1
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Walter NS, Bhattacharyya S. Mining parasites for their potential as novel therapeutic agents against cancer. Med Oncol 2024; 41:211. [PMID: 39073638 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the management and therapeutic of cancer, the treatment of the disease is limited by its high cost and severe side effects. In this scenario, there is an unmet need to identify novel treatment alternatives for this dreaded disease. Recently there is growing evidence that parasites may cause anticancer effects because of a negative correlation between parasitic infections and tumour growth despite some parasites that are known to exhibit pro-carcinogenic effects. It has been observed that parasites exert an anticancer effect either by activating the host's immune response or by secreting certain molecules that exhibit anticancer potential. The activation of the immune response by these parasitic organisms results in the inhibition of some of the hallmarks of cancer such as tumour proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review summarizes the current advances as well as the mechanisms underlying the possible implications of this diverse group of organisms as anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sylvia Walter
- Department of Biophysics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Shalmoli Bhattacharyya
- Department of Biophysics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India.
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2
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Zheng Z, Lu X, Zhou D, Deng XF, Liu QX, Liu XB, Zhang J, Li YQ, Zheng H, Dai JG. A novel enemy of cancer: recent investigations into protozoan anti-tumor properties. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1325144. [PMID: 38274735 PMCID: PMC10808745 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1325144] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a significant global health issue, despite advances in screening and treatment. While existing tumor treatment protocols such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have proven effective in enhancing the prognosis for some patients, these treatments do not benefit all patients. Consequently, certain types of cancer continue to exhibit a relatively low 5-year survival rate. Therefore, the pursuit of novel tumor intervention strategies may help improve the current effectiveness of tumor treatment. Over the past few decades, numerous species of protozoa and their components have exhibited anti-tumor potential via immune and non-immune mechanisms. This discovery introduces a new research direction for the development of new and effective cancer treatments. Through in vitro experiments and studies involving tumor-bearing mice, the anti-tumor ability of Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi, and other protozoa have unveiled diverse mechanisms by which protozoa combat cancer, demonstrating encouraging prospects for their application. In this review, we summarize the anti-tumor ability and anti-tumor mechanisms of various protozoa and explore the potential for their clinical development and application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army (Third Military) Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ji-gang Dai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army (Third Military) Medical University, Chongqing, China
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3
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Kaufman CD, Farré C, Biscari L, Pérez AR, Alloatti A. Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas disease and cancer: putting together the pieces of a complex puzzle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1260423. [PMID: 38188016 PMCID: PMC10768204 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1260423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Considering the extensive and widespread impact on individuals, cancer can presently be categorized as a pandemic. In many instances, the development of tumors has been linked to endemic microbe infections. Among parasitic infections, Trypanosoma cruzi stands out as one of the most extensively discussed protozoans in the literature that explores the association between diseases of parasite origin and cancer. However, the effective association remains an unsolved paradox. Both the parasite, along with protozoan-derived molecules, and the associated antiparasitic immune response can induce alterations in various host cell pathways, leading to modifications in cell cycle, metabolism, glycosylation, DNA mutations, or changes in neuronal signaling. Furthermore, the presence of the parasite can trigger cell death or a senescent phenotype and modulate the immune system, the metastatic cascade, and the formation of new blood vessels. The interaction among the parasite (and its molecules), the host, and cancer undoubtedly encompasses various mechanisms that operate differentially depending on the context. Remarkably, contrary to expectations, the evidence tilts the balance toward inhibiting tumor growth or resisting tumor development. This effect is primarily observed in malignant cells, rather than normal cells, indicating a selective or specific component. Nevertheless, nonspecific bystander mechanisms, such as T. cruzi's adjuvancy or the presence of proinflammatory cytokines, may also play a significant role in this phenomenon. This work aims to elucidate this complex scenario by synthesizing the main findings presented in the literature and by proposing new questions and answers, thereby adding pieces to this challenging puzzle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Daniela Kaufman
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Farré
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Lucía Biscari
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andrés Alloatti
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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4
