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Ndunge OBA, Shikani HJ, Dai M, Freeman BD, Desruisseaux MS. Effects of anti-tau immunotherapy on reactive microgliosis, cerebral endotheliopathy, and cognitive function in an experimental model of cerebral malaria. J Neurochem 2023; 167:441-460. [PMID: 37814468 PMCID: PMC10596299 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15972] [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: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM), a potentially fatal encephalopathy caused primarily by infection with Plasmodium falciparum, results in long-term adverse neuro-psychiatric sequelae. Neural cell injury contributes to the neurological deficits observed in CM. Abnormal regulation of tau, an axonal protein pathologically associated with the formation of neurofibrillary lesions in neurodegenerative diseases, has been linked to inflammation and cerebral microvascular compromise and has been reported in human and experimental CM (ECM). Immunotherapy with a monoclonal antibody to pathological tau (PHF-1 mAB) in experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases has been reported to mitigate cognitive decline. We investigated whether immunotherapy with PHF-1 mAB prevented cerebral endotheliopathy, neural cell injury, and neuroinflammation during ECM. Using C57BL/6 mice infected with either Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA), which causes ECM, Plasmodium berghei NK65 (PbN), which causes severe malaria, but not ECM, or uninfected mice (Un), we demonstrated that when compared to PbN infection or uninfected mice, PbA infection resulted in significant memory impairment at 6 days post-infection, in association with abnormal tau phosphorylation at Ser202 /Thr205 (pSer202 /Thr205 ) and Ser396-404 (pSer396-404 ) in mouse brains. ECM also resulted in significantly higher expression of inflammatory markers, in microvascular congestion, and glial cell activation. Treatment with PHF-1 mAB prevented PbA-induced cognitive impairment and was associated with significantly less vascular congestion, neuroinflammation, and neural cell activation in mice with ECM. These findings suggest that abnormal regulation of tau protein contributes to cerebral vasculopathy and is critical in the pathogenesis of neural cell injury during CM. Tau-targeted therapies may ameliorate the neural cell damage and subsequent neurocognitive impairment that occur during disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry J. Shikani
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Minxian Dai
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Brandi D. Freeman
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mahalia S. Desruisseaux
- Correspondence and reprint requests: Mahalia S. Desruisseaux, MD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, PO Box 208022, TAC S169B, New Haven, CT 06520-8022,
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Prasad R, Patel RS, Mishra SP, Singh A, Abhinay A, Singh TB. Cerebrospinal fluid tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in children with cerebral malaria. J Trop Pediatr 2023; 69:fmad032. [PMID: 37805828 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmad032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in children with cerebral malaria (CM) and its role in the differentiation of CM from non-cerebral severe malaria. CSF TNF-α was measured using a human TNF-α enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit of 39 cases of CM and 19 cases of non-cerebral severe malaria. CSF TNF-α levels were significantly higher in CM (p < 0.001). Based on the receiver operating characteristics curve, a cutoff value of CSF TNF-α was 5.7 pg/ml for diagnosis of CM with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 87.2%, 94.7%, 97.1% and 78.3% respectively. The cutoff value of CSF TNF-α was 13.7 pg/ml for predicting adverse outcomes in CM with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 100%, 96.8%, 88.9% and 100%, respectively. However, the cutoff value of CSF TNF-α was 4.96 pg/ml for predicting adverse outcomes in non-cerebral severe malaria with a sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 100%, 94.1%, 88.9% and 100% respectively. So, CSF TNF-α is an excellent biomarker and can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. More studies are needed to establish CSF TNF-α as a predictor of neurological sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajniti Prasad
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Raghvendra Singh Patel
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - S P Mishra
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ankur Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Abhishek Abhinay
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Tej Bali Singh
- Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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Marin AA, Juillard A, Katzin AM, Carvalho LJ, Grau GE. Perillyl alcohol modulates activation, permeability and integrity of human brain endothelial cells induced by Plasmodium falciparum. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 118:e230033. [PMID: 37403869 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760230033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe immunovasculopathy caused for Plasmodium falciparum infection, which is characterised by the sequestration of parasitised red blood cells (pRBCs) in brain microvessels. Previous studies have shown that some terpenes, such as perillyl alcohol (POH), exhibit a marked efficacy in preventing cerebrovascular inflammation, breakdown of the brain-blood barrier (BBB) and brain leucocyte accumulation in experimental CM models. OBJECTIVE To analyse the effects of POH on the endothelium using human brain endothelial cell (HBEC) monolayers co-cultured with pRBCs. METHODOLOGY The loss of tight junction proteins (TJPs) and features of endothelial activation, such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were evaluated by quantitative immunofluorescence. Microvesicle (MV) release by HBEC upon stimulation by P. falciparum was evaluated by flow cytometry. Finally, the capacity of POH to revert P. falciparum-induced HBEC monolayer permeability was examined by monitoring trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER). FINDINGS POH significantly prevented pRBCs-induced endothelial adhesion molecule (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) upregulation and MV release by HBEC, improved their trans-endothelial resistance, and restored their distribution of TJPs such as VE-cadherin, Occludin, and JAM-A. CONCLUSIONS POH is a potent monoterpene that is efficient in preventing P. falciparum-pRBCs-induced changes in HBEC, namely their activation, increased permeability and alterations of integrity, all parameters of relevance to CM pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana A Marin
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- University of Sydney, Department of Pathology, Vascular Immunology Unit, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Annette Juillard
- University of Sydney, Department of Pathology, Vascular Immunology Unit, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alejandro M Katzin
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Leonardo Jm Carvalho
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Malária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Georges Er Grau
- University of Sydney, Department of Pathology, Vascular Immunology Unit, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia
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Storm J, Camarda G, Haley MJ, Brough D, Couper KN, Craig AG. Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocyte co-culture with the monocyte cell line THP-1 does not trigger production of soluble factors reducing brain microvascular barrier function. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285323. [PMID: 37141324 PMCID: PMC10159134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Monocytes contribute to the pro-inflammatory immune response during the blood stage of a Plasmodium falciparum infection, but their precise role in malaria pathology is not clear. Besides phagocytosis, monocytes are activated by products from P. falciparum infected erythrocytes (IE) and one of the activation pathways is potentially the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a multi-protein complex that leads to the production of interleukin (IL)-1β. In cerebral malaria cases, monocytes accumulate at IE sequestration sites in the brain microvascular and the locally produced IL-1β, or other secreted molecules, could contribute to leakage of the blood-brain barrier. To study the activation of monocytes by IE within the brain microvasculature in an in vitro model, we co-cultured IT4var14 IE and the monocyte cell line THP-1 for 24 hours and determined whether generated soluble molecules affect barrier function of human brain microvascular endothelial cells, measured by real time trans-endothelial electrical resistance. The medium produced after co-culture did not affect endothelial barrier function and similarly no effect was measured after inducing oxidative stress by adding xanthine oxidase to the co-culture. While IL-1β does decrease barrier function, barely any IL-1β was produced in the co- cultures, indicative of a lack of or incomplete THP-1 activation by IE in this co-culture model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Storm
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Grazia Camarda
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Haley
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David Brough
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin N Couper
- Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alister G Craig
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Eeka P, Phanithi PB. Lymphotoxin-α Orchestrate Hypoxia and Immune factors to Induce Experimental Cerebral Malaria: Inhibition Mitigates Pathogenesis, Neurodegeneration, and Increase Survival. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:2425-2439. [PMID: 36469197 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02076-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Knockdown studies have shown lymphotoxin-α (Lt-α) as a critical molecule for Experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) pathogenesis. We investigated the role of lymphotoxin-α in regulating active caspase-3 and calpain1. T cell infiltration into the brains, and subsequent neuronal cell death are the essential features of Plasmodium berghei ANKA(PbA)-induced ECM. Our results showed increased Lt-α levels during ECM. Treatment of naïve mice with serum from ECM mice and exogenous Lt-α was lethal. We inhibited Lt-α in vivo during PbA infection by injecting the mice with anti-Lt-α antibody. Inhibition of Lt-α mitigated neuronal cell death and increased mice's survival until 30-day post-infection (p.i.) compared to only 15 days survival of PbA control mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar Eeka
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.,Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Sciences, GITAM Deemed to Be University, Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Prakash Babu Phanithi
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.
