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Zhai B, Meng YM, Xie SC, Peng JJ, Liu Y, Qiu Y, Wang L, Zhang J, He JJ. iTRAQ-Based Phosphoproteomic Analysis Exposes Molecular Changes in the Small Intestinal Epithelia of Cats after Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3537. [PMID: 38003154 PMCID: PMC10668779 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, has the ability to invade and proliferate within most nucleated cells. The invasion and destruction of host cells by T. gondii lead to significant changes in the cellular signal transduction network. One important post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins is phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, which plays a crucial role in cell signal transmission. In this study, we aimed to investigate how T. gondii regulates signal transduction in definitive host cells. We employed titanium dioxide (TiO2) affinity chromatography to enrich phosphopeptides in the small intestinal epithelia of cats at 10 days post-infection with the T. gondii Prugniuad (Pru) strain and quantified them using iTRAQ technology. A total of 4998 phosphopeptides, 3497 phosphorylation sites, and 1805 phosphoproteins were identified. Among the 705 differentially expressed phosphoproteins (DEPs), 68 were down-regulated and 637 were up-regulated. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that the DE phosphoproteins were involved in various cellular processes, including actin cytoskeleton reorganization, cell necroptosis, and MHC immune processes. Our findings confirm that T. gondii infection leads to extensive changes in the phosphorylation of proteins in the cat intestinal epithelial cells. The results of this study provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the interaction between T. gondii and its definitive host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bintao Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharma-Ceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Yu-Meng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Y.-M.M.); (J.-J.P.)
| | - Shi-Chen Xie
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (S.-C.X.); (L.W.)
| | - Jun-Jie Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Y.-M.M.); (J.-J.P.)
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China;
| | - Yanhua Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharma-Ceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Lu Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, China; (S.-C.X.); (L.W.)
| | - Jiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharma-Ceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou 730050, China; (B.Z.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Jun-Jun He
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
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Doghish AS, Ali MA, Elrebehy MA, Mohamed HH, Mansour R, Ghanem A, Hassan A, Elballal MS, Elazazy O, Elesawy AE, Abdel Mageed SS, Nassar YA, Mohammed OA, Abulsoud AI. The interplay between toxoplasmosis and host miRNAs: Mechanisms and consequences. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 250:154790. [PMID: 37683390 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the highly prevalent zoonotic diseases worldwide caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The infection with T. gondii could pass unidentified in immunocompetent individuals; however, latent cysts remain dormant in their digestive tract, but they could be shed and excreted with feces infesting the environment. However, active toxoplasmosis can create serious consequences, particularly in newborns and infected persons with compromised immunity. These complications include ocular toxoplasmosis, in which most cases cannot be treated. Additionally, it caused many stillbirths and miscarriages. Circulating miRNAs are important regulatory molecules ensuring that the normal physiological role of various organs is harmonious. Upon infection with T. gondii, the tightly regulated miRNA profile is disrupted to favor the parasite's survival and further participate in the disease pathogenesis. Interestingly, this dysregulated profile could be useful in acute and chronic disease discrimination and in providing insights into the pathomechanisms of the disease. Thus, this review sheds light on the various roles of miRNAs in signaling pathways regulation involved in the pathogenesis of T. gondii and provides insights into the application of miRNAs clinically for its diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11231, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed A Ali
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
| | - Hend H Mohamed
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Reda Mansour
- Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan 11795, Egypt; Biology Department, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Aml Ghanem
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Hassan
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan 11795, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Elballal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ola Elazazy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Elesawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Yara A Nassar
- Biology Department, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11231, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
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Sana M, Rashid M, Rashid I, Akbar H, Gomez-Marin JE, Dimier-Poisson I. Immune response against toxoplasmosis-some recent updates RH: Toxoplasma gondii immune response. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2022; 36:3946320221078436. [PMID: 35227108 PMCID: PMC8891885 DOI: 10.1177/03946320221078436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cytokines, soluble mediators of immunity, are key factors of the innate and adaptive immune system. They are secreted from and interact with various types of immune cells to manipulate host body's immune cell physiology for a counter-attack on the foreign body. A study was designed to explore the mechanism of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) resistance from host immune response. METHODS AND RESULTS The published data on aspect of host (murine and human) immune response against T. gondii was taken from Google scholar and PubMed. Most relevant literature was included in this study. The basic mechanism of immune response starts from the interactions of antigens with host immune cells to trigger the production of cytokines (pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory) which then act by forming a cytokinome (network of cytokine). Their secretory equilibrium is essential for endowing resistance to the host against infectious diseases, particularly toxoplasmosis. A narrow balance lying between Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines (as demonstrated until now) is essential for the development of resistance against T. gondii as well as for the survival of host. Excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines leads to tissue damage resulting in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines which enhances the proliferation of Toxoplasma. Stress and other infectious diseases (human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)) that weaken the host immunity particularly the cellular component, make the host susceptible to toxoplasmosis especially in pregnant women. CONCLUSION The current review findings state that in vitro harvesting of IL12 from DCs, Np and MΦ upon exposure with T. gondii might be a source for therapeutic use in toxoplasmosis. Current review also suggests that therapeutic interventions leading to up-regulation/supplementation of SOCS-3, IL12, and IFNγ to the infected host could be a solution to sterile immunity against T. gondii infection. This would be of interest particularly in patients passing through immunosuppression owing to any reason like the ones receiving anti-cancer therapy, the ones undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for graft/transplantation, the ones suffering from immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or having AIDS. Another imortant suggestion is to launch the efforts for a vaccine based on GRA6Nt or other similar antigens of T. gondii as a probable tool to destroy tissue cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madiha Sana
- Department of Parasitology, 66920University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 66920The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Imran Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, 66920University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Haroon Akbar
- Department of Parasitology, 66920University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Jorge E Gomez-Marin
- Grupo Gepamol, Centro de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad del Quindio, Armenia, CO, South America
| | - Isabelle Dimier-Poisson
- Université de Tours, Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (INRAE), Unité mixte de recherche 1282 (UMR1282), Infectiologie et santé publique (ISP), Tours, France
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Fernandes DC, Martins BP, Silva GPD, Fonseca END, Santos SVM, Velozo LSM, Gayer CRM, Sabino KCDC, Coelho MGP. Echinodorus macrophyllus fraction with a high level of flavonoid inhibits peripheral and central mechanisms of nociception. J Tradit Complement Med 2021; 12:123-130. [PMID: 35528477 PMCID: PMC9072821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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de Faria Junior GM, Murata FHA, Lorenzi HA, Castro BBP, Assoni LCP, Ayo CM, Brandão CC, de Mattos LC. The Role of microRNAs in the Infection by T. gondii in Humans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:670548. [PMID: 34055667 PMCID: PMC8160463 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.670548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are molecules belonging to an evolutionarily conserved family of small non-coding RNAs, which act on post-transcriptional gene regulation, causing messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation or inhibiting mRNA translation into proteins. These molecules represent potential biomarkers for diagnosis, non-invasive prognosis, and monitoring the development of the disease. Moreover, they may provide additional information on the pathophysiology of parasitic infections and guide strategies for treatment. The Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii modifies the levels of microRNAs and mRNAs in infected host cells by modulating the innate and adaptive immune responses, facilitating its survival within the host. Some studies have shown that microRNAs are promising molecular markers for developing diagnostic tools for human toxoplasmosis. MicroRNAs can be detected in human specimens collected using non-invasive procedures. changes in the circulating host microRNAs have been associated with T. gondii infection in mice and ocular toxoplasmosis in humans. Besides, microRNAs can be amplified from samples using sensitive and molecular-specific approaches such as real-time PCR. This review presents recent findings of the role that microRNAs play during T. gondii infection and discuss their potential use of these small nuclei acid molecules to different approaches such as laboratory diagnosis, modulation of cell and tissue infected as other potential applications in human toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Magela de Faria Junior
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata
- Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | | | - Bruno Bello Pede Castro
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Carolina Paraboli Assoni
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Christiane Maria Ayo
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Ihara F, Nishikawa Y. Toxoplasma gondii manipulates host cell signaling pathways via its secreted effector molecules. Parasitol Int 2021; 83:102368. [PMID: 33905814 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii secretes a vast variety of effector molecules from organelles known as rhoptries (ROPs) and dense granules (GRAs). ROP proteins are released into the cytosol of the host cell where they are directed to the cell nucleus or to the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) membrane. ROPs secrete proteins that enable host cell penetration and vacuole formation by the parasites, as well as hijacking host-immune responses. After invading host cells, T. gondii multiplies within a PV that is maintained by the parasite proteins secreted from GRAs. Most GRA proteins remain within the PV, but some are known to access the host cytosol across the PV membrane, and a few are able to traffic into the host-cell nucleus. These effectors bind to host cell proteins and affect host cell signaling pathways to favor the parasite. Studies on host-pathogen interactions have identified many infection-altered host signal transductions. Notably, the relationship between individual parasite effector molecules and the specific targeting of host-signaling pathways is being elucidated through the advent of forward and reverse genetic strategies. Understanding the complex nature of the host-pathogen interactions underlying how the host-signaling pathway is manipulated by parasite effectors may lead to new molecular biological knowledge and novel therapeutic methods for toxoplasmosis. In this review, we discuss how T. gondii modulates cell signaling pathways in the host to favor its survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ihara
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.
