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de Sousa MCF, Imhof D, Hänggeli KPA, Choi R, Hulverson MA, Arnold SLM, Van Voorhis WC, Fan E, Roberto SS, Ortega-Mora LM, Hemphill A. Efficacy of the bumped kinase inhibitor BKI-1708 against the cyst-forming apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in vitro and in experimentally infected mice. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100553. [PMID: 38917582 PMCID: PMC11254172 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100553] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are major worldwide morbidity-causing pathogens. Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) are a compound class that has been optimized to target the apicomplexan calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) - and several members of this class have proven to be safe and highly active in vitro and in vivo. BKI-1708 is based on a 5-aminopyrazole-4-carboxamide scaffold, and exhibited in vitro IC50 values of 120 nM for T. gondii and 480 nM for N. caninum β-galactosidase expressing strains, and did not affect human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) viability at concentrations up to 25 μM. Electron microscopy established that exposure of tachyzoite-infected fibroblasts to 2.5 μM BKI-1708 in vitro induced the formation of multinucleated schizont-like complexes (MNCs), characterized by continued nuclear division and harboring newly formed intracellular zoites that lack the outer plasma membrane. These zoites were unable to finalize cytokinesis to form infective tachyzoites. BKI-1708 did not affect zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo development during the first 96 h following egg hatching at concentrations up to 2 μM. Treatments of mice with BKI-1708 at 20 mg/kg/day during five consecutive days resulted in drug plasma levels ranging from 0.14 to 4.95 μM. In vivo efficacy of BKI-1708 was evaluated by oral application of 20 mg/kg/day from day 9-13 of pregnancy in mice experimentally infected with N. caninum (NcSpain-7) tachyzoites or T. gondii (TgShSp1) oocysts. This resulted in significantly decreased cerebral parasite loads and reduced vertical transmission in both models without drug-induced pregnancy interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Ferreira de Sousa
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai Pascal Alexander Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew A Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samuel L M Arnold
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Erkang Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sánchez-Sánchez Roberto
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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Sánchez-Sánchez R, Imhof D, Hecker YP, Ferre I, Re M, Moreno-Gonzalo J, Blanco-Murcia J, Mejías-López E, Hulverson MA, Choi R, Arnold SLM, Ojo KK, Barrett LK, Hemphill A, Van Voorhis WC, Ortega-Mora LM. An Early Treatment With BKI-1748 Exhibits Full Protection Against Abortion and Congenital Infection in Sheep Experimentally Infected With Toxoplasma gondii. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:558-566. [PMID: 37889572 PMCID: PMC10873186 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad470] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis in humans and in other mammalian species, such as small ruminants, is a well-known cause of abortion and fetal malformations. The calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) inhibitor BKI-1748 has shown a promising safety profile for its use in humans and a good efficacy against Toxoplasma gondii infection in vitro and in mouse models. Ten doses of BKI-1748 given every other day orally in sheep at 15 mg/kg did not show systemic or pregnancy-related toxicity. In sheep experimentally infected at 90 days of pregnancy with 1000 TgShSp1 oocysts, the BKI-1748 treatment administered from 48 hours after infection led to complete protection against abortion and congenital infection. In addition, compared to infected/untreated sheep, treated sheep showed a drastically lower rectal temperature increase and none showed IgG seroconversion throughout the study. In conclusion, BKI-1748 treatment in pregnant sheep starting at 48 hours after infection was fully effective against congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Yanina P Hecker
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS, Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michela Re
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno-Gonzalo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Blanco-Murcia
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Mejías-López
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matthew A Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Samuel L M Arnold
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kayode K Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lynn K Barrett
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Müller J, Hemphill A. In vitro screening technologies for the discovery and development of novel drugs against Toxoplasma gondii. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:97-109. [PMID: 37921660 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2276349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis constitutes a challenge for public health, animal production and welfare. Since more than 60 years, only a limited panel of drugs has been in use for clinical applications. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors describe the methodology and the results of library screening approaches to identify inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii and related strains. The authors then provide the reader with their expert perspectives for the future. EXPERT OPINION Various library screening projects, in particular those using reporter strains, have led to the identification of numerous compounds with good efficacy and specificity in vitro. However, only few compounds are effective in suitable animal models such as rodents. Whereas no novel compound has cleared the hurdle to applications in humans, the few compounds with known indication and application profiles in human patients are of interest for further investigations. Taken together, drug repurposing as well as high-throughput screening of novel compound libraries may shorten the way to novel drugs against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Schlange C, Müller J, Imhof D, Hänggeli KPA, Boubaker G, Ortega-Mora LM, Wong HN, Haynes RK, Van Voorhis WC, Hemphill A. Single and combination treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infections with a bumped kinase inhibitor and artemisone in vitro and with artemiside in experimentally infected mice. Exp Parasitol 2023; 255:108655. [PMID: 37981259 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108655] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
