been used in genome manipulation to make precise gene editing in plants, animals, and human cells. In this review, we aim to explain the basic principle, mechanisms of action, and applications of this system in different areas of medicine, with emphasizing on the detection and treatment of parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Ebrahimi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Khosravi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Karimipoor
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Britton C, Laing R, McNeilly TN, Perez MG, Otto TD, Hildersley KA, Maizels RM, Devaney E, Gillan V. New technologies to study helminth development and host-parasite interactions. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:393-403. [PMID: 36931423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
How parasites develop and survive, and how they stimulate or modulate host immune responses are important in understanding disease pathology and for the design of new control strategies. Microarray analysis and bulk RNA sequencing have provided a wealth of data on gene expression as parasites develop through different life-cycle stages and on host cell responses to infection. These techniques have enabled gene expression in the whole organism or host tissue to be detailed, but do not take account of the heterogeneity between cells of different types or developmental stages, nor the spatial organisation of these cells. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) adds a new dimension to studying parasite biology and host immunity by enabling gene profiling at the individual cell level. Here we review the application of scRNA-seq to establish gene expression cell atlases for multicellular helminths and to explore the expansion and molecular profile of individual host cell types involved in parasite immunity and tissue repair. Studying host-parasite interactions in vivo is challenging and we conclude this review by briefly discussing the applications of organoids (stem-cell derived mini-tissues) to examine host-parasite interactions at the local level, and as a potential system to study parasite development in vitro. Organoid technology and its applications have developed rapidly, and the elegant studies performed to date support the use of organoids as an alternative in vitro system for research on helminth parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collette Britton
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| | - Roz Laing
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Tom N McNeilly
- Disease Control Department, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, United Kingdom
| | - Matias G Perez
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas D Otto
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Katie A Hildersley
- Disease Control Department, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, United Kingdom
| | - Rick M Maizels
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Eileen Devaney
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Gillan
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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10
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Ashby EC, Havens JL, Rollosson LM, Hardin J, Schulz D. Chemical Inhibition of Bromodomain Proteins in Insect-Stage African Trypanosomes Perturbs Silencing of the Variant Surface Glycoprotein Repertoire and Results in Widespread Changes in the Transcriptome. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0014723. [PMID: 37097159 PMCID: PMC10269879 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00147-23] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted by the tsetse fly to both humans and animals, where it causes a fatal disease called African trypanosomiasis. While the parasite lacks canonical DNA sequence-specific transcription factors, it does possess histones, histone modifications, and proteins that write, erase, and read histone marks. Chemical inhibition of chromatin-interacting bromodomain proteins has previously been shown to perturb bloodstream specific trypanosome processes, including silencing of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes and immune evasion. Transcriptomic changes that occur in bromodomain-inhibited bloodstream parasites mirror many of the changes that occur as parasites developmentally progress from the bloodstream to the insect stage. We performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) time courses to determine the effects of chemical bromodomain inhibition in insect-stage parasites using the compound I-BET151. We found that treatment with I-BET151 causes large changes in the transcriptome of insect-stage parasites and also perturbs silencing of VSG genes. The transcriptomes of bromodomain-inhibited parasites share some features with early metacyclic-stage parasites in the fly salivary gland, implicating bromodomain proteins as important for regulating transcript levels for developmentally relevant genes. However, the downregulation of surface procyclin protein that typically accompanies developmental progression is absent in bromodomain-inhibited insect-stage parasites. We conclude that chemical modulation of bromodomain proteins causes widespread transcriptomic changes in multiple trypanosome life cycle stages. Understanding the gene-regulatory processes that facilitate transcriptome remodeling in this highly diverged eukaryote may shed light on how these mechanisms evolved. IMPORTANCE The disease African trypanosomiasis imposes a severe human and economic burden for communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite that causes the disease is transmitted to the bloodstream of a human or ungulate via the tsetse fly. Because the environments of the fly and the bloodstream differ, the parasite modulates the expression of its genes to accommodate two different lifestyles in these disparate niches. Perturbation of bromodomain proteins that interact with histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped (chromatin) causes profound changes in gene expression in bloodstream-stage parasites. This paper reports that gene expression is also affected by chemical bromodomain inhibition in insect-stage parasites but that the genes affected differ depending on life cycle stage. Because trypanosomes diverged early from model eukaryotes, an understanding of how trypanosomes regulate gene expression may lend insight into how gene-regulatory mechanisms evolved. This could also be leveraged to generate new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan C. Ashby
