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Martinez-Castillo M, Ramírez-Rico G, Shibayama M, de la Garza M, Serrano-Luna J. Lactoferrin and Lysozyme Inhibit the Proteolytic Activity and Cytopathic Effect of Naegleria fowleri Enzymes. Pathogens 2024; 13:44. [PMID: 38251351 PMCID: PMC10819050 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a ubiquitous free-living amoeba that causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. As a part of the innate immune response at the mucosal level, the proteins lactoferrin (Lf) and lysozyme (Lz) are secreted and eliminate various microorganisms. We demonstrate that N. fowleri survives the individual and combined effects of bovine milk Lf (bLf) and chicken egg Lz (cLz). Moreover, amoebic proliferation was not altered, even at 24 h of co-incubation with each protein. Trophozoites' ultrastructure was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy, and these proteins did not significantly alter their organelles and cytoplasmic membranes. Protease analysis using gelatin-zymograms showed that secreted proteases of N. fowleri were differentially modulated by bLf and cLz at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The bLf and cLz combination resulted in the inhibition of N. fowleri-secreted proteases. Additionally, the use of protease inhibitors on bLf-zymograms demonstrated that secreted cysteine proteases participate in the degradation of bLf. Nevertheless, the co-incubation of trophozoites with bLf and/or cLz reduced the cytopathic effect on the MDCK cell line. Our study suggests that bLf and cLz, alone or together, inhibited secreted proteases and reduced the cytopathic effect produced by N. fowleri; however, they do not affect the viability and proliferation of the trophozoites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moises Martinez-Castillo
- Liver, Pancreas and Motility Laboratory, Unit of Research in Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
| | - Gerardo Ramírez-Rico
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (G.R.-R.); (M.d.l.G.)
- Faculty of Professional Studies Cuautitlan, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Mexico City 54714, Mexico
| | - Mineko Shibayama
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Mireya de la Garza
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (G.R.-R.); (M.d.l.G.)
| | - Jesús Serrano-Luna
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (G.R.-R.); (M.d.l.G.)
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Rodríguez-Mera IB, Carrasco-Yépez MM, Vásquez-Moctezuma I, Correa-Basurto J, Salinas GR, Castillo-Ramírez DA, Rosales-Cruz É, Rojas-Hernández S. Role of cathepsin B of Naegleria fowleri during primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3287-3303. [PMID: 36125528 PMCID: PMC9485797 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07660-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in humans and experimental animals. It has been suggested that cysteine proteases of parasites play key roles in metabolism, nutrient uptake, host tissue invasion, and immune evasion. The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence, expression, and role of cathepsin B from N. fowleri in vitro and during PAM. Rabbit-specific polyclonal antibodies against cathepsin B were obtained from rabbit immunization with a synthetic peptide obtained by bioinformatic design. In addition, a probe was designed from mRNA for N. fowleri cathepsin B. Both protein and messenger were detected in fixed trophozoites, trophozoites interacted with polymorphonuclear and histological sections of infected mice. The main cathepsin B distribution was observed in cytoplasm or membrane mainly pseudopods and food-cups while messenger was in nucleus and cytoplasm. Surprisingly, both the messenger and enzyme were observed in extracellular medium. To determine cathepsin B release, we used trophozoites supernatant recovered from nasal passages or brain of infected mice. We observed the highest release in supernatant from recovered brain amoebae, and when we analyzed molecular weight of secreted proteins by immunoblot, we found 30 and 37 kDa bands which were highly immunogenic. Finally, role of cathepsin B during N. fowleri infection was determined; we preincubated trophozoites with E-64, pHMB or antibodies with which we obtained 60%, 100%, and 60% of survival, respectively, in infected mice. These results suggest that cathepsin B plays a role during pathogenesis caused by N. fowleri mainly in adhesion and contributes to nervous tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itzel Berenice Rodríguez-Mera
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Salvador Díaz Mirón Esq. Plan de San Luis S/N, Miguel Hidalgo, Casco de Santo Tomas, Ciudad de México, CDMX, 11340, México
| | - María Maricela Carrasco-Yépez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Ambiental, Estado de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Grupo CyMA, UIICSE, FES Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz, México
| | - Ismael Vásquez-Moctezuma
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - José Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular y Diseño de Fármacos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - Gema Ramírez- Salinas
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular y Diseño de Fármacos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - Diego Arturo Castillo-Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Salvador Díaz Mirón Esq. Plan de San Luis S/N, Miguel Hidalgo, Casco de Santo Tomas, Ciudad de México, CDMX, 11340, México
| | - Érika Rosales-Cruz
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - Saúl Rojas-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Salvador Díaz Mirón Esq. Plan de San Luis S/N, Miguel Hidalgo, Casco de Santo Tomas, Ciudad de México, CDMX, 11340, México.
