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Sifaoui I, Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Reyes-Batlle M, Sutak R, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Amoebicidal Effect of COVID Box Molecules against Acanthamoeba: A Study of Cell Death. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:808. [PMID: 38931475 PMCID: PMC11206913 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060808] [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: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp. can cause a sight threatening disease. At present, the current treatments used to treat Acanthamoeba spp. Infections, such as biguanide-based antimicrobials, remain inefficacious, with the appearance of resistant forms and high cytotoxicity to host cells. In this study, an initial screening was conducted against Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff and murine macrophages J774A.1 using alamarBlue™. Among the 160 compounds included in the cited box, 90% exhibited an inhibition of the parasite above 80%, while only 18.75% of the compounds inhibited the parasite with a lethality towards murine macrophage lower than 20%. Based on the amoebicidal activity, the cytotoxicity assay, and availability, Terconazole was chosen for the elucidation of the action mode in two clinical strains, Acanthamoeba culbertsoni and Acanthamoeba castellanii L10. A fluorescence image-based system and proteomic techniques were used to investigate the effect of the present azole on the cytoskeleton network and various programmed cell death features, including chromatin condensation and mitochondria dysfunction. Taking all the results together, we can suggest that Terconazole can induce programmed cell death (PCD) via the inhibition of sterol biosynthesis inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación on Biomédica En Red (CIBER), Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rubén L. Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación on Biomédica En Red (CIBER), Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación on Biomédica En Red (CIBER), Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Robert Sutak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic;
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación on Biomédica En Red (CIBER), Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (I.S.); (R.L.R.-E.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación on Biomédica En Red (CIBER), Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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Arbon D, Mach J, Čadková A, Sipkova A, Stursa J, Klanicová K, Machado M, Ganter M, Levytska V, Sojka D, Truksa J, Werner L, Sutak R. Chelation of Mitochondrial Iron as an Antiparasitic Strategy. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:676-687. [PMID: 38287902 PMCID: PMC10862539 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00529] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Iron, as an essential micronutrient, plays a crucial role in host-pathogen interactions. In order to limit the growth of the pathogen, a common strategy of innate immunity includes withdrawing available iron to interfere with the cellular processes of the microorganism. Against that, unicellular parasites have developed powerful strategies to scavenge iron, despite the effort of the host. Iron-sequestering compounds, such as the approved and potent chelator deferoxamine (DFO), are considered a viable option for therapeutic intervention. Since iron is heavily utilized in the mitochondrion, targeting iron chelators in this organelle could constitute an effective therapeutic strategy. This work presents mitochondrially targeted DFO, mitoDFO, as a candidate against a range of unicellular parasites with promising in vitro efficiency. Intracellular Leishmania infection can be cleared by this compound, and experimentation with Trypanosoma brucei 427 elucidates its possible mode of action. The compound not only affects iron homeostasis but also alters the physiochemical properties of the inner mitochondrial membrane, resulting in a loss of function. Furthermore, investigating the virulence factors of pathogenic yeasts confirms that mitoDFO is a viable candidate for therapeutic intervention against a wide spectrum of microbe-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Arbon
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty
of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mach
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty
of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
| | - Aneta Čadková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty
of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Sipkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty
of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Stursa
- Institute
of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
- Laboratory
of Clinical Pathophysiology, Diabetes Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Videnska 1958/9, 140 21 Prague, Czech
Republic
| | - Kristýna Klanicová
- Institute
of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Machado
- Graduate
Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology, Instituto de Ciências
Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade
do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
- Centre for
Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg
University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Markus Ganter
- Centre for
Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg
University Hospital, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Viktoriya Levytska
- Institute
of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, České Budějovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute
of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 1160/31, České Budějovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Truksa
- Institute
of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Werner
- Institute
of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
- Laboratory
of Clinical Pathophysiology, Diabetes Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Videnska 1958/9, 140 21 Prague, Czech
Republic
| | - Robert Sutak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty
of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec 25250, Czech Republic
