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Gallego-López GM, Contreras Guzman E, Desa DE, Knoll LJ, Skala MC. Metabolic changes in Toxoplasma gondii-infected host cells measured by autofluorescence imaging. mBio 2024:e0072724. [PMID: 38975793 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00727-24] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects warm-blooded vertebrates across the world. In humans, seropositivity rates of T. gondii range from 10% to 90% across communities. Despite its prevalence, few studies address how T. gondii infection changes the metabolism of host cells. In this study, we investigate how T. gondii manipulates the host cell metabolic environment by monitoring the metabolic response over time using noninvasive autofluorescence lifetime imaging of single cells, metabolite analysis, extracellular flux analysis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Autofluorescence lifetime imaging indicates that infected host cells become more oxidized and have an increased proportion of bound NAD(P)H compared to uninfected controls. Over time, infected cells also show decreases in levels of intracellular glucose and lactate, increases in oxygen consumption, and variability in ROS production. We further examined changes associated with the pre-invasion "kiss and spit" process using autofluorescence lifetime imaging, which also showed a more oxidized host cell with an increased proportion of bound NAD(P)H over 48 hours compared to uninfected controls, suggesting that metabolic changes in host cells are induced by T. gondii kiss and spit even without invasion.IMPORTANCEThis study sheds light on previously unexplored changes in host cell metabolism induced by T. gondii infection using noninvasive, label-free autofluorescence imaging. In this study, we use optical metabolic imaging (OMI) to measure the optical redox ratio (ORR) in conjunction with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to noninvasively monitor single host cell response to T. gondii infection over 48 hours. Collectively, our results affirm the value of using autofluorescence lifetime imaging to noninvasively monitor metabolic changes in host cells over the time course of a microbial infection. Understanding this metabolic relationship between the host cell and the parasite could uncover new treatment and prevention options for T. gondii infections worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M Gallego-López
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | | | - Laura J Knoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Melissa C Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Rojas-Barón L, Hermosilla C, Taubert A, Velásquez ZD. Toxoplasma gondii infection-induced host cellular DNA damage is strain-dependent and leads to the activation of the ATM-dependent homologous recombination pathway. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1374659. [PMID: 38524184 PMCID: PMC10957594 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1374659] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a globally occurring apicomplexan parasite that infects humans and animals. Globally, different typical and atypical haplotypes of T. gondii induce varying pathologies in hosts. As an obligate intracellular protozoon, T. gondii was shown to interfere with host cell cycle progression, leading to mitotic spindle alteration, chromosome segregation errors and cytokinesis failure which all may reflect chromosomal instability. Referring to strain-dependent virulence, we here studied the potential of different T. gondii strains (RH, Me49 and NED) to drive DNA damage in primary endothelial host cells. Utilizing microscopic analyses, comet assays and γ-H2AX quantification, we demonstrated a strain-dependent induction of binucleated host cells, DNA damage and DNA double strand breaks, respectively, in T. gondii-infected cells with the RH strain driving the most prominent effects. Interestingly, only the NED strain significantly triggered micronuclei formation in T. gondii-infected cells. Focusing on the RH strain, we furthermore demonstrated that T. gondii-infected primary host cells showed a DNA damage response by activating the ATM-dependent homologous recombination (HR) pathway. In contrast, key molecules of the nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) pathway were either not affected or downregulated in RH-infected host cells, suggesting that this pathway is not activated by infection. In conclusion, current finding suggests that T. gondii infection affects the host cell genome integrity in a strain-dependent manner by causing DNA damage and chromosomal instability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zahady D. Velásquez
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Gonzáles-Córdova RA, Dos Santos TR, Gachet-Castro C, Andrade Vieira J, Trajano-Silva LAM, Sakamoto-Hojo ET, Baqui MMA. Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces DNA double-strand breaks and activates DNA damage response pathway in host epithelial cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5225. [PMID: 38433244 PMCID: PMC10909859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53589-w] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, invades many cell types affecting numerous host-signalling pathways. During the T. cruzi infection, we demonstrated modulations in the host RNA polymerase II activity with the downregulation of ribonucleoproteins affecting host transcription and splicing machinery. These alterations could be a result of the initial damage to the host DNA caused by the presence of the parasite, however, the mechanisms are not well understood. Herein, we examined whether infection by T. cruzi coincided with enhanced DNA damage in the host cell. We studied the engagement of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathways at the different time points (0-24 h post-infection, hpi) by T. cruzi in LLC-MK2 cells. In response to double-strand breaks (DSB), maximum phosphorylation of the histone variant H2AX is observed at 2hpi and promotes recruitment of the DDR p53-binding protein (53BP1). During T. cruzi infection, Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) and DNA-PK protein kinases remained active in a time-dependent manner and played roles in regulating the host response to DSB. The host DNA lesions caused by the infection are likely orchestrated by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway to maintain the host genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Alexander Gonzáles-Córdova
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Thamires Rossi Dos Santos
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Camila Gachet-Castro
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Johnathan Andrade Vieira
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Lays Adrianne Mendonça Trajano-Silva
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Elza Tiemi Sakamoto-Hojo
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Munira Muhammad Abdel Baqui
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil.