In previous studies, the artemisinin derivatives artemisone, its pro-drug artemiside and the bumped-kinase inhibitor BKI-1748 were effective against T. gondii via different modes of action. This suggests that they may act synergistically resulting in improved efficacies in vitro and in vivo. To test this hypothesis, the compounds were applied alone and in combination to T. gondii infected human fibroblast host cells in order to determine their inhibition constants and effects on cellular ultrastructure. In addition, the efficacy of either single- or combined treatments were assessed in an acute TgShSp1-oocyst infection model based on CD1 outbred mice. Whereas the IC50 of the compounds in combination (42 nM) was close to the IC50 of BKI-1748 alone (46 nM) and half of the IC50 of artemisone alone (92 nM), the IC90 of the combination was half of the values found with the single compounds (138 nM vs. ca. 270 nM). Another indication for synergistic effects in vitro were distinct alterations of the cellular ultrastructure of tachyzoites observed in combination, but not with the single compounds. These promising results could not be reproduced in vivo. There was no decrease in number of T. gondii positive brains by either treatment. However, the levels of infection in these brains, i. e. the number of tachyzoites, was significantly decreased upon BKI-1748 treatment alone, and the combination with artemiside did not produce any further decrease. The treatment with artemiside alone had no significant effects. A vertical transmission model could not be established since artemiside strongly interfered with pregnancy and caused abortion. These results show that is difficult to extrapolate from promising in vitro results to the situation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carling Schlange
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai Pascal Alexander Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria S/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ho Ning Wong
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia
| | - Richard K Haynes
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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Müller J, Hemphill A. Toxoplasma gondii infection: novel emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:293-304. [PMID: 37212443 PMCID: PMC10330558 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2217353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasmosis constitutes a challenge for public health, animal production, and welfare. So far, only a limited panel of drugs has been marketed for clinical applications. In addition to classical screening, the investigation of unique targets of the parasite may lead to the identification of novel drugs. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors describe the methodology to identify novel drug targets in Toxoplasma gondii and review the literature with a focus on the last two decades. EXPERT OPINION Over the last two decades, the investigation of essential proteins of T. gondii as potential drug targets has fostered the hope of identifying novel compounds for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Despite good efficacies in vitro, only a few classes of these compounds are effective in suitable rodent models, and none has cleared the hurdle to applications in humans. This shows that target-based drug discovery is in no way better than classical screening approaches. In both cases, off-target effects and adverse side effects in the hosts must be considered. Proteomics-driven analyses of parasite- and host-derived proteins that physically bind drug candidates may constitute a suitable tool to characterize drug targets, irrespectively of the drug discovery methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Ramseier J, Imhof D, Hänggeli KPA, Anghel N, Boubaker G, Beteck RM, Ortega-Mora LM, Haynes RK, Hemphill A. In Vitro versus in Mice: Efficacy and Safety of Decoquinate and Quinoline-O-Carbamate Derivatives against Experimental Infection with Neospora caninum Tachyzoites. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030447. [PMID: 36986369 PMCID: PMC10055983 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of decoquinate (DCQ) and three O-quinoline-carbamate-derivatives were investigated using human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) infected with Neospora caninum tachyzoites. These compounds exhibited half-maximal proliferation inhibition (IC50s) from 1.7 (RMB060) to 60 nM (RMB055). Conversely, when applied at 5 (DCQ, RMB054) or 10µM (RMB055, RMB060), HFF viability was not affected. Treatments of infected cell cultures at 0.5µM altered the ultrastructure of the parasite mitochondrion and cytoplasm within 24 h, most pronounced for RMB060, and DCQ, RMB054 and RMB060 did not impair the viability of splenocytes from naïve mice. Long-term treatments of N. caninum-infected HFF monolayers with 0.5µM of each compound showed that only exposure to RMB060 over a period of six consecutive days had a parasiticidal effect, while the other compounds were not able to kill all tachyzoites in vitro. Thus, DCQ and RMB060 were comparatively assessed in the pregnant neosporosis mouse model. The oral application of these compounds suspended in corn oil at 10 mg/kg/day for 5 d resulted in a decreased fertility rate and litter size in the DCQ group, whereas reproductive parameters were not altered by RMB060 treatment. However, both compounds failed to protect mice from cerebral infection and did not prevent vertical transmission/pup mortality. Thus, despite the promising in vitro efficacy and safety characteristics of DCQ and DCQ-derivatives, proof of concept for activity against neosporosis could not be demonstrated in the murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ramseier
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 30132 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (A.H.)
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 30132 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai Pascal Alexander Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 30132 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicoleta Anghel
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 30132 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 30132 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Richard M. Beteck
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Richard K. Haynes
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 30132 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (A.H.)
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Müller J, Boubaker G, Imhof D, Hänggeli K, Haudenschild N, Uldry AC, Braga-Lagache S, Heller M, Ortega-Mora LM, Hemphill A. Differential Affinity Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry: A Suitable Tool to Identify Common Binding Proteins of a Broad-Range Antimicrobial Peptide Derived from Leucinostatin. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112675. [PMID: 36359195 PMCID: PMC9687860 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Leucinostatins are antimicrobial peptides with a broad range of activities against infectious agents as well as mammalian cells. The leucinostatin-derivative peptide ZHAWOC_6027 (peptide 6027) was tested in vitro and in vivo for activity against the intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. While highly efficacious in vitro (EC50 = 2 nM), subcutaneous application of peptide 6027 (3 mg/kg/day for 5 days) in mice experimentally infected with T. gondii oocysts exacerbated the infection, caused mild clinical signs and elevated cerebral parasite load. Peptide 6027 also impaired the proliferation and viability of mouse splenocytes, most notably LPS-stimulated B cells, in vitro. To identify common potential targets in Toxoplasma and murine splenocytes, we performed differential affinity chromatography (DAC) with cell-free extracts from T. gondii tachyzoites and mouse spleens using peptide 6027 or an ineffective analogue (peptide 21,358) coupled to N-hydroxy-succinimide sepharose, followed by mass spectrometry. Proteins specifically binding to peptide 6027 were identified in eluates from the peptide 6027 column but not in peptide 21,358 nor the mock column eluates. In T. gondii eluates, 269 proteins binding specifically to peptide 6027 were identified, while in eluates from mouse spleen extracts 645 proteins specifically binding to this peptide were detected. Both datasets contained proteins involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism and in protein processing and secretion. These results suggest that peptide 6027 interacts with common targets in eukaryotes involved in essential pathways. Since this methodology can be applied to various compounds as well as target cell lines or organs, DAC combined with mass spectrometry and proteomic analysis should be considered a smart and 3R-relevant way to identify drug targets in pathogens and hosts, thereby eliminating compounds with potential side effects before performing tedious and costly safety and efficacy assessments in animals or humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Noé Haudenschild