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Chaturvedi R, Mohan M, Kumar S, Chandele A, Sharma A. Profiles of host immune impairment in Plasmodium and SARS-CoV-2 infections. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11744. [PMID: 36415655 PMCID: PMC9671871 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, many countries have reported a steady decline in reported cases of malaria, and a few countries, like China, have been declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization. In 2020 the number of deaths from malaria has declined since 2000. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected overall public health efforts and thus it is feasible that there might be a resurgence of malaria. COVID-19 and malaria share some similarities in the immune responses of the patient and these two diseases also share overlapping early symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and muscle pain/fatigue. In the absence of early diagnostics, there can be a misdiagnosis of the infection(s) that can pose additional challenges due to delayed treatment. In both SARS-CoV-2 and Plasmodium infections, there is a rapid release of cytokines/chemokines that play a key role in disease pathophysiology. In this review, we have discussed the cytokine/chemokine storm observed during COVID-19 and malaria. We observed that: (1) the severity in malaria and COVID-19 is likely a consequence primarily of an uncontrolled 'cytokine storm'; (2) five pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, type I IFN, and IFN-γ) are significantly increased in severe/critically ill patients in both diseases; (3) Plasmodium and SARS-CoV-2 share some similar clinical manifestations and thus may result in fatal consequences if misdiagnosed during onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rini Chaturvedi
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Mradul Mohan
- Parasite-Host Biology Group, National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, Delhi, India,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- ICGEB-Emory Vaccine Program, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Anmol Chandele
- ICGEB-Emory Vaccine Program, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, Delhi, India,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India,Corresponding author
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Ramachandran A, Sharma A. Dissecting the mechanisms of pathogenesis in cerebral malaria. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010919. [PMCID: PMC9671333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is one of the leading causes of death due to malaria. It is characterised by coma, presence of asexual parasites in blood smear, and absence of any other reason that can cause encephalopathy. The fatality rate for CM is high, and those who survive CM often experience long-term sequelae, including cognitive and motor dysfunctions. It is unclear how parasites sequestered in the lumen of endothelial cells of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and localised breakdown of BBB can manifest gross physiological changes across the brain. The pathological changes associated with CM are mainly due to the dysregulation of inflammatory and coagulation pathways. Other factors like host and parasite genetics, transmission intensity, and the host’s immune status are likely to play a role in the development and progression of CM. This work focuses on the pathological mechanisms underlying CM. Insights from humans, mice, and in vitro studies have been summarised to present a cohesive understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in CM pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arathy Ramachandran
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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The IL-33/ST2 Pathway in Cerebral Malaria. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113457. [PMID: 36362246 PMCID: PMC9658244 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is an immunomodulatory cytokine which plays critical roles in tissue function and immune-mediated diseases. IL-33 is abundant within the brain and spinal cord tissues where it acts as a key cytokine to coordinate the exchange between the immune and central nervous system (CNS). In this review, we report the recent advances to our knowledge regarding the role of IL-33 and of its receptor ST2 in cerebral malaria, and in particular, we highlight the pivotal role that IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway could play in brain and cerebrospinal barriers permeability. IL-33 serum levels are significantly higher in children with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria than children without complications or noninfected children. IL-33 levels are correlated with parasite load and strongly decrease with parasite clearance. We postulate that sequestration of infected erythrocytes or merozoites liberation from schizonts could amplify IL-33 production in endothelial cells, contributing either to malaria pathogenesis or recovery.
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Mahittikorn A, Kwankaew P, Rattaprasert P, Kotepui KU, Masangkay FR, Kotepui M. Elevation of serum interleukin-1β levels as a potential indicator for malarial infection and severe malaria: a meta-analysis. Malar J 2022; 21:308. [PMID: 36309676 PMCID: PMC9617441 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interleukin (IL)-1β is a proinflammatory cytokine that has a role in disease-related inflammation, including malaria. However, reports on the effect of IL-1β on malaria severity are inconsistent. Therefore, meta-analyses to compare differences in IL-1β levels between patients with severe malaria, patients with uncomplicated malaria and healthy controls were performed. Methods The PRISMA standards were used to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis. A search of PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and reference lists was conducted for articles providing data on IL-1β levels between patients with severe malaria, patients with uncomplicated malaria and healthy controls between January 1988 and March 2022, using a combination of search terms. The quality of all studies included in this review was determined using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. The evidence was synthesized quantitatively and qualitatively. The differences in IL-1 levels across participant groups were recounted narratively for qualitative synthesis. For quantitative synthesis, the mean difference in IL-1β levels across groups of participants was calculated using a random effects meta-analysis. The publication bias was assessed using funnel plots, Egger’s test and a contour-enhanced funnel plot. Results A total of 1281 articles were discovered, and the 17 that satisfied the inclusion criteria were included for syntheses. The meta-analysis results using data from 555 cases of severe malaria and 1059 cases of uncomplicated malaria showed that severe malaria had a higher mean of IL-1β levels than uncomplicated malaria (P < 0.01, pooled mean difference: 1.92 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval: 0.60–3.25 pg/mL, I2: 90.41%, 6 studies). The meta-analysis results using data from 542 cases of uncomplicated malaria and 455 healthy controls showed no difference in mean IL-1β levels between the two groups (P = 0.07, pooled mean difference: 1.42 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval: − 0.1–2.94 pg/mL, I2: 98.93%, 6 studies). Conclusion The results from the meta-analysis revealed that IL-1β levels were higher in patients with severe malaria than in patients with uncomplicated malaria; however, IL-1β levels were similar in patients with uncomplicated malaria and healthy controls. Based on the limitations of the number of studies included in the meta-analysis and high levels of heterogeneity, further studies are needed to conclude that differences in IL-1β levels can be useful for monitoring the malaria severity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04325-0.
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Lima MN, Barbosa-Silva MC, Maron-Gutierrez T. Microglial Priming in Infections and Its Risk to Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:878987. [PMID: 35783096 PMCID: PMC9240317 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.878987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases of different etiologies have been associated with acute and long-term neurological consequences. The primary cause of these consequences appears to be an inflammatory process characterized primarily by a pro-inflammatory microglial state. Microglial cells, the local effectors’ cells of innate immunity, once faced by a stimulus, alter their morphology, and become a primary source of inflammatory cytokines that increase the inflammatory process of the brain. This inflammatory scenario exerts a critical role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, several studies have shown the involvement of the microglial inflammatory response caused by infections in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. This has been associated with a transitory microglial state subsequent to an inflammatory response, known as microglial priming, in which these cells are more responsive to stimuli. Thus, systemic inflammation and infections induce a transitory state in microglia that may lead to changes in their state and function, making priming them for subsequent immune challenges. However, considering that microglia are long-lived cells and are repeatedly exposed to infections during a lifetime, microglial priming may not be beneficial. In this review, we discuss the relationship between infections and neurodegenerative diseases and how this may rely on microglial priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara N. Lima
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria C. Barbosa-Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Maron-Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Tatiana Maron-Gutierrez;
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Marino A, Bivona DA, Bonacci P. Updates in central nervous system malaria: literature review and considerations. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2022; 35:255-261. [PMID: 35665720 PMCID: PMC10815005 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cerebral malaria (CM) represents one of the most common and severe complications of Plasmodium falciparum infection, leading to high morbidity and mortality along with challenging sequelae, especially in children. RECENT FINDINGS Although CM pathogenesis remains unclear due to the few studies made and the difficulty to analyze affected patients, there are valid theories involving P. falciparum endothelium interactions, and clinical manifestations have been better investigated and differentiated between adults and children. SUMMARY At the time of writing, diagnostic management is based on fast severe malaria identification by blood smear (thin and thick). However, newer techniques involving molecular testing (such as PCR or LAMP) and biomarkers identification are now available. It is also important to check patients' cerebral functions. As regards therapeutic management, although we could rely on several options, artesunate represents the gold standard treatment. Cerebral complications such as seizures and coma need to be managed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Marino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, ARNAS Garibaldi Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Bonacci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences
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Chakrabarti M, Kannan D, Munjal A, Choudhary HH, Mishra S, Singh S. Chorismate synthase mediates cerebral malaria pathogenesis by eliciting salicylic acid-dependent autophagy response in parasite. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio054544. [PMID: 33268332 PMCID: PMC7774894 DOI: 10.1242/bio.054544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the severest form of the disease resulting in the morbidity of a huge number of people worldwide. Development of effective curatives is essential in order to overcome the fatality of cerebral malaria. Earlier studies have shown the presence of salicylic acid (SA) in malaria parasite P. falciparum, which plays a critical role in the manifestation of cerebral malaria. Further, the application of SA for the treatment of acute symptoms in cerebral malaria increases the activity of iNOS leading to severe inflammation-mediated death, also called as Reye's syndrome. Therefore, modulation of the level of SA might be a novel approach to neutralize the symptoms of cerebral malaria. The probable source of parasite SA is the shikimate pathway, which produces chorismate, a precursor to aromatic amino acids and other secondary metabolites like SA in the parasite. In this work, we performed the immunological, pathological and biochemical studies in mice infected with chorismate synthase knocked-out Plasmodium berghei ANKA, which does not produce SA. Fewer cerebral outcomes were observed as compared to the mice infected with wild-type parasite. The possible mechanism behind this protective effect might be the hindrance of SA-mediated induction of autophagy in the parasite, which helps in its survival in the stressed condition of brain microvasculature during cerebral malaria. The absence of SA leading to reduced parasite load along with the reduced pathological symptoms contributes to less fatality outcome by cerebral malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malabika Chakrabarti
- Host-Parasite Interaction & Disease Modelling Laboratory, Special Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, India
| | - Deepika Kannan
- Department of Life Science, Shiv Nadar University, Noida, UP 201314, India
| | - Akshay Munjal
- Host-Parasite Interaction & Disease Modelling Laboratory, Special Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, India
| | - Hadi Hasan Choudhary
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Satish Mishra
- Division of Parasitology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Host-Parasite Interaction & Disease Modelling Laboratory, Special Center for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, India
- Department of Life Science, Shiv Nadar University, Noida, UP 201314, India
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Ogunrinade FA, Guetchueng ST, Katola FO, Aderogba MA, Akande IS, Sarker SD, Olajide OA. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides inhibits lipopolysaccharide- and synthetic hemozoin-induced neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia: roles of NF-κB transcription factor and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. J Pharm Pharmacol 2020; 73:118-134. [PMID: 33791805 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgaa019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effects of a root extract of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides on neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia stimulated with LPS and hemozoin were investigated. METHODS ELISA, enzyme immunoassay and Griess assay were used to evaluate levels of cytokines, PGE2 and NO in culture supernatants, respectively. Microglia-mediated neurotoxicity was evaluated using a BV-2 microglia-HT-22 neuron transwell co-culture. KEY FINDINGS Treatment with Z. zanthoxyloides caused reduced elevated levels of TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, NO and PGE2, while increasing the levels of IL-10. In addition, there were reduced levels of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. This was accompanied by a prevention of microglia-mediated damage to HT-22 mouse hippocampal neurons. Z. zanthoxyloides reduced elevated levels of phospho-IκB and phospho-p65, while preventing degradation of IκB protein and DNA binding of p65. Further mechanistic studies revealed that Z. zanthoxyloides reduced the levels of pro-IL-1β and IL-1β in hemozoin-activated BV-2 microglia. This was accompanied by a reduction in caspase-1 activity and NLRP3 protein expression. Bioassay-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of skimmianine as an anti-inflammatory compound in Z. zanthoxyloides. CONCLUSION This is the first report showing the inhibition of neuroinflammation in LPS- and hemozoin-activated BV-2 microglia by the root extract of Z. zanthoxyloides by targeting the activation of both NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folashade A Ogunrinade
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Stephanie T Guetchueng
- Centre for Natural Products Discovery, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Folashade O Katola
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Mutalib A Aderogba
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Idowu S Akande
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Satyajit D Sarker
- Centre for Natural Products Discovery, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Olumayokun A Olajide
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
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14
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Leão L, Puty B, Dolabela MF, Povoa MM, Né YGDS, Eiró LG, Fagundes NCF, Maia LC, Lima RR. Association of cerebral malaria and TNF-α levels: a systematic review. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:442. [PMID: 32576141 PMCID: PMC7310527 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05107-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral malaria is the most severe form of infection with Plasmodium falciparum characterized by a highly inflammatory response. This systematic review aimed to investigate the association between TNF-α levels and cerebral malaria. Methods This review followed the Preferred Reporting of Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was performed at PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, OpenGrey and Google Scholar. We have included studies of P. falciparum-infected humans with or without cerebral malaria and TNF-α dosage level. All studies were evaluated using a risk of bias tool and the GRADE approach. Results Our results have identified 2338 studies, and 8 articles were eligible according to this systematic review inclusion criteria. Among the eight articles, five have evaluated TNF- α plasma dosage, while two have evaluated at the blood and one at the brain (post-Morten). Among them, only five studies showed higher TNF-α levels in the cerebral malaria group compared to the severe malaria group. Methodological problems were identified regarding sample size, randomization and blindness, but no risk of bias was detected. Conclusion Although the results suggested that that TNF-α level is associated with cerebral malaria, the evidence is inconsistent and imprecise. More observational studies evaluating the average TNF-alpha are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Leão
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 01 Augusto Correa Street, Guama, Belem, PA, 66075-900, Brazil
| | - Bruna Puty
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 01 Augusto Correa Street, Guama, Belem, PA, 66075-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Fâni Dolabela
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Yago Gecy De Sousa Né
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 01 Augusto Correa Street, Guama, Belem, PA, 66075-900, Brazil
| | - Luciana Guimarães Eiró
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 01 Augusto Correa Street, Guama, Belem, PA, 66075-900, Brazil
| | | | - Lucianne Cople Maia
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Lima
- Laboratory of Functional and Structural Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, 01 Augusto Correa Street, Guama, Belem, PA, 66075-900, Brazil.
