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Bisio MMC, Jurado Medina LS, García-Bournissen F, Gulin JEN. Listen to what the animals say: a systematic review and meta-analysis of sterol 14-demethylase inhibitor efficacy for in vivo models of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:248. [PMID: 38904688 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08257-3] [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: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Sterol 14-demethylase (CYP51) inhibitors, encompassing new chemical entities and repurposed drugs, have emerged as promising candidates for Chagas disease treatment, based on preclinical studies reporting anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity. Triazoles like ravuconazole (RAV) and posaconazole (POS) progressed to clinical trials. Unexpectedly, their efficacy was transient in chronic Chagas disease patients, and their activity was not superior to benznidazole (BZ) treatment. This paper aims to summarize evidence on the global activity of CYP51 inhibitors against T. cruzi by applying systematic review strategies, risk of bias assessment, and meta-analysis from in vivo studies. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for original articles, obtaining fifty-six relevant papers meeting inclusion criteria. Characteristics of animal models, parasite strain, treatment schemes, and cure rates were extracted. Primary outcomes such as maximum parasitaemia values, survival, and parasitological cure were recorded for meta-analysis, when possible. The risk of bias was uncertain in most studies. Animals treated with itraconazole, RAV, or POS survived significantly longer than the infected non-treated groups (RR = 4.85 [3.62, 6.49], P < 0.00001), and they showed no differences with animals treated with positive control drugs (RR = 1.01 [0.98, 1.04], P = 0.54). Furthermore, the overall analysis showed that RAV or POS was not likely to achieve parasitological cure when compared with BZ or NFX treatment (OD = 0.49 [0.31, 0.77], P = 0.002). This systematic review contributes to understanding why the azoles had failed in clinical trials and, more importantly, how to improve the animal models of T. cruzi infection by filling the gaps between basic, translational, and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita María Catalina Bisio
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología (INP) 'Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben'-ANLIS 'Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán', Buenos Aires, Argentina. Av. Paseo Colón 568, C1097, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Smeldy Jurado Medina
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Mediche E Chirurgiche, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università Di Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 2 Floor, 55. 40126, BO. Bologna, Italy
| | - Facundo García-Bournissen
- Division of Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, 800 Commissioners Rd. E., Rm. B1-437., London, ON, Canada
| | - Julián Ernesto Nicolás Gulin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 (C1428ADN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), UBA-CONICET, Paraguay 2155 (C1121ABG), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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2
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Trometer N, Pecourneau J, Feng L, Navarro-Huerta JA, Lazarin-Bidóia D, de Oliveira Silva Lautenschlager S, Maes L, Fortes Francisco A, Kelly JM, Meunier B, Cal M, Mäser P, Kaiser M, Davioud-Charvet E. Synthesis and Anti-Chagas Activity Profile of a Redox-Active Lead 3-Benzylmenadione Revealed by High-Content Imaging. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1808-1838. [PMID: 38606978 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00137] [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] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a neglected tropical disease which is a top priority target of the World Health Organization. The disease, endemic mainly in Latin America, is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and has spread around the globe due to human migration. There are multiple transmission routes, including vectorial, congenital, oral, and iatrogenic. Less than 1% of patients have access to treatment, relying on two old redox-active drugs that show poor pharmacokinetics and severe adverse effects. Hence, the priorities for the next steps of R&D include (i) the discovery of novel drugs/chemical classes, (ii) filling the pipeline with drug candidates that have new mechanisms of action, and (iii) the pressing need for more research and access to new chemical entities. In the present work, we first identified a hit (4a) with a potent anti-T. cruzi activity from a library of 3-benzylmenadiones. We then designed a synthetic strategy to build a library of 49 3-(4-monoamino)benzylmenadione derivatives via reductive amination to obtain diazacyclic benz(o)ylmenadiones. Among them, we identified by high content imaging an anti-amastigote "early lead" 11b (henceforth called cruzidione) revealing optimized pharmacokinetic properties and enhanced specificity. Studies in a yeast model revealed that a cruzidione metabolite, the 3-benzoylmenadione (cruzidione oxide), enters redox cycling with the NADH-dehydrogenase, generating reactive oxygen species, as hypothesized for the early hit (4a).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Trometer
- UMR7042 CNRS-Unistra-UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bio(in)organic & Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jérémy Pecourneau
- UMR7042 CNRS-Unistra-UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bio(in)organic & Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Liwen Feng
- UMR7042 CNRS-Unistra-UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bio(in)organic & Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - José A Navarro-Huerta
- UMR7042 CNRS-Unistra-UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bio(in)organic & Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Danielle Lazarin-Bidóia
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, CEP 87020-900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sueli de Oliveira Silva Lautenschlager
- Laboratório de Inovação Tecnológica no Desenvolvimento de Fármacos e Cosméticos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, CEP 87020-900 Paraná, Brazil
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, CDE-S7.27 Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Brigitte Meunier
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91198 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France
| | - Monica Cal
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersgraben 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersgraben 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersgraben 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Davioud-Charvet
- UMR7042 CNRS-Unistra-UHA, Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire et Applications (LIMA), Bio(in)organic & Medicinal Chemistry Team, European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials (ECPM), 25, rue Becquerel, F-67087 Strasbourg, France
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3
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Olmo F, Jayawardhana S, Khan AA, Langston HC, Francisco AF, Atherton RL, Ward AI, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Lewis MD. A panel of phenotypically and genotypically diverse bioluminescent:fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi strains as a resource for Chagas disease research. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012106. [PMID: 38820564 PMCID: PMC11168640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that displays considerable genetic diversity. Infections result in a range of pathological outcomes, and different strains can exhibit a wide spectrum of anti-parasitic drug tolerance. The genetic determinants of infectivity, virulence and therapeutic susceptibility remain largely unknown. As experimental tools to address these issues, we have generated a panel of bioluminescent:fluorescent parasite strains that cover the diversity of the T. cruzi species. These reporters allow spatio-temporal infection dynamics in murine models to be monitored in a non-invasive manner by in vivo imaging, provide a capability to detect rare infection foci at single-cell resolution, and represent a valuable resource for investigating virulence and host:parasite interactions at a mechanistic level. Importantly, these parasite reporter strains can also contribute to the Chagas disease drug screening cascade by ensuring that candidate compounds have pan-species in vivo activity prior to being advanced into clinical testing. The parasite strains described in this paper are available on request.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Archie A. Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry C. Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard L. Atherton
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Wang F, Xue Y, Pei Y, Yin M, Sun Z, Zhou Z, Liu J, Liu Q. Construction of luciferase-expressing Neospora caninum and drug screening. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:118. [PMID: 38459572 PMCID: PMC10921786 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06195-8] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite that is particularly responsible for abortions in cattle and neuromuscular disease in dogs. Due to the limited effectiveness of currently available drugs, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches to control neosporosis. Luciferase-based assays are potentially powerful tools in the search for antiprotozoal compounds, permitting the development of faster and more automated assays. The aim of this study was to construct a luciferase-expressing N. caninum and evaluate anti-N. caninum drugs. METHODS Luciferase-expressing N. caninum (Nc1-Luc) was constructed using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9). After testing the luciferase expression and phenotype of the Nc1-Luc strains, the drug sensitivity of Nc1-Luc strains was determined by treating them with known positive or negative drugs and calculating the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). The selective pan-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (pan-RAF) inhibitor TAK-632 was then evaluated for anti-N. caninum effects using Nc1-Luc by luciferase activity reduction assay and other in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS The phenotypes and drug sensitivity of Nc1-Luc strains were consistent with those of the parental strains Nc1, and Nc1-Luc strains can be used to determine the IC50 for anti-N. caninum drugs. Using the Nc1-Luc strains, TAK-632 showed promising activity against N. caninum, with an IC50 of 0.6131 μM and a selectivity index (SI) of 62.53. In vitro studies demonstrated that TAK-632 inhibited the invasion, proliferation, and division of N. caninum tachyzoites. In vivo studies showed that TAK-632 attenuated the virulence of N. caninum in mice and significantly reduced the parasite burden in the brain. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, a luciferase-expressing N. caninum strain was successfully constructed, which provides an effective tool for drug screening and related research on N. caninum. In addition, TAK-632 was found to inhibit the growth of N. caninum, which could be considered as a candidate lead compound for new therapeutics for neosporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yangfei Xue
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yanqun Pei
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Meng Yin
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhepeng Sun
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zihui Zhou
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jing Liu
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qun Liu
- National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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5
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Zingales B, Macedo AM. Fifteen Years after the Definition of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs: What Have We Learned? Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2339. [PMID: 38137940 PMCID: PMC10744745 DOI: 10.3390/life13122339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan causative of Chagas disease (ChD), exhibits striking genetic and phenotypic intraspecific diversity, along with ecoepidemiological complexity. Human-pathogen interactions lead to distinct clinical presentations of ChD. In 2009, an international consensus classified T. cruzi strains into six discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI to TcVI, later including TcBat, and proposed reproducible genotyping schemes for DTU identification. This article aims to review the impact of classifying T. cruzi strains into DTUs on our understanding of biological, ecoepidemiological, and pathogenic aspects of T. cruzi. We will explore the likely origin of DTUs and the intrinsic characteristics of each group of strains concerning genome organization, genomics, and susceptibility to drugs used in ChD treatment. We will also provide an overview of the association of DTUs with mammalian reservoirs, and summarize the geographic distribution, and the clinical implications, of prevalent specific DTUs in ChD patients. Throughout this review, we will emphasize the crucial roles of both parasite and human genetics in defining ChD pathogenesis and chemotherapy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zingales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréa M. Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil;
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6
