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Langston H, Fortes Francisco A, Doidge C, Roberts CH, Khan AA, Jayawardhana S, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Lewis MD. Dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in hamsters and novel association with progressive motor dysfunction. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012278. [PMID: 38905323 PMCID: PMC11221660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012278] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Clinical outcomes range from long-term asymptomatic carriage to cardiac, digestive, neurological and composite presentations that can be fatal in both acute and chronic stages of the disease. Studies of T. cruzi in animal models, principally mice, have informed our understanding of the biological basis of this variability and its relationship to infection and host response dynamics. Hamsters have higher translational value for many human infectious diseases, but they have not been well developed as models of Chagas disease. We transposed a real-time bioluminescence imaging system for T. cruzi infection from mice into female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). This enabled us to study chronic tissue pathology in the context of spatiotemporal infection dynamics. Acute infections were widely disseminated, whereas chronic infections were almost entirely restricted to the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Neither cardiac nor digestive tract disease were reproducible features of the model. Skeletal muscle had only sporadic parasitism in the chronic phase, but nevertheless displayed significant inflammation and fibrosis, features also seen in mouse models. Whereas mice had normal locomotion, all chronically infected hamsters developed hindlimb muscle hypertonia and a gait dysfunction resembling spastic diplegia. With further development, this model may therefore prove valuable in studies of peripheral nervous system involvement in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ciaran Doidge
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chrissy H. Roberts
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Archie A. Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Khan AA, Langston HC, Walsh L, Roscoe R, Jayawardhana S, Francisco AF, Taylor MC, McCann CJ, Kelly JM, Lewis MD. Enteric nervous system regeneration and functional cure of experimental digestive Chagas disease with trypanocidal chemotherapy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4400. [PMID: 38782898 PMCID: PMC11116530 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48749-5] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Digestive Chagas disease (DCD) is an enteric neuropathy caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection. There is a lack of evidence on the mechanism of pathogenesis and rationales for treatment. We used a female C3H/HeN mouse model that recapitulates key clinical manifestations to study how infection dynamics shape DCD pathology and the impact of treatment with the front-line, anti-parasitic drug benznidazole. Curative treatment 6 weeks post-infection resulted in sustained recovery of gastrointestinal transit function, whereas treatment failure led to infection relapse and gradual return of DCD symptoms. Neuro/immune gene expression patterns shifted from chronic inflammation to a tissue repair profile after cure, accompanied by increased cellular proliferation, glial cell marker expression and recovery of neuronal density in the myenteric plexus. Delaying treatment until 24 weeks post-infection led to partial reversal of DCD, suggesting the accumulation of permanent tissue damage over the course of chronic infection. Our study shows that murine DCD pathogenesis is sustained by chronic T. cruzi infection and is not an inevitable consequence of acute stage denervation. The risk of irreversible enteric neuromuscular tissue damage and dysfunction developing highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment. These findings support the concept of treating asymptomatic, T. cruzi-infected individuals with benznidazole to prevent DCD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archie A Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Harry C Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Louis Walsh
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Roscoe
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Martin C Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Conor J McCann
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK.
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, CV4 7AJ, Coventry, UK.
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Olmo F, Jayawardhana S, Khan AA, Langston HC, Francisco AF, Atherton RL, Ward AI, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Lewis MD. A panel of phenotypically and genotypically diverse bioluminescent:fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi strains as a resource for Chagas disease research. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012106. [PMID: 38820564 PMCID: PMC11168640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012106] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that displays considerable genetic diversity. Infections result in a range of pathological outcomes, and different strains can exhibit a wide spectrum of anti-parasitic drug tolerance. The genetic determinants of infectivity, virulence and therapeutic susceptibility remain largely unknown. As experimental tools to address these issues, we have generated a panel of bioluminescent:fluorescent parasite strains that cover the diversity of the T. cruzi species. These reporters allow spatio-temporal infection dynamics in murine models to be monitored in a non-invasive manner by in vivo imaging, provide a capability to detect rare infection foci at single-cell resolution, and represent a valuable resource for investigating virulence and host:parasite interactions at a mechanistic level. Importantly, these parasite reporter strains can also contribute to the Chagas disease drug screening cascade by ensuring that candidate compounds have pan-species in vivo activity prior to being advanced into clinical testing. The parasite strains described in this paper are available on request.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Archie A. Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry C. Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard L. Atherton
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Mazzoli-Rocha F, Diniz CP, de Rezende DPR, Mendes FDSNS, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, de Sousa AS, Saraiva RM, Borghi-Silva A, Mediano MFF, Alexandre DJDA. Inspiratory Muscle Strength in Chagas Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Scoping Review. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2023; 56:0389. [PMID: 38088665 PMCID: PMC10706025 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0389-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase in inflammatory markers associated with persistent chronic fibrosing myocarditis, a characteristic of chronic Chagas disease, can result in a reduction in inspiratory muscle strength (IMS) in Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC). However, literature in this field is still scarce. This review aimed to map and summarize the evidence regarding IMS in patients with CC. The inclusion criteria included reports with adult participants with a CC diagnosis, with or without heart failure (HF). The core concept examined was the maximum inspiratory pressure evaluated in the untrained and trained groups in the pre-training period. The context was open, including but not limited to hospitals and health centers. Two authors independently identified eligible studies and extracted the data. Descriptive synthesis was used as the primary strategy for analyzing the results. Nine studies (five clinical trials, three cross-sectional, and one cohort) were included. The CC classification differed among the studies, with no mention of HF in five and no CC staging specification in six. IMS was assessed using a manovacuometer, and only six studies analyzed and interpreted the data concerning the predicted values. The CC population with HF appeared to have impaired IMS. All studies involved only Brazilian volunteers. In conclusion, randomized clinical trials evaluating IMS and the effects of inspiratory muscle training need to be conducted to better understand the prevalence and risk of inspiratory muscle weakness in the CC population, as well as the effects of training. Such studies should be conducted at different stages of CC in different populations and countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Mazzoli-Rocha
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Clara Pinto Diniz
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | | | - Alejandro Marcel Hasslocher-Moreno
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Andréa Silvestre de Sousa
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Roberto Magalhães Saraiva
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Audrey Borghi-Silva
- Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
| | - Mauro Felippe Felix Mediano
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
- Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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5
