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Gonzáles-Córdova RA, Dos Santos TR, Gachet-Castro C, Andrade Vieira J, Trajano-Silva LAM, Sakamoto-Hojo ET, Baqui MMA. Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces DNA double-strand breaks and activates DNA damage response pathway in host epithelial cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5225. [PMID: 38433244 PMCID: PMC10909859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53589-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, invades many cell types affecting numerous host-signalling pathways. During the T. cruzi infection, we demonstrated modulations in the host RNA polymerase II activity with the downregulation of ribonucleoproteins affecting host transcription and splicing machinery. These alterations could be a result of the initial damage to the host DNA caused by the presence of the parasite, however, the mechanisms are not well understood. Herein, we examined whether infection by T. cruzi coincided with enhanced DNA damage in the host cell. We studied the engagement of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathways at the different time points (0-24 h post-infection, hpi) by T. cruzi in LLC-MK2 cells. In response to double-strand breaks (DSB), maximum phosphorylation of the histone variant H2AX is observed at 2hpi and promotes recruitment of the DDR p53-binding protein (53BP1). During T. cruzi infection, Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM) and DNA-PK protein kinases remained active in a time-dependent manner and played roles in regulating the host response to DSB. The host DNA lesions caused by the infection are likely orchestrated by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway to maintain the host genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Alexander Gonzáles-Córdova
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Thamires Rossi Dos Santos
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Camila Gachet-Castro
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Johnathan Andrade Vieira
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Lays Adrianne Mendonça Trajano-Silva
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Elza Tiemi Sakamoto-Hojo
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Munira Muhammad Abdel Baqui
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil.
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2
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Díaz-Viraqué F, Chiribao ML, Libisch MG, Robello C. Genome-wide chromatin interaction map for Trypanosoma cruzi. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2103-2114. [PMID: 37828247 PMCID: PMC10627812 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01483-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomes are eukaryotic, unicellular parasites, such as Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. Genomes of these parasites comprise core regions and species-specific disruptive regions that encode multigene families of surface glycoproteins. Few transcriptional regulators have been identified in these parasites, and the role of spatial organization of the genome in gene expression is unclear. Here we mapped genome-wide chromatin interactions in T. cruzi using chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C), and we show that the core and disruptive regions form three-dimensional chromatin compartments named C and D. These chromatin compartments differ in levels of DNA methylation, nucleosome positioning and chromatin interactions, affecting genome expression dynamics. Our data reveal that the trypanosome genome is organized into chromatin-folding domains and transcription is affected by the local chromatin structure. We propose a model in which epigenetic mechanisms affect gene expression in trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Díaz-Viraqué
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Laura Chiribao
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Gabriela Libisch
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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3
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Ricci AD, Bracco L, Salas-Sarduy E, Ramsey JM, Nolan MS, Lynn MK, Altcheh J, Ballering GE, Torrico F, Kesper N, Villar JC, Marcipar IS, Marco JD, Agüero F. The Trypanosoma cruzi Antigen and Epitope Atlas: antibody specificities in Chagas disease patients across the Americas. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1850. [PMID: 37012236 PMCID: PMC10070320 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37522-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During an infection the immune system produces pathogen-specific antibodies. These antibody repertoires become specific to the history of infections and represent a rich source of diagnostic markers. However, the specificities of these antibodies are mostly unknown. Here, using high-density peptide arrays we examined the human antibody repertoires of Chagas disease patients. Chagas disease is a neglected disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that evades immune mediated elimination and mounts long-lasting chronic infections. We describe a proteome-wide search for antigens, characterised their linear epitopes, and show their reactivity on 71 individuals from diverse human populations. Using single-residue mutagenesis we revealed the core functional residues for 232 of these epitopes. Finally, we show the diagnostic performance of identified antigens on challenging samples. These datasets enable the study of the Chagas antibody repertoire at an unprecedented depth and granularity, while also providing a rich source of serological biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro D Ricci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonel Bracco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emir Salas-Sarduy
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Janine M Ramsey
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Tapachula, México
| | - Melissa S Nolan
- Laboratory of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - M Katie Lynn
- Laboratory of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP) - GCBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Griselda E Ballering
- Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Norival Kesper
- LIM-49, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Juan C Villar
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga y Fundación Cardioinfantil - Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Iván S Marcipar
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorge D Marco
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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4
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Macaluso G, Grippi F, Di Bella S, Blanda V, Gucciardi F, Torina A, Guercio A, Cannella V. A Review on the Immunological Response against Trypanosoma cruzi. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020282. [PMID: 36839554 PMCID: PMC9964664 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a chronic systemic infection transmitted by Trypanosoma cruzi. Its life cycle consists of different stages in vector insects and host mammals. Trypanosoma cruzi strains cause different clinical manifestations of Chagas disease alongside geographic differences in morbidity and mortality. Natural killer cells provide the cytokine interferon-gamma in the initial phases of T. cruzi infection. Phagocytes secrete cytokines that promote inflammation and activation of other cells involved in defence. Dendritic cells, monocytes and macrophages modulate the adaptive immune response, and B lymphocytes activate an effective humoral immune response to T. cruzi. This review focuses on the main immune mechanisms acting during T. cruzi infection, on the strategies activated by the pathogen against the host cells, on the processes involved in inflammasome and virulence factors and on the new strategies for preventing, controlling and treating this disease.