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Yousefi M, Akbari M, Hadipour M, Dehkordi AB, Farahbakhsh Z, Darani HY. Parasites as potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:8027-8038. [PMID: 36949175 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04694-2] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Parasites and cancers have some common antigens. Much scientific evidence in the human population, animal models, and in vitro experiments exhibit that parasites have significant anti-cancer effects. The larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzy, Plasmodium's, and Trichinella spiralis are among the parasites that have been subjects of anti-cancer research in the last decades. Anti-tumor effects of parasites may be due to the direct impact of the parasites per se or indirectly due to the immune response raised against common antigens between malignant cells and parasites. This manuscript reviews the anti-cancer effects of parasites and possible mechanisms of these effects. Options for using parasites or their antigens for cancer treatment in the future have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Yousefi
- Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadesmail Akbari
- Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahboubeh Hadipour
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Azar Balouti Dehkordi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zohreh Farahbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Yousofi Darani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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5
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Esperante D, Flisser A, Mendlovic F. The many faces of parasite calreticulin. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1101390. [PMID: 36993959 PMCID: PMC10040973 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1101390] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Calreticulin from parasites and its vertebrate hosts share ~50% identity and many of its functions are equally conserved. However, the existing amino acid differences can affect its biological performance. Calreticulin plays an important role in Ca2+ homeostasis and as a chaperone involved in the correct folding of proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum. Outside the endoplasmic reticulum, calreticulin is involved in several immunological functions such as complement inhibition, enhancement of efferocytosis, and immune upregulation or inhibition. Several parasite calreticulins have been shown to limit immune responses and promote infectivity, while others are strong immunogens and have been used for the development of potential vaccines that limit parasite growth. Furthermore, calreticulin is essential in the dialogue between parasites and hosts, inducing Th1, Th2 or regulatory responses in a species-specific manner. In addition, calreticulin participates as initiator of endoplasmic reticulum stress in tumor cells and promotion of immunogenic cell death and removal by macrophages. Direct anti-tumoral activity has also been reported. The highly immunogenic and pleiotropic nature of parasite calreticulins, either as positive or negative regulators of the immune response, render these proteins as valuable tools to modulate immunopathologies and autoimmune disorders, as well as a potential treatment of neoplasms. Moreover, the disparities in the amino acid composition of parasite calreticulins might provide subtle variations in the mechanisms of action that could provide advantages as therapeutic tools. Here, we review the immunological roles of parasite calreticulins and discuss possible beneficial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Esperante
- Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medicina (PECEM), Facultad de Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana Flisser
- Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medicina (PECEM), Facultad de Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fela Mendlovic
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anahuac Mexico Norte, Huixquilucan, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Fela Mendlovic,
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6
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Azevedo Silveira AC, Cristina de Oliveira R, Rodrigues CC, Teixeira SC, Borges BC, Vieira da Silva C. Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces proliferation and impairs migration of a human breast cancer cell line. Exp Parasitol 2023; 245:108443. [PMID: 36526003 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is considered the type of cancer that most affects women in the world. The triple negative breast cancer is considered aggressive with poor prognosis. In the 1930s Russian researchers observed that T. cruzi has tropism for tumor cells. Since then, this research field has been subject of a numerous of researches. Here, we proposed to investigate the impact of T. cruzi infection on proliferation and migration of triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). T. cruzi showed high invasion and multiplication rate in MDA-MB-231 cell line. The infection promoted the multiplication of MDA-MB-231 cell, continuous cell lysis throughout of days of in vitro infection and impaired MDA-MB-231 cell migration. Taken together, these results demonstrated the high susceptibility of MDA-MB-231 cell to T. cruzi and suggested that molecules from T. cruzi may impair host cell migration with potential use to avoid metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cassiano Costa Rodrigues
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruna Cristina Borges
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Claudio Vieira da Silva
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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7
