1
|
Mitesser V, Simantov K, Dzikowski R. Time to switch gears: how long noncoding RNAs function as epigenetic regulators in Apicomplexan parasites. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102484. [PMID: 38688159 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) are emerging as important regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes. In recent years, a large repertoire of lncRNA were discovered in Apicomplexan parasites and were implicated in several mechanisms of gene expression, including marking genes for activation, contributing to the formation of subnuclear compartments and organization, regulating the deposition of epigenetic modifications, influencing chromatin and chromosomal structure and manipulating host gene expression. Here, we aim to update recent knowledge on the role of lncRNAs as regulators in Apicomplexan parasites and highlight the possible molecular mechanisms by which they function. We hope that some of the hypotheses raised here will contribute to further investigation and lead to new mechanistic insight and better understanding of the role of lncRNA in parasite's biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vera Mitesser
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Karina Simantov
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ron Dzikowski
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Graham ML, Li M, Gong AY, Deng S, Jin K, Wang S, Chen XM. Cryptosporidium parvum hijacks a host's long noncoding RNA U90926 to evade intestinal epithelial cell-autonomous antiparasitic defense. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1205468. [PMID: 37346046 PMCID: PMC10280636 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1205468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a zoonotic apicomplexan parasite that infects the gastrointestinal epithelium and other mucosal surfaces in humans. It is an important opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients and a leading cause of infectious diarrhea and diarrheal-related death in children worldwide. The intestinal epithelial cells provide the first line of defense against Cryptosporidium infection and play a central role in activating and regulating the host's antiparasitic response. Increasing evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in host-pathogen interactions and play a regulatory role in the pathogenesis of diseases but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. We previously identified a panel of host lncRNAs that are upregulated in murine intestinal epithelial cells following Cryptosporidium infection, including U90926. We demonstrate here that U90926 is acting in a pro-parasitic manner in regulating intestinal epithelial cell-autonomous antiparasitic defense. Inhibition of U90926 resulted in a decreased infection burden of the parasite while overexpression of U90926 showed an increase in infection burden in cultured murine intestinal epithelial cells. Induction of U90926 suppressed transcription of epithelial defense genes involved in controlling Cryptosporidium infection through epigenetic mechanisms. Specifically, transcription of Aebp1, which encodes the Aebp1 protein, a potent modulator of inflammation and NF-κB signaling, was suppressed by U90926. Gain- or loss-of-function of Aebp1 in the host's epithelial cells caused reciprocal alterations in the infection burden of the parasite. Interestingly, Cryptosporidium carries the Cryptosporidium virus 1 (CSpV1), a double-stranded (ds) RNA virus coding two dsRNA fragments, CSpV1-dsRdRp and CSpV1-dsCA. Both CSpV1-dsRdRp and CSpV1-dsCA can be delivered into infected cells as previously reported. We found that cells transfected with in vitro transcribed CSpV1-dsCA or CSpV1-dsRdRp displayed an increased level of U90926, suggesting that CSpV1 is involved in the upregulation of U90926 during Cryptosporidium infection. Our study highlights a new strategy by Cryptosporidium to hijack a host lncRNA to suppress epithelial cell-autonomous antiparasitic defense and allow for a robust infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marion L. Graham
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Ai-Yu Gong
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Silu Deng
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Kehua Jin
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Shuhong Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brandão YDO, Molento MB. A Systematic Review of Apicomplexa Looking into Epigenetic Pathways and the Opportunity for Novel Therapies. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020299. [PMID: 36839571 PMCID: PMC9963874 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Interest in host epigenetic changes during apicomplexan infections increased in the last decade, mainly due to the emergence of new therapies directed to these alterations. This review aims to carry out a bibliometric analysis of the publications related to host epigenetic changes during apicomplexan infections and to summarize the main studied pathways in this context, pointing out those that represent putative drug targets. We used four databases for the article search. After screening, 116 studies were included. The bibliometric analysis revealed that the USA and China had the highest number of relevant publications. The evaluation of the selected studies revealed that Toxoplasma gondii was considered in most of the studies, non-coding RNA was the most frequently reported epigenetic event, and host defense was the most explored pathway. These findings were reinforced by an analysis of the co-occurrence of keywords. Even though we present putative targets for repurposing epidrugs and ncRNA-based drugs in apicomplexan infections, we understand that more detailed knowledge of the hosts' epigenetic pathways is still needed before establishing a definitive drug target.