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González S, Wall RJ, Thomas J, Braillard S, Brunori G, Díaz IC, Cantizani J, Carvalho S, Castañeda Casado P, Chatelain E, Cotillo I, Fiandor JM, Francisco AF, Grimsditch D, Keenan M, Kelly JM, Kessler A, Luise C, Lyon JJ, MacLean L, Marco M, Martin JJ, Martinez MS, Paterson C, Read KD, Santos-Villarejo A, Zuccotto F, Wyllie S, Miles TJ, De Rycker M. Short-course combination treatment for experimental chronic Chagas disease. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadg8105. [PMID: 38091410 PMCID: PMC7615676 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg8105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people in the Americas and across the world, leading to considerable morbidity and mortality. Current treatment options, benznidazole (BNZ) and nifurtimox, offer limited efficacy and often lead to adverse side effects because of long treatment durations. Better treatment options are therefore urgently required. Here, we describe a pyrrolopyrimidine series, identified through phenotypic screening, that offers an opportunity to improve on current treatments. In vitro cell-based washout assays demonstrate that compounds in the series are incapable of killing all parasites; however, combining these pyrrolopyrimidines with a subefficacious dose of BNZ can clear all parasites in vitro after 5 days. These findings were replicated in a clinically predictive in vivo model of chronic Chagas disease, where 5 days of treatment with the combination was sufficient to prevent parasite relapse. Comprehensive mechanism of action studies, supported by ligand-structure modeling, show that compounds from this pyrrolopyrimidine series inhibit the Qi active site of T. cruzi cytochrome b, part of the cytochrome bc1 complex of the electron transport chain. Knowledge of the molecular target enabled a cascade of assays to be assembled to evaluate selectivity over the human cytochrome b homolog. As a result, a highly selective and efficacious lead compound was identified. The combination of our lead compound with BNZ rapidly clears T. cruzi parasites, both in vitro and in vivo, and shows great potential to overcome key issues associated with currently available treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia González
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Richard J. Wall
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - John Thomas
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | | | - Juan Cantizani
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Carvalho
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | - Ignacio Cotillo
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose M. Fiandor
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - John M. Kelly
- London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Albane Kessler
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Chiara Luise
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Lorna MacLean
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Maria Marco
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Julio Martin
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Christy Paterson
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Kevin D. Read
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Fabio Zuccotto
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Tim J. Miles
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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7
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Francisco AF, Sousa GR, Vaughan M, Langston H, Khan A, Jayawardhana S, Taylor MC, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Cardiac Abnormalities in a Predictive Mouse Model of Chagas Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:1364. [PMID: 38003828 PMCID: PMC10674564 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) results from infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is a prevalent cause of heart disease in endemic countries. We previously found that cardiac fibrosis can vary widely in C3H/HeN mice chronically infected with T. cruzi JR strain, mirroring the spectrum of heart disease in humans. In this study, we examined functional cardiac abnormalities in this host:parasite combination to determine its potential as an experimental model for CCC. We utilised electrocardiography (ECG) to monitor T. cruzi-infected mice and determine whether ECG markers could be correlated with cardiac function abnormalities. We found that the C3H/HeN:JR combination frequently displayed early onset CCC indicators, such as sinus bradycardia and right bundle branch block, as well as prolonged PQ, PR, RR, ST, and QT intervals in the acute stage. Our model exhibited high levels of cardiac inflammation and enhanced iNOS expression in the acute stage, but denervation did not appear to have a role in pathology. These results demonstrate the potential of the C3H/HeN:JR host:parasite combination as a model for CCC that could be used for screening new compounds targeted at cardiac remodelling and for examining the potential of antiparasitic drugs to prevent or alleviate CCC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Giovane R. Sousa
- Harvard Medical School, Section on Immunobiology, Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Mhairi Vaughan
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Harry Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Archie Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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8
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Dean DA, Roach J, Ulrich vonBargen R, Xiong Y, Kane SS, Klechka L, Wheeler K, Jimenez Sandoval M, Lesani M, Hossain E, Katemauswa M, Schaefer M, Harris M, Barron S, Liu Z, Pan C, McCall LI. Persistent Biofluid Small-Molecule Alterations Induced by Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Are Not Restored by Parasite Elimination. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2173-2189. [PMID: 37883691 PMCID: PMC10842590 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00261] [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] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) protozoa, is a complicated parasitic illness with inadequate medical measures for diagnosing infection and monitoring treatment success. To address this gap, we analyzed changes in the metabolome of T. cruzi-infected mice via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry of clinically accessible biofluids: saliva, urine, and plasma. Urine was the most indicative of infection status across mouse and parasite genotypes. Metabolites perturbed by infection in urine include kynurenate, acylcarnitines, and threonylcarbamoyladenosine. Based on these results, we sought to implement urine as a tool for the assessment of CD treatment success. Strikingly, it was found that mice with parasite clearance following benznidazole antiparasitic treatment had an overall urine metabolome comparable to that of mice that failed to clear parasites. These results provide a complementary hypothesis to explain clinical trial data in which benznidazole treatment did not improve patient outcomes in late-stage disease, even in patients with successful parasite clearance. Overall, this study provides insights into new small-molecule-based CD diagnostic methods and a new approach to assess functional responses to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danya A. Dean
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Jarrod Roach
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | | | - Yi Xiong
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Shelley S. Kane
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - London Klechka
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Kate Wheeler
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | | | - Mahbobeh Lesani
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Ekram Hossain
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Mitchelle Katemauswa
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Miranda Schaefer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Morgan Harris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Sayre Barron
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Zongyuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Chongle Pan
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
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9
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Jayawardhana S, Ward AI, Francisco AF, Lewis MD, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Olmo F. Benznidazole treatment leads to DNA damage in Trypanosoma cruzi and the persistence of rare widely dispersed non-replicative amastigotes in mice. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011627. [PMID: 37956215 PMCID: PMC10681306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Benznidazole is the front-line drug used to treat infections with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. However, for reasons that are unknown, treatment failures are common. When we examined parasites that survived benznidazole treatment in mice using highly sensitive in vivo and ex vivo bioluminescence imaging, we found that recrudescence is not due to persistence of parasites in a specific organ or tissue that preferentially protects them from drug activity. Surviving parasites are widely distributed and located in host cells where the vast majority contained only one or two amastigotes. Therefore, infection relapse does not arise from a small number of intact large nests. Rather, persisters are either survivors of intracellular populations where co-located parasites have been killed, or amastigotes in single/low-level infected cells exist in a state where they are less susceptible to benznidazole. To better assess the nature of parasite persisters, we exposed infected mammalian cell monolayers to a benznidazole regimen that reduces the intracellular amastigote population to <1% of the pre-treatment level. Of host cells that remained infected, as with the situation in vivo, the vast majority contained only one or two surviving intracellular amastigotes. Analysis, based on non-incorporation of the thymidine analogue EdU, revealed these surviving parasites to be in a transient non-replicative state. Furthermore, treatment with benznidazole led to widespread parasite DNA damage. When the small number of parasites which survive in mice after non-curative treatment were assessed using EdU labelling, this revealed that these persisters were also initially non-replicative. A possible explanation could be that triggering of the T. cruzi DNA damage response pathway by the activity of benznidazole metabolites results in exit from the cell cycle as parasites attempt DNA repair, and that metabolic changes associated with non-proliferation act to reduce drug susceptibility. Alternatively, a small percentage of the parasite population may pre-exist in this non-replicative state prior to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda F. Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Jones KM, Zhan B, Ernste KJ, Villar MJ, Bisht N, Nguyen D, Chang LY, Poveda C, Robinson GJ, Trivedi AJ, Hofferek CJ, Decker WK, Konduri V. Immunomodulatory proteins from hookworms reduce cardiac inflammation and modulate regulatory responses in a mouse model of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. FRONTIERS IN PARASITOLOGY 2023; 2:1244604. [PMID: 38239430 PMCID: PMC10795693 DOI: 10.3389/fpara.2023.1244604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Hookworms are parasitic helminths that secrete a variety of proteins that induce anti-inflammatory immune responses, stimulating increased CD4 + Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and IL-10 production. Hookworm-derived recombinant proteins AIP-1 and AIP-2 have been shown to reduce inflammation in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory airway disease by inducing CD4+Foxp3+ cells and IL-10 production. In contrast, chronic infection with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, leads to chronic inflammation in tissues. Persistence of the parasites in tissues drives chronic low-grade inflammation, with increased infiltration of inflammatory cells into the heart, accompanied by increased production of inflammatory cytokines. There are no current antiparasitic drugs that effectively reduce or prevent chronic myocarditis caused by the onset of Chagas disease, thus new therapies are urgently needed. Therefore, the impact of AIP-1 and AIP-2 on myocarditis was investigated in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection. Methods Female BALB/c mice infected with bioluminescent T. cruzi H1 strain trypomastigotes for 70 days were treated once daily for 7 days with 1mg/kg AIP-1 or AIP-2 protein by intraperitoneal injection. Control mice were left untreated or treated once daily for 14 days with 25mg/kg aspirin in drinking water. At 84 days of infection, splenocytes, cardiac tissue and serum were collected for evaluation. Results Treatment with both AIP-1 and AIP-2 proteins significantly reduced cardiac cellular infiltration, and reduced cardiac levels of IFNγ, IL-6 and IL-2. AIP-2 treatment reduced cardiac expression of COX-2. Further, while incubation with AIP-1 and AIP-2 proteins did not induce a significant upregulation of an immunoregulatory phenotype in dendritic cells (DC), there was a modest upregulation of CD11c +CD11b+MHCII+SIRPα+ expression, suggesting a regulatory phenotype. Ex-vivo stimulation of splenocytes from the treatment groups with AIP-1 loaded DC induced reduced levels of cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory T cells, stimulation with AIP-2 loaded DC specifically induced enhanced levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells among treatment groups. Discussion All in vivo and in vitro results demonstrate that hookworm-derived AIP-1 and AIP-2 proteins reduce T. cruzi induced cardiac inflammation, possibly through multiple anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Jones
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bin Zhan
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Keenan J. Ernste
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Jose Villar
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nalini Bisht
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Duc Nguyen