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Quan JH, Gao FF, Ma TZ, Ye W, Gao X, Deng MZ, Yin LL, Choi IW, Yuk JM, Cha GH, Lee YH, Chu JQ. Toxoplasma gondii Induces Pyroptosis in Human Placental Trophoblast and Amniotic Cells by Inducing ROS Production and Activation of Cathepsin B and NLRP1/NLRP3/NLRC4/AIM2 Inflammasome. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:2047-2065. [PMID: 37741453 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women may cause fetal anomalies; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study investigated whether T. gondii induces pyroptosis in human placental cells and the underlying mechanisms. Human placental trophoblast (BeWo and HTR-8/SVneo) and amniotic (WISH) cells were infected with T. gondii, and then reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cathepsin B (CatB) release, inflammasome activation, and pyroptosis induction were evaluated. The molecular mechanisms of these effects were investigated by treating the cells with ROS scavengers, a CatB inhibitor, or inflammasome-specific siRNA. T. gondii infection induced ROS generation and CatB release into the cytosol in placental cells but decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. T. gondii-infected human placental cells and villi exhibited NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 inflammasome activation and subsequent pyroptosis induction, as evidenced by increased expression of ASC, cleaved caspase-1, and mature IL-1β and gasdermin D cleavage. In addition to inflammasome activation and pyroptosis induction, adverse pregnancy outcome was shown in a T. gondii-infected pregnant mouse model. Administration of ROS scavengers, CatB inhibitor, or inflammasome-specific siRNA into T. gondii-infected cells reversed these effects. Collectively, these findings show that T. gondii induces NLRP1/NLRP3/NLRC4/AIM2 inflammasome-dependent caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis via induction of ROS production and CatB activation in placental cells. This mechanism may play an important role in inducing cell injury in congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Hua Quan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Fei Gao
- Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Zhong Ma
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Zhu Deng
- Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan-Lan Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - In-Wook Choi
- Department of Infection Biology and Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Min Yuk
- Department of Infection Biology and Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Guang-Ho Cha
- Department of Infection Biology and Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ha Lee
- Department of Infection Biology and Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jia-Qi Chu
- Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, People's Republic of China.
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Gallego-López GM, Guzman EC, Knoll LJ, Skala M. Metabolic changes to host cells with Toxoplasma gondii infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.10.552811. [PMID: 37609172 PMCID: PMC10441426 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects warm-blooded vertebrates across the world. In humans, seropositivity rates of T. gondii range from 10% to 90%. Despite its prevalence, few studies address how T. gondii infection changes the metabolism of host cells. Here, we investigate how T. gondii manipulates the host cell metabolic environment by monitoring metabolic response over time using non-invasive autofluorescence lifetime imaging of single cells, seahorse metabolic flux analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and metabolomics. Autofluorescence lifetime imaging indicates that infected host cells become more oxidized and have an increased proportion of bound NAD(P)H with infection. These findings are consistent with changes in mitochondrial and glycolytic function, decrease of intracellular glucose, fluctuations in lactate and ROS production in infected cells over time. We also examined changes associated with the pre-invasion "kiss and spit" process using autofluorescence lifetime imaging, which similarly showed a more oxidized host cell with an increased proportion of bound NAD(P)H over 48 hours. Glucose metabolic flux analysis indicated that these changes are driven by NADH and NADP+ in T. gondii infection. In sum, metabolic changes in host cells with T. gondii infection were similar during full infection, and kiss and spit. Autofluorescence lifetime imaging can non-invasively monitor metabolic changes in host cells over a microbial infection time-course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M. Gallego-López
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, 53706
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706
| | | | - Laura J. Knoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706
| | - Melissa Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, 53706
