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Schaub GA. Interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi, Triatomines and the Microbiota of the Vectors-A Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:855. [PMID: 38792688 PMCID: PMC11123833 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, its vectors, triatomines, and the diverse intestinal microbiota of triatomines, which includes mutualistic symbionts, and highlights open questions. T. cruzi strains show great biological heterogeneity in their development and their interactions. Triatomines differ from other important vectors of diseases in their ontogeny and the enzymes used to digest blood. Many different bacteria colonize the intestinal tract of triatomines, but only Actinomycetales have been identified as mutualistic symbionts. Effects of the vector on T. cruzi are indicated by differences in the ability of T. cruzi to establish in the triatomines and in colonization peculiarities, i.e., proliferation mainly in the posterior midgut and rectum and preferential transformation into infectious metacyclic trypomastigotes in the rectum. In addition, certain forms of T. cruzi develop after feeding and during starvation of triatomines. Negative effects of T. cruzi on the triatomine vectors appear to be particularly evident when the triatomines are stressed and depend on the T. cruzi strain. Effects on the intestinal immunity of the triatomines are induced by ingested blood-stage trypomastigotes of T. cruzi and affect the populations of many non-symbiotic intestinal bacteria, but not all and not the mutualistic symbionts. After the knockdown of antimicrobial peptides, the number of non-symbiotic bacteria increases and the number of T. cruzi decreases. Presumably, in long-term infections, intestinal immunity is suppressed, which supports the growth of specific bacteria, depending on the strain of T. cruzi. These interactions may provide an approach to disrupt T. cruzi transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter A Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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2
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Macedo-da-Silva J, Mule SN, Rosa-Fernandes L, Palmisano G. A computational pipeline elucidating functions of conserved hypothetical Trypanosoma cruzi proteins based on public proteomic data. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 138:401-428. [PMID: 38220431 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The proteome is complex, dynamic, and functionally diverse. Functional proteomics aims to characterize the functions of proteins in biological systems. However, there is a delay in annotating the function of proteins, even in model organisms. This gap is even greater in other organisms, including Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of the parasitic, systemic, and sometimes fatal disease called Chagas disease. About 99.8% of Trypanosoma cruzi proteome is not manually annotated (unreviewed), among which>25% are conserved hypothetical proteins (CHPs), calling attention to the knowledge gap on the protein content of this organism. CHPs are conserved proteins among different species of various evolutionary lineages; however, they lack functional validation. This study describes a bioinformatics pipeline applied to public proteomic data to infer possible biological functions of conserved hypothetical Trypanosoma cruzi proteins. Here, the adopted strategy consisted of collecting differentially expressed proteins between the epimastigote and metacyclic trypomastigotes stages of Trypanosoma cruzi; followed by the functional characterization of these CHPs applying a manifold learning technique for dimension reduction and 3D structure homology analysis (Spalog). We found a panel of 25 and 26 upregulated proteins in the epimastigote and metacyclic trypomastigote stages, respectively; among these, 18 CHPs (8 in the epimastigote stage and 10 in the metacyclic stage) were characterized. The data generated corroborate the literature and complement the functional analyses of differentially regulated proteins at each stage, as they attribute potential functions to CHPs, which are frequently identified in Trypanosoma cruzi proteomics studies. However, it is important to point out that experimental validation is required to deepen our understanding of the CHPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina Macedo-da-Silva
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Simon Ngao Mule
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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3
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Ferreira AZL, de Araújo CN, Cardoso ICC, de Souza Mangabeira KS, Rocha AP, Charneau S, Santana JM, Motta FN, Bastos IMD. Metacyclogenesis as the Starting Point of Chagas Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:117. [PMID: 38203289 PMCID: PMC10778605 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected infectious disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, primarily transmitted by triatomine vectors, and it threatens approximately seventy-five million people worldwide. This parasite undergoes a complex life cycle, transitioning between hosts and shifting from extracellular to intracellular stages. To ensure its survival in these diverse environments, T. cruzi undergoes extreme morphological and molecular changes. The metacyclic trypomastigote (MT) form, which arises from the metacyclogenesis (MTG) process in the triatomine hindgut, serves as a crucial link between the insect and human hosts and can be considered the starting point of Chagas disease. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding the parasite's life cycle, molecular pathways, and mechanisms involved in metabolic and morphological adaptations during MTG, enabling the MT to evade the immune system and successfully infect human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carla Nunes de Araújo
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
- Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Isabela Cunha Costa Cardoso
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Pereira Rocha
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Sébastien Charneau
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Jaime Martins Santana
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Flávia Nader Motta
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
- Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
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4
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Kaufman CD, Farré C, Biscari L, Pérez AR, Alloatti A. Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas disease and cancer: putting together the pieces of a complex puzzle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1260423. [PMID: 38188016 PMCID: PMC10768204 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1260423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Considering the extensive and widespread impact on individuals, cancer can presently be categorized as a pandemic. In many instances, the development of tumors has been linked to endemic microbe infections. Among parasitic infections, Trypanosoma cruzi stands out as one of the most extensively discussed protozoans in the literature that explores the association between diseases of parasite origin and cancer. However, the effective association remains an unsolved paradox. Both the parasite, along with protozoan-derived molecules, and the associated antiparasitic immune response can induce alterations in various host cell pathways, leading to modifications in cell cycle, metabolism, glycosylation, DNA mutations, or changes in neuronal signaling. Furthermore, the presence of the parasite can trigger cell death or a senescent phenotype and modulate the immune system, the metastatic cascade, and the formation of new blood vessels. The interaction among the parasite (and its molecules), the host, and cancer undoubtedly encompasses various mechanisms that operate differentially depending on the context. Remarkably, contrary to expectations, the evidence tilts the balance toward inhibiting tumor growth or resisting tumor development. This effect is primarily observed in malignant cells, rather than normal cells, indicating a selective or specific component. Nevertheless, nonspecific bystander mechanisms, such as T. cruzi's adjuvancy or the presence of proinflammatory cytokines, may also play a significant role in this phenomenon. This work aims to elucidate this complex scenario by synthesizing the main findings presented in the literature and by proposing new questions and answers, thereby adding pieces to this challenging puzzle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Daniela Kaufman
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Farré
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Lucía Biscari
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andrés Alloatti