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15
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Velagapudi R, Kosoko AM, Olajide OA. Induction of Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxicity by Synthetic Hemozoin. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 39:1187-1200. [PMID: 31332667 PMCID: PMC6764936 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00713-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hemozoin produced by Plasmodium falciparum during malaria infection has been linked to the neurological dysfunction in cerebral malaria. In this study, we determined whether a synthetic form of hemozoin (sHZ) produces neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity in cellular models. Incubation of BV-2 microglia with sHZ (200 and 400 µg/ml) induced significant elevation in the levels of TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, NO/iNOS, phospho-p65, accompanied by an increase in DNA binding of NF-κB. Treatment of BV-2 microglia with sHZ increased protein levels of NLRP3 with accompanying increase in caspase-1 activity. In the presence of NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 (10 µM), there was attenuation of sHZ-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, NO/iNOS. In addition, increase in caspase-1/NLRP3 inflammasome activation was blocked by BAY11-7082. Pre-treatment with BAY11-7082 also reduced both phosphorylation and DNA binding of the p65 sub-unit. The NLRP3 inhibitor CRID3 (100 µM) did not prevent sHZ-induced release of TNFα and IL-6. However, production of IL-1β, NO/iNOS as well as caspase-1/NLRP3 activity was significantly reduced in the presence of CRID3. Incubation of differentiated neural progenitor (ReNcell VM) cells with sHZ resulted in a reduction in cell viability, accompanied by significant generation of cellular ROS and increased activity of caspase-6, while sHZ-induced neurotoxicity was prevented by N-acetylcysteine and Z-VEID-FMK. Taken together, this study shows that the synthetic form of hemozoin induces neuroinflammation through the activation of NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome. It is also proposed that sHZ induces ROS- and caspase-6-mediated neurotoxicity. These results have thrown more light on the actions of malarial hemozoin in the neurobiology of cerebral malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravikanth Velagapudi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK.,Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ayokulehin M Kosoko
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Olumayokun A Olajide
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK.
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16
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Blood-Brain Barrier in Cerebral Malaria: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Intervention. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:516-528. [PMID: 31147271 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria is a life-threatening complication of malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The growing problem of drug resistance and the dearth of new antiparasitic drugs are a serious threat to the antimalaria treatment regimes. Studies on humans and the murine model have implicated the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the lethal course of the disease. Therefore, efforts to alleviate the BBB dysfunction could serve as an adjunct therapy. Here, we review the mechanisms associated with the disruption of the BBB. In addition, we discuss the current, still limited, knowledge on the contribution of different cell types, microparticles, and the kynurenine pathway in the regulation of BBB dysfunction, and how these molecules could be used as potential new therapeutic targets.
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17
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Targeting the IL33-NLRP3 axis improves therapy for experimental cerebral malaria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:7404-7409. [PMID: 29954866 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1801737115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a serious neurological complication caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection. Currently, the only treatment for CM is the provision of antimalarial drugs; however, such treatment by itself often fails to prevent death or development of neurological sequelae. To identify potential improved treatments for CM, we performed a nonbiased whole-brain transcriptomic time-course analysis of antimalarial drug chemotherapy of murine experimental CM (ECM). Bioinformatics analyses revealed IL33 as a critical regulator of neuroinflammation and cerebral pathology that is down-regulated in the brain during fatal ECM and in the acute period following treatment of ECM. Consistent with this, administration of IL33 alongside antimalarial drugs significantly improved the treatment success of established ECM. Mechanistically, IL33 treatment reduced inflammasome activation and IL1β production in microglia and intracerebral monocytes in the acute recovery period following treatment of ECM. Moreover, treatment with the NLRP3-inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 alongside antimalarial drugs phenocopied the protective effect of IL33 therapy in improving the recovery from established ECM. We further showed that IL1β release from macrophages was stimulated by hemozoin and antimalarial drugs and that this was inhibited by MCC950. Our results therefore demonstrate that manipulation of the IL33-NLRP3 axis may be an effective therapy to suppress neuroinflammation and improve the efficacy of antimalarial drug treatment of CM.
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18
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Basilico N, Corbett Y, D' Alessandro S, Parapini S, Prato M, Girelli D, Misiano P, Olliaro P, Taramelli D. Malaria pigment stimulates chemokine production by human microvascular endothelium. Acta Trop 2017; 172:125-131. [PMID: 28476599 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Severe falciparum malaria is characterized by the sequestration of infected erythrocytes and leukocyte recruitment in the microvasculature, resulting in impaired blood flow and metabolic disturbances. Which parasite products cause chemokine production, thus contributing to the strong host inflammatory response and cellular recruitment are not well characterized. Here, we studied haemozoin (Hz), the end-product of haem, a ferriprotoporphyrin-IX crystal bound to host and parasite lipids, DNA, and proteins. We found that natural Hz isolated from Plasmodium falciparum cultures induces CXCL8 and CCL5 production in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) in a time-dependent manner. This up-regulation is not caused by haem but rather by Hz-generated lipoperoxidation products (15-HETE) and fibrinogen associated to Hz, and is, at least in part, triggered by the activation of NF-κB, as it was significantly inhibited by artemisinin and other NF-κB pathway inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Basilico
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36-20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Yolanda Corbett
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Sarah D' Alessandro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36-20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Parapini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Mauro Prato
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze Università di Torino, Corso Raffaello 30-10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Daniela Girelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Misiano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Piero Olliaro
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme on Research & Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Donatella Taramelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Pascal 36-20133, Milano, Italy
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19
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Puri B, Hakkarainen-Smith J, Monro J. The effect of artesunate on short-term memory in Lyme borreliosis. Med Hypotheses 2017; 105:4-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2017.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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20
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Shabani E, Ouma BJ, Idro R, Bangirana P, Opoka RO, Park GS, Conroy AL, John CC. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid tumour necrosis factor is associated with acute and long-term neurocognitive impairment in cerebral malaria. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28453871 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Systemic tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) may contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria (CM) by promoting endothelial activation and parasite sequestration. However, less is known about the role of central nervous system (CNS) TNF-α in CM. We assessed plasma (n=249) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (n=167) TNF-α levels in Ugandan children with CM, plasma TNF-α in Ugandan community control children (n=198) and CSF TNF-α in North American control children who had recovered from leukaemia (n=13). Plasma and CSF TNF-α were measured by magnetic bead assay. We compared plasma and CSF TNF-α levels in children with CM to mortality, acute and chronic neurologic deficits and long-term neurocognitive impairment. Plasma and CSF TNF-α levels were higher in CM than control children (P<.0001 for both). CSF TNF-α levels were higher in children who had neurologic deficits at discharge or 6-month follow-up (P≤.05 for both). Elevated CSF but not plasma TNF-α was associated with longer coma duration (Spearman's rho .18, P=.02) and deficits in overall cognition in children 5 years and older (β coefficient -.74, 95% CI -1.35 to -0.13, P=.02). The study findings suggest that CNS TNF-α may be involved in the development of acute and chronic neurologic and cognitive sequelae in children with CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Shabani
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Global Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - B J Ouma
- Department of Microbiology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - R Idro
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - P Bangirana
- Department of Psychiatry, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - R O Opoka
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - G S Park
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A L Conroy
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - C C John
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Global Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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21
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IL-33 receptor ST2 regulates the cognitive impairments associated with experimental cerebral malaria. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006322. [PMID: 28448579 PMCID: PMC5407765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is associated with a high mortality rate and long-term neurocognitive impairment in survivors. The murine model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA)-infection reproduces several of these features. We reported recently increased levels of IL-33 protein in brain undergoing ECM and the involvement of IL-33/ST2 pathway in ECM development. Here we show that PbA-infection induced early short term and spatial memory defects, prior to blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption, in wild-type mice, while ST2-deficient mice did not develop cognitive defects. PbA-induced neuroinflammation was reduced in ST2-deficient mice with low Ifng, Tnfa, Il1b, Il6, CXCL9, CXCL10 and Cd8a expression, associated with an absence of neurogenesis defects in hippocampus. PbA-infection triggered a dramatic increase of IL-33 expression by oligodendrocytes, through ST2 pathway. In vitro, IL-33/ST2 pathway induced microglia expression of IL-1β which in turn stimulated IL-33 expression by oligodendrocytes. These results highlight the IL-33/ST2 pathway ability to orchestrate microglia and oligodendrocytes responses at an early stage of PbA-infection, with an amplification loop between IL-1β and IL-33, responsible for an exacerbated neuroinflammation context and associated neurological and cognitive defects. The cerebral complication of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection, is associated with long-term neurological sequelae in survivors. The mechanisms involved in neurocognitive impairments during cerebral malaria development are still unknown. We reported recently the essential role of IL-33/ST2 pathway in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) development. In this study we investigated the capacity of IL-33, highly expressed in oligodendrocytes, to promote ECM-associated neurological and cognitive damages. We found that IL-33/ST2 pathway through glial cells is involved in neurocognitive impairments, associated with exacerbated neuroinflammation, and altered neurogenesis. Interestingly, the implication of glial cells with a high level of IL-33 production in neurocognitive disorders, occurs at an early stage of ECM development, prior to blood brain barrier permeabilization. We propose the link between microglial IL-1β and oligodendrocytes IL-33 production in neurological symptoms associated with ECM.