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Li-Yen Chang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cristina Poveda
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gonteria J. Robinson
- Molecular & Human Genetics Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Akshar J. Trivedi
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Colby J. Hofferek
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - William K. Decker
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Vanaja Konduri
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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11
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Fesser A, Beilstein S, Kaiser M, Schmidt RS, Mäser P. Trypanosoma cruzi STIB980: A TcI Strain for Drug Discovery and Reverse Genetics. Pathogens 2023; 12:1217. [PMID: 37887733 PMCID: PMC10610277 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101217] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first published genome sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi in 2005, there have been tremendous technological advances in genomics, reverse genetics, and assay development for this elusive pathogen. However, there is still an unmet need for new and better drugs to treat Chagas disease. Here, we introduce a T. cruzi assay strain that is useful for drug research and basic studies of host-pathogen interactions. T. cruzi STIB980 is a strain of discrete typing unit TcI that grows well in culture as axenic epimastigotes or intracellular amastigotes. We evaluated the optimal parameters for genetic transfection and constructed derivatives of T. cruzi STIB980 that express reporter genes for fluorescence- or bioluminescence-based drug efficacy testing, as well as a Cas9-expressing line for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. The genome of T. cruzi STIB980 was sequenced by combining short-read Illumina with long-read Oxford Nanopore technologies. The latter served as the primary assembly and the former to correct mistakes. This resulted in a high-quality nuclear haplotype assembly of 28 Mb in 400 contigs, containing 10,043 open-reading frames with a median length of 1077 bp. We believe that T. cruzi STIB980 is a useful addition to the antichagasic toolbox and propose that it can serve as a DTU TcI reference strain for drug efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fesser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabina Beilstein
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Remo S Schmidt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Thomas M, McGonagle K, Rowland P, Robinson DA, Dodd PG, Camino-Díaz I, Campbell L, Cantizani J, Castañeda P, Conn D, Craggs PD, Edwards D, Ferguson L, Fosberry A, Frame L, Goswami P, Hu X, Korczynska J, MacLean L, Martin J, Mutter N, Osuna-Cabello M, Paterson C, Peña I, Pinto EG, Pont C, Riley J, Shishikura Y, Simeons FRC, Stojanovski L, Thomas J, Wrobel K, Young RJ, Zmuda F, Zuccotto F, Read KD, Gilbert IH, Marco M, Miles TJ, Manzano P, De Rycker M. Structure-Guided Design and Synthesis of a Pyridazinone Series of Trypanosoma cruzi Proteasome Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:10413-10431. [PMID: 37506194 PMCID: PMC10424187 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for new treatments for Chagas disease, a parasitic infection which mostly impacts South and Central America. We previously reported on the discovery of GSK3494245/DDD01305143, a preclinical candidate for visceral leishmaniasis which acted through inhibition of the Leishmania proteasome. A related analogue, active against Trypanosoma cruzi, showed suboptimal efficacy in an animal model of Chagas disease, so alternative proteasome inhibitors were investigated. Screening a library of phenotypically active analogues against the T. cruzi proteasome identified an active, selective pyridazinone, the development of which is described herein. We obtained a cryo-EM co-structure of proteasome and a key inhibitor and used this to drive optimization of the compounds. Alongside this, optimization of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties afforded a suitable compound for mouse efficacy studies. The outcome of these studies is discussed, alongside future plans to further understand the series and its potential to deliver a new treatment for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael
G. Thomas
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Kate McGonagle
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Paul Rowland
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - David A. Robinson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Peter G. Dodd
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Isabel Camino-Díaz
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Discovery DMPK, IVIVT, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Lorna Campbell
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Juan Cantizani
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Pablo Castañeda
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Discovery DMPK, IVIVT, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Daniel Conn
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Peter D. Craggs
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Darren Edwards
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Liam Ferguson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Andrew Fosberry
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Laura Frame
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Panchali Goswami
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Xiao Hu
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Justyna Korczynska
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Chemistry, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, U.K., SG1 2NY
| | - Lorna MacLean
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Julio Martin
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Nicole Mutter
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Maria Osuna-Cabello
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Christy Paterson
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Imanol Peña
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Erika G. Pinto
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Caterina Pont
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Jennifer Riley
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Yoko Shishikura
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Frederick R. C. Simeons
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Laste Stojanovski
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - John Thomas
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Karolina Wrobel
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | | | - Filip Zmuda
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Fabio Zuccotto
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Kevin D. Read
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
| | - Maria Marco
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Timothy J. Miles
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Pilar Manzano
- GlaxoSmithKline,
Global Health R&D, Severo Ochoa 2, PTM, Tres Cantos, Madrid ES 28760, Spain
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Drug
Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, School
of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, U.K., DD1 5EH
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13
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Gabaldón-Figueira JC, Martinez-Peinado N, Escabia E, Ros-Lucas A, Chatelain E, Scandale I, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. State-of-the-Art in the Drug Discovery Pathway for Chagas Disease: A Framework for Drug Development and Target Validation. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:1-19. [PMID: 37337597 PMCID: PMC10277022 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s415273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is the most important protozoan infection in the Americas, and constitutes a significant public health concern throughout the world. Development of new medications against its etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, has been traditionally slow and difficult, lagging in comparison with diseases caused by other kinetoplastid parasites. Among the factors that explain this are the incompletely understood mechanisms of pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection and its complex set of interactions with the host in the chronic stage of the disease. These demand the performance of a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays as part of any drug development effort. In this review, we discuss recent breakthroughs in the understanding of the parasite's life cycle and their implications in the search for new chemotherapeutics. For this, we present a framework to guide drug discovery efforts against Chagas disease, considering state-of-the-art preclinical models and recently developed tools for the identification and validation of molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Escabia
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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14
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Dean DA, Roach J, vonBargen RU, Xiong Y, Kane SS, Klechka L, Wheeler K, Sandoval MJ, Lesani M, Hossain E, Katemauswa M, Schaefer M, Harris M, Barron S, Liu Z, Pan C, McCall LI. Persistent biofluid small molecule alterations induced by Trypanosoma cruzi infection are not restored by antiparasitic treatment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.03.543565. [PMID: 37425694 PMCID: PMC10326868 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.03.543565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Chagas Disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) protozoa, is a complicated parasitic illness with inadequate medical measures for diagnosing infection and monitoring treatment success. To address this gap, we analyzed changes in the metabolome of T. cruzi-infected mice via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of clinically-accessible biofluids: saliva, urine, and plasma. Urine was the most indicative of infection status, across mouse and parasite genotypes. Metabolites perturbed by infection in the urine include kynurenate, acylcarnitines, and threonylcarbamoyladenosine. Based on these results, we sought to implement urine as a tool for assessment of CD treatment success. Strikingly, it was found that mice with parasite clearance following benznidazole antiparasitic treatment had comparable overall urine metabolome to mice that failed to clear parasites. These results match with clinical trial data in which benznidazole treatment did not improve patient outcomes in late-stage disease. Overall, this study provides insights into new small molecule-based CD diagnostic methods and a new approach to assess functional treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danya A. Dean
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019; USA
| | - Jarrod Roach
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | | | - Yi Xiong
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Shelley S. Kane
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019; USA
| | - London Klechka
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Kate Wheeler
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | | | - Mahbobeh Lesani
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Ekram Hossain
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019; USA
| | - Mitchelle Katemauswa
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019; USA
| | - Miranda Schaefer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Morgan Harris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Sayre Barron
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Zongyuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019; USA
| | - Chongle Pan
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019; USA
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
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15
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Comparison of Bioluminescent Substrates in Natural Infection Models of Neglected Parasitic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416074. [PMID: 36555716 PMCID: PMC9781651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of in vivo bioluminescent imaging in infectious disease research has significantly increased over the past years. The detection of transgenic parasites expressing wildtype firefly luciferase is however hampered by a relatively low and heterogeneous tissue penetrating capacity of emitted light. Solutions are sought by using codon-optimized red-shifted luciferases that yield higher expression levels and produce relatively more red or near-infrared light, or by using modified bioluminescent substrates with enhanced cell permeability and improved luminogenic or pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of two modified bioluminescent substrates, CycLuc1 and AkaLumine-HCl, were compared with that of D-luciferin as a gold standard. Comparisons were made in experimental and insect-transmitted animal models of leishmaniasis (caused by intracellular Leishmania species) and African trypanosomiasis (caused by extracellular Trypanosoma species), using parasite strains expressing the red-shifted firefly luciferase PpyRE9. Although the luminogenic properties of AkaLumine-HCl and D-luciferin for in vitro parasite detection were comparable at equal substrate concentrations, AkaLumine-HCl proved to be unsuitable for in vivo infection follow-up due to high background signals in the liver. CycLuc1 presented a higher in vitro luminescence compared to the other substrates and proved to be highly efficacious in vivo, even at a 20-fold lower dose than D-luciferin. This efficacy was consistent across infections with the herein included intracellular and extracellular parasitic organisms. It can be concluded that CycLuc1 is an excellent and broadly applicable alternative for D-luciferin, requiring significantly lower doses for in vivo bioluminescent imaging in rodent models of leishmaniasis and African trypanosomiasis.
