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Moreira-Filho JT, Neves BJ, Cajas RA, Moraes JD, Andrade CH. Artificial intelligence-guided approach for efficient virtual screening of hits against Schistosoma mansoni. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:2033-2050. [PMID: 37937522 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0152] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The impact of schistosomiasis, which affects over 230 million people, emphasizes the urgency of developing new antischistosomal drugs. Artificial intelligence is vital in accelerating the drug discovery process. Methodology & results: We developed classification and regression machine learning models to predict the schistosomicidal activity of compounds not experimentally tested. The prioritized compounds were tested on schistosomula and adult stages of Schistosoma mansoni. Four compounds demonstrated significant activity against schistosomula, with 50% effective concentration values ranging from 9.8 to 32.5 μM, while exhibiting no toxicity in animal and human cell lines. Conclusion: These findings represent a significant step forward in the discovery of antischistosomal drugs. Further optimization of these active compounds can pave the way for their progression into preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Teófilo Moreira-Filho
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Rayssa Araujo Cajas
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases (NPDN), Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Josué de Moraes
- Research Center on Neglected Diseases (NPDN), Universidade Guarulhos, Guarulhos, 07023-070, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, 74605-170, Brazil
- Center for the Research and Advancement in Fragments and molecular Targets (CRAFT), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Kundik A, Musimbi ZD, Krücken J, Hildebrandt T, Kornilov O, Hartmann S, Ebner F. Quantifying metabolic activity of Ascaris suum L3 using resazurin reduction. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:243. [PMID: 37468906 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05871-5] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helminth infections are an important public health problem in humans and have an even greater impact on domestic animal and livestock welfare. Current readouts for anthelmintic drug screening assays are stage development, migration, or motility that can be subjective, laborious, and low in throughput. The aim of this study was to apply and optimize a fluorometric technique using resazurin for evaluating changes in the metabolic activity of Ascaris suum third-stage larvae (L3), a parasite of high economic relevance in swine. METHODS Ascaris suum L3 were mechanically hatched from 6- to 8-week embryonated and sucrose-gradient-enriched eggs. Resazurin dye and A. suum L3 were titrated in 96-well microtiter plates, and resazurin reduction activity was assessed by fluorometry after 24 h of incubation. Fluorescence microscopy was used to localize the resazurin reduction site within the larvae. Finally, we exposed A. suum L3 to various stress conditions including heat, methanol, and anthelmintics, and investigated their impact on larval metabolism through resazurin reduction activity. RESULTS We show that the non-fluorescent dye resazurin is reduced inside vital A. suum L3 to fluorescent resorufin and released into the culture media. Optimal assay parameters are 100-1000 L3 per well, a resazurin concentration of 7.5 µg/ml, and incubation at 37 °C/5% CO2 for 24 h. An intact L2 sheath around the L3 of A. suum completely prevents the uptake of resazurin, while in unsheathed L3, the most intense fluorescence signal is observed along the larval midgut. L3 exposed to methanol or heat show a gradually decreased resazurin reduction activity. In addition, 24 h exposure to ivermectin at 0.625 µM, mebendazole at 5 µM, and thiabendazole from 10 to 100 µM significantly decreased larval metabolic activity by 55%, 73%, and 70% to 89%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Together, our results show that both metabolic stressors and anthelmintic drugs significantly and reproducibly reduce the resazurin reduction activity of A. suum L3, making the proposed assay a sensitive and easy-to-use method to evaluate metabolic activity of A. suum L3 in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadi Kundik
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zaneta D Musimbi
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Susanne Hartmann
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friederike Ebner
- Institute of Immunology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Chair of Infection Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
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El-Derbawy MM, Salem HS, Raboo M, Baiuomy IR, Fadil SA, Fadil HA, Ibrahim SRM, El Kholy WA. In Vivo Evaluation of the Anti-Schistosomal Potential of Ginger-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles on Schistosoma mansoni: Histopathological, Ultrastructural, and Immunological Changes. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111834. [PMID: 36362992 PMCID: PMC9696985 DOI: 10.3390/life12111834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is the most widely advocated method of Schistosome control. However, repeated chemotherapy leads to the emergence of drug-resistant Schistosoma strains. Therefore, efforts to find alternative drugs, especially those of natural origin, have risen globally. Nanoparticles (NPs) have received special interest as efficient drug delivery systems. This work aimed to investigate the anti-schistosomal potential of Zingiber officinale (ginger, Zingiberaceae)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (GCsNPs) on Schistosoma mansoni experimentally infected mice that were exposed to 80 ± 10 cercariae/mouse. The study groups are: (G1) negative control; (G2) positive control; (G3) praziquantel in a dose of 500 mg/kg/day for two consecutive days; (G4) ginger in a dose of 500 mg/kg treated; (G5) chitosan nanoparticles in a dose 3 mg/kg (G6) GCsNPs in a dose 250 mg/kg; and (G7) GCsNPs in a dose 500 mg/kg. The anti-schistosome potential was assessed using histopathological scanning electron microscopically and immunological parameters. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in cellular granuloma count (p < 0.05) and granuloma diameter (p < 0.001) in all infected treated mice groups, in comparison to the infected non-treated group with the highest reduction in both G3 and G7. SEM of S. mansoni adult worm recovered from G3 showed mild edema of oral and ventral suckers with some peeling and blebs around them, while that recovered from G7 showed abnormal oedematous oral and retracted ventral sucker, edema of the tegument, rupture of many tubercles with vacuolation and complete loss of spines. All infected treated mice groups, in comparison to positive control G2, showed a significant reduction in IL-4, IL-10, and TNF-α levels (p-value < 0.001), especially groups G6 and G7 (p-value < 0.05); both G6 and G7 values were nearer to the normal that indicated recovery of the liver tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M. El-Derbawy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11751, Egypt
| | - Hala S. Salem
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11751, Egypt
| | - Mona Raboo
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11751, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim R. Baiuomy
- Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza 12411, Egypt
| | - Sana A. Fadil
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haifa A. Fadil
- Department of Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawarah 30078, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabrin R. M. Ibrahim
- Preparatory Year Program, Department of Chemistry, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-581183034
| | - Walaa A. El Kholy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11751, Egypt