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7
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Ihara F, Fereig RM, Himori Y, Kameyama K, Umeda K, Tanaka S, Ikeda R, Yamamoto M, Nishikawa Y. Toxoplasma gondii Dense Granule Proteins 7, 14, and 15 Are Involved in Modification and Control of the Immune Response Mediated via NF-κB Pathway. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1709. [PMID: 32849602 PMCID: PMC7412995 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, leading to both cellular and humoral immune responses in the host. The virulence of T. gondii is strain specific and is defined by secreted effector proteins that disturb host immunity. Here, we focus on nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB) signaling, which regulates the induction of T-helper type 1 immunity. A luciferase assay for screening effector proteins, including ROPs and GRAs that have biological activity against an NFκB-dependent reporter plasmid, found that overexpression of GRA7, 14, and 15 of a type II strain resulted in a strong activity. Thus, our study was aimed at understanding the involvement of NFκB in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis through a comparative analysis of these three molecules. We found that GRA7 and GRA14 were partially involved in the activation of NFκB, whereas GRA15 was essential for NFκB activation. The deletion of GRA7, GRA14, and GRA15 in the type II Prugniaud (Pru) strain resulted in a defect in the nuclear translocation of RelA. Cells infected with the PruΔgra15 parasite showed reduced phosphorylation of inhibitor-κBα. GRA7, GRA14, and GRA15 deficiency decreased the levels of interleukin-6 in RAW246.7 cells, and RNA-seq analysis revealed that GRA7, GRA14, and GRA15 deficiency predominantly resulted in downregulation of gene expression mediated by NFκB. The virulence of all mutant strains increased, but PruΔgra14 only showed a slight increase in virulence. However, the intra-footpad injection of the highly-virulent type I RHΔgra14 parasites in mice resulted in increased virulence. This study shows that GRA7, 14, and 15-induced host immunity via NFκB limits parasite expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ihara
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Ragab M Fereig
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.,Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena City, Egypt
| | - Yuu Himori
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Kyohko Kameyama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Kosuke Umeda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Sachi Tanaka
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.,Division of Animal Science, Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
| | - Rina Ikeda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
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Zhang NZ, Gao Q, Wang M, Elsheikha HM, Wang B, Wang JL, Zhang FK, Hu LY, Zhu XQ. Immunization With a DNA Vaccine Cocktail Encoding TgPF, TgROP16, TgROP18, TgMIC6, and TgCDPK3 Genes Protects Mice Against Chronic Toxoplasmosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1505. [PMID: 30008721 PMCID: PMC6033959 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii; and a major source of infection in humans is via ingestion of T. gondii tissue cysts. Ultimately, the goal of anti-toxoplasmosis vaccines is to elicit a sustainable immune response, capable of preventing formation of the parasite tissue cysts-or, at least, to restrain its growth. In this study, we formulated a cocktail DNA vaccine and investigated its immunologic efficacy as a protection against the establishment of T. gondii cysts in the mouse brain. This multicomponent DNA vaccine, encoded the TgPF, TgROP16, TgROP18, TgMIC6, and TgCDPK3 genes, which play key roles in the pathogenesis of T. gondii infection. Results showed that mice immunized via intramuscular injection three times, at 2-week intervals with this multicomponent DNA vaccine, mounted a strong humoral and cellular immune response, indicated by significantly high levels of total IgG, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation when compared with non-immunized mice. Immunization also induced a mixed Th1/Th2 response, with a slightly elevated IgG2a to IgG1 ratio. The increased production of proinflammatory cytokines gamma-interferon, interleukin-2, and interleukin-12 (p < 0.0001) correlated with increased expression of p65/RelA and T-bet genes of the NF-κB pathway. However, no significant difference was detected in level of interleukin-4 (p > 0.05). The number of brain cysts in immunized mice was significantly less than those in non-immunized mice (643.33 ± 89.63 versus 3,244.33 ± 96.42, p < 0.0001), resulting in an 80.22% reduction in the parasite cyst burden. These findings indicate that a multicomponent DNA vaccine, encoding TgPF, TgROP16, TgROP18, TgMIC6, and TgCDPK3 genes, shows promise as an immunization strategy against chronic toxoplasmosis in mice, and calls for a further evaluation in food-producing animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qi Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Hunan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changsha, China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Mathematics, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fu-Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ling-Ying Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, China
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9
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Cai Y, Shen J. Modulation of host immune responses to Toxoplasma gondii by microRNAs. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28170109 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
To survive successfully, Toxoplasma counteracts the strictly regulated host innate response to downregulate inflammation that could be deleterious for the parasite. MicroRNAs are vital regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity, controlling the maintenance and development of immune progenitors as well as the differentiation and the functions of host mature immune cells. Thus, the complexity of mechanisms underlying the connection between Toxoplasma and host immunity has led to investigations of miRNAs as additional key molecular players. The knowledge acquired from these studies will be useful for aiding the discovery of new targets for diagnosis or therapeutic approaches for toxoplasmosis and insight into the interaction between host and parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Cai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - J Shen
- Department of Parasitology, Provincial Laboratory of Pathogen Biology Anhui and the Key Laboratory of Zoonoses Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Identification of trans-sialidases as a common mediator of endothelial cell activation by African trypanosomes. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003710. [PMID: 24130501 PMCID: PMC3795030 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding African Trypanosomiasis (AT) host-pathogen interaction is the key to an "anti-disease vaccine", a novel strategy to control AT. Here we provide a better insight into this poorly described interaction by characterizing the activation of a panel of endothelial cells by bloodstream forms of four African trypanosome species, known to interact with host endothelium. T. congolense, T. vivax, and T. b. gambiense activated the endothelial NF-κB pathway, but interestingly, not T. b. brucei. The parasitic TS (trans-sialidases) mediated this NF-κB activation, remarkably via their lectin-like domain and induced production of pro-inflammatory molecules not only in vitro but also in vivo, suggesting a considerable impact on pathogenesis. For the first time, TS activity was identified in T. b. gambiense BSF which distinguishes it from the subspecies T. b. brucei. The corresponding TS were characterized and shown to activate endothelial cells, suggesting that TS represent a common mediator of endothelium activation among trypanosome species with divergent physiopathologies.