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Reyes-López M, Ramírez-Rico G, Serrano-Luna J, de la Garza M. Activity of Apo-Lactoferrin on Pathogenic Protozoa. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081702. [PMID: 36015327 PMCID: PMC9414845 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites and other eventually pathogenic organisms require the ability to adapt to different environmental conditions inside the host to assure survival. Some host proteins have evolved as defense constituents, such as lactoferrin (Lf), which is part of the innate immune system. Lf in its iron-free form (apo-Lf) and its peptides obtained by cleavage with pepsin are microbicides. Parasites confront Lf in mucosae and blood. In this work, the activity of Lf against pathogenic and opportunistic parasites such as Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Plasmodium spp., Babesia spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas spp., and the free-living but opportunistic pathogens Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba castellani were reviewed. The major effects of Lf could be the inhibition produced by sequestering the iron needed for their survival and the production of oxygen-free radicals to more complicated mechanisms, such as the activation of macrophages to phagocytes with the posterior death of those parasites. Due to the great interest in Lf in the fight against pathogens, it is necessary to understand the exact mechanisms used by this protein to affect their virulence factors and to kill them.
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Retana Moreira L, Steller Espinoza MF, Chacón Camacho N, Cornet-Gomez A, Sáenz-Arce G, Osuna A, Lomonte B, Abrahams Sandí E. Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by a Clinical Isolate of Naegleria fowleri and Identification of Immunogenic Components within Their Protein Cargo. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:983. [PMID: 36101365 PMCID: PMC9312180 DOI: 10.3390/biology11070983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid vesicles released by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, involved in intercellular communication, immunomodulation and pathogenesis. In this study, we performed a characterization of the EVs produced by trophozoites of a clinical isolate of the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri). Size distribution, zeta potential, protein profile and protease activity were analyzed. Under our incubation conditions, EVs of different sizes were observed, with a predominant population ranging from 206 to 227 nm. SDS-PAGE revealed protein bands of 25 to 260 KDa. The presence of antigenic proteins was confirmed by Western blot, which evidenced strongest recognition by rat polyclonal antibodies raised against N. fowleri in the region close to 80 KDa and included peptidases, as revealed by zymography. Proteins in selected immunorecognized bands were further identified using nano-ESI-MS/MS. A preliminary proteomic profile of the EVs identified at least 184 proteins as part of the vesicles' cargo. Protease activity assays, in combination with the use of inhibitors, revealed the predominance of serine proteases. The present characterization uncovers the complexity of EVs produced by N. fowleri, suggesting their potential relevance in the release of virulence factors involved in pathogenicity. Owing to their cargo's diversity, further research on EVs could reveal new therapeutic targets or biomarkers for developing rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for lethal infections such as the one caused by this amoeba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissette Retana Moreira
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (M.F.S.E.); (N.C.C.); (E.A.S.)
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica
| | - María Fernanda Steller Espinoza
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (M.F.S.E.); (N.C.C.); (E.A.S.)
| | - Natalia Chacón Camacho
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (M.F.S.E.); (N.C.C.); (E.A.S.)
| | - Alberto Cornet-Gomez
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular (CTS 183), Departamento de Parasitología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.C.-G.); (A.O.)
| | | | - Antonio Osuna
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular (CTS 183), Departamento de Parasitología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.C.-G.); (A.O.)
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica;
| | - Elizabeth Abrahams Sandí
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (M.F.S.E.); (N.C.C.); (E.A.S.)