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Christine Uldry
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Braga-Lagache
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manfred Heller
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
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Imhof D, Pownall WR, Schlange C, Monney C, Ortega-Mora LM, Ojo KK, Van Voorhis WC, Oevermann A, Hemphill A. Vaccine-Linked Chemotherapy Approach: Additive Effects of Combining the Listeria monocytogenes-Based Vaccine Lm3Dx_NcSAG1 With the Bumped Kinase Inhibitor BKI-1748 Against Neospora caninum Infection in Mice. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:901056. [PMID: 35832325 PMCID: PMC9272043 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.901056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Neospora (N.) caninum causes neosporosis in numerous host species. There is no marketed vaccine and no licensed drug for the prevention and/or treatment of neosporosis. Vaccine development against this parasite has encountered significant obstacles, probably due to pregnancy-induced immunomodulation hampering efficacy, which has stimulated the search for potential drug therapies that could be applied to limit the effects of neosporosis in dams as well as in offspring. We here investigated, in a pregnant neosporosis mouse model, the safety and efficacy of a combined vaccination-drug treatment approach. Mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1 × 107 CFU of our recently generated Listeria (L.) monocytogenes vaccine vector expressing the major N. caninum tachyzoite surface antigen NcSAG1 (Lm3Dx_SAG1). Following mating and experimental subcutaneous infection with 1 × 105 N. caninum (NcSpain-7) tachyzoites on day 7 of pregnancy, drug treatments were initiated using the bumped kinase inhibitor BKI-1748 at 20 mg/kg/day for 5 days. In parallel, other experimental groups were either just vaccinated or only treated. Dams and offspring were followed-up until day 25 post-partum, after which all mice were euthanized. None of the treatments induced adverse effects and neither of the treatments affected fertility or litter sizes. Cerebral infection in dams as assessed by real-time PCR was significantly reduced in the vaccinated and BKI-1748 treated groups, but was not reduced significantly in the group receiving the combination. However, in non-pregnant mice, all three treatment groups exhibited significantly reduced parasite burdens. Both, vaccination as well BKI-1748 as single treatment increased pup survival to 44 and 48%, respectively, while the combination treatment led to survival of 86% of all pups. Vertical transmission in the combination group was 23% compared to 46 and 50% in the groups receiving only BKI-treatment or the vaccine, respectively. In the dams, IgG titers were significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared to the untreated control, while in non-pregnant mice, IgG titers were reduced only in the group receiving the vaccine. Overall, vaccine-linked chemotherapy was more efficacious than vaccination or drug treatment alone and should be considered for further evaluation in a more relevant experimental model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Imhof
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - William Robert Pownall
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Division of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carling Schlange
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Camille Monney
- Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, Division of Neurological Sciences, DCR-VPH, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Anna Oevermann
- Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, Division of Neurological Sciences, DCR-VPH, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Müller J, Anghel N, Imhof D, Hänggeli K, Uldry AC, Braga-Lagache S, Heller M, Ojo KK, Ortega-Mora LM, Van Voorhis WC, Hemphill A. Common Molecular Targets of a Quinolone Based Bumped Kinase Inhibitor in Neospora caninum and Danio rerio. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2381. [PMID: 35216497 PMCID: PMC8879773 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii, and causes abortions, stillbirths and/or fetal malformations in livestock. Target-based drug development has led to the synthesis of calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 inhibitors, collectively named bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs). Previous studies have shown that several BKIs have excellent efficacy against neosporosis in vitro and in vivo. However, several members of this class of compounds impair fertility in pregnant mouse models and cause embryonic malformation in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Similar to the first-generation antiprotozoal drug quinine, some BKIs have a quinoline core structure. To identify common targets in both organisms, we performed differential affinity chromatography with cell-free extracts from N. caninum tachyzoites and D. rerio embryos using the 5-aminopyrazole-4-carboxamide (AC) compound BKI-1748 and quinine columns coupled to epoxy-activated sepharose followed by mass spectrometry. BKI-binding proteins of interest were identified in eluates from columns coupled to BKI-1748, or in eluates from BKI-1748 as well as quinine columns. In N. caninum, 12 proteins were bound specifically to BKI-1748 alone, and 105 proteins, including NcCDPK1, were bound to both BKI-1748 and quinine. For D. rerio, the corresponding numbers were 13 and 98 binding proteins, respectively. In both organisms, a majority of BKI-1748 binding proteins was involved in RNA binding and modification, in particular, splicing. Moreover, both datasets contained proteins involved in DNA binding or modification and key steps of intermediate metabolism. These results suggest that BKI-1748 interacts with not only specific targets in apicomplexans, such as CDPK1, but also with targets in other eukaryotes, which are involved in common, essential pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (J.M.); (N.A.); (D.I.); (K.H.)
| | - Nicoleta Anghel
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (J.M.); (N.A.); (D.I.); (K.H.)
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (J.M.); (N.A.); (D.I.); (K.H.)
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (J.M.); (N.A.); (D.I.); (K.H.)
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Christine Uldry
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (A.-C.U.); (S.B.-L.); (M.H.)
| | - Sophie Braga-Lagache
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (A.-C.U.); (S.B.-L.); (M.H.)
| | - Manfred Heller
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (A.-C.U.); (S.B.-L.); (M.H.)
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (K.K.O.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (K.K.O.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (J.M.); (N.A.); (D.I.); (K.H.)
