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Murta SMF, Lemos Santana PA, Jacques Dit Lapierre TJW, Penteado AB, El Hajje M, Navarro Vinha TC, Liarte DB, de Souza ML, Goulart Trossini GH, de Oliveira Rezende Júnior C, de Oliveira RB, Ferreira RS. New drug discovery strategies for the treatment of benznidazole-resistance in Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:741-753. [PMID: 38715393 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2349155] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Benznidazole, the drug of choice for treating Chagas Disease (CD), has significant limitations, such as poor cure efficacy, mainly in the chronic phase of CD, association with side effects, and parasite resistance. Understanding parasite resistance to benznidazole is crucial for developing new drugs to treat CD. AREAS COVERED Here, the authors review the current understanding of the molecular basis of benznidazole resistance. Furthermore, they discuss the state-of-the-art methods and critical outcomes employed to evaluate the efficacy of potential drugs against T. cruzi, aiming to select better compounds likely to succeed in the clinic. Finally, the authors describe the different strategies employed to overcome resistance to benznidazole and find effective new treatments for CD. EXPERT OPINION Resistance to benznidazole is a complex phenomenon that occurs naturally among T. cruzi strains. The combination of compounds that inhibit different metabolic pathways of the parasite is an important strategy for developing a new chemotherapeutic protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos - Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pedro Augusto Lemos Santana
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - André Berndt Penteado
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marissa El Hajje
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mariana Laureano de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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2
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Slafer B, Dessoy MA, de Oliveira RG, Mollo MC, Lee E, Matheeussen A, Maes L, Caljon G, Ferreira LLG, Krogh R, Andricopulo AD, Cruz LR, Mowbray CE, Kratz JM, Dias LC. Synthesis and Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of 3-Cyanopyridine Derivatives. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:22360-22370. [PMID: 38799347 PMCID: PMC11112591 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c01919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi that affects 6 million people worldwide, often resulting in financial burden, morbidity, and mortality in endemic regions. Given a lack of highly efficient and safe treatments, new, affordable, and fit-for-purpose drugs for CD are urgently needed. In this work, we present a hit-to-lead campaign for novel cyanopyridine analogues as antichagasic agents. In a phenotypic screening against intracellular T. cruzi, hits 1 and 2 were identified and displayed promising potency combined with balanced physicochemical properties. As part of the Lead Optimization Latin America consortium, a set of 40 compounds was designed, synthesized, and tested against T. cruzi intracellular amastigotes and relevant human cell lines. The structural modifications were focused on three positions: cyanopyridine core, linker, and right-hand side. The ADME properties of selected compounds, lipophilicity, kinetic solubility, permeability, and liver microsomal stability, were evaluated. Compounds 1-9 displayed good potency (EC50T. cruzi amastigote <1 μM), and most compounds did not present significant cytotoxicity (CC50 MRC-5 = 32-64 μM). Despite the good balance between potency and selectivity, the antiparasitic activity of the series appeared to be driven by lipophilicity, making the progression of the series unfeasible due to poor ADME properties and potential promiscuity issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian
W. Slafer
- Institute
of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marco A. Dessoy
- Institute
of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ramon G. de Oliveira
- Institute
of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria C. Mollo
- Institute
of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eun Lee
- Institute
of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - An Matheeussen
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2000, Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2000, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory
of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2000, Belgium
| | - Leonardo L. G. Ferreira
- Laboratory
of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Physics Institute of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos 13566-590, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Krogh
- Laboratory
of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Physics Institute of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos 13566-590, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriano D. Andricopulo
- Laboratory
of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Physics Institute of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos 13566-590, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiza R. Cruz
- Drugs
for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | | | - Jadel M. Kratz
- Drugs
for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Luiz C. Dias
- Institute
of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Olmo F, Jayawardhana S, Khan AA, Langston HC, Francisco AF, Atherton RL, Ward AI, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Lewis MD. A panel of phenotypically and genotypically diverse bioluminescent:fluorescent Trypanosoma cruzi strains as a resource for Chagas disease research. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012106. [PMID: 38820564 PMCID: PMC11168640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that displays considerable genetic diversity. Infections result in a range of pathological outcomes, and different strains can exhibit a wide spectrum of anti-parasitic drug tolerance. The genetic determinants of infectivity, virulence and therapeutic susceptibility remain largely unknown. As experimental tools to address these issues, we have generated a panel of bioluminescent:fluorescent parasite strains that cover the diversity of the T. cruzi species. These reporters allow spatio-temporal infection dynamics in murine models to be monitored in a non-invasive manner by in vivo imaging, provide a capability to detect rare infection foci at single-cell resolution, and represent a valuable resource for investigating virulence and host:parasite interactions at a mechanistic level. Importantly, these parasite reporter strains can also contribute to the Chagas disease drug screening cascade by ensuring that candidate compounds have pan-species in vivo activity prior to being advanced into clinical testing. The parasite strains described in this paper are available on request.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Archie A. Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry C. Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard L. Atherton
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Carey SM, O’Neill DM, Conner GB, Sherman J, Rodriguez A, D’Antonio EL. Discovery of Strong 3-Nitro-2-Phenyl- 2H-Chromene Analogues as Antitrypanosomal Agents and Inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi Glucokinase. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4319. [PMID: 38673904 PMCID: PMC11050443 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084319] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the world's neglected tropical diseases, caused by the human pathogenic protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is currently a lack of effective and tolerable clinically available therapeutics to treat this life-threatening illness and the discovery of modern alternative options is an urgent matter. T. cruzi glucokinase (TcGlcK) is a potential drug target because its product, d-glucose-6-phosphate, serves as a key metabolite in the pentose phosphate pathway, glycolysis, and gluconeogenesis. In 2019, we identified a novel cluster of TcGlcK inhibitors that also exhibited anti-T. cruzi efficacy called the 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromene analogues. This was achieved by performing a target-based high-throughput screening (HTS) campaign of 13,040 compounds. The selection criteria were based on first determining which compounds strongly inhibited TcGlcK in a primary screen, followed by establishing on-target confirmed hits from a confirmatory assay. Compounds that exhibited notable in vitro trypanocidal activity over the T. cruzi infective form (trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes) co-cultured in NIH-3T3 mammalian host cells, as well as having revealed low NIH-3T3 cytotoxicity, were further considered. Compounds GLK2-003 and GLK2-004 were determined to inhibit TcGlcK quite well with IC50 values of 6.1 µM and 4.8 µM, respectively. Illuminated by these findings, we herein screened a small compound library consisting of thirteen commercially available 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromene analogues, two of which were GLK2-003 and GLK2-004 (compounds 1 and 9, respectively). Twelve of these compounds had a one-point change from the chemical structure of GLK2-003. The analogues were run through a similar primary screening and confirmatory assay protocol to our previous HTS campaign. Subsequently, three in vitro biological assays were performed where compounds were screened against (a) T. cruzi (Tulahuen strain) infective form co-cultured within NIH-3T3 cells, (b) T. brucei brucei (427 strain) bloodstream form, and (c) NIH-3T3 host cells alone. We report on the TcGlcK inhibitor constant determinations, mode of enzyme inhibition, in vitro antitrypanosomal IC50 determinations, and an assessment of structure-activity relationships. Our results reveal that the 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromene scaffold holds promise and can be further optimized for both Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis early-stage drug discovery research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane M. Carey
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, SC 29909, USA
| | - Destiny M. O’Neill
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, SC 29909, USA
| | - Garrett B. Conner
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, SC 29909, USA
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA (A.R.)
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA (A.R.)