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Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry 16 kinase promotes host resistance to oral infection and intestinal inflammation only in the context of the dense granule protein GRA15. Infect Immun 2013; 81:2156-67. [PMID: 23545295 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01185-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii transmission between intermediate hosts is dependent on the ingestion of walled cysts formed during the chronic phase of infection. Immediately following consumption, the parasite must ensure survival of the host by preventing adverse inflammatory responses and/or by limiting its own replication. Since the Toxoplasma secreted effectors rhoptry 16 kinase (ROP16) and dense granule 15 (GRA15) activate the JAK-STAT3/6 and NF-κB signaling pathways, respectively, we explored whether a particular combination of these effectors impacted intestinal inflammation and parasite survival in vivo. Here we report that expression of the STAT-activating version of ROP16 in the type II strain (strain II+ROP16I) promotes host resistance to oral infection only in the context of endogenous GRA15 expression. Protection was characterized by a lower intestinal parasite burden and dampened inflammation. Host resistance to the II+ROP16I strain occurred independently of STAT6 and the T cell coinhibitory receptors B7-DC and B7-H1, two receptors that are upregulated by ROP16. In addition, coexpression of ROP16 and GRA15 enhanced parasite susceptibility within tumor necrosis factor alpha/gamma interferon-stimulated macrophages in a STAT3/6-independent manner. Transcriptional profiling of infected STAT3- and STAT6-deficient macrophages and parasitized Peyer's patches from mice orally challenged with strain II+ROP16I suggested that ROP16 activated STAT5 to modulate host gene expression. Consistent with this supposition, the ROP16 kinase induced the sustained phosphorylation and nuclear localization of STAT5 in Toxoplasma-infected cells. In summary, only the combined expression of both GRA15 and ROP16 promoted host resistance to acute oral infection, and Toxoplasma may possibly target the STAT5 signaling pathway to generate protective immunity in the gut.
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Vukman KV, Adams PN, Metz M, Maurer M, O’Neill SM. Fasciola hepaticaTegumental Coat Impairs Mast Cells’ Ability To Drive Th1 Immune Responses. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:2873-9. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1203011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Hunter CA, Sibley LD. Modulation of innate immunity by Toxoplasma gondii virulence effectors. Nat Rev Microbiol 2013; 10:766-78. [PMID: 23070557 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 365] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite of animals and humans and can cause serious opportunistic infections. However, the majority of infections are asymptomatic, possibly because the organism has co-evolved with its many vertebrate hosts and has developed multiple strategies to persist asymptomatically for the lifetime of the host. Over the past two decades, infection studies in the mouse, combined with forward-genetics approaches aimed at unravelling the molecular basis of infection, have revealed that T. gondii virulence is mediated, in part, by secretion of effector proteins into the host cell during invasion. Here, we review recent advances that illustrate how these virulence factors disarm innate immunity and promote survival of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
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Srivastav S, Kar S, Chande AG, Mukhopadhyaya R, Das PK. Leishmania donovani exploits host deubiquitinating enzyme A20, a negative regulator of TLR signaling, to subvert host immune response. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 189:924-34. [PMID: 22685311 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
TLRs, which form an interface between mammalian host and microbe, play a key role in pathogen recognition and initiation of proinflammatory response thus stimulating antimicrobial activity and host survival. However, certain intracellular pathogens such as Leishmania can successfully manipulate the TLR signaling, thus hijacking the defensive strategies of the host. Despite the presence of lipophosphoglycan, a TLR2 ligand capable of eliciting host-defensive cytokine response, on the surface of Leishmania, the strategies adopted by the parasite to silence the TLR2-mediated proinflammatory response is not understood. In this study, we showed that Leishmania donovani modulates the TLR2-mediated pathway in macrophages through inhibition of the IKK-NF-κB cascade and suppression of IL-12 and TNF-α production. This may be due to impairment of the association of TRAF6 with the TAK-TAB complex, thus inhibiting the recruitment of TRAF6 in TLR2 signaling. L. donovani infection drastically reduced Lys 63-linked ubiquitination of TRAF6, and the deubiquitinating enzyme A20 was found to be significantly upregulated in infected macrophages. Small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of A20 restored the Lys 63-linked ubiquitination of TRAF6 as well as IL-12 and TNF-α levels with a concomitant decrease in IL-10 and TGF-β synthesis in infected macrophages. Knockdown of A20 led to lower parasite survival within macrophages. Moreover, in vivo silencing of A20 by short hairpin RNA in BALB/c mice led to increased NF-κB DNA binding and host-protective proinflammatory cytokine response resulting in effective parasite clearance. These results suggest that L. donovani might exploit host A20 to inhibit the TLR2-mediated proinflammatory gene expression, thus escaping the immune responses of the host.