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Rodríguez-Expósito RL, Sifaoui I, Reyes-Batlle M, Fuchs F, Scheid PL, Piñero JE, Sutak R, Lorenzo-Morales J. Induction of Programmed Cell Death in Acanthamoeba culbertsoni by the Repurposed Compound Nitroxoline. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2081. [PMID: 38136200 PMCID: PMC10740438 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12122081] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acanthamoeba is a ubiquitous genus of amoebae that can act as opportunistic parasites in both humans and animals, causing a variety of ocular, nervous and dermal pathologies. Despite advances in Acanthamoeba therapy, the management of patients with Acanthamoeba infections remains a challenge for health services. Therefore, there is a need to search for new active substances against Acanthamoebae. In the present study, we evaluated the amoebicidal activity of nitroxoline against the trophozoite and cyst stages of six different strains of Acanthamoeba. The strain A. griffini showed the lowest IC50 value in the trophozoite stage (0.69 ± 0.01 µM), while the strain A. castellanii L-10 showed the lowest IC50 value in the cyst stage (0.11 ± 0.03 µM). In addition, nitroxoline induced in treated trophozoites of A. culbertsoni features compatibles with apoptosis and autophagy pathways, including chromatin condensation, mitochondrial malfunction, oxidative stress, changes in cell permeability and the formation of autophagic vacuoles. Furthermore, proteomic analysis of the effect of nitroxoline on trophozoites revealed that this antibiotic induced the overexpression and the downregulation of proteins involved in the apoptotic process and in metabolic and biosynthesis pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén L. Rodríguez-Expósito
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ines Sifaoui
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - María Reyes-Batlle
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Frieder Fuchs
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany;
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Central Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Patrick L. Scheid
- Parasitology Lab., Central Military Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
- Department of Biology, Working Group Parasitology and Infection Biology, University Koblenz, 56070 Koblenz, Germany
| | - José E. Piñero
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Robert Sutak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, S/N, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (R.L.R.-E.); (I.S.); (M.R.-B.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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Ibrahim MK, Haria A, Mehta NV, Degani MS. Antimicrobial potential of quaternary phosphonium salt compounds: a review. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:2113-2141. [PMID: 37929337 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0188] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Given that mitochondrial dysregulation is a biomarker of many cancers, cationic quaternary phosphonium salt (QPS) conjugation is a widely utilized strategy for anticancer drug design. QPS-conjugated compounds exhibit greater cell permeation and accumulation in negatively charged mitochondria, and thus, show enhanced activity. Phylogenetic similarities between mitochondria and bacteria have provided a rationale for exploring the antibacterial properties of mitochondria-targeted compounds. Additionally, due to the importance of mitochondria in the survival of pathogenic microbes, including fungi and parasites, this strategy can be extended to these organisms as well. This review examines recent literature on the antimicrobial activities of various QPS-conjugated compounds and provides future directions for exploring the medicinal chemistry of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahin K Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
| | - Akash Haria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
| | - Namrashee V Mehta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mariam S Degani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Mumbai, 400019, Maharashtra, India
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Jamabo M, Mahlalela M, Edkins AL, Boshoff A. Tackling Sleeping Sickness: Current and Promising Therapeutics and Treatment Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12529. [PMID: 37569903 PMCID: PMC10420020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the extracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, and targeted for eradication by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the lengthening of the proposed time frame for eliminating human African trypanosomiasis as control programs were interrupted. Armed with extensive antigenic variation and the depletion of the B cell population during an infectious cycle, attempts to develop a vaccine have remained unachievable. With the absence of a vaccine, control of the disease has relied heavily on intensive screening measures and the use of drugs. The chemotherapeutics previously available for disease management were plagued by issues such as toxicity, resistance, and difficulty in administration. The approval of the latest and first oral drug, fexinidazole, is a major chemotherapeutic achievement for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis in the past few decades. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, while poor compliance and resistance remain outstanding challenges. Drug discovery is on-going, and herein we review the recent advances in anti-trypanosomal drug discovery, including novel potential drug targets. The numerous challenges associated with disease eradication will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miebaka Jamabo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Maduma Mahlalela
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
| | - Adrienne L. Edkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Biotechnology Research Centre (BioBRU), Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa;
| | - Aileen Boshoff
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South Africa; (M.J.); (M.M.)
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Mitochondria in Cryptococcus: an update of mitochondrial transcriptional regulation in Cryptococcus. Curr Genet 2023; 69:1-6. [PMID: 36729179 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-023-01261-7] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulated Cryptococcus species are responsible for approximately 15% of AIDS-related mortality. Numerous intriguing investigations have demonstrated that mitochondria play a crucial role in the pathogen-host axis of microorganisms. Mitochondria are vital energy-generating organelles, but they also regulate a variety of cellular activities, such as fungal adaptability in the host and drug resistance. Mitochondria are also the source of reactive oxygen species, which serve as intracellular messengers but are harmful when produced in excess. Thus, precise and stringent regulation of mitochondrial activity, including oxidative phosphorylation and the ROS detoxification process, is essential to ensure that only the amount required to maintain basic biological activities and prevent ROS toxicity in the cell is maintained. However, the relationship between mitochondria and the pathogenicity of Cryptococcus remains poorly understood. In this review, we focus on transcription regulation and maintenance of mitochondrial function along the pathogen-host interaction axis, as well as prospective antifungal strategies that target mitochondria.
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