| | - Edward L. D’Antonio
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, SC 29909, USA
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5
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Bosch-Navarrete C, Pérez-Moreno G, Annang F, Diaz-Gonzalez R, García-Hernández R, Rocha H, Gamarro F, Cordón-Obras C, Navarro M, Rodriguez A, Genilloud O, Reyes F, Vicente F, Ruiz-Pérez LM, González-Pacanowska D. Strasseriolides display in vitro and in vivo activity against trypanosomal parasites and cause morphological and size defects in Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011592. [PMID: 37713416 PMCID: PMC10529594 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011592] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites are a health burden in tropical and subtropical countries. The need to create safe and effective medicines to improve treatment remains a priority. Microbial natural products are a source of chemical diversity that provides a valuable approach for identifying new drug candidates. We recently reported the discovery and bioassay-guided isolation of a novel family of macrolides with antiplasmodial activity. The novel family of four potent antimalarial macrolides, strasseriolides A-D, was isolated from cultures of Strasseria geniculata CF-247251, a fungal strain obtained from plant tissues. In the present study, we analyze these strasseriolides for activity against kinetoplastid protozoan parasites, namely, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma cruzi. Compounds exhibited mostly low activities against T. b. brucei, yet notable growth inhibition and selectivity were observed for strasseriolides C and D in the clinically relevant intracellular T. cruzi and L. donovani amastigotes with EC50 values in the low micromolar range. Compound C is fast-acting and active against both intracellular and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi. While cell cycle defects were not identified, prominent morphological changes were visualized by differential interference contrast microscopy and smaller and rounded parasites were visualized upon exposure to strasseriolide C. Moreover, compound C lowers parasitaemia in vivo in acute models of infection of Chagas disease. Hence, strasseriolide C is a novel natural product active against different forms of T. cruzi in vitro and in vivo. The study provides an avenue for blocking infection of new cells, a strategy that could additionally contribute to avoid treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bosch-Navarrete
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Guiomar Pérez-Moreno
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Frederick Annang
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Rosario Diaz-Gonzalez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Raquel García-Hernández
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Hedy Rocha
- Department of Microbiology, Core Anti-infectives, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Francisco Gamarro
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Carlos Cordón-Obras
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Navarro
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, Core Anti-infectives, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Olga Genilloud
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Fernando Reyes
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisca Vicente
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis M. Ruiz-Pérez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
| | - Dolores González-Pacanowska
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Spain
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6
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Robledo SM, Pérez-Silanes S, Fernández-Rubio C, Poveda A, Monzote L, González VM, Alonso-Collado P, Carrión J. Neglected Zoonotic Diseases: Advances in the Development of Cell-Penetrating and Antimicrobial Peptides against Leishmaniosis and Chagas Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:939. [PMID: 37513786 PMCID: PMC10383258 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2020, the WHO established the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, which aims to control and eradicate 20 diseases, including leishmaniosis and Chagas disease. In addition, since 2015, the WHO has been developing a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. In this context, the achievement of innovative strategies as an alternative to replace conventional therapies is a first-order socio-sanitary priority, especially regarding endemic zoonoses in poor regions, such as those caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. infections. In this scenario, it is worth highlighting a group of natural peptide molecules (AMPs and CPPs) that are promising strategies for improving therapeutic efficacy against these neglected zoonoses, as they avoid the development of toxicity and resistance of conventional treatments. This review presents the novelties of these peptide molecules and their ability to cross a whole system of cell membranes as well as stimulate host immune defenses or even serve as vectors of molecules. The efforts of the biotechnological sector will make it possible to overcome the limitations of antimicrobial peptides through encapsulation and functionalization methods to obtain approval for these treatments to be used in clinical programs for the eradication of leishmaniosis and Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Robledo
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales PECET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Silvia Pérez-Silanes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Celia Fernández-Rubio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, ISTUN Instituto de Salud Tropical, IdiSNA, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Poveda
- DNA Replication and Genome Instability Unit, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Zoonosis y Salud Pública (GIBCIZ), Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis-CIZ, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador
| | - Lianet Monzote
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Apartado Postal No. 601, Marianao 13, La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - Víctor M González
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km. 9.100, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Alonso-Collado
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Carrión
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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7
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Bai J, Li S, Zhu R, Li Y, Li W. B 2(OH) 4-Mediated Reductive Transamidation of N-Acyl Benzotriazoles with Nitro Compounds En Route to Aqueous Amide Synthesis. J Org Chem 2023; 88:3714-3723. [PMID: 36888556 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
We herein developed a reductive transamidation reaction between N-acyl benzotriazoles (AcBt) and organic nitro compounds or NaNO2 under mild conditions. This protocol employed the stable and readily available B2(OH)4 as the reducing agent and H2O as the ideal solvent. N-Deuterated amides can be synthesized when conducting the reaction in D2O. A reasonable reaction mechanism involving bond metathesis between the AcBt amide and amino boric acid intermediate was proposed to explain the unique nature of AcBt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Bai
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Shangzhang Li
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Riqian Zhu
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
| | - Wanfang Li
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, P. R. China
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8
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Impact of Laboratory-Adapted Intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi Strains on the Activity Profiles of Compounds with Anti- T. cruzi Activity. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020476. [PMID: 36838441 PMCID: PMC9967867 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease causes ~12,000 deaths annually and is one of the world's 20 neglected tropical diseases, as defined by the World Health Organisation. The drug discovery pipeline for Chagas disease currently has few new clinical candidates, with high attrition rates an ongoing issue. To determine if the Trypanosoma cruzi strain utilised to assess in vitro compound activity impacts activity, a comparison of laboratory-adapted T. cruzi strains from differing geographical locations was undertaken for a selection of compounds with anti-T. cruzi activity. To minimise the possible effect of differences in experimental methodology, the same host cell and multiplicity of infection were utilised. To determine whether the compound exposure time influenced results, activity was determined following exposure for 48 and 72 h of incubation. To ascertain whether replication rates affected outcomes, comparative rates of replication of the T. cruzi strains were investigated, using the nucleoside analogue, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine. Minimal differences in the in vitro activity of compounds between strains were observed following 48 h incubation, whereas significant differences were observed following 72 h incubation, in particular for the cytochrome P450 inhibitors tested and the cell cycle inhibitor, camptothecin. Thus, the use of panels of laboratory adapted strains in vitro may be dependent on the speed of action that is prioritised. For the identification of fast-acting compounds, an initial shorter duration assay using a single strain may be used. A longer incubation to identify compound activity may alternatively require profiling of compounds against multiple T. cruzi strains.
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9
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Beveridge J, Tran E, Deora GS, Huang F, Wang Y, Stockton K, Cotillo I, Martinez Martinez MS, Gonzalez S, Castañeda P, Sherman J, Rodriguez A, Kessler A, Baell JB. Novel Diarylthioether Compounds as Agents for the Treatment of Chagas Disease. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1522-1542. [PMID: 36626662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we describe the hit optimization of a novel diarylthioether chemical class found to be active against Trypanosoma cruzi; the parasite responsible for Chagas disease. The hit compound was discovered through a whole-cell phenotypic screen and as such, the mechanism of action for this chemical class is unknown. Our investigations led to clear structure-activity relationships and the discovery of several analogues with high in vitro potency. Furthermore, we observed excellent activity during acute in vivo efficacy studies in mice infected with transgenic T. cruzi. These diarylthioether compounds represent a promising new chemotype for Chagas disease drug discovery and merit further development to increase oral exposure without increasing toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Beveridge
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility (ATMCF), Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Eric Tran
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility (ATMCF), Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Girdhar Singh Deora
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility (ATMCF), Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Fei Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Yuzhi Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Kieran Stockton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility (ATMCF), Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | | | - Jonathan B Baell
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China.,Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility (ATMCF), Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Institute of Drug Discovery Technology (IDDT), Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
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10
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Bernatchez JA, Kil YS, Barbosa da Silva E, Thomas D, McCall LI, Wendt KL, Souza JM, Ackermann J, McKerrow JH, Cichewicz RH, Siqueira-Neto JL. Identification of Leucinostatins from Ophiocordyceps sp. as Antiparasitic Agents against Trypanosoma cruzi. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:7675-7682. [PMID: 35284725 PMCID: PMC8908367 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Safe and effective treatments for Chagas disease, a potentially fatal parasitic infection associated with cardiac and gastrointestinal pathology and caused by the kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, have yet to be developed. Benznidazole and nifurtimox, which are currently the only available drugs against T. cruzi, are associated with severe adverse effects and questionable efficacy in the late stage of the disease. Natural products have proven to be a rich source of new chemotypes for other infectious agents. We utilized a microscopy-based high-throughput phenotypic screen to identify inhibitors of T. cruzi from a library of natural product samples obtained from fungi procured through a Citizen Science Soil Collection Program (https://whatsinyourbackyard.org/) and the Great Lakes (USA) benthic environment. We identified five leucinostatins (A, B, F, NPDG C, and NPDG D) as potent inhibitors of the intracellular amastigote form of T. cruzi. Leucinostatin B also showed in vivo suppression of T. cruzi in a mouse model of Chagas disease. Given prior reports that leucinostatins A and B have antiparasitic activity against the related kinetoplastid Trypanosoma brucei, our findings suggest a potential cross-trypanocidal compound class and provide a platform for the further chemical derivatization of a potent chemical scaffold against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean A. Bernatchez
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yun-Seo Kil
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
- Natural
Products Discovery Group, University of
Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson
Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Institute
for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Elany Barbosa da Silva
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Diane Thomas
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
- Department
of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson
Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Laboratories
of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
| | - Karen L. Wendt
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
- Natural
Products Discovery Group, University of
Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson
Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Institute
for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Julia M. Souza
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Research
Group on Natural Products, Center for Research in Sciences and Technology, University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira 201, Franca, São Paulo CEP 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Jasmin Ackermann
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Athena
Institute, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, HV Amsterdam 1081, The Netherlands
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Robert H. Cichewicz
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United
States
- Natural
Products Discovery Group, University of
Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson
Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
- Institute
for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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11
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Rivera-Correa J, Verdi J, Sherman J, Sternberg JM, Raper J, Rodriguez A. Autoimmunity to phosphatidylserine and anemia in African Trypanosome infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009814. [PMID: 34587165 PMCID: PMC8505006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anemia caused by trypanosome infection is poorly understood. Autoimmunity during Trypanosoma brucei infection was proposed to have a role during anemia, but the mechanisms involved during this pathology have not been elucidated. In mouse models and human patients infected with malaria parasites, atypical B-cells promote anemia through the secretion of autoimmune anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) antibodies that bind to uninfected erythrocytes and facilitate their clearance. Using mouse models of two trypanosome infections, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, we assessed levels of autoantibodies and anemia. Our results indicate that acute T. brucei infection, but not T. cruzi, leads to early increased levels of plasma autoantibodies against different auto antigens tested (PS, DNA and erythrocyte lysate) and expansion of atypical B cells (ABCs) that secrete these autoantibodies. In vitro studies confirmed that a lysate of T. brucei, but not T. cruzi, could directly promote the expansion of these ABCs. PS exposure on erythrocyte plasma membrane seems to be an important contributor to anemia by delaying erythrocyte recovery since treatment with an agent that prevents binding to it (Annexin V) ameliorated anemia in T. brucei-infected mice. Analysis of the plasma of patients with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) revealed high levels of anti-PS antibodies that correlated with anemia. Altogether these results suggest a relation between autoimmunity against PS and anemia in both mice and patients infected with T. brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Rivera-Correa
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Joseph Verdi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Jeremy M Sternberg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Jayne Raper
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
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12
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Martín-Escolano R, Cebrián R, Maqueda M, Romero D, Rosales MJ, Sánchez-Moreno M, Marín C. Assessing the effectiveness of AS-48 in experimental mice models of Chagas' disease. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:1537-1545. [PMID: 32129856 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We report the in vivo trypanocidal activity of the bacteriocin AS-48 (lacking toxicity), which is produced by Enterococcus faecalis, against the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas' disease. METHODS We determined the in vivo activity of AS-48 against the T. cruzi Arequipa strain in BALB/c mice (in both acute and chronic phases of Chagas' disease). We evaluated the parasitaemia, the reactivation of parasitaemia after immunosuppression and the nested parasites in the chronic phase by PCR in target tissues. RESULTS AS-48 reduced the parasitaemia profile in acute infection and showed a noteworthy reduction in the parasitic load in chronic infection after immunosuppression according to the results obtained by PCR (double-checking to demonstrate cure). CONCLUSIONS AS-48 is a promising alternative that provides a step forward in the development of a new therapy against Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Rubén Cebrián
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Mercedes Maqueda
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Desirée Romero
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
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13
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Martinez-Peinado N, Cortes-Serra N, Sherman J, Rodriguez A, Bustamante JM, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi Growth Inhibitors with Activity In Vivo within a Collection of Licensed Drugs. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020406. [PMID: 33669310 PMCID: PMC7920067 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects more than six million people worldwide, with its greatest burden in Latin America. Available treatments present frequent toxicity and variable efficacy at the chronic phase of the infection, when the disease is usually diagnosed. Hence, development of new therapeutic strategies is urgent. Repositioning of licensed drugs stands as an attractive fast-track low-cost approach for the identification of safer and more effective chemotherapies. With this purpose we screened 32 licensed drugs for different indications against T. cruzi. We used a primary in vitro assay of Vero cells infection by T. cruzi. Five drugs showed potent activity rates against it (IC50 < 4 µmol L−1), which were also specific (selectivity index >15) with respect to host cells. T. cruzi inhibitory activity of four of them was confirmed by a secondary anti-parasitic assay based on NIH-3T3 cells. Then, we assessed toxicity to human HepG2 cells and anti-amastigote specific activity of those drugs progressed. Ultimately, atovaquone-proguanil, miltefosine, and verapamil were tested in a mouse model of acute T. cruzi infection. Miltefosine performance in vitro and in vivo encourages further investigating its use against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Juan M. Bustamante
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.-J.P.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 1802) (M.-J.P.); +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 4569) (J.A.-P.)