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Role of a 49 kDa Trypanosoma cruzi Mucin-Associated Surface Protein (MASP49) during the Infection Process and Identification of a Mammalian Cell Surface Receptor. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010105. [PMID: 36678452 PMCID: PMC9865002 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, a parasitic disease of great medical importance on the American continent. Trypomastigote infection's initial step in a mammalian host is vital for the parasite's life cycle. A trypomastigote's surface presents many molecules, some of which have been proposed to be involved in the infection process, including a glycoprotein family called mucin-associated surface proteins (MASPs). This work describes a 49-kDa molecule (MASP49) that belongs to this family and is expressed mainly on the surfaces of amastigotes and trypomastigotes but can be found in extracts and the membrane-enriched fractions of epimastigotes. This protein is partially GPI-anchored to the surface and has a role during the internalization process, since its blockade with specific antibodies decreases parasite entry into Vero cells by 62%. This work shows that MASP49 binds to peritoneal macrophages and rat cardiomyocytes, undergoes glycosylation via galactose N-acetylgalactosamine, and can attach to the macrophage murine C-type lectin receptor (mMGL). These results suggest that MASP49 can be considered a virulence factor in T. cruzi, and a better understanding of its role in the infection process is necessary.
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Accessing the Variability of Multicopy Genes in Complex Genomes using Unassembled Next-Generation Sequencing Reads: The Case of Trypanosoma cruzi Multigene Families. mBio 2022; 13:e0231922. [PMID: 36264102 PMCID: PMC9765020 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02319-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Repetitive elements cause assembly fragmentation in complex eukaryotic genomes, limiting the study of their variability. The genome of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, has a high repetitive content, including multigene families. Although many T. cruzi multigene families encode surface proteins that play pivotal roles in host-parasite interactions, their variability is currently underestimated, as their high repetitive content results in collapsed gene variants. To estimate sequence variability and copy number variation of multigene families, we developed a read-based approach that is independent of gene-specific read mapping and de novo assembly. This methodology was used to estimate the copy number and variability of MASP, TcMUC, and Trans-Sialidase (TS), the three largest T. cruzi multigene families, in 36 strains, including members of all six parasite discrete typing units (DTUs). We found that these three families present a specific pattern of variability and copy number among the distinct parasite DTUs. Inter-DTU hybrid strains presented a higher variability of these families, suggesting that maintaining a larger content of their members could be advantageous. In addition, in a chronic murine model and chronic Chagasic human patients, the immune response was focused on TS antigens, suggesting that targeting TS conserved sequences could be a potential avenue to improve diagnosis and vaccine design against Chagas disease. Finally, the proposed approach can be applied to study multicopy genes in any organism, opening new avenues to access sequence variability in complex genomes. IMPORTANCE Sequences that have several copies in a genome, such as multicopy-gene families, mobile elements, and microsatellites, are among the most challenging genomic segments to study. They are frequently underestimated in genome assemblies, hampering the correct assessment of these important players in genome evolution and adaptation. Here, we developed a new methodology to estimate variability and copy numbers of repetitive genomic regions and employed it to characterize the T. cruzi multigene families MASP, TcMUC, and transsialidase (TS), which are important virulence factors in this parasite. We showed that multigene families vary in sequence and content among the parasite's lineages, whereas hybrid strains have a higher sequence variability that could be advantageous to the parasite's survivability. By identifying conserved sequences within multigene families, we showed that the mammalian host immune response toward these multigene families is usually focused on the TS multigene family. These TS conserved and immunogenic peptides can be explored in future works as diagnostic targets or vaccine candidates for Chagas disease. Finally, this methodology can be easily applied to any organism of interest, which will aid in our understanding of complex genomic regions.