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22
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Strangward P, Haley MJ, Shaw TN, Schwartz JM, Greig R, Mironov A, de Souza JB, Cruickshank SM, Craig AG, Milner DA, Allan SM, Couper KN. A quantitative brain map of experimental cerebral malaria pathology. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006267. [PMID: 28273147 PMCID: PMC5358898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The murine model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) has been utilised extensively in recent years to study the pathogenesis of human cerebral malaria (HCM). However, it has been proposed that the aetiologies of ECM and HCM are distinct, and, consequently, no useful mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of HCM can be obtained from studying the ECM model. Therefore, in order to determine the similarities and differences in the pathology of ECM and HCM, we have performed the first spatial and quantitative histopathological assessment of the ECM syndrome. We demonstrate that the accumulation of parasitised red blood cells (pRBCs) in brain capillaries is a specific feature of ECM that is not observed during mild murine malaria infections. Critically, we show that individual pRBCs appear to occlude murine brain capillaries during ECM. As pRBC-mediated congestion of brain microvessels is a hallmark of HCM, this suggests that the impact of parasite accumulation on cerebral blood flow may ultimately be similar in mice and humans during ECM and HCM, respectively. Additionally, we demonstrate that cerebrovascular CD8+ T-cells appear to co-localise with accumulated pRBCs, an event that corresponds with development of widespread vascular leakage. As in HCM, we show that vascular leakage is not dependent on extensive vascular destruction. Instead, we show that vascular leakage is associated with alterations in transcellular and paracellular transport mechanisms. Finally, as in HCM, we observed axonal injury and demyelination in ECM adjacent to diverse vasculopathies. Collectively, our data therefore shows that, despite very different presentation, and apparently distinct mechanisms, of parasite accumulation, there appear to be a number of comparable features of cerebral pathology in mice and in humans during ECM and HCM, respectively. Thus, when used appropriately, the ECM model may be useful for studying specific pathological features of HCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Strangward
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Haley
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tovah N. Shaw
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Marc Schwartz
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Greig
- Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksandr Mironov
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - J. Brian de Souza
- Immunology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sheena M. Cruickshank
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alister G. Craig
- Department of Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Danny A. Milner
- Department of Pathology, The Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stuart M. Allan
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin N. Couper
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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23
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Novais FO, Carvalho AM, Clark ML, Carvalho LP, Beiting DP, Brodsky IE, Carvalho EM, Scott P. CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity mediates pathology in the skin by inflammasome activation and IL-1β production. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006196. [PMID: 28192528 PMCID: PMC5325592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity plays a central role in enhancing disease severity in several conditions. However, we have little understanding of the mechanisms by which immunopathology develops as a consequence of cytotoxicity. Using murine models of inflammation induced by the protozoan parasite leishmania, and data obtained from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, we uncovered a previously unrecognized role for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β release as a detrimental consequence of CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity, ultimately resulting in chronic inflammation. Critically, pharmacological blockade of NLRP3 or IL-1β significantly ameliorated the CD8+ T cell-driven immunopathology in leishmania-infected mice. Confirming the relevance of these findings to human leishmaniasis, blockade of the NLRP3 inflammasome in skin biopsies from leishmania-infected patients prevented IL-1β release. Thus, these studies link CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity with inflammasome activation and reveal novel avenues of treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis, as well as other of diseases where CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity induces pathology. Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease endemic in 98 countries and approximately 1 million new cases occur each year. Disease caused by Leishmania braziliensis, the main causative agent of leishmaniasis in South America, leads to skin ulcers that are difficult to heal with drugs that target the parasites. This is because disease severity seen in patients infected with L. braziliensis is largely due to the immune response that develops, rather than the number of parasites in the skin. CD8+ T cells induce cell death in the lesions of L. braziliensis-infected mice, as well as in the lesions from L. braziliensis-infected patients, which promotes disease. However, the mechanism mediating CD8+ T cell dependent pathology is unknown. Here, using studies in mice and experiments with L. braziliensis patients’ samples we show that increased disease severity is due to inflammasome activation, and furthermore that therapies that block either inflammasome activation or IL-1β ameliorate disease in mouse models of severe leishmaniasis. Based on these studies we propose a novel strategy of therapy for L. braziliensis infection and other diseases in which cytotoxicity plays a central role in promoting disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda O. Novais
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Augusto M. Carvalho
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Megan L. Clark
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lucas P. Carvalho
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Serviço de Imunologia, Complexo Hospitalar Prof. Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologia-Doenças Tropicais, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Daniel P. Beiting
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Igor E. Brodsky
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Edgar M. Carvalho
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Serviço de Imunologia, Complexo Hospitalar Prof. Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologia-Doenças Tropicais, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Phillip Scott
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Apoorv TS, Babu PP. Minocycline prevents cerebral malaria, confers neuroprotection and increases survivability of mice during Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection. Cytokine 2016; 90:113-123. [PMID: 27865203 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a neurological complication arising due to Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax infection. Minocycline, a semi-synthetic tetracycline, has been earlier reported to have a neuroprotective role in several neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of minocycline treatment on the survivability of mice during experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). The currently accepted mouse model, C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA, was used for the study. Infected mice were treated with an intra-peritoneal dose of minocycline hydrochloride, 45mg/kg daily for ten days that led to parasite clearance in blood, brain, liver and spleen on 7th day post-infection; and the mice survived until experiment ended (90days) without parasite recrudescence. Evans blue extravasation assay showed that blood-brain barrier integrity was maintained by minocycline. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha protein level and caspase activity, which is related to CM pathogenesis, was significantly reduced in the minocycline-treated group. Fluoro-Jade® C and hematoxylin-eosin staining of the brains of minocycline group revealed a decrease in degenerating neurons and absence of hemorrhages respectively. Minocycline treatment led to decrease in gene expressions of inflammatory mediators like interferon-gamma, CXCL10, CCL5, CCL2; receptors CXCR3 and CCR2; and hence decrease in T-cell-mediated cerebral inflammation. We also proved that this reduction in gene expressions is irrespective of the anti-parasitic property of minocycline. The distinct ability of minocycline to modulate gene expressions of CXCL10 and CXCR3 makes it effective than doxycycline, a tetracycline used as chemoprophylaxis. Our study shows that minocycline is highly effective in conferring neuroprotection during ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thittayil Suresh Apoorv
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 046, Telangana State, India
| | - Phanithi Prakash Babu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 046, Telangana State, India.