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.-J.P.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 1802) (M.-J.P.); +1-0034-932275400 (ext. 4569) (J.A.-P.)
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14
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Martinez-Peinado N, Martori C, Cortes-Serra N, Sherman J, Rodriguez A, Gascon J, Alberola J, Pinazo MJ, Rodriguez-Cortes A, Alonso-Padilla J. Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of Metabolism Modifier Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020688. [PMID: 33445756 PMCID: PMC7828178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects over 6 million people worldwide. Development of new drugs to treat this disease remains a priority since those currently available have variable efficacy and frequent adverse effects, especially during the long regimens required for treating the chronic stage of the disease. T. cruzi modulates the host cell-metabolism to accommodate the cell cytosol into a favorable growth environment and acquire nutrients for its multiplication. In this study we evaluated the specific anti-T. cruzi activity of nine bio-energetic modulator compounds. Notably, we identified that 17-DMAG, which targets the ATP-binding site of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), has a very high (sub-micromolar range) selective inhibition of the parasite growth. This inhibitory effect was also highly potent (IC50 = 0.27 μmol L-1) against the amastigote intracellular replicative stage of the parasite. Moreover, molecular docking results suggest that 17-DMAG may bind T. cruzi Hsp90 homologue Hsp83 with good affinity. Evaluation in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection did not show parasite growth inhibition, highlighting the difficulties encountered when going from in vitro assays onto preclinical drug developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Clara Martori
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Veterinary Faculty, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (C.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA; (J.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Jordi Alberola
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Veterinary Faculty, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (C.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
| | - Alheli Rodriguez-Cortes
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, Veterinary Faculty, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (C.M.); (J.A.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.-C.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +34-935812062 (A.R.-C.); +34-932275400 (J.A.-P.)
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (N.M.-P.); (N.C.-S.); (J.G.); (M.-J.P.)
- Correspondence: (A.R.-C.); (J.A.-P.); Tel.: +34-935812062 (A.R.-C.); +34-932275400 (J.A.-P.)
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15
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Martín-Escolano R, Guardia JJ, Martín-Escolano J, Cirauqui N, Fernández A, Rosales MJ, Chahboun R, Sánchez-Moreno M, Alvarez-Manzaneda E, Marín C. In Vivo Biological Evaluation of a Synthetic Royleanone Derivative as a Promising Fast-Acting Trypanocidal Agent by Inducing Mitochondrial-Dependent Necrosis. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:3571-3583. [PMID: 33253573 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The life-long and life-threatening Chagas disease is one of the most neglected tropical diseases caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a major public health problem in Latin America, as six to seven million people are infected, being the principal cause of mortality in many endemic regions. Moreover, Chagas disease has become widespread due to migrant populations. Additionally, there are no vaccines nor effective treatments to fight the disease because of its long-term nature and complex pathology. Therefore, these facts emphasize how crucial the international effort for the development of new treatments against Chagas disease is. Here, we present the in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity of some oxygenated abietane diterpenoids and related compounds. The 1,4-benzoquinone 15, not yet reported, was identified as a fast-acting trypanocidal drug with efficacy against different strains in vitro and higher activity and lower toxicity than benznidazole in both phases of murine Chagas disease. The mode of action was also evaluated, suggesting that quinone 15 kills T. cruzi by inducing mitochondrion-dependent necrosis through a bioenergetics collapse caused by a mitochondrial membrane depolarization and iron-containing superoxide dismutase inhibition. Therefore, the abietane 1,4-benzoquinone 15 can be considered as a new candidate molecule for the development of an appropriate and commercially accessible anti-Chagas drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan J Guardia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Nuria Cirauqui
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria J Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Rachid Chahboun
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Enrique Alvarez-Manzaneda
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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16
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Larrazábal-Fuentes MJ, Fernández-Galleguillos C, Palma-Ramírez J, Romero-Parra J, Sepúlveda K, Galetovic A, González J, Paredes A, Bórquez J, Simirgiotis MJ, Echeverría J. Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, and Antiprotozoal Potentials of Artemisia copa Phil. (Asteraceae). Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:594174. [PMID: 33343365 PMCID: PMC7746865 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.594174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisia copa Phil. (Asteraceae) (known as copa-copa) is a native species of Chile used as an infusion in traditional medicine by Atacameños people in the Altiplano, highlands of northern Chile. In this research, we have investigated for the first time the cholinesterase inhibition potential against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and the chemical profiling of the infusions prepared from the aerial parts of A. copa by high resolution spectrometry. In addition, total phenolic, total flavonoid content, antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC) and antiprozoal activity were tested. Artemisia copa showed good inhibitory activity against AChE and BChE (3.92 ± 0.08 µg/ml and 44.13 ± 0.10 µg/ml). The infusion displayed a total phenolics content of 155.6 ± 2.9 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g and total flavonoid content of 5.5 ± 0.2 mg quercetin equivalents/g. Additionally, trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi was found (LD50 of 131.8 µg/ml). Forty-seven metabolites were detected in the infusion of A. copa including several phenolic acids and flavonoids which were rapidly identified using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography orbitrap mass spectrometry analysis (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS) for chemical profiling. The major compounds identified in the infusions were studied by molecular docking against AChE and BChE. The UHPLC-MS fingerprints generated can be also used for the authentication of these endemic species. These findings reveal that A. copa infusions can be used as beverages with protective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Larrazábal-Fuentes
- Unidad Alimentos, Departamento de Ciencias de los Alimentos y Nutrición, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | | | - Jenifer Palma-Ramírez
- Unidad Alimentos, Departamento de Ciencias de los Alimentos y Nutrición, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Javier Romero-Parra
- Departamento de Química Orgánica y Fisicoquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Kevin Sepúlveda
- Unidad de Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | | | - Jorge González
- Unidad de Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Adrián Paredes
- Laboratorio de Productos Naturales, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Jorge Bórquez
- Laboratorio de Productos Naturales, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Mario J Simirgiotis
- Instituto de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Javier Echeverría
- Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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17
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Pérez-Mazliah D, Ward AI, Lewis MD. Host-parasite dynamics in Chagas disease from systemic to hyper-local scales. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12786. [PMID: 32799361 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a remarkably versatile parasite. It can parasitize almost any nucleated cell type and naturally infects hundreds of mammal species across much of the Americas. In humans, it is the cause of Chagas disease, a set of mainly chronic conditions predominantly affecting the heart and gastrointestinal tract, which can progress to become life threatening. Yet around two thirds of infected people are long-term asymptomatic carriers. Clinical outcomes depend on many factors, but the central determinant is the nature of the host-parasite interactions that play out over the years of chronic infection in diverse tissue environments. In this review, we aim to integrate recent developments in the understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of T. cruzi infections with established and emerging concepts in host immune responses in the corresponding phases and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Pérez-Mazliah
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Alexander I Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Martínez-Peinado N, Cortes-Serra N, Losada-Galvan I, Alonso-Vega C, Urbina JA, Rodríguez A, VandeBerg JL, Pinazo MJ, Gascon J, Alonso-Padilla J. Emerging agents for the treatment of Chagas disease: what is in the preclinical and clinical development pipeline? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:947-959. [PMID: 32635780 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1793955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease treatment relies on the lengthy administration of benznidazole and/or nifurtimox, which have frequent toxicity associated. The disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is mostly diagnosed at its chronic phase when life-threatening symptomatology manifest in approximately 30% of those infected. Considering that both available drugs have variable efficacy by then, and there are over 6 million people infected, there is a pressing need to find safer, more efficacious drugs. AREAS COVERED We provide an updated view of the path to achieve the aforementioned goal. From state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo assays based on genetically engineered parasites that have allowed high throughput screenings of large chemical collections, to the unfulfilled requirement of having treatment-response biomarkers for the clinical evaluation of drugs. In between, we describe the most promising pre-clinical hits and the landscape of clinical trials with new drugs or new regimens of existing ones. Moreover, the use of monkey models to reduce the pre-clinical to clinical attrition rate is discussed. EXPERT OPINION In addition to the necessary research on new drugs and much awaited biomarkers of treatment efficacy, a key step will be to generalize access to diagnosis and treatment and maximize efforts to impede transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Martínez-Peinado
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Losada-Galvan
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Alonso-Vega
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio A Urbina
- Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research , Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Ana Rodríguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine , New York, NY, USA
| | - John L VandeBerg
- Department of Human Genetics, South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley , Brownsville/Harlingen/Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Hospital Clínic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) , Barcelona, Spain