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7
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Leão AC, Viana LA, Fortes de Araujo F, de Lourdes Almeida R, Freitas LM, Coqueiro-Dos-Santos A, da Silveira-Lemos D, Cardoso MS, Reis-Cunha JL, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Bartholomeu DC. Antigenic diversity of MASP gene family of Trypanosoma cruzi. Microbes Infect 2022; 24:104982. [PMID: 35487471 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2022.104982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease (CD), is a heterogeneous species with high genetic and phenotypic diversity. MASP is the second largest multigene family of T. cruzi. The high degree of polymorphism of the family associated with its location at the surface of infective forms of T. cruzi suggests that MASP participates in mechanisms of host-parasite interaction. In this work, MASP members were divided into 7 subgroups based on protein sequence similarity, and one representative member from each subgroup was chosen to be expressed recombinantly. Immunogenicity of recombinant MASP proteins (rMASP) was investigated using different sera panels from T. cruzi infected mice. To mimic a natural condition in which different MASP members are expressed at the same time in the parasite population, a multiplex bead-based flow cytometry assay was also standardized. Results showed that rMASPs are poorly recognized by sera from mice infected with Colombiana strain, whereas sera from mice infected with CL Brener and Y display high reactivity against the majority of rMASPs tested. Flow cytometry showed that MASP recognition profile changes 10 days after infection. Also, multiplex assay suggests that MASP M1 and M2 are more immunogenic than the other MASP members evaluated that may play an immunodominant role during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Leão
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Laila Almeida Viana
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Fernanda Fortes de Araujo
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, FIOCRUZ-Minas, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715 CEP: 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Rodrigo de Lourdes Almeida
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Leandro Martins Freitas
- Universidade Federal da Bahia Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde - Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, Quadra 17, Lote 58 Bairro Candeias - CEP: 45.029-094 Vitória da Conquista, BA
| | - Anderson Coqueiro-Dos-Santos
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Denise da Silveira-Lemos
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG; Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, FIOCRUZ-Minas, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715 CEP: 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Mariana Santos Cardoso
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, FIOCRUZ-Minas, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715 CEP: 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG.
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8
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Oliveira ACS, Rezende L, Gorshkov V, Melo-Braga MN, Verano-Braga T, Fernandes-Braga W, Guadalupe JLDM, de Menezes GB, Kjeldsen F, de Andrade HM, Andrade LDO. Biological and Molecular Effects of Trypanosoma cruzi Residence in a LAMP-Deficient Intracellular Environment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:788482. [PMID: 35071040 PMCID: PMC8770540 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.788482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi invades non-professional phagocytic cells by subverting their membrane repair process, which is dependent on membrane injury and cell signaling, intracellular calcium increase, and lysosome recruitment. Cells lacking lysosome-associated membrane proteins 1 and 2 (LAMP1 and LAMP2) are less permissive to parasite invasion but more prone to parasite intracellular multiplication. Several passages through a different intracellular environment can significantly change T. cruzi's gene expression profile. Here, we evaluated whether one single passage through LAMP-deficient (KO) or wild-type (WT) fibroblasts, thus different intracellular environments, could influence T. cruzi Y strain trypomastigotes' ability to invade L6 myoblasts and WT fibroblasts host cells. Parasites released from LAMP2 KO cells (TcY-L2-/-) showed higher invasion, calcium signaling, and membrane injury rates, for the assays in L6 myoblasts, when compared to those released from WT (TcY-WT) or LAMP1/2 KO cells (TcY-L1/2-/-). On the other hand, TcY-L1/2-/- showed higher invasion, calcium signaling, and cell membrane injury rates, for the assays in WT fibroblasts, compared to TcY-WT and TcY-L1/2-/-. Albeit TcY-WT presented an intermediary invasion and calcium signaling rates, compared to the others, in WT fibroblasts, they induced lower levels of injury, which reinforces that signals mediated by surface membrane protein interactions also have a significant contribution to trigger host cell calcium signals. These results clearly show that parasites released from WT or LAMP KO cells are distinct from each other. Additionally, these parasites' ability to invade the cell may be distinct depending on which cell type they interact with. Since these alterations most likely would reflect differences among parasite surface molecules, we also evaluated their proteome. We identified few protein complexes, membrane, and secreted proteins regulated in our dataset. Among those are some members of MASP, mucins, trans-sialidases, and gp63 proteins family, which are known to play an important role during parasite infection and could correlate to TcY-WT, TcY-L1/2-/-, and TcY-L2-/- biological behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny Carolline Silva Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Protein Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Luisa Rezende