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16
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da Silva-Gomes NL, Ruivo LADS, Moreira C, Meuser-Batista M, da Silva CF, Batista DDGJ, Fragoso S, de Oliveira GM, Soeiro MDNC, Moreira OC. Overexpression of TcNTPDase-1 Gene Increases Infectivity in Mice Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314661. [PMID: 36498985 PMCID: PMC9736689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are enzymes located on the surface of the T. cruzi plasma membrane, which hydrolyze a wide range of tri-/-diphosphate nucleosides. In this work, we used previously developed genetically modified strains of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), hemi-knockout (KO +/−) and overexpressing (OE) the TcNTPDase-1 gene to evaluate the parasite infectivity profile in a mouse model of acute infection (n = 6 mice per group). Our results showed significantly higher parasitemia and mortality, and lower weight in animals infected with parasites OE TcNTPDase-1, as compared to the infection with the wild type (WT) parasites. On the other hand, animals infected with (KO +/−) parasites showed no mortality during the 30-day trial and mouse weight was more similar to the non-infected (NI) animals. In addition, they had low parasitemia (45.7 times lower) when compared with parasites overexpressing TcNTPDase-1 from the hemi-knockout (OE KO +/−) group. The hearts of animals infected with the OE KO +/− and OE parasites showed significantly larger regions of cardiac inflammation than those infected with the WT parasites (p < 0.001). Only animals infected with KO +/− did not show individual electrocardiographic changes during the period of experimentation. Together, our results expand the knowledge on the role of NTPDases in T. cruzi infectivity, reenforcing the potential of this enzyme as a chemotherapy target to treat Chagas disease (CD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Lins da Silva-Gomes
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular-IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | | | - Claudia Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Tripanossomatídeos-ICC/FIOCRUZ, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Meuser-Batista
- Laboratório de Educação Profissional em Técnicas Laboratoriais em Saúde, EPSJV/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | | | | | - Stênio Fragoso
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Tripanossomatídeos-ICC/FIOCRUZ, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
| | | | | | - Otacilio C. Moreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular-IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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17
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Francisco AF, Saade U, Jayawardhana S, Pottel H, Scandale I, Chatelain E, Liehl P, Kelly JM, Zrein M. Comparing in vivo bioluminescence imaging and the Multi-Cruzi immunoassay platform to develop improved Chagas disease diagnostic procedures and biomarkers for monitoring parasitological cure. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010827. [PMID: 36190992 PMCID: PMC9560623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is a serious public health problem throughout Latin America. With 6 million people infected, there is a major international effort to develop new drugs. In the chronic phase of the disease, the parasite burden is extremely low, infections are highly focal at a tissue/organ level, and bloodstream parasites are only intermittently detectable. As a result, clinical trials are constrained by difficulties associated with determining parasitological cure. Even highly sensitive PCR methodologies can be unreliable, with a tendency to produce "false-cure" readouts. Improved diagnostic techniques and biomarkers for cure are therefore an important medical need. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using an experimental mouse model, we have combined a multiplex assay system and highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging to evaluate serological procedures for diagnosis of T. cruzi infections and confirmation of parasitological cure. We identified a set of three antigens that in the context of the multiplex serology system, provide a rapid, reactive and highly accurate read-out of both acute and chronic T. cruzi infection. In addition, we describe specific antibody responses where down-regulation can be correlated with benznidazole-mediated parasite reduction and others where upregulation is associated with persistent infection. One specific antibody (IBAG39) highly correlated with the bioluminescence flux and represents a promising therapy monitoring biomarker in mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Robust, high-throughput methodologies for monitoring the efficacy of anti-T. cruzi drug treatment are urgently required. Using our experimental systems, we have identified markers of infection or parasite reduction that merit assessing in a clinical setting for the longitudinal monitoring of drug-treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hans Pottel
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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18
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Koester DC, Marx VM, Williams S, Jiricek J, Dauphinais M, René O, Miller SL, Zhang L, Patra D, Chen YL, Cheung H, Gable J, Lakshminarayana SB, Osborne C, Galarneau JR, Kulkarni U, Richmond W, Bretz A, Xiao L, Supek F, Wiesmann C, Honnappa S, Be C, Mäser P, Kaiser M, Ritchie R, Barrett MP, Diagana TT, Sarko C, Rao SPS. Discovery of Novel Quinoline-Based Proteasome Inhibitors for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). J Med Chem 2022; 65:11776-11787. [PMID: 35993839 PMCID: PMC9469205 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a vector-borne disease caused by kinetoplastid parasites of the Trypanosoma genus. The disease proceeds in two stages, with a hemolymphatic blood stage and a meningo-encephalic brain stage. In the latter stage, the parasite causes irreversible damage to the brain leading to sleep cycle disruption and is fatal if untreated. An orally bioavailable treatment is highly desirable. In this study, we present a brain-penetrant, parasite-selective 20S proteasome inhibitor that was rapidly optimized from an HTS singleton hit to drug candidate compound 7 that showed cure in a stage II mouse efficacy model. Here, we describe hit expansion and lead optimization campaign guided by cryo-electron microscopy and an in silico model to predict the brain-to-plasma partition coefficient Kp as an important parameter to prioritize compounds for synthesis. The model combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments allowed us to advance compounds with favorable unbound brain-to-plasma ratios (Kp,uu) to cure a CNS disease such as HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis C. Koester
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Vanessa M. Marx
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Sarah Williams
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jan Jiricek
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Maxime Dauphinais
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Olivier René
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Sarah L. Miller
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Lei Zhang
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Debjani Patra
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Yen-Liang Chen
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Harry Cheung
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jonathan Gable
- Lead
Discovery, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Suresh B. Lakshminarayana
- Pharmacokinetic
Sciences, Novartis Institutes for Tropical
Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Colin Osborne
- Pharmacokinetic
Sciences, Pharmacology and Comparative Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Jean-Rene Galarneau
- Preclinical
Safety, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical
Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Upendra Kulkarni
- Chemical
and Pharmaceutical Profiling, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Wendy Richmond
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Angela Bretz
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Linda Xiao
- Pharmacology, Novartis Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Frantisek Supek
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | | | - Srinivas Honnappa
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Celine Be
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University
of Basel, CH 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University
of Basel, CH 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ryan Ritchie
- University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K
| | | | - Thierry T. Diagana
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Christopher Sarko
- Global
Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes
for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Srinivasa P. S. Rao
- Novartis
Institutes for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
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19
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Martín-Escolano J, Marín C, Rosales MJ, Tsaousis AD, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. An Updated View of the Trypanosoma cruzi Life Cycle: Intervention Points for an Effective Treatment. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1107-1115. [PMID: 35652513 PMCID: PMC9194904 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Chagas disease (CD)
is a parasitic, systemic, chronic, and often
fatal illness caused by infection with the protozoan Trypanosoma
cruzi. The World Health Organization classifies CD as the
most prevalent of poverty-promoting neglected tropical diseases, the
most important parasitic one, and the third most infectious disease
in Latin America. Currently, CD is a global public health issue that
affects 6–8 million people. However, the current approved treatments
are limited to two nitroheterocyclic drugs developed more than 50
years ago. Many efforts have been made in recent decades to find new
therapies, but our limited understanding of the infection process,
pathology development, and long-term nature of this disease has made
it impossible to develop new drugs, effective treatment, or vaccines.
This Review aims to provide a comprehensive update on our understanding
of the current life cycle, new morphological forms, and genetic diversity
of T. cruzi, as well as identify intervention points
in the life cycle where new drugs and treatments could achieve a parasitic
cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, E41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - María J. Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Anastasios D. Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Encarnación Medina-Carmona
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
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20
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Identification and development of a series of disubstituted piperazines for the treatment of Chagas disease. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114421. [PMID: 35594652 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 6-7 million people around the world are estimated to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The current treatments are inadequate and therefore new medical interventions are urgently needed. In this paper we describe the identification of a series of disubstituted piperazines which shows good potency against the target parasite but is hampered by poor metabolic stability. We outline the strategies used to mitigate this issue such as lowering logD, bioisosteric replacements of the metabolically labile piperazine ring and use of plate-based arrays for quick diversity scoping. We discuss the success of these strategies within the context of this series and highlight the challenges faced in phenotypic programs when attempting to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of compounds whilst maintaining potency against the desired target.