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Ty MC, Loke P, Alberola J, Rodriguez A, Rodriguez-Cortes A. Immuno-metabolic profile of human macrophages after Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi infection. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225588. [PMID: 31841511 PMCID: PMC6913957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages can reprogram their metabolism in response to the surrounding stimuli, which affects their capacity to kill intracellular pathogens. We have investigated the metabolic and immune status of human macrophages after infection with the intracellular trypanosomatid parasites Leishmania donovani, L. amazonensis and T. cruzi and their capacity to respond to a classical polarizing stimulus (LPS and IFN-γ). We found that macrophages infected with Leishmania preferentially upregulate oxidative phosphorylation, which could be contributed by both host cell and parasite, while T. cruzi infection did not significantly increase glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation. Leishmania and T. cruzi infect macrophages without triggering a strong inflammatory cytokine response, but infection does not prevent a potent response to LPS and IFN-γ. Infection appears to prime macrophages, since the cytokine response to activation with LPS and IFN-γ is more intense in infected macrophages compared to uninfected ones. Metabolic polarization in macrophages can influence infection and immune evasion of these parasites since preventing macrophage cytokine responses would help parasites to establish a persistent infection. However, macrophages remain responsive to classical inflammatory stimuli and could still trigger inflammatory cytokine secretion by macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen C. Ty
- New York University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - P’ng Loke
- New York University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Jordi Alberola
- Dept Farmacologia, Toxicologia i Terapeutica, Facultat de Veterinaria, Edifici V, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- New York University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, New York, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Alheli Rodriguez-Cortes
- New York University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, New York, NY, United States of America
- Dept Farmacologia, Toxicologia i Terapeutica, Facultat de Veterinaria, Edifici V, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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da Silva Santos AC, Moura DMN, Dos Santos TAR, de Melo Neto OP, Pereira VRA. Assessment of Leishmania cell lines expressing high levels of beta-galactosidase as alternative tools for the evaluation of anti-leishmanial drug activity. J Microbiol Methods 2019; 166:105732. [PMID: 31629910 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2019.105732] [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: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania, is an important public health problem found in >90 countries and with still limited options for treatment. Development of new anti-leishmanial drugs is an urgent need and the identification of new active compounds is a limiting factor that can be accelerated through large scale drug screening. This requires multiple steps and can be expensive and time consuming. Here, we propose an alternative approach for the colorimetric assessment of anti-Leishmania drug activity that can be easily scaled up. L. amazonensis and L. infantum cell lines were generated having the β-galactosidase (β-gal) gene integrated into their chromosomal 18S rRNA (ssu) locus. Both cell lines expressed high levels of β-gal and had their growth easily monitored and quantified colorimetrically. These two cell lines were then evaluated as tools to assess drug susceptibility and their use was validated through in vitro assays with Amphotericin B, which is routinely used against leishmaniasis. β-gal expression was also confirmed through flow-cytometry, another method of phenotypic detection. With these recombinant parasites, an alternative in vitro model of drug screening against cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis is now available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danielle M N Moura
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães- FIOCRUZ, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Thiago A R Dos Santos
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães- FIOCRUZ, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Osvaldo P de Melo Neto
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães- FIOCRUZ, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Valéria R A Pereira
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães- FIOCRUZ, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Fonseca-Berzal C, Arán VJ, Escario JA, Gómez-Barrio A. Experimental models in Chagas disease: a review of the methodologies applied for screening compounds against Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3367-3380. [PMID: 30232605 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6084-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
One of the main problems of Chagas disease (CD), the parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is the lack of a completely satisfactory treatment, which is currently based on two old nitroheterocyclic drugs (i.e., nifurtimox and benznidazole) that show important limitations for treating patients. In this context, many laboratories look for alternative therapies potentially applicable to the treatment, and therefore, research in CD chemotherapy works in the design of experimental protocols for detecting molecules with activity against T. cruzi. Phenotypic assays are considered the most valuable strategy for screening these antiparasitic compounds. Among them, in vitro experiments are the first step to test potential anti-T. cruzi drugs directly on the different parasite forms (i.e., epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and amastigotes) and to detect cytotoxicity. Once the putative trypanocidal drug has been identified in vitro, it must be moved to in vivo models of T. cruzi infection, to explore (i) acute toxicity, (ii) efficacy during the acute infection, and (iii) efficacy in the chronic disease. Moreover, in silico approaches for predicting activity have emerged as a supporting tool for drug screening procedures. Accordingly, this work reviews those in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods that have been routinely applied during the last decades, aiming to discover trypanocidal compounds that contribute to developing more effective CD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Fonseca-Berzal
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Pza. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Vicente J Arán
- Instituto de Química Médica (IQM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), c/ Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A Escario
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Pza. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Gómez-Barrio
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Pza. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Zingales B. Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity: Something new for something known about Chagas disease manifestations, serodiagnosis and drug sensitivity. Acta Trop 2018; 184:38-52. [PMID: 28941731 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas disease, is widely recognized. At present, T. cruzi is partitioned into seven discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. This article reviews the present knowledge on the parasite population structure, the evolutionary relationships among DTUs and their distinct, but not exclusive ecological and epidemiological associations. Different models for the origin of hybrid DTUs are examined, which agree that genetic exchange among T. cruzi populations is frequent and has contributed to the present parasite population structure. The geographic distribution of the prevalent DTUs in humans from the southern United States to Argentina is here presented and the circumstantial evidence of a possible association between T. cruzi genotype and Chagas disease manifestations is discussed. The available information suggests that parasite strains detected in patients, regardless of the clinical presentation, reflect the principal DTU circulating in the domestic transmission cycles of a particular region. In contrast, in several orally transmitted outbreaks, sylvatic strains are implicated. As a consequence of the genotypic and phenotypic differences of T. cruzi strains and the differential geographic distribution of DTUs in humans, regional variations in the sensitivity of the serological tests are verified. The natural resistance to benznidazole and nifurtimox, verified in vivo and in vitro for some parasite stocks, is not associated with any particular DTU, and does not explain the marked difference in the anti-parasitic efficacy of both drugs in the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease. Throughout this review, it is emphasized that the interplay between parasite and host genetics should have an important role in the definition of Chagas disease pathogenesis, anti-T. cruzi immune response and chemotherapy outcome and should be considered in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zingales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Weng HB, Chen HX, Wang MW. Innovation in neglected tropical disease drug discovery and development. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:67. [PMID: 29950174 PMCID: PMC6022351 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0444-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are closely related to poverty and affect over a billion people in developing countries. The unmet treatment needs cause high mortality and disability thereby imposing a huge burden with severe social and economic consequences. Although coordinated by the World Health Organization, various philanthropic organizations, national governments and the pharmaceutical industry have been making efforts in improving the situation, the control of NTDs is still inadequate and extremely difficult today. The lack of safe, effective and affordable medicines is a key contributing factor. This paper reviews the recent advances and some of the challenges that we are facing in the fight against NTDs. MAIN BODY In recent years, a number of innovations have demonstrated propensity to promote drug discovery and development for NTDs. Implementation of multilateral collaborations leads to continued efforts and plays a crucial role in drug discovery. Proactive approaches and advanced technologies are urgently needed in drug innovation for NTDs. However, the control and elimination of NTDs remain a formidable task as it requires persistent international cooperation to make sustainable progresses for a long period of time. Some currently employed strategies were proposed and verified to be successful, which involve both mechanisms of 'Push' which aims at cutting the cost of research and development for industry and 'Pull' which aims at increasing market attractiveness. Coupled to this effort should be the exercise of shared responsibility globally to reduce risks, overcome obstacles and maximize benefits. Since NTDs are closely associated with poverty, it is absolutely essential that the stakeholders take concerted and long-term measures to meet multifaceted challenges by alleviating extreme poverty, strengthening social intervention, adapting climate changes, providing effective monitoring and ensuring timely delivery. CONCLUSIONS The ongoing endeavor at the global scale will ultimately benefit the patients, the countries they are living and, hopefully, the manufacturers who provide new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bo Weng
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Hai-Xia Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203 China
- The National Center for Drug Screening and the CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 189 Guoshoujing Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203 China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201210 China