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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Faral-Tello P, Greif G, Romero S, Cabrera A, Oviedo C, González T, Libisch G, Arévalo AP, Varela B, Verdes JM, Crispo M, Basmadjián Y, Robello C. Trypanosoma cruzi Isolates Naturally Adapted to Congenital Transmission Display a Unique Strategy of Transplacental Passage. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0250422. [PMID: 36786574 PMCID: PMC10100920 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02504-22] [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: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is mainly transmitted by vertical transmission (VT) in nonendemic areas and in endemic areas where vector control programs have been successful. For the present study, we isolated natural Trypanosoma cruzi strains vertically transmitted through three generations and proceeded to study their molecular mechanism of VT using mice. No parasitemia was detected in immunocompetent mice, but the parasites were able to induce an immune response and colonize different organs. VT experiments revealed that infection with different strains did not affect mating, pregnancy, or resorption, but despite low parasitemia, VT strains reached the placenta and resulted in higher vertical transmission rates than strains of either moderate or high virulence. While the virulent strain modulated more than 2,500 placental genes, VT strains modulated 150, and only 29 genes are shared between them. VT strains downregulated genes associated with cell division and replication and upregulated immunomodulatory genes, leading to anti-inflammatory responses and tolerance. The virulent strain stimulated a strong proinflammatory immune response, and this molecular footprint correlated with histopathological analyses. We describe a unique placental response regarding the passage of T. cruzi VT isolates across the maternal-fetal interphase, challenging the current knowledge derived mainly from studies of laboratory-adapted or highly virulent strains. IMPORTANCE The main findings of this study are that we determined that there are Trypanosoma cruzi strains adapted to transplacental transmission and completely different from the commonly used laboratory reference strains. This implies a specific strategy for the vertical transmission of Chagas disease. It is impressive that the strains specialized for vertical transmission modify the gene expression of the placenta in a totally different way than the reference strains. In addition, we describe isolates of T. cruzi that cannot be transmitted transplacentally. Taken together, these results open up new insights into the molecular mechanisms of this insect vector-independent transmission form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Faral-Tello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gonzalo Greif
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Selva Romero
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés Cabrera
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Unidad de Microbiología, Instituto de Patobiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cristina Oviedo
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Telma González
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gabriela Libisch
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Paula Arévalo
- Laboratory Animal Biotechnology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Belén Varela
- Unidad de Patología, Departamento de Patobiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - José Manuel Verdes
- Unidad de Patología, Departamento de Patobiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Martina Crispo
- Laboratory Animal Biotechnology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Yester Basmadjián
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Piñeiro M, Ortiz JE, Spina Zapata RM, Barrera PA, Sosa MA, Roitman G, Bastida J, Feresin GE. Antiparasitic Activity of Hippeastrum Species and Synergistic Interaction between Montanine and Benznidazole against Trypanosoma cruzi. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010144. [PMID: 36677436 PMCID: PMC9864487 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hippeastrum species have a wide range of biological properties. In Argentina, this genus comprises ten widely distributed species. PURPOSE To evaluate the antiparasitic and anticholinesterase activities and chemical profiles of seven Argentinean Hippeastrum species and determine the synergism between the major isolated alkaloid-montanine-and benznidazole in anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity. METHODS The antiparasitic activity was evaluated through antiproliferative and viability assays against T. cruzi epimastigotes. Synergism assays were performed using the Chou-Talalay method. AChE and BuChE inhibitory activities were also assessed. The alkaloid composition was obtained using GC-MS analysis. RESULTS All extracts showed strong growth inhibition of T. cruzi epimastigote proliferation. The extracts from H. aglaiae, H. aulicum, and H. hybrid stand out for their potent and total growth inhibition, which was comparable to benznidazole. The H. reticulatum extract showed strong Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities, while five species showed moderate Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibition. Fifteen alkaloids were identified by means of GC-MS. Regarding the synergism assessment, the highest synergistic effect was obtained from the combination of montanine and benznidazole. CONCLUSION Hippeastrum species bulb extracts from Argentina were shown to be a good source of antiparasitic alkaloids and cholinesterase inhibitors. The synergism between montanine and benznidazole emerges as a potential combination for future studies to treat Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Piñeiro
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Libertador General San Martin 1109 O, San Juan CP 5400, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), Godoy Cruz CP 2290, Argentina
| | - Javier E. Ortiz
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Libertador General San Martin 1109 O, San Juan CP 5400, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), Godoy Cruz CP 2290, Argentina
| | - Renata M. Spina Zapata
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología “Dr. Mario H. Burgos”, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, Mendoza CP 5500, Argentina
| | - Patricia A. Barrera
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología “Dr. Mario H. Burgos”, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, Mendoza CP 5500, Argentina
| | - Miguel A. Sosa
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Instituto de Histología y Embriología “Dr. Mario H. Burgos”, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, Mendoza CP 5500, Argentina
| | - Germán Roitman
- Facultad de Turismo y Urbanismo, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Av. del Libertador San Martín 721 Villa de Merlo, San Luis CP D5881DFN, Argentina
| | - Jaume Bastida
- Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriela E. Feresin
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Av. Libertador General San Martin 1109 O, San Juan CP 5400, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), Godoy Cruz CP 2290, Argentina
- Correspondence:
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Martín-Escolano R, Rosales MJ, Marín C. Biological characteristics of the Trypanosoma cruzi Arequipa strain make it a good model for Chagas disease drug discovery. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106679. [PMID: 36096184 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD), is a genuine parasite with tremendous genetic diversity and a complex life cycle. Scientists have studied this disease for more than 100 years, and CD drug discovery has been a mainstay due to the absence of an effective treatment. Technical advances in several areas have contributed to a better understanding of the complex biology and life cycle of this parasite, with the aim of designing the ideal profile of both drug and therapeutic options to treat CD. Here, we present the T. cruzi Arequipa strain (MHOM/Pe/2011/Arequipa) as an interesting model for CD drug discovery. We characterized acute-phase parasitaemia and chronic-phase tropism in BALB/c mice and determined the in vitro and in vivo benznidazole susceptibility profile of the different morphological forms of this strain. The tropism of this strain makes it an interesting model for the screening of new compounds with a potential anti-Chagas profile for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - María José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, Granada 18071, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, Granada 18071, Spain.
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Martín-Escolano J, Marín C, Rosales MJ, Tsaousis AD, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. An Updated View of the Trypanosoma cruzi Life Cycle: Intervention Points for an Effective Treatment. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1107-1115. [PMID: 35652513 PMCID: PMC9194904 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Chagas disease (CD)
is a parasitic, systemic, chronic, and often
fatal illness caused by infection with the protozoan Trypanosoma
cruzi. The World Health Organization classifies CD as the
most prevalent of poverty-promoting neglected tropical diseases, the
most important parasitic one, and the third most infectious disease
in Latin America. Currently, CD is a global public health issue that
affects 6–8 million people. However, the current approved treatments
are limited to two nitroheterocyclic drugs developed more than 50
years ago. Many efforts have been made in recent decades to find new
therapies, but our limited understanding of the infection process,
pathology development, and long-term nature of this disease has made
it impossible to develop new drugs, effective treatment, or vaccines.