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10
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Chiurillo MA, Jensen BC, Docampo R. Drug Target Validation of the Protein Kinase AEK1, Essential for Proliferation, Host Cell Invasion, and Intracellular Replication of the Human Pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0073821. [PMID: 34585973 PMCID: PMC8557885 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00738-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is involved in several key biological roles in the complex life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, and protein kinases are potential drug targets. Here, we report that the AGC essential kinase 1 (TcAEK1) exhibits a cytosolic localization and a higher level of expression in the replicative stages of the parasite. A CRISPR/Cas9 editing technique was used to generate ATP analog-sensitive TcAEK1 gatekeeper residue mutants that were selectively and acutely inhibited by bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs). Analysis of a single allele deletion cell line (TcAEK1-SKO), and gatekeeper mutants upon treatment with inhibitor, showed that epimastigote forms exhibited a severe defect in cytokinesis. Moreover, we also demonstrated that TcAEK1 is essential for epimastigote proliferation, trypomastigote host cell invasion, and amastigote replication. We suggest that TcAEK1 is a pleiotropic player involved in cytokinesis regulation in T. cruzi and thus validate TcAEK1 as a drug target for further exploration. The gene editing strategy we applied to construct the ATP analog-sensitive enzyme could be appropriate for the study of other proteins of the T. cruzi kinome. IMPORTANCE Chagas disease affects 6 to 7 million people in the Americas, and its treatment has been limited to drugs with relatively high toxicity and low efficacy in the chronic phase of the infection. New validated targets are needed to combat this disease. In this work, we report the chemical and genetic validation of the protein kinase AEK1, which is essential for cytokinesis and infectivity, using a novel gene editing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Chiurillo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bryan C. Jensen
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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11
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Sánchez-Sánchez R, Ferre I, Re M, Pérez-Arroyo B, Cleofé-Resta D, García VH, Díaz MP, Ferrer LM, Ruiz H, Vallejo-García R, Benavides J, Hulverson MA, Choi R, Whitman GR, Hemphill A, Van Voorhis WC, Ortega-Mora LM. A short-term treatment with BKI-1294 does not protect foetuses from sheep experimentally infected with Neospora caninum tachyzoites during pregnancy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2021; 17:176-185. [PMID: 34655903 PMCID: PMC8526916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The Neospora caninum Calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (NcCDPK1) inhibitor BKI-1294 had demonstrated excellent efficacy in a pregnant mouse model of neosporosis, and was also highly efficacious in a pregnant sheep model of toxoplasmosis. In this work, we present the efficacy of BKI-1294 treatment (dosed 5 times orally every 48 h) starting 48 h after intravenous infection of sheep with 105 Nc-Spain7 tachyzoites at mid-pregnancy. In the dams, BKI-1294 plasma concentrations were above the IC50 for N. caninum for 12-15 days. In treated sheep, when they were compared to untreated ones, we observed a minor increase in rectal temperature, higher IFNγ levels after blood stimulation in vitro, and a minor increase of IgG levels against N. caninum soluble antigens through day 28 post-infection. Additionally, the anti-NcSAG1 and anti-NcSAG4 IgGs were lower in treated dams on days 21 and 42 post-infection. However, BKI-1294 did not protect against abortion (87% foetal mortality in both infected groups, treated and untreated) and did not reduce transplacental transmission, parasite load or lesions in placentomes and foetal brain. The lack of foetal protection was likely caused by short systemic exposure in the dams and suboptimal foetal exposure to this parasitostatic drug, which was unable to reduce replication of the likely established N. caninum tachyzoites in the foetus at the moment of treatment. New BKIs with a very low plasma clearance and good ability to cross the blood-brain and placental barriers need to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michela Re
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain; Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bárbara Pérez-Arroyo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Darío Cleofé-Resta
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victor Herrero García
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Pizarro Díaz
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ferrer
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, C/ Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Hector Ruiz
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, C/ Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain
| | - Matthew A Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 98109-4766, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 98109-4766, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Grant R Whitman
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 98109-4766, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 98109-4766, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Anghel N, Imhof D, Winzer P, Balmer V, Ramseier J, Haenggeli K, Choi R, Hulverson MA, Whitman GR, Arnold SL, Ojo KK, Van Voorhis WC, Doggett JS, Ortega-Mora LM, Hemphill A. Endochin-like quinolones (ELQs) and bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs): Synergistic and additive effects of combined treatments against Neospora caninum infection in vitro and in vivo. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 17:92-106. [PMID: 34482255 PMCID: PMC8416643 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum is an important causative agent of congenital neosporosis, resulting in abortion, birth of weak offspring and neuromuscular disorders in cattle, sheep, and many other species. Among several compound classes that are currently being developed, two have been reported to limit the effects of congenital neosporosis: (i) bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) target calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1), an enzyme that is encoded by an apicoplast-derived gene and found only in apicomplexans and plants. CDPK1 is essential for host cell invasion and egress; (ii) endochin-like quinolones (ELQs) are inhibitors of the cytochrome bc1 complex of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and thus inhibit oxidative phosphorylation. We here report on the in vitro and in vivo activities of BKI-1748, and of ELQ-316 and its respective prodrugs ELQ-334 and ELQ-422, applied either as single-compounds or ELQ-BKI-combinations. In vitro, BKI-1748 and ELQ-316, as well as BKI-1748 and ELQ-334, acted synergistically, while this was not observed for the BKI-1748/ELQ-422 combination treatment. In a N. caninum-infected pregnant BALB/c mouse model, the synergistic effects observed in vitro were not entirely reproduced, but 100% postnatal survival and 100% inhibition of vertical transmission was noted in the group treated with the BKI-1748/ELQ-334 combination. In addition, the combined drug applications resulted in lower neonatal mortality compared to treatments with single drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoleta Anghel
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland,Corresponding author. Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Winzer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vreni Balmer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Ramseier
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai Haenggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew A. Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Grant R. Whitman
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samuel L.M. Arnold
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA,Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA,Departments of Global Health and Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J. Stone Doggett
- VA Portland Health Care System, Research and Development Service, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Luis M. Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland,Corresponding author.