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin- Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Zhao M, Yang Y, Shi Y, Chen X, Yang Y, Pan L, Du Z, Sun H, Yao C, Ma G, Du A. PP2Acα-B'/PR61 Holoenzyme of Toxoplasma gondii Is Required for the Amylopectin Metabolism and Proliferation of Tachyzoites. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0010423. [PMID: 37199633 PMCID: PMC10269777 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00104-23] [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: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report that the inhibition of the PP2A subfamily by okadaic acid results in an accumulation of polysaccharides in the acute infection stage (tachyzoites) of Toxoplasma gondii, which is a protozoan of global zoonotic importance and a model for the apicomplexan parasites. The loss of the catalytic subunit α of PP2A (ΔPP2Acα) in RHΔku80 leads to the polysaccharide accumulation phenotype in the base of tachyzoites as well as residual bodies and significantly compromises the intracellular growth in vitro and the virulence in vivo. A metabolomic analysis revealed that the accumulated polysaccharides in ΔPP2Acα are derived from interrupted glucose metabolism, which affects the production of ATP and energy homeostasis in the T. gondii knockout. The assembly of the PP2Acα holoenzyme complex involved in the amylopectin metabolism in tachyzoites is possibly not regulated by LCMT1 or PME1, and this finding contributes to the identification of the regulatory B subunit (B'/PR61). The loss of B'/PR61 results in the accumulation of polysaccharide granules in the tachyzoites as well as reduced plaque formation ability, exactly the same as ΔPP2Acα. Taken together, we have identified a PP2Acα-B'/PR61 holoenzyme complex that plays a crucial role in the carbohydrate metabolism and viability in T. gondii, and its deficiency in function remarkably suppresses the growth and virulence of this important zoonotic parasite both in vitro and in vivo. Hence, rendering the PP2Acα-B'/PR61 holoenzyme functionless should be a promising strategy for the intervention of Toxoplasma acute infection and toxoplasmosis. IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma gondii switches back and forth between acute and chronic infections, mainly in response to host immunologic status, which is characterized by flexible but specific energy metabolism. Polysaccharide granules are accumulated in the acute infection stage of T. gondii that have been exposed to a chemical inhibitor of the PP2A subfamily. The genetic depletion of the catalytic subunit α of PP2A leads to this phenotype and significantly affects the cell metabolism, energy production, and viability. Further, a regulatory B subunit PR61 is necessary for the PP2A holoenzyme to function in glucose metabolism and in the intracellular growth of T. gondii tachyzoites. A deficiency of this PP2A holoenzyme complex (PP2Acα-B'/PR61) in T. gondii knockouts results in the abnormal accumulation of polysaccharides and the disruption of energy metabolism, suppressing their growth and virulence. These findings provide novel insights into cell metabolism and identify a potential target for an intervention against a T. gondii acute infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxiu Zhao
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yue Shi
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Sci-Tech City, Sanya, China
| | - Xueqiu Chen
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yimin Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lingtao Pan
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhendong Du
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hongchao Sun
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
| | - Guangxu Ma
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aifang Du
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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Barman M, Dandasena D, Suresh A, Bhandari V, Kamble S, Singh S, Subudhi M, Sharma P. Artemisinin derivatives induce oxidative stress leading to DNA damage and caspase-mediated apoptosis in Theileria annulata-transformed cells. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:78. [PMID: 37069625 PMCID: PMC10111749 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01067-7] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine theileriosis caused by the eukaryotic parasite Theileria annulata is an economically important tick-borne disease. If it is not treated promptly, this lymphoproliferative disease has a significant fatality rate. Buparvaquone (BPQ) is the only chemotherapy-based treatment available right now. However, with the emergence of BPQ resistance on the rise and no backup therapy available, it is critical to identify imperative drugs and new targets against Theileria parasites. METHODS Artemisinin and its derivatives artesunate (ARS), artemether (ARM), or dihydroartemisinin (DHART) are the primary defence line against malaria parasites. This study has analysed artemisinin and its derivatives for their anti-Theilerial activity and mechanism of action. RESULTS ARS and DHART showed potent activity against the Theileria-infected cells. BPQ in combination with ARS or DHART showed a synergistic effect. The compounds act specifically on the parasitised cells and have minimal cytotoxicity against the uninfected host cells. Treatment with ARS or DHART induces ROS-mediated oxidative DNA damage leading to cell death. Further blocking intracellular ROS by its scavengers antagonised the anti-parasitic activity of the compounds. Increased ROS production induces oxidative stress and DNA damage causing p53 activation followed by caspase-dependent apoptosis in the Theileria-infected cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings give unique insights into the previously unknown molecular pathways underpinning the anti-Theilerial action of artemisinin derivatives, which may aid in formulating new therapies against this deadly parasite. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Debabrata Dandasena
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, India
| | - Akash Suresh
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Vasundhra Bhandari
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Sonam Kamble
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, India
| | - Sakshi Singh
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, India
| | | | - Paresh Sharma
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India.