This Review aims to provide a comprehensive update on our understanding
of the current life cycle, new morphological forms, and genetic diversity
of T. cruzi, as well as identify intervention points
in the life cycle where new drugs and treatments could achieve a parasitic
cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, E41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - María J. Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Anastasios D. Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Encarnación Medina-Carmona
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
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9
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Rose E, Moraes A, Shiroma T, Nitz N, Rosa ADC, Pratesi R, Hagström L, de Carvalho JL, Hecht M. Host DNA repair response to oxidative damage is modulated by Trypanosoma cruzi in a strain-dependent manner. Acta Trop 2021; 224:106127. [PMID: 34509459 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The conservation of genomic integrity and stability is essential for cell survival. DNA Damage Responses (DDRs) are considered of paramount importance for all living beings and involve mechanisms of cell cycle regulation and damage-specific DNA repair pathways. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a compound that, in supraphysiological concentrations, damages biomolecules including the DNA, causing base modifications and strand breaks. There is evidence that Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan that causes Chagas disease, interferes in the host cell's DNA metabolism. In order to investigate the influence of T. cruzi infection over the host cell capacity to withstand and repair DNA damage, we analyzed L6 cells infected with Berenice, and Colombiana T. cruzi strains according to their viability, proliferation, morphology, DNA degradation, expression of DNA repair, and cell cycle genes following H2O2 treatment. It was noted that T. cruzi infection might act as either a stressor or a protective element of host DNA, depending on the strain and H2O2 concentration. Cells infected with Berenice strain and treated with 0.8 mM H2O2 presented a reduced DNA damage response intensity (e.g., BER and HR). Infection with T. cruzi Colombiana prevented the activation of DNA repair pathways in response to 0.8mM and 1.6mM H2O2 (NER and MMR). Nevertheless, since cellular viability was not significantly compromised in Colombiana-infected cells following the oxidative insult, it is possible that the parasite directly influenced the host DNA repair machinery. Our results support the notion that T. cruzi is able to modulate the host cell DNA metabolism in a strain-dependent manner, an event which can be explored in future drug development strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Rose
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
| | - Aline Moraes
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Shiroma
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Ana de Cássia Rosa
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Riccardo Pratesi
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Luciana Hagström
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott de Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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Gutierrez BC, Lammel E, González-Cappa SM, Poncini CV. Early Immune Response Elicited by Different Trypanosoma cruzi Infective Stages. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:768566. [PMID: 34900754 PMCID: PMC8656353 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.768566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that affects millions of people in Latin America. Infection occurs by vectorial transmission or by transfusion or transplacental route. Immune events occurring immediately after the parasite entrance are poorly explored. Dendritic cells (DCs) are target for the parasite immune evasion mechanisms. Recently, we have demonstrated that two different populations of DCs display variable activation after interaction with the two infective forms of the parasite: metacyclic or blood trypomastigotes (mTp or bTp) in vitro. The skin constitutes a complex network with several populations of antigen-presenting cells. Previously, we have demonstrated T. cruzi conditioning the repertoire of cells recruited into the site of infection. In the present work, we observed that mTp and bTp inoculation displayed differences in cell recruitment to the site of infection and in the activation status of APCs in draining lymph nodes and spleen during acute infection. Animals inoculated with mTp exhibited 100% of survival with no detectable parasitemia, in contrast with those injected with bTp that displayed high mortality and high parasite load. Animals infected with mTp and challenged with a lethal dose of bTp 15 days after primary infection showed no mortality and incremented DC activation in secondary lymphoid organs compared with controls injected only with bTp or non-infected mice. These animals also displayed a smaller number of amastigote nests in cardiac tissue and more CD8 T cells than mice infected with bTp. All the results suggest that both Tp infective stages induce an unequal immune response since the beginning of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Celeste Gutierrez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular e Inmunopatología de Infecciones, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Medica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Estela Lammel
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular e Inmunopatología de Infecciones, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Medica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Stella Maris González-Cappa
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular e Inmunopatología de Infecciones, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Medica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Verónica Poncini
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular e Inmunopatología de Infecciones, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Medica (IMPaM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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11
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Picchi-Constante GFA, Guerra-Slompo EP, Tahira AC, Alcantara MV, Amaral MS, Ferreira AS, Batista M, Batista CM, Goldenberg S, Verjovski-Almeida S, Zanchin NIT. Metacyclogenesis defects and gene expression hallmarks of histone deacetylase 4-deficient Trypanosoma cruzi cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21671. [PMID: 34737385 PMCID: PMC8569148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi—the causative agent of Chagas disease—like other kinetoplastids, relies mostly on post-transcriptional mechanisms for regulation of gene expression. However, trypanosomatids undergo drastic changes in nuclear architecture and chromatin structure along their complex life cycle which, combined with a remarkable set of reversible histone post-translational modifications, indicate that chromatin is also a target for control of gene expression and differentiation signals in these organisms. Chromatin-modifying enzymes have a direct impact on gene expression programs and DNA metabolism. In this work, we have investigated the function of T. cruzi histone deacetylase 4 (TcHDAC4). We show that, although TcHDAC4 is not essential for viability, metacyclic trypomastigote TcHDAC4 null mutants show a thin cell body and a round and less condensed nucleus located very close to the kinetoplast. Sixty-four acetylation sites were quantitatively evaluated, which revealed H2AT85ac, H4K10ac and H4K78ac as potential target sites of TcHDAC4. Gene expression analyses identified three chromosomes with overrepresented regions of differentially expressed genes in the TcHDAC4 knockout mutant compared with the wild type, showing clusters of either up or downregulated genes. The adjacent chromosomal location of some of these genes indicates that TcHDAC4 participates in gene expression regulation during T. cruzi differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana Carolina Tahira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | - Murilo Sena Amaral
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | - Michel Batista
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, 81350-010, Brazil
| | | | - Samuel Goldenberg
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil
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12
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Choudhuri S, Rios L, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC, Garg NJ. Oxidative stress implications for therapeutic vaccine development against Chagas disease. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1395-1406. [PMID: 34406892 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1969230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pathogenesis of Chagas disease (CD) caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) involves chronic oxidative and inflammatory stress. In this review, we discuss the research efforts in therapeutic vaccine development to date and the potential challenges imposed by oxidative stress in achieving an efficient therapeutic vaccine against CD. AREAS COVERED This review covers the immune and nonimmune mechanisms of reactive oxygen species production and immune response patterns during T. cruzi infection in CD. A discussion on immunotherapy development efforts, the efficacy of antigen-based immune therapies against T. cruzi, and the role of antioxidants as adjuvants is discussed to provide promising insights to developing future treatment strategies against CD. EXPERT OPINION Administration of therapeutic vaccines can be a good option to confront persistent parasitemia in CD by achieving a rapid, short-lived stimulation of type 1 cell-mediated immunity. At the same time, adjunct therapies could play a critical role in the preservation of mitochondrial metabolism and cardiac muscle contractility in CD. We propose combined therapy with antigen-based vaccine and small molecules to control the pathological oxidative insult would be effective in the conservation of cardiac structure and function in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadip Choudhuri
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Lizette Rios
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Juan Carlos Vázquez-Chagoyán
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados En Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Tx, USA
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13