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, USA
| | | | | | - Johanna Hardin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Pomona College, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Danae Schulz
- Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, USA
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11
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Briggs EM, Marques CA, Oldrieve GR, Hu J, Otto TD, Matthews KR. Profiling the bloodstream form and procyclic form Trypanosoma brucei cell cycle using single-cell transcriptomics. eLife 2023; 12:e86325. [PMID: 37166108 PMCID: PMC10212563 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86325] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
African trypanosomes proliferate as bloodstream forms (BSFs) and procyclic forms in the mammal and tsetse fly midgut, respectively. This allows them to colonise the host environment upon infection and ensure life cycle progression. Yet, understanding of the mechanisms that regulate and drive the cell replication cycle of these forms is limited. Using single-cell transcriptomics on unsynchronised cell populations, we have obtained high resolution cell cycle regulated (CCR) transcriptomes of both procyclic and slender BSF Trypanosoma brucei without prior cell sorting or synchronisation. Additionally, we describe an efficient freeze-thawing protocol that allows single-cell transcriptomic analysis of cryopreserved T. brucei. Computational reconstruction of the cell cycle using periodic pseudotime inference allowed the dynamic expression patterns of cycling genes to be profiled for both life cycle forms. Comparative analyses identify a core cycling transcriptome highly conserved between forms, as well as several genes where transcript levels dynamics are form specific. Comparing transcript expression patterns with protein abundance revealed that the majority of genes with periodic cycling transcript and protein levels exhibit a relative delay between peak transcript and protein expression. This work reveals novel detail of the CCR transcriptomes of both forms, which are available for further interrogation via an interactive webtool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Briggs
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Catarina A Marques
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Guy R Oldrieve
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Jihua Hu
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas D Otto
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Keith R Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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12
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Domagalska MA, Barrett MP, Dujardin JC. Drug resistance in Leishmania: does it really matter? Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:251-259. [PMID: 36803859 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.01.012] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Treatment failure (TF) jeopardizes the management of parasitic diseases, including leishmaniasis. From the parasite's point of view, drug resistance (DR) is generally considered as central to TF. However, the link between TF and DR, as measured by in vitro drug susceptibility assays, is unclear, some studies revealing an association between treatment outcome and drug susceptibility, others not. Here we address three fundamental questions aiming to shed light on these ambiguities. First, are the right assays being used to measure DR? Second, are the parasites studied, which are generally those that adapt to in vitro culture, actually appropriate? Finally, are other parasite factors - such as the development of quiescent forms that are recalcitrant to drugs - responsible for TF without DR?
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael P Barrett
- School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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13
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Haese-Hill W, Crouch K, Otto TD. peaks2utr: a robust Python tool for the annotation of 3' UTRs. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:btad112. [PMID: 36864613 PMCID: PMC10008064 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad112] [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: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Annotation of nonmodel organisms is an open problem, especially the detection of untranslated regions (UTRs). Correct annotation of UTRs is crucial in transcriptomic analysis to accurately capture the expression of each gene yet is mostly overlooked in annotation pipelines. Here we present peaks2utr, an easy-to-use Python command line tool that uses the UTR enrichment of single-cell technologies, such as 10× Chromium, to accurately annotate 3' UTRs for a given canonical annotation. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION peaks2utr is implemented in Python 3 (≥3.8). It is available via PyPI at https://pypi.org/project/peaks2utr and GitHub at https://github.com/haessar/peaks2utr. It is licensed under GNU GPLv3.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Haese-Hill
- School of Infection & Immunity, MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Crouch
- School of Infection & Immunity, MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas D Otto
- School of Infection & Immunity, MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