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Ferri G, Musikant D, Edreira MM. Host Cell Rap1b mediates cAMP-dependent invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011191. [PMID: 36897926 PMCID: PMC10032529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi cAMP-mediated invasion has long been described, however, the detailed mechanism of action of the pathway activated by this cyclic nucleotide still remains unknown. We have recently demonstrated a crucial role for Epac in the cAMP-mediated invasion of the host cell. In this work, we gathered evidence indicating that the cAMP/Epac pathway is activated in different cells lines. In accordance, data collected from pull-down experiments designed to identify only the active form of Rap1b (Rap1b-GTP), and infection assays using cells transfected with a constitutively active mutant of Rap1b (Rap1b-G12V), strongly suggest the participation of Rap1b as mediator of the pathway. In addition to the activation of this small GTPase, fluorescence microscopy allowed us to demonstrate the relocalization of Rap1b to the entry site of the parasite. Moreover, phospho-mimetic and non-phosphorylable mutants of Rap1b were used to demonstrate a PKA-dependent antagonistic effect on the pathway, by phosphorylation of Rap1b, and potentially of Epac. Finally, Western Blot analysis was used to determine the involvement of the MEK/ERK signalling downstream of cAMP/Epac/Rap1b-mediated invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Ferri
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Trypanosomas, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel Musikant
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Trypanosomas, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martin M Edreira
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Trypanosomas, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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6
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da Silva-Gomes NL, Ruivo LADS, Moreira C, Meuser-Batista M, da Silva CF, Batista DDGJ, Fragoso S, de Oliveira GM, Soeiro MDNC, Moreira OC. Overexpression of TcNTPDase-1 Gene Increases Infectivity in Mice Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314661. [PMID: 36498985 PMCID: PMC9736689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are enzymes located on the surface of the T. cruzi plasma membrane, which hydrolyze a wide range of tri-/-diphosphate nucleosides. In this work, we used previously developed genetically modified strains of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), hemi-knockout (KO +/−) and overexpressing (OE) the TcNTPDase-1 gene to evaluate the parasite infectivity profile in a mouse model of acute infection (n = 6 mice per group). Our results showed significantly higher parasitemia and mortality, and lower weight in animals infected with parasites OE TcNTPDase-1, as compared to the infection with the wild type (WT) parasites. On the other hand, animals infected with (KO +/−) parasites showed no mortality during the 30-day trial and mouse weight was more similar to the non-infected (NI) animals. In addition, they had low parasitemia (45.7 times lower) when compared with parasites overexpressing TcNTPDase-1 from the hemi-knockout (OE KO +/−) group. The hearts of animals infected with the OE KO +/− and OE parasites showed significantly larger regions of cardiac inflammation than those infected with the WT parasites (p < 0.001). Only animals infected with KO +/− did not show individual electrocardiographic changes during the period of experimentation. Together, our results expand the knowledge on the role of NTPDases in T. cruzi infectivity, reenforcing the potential of this enzyme as a chemotherapy target to treat Chagas disease (CD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Lins da Silva-Gomes
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular-IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | | | - Claudia Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Tripanossomatídeos-ICC/FIOCRUZ, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Meuser-Batista
- Laboratório de Educação Profissional em Técnicas Laboratoriais em Saúde, EPSJV/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | | | | | - Stênio Fragoso
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Tripanossomatídeos-ICC/FIOCRUZ, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
| | | | | | - Otacilio C. Moreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular-IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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7
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Arana Y, Gálvez RI, Jacobs T. Role of the PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway in Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi Infection and Potential Therapeutic Options. Front Immunol 2022; 13:866120. [PMID: 35812458 PMCID: PMC9260015 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.866120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected chronic infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). A significant portion of infected people develops cardiac or digestive alterations over a lifetime. Since several chronic infections associated with antigen persistence and inflammation have been shown to lead to T cell exhaustion, new therapies targeting co-inhibitory receptors to regain T cell activity are under consideration. This study explored immune therapeutic approaches targeting the inhibitory PD-1/PD-L pathway in an experimental model for CD. Infected PD-L1 knockout mice (PD-L1 KO) showed increased systemic parasitemia in blood although no significant differences in parasite load were observed in different organs. Furthermore, we found no significant differences in the frequency of activated T cells or proinflammatory cytokine production when compared to WT counterparts. PD-L1 deficiency led to the production of IL-10 by CD8+ T cells and an upregulation of Tim-3 and CD244 (2B4). Unexpectedly, the lack of PD-L1 did not contribute to a significantly improved T cell response to infection. Single blockade and combined blockade of PD-1 and Tim-3 using monoclonal antibodies confirmed the results observed in infected. PD-L1 KO mice. Our results describe for the first time that the interruption of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis during acute T. cruzi infection does not necessarily enhance the immune response against this parasite. Its interruption favors increased levels of parasitemia and sustained upregulation of other co-inhibitory receptors as well as the production of regulatory cytokines. These results suggest that the clinical application of immune therapeutic approaches targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in CD might be risky and associated with adverse events. It highlights that more research is urgently needed to better understand the immune regulation of T cells in CD before designing immune therapeutic approaches for a clinical context.
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8
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Assessment of a combined treatment with a therapeutic vaccine and benznidazole for the Trypanosoma cruzi chronic infection. Acta Trop 2022; 229:106334. [PMID: 35101415 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106334] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The difficulties encountered in achieving treatments for chronic Chagas disease have promoted the investigation of new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we used two murine models of Trypanosoma cruzi chronic infection to determine the usefulness of applying a therapeutic vaccine alone or followed by benznidazole (Bz) chemotherapy. A vaccine formulation based on an N-terminal fragment of Trans-sialidase (TS) and Immunostimulant Particle Adjuvant (ISPA) - TSNt-ISPA was obtained. Firstly, the immunogenicity and protective capacity of TSNt-ISPA was demonstrated as a prophylactic formulation in an acute model of infection. Later, the formulation was assessed as a therapeutic vaccine alone or combined with (Bz) using two models of chronic infection. BALB/c mice chronically infected with Sylvio X10/4 or Tulahuen cl2 T. cruzi strains were not treated as control or treated only with the therapeutic vaccine TSNt-ISPA, with a combined treatment TSNt-ISPA+Bz (Bz applied after the vaccine), or only with Bz. The vaccination schedule consisted of TSNt-ISPA administration at days110, 120, and 130 post-infection (pi) and Bz administration was performed daily from day 140 to 170 pi. At day 273 pi, electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters, heart parasite load, myocarditis, and heart fibrosis were assessed. In both models, therapeutic administration of TSNt-ISPA reduced ECG alterations and the cardiac tissue damage observed in the chronic phase. Moreover, vaccine treatment significantly decreased heart parasite load in both Sylvio X10/4 and Tulahuen cl2 infected mice. The combined treatment, but not Bz or vaccine administration alone, allowed to restore ECG parameters in Tulahuen cl2 infected mice. The results indicate the usefulness of the therapeutic TSNt-ISPA formulation in BALB/c mice chronically infected with Sylvio X10/4 or Tulahuen cl2 strain. For the mice infected with T. cruzi Tulahuen cl2 strain, the combined treatment with the vaccine and Bz had a more positive effect on the course of heart disease than the individual treatments with the vaccine or Bz alone.