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Jordan KA, Dupont CD, Tait ED, Liou HC, Hunter CA. Role of the NF-κB transcription factor c-Rel in the generation of CD8+ T-cell responses to Toxoplasma gondii. Int Immunol 2011; 22:851-61. [PMID: 21118906 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxq439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear factor κB transcription factor c-Rel is exclusively expressed in immune cells and plays a role in numerous cellular functions including proliferation, survival and production of chemokines and cytokines. c-Rel has also been implicated in the regulation of multiple genes involved in innate and adaptive immune responses to the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, in particular IL-12. To better understand how this transcription factor controls the CD8(+) T-cell response to this organism, wild-type (WT) and c-Rel(-/-) mice were challenged with a replication-deficient strain of T. gondii that expresses the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA). These studies revealed that c-Rel was required for optimal primary expansion of OVA-specific CD8(+) T cells and that immunized c-Rel-deficient mice were susceptible to challenge with a virulent strain of T. gondii. However, when c-Rel(-/-) cells specific for OVA were adoptively transferred into a WT recipient, or c-Rel(-/-) mice were treated with IL-12 at the time of immunization, there was no apparent proliferative defect. Surprisingly, upon secondary challenge, antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells in c-Rel(-/-) mice expanded to a much greater degree in terms of frequency as well as numbers when compared with WT mice. Despite this, the cytokine responses of c-Rel(-/-) mice remained defective, consistent with their susceptibility to secondary challenge. Together, these results indicate that in this infection model, the major influence of c-Rel in generation of CD8(+) T-cell responses is through its regulation of the inflammatory environment, rather than playing a substantial T-cell-intrinsic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Jordan
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, 380 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Xu Y, Tian Y, Wei HJ, Dong JF, Zhang JN. Methionine diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia accelerates cerebral aneurysm formation in rats. Neurosci Lett 2011; 494:139-44. [PMID: 21382440 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.02.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2010] [Revised: 02/05/2011] [Accepted: 02/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The pathophysiology of cerebral aneurysms (CA) is linked to chronic inflammation. Endothelial damage is one of the first changes in CA walls resulted from inflammation. It has been shown that increase in plasma homocysteine (Hcy) impairs vascular endothelium and correlates with the development of atherosclerosis. However, the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on the formation of cerebral aneurysm remains unknown. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats examined for developing cerebral aneurysms after surgical induction in the presence and absence of hypercysteinemia induced by a high L-methionine diet (1 g/kg/d). Aneurysms developed at the anterior cerebral-olfactory artery bifurcation were classified as 4 stages from no abnormality to saccular aneurysm. Plasma homocysteine levels and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 in aneurysmal walls was examined and correlated with CA formation 3 months after surgery. RESULTS Methionine diet significantly increased plasma homocysteine levels, accelerates CA formation after ligation of the left common carotid artery. Expression of VEGF, iNOS, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in aneurysmal walls was also increased by methionine treatment. CONCLUSION Hyperhomocysteinemia accelerates cerebral aneurysm formation, potentially through differential effects on expression of molecules critical for vascular wall modeling in a rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-trauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300052 PR China
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T-cell production of matrix metalloproteinases and inhibition of parasite clearance by TIMP-1 during chronic Toxoplasma infection in the brain. ASN Neuro 2011; 3:e00049. [PMID: 21434872 PMCID: PMC3024837 DOI: 10.1042/an20100027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii leads to tissue remodelling in the brain and a continuous requirement for peripheral leucocyte migration within the CNS (central nervous system). In the present study, we investigate the role of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and their inhibitors in T-cell migration into the infected brain. Increased expression of two key molecules, MMP-8 and MMP-10, along with their inhibitor, TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1), was observed in the CNS following infection. Analysis of infiltrating lymphocytes demonstrated MMP-8 and -10 production by CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. In addition, infiltrating T-cells and CNS resident astrocytes increased their expression of TIMP-1 following infection. TIMP-1-deficient mice had a decrease in perivascular accumulation of lymphocyte populations, yet an increase in the proportion of CD4+ T-cells that had trafficked into the CNS. This was accompanied by a reduction in parasite burden in the brain. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a role for MMPs and TIMP-1 in the trafficking of lymphocytes into the CNS during chronic infection in the brain.
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Rosowski EE, Lu D, Julien L, Rodda L, Gaiser RA, Jensen KDC, Saeij JPJ. Strain-specific activation of the NF-kappaB pathway by GRA15, a novel Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 208:195-212. [PMID: 21199955 PMCID: PMC3023140 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20100717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 300] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
NF-κB is an integral component of the immune response to Toxoplasma gondii. Although evidence exists that T. gondii can directly modulate the NF-κB pathway, the parasite-derived effectors involved are unknown. We determined that type II strains of T. gondii activate more NF-κB than type I or type III strains, and using forward genetics we found that this difference is a result of the polymorphic protein GRA15, a novel dense granule protein which T. gondii secretes into the host cell upon invasion. A GRA15-deficient type II strain has a severe defect in both NF-κB nuclear translocation and NF-κB-mediated transcription. Furthermore, human cells expressing type II GRA15 also activate NF-κB, demonstrating that GRA15 alone is sufficient for NF-κB activation. Along with the rhoptry protein ROP16, GRA15 is responsible for a large part of the strain differences in the induction of IL-12 secretion by infected mouse macrophages. In vivo bioluminescent imaging showed that a GRA15-deficient type II strain grows faster compared with wild-type, most likely through its reduced induction of IFN-γ. These results show for the first time that a dense granule protein can modulate host signaling pathways, and dense granule proteins can therefore join rhoptry proteins in T. gondii's host cell-modifying arsenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Rosowski
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Fakiola M, Mishra A, Rai M, Singh SP, O'Leary RA, Ball S, Francis RW, Firth MJ, Radford BT, Miller EN, Sundar S, Blackwell JM. Classification and regression tree and spatial analyses reveal geographic heterogeneity in genome wide linkage study of Indian visceral leishmaniasis. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15807. [PMID: 21209823 PMCID: PMC3013125 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2010] [Accepted: 11/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genome wide linkage studies (GWLS) have provided evidence for loci controlling visceral leishmaniasis on Chromosomes 1p22, 6q27, 22q12 in Sudan and 6q27, 9p21, 17q11-q21 in Brazil. Genome wide studies from the major focus of disease in India have not previously been reported. Methods and Findings We undertook a GWLS in India in which a primary ∼10 cM (515 microsatellites) scan was carried out in 58 multicase pedigrees (74 nuclear families; 176 affected, 353 total individuals) and replication sought in 79 pedigrees (102 nuclear families; 218 affected, 473 total individuals). The primary scan provided evidence (≥2 adjacent markers allele-sharing LOD≥0.59; nominal P≤0.05) for linkage on Chromosomes 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 20 and X, with peaks at 6p25.3-p24.3 and 8p23.1-p21.3 contributed to largely by 31 Hindu families and at Xq21.1-q26.1 by 27 Muslim families. Refined mapping confirmed linkage across all primary scan families at 2q12.2-q14.1 and 11q13.2-q23.3, but only 11q13.2-q23.3 replicated (combined LOD = 1.59; P = 0.0034). Linkage at 6p25.3-p24.3 and 8p23.1-p21.3, and at Xq21.1-q26.1, was confirmed by refined mapping for primary Hindu and Muslim families, respectively, but only Xq21.1-q26.1 replicated across all Muslim families (combined LOD 1.49; P = 0.0045). STRUCTURE and SMARTPCA did not identify population genetic substructure related to religious group. Classification and regression tree, and spatial interpolation, analyses confirm geographical heterogeneity for linkages at 6p25.3-p24.3, 8p23.1-p21.3 and Xq21.1-q26.1, with specific clusters of families contributing LOD scores of 2.13 (P = 0.0009), 1.75 (P = 0.002) and 1.84 (P = 0.001), respectively. Conclusions GWLS has identified novel loci that show geographical heterogeneity in their influence on susceptibility to VL in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Fakiola
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anshuman Mishra
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Madhukar Rai
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Shri Prakash Singh
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Rebecca A. O'Leary
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Australia
| | - Stephen Ball
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Australia
| | - Richard W. Francis
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Australia
| | - Martin J. Firth
- Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Australia
| | - Ben T. Radford
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - E. Nancy Miller
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Jenefer M. Blackwell
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Li JD, Peng Y, Peng XY, Li QL, Li Q. Suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB activity in Kupffer cells protects rat liver graft from ischemia-reperfusion injury. Transplant Proc 2010; 42:1582-6. [PMID: 20620478 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.12.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2009] [Accepted: 12/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanisms of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on rat liver grafts following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). METHODS Animals were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): control ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and decoy ODN groups; in the last cohort donor grafts were transfected with 120 microg NF-kappaB decoy ODN before procurement. Following 2 hours of reperfusion, NF-kappaB binding activity was detected in isolated Kupffer cells (KCs) using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions were analyzed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. Liver tissue and blood serum were collected for histopathologic examination and liver function test, respectively. RESULTS The NF-kappaB binding activity, TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA expression as well as serum ALT and total bilirubin levels were significantly increased compared with the control group following reperfusion (P < .01). A large number of hepatocytes showed degeneration and necrosis. However, these indices were significantly ameliorated among the decoy ODN group (P < .01) with preserved hepatic lobule architecture. CONCLUSION KCs NF-kappaB activation following reperfusion plays an important role in IRI after liver transplantation. The decoy strategy showed an apparent effect to suppress NF-kappaB activation and inhibit production of downstream cytokines, thereby protecting liver grafts from IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan Province, China
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Symeonidou I, Pappa S, Kourelis A, Anogeianaki A, Frydas I, Karagouni E, Hatzistilianou M. Microarray Analysis of NF-κB Signaling Pathways in PBMC of Mice Infected by Trichinella Spiralis. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2010; 23:821-31. [DOI: 10.1177/039463201002300317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The NF-κB pathway gene expression profiles were compared between 10, 20 and 39 days after Trichinella spiralis experimental infection in BALB/c mice. Out of 128 genes, 19 (14.8%) genes were present in non-infected and post-infected mice. The expression of 7 (36.8%) genes was downregulated 10 and 20 days post-infection while 3 (15.8%) genes were upregulated 39 days post-infection. The present study lists the candidate genes of the NF-κB signaling pathway that were commonly and differentially expressed between the specific points of T. spiralis infection, thus suggesting that these genes need to be further investigated to reveal the mechanism of the T. spiralis modulation of the NF-κB signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S. Pappa
- 2nd Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
| | - A. Kourelis
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, Biology School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki
| | - A. Anogeianaki
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Athens, Greece
| | | | - E. Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece
| | - M. Hatzistilianou
- 2nd Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
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Liu SL, Liao WJ, Wu LQ. N-acetylcysteine protects against liver injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2010; 18:1046-1050. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v18.i10.1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To explore whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduces liver injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).