Collapse
|
4
|
Xia Z, Xu J, Lu E, He W, Deng S, Gong AY, Strass-Soukup J, Martins GA, Lu G, Chen XM. m 6A mRNA Methylation Regulates Epithelial Innate Antimicrobial Defense Against Cryptosporidial Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:705232. [PMID: 34295340 PMCID: PMC8291979 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.705232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA modification may play an important role in regulating immune responses. Intestinal epithelial cells orchestrate gastrointestinal mucosal innate defense to microbial infection, but underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study, we present data demonstrating significant alterations in the topology of host m6A mRNA methylome in intestinal epithelial cells following infection by Cryptosporidium parvum, a coccidian parasite that infects the gastrointestinal epithelium and causes a self-limited disease in immunocompetent individuals but a life-threatening diarrheal disease in AIDS patients. Altered m6A methylation in mRNAs in intestinal epithelial cells following C. parvum infection is associated with downregulation of alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase alkB homolog 5 and the fat mass and obesity-associated protein with the involvement of NF-кB signaling. Functionally, m6A methylation statuses influence intestinal epithelial innate defense against C. parvum infection. Specifically, expression levels of immune-related genes, such as the immunity-related GTPase family M member 2 and interferon gamma induced GTPase, are increased in infected cells with a decreased m6A mRNA methylation. Our data support that intestinal epithelial cells display significant alterations in the topology of their m6A mRNA methylome in response to C. parvum infection with the involvement of activation of the NF-кB signaling pathway, a process that modulates expression of specific immune-related genes and contributes to fine regulation of epithelial antimicrobial defense.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Xia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Jihao Xu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Eugene Lu
- Department of Biology, School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Wei He
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Silu Deng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ai-Yu Gong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Juliane Strass-Soukup
- Department of Chemistry, Creighton University College of Arts & Sciences, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Gislaine A Martins
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Research Division of Immunology Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Guoqing Lu
- Department of Biology, School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li J, Jin K, Li M, Mathy NW, Gong AY, Deng S, Martins GA, Sun M, Strauss-Soukup JK, Chen XM. A host cell long noncoding RNA NR_033736 regulates type I interferon-mediated gene transcription and modulates intestinal epithelial anti-Cryptosporidium defense. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009241. [PMID: 33481946 PMCID: PMC7857606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal epithelium guides the immune system to differentiate between commensal and pathogenic microbiota, which relies on intimate links with the type I IFN signal pathway. Epithelial cells along the epithelium provide the front line of host defense against pathogen infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Increasing evidence supports the regulatory potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in immune defense but their role in regulating intestinal epithelial antimicrobial responses is still unclear. Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite that infects intestinal epithelial cells, is an important opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients and a common cause of diarrhea in young children in developing countries. Recent advances in Cryptosporidium research have revealed a strong type I IFN response in infected intestinal epithelial cells. We previously identified a panel of host cell lncRNAs that are upregulated in murine intestinal epithelial cells following microbial challenge. One of these lncRNAs, NR_033736, is upregulated in intestinal epithelial cells following Cryptosporidium infection and displays a significant suppressive effect on type I IFN-controlled gene transcription in infected host cells. NR_033736 can be assembled into the ISGF3 complex and suppresses type I IFN-mediated gene transcription. Interestingly, upregulation of NR_033736 itself is triggered by the type I IFN signaling. Moreover, NR_033736 modulates epithelial anti-Cryptosporidium defense. Our data suggest that upregulation of NR_033736 provides negative feedback regulation of type I IFN signaling through suppression of type I IFN-controlled gene transcription, and consequently, contributing to fine-tuning of epithelial innate defense against microbial infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Kehua Jin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Nicholas W. Mathy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Ai-Yu Gong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Silu Deng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Gislaine A. Martins