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9
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Silva ACO, Bonfim M, Fontes JLM, Dos-Santos WLC, Mengel J, Cardillo F. C57BL/6 Mice Pretreated With Alpha-Tocopherol Show a Better Outcome of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection With Less Tissue Inflammation and Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:833560. [PMID: 35154155 PMCID: PMC8832012 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.833560] [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] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is accompanied by a multisystem inflammatory disorder that follows Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Alpha-tocopherol has been described as an antioxidant and a potential adjuvant to enhance immune responses to vaccines. Therefore, we have evaluated the immune response to T. cruzi infection upon alpha-tocopherol pre-administration. The results show that administration of alpha-tocopherol before the infection results in lower parasitemia and lower mortality of C57BL/6 mice infected with the Tulahuen T. cruzi strain. Alpha-tocopherol administration in normal C57BL/6 mice resulted in higher levels of IFN-γ production by T and NK cells before and after the infection with T. cruzi. More importantly, previous administration of alpha-tocopherol increased the production of IL-10 by T and myeloid suppressor cells and the formation of effector memory T cells while decreasing the expression of PD-1 on T cells. These results suggest that alpha-tocopherol may limit the appearance of dysfunctional T cells during the acute and early chronic phases of T. cruzi infection, contributing to control infection. In addition, alpha-tocopherol could diminish tissue inflammation and fibrosis in late acute disease. These results strongly suggest that alpha-tocopherol may be a helpful agent to be considered in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C O Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Pathology, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Maiara Bonfim
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Pathology, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Jonathan L M Fontes
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Pathology, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Washington L C Dos-Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Pathology, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, UFBA, Salvador, Brazil
| | - José Mengel
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Petrópolis Medical School, UNIFASE, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Cardillo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Pathology, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil
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10
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Medina-Rincón GJ, Gallo-Bernal S, Jiménez PA, Cruz-Saavedra L, Ramírez JD, Rodríguez MJ, Medina-Mur R, Díaz-Nassif G, Valderrama-Achury MD, Medina HM. Molecular and Clinical Aspects of Chronic Manifestations in Chagas Disease: A State-of-the-Art Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111493. [PMID: 34832648 PMCID: PMC8619182 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic manifestations of Chagas disease present as disabling and life-threatening conditions affecting mainly the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. Although meaningful research has outlined the different molecular mechanisms underlying Trypanosoma cruzi’s infection and the host-parasite interactions that follow, prompt diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge, particularly in developing countries and also in those where the disease is considered non-endemic. This review intends to present an up-to-date review of the parasite’s life cycle, genetic diversity, virulence factors, and infective mechanisms, as well as the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options of the main chronic complications of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán J. Medina-Rincón
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-310-817-2369
| | - Sebastián Gallo-Bernal
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Paula A. Jiménez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - María Juliana Rodríguez
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Ramón Medina-Mur
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Gustavo Díaz-Nassif
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 111221, Colombia;
| | | | - Héctor M. Medina
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
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11
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Lafon-Hughes L, Fernández Villamil SH, Vilchez Larrea SC. Tankyrase inhibitors hinder Trypanosoma cruzi infection by altering host-cell signalling pathways. Parasitology 2021; 148:1680-1690. [PMID: 35060470 PMCID: PMC11010053 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021001402] [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: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a potentially life-threatening protozoan infection affecting around 8 million people, for which only chemotherapies with limited efficacy and severe adverse secondary effects are available. The aetiological agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, displays varied cell invading tactics and triggers different host cell signals, including the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) can be synthetized by certain members of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family: PARP-1/-2 and Tankyrases-1/2 (TNKS). PAR homoeostasis participates in the host cell response to T. cruzi infection and TNKS are involved in Wnt signalling, among other pathways. Therefore, we hypothesized that TNKS inhibitors (TNKSi) could hamper T. cruzi infection. We showed that five TNKSi (FLALL9, MN64, XAV939, G007LK and OULL9) diminished T. cruzi infection of Vero cells. As most TNKSi did not affect the viability of axenically cultivated parasites, our results suggested that TNKSi were interfering with parasite–host cell signalling. Infection by T. cruzi induced nuclear translocation of β-catenin, as well as upregulation of TNF-α expression and secretion. These changes were hampered by TNKSi. Further signals should be monitored in this model and in vivo. As a TNKSi has entered cancer clinical trials with promising results, our findings encourage further studies aiming at drug repurposing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lafon-Hughes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Grupo de Biofisicoquímica, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República (CENUR-UdelaR), Salto, Uruguay
| | - Silvia H. Fernández Villamil
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ‘Dr. Héctor N. Torres’, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Salomé C. Vilchez Larrea
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular ‘Dr. Héctor N. Torres’, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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12
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Mateus J, Nocua P, Lasso P, López MC, Thomas MC, Egui A, Cuervo C, González JM, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A. CD8 + T Cell Response Quality Is Related to Parasite Control in an Animal Model of Single and Mixed Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:723121. [PMID: 34712620 PMCID: PMC8546172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.723121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD) is a chronic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This highly diverse intracellular parasite is classified into seven genotypes or discrete typing units (DTUs) and they overlap in geographic ranges, vectors, and clinical characteristics. Although studies have suggested that ChD progression is due to a decline in the immune response quality, a direct relationship between T cell responses and disease outcome is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between parasite control and immune T cell responses, we used two distinct infection approaches in an animal model to explore the histological and parasitological outcomes and dissect the T cell responses in T. cruzi-infected mice. First, we performed single infection experiments with DA (TcI) or Y (TcII) T. cruzi strains to compare the infection outcomes and evaluate its relationship with the T cell response. Second, because infections with diverse T. cruzi genotypes can occur in naturally infected individuals, mice were infected with the Y or DA strain and subsequently reinfected with the Y strain. We found different infection outcomes in the two infection approaches used. The single chronic infection showed differences in the inflammatory infiltrate level, while mixed chronic infection by different T. cruzi DTUs showed dissimilarities in the parasite loads. Chronically infected mice with a low inflammatory infiltrate (DA-infected mice) or low parasitemia and parasitism (Y/Y-infected mice) showed increases in early-differentiated CD8+ T cells, a multifunctional T cell response and lower expression of inhibitory receptors on CD8+ T cells. In contrast, infected mice with a high inflammatory infiltrate (Y-infected mice) or high parasitemia and parasitism (DA/Y-infected mice) showed a CD8+ T cell response distinguished by an increase in late-differentiated cells, a monofunctional response, and enhanced expression of inhibitory receptors. Overall, our results demonstrated that the infection outcomes caused by single or mixed T. cruzi infection with different genotypes induce a differential immune CD8+ T cell response quality. These findings suggest that the CD8+ T cell response might dictate differences in the infection outcomes at the chronic T. cruzi stage. This study shows that the T cell response quality is related to parasite control during chronic T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Nocua
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Ciencias de Laboratorio Clínico, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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13
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Rawal K, Sinha R, Abbasi BA, Chaudhary A, Nath SK, Kumari P, Preeti P, Saraf D, Singh S, Mishra K, Gupta P, Mishra A, Sharma T, Gupta S, Singh P, Sood S, Subramani P, Dubey AK, Strych U, Hotez PJ, Bottazzi ME. Identification of vaccine targets in pathogens and design of a vaccine using computational approaches. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17626. [PMID: 34475453 PMCID: PMC8413327 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96863-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Antigen identification is an important step in the vaccine development process. Computational approaches including deep learning systems can play an important role in the identification of vaccine targets using genomic and proteomic information. Here, we present a new computational system to discover and analyse novel vaccine targets leading to the design of a multi-epitope subunit vaccine candidate. The system incorporates reverse vaccinology and immuno-informatics tools to screen genomic and proteomic datasets of several pathogens such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium falciparum, and Vibrio cholerae to identify potential vaccine candidates (PVC). Further, as a case study, we performed a detailed analysis of the genomic and proteomic dataset of T. cruzi (CL Brenner and Y strain) to shortlist eight proteins as possible vaccine antigen candidates using properties such as secretory/surface-exposed nature, low transmembrane helix (< 2), essentiality, virulence, antigenic, and non-homology with host/gut flora proteins. Subsequently, highly antigenic and immunogenic MHC class I, MHC class II and B cell epitopes were extracted from top-ranking vaccine targets. The designed vaccine construct containing 24 epitopes, 3 adjuvants, and 4 linkers was analysed for its physicochemical properties using different tools, including docking analysis. Immunological simulation studies suggested significant levels of T-helper, T-cytotoxic cells, and IgG1 will be elicited upon administration of such a putative multi-epitope vaccine construct. The vaccine construct is predicted to be soluble, stable, non-allergenic, non-toxic, and to offer cross-protection against related Trypanosoma species and strains. Further, studies are required to validate safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Rawal
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India.