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13
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Imhof D, Anghel N, Winzer P, Balmer V, Ramseier J, Hänggeli K, Choi R, Hulverson MA, Whitman GR, Arnold SLM, Ojo KK, Van Voorhis WC, Doggett JS, Ortega-Mora LM, Hemphill A. In vitro activity, safety and in vivo efficacy of the novel bumped kinase inhibitor BKI-1748 in non-pregnant and pregnant mice experimentally infected with Neospora caninum tachyzoites and Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 16:90-101. [PMID: 34030110 PMCID: PMC8144743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) target the apicomplexan calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1). BKI-1748, a 5-aminopyrazole-4-carboxamide compound when added to fibroblast cells concomitantly to the time of infection, inhibited proliferation of apicomplexan parasites at EC50s of 165 nM (Neospora caninum) and 43 nM (Toxoplasma gondii). Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy showed that addition of 2.5 μM BKI-1748 to infected HFF monolayers transformed parasites into multinucleated schizont-like complexes (MNCs) containing newly formed zoites, which were unable to separate and form infective tachyzoites or undergo egress. In zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo development assays, no embryonic impairment was detected within 96 h at BKI-1748 concentrations up to 10 μM. In pregnant mice, BKI-1748 applied at days 9-13 of pregnancy at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day was safe and no pregnancy interference was observed. The efficacy of BKI-1748 was assessed in standardized pregnant mouse models infected with N. caninum (NcSpain-7) tachyzoites or T. gondii (TgShSp1) oocysts. In both models, treatments resulted in increased pup survival and profound inhibition of vertical transmission. However, in dams and non-pregnant mice, BKI-1748 treatments resulted in significantly decreased cerebral parasite loads only in T. gondii infected mice. In the T. gondii-model, ocular infection was detected in 10 out of 12 adult mice of the control group, but only in 3 out of 12 mice in the BKI-1748-treated group. Thus, TgShSp1 oocyst infection is a suitable model to study both cerebral and ocular infection by T. gondii. BKI-1748 represents an interesting candidate for follow-up studies on neosporosis and toxoplasmosis in larger animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Nicoleta Anghel
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Winzer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vreni Balmer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Ramseier
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew A Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Grant R Whitman
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samuel L M Arnold
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kayode K Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Departments of Global Health and Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J Stone Doggett
- VA Portland Health Care System, Research and Development Service, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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14
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Van Voorhis WC, Hulverson MA, Choi R, Huang W, Arnold SLM, Schaefer DA, Betzer DP, Vidadala RSR, Lee S, Whitman GR, Barrett LK, Maly DJ, Riggs MW, Fan E, Kennedy TJ, Tzipori S, Doggett JS, Winzer P, Anghel N, Imhof D, Müller J, Hemphill A, Ferre I, Sanchez-Sanchez R, Ortega-Mora LM, Ojo KK. One health therapeutics: Target-Based drug development for cryptosporidiosis and other apicomplexa diseases. Vet Parasitol 2020; 289:109336. [PMID: 33418437 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This is a review of the development of bumped-kinase inhibitors (BKIs) for the therapy of One Health parasitic apicomplexan diseases. Many apicomplexan infections are shared between humans and livestock, such as cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis, as well as livestock only diseases such as neosporosis. We have demonstrated proof-of-concept for BKI therapy in livestock models of cryptosporidiosis (newborn calves infected with Cryptosporidium parvum), toxoplasmosis (pregnant sheep infected with Toxoplasma gondii), and neosporosis (pregnant sheep infected with Neospora caninum). We discuss the potential uses of BKIs for the treatment of diseases caused by apicomplexan parasites in animals and humans, and the improvements that need to be made to further develop BKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
| | - Matthew A Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Wenlin Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Samuel L M Arnold
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Deborah A Schaefer
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Dana P Betzer
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Rama S R Vidadala
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Sangun Lee
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Grant R Whitman
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Lynn K Barrett
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Dustin J Maly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael W Riggs
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Erkang Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | | | - Saul Tzipori
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - J Stone Doggett
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Pablo Winzer
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicoleta Anghel
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- Saluvet, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Sanchez-Sanchez
- Saluvet, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- Saluvet, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kayode K Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
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Winzer P, Imhof D, Anghel N, Ritler D, Müller J, Boubaker G, Aguado-Martinez A, Ortega-Mora LM, Ojo KK, VanVoorhis WC, Hemphill A. The Impact of BKI-1294 Therapy in Mice Infected With the Apicomplexan Parasite Neospora caninum and Re-infected During Pregnancy. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:587570. [PMID: 33195616 PMCID: PMC7593410 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.587570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure of Neospora caninum tachyzoites to BKI-1294 in vitro results in the formation of long-lived multinucleated complexes (MNCs). However, in vivo treatment of BALB/c mice with BKI-1294 shortly after N. caninum infection during pregnancy was safe and profoundly reduced pup mortality and vertical transmission. We hypothesized that the formation of MNCs could trigger immune responses that contribute to BKI efficacy in vivo. In this study, mice were first vaccinated with a sublethal dose of N. caninum tachyzoites and were treated with BKI-1294. We then investigated the effects of these treatments after mating and re-infection during pregnancy. Effects on fertility, pup survival, vertical transmission, and parasite load in dams were evaluated. Cytokines in sera or splenocyte culture supernatants were assessed by either ELISA or the Luminex™ 200 system, and humoral immune responses against tachyzoite and MNC antigens were compared by ELISA, Western blotting and immunoproteomics. Our results showed that BKI-1294 treatment of live-vaccinated mice reduced the cerebral parasite load in the dams, but resulted in higher neonatal pup mortality and vertical transmission. In live-vaccinated mice, cytokine levels, most notably IFN-y, IL-10, and IL-12, were consistently lower in BKI-1294 treated animals compared to non-treated mice. In addition, comparative Western blotting identified two protein bands in MNC extracts that were only recognized by sera of live-vaccinated mice treated with BKI-1294, and were not found in tachyzoite extracts. We conclude that treatment of live-vaccinated mice with BKI-1294 influenced the cellular and humoral immune responses against infection, affected the safety of the live-vaccine, and decreased protection against re-infection and vertical transmission during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Winzer
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicoleta Anghel
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Ritler
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- Saluvet, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kayode K Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Wesley C VanVoorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Departments of Global Health and Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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16