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14
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Abstract
African trypanosomes are bloodstream protozoan parasites that infect mammals including humans, where they cause sleeping sickness. Long-lasting infection is required to favor parasite transmission between hosts. Therefore, trypanosomes have developed strategies to continuously escape innate and adaptive responses of the immune system, while also preventing premature death of the host. The pathology linked to infection mainly results from inflammation and includes anemia and brain dysfunction in addition to loss of specificity and memory of the antibody response. The serum of humans contains an efficient trypanolytic factor, the membrane pore-forming protein apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1). In the two human-infective trypanosomes, specific parasite resistance factors inhibit APOL1 activity. In turn, many African individuals express APOL1 variants that counteract these resistance factors, enabling them to avoid sleeping sickness. However, these variants are associated with chronic kidney disease, particularly in the context of virus-induced inflammation such as coronavirus disease 2019. Vaccination perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Pays
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium;
| | - Magdalena Radwanska
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; .,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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15
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Smircich P, Pérez-Díaz L, Hernández F, Duhagon MA, Garat B. Transcriptomic analysis of the adaptation to prolonged starvation of the insect-dwelling Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1138456. [PMID: 37091675 PMCID: PMC10117895 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1138456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a digenetic unicellular parasite that alternates between a blood-sucking insect and a mammalian, host causing Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis. In the insect gut, the parasite differentiates from the non-replicative trypomastigote forms that arrive upon blood ingestion to the non-infective replicative epimastigote forms. Epimastigotes develop into infective non-replicative metacyclic trypomastigotes in the rectum and are delivered via the feces. In addition to these parasite stages, transitional forms have been reported. The insect-feeding behavior, characterized by few meals of large blood amounts followed by long periods of starvation, impacts the parasite population density and differentiation, increasing the transitional forms while diminishing both epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes. To understand the molecular changes caused by nutritional restrictions in the insect host, mid-exponentially growing axenic epimastigotes were cultured for more than 30 days without nutrient supplementation (prolonged starvation). We found that the parasite population in the stationary phase maintains a long period characterized by a total RNA content three times smaller than that of exponentially growing epimastigotes and a distinctive transcriptomic profile. Among the transcriptomic changes induced by nutrient restriction, we found differentially expressed genes related to managing protein quality or content, the reported switch from glucose to amino acid consumption, redox challenge, and surface proteins. The contractile vacuole and reservosomes appeared as cellular components enriched when ontology term overrepresentation analysis was carried out, highlighting the roles of these organelles in starving conditions possibly related to their functions in regulating cell volume and osmoregulation as well as metabolic homeostasis. Consistent with the quiescent status derived from nutrient restriction, genes related to DNA metabolism are regulated during the stationary phase. In addition, we observed differentially expressed genes related to the unique parasite mitochondria. Finally, our study identifies gene expression changes that characterize transitional parasite forms enriched by nutrient restriction. The analysis of the here-disclosed regulated genes and metabolic pathways aims to contribute to the understanding of the molecular changes that this unicellular parasite undergoes in the insect vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Smircich
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Departamento de Genómica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Beatriz Garat, ; Pablo Smircich,
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fabricio Hernández
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Ana Duhagon
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Beatriz Garat
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Beatriz Garat, ; Pablo Smircich,
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16
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Shanmugasundram A, Starns D, Böhme U, Amos B, Wilkinson PA, Harb OS, Warrenfeltz S, Kissinger JC, McDowell MA, Roos DS, Crouch K, Jones AR. TriTrypDB: An integrated functional genomics resource for kinetoplastida. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011058. [PMID: 36656904 PMCID: PMC9888696 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites are a burden to public health throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. TriTrypDB (https://tritrypdb.org) is a free online resource for data mining of genomic and functional data from these kinetoplastid parasites and is part of the VEuPathDB Bioinformatics Resource Center (https://veupathdb.org). As of release 59, TriTrypDB hosts 83 kinetoplastid genomes, nine of which, including Trypanosoma brucei brucei TREU927, Trypanosoma cruzi CL Brener and Leishmania major Friedlin, undergo manual curation by integrating information from scientific publications, high-throughput assays and user submitted comments. TriTrypDB also integrates transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenomic, population-level and isolate data, functional information from genome-wide RNAi knock-down and fluorescent tagging, and results from automated bioinformatics analysis pipelines. TriTrypDB offers a user-friendly web interface embedded with a genome browser, search strategy system and bioinformatics tools to support custom in silico experiments that leverage integrated data. A Galaxy workspace enables users to analyze their private data (e.g., RNA-sequencing, variant calling, etc.) and explore their results privately in the context of publicly available information in the database. The recent addition of an annotation platform based on Apollo enables users to provide both functional and structural changes that will appear as 'community annotations' immediately and, pending curatorial review, will be integrated into the official genome annotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achchuthan Shanmugasundram
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - David Starns
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Böhme
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Amos
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. Wilkinson
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Omar S. Harb
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Susanne Warrenfeltz
- Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Genetics, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Genetics, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - David S. Roos
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Crouch
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R. Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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17
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Quintana JF, Chandrasegaran P, Sinton MC, Briggs EM, Otto TD, Heslop R, Bentley-Abbot C, Loney C, de Lecea L, Mabbott NA, MacLeod A. Single cell and spatial transcriptomic analyses reveal microglia-plasma cell crosstalk in the brain during Trypanosoma brucei infection. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5752. [PMID: 36180478 PMCID: PMC9525673 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33542-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei and induces profound reactivity of glial cells and neuroinflammation when the parasites colonise the central nervous system. However, the transcriptional and functional responses of the brain to chronic T. brucei infection remain poorly understood. By integrating single cell and spatial transcriptomics of the mouse brain, we identify that glial responses triggered by infection are readily detected in the proximity to the circumventricular organs, including the lateral and 3rd ventricle. This coincides with the spatial localisation of both slender and stumpy forms of T. brucei. Furthermore, in silico predictions and functional validations led us to identify a previously unknown crosstalk between homeostatic microglia and Cd138+ plasma cells mediated by IL-10 and B cell activating factor (BAFF) signalling. This study provides important insights and resources to improve understanding of the molecular and cellular responses in the brain during infection with African trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F Quintana
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine (SBOHVM), MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Praveena Chandrasegaran
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine (SBOHVM), MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Matthew C Sinton
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine (SBOHVM), MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Emma M Briggs
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Thomas D Otto
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Infection and Immunity, MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rhiannon Heslop
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine (SBOHVM), MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Calum Bentley-Abbot
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine (SBOHVM), MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Colin Loney
- School of Infection and Immunity, MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- MRC Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Neil A Mabbott
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Annette MacLeod
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine (SBOHVM), MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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18
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Falk F, Melo Palhares R, Waithaka A, Clayton C. Roles and interactions of the specialized initiation factors EIF4E2, EIF4E5 and EIF4E6 in Trypanosoma brucei: EIF4E2 maintains the abundances of S-phase mRNAs. Mol Microbiol 2022; 118:457-476. [PMID: 36056730 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei has six versions of the cap-binding translation initiation factor EIF4E. We investigated the functions of EIF4E2, EIF4E3, EIF4E5 and EIF4E6 in bloodstream forms. We confirmed the protein associations previously found in procyclic forms, and detected specific co-purification of some RNA-binding proteins. Bloodstream forms lacking EIF4E5 grew normally and differentiated to replication-incompetent procyclic forms. Depletion of EIF4E6 inhibited bloodstream-form trypanosome growth and translation. EIF4E2 co-purified only the putative RNA binding protein SLBP2. Bloodstream forms lacking EIF4E2 multiplied slowly, had a low maximal cell density, and expressed the stumpy-form marker PAD1, but showed no evidence for enhanced stumpy-form signalling. EIF4E2 knock-out cells differentiated readily to replication-competent procyclic forms. EIF4E2 was strongly associated with a subset of mRNAs that are maximally abundant in S-phase, and these all had decreased abundances in EIF4E2 knock-out cells. Three EIF4E2 target mRNAs are also bound and stabilized by the Pumilio domain protein PUF9. Yeast 2-hybrid results suggested that PUF9 interacts directly with SLBP2, but PUF9 was not detected in EIF4E2 pull-downs. We speculate that the EIF4E2-SLBP2 complex might interact with its target mRNAs, perhaps via PUF9, only early during G1/S, stabilizing the mRNAs in preparation for translation later in S-phase or in early G2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Falk