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Giuliano CJ, Wei KJ, Harling FM, Waldman BS, Farringer MA, Boydston EA, Lan TCT, Thomas RW, Herneisen AL, Sanderlin AG, Coppens I, Dvorin JD, Lourido S. Functional profiling of the Toxoplasma genome during acute mouse infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.05.531216. [PMID: 36945434 PMCID: PMC10028831 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.05.531216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Within a host, pathogens encounter a diverse and changing landscape of cell types, nutrients, and immune responses. Examining host-pathogen interactions in animal models can therefore reveal aspects of infection absent from cell culture. We use CRISPR-based screens to functionally profile the entire genome of the model apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii during mouse infection. Barcoded gRNAs were used to track mutant parasite lineages, enabling detection of bottlenecks and mapping of population structures. We uncovered over 300 genes that modulate parasite fitness in mice with previously unknown roles in infection. These candidates span multiple axes of host-parasite interaction, including determinants of tropism, host organelle remodeling, and metabolic rewiring. We mechanistically characterized three novel candidates, including GTP cyclohydrolase I, against which a small-molecule inhibitor could be repurposed as an antiparasitic compound. This compound exhibited antiparasitic activity against T. gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal agent of malaria. Taken together, we present the first complete survey of an apicomplexan genome during infection of an animal host, and point to novel interfaces of host-parasite interaction that may offer new avenues for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth J. Wei
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | - Faye M. Harling
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Madeline A. Farringer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Biological Sciences in Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Raina W. Thomas
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | - Alice L. Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
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9
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Pan L, Yang Y, Chen X, Zhao M, Yao C, Sheng K, Yang Y, Ma G, Du A. Host autophagy limits Toxoplasma gondii proliferation in the absence of IFN-γ by affecting the hijack of Rab11A-positive vesicles. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1052779. [DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1052779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionAutophagy has been recognized as a bona fide immunological process. Evidence has shown that this process in IFN-γ stimulated cells controls Toxoplasma gondii proliferation or eliminates its infection. However, little is known about the effect of T. gondii infection on the host cell autophagy in the absence of IFN-γ.MethodsMultiple autophagy detection methods and CRISPR/CAS9 technology were used to study T. gondii-induced autophagy in HeLa and several other mammalian cell lines.ResultsHere, we report increased LC3 II, autophagosome-like membrane structures, enhanced autophagic flux, and decreased lysosomes in a range of mammalian cell lines without IFN-γ treatment after T. gondii infection. Specifically, disruption of host atg5 (a necessary gene for autophagy) in HeLa cells promoted the intracellular replication of T. gondii, with the transcript level of rab11a increased, compared with that in wild-type cells. Further, after T. gondii infection, the abundance of Rab11A remained stable in wild-type HeLa cells but decreased in atg5−/− mutant. Disruption of rab11a in the HeLa cells compromised the proliferation of T. gondii, and increased the transcription of gra2 in the parasite. Compared to the T. gondii wild-type RH∆ku80 strain, the ∆gra2 mutant induces enhanced host autophagy in HeLa cells, and results in slower replication of the parasite.DiscussionCollectively, these results indicate that host cell autophagy can limit T. gondii proliferation in an IFN-γ independent manner, possibly by affecting the hijack of host Rab11A-positive vesicles by the parasite which involved TgGRA2. The findings provide novel insights into T. gondii infection in host cells and toxoplasmosis research.