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Girod V, Houssier R, Sahmer K, Ghoris MJ, Caby S, Melnyk O, Dissous C, Senez V, Vicogne J. A self-purifying microfluidic system for identifying drugs acting against adult schistosomes. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220648. [PMID: 36465675 PMCID: PMC9709518 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of novel antihelmintic molecules to combat the development and spread of schistosomiasis, a disease caused by several Schistosoma flatworm species, mobilizes significant research efforts worldwide. With a limited number of biochemical assays for measuring the viability of adult worms, the antischistosomicidal activity of molecules is usually evaluated by a microscopic observation of worm mobility and/or integrity upon drug exposure. Even if these phenotypical assays enable multiple parameters analysis, they are often conducted during several days and need to be associated with image-based analysis to minimized subjectivity. We describe here a self-purifying microfluidic system enabling the selection of healthy adult worms and the identification of molecules acting instantly on the parasite. The worms are assayed in a dynamic environment that eliminates unhealthy worms that cannot attach firmly to the chip walls prior to being exposed to the drug. The detachment of the worms is also used as second step readout for identifying active compounds. We have validated this new fluidic screening approach using the two major antihelmintic drugs, praziquantel and artemisinin. The reported dynamic system is simple to produce and to parallelize. Importantly, it enables a quick and sensitive detection of antischistosomal compounds in no more than one hour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Girod
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 – CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille F-59000, France
- CNRS, University of Tokyo, IRL2820 – LIMMS, Lille F-59000, France
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- University of Lille, CNRS, UPHF, JUNIA, CLI, UMR 8520 – IEMN – Institut d'Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie, Villeneuve d'Ascq F-59650, France
| | - Robin Houssier
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 – CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille F-59000, France
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Karin Sahmer
- University of Lille, IMT Lille Douai, University of Artois, JUNIA, ULR 4515 – LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Marie-José Ghoris
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Stéphanie Caby
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Oleg Melnyk
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Colette Dissous
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Vincent Senez
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 – CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille F-59000, France
- CNRS, University of Tokyo, IRL2820 – LIMMS, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Jérôme Vicogne
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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5
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Shoko R. The computationally predicted drug-likeness, pharmacokinetics properties, medicinal chemistry parameters, and toxicity properties of Cucurbita maxima compounds. F1000Res 2022; 11:Chem Inf Sci-1234. [PMID: 38690404 PMCID: PMC11058453 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.127126.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds are increasingly becoming an important source of drug leads for computer-aided drug design approaches. Cucurbita maxima has been observed to have medicinal properties and can, therefore, be a potential source of novel drug leads. However, before compounds can be synthesized in the lab for tests, modern approaches require that the candidate compounds be screened for drug-likeness characteristics and toxicity, among others. In this work, the computational tools, SwissADME and DataWarrior were used to screen C. maxima compounds for their potential consideration as drug leads. A total of 130 compounds, downloaded from the LOTUS natural products database, were computationally analysed. The data set presented in this work will be useful to researchers searching for novel drug leads based on natural compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryman Shoko
- Biology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
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6
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Mtemeli FL, Ndlovu J, Mugumbate G, Makwikwi T, Shoko R. Advances in schistosomiasis drug discovery based on natural products. ALL LIFE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2022.2080281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F. L. Mtemeli
- Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - J. Ndlovu
- Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - G. Mugumbate
- Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - T. Makwikwi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - R. Shoko
- Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
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7
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Maharjan S, Kirk RS, Lawton SP, Walker AJ. Further evaluation and validation of HybridoMed Diff 1000 and its comparison to Basch medium for the cell-free culture of Schistosoma mansoni juvenile worm stages. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:613-619. [PMID: 33771520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomules of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni are vital for research focusing on the fundamental functional/developmental biology of schistosomes and many anti-schistosomal drug discovery programmes. Through the further evaluation and validation of a recently tested media, HybridoMed Diff 1000 (HM), for the cell-free culture of juvenile schistosomules, we show that while Basch medium was superior to HM for the survival/development of schistosomules, HM represents a viable and attractive alternative for somule culture, particularly to the early liver stage. Adoption of HM for schistosomule culture could facilitate more standardised approaches, which for drug screening should enable improved multi-centre target-hit evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shradha Maharjan
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Ruth S Kirk
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Scott P Lawton
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK; Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness IV2 5NA, UK
| | - Anthony J Walker
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK.
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8
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Use of kinase inhibitors against schistosomes to improve and broaden praziquantel efficacy. Parasitology 2020; 147:1488-1498. [PMID: 32741402 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis. The potential drug resistance necessitates the search for adjunct or alternative therapies to PZQ. Previous functional genomics has shown that RNAi inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) gene in Schistosoma adult worms significantly improved the effectiveness of PZQ. Here we tested the in vitro efficacy of 15 selective and non-selective CaMK inhibitors against Schistosoma mansoni and showed that PZQ efficacy was improved against refractory juvenile parasites when combined with these CaMK inhibitors. By measuring CaMK activity and the mobility of adult S. mansoni, we identified two non-selective CaMK inhibitors, Staurosporine (STSP) and 1Naphthyl PP1 (1NAPP1), as promising candidates for further study. The impact of STSP and 1NAPP1 was investigated in mice infected with S. mansoni in the presence or absence of a sub-lethal dose of PZQ against 2- and 7-day-old schistosomula and adults. Treatment with STSP/PZQ induced a significant (47-68%) liver egg burden reduction compared with mice treated with PZQ alone. The findings indicate that the combination of STSP and PZQ dosages significantly improved anti-schistosomal activity compared to PZQ alone, demonstrating the potential of selective and non-selective CaMK/kinase inhibitors as a combination therapy with PZQ in treating schistosomiasis.