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Eligio García L, Crisóstomo Vázquez MDP, Maravelez Acosta VA, Soria Guerrero M, Cortés Campos A, Jiménez Cardoso E. Trypanosoma cruzi Antigenic Proteins Shared with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Neuroblastoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1421. [PMID: 36422551 PMCID: PMC9693088 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background. Research studies indicate that immunization with protein extracts of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease, prevents the appearance of tumors in 60% of mice injected with the murine lung carcinoma tumor line. The molecular basis of this process is unknown, although the presence of specific antigens in tumor cells and on the surface of T. cruzi suggests an antiparasitic immune response, with an effective cross-reaction against cancer cells, hence the importance to identify the antigens involved and determine their potential as target cells in anticancer therapy. Aim. This study aimed to determine the presence of antigenic proteins of T. cruzi shared with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and neuroblastoma cells. Material and methods. To achieve this, polyclonal antibodies against T. cruzi were developed in rabbits, and reactivity was determined with protein extracts of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and neuroblastoma. The immunodetection of five different strains of T. cruzi against anti-T. cruzi polyclonal antibodies was also performed. Conclusion. The study allows the knowledge of the immunological interactions between cancer and parasites to be expanded and, therefore, contributes to the design of more and better projects that improve the therapeutic strategies applied in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Enedina Jiménez Cardoso
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Parasitología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG), Dr. Márquez 162. Col Doctores, Cuauhtémoc, México City 06720, Mexico
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8
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Oliveira FMS, Cruz RE, Pinheiro GRG, Caliari MV. Comorbidities involving parasitic diseases: A look at the benefits and complications. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2022; 247:1819-1826. [PMID: 35876147 PMCID: PMC9679356 DOI: 10.1177/15353702221108387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infections acquired by the population cause substantial morbidity worldwide, with individuals from developing countries being most affected. Some parasites remain in the host for long periods, settling in different organs, manipulating the flow of nutrients and metabolites, and influencing the immune response, favoring their adaptation. The host attempts to counteract the metabolic and immunological alterations and the possible damage caused by infection. These metabolic and immunological changes experienced by the host can influence the progression of other existing morbidities or those that will be acquired in the future. Cancer and metabolic diseases are also frequent causes of morbidity in the world population. The large numbers of individuals affected by cancer and metabolic diseases and the high prevalence of morbidity caused by parasitic diseases favor the development of comorbidity involving these pathologies. This review provides an overview of major advances in research on cancer and metabolic diseases associated with parasitic infections. Information about hosts and parasites such as alterations of the immune response, metabolism and adaptation mechanisms of the parasites, and parasitic molecules with therapeutic potential is provided, as well as the beneficial results or complications related to the comorbidities discussed herein. We emphasize the need to conduct additional studies addressing comorbidities associated with parasitic infections to improve the understanding of the impact of this association on the progression of morbidities, as well as the possibility of the therapeutic use of and therapeutic approaches involving parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício Marcus Silva Oliveira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ruth Elizabeth Cruz
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Rafael Gomide Pinheiro
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Vidigal Caliari
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil,Marcelo Vidigal Caliari.
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9
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Ramírez-Toloza G, Aguilar-Guzmán L, Valck C, Menon SS, Ferreira VP, Ferreira A. Is It Possible to Intervene in the Capacity of Trypanosoma cruzi to Elicit and Evade the Complement System? Front Immunol 2021; 12:789145. [PMID: 34975884 PMCID: PMC8716602 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.789145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas' disease is a zoonotic parasitic ailment now affecting more than 6 million people, mainly in Latin America. Its agent, the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is primarily transmitted by endemic hematophagous triatomine insects. Transplacental transmission is also important and a main source for the emerging global expansion of this disease. In the host, the parasite undergoes intra (amastigotes) and extracellular infective (trypomastigotes) stages, both eliciting complex immune responses that, in about 70% of the cases, culminate in permanent immunity, concomitant with the asymptomatic presence of the parasite. The remaining 30% of those infected individuals will develop a syndrome, with variable pathological effects on the circulatory, nervous, and digestive systems. Herein, we review an important number of T. cruzi molecules, mainly located on its surface, that have been characterized as immunogenic and protective in various experimental setups. We also discuss a variety of parasite strategies to evade the complement system - mediated immune responses. Within this context, we also discuss the capacity of the T. cruzi infective trypomastigote to translocate the ER-resident chaperone calreticulin to its surface as a key evasive strategy. Herein, it is described that T. cruzi calreticulin inhibits the initial stages of activation of the host complement system, with obvious benefits for the parasite. Finally, we speculate on the possibility to experimentally intervene in the interaction of calreticulin and other T. cruzi molecules that interact with the complement system; thus resulting in significant inhibition of T. cruzi infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Aguilar-Guzmán