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Marliére NP, Lorenzo MG, Guarneri AA. Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Rhodnius prolixus endure increased predation facilitating parasite transmission to mammal hosts. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009570. [PMID: 34197458 PMCID: PMC8279422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Triatomine bugs aggregate with conspecifics inside shelters during daylight hours. At dusk, they leave their refuges searching for hosts on which to blood feed. After finding a host, triatomines face the threat of being killed, because hosts often prey on them. As it is known that many parasites induce the predation of intermediate hosts to promote transmission, and that ingestion of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected bugs represents a very effective means for mammal infection, we hypothesized that trypanosomes induce infected bugs to take increased risk, and, as a consequence, be predated when approaching a host. Therefore, we evaluated whether the predation risk and predation rates endured by Rhodnius prolixus increase when infected with T. cruzi. Assays were performed in square glass arenas offering one central refuge to infected and uninfected 5th instar nymphs. A caged mouse was introduced in each arena after a three-day acclimation interval to activate sheltered insects and induce them to approach it. As hypothesized, a significantly higher proportion of infected insects was predated when compared with uninfected ones (36% and 19%, respectively). Indeed, T. cruzi-infected bugs took higher risk (Approximation Index = 0.642) when compared with healthy ones (Approximation Index = 0.302) and remained outside the shelters when the host was removed from the arena. Our results show that infection by T. cruzi induces bugs to assume higher risk and endure higher predation rates. We reveal a hitherto unknown trypanosome-vector interaction process that increases infected bug predation, promoting increased rates of robust oral transmission. The significant consequences of the mechanism revealed here make it a fundamental component for the resilient maintenance of sylvatic, peridomestic and domestic cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Newmar Pinto Marliére
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gustavo Lorenzo
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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14
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Taylor MC, Ward AI, Olmo F, Francisco AF, Jayawardhana S, Costa FC, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Bioluminescent:Fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi Reporter Strains as Tools for Exploring Chagas Disease Pathogenesis and Drug Activity. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1733-1740. [PMID: 33234096 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201124113214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease results from infection with the trypanosomatid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Progress in developing new drugs has been hampered by the long term and complex nature of the condition and by our limited understanding of parasite biology. Technical difficulties in assessing the parasite burden during the chronic stage of infection have also proven to be a particular challenge. In this context, the development of noninvasive, highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging procedures based on parasites that express a red-shifted luciferase has greatly enhanced our ability to monitor infections in experimental models. Applications of this methodology have led to new insights into tissue tropism and infection dynamics and have been a major driver in drug development. The system has been further modified by the generation of parasite reporter lines that express bioluminescent:fluorescent fusion proteins, an advancement that has allowed chronic infections in mice to be examined at a cellular level. By exploiting bioluminescence, to identify the rare sites of tissue infection, and fluorescence to detect T. cruzi at the level of individual host cells in histological sections, it has been possible to investigate the replication and differentiation status of parasites in vivo and to examine the cellular environment of infection foci. In combination, these data provide a framework for the detailed dissection of disease pathogenesis and drug activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander I Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda F Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Fernanda C Costa
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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15
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Martín-Escolano R, Etxebeste-Mitxeltorena M, Martín-Escolano J, Plano D, Rosales MJ, Espuelas S, Moreno E, Sánchez-Moreno M, Sanmartín C, Marín C. Selenium Derivatives as Promising Therapy for Chagas Disease: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1727-1738. [PMID: 33871252 PMCID: PMC8480776 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a tropical infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and a global public health concern. It is a paradigmatic example of a chronic disease without an effective treatment. Current treatments targeting T. cruzi are limited to two obsolete nitroheterocyclic drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, which lead to serious drawbacks. Hence, new, more effective, safer, and affordable drugs are urgently needed. Selenium and their derivatives have emerged as an interesting strategy for the treatment of different prozotoan diseases, such as African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and malaria. In the case of Chagas disease, diverse selenium scaffolds have been reported with antichagasic activity in vitro and in vivo. On the basis of these premises, we describe the in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity of 41 selenocompounds against the three morphological forms of different T. cruzi strains. For the most active selenocompounds, their effect on the metabolic and mitochondrial levels and superoxide dismutase enzyme inhibition capacity were measured in order to determine the possible mechanism of action. Derivative 26, with a selenocyanate motif, fulfills the most stringent in vitro requirements for potential antichagasic agents and exhibits a better profile than benznidazole in vivo. This finding provides a step forward for the development of a new antichagasic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, United Kingdom
| | - Mikel Etxebeste-Mitxeltorena
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra (ISTUN), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Escolano
- Servicio de Microbiologia Clinica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación, Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28009 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Plano
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra (ISTUN), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María J. Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Socorro Espuelas
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra (ISTUN), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Esther Moreno
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra (ISTUN), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Carmen Sanmartín
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra (ISTUN), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA), Irunlarrea, 1, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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16
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Schaub GA. An Update on the Knowledge of Parasite-Vector Interactions of Chagas Disease. Res Rep Trop Med 2021; 12:63-76. [PMID: 34093053 PMCID: PMC8169816 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s274681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focusses on the interactions between the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, and its triatomine vector. The flagellate mainly colonizes the intestinal tract of the insect. The effect of triatomines on trypanosomes is indicated by susceptibility and refractoriness phenomena that vary according to the combination of the strains. Other effects are apparent in the different regions of the gut. In the stomach, the majority of ingested blood trypomastigotes are killed while the remaining transform to round stages. In the small intestine, these develop into epimastigotes, the main replicative stage. In the rectum, the population density is the highest and is where the infectious stage develops, the metacyclic trypomastigote. In all regions of the gut, starvation and feeding of the triatomine affect T. cruzi. In the small intestine and rectum, starvation reduces the population density and more spheromastigotes develop. In the rectum, feeding after short-term starvation induces metacyclogenesis and after long-term starvation the development of specific cells, containing several nuclei, kinetoplasts and flagella. When considering the effects of T. cruzi on triatomines, the flagellate seems to be of low pathogenicity. However, during stressful periods, which are normal in natural populations, effects occur often on the behaviour, eg, in readiness to approach the host, the period of time before defecation, dispersal and aggregation. In nymphs, the duration of the different instars and the mortality rates increase, but this seems to be induced by repeated infections or blood quality by the feeding on infected hosts. Starvation resistance is often reduced by infection. Longevity and reproduction of adults is reduced, but only after infection with some strains of T. cruzi. Only components of the surface coat of blood trypomastigotes induce an immune reaction. However, this seems to act against gut bacteria and favours the development of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter A Schaub
- Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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17
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Martín-Escolano R, Molina-Carreño D, Plano D, Espuelas S, Rosales MJ, Moreno E, Aydillo C, Sanmartín C, Sánchez-Moreno M, Marín C. Library of Selenocyanate and Diselenide Derivatives as In Vivo Antichagasic Compounds Targeting Trypanosoma cruzi Mitochondrion. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14050419. [PMID: 34062791 PMCID: PMC8147293 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is usually caused by tropical infection with the insect-transmitted protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Currently, Chagas disease is a major public health concern worldwide due to globalization, and there are no treatments neither vaccines because of the long-term nature of the disease and its complex pathology. Current treatments are limited to two obsolete drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, which lead to serious drawbacks. Taking into account the urgent need for strict research efforts to find new therapies, here, we describe the in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity of a library of selected forty-eight selenocyanate and diselenide derivatives that exhibited leishmanicidal properties. The inclusion of selenium, an essential trace element, was due to the well-known extensive pharmacological activities for selenium compounds including parasitic diseases as T. cruzi. Here we present compound 8 as a potential compound that exhibits a better profile than benznidazole both in vitro and in vivo. It shows a fast-acting behaviour that could be attributed to its mode of action: it acts in a mitochondrion-dependent manner, causing cell death by bioenergetic collapse. This finding provides a step forward for the development of a new antichagasic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
- Correspondence: (R.M.-E.); (C.M.)
| | - Daniel Molina-Carreño
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (D.M.-C.); (M.J.R.); (M.S.-M.)
| | - Daniel Plano
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.P.); (S.E.); (E.M.); (C.A.); (C.S.)