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21
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Ward AI, Lewis MD, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Incomplete Recruitment of Protective T Cells Is Associated with Trypanosoma cruzi Persistence in the Mouse Colon. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0038221. [PMID: 34780279 PMCID: PMC8853677 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00382-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Following T cell-mediated suppression of acute-phase infection, this intracellular eukaryotic pathogen persists long-term in a limited subset of tissues at extremely low levels. The reasons for this tissue-specific chronicity are not understood. Using a dual bioluminescent-fluorescent reporter strain and highly sensitive tissue imaging that allows experimental infections to be monitored at single-cell resolution, we undertook a systematic analysis of the immunological microenvironments of rare parasitized cells in the mouse colon, a key site of persistence. We demonstrate that incomplete recruitment of T cells to a subset of colonic infection foci permits the occurrence of repeated cycles of intracellular parasite replication and differentiation to motile trypomastigotes at a frequency sufficient to perpetuate chronic infections. The lifelong persistence of parasites in this tissue site continues despite the presence, at a systemic level, of a highly effective T cell response. Overcoming this low-level dynamic host-parasite equilibrium represents a major challenge for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Dumoulin PC, Burleigh BA. Metabolic flexibility in Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes: implications for persistence and drug sensitivity. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:244-249. [PMID: 34455305 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Throughout their life cycle, parasitic organisms experience a variety of environmental conditions. To ensure persistence and transmission, some protozoan parasites are capable of adjusting their replication or converting to distinct life cycle stages. Trypanosoma cruzi is a 'generalist' parasite that is competent to infect various insect (triatomine) vectors and mammalian hosts. Within the mammalian host, T. cruzi replicates intracellularly as amastigotes and can persist for the lifetime of the host. The persistence of the parasites in tissues can lead to the development of Chagas disease. Recent work has identified growth plasticity and metabolic flexibility as aspects of amastigote biology that are important determinants of persistence in varied growth conditions and under drug pressure. A better understanding of the link between amastigote and host/tissue metabolism will aid in the development of new drugs or therapies that can limit disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C Dumoulin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Barbara A Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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23
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Taylor MC, Ward AI, Olmo F, Francisco AF, Jayawardhana S, Costa FC, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Bioluminescent:Fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi Reporter Strains as Tools for Exploring Chagas Disease Pathogenesis and Drug Activity. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1733-1740. [PMID: 33234096 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201124113214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease results from infection with the trypanosomatid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Progress in developing new drugs has been hampered by the long term and complex nature of the condition and by our limited understanding of parasite biology. Technical difficulties in assessing the parasite burden during the chronic stage of infection have also proven to be a particular challenge. In this context, the development of noninvasive, highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging procedures based on parasites that express a red-shifted luciferase has greatly enhanced our ability to monitor infections in experimental models. Applications of this methodology have led to new insights into tissue tropism and infection dynamics and have been a major driver in drug development. The system has been further modified by the generation of parasite reporter lines that express bioluminescent:fluorescent fusion proteins, an advancement that has allowed chronic infections in mice to be examined at a cellular level. By exploiting bioluminescence, to identify the rare sites of tissue infection, and fluorescence to detect T. cruzi at the level of individual host cells in histological sections, it has been possible to investigate the replication and differentiation status of parasites in vivo and to examine the cellular environment of infection foci. In combination, these data provide a framework for the detailed dissection of disease pathogenesis and drug activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander I Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda F Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Fernanda C Costa
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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24
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Martín-Escolano R, Cebrián R, Maqueda M, Romero D, Rosales MJ, Sánchez-Moreno M, Marín C. Assessing the effectiveness of AS-48 in experimental mice models of Chagas' disease. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:1537-1545. [PMID: 32129856 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We report the in vivo trypanocidal activity of the bacteriocin AS-48 (lacking toxicity), which is produced by Enterococcus faecalis, against the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas' disease. METHODS We determined the in vivo activity of AS-48 against the T. cruzi Arequipa strain in BALB/c mice (in both acute and chronic phases of Chagas' disease). We evaluated the parasitaemia, the reactivation of parasitaemia after immunosuppression and the nested parasites in the chronic phase by PCR in target tissues. RESULTS AS-48 reduced the parasitaemia profile in acute infection and showed a noteworthy reduction in the parasitic load in chronic infection after immunosuppression according to the results obtained by PCR (double-checking to demonstrate cure). CONCLUSIONS AS-48 is a promising alternative that provides a step forward in the development of a new therapy against Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Rubén Cebrián
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Mercedes Maqueda
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Desirée Romero
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
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25
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Fesser A, Kaiser M, Mäser P. Neue Parameter für die Wirkstofftestung gegen Trypanosoma cruzi. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 27:168-170. [PMID: 33776218 PMCID: PMC7985589 DOI: 10.1007/s12268-021-1554-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fesser
- Universität Basel Schweizerisches Tropen- und Public Health-Institut (Swiss TPH), Socinstraße 57, CH-4051 Basel, Schweiz
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Universität Basel Schweizerisches Tropen- und Public Health-Institut (Swiss TPH), Socinstraße 57, CH-4051 Basel, Schweiz
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Universität Basel Schweizerisches Tropen- und Public Health-Institut (Swiss TPH), Socinstraße 57, CH-4051 Basel, Schweiz
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26
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Martinez-Peinado N, Cortes-Serra N, Sherman J, Rodriguez A, Bustamante JM, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi Growth Inhibitors with Activity In Vivo within a Collection of Licensed Drugs. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020406. [PMID: 33669310 PMCID: PMC7920067 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020406] [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: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects more than six million people worldwide, with its greatest burden in Latin America. Available treatments present frequent toxicity and variable efficacy at the chronic phase of the infection, when the disease is usually diagnosed. Hence, development of new therapeutic strategies is urgent. Repositioning of licensed drugs stands as an attractive fast-track low-cost approach for the identification of safer and more effective chemotherapies. With this purpose we screened 32 licensed drugs for different indications against T. cruzi. We used a primary in vitro assay of Vero cells infection by T. cruzi. Five drugs showed potent activity rates against it (IC50 < 4 µmol L−1), which were also specific (selectivity index >15) with respect to host cells. T. cruzi inhibitory activity of four of them was confirmed by a secondary anti-parasitic assay based on NIH-3T3 cells. Then, we assessed toxicity to human HepG2 cells and anti-amastigote specific activity of those drugs progressed. Ultimately, atovaquone-proguanil, miltefosine, and verapamil were tested in a mouse model of acute T. cruzi infection. Miltefosine performance in vitro and in vivo encourages further investigating its use against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Juan M. Bustamante
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.-J.P.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 1802) (M.-J.P.); +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 4569) (J.A.-P.)
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.-J.P.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 1802) (M.-J.P.); +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 4569) (J.A.-P.)
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Martinez-Peinado N, Martori C, Cortes-Serra N, Sherman J, Rodriguez A, Gascon J, Alberola J, Pinazo MJ, Rodriguez-Cortes A, Alonso-Padilla J. Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of Metabolism Modifier Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020688. [PMID: 33445756 PMCID: PMC7828178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects over 6 million people worldwide. Development of new drugs to treat this disease remains a priority since those currently available have variable efficacy and frequent adverse effects, especially during the long regimens required for treating the chronic stage of the disease. T. cruzi modulates the host cell-metabolism to accommodate the cell cytosol into a favorable growth environment and acquire nutrients for its multiplication. In this study we evaluated the specific anti-T. cruzi activity of nine bio-energetic modulator compounds. Notably, we identified that 17-DMAG, which targets the ATP-binding site of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), has a very high (sub-micromolar range) selective inhibition of the parasite growth. This inhibitory effect was also highly potent (IC50 = 0.27 μmol L-1) against the amastigote intracellular replicative stage of the parasite. Moreover, molecular docking results suggest that 17-DMAG may bind T. cruzi Hsp90 homologue Hsp83 with good affinity. Evaluation in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection did not show parasite growth inhibition, highlighting the difficulties encountered when going from in vitro assays onto preclinical drug developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Clara Martori
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Veterinary Faculty, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (C.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Jordi Alberola
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Veterinary Faculty, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (C.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Alheli Rodriguez-Cortes
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Veterinary Faculty, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (C.M.); (J.A.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.-C.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +34-935812062 (A.R.-C.); +34-932275400 (J.A.-P.)
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.-C.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +34-935812062 (A.R.-C.); +34-932275400 (J.A.-P.)
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Martín-Escolano R, Guardia JJ, Martín-Escolano J, Cirauqui N, Fernández A, Rosales MJ, Chahboun R, Sánchez-Moreno M, Alvarez-Manzaneda E, Marín C. In Vivo Biological Evaluation of a Synthetic Royleanone Derivative as a Promising Fast-Acting Trypanocidal Agent by Inducing Mitochondrial-Dependent Necrosis. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:3571-3583. [PMID: 33253573 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The life-long and life-threatening Chagas disease is one of the most neglected tropical diseases caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a major public health problem in Latin America, as six to seven million people are infected, being the principal cause of mortality in many endemic regions. Moreover, Chagas disease has become widespread due to migrant populations. Additionally, there are no vaccines nor effective treatments to fight the disease because of its long-term nature and complex pathology. Therefore, these facts emphasize how crucial the international effort for the development of new treatments against Chagas disease is. Here, we present the in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity of some oxygenated abietane diterpenoids and related compounds. The 1,4-benzoquinone 15, not yet reported, was identified as a fast-acting trypanocidal drug with efficacy against different strains in vitro and higher activity and lower toxicity than benznidazole in both phases of murine Chagas disease. The mode of action was also evaluated, suggesting that quinone 15 kills T. cruzi by inducing mitochondrion-dependent necrosis through a bioenergetics collapse caused by a mitochondrial membrane depolarization and iron-containing superoxide dismutase inhibition. Therefore, the abietane 1,4-benzoquinone 15 can be considered as a new candidate molecule for the development of an appropriate and commercially accessible anti-Chagas drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan J Guardia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Nuria Cirauqui
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria J Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Rachid Chahboun
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Enrique Alvarez-Manzaneda
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Ward AI, Olmo F, Atherton RL, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes that persist in the colon during chronic stage murine infections have a reduced replication rate. Open Biol 2020; 10:200261. [PMID: 33321060 PMCID: PMC7776577 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infections are typically lifelong, with small numbers of parasites surviving in restricted tissue sites, which include the gastrointestinal tract. There is considerable debate about the replicative status of these persistent parasites and whether there is a role for dormancy in long-term infection. Here, we investigated T. cruzi proliferation in the colon of chronically infected mice using 5-ethynyl-2′deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA to provide ‘snapshots’ of parasite replication status. Highly sensitive imaging of the extremely rare infection foci, at single-cell resolution, revealed that parasites are three times more likely to be in S-phase during the acute stage than during the chronic stage. By implication, chronic infections of the colon are associated with a reduced rate of parasite replication. Despite this, very few host cells survived infection for more than 14 days, suggesting that T. cruzi persistence continues to involve regular cycles of replication, host cell lysis and re-infection. We could find no evidence for wide-spread dormancy in parasites that persist in this tissue reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Richard L Atherton
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Martin C Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Dumoulin PC, Vollrath J, Tomko SS, Wang JX, Burleigh B. Glutamine metabolism modulates azole susceptibility in Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes. eLife 2020; 9:60226. [PMID: 33258448 PMCID: PMC7707839 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying resistance of the Chagas disease parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, to current therapies are not well understood, including the role of metabolic heterogeneity. We found that limiting exogenous glutamine protects actively dividing amastigotes from ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors (azoles), independent of parasite growth rate. The antiparasitic properties of azoles are derived from inhibition of lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) in the endogenous sterol synthesis pathway. We find that carbons from 13C-glutamine feed into amastigote sterols and into metabolic intermediates that accumulate upon CYP51 inhibition. Incorporation of 13C-glutamine into endogenously synthesized sterols is increased with BPTES treatment, an inhibitor of host glutamine metabolism that sensitizes amastigotes to azoles. Similarly, amastigotes are re-sensitized to azoles following addition of metabolites upstream of CYP51, raising the possibility that flux through the sterol synthesis pathway is a determinant of sensitivity to azoles and highlighting the potential role for metabolic heterogeneity in recalcitrant T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C Dumoulin