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9
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Kalinin DV, Jana SK, Pfafenrot M, Chakrabarti A, Melesina J, Shaik TB, Lancelot J, Pierce RJ, Sippl W, Romier C, Jung M, Holl R. Structure-Based Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Triazole-Based smHDAC8 Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:571-584. [PMID: 31816172 PMCID: PMC7187165 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, which affects over 200 million people worldwide and leads to at least 300,000 deaths every year. In this study, initial screening revealed the triazole‐based hydroxamate 2 b (N‐hydroxy‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxamide) exhibiting potent inhibitory activity toward the novel antiparasitic target Schistosoma mansoni histone deacetylase 8 (smHDAC8) and promising selectivity over the major human HDACs. Subsequent crystallographic studies of the 2 b/smHDAC8 complex revealed key interactions between the inhibitor and the enzyme's active site, thus explaining the unique selectivity profile of the inhibitor. Further chemical modifications of 2 b led to the discovery of 4‐fluorophenoxy derivative 21 (1‐[5‐chloro‐2‐(4‐fluorophenoxy)phenyl]‐N‐hydroxy‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxamide), a nanomolar smHDAC8 inhibitor (IC50=0.5 μM), exceeding the smHDAC8 inhibitory activity of 2 b and SAHA (vorinostat), while exhibiting an improved selectivity profile over the investigated human HDACs. Collectively, this study reveals specific interactions between smHDAC8 and the synthesized triazole‐based inhibitors and demonstrates that these small molecules represent promising lead structures, which could be further developed in the search for novel drugs for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii V Kalinin
- Department of Chemistry Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems.,Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany.,Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 - CiM), University of Münster, Schlossplatz 4, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Sunit K Jana
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany.,NRW Graduate School of Chemistry, University of Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Maxim Pfafenrot
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstr. 48, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Alokta Chakrabarti
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jelena Melesina
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Tajith B Shaik
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Julien Lancelot
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille U1019-UMR 8204-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Raymond J Pierce
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille U1019-UMR 8204-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Christophe Romier
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67404, Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ralph Holl
- Department of Chemistry Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
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10
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Pereira ASA, Silveira GO, Amaral MS, Almeida SMV, Oliveira JF, Lima MCA, Verjovski-Almeida S. In vitro activity of aryl-thiazole derivatives against Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula and adult worms. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225425. [PMID: 31765429 PMCID: PMC6876889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is caused by a trematode of the genus Schistosoma and affects over 200 million people worldwide. The only drug recommended by the World Health Organization for treatment and control of schistosomiasis is praziquantel. Development of new drugs is therefore of great importance. Thiazoles are regarded as privileged structures with a broad spectrum of activities and are potential sources of new drug prototypes, since they can act through interactions with DNA and inhibition of DNA synthesis. In this context, we report the synthesis of a series of thiazole derivatives and their in vitro schistosomicidal activity by testing eight molecules (NJ03-08; NJ11-12) containing thiazole structures. Parameters such as motility and mortality, egg laying, pairing and parasite viability by ATP quantification, which were influenced by these compounds, were evaluated during the assays. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized for evaluation of morphological changes in the tegument. Schistosomula and adult worms were treated in vitro with different concentrations (6.25 to 50 μM) of the thiazoles for up to 5 and 3 days, respectively. After in vitro treatment for five days with 6.25 μM NJ05 or NJ07 separately, we observed a decrease of 30% in schistosomula viability, whilst treatment with NJ05+NJ07 lead to a reduction of 75% in viability measured by ATP quantitation and propidium iodide labeling. Adult worms’ treatment with 50 μM NJ05, NJ07 or NJ05 + NJ07 showed decreased motility to 30–50% compared with controls. Compound NJ05 was more effective than NJ07, and adult worm viability after three days was reduced to 25% in parasites treated with 50 μM NJ05, compared with a viability reduction to 40% with 50 μM NJ07. SEM analysis showed severe alterations in adult worms with formation of bulges and blisters throughout the dorsal region of parasites treated with NJ05 or NJ07. Oviposition was extremely affected by treatment with the NJ series compounds; at concentrations of 25 μM and 50 μM, oviposition reached almost zero with NJ05, NJ07 or NJ05 + NJ07 already at day one. Tested genes involved in egg biosynthesis were all confirmed by qPCR as downregulated in females treated with 25 μM NJ05 for 2 days, with a significant reduction in expression of p14, Tyrosinase 2, p48 and fs800. NJ05, NJ07 or NJ05+NJ07 treatment of HEK293 (human embryonic cell line) and HES (human epithelial cell line) showed EC50 in the range of 18.42 to 145.20 μM. Overall, our results demonstrate that those molecules are suitable targets for further development into new drugs for schistosomiasis treatment, although progress is needed to lessen the cytotoxic effects on human cells. According to the present study, thiazole derivatives have schistosomicidal activities and may be part of a possible new arsenal of compounds against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana S. A. Pereira
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Gilbert O. Silveira
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | | | - Sinara M. V. Almeida
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Antibióticos, Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
- Universidade de Pernambuco, Campus Garanhuns, Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | - Jamerson F. Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Antibióticos, Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | - Maria C. A. Lima
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Antibióticos, Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brasil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
- * E-mail:
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11
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Gouveia MJ, Brindley PJ, Azevedo C, Gärtner F, da Costa JMC, Vale N. The antioxidants resveratrol and N-acetylcysteine enhance anthelmintic activity of praziquantel and artesunate against Schistosoma mansoni. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:309. [PMID: 31221193 PMCID: PMC6585032 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3566-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment of schistosomiasis has relied on the anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ) for more than a generation. Despite its celebrated performance for treatment and control of schistosomiasis and other platyhelminth infections, praziquantel has some shortcomings and the inability of this drug to counteract disease sequelae prompts the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Methods Using a host-parasite model involving Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni we established mechanical transformation of S. mansoni cercariae into newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) and characterized optimal culture conditions. Thereafter, we investigated the antischistosomal activity and ability of the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and resveratrol (RESV) to augment the performance of praziquantel and/or artesunate (AS) against larval stages of the parasite. Drug effects were evaluated by using an automated microscopical system to study live and fixed parasites and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results Transformation rates of cercariae to schistosomula reached ~ 70% when the manipulation process was optimized. Several culture media were tested, with M199 supplemented with HEPES found to be suitable for S. mansoni NTS. Among the antioxidants studied, RESV alone or combined with anthelminthic drugs achieved better results rather N-acetylcysteine (NAC). TEM observations demonstrated that the combination of AS + RESV induced severe, extensive alterations to the tegument and subtegument of NTS when compared to the constituent compounds alone. Two anthelmintic–antioxidant combinations, praziquantel-resveratrol [combination index (CI) = 0.74] and artesunate-resveratrol (CI = 0.34) displayed moderate and strong synergy, respectively. Conclusions The use of viability markers including staining with propidium iodide increased the accuracy of drug screening assays against S. mansoni NTS. The synergies observed might be the consequence of increased action by RESV on targets of AS and PZQ and/or they may act through concomitantly on discrete targets to enhance overall antischistosomal action. Combinations of active agents, preferably with discrete modes of action including activity against developmental stages and/or the potential to ameliorate infection-associated pathology, might be pursued in order to identify novel therapeutic interventions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3566-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Gouveia
- Center for the Study of Animal Science, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, Apartado 55142, 4051-401, Porto, Portugal.,i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS-UP, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-343, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paul J Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine and Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, 20037, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Carlos Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS/UP), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fátima Gärtner
- Center for the Study of Animal Science, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, Apartado 55142, 4051-401, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS-UP, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-343, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - José M C da Costa
- Center for the Study of Animal Science, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, Apartado 55142, 4051-401, Porto, Portugal.,National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Rua Alexandre Herculano, 321, 4000-055, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,ICBAS-UP, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-343, Porto, Portugal. .,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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12
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Bayer T, Chakrabarti A, Lancelot J, Shaik TB, Hausmann K, Melesina J, Schmidtkunz K, Marek M, Erdmann F, Schmidt M, Robaa D, Romier C, Pierce RJ, Jung M, Sippl W. Synthesis, Crystallization Studies, and in vitro Characterization of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives as SmHDAC8 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Schistosomiasis. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:1517-1529. [PMID: 29806110 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected parasitic disease that affects more than 265 million people worldwide and for which the control strategy relies on mass treatment with only one drug: praziquantel. Based on the 3-chlorobenzothiophene-2-hydroxamic acid J1075, a series of hydroxamic acids with different scaffolds were prepared as potential inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni histone deacetylase 8 (SmHDAC8). The crystal structures of SmHDAC8 with four inhibitors provided insight into the binding mode and orientation of molecules in the binding pocket as well as the orientation of its flexible amino acid residues. The compounds were evaluated in screens for inhibitory activity against schistosome and human HDACs. The most promising compounds were further investigated for their activity toward the major human HDAC isotypes. The most potent inhibitors were additionally screened for lethality against the schistosome larval stage using a fluorescence-based assay. Two of the compounds showed significant, dose-dependent killing of the schistosome larvae and markedly impaired egg laying of adult worm pairs maintained in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Bayer
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Alokta Chakrabarti
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julien Lancelot
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 8204-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Tajith B Shaik
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, 67404, Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Kristin Hausmann
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Jelena Melesina
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Karin Schmidtkunz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Marek
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, 67404, Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Frank Erdmann
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Dina Robaa
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Christophe Romier
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, 67404, Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Raymond J Pierce
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 8204-CIIL-Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Str. 4, 06120, Halle/Saale, Germany
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13
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Chua MJ, Arnold MSJ, Xu W, Lancelot J, Lamotte S, Späth GF, Prina E, Pierce RJ, Fairlie DP, Skinner-Adams TS, Andrews KT. Effect of clinically approved HDAC inhibitors on Plasmodium, Leishmania and Schistosoma parasite growth. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2016; 7:42-50. [PMID: 28107750 PMCID: PMC5241585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, schistosomiasis and leishmaniases are among the most prevalent tropical parasitic diseases and each requires new innovative treatments. Targeting essential parasite pathways, such as those that regulate gene expression and cell cycle progression, is a key strategy for discovering new drug leads. In this study, four clinically approved anti-cancer drugs (Vorinostat, Belinostat, Panobinostat and Romidepsin) that target histone/lysine deacetylase enzymes were examined for in vitro activity against Plasmodium knowlesi, Schistosoma mansoni, Leishmania amazonensis and L. donovani parasites and two for in vivo activity in a mouse malaria model. All four compounds were potent inhibitors of P. knowlesi malaria parasites (IC50 9-370 nM), with belinostat, panobinostat and vorinostat having 8-45 fold selectivity for the parasite over human neonatal foreskin fibroblast (NFF) or human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells, while romidepsin was not selective. Each of the HDAC inhibitor drugs caused hyperacetylation of P. knowlesi histone H4. None of the drugs was active against Leishmania amastigote or promastigote parasites (IC50 > 20 μM) or S. mansoni schistosomula (IC50 > 10 μM), however romidepsin inhibited S. mansoni adult worm parings and egg production (IC50 ∼10 μM). Modest in vivo activity was observed in P. berghei infected mice dosed orally with vorinostat or panobinostat (25 mg/kg twice daily for four days), with a significant reduction in parasitemia observed on days 4-7 and 4-10 after infection (P < 0.05), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Jang Chua
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Megan S J Arnold
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Weijun Xu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Julien Lancelot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 8204- CIIL -Centre D'Infection et D'Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Suzanne Lamotte
- Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
| | - Gerald F Späth
- Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
| | - Eric Prina
- Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Paris, France