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, ISTUN, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA) Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Socorro Espuelas
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.P.); (S.E.); (E.M.); (C.A.); (C.S.)
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, ISTUN, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA) Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María J. Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (D.M.-C.); (M.J.R.); (M.S.-M.)
| | - Esther Moreno
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.P.); (S.E.); (E.M.); (C.A.); (C.S.)
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, ISTUN, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA) Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Aydillo
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.P.); (S.E.); (E.M.); (C.A.); (C.S.)
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, ISTUN, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA) Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Sanmartín
- Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Departamento de Tecnología y Química Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.P.); (S.E.); (E.M.); (C.A.); (C.S.)
- Instituto de Salud Tropical, Universidad de Navarra, ISTUN, Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdiSNA) Irunlarrea, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (D.M.-C.); (M.J.R.); (M.S.-M.)
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; (D.M.-C.); (M.J.R.); (M.S.-M.)
- Correspondence: (R.M.-E.); (C.M.)
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18
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Macedo CM, Saraiva FMDS, Paula JIO, Nascimento SDB, Costa DDSDS, Costa PRR, Dias AG, Paes MC, Nogueira NP. The Potent Trypanocidal Effect of LQB303, a Novel Redox-Active Phenyl-Tert-Butyl-Nitrone Derivate That Causes Mitochondrial Collapse in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:617504. [PMID: 33935988 PMCID: PMC8081855 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.617504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, establishes lifelong infections in humans and other mammals that lead to severe cardiac and gastrointestinal complications despite the competent immune response of the hosts. Furthermore, it is a neglected disease that affects 8 million people worldwide. The scenario is even more frustrating since the main chemotherapy is based on benznidazole, a drug that presents severe side effects and low efficacy in the chronic phase of the disease. Thus, the search for new therapeutic alternatives is urgent. In the present study, we investigated the activity of a novel phenyl-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) derivate, LQB303, against T. cruzi. LQB303 presented trypanocidal effect against intracellular [IC50/48 h = 2.6 μM] and extracellular amastigotes [IC50/24 h = 3.3 μM] in vitro, leading to parasite lysis; however, it does not present any toxicity to host cells. Despite emerging evidence that mitochondrial metabolism is essential for amastigotes to grow inside mammalian cells, the mechanism of redox-active molecules that target T. cruzi mitochondrion is still poorly explored. Therefore, we investigated if LQB303 trypanocidal activity was related to the impairment of the mitochondrial function of amastigotes. The investigation showed there was a significant decrease compared to the baseline oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of LQB303-treated extracellular amastigotes of T. cruzi, as well as reduction of “proton leak” (the depletion of proton motive force by the inhibition of F1Fo ATP synthase) and “ETS” (maximal oxygen consumption after uncoupling) oxygen consumption rates. Interestingly, the residual respiration (“ROX”) enhanced about three times in LQB303-treated amastigotes. The spare respiratory capacity ratio (SRC: cell ability to meet new energy demands) and the ATP-linked OCR were also impaired by LQB303 treatment, correlating the trypanocidal activity of LQB303 with the impairment of mitochondrial redox metabolism of amastigotes. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated a significant reduction of the ΔΨm of treated amastigotes. LQB303 had no significant influence on the OCR of treated mammalian cells, evidencing its specificity against T. cruzi mitochondrial metabolism. Our results suggest a promising trypanocidal activity of LQB303, associated with parasite bioenergetic inefficiency, with no influence on the host energy metabolism, a fact that may point to an attractive alternative therapy for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Machado Macedo
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Francis Monique de Souza Saraiva
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Isis Oliveira Paula
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Suelen de Brito Nascimento
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Hematologia, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ayres Guimarães Dias
- Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcia Cristina Paes
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natália Pereira Nogueira
- Laboratório de Interação de Tripanossomatídeos e Vetores, Departamento de Bioquímica, IBRAG - Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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19
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Paranaiba LF, Soares RP, Guarneri AA. Triatoma infestans susceptibility to different Trypanosoma cruzi strains: parasite development and early escape from anterior midgut. Parasitology 2021; 148:295-301. [PMID: 32940196 PMCID: PMC11010122 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The escape kinetics from the anterior midgut (AM) of Trypanosoma cruzi during the initial steps of infection was assessed in Triatoma infestans, as well as its ability to survive migration in the digestive tract of the vector. All the four strains evaluated survived and reached variable parasite densities. After 49-50 days, YuYu [discrete typing units (DTU) I] strain reached the highest parasite numbers in the rectum followed by Bug (DTU V), CL-Brener (DTU VI) and Dm28c (DTU I). All strains accomplished metacyclogenesis. Bug strain reached the highest numbers of metacyclic trypomastigotes followed by YuYu and CL-Brener/Dm28c. A remarkable parasite reduction in the AM for Bug strain, but not Dm28c was noticed at 72 h of infection. In the posterior midgut + rectum high densities of parasites from both strains were detected at this period indicating the parasites crossed the AM. For Dm28c strain, in infections initiated with trypomastigotes, parasites left AM faster than those starting with epimastigotes. In conclusion, T. cruzi strains from different DTUs were able to infect T. infestans reaching variable parasite densities. The kinetics of migration in the digestive tract may be affected by strain and/or the evolutive form used for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa F. Paranaiba
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo P. Soares
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alessandra A. Guarneri
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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20
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Araújo CAC, Pacheco JPF, Waniek PJ, Geraldo RB, Sibajev A, Dos Santos AL, Evangelho VGO, Dyson PJ, Azambuja P, Ratcliffe NA, Castro HC, Mello CB. A rhamnose-binding lectin from Rhodnius prolixus and the impact of its silencing on gut bacterial microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 114:103823. [PMID: 32800901 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lectins are ubiquitous proteins involved in the immune defenses of different organisms and mainly responsible for non-self-recognition and agglutination reactions. This work describes molecular and biological characterization of a rhamnose-binding lectin (RBL) from Rhodnius prolixus, which possesses a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a mature protein of 34.6 kDa. The in-silico analysis of the primary and secondary structures of RpLec revealed a lectin domain fully conserved among previous insects studied. The three-dimensional homology model of RpLec was similar to other RBL-lectins. Docking predictions with the monosaccharides showed rhamnose and galactose-binding sites comparable to Latrophilin-1 and N-Acetylgalactosamine-binding in a different site. The effects of RpLec gene silencing on levels of infecting Trypanosoma cruzi Dm 28c and intestinal bacterial populations in the R. prolixus midgut were studied by injecting RpLec dsRNA into the R. prolixus hemocoel. Whereas T. cruzi numbers remained unchanged compared with the controls, numbers of bacteria increased significantly. The silencing also induced the up regulation of the R. prolixus defC (defensin) expression gene. These results with RpLec reveal the potential importance of this little studied molecule in the insect vector immune response and homeostasis of the gut bacterial microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A C Araújo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - J P F Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - P J Waniek
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - R B Geraldo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - A Sibajev
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Av. Cap. Enê Garcez 2413, Boa Vista, RR, CEP 69400-000, Brazil
| | - A L Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - V G O Evangelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - P J Dyson
- Institute of Life Science, School of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - P Azambuja
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação, Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21045-900, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - N A Ratcliffe
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA28PP, UK
| | - H C Castro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil.