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | - Joshua Vollrath
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States.,Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheena Shah Tomko
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
| | - Jennifer X Wang
- Harvard Center for Mass Spectrometry, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Barbara Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States
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Martín-Escolano J, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. Chagas Disease: Current View of an Ancient and Global Chemotherapy Challenge. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:2830-2843. [PMID: 33034192 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease and a global public health issue. In terms of treatment, no progress has been made since the 1960s, when benznidazole and nifurtimox, two obsolete drugs still prescribed, were used to treat this disease. Hence, currently, there are no effective treatments available to tackle Chagas disease. Over the past 20 years, there has been an increasing interest in the disease. However, parasite genetic diversity, drug resistance, tropism, and complex life cycle, along with the limited understanding of the disease and inadequate methodologies and strategies, have resulted in the absence of new insights in drugs development and disappointing outcomes in clinical trials so far. In summary, new drugs are urgently needed. This Review considers the relevant aspects related to the lack of drugs for Chagas disease, resumes the advances in tools for drug discovery, and discusses the main features to be taken into account to develop new effective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Thompson AM, O'Connor PD, Marshall AJ, Francisco AF, Kelly JM, Riley J, Read KD, Perez CJ, Cornwall S, Thompson RCA, Keenan M, White KL, Charman SA, Zulfiqar B, Sykes ML, Avery VM, Chatelain E, Denny WA. Re-evaluating pretomanid analogues for Chagas disease: Hit-to-lead studies reveal both in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112849. [PMID: 33007723 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic screening of a 900 compound library of antitubercular nitroimidazole derivatives related to pretomanid against the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (the causative agent for Chagas disease) identified several structurally diverse hits with an unknown mode of action. Following initial profiling, a first proof-of-concept in vivo study was undertaken, in which once daily oral dosing of a 7-substituted 2-nitroimidazooxazine analogue suppressed blood parasitemia to low or undetectable levels, although sterile cure was not achieved. Limited hit expansion studies alongside counter-screening of new compounds targeted at visceral leishmaniasis laid the foundation for a more in-depth assessment of the best leads, focusing on both drug-like attributes (solubility, metabolic stability and safety) and maximal killing of the parasite in a shorter timeframe. Comparative appraisal of one preferred lead (58) in a chronic infection mouse model, monitored by highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging, provided the first definitive evidence of (partial) curative efficacy with this promising nitroimidazooxazine class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Thompson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Patrick D O'Connor
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Andrew J Marshall
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Amanda F Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Riley
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin D Read
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J Perez
- Department of Parasitology & Veterinary Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Scott Cornwall
- Department of Parasitology & Veterinary Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - R C Andrew Thompson
- Department of Parasitology & Veterinary Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Martine Keenan
- Epichem Pty Ltd, Suite 5, 3 Brodie-Hall Drive, Technology Park, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia
| | - Karen L White
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Bilal Zulfiqar
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Don Young Road, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Melissa L Sykes
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Don Young Road, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Vicky M Avery
- Discovery Biology, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Don Young Road, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, 15 Chemin Louis Dunant, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - William A Denny
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
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Chatelain E, Scandale I. Animal models of Chagas disease and their translational value to drug development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:1381-1402. [PMID: 32812830 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1806233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION American trypanosomiasis, better known as Chagas disease, is a global public health issue. Current treatments targeting the causative parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, are limited to two old nitroheterocyclic compounds; new, safer drugs are needed. New tools to identify compounds suitable for parasitological cure in humans have emerged through efforts in drug discovery. AREAS COVERED Animal disease models are an integral part of the drug discovery process. There are numerous experimental models of Chagas disease described and in use; rather than going through each of these and their specific features, the authors focus on developments in recent years, in particular the imaging technologies that have dramatically changed the Chagas R&D landscape, and provide a critical view on their value and limitations for moving compounds forward into further development. EXPERT OPINION The application of new technological advances to the field of drug development for Chagas disease has led to the implementation of new and robust/standardized in vivo models that contributed to a better understanding of host/parasite interactions. These new models should also build confidence in their translational value for moving compounds forward into clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Chatelain
- R&D Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) , Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- R&D Department, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) , Geneva, Switzerland
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Abstract
Infections with Trypanosoma cruzi are usually lifelong despite generating a strong adaptive immune response. Identifying the sites of parasite persistence is therefore crucial to understanding how T. cruzi avoids immune-mediated destruction. However, this is a major technical challenge, because the parasite burden during chronic infections is extremely low. Here, we describe an integrated approach involving comprehensive tissue processing, ex vivo imaging, and confocal microscopy, which allowed us to visualize infected host cells in murine tissue with exquisite sensitivity. Using bioluminescence-guided tissue sampling, with a detection level of <20 parasites, we showed that in the colon, smooth muscle myocytes in the circular muscle layer are the most common infected host cell type. Typically, during chronic infections, the entire colon of a mouse contains only a few hundred parasites, often concentrated in a small number of cells each containing >200 parasites, which we term mega-nests. In contrast, during the acute stage, when the total parasite burden is considerably higher and many cells are infected, nests containing >50 parasites are rarely found. In C3H/HeN mice, but not BALB/c mice, we identified skeletal muscle as a major site of persistence during the chronic stage, with most parasites being found in large mega-nests within the muscle fibers. Finally, we report that parasites are also frequently found in the skin during chronic murine infections, often in multiple infection foci. In addition to being a site of parasite persistence, this anatomical reservoir could play an important role in insect-mediated transmission and have implications for drug development.IMPORTANCE Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, the most important parasitic infection in Latin America. Major pathologies include severe damage to the heart and digestive tract, although symptoms do not usually appear until decades after infection. Research has been hampered by the complex nature of the disease and technical difficulties in locating the extremely low number of parasites. Here, using highly sensitive imaging technology, we reveal the sites of parasite persistence during chronic-stage infections of experimental mice at single-cell resolution. We show that parasites are frequently located in smooth muscle cells in the circular muscle layer of the colon and that skeletal muscle cells and the skin can also be important reservoirs. This information provides a framework for investigating how the parasite is able to survive as a lifelong infection, despite a vigorous immune response. It also informs drug development strategies by identifying tissue sites that must be accessed to achieve a curative outcome.
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Fesser AF, Braissant O, Olmo F, Kelly JM, Mäser P, Kaiser M. Non-invasive monitoring of drug action: A new live in vitro assay design for Chagas' disease drug discovery. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008487. [PMID: 32716934 PMCID: PMC7419005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
New assay designs are needed to improve the predictive value of the Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro tests used as part of the Chagas' disease drug development pipeline. Here, we employed a green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-expressing parasite line and live high-content imaging to monitor the growth of T. cruzi amastigotes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. A novel assay design allowed us to follow parasite numbers over 6 days, in four-hour intervals, while occupying the microscope for only 24 hours per biological replicate. Dose-response curves were calculated for each time point after addition of test compounds, revealing how EC50 values first decreased over the time of drug exposure, and then leveled off. However, we observed that parasite numbers could vary, even in the untreated controls, and at different sites in the same well, which caused variability in the EC50 values. To overcome this, we established that fold change in parasite number per hour is a more robust and informative measure of drug activity. This was calculated based on an exponential growth model for every biological sample. The net fold change per hour is the result of parasite replication, differentiation, and death. The calculation of this fold change enabled us to determine the tipping point of drug action, i.e. the time point when the death rate of the parasites exceeded the growth rate and the fold change dropped below 1, depending on the drug concentration and exposure time. This revealed specific pharmacodynamic profiles of the benchmark drugs benznidazole and posaconazole. Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a chronic debilitating infection occurring mostly in Latin America. There is an urgent need for new, well tolerated drugs. However, the latest therapeutic candidates have yielded disappointing outcomes in clinical trials, despite promising preclinical results. This demands new and more predictive in vitro assays. To address this, we have developed an assay design that enables the growth of T. cruzi intracellular forms to be monitored in real time, under drug pressure, for 6 days post-infection. This allowed us to establish the tipping point of drug action, when the death rate of the parasites exceeded the growth rate. The resulting pharmacodynamics profiles can provide robust and informative details on anti-chagasic candidates, as demonstrated for the benchmark drugs benznidazole and posaconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna F. Fesser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Braissant
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Francisco Olmo
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Martínez-Peinado N, Cortes-Serra N, Losada-Galvan I, Alonso-Vega C, Urbina JA, Rodríguez A, VandeBerg JL, Pinazo MJ, Gascon J, Alonso-Padilla J. Emerging agents for the treatment of Chagas disease: what is in the preclinical and clinical development pipeline? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:947-959. [PMID: 32635780 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1793955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease treatment relies on the lengthy administration of benznidazole and/or nifurtimox, which have frequent toxicity associated. The disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is mostly diagnosed at its chronic phase when life-threatening symptomatology manifest in approximately 30% of those infected. Considering that both available drugs have variable efficacy by then, and there are over 6 million people infected, there is a pressing need to find safer, more efficacious drugs. AREAS COVERED We provide an updated view of the path to achieve the aforementioned goal. From state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo assays based on genetically engineered parasites that have allowed high throughput screenings of large chemical collections, to the unfulfilled requirement of having treatment-response biomarkers for the clinical evaluation of drugs. In between, we describe the most promising pre-clinical hits and the landscape of clinical trials with new drugs or new regimens of existing ones. Moreover, the use of monkey models to reduce the pre-clinical to clinical attrition rate is discussed. EXPERT OPINION In addition to the necessary research on new drugs and much awaited biomarkers of treatment efficacy, a key step will be to generalize access to diagnosis and treatment and maximize efforts to impede transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Martínez-Peinado
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Losada-Galvan
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Alonso-Vega
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio A Urbina
- Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research , Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Ana Rodríguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine , New York, NY, USA
| | - John L VandeBerg
- Department of Human Genetics, South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley , Brownsville/Harlingen/Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
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Francisco AF, Jayawardhana S, Olmo F, Lewis MD, Wilkinson SR, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Challenges in Chagas Disease Drug Development. Molecules 2020; 25:E2799. [PMID: 32560454 PMCID: PMC7355550 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, an important public health problem throughout Latin America. Current therapeutic options are characterised by limited efficacy, long treatment regimens and frequent toxic side-effects. Advances in this area have been compromised by gaps in our knowledge of disease pathogenesis, parasite biology and drug activity. Nevertheless, several factors have come together to create a more optimistic scenario. Drug-based research has become more systematic, with increased collaborations between the academic and commercial sectors, often within the framework of not-for-profit consortia. High-throughput screening of compound libraries is being widely applied, and new technical advances are helping to streamline the drug development pipeline. In addition, drug repurposing and optimisation of current treatment regimens, informed by laboratory research, are providing a basis for new clinical trials. Here, we will provide an overview of the current status of Chagas disease drug development, highlight those areas where progress can be expected, and describe how fundamental research is helping to underpin the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda F. Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Shane R. Wilkinson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (A.F.F.); (S.J.); (F.O.); (M.D.L.); (M.C.T.)