| | - Raymond J Pierce
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 8204- CIIL -Centre D'Infection et D'Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - David P Fairlie
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Tina S Skinner-Adams
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katherine T Andrews
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
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14
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Tekwu EM, Anyan WK, Boamah D, Baffour-Awuah KO, Keyetat Tekwu S, Penlap Beng V, Nyarko AK, Bosompem KM. Mechanically produced schistosomula as a higher-throughput tools for phenotypic pre-screening in drug sensitivity assays: current research and future trends. Biomark Res 2016; 4:21. [PMID: 27895916 PMCID: PMC5120492 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-016-0075-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
It is crucial to develop new antischistosomal drugs since there is no vaccine and the whole world is relying on only a single drug for the treatment of schistosomiasis. One of the obstacles to the development of drugs is the absence of the high throughput objective screening methods to assess drug compounds efficacy. Thus for identification of new drug compounds candidates, fast and accurate in vitro assays are unavoidable and more research efforts in the field of drug discovery can target schistosomula. This review presents a substantial overview of the present state of in vitro drug sensitivity assays developed so far for the determination of anti-schistosomula activity of drug compounds, natural products and derivatives using newly transformed schistosomula (NTS). It highlights some of the challenges involved in in vitro compound screening using NTS and the way forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Mouafo Tekwu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG581 Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Laboratory for Tuberculosis Research and Pharmacology, Biotechnology Centre, Nkolbisson, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - William Kofi Anyan
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG581 Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Daniel Boamah
- Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), Akwapim, Mampong, Ghana
| | - Kofi Owusu Baffour-Awuah
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG581 Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Veronique Penlap Beng
- Laboratory for Tuberculosis Research and Pharmacology, Biotechnology Centre, Nkolbisson, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Kwabena Mante Bosompem
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG581 Legon, Accra, Ghana
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15
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Neves BJ, Dantas RF, Senger MR, Melo-Filho CC, Valente WCG, de Almeida ACM, Rezende-Neto JM, Lima EFC, Paveley R, Furnham N, Muratov E, Kamentsky L, Carpenter AE, Braga RC, Silva-Junior FP, Andrade CH. Discovery of New Anti-Schistosomal Hits by Integration of QSAR-Based Virtual Screening and High Content Screening. J Med Chem 2016; 59:7075-88. [PMID: 27396732 PMCID: PMC5844225 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b02038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a debilitating neglected tropical disease, caused by flatworms of Schistosoma genus. The treatment relies on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ), making the discovery of new compounds extremely urgent. In this work, we integrated QSAR-based virtual screening (VS) of Schistosoma mansoni thioredoxin glutathione reductase (SmTGR) inhibitors and high content screening (HCS) aiming to discover new antischistosomal agents. Initially, binary QSAR models for inhibition of SmTGR were developed and validated using the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidance. Using these models, we prioritized 29 compounds for further testing in two HCS platforms based on image analysis of assay plates. Among them, 2-[2-(3-methyl-4-nitro-5-isoxazolyl)vinyl]pyridine and 2-(benzylsulfonyl)-1,3-benzothiazole, two compounds representing new chemical scaffolds have activity against schistosomula and adult worms at low micromolar concentrations and therefore represent promising antischistosomal hits for further hit-to-lead optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno J. Neves
- LabMol—Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rua 240, Qd.87, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia 74605-510, Brazil
| | - Rafael F. Dantas
- LaBECFar—Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mario R. Senger
- LaBECFar—Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cleber C. Melo-Filho
- LabMol—Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rua 240, Qd.87, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia 74605-510, Brazil
| | - Walter C. G. Valente
- LaBECFar—Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana C. M. de Almeida
- LaBECFar—Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - João M. Rezende-Neto
- LaBECFar—Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elid F. C. Lima
- LaBECFar—Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ross Paveley
- Department of Infection and Immunity, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Furnham
- Department of Infection and Immunity, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Eugene Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill North Carolina 27955-7568, United States
| | - Lee Kamentsky
- Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Anne E. Carpenter
- Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Rodolpho C. Braga
- LabMol—Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rua 240, Qd.87, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia 74605-510, Brazil
| | - Floriano P. Silva-Junior
- LaBECFar—Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- LabMol—Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rua 240, Qd.87, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia 74605-510, Brazil
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16
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Melo-Filho CC, Dantas RF, Braga RC, Neves BJ, Senger MR, Valente WCG, Rezende-Neto JM, Chaves WT, Muratov EN, Paveley RA, Furnham N, Kamentsky L, Carpenter AE, Silva-Junior FP, Andrade CH. QSAR-Driven Discovery of Novel Chemical Scaffolds Active against Schistosoma mansoni. J Chem Inf Model 2016; 56:1357-72. [PMID: 27253773 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.6b00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Thioredoxin glutathione reductase of Schistosoma mansoni (SmTGR) is a validated drug target that plays a crucial role in the redox homeostasis of the parasite. We report the discovery of new chemical scaffolds against S. mansoni using a combi-QSAR approach followed by virtual screening of a commercial database and confirmation of top ranking compounds by in vitro experimental evaluation with automated imaging of schistosomula and adult worms. We constructed 2D and 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models using a series of oxadiazoles-2-oxides reported in the literature as SmTGR inhibitors and combined the best models in a consensus QSAR model. This model was used for a virtual screening of Hit2Lead set of ChemBridge database and allowed the identification of ten new potential SmTGR inhibitors. Further experimental testing on both shistosomula and adult worms showed that 4-nitro-3,5-bis(1-nitro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole (LabMol-17) and 3-nitro-4-{[(4-nitro-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)oxy]methyl}-1,2,5-oxadiazole (LabMol-19), two compounds representing new chemical scaffolds, have high activity in both systems. These compounds will be the subjects for additional testing and, if necessary, modification to serve as new schistosomicidal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleber C Melo-Filho
- LabMol-Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias , Rua 240, Qd.87, Goiania, GO 74605-510, Brazil
| | - Rafael F Dantas
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs, Oswaldo Cruz Institute , Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Rodolpho C Braga
- LabMol-Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias , Rua 240, Qd.87, Goiania, GO 74605-510, Brazil
| | - Bruno J Neves
- LabMol-Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias , Rua 240, Qd.87, Goiania, GO 74605-510, Brazil