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Research Division of Immunology Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Mingfei Sun
- Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Juliane K. Strauss-Soukup
- Department of Chemistry, Creighton University College of Arts and Sciences, Omaha, NE, United States of America
| | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li Y, Baptista RP, Sateriale A, Striepen B, Kissinger JC. Analysis of Long Non-Coding RNA in Cryptosporidium parvum Reveals Significant Stage-Specific Antisense Transcription. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:608298. [PMID: 33520737 PMCID: PMC7840661 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.608298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a protist parasite that has been identified as the second leading cause of moderate to severe diarrhea in children younger than two and a significant cause of mortality worldwide. Cryptosporidium has a complex, obligate, intracellular but extra cytoplasmic lifecycle in a single host. How genes are regulated in this parasite remains largely unknown. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles, including gene expression across a broad range of organisms. Cryptosporidium lncRNAs have been reported to enter the host cell nucleus and affect the host response. However, no systematic study of lncRNAs in Cryptosporidium has been conducted to identify additional lncRNAs. In this study, we analyzed a C. parvum in vitro strand-specific RNA-seq developmental time series covering both asexual and sexual stages to identify lncRNAs associated with parasite development. In total, we identified 396 novel lncRNAs, mostly antisense, with 86% being differentially expressed. Surprisingly, nearly 10% of annotated mRNAs have an antisense transcript. lncRNAs occur most often at the 3' end of their corresponding sense mRNA. Putative lncRNA regulatory regions were identified and many appear to encode bidirectional promoters. A positive correlation between lncRNA and upstream mRNA expression was observed. Evolutionary conservation and expression of lncRNA candidates was observed between C. parvum, C. hominis and C. baileyi. Ten C. parvum protein-encoding genes with antisense transcripts have P. falciparum orthologs that also have antisense transcripts. Three C. parvum lncRNAs with exceptional properties (e.g., intron splicing) were experimentally validated using RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. This initial characterization of the C. parvum non-coding transcriptome facilitates further investigations into the roles of lncRNAs in parasite development and host-pathogen interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Li
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Rodrigo P. Baptista
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Adam Sateriale
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li Y, Baptista RP, Kissinger JC. Noncoding RNAs in Apicomplexan Parasites: An Update. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:835-849. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
8
|
Jiang L, Chen T, Xiong L, Xu JH, Gong AY, Dai B, Wu G, Zhu K, Lu E, Mathy NW, Chen XM. Knockdown of m6A methyltransferase METTL3 in gastric cancer cells results in suppression of cell proliferation. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:2191-2198. [PMID: 32782536 PMCID: PMC7400027 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification regulates multiple biological functions. Methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3), one of the major N6-methyltransferases, is highly expressed in gastric cancer, but its potential role in disease is unclear. The current study knocked out METTL3 (METTL3-KO) in human gastric cancer AGS cells using CRISPR/Cas9. METTL3-KO AGS cells exhibited decreased m6A methylation levels. A significant inhibition of cell proliferation was observed in METTL3-KO AGS cells. Silencing METTL3 in AGS cells altered the expression profile of many effector molecules that were previously demonstrated to serve key roles in AGS cell proliferation, including the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of proteins. The results further demonstrated that SOCS2 upregulation in METTL3-KO AGS cells was associated with a decreased RNA decay rate. Furthermore, SOCS2 KO or SOCS2 overexpression caused a significant increase and decrease in AGS cell proliferation, respectively. The current data suggested that METTL3-KO in gastric cancer cells resulted in the suppression of cell proliferation by inducing SOCS2, suggesting a potential role of elevated METTL3 expression in gastric cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- Department of Geriatrics, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental General Medicine Education, College of Clinical Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Li Xiong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental General Medicine Education, College of Clinical Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Ji-Hao Xu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Ai-Yu Gong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Bin Dai