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Novobilský A, Höglund J. Small animal in vivo imaging of parasitic infections: A systematic review. Exp Parasitol 2020; 214:107905. [PMID: 32387050 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive small animal in vivo imaging is an essential tool in a broad variety of biomedical sciences and enables continuous monitoring of disease progression in order to develop and improve diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive measures. Imaging parasites non-invasively in live animals allows efficient parasite distribution evaluation in the host organism and objective evaluation of parasitic diseases' burden and progression in individual animals. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize recent trends in small animal in vivo imaging and compare and discuss imaging of single-cell and multicellular eukaryotic parasites. A literature survey was performed using Web of Science and PubMed databases in research articles published between 1990 and 2018. The inclusion criteria were using any imaging method to visualize a range of protozoan and helminth parasites in laboratory animals in vivo. A total of 92 studies met our inclusion criteria. Protozoans and helminths were imaged in 88% and 12% of 92 studies, respectively. The most common parasite genus studied was the protozoan Plasmodium followed by Trypanosoma and Leishmania. The most frequent imaging method was bioluminescence. Among the helminths, Schistosoma and Echinococcus were the most studied organisms. In vivo imaging is applicable in both protozoans and helminths. In helminths, however, the use of in vivo imaging methods is limited to some extent. Imaging parasites in small animal models is a powerful tool in preclinical research aiming to develop novel therapeutic and preventive strategies for parasitic diseases of interest both in human and veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Novobilský
- Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Immunotherapy, Hudcova 70, 62100, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Drug-cured experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infections confer long-lasting and cross-strain protection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007717. [PMID: 32302312 PMCID: PMC7190179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long term and complex nature of Chagas disease in humans has restricted studies on vaccine feasibility. Animal models also have limitations due to technical difficulties in monitoring the extremely low parasite burden that is characteristic of chronic stage infections. Advances in imaging technology offer alternative approaches that circumvent these problems. Here, we describe the use of highly sensitive whole body in vivo imaging to assess the efficacy of recombinant viral vector vaccines and benznidazole-cured infections to protect mice from challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Mice were infected with T. cruzi strains modified to express a red-shifted luciferase reporter. Using bioluminescence imaging, we assessed the degree of immunity to re-infection conferred after benznidazole-cure. Those infected for 14 days or more, prior to the onset of benznidazole treatment, were highly protected from challenge with both homologous and heterologous strains. There was a >99% reduction in parasite burden, with parasites frequently undetectable after homologous challenge. This level of protection was considerably greater than that achieved with recombinant vaccines. It was also independent of the route of infection or size of the challenge inoculum, and was long-lasting, with no significant diminution in immunity after almost a year. When the primary infection was benznidazole-treated after 4 days (before completion of the first cycle of intracellular infection), the degree of protection was much reduced, an outcome associated with a minimal T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ+ T cell response. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that a protective Chagas disease vaccine must have the ability to eliminate parasites before they reach organs/tissues, such as the GI tract, where once established, they become largely refractory to the induced immune response.
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Rodríguez ME, Rizzi M, Caeiro LD, Masip YE, Perrone A, Sánchez DO, Búa J, Tekiel V. Transmigration of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes through 3D cultures resembling a physiological environment. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13207. [PMID: 32270902 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To disseminate and colonise tissues in the mammalian host, Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastogotes should cross several biological barriers. How this process occurs or its impact in the outcome of the disease is largely speculative. We examined the in vitro transmigration of trypomastigotes through three-dimensional cultures (spheroids) to understand the tissular dissemination of different T. cruzi strains. Virulent strains were highly invasive: trypomastigotes deeply transmigrate up to 50 μm inside spheroids and were evenly distributed at the spheroid surface. Parasites inside spheroids were systematically observed in the space between cells suggesting a paracellular route of transmigration. On the contrary, poorly virulent strains presented a weak migratory capacity and remained in the external layers of spheroids with a patch-like distribution pattern. The invasiveness-understood as the ability to transmigrate deep into spheroids-was not a transferable feature between strains, neither by soluble or secreted factors nor by co-cultivation of trypomastigotes from invasive and non-invasive strains. Besides, we demonstrated that T. cruzi isolates from children that were born congenitally infected presented a highly migrant phenotype while an isolate from an infected mother (that never transmitted the infection to any of her children) presented significantly less migration. In brief, we demonstrated that in a 3D microenvironment each strain presents a characteristic migration pattern that can be associated to their in vivo behaviour. Altogether, data presented here repositionate spheroids as a valuable tool to study host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías Exequiel Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. R. Ugalde" (IIBIO) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Rizzi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. R. Ugalde" (IIBIO) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas D Caeiro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. R. Ugalde" (IIBIO) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yamil E Masip
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. R. Ugalde" (IIBIO) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alina Perrone
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr Mario Fatala Chaben", ANLIS-Carlos G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel O Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. R. Ugalde" (IIBIO) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jacqueline Búa
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr Mario Fatala Chaben", ANLIS-Carlos G. Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Tekiel
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. R. Ugalde" (IIBIO) Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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In Vitro Image-Based Assay for Trypanosoma cruzi Intracellular Forms. Methods Mol Biol 2020. [PMID: 32221954 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0294-2_45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The advances in development and popularization of automated fluorescence microscopes and pipetting robots allowed scientists to establish high-throughput compound screening using image-based assays for Trypanosoma cruzi intracellular forms, which are associated to chronic Chagas disease. An intracellular T. cruzi image-based assay is a valuable tool to early stage drug discovery for Chagas disease, because it allows scientists to assess a compound's efficacy and safety in the same experiment. During the last 10 years, several improvements have been incorporated into intracellular T. cruzi assay protocols to make them more predictable in what happens with parasites within an infected organism. In the present chapter, a protocol will be presented for an intracellular T. cruzi assay, but at a low-throughput scale, more compatible with facilities in many academic laboratories.
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Taylor MC, Ward A, Olmo F, Jayawardhana S, Francisco AF, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Intracellular DNA replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi is asynchronous within individual host cells in vivo at all stages of infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008007. [PMID: 32196491 PMCID: PMC7112235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations into intracellular replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi within the mammalian host have been restricted by limitations in our ability to detect parasitized cells throughout the course of infection. We have overcome this problem by generating genetically modified parasites that express a bioluminescent/fluorescent fusion protein. By combining in vivo imaging and confocal microscopy, this has enabled us to routinely visualise murine infections at the level of individual host cells. These studies reveal that intracellular parasite replication is an asynchronous process, irrespective of tissue location or disease stage. Furthermore, using TUNEL assays and EdU labelling, we demonstrate that within individual infected cells, replication of both mitochondrial (kDNA) and nuclear genomes is not co-ordinated within the parasite population, and that replicating amastigotes and non-replicating trypomastigotes can co-exist in the same cell. Finally, we report the presence of distinct non-canonical morphological forms of T. cruzi in the mammalian host. These appear to represent transitional forms in the amastigote to trypomastigote differentiation process. Therefore, the intracellular life-cycle of T. cruzi in vivo is more complex than previously realised, with potential implications for our understanding of disease pathogenesis, immune evasion and drug development. Dissecting the mechanisms involved will be an important experimental challenge. Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is becoming an emerging threat in non-endemic countries and establishing new foci in endemic countries. The treatment available has not changed significantly in over 40 years. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a greater understanding of parasite biology and disease pathogenesis to identify new therapeutic targets and to maximise the efficient use of existing drugs. We have used genetically modified strains of T. cruzi carrying a bioluminescence/fluorescence dual reporter fusion gene to monitor parasite replication in vivo during both acute and chronic infections in a mouse model. Utilising TUNEL assays for mitochondrial DNA replication and EdU incorporation for total DNA replication, we have found that parasite division within infected cells is asynchronous in all phases of infection. Differentiation also appears to be uncoordinated, with replicating amastigotes co-existing with non-dividing trypomastigotes in the same host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C. Taylor
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexander Ward
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda F. Francisco
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Patterson S, Fairlamb AH. Current and Future Prospects of Nitro-compounds as Drugs for Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:4454-4475. [PMID: 29701144 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180426164352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Interest in nitroheterocyclic drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases has undergone a resurgence in recent years. Here we review the current status of monocyclic and bicyclic nitroheterocyclic compounds as existing or potential new treatments for visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas' disease and human African trypanosomiasis. Both monocyclic (nifurtimox, benznidazole and fexinidazole) and bicyclic (pretomanid (PA-824) and delamanid (OPC-67683)) nitro-compounds are prodrugs, requiring enzymatic activation to exert their parasite toxicity. Current understanding of the nitroreductases involved in activation and possible mechanisms by which parasites develop resistance is discussed along with a description of the pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic behaviour and chemical structure-activity relationships of drugs and experimental compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Patterson
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Alan H Fairlamb
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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Villalta F, Rachakonda G. Advances in preclinical approaches to Chagas disease drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:1161-1174. [PMID: 31411084 PMCID: PMC6779130 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1652593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease affects 8-10 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. The current therapy for Chagas disease is limited to nifurtimox and benznidazole, which are effective in treating only the acute phase of the disease but with severe side effects. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new drugs and for the exploration of innovative approaches which may lead to the discovery of new effective and safe drugs for its treatment. Areas covered: The authors report and discuss recent approaches including structure-based design that have led to the discovery of new promising small molecule candidates for Chagas disease which affect prime targets that intervene in the sterol pathway of T. cruzi. Other trypanosome targets, phenotypic screening, the use of artificial intelligence and the challenges with Chagas disease drug discovery are also discussed. Expert opinion: The application of recent scientific innovations to the field of Chagas disease have led to the discovery of new promising drug candidates for Chagas disease. Phenotypic screening brought new hits and opportunities for drug discovery. Artificial intelligence also has the potential to accelerate drug discovery in Chagas disease and further research into this is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Girish Rachakonda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA
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Vermelho AB, Rodrigues GC, Supuran CT. Why hasn't there been more progress in new Chagas disease drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:145-158. [PMID: 31670987 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1681394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In terms of novel drug discovery, there has been no progress since the 1960s with the same two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, still in use. The complex life cycle, genetic diversity of T. cruzi strains, different sensitivities to the available drugs, as well as little interest from pharmaceutical companies and inadequate methodologies for translating in vitro and in vivo findings to the discovery of new drugs have all contributed to the lack of progress.Areas covered: In this perspective, the authors give discussion to the relevant points connected to the lack of developments in CD drug discovery and provide their expert perspectives.Expert opinion: There are few drugs currently in the preclinical pipeline for the treatment of CD. Only three classes of compounds have been shown to achieve high cure rates in mouse models of infection: nitroimidazoles (fexinidazole), oxaborole DNDi-6148 and proteasome inhibitors (GNF6702). New biomarkers for Chagas' disease are urgently needed for the diagnosis and detection of cure/treatment efficacy. Efforts from academia and pharmaceutical companies are in progress and more intense interaction to accelerate the process of new drugs development is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Beatriz Vermelho
- BIOINOVAR - Biotechnology Laboratories: Biocatalysis, Bioproducts and Bioenergy, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes,Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Giseli Capaci Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Teaching of Sciences, University of Grande Rio, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
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Rao SPS, Barrett MP, Dranoff G, Faraday CJ, Gimpelewicz CR, Hailu A, Jones CL, Kelly JM, Lazdins-Helds JK, Mäser P, Mengel J, Mottram JC, Mowbray CE, Sacks DL, Scott P, Späth GF, Tarleton RL, Spector JM, Diagana TT. Drug Discovery for Kinetoplastid Diseases: Future Directions. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:152-157. [PMID: 30543391 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites have caused human disease for millennia. Significant achievements have been made toward developing new treatments for leishmaniasis (particularly on the Indian subcontinent) and for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Moreover, the sustained decrease in the incidence of HAT has made the prospect of elimination a tantalizing reality. Despite the gains, no new chemical or biological entities to treat kinetoplastid diseases have been registered in more than three decades, and more work is needed to discover safe and effective therapies for patients with Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Advances in tools for drug discovery and novel insights into the biology of the host-parasite interaction may provide opportunities for accelerated progress. Here, we summarize the output from a gathering of scientists and physicians who met to discuss the current status and future directions in drug discovery for kinetoplastid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa P. S. Rao
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD), 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Glenn Dranoff
- Immuno-oncology, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Christopher J. Faraday
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, NIBR, Fabrikstrasse 2, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Asrat Hailu
- School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 28017 code 1000, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Catherine L. Jones
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD), 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - John M. Kelly
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4501 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH 4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jose Mengel
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ-RJ, Av. Brasil 4365, Cep: 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
- Faculty of Medicine of Petropolis, University in Petròpolis, Av. Barao do Rio Branco 1003, Cep: 25680-120, Petropolis-RJ, Brazil
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- University of York, Wentworth Way Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Charles E. Mowbray
- Drugs for Neglected
Diseases initiative, 15 Chemin Louis-Dunant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David L. Sacks
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 4 Memorial Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Phillip Scott
- University of Pennsylvania, 380 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Gerald F. Späth
- Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Rick L. Tarleton
- University of Georgia, Coverdell Center, 500 DW Brooks Dr, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Jonathan M. Spector
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD), 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
| | - Thierry T. Diagana
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD), 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville, California 94608, United States
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Exploiting Genetically Modified Dual-Reporter Strains to Monitor Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi Infections and Host-Parasite Interactions. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1955:147-163. [PMID: 30868525 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9148-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, the most important parasitic infection in Latin America. Despite a global research effort, there have been no significant treatment advances for at least 40 years. Gaps in our knowledge of T. cruzi biology and pathogenesis have been major factors in limiting progress. In addition, the extremely low parasite burden during chronic infections has complicated the monitoring of both disease progression and drug efficacy, even in predictive animal models. To address these problems, we genetically modified T. cruzi to express a red-shifted luciferase. Mice infected with these highly bioluminescent parasites can be monitored by in vivo imaging, with exquisite sensitivity. However, a major drawback of bioluminescence imaging is that it does not allow visualization of host-parasite interactions at a cellular level. To facilitate this, we generated T. cruzi strains that express a chimeric protein that is both bioluminescent and fluorescent. Bioluminescence allows the tissue location of infection foci to be identified, and fluorescence can then be exploited to detect parasites in histological sections derived from excised tissue. In this article, we describe in detail the in vivo imaging and confocal microscopy protocols that we have developed for visualizing T. cruzi parasites expressing these dual-reporter fusion proteins. The approaches make it feasible to locate individual parasites within chronically infected murine tissues, to assess their replicative status, to resolve the nature of host cells, and to characterize their immunological context.
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Assessing the Effectiveness of Curative Benznidazole Treatment in Preventing Chronic Cardiac Pathology in Experimental Models of Chagas Disease. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00832-18. [PMID: 30082291 PMCID: PMC6153806 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00832-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagasic heart disease develops in 30% of those infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, but can take decades to become symptomatic. Because of this, it has been difficult to assess the extent to which antiparasitic therapy can prevent the development of pathology. We sought to address this question using experimental murine models, exploiting highly sensitive bioluminescent imaging to monitor curative efficacy. Mice were inoculated with bioluminescent parasites and then cured in either the acute or chronic stage of infection with benznidazole. At the experimental endpoint (5 to 6 months postinfection), heart tissue was removed and assessed for inflammation and fibrosis, two widely used markers of cardiac pathology. Infection of BALB/c and C3H/HeN mice with distinct T. cruzi lineages resulted in greatly increased myocardial collagen content at a group level, indicative of fibrotic pathology. When mice were cured by benznidazole in the acute stage, the development of pathology was completely blocked. However, if treatment was delayed until the chronic stage, cardiac fibrosis was observed in the BALB/c model, although the protective effect was maintained in the case of C3H/HeN mice. These experiments therefore demonstrate that curative benznidazole treatment early in murine T. cruzi infections can prevent the development of cardiac fibrosis. They also show that treatment during the chronic stage can block pathology but the effectiveness varies between infection models. If these findings are extendable to humans, it implies that widespread chemotherapeutic intervention targeted at early-stage infections could play a crucial role in reducing Chagas disease morbidity at a population level.
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Scarim CB, de Andrade CR, da Rosa JA, dos Santos JL, Chin CM. Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone treatment in indeterminate form of chronic Chagas disease: Reduced intensity of tissue parasitism and inflammation-A histopathological study. Int J Exp Pathol 2018; 99:236-248. [PMID: 30320480 PMCID: PMC6302791 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone (NFOH) is a nitrofurazone prodrug effective in vivo during acute infections, and it has less hepatotoxicity effect than the standard drug benznidazole (BZN) which has been used during short- and long-term treatment. In the present study, we induced the indeterminate form of Chagas disease in mice with a Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi and analysed the histopathological data about the effects of NFOH and BZN on different tissues, including the heart, skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, colon, spleen and brain. After infection, BALB/c mice were treated with NFOH (150 mg/kg) and BZN (60 mg/kg) for 60 days and then submitted to immunosuppression using dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) for 14 days. Two trained analysts, as part of a blind evaluation, examined the results using serial sections of 3 mm diameter in two different moments. The results showed reactivation of the disease only in the infected nontreated group (POS). After treatment, amastigote nests were found in the heart, colon, liver and skeletal muscle in the POS group and in the heart and liver of the BZN group. Interestingly, amastigote nests were not found in the NFOH and NEG groups. The histopathological analysis showed fewer tissue lesions and parasite infiltrates in the NFOH group when compared with the BZN and POS groups. We have not observed any increase in the levels of hepatocellular injury biomarkers (AST/ALT) in the NFOH group. These in vivo studies show the potential for NFOH as an effective and safe compound useful as an anti-T. cruzi agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cauê B. Scarim
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of Drugs and MedicinesLapdesf ‐ Laboratory of Research and Development of DrugsAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
| | - Cleverton R. de Andrade
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)Faculty of DentistryDepartment of Physiology and PathologyAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
| | - João A. da Rosa
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of Biological SciencesAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
| | - Jean L. dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of Drugs and MedicinesLapdesf ‐ Laboratory of Research and Development of DrugsAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
| | - Chung M. Chin
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of Drugs and MedicinesLapdesf ‐ Laboratory of Research and Development of DrugsAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
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Müller Kratz J, Garcia Bournissen F, Forsyth CJ, Sosa-Estani S. Clinical and pharmacological profile of benznidazole for treatment of Chagas disease. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2018; 11:943-957. [DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2018.1509704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jadel Müller Kratz
- Chagas Clinical Program, Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Facundo Garcia Bournissen
- Parasitology and Chagas Service, Buenos Aires Children Hospital Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Colin J. Forsyth
- Chagas Clinical Program, Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Sosa-Estani
- Chagas Clinical Program, Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
- Epidemiology and Public Health Research Center, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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