| | - Mario R Senger
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs, Oswaldo Cruz Institute , Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Walter C G Valente
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs, Oswaldo Cruz Institute , Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - João M Rezende-Neto
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs, Oswaldo Cruz Institute , Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Willian T Chaves
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs, Oswaldo Cruz Institute , Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Eugene N Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Department of Chemical Technology, Odessa National Polytechnic University , 1. Shevchenko Ave., Odessa, 65000, Ukraine
| | - Ross A Paveley
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology & Department of Infection and Immunity, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Furnham
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology & Department of Infection and Immunity, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Kamentsky
- Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Anne E Carpenter
- Imaging Platform, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard , Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Floriano P Silva-Junior
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Drugs, Oswaldo Cruz Institute , Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Carolina H Andrade
- LabMol-Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goias , Rua 240, Qd.87, Goiania, GO 74605-510, Brazil
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17
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Neves BJ, Muratov E, Machado RB, Andrade CH, Cravo PVL. Modern approaches to accelerate discovery of new antischistosomal drugs. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:557-67. [PMID: 27073973 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1178230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The almost exclusive use of only praziquantel for the treatment of schistosomiasis has raised concerns about the possible emergence of drug-resistant schistosomes. Consequently, there is an urgent need for new antischistosomal drugs. The identification of leads and the generation of high quality data are crucial steps in the early stages of schistosome drug discovery projects. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors focus on the current developments in antischistosomal lead discovery, specifically referring to the use of automated in vitro target-based and whole-organism screens and virtual screening of chemical databases. They highlight the strengths and pitfalls of each of the above-mentioned approaches, and suggest possible roadmaps towards the integration of several strategies, which may contribute for optimizing research outputs and led to more successful and cost-effective drug discovery endeavors. EXPERT OPINION Increasing partnerships and access to funding for drug discovery have strengthened the battle against schistosomiasis in recent years. However, the authors believe this battle also includes innovative strategies to overcome scientific challenges. In this context, significant advances of in vitro screening as well as computer-aided drug discovery have contributed to increase the success rate and reduce the costs of drug discovery campaigns. Although some of these approaches were already used in current antischistosomal lead discovery pipelines, the integration of these strategies in a solid workflow should allow the production of new treatments for schistosomiasis in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Junior Neves
- a LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade Federal de Goiás , Goiânia , Brazil
| | - Eugene Muratov
- b Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Eshelman School of Pharmacy , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Renato Beilner Machado
- c GenoBio - Laboratory of Genomics and Biotechnology, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública , Universidade Federal de Goiás , Goiânia , Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- a LabMol - Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia , Universidade Federal de Goiás , Goiânia , Brazil
| | - Pedro Vitor Lemos Cravo
- c GenoBio - Laboratory of Genomics and Biotechnology, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública , Universidade Federal de Goiás , Goiânia , Brazil.,d Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical , Universidade Nova de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal
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18
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Heimburg T, Chakrabarti A, Lancelot J, Marek M, Melesina J, Hauser AT, Shaik TB, Duclaud S, Robaa D, Erdmann F, Schmidt M, Romier C, Pierce RJ, Jung M, Sippl W. Structure-Based Design and Synthesis of Novel Inhibitors Targeting HDAC8 from Schistosoma mansoni for the Treatment of Schistosomiasis. J Med Chem 2016; 59:2423-35. [PMID: 26937828 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major neglected parasitic disease that affects more than 265 million people worldwide and for which the control strategy consists of mass treatment with the only available drug, praziquantel. In this study, a series of new benzohydroxamates were prepared as potent inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni histone deacetylase 8 (smHDAC8). Crystallographic analysis provided insights into the inhibition mode of smHDAC8 activity by these 3-amidobenzohydroxamates. The newly designed inhibitors were evaluated in screens for enzyme inhibitory activity against schistosome and human HDACs. Twenty-seven compounds were found to be active in the nanomolar range, and some of them showed selectivity toward smHDAC8 over the major human HDACs (1 and 6). The active benzohydroxamates were additionally screened for lethality against the schistosome larval stage using a fluorescence-based assay. Four of these showed significant dose-dependent killing of the schistosome larvae and markedly impaired egg laying of adult worm pairs maintained in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Heimburg
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg , 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Alokta Chakrabarti
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg , 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julien Lancelot
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm , CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 8204 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Martin Marek
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg (UDS), CNRS, INSERM , 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Jelena Melesina
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg , 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | | | - Tajith B Shaik
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg (UDS), CNRS, INSERM , 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Sylvie Duclaud
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg (UDS), CNRS, INSERM , 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Dina Robaa
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg , 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Frank Erdmann
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg , 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg , 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Christophe Romier
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg (UDS), CNRS, INSERM , 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Raymond J Pierce
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm , CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 8204 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg , 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg , 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
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19
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Neves BJ, Dantas RF, Senger MR, Valente WCG, Rezende-Neto JDM, Chaves WT, Kamentsky L, Carpenter A, Silva-Junior FP, Andrade CH. The antidepressant drug paroxetine as a new lead candidate in schistosome drug discovery. MEDCHEMCOMM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5md00596e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Paroxetine is a new anti-schistosomal lead with potent activity against schistosomula and adult life stages of S. mansoni.