| | - Robin Sinha
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Bilal Ahmed Abbasi
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Amit Chaudhary
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Swarsat Kaushik Nath
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Priya Kumari
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - P Preeti
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Devansh Saraf
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Shachee Singh
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Kartik Mishra
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Pranjay Gupta
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Astha Mishra
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Trapti Sharma
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Srijanee Gupta
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Prashant Singh
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Shriya Sood
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Preeti Subramani
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Aman Kumar Dubey
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Ulrich Strych
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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14
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Khan AA, Langston HC, Costa FC, Olmo F, Taylor MC, McCann CJ, Kelly JM, Lewis MD. Local association of Trypanosoma cruzi chronic infection foci and enteric neuropathic lesions at the tissue micro-domain scale. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009864. [PMID: 34424944 PMCID: PMC8412264 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009864] [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: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Digestive Chagas disease (DCD) is an enteric neuropathy caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The mechanism of pathogenesis is poorly understood and the lack of a robust, predictive animal model has held back research. We screened a series of mouse models using gastrointestinal tracer assays and in vivo infection imaging systems to discover a subset exhibiting chronic digestive transit dysfunction and significant retention of faeces in both sated and fasted conditions. The colon was a specific site of both tissue parasite persistence, delayed transit and dramatic loss of myenteric neurons as revealed by whole-mount immunofluorescence analysis. DCD mice therefore recapitulated key clinical manifestations of human disease. We also exploited dual reporter transgenic parasites to home in on locations of rare chronic infection foci in the colon by ex vivo bioluminescence imaging and then used fluorescence imaging in tissue microdomains to reveal co-localisation of infection and enteric nervous system lesions. This indicates that long-term T. cruzi-host interactions in the colon drive DCD pathogenesis, suggesting that the efficacy of anti-parasitic chemotherapy against chronic disease progression warrants further pre-clinical investigation. Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease has two types, the cardiac form and the digestive form; some patients have symptoms of both. How the parasite causes digestive disease is poorly understood. It is known that damage to the gut’s nervous system is an important factor, but it has been unclear exactly where and when this damage occurs during the course of an infection and also why only a subset of infected people suffer from this outcome. We studied infections in mice and found certain combinations of strains of parasites and mice that exhibited symptoms similar to human digestive Chagas patients, including a problem with peristalsis that localised specifically to the colon. Using parasites that were genetically engineered to emit both bioluminescent and fluorescent light, we tracked infections over time and were able to analyse rare infected cells deep within the muscle tissue of the wall of the colon. We found evidence of damaged neurons in the same location as these infection foci over 6 months after initial infection. Our results show that digestive Chagas disease probably develops as a result of chronic infection and inflammation, which potentially changes approaches to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archie A. Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry C. Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fernanda C. Costa
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Conor J. McCann
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University College London, Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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15
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Nielebock MAP, de Freitas Campos Miranda L, Americano do Brasil PEA, de Jesus S Pereira TO, da Silva AF, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, Sangenis LHC, Saraiva RM. Blood culture positivity rate for Trypanosoma cruzi in patients with chronic Chagas disease differs among different clinical forms. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:720-725. [PMID: 33150435 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this research was to compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with chronic Chagas disease with and without positive blood cultures for Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODS This was a retrospective longitudinal study that included 139 patients with chronic Chagas disease who underwent blood culture for T. cruzi. Blood cultures were performed using Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle medium enriched with Schneider's medium. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis adjusting for age and sex was performed to identify if positive blood culture for T. cruzi was associated with all-cause mortality. RESULTS The blood culture positivity rate was 30.9%. Most patients were born in the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil. Patients with positive blood cultures were older (52±13 vs 45±13 y; p=0.0009) and more frequently women (72.1% vs. 53.1%; p=0.03) than patients with negative blood cultures. The frequency of patients with cardiac or cardiodigestive forms was higher among patients with positive vs negative blood cultures (74.4% vs 54.1%; p=0.02). A total of 28 patients died during a mean follow-up time of 6.6±4.1 y. A positive blood culture was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.26 [95% confidence interval 1.02 to 5.01], p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS We found a higher proportion of patients with Chagas heart disease among patients with T. cruzi-positive blood cultures. A positive blood culture was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Therefore T. cruzi persistence may influence Chagas disease pathogenesis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antonio Prates Nielebock
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
| | - Luciana de Freitas Campos Miranda
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
| | | | | | - Aline Fagundes da Silva
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
| | | | - Luiz Henrique Conde Sangenis
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
| | - Roberto Magalhães Saraiva
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21040-900
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16
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Padilla-Valdez JM, Antonio-Campos A, Arias-Del-Angel JA, Rivas N, Alejandre-Aguilar R. Susceptibility dynamics between five Trypanosoma cruzi strains and three triatomine (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) species. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2021; 46:82-95. [PMID: 35229585 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-46.1.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
American trypanosomiasis is a zoonosis caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is transmitted mainly by blood-sucking insects belonging to the subfamily Triatominae. The importance of this parasite lies in its wide geographical distribution, high morbidity, and the fact that there has not yet been an effective treatment or vaccine. Previous studies have detailed the interactions between different triatomine species and T. cruzi strains. However, the factors necessary to establish infection in triatomines have not yet been fully elucidated. Furthermore, it is postulated that the coexistence between the parasite and triatomines could modulate the susceptibility to infection in these insects. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the susceptibility to T. cruzi infection in the species Triatoma (Meccus) pallidipennis, Triatoma barberi, and Triatoma lecticularia, which were infected with Ninoa, H8, INC-5, Sontecomapan, and Hueypoxtla strains. The criteria used to establish susceptibility were the amount of blood ingested by the insects, percentage of infected triatomines, concentration of parasites in feces, and percentage of metacyclic trypomastigotes in feces. These parameters were analyzed by fresh examination and differential count with Giemsa-stained smears. Our main findings suggest the following order of susceptibility concerning infection with T. cruzi: T. lecticularia > T. barberi > T. (Meccus) pallidipennis. Furthermore, the study concludes that an increased susceptibility to infection of triatomines that share the same geographic region with different strains of T. cruzi is not always a fact.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Miguel Padilla-Valdez
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico
| | - Alberto Antonio-Campos
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico
| | - Jorge A Arias-Del-Angel
- Unidad Monterrey, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apocada NL, Mexico
| | - Nancy Rivas
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Alejandre-Aguilar
- Laboratory of Medical Entomology, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico,
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17
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Volpini X, Ambrosio LF, Brajín MA, Brugo MB, Aoki MP, Rivarola HW, Alfonso F, Fozzatti L, Cervi L, Motran CC. Wnt Signaling Plays a Key Role in the Regulation of the Immune Response and Cardiac Damage during Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:566-578. [PMID: 33573383 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chagas cardiomyopathy is the consequence of a compromised electrical and mechanical cardiac function, with parasite persistence, unbalanced inflammation, and pathological tissue remodelling, being intricately related to myocardial aggression and impaired function. Recent studies have shown that Wnt signaling pathways play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiac and vascular diseases. In addition, we have reported that Trypanosoma cruzi infection activates Wnt signaling to promote intracellular replication of the parasites in macrophages, with the treatment of mice with IWP-L6 (an inhibitor of the O-acyl-transferase, PORCN, responsible for the post-translational modifications necessary for Wnt protein secretion) being able to diminish parasitemia and tissue parasitism. Here, we show that inhibition of Wnt signaling during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection controls the parasite replication, inhibits the development of parasite-prone and fibrosis-prone Th2-type immune response, and prevents the development of cardiac abnormalities characteristics of chronic Chagas disease. Our results suggest that the Wnt signaling pathway might be a potential target to prevent the development of T. cruzi-induced cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Volpini