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Valck
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Smrithi S. Menon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Viviana P. Ferreira
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Arturo Ferreira
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Ramírez-Toloza G, Aguilar-Guzmán L, Valck C, Ferreira VP, Ferreira A. The Interactions of Parasite Calreticulin With Initial Complement Components: Consequences in Immunity and Virulence. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1561. [PMID: 32793217 PMCID: PMC7391170 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of its capacity to increase a physiologic inflammatory response, to stimulate phagocytosis, to promote cell lysis and to enhance pathogen immunogenicity, the complement system is a crucial component of both the innate and adaptive immune responses. However, many infectious agents resist the activation of this system by expressing or secreting proteins with a role as complement regulatory, mainly inhibitory, proteins. Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, a reemerging microbial ailment, possesses several virulence factors with capacity to inhibit complement at different stages of activation. T. cruzi calreticulin (TcCalr) is a highly-conserved, endoplasmic reticulum-resident chaperone that the parasite translocates to the extracellular environment, where it exerts a variety of functions. Among these functions, TcCalr binds C1, MBL and ficolins, thus inhibiting the classical and lectin pathways of complement at their earliest stages of activation. Moreover, the TcCalr/C1 interaction also mediates infectivity by mimicking a strategy used by apoptotic cells for their removal. More recently, it has been determined that these Calr strategies are also used by a variety of other parasites. In addition, as reviewed elsewhere, TcCalr inhibits angiogenesis, promotes wound healing and reduces tumor growth. Complement C1 is also involved in some of these properties. Knowledge on the role of virulence factors, such as TcCalr, and their interactions with complement components in host-parasite interactions, may lead toward the description of new anti-parasite therapies and prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Aguilar-Guzmán
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Valck
- Department of Immunology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Viviana P Ferreira
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Arturo Ferreira
- Department of Immunology, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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11
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Sosoniuk-Roche E, Cruz P, Maldonado I, Duaso L, Pesce B, Michalak M, Valck C, Ferreira A. In vitro Treatment of a Murine Mammary Adenocarcinoma Cell Line with Recombinant Trypanosoma cruzi Calreticulin Promotes Immunogenicity and Phagocytosis. Mol Immunol 2020; 124:51-60. [PMID: 32526557 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
American Trypanosomiasis, a parasitic disease produced by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), endemic in Latin America, infects about 6 million people. During the chronic stage of the infection, approximately 30% of infected people will develop Chagas Disease, the clinical manifestation. Few decades ago it was reported that, during the chronic stage, the parasite interferes with the development of solid tumors. However, the identification of parasite molecules responsible for such effects remained elusive. Years later, we described T.cruzi Calreticulin (TcCalr), an endoplasmic reticulum resident chaperone that infective trypomastigotes translocate to the parasite exterior, where it displays anticomplement activities. Most likely, at least some of these activities are related with the antitumor properties of TcCalr, as shown in in vitro, ex vivo, in ovum, and in vivo models. In this context we, we have seen that in vivo subcutaneous peritumoral inoculation of rTcCalr enhances local infiltration of T cells and slows tumor development. Based on these precedents, we propose that in vitro treatment of a mammary adenocarcinoma (TA3 cell line) with rTcCalr, will enhance tumor immunogenicity. In agreement with this proposal, we have shown that: i). rTcCalr binds to TA3 cells in a concentration-dependent fashion, ii). C1q binds to TA3 cells in an rTcCalr-dependent fashion, confirmed by the reversion attained using anti-TcS (a central TcCalr domain that binds C1) F(ab')2 antibody fragments, iii). incubation of TA3 cells with rTcCalr, promotes cell phagocytosis by murine macrophages and, iv). rTcCalr decreases the membrane expression of MHC class II, m-Dectin-1, Galectin-9 and PD-L1, while increasing the expression of Rae-1γ. In synthesis, herein we show that in vitro treatment of a murine mammary adenocarcinoma with rTcCalr enhances phagocytosis and modulates the expression of a variety of membrane molecules that correlates with increased tumor immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Sosoniuk-Roche
- Immunology of Microbial Aggressions, Immunology Disciplinary Program, Biomedical Science Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Chile
| | - Pamela Cruz
- Immunology of Microbial Aggressions, Immunology Disciplinary Program, Biomedical Science Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Chile
| | - Ismael Maldonado
- Immunology of Microbial Aggressions, Immunology Disciplinary Program, Biomedical Science Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Chile
| | - Leonora Duaso
- Immunology of Microbial Aggressions, Immunology Disciplinary Program, Biomedical Science Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Chile
| | - Bárbara Pesce
- MED.UCHILE-FACS Laboratory, Biomedical Science Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Chile
| | - Marek Michalak
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carolina Valck
- Immune Response Modulation by the Complement System, Immunology Disciplinary Program, Biomedical Science Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Chile.