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Herbert F, Tchitchek N, Bansal D, Jacques J, Pathak S, Bécavin C, Fesel C, Dalko E, Cazenave PA, Preda C, Ravindran B, Sharma S, Das B, Pied S. Evidence of IL-17, IP-10, and IL-10 involvement in multiple-organ dysfunction and IL-17 pathway in acute renal failure associated to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. J Transl Med 2015; 13:369. [PMID: 26602091 PMCID: PMC4658812 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0731-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum malaria in India is characterized by high rates of severe disease, with multiple organ dysfunction (MOD)—mainly associated with acute renal failure (ARF)—and increased mortality. The objective of this study is to identify cytokine signatures differentiating severe malaria patients with MOD, cerebral malaria (CM), and cerebral malaria with MOD (CM-MOD) in India. We have previously shown that two cytokines clusters differentiated CM from mild malaria in Maharashtra. Hence, we also aimed to determine if these cytokines could discriminate malaria subphenotypes in Odisha. Methods P. falciparum malaria patients from the SCB Medical College Cuttack in the Odisha state in India were enrolled along with three sets of controls: healthy individuals, patients with sepsis and encephalitis (n = 222). We determined plasma concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines for all individuals using a multiplex assay. We then used an ensemble of statistical analytical methods to ascertain whether particular sets of cytokines/chemokines were predictors of severity or signatures of a disease category. Results Of the 26 cytokines/chemokines tested, 19 increased significantly during malaria and clearly distinguished malaria patients from controls, as well as sepsis and encephalitis patients. High amounts of IL-17, IP-10, and IL-10 predicted MOD, decreased IL-17 and MIP-1α segregated CM-MOD from MOD, and increased IL-12p40 differentiated CM from CM-MOD. Most severe malaria patients with ARF exhibited high levels of IL-17. Conclusion We report distinct differences in cytokine production correlating with malarial disease severity in Odisha and Maharashtra populations in India. We show that CM, CM-MOD and MOD are clearly distinct malaria-associated pathologies. High amounts of IL-17, IP-10, and IL-10 were predictors of MOD; decreased IL-17 and MIP-1α separated CM-MOD from MOD; and increased IL-12p40 differentiated CM from CM-MOD. Data also suggest that the IL-17 pathway may contribute to malaria pathogenesis via different regulatory mechanisms and may represent an interesting target to mitigate the pathological processes in malaria-associated ARF. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0731-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Herbert
- CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Team 04: Basic and Clinical Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, INSERM U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, Univ Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1, rue du Prof Calmette, 59019, Lille Cedex, France.
| | - Nicolas Tchitchek
- CEA, DSV/iMETI, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases Research Unit, UMR1184, IDMIT Infrastructure, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Devendra Bansal
- CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Team 04: Basic and Clinical Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, INSERM U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, Univ Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1, rue du Prof Calmette, 59019, Lille Cedex, France.
| | - Julien Jacques
- LPP, Laboratoire Paul Painlevé, INRIA Lille, Nord Europe, MODAL, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France.
| | - Sulabha Pathak
- Department Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India.
| | - Christophe Bécavin
- Unité des Interactions Bactéries-Cellules, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France.
| | | | - Esther Dalko
- CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Team 04: Basic and Clinical Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, INSERM U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, Univ Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1, rue du Prof Calmette, 59019, Lille Cedex, France.
| | - Pierre-André Cazenave
- CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Team 04: Basic and Clinical Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, INSERM U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, Univ Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1, rue du Prof Calmette, 59019, Lille Cedex, France. .,Immunologie, Immunopathologie, Immunothérapie, UPMC/CNRS UMR 7211, Paris, France.
| | - Cristian Preda
- LPP, Laboratoire Paul Painlevé, INRIA Lille, Nord Europe, MODAL, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France.
| | | | | | - Bidyut Das
- SCB Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India.
| | - Sylviane Pied
- CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Team 04: Basic and Clinical Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, INSERM U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, Univ Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1, rue du Prof Calmette, 59019, Lille Cedex, France.
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Canavese M, Dottorini T, Crisanti A. VEGF and LPS synergistically silence inflammatory response to Plasmodium berghei infection and protect against cerebral malaria. Pathog Glob Health 2015; 109:255-65. [PMID: 26392042 DOI: 10.1179/2047773215y.0000000018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria infection induces, alongside endothelial damage and obstruction hypoxia, a potent inflammatory response similar to that observed in other systemic diseases caused by bacteria and viruses. Accordingly, it is increasingly recognised that cerebral malaria (CM), the most severe and life threatening complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection, bears a number of similarities with sepsis, an often fatal condition associated with a misregulated inflammatory response triggered by systemic microbial infections. Using a Plasmodium berghei ANKA mouse model, histology, immunohistochemistry and gene expression analysis, we showed that lipopolysaccharide S (LPS), at doses that normally induce inflammation tolerance, protects P. berghei infected mice against experimental CM (ECM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) preserved blood vessel integrity, and the combination with LPS resulted in a strong synergistic effect. Treated mice did not develop ECM, showed a prolonged survival and failed to develop a significant inflammatory response and splenomegaly in spite of normal parasite loads. The protective role of VEGF was further confirmed by the observation that the treatment of P. berghei infected C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice with the VEGF receptor inhibitor axitinib exacerbates cerebral pathology and aggravates the course of infection. Infected mice treated with VEGF and LPS showed an induction of the anti-inflammatory genes Nrf2 and HO-1 and a suppression to basal levels of the genes IFN-γ and TNF-α. These results provide the rationale for developing new therapeutic approaches against CM and shed new light on how the inflammatory process can be modulated in the presence of systemic infectious diseases.
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Kimoloi S, Rashid K. Potential role of Plasmodium falciparum-derived ammonia in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:234. [PMID: 26190968 PMCID: PMC4490226 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most severe complication associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection. The exact pathogenic mechanisms leading to the development of CM remains poorly understood while the mortality rates remain high. Several potential mechanisms including mechanical obstruction of brain microvasculature, inflammation, oxidative stress, cerebral energy defects, and hemostatic dysfunction have been suggested to play a role in CM pathogenesis. However, these proposed mechanisms, even when considered together, do not fully explain the pathogenesis and clinicopathological features of human CM. This necessitates consideration of alternative pathogenic mechanisms. P. falciparum generates substantial amounts of ammonia as a catabolic by-product, but lacks detoxification mechanisms. Whether this parasite-derived ammonia plays a pathogenic role in CM is presently unknown, despite its potential to cause localized brain ammonia elevation and subsequent neurotoxic effects. This article therefore, explores and proposes a potential role of parasite-derived ammonia in the pathogenesis and neuropathology of CM. A consideration of parasite-derived ammonia as a factor in CM pathogenesis provides plausible explanations of the various features observed in CM patients including how a largely intravascular parasite can cause neuronal dysfunction. It also provides a framework for rational development and testing of novel drugs targeting the parasite's ammonia handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy Kimoloi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Kakamega, Kenya
| | - Khalid Rashid
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Egerton University Nakuru, Kenya
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Disruption of Parasite hmgb2 Gene Attenuates Plasmodium berghei ANKA Pathogenicity. Infect Immun 2015; 83:2771-84. [PMID: 25916985 DOI: 10.1128/iai.03129-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic high-mobility-group-box (HMGB) proteins are nuclear factors involved in chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation. When released into the extracellular milieu, HMGB1 acts as a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in the pathogenesis of several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. We found that the Plasmodium genome encodes two genuine HMGB factors, Plasmodium HMGB1 and HMGB2, that encompass, like their human counterparts, a proinflammatory domain. Given that these proteins are released from parasitized red blood cells, we then hypothesized that Plasmodium HMGB might contribute to the pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), a lethal neuroinflammatory syndrome that develops in C57BL/6 (susceptible) mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and that in many aspects resembles human cerebral malaria elicited by P. falciparum infection. The pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria was suppressed in C57BL/6 mice infected with P. berghei ANKA lacking the hmgb2 gene (Δhmgb2 ANKA), an effect associated with a reduction of histological brain lesions and with lower expression levels of several proinflammatory genes. The incidence of ECM in pbhmgb2-deficient mice was restored by the administration of recombinant PbHMGB2. Protection from experimental cerebral malaria in Δhmgb2 ANKA-infected mice was associated with reduced sequestration in the brain of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, including CD8(+) granzyme B(+) and CD8(+) IFN-γ(+) cells, and, to some extent, neutrophils. This was consistent with a reduced parasite sequestration in the brain, lungs, and spleen, though to a lesser extent than in wild-type P. berghei ANKA-infected mice. In summary, Plasmodium HMGB2 acts as an alarmin that contributes to the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria.
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29
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Schrimpe-Rutledge AC, Fong KY, Wright DW. Impact of 4-hydroxynonenal on matrix metalloproteinase-9 regulation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Cell Biochem Funct 2015; 33:59-66. [PMID: 25663587 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Tissue degradation and leukocyte extravasation suggest proteolytic destruction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during severe malaria. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an established role in ECM turnover, and increased MMP-9 protein abundance is correlated with malarial infection. The malaria pigment hemozoin (Hz) is a heme detoxification biomineral that is produced during infection and associated with biologically active lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) adsorbed to its surface. Hz has innate immunomodulatory activity, and many of its effects can be reproduced by exogenously added HNE. Hz phagocytosis enhances MMP-9 expression in monocytes; thus, this study was designed to examine the ability of HNE to alter MMP-9 regulation in activated cells of macrophage lineage. Data show that treatment of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with HNE increased MMP-9 secretion and activity. HNE treatment abolished the cognate tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 protein levels, further decreasing MMP-9 regulation. Phosphorylation of both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase was induced by HNE, but only p38 MAPK inhibition lessened MMP-9 secretion. These results demonstrate the in vitro ability of HNE to cause MMP-9 dysregulation in an activated cell model. The findings may extend to myriad pathologies associated with lipid peroxidation and elevated MMP-9 levels leading to tissue damage.