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Fernanda Ambrosio
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Agustina Brajín
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Belen Brugo
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Pilar Aoki
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Hector Walter Rivarola
- Centro de Estudios e Investigación de la Enfermedad de Chagas y Leishmaniasis, Cátedra de Física Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESV Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA-CONICET), Bv. De la Reforma y Enfermera Gordillo, Pabellón
de Biología Celular. Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Fernando Alfonso
- Centro de Estudios e Investigación de la Enfermedad de Chagas y Leishmaniasis, Cátedra de Física Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Santa Rosa 1085, X5000ESV Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA-CONICET), Bv. De la Reforma y Enfermera Gordillo, Pabellón
de Biología Celular. Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Fozzatti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Cervi
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Claudia Cristina Motran
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI-CONICET), Haya de la Torre y
Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
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18
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Ferri G, Edreira MM. All Roads Lead to Cytosol: Trypanosoma cruzi Multi-Strategic Approach to Invasion. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:634793. [PMID: 33747982 PMCID: PMC7973469 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.634793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T. cruzi has a complex life cycle involving four developmental stages namely, epimastigotes, metacyclic trypomastigotes, amastigotes and bloodstream trypomastigotes. Although trypomastigotes are the infective forms, extracellular amastigotes have also shown the ability to invade host cells. Both stages can invade a broad spectrum of host tissues, in fact, almost any nucleated cell can be the target of infection. To add complexity, the parasite presents high genetic variability with differential characteristics such as infectivity. In this review, we address the several strategies T. cruzi has developed to subvert the host cell signaling machinery in order to gain access to the host cell cytoplasm. Special attention is made to the numerous parasite/host protein interactions and to the set of signaling cascades activated during the formation of a parasite-containing vesicle, the parasitophorous vacuole, from which the parasite escapes to the cytosol, where differentiation and replication take place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Ferri
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martin M Edreira
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Trypanosoma, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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19
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Cruz-Chan JV, Villanueva-Lizama LE, Versteeg L, Damania A, Villar MJ, González-López C, Keegan B, Pollet J, Gusovsky F, Hotez PJ, Bottazzi ME, Jones KM. Vaccine-linked chemotherapy induces IL-17 production and reduces cardiac pathology during acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3222. [PMID: 33547365 PMCID: PMC7865072 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82930-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease resulting from Trypanosoma cruzi infection leads to a silent, long-lasting chronic neglected tropical disease affecting the poorest and underserved populations around the world. Antiparasitic treatment with benznidazole does not prevent disease progression or death in patients with established cardiac disease. Our consortium is developing a therapeutic vaccine based on the T. cruzi flagellar—derived antigen Tc24-C4 formulated with a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist adjuvant, to complement existing chemotherapy and improve treatment efficacy. Here we demonstrate that therapeutic treatment of acutely infected mice with a reduced dose of benznidazole concurrently with vaccine treatment – also known as “vaccine-linked chemotherapy”—induced a TH17 like immune response, with significantly increased production of antigen specific IL-17A, IL-23 and IL-22, and CD8 + T lymphocytes, as well as significantly increased T. cruzi specific IFNγ-producing CD4 + T lymphocytes. Significantly reduced cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and parasite burdens and improved survival were achieved by vaccine-linked chemotherapy and individual treatments. Importantly, low dose treatments were comparably efficacious to high dose treatments, demonstrating potential dose sparing effects. We conclude that through induction of TH17 immune responses vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic strategies could bridge the tolerability and efficacy gaps of current drug treatment in Chagasic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio V Cruz-Chan
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Liliana E Villanueva-Lizama
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ashish Damania
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria José Villar
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cristina González-López
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Brian Keegan
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeroen Pollet
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Peter J Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kathryn M Jones
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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20
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Ledezma AP, Blandon R, Schijman AG, Benatar A, Saldaña A, Osuna A. Mixed infections by different Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units among Chagas disease patients in an endemic community in Panama. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241921. [PMID: 33180799 PMCID: PMC7660484 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi, the hemoparasite that causes Chagas disease, is divided into six Discrete Typing Units or DTUs: TcI-TcVI plus Tcbat. This genetic diversity is based on ecobiological and clinical characteristics associated with particular populations of the parasite. The main objective of this study was the identification of DTUs in patients with chronic chagasic infections from a mountainous rural community in the eastern region of Panama. Methods A total of 106 patients were tested for Chagas disease with three serological tests (ELISA, rapid test, and Western blot). Molecular diagnosis and DTU typing were carried out by conventional PCRs and qPCR targeting different genomic markers, respectively. As a control sample for the typing, 28 patients suspected to be chagasic from the metropolitan area of Panama City were included. Results Results showed a positivity in the evaluated patients of 42.3% (33/78); high compared to other endemic regions in the country. In the control group, 20/28 (71.43%) patients presented positive serology. The typing of samples from rural patients showed that 78.78% (26/33) corresponded to TcI, while 9.09% (3/33) were mixed infections (TcI plus TcII/V/VI). Seventy-five percent (15/20) of the patients in the control group presented TcI, and in five samples it was not possible to typify the T. cruzi genotype involved. Conclusions These results confirm that TcI is the main DTU of T. cruzi present in chronic chagasic patients from Panama. However, the circulation of other genotypes (TcII/V/VI) in this country is described for the first time. The eco-epidemiological characteristics that condition the circulation of TcII/V/VI, as well as the immune and clinical impact of mixed infections in this remote mountainous region should be investigated, which will help local action programs in the surveillance, prevention, and management of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Prescilla Ledezma
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.,Center for Research and Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases (CIDEP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Panama, Panama, Panama
| | | | - Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Chagas Disease, Institute of Research in Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology "Dr Héctor Torres" (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Benatar
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Chagas Disease, Institute of Research in Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology "Dr Héctor Torres" (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Azael Saldaña
- Center for Research and Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases (CIDEP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Panama, Panama, Panama.,Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies (ICGES), Panama, Panama
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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21
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Herreros-Cabello A, Callejas-Hernández F, Gironès N, Fresno M. Trypanosoma Cruzi Genome: Organization, Multi-Gene Families, Transcription, and Biological Implications. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1196. [PMID: 33066599 PMCID: PMC7602482 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi affects millions of people. Although its first genome dates from 2005, its complexity hindered a complete assembly and annotation. However, the new sequencing methods have improved genome annotation of some strains elucidating the broad genetic diversity and complexity of this parasite. Here, we reviewed the genomic structure and regulation, the genetic diversity, and the analysis of the principal multi-gene families of the recent genomes for several strains. The telomeric and sub-telomeric regions are sites with high recombination events, the genome displays two different compartments, the core and the disruptive, and the genome plasticity seems to play a key role in the survival and the infection process. Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) genome is composed mainly of multi-gene families as the trans-sialidases, mucins, and mucin-associated surface proteins. Trans-sialidases are the most abundant genes in the genome and show an important role in the effectiveness of the infection and the parasite survival. Mucins and MASPs are also important glycosylated proteins of the surface of the parasite that play a major biological role in both insect and mammal-dwelling stages. Altogether, these studies confirm the complexity of T. cruzi genome revealing relevant concepts to better understand Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Herreros-Cabello
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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22