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental General Medicine Education, College of Clinical Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Ganlin Wu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.,National Demonstration Center for Experimental General Medicine Education, College of Clinical Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Kenny Zhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Eugene Lu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Nicholas William Mathy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Villares M, Berthelet J, Weitzman JB. The clever strategies used by intracellular parasites to hijack host gene expression. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:215-226. [PMID: 32002610 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00779-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens need to develop sophisticated mechanisms to survive and thrive in the hostile environment within host cells. Unicellular, eukaryotic parasites from the Apicomplexa phylum have become masters of manipulating their host cells, exploiting signaling, and metabolic pathways to hijack host gene expression to their own advantage. These intracellular parasites have developed a wide range of strategies that affect transcriptional machineries and epigenetic events in the host cell nucleus. In recent years, many laboratories have risen to the challenge of studying the epigenetics of host-pathogen interactions with the hope that unraveling the complexity of the mechanisms involved will provide important insights into parasitism and provide clues to fight infection. In this review, we survey some of these many strategies that Apicomplexan parasites employ to hijack their hosts, including inducing epigenetic enzymes, secreting epigenators into host cells, sequestering host signaling proteins, and co-opting non-coding RNAs to change gene and protein expression. We cite selected examples from the literature on Apicomplexa parasites (including Toxoplasma, Theileria, and Cryptosporidium) to highlight the success of these parasitic processes. We marvel at the effectiveness of the strategies that these pathogens have evolved and wonder what mysteries lie ahead in exploring the epigenetics of host-parasite interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Villares
- UMR 7216 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, Université de Paris, Bâtiment Lamarck, Case 7042, 35 rue Hélène Brion, 75205, Paris cedex 13, France
| | - Jérémy Berthelet
- UMR 7216 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, Université de Paris, Bâtiment Lamarck, Case 7042, 35 rue Hélène Brion, 75205, Paris cedex 13, France
| | - Jonathan B Weitzman
- UMR 7216 Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, Université de Paris, Bâtiment Lamarck, Case 7042, 35 rue Hélène Brion, 75205, Paris cedex 13, France.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Induction of Inflammatory Responses in Splenocytes by Exosomes Released from Intestinal Epithelial Cells following Cryptosporidium parvum Infection. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00705-18. [PMID: 30642905 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00705-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite that infects the gastrointestinal epithelium and other mucosal surfaces in humans and animals, is an important opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients and one of the most common enteric pathogens affecting young children in developing regions. This parasite is referred to as a "minimally invasive" mucosal pathogen, and epithelial cells play a central role in activating and orchestrating host immune responses. We previously demonstrated that Cryptosporidium parvum infection stimulates host epithelial cells to release exosomes, and these released exosomes shuttle several antimicrobial peptides to carry out anti-C. parvum activity. In this study, we detected the upregulation of inflammatory genes in the liver and spleen following C. parvum intestinal infection in neonatal mice. Interestingly, exosomes released from intestinal epithelial cells following C. parvum infection could activate the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway and trigger inflammatory gene transcription in isolated primary splenocytes. Several epithelial cell-derived proteins and a subset of parasite RNAs were detected in the exosomes released from C. parvum-infected intestinal epithelial cells. Shuttling of these effector molecules, including the high mobility group box 1 protein, was involved in the induction of inflammatory responses in splenocytes induced by the exosomes released from infected cells. Our data indicate that exosomes released from intestinal epithelial cells upon C. parvum infection can activate immune cells by shuttling various effector molecules, a process that may be relevant to host systemic responses to Cryptosporidium infection.