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20
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Panic G, Flores D, Ingram-Sieber K, Keiser J. Fluorescence/luminescence-based markers for the assessment of Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula drug assays. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:624. [PMID: 26644133 PMCID: PMC4672532 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1233-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is responsible for a tremendous public health burden, yet only a single drug, praziquantel, is available. New antischistosomal treatments should therefore be developed. The accuracy, speed and objectivity of in vitro drug screening depend on the assay read-out. Microscopy is still the current gold standard and is in need of updating to an automated format. The aim of the present study was to investigate a panel of fluorescence/luminescence dyes for their applicability as viability markers in drug sensitivity assays for Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula. Methods A search for available viability and cytotoxicity marker assays and dyes was carried out and a short-list of the most interesting candidates was created. The selected kits and dyes were tested on S. mansoni Newly Transformed Schistosomula (NTS), first to assess whether they correlate with parasite viability, with comparatively low background noise, and to optimise assay conditions. Markers fulfilling these criteria were then tested in a dose–response drug assay using standard and experimental drugs and those for which an IC50 value could be accurately and reproducibly calculated were also tested on a subset of a compound library to determine their hit-identification accuracy. Results Of the 11 markers selected for testing, resazurin, Vybrant® and CellTiter-Glo® correlated best with NTS viability, produced signals ≥ 3-fold stronger than background noise and revealed a significant signal-to-NTS concentration relationship. Of these, CellTiter-Glo® could be used to accurately determine IC50 values for antischistosomals. Use of CellTiter-Glo® in a compound subset screen identified 100 % of hits that were identified using standard microscopic evaluation. Conclusion This study presents a comprehensive overview of the utility of colorimetric markers in drug screening. Our study demonstrates that it is difficult to develop a simple, cheap “just add” colorimetric marker-based drug assay for the larval stage of S. mansoni. CellTiter-Glo® can likely be used for endpoint go/no go screens and potentially for drug dose–response studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1233-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordana Panic
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Dayana Flores
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Katrin Ingram-Sieber
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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Rinaldi G, Loukas A, Brindley PJ, Irelan JT, Smout MJ. Viability of developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni quantified with xCELLigence worm real-time motility assay (xWORM). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2015; 5:141-8. [PMID: 26288742 PMCID: PMC4534758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Infection with helminth parasites causes morbidity and mortality in billions of people and livestock worldwide. Where anthelmintic drugs are available, drug resistance is a major problem in livestock parasites, and a looming threat to public health. Monitoring the efficacy of these medicines and screening for new drugs has been hindered by the lack of objective, high-throughput approaches. Several cell monitoring technologies have been adapted for parasitic worms, including video-, fluorescence-, metabolism enzyme- and impedance-based tools that minimize the screening bottleneck. Using the xCELLigence impedance-based system we previously developed a motility-viability assay that is applicable for a range of helminth parasites. Here we have improved substantially the assay by using diverse frequency settings, and have named it the xCELLigence worm real-time motility assay (xWORM). By utilizing strictly standardized mean difference analysis we compared the xWORM output measured with 10, 25 and 50 kHz frequencies to quantify the motility of schistosome adults (human blood flukes) and hatching of schistosome eggs. Furthermore, we have described a novel application of xWORM to monitor movement of schistosome cercariae, the developmental stage that is infectious to humans. For all three stages, 25 kHz was either optimal or near-optimal for monitoring and quantifying schistosome motility. These improvements in methodology sensitivity should enhance the capacity to screen small compound libraries for new drugs both for schistosomes and other helminth pathogens at large. 25 kHz on the xCELLigence system dramatically improves the schistosome xWORM assay. xWORM assay can efficiently determine viability of Schistome adults or eggs. First time cercariae have been incorporated into an automated viability assay. Other helminth monitoring may benefit from alternate xCELLigence frequency options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Rinaldi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for the Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20037, USA
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for the Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20037, USA
| | | | - Michael J. Smout
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, McGregor Rd, Smithfield, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
- Corresponding author. James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia.