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Arroyo-Olarte RD, Martínez I, Lujan E, Mendlovic F, Dinkova T, Espinoza B. Differential gene expression of virulence factors modulates infectivity of TcI Trypanosoma cruzi strains. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3803-3815. [PMID: 33006041 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06891-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, whose clinical outcome ranges from asymptomatic individuals to chronic fatal megasyndromes. Despite being central to pathogenesis, the regulation of parasite virulence factors' expression remains largely unknown. In this work, the relative expression of several parasite virulence factors between two TcI strains (Ninoa, low virulence and Qro, high virulence) was assessed by qRT-PCR of total and of polysome-associated mRNA, as well as by western blots. Trypomastigotes were also incubated with specific anti-sense morpholino oligonucleotides to block the translation of a selected virulence factor, calreticulin, in both strains. Ninoa trypomastigotes showed significantly lower levels of trypomastigote-decay acceleration factor, complement regulatory protein, complement C2 receptor inhibitor trispanning, and glycoproteins 82 and 90 mRNAs compared with Qro. There was a significantly lower recruitment of complement regulatory protein and complement C2 receptor inhibitor trispanning mRNAs to polysomes and higher recruitment of MASP mRNA to monosomes in Ninoa strain. Calreticulin mRNA displayed both a higher total mRNA level and recruitment to translationally active polysomes in the Ninoa strain (low virulence) than in the Qro strain (high virulence). When calreticulin was downregulated by ≈ 50% by anti-sense morpholino oligonucleotides, a significant decrease of parasite invasion in mammalian cells was found in both strains. Calreticulin downregulation, however, only increased significantly the activation of the complement system by Ninoa trypomastigotes. These results suggest a role for the regulation of virulence factors' gene expression in the differential virulence among T. cruzi strains. Furthermore, a possible function of calreticulin in parasite invasion not related to its binding to complement factors is shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben D Arroyo-Olarte
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Inmunología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Martínez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Inmunología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Lujan
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fela Mendlovic
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tzvetanka Dinkova
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Bertha Espinoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Inmunología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
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23
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Pérez-Mazliah D, Ward AI, Lewis MD. Host-parasite dynamics in Chagas disease from systemic to hyper-local scales. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12786. [PMID: 32799361 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a remarkably versatile parasite. It can parasitize almost any nucleated cell type and naturally infects hundreds of mammal species across much of the Americas. In humans, it is the cause of Chagas disease, a set of mainly chronic conditions predominantly affecting the heart and gastrointestinal tract, which can progress to become life threatening. Yet around two thirds of infected people are long-term asymptomatic carriers. Clinical outcomes depend on many factors, but the central determinant is the nature of the host-parasite interactions that play out over the years of chronic infection in diverse tissue environments. In this review, we aim to integrate recent developments in the understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of T. cruzi infections with established and emerging concepts in host immune responses in the corresponding phases and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Pérez-Mazliah
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Alexander I Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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24
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Poveda C, Herreros-Cabello A, Callejas-Hernández F, Osuna-Pérez J, Maza MC, Chillón-Marinas C, Calderón J, Stamatakis K, Fresno M, Gironès N. Interaction of Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family 1 (SLAMF1) receptor with Trypanosoma cruzi is strain-dependent and affects NADPH oxidase expression and activity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008608. [PMID: 32925918 PMCID: PMC7515593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor Signaling Lymphocyte-Activation Molecule Family 1 (SLAMF1) controls susceptibility to Infection by the lethal Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain. To elucidate whether genetic diversity of the parasite was related with disease susceptibility, we further analyzed the role of SLAMF1 using 6 different Trypanosoma cruzi strains including Y. The interaction of SLAMF1 receptor with T. cruzi was evidenced by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and quantitative PCR. All the strains, except VFRA, showed a decrease in parasite load in infected macrophages in Slamf1-/- compared to BALB/c. In macrophages gene expression NADPH oxidase (NOX2), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increased in Slamf1-/- compared to BALB/c in 5 out of 6 strains. However, Slamf1-/-macrophages infected with VFRA strain exhibited a divergent behavior, with higher parasite load, lower NOX2 expression and ROS production compared to BALB/c. Parasitological and immunological studies in vivo with Y strain showed that in the absence of SLAMF1 the immune response protected mice from the otherwise lethal Y infection favoring a proinflammatory response likely involving CD4, CD8, dendritic cells and classically activated macrophages. In the case of VFRA, no major changes were observed in the absence of SLAMF1. Thus, the results suggest that the T. cruzi affects SLAMF1-dependent ROS production, controlling parasite replication in macrophages and affecting survival in mice in a strain-dependent manner. Further studies will focus in the identification of parasite molecules involved in SLAMF1 interaction to explain the immunopathogenesis of the disease. Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is characterized by an acute phase, with low mortality, and after many years without any sign of disease, patients develop a symptomatic chronic phase, characterized by cardiomyopathy and/or digestive mega syndromes. These differences have been attributed to the high genetic variability of this parasite. We have shown that the receptor Signaling Lymphocyte-Activation Molecule Family 1 (SLAMF1) controls susceptibility to Infection by the lethal T. cruzi Y strain. Here we studied in detail the immunopathogenic role of SLAMF1 using 6 genetically diverse strains of T. cruzi using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Our results indicate an important role of SLAMF1 in T. cruzi infection which is parasite strain-dependent. We found that parasites interact with SLAMF1 in macrophages affecting NADPH oxidase (NOX2) expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production 5 out of 6 strains tested. Y and VFRA strains showed a divergent behavior in vitro and the role of SLAMF1 in the in vivo infection was also strikingly different. The Y strain caused 70% mortality in BALB/c mice but not in Slamf1-/- mice. The proinflammatory response was stronger in the last, suggesting that SLAMF1 was repressing protective immune responses of mice infected with the Y strain. In contrast, for VFRA, SLAMF1 deficiency resulted in 100% survival of BALB/c mice, without major changes in the immune response in the absence of SLAMF1. Thus, the results indicate that SLAMF1 receptor interacts with T. cruzi, affecting parasite replication and ROS production in macrophages as well as the adaptive immune response in mice in a parasite strain-dependent manner. Future studies will focus in understanding the immunopathogenic role of SLAMF1 during T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Poveda
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Herreros-Cabello
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Osuna-Pérez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - María C. Maza
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Chillón-Marinas
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jossela Calderón
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Konstantinos Stamatakis
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail: (MF); (NG)
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail: (MF); (NG)
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25
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Martinez SJ, Romano PS, Engman DM. Precision Health for Chagas Disease: Integrating Parasite and Host Factors to Predict Outcome of Infection and Response to Therapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:210. [PMID: 32457849 PMCID: PMC7225773 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is clinically manifested in approximately one-third of infected people by inflammatory heart disease (cardiomyopathy) and, to a minor degree, gastrointestinal tract disorders (megaesophagus or megacolon). Chagas disease is a zoonosis transmitted among animals and people through the contact with triatomine bugs, which are found in much of the western hemisphere, including most countries of North, Central and South America, between parallels 45° north (Minneapolis, USA) and south (Chubut Province, Argentina). Despite much research on drug discovery for T. cruzi, there remain only two related agents in widespread use. Likewise, treatment is not always indicated due to the serious side effects of these drugs. On the other hand, the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Chagas disease are both highly complex, and much is known about both. However, it is still impossible to predict what will happen in an individual person infected with T. cruzi, because of the highly variability of parasite virulence and human susceptibility to infection, with no definitive molecular predictors of outcome from either side of the host-parasite equation. In this Minireview we briefly discuss the current state of T. cruzi infection and prognosis and look forward to the day when it will be possible to employ precision health to predict disease outcome and determine whether and when treatment of infection may be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago J Martinez
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora-Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos," (IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo), Mendoza, Argentina.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Patricia S Romano
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora-Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos," (IHEM-CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Cuyo), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - David M Engman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Departments of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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26