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vladimir Gorshkov
- Protein Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marcella Nunes Melo-Braga
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago Verano-Braga
- Hypertension Lab/Functional Proteomics Group, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Weslley Fernandes-Braga
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jorge Luís de Melo Guadalupe
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Batista de Menezes
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Frank Kjeldsen
- Protein Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Hélida Monteiro de Andrade
- Laboratory of Leishmanioses, Department of Parasitology, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luciana de Oliveira Andrade
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute—ICB, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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9
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Zingales B, Bartholomeu DC. Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity: impact on transmission cycles and Chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210193. [PMID: 35544857 PMCID: PMC9088421 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease (ChD), exhibits remarkable biological and genetic diversity, along with eco-epidemiological complexity. In order to facilitate communication among researchers aiming at the characterisation of biological and epidemiological aspects of T. cruzi, parasite isolates and strains were partitioned into seven discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and TcBat, identifiable by reproducible genotyping protocols. Here we present the potential origin of the genetic diversity of T. cruzi and summarise knowledge about eco-epidemiological associations of DTUs with mammalian reservoirs and vectors. Circumstantial evidence of a connection between T. cruzi genotype and ChD manifestations is also discussed emphasising the role of the host’s immune response in clinical ChD progression. We describe genomic aspects of DTUs focusing on polymorphisms in multigene families encoding surface antigens that play essential functions for parasite survival both in the insect vector and the mammalian host. Such antigens most probably contributed to the parasite success in establishing infections in different hosts and exploring several niches. Gaps in the current knowledge and challenges for future research are pointed out.
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10
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Medina-Rincón GJ, Gallo-Bernal S, Jiménez PA, Cruz-Saavedra L, Ramírez JD, Rodríguez MJ, Medina-Mur R, Díaz-Nassif G, Valderrama-Achury MD, Medina HM. Molecular and Clinical Aspects of Chronic Manifestations in Chagas Disease: A State-of-the-Art Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111493. [PMID: 34832648 PMCID: PMC8619182 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic manifestations of Chagas disease present as disabling and life-threatening conditions affecting mainly the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. Although meaningful research has outlined the different molecular mechanisms underlying Trypanosoma cruzi’s infection and the host-parasite interactions that follow, prompt diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge, particularly in developing countries and also in those where the disease is considered non-endemic. This review intends to present an up-to-date review of the parasite’s life cycle, genetic diversity, virulence factors, and infective mechanisms, as well as the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options of the main chronic complications of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán J. Medina-Rincón
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-310-817-2369
| | - Sebastián Gallo-Bernal
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Paula A. Jiménez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - Lissa Cruz-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (P.A.J.); (L.C.-S.); (J.D.R.)
| | - María Juliana Rodríguez
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Ramón Medina-Mur
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Gustavo Díaz-Nassif
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 111221, Colombia;
| | | | - Héctor M. Medina
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (S.G.-B.); (M.D.V.-A.); (H.M.M.)
- Division of Cardiology, Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; (M.J.R.); (R.M.-M.)