| | - Arturo Ferreira
- Immunology of Microbial Aggressions, Immunology Disciplinary Program, Biomedical Science Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Chile.
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12
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Ramírez-Toloza G, Sosoniuk-Roche E, Valck C, Aguilar-Guzmán L, Ferreira VP, Ferreira A. Trypanosoma cruzi Calreticulin: Immune Evasion, Infectivity, and Tumorigenesis. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:368-381. [PMID: 32191851 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To successfully infect, Trypanosoma cruzi evades and modulates the host immune response. T. cruzi calreticulin (TcCalr) is a multifunctional, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident chaperone that, translocated to the external microenvironment, mediates crucial host-parasite interactions. TcCalr binds and inactivates C1 and mannose-binding lectin (MBL)/ficolins, important pattern- recognition receptors (PRRs) of the complement system. Using an apoptotic mimicry strategy, the C1-TcCalr association facilitates the infection of target cells. T. cruzi infection also seems to confer protection against tumorigenesis. Thus, recombinant TcCalr has important antiangiogenic properties, detected in vitro, ex vivo, and in ovum, most likely contributing at least in part, to its antitumor properties. Consequently, TcCalr is useful for investigating key issues of host-parasite interactions and possible new immunological/pharmacological interventions in the areas of Chagas' disease and experimental cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | | | - Carolina Valck
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Aguilar-Guzmán
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Viviana P Ferreira
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, OH, USA
| | - Arturo Ferreira
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Cruz P, Sosoniuk-Roche E, Maldonado I, Torres CG, Ferreira A. Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin: In vitro modulation of key immunogenic markers of both canine tumors and relevant immune competent cells. Immunobiology 2019; 225:151892. [PMID: 31837774 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant calreticulin from Trypanosoma cruzi (rTcCalr), the parasite responsible for Chagas' disease, binds to Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT) cells from primary cultures and to a canine mammary carcinoma cell line. A Complement-binding assay indicated that interaction of the first component C1q with these tumor cells operated independently of the rTcCalr-presence. This apparent independence could be explained by the important structural similarities that exist among rTcCarl, endogenous normal canine and/or mutated calreticulins present in several types of cancer. In phagocytosis assays, tumor cells treated with rTcCalr were readily engulfed by macrophages and, co-cultured with DCs, accelerated their maturation. In addition, DCs maturation, induced by tumor cells co-cultured with rTcCalr, activated T cells more efficiently than DCs, treated or not with LPS. In an apparent paradox, a decrease in MHC Class I expression was observed when these tumor cells were co-cultivated with rTcCalr. This decrease may be related to a down regulation signaling promoting the rescue of MHC I. Possibly, these in vitro assays may be valid correlates of in vivo sceneries. Based on these results, we propose that rTcCalr improves in vitro the immunogenicity of two widely different tumor cell lines, thus suggesting that the interesting properties of rTcCalr to boost immune responses warrant future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Cruz
- Laboratory of Immunology of Microbial Aggression, Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Chile; Laboratory of Biomedicine and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, 8820808, Chile
| | - E Sosoniuk-Roche
- Laboratory of Immunology of Microbial Aggression, Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Chile
| | - I Maldonado
- Laboratory of Immunology of Microbial Aggression, Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Chile
| | - C G Torres
- Laboratory of Biomedicine and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, 8820808, Chile.
| | - A Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunology of Microbial Aggression, Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Chile.