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Anghel N, Winzer PA, Imhof D, Müller J, Langa X, Rieder J, Barrett LK, Vidadala RSR, Huang W, Choi R, Hulverson MA, Whitman GR, Arnold SL, Van Voorhis WC, Ojo KK, Maly DJ, Fan E, Hemphill A. Comparative assessment of the effects of bumped kinase inhibitors on early zebrafish embryo development and pregnancy in mice. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2020; 56:106099. [PMID: 32707170 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) are effective against a variety of apicomplexan parasites. Fifteen BKIs with promising in vitro efficacy against Neospora caninum tachyzoites, low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, and no toxic effects in non-pregnant BALB/c mice were assessed in pregnant mice. Drugs were emulsified in corn oil and were applied by gavage for 5 days. Five BKIs did not affect pregnancy, five BKIs exhibited ~15-35% neonatal mortality and five compounds caused strong effects (infertility, abortion, stillbirth and pup mortality). Additionally, the impact of these compounds on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo development was assessed by exposing freshly fertilised eggs to 0.2-50 μM of BKIs and microscopic monitoring of embryo development in a blinded manner for 4 days. We propose an algorithm that includes quantification of malformations and embryo deaths, and established a scoring system that allows the calculation of an impact score (Si) indicating at which concentrations BKIs visibly affect zebrafish embryo development. Comparison of the two models showed that for nine compounds no clear correlation between Si and pregnancy outcome was observed. However, the three BKIs affecting zebrafish embryos only at high concentrations (≥40 μM) did not impair mouse pregnancy at all, and the three compounds that inhibited zebrafish embryo development already at 0.2 μM showed detrimental effects in the pregnancy model. Thus, the zebrafish embryo development test has limited predictive value to foresee pregnancy outcome in BKI-treated mice. We conclude that maternal health-related factors such as cardiovascular, pharmacokinetic and/or bioavailability properties also contribute to BKI-pregnancy effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoleta Anghel
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pablo A Winzer
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Langa
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, CH-3000 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Rieder
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI), Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lynn K Barrett
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Wenlin Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Mathew A Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Grant R Whitman
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Samuel L Arnold
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kayode K Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Dustin J Maly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Erkang Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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17
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Winzer P, Müller J, Imhof D, Ritler D, Uldry AC, Braga-Lagache S, Heller M, Ojo KK, Van Voorhis WC, Ortega-Mora LM, Hemphill A. Neospora caninum: Differential Proteome of Multinucleated Complexes Induced by the Bumped Kinase Inhibitor BKI-1294. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060801. [PMID: 32466554 PMCID: PMC7355844 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: the apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum causes important reproductive problems in farm animals, most notably in cattle. After infection via oocysts or tissue cysts, rapidly dividing tachyzoites infect various tissues and organs, and in immunocompetent hosts, they differentiate into slowly dividing bradyzoites, which form tissue cysts and constitute a resting stage persisting within infected tissues. Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) of calcium dependent protein kinase 1 are promising drug candidates for the treatment of Neospora infections. BKI-1294 exposure of cell cultures infected with N. caninum tachyzoites results in the formation of massive multinucleated complexes (MNCs) containing numerous newly formed zoites, which remain viable for extended periods of time under drug pressure in vitro. MNC and tachyzoites exhibit considerable antigenic and structural differences. Methods: Using shotgun mass spectrometry, we compared the proteomes of tachyzoites to BKI-1294 induced MNCs, and analyzed the mRNA expression levels of selected genes in both stages. Results: More than half of the identified proteins are downregulated in MNCs as compared to tachyzoites. Only 12 proteins are upregulated, the majority of them containing SAG1 related sequence (SRS) domains, and some also known to be expressed in bradyzoites Conclusions: MNCs exhibit a proteome different from tachyzoites, share some bradyzoite-like features, but may constitute a third stage, which remains viable and ensures survival under adverse conditions such as drug pressure. We propose the term “baryzoites” for this stage (from Greek βαρυσ = massive, bulky, heavy, inert).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Winzer
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (P.W.); (D.I.); (D.R.)
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (P.W.); (D.I.); (D.R.)
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (A.H.); Tel.: +41-31-631-23-84 (A.H.); Fax: +41-31-631-24-76 (A.H.)
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (P.W.); (D.I.); (D.R.)
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Ritler
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (P.W.); (D.I.); (D.R.)
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Christine Uldry
- Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Berne, Freiburgstrasse 15, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland; (A.-C.U.); (S.B.-L.); (M.H.)
| | - Sophie Braga-Lagache
- Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Berne, Freiburgstrasse 15, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland; (A.-C.U.); (S.B.-L.); (M.H.)
| | - Manfred Heller
- Proteomics & Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Berne, Freiburgstrasse 15, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland; (A.-C.U.); (S.B.-L.); (M.H.)
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (K.K.O.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (K.K.O.); (W.C.V.V.)
| | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (P.W.); (D.I.); (D.R.)
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (A.H.); Tel.: +41-31-631-23-84 (A.H.); Fax: +41-31-631-24-76 (A.H.)
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18
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Neospora caninum: Structure and Fate of Multinucleated Complexes Induced by the Bumped Kinase Inhibitor BKI-1294. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050382. [PMID: 32429314 PMCID: PMC7281336 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) are potential drugs for neosporosis treatment in farm animals. BKI-1294 exposure results in the formation of multinucleated complexes (MNCs), which remain viable in vitro under constant drug pressure. We investigated the formation of BKI-1294 induced MNCs, the re-emergence of viable tachyzoites following drug removal, and the localization of CDPK1, the molecular target of BKIs. Methods: N. caninum tachyzoites and MNCs were studied by TEM and immunofluorescence using antibodies directed against CDPK1, and against NcSAG1 and IMC1 as markers for tachyzoites and newly formed zoites, respectively. Results: After six days of drug exposure, MNCs lacked SAG1 surface expression but remained intracellular, and formed numerous zoites incapable of disjoining from each other. Following drug removal, proliferation continued, and zoites lacking NcSAG1 emerged from the periphery of these complexes, forming infective tachyzoites after 10 days. In intracellular tachyzoites, CDPK1 was evenly distributed but shifted towards the apical part once parasites were extracellular. This shift was not affected by BKI-1294. Conclusions: CDPK1 has a dynamic distribution depending on whether parasites are located within a host cell or outside. During MNC-to-tachyzoite reconversion newly formed tachyzoites are generated directly from MNCs through zoites of unknown surface antigen composition. Further in vivo studies are needed to determine if MNCs could lead to a persistent reservoir of infection after BKI treatment.