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Silberstein E, Serna C, Fragoso SP, Nagarkatti R, Debrabant A. A novel nanoluciferase-based system to monitor Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice by bioluminescence imaging. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195879. [PMID: 29672535 PMCID: PMC5908157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects 8–10 million people worldwide and represents a major public health challenge. There is no effective treatment or vaccine to control the disease that is characterized by a mild acute phase followed by a chronic life-long infection. Approximately 30% of chronically infected individuals develop cardiac and/or digestive pathologies. T. cruzi can invade a wide variety of nucleated cells, but only persists at specific tissues in the host. However, the mechanisms that determine tissue tropism and the progression of the infection have not been fully described. Identification of infection niches in animal models has been difficult due to the limited quantity of parasite-infected cells and their focal distribution in tissues during the chronic phase. To better understand the course of chronic infections and parasite dissemination, we developed a bioluminescence imaging system based on the use of transgenic T. cruzi Colombiana strain parasites expressing nanoluciferase. Swiss Webster mice were infected with luminescent trypomastigotes and monitored for 126 days. Whole animal in vivo imaging showed parasites predominantly distributed in the abdominal cavity and surrounding areas throughout the infection. Bioluminescence signal reached a peak between 14 to 21 days post infection (dpi) and decreased progressively over time. Total animal luminescence could still be measured 126 dpi while parasites remained undetectable in blood by microscopy in most animals. Ex vivo imaging of specific tissues and organs dissected post-mortem at 126 dpi revealed a widespread parasite distribution in the skeletal muscle, heart, intestines and mesenteric fat. Parasites were also detected in lungs and liver. This noninvasive imaging model represents a novel tool to study host-parasite interactions and to identify parasite reservoirs of chronic Chagas Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Silberstein
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Carylinda Serna
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stenio Perdigão Fragoso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Trypanosomatids, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz, Curitiba - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rana Nagarkatti
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Alain Debrabant
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi Sir2 related protein 1 as potential drugs against Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006180. [PMID: 29357372 PMCID: PMC5794198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease remains one of the most neglected diseases in the world despite being the most important parasitic disease in Latin America. The characteristic chronic manifestation of chagasic cardiomyopathy is the region’s leading cause of heart-related illness, causing significant mortality and morbidity. Due to the limited available therapeutic options, new drugs are urgently needed to control the disease. Sirtuins, also called Silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) proteins have long been suggested as interesting targets to treat different diseases, including parasitic infections. Recent studies on Trypanosoma cruzi sirtuins have hinted at the possibility to exploit these enzymes as a possible drug targets. In the present work, the T. cruzi Sir2 related protein 1 (TcSir2rp1) is genetically validated as a drug target and biochemically characterized for its NAD+-dependent deacetylase activity and its inhibition by the classic sirtuin inhibitor nicotinamide, as well as by bisnaphthalimidopropyl (BNIP) derivatives, a class of parasite sirtuin inhibitors. BNIPs ability to inhibit TcSir2rp1, and anti-parasitic activity against T. cruzi amastigotes in vitro were investigated. The compound BNIP Spermidine (BNIPSpd) (9), was found to be the most potent inhibitor of TcSir2rp1. Moreover, this compound showed altered trypanocidal activity against TcSir2rp1 overexpressing epimastigotes and anti-parasitic activity similar to the reference drug benznidazole against the medically important amastigotes, while having the highest selectivity index amongst the compounds tested. Unfortunately, BNIPSpd failed to treat a mouse model of Chagas disease, possibly due to its pharmacokinetic profile. Medicinal chemistry modifications of the compound, as well as alternative formulations may improve activity and pharmacokinetics in the future. Additionally, an initial TcSIR2rp1 model in complex with p53 peptide substrate was obtained from low resolution X-ray data (3.5 Å) to gain insight into the potential specificity of the interaction with the BNIP compounds. In conclusion, the search for TcSir2rp1 specific inhibitors may represent a valuable strategy for drug discovery against T. cruzi. Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite belonging to the Kinetoplastida class responsible for Chagas disease, a neglected tropical illness that affects an estimated 6 to 8 million people in Latin America and some Southern regions of the USA, with another 25 million at risk of acquiring the disease and a death toll of 12,000 every year. Commonly transmitted from the feces of the kissing bug, the disease is characterized by a nearly asymptomatic acute phase but a problematic chronic phase in which 20–30% of individuals develop serious cardiac and/or intestinal problems. The therapies currently in use were introduced more than forty years ago, and there are important concerns about adverse effects and lower effectiveness with disease progression. There is, therefore, an urgent need to find better alternatives. In this study, we evaluate the potential of a Trypanosoma cruzi sirtuin protein as a novel drug target and its inhibition by novel members of a known class of sirtuin compound inhibitors.
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Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Putting Infection Dynamics at the Heart of Chagas Disease. Trends Parasitol 2016; 32:899-911. [PMID: 27612651 PMCID: PMC5086431 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infections, parasite burden is controlled by effective, but nonsterilising immune responses. Infected cells are difficult to detect because they are scarce and focally distributed in multiple sites. However, advances in detection technologies have established a link between parasite persistence and the pathogenesis of Chagas heart disease. Long-term persistence likely involves episodic reinvasion as well as continuous infection, to an extent that varies between tissues. The primary reservoir sites in humans are not definitively known, but analysis of murine models has identified the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we highlight that quantitative, spatial, and temporal aspects of T. cruzi infection are central to a fuller understanding of the association between persistence, pathogenesis, and immunity, and for optimising treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Lewis
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK; Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
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Papadopoulou MV, Bloomer WD, Rosenzweig HS, Wilkinson SR, Szular J, Kaiser M. Nitrotriazole-based acetamides and propanamides with broad spectrum antitrypanosomal activity. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 123:895-904. [PMID: 27543881 PMCID: PMC5049494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
3-Nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based acetamides bearing a biphenyl- or a phenoxyphenyl moiety have shown remarkable antichagasic activity both in vitro and in an acute murine model, as well as substantial in vitro antileishmanial activity but lacked activity against human African trypanosomiasis. We have shown now that by inserting a methylene group in the linkage to obtain the corresponding propanamides, both antichagasic and in particular anti-human African trypanosomiasis potency was increased. Therefore, IC50 values at low nM concentrations against both T. cruzi and T. b. rhodesiense, along with huge selectivity indices were obtained. Although several propanamides were active against Leishmania donovani, they were slightly less potent than their corresponding acetamides. There was a good correlation between lipophilicity (clogP value) and trypanocidal activity, for all new compounds. Type I nitroreductase, an enzyme absent from the human host, played a role in the activation of the new compounds, which may function as prodrugs. Antichagasic activity in vivo was also demonstrated with representative propanamides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shane R Wilkinson
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Joanna Szular
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Parasite Chemotherapy, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Drug Susceptibility of Genetically Engineered Trypanosoma cruzi Strains and Sterile Cure in Animal Models as a Criterion for Potential Clinical Efficacy of Anti-T. cruzi Drugs. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 59:7923-4. [PMID: 26578701 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01714-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Costa LB, Cardoso MVDO, de Oliveira Filho GB, de Moraes Gomes PAT, Espíndola JWP, de Jesus Silva TG, Torres PHM, Silva FP, Martin J, de Figueiredo RCBQ, Leite ACL. Compound profiling and 3D-QSAR studies of hydrazone derivatives with activity against intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:1608-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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D'Antonio EL, Deinema MS, Kearns SP, Frey TA, Tanghe S, Perry K, Roy TA, Gracz HS, Rodriguez A, D'Antonio J. Structure-based approach to the identification of a novel group of selective glucosamine analogue inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi glucokinase. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2016; 204:64-76. [PMID: 26778112 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Glucokinase and hexokinase from pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi are potential drug targets for antiparasitic chemotherapy of Chagas' disease. These glucose kinases phosphorylate d-glucose with co-substrate ATP and yield glucose 6-phosphate and are involved in essential metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. An inhibitor class was conceived that is selective for T. cruzi glucokinase (TcGlcK) using structure-based drug design involving glucosamine having a linker from the C2 amino that terminates with a hydrophobic group either being phenyl, p-hydroxyphenyl, or dioxobenzo[b]thiophenyl groups. The synthesis and characterization for two of the four compounds are presented while the other two compounds were commercially available. Four high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of TcGlcK inhibitor complexes are reported along with enzyme inhibition constants (Ki) for TcGlcK and Homo sapiens hexokinase IV (HsHxKIV). These glucosamine analogue inhibitors include three strongly selective TcGlcK inhibitors and a fourth inhibitor, benzoyl glucosamine (BENZ-GlcN), which is a similar variant exhibiting a shorter linker. Carboxybenzyl glucosamine (CBZ-GlcN) was found to be the strongest glucokinase inhibitor known to date, having a Ki of 0.71±0.05μM. Also reported are two biologically active inhibitors against in vitro T. cruzi culture that were BENZ-GlcN and CBZ-GlcN, with intracellular amastigote growth inhibition IC50 values of 16.08±0.16μM and 48.73±0.69μM, respectively. These compounds revealed little to no toxicity against mammalian NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and provide a key starting point for further drug development with this class of compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward L D'Antonio
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909, USA.