METHODS: Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham-operation group, SAP group and NAC treatment group. SAP was induced in rats by retrograde injection of 4% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Rats in the NAC treatment group received an intravenous injection of NAC (200 mg/kg) one hour after sodium taurocholate injection. All the animals were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 12 h after SAP induction. The activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the liver was determined by immunohistochemistry. The hepatic expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, plasma amylase and liver function (ALT and AST) were measured.
RESULTS: SAP induction significantly enhanced NF-κB binding activity and up-regulated iNOS mRNA expression in the liver of rats. NAC treatment for different durations could significantly suppress the activation of NF-κB (3 h: 0.32 ± 0.05 vs 0.46 ± 0.04, 6 h: 0.56 ± 0.07 vs 0.97 ± 0.18 and 12 h: 0.87 ± 0.14 vs 1.13 ± 0.11, respectively; all P < 0.05) and reduce the levels of plasma amylase, ALT and AST.
CONCLUSION: NF-κB activation and iNOS mRNA expression are associated with liver injury in SAP. NAC protects against SAP-induced liver injury perhaps by blocking the activation of NF-κB.
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Harris TH, Wilson EH, Tait ED, Buckley M, Shapira S, Caamano J, Artis D, Hunter CA. NF-kappaB1 contributes to T cell-mediated control of Toxoplasma gondii in the CNS. J Neuroimmunol 2010; 222:19-28. [PMID: 20156658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Revised: 12/18/2009] [Accepted: 12/18/2009] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the role of NF-kappaB1 was examined during toxoplasmosis. While wildtype BALB/c mice generated protective responses, NF-kappaB1(-/-) mice developed Toxoplasmic encephalitis, characterized by increased parasite burden and necrosis in the brain. Susceptibility was primarily associated with a local decrease in the number of CD8(+) T cells and IFN-gamma production, while accessory cell function appeared intact in NF-kappaB1(-/-) mice. Consistent with these findings, T cell transfer studies revealed that NF-kappaB1(-/-) T cells provided SCID mice less protection than wildtype T cells. These results demonstrate an intrinsic role for NF-kappaB1 in T cell-mediated immunity to Toxoplasmagondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tajie H Harris
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 380 S University Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
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Wu J, Zhang M, Jia H, Huang X, Zhang Q, Hou J, Bo Y. Protosappanin A induces immunosuppression of rats heart transplantation targeting T cells in grafts via NF-kappaB pathway. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2009; 381:83-92. [PMID: 19924402 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-009-0461-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2009] [Accepted: 09/30/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Protosappanin A as one major and effective ingredient from Caesalpinia sappan L. exhibited antirejection activity obviously in heart-transplanted rat. The present study was designed to screen out the potential target genes of protosappanin A with microarray technology and reveal some molecular mechanism of immunosuppressive effect. Rats performed with ectopic peritoneal heart transplantation were randomized into three groups receiving different treatments for 7 days: protosappanin A group (25 mg kg(-1)), cyclosporine A group (10 mg kg(-1)), and control group. The differentially expressed genes responding to protosappanin A were analyzed with microarrays. Among common differentially expressed genes, the ones of interest were selected for further evaluation by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot, immunochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Among the 146 common differentially expressed genes, NF-kappaB and related genes like IkappaBa, IFN-r, and IP10 were selected for verification. The results of qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunochemistry, and ELISA showed that protosappanin A significantly reduced the expression of NF-kappaB, IFN-r, and IP10 (p < 0.05) and increased IkappaBa expression (p < 0.05) in graft. Moreover, the immunochemistry staining of NF-kappaB and IkappaBa was mainly observed in infiltrating mononuclear cells. Strikingly, immunofluorescent staining localized NF-kappaB to the TCR-positive T cells in graft. Furthermore, protosappanin A exhibited inhibitory effect on T cell proliferation in recipients after 7-day treatment. In conclusion, protosappanin A might act on T cells through inhibiting NF-kappaB activation and downstream gene expressions of IFN-r and IP10, meanwhile reducing T cell proliferation responding to alloantigen, so as to induce immunosuppressive effect. The results encourage a potential therapeutic evaluation of protosappanin A for clinical organ transplantation or other T cell-mediated immune disorders. Additionally, our study also verified the feasibility of microarray utilization in Chinese herb research to explore molecular mechanism and promote development of scientific theories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
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Seixas E, Moura Nunes JF, Matos I, Coutinho A. The interaction between DC andPlasmodium berghei/chabaudi-infected erythrocytes in mice involves direct cell-to-cell contact, internalization and TLR. Eur J Immunol 2009; 39:1850-63. [DOI: 10.1002/eji.200838403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Mise-Omata S, Kuroda E, Sugiura T, Yamashita U, Obata Y, Doi TS. The NF-κB RelA Subunit Confers Resistance toLeishmania majorby Inducing Nitric Oxide Synthase 2 and Fas Expression but Not Th1 Differentiation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 182:4910-6. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0800967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Linares E, Giorgio S, Augusto O. Inhibition of in vivo leishmanicidal mechanisms by tempol: nitric oxide down-regulation and oxidant scavenging. Free Radic Biol Med 2008; 44:1668-76. [PMID: 18313408 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2008.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2008] [Accepted: 01/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) has long been known to protect experimental animals from the injury associated with oxidative and inflammatory conditions. In the latter case, a parallel decrease in tissue protein nitration levels has been observed. Protein nitration represents a shift in nitric oxide actions from physiological to pathophysiological and potentially damaging pathways involving its derived oxidants such as nitrogen dioxide and peroxynitrite. In infectious diseases, protein tyrosine nitration of tissues and cells has been taken as evidence for the involvement of nitric oxide-derived oxidants in microbicidal mechanisms. To examine whether tempol inhibits the microbicidal action of macrophages, we investigated its effects on Leishmania amazonensis infection in vitro (RAW 264.7 murine macrophages) and in vivo (C57Bl/6 mice). Tempol was administered in the drinking water at 2 mM throughout the experiments and shown to reach infected footpads as the nitroxide plus the hydroxylamine derivative by EPR analysis. At the time of maximum infection (6 weeks), tempol increased footpad lesion size (120%) and parasite burden (150%). In lesion extracts, tempol decreased overall nitric oxide products and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase to about 80% of the levels in control animals. Nitric oxide-derived products produced by radical mechanisms, such as 3-nitrotyrosine and nitrosothiol, decreased to about 40% of the levels in control mice. The results indicate that tempol worsened L. amazonensis infection by a dual mechanism involving down-regulation of iNOS expression and scavenging of nitric oxide-derived oxidants. Thus, the development of therapeutic strategies based on nitroxides should take into account the potential risk of altering host resistance to parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edlaine Linares
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 26077, CEP 05513-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Dzierszinski FS, Hunter CA. Advances in the use of genetically engineered parasites to study immunity to Toxoplasma gondii. Parasite Immunol 2008; 30:235-44. [PMID: 18194347 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2007.01016.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Studying in vivo biology and the host immune response to Toxoplasma gondii has yielded many insights into the pathogenesis of this parasitic organism. It is recognized that this infection in immune competent hosts elicits a strong Th1-type response, which is characterized by the generation of parasite-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that produce IFN-gamma and provide protective immunity. One of the problems associated with studying resistance to Toxoplasma has been the lack of reagents to track parasite-specific T cell responses with a high degree of specificity. To overcome this difficulty, it is possible to use a combination of transgenic parasites that are engineered to express well-characterized heterologous reporters or antigens, and T cell hybridomas or naïve T cells that express a T cell receptor specific for the processed peptide. These approaches have provided new insights into parasite dissemination, antigen presentation, as well as immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F S Dzierszinski
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Canada.