- Heidelberg University Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rafael Melo Palhares
- Heidelberg University Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institut für Mikro- und Molekularbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Albina Waithaka
- Heidelberg University Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine Clayton
- Heidelberg University Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Vimonpatranon S, Roytrakul S, Phaonakrop N, Lekmanee K, Atipimonpat A, Srimark N, Sukapirom K, Chotivanich K, Khowawisetsut L, Pattanapanyasat K. Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Early and Late Stage Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Red Blood Cells Contain Invasion-Associated Proteins. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11144250. [PMID: 35888014 PMCID: PMC9318397 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In infectious diseases, extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from a pathogen or pathogen-infected cells can transfer pathogen-derived biomolecules, especially proteins, to target cells and consequently regulate these target cells. For example, malaria is an important tropical infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp. Previous studies have identified the roles of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cell-derived EVs (Pf-EVs) in the pathogenesis, activation, and modulation of host immune responses. This study investigated the proteomic profiles of Pf-EVs isolated from four P. falciparum strains. We also compared the proteomes of EVs from (i) different EV types (microvesicles and exosomes) and (ii) different parasite growth stages (early- and late-stage). The proteomic analyses revealed that the human proteins carried in the Pf-EVs were specific to the type of Pf-EVs. By contrast, most of the P. falciparum proteins carried in Pf-EVs were common across all types of Pf-EVs. As the proteomics results revealed that Pf-EVs contained invasion-associated proteins, the effect of Pf-EVs on parasite invasion was also investigated. Surprisingly, the attenuation of parasite invasion efficiency was found with the addition of Pf-MVs. Moreover, this effect was markedly increased in culture-adapted isolates compared with laboratory reference strains. Our evidence supports the concept that Pf-EVs play a role in quorum sensing, which leads to parasite growth-density regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinmanus Vimonpatranon
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Functional Ingredients and Food Innovation Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; (S.R.); (N.P.)
| | - Narumon Phaonakrop
- Functional Ingredients and Food Innovation Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; (S.R.); (N.P.)
| | - Kittima Lekmanee
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.L.); (N.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Anyapat Atipimonpat
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand;
| | - Narinee Srimark
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.L.); (N.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Kasama Sukapirom
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.L.); (N.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Kesinee Chotivanich
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Ladawan Khowawisetsut
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (K.P.); Tel.: +66-2419-6477 (L.K. & K.P.)
| | - Kovit Pattanapanyasat
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; (K.L.); (N.S.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (K.P.); Tel.: +66-2419-6477 (L.K. & K.P.)
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20
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Tettey MD, Rojas F, Matthews KR. Extracellular release of two peptidases dominates generation of the trypanosome quorum-sensing signal. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3322. [PMID: 35680928 PMCID: PMC9184580 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31057-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomes causing African sleeping sickness use quorum-sensing (QS) to generate transmission-competent stumpy forms in mammalian hosts. This density-dependent process is signalled by oligopeptides that stimulate the signal transduction pathway leading to stumpy formation. Here, using mass spectrometry analysis, we identify peptidases released by trypanosomes and, for 12 peptidases, confirm their extracellular delivery. Thereafter, we determine the contribution of each peptidase to QS signal production using systematic inducible overexpression in vivo, and confirm this activity operates through the physiological QS signalling pathway. Gene knockout of the QS-active peptidases identifies two enzymes, oligopeptidase B and metallocarboxypeptidase 1, that significantly reduce QS when ablated individually. Further, combinatorial gene knockout of both peptidases confirms their dominance in the generation of the QS signal, with peptidase release of oligopeptidase B mediated via an unconventional protein secretion pathway. This work identifies how the QS signal driving trypanosome virulence and transmission is generated in mammalian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel Deladem Tettey
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH93FL, UK
| | - Federico Rojas
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH93FL, UK.
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4AT, UK.
| | - Keith R Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH93FL, UK.