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19
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Sánchez-Sánchez R, Vázquez P, Ferre I, Ortega-Mora LM. Treatment of Toxoplasmosis and Neosporosis in Farm Ruminants: State of Knowledge and Future Trends. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 18:1304-1323. [PMID: 30277158 PMCID: PMC6340160 DOI: 10.2174/1568026618666181002113617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are closely related protozoan diseases that lead to important economic impacts in farm ruminants. Toxoplasma gondii infection mainly causes reproductive failure in small ruminants and is a widespread zoonosis, whereas Neospora caninum infection is one of the most important causes of abortion in cattle worldwide. Vaccination has been considered the most economic measure for controlling these diseases. However, despite vaccine development efforts, only a live-attenuated T. gondii vaccine has been licensed for veterinary use, and no promising vaccines against ne-osporosis have been developed; therefore, vaccine development remains a key goal. Additionally, drug therapy could be a valuable strategy for disease control in farm ruminants, as several drugs that limit T. gondii and N. caninum proliferation and dissemination have been evaluated. This approach may also be relevant to performing an initial drug screening for potential human therapy for zoonotic parasites. Treat-ments can be applied against infections in adult ruminants to minimize the outcomes of a primo-infection or the reactivation of a chronic infection during gestation or in newborn ruminants to avoid infection chronification. In this review, the current status of drug development against toxoplasmosis and neosporo-sis in farm ruminants is presented, and in an effort to promote additional treatment options, prospective drugs that have shown efficacy in vitro and in laboratory animal models of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are examined
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Vázquez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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20
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Anghel N, Balmer V, Müller J, Winzer P, Aguado-Martinez A, Roozbehani M, Pou S, Nilsen A, Riscoe M, Doggett JS, Hemphill A. Endochin-Like Quinolones Exhibit Promising Efficacy Against Neospora Caninum in vitro and in Experimentally Infected Pregnant Mice. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:285. [PMID: 30510935 PMCID: PMC6252379 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on the efficacy of selected endochin-like quinolones (ELQs) against N. caninum tachyzoites grown in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), and in a pregnant BALB/c mouse model. Fourteen ELQs were screened against transgenic N. caninum tachyzoites expressing β-galactosidase (Nc-βgal). Drugs were added concomitantly to infection and the values for 50% proliferation inhibition (IC50) were determined after 3 days. Three compounds exhibited IC50 values below 0.1 nM, 3 ELQs had IC50s between 0.1 and 1 nM, for 7 compounds values between 1 and 10 nM were noted, and one compound had an IC50 of 22.4 nM. Two compounds, namely ELQ-316 and its prodrug ELQ-334 with IC50s of 0.66 and 3.33 nM, respectively, were previously shown to display promising activities against experimental toxoplasmosis and babesiosis caused by Babesia microti in mice, and were thus further studied. They were assessed in long-term treatment assays by exposure of infected HFF to ELQs at 0.5 μM concentration, starting 3 h after infection and lasting for up to 17 days followed by release of drug pressure. Results showed that the compounds substantially delayed parasite proliferation, but did not exert parasiticidal activities. TEM of drug treated parasites detected distinct alterations within the parasite mitochondria, but not in other parasite organelles. Assessment of safety of ELQ-334 in the pregnant mouse model showed that the compound did not interfere in fertility or pregnancy outcome. In N. caninum infected pregnant mice treated with ELQ-334 at 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days, neonatal mortality (within 2 days post partum) was found in 7 of 44 pups (15.9%), but no postnatal mortality was noted, and vertical transmission was reduced by 49% compared to the placebo group, which exhibited 100% vertical transmission, neonatal mortality in 15 of 34 pups (44%), and postnatal mortality for 18 of the residual 19 pups during the 4 weeks follow-up. These findings encourage more research on the use of ELQs for therapeutic options against N. caninum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoleta Anghel
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vreni Balmer
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Winzer
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Mona Roozbehani
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sovitj Pou
- VA Portland Health Care System Research and Development Service, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Aaron Nilsen
- VA Portland Health Care System Research and Development Service, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Michael Riscoe
- VA Portland Health Care System Research and Development Service, Portland, OR, United States
| | - J Stone Doggett
- VA Portland Health Care System Research and Development Service, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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21
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In vitro treatment of Besnoitia besnoiti with the naphto-quinone buparvaquone results in marked inhibition of tachyzoite proliferation, mitochondrial alterations and rapid adaptation of tachyzoites to increased drug concentrations. Parasitology 2018; 146:112-120. [PMID: 29921336 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018000975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We here assessed the in vitro efficacy of the naptho-quinone buparvaquone (BPQ) against Besnoitia besnoiti tachyzoites in vitro. BPQ is currently licensed for the treatment of theileriosis in cattle in many countries, but not in the EU. In 4-day treatment assays, BPQ massively impaired tachyzoite proliferation with an IC50 of 10 ± 3 nm, and virtually complete inhibition was obtained in the presence of nm BPQ. Exposure to 1 µm BPQ leads to ultrastructural changes affecting initially the mitochondrial matrix and the cristae. After 96 h, most parasites were largely distorted, filled with cytoplasmic amylopectin granules and vacuoles containing components of unknown composition. Host cell mitochondria did not appear to be notably affected by the drug. However, upon prolonged exposure (14-16 days) to increased BPQ concentrations, B. besnoiti tachyzoites exhibited the capacity to adapt, and they resumed proliferation at dosages of up to 10 µm BPQ, albeit at a lower rate. These BPQ-adapted parasites maintained this lower susceptibility to BPQ treatment after freeze-thawing, and inspection by the transmission electron microscopy revealed that they underwent proliferation in the absence of structurally intact mitochondria.