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ming Z, Wang Y, Gong AY, Zhang XT, Li M, Chen T, Mathy NW, Strauss-Soukup JK, Chen XM. Attenuation of Intestinal Epithelial Cell Migration During Cryptosporidium parvum Infection Involves Parasite Cdg7_FLc_1030 RNA-Mediated Induction and Release of Dickkopf-1. J Infect Dis 2018; 218:1336-1347. [PMID: 30052999 PMCID: PMC6129111 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal infection by Cryptosporidium is known to cause epithelial cell migration disorder but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Previous studies demonstrated that a panel of parasite RNA transcripts of low protein-coding potential are delivered into infected epithelial cells. Using multiple models of intestinal cryptosporidiosis, we report here that C. parvum infection induces expression and release of the dickkopf protein 1 (Dkk1) from intestinal epithelial cells. Delivery of parasite Cdg7_FLc_1030 RNA to intestinal epithelial cells triggers transactivation of host Dkk1 gene during C. parvum infection. Release of Dkk1 is involved in C. parvum-induced inhibition of cell migration of epithelial cells, including noninfected bystander cells. Moreover, Dkk1-mediated suppression of host cell migration during C. parvum infection involves inhibition of Cdc42/Par6 signaling. Our data support the hypothesis that attenuation of intestinal epithelial cell migration during Cryptosporidium infection involves parasite Cdg7_FLc_1030 RNA-mediated induction and release of Dkk1 from infected cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenping Ming
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei, China
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Ai-Yu Gong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Xin-Tian Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Hubei, China
| | - Nicholas W Mathy
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
| | | | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu TL, Fan XC, Li YH, Yuan YJ, Yin YL, Wang XT, Zhang LX, Zhao GH. Expression Profiles of mRNA and lncRNA in HCT-8 Cells Infected With Cryptosporidium parvum IId Subtype. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1409. [PMID: 30013528 PMCID: PMC6036261 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum is one of the most important enteric protozoan pathogens, responsible for severe diarrhea in immunocompromised human and livestock. However, few effective agents were available for controlling this parasite. Accumulating evidences suggest that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) played key roles in many diseases through regulating the gene expression. Here, the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs were analyzed in HCT-8 cells infected with C. parvum IId subtype using microarray assay. A total of 821 lncRNAs and 1,349 mRNAs were differentially expressed in infected cells at 24 h post infection (pi). Of them, all five types of lncRNAs were identified, including 22 sense, 280 antisense, 312 intergenic, 44 divergent, 33 intronic lncRNAs, and 130 lncRNAs that were not found the relationship with mRNAs’ location. Additionally, real-time polymerase chain reactions of 10 lncRNAs and 10 mRNAs randomly selected were successfully confirmed the microarray results. The co-expression and target prediction analysis indicated that 27 mRNAs were cis-regulated by 29 lncRNAs and 109 were trans-regulated by 114 lncRNAs. These predicted targets were enriched in several pathways involved in the interaction between host and C. parvum, e.g., hedgehog signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, and tight junction, suggesting that these differentially expressed lncRNAs would play important regulating roles during the infection of C. parvum IId subtype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Li Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xian-Chen Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yun-Hui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Ya-Jie Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yan-Ling Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xue-Ting Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Long-Xian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guang-Hui Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ming Z, Gong AY, Wang Y, Zhang XT, Li M, Li Y, Pang J, Dong S, Strauss-Soukup JK, Chen XM. Trans-suppression of host CDH3 and LOXL4 genes during Cryptosporidium parvum infection involves nuclear delivery of parasite Cdg7_FLc_1000 RNA. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:423-431. [PMID: 29438669 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal infection by Cryptosporidium parvum causes significant alterations in the gene expression profile in host epithelial cells. Previous studies demonstrate that a panel of parasite RNA transcripts of low protein-coding potential are delivered into infected host cells and may modulate host gene transcription. Using in vitro models of human intestinal cryptosporidiosis, we report here that trans-suppression of the cadherin 3 (CDH3) and lysyl oxidase like 4 (LOXL4) genes in human intestinal epithelial cells following C. parvum infection involves host delivery of the Cdg7_FLc_1000 RNA, a C. parvum RNA that has been previously demonstrated to be delivered into the nuclei of infected host cells. Downregulation of CDH3 and LOXL4 genes was detected in host epithelial cells following C. parvum infection or in cells expressing the parasite Cdg7_FLc_1000 RNA. Knockdown of Cdg7_FLc_1000 attenuated the trans-suppression of CDH3 and LOXL4 genes in host cells induced by infection. Interestingly, Cdg7_FLc_1000 was detected to be recruited to the promoter regions of both CDH3 and LOXL4 gene loci in host cells following C. parvum infection. Host delivery of Cdg7_FLc_1000 promoted the PH domain zinc finger protein 1 (PRDM1)-mediated H3K9 methylation associated with trans-suppression in the CDH3 gene locus, but not the LOXL4 gene. Therefore, our data suggest that host delivery of Cdg7_FLc_1000 causes CDH3 trans-suppression in human intestinal epithelial cells following C. parvum infection through PRDM1-mediated H3K9 methylation in the CDH3 gene locus, whereas Cdg7_FLc_1000 induces trans-suppression of the host LOXL4 gene through H3K9/H3K27 methylation-independent mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenping Ming