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Schardosim RFDC, Cardozo TR, de Souza AP, Seeber A, Flores WH, Lehmann M, Dihl RR. Cyto-genotoxicity of crystalline and amorphous niobium (V) oxide nanoparticles in CHO-K1 cells. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2022; 11:765-773. [PMID: 36337238 PMCID: PMC9618107 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfac054] [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: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Niobium (V) oxide nanoparticles (NINPs) have been widely and increasingly applied in various health products and industrial processes. This merits further study of their toxicity. Here, we investigated the potential of NINPs to induce DNA damage, cytotoxicity, and chromosome instability in cultured CHO-K1 cells. NINPs were physico-chemically characterized. As assessed by comet assay, crystalline and amorphous NINPs were genotoxic at the highest concentrations evaluated. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay demonstrated that a 24-h treatment with NINPs, for the crystalline and the amorphous samples, significantly reduced the nuclear division cytotoxicity index. In addition, a 4-h treatment period of crystalline NINPs increased micronucleus (MNi) frequencies. MNi, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds were detected after exposure of the cells for 24 h to crystalline NINPs. In the amorphous sample, chromosome instability was restricted to the induction of MNi, in the 24-h treatment, detected at all tested concentrations. The fluorescence and dark field microscopy demonstrated the uptake of NINPs by CHO-K1 cells and an intracellular distribution outlining the nucleus. Our data advance understanding of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of NINPs and should be taken into consideration when setting up guidelines for their use in industrial or health products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raíne Fogliati De Carli Schardosim
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicity and Cellular Toxic-Genetics Analysis, Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Avenida Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Rocha Cardozo
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicity and Cellular Toxic-Genetics Analysis, Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Avenida Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
- Research Group on Nanostructured Materials, Federal University of the Pampa, Campus Bagé, Avenida Maria Anunciação Gomes de Godoy, 1650, 96413-172, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula de Souza
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicity and Cellular Toxic-Genetics Analysis, Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Avenida Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Allan Seeber
- Research Group on Nanostructured Materials, Federal University of the Pampa, Campus Bagé, Avenida Maria Anunciação Gomes de Godoy, 1650, 96413-172, RS, Brazil
| | - Wladimir Hernandez Flores
- Research Group on Nanostructured Materials, Federal University of the Pampa, Campus Bagé, Avenida Maria Anunciação Gomes de Godoy, 1650, 96413-172, RS, Brazil
| | - Maurício Lehmann
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicity and Cellular Toxic-Genetics Analysis, Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Avenida Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Dihl
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicity and Cellular Toxic-Genetics Analysis, Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Avenida Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Avenida Farroupilha, 8001, 92425-900, Canoas, RS, Brazil
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11
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Cheng A, Zhang H, Chen B, Zheng S, Wang H, Shi Y, You S, Li M, Jiang L. Modulation of autophagy as a therapeutic strategy for Toxoplasma gondii infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:902428. [PMID: 36093185 PMCID: PMC9448867 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.902428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection is a severe health threat that endangers billions of people worldwide. T. gondii utilizes the host cell membrane to form a parasitophorous vacuole (PV), thereby fully isolating itself from the host cell cytoplasm and making intracellular clearance difficult. PV can be targeted and destroyed by autophagy. Autophagic targeting results in T. gondii killing via the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. However, T. gondii has developed many strategies to suppress autophagic targeting. Accordingly, the interplay between host cell autophagy and T. gondii is an emerging area with important practical implications. By promoting the canonical autophagy pathway or attenuating the suppression of autophagic targeting, autophagy can be effectively utilized in the development of novel therapeutic strategies against T gondii. Here, we have illustrated the complex interplay between host cell mediated autophagy and T. gondii. Different strategies to promote autophagy in order to target the parasite have been elucidated. Besides, we have analyzed some potential new drug molecules from the DrugBank database using bioinformatics tools, which can modulate autophagy. Various challenges and opportunities focusing autophagy mediated T. gondii clearance have been discussed, which will provide new insights for the development of novel drugs against the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huanan Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Baike Chen
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shengyao Zheng
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongyi Wang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yijia Shi
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Siyao You
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Liping Jiang, ; Ming Li,
| | - Liping Jiang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Liping Jiang, ; Ming Li,
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12