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501, Costa Rica
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Ramírez-Rico G, Martinez-Castillo M, Avalos-Gómez C, de la Garza M. Bovine apo-lactoferrin affects the secretion of proteases in Mannheimia haemolytica A2. Access Microbiol 2021; 3:000269. [PMID: 34816089 PMCID: PMC8604176 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mannheimia haemolytica serotype A2 is the main bacterial causative agent of ovine mannheimiosis, a disease that leads to substantial economic losses for livestock farmers. Several virulence factors allow M. haemolytica to colonize the lungs and establish infection. Virulence factors can be directly secreted into the environment by bacteria but are also released through outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). In addition, due to the abuse of antibiotics in the treatment of this disease, multidrug-resistant bacterial strains of M. haemolytica have emerged. One therapeutic alternative to antibiotics or an adjuvant to be used in combination with antibiotics could be lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional cationic glycoprotein of the mammalian innate immune system to which no bacterial resistance has been reported. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of bovine iron-free Lf (apo-BLf) on the production and secretion of proteases into culture supernatant (CS) and on their release in OMVs. Zymography assays showed that addition of sub-MIC concentrations of apo-BLf to M. haemolytica cultures inhibited protease secretion without affecting culture growth. Biochemical characterization revealed that these proteases were mainly cysteine- and metalloproteases. The secretion of a 100 kDa metalloprotease was inhibited by sub-MIC concentrations of apo-BLf since this protease was present in the cytoplasm and OMVs but not in CS proteins, as corroborated by Western blotting. On the other hand, proteases produced by M. haemolytica caused cleavage of apo-BLf. However, when Lf is cleaved, peptides known as lactoferricins, which are more bactericidal than natural Lf, can be produced. M. haemolytica A2 protease-mediated degradation of host tissue proteins could be an important virulence factor during the infectious process of pneumonia in ovines. The mechanism of M. haemolytica protease secretion could be inhibited by treatment with apo-BLf in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Ramírez-Rico
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, CdMx 07360, Mexico.,Present address: Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Km 2.5 Carretera Cuautitlán-Teoloyucan, Cuautitlán Izcalli, 54714, Mexico
| | - Moises Martinez-Castillo
- Laboratorio de Hígado, Páncreas y Motilidad (HIPAM). Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM. Hospital General de México, Col Doctores, CdMx 06726, Mexico
| | - Christian Avalos-Gómez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, CdMx 07360, Mexico
| | - Mireya de la Garza
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN 2508, CdMx 07360, Mexico
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Sarink MJ, van der Meijs NL, Denzer K, Koenderman L, Tielens AGM, van Hellemond JJ. Three encephalitis-causing amoebae and their distinct interactions with the host. Trends Parasitol 2021; 38:230-245. [PMID: 34758928 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba spp. can cause devastating brain infections in humans which almost always result in death. The symptoms of the three infections overlap, but brain inflammation and the course of the disease differ, depending on the amoeba that is responsible. Understanding the differences between these amoebae can result in the development of strategies to prevent and treat these infections. Recently, numerous scientific advancements have been made in the understanding of pathogenicity mechanisms in general, and the basic biology, epidemiology, and the human immune response towards these amoebae in particular. In this review, we combine this knowledge and aim to identify which factors can explain the differences between the lethal brain infections caused by N. fowleri, B. mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J Sarink
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia L van der Meijs
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kristin Denzer
- Center for Translational Immunology (CTI), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leo Koenderman
- Center for Translational Immunology (CTI), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aloysius G M Tielens
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Güémez A, García E. Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri: Pathogenesis and Treatments. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091320. [PMID: 34572533 PMCID: PMC8469197 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that is commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba." This parasite can invade the central nervous system (CNS), causing an acute and fulminating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is characterized by low morbidity, it has shown a mortality rate of 98%, usually causing death in less than two weeks after the initial exposure. This review summarizes the most recent information about N. fowleri, its pathogenic molecular mechanisms, and the neuropathological processes implicated. Additionally, this review includes the main therapeutic strategies described in case reports and preclinical studies, including the possible use of immunomodulatory agents to decrease neurological damage.