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei, China; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Ai-Yu Gong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Xin-Tian Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Yao Li
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Pang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Stephanie Dong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Juliane K Strauss-Soukup
- Department of Chemistry, Creighton University College of Arts and Sciences, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ming Z, Gong AY, Wang Y, Zhang XT, Li M, Dolata CE, Chen XM. Trans-suppression of defense DEFB1 gene in intestinal epithelial cells following Cryptosporidium parvum infection is associated with host delivery of parasite Cdg7_FLc_1000 RNA. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:831-840. [PMID: 29374323 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5759-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
To counteract host immunity, Cryptosporidium parvum has evolved multiple strategies to suppress host antimicrobial defense. One such strategy is to reduce the production of the antimicrobial peptide beta-defensin 1 (DEFB1) by host epithelial cells but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recent studies demonstrate that a panel of parasite RNA transcripts of low protein-coding potential are delivered into infected host cells and may modulate host gene transcription. Using in vitro models of intestinal cryptosporidiosis, in this study, we analyzed the expression profile of host beta-defensin genes in host cells following infection. We found that C. parvum infection caused a significant downregulation of the DEFB1 gene. Interestingly, downregulation of DEFB1 gene was associated with host delivery of Cdg7_FLc_1000 RNA transcript, a C. parvum RNA that has previously demonstrated to be delivered into the nuclei of infected host cells. Knockdown of Cdg7_FLc_1000 in host cells could attenuate the trans-suppression of host DEFB1 gene and decreased the parasite burden. Therefore, our data suggest that trans-suppression of DEFB1 gene in intestinal epithelial cells following C. parvum infection involves host delivery of parasite Cdg7_FLc_1000 RNA, a process that may be relevant to the epithelial defense evasion by C. parvum at the early stage of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenping Ming
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Criss III, Room 352, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Ai-Yu Gong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Criss III, Room 352, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Criss III, Room 352, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Xin-Tian Zhang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Criss III, Room 352, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Criss III, Room 352, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Courtney E Dolata
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Criss III, Room 352, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Criss III, Room 352, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Nuclear delivery of parasite Cdg2_FLc_0220 RNA transcript to epithelial cells during Cryptosporidium parvum infection modulates host gene transcription. Vet Parasitol 2017; 251:27-33. [PMID: 29426472 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal infection by the zoonotic protozoan, Cryptosporidium parvum, causes significant alterations in the gene expression profile in host epithelial cells. The molecular mechanisms of how C. parvum may modulate host cell gene transcription and the pathological significance of such alterations are largely unclear. Previous studies demonstrate that a panel of parasite RNA transcripts are delivered into infected host cells and may modulate host gene transcription. Using in vitro models of intestinal cryptosporidiosis, in this study, we analyzed the impact of host delivery of C. parvum Cdg2_FLc_0220 RNA transcript on host gene expression profile. We found that alterations in host gene expression profile following C. parvum infection were partially associated with the nuclear delivery of Cdg2_FLc_0220. Specifically, we identified a total of 46 overlapping upregulated genes and 8 overlapping downregulated genes in infected cells and cells transfected with Full-Cdg2_FLc_0220. Trans-suppression of the DAZ interacting zinc finger protein 1 like (DZIP1L) gene, the top overlapping downregulated gene in host cells following C. parvum infection and cells transfected with Full-Cdg2_FLc_0220, was mediated by G9a, independent of PRDM1. Cdg2_FLc_0220-mediated trans-suppression of the DZIP1L gene was independent of H3K9 and H3K27 methylation. Data from this study provide additional evidence that delivery of C. parvum Cdg2_FLc_0220 RNA transcript in infected epithelial cells modulates the transcription of host genes, contributing to the alterations in the gene expression profile in host epithelial cells during C. parvum infection.
Collapse
|