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14
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Structural bases that underline Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin proinfective, antiangiogenic and antitumor properties. Immunobiology 2019; 225:151863. [PMID: 31732192 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.10.012] [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] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Microbes have developed mechanisms to resist the host immune defenses and some elicit antitumor immune responses. About 6 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas' disease, the sixth neglected tropical disease worldwide. Eighty years ago, G. Roskin and N. Klyuyeva proposed that T. cruzi infection mediates an anti-cancer activity. This observation has been reproduced by several other laboratories, but no molecular basis has been proposed. We have shown that the highly pleiotropic chaperone calreticulin (TcCalr, formerly known as TcCRT), translocates from the parasite ER to the exterior, where it mediates infection. Similar to its human counterpart HuCALR (formerly known as HuCRT), TcCalr inhibits C1 in its capacity to initiate the classical pathway of complement activation. We have also proposed that TcCalr inhibits angiogenesis and it is a likely mediator of antitumor effects. We have generated several in silico structural TcCalr models to delimit a peptide (VC-TcCalr) at the TcCalr N-domain. Chemically synthesized VC-TcCalr did bind to C1q and was anti-angiogenic in Gallus gallus chorioallantoic membrane assays. These properties were associated with structural features, as determined in silico. VC-TcCalr, a strong dipole, interacts with charged proteins such as collagen-like tails and scavenger receptors. Comparatively, HuCALR has less polarity and spatial stability, probably due to at least substitutions of Gln for Gly, Arg for Lys, Arg for Asp and Ser for Arg that hinder protein-protein interactions. These differences can explain, at least in part, how TcCalr inhibits the complement activation pathway and has higher efficiency as an antiangiogenic and antitumor agent than HuCALR.
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15
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Ding Y, Tang J, You X, Zhang X, Wang G, Yao C, Lin M, Wang X, Cheng D. Study on the mechanism underlying Al-induced hepatotoxicity based on the identification of the Al-binding proteins in liver. Metallomics 2019; 11:1353-1362. [PMID: 31343013 DOI: 10.1039/c9mt00150f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al) is the most abundant metal element in the earth's crust, and is implicated in the pathogenesis of liver lesions. However, the mechanisms underlying Al3+-induced hepatotoxicity are still largely elusive. Based on analysis with native gel electrophoresis, Al3+ plus 8-hydroxyquinoline staining and LC-MS/MS, the proteins with high Al3+ affinity were identified to be carbamoyl-phosphate synthase, adenosylhomocysteinase, heat shock protein 90-alpha, carbonic anhydrase 3, serum albumin and calreticulin. These proteins are involved in physiological processes such as the urea cycle, redox reactions, apoptosis and so on. Then we established an Al3+-treated rat model for biochemical tests, morphology observation and Ca2+ homeostasis analysis, in order to evaluate the extent of oxidative damage, hepatic histopathology and specific indicators of Al3+-related proteins in liver. Our findings indicated the high-affinity interactions with Al3+ perturbed the normal function of the above proteins, which could account for the mechanism underlying Al3+-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin Economy Technological Development Area, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Jinlei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin Economy Technological Development Area, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Xun You
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin Economy Technological Development Area, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Xiongfeng Zhang
- Jiangxi Province Tobacco Science Research Institute, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Guangliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin Economy Technological Development Area, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Congying Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin Economy Technological Development Area, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Mibin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin Economy Technological Development Area, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Xuerui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin Economy Technological Development Area, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Dai Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin Economy Technological Development Area, Tianjin, 300457, China. and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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16