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Maciver SK, McLaughlin PJ, Apps DK, Piñero JE, Lorenzo-Morales J. Opinion: Iron, Climate Change and the ‘Brain Eating Amoeba’ Naegleria fowleri. Protist 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2020.125791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Arbon D, Ženíšková K, Mach J, Grechnikova M, Malych R, Talacko P, Sutak R. Adaptive iron utilization compensates for the lack of an inducible uptake system in Naegleria fowleri and represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007759. [PMID: 32555641 PMCID: PMC7326272 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is a single-cell organism living in warm freshwater that can become a deadly human pathogen known as a brain-eating amoeba. The condition caused by N. fowleri, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, is usually a fatal infection of the brain with rapid and severe onset. Iron is a common element on earth and a crucial cofactor for all living organisms. However, its bioavailable form can be scarce in certain niches, where it becomes a factor that limits growth. To obtain iron, many pathogens use different machineries to exploit an iron-withholding strategy that has evolved in mammals and is important to host-parasite interactions. The present study demonstrates the importance of iron in the biology of N. fowleri and explores the plausibility of exploiting iron as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. We used different biochemical and analytical methods to explore the effect of decreased iron availability on the cellular processes of the amoeba. We show that, under iron starvation, nonessential, iron-dependent, mostly cytosolic pathways in N. fowleri are downregulated, while the metal is utilized in the mitochondria to maintain vital respiratory processes. Surprisingly, N. fowleri fails to respond to acute shortages of iron by inducing the reductive iron uptake system that seems to be the main iron-obtaining strategy of the parasite. Our findings suggest that iron restriction may be used to slow the progression of infection, which may make the difference between life and death for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Arbon
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Ženíšková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mach
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Grechnikova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ronald Malych
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Talacko
- BIOCEV proteomics core facility, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Sutak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
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Martínez-Castillo M, Cárdenas-Guerra RE, Arroyo R, Debnath A, Rodríguez MA, Sabanero M, Flores-Sánchez F, Navarro-Garcia F, Serrano-Luna J, Shibayama M. Nf-GH, a glycosidase secreted by Naegleria fowleri, causes mucin degradation: an in vitro and in vivo study. Future Microbiol 2017; 12:781-799. [PMID: 28608712 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM The aim of this work was to identify, characterize and evaluate the pathogenic role of mucinolytic activity released by Naegleria fowleri. MATERIALS & METHODS Zymograms, protease inhibitors, anion exchange chromatography, MALDI-TOF-MS, enzymatic assays, Western blot, and confocal microscopy were used to identify and characterize a secreted mucinase; inhibition assays using antibodies, dot-blots and mouse survival tests were used to evaluate the mucinase as a virulence factor. RESULTS A 94-kDa protein with mucinolytic activity was inducible and abolished by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. MALDI-TOF-MS identified a glycoside hydrolase. Specific antibodies against N. fowleri-glycoside hydrolase inhibit cellular damage and MUC5AC degradation, and delay mouse mortality. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that secretory products from N. fowleri play an important role in mucus degradation during the invasion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Martínez-Castillo
- Department of Infectomics & Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Rosa Elena Cárdenas-Guerra
- Department of Infectomics & Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Rossana Arroyo
- Department of Infectomics & Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery & Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mario Alberto Rodríguez
- Department of Infectomics & Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Myrna Sabanero
- Department of Biology, University of Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N, Noria Alta, Guanajuato 36050, Mexico
| | - Fernando Flores-Sánchez
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Fernando Navarro-Garcia
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Jesús Serrano-Luna
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Mineko Shibayama
- Department of Infectomics & Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research & Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
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Martínez-Castillo M, Cárdenas-Zúñiga R, Coronado-Velázquez D, Debnath A, Serrano-Luna J, Shibayama M. Naegleria fowleri after 50 years: is it a neglected pathogen? J Med Microbiol 2016; 65:885-896. [PMID: 27381464 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been 50 years since the first case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an acute and rapidly fatal disease of the central nervous system (CNS), was reported in Australia. It is now known that the aetiological agent of PAM is Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that is commonly known as 'the brain-eating amoeba'. N. fowleri infects humans of different ages who are in contact with water contaminated with this micro-organism. N. fowleri is distributed worldwide and is found growing in bodies of freshwater in tropical and subtropical environments. The number of PAM cases has recently increased, and the rate of recovery from PAM has been estimated at only 5 %. Amphotericin B has been used to treat patients with PAM. However, it is important to note that there is no specific treatment for PAM. Moreover, this amoeba is considered a neglected micro-organism. Researchers have exerted great effort to design effective drugs to treat PAM and to understand the pathogenesis of PAM over the past 50 years, such as its pathology, molecular and cellular biology, diagnosis and prevention, and its biological implications, including its pathogenic genotypes, its distribution and its ecology. Given the rapid progression of PAM and its high mortality rate, it is important that investigations continue and that researchers collaborate to gain better understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease and, consequently, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating infection of the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Martínez-Castillo
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Roberto Cárdenas-Zúñiga
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Daniel Coronado-Velázquez
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jesús Serrano-Luna
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Mineko Shibayama
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
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