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Amezcua Vesely MC, Rodríguez C, Gruppi A, Acosta Rodríguez EV. Interleukin-17 mediated immunity during infections with Trypanosoma cruzi and other protozoans. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165706. [PMID: 31987839 PMCID: PMC7071987 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Host resistance during infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, and other protozoans, is dependent on a balanced immune response. Robust immunity against these pathogens requires of the concerted action of many innate and adaptive cell populations including macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells and B cells among others. Indeed, during most protozoan infections only a balanced production of inflammatory (TH1) and anti-inflammatory (TH2/regulatory) cytokines will allow the control of parasite spreading without compromising host tissue integrity. The description of TH17 cells, a novel effector helper T cell lineage that produced IL-17 as signature cytokine, prompted the revision of our knowledge about the mechanisms that mediate protection and immunopathology during protozoan infections. In this manuscript we discuss the general features of IL-17 mediated immune responses as well as the cellular sources, effector mechanisms and overall role of IL-17 in the immune response to T. cruzi and other protozoan infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Carolina Amezcua Vesely
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Constanza Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Adriana Gruppi
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eva Virginia Acosta Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
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Wesley M, Moraes A, Rosa ADC, Lott Carvalho J, Shiroma T, Vital T, Dias N, de Carvalho B, do Amaral Rabello D, Borges TKDS, Dallago B, Nitz N, Hagström L, Hecht M. Correlation of Parasite Burden, kDNA Integration, Autoreactive Antibodies, and Cytokine Pattern in the Pathophysiology of Chagas Disease. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1856. [PMID: 31496999 PMCID: PMC6712995 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is the main parasitic disease in the Western Hemisphere. Unfortunately, its physiopathology is not completely understood, and cardiomegaly development is hard to predict. Trying to explain tissue lesion and the fact that only a percentage of the infected individuals develops clinical manifestations, a variety of mechanisms have been suggested as the provokers of CD, such as parasite persistence and autoimmune responses. However, holistic analysis of how parasite and host-related elements may connect to each other and influence clinical outcome is still scarce in the literature. Here, we investigated murine models of CD caused by three different pathogen strains: Colombian, CL Brener and Y strains, and employed parasitological and immunological tests to determine parasite load, antibody reactivity, and cytokine production during the acute and chronic phases of the disease. Also, we developed a quantitative PCR (qPCR) protocol to quantify T. cruzi kDNA minicircle integration into the mammalian host genome. Finally, we used a correlation analysis to interconnect parasite- and host-related factors over time. Higher parasite load in the heart and in the intestine was significantly associated with IgG raised against host cardiac proteins. Also, increased heart and bone marrow parasitism was associated with a more intense leukocyte infiltration. kDNA integration rates correlated to the levels of IgG antibodies reactive to host cardiac proteins and interferon production, both influencing tissue inflammation. In conclusion, our results shed light into how inflammatory process associates with parasite load, kDNA transfer to the host, autoreactive autoantibody production and cytokine profile. Altogether, our data support the proposal of an updated integrative theory regarding CD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Wesley
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Aline Moraes
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ana de Cássia Rosa
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Shiroma
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tamires Vital
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nayra Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruna de Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Doralina do Amaral Rabello
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Karla Dos Santos Borges
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dallago
- Laboratory of Animal Welfare, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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Nagajyothi JF, Weiss LM. Advances in understanding the role of adipose tissue and mitochondrial oxidative stress in Trypanosoma cruzi infection. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 31354939 PMCID: PMC6652099 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19190.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, causes a latent infection that results in cardiomyopathy. Infection with this pathogen is a major socio-economic burden in areas of endemic infection throughout Latin America. The development of chagasic cardiomyopathy is dependent on the persistence of this parasite in host tissues. Pathogenesis of this cardiomyopathy is multifactorial and research indicates that it includes microvascular dysfunction, immune responses to host and parasite antigens, and various vasoactive and lipid mediators produced by both the host and parasite. It has been demonstrated that
T. cruzi persists in adipose tissue and uses fat as a nutritional niche in infected hosts. This chronic infection of adipose tissue plays an important role in the pathogenesis and persistence of this infection and involves mitochondrial stress responses as well as the production of various anti-inflammatory adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines by both white and brown adipose tissue. The changes in diet in endemic regions of infection have resulted in an epidemic of obesity that has significant implications for the pathogenesis of
T. cruzi infection and the development of chagasic cardiomyopathy in infected humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyothi F Nagajyothi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, 225 Warren Street, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Louis M Weiss
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Room 504 Forchheimer Building, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
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Mateus J, Guerrero P, Lasso P, Cuervo C, González JM, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A. An Animal Model of Acute and Chronic Chagas Disease With the Reticulotropic Y Strain of Trypanosoma cruzi That Depicts the Multifunctionality and Dysfunctionality of T Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:918. [PMID: 31105709 PMCID: PMC6499084 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD), a complex and persistent parasitosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, represents a natural model of chronic infection, in which some people exhibit cardiac or digestive complications that can result in death 20–40 years after the initial infection. Nonetheless, due to unknown mechanisms, some T. cruzi-infected individuals remain asymptomatic throughout their lives. Actually, no vaccine is available to prevent ChD, and treatments for chronic ChD patients are controversial. Chronically T. cruzi-infected individuals exhibit a deterioration of T cell function, an exhaustion state characterized by poor cytokine production and increased inhibitory receptor co-expression, suggesting that these changes are potentially related to ChD progression. Moreover, an effective anti-parasitic treatment appears to reverse this state and improve the T cell response. Taking into account these findings, the functionality state of T cells might provide a potential correlate of protection to detect individuals who will or will not develop the severe forms of ChD. Consequently, we investigated the T cell response, analyzed by flow cytometry with two multicolor immunofluorescence panels, to assess cytokines/cytotoxic molecules and the expression of inhibitory receptors, in a murine model of acute (10 and 30 days) and chronic (100 and 260 days) ChD, characterized by parasite persistence for up to 260 days post-infection and moderate inflammation of the colon and liver of T. cruzi-infected mice. Acute ChD induced a high antigen-specific multifunctional T cell response by producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, granzyme B, and perforin; and a high frequency of T cells co-expressed 2B4, CD160, CTLA-4, and PD-1. In contrast, chronically infected mice with moderate inflammatory infiltrate in liver tissue exhibited monofunctional antigen-specific cells, high cytotoxic activity (granzyme B and perforin), and elevated levels of inhibitory receptors (predominantly CTLA-4 and PD-1) co-expressed on T cells. Taken together, these data support our previous results showing that similar to humans, the T. cruzi persistence in mice promotes the dysfunctionality of T cells, and these changes might correlate with ChD progression. Thus, these results constitute a model that will facilitate an in-depth search for immune markers and correlates of protection, as well as long-term studies of new immunotherapy strategies for ChD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paula Guerrero
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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Santi-Rocca J, Gironès N, Fresno M. Multi-Parametric Evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Outcome in Animal Models. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1955:187-202. [PMID: 30868528 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9148-8_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Biomarkers of infection with consistent discriminating power for diagnosis and/or prognosis are keystones for efficient therapeutic management of diseases. The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease (CD), exhibits high clinical and genetic diversity, making it difficult to define biomarkers. In animal models of infection, as well as in patients, many different outcomes have been described. Thus, pathophysiogenesis parameters were highly variable in patients and even in inbred animals, which impeded reliable one-dimensional diagnosis/prognosis. To help solve those problems, an in-depth analysis of the similarities and differences in the CD caused by different parasite strains or different patient conditions is needed. Multidimensional statistics may overcome the high variability for each individual parameter in patients and even in inbred animals, revealing some pathophysiological patterns that accurately allow diagnosis of clinical and physiopathological characteristics. Here, we describe this type of method and its application to T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Santi-Rocca
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain.