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21
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Kent RS, Briggs EM, Colon BL, Alvarez C, Silva Pereira S, De Niz M. Paving the Way: Contributions of Big Data to Apicomplexan and Kinetoplastid Research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:900878. [PMID: 35734575 PMCID: PMC9207352 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.900878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the age of big data an important question is how to ensure we make the most out of the resources we generate. In this review, we discuss the major methods used in Apicomplexan and Kinetoplastid research to produce big datasets and advance our understanding of Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania biology. We debate the benefits and limitations of the current technologies, and propose future advancements that may be key to improving our use of these techniques. Finally, we consider the difficulties the field faces when trying to make the most of the abundance of data that has already been, and will continue to be, generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn S. Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Emma M. Briggs
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice L. Colon
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Catalina Alvarez
- de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sara Silva Pereira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Mariana De Niz,
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22
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Genomic Occupancy of the Bromodomain Protein Bdf3 Is Dynamic during Differentiation of African Trypanosomes from Bloodstream to Procyclic Forms. mSphere 2022; 7:e0002322. [PMID: 35642518 PMCID: PMC9241505 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00023-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis, cycles between a mammalian host and a tsetse fly vector. The parasite undergoes huge changes in morphology and metabolism during adaptation to each host environment. These changes are reflected in the different transcriptomes of parasites living in each host. However, it remains unclear whether chromatin-interacting proteins help mediate these changes. Bromodomain proteins localize to transcription start sites in bloodstream parasites, but whether the localization of bromodomain proteins changes as parasites differentiate from bloodstream to insect stages remains unknown. To address this question, we performed cleavage under target and release using nuclease (CUT&RUN) against bromodomain protein 3 (Bdf3) in parasites differentiating from bloodstream to insect forms. We found that Bdf3 occupancy at most loci increased at 3 h following onset of differentiation and decreased thereafter. A number of sites with increased bromodomain protein occupancy lie proximal to genes with altered transcript levels during differentiation, such as procyclins, procyclin-associated genes, and invariant surface glycoproteins. Most Bdf3-occupied sites are observed throughout differentiation. However, one site appears de novo during differentiation and lies proximal to the procyclin gene locus housing genes essential for remodeling surface proteins following transition to the insect stage. These studies indicate that occupancy of chromatin-interacting proteins is dynamic during life cycle stage transitions and provide the groundwork for future studies on the effects of changes in bromodomain protein occupancy. Additionally, the adaptation of CUT&RUN for Trypanosoma brucei provides other researchers with an alternative to chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). IMPORTANCE The parasite Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Trypanosomiasis, which affects humans and cattle, is fatal if untreated. Existing drugs have significant side effects. Thus, these parasites impose a significant human and economic burden in sub-Saharan Africa, where trypanosomiasis is endemic. T. brucei cycles between the mammalian host and a tsetse fly vector, and parasites undergo huge changes in morphology and metabolism to adapt to different hosts. Here, we show that DNA-interacting bromodomain protein 3 (Bdf3) shows changes in occupancy at its binding sites as parasites transition from the bloodstream to the insect stage. Additionally, a new binding site appears near the locus responsible for remodeling of parasite surface proteins during transition to the insect stage. Understanding the mechanisms behind host adaptation is important for understanding the life cycle of the parasite.
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Howick VM, Peacock L, Kay C, Collett C, Gibson W, Lawniczak MKN. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals expression profiles of Trypanosoma brucei sexual stages. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010346. [PMID: 35255094 PMCID: PMC8939820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Early diverging lineages such as trypanosomes can provide clues to the evolution of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes. In Trypanosoma brucei, the pathogen that causes Human African Trypanosomiasis, sexual reproduction occurs in the salivary glands of the insect host, but analysis of the molecular signatures that define these sexual forms is complicated because they mingle with more numerous, mitotically-dividing developmental stages. We used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) to profile 388 individual trypanosomes from midgut, proventriculus, and salivary glands of infected tsetse flies allowing us to identify tissue-specific cell types. Further investigation of salivary gland parasite transcriptomes revealed fine-scale changes in gene expression over a developmental progression from putative sexual forms through metacyclics expressing variant surface glycoprotein genes. The cluster of cells potentially containing sexual forms was characterized by high level transcription of the gamete fusion protein HAP2, together with an array of surface proteins and several genes of unknown function. We linked these expression patterns to distinct morphological forms using immunofluorescence assays and reporter gene expression to demonstrate that the kinetoplastid-conserved gene Tb927.10.12080 is exclusively expressed at high levels by meiotic intermediates and gametes. Further experiments are required to establish whether this protein, currently of unknown function, plays a role in gamete formation and/or fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia M. Howick
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health, and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Lori Peacock
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Kay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Collett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Wendy Gibson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Mara K. N. Lawniczak