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30
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Hunt NH, Ball HJ, Hansen AM, Khaw LT, Guo J, Bakmiwewa S, Mitchell AJ, Combes V, Grau GER. Cerebral malaria: gamma-interferon redux. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:113. [PMID: 25177551 PMCID: PMC4133756 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There are two theories that seek to explain the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, the mechanical obstruction hypothesis and the immunopathology hypothesis. Evidence consistent with both ideas has accumulated from studies of the human disease and experimental models. Thus, some combination of these concepts seems necessary to explain the very complex pattern of changes seen in cerebral malaria. The interactions between malaria parasites, erythrocytes, the cerebral microvascular endothelium, brain parenchymal cells, platelets and microparticles need to be considered. One factor that seems able to knit together much of this complexity is the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). In this review we consider findings from the clinical disease, in vitro models and the murine counterpart of human cerebral malaria in order to evaluate the roles played by IFN-γ in the pathogenesis of this often fatal and debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas H Hunt
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Helen J Ball
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anna M Hansen
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Loke T Khaw
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jintao Guo
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Supun Bakmiwewa
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew J Mitchell
- Molecular Immunopathology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Valéry Combes
- Vascular Immunology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Georges E R Grau
- Vascular Immunology Unit, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia
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31
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Storm J, Craig AG. Pathogenesis of cerebral malaria--inflammation and cytoadherence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:100. [PMID: 25120958 PMCID: PMC4114466 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research on cerebral malaria (CM) there is still a paucity of knowledge about what actual causes CM and why certain people develop it. Although sequestration of P. falciparum infected red blood cells has been linked to pathology, it is still not clear if this is directly or solely responsible for this clinical syndrome. Recent data have suggested that a combination of parasite variant types, mainly defined by the variant surface antigen, P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), its receptors, coagulation and host endothelial cell activation (or inflammation) are equally important. This makes CM a multi-factorial disease and a challenge to unravel its causes to decrease its detrimental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Storm
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Liverpool, UK ; Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme (MLW), University of Malawi College of Medicine Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Alister G Craig
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Liverpool, UK
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Gun SY, Claser C, Tan KSW, Rénia L. Interferons and interferon regulatory factors in malaria. Mediators Inflamm 2014; 2014:243713. [PMID: 25157202 PMCID: PMC4124246 DOI: 10.1155/2014/243713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most serious infectious diseases in humans and responsible for approximately 500 million clinical cases and 500 thousand deaths annually. Acquired adaptive immune responses control parasite replication and infection-induced pathologies. Most infections are clinically silent which reflects on the ability of adaptive immune mechanisms to prevent the disease. However, a minority of these can become severe and life-threatening, manifesting a range of overlapping syndromes of complex origins which could be induced by uncontrolled immune responses. Major players of the innate and adaptive responses are interferons. Here, we review their roles and the signaling pathways involved in their production and protection against infection and induced immunopathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sin Yee Gun
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore 138648
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228
| | - Carla Claser
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore 138648
| | - Kevin Shyong Wei Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore 138648
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228
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Rodrigues-da-Silva RN, Lima-Junior JDC, Fonseca BDPFE, Antas PRZ, Baldez A, Storer FL, Santos F, Banic DM, de Oliveira-Ferreira J. Alterations in cytokines and haematological parameters during the acute and convalescent phases of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 109:154-62. [PMID: 24676654 PMCID: PMC4015248 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276140275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Haematological and cytokine alterations in malaria are a broad and controversial subject in the literature. However, few studies have simultaneously evaluated various cytokines in a single patient group during the acute and convalescent phases of infection. The aim of this study was to sequentially characterise alterations in haematological patters and circulating plasma cytokine and chemokine levels in patients infected with Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium falciparum from a Brazilian endemic area during the acute and convalescent phases of infection. During the acute phase, thrombocytopaenia, eosinopaenia, lymphopaenia and an increased number of band cells were observed in the majority of the patients. During the convalescent phase, the haematologic parameters returned to normal. During the acute phase, P. vivax and P. falciparum patients had significantly higher interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17, interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor levels than controls and maintained high levels during the convalescent phase. IL-10 was detected at high concentrations during the acute phase, but returned to normal levels during the convalescent phase. Plasma IL-10 concentration was positively correlated with parasitaemia in P. vivax and P. falciparum-infected patients. The same was true for the TNF-α concentration in P. falciparum-infected patients. Finally, the haematological and cytokine profiles were similar between uncomplicated P. falciparum and P. vivax infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Arlete Baldez
- Agência de Vigilância em Saúde, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde, Porto Velho, RO, Brasil
| | | | - Fátima Santos
- Odebrecht Energia/Usina Hidrelétrica Santo Antônio, Porto Velho, RO, Brasil
| | - Dalma Maria Banic
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Simulídeos e Oncocercose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
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Torres KJ, Villasis E, Bendezú J, Chauca J, Vinetz JM, Gamboa D. Relationship of regulatory T cells to Plasmodium falciparum malaria symptomatology in a hypoendemic region. Malar J 2014; 13:108. [PMID: 24642188 PMCID: PMC3976150 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous data have suggested that regulatory T cells (Tregs) balance protective immune responses with immune mediated pathology in malaria. This study aimed to determine to test the hypothesis that Treg proportions or absolute levels are associated with parasitaemia and malaria symptoms. METHODS Treg cells were quantified by flow cytometry as CD4+ CD25+, Foxp3+, CD127(low) T cells. Three patient groups were assessed: patients with symptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria (S), subjects with asymptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia (AS) and uninfected control individuals (C). RESULTS S, AS and C groups had similar absolute numbers and percentage of Tregs (3.9%, 3.5% and 3.5% respectively). Levels of parasitaemia were not associated with Treg percentage (p = 0.47). CONCLUSION Neither relative nor absolute regulatory T cell numbers were found to be associated with malaria-related symptomatology in this study. Immune mechanisms other than Tregs are likely to be responsible for the state of asymptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia in the Peruvian Amazon; but further study to explore these mechanisms is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Joseph M Vinetz
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Alexander Von Humboldt", Universidad Peruana, Cayetano Heredia, AP 4314, Lima 100, Peru.
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Solomon W, Wilson NO, Anderson L, Pitts S, Patrickson J, Liu M, Ford BD, Stiles JK. Neuregulin-1 attenuates mortality associated with experimental cerebral malaria. J Neuroinflammation 2014; 11:9. [PMID: 24433482 PMCID: PMC3906904 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-11-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral Malaria (CM) is a diffuse encephalopathy caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection. Despite availability of antimalarial drugs, CM-associated mortality remains high at approximately 30% and a subset of survivors develop neurological and cognitive disabilities. While antimalarials are effective at clearing Plasmodium parasites they do little to protect against CM pathophysiology and parasite-induced brain inflammation that leads to seizures, coma and long-term neurological sequelae in CM patients. Thus, there is urgent need to explore therapeutics that can reduce or prevent CM pathogenesis and associated brain inflammation to improve survival. Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) is a neurotrophic growth factor shown to protect against brain injury associated with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and neurotoxin exposure. However, this drug has not been tested against CM-associated brain injury. Since CM-associated brain injuries and AIS share similar pathophysiological features, we hypothesized that NRG-1 will reduce or prevent neuroinflammation and brain damage as well as improve survival in mice with late-stage experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). Methods We tested the effects of NRG-1 on ECM-associated brain inflammation and mortality in P. berghei ANKA (PbA)-infected mice and compared to artemether (ARM) treatment; an antimalarial currently used in various combination therapies against malaria. Results Treatment with ARM (25 mg/kg/day) effectively cleared parasites and reduced mortality in PbA-infected mice by 82%. Remarkably, NRG-1 therapy (1.25 ng/kg/day) significantly improved survival against ECM by 73% despite increase in parasite burden within NRG-1-treated mice. Additionally, NRG-1 therapy reduced systemic and brain pro-inflammatory factors TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-1alpha and CXCL10 and enhanced anti-inflammatory factors, IL-5 and IL-13 while decreasing leukocyte accumulation in brain microvessels. Conclusions This study suggests that NRG-1 attenuates ECM-associated brain inflammation and injuries and may represent a novel supportive therapy for the management of CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Solomon
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Kalantari P, DeOliveira RB, Chan J, Corbett Y, Rathinam V, Stutz A, Latz E, Gazzinelli RT, Golenbock DT, Fitzgerald KA. Dual engagement of the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes by plasmodium-derived hemozoin and DNA during malaria. Cell Rep 2014; 6:196-210. [PMID: 24388751 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Revised: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemozoin (Hz) is the crystalline detoxification product of hemoglobin in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes. We previously proposed that Hz can carry plasmodial DNA into a subcellular compartment that is accessible to Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), inducing an inflammatory signal. Hz also activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in primed cells. We found that Hz appears to colocalize with DNA in infected erythrocytes, even before RBC rupture or phagolysosomal digestion. Using synthetic Hz coated in vitro with plasmodial genomic DNA (gDNA) or CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, we observed that DNA-complexed Hz induced TLR9 translocation, providing a priming and an activation signal for inflammasomes. After phagocytosis, Hz and DNA dissociate. Hz subsequently induces phagolysosomal destabilization, allowing phagolysosomal contents access to the cytosol, where DNA receptors become activated. Similar observations were made with Plasmodium-infected RBCs. Finally, infected erythrocytes activated both the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes. These observations suggest that Hz and DNA work together to induce systemic inflammation during malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Kalantari
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Rosane B DeOliveira
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jennie Chan
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yolanda Corbett
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Vijay Rathinam
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Andrea Stutz
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Biomedical Center, 1G008, University Hospitals, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Eicke Latz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Institute of Innate Immunity, Biomedical Center, 1G008, University Hospitals, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Ricardo T Gazzinelli
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Parasitology and Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270, Brazil
| | - Douglas T Golenbock
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Katherine A Fitzgerald
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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Frevert U, Nacer A, Cabrera M, Movila A, Leberl M. Imaging Plasmodium immunobiology in the liver, brain, and lung. Parasitol Int 2013; 63:171-86. [PMID: 24076429 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum malaria is responsible for the deaths of over half a million African children annually. Until a decade ago, dynamic analysis of the malaria parasite was limited to in vitro systems with the typical limitations associated with 2D monocultures or entirely artificial surfaces. Due to extremely low parasite densities, the liver was considered a black box in terms of Plasmodium sporozoite invasion, liver stage development, and merozoite release into the blood. Further, nothing was known about the behavior of blood stage parasites in organs such as the brain where clinical signs manifest and the ensuing immune response of the host that may ultimately result in a fatal outcome. The advent of fluorescent parasites, advances in imaging technology, and availability of an ever-increasing number of cellular and molecular probes have helped illuminate many steps along the pathogenetic cascade of this deadly tropical parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Frevert
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 341 E 25 Street, New York, NY 10010, USA.