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A systematic review of the Trypanosoma cruzi genetic heterogeneity, host immune response and genetic factors as plausible drivers of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Parasitology 2018; 146:269-283. [PMID: 30210012 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018001506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a complex tropical pathology caused by the kinetoplastid Trypanosoma cruzi. This parasite displays massive genetic diversity and has been classified by international consensus in at least six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) that are broadly distributed in the American continent. The main clinical manifestation of the disease is the chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) that is lethal in the infected individuals. However, one intriguing feature is that only 30-40% of the infected individuals will develop CCC. Some authors have suggested that the immune response, host genetic factors, virulence factors and even the massive genetic heterogeneity of T. cruzi are responsible of this clinical pattern. To date, no conclusive data support the reason why a few percentages of the infected individuals will develop CCC. Therefore, we decided to conduct a systematic review analysing the host genetic factors, immune response, cytokine production, virulence factors and the plausible association of the parasite DTUs and CCC. The epidemiological and clinical implications are herein discussed.
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Paroli AF, Gonzalez PV, Díaz-Luján C, Onofrio LI, Arocena A, Cano RC, Carrera-Silva EA, Gea S. NLRP3 Inflammasome and Caspase-1/11 Pathway Orchestrate Different Outcomes in the Host Protection Against Trypanosoma cruzi Acute Infection. Front Immunol 2018; 9:913. [PMID: 29774028 PMCID: PMC5944318 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi results in activation of nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing receptors (NLRs). NLR activation leads to inflammasome formation, the activation of caspase-1, and the subsequent cleavage of IL-1β and IL-18. Considering that inflammasome activation and IL-1β induction by macrophages are key players for an appropriate T cell response, we investigated the relevance of NLR pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1/11 to elucidate their roles in the induction of different T cell phenotypes and the relationship with parasite load and hepatic inflammation during T. cruzi-Tulahuen strain acute infection. We demonstrated that infected nlrp3-/- and C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice exhibited similar parasitemia and survival, although the parasite load was higher in the livers of nlrp3-/- mice than in those of WT mice. Increased levels of transaminases and pro-inflammatory cytokines were found in the plasma of WT and nlrp3-/- mice indicating that NLRP3 is dispensable to control the parasitemia but it is required for a better clearance of parasites in the liver. Importantly, we have found that NLRP3 and caspase-1/11-deficient mice differentially modulate T helper (Th1, Th2, and Th17) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte phenotypes. Strikingly, caspase-1/11-/- mice showed the most dramatic reduction in the number of IFN-γ- and IL-17-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells associated with higher parasitemia and lower survival. Additionally, caspase-1/11-/- mice demonstrated significantly reduced liver inflammation with the lowest alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels but the highest hepatic parasitic load. These results unequivocally demonstrate that caspase-1/11 pathway plays an important role in the induction of liver adaptive immunity against this parasite infection as well as in hepatic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto F Paroli
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI - CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Patricia V Gonzalez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI - CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cintia Díaz-Luján
- Instituto de Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Luisina I Onofrio
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI - CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Arocena
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI - CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Roxana C Cano
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI - CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eugenio A Carrera-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX-CONICET), Academia Nacional de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana Gea
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI - CONICET), Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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L-arginine supplementation reduces mortality and improves disease outcome in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006179. [PMID: 29337988 PMCID: PMC5786330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi is a neglected disease that affects about 7 million people in Latin America, recently emerging on other continents due to migration. As infection in mice is characterized by depletion of plasma L-arginine, the effect on infection outcome was tested in mice with or without L-arginine supplementation and treatment with 1400W, a specific inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). We found that levels of L-arginine and citrulline were reduced in the heart and plasma of infected mice, whereas levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine, an endogenous iNOS inhibitor, were higher. Moreover, L-arginine supplementation decreased parasitemia and heart parasite burden, improving clinical score and survival. Nitric oxide production in heart tissue and plasma was increased by L-arginine supplementation, while pharmacological inhibition of iNOS yielded an increase in parasitemia and worse clinical score. Interestingly, electrocardiograms improved in mice supplemented with L-arginine, suggesting that it modulates infection and heart function and is thus a potential biomarker of pathology. More importantly, L-arginine may be useful for treating T. cruzi infection, either alone or in combination with other antiparasitic drugs. Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of the neglected Chagas disease in humans. During infection in mice, depletion of plasma L-arginine is correlated with mortality. L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid needed for cell proliferation, and is the substrate of arginase 1 (Arg-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which is involved in the immune response against infections. Observed L-arginine depletion is likely caused by increased Arg-1 activity, but the effect on immune response are still unknown. Our hypothesis is that L-arginine depletion may block nitric oxide (NO) production by iNOS, which is needed for parasite killing. To test this hypothesis, mice were supplemented with and without L-arginine, and the differential effect of treatment with an iNOS inhibitor was determined. L-arginine supplement was beneficial to the mice, lowering mortality and improving disease outcome and heart function. The beneficial effect was associated with increased levels of NO, thus low levels of L-arginine and NO are considered candidate markers of pathology. Finally, as L-arginine is a common dietary supplement, it may be useful for treatment of Chagas patients, either alone or in combination with antiparasitic drugs.
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