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
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Lisack J, Morriswood B, Engstler M. Response to comment on 'Unexpected plasticity in the life cycle of Trypanosoma Brucei'. eLife 2022; 11:e75922. [PMID: 35103593 PMCID: PMC8806184 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We thank Keith Matthews and Stephen Larcombe for their thoughtful comment, which follows the good tradition of public scientific discourse (Matthews and Larcombe, 2022). While their remarks have prompted us to take another critical look at our data, we think that they neither alter our conclusions nor offer a practical alternative explanation. In essence, we see two possible interpretations of our experiments: either the trypanosome life cycle can accommodate a more flexible role for the slender stage, or the definition of the stumpy stage needs to be radically changed. While the first interpretation - which we favour - would not falsify any published work, the second one - which Matthews and Larcombe are proposing - would contradict the literature. Hence, we favour a model with an unexpected phenotypic plasticity for the slender stage and a certain degree of stochasticity in the trypanosome life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Lisack
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Brooke Morriswood
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Markus Engstler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
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Matthews KR, Larcombe S. Comment on 'Unexpected plasticity in the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei'. eLife 2022; 11:74985. [PMID: 35103595 PMCID: PMC8806180 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schuster et al. make the important observation that small numbers of trypanosomes can infect tsetse flies, and further argue that this can occur whether the infecting parasites are developmentally ‘slender’ or ‘stumpy’(Schuster et al., 2021). We welcome their careful experiments but disagree that they require a rethink of the trypanosome life-cycle. Instead, the study reveals that stumpy forms are more likely to successfully infect flies, the key limit on parasite transmission, and we predict this advantage would be greatly amplified in tsetse infections in the field. Further, we argue that stumpy forms are defined by a suite of molecular adaptations for life-cycle progression, with morphology being a secondary feature. Finally, their dominance in chronic infections means most natural tsetse infections would involve stumpy forms, even in small numbers. Our interpretation does not require re-evaluation of the obligatory life cycle of the parasite, where stumpy forms are selected to sustain transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Larcombe
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Abuchery BE, Black JA, da Silva MS. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals hidden information in trypanosomatids. Trends Parasitol 2021; 38:4-6. [PMID: 34774423 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.10.006] [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: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Dixenic parasites often encounter environmental extremes during the transition from vector to host. Preadapted transmission stages overcome these challenges to promote parasites' survival and ensure life cycle progression. Recently, Vigneron et al. and Briggs et al. used single-cell transcriptomics to investigate developmental stage specific gene expression patterns during parasite differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan E Abuchery
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Jennifer A Black
- Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Marcelo S da Silva
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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Steketee PC, Giordani F, Vincent IM, Crouch K, Achcar F, Dickens NJ, Morrison LJ, MacLeod A, Barrett MP. Transcriptional differentiation of Trypanosoma brucei during in vitro acquisition of resistance to acoziborole. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009939. [PMID: 34752454 PMCID: PMC8648117 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009939] [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: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Subspecies of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei are the causative agents of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), a debilitating neglected tropical disease prevalent across sub-Saharan Africa. HAT case numbers have steadily decreased since the start of the century, and sustainable elimination of one form of the disease is in sight. However, key to this is the development of novel drugs to combat the disease. Acoziborole is a recently developed benzoxaborole, currently in advanced clinical trials, for treatment of stage 1 and stage 2 HAT. Importantly, acoziborole is orally bioavailable, and curative with one dose. Recent studies have made significant progress in determining the molecular mode of action of acoziborole. However, less is known about the potential mechanisms leading to acoziborole resistance in trypanosomes. In this study, an in vitro-derived acoziborole-resistant cell line was generated and characterised. The AcoR line exhibited significant cross-resistance with the methyltransferase inhibitor sinefungin as well as hypersensitisation to known trypanocides. Interestingly, transcriptomics analysis of AcoR cells indicated the parasites had obtained a procyclic- or stumpy-like transcriptome profile, with upregulation of procyclin surface proteins as well as differential regulation of key metabolic genes known to be expressed in a life cycle-specific manner, even in the absence of major morphological changes. However, no changes were observed in transcripts encoding CPSF3, the recently identified protein target of acoziborole. The results suggest that generation of resistance to this novel compound in vitro can be accompanied by transcriptomic switches resembling a procyclic- or stumpy-type phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter C. Steketee
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Giordani
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Isabel M. Vincent
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Crouch
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Achcar
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Dickens
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Liam J. Morrison
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Annette MacLeod
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
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