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Hawkes M, Elphinstone RE, Conroy AL, Kain KC. Contrasting pediatric and adult cerebral malaria: the role of the endothelial barrier. Virulence 2013; 4:543-55. [PMID: 23924893 PMCID: PMC5359751 DOI: 10.4161/viru.25949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria affects millions of people around the world and a small subset of those infected develop cerebral malaria. The clinical presentation of cerebral malaria differs between children and adults, and it has been suggested that age-related changes in the endothelial response may account for some of these differences. During cerebral malaria, parasites sequester within the brain microvasculature but do not penetrate into the brain parenchyma and yet, the infection causes severe neurological symptoms. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to play an important role in mediating these adverse clinical outcomes. During infection, the endothelium becomes activated and more permeable, which leads to increased inflammation, hemorrhages, and edema in the surrounding tissue. We hypothesize that post-natal developmental changes, occurring in both endothelial response and the neurovascular unit, account for the differences observed in the clinical presentations of cerebral malaria in children compared with adults.
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Shan Y, Liu J, Pan YY, Jiang YJ, Shang H, Cao YM. Age-related CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cell responses during Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in mice susceptible or resistant to cerebral malaria. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2013; 51:289-95. [PMID: 23864739 PMCID: PMC3712102 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.3.289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 01/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Different functions have been attributed to CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) during malaria infection. Herein, we describe the disparity in Treg response and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines during infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA between young (3-week-old) and middle-aged (8-month-old) C57BL/6 mice. Young mice were susceptible to cerebral malaria (CM), while the middle-aged mice were resistant to CM and succumbed to hyperparasitemia and severe anemia. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, in young CM-susceptible mice were markedly higher than in middle-aged CM-resistant mice. An increased absolute number of Tregs 3-5 days post-inoculation, co-occurring with elevated IL-10 levels, was observed in middle-aged CM-resistant mice but not in young CM-susceptible mice. Our findings suggest that Treg proliferation might be associated with the suppression of excessive pro-inflammatory Th1 response during early malaria infection, leading to resistance to CM in the middle-aged mice, possibly in an IL-10-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Shan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
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40
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Wilson NO, Solomon W, Anderson L, Patrickson J, Pitts S, Bond V, Liu M, Stiles JK. Pharmacologic inhibition of CXCL10 in combination with anti-malarial therapy eliminates mortality associated with murine model of cerebral malaria. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60898. [PMID: 23630573 PMCID: PMC3618178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite appropriate anti-malarial treatment, cerebral malaria (CM)-associated mortalities remain as high as 30%. Thus, adjunctive therapies are urgently needed to prevent or reduce such mortalities. Overproduction of CXCL10 in a subset of CM patients has been shown to be tightly associated with fatal human CM. Mice with deleted CXCL10 gene are partially protected against experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) mortality indicating the importance of CXCL10 in the pathogenesis of CM. However, the direct effect of increased CXCL10 production on brain cells is unknown. We assessed apoptotic effects of CXCL10 on human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBVECs) and neuroglia cells in vitro. We tested the hypothesis that reducing overexpression of CXCL10 with a synthetic drug during CM pathogenesis will increase survival and reduce mortality. We utilized atorvastatin, a widely used synthetic blood cholesterol-lowering drug that specifically targets and reduces plasma CXCL10 levels in humans, to determine the effects of atorvastatin and artemether combination therapy on murine ECM outcome. We assessed effects of atorvastatin treatment on immune determinants of severity, survival, and parasitemia in ECM mice receiving a combination therapy from onset of ECM (day 6 through 9 post-infection) and compared results with controls. The results indicate that CXCL10 induces apoptosis in HBVECs and neuroglia cells in a dose-dependent manner suggesting that increased levels of CXCL10 in CM patients may play a role in vasculopathy, neuropathogenesis, and brain injury during CM pathogenesis. Treatment of ECM in mice with atorvastatin significantly reduced systemic and brain inflammation by reducing the levels of the anti-angiogenic and apoptotic factor (CXCL10) and increasing angiogenic factor (VEGF) production. Treatment with a combination of atorvastatin and artemether improved survival (100%) when compared with artemether monotherapy (70%), p<0.05. Thus, adjunctively reducing CXCL10 levels and inflammation by atorvastatin treatment during anti-malarial therapy may represent a novel approach to treating CM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana O. Wilson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Wesley Solomon
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Leonard Anderson
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John Patrickson
- Department of Pathology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Sidney Pitts
- Department of Pathology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Vincent Bond
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mingli Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jonathan K. Stiles
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Abstract
Malaria, the most significant parasitic disease of man, kills approximately one million people per year. Half of these deaths occur in those with cerebral malaria (CM). The World Health Organization (WHO) defines CM as an otherwise unexplained coma in a patient with malarial parasitemia. Worldwide, CM occurs primarily in African children and Asian adults, with the vast majority (greater than 90%) of cases occurring in children 5 years old or younger in sub-Saharan Africa. The pathophysiology of the disease is complex and involves infected erythrocyte sequestration, cerebral inflammation, and breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. A recently characterized malarial retinopathy is visual evidence of Plasmodium falciparum's pathophysiological processes occurring in the affected patient. Treatment consists of supportive care and antimalarial administration. Thus far, adjuvant therapies have not been shown to improve mortality rates or neurological outcomes in children with CM. For those who survive CM, residual neurological abnormalities are common. Epilepsy, cognitive impairment, behavioral disorders, and gross neurological deficits which include motor, sensory, and language impairments are frequent sequelae. Primary prevention strategies, including bed nets, vaccine development, and chemoprophylaxis, are in varied states of development and implementation. Continuing efforts to find successful primary prevention options and strategies to decrease neurological sequelae are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas G Postels
- Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (INPEP), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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42
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Nacer A, Movila A, Baer K, Mikolajczak SA, Kappe SHI, Frevert U. Neuroimmunological blood brain barrier opening in experimental cerebral malaria. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002982. [PMID: 23133375 PMCID: PMC3486917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum malaria is responsible for nearly one million annual deaths worldwide. Because of the difficulty in monitoring the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria in humans, we conducted a study in various mouse models to better understand disease progression in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). We compared the effect on the integrity of the blood brain barrier (BBB) and the histopathology of the brain of P. berghei ANKA, a known ECM model, P. berghei NK65, generally thought not to induce ECM, P. yoelii 17XL, originally reported to induce human cerebral malaria-like histopathology, and P. yoelii YM. As expected, P. berghei ANKA infection caused neurological signs, cerebral hemorrhages, and BBB dysfunction in CBA/CaJ and Swiss Webster mice, while Balb/c and A/J mice were resistant. Surprisingly, PbNK induced ECM in CBA/CaJ mice, while all other mice were resistant. P. yoelii 17XL and P. yoelii YM caused lethal hyperparasitemia in all mouse strains; histopathological alterations, BBB dysfunction, or neurological signs were not observed. Intravital imaging revealed that infected erythrocytes containing mature parasites passed slowly through capillaries making intimate contact with the endothelium, but did not arrest. Except for relatively rare microhemorrhages, mice with ECM presented no obvious histopathological alterations that would explain the widespread disruption of the BBB. Intravital imaging did reveal, however, that postcapillary venules, but not capillaries or arterioles, from mice with ECM, but not hyperparasitemia, exhibit platelet marginalization, extravascular fibrin deposition, CD14 expression, and extensive vascular leakage. Blockage of LFA-1 mediated cellular interactions prevented leukocyte adhesion, vascular leakage, neurological signs, and death from ECM. The endothelial barrier-stabilizing mediators imatinib and FTY720 inhibited vascular leakage and neurological signs and prolonged survival to ECM. Thus, it appears that neurological signs and coma in ECM are due to regulated opening of paracellular-junctional and transcellular-vesicular fluid transport pathways at the neuroimmunological BBB. Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest of all human malaria parasites, can cause cerebral malaria, a severe and frequently fatal complication of this devastating disease. Young children are predominantly at risk and may progress rapidly from the first signs of neurological involvement to coma and death. Here we used a murine model for high-resolution in vivo imaging to demonstrate that cerebral malaria, but not high parasitemia and severe anemia, is associated with extensive leakage of fluid from cerebral blood vessels into the brain tissue. This vascular leakage occurs downstream from the capillary bed, at the neuroimmunological blood brain barrier, a site recently recognized as the immune cell entry point into the brain during neuroinflammation. Vascular leakage is closely associated with the appearance of neurological signs suggesting that the ultimate cause of brain edema, coma and death in cerebral malaria is a widespread opening of the neuroimmunological blood brain barrier. Indeed, vascular leakage, neurological signs, and death from ECM can be prevented with endothelial barrier-stabilizing drugs. Based on the unique role of this anatomical feature in neuroinflammation, our findings are expected to have implications for other infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Nacer
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexandru Movila
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Kerstin Baer
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Stefan H. I. Kappe
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ute Frevert
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Achtman AH, Pilat S, Law CW, Lynn DJ, Janot L, Mayer ML, Ma S, Kindrachuk J, Finlay BB, Brinkman FSL, Smyth GK, Hancock REW, Schofield L. Effective adjunctive therapy by an innate defense regulatory peptide in a preclinical model of severe malaria. Sci Transl Med 2012; 4:135ra64. [PMID: 22623740 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Case fatality rates for severe malaria remain high even in the best clinical settings because antimalarial drugs act against the parasite without alleviating life-threatening inflammation. We assessed the potential for host-directed therapy of severe malaria of a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs, the innate defense regulator (IDR) peptides, based on host defense peptides. The Plasmodium berghei ANKA model of experimental cerebral malaria was adapted to use as a preclinical screen by combining late-stage intervention in established infections with advanced bioinformatic analysis of early transcriptional changes in co-regulated gene sets. Coadministration of IDR-1018 with standard first-line antimalarials increased survival of infected mice while down-regulating key inflammatory networks associated with fatality. Thus, IDR peptides provided host-directed adjunctive therapy for severe disease in combination with antimalarial treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel H Achtman
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Karlsson M, Hempel C, Sjövall F, Hansson MJ, Kurtzhals JAL, Elmér E. Brain mitochondrial function in a murine model of cerebral malaria and the therapeutic effects of rhEPO. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2012; 45:151-5. [PMID: 22903021 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Revised: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a life-threatening complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. The pathogenesis of CM is complex. Cerebral metabolic dysfunction is implicated in CM, which may be caused by both an impaired cerebral microcirculation and a dysregulated inflammatory response affecting cellular respiration of mitochondria. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is a promising new therapy that has been shown to reduce mortality in a mouse model of CM. In order to further elucidate the metabolic dysfunction in CM the objective of the present study was to assess brain mitochondrial respiratory function in CM with and without rhEPO treatment. The P. berghei ANKA - C57BL/6 murine model of CM was used. Mitochondrial respiration was analyzed in brain homogenates using high-resolution respirometry and a multiple substrate and inhibitor protocol. The animals were divided into four groups; infected injected with saline or with rhEPO, non-infected injected with saline or with rhEPO. Infected mice developed CM and treatment with rhEPO attenuated clinical signs of disease. There were no differences in respiratory parameters of brain mitochondria between infected and non-infected mice and no connection between disease severity and mitochondrial respiratory function. Treatment with rhEPO similarly had no effect on respiratory function. Thus cerebral metabolic dysfunction in CM does not seem to be directly linked to altered mitochondrial respiratory capacity as analyzed in brain homogenates ex vivo. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Bioenergetic dysfunction, adaptation and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Karlsson
- Mitochondrial Pathophysiology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, BMC A13, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.