| | - C B Mello
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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21
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Martín-Escolano R, Guardia JJ, Martín-Escolano J, Cirauqui N, Fernández A, Rosales MJ, Chahboun R, Sánchez-Moreno M, Alvarez-Manzaneda E, Marín C. In Vivo Biological Evaluation of a Synthetic Royleanone Derivative as a Promising Fast-Acting Trypanocidal Agent by Inducing Mitochondrial-Dependent Necrosis. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:3571-3583. [PMID: 33253573 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The life-long and life-threatening Chagas disease is one of the most neglected tropical diseases caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a major public health problem in Latin America, as six to seven million people are infected, being the principal cause of mortality in many endemic regions. Moreover, Chagas disease has become widespread due to migrant populations. Additionally, there are no vaccines nor effective treatments to fight the disease because of its long-term nature and complex pathology. Therefore, these facts emphasize how crucial the international effort for the development of new treatments against Chagas disease is. Here, we present the in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity of some oxygenated abietane diterpenoids and related compounds. The 1,4-benzoquinone 15, not yet reported, was identified as a fast-acting trypanocidal drug with efficacy against different strains in vitro and higher activity and lower toxicity than benznidazole in both phases of murine Chagas disease. The mode of action was also evaluated, suggesting that quinone 15 kills T. cruzi by inducing mitochondrion-dependent necrosis through a bioenergetics collapse caused by a mitochondrial membrane depolarization and iron-containing superoxide dismutase inhibition. Therefore, the abietane 1,4-benzoquinone 15 can be considered as a new candidate molecule for the development of an appropriate and commercially accessible anti-Chagas drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan J Guardia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Nuria Cirauqui
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria J Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Rachid Chahboun
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Enrique Alvarez-Manzaneda
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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22
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De Souza W, Barrias ES. May the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi be infective? Acta Trop 2020; 212:105688. [PMID: 32888934 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
For many years it has been considered that there are three basic developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi: Epimastigote (Epi), Amastigote (Ama) and Trypomastigote (Typo). Epi and Ama are able to divide while Trypo does not divide. Epi are not infective while Ama and Trypo are able to infect host cells. Here we review the available data for the epimastigote form. Taken together the data show that (a) there are intermediate forms between epimastigotes and trypomastigotes in axenic cultures as well as between amastigote and trypomastigote forms within the cells (both in vitro and in vivo), and (c) that the intermediate forms, here designated as "Transitional Epimastigote", most of the time considered as epimastigotes, are able to infect cells. The recognition of the existence of this stage is of practical importance for those work with T. cruzi. Many laboratories working only with T. cruzi in axenic cultures usually consider to work with nonpathogenic cultures. This attitude needs to be changed requiring special care by those working with this protozoan to avoid accidental infections in the laboratory. In view of these observation a new scheme for the life cycle of T. cruzi is proposed.
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23
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Repositioned Drugs for Chagas Disease Unveiled via Structure-Based Drug Repositioning. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228809. [PMID: 33233837 PMCID: PMC7699892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people in South America. The current treatments are limited, have severe side effects, and are only partially effective. Drug repositioning, defined as finding new indications for already approved drugs, has the potential to provide new therapeutic options for Chagas. In this work, we conducted a structure-based drug repositioning approach with over 130,000 3D protein structures to identify drugs that bind therapeutic Chagas targets and thus represent potential new Chagas treatments. The screening yielded over 500 molecules as hits, out of which 38 drugs were prioritized following a rigorous filtering process. About half of the latter were already known to have trypanocidal activity, while the others are novel to Chagas disease. Three of the new drug candidates—ciprofloxacin, naproxen, and folic acid—showed a growth inhibitory activity in the micromolar range when tested ex vivo on T. cruzi trypomastigotes, validating the prediction. We show that our drug repositioning approach is able to pinpoint relevant drug candidates at a fraction of the time and cost of a conventional screening. Furthermore, our results demonstrate the power and potential of structure-based drug repositioning in the context of neglected tropical diseases where the pharmaceutical industry has little financial interest in the development of new drugs.
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24
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Stryiński R, Łopieńska-Biernat E, Carrera M. Proteomic Insights into the Biology of the Most Important Foodborne Parasites in Europe. Foods 2020; 9:E1403. [PMID: 33022912 PMCID: PMC7601233 DOI: 10.3390/foods9101403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Foodborne parasitoses compared with bacterial and viral-caused diseases seem to be neglected, and their unrecognition is a serious issue. Parasitic diseases transmitted by food are currently becoming more common. Constantly changing eating habits, new culinary trends, and easier access to food make foodborne parasites' transmission effortless, and the increase in the diagnosis of foodborne parasitic diseases in noted worldwide. This work presents the applications of numerous proteomic methods into the studies on foodborne parasites and their possible use in targeted diagnostics. Potential directions for the future are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Stryiński
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Elżbieta Łopieńska-Biernat
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Mónica Carrera
- Department of Food Technology, Marine Research Institute (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36-208 Vigo, Spain
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25
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Pérez-Mazliah D, Ward AI, Lewis MD. Host-parasite dynamics in Chagas disease from systemic to hyper-local scales. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12786. [PMID: 32799361 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a remarkably versatile parasite. It can parasitize almost any nucleated cell type and naturally infects hundreds of mammal species across much of the Americas. In humans, it is the cause of Chagas disease, a set of mainly chronic conditions predominantly affecting the heart and gastrointestinal tract, which can progress to become life threatening. Yet around two thirds of infected people are long-term asymptomatic carriers. Clinical outcomes depend on many factors, but the central determinant is the nature of the host-parasite interactions that play out over the years of chronic infection in diverse tissue environments. In this review, we aim to integrate recent developments in the understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of T. cruzi infections with established and emerging concepts in host immune responses in the corresponding phases and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Pérez-Mazliah
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Alexander I Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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26
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Martín-Escolano R, Martín-Escolano J, Ballesteros-Garrido R, Cirauqui N, Abarca B, Rosales MJ, Sánchez-Moreno M, Ballesteros R, Marín C. Repositioning of leishmanicidal [1,2,3]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts for Chagas disease treatment: Trypanosoma cruzi cell death involving mitochondrial membrane depolarisation and Fe-SOD inhibition. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2943-2954. [PMID: 32607710 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06779-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatidae is a family of unicellular parasites belonging to the phylum Euglenozoa, which are causative agents in high impact human diseases such as Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and African sleeping sickness. The impact on human health and local economies, together with a lack of satisfactory chemotherapeutic treatments and effective vaccines, justifies stringent research efforts to search for new disease therapies. Here, we present in vitro trypanocidal activity data and mode of action data, repositioning leishmanicidal [1,2,3]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts against Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. This disease is one of the most neglected tropical diseases and is a major public health issue in Central and South America. The disease affects approximately 6-7 million people and is widespread due to increased migratory movements. We screened a suite of leishmanicidal [1,2,3]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyridinium salt compounds, of which compounds 13, 20 and 21 were identified as trypanocidal drugs. These compounds caused cell death in a mitochondrion-dependent manner through a bioenergetic collapse. Moreover, compounds 13 and 20 showed a remarkable inhibition of iron superoxide dismutase activity of T. cruzi, a key enzyme in the protection from the damage produced by oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Rafael Ballesteros-Garrido
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Cirauqui
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69367, Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Belén Abarca
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - María José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Rafael Ballesteros
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain.