| | - Mason S Deinema
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909, USA
| | - Sean P Kearns
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909, USA
| | - Tyler A Frey
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909, USA
| | - Scott Tanghe
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Kay Perry
- NE-CAT, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Building 436E, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA
| | - Timothy A Roy
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909, USA
| | - Hanna S Gracz
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, 128 Polk Hall, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Jennifer D'Antonio
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909, USA
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Miranda CG, Solana ME, Curto MDLA, Lammel EM, Schijman AG, Alba Soto CD. A flow cytometer-based method to simultaneously assess activity and selectivity of compounds against the intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 2015; 152:8-16. [PMID: 26272680 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a major unsolved health issue in Latin America and an emerging threat worldwide. New drugs are urgently needed for chemotherapy as those available (benznidazole and nifurtimox) have variable efficacy and elevated toxicity. Efforts are actually oriented to improve tools and technologies (e.g. transgenic parasites, flow cytometry or image-based systems) for the screening of large numbers of candidate compounds for their activity against Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Methods that test drug efficacy and selectivity in the same assay are suitable to accelerate the process of drug discovery. Here, we developed a GFP expressing T. cruzi from a moderate virulence stock and confirmed that the transgenic parasite retained the biological characteristics of the parental strain. With this tool, we established a flow cytometer-based method to simultaneously test drug activity against intracellular amastigotes and toxicity to the host cell. This one-step procedure allows determining the selectivity index of the tested compound in a sensitive and accurate manner even with low infection rates. This method can provide additional information on the interactions between drug, parasites and host cell and could be adapted to other trypanosomatids and protozoa with intracellular multiplication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Gabriel Miranda
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médicas (IMPaM),UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos, Paraguay 2155, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires CC1121ABG, Argentina.
| | - Maria Elisa Solana
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médicas (IMPaM),UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos, Paraguay 2155, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires CC1121ABG, Argentina.
| | - Maria de Los Angeles Curto
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490 Piso 2, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina.
| | - Estela Maria Lammel
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médicas (IMPaM),UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos, Paraguay 2155, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires CC1121ABG, Argentina.
| | - Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490 Piso 2, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina.
| | - Catalina Dirney Alba Soto
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médicas (IMPaM),UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos, Paraguay 2155, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires CC1121ABG, Argentina.
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Discovery of potent nitrotriazole-based antitrypanosomal agents: In vitro and in vivo evaluation. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:6467-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Papadopoulou MV, Bloomer WD, Rosenzweig HS, O'Shea IP, Wilkinson SR, Kaiser M. 3-Nitrotriazole-based piperazides as potent antitrypanosomal agents. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 103:325-34. [PMID: 26363868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Novel linear 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based piperazides were synthesized and evaluated as antitrypanosomal agents. In addition, some bisarylpiperazine-ethanones which were formed as by-products were also screened for antiparasitic activity. Most 3-nitrotriazole-based derivatives were potent and selective against Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, but only one displayed these desired properties against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Moreover, two 3-nitrotriazole-based chlorophenylpiperazides were moderately and selectively active against Leishmania donovani. Although the bisarylpiperazine-ethanones were active or moderately active against T. cruzi, none of them demonstrated an acceptable selectivity. In general, 3-nitrotriazole-based piperazides were less toxic to host L6 cells than the previously evaluated 3-nitrotriazole-based piperazines and seven of 13 were 1.54- to 31.2-fold more potent antichagasic agents than the reference drug benznidazole. Selected compounds showed good ADMET characteristics. One potent in vitro antichagasic compound (3) was tested in an acute murine model and demonstrated antichagasic activity after a 10-day treatment of 15 mg/kg/day. However, neither compound 3 nor benznidazole showed a statistically significant P value compared to control due to high variability in parasite burden among the untreated animals. Working as prodrugs, 3-nitrotriazole-based piperazides were excellent substrates of trypanosomal type I nitroreductases and constitute a novel class of potentially effective and more affordable antitrypanosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ivan P O'Shea
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Shane R Wilkinson
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Parasite Chemotherapy, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Ekins S, Lage de Siqueira-Neto J, McCall LI, Sarker M, Yadav M, Ponder EL, Kallel EA, Kellar D, Chen S, Arkin M, Bunin BA, McKerrow JH, Talcott C. Machine Learning Models and Pathway Genome Data Base for Trypanosoma cruzi Drug Discovery. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003878. [PMID: 26114876 PMCID: PMC4482694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the eukaryotic parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The current clinical and preclinical pipeline for T. cruzi is extremely sparse and lacks drug target diversity. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study we developed a computational approach that utilized data from several public whole-cell, phenotypic high throughput screens that have been completed for T. cruzi by the Broad Institute, including a single screen of over 300,000 molecules in the search for chemical probes as part of the NIH Molecular Libraries program. We have also compiled and curated relevant biological and chemical compound screening data including (i) compounds and biological activity data from the literature, (ii) high throughput screening datasets, and (iii) predicted metabolites of T. cruzi metabolic pathways. This information was used to help us identify compounds and their potential targets. We have constructed a Pathway Genome Data Base for T. cruzi. In addition, we have developed Bayesian machine learning models that were used to virtually screen libraries of compounds. Ninety-seven compounds were selected for in vitro testing, and 11 of these were found to have EC50 < 10μM. We progressed five compounds to an in vivo mouse efficacy model of Chagas disease and validated that the machine learning model could identify in vitro active compounds not in the training set, as well as known positive controls. The antimalarial pyronaridine possessed 85.2% efficacy in the acute Chagas mouse model. We have also proposed potential targets (for future verification) for this compound based on structural similarity to known compounds with targets in T. cruzi. Conclusions/ Significance We have demonstrated how combining chemoinformatics and bioinformatics for T. cruzi drug discovery can bring interesting in vivo active molecules to light that may have been overlooked. The approach we have taken is broadly applicable to other NTDs. Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the eukaryotic parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease is endemic to Latin America but is increasingly found in North America and Europe, primarily through immigration, and the spread of this disease is bringing new attention to the need for novel, safe, and effective therapeutics to treat T. cruzi infection. We have used data from a phenotypic screen to build Bayesian models to predict anti-parasitic activity against T. cruzi in vitro. These models were used to score various small libraries of molecules. We selected less than 100 compounds for testing and found in vitro actives, some of which were tested in an in vivo efficacy model. We identified the antimalarial pyronaridine as having in vivo efficacy and provides us with a new starting point for further investigation and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Ekins
- Collaborative Drug Discovery, Burlingame, California, United States of America
- Collaborations in Chemistry, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jair Lage de Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Malabika Sarker
- SRI International, Menlo Park, California, United States of America
| | - Maneesh Yadav
- SRI International, Menlo Park, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth L. Ponder
- Chemistry, Engineering & Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - E. Adam Kallel
- Collaborative Drug Discovery, Burlingame, California, United States of America
| | - Danielle Kellar
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Steven Chen
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Michelle Arkin
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Barry A. Bunin
- Collaborative Drug Discovery, Burlingame, California, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Carolyn Talcott
- SRI International, Menlo Park, California, United States of America
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Hol WGJ. Three-dimensional structures in the design of therapeutics targeting parasitic protozoa: reflections on the past, present and future. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2015; 71:485-99. [PMID: 25945701 PMCID: PMC4427157 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x15004987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic protozoa cause a range of diseases which threaten billions of human beings. They are responsible for tremendous mortality and morbidity in the least-developed areas of the world. Presented here is an overview of the evolution over the last three to four decades of structure-guided design of inhibitors, leads and drug candidates aiming at targets from parasitic protozoa. Target selection is a crucial and multi-faceted aspect of structure-guided drug design. The major impact of advances in molecular biology, genome sequencing and high-throughput screening is touched upon. The most advanced crystallographic techniques, including XFEL, have already been applied to structure determinations of drug targets from parasitic protozoa. Even cryo-electron microscopy is contributing to our understanding of the mode of binding of inhibitors to parasite ribosomes. A number of projects have been selected to illustrate how structural information has assisted in arriving at promising compounds that are currently being evaluated by pharmacological, pharmacodynamic and safety tests to assess their suitability as pharmaceutical agents. Structure-guided approaches are also applied to incorporate properties into compounds such that they are less likely to become the victim of resistance mechanisms. A great increase in the number of novel antiparasitic compounds will be needed in the future. These should then be combined into various multi-compound therapeutics to circumvent the diverse resistance mechanisms that render single-compound, or even multi-compound, drugs ineffective. The future should also see (i) an increase in the number of projects with a tight integration of structural biology, medicinal chemistry, parasitology and pharmaceutical sciences; (ii) the education of more `medicinal structural biologists' who are familiar with the properties that compounds need to have for a high probability of success in the later steps of the drug-development process; and (iii) the expansion of drug-development capabilities in middle- and low-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim G. J. Hol
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomolecular Structure Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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36
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Alonso-Padilla J, Cotillo I, Presa JL, Cantizani J, Peña I, Bardera AI, Martín JJ, Rodriguez A. Automated high-content assay for compounds selectively toxic to Trypanosoma cruzi in a myoblastic cell line. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003493. [PMID: 25615687 PMCID: PMC4304841 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, represents a very important public health problem in Latin America where it is endemic. Although mostly asymptomatic at its initial stage, after the disease becomes chronic, about a third of the infected patients progress to a potentially fatal outcome due to severe damage of heart and gut tissues. There is an urgent need for new drugs against Chagas disease since there are only two drugs available, benznidazole and nifurtimox, and both show toxic side effects and variable efficacy against the chronic stage of the disease. Methodology/Principal Findings Genetically engineered parasitic strains are used for high throughput screening (HTS) of large chemical collections in the search for new anti-parasitic compounds. These assays, although successful, are limited to reporter transgenic parasites and do not cover the wide T. cruzi genetic background. With the aim to contribute to the early drug discovery process against Chagas disease we have developed an automated image-based 384-well plate HTS assay for T. cruzi amastigote replication in a rat myoblast host cell line. An image analysis script was designed to inform on three outputs: total number of host cells, ratio of T. cruzi amastigotes per cell and percentage of infected cells, which respectively provides one host cell toxicity and two T. cruzi toxicity readouts. The assay was statistically robust (Z´ values >0.6) and was validated against a series of known anti-trypanosomatid drugs. Conclusions/Significance We have established a highly reproducible, high content HTS assay for screening of chemical compounds against T. cruzi infection of myoblasts that is amenable for use with any T. cruzi strain capable of in vitro infection. Our visual assay informs on both anti-parasitic and host cell toxicity readouts in a single experiment, allowing the direct identification of compounds selectively targeted to the parasite. Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Endemic to Central and South America, it affects over 10 million people and many more live in risk transmission areas. Although mostly asymptomatic at its initial acute stage in humans, damages can occur over the years in many tissues such as T. cruzi-hosting heart and digestive track. For over 40 years the chemotherapy of Chagas disease has relied on the use of two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, though both are known to lead to severe side effects which often prompt to the discontinuation of the treatments. Despite having good efficacy against the acute stage of infection, its efficacy against the chronic stage is under question. Therefore, there is an urgent unmet need of new anti-T. cruzi drugs. Several efforts have been made in the last years to establish reliable high throughput cell based in vitro assays to be used for drug discovery against Chagas. With the aim to contribute to this field here we describe the development of a new automated image-based assay to identify new compounds against T. cruzi that has been set up using the myoblastic rat cell line H9c2 as cell-cycling amastigotes hosting cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Parasitology Division, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ignacio Cotillo
- Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús L. Presa
- Molecular Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Cantizani
- Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Imanol Peña
- Molecular Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Bardera
- Molecular Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose J. Martín
- Molecular Discovery Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Parasitology Division, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Papadopoulou MV, Bloomer WD, Lepesheva GI, Rosenzweig HS, Kaiser M, Aguilera-Venegas B, Wilkinson SR, Chatelain E, Ioset JR. Novel 3-nitrotriazole-based amides and carbinols as bifunctional antichagasic agents. J Med Chem 2015; 58:1307-19. [PMID: 25580906 DOI: 10.1021/jm5015742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
3-Nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based amides with a linear, rigid core and 3-nitrotriazole-based fluconazole analogues were synthesized as dual functioning antitrypanosomal agents. Such compounds are excellent substrates for type I nitroreductase (NTR) located in the mitochondrion of trypanosomatids and, at the same time, act as inhibitors of the sterol 14α-demethylase (T. cruzi CYP51) enzyme. Because combination treatments against parasites are often superior to monotherapy, we believe that this emerging class of bifunctional compounds may introduce a new generation of antitrypanosomal drugs. In the present work, the synthesis and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of such compounds is discussed.