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22
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Sánchez-Sánchez R, Ferre I, Re M, Vázquez P, Ferrer LM, Blanco-Murcia J, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Pizarro Díaz M, González-Huecas M, Tabanera E, García-Lunar P, Benavides J, Castaño P, Hemphill A, Hulverson MA, Whitman GR, Rivas KL, Choi R, Ojo KK, Barrett LK, Van Voorhis WC, Ortega-Mora LM. Safety and efficacy of the bumped kinase inhibitor BKI-1553 in pregnant sheep experimentally infected with Neospora caninum tachyzoites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:112-124. [PMID: 29501973 PMCID: PMC6114101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is one of the main causes of abortion in cattle, and recent studies have highlighted its relevance as an abortifacient in small ruminants. Vaccines or drugs for the control of neosporosis are lacking. Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs), which are ATP-competitive inhibitors of calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1), were shown to be highly efficacious against several apicomplexan parasites in vitro and in laboratory animal models. We here present the pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of BKI-1553 in pregnant ewes and foetuses using a pregnant sheep model of N. caninum infection. BKI-1553 showed exposure in pregnant ewes with trough concentrations of approximately 4 μM, and of 1 μM in foetuses. Subcutaneous BKI-1553 administration increased rectal temperatures shortly after treatment, and resulted in dermal nodules triggering a slight monocytosis after repeated doses at short intervals. BKI-1553 treatment decreased fever in infected pregnant ewes already after two applications, resulted in a 37–50% reduction in foetal mortality, and modulated immune responses; IFNγ levels were increased early after infection and IgG levels were reduced subsequently. N. caninum was abundantly found in placental tissues; however, parasite detection in foetal brain tissue decreased from 94% in the infected/untreated group to 69–71% in the treated groups. In summary, BKI-1553 confers partial protection against abortion in a ruminant experimental model of N. caninum infection during pregnancy. In addition, reduced parasite detection, parasite load and lesions in foetal brains were observed. BKI-1553 showed excellent exposure in pregnant ewes and foetuses. BKI-1553 confers partial protection against abortion in N. caninum infected ewes. Treatment reduces parasite detection, parasite load and lesions in foetal brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Michela Re
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Vázquez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ferrer
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria C/ Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Blanco-Murcia
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Pizarro Díaz
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta González-Huecas
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Tabanera
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula García-Lunar
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Livestock Health and Production Institute (ULE-CSIC), 24346, León, Spain
| | - Pablo Castaño
- Livestock Health and Production Institute (ULE-CSIC), 24346, León, Spain
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Matthew A Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Grant R Whitman
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kasey L Rivas
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kayode K Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lynn K Barrett
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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23
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Müller J, Aguado-Martínez A, Ortega-Mora LM, Moreno-Gonzalo J, Ferre I, Hulverson MA, Choi R, McCloskey MC, Barrett LK, Maly DJ, Ojo KK, Van Voorhis W, Hemphill A. Development of a murine vertical transmission model for Toxoplasma gondii oocyst infection and studies on the efficacy of bumped kinase inhibitor (BKI)-1294 and the naphthoquinone buparvaquone against congenital toxoplasmosis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2017; 72:2334-2341. [PMID: 28486633 PMCID: PMC5890665 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkx134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Establishment of a mouse model for congenital toxoplasmosis based on oral infection with oocysts from Toxoplasma gondii ME49 and its application for investigating chemotherapeutic options against congenital toxoplasmosis. Methods CD1 mice were mated, orally infected with 5, 25, 100, 500 or 2000 oocysts and monitored for clinical signs and survival of dams and pups until 4 weeks post partum . The parasite burden in infected mice was quantified by real-time PCR in lungs, brains and, in the case of surviving pups, also in eyes. Seroconversion was assessed by ELISA. T. gondii cysts in brain were identified by immunofluorescence. In a second experiment, pregnant CD1 mice challenged with 20 oocysts/mouse were treated with buparvaquone or the calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 inhibitor bumped kinase inhibitor (BKI)-1294 and the outcome of infection was analysed. Results T. gondii DNA was detected in the brain of all infected animals, irrespective of the infection dose. Seroconversion occurred at 3 weeks post-infection. Most pups born to infected dams died within 1 week post partum , but a small fraction survived until the end of the experiment. T. gondii DNA was detected in the brain of all survivors and half of them exhibited ocular infection. Chemotherapy with both compounds led to dramatically increased numbers of surviving pups and reduced cerebral infection. Most efficient were treatments with BKI-1294, with 100% survivors and only 7% brain-positive pups. Conclusions BKI-1294 and buparvaquone exert excellent activities against transplacental transmission in pregnant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Adriana Aguado-Martínez
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno-Gonzalo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Matthew A. Hulverson
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ryan Choi
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Molly C. McCloskey
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lynn K. Barrett
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dustin J. Maly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wes Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
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24
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Müller J, Aguado A, Laleu B, Balmer V, Ritler D, Hemphill A. In vitro screening of the open source Pathogen Box identifies novel compounds with profound activities against Neospora caninum. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:801-809. [PMID: 28751177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle and represents an important veterinary health problem of great economic significance. The Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Pathogen Box, an open-source collection of 400 compounds with proven anti-infective properties against a wide range of pathogens, was screened against a N. caninum beta-galactosidase reporter strain grown in human foreskin fibroblasts. A primary screening carried out at 1µM yielded 40 compounds that were effective against N. caninum tachyzoites. However, 30 of these compounds also affected the viability of the host cells. The 10 remaining compounds exhibited IC50 values between 4 and 43nM. Three compounds with IC50 values below 10nM, namely MMV676602, MMV688762 and MMV671636, were further characterized in vitro in more detail with respect to inhibition of invasion versus intracellular proliferation, and only MMV671636 had an impact on intracellular proliferation of tachyzoites. This was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, showing that the primary target of MMV671636 was the mitochondrion. MMV671636 treatment of experimentally infected mice significantly reduced the number of animals with lung and brain infection, and these mice also exhibited a significantly reduced titer of antibodies directed against N. caninum antigens. Thus, MMV671636 is a promising starting point for the development of a future neosporosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Müller
- Institute for Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Adriana Aguado
- Institute for Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), PO Box 1826, 20, Route de Pré-Bois, 1215 Geneva 15, Switzerland
| | - Vreni Balmer
- Institute for Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dominic Ritler
- Institute for Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute for Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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