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López-Ortega O, Moreno-Corona NC, Cruz-Holguin VJ, Garcia-Gonzalez LD, Helguera-Repetto AC, Romero-Valdovinos M, Arevalo-Romero H, Cedillo-Barron L, León-Juárez M. The Immune Response in Adipocytes and Their Susceptibility to Infection: A Possible Relationship with Infectobesity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116154. [PMID: 35682832 PMCID: PMC9181511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The current obesity pandemic has been expanding in both developing and developed countries. This suggests that the factors contributing to this condition need to be reconsidered since some new factors are arising as etiological causes of this disease. Moreover, recent clinical and experimental findings have shown an association between the progress of obesity and some infections, and the functions of adipose tissues, which involve cell metabolism and adipokine release, among others. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that adipocytes could either be reservoirs for these pathogens or play an active role in this process. In addition, there is abundant evidence indicating that during obesity, the immune system is exacerbated, suggesting an increased susceptibility of the patient to the development of several forms of illness or death. Thus, there could be a relationship between infection as a trigger for an increase in adipose cells and the impact on the metabolism that contributes to the development of obesity. In this review, we describe the findings concerning the role of adipose tissue as a mediator in the immune response as well as the possible role of adipocytes as infection targets, with both roles constituting a possible cause of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestes López-Ortega
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S1151, CNRS UMR-S8253, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Nidia Carolina Moreno-Corona
- Laboratory of Human Lymphohematopoiesis, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Victor Javier Cruz-Holguin
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Luis Didier Garcia-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
| | - Addy Cecilia Helguera-Repetto
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
| | - Mirza Romero-Valdovinos
- Departamento de Biología Molecular e Histocompatibilidad, Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”, Calzada de Tlalpan 4800, Col. Sección XVI, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico;
| | - Haruki Arevalo-Romero
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Microbiología Molecular, División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Jalpa de Méndez, Jalpa de Méndez 86205, Mexico;
| | - Leticia Cedillo-Barron
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Moisés León-Juárez
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Disruption of Toxoplasma gondii-Induced Host Cell DNA Replication Is Dependent on Contact Inhibition and Host Cell Type. mSphere 2022; 7:e0016022. [PMID: 35587658 PMCID: PMC9241542 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00160-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful obligate intracellular parasite that, upon invasion of its host cell, releases an array of host-modulating protein effectors to counter host defenses and further its own replication and dissemination. Early studies investigating the impact of T. gondii infection on host cell function revealed that this parasite can force normally quiescent cells to activate their cell cycle program. Prior reports by two independent groups identified the dense granule protein effector HCE1/TEEGR as being solely responsible for driving host cell transcriptional changes through its direct interaction with the cyclin E regulatory complex DP1 and associated transcription factors. Our group independently identified HCE1/TEEGR through the presence of distinct repeated regions found in a number of host nuclear targeted parasite effectors and verified its central role in initiating host cell cycle changes. Additionally, we report here the time-resolved kinetics of host cell cycle transition in response to HCE1/TEEGR, using the fluorescence ubiquitination cell cycle indicator reporter line (FUCCI), and reveal the existence of a block in S-phase progression and host DNA synthesis in several cell lines commonly used in the study of T. gondii. Importantly, we have observed that this S-phase block is not due to additional dense granule effectors but rather is dependent on the host cell line background and contact inhibition status of the host monolayer in vitro. This work highlights intriguing differences in the host response to reprogramming by the parasite and raises interesting questions regarding how parasite effectors differentially manipulate the host cell depending on the in vitro or in vivo context. IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondii chronically infects approximately one-third of the global population and can produce severe pathology in immunologically immature or compromised individuals. During infection, this parasite releases numerous host-targeted effector proteins that can dramatically alter the expression of a variety of host genes. A better understanding of parasite effectors and their host targets has the potential to not only provide ways to control infection but also inform us about our own basic biology. One host pathway that has been known to be altered by T. gondii infection is the cell cycle, and prior reports have identified a parasite effector, known as HCE1/TEEGR, as being responsible. In this report, we further our understanding of the kinetics of cell cycle transition induced by this effector and show that the capacity of HCE1/TEEGR to induce host cell DNA synthesis is dependent on both the cell type and the status of contact inhibition.
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Szewczyk-Golec K, Pawłowska M, Wesołowski R, Wróblewski M, Mila-Kierzenkowska C. Oxidative Stress as a Possible Target in the Treatment of Toxoplasmosis: Perspectives and Ambiguities. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115705. [PMID: 34071892 PMCID: PMC8198901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite causing toxoplasmosis, a common disease, which is most typically asymptomatic. However, toxoplasmosis can be severe and even fatal in immunocompromised patients and fetuses. Available treatment options are limited, so there is a strong impetus to develop novel therapeutics. This review focuses on the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology and treatment of T. gondii infection. Chemical compounds that modify redox status can reduce the parasite viability and thus be potential anti-Toxoplasma drugs. On the other hand, oxidative stress caused by the activation of the inflammatory response may have some deleterious consequences in host cells. In this respect, the potential use of natural antioxidants is worth considering, including melatonin and some vitamins, as possible novel anti-Toxoplasma therapeutics. Results of in vitro and animal studies are promising. However, supplementation with some antioxidants was found to promote the increase in parasitemia, and the disease was then characterized by a milder course. Undoubtedly, research in this area may have a significant impact on the future prospects of toxoplasmosis therapy.
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