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27
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Parthasarathy A, Kalesh K. Defeating the trypanosomatid trio: proteomics of the protozoan parasites causing neglected tropical diseases. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:625-645. [PMID: 33479664 PMCID: PMC7549140 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00122h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics enables accurate measurement of the modulations of proteins on a large scale upon perturbation and facilitates the understanding of the functional roles of proteins in biological systems. It is a particularly relevant methodology for studying Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, as the gene expression in these parasites is primarily regulated by posttranscriptional mechanisms. Large-scale proteomics studies have revealed a plethora of information regarding modulated proteins and their molecular interactions during various life processes of the protozoans, including stress adaptation, life cycle changes and interactions with the host. Important molecular processes within the parasite that regulate the activity and subcellular localisation of its proteins, including several co- and post-translational modifications, are also accurately captured by modern proteomics mass spectrometry techniques. Finally, in combination with synthetic chemistry, proteomic techniques facilitate unbiased profiling of targets and off-targets of pharmacologically active compounds in the parasites. This provides important data sets for their mechanism of action studies, thereby aiding drug development programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anutthaman Parthasarathy
- Rochester Institute of Technology , Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences , 85 Lomb Memorial Dr , Rochester , NY 14623 , USA
| | - Karunakaran Kalesh
- Department of Chemistry , Durham University , Lower Mount Joy, South Road , Durham DH1 3LE , UK .
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Rose E, Carvalho JL, Hecht M. Mechanisms of DNA repair in Trypanosoma cruzi: What do we know so far? DNA Repair (Amst) 2020; 91-92:102873. [PMID: 32505694 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2020.102873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas Disease, which affects 6-7 million people worldwide. Since the early stages of infection and throughout its life cycle, the parasite is exposed to several genotoxic agents. Furthermore, DNA damage is also part of the mechanism of action of at least a few trypanocidal drugs, including Benznidazole. Thus, it is paramount for the parasite to count on an efficient DNA repair machinery to guarantee genome integrity and survival. The present work provides an up-to-date review of both the conserved and peculiar DNA repair mechanisms described in T. cruzi against oxidative stress, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, DNA adduct-inducing agents, and Benznidazole. The comprehension of the DNA repair mechanisms of the parasite may shed light on the parasite evolution and possibly pave the way for the development of novel and more effective trypanocidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Rose
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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Taylor MC, Ward A, Olmo F, Jayawardhana S, Francisco AF, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Intracellular DNA replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi is asynchronous within individual host cells in vivo at all stages of infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008007. [PMID: 32196491 PMCID: PMC7112235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations into intracellular replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi within the mammalian host have been restricted by limitations in our ability to detect parasitized cells throughout the course of infection. We have overcome this problem by generating genetically modified parasites that express a bioluminescent/fluorescent fusion protein. By combining in vivo imaging and confocal microscopy, this has enabled us to routinely visualise murine infections at the level of individual host cells. These studies reveal that intracellular parasite replication is an asynchronous process, irrespective of tissue location or disease stage. Furthermore, using TUNEL assays and EdU labelling, we demonstrate that within individual infected cells, replication of both mitochondrial (kDNA) and nuclear genomes is not co-ordinated within the parasite population, and that replicating amastigotes and non-replicating trypomastigotes can co-exist in the same cell. Finally, we report the presence of distinct non-canonical morphological forms of T. cruzi in the mammalian host. These appear to represent transitional forms in the amastigote to trypomastigote differentiation process. Therefore, the intracellular life-cycle of T. cruzi in vivo is more complex than previously realised, with potential implications for our understanding of disease pathogenesis, immune evasion and drug development. Dissecting the mechanisms involved will be an important experimental challenge. Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is becoming an emerging threat in non-endemic countries and establishing new foci in endemic countries. The treatment available has not changed significantly in over 40 years. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a greater understanding of parasite biology and disease pathogenesis to identify new therapeutic targets and to maximise the efficient use of existing drugs. We have used genetically modified strains of T. cruzi carrying a bioluminescence/fluorescence dual reporter fusion gene to monitor parasite replication in vivo during both acute and chronic infections in a mouse model. Utilising TUNEL assays for mitochondrial DNA replication and EdU incorporation for total DNA replication, we have found that parasite division within infected cells is asynchronous in all phases of infection. Differentiation also appears to be uncoordinated, with replicating amastigotes co-existing with non-dividing trypomastigotes in the same host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C. Taylor
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexander Ward
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda F. Francisco
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Melo RDFP, Guarneri AA, Silber AM. The Influence of Environmental Cues on the Development of Trypanosoma cruzi in Triatominae Vector. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:27. [PMID: 32154185 PMCID: PMC7046586 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, a hemoflagellate parasite, is the etiological agent of Chagas disease that affects about 6-7 million people worldwide, mostly in Latin America. The parasite life cycle is complex and alternates between an invertebrate host-Triatominae vector-and a mammalian host. The parasite adaptation to the several microenvironments through which it transits is critical to success in establishing infection. Moreover, environmental cues also play an important role on the parasite development, and it can modulate the infection. In the present study, we discussed how the temperature oscillations and the nutritional state of the invertebrate host can affect the parasite development, multiplication, and the differentiation process of epimastigote forms into metacyclic trypomastigotes, called metacyclogenesis. The impact of oxidative imbalance and osmotic stresses on the parasite-vector relationship are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raíssa de Fátima Pimentel Melo
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tryps (LaBTryps), Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri
- Vector Behaviour and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ariel Mariano Silber
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tryps (LaBTryps), Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Breyner NM, Hecht M, Nitz N, Rose E, Carvalho JL. In vitro models for investigation of the host-parasite interface - possible applications in acute Chagas disease. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105262. [PMID: 31706861 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is the main parasitic disease in the Western Hemisphere, with an increasing number of cases, especially in non-endemic regions. The disease is characterized by cardiomegaly and mega viscera, nevertheless, the clinical outcome is hard to predict, underscoring the need for further research into the pathophysiology of CD. Even though most basic and translational research involving CD is performed using in vivo models, in vitro models arise as an ethical, rapidly evolving, and physiologically relevant alternative for CD research. In the present review, we discuss the past and recent in vitro models available to study the host-parasite interface in cardiac and intestinal CD, critically analyzing the possibilities and limitations of state-of-the-art alternatives for the CD host-parasite investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Martins Breyner
- Toxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRA, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Mariana Hecht