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22
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Lalli C, Guidi A, Gennari N, Altamura S, Bresciani A, Ruberti G. Development and validation of a luminescence-based, medium-throughput assay for drug screening in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003484. [PMID: 25635836 PMCID: PMC4312041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis, one of the world’s greatest neglected tropical diseases, is responsible for over 280,000 human deaths per annum. Praziquantel, developed in the 1970s, has high efficacy, excellent tolerability, few and transient side effects, simple administration procedures and competitive cost and it is currently the only recommended drug for treatment of human schistosomiasis. The use of a single drug to treat a population of over 200 million infected people appears particularly alarming when considering the threat of drug resistance. Quantitative, objective and validated methods for the screening of compound collections are needed for the discovery of novel anti-schistosomal drugs. Methodology/Principal Findings The present work describes the development and validation of a luminescence-based, medium-throughput assay for the detection of schistosomula viability through quantitation of ATP, a good indicator of metabolically active cells in culture. This validated method is demonstrated to be fast, highly reliable, sensitive and automation-friendly. The optimized assay was used for the screening of a small compound library on S. mansoni schistosomula, showing that the proposed method is suitable for a medium-throughput semi-automated screening. Interestingly, the pilot screening identified hits previously reported to have some anti-parasitic activity, further supporting the validity of this assay for anthelminthic drug discovery. Conclusions The developed and validated schistosomula viability luminescence-based assay was shown to be successful and suitable for the identification of novel compounds potentially exploitable in future schistosomiasis therapies. Schistosomiasis, one of the world’s greatest human neglected tropical diseases, is caused by a parasitic flatworm trematode of the genus Schistosoma. Among human parasitic diseases, schistosomiasis ranks second behind malaria in terms of socio-economic and public health importance in tropical and subtropical areas. More than 200 million people are currently infected in 77 countries, 85% of whom live in sub-Saharian Africa. To date no vaccine is available against schistosomiasis. As chemotherapy relies on a single drug, praziquantel, many initiatives have been promoted aiming to search for novel anti-schistosomal drugs that can represent a valid alternative to the current treatment or could be used in case of emerging resistance. Quantitative, objective and validated methods for compound collections screening are needed for the discovery of novel anti-schistosomal drugs. Here, we report the development and validation of a medium-throughput, luminescence-based assay for assessing viability at the schistosomulum stage of the human parasite S. mansoni. Our methodology enables a simple, reproducible, highly sensitive and objective quantitation of parasite viability. It is also automation compatible and enables the screening of compound collections thus hopefully contributing to the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Lalli
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, National Research Council, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Guidi
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, National Research Council, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Nadia Gennari
- Department of Biology, IRBM Science Park xSpA, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Altamura
- Department of Biology, IRBM Science Park xSpA, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Bresciani
- Department of Biology, IRBM Science Park xSpA, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail: (AB); (GR)
| | - Giovina Ruberti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, National Research Council, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail: (AB); (GR)
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23
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Paveley RA, Bickle QD. Automated imaging and other developments in whole-organism anthelmintic screening. Parasite Immunol 2014; 35:302-13. [PMID: 23581722 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Helminth infections still represent a huge public health problem throughout the developing world and in the absence of vaccines control is based on periodic mass drug administration. Poor efficacy of some anthelmintics and concerns about emergence of drug resistance has highlighted the need for new drug discovery. Most current anthelmintics were discovered through in vivo screening of selected compounds in animal models but recent approaches have shifted towards screening for activity against adult or larval stages in vitro. Larvae are normally available in greater numbers than adults, can often be produced in vitro and are small enough for microplate assays. However, the manual visualization of drug effects in vitro is subjective, laborious and slow. This can be overcome by application of automated readouts including high-content imaging. Incorporated into robotically controlled HTS platforms such methods allow the very large compound collections being made available by the pharmaceutical industry or academic organizations to be screened against helminths for the first time, invigorating the drug discovery pipeline. Here, we review the status of whole-organism screens based on in vitro activity against living worms and highlight the recent progress towards automated image-based readouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Paveley
- Department of Infection and Immunity, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Liu J, Dyer DH, Cheng J, Wang J, Wang S, Yang Z, Wang X, Hu W. Aldose reductase from Schistosoma japonicum: crystallization and structure-based inhibitor screening for discovering antischistosomal lead compounds. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:162. [PMID: 23734964 PMCID: PMC3691639 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with high morbidity and mortality in the world. Currently, the treatment of this disease depends almost exclusively on praziquantel (PZQ); however, the emergence of drug resistance to PZQ in schistosomes makes the development of novel drugs an urgent task. Aldose reductase (AR), an important component that may be involved in the schistosome antioxidant defense system, is predicted as a potential drug target. METHODS The tertiary structure of Schistosoma japonicum AR (SjAR) was obtained through X-ray diffraction method and then its potential inhibitors were identified from the Maybridge HitFinder library by virtual screening based on this structural model. The effects of these identified compounds on cultured adult worms were evaluated by observing mobility, morphological changes and mortality. To verify that SjAR was indeed the target of these identified compounds, their effects on recombinant SjAR (rSjAR) enzymatic activity were assessed. The cytotoxicity analysis was performed with three types of human cell lines using a Cell Counting Kit-8. RESULTS We firstly resolved the SjAR structure and identified 10 potential inhibitors based on this structural model. Further in vitro experiments showed that one of the compounds, renamed as AR9, exhibited significant inhibition in the activity of cultured worms as well as inhibition of enzymatic activity of rSjAR protein. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed that AR9 had relatively low toxicity towards host cells. CONCLUSIONS The work presented here bridges the gap between virtual screening and experimental validation, providing an effective and economical strategy for the development of new anti-parasitic drugs. Additionally, this study also found that AR9 may become a new potential lead compound for developing novel antischistosomal drugs against parasite AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of MOH, Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 207 Rui-Jin Road II, Shanghai, China
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25
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Current drug targets for helminthic diseases. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:1819-31. [PMID: 23529336 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3383-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
More than 2 billion people are infected with helminth parasites across the globe. The burgeoning drug resistance against current anthelmintics in parasitic worms of humans and livestock requires urgent attention to tackle these recalcitrant worms. This review focuses on the advancements made in the area of helminth drug target discovery especially from the last few couple of decades. It highlights various approaches made in this field and enlists the potential drug targets currently being pursued to target economically important helminth species both from human as well as livestock to combat disease pathology of schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and other important macroparasitic diseases. Research in the helminths study is trending to identify potential and druggable targets through genomic, proteomic, biochemical, biophysical, in vitro experiments, and in vivo experiments in animal models. The availability of major helminths genome sequences and the subsequent availability of genome-scale functional datasets through in silico search and prioritization are expected to guide the experimental work necessary for target-based drug discovery. Organized and documented list of drug targets from various helminths of economic importance have been systematically covered in this review for further exploring their use and applications, which can give physicians and veterinarians effective drugs in hand to enable them control worm infections.
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