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29
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Beck MH, Strand MR. A novel polydnavirus protein inhibits the insect prophenoloxidase activation pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:19267-72. [PMID: 18032603 PMCID: PMC2148279 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0708056104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogens often suppress the melanization response of host insects, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we report that Microplitis demolitor bracovirus (MdBV) carried by the wasp M. demolitor produces a protein, Egf1.0, which inhibits the phenoloxidase (PO) cascade. Egf1.0 belongs to a larger gene family that shares a cysteine-rich motif with similarities to the trypsin inhibitor-like (TIL) domains of small serine proteinase inhibitors (smapins). Gain-of-function and RNAi experiments indicated that the Egf genes are the only MdBV-encoded factors responsible for disabling the insect melanization response. Known smapins bind target proteinases in a substrate-like fashion and are cleaved at a single reactive site bond. The P1-P1' position for Egf1.0 has the sequence Arg-Phe, which suggested that its target proteinase is a prophenoloxidase-activating proteinase (PAP). Wild-type Egf1.0 inhibited PAP-3 from Manduca sexta, whereas Egf1.0(R51A), whose reactive-site arginine was replaced with an alanine, had no PAP-3 inhibitory activity. Other experiments using wild-type and mutant constructs indicated that Egf1.0 blocks activation of the PO cascade via PAP inhibition. Overall, our results identify a novel inhibitor of the PO cascade and indicate that suppression of the host melanization response is functionally important for both the virus and its associated wasp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus H. Beck
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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Modulation of the host cell proteome by the intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Infect Immun 2007; 76:828-44. [PMID: 17967855 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01115-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate how intracellular parasites manipulate their host cell environment at the molecular level, we undertook a quantitative proteomic study of cells following infection with the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Using conventional two-dimensional electrophoresis, difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE), and mass spectrometry, we identified host proteins that were consistently modulated in expression following infection. We detected modification of protein expression in key metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, lipid and sterol metabolism, mitosis, apoptosis, and structural-protein expression, suggestive of global reprogramming of cell metabolism by the parasite. Many of the differentially expressed proteins had not been previously implicated in the response to the parasite, while others provide important corroborative protein evidence for previously proposed hypotheses of pathogen-cell interactions. Significantly, over one-third of all modulated proteins were mitochondrial, and this was further investigated by DIGE analysis of a mitochondrion-enriched preparation from infected cells. Comparison of our proteomic data with previous transcriptional studies suggested that a complex relationship exits between transcription and protein expression that may be partly explained by posttranslational modifications of proteins and revealed the importance of investigating protein changes when interpreting transcriptional data. To investigate this further, we used phosphatase treatment and DIGE to demonstrate changes in the phosphorylation states of several key proteins following infection. Overall, our findings indicate that the host cell proteome responds in a dramatic way to T. gondii invasion, in terms of both protein expression changes and protein modifications, and reveal a complex and intimate molecular relationship between host and parasite.
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31
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Dias WB, Fajardo FD, Graça-Souza AV, Freire-de-Lima L, Vieira F, Girard MF, Bouteille B, Previato JO, Mendonça-Previato L, Todeschini AR. Endothelial cell signalling induced by trans-sialidase from Trypanosoma cruzi. Cell Microbiol 2007; 10:88-99. [PMID: 17672865 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2007.01017.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan responsible for Chagas' disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, expresses on its surface an unusual trans-sialidase enzyme thought to play an important role in host-parasite interactions. Trans-sialidase is the product of a multigene family encoding both active and inactive proteins. We have demonstrated that despite lacking enzymatic activity due to a single mutation, Tyr342-His, inactive trans-sialidase displays sialic acid binding activity, with identical specificity to that of its active analogue. In this work we demonstrate that binding of a recombinant inactive trans-sialidase to molecules containing alpha2,3-linked sialic acid on endothelial cell surface triggers NF-kappaB activation, expression of adhesion molecules and upregulation of parasite entry into host cells. Furthermore, inactive recombinant trans-sialidase blocks endothelial cell apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation. These results suggest that inactive members of the trans-sialidase family play a role in endothelial cell responses to T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagner B Dias
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, 22944.970, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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32
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Falabella P, Varricchio P, Provost B, Espagne E, Ferrarese R, Grimaldi A, de Eguileor M, Fimiani G, Ursini MV, Malva C, Drezen JM, Pennacchio F. Characterization of the IkappaB-like gene family in polydnaviruses associated with wasps belonging to different Braconid subfamilies. J Gen Virol 2007; 88:92-104. [PMID: 17170441 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.82306-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polydnaviruses (PDVs) are obligate symbionts of hymenopteran parasitoids of lepidopteran larvae that induce host immunosuppression and physiological redirection. PDVs include bracoviruses (BVs) and ichnoviruses (IVs), which are associated with braconid and ichneumonid wasps, respectively. In this study, the gene family encoding IkappaB-like proteins in the BVs associated with Cotesia congregata (CcBV) and Toxoneuron nigriceps (TnBV) was analysed. PDV-encoded IkappaB-like proteins (ANK) are similar to insect and mammalian IkappaB, an inhibitor of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), but display shorter ankyrin domains and lack the regulatory domains for signal-mediated degradation and turnover. Phylogenetic analysis of ANK proteins indicates that those of IVs and BVs are closely related, even though these two taxa are believed to lack a common ancestor. Starting from a few hours after parasitization, the transcripts of BV ank genes were detected, at different levels, in several host tissues. The structure of the predicted proteins suggests that they may stably bind NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factors of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)/Toll immune pathway. Accordingly, after bacterial challenge of Heliothis virescens host larvae parasitized by T. nigriceps, NF-kappaB immunoreactive material failed to enter the nucleus of host haemocytes and fat body cells. Moreover, transfection experiments in human HeLa cells demonstrated that a TnBV ank1 gene product reduced the efficiency of the TNF-alpha-induced expression of a reporter gene under NF-kappaB transcriptional control. Altogether, these results suggest strongly that TnBV ANK proteins cause retention of NF-kappaB/Rel factors in the cytoplasm and may thus contribute to suppression of the immune response in parasitized host larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Falabella
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Difesa e Biotecnologie Agro-Forestali, Università della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | | | - Bertille Provost
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, CNRS, Université de Tours, Faculté des Sciences, Tours, France
| | - Eric Espagne
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, CNRS, Université de Tours, Faculté des Sciences, Tours, France
| | - Roberto Ferrarese
- Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Annalisa Grimaldi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Magda de Eguileor
- Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | | | | | - Carla Malva
- Istituto di Genetica e Biofisica, CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - Jean-Michel Drezen
- Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, CNRS, Université de Tours, Faculté des Sciences, Tours, France
| | - Francesco Pennacchio