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45
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Hochman S, Kim K. The Impact of HIV Coinfection on Cerebral Malaria Pathogenesis. JOURNAL OF NEUROPARASITOLOGY 2012; 3:235547. [PMID: 22545215 PMCID: PMC3336366 DOI: 10.4303/jnp/235547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
HIV infection is widespread throughout the world and is especially prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Similarly, Plasmodium falciparum, the most common cause of severe malaria, affects large areas of sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. Although initial studies suggested that HIV and malaria had independent impact upon patient outcomes, recent studies have indicated a more significant interaction. Clinical studies have shown that people infected with HIV have more frequent and severe episodes of malaria, and parameters of HIV disease progression worsen in individuals during acute malaria episodes. However, the effect of HIV on development of cerebral malaria, a manifestation of P. falciparum infection that is frequently fatal, has not been characterized. We review clinical and basic science studies pertaining to HIV and malaria coinfection and cerebral malaria in particular in order to highlight the likely role HIV plays in exacerbating cerebral malaria pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hochman
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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46
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Rénia L, Howland SW, Claser C, Charlotte Gruner A, Suwanarusk R, Hui Teo T, Russell B, Ng LFP. Cerebral malaria: mysteries at the blood-brain barrier. Virulence 2012; 3:193-201. [PMID: 22460644 PMCID: PMC3396698 DOI: 10.4161/viru.19013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral malaria is the most severe pathology caused by the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. The pathogenic mechanisms leading to cerebral malaria are still poorly defined as studies have been hampered by limited accessibility to human tissues. Nevertheless, histopathology of post-mortem human tissues and mouse models of cerebral malaria have indicated involvement of the blood-brain barrier in cerebral malaria. In contrast to viruses and bacteria, malaria parasites do not infiltrate and infect the brain parenchyma. Instead, rupture of the blood-brain barrier occurs and may lead to hemorrhages resulting in neurological alterations. Here, we review the most recent findings from human studies and mouse models on the interactions of malaria parasites and the blood-brain barrier, shedding light on the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, which may provide directions for possible interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A STAR), Biopolis, Singapore.
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47
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Higgins SJ, Kain KC, Liles WC. Immunopathogenesis of falciparum malaria: implications for adjunctive therapy in the management of severe and cerebral malaria. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2012; 9:803-19. [PMID: 21905788 DOI: 10.1586/eri.11.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite optimal antimalarial treatment and advances in malaria eradication, the mortality rate associated with severe malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum infection, including cerebral malaria (CM), remains unacceptably high. This suggests that strategies directed solely at parasite eradication may be insufficient to prevent neurological complications and death in all cases of CM. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop innovative adjunctive therapeutic strategies to effectively reduce CM-associated mortality. CM pathogenesis is believed to be due, in part, to an aberrant host immune response to P. falciparum, resulting in deleterious consequences, including vascular activation and dysfunction. Development of effective and affordable therapeutic strategies that act to modulate the underlying host-mediated immunopathology should be explored to improve outcome. In this article, we summarize immunomodulatory therapies that have been assessed in clinical trials to date, and highlight novel and promising treatment strategies currently being investigated to address this major global health challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Higgins
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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48
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Quelhas D, Puyol L, Quintó L, Nhampossa T, Serra-Casas E, Macete E, Aide P, Sanz S, Aponte JJ, Doolan DL, Alonso PL, Menéndez C, Dobaño C. Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine does not modify plasma cytokines and chemokines or intracellular cytokine responses to Plasmodium falciparum in Mozambican children. BMC Immunol 2012; 13:5. [PMID: 22280502 PMCID: PMC3398260 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-13-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytokines and chemokines are key mediators of anti-malarial immunity. We evaluated whether Intermittent Preventive Treatment in infants with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTi-SP) had an effect on the acquisition of these cellular immune responses in Mozambican children. Multiple cytokines and chemokines were quantified in plasma by luminex, and antigen-specific cytokine production in whole blood was determined by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry, at ages 5, 9, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS IPTi-SP did not significantly affect the proportion of CD3+ cells producing IFN-γ, IL-4 or IL-10. Overall, plasma cytokine or chemokine concentrations did not differ between treatment groups. Th1 and pro-inflammatory responses were higher than Th2 and anti-inflammatory responses, respectively, and IFN-γ:IL-4 ratios were higher for placebo than for SP recipients. Levels of cytokines and chemokines varied according to age, declining from 5 to 9 months. Plasma concentrations of IL-10, IL-12 and IL-13 were associated with current infection or prior malaria episodes. Higher frequencies of IFN-γ and IL-10 producing CD3+ cells and elevated IL-10, IFN-γ, MCP-1 and IL-13 in plasma were individually associated with increased malaria incidence, at different time points. When all markers were analyzed together, only higher IL-17 at 12 months was associated with lower incidence of malaria up to 24 months. CONCLUSIONS Our work has confirmed that IPTi-SP does not negatively affect the development of cellular immune response during early childhood. This study has also provided new insights as to how these cytokine responses are acquired upon age and exposure to P. falciparum, as well as their associations with malaria susceptibility. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00209795.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Quelhas
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
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49
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Gillrie MR, Lee K, Gowda DC, Davis SP, Monestier M, Cui L, Hien TT, Day NPJ, Ho M. Plasmodium falciparum histones induce endothelial proinflammatory response and barrier dysfunction. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 180:1028-1039. [PMID: 22260922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2011] [Revised: 10/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoan parasite of human erythrocytes that causes the most severe form of malaria. Severe P. falciparum infection is associated with endothelial activation and permeability, which are important determinants of the outcome of the infection. How endothelial cells become activated is not fully understood, particularly with regard to the effects of parasite subcomponents. We demonstrated that P. falciparum histones extracted from merozoites (HeH) directly stimulated the production of IL-8 and other inflammatory mediators by primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells through a signaling pathway that involves Src family kinases and p38 MAPK. The stimulatory effect of HeH and recombinant P. falciparum H3 (PfH3) was abrogated by histone-specific antibodies. The release of nuclear contents on rupture of infected erythrocytes was captured by live cell imaging and confirmed by detecting nucleosomes in the supernatants of parasite cultures. HeH and recombinant parasite histones also induced endothelial permeability through a charge-dependent mechanism that resulted in disruption of junctional protein expression and cell death. Recombinant human activated protein C cleaved HeH and PfH3 and abrogated their proinflammatory effects. Circulating nucleosomes of both human and parasite origin were detected in the plasma of patients with falciparum malaria and correlated positively with disease severity. These results support a pathogenic role for both host- and pathogen-derived histones in P. falciparum-caused malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Gillrie
- Department of Microbiology Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kristine Lee
- Department of Microbiology Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - D Channe Gowda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Shevaun P Davis
- Department of Microbiology Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marc Monestier
- Temple Autoimmunity Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Tran Tinh Hien
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nicholas P J Day
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - May Ho
- Department of Microbiology Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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50
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Inhaled nitric oxide reduces endothelial activation and parasite accumulation in the brain, and enhances survival in experimental cerebral malaria. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27714. [PMID: 22110737 PMCID: PMC3218025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The host immune response contributes to the onset and progression of severe malaria syndromes, such as cerebral malaria. Adjunctive immunomodulatory strategies for severe malaria may improve clinical outcome beyond that achievable with artemisinin-based therapy alone. Here, we report that prophylaxis with inhaled nitric oxide significantly reduced systemic inflammation (lower TNF, IFNγ and MCP-1 in peripheral blood) and endothelial activation (decreased sICAM-1 and vWF, and increased angiopoeitin-1 levels in peripheral blood) in an experimental cerebral malaria model. Mice that received inhaled nitric oxide starting prior to infection had reduced parasitized erythrocyte accumulation in the brain, decreased brain expression of ICAM-1, and preserved vascular integrity compared to control mice. Inhaled nitric oxide administered in combination with artesunate, starting as late as 5.5 days post-infection, improved survival over treatment with artesunate alone (70% survival in the artesunate only vs. 100% survival in the artesunate plus iNO group, p = 0.03). These data support the clinical investigation of inhaled nitric oxide as a novel adjunctive therapy in patients with severe malaria.
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