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Keenan M, Chaplin JH. A New Era for Chagas Disease Drug Discovery? PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2015; 54:185-230. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Abstract
The discovery of new therapeutic options against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, stands as a fundamental need. Currently, there are only two drugs available to treat this neglected disease, which represents a major public health problem in Latin America. Both available therapies, benznidazole and nifurtimox, have significant toxic side effects and their efficacy against the life-threatening symptomatic chronic stage of the disease is variable. Thus, there is an urgent need for new, improved anti–T. cruzi drugs. With the objective to reliably accelerate the drug discovery process against Chagas disease, several advances have been made in the last few years. Availability of engineered reporter gene expressing parasites triggered the development of phenotypic in vitro assays suitable for high throughput screening (HTS) as well as the establishment of new in vivo protocols that allow faster experimental outcomes. Recently, automated high content microscopy approaches have also been used to identify new parasitic inhibitors. These in vitro and in vivo early drug discovery approaches, which hopefully will contribute to bring better anti–T. cruzi drug entities in the near future, are reviewed here.
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40
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Choi JY, Podust LM, Roush WR. Drug strategies targeting CYP51 in neglected tropical diseases. Chem Rev 2014; 114:11242-71. [PMID: 25337991 PMCID: PMC4254036 DOI: 10.1021/cr5003134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yong Choi
- Department
of Chemistry, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Larissa M. Podust
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, and Department of
Pathology, University of California—San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - William R. Roush
- Department
of Chemistry, Scripps Florida, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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41
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Vieira DF, Choi JY, Calvet CM, Siqueira-Neto JL, Johnston JB, Kellar D, Gut J, Cameron MD, McKerrow JH, Roush WR, Podust LM. Binding mode and potency of N-indolyloxopyridinyl-4-aminopropanyl-based inhibitors targeting Trypanosoma cruzi CYP51. J Med Chem 2014; 57:10162-75. [PMID: 25393646 PMCID: PMC4266343 DOI: 10.1021/jm501568b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Chagas disease is a chronic infection
in humans caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and manifested
in progressive cardiomyopathy
and/or gastrointestinal dysfunction. Limited therapeutic options to
prevent and treat Chagas disease put 8 million people infected with T. cruzi worldwide at risk. CYP51, involved in the biosynthesis
of the membrane sterol component in eukaryotes, is a promising drug
target in T. cruzi. We report the structure–activity
relationships (SAR) of an N-arylpiperazine series
of N-indolyloxopyridinyl-4-aminopropanyl-based inhibitors
designed to probe the impact of substituents in the terminal N-phenyl
ring on binding mode, selectivity and potency. Depending on the substituents
at C-4, two distinct ring binding modes, buried and solvent-exposed,
have been observed by X-ray structure analysis (resolution of 1.95–2.48
Å). The 5-chloro-substituted analogs 9 and 10 with no substituent at C-4 demonstrated improved selectivity
and potency, suppressing ≥99.8% parasitemia in mice when administered
orally at 25 mg/kg, b.i.d., for 4 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora F Vieira
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, ‡Department of Pathology, and §Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California-San Francisco , San Francisco, California 94158, United States
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42
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Lewis MD, Francisco AF, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. A new experimental model for assessing drug efficacy against Trypanosoma cruzi infection based on highly sensitive in vivo imaging. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 20:36-43. [PMID: 25296657 PMCID: PMC4361455 DOI: 10.1177/1087057114552623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, one of the world’s major neglected infections. Although development of improved antiparasitic drugs is considered a priority, there have been no significant treatment advances in the past 40 years. Factors that have limited progress include an incomplete understanding of pathogenesis, tissue tropism, and disease progression. In addition, in vivo models, which allow parasite burdens to be tracked throughout the chronic stage of infection, have been lacking. To address these issues, we have developed a highly sensitive in vivo imaging system based on bioluminescent T. cruzi, which express a red-shifted luciferase that emits light in the tissue-penetrating orange-red region of the spectrum. The exquisite sensitivity of this noninvasive murine model has been exploited to monitor parasite burden in real time throughout the chronic stage, has allowed the identification of the gastrointestinal tract as the major niche of long-term infection, and has demonstrated that chagasic heart disease can develop in the absence of locally persistent parasites. Here, we review the parameters of the imaging system and describe how this experimental model can be incorporated into drug development programs as a valuable tool for assessing efficacy against both acute and chronic T. cruzi infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Lewis
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Martin C Taylor
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Abstract
American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, is the result of infection by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite. Endemic in Latin America where it is the major cause of death from cardiomyopathy, the impact of the disease is reaching global proportions through migrating populations. New drugs that are safe, efficacious, low cost, and adapted to the field are critically needed. Over the past five years, there has been increased interest in the disease and a surge in activities within various organizations. However, recent clinical trials with azoles, specifically posaconazole and the ravuconazole prodrug E1224, were disappointing, with treatment failure in Chagas patients reaching 70% to 90%, as opposed to 6% to 30% failure for benznidazole-treated patients. The lack of translation from in vitro and in vivo models to the clinic observed for the azoles raises several questions. There is a scientific requirement to review and challenge whether we are indeed using the right tools and decision-making processes to progress compounds forward for the treatment of this disease. New developments in the Chagas field, including new technologies and tools now available, will be discussed, and a redesign of the current screening strategy during the discovery process is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
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44
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Calvo-Álvarez E, Álvarez-Velilla R, Fernández-Prada C, Balaña-Fouce R, Reguera RM. Trypanosomatids see the light: recent advances in bioimaging research. Drug Discov Today 2014; 20:114-21. [PMID: 25256779 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of genetically engineered pathogens that express fluorescent or luminescent proteins represents a huge stride forward in the understanding of trypanosomatid-borne tropical diseases. Nowadays, such modified microorganisms are being used to screen thousands of compounds under a target-free (phenotypic) approach. In addition, experimental infections with transgenic parasites drastically reduce the number of animals required for preclinical studies, because no animal needs to be put down to assess its parasite load. Finally, the use of fluorescent parasites is contributing to unraveling genetic exchange events between trypanosomatid strains. This phenomenon is important for understanding the mechanism by which traits such as virulence, tissue tropism, and drug resistance are transferred, as well as the emergence of novel strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Calvo-Álvarez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Raquel Álvarez-Velilla
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Christopher Fernández-Prada
- Infectious Diseases Research Center of the CHUL of Québec and Laval University, Québec City, Québec G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain.