- Dipartimento di Entomologia e Zoologia Agraria 'F. Silvestri', Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Via Università 100, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
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Pruijssers AJ, Strand MR. PTP-H2 and PTP-H3 from Microplitis demolitor Bracovirus localize to focal adhesions and are antiphagocytic in insect immune cells. J Virol 2007; 81:1209-19. [PMID: 17121799 PMCID: PMC1797498 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02189-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2006] [Accepted: 11/13/2006] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses in the family Polydnaviridae are symbiotically associated with parasitoid wasps. Wasps inject polydnaviruses (PDVs) when laying an egg into their insect host, and expression of viral gene products causes several physiological alterations, including immunosuppression, that allow the wasp's progeny to develop. As with other PDVs, most Microplitis demolitor bracovirus (MdBV) genes are related variants that form gene families. The largest MdBV gene family includes 13 members that encode predicted proteins related to protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Sequence analysis during the present study indicated that five PTP family members (PTP-H2, -H3, -N1, and -N2) have fully conserved catalytic domains, whereas other family members exhibited replacements, deletions, or rearrangements of amino acids considered essential for tyrosine phosphatase activity. Expression studies indicated that most MdBV PTP genes are expressed in virus-infected host insects, with transcript abundance usually being highest in hemocytes. MdBV-infected hemocytes also exhibited higher levels of tyrosine phosphatase activity than noninfected hemocytes. We produced expression constructs for four of the most abundantly expressed PTP family members and conducted functional studies with hemocyte-like Drosophila S2 cells. These experiments suggested that recombinant PTP-H2 and PTP-H3 are functional tyrosine phosphatases whereas PTP-H1 and PTP-J1 are not. PTP-H2 and -H3 localized to focal adhesions in S2 cells, and coexpression with another MdBV gene product, Glc1.8, resulted in complete inhibition of phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Pruijssers
- Department of Entomology and Center for Emerging and Tropical Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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34
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Molestina RE, Sinai AP. Host and parasite-derived IKK activities direct distinct temporal phases of NF-kappaB activation and target gene expression following Toxoplasma gondii infection. J Cell Sci 2007; 118:5785-96. [PMID: 16339966 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.02709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of NF-kappaB by the intracellular pathogen Toxoplasma gondii is associated with the localization of phosphorylated IkappaB alpha to the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). This is mediated by a parasite-derived IkappaB kinase (TgIKK) activity and is independent of host IKK function. In the present study, we examined the roles of host IKK and parasite-derived TgIKK on the temporal modulation of NF-kappaB activation. Despite the presence of TgIKK activity at the PVM, nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and subsequent gene expression exhibited a requirement for the host IKK complex. A detailed kinetic analysis of NF-kappaB activation revealed a biphasic, hierarchical and temporally regulated response. We propose a novel paradigm for the modulation of NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression by T. gondii that involves both the host IKK complex and TgIKK activity at different phases of infection. Thus, T. gondii effectively alters gene expression in a temporal dimension by exploiting the NF-kappaB signaling machinery and subsequently rewiring the activation circuits of the infected host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Molestina
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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35
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Ruhland A, Leal N, Kima PE. Leishmania promastigotes activate PI3K/Akt signalling to confer host cell resistance to apoptosis. Cell Microbiol 2007; 9:84-96. [PMID: 16889626 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2006.00769.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Previous reports have shown that cells infected with promastigotes of some Leishmania species are resistant to the induction of apoptosis. This would suggest that either parasites elaborate factors that block signalling from apoptosis inducers or that parasites engage endogenous host signalling pathways that block apoptosis. To investigate the latter scenario, we determined whether Leishmania infection results in the activation of signalling pathways that have been shown to mediate resistance to apoptosis in other infection models. First, we showed that infection with the promastigote form of Leishmania major, Leishmania pifanoi and Leishmania amazonensis activates signalling through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), NFkappaB and PI3K/Akt. Then we found that inhibition of signalling through the PI3K/Akt pathway with LY294002 and Akt IV inhibitor reversed resistance of infected bone marrow-derived macrophages and RAW 264.7 macrophages to potent inducers of apoptosis. Moreover, reduction of Akt levels with small interfering RNAs to Akt resulted in the inability of infected macrophages to resist apoptosis. Further evidence of the role of PI3K/Akt signalling in the promotion of cell survival by infected cells was obtained with the finding that Bad, which is a substrate of Akt, becomes phosphorylated during the course of infection. In contrast to the observations with PI3K/Akt signalling, inhibition of p38 MAPK signalling with SB202190 or NFkappaB signalling with wedelolactone had limited effect on parasite-induced resistance to apoptosis. We conclude that Leishmania promastigotes engage PI3K/Akt signalling, which confers to the infected cell, the capacity to resist death from activators of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Ruhland
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 326111, USA
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36
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Infectious agents and gene–environmental interactions in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cnr.2006.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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37
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Lee CW, Bennouna S, Denkers EY. Screening for Toxoplasma gondii-regulated transcriptional responses in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Infect Immun 2006; 74:1916-23. [PMID: 16495567 PMCID: PMC1418623 DOI: 10.1128/iai.74.3.1916-1923.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii-infected macrophages are blocked in production of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) upon activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here, we used pathway-focused cDNA arrays to identify additional T. gondii-regulated transcriptional responses. Parasite infection decreased 57 (inclusive of IL-12 and TNF-alpha) and increased expression of 7 of 77 LPS-activated cytokine and cytokine-related genes. Interestingly, we found that the LPS-induced transcriptional response of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was synergistically increased by T. gondii, results that we validated by conventional reverse transcription-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Importantly, although the parasite exerted disparate effects in LPS-signaling leading to TNF-alpha versus IL-10 production, both responses required functional Toll-like receptor 4. We suggest that these effects represent parasite defense mechanisms to avoid or delay induction of antimicrobial activity and/or T-cell-mediated immunity during Toxoplasma infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiang W Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401, USA
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38
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Bisti S, Soteriadou K. Is the reactive oxygen species-dependent-NF-κB activation observed in iron-loaded BALB/c mice a key process preventing growth of Leishmania major progeny and tissue-damage? Microbes Infect 2006; 8:1473-82. [PMID: 16702015 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2006.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2005] [Revised: 12/09/2005] [Accepted: 01/05/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Systemic iron delivery to BALB/c mice, at time points surrounding the inoculation of 1000 Leishmania major metacyclic promastigotes intradermally in the ear results in the complete absence of onset and further development of ear lesion. In these iron-protected mice, the L. major intracellular progeny remains very low in both the ear and the draining lymph node. The iron-induced protective status is associated with a diphenyleneiodonium-sensitive sustained increased oxidative burst. We showed that iron-loaded mice developed no lesions at the site of the primary inoculation and were also resistant to reinoculation at a distant site (intradermal re-inoculation of 1000 metacyclic promastigotes in the contra-lateral ear). Interestingly, in the lymph node cell population recovered from iron-loaded mice at weeks 8 and 12 after the second parasite inoculation, and whatever the protective status studied--primary or resistant to re-inoculation--three potentially related features were observed: (i) NF-kappaB activation, (ii) enhanced TCR-mediated T lymphocyte proliferation, and (iii) high number of IFN-gamma-positive CD4(+)T cells. These results show a putative role of an iron-induced reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of NF-kappaB in the development of protective immunity against L. major.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Bisti