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Callejas BE, Martínez-Saucedo D, Terrazas LI. Parasites as negative regulators of cancer. Biosci Rep 2018; 38:BSR20180935. [PMID: 30266743 PMCID: PMC6200699 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20180935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several environmental factors (chemical, physical, and biological) can cause the initiation, promotion, and progression of cancer. Regarding the biological factors, several studies have found that infections caused by some bacteria, viruses and protozoan, and helminth parasites are related to carcinogenesis. However, in recent years a different approach has been implemented on the antitumor impact of parasitic diseases caused by some protozoan and helminths, mainly because such infections may affect several hallmarks of cancer, but the involved mechanisms still remain unknown. The beneficial effects reported for some parasitic diseases on tumorigenesis range from the induction of apoptosis, activation of the immune response, avoiding metastasis and angiogenesis, inhibition of proliferative signals, to the regulation of inflammatory responses that promote cancer. In this work, we reviewed the available information regarding how parasitic infections may modulate cancer progression. Despite the fact that specific mechanisms of action on tumors are not yet totally clear, we consider that detailed studies of the antitumor action of these organisms and their products could lead to the discovery and use of new molecules from these biological agents that may work as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of various types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca E Callejas
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, 54090, México
| | - Diana Martínez-Saucedo
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, 54090, México
| | - Luis I Terrazas
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, 54090, México
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, 54090, México
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Arias JI, Parra N, Beato C, Torres CG, Hamilton-West C, Rosas C, Ferreira A. Different Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin domains mediate migration and proliferation of fibroblasts in vitro and skin wound healing in vivo. Arch Dermatol Res 2018; 310:639-650. [DOI: 10.1007/s00403-018-1851-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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18
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Ramírez-Toloza G, Ferreira A. Trypanosoma cruzi Evades the Complement System as an Efficient Strategy to Survive in the Mammalian Host: The Specific Roles of Host/Parasite Molecules and Trypanosoma cruzi Calreticulin. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1667. [PMID: 28919885 PMCID: PMC5585158 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
American Trypanosomiasis is an important neglected reemerging tropical parasitism, infecting about 8 million people worldwide. Its agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, exhibits multiple mechanisms to evade the host immune response and infect host cells. An important immune evasion strategy of T. cruzi infective stages is its capacity to inhibit the complement system activation on the parasite surface, avoiding opsonizing, immune stimulating and lytic effects. Epimastigotes, the non-infective form of the parasite, present in triatomine arthropod vectors, are highly susceptible to complement-mediated lysis while trypomastigotes, the infective form, present in host bloodstream, are resistant. Thus T. cruzi susceptibility to complement varies depending on the parasite stage (amastigote, trypomastigotes or epimastigote) and on the T. cruzi strain. To avoid complement-mediated lysis, T. cruzi trypomastigotes express on the parasite surface a variety of complement regulatory proteins, such as glycoprotein 58/68 (gp58/68), T. cruzi complement regulatory protein (TcCRP), trypomastigote decay-accelerating factor (T-DAF), C2 receptor inhibitor trispanning (CRIT) and T. cruzi calreticulin (TcCRT). Alternatively, or concomitantly, the parasite captures components with complement regulatory activity from the host bloodstream, such as factor H (FH) and plasma membrane-derived vesicles (PMVs). All these proteins inhibit different steps of the classical (CP), alternative (AP) or lectin pathways (LP). Thus, TcCRP inhibits the CP C3 convertase assembling, gp58/68 inhibits the AP C3 convertase, T-DAF interferes with the CP and AP convertases assembling, TcCRT inhibits the CP and LP, CRIT confers ability to resist the CP and LP, FH is used by trypomastigotes to inhibit the AP convertases and PMVs inhibit the CP and LP C3 convertases. Many of these proteins have similar molecular inhibitory mechanisms. Our laboratory has contributed to elucidate the role of TcCRT in the host-parasite interplay. Thus, we have proposed that TcCRT is a pleiotropic molecule, present not only in the parasite endoplasmic reticulum, but also on the trypomastigote surface, participating in key processes to establish T. cruzi infection, such as inhibition of the complement system and serving as an important virulence factor. Additionally, TcCRT interaction with key complement components, participates as an anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor molecule, inhibiting at least in important part, tumor growth in infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Animal Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Sciences, University of ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Arturo Ferreira
- Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of ChileSantiago, Chile
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