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nadjar Nitz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Ester Rose
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
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Vermelho AB, Rodrigues GC, Supuran CT. Why hasn't there been more progress in new Chagas disease drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:145-158. [PMID: 31670987 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1681394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In terms of novel drug discovery, there has been no progress since the 1960s with the same two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, still in use. The complex life cycle, genetic diversity of T. cruzi strains, different sensitivities to the available drugs, as well as little interest from pharmaceutical companies and inadequate methodologies for translating in vitro and in vivo findings to the discovery of new drugs have all contributed to the lack of progress.Areas covered: In this perspective, the authors give discussion to the relevant points connected to the lack of developments in CD drug discovery and provide their expert perspectives.Expert opinion: There are few drugs currently in the preclinical pipeline for the treatment of CD. Only three classes of compounds have been shown to achieve high cure rates in mouse models of infection: nitroimidazoles (fexinidazole), oxaborole DNDi-6148 and proteasome inhibitors (GNF6702). New biomarkers for Chagas' disease are urgently needed for the diagnosis and detection of cure/treatment efficacy. Efforts from academia and pharmaceutical companies are in progress and more intense interaction to accelerate the process of new drugs development is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Beatriz Vermelho
- BIOINOVAR - Biotechnology Laboratories: Biocatalysis, Bioproducts and Bioenergy, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes,Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Giseli Capaci Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Teaching of Sciences, University of Grande Rio, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
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de Oliveira AC, Soccol VT, Rogez H. Prevention methods of foodborne Chagas disease: Disinfection, heat treatment and quality control by RT-PCR. Int J Food Microbiol 2019; 301:34-40. [PMID: 31082698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The most important mode of transmission causing outbreaks of Chagas disease in the Amazon region is the oral route due to the ingestion of contaminated food. Herein, prevention methods for foodborne diseases caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, namely, sanitization, thermal treatment were investigated and the use of reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) amplification for the mRNA-based detection of viable T. cruzi in açai, was developed. Three T. cruzi strains (T. cruzi I, T. cruzi III and Y) were used in the present study. The Amazonian strains T. cruzi I (425) and T. cruzi III (370) showed higher resistance to sodium hypochlorite treatment and heat treatment than the reference strain Y. The blanching of fruits (70 ± 1 °C for 10 s) and pasteurization of juice (82.5 °C for 1 min) efficiently eliminated T. cruzi in food matrices. Additionally, a method that uses RT-PCR amplification of mRNA was developed for the detection of viable T. cruzi in açai, which could play a role in examining food samples, ensuring consumer health, and reducing this foodborne disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Caroline de Oliveira
- Centre for Valorisation of Amazonian Bioactive Compounds (CVACBA), Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral da Ciência km 01, 66.095-780, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Vanete Thomaz Soccol
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Hervé Rogez
- Centre for Valorisation of Amazonian Bioactive Compounds (CVACBA), Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral da Ciência km 01, 66.095-780, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
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3D reconstruction of Trypanosoma cruzi-macrophage interaction shows the recruitment of host cell organelles towards parasitophorous vacuoles during its biogenesis. J Struct Biol 2019; 205:133-146. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Lewis MD, Francisco AF, Jayawardhana S, Langston H, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Imaging the development of chronic Chagas disease after oral transmission. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11292. [PMID: 30050153 PMCID: PMC6062536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Transmission cycles are maintained by haematophagous triatomine bug vectors that carry infective T. cruzi in their faeces. Most human infections are acquired by contamination of mucosal membranes with triatomine faeces after being bitten, however, T. cruzi can be transmitted by several other routes. Oral transmission is an increasingly important aspect of Chagas disease epidemiology, typically involving food or drink products contaminated with triatomines. This has recently caused numerous outbreaks and been linked to unusually severe acute infections. The long-term impact of oral transmission on infection dynamics and disease pathogenesis is unclear. We used highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging and quantitative histopathology to study orally transmitted T. cruzi infections in mice. Both metacyclic and bloodform trypomastigotes were infectious via the oral cavity, but only metacyclics led to established infections by intra-gastric gavage. Mice displayed only mild acute symptoms but later developed significantly increased myocardial collagen content (p = 0.017), indicative of fibrosis. Gastrointestinal tissues and skin were the principal chronic infection reservoirs. Chronic phase parasite load profiles, tissue distribution and myocardial fibrosis severity were comparable to needle-injected controls. Thus, the oral route neither exacerbates nor ameliorates experimental Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Lewis
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Amanda F Francisco
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Langston
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C Taylor
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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de Fuentes-Vicente JA, Gutiérrez-Cabrera AE, Flores-Villegas AL, Lowenberger C, Benelli G, Salazar-Schettino PM, Córdoba-Aguilar A. What makes an effective Chagas disease vector? Factors underlying Trypanosoma cruzi-triatomine interactions. Acta Trop 2018; 183:23-31. [PMID: 29625091 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which infect blood-feeding triatomine bugs to finally reach mammal hosts. Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America, and is ranked among the 13 neglected tropical diseases worldwide. Currently, an estimate of 7 million people is infected by T. cruzi, leading to about 22 000 deaths per year throughout the Americas. As occurs with other vectors, a major question towards control programs is what makes a susceptible bug. In this review, we focus on findings linked to insect gut structure and microbiota, immunity, genetics, blood sources, abiotic factors (with special reference to ambient temperature and altitude) to understand the interactions occurring between T. cruzi and triatomine bugs, under a co-evolutionary scenario. These factors lead to varying fitness benefits and costs for bugs, explaining why infection in the insect takes place and how it varies in time and space. Our analysis highlights that major factors are gut components and microbiota, blood sources and temperature. Although their close interaction has never been clarified, knowledge reviewed here may help to boost the success of triatomine control programs, reducing the use of insecticides.
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Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by infection with the insect-transmitted protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and is the most important parasitic infection in Latin America. The current drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, are characterized by limited efficacy and toxic side-effects, and treatment failures are frequently observed. The urgent need for new therapeutic approaches is being met by a combined effort from the academic and commercial sectors, together with major input from not-for-profit drug development consortia. With the disappointing outcomes of recent clinical trials against chronic Chagas disease, it has become clear that an incomplete understanding of parasite biology and disease pathogenesis is impacting negatively on the development of more effective drugs. In addition, technical issues, including difficulties in establishing parasitological cure in both human patients and animal models, have greatly complicated the assessment of drug efficacy. Here, we outline the major questions that need to be addressed and discuss technical innovations that can be exploited to accelerate the drug development pipeline.
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