| | - Rosa M Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
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45
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Calvet C, Vieira D, Choi JY, Kellar D, Cameron MD, Siqueira-Neto JL, Gut J, Johnston JB, Lin L, Khan S, McKerrow JH, Roush WR, Podust LM. 4-Aminopyridyl-based CYP51 inhibitors as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi drug leads with improved pharmacokinetic profile and in vivo potency. J Med Chem 2014; 57:6989-7005. [PMID: 25101801 PMCID: PMC4148169 DOI: 10.1021/jm500448u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CYP51 is a P450 enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the sterol components of eukaryotic cell membranes. CYP51 inhibitors have been developed to treat infections caused by fungi, and more recently the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. To specifically optimize drug candidates for T. cruzi CYP51 (TcCYP51), we explored the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a N-indolyl-oxopyridinyl-4-aminopropanyl-based scaffold originally identified in a target-based screen. This scaffold evolved via medicinal chemistry to yield orally bioavailable leads with potent anti-T. cruzi activity in vivo. Using an animal model of infection with a transgenic T. cruzi Y luc strain expressing firefly luciferase, we prioritized the biaryl and N-arylpiperazine analogues by oral bioavailability and potency. The drug-target complexes for both scaffold variants were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. Optimization of both binding mode and pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds led to potent inhibitors against experimental T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia
M. Calvet
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of California San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
- Cellular
Ultra-Structure Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz
Institute (IOC), FIOCRUZ, Rio de
Janeiro, Re de Janeiro 21040-362, Brazil
| | - Debora
F. Vieira
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of California San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps
Florida, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United
States
| | - Danielle Kellar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of California San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Michael D. Cameron
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps
Florida, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United
States
| | - Jair Lage Siqueira-Neto
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of California San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Jiri Gut
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of California San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Jonathan B. Johnston
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of California San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Li Lin
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps
Florida, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United
States
| | - Susan Khan
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps
Florida, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United
States
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of California San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - William R. Roush
- Department
of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps
Florida, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United
States
| | - Larissa M. Podust
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, University of California San
Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
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46
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Planer JD, Hulverson MA, Arif JA, Ranade RM, Don R, Buckner FS. Synergy testing of FDA-approved drugs identifies potent drug combinations against Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2977. [PMID: 25033456 PMCID: PMC4102417 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
An estimated 8 million persons, mainly in Latin America, are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. Existing antiparasitic drugs for Chagas disease have significant toxicities and suboptimal effectiveness, hence new therapeutic strategies need to be devised to address this neglected tropical disease. Due to the high research and development costs of bringing new chemical entities to the clinic, we and others have investigated the strategy of repurposing existing drugs for Chagas disease. Screens of FDA-approved drugs (described in this paper) have revealed a variety of chemical classes that have growth inhibitory activity against mammalian stage Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. Aside from azole antifungal drugs that have low or sub-nanomolar activity, most of the active compounds revealed in these screens have effective concentrations causing 50% inhibition (EC50's) in the low micromolar or high nanomolar range. For example, we have identified an antihistamine (clemastine, EC50 of 0.4 µM), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine, EC50 of 4.4 µM), and an antifolate drug (pyrimethamine, EC50 of 3.8 µM) and others. When tested alone in the murine model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, most compounds had insufficient efficacy to lower parasitemia thus we investigated using combinations of compounds for additive or synergistic activity. Twenty-four active compounds were screened in vitro in all possible combinations. Follow up isobologram studies showed at least 8 drug pairs to have synergistic activity on T. cruzi growth. The combination of the calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, plus the antifungal drug, posaconazole, was found to be more effective at lowering parasitemia in mice than either drug alone, as was the combination of clemastine and posaconazole. Using combinations of FDA-approved drugs is a promising strategy for developing new treatments for Chagas disease. Chronic infection with Trypanosoma cruzi causes progressive damage to the heart and other organs that is fatal in about 30% of cases. Known as Chagas disease, this is a major public health problem in Latin America. The existing medicines were developed over forty years ago and are not widely used because of toxicity and unreliable effectiveness. To discover better treatments, we screened a collection of existing drugs for growth inhibitory activity on Trypanosoma cruzi. Several dozen orally administered drugs were discovered, but when used by themselves they were not strong enough to cure the infection in an animal model. We tested a set of 24 of these drugs in every two-way combination and identified eight synergistic partners. At least two of these combinations were able to substantially lower parasite levels in the mouse model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Thus, finding pairs of FDA-approved drugs that can be used in combination may be a pragmatic and effective strategy for designing new therapies for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Planer
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Matthew A. Hulverson
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. Arif
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ranae M. Ranade
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Robert Don
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Frederick S. Buckner
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Campo VL, Riul TB, Carvalho I, Baruffi MD. Antibodies against mucin-based glycopeptides affect Trypanosoma cruzi cell invasion and tumor cell viability. Chembiochem 2014; 15:1495-507. [PMID: 24920542 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201400069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This study describes the synthesis of glycopeptides NHAc[βGal]-(Thr)2 -[αGalNAc]-(Thr)2 -[αGlcNAc]-(Thr)2 Gly-OVA (1-OVA) and NHAc[βGal-αGalNAc]-(Thr)3 -[αLacNAc]-(Thr)3 -Gly-OVA (2-OVA) as mimetics of both T. cruzi and tumor mucin glycoproteins. These glycopeptides were obtained by solid-phase synthesis, which involved the prior preparation of the protected glycosyl amino acids αGlcNAc-ThrOH (3), αGalNAc-ThrOH (4), βGal-ThrOH (5), αLacNAc-ThrOH (6), and βGal-αGalNAc-ThrOH (7) through glycosylation reactions. Immunizations of mice with glycopeptides 1-OVA and 2-OVA induced high antibody titers (1:16 000), as verified by ELISA tests, whereas flow cytometry assays showed the capacity of the obtained anti-glycopeptides 1-OVA and 2-OVA antibodies to recognize both T. cruzi and MCF-7 tumor cells. In addition, antisera induced by glycopeptides 1-OVA and 2-OVA were also able to inhibit T. cruzi fibroblast cell invasion (70 %) and to induce antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against MCF-7 cells, with 50 % reduction of cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa L Campo
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, USP, Av. Café S/N, CEP 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP (Brazil)
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Novel 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based compounds as potential anti-Chagasic drugs: in vivo studies. Future Med Chem 2014; 5:1763-76. [PMID: 24144412 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in Latin America and leads to an estimated 14,000 deaths per year and around 100 million people at risk of infection. Drugs currently used in the treatment of Chagas are old, partially effective and have numerous side effects. METHODOLOGY We have previously reported that 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-based compounds demonstrate significant and selective activity against T. cruzi amastigotes in infected L6 cells via activation of a type I nitroreductase, specific to trypanosomatids. In the present work we evaluated in vivo 13 of these compounds based on their high in vitro potency against T. cruzi (IC50 < 1 µM) and selectivity (SI: toxicity to L6 cells/toxicity against T. cruzi amastigotes > 200). Representative compounds of different chemical classes were included. A fast luminescence assay with transgenic parasites that express luciferase, and live imaging techniques were used. A total of 11 out of 13 compounds demonstrated significant antichagasic activity when administered intraperitoneally for 5-10 days at relatively small doses. The best in vivo activity was demonstrated by amides and sulfonamide derivatives. ADMET studies were performed for specific compounds. CONCLUSION At least three compounds were identified as effective, non-toxic antichagasic agents suitable for further development.
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Selection and optimization of hits from a high-throughput phenotypic screen against Trypanosoma cruzi. Future Med Chem 2014; 5:1733-52. [PMID: 24144410 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi with novel mechanisms of action are urgently required to diversify the current clinical and preclinical pipelines. Increasing the number and diversity of hits available for assessment at the beginning of the discovery process will help to achieve this aim. RESULTS We report the evaluation of multiple hits generated from a high-throughput screen to identify inhibitors of T. cruzi and from these studies the discovery of two novel series currently in lead optimization. Lead compounds from these series potently and selectively inhibit growth of T. cruzi in vitro and the most advanced compound is orally active in a subchronic mouse model of T. cruzi infection. CONCLUSION High-throughput screening of novel compound collections has an important role to play in diversifying the trypanosomatid drug discovery portfolio. A new T. cruzi inhibitor series with good drug-like properties and promising in vivo efficacy has been identified through this process.
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50
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Lewis MD, Fortes Francisco A, Taylor MC, Burrell-Saward H, McLatchie AP, Miles MA, Kelly JM. Bioluminescence imaging of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infections reveals tissue-specific parasite dynamics and heart disease in the absence of locally persistent infection. Cell Microbiol 2014; 16:1285-300. [PMID: 24712539 PMCID: PMC4190689 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Summary Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infections lead to cardiomyopathy in 20–30% of cases. A causal link between cardiac infection and pathology has been difficult to establish because of a lack of robust methods to detect scarce, focally distributed parasites within tissues. We developed a highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging system based on T. cruzi expressing a novel luciferase that emits tissue-penetrating orange-red light. This enabled long-term serial evaluation of parasite burdens in individual mice with an in vivo limit of detection of significantly less than 1000 parasites. Parasite distributions during chronic infections were highly focal and spatiotemporally dynamic, but did not localize to the heart. End-point ex vivo bioluminescence imaging allowed tissue-specific quantification of parasite loads with minimal sampling bias. During chronic infections, the gastro-intestinal tract, specifically the colon and stomach, was the only site where T. cruzi infection was consistently observed. Quantitative PCR-inferred parasite loads correlated with ex vivo bioluminescence and confirmed the gut as the parasite reservoir. Chronically infected mice developed myocarditis and cardiac fibrosis, despite the absence of locally persistent parasites. These data identify the gut as a permissive niche for long-term T. cruzi infection and show that canonical features of Chagas disease can occur without continual myocardium-specific infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Lewis
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
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