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Bas. Sofias Avenue, 115 21 Athens, Greece
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39
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Acevedo-Whitehouse K, Spraker TR, Lyons E, Melin SR, Gulland F, Delong RL, Amos W. Contrasting effects of heterozygosity on survival and hookworm resistance in California sea lion pups. Mol Ecol 2006; 15:1973-82. [PMID: 16689912 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2006.02903.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Low genetic heterozygosity is associated with loss of fitness in many natural populations. However, it remains unclear whether the mechanism is related to general (i.e. inbreeding) or local effects, in particular from a subset of loci lying close to genes under balancing selection. Here we analyse involving heterozygosity-fitness correlations on neonatal survival of California sea lions and on susceptibility to hookworm (Uncinaria spp.) infection, the single most important cause of pup mortality. We show that regardless of differences in hookworm burden, homozygosity is a key predictor of hookworm-related lesions, with no single locus contributing disproportionately. Conversely, the subsequent occurrence of anaemia due to blood loss in infected pups is overwhelmingly associated with homozygosity at one particular locus, all other loci showing no pattern. Our results suggest contrasting genetic mechanisms underlying two pathologies related to the same pathogen. First, relatively inbred pups are less able to expel hookworms and prevent their attachment to the intestinal mucosa, possibly due to a weakened immune response. In contrast, infected pups that are homozygous for a gene near to microsatellite Hg4.2 are strongly predisposed to anaemia. As yet, this gene is unknown, but could plausibly be involved in the blood-coagulation cascade. Taken together, these results suggest that pathogenic burden alone may not be the main factor regulating pathogen-related mortality in natural populations. Our study could have important implications for the conservation of small, isolated or threatened populations, particularly when they are at a risk of facing pathogenic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
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40
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Abstract
Relatively small genomes and high replication rates allow viruses and bacteria to accumulate mutations. This continuously presents the host immune system with new challenges. On the other side of the trenches, an increasingly well-adjusted host immune response, shaped by coevolutionary history, makes a pathogen's life a rather complicated endeavor. It is, therefore, no surprise that pathogens either escape detection or modulate the host immune response, often by redirecting normal cellular pathways to their advantage. For the purpose of this chapter, we focus mainly on the manipulation of the class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen presentation pathways and the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system by both viral and bacterial pathogens. First, we describe the general features of antigen presentation pathways and the Ub-proteasome system and then address how they are manipulated by pathogens. We discuss the many human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded immunomodulatory genes that interfere with antigen presentation (immunoevasins) and focus on the HCMV immunoevasins US2 and US11, which induce the degradation of class I MHC heavy chains by the proteasome by catalyzing their export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-membrane into the cytosol, a process termed ER dislocation. US2- and US11-mediated subversion of ER dislocation ensures proteasomal degradation of class I MHC molecules and presumably allows HCMV to avoid recognition by cytotoxic T cells, whilst providing insight into general aspects of ER-associated degradation (ERAD) which is used by eukaryotic cells to purge their ER of defective proteins. We discuss the similarities and differences between the distinct pathways co-opted by US2 and US11 for dislocation and degradation of human class I MHC molecules and also a putatively distinct pathway utilized by the murine herpes virus (MHV)-68 mK3 immunoevasin for ER dislocation of murine class I MHC. We speculate on the implications of the three pathogen-exploited dislocation pathways to cellular ER quality control. Moreover, we discuss the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system and its position at the core of antigen presentation as proteolysis and intracellular trafficking rely heavily on Ub-dependent processes. We add a few examples of manipulation of the Ub-proteasome system by pathogens in the context of the immune system and such diverse aspects of the host-pathogen relationship as virus budding, bacterial chromosome integration, and programmed cell death, to name a few. Finally, we speculate on newly found pathogen-encoded deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) and their putative roles in modulation of host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Loureiro
- Whitehead Institute, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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41
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Saeij JPJ, Boyle JP, Boothroyd JC. Differences among the three major strains of Toxoplasma gondii and their specific interactions with the infected host. Trends Parasitol 2005; 21:476-81. [PMID: 16098810 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2005.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2005] [Revised: 06/30/2005] [Accepted: 08/02/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most successful protozoan parasites owing to its ability to manipulate the immune system and establish a chronic infection. There are many T. gondii strains but the majority identified in Europe and North America falls into three distinct clonal lineages. Many studies have investigated the ability of T. gondii to manipulate its host but few have examined directly whether the three lineages differ in this ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen P J Saeij
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Fairchild Building D305, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5124, USA
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42
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Thoetkiattikul H, Beck MH, Strand MR. Inhibitor kappaB-like proteins from a polydnavirus inhibit NF-kappaB activation and suppress the insect immune response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:11426-31. [PMID: 16061795 PMCID: PMC1183600 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0505240102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2005] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex signaling pathways regulate the innate immune system of insects, with NF-kappaB transcription factors playing a central role in the activation of antimicrobial peptides and other immune genes. Although numerous studies have characterized the immune responses of insects to pathogens, comparatively little is known about the counter-strategies pathogens have evolved to circumvent host defenses. Among the most potent immunosuppressive pathogens of insects are polydnaviruses that are symbiotically associated with parasitoid wasps. Here, we report that the Microplitis demolitor bracovirus encodes a family of genes with homology to inhibitor kappaB (IkappaB) proteins from insects and mammals. Functional analysis of two of these genes, H4 and N5, were conducted in Drosophila S2 cells. Recombinant H4 and N5 greatly reduced the expression of drosomycin and attacin reporter constructs, which are under NF-kappaB regulation through the Toll and Imd pathways. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that H4 and N5 bound to the Rel proteins Dif and Relish, and N5 also weakly bound to Dorsal. H4 and N5 also inhibited binding of Dif and Relish to kappaB sites in the promoters of the drosomycin and cecropin A1 genes. Collectively, these results indicate that H4 and N5 function as IkappaBs and, circumstantially, suggest that other IkappaB-like gene family members are involved in the suppression of the insect immune system.
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