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11
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Picchi-Constante GFA, Guerra-Slompo EP, Tahira AC, Alcantara MV, Amaral MS, Ferreira AS, Batista M, Batista CM, Goldenberg S, Verjovski-Almeida S, Zanchin NIT. Metacyclogenesis defects and gene expression hallmarks of histone deacetylase 4-deficient Trypanosoma cruzi cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21671. [PMID: 34737385 PMCID: PMC8569148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi—the causative agent of Chagas disease—like other kinetoplastids, relies mostly on post-transcriptional mechanisms for regulation of gene expression. However, trypanosomatids undergo drastic changes in nuclear architecture and chromatin structure along their complex life cycle which, combined with a remarkable set of reversible histone post-translational modifications, indicate that chromatin is also a target for control of gene expression and differentiation signals in these organisms. Chromatin-modifying enzymes have a direct impact on gene expression programs and DNA metabolism. In this work, we have investigated the function of T. cruzi histone deacetylase 4 (TcHDAC4). We show that, although TcHDAC4 is not essential for viability, metacyclic trypomastigote TcHDAC4 null mutants show a thin cell body and a round and less condensed nucleus located very close to the kinetoplast. Sixty-four acetylation sites were quantitatively evaluated, which revealed H2AT85ac, H4K10ac and H4K78ac as potential target sites of TcHDAC4. Gene expression analyses identified three chromosomes with overrepresented regions of differentially expressed genes in the TcHDAC4 knockout mutant compared with the wild type, showing clusters of either up or downregulated genes. The adjacent chromosomal location of some of these genes indicates that TcHDAC4 participates in gene expression regulation during T. cruzi differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana Carolina Tahira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | - Murilo Sena Amaral
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | - Michel Batista
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, 81350-010, Brazil
| | | | - Samuel Goldenberg
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil
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12
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Gómez I, López MC, Rastrojo A, Lorenzo-Díaz F, Requena JM, Aguado B, Valladares B, Thomas MC. Variability of the Pr77 sequence of L1Tc retrotransposon among six T. cruzi strains belonging to different discrete typing units (DTUs). Acta Trop 2021; 222:106053. [PMID: 34273311 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106053] [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: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
All trypanosomatid genomes are colonized by non-LTR retrotransposons which exhibit a highly conserved 77-nt sequence at their 5' ends, known as the Pr77-hallmark (Pr77). The wide distribution of Pr77 is expected to be related to the gene regulation processes in these organisms as it has promoter and HDV-like ribozyme activities at the DNA and RNA levels, respectively. The identification of Pr77 hallmark-bearing retrotransposons and the study of the associations of mobile elements with relevant genes have been analyzed in the genomes of six strains of Trypanosoma cruzi belonging to different discrete typing units (DTUs) and with different geographical origins and host/vectors. The genomes have been sequenced, assembled and annotated. BUSCO analyses indicated a good quality for the assemblies that were used in comparative analyses. The results show differences among the six genomes in the copy number of genes related to virulence processes, the abundance of retrotransposons bearing the Pr77 sequence and the presence of the Pr77 hallmarks not associated with retroelements. The analyses also show frequent associations of Pr77-bearing retrotransposons and single Pr77 hallmarks with genes coding for trans-sialidases, RHS, MASP or hypothetical proteins, showing variable proportion depending on the type of retroelement, gene class and parasite strain. These differences in the genomic distribution of active retroelements and other Pr77-containing elements have shaped the genome architecture of these six strains and might be contributing to the phenotypic variability existing among them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Gómez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; PTS-Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; PTS-Granada, Spain
| | - Alberto Rastrojo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo-Ochoa (CBMSO) (CSIC-UAM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabián Lorenzo-Díaz
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias. Universidad de La Laguna. La Laguna, Spain
| | - José María Requena
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo-Ochoa (CBMSO) (CSIC-UAM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Aguado
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo-Ochoa (CBMSO) (CSIC-UAM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Basilio Valladares
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias. Universidad de La Laguna. La Laguna, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; PTS-Granada, Spain.
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13
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Neves TTD, Brandão RM, Barbosa RB, Cardoso MDG, Batista LR, Silva CF. Simulation of coffee beans contamination by Aspergillus species under different environmental conditions and the biocontrol effect by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2021.111610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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14
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de Castro Neto AL, da Silveira JF, Mortara RA. Comparative Analysis of Virulence Mechanisms of Trypanosomatids Pathogenic to Humans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:669079. [PMID: 33937106 PMCID: PMC8085324 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.669079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, Leishmania spp., and T. cruzi are flagellate protozoans of the family Trypanosomatidae and the causative agents of human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease, respectively. These diseases affect humans worldwide and exert a significant impact on public health. Over the course of evolution, the parasites associated with these pathologies have developed mechanisms to circumvent the immune response system throughout the infection cycle. In cases of human infection, this function is undertaken by a group of proteins and processes that allow the parasites to propagate and survive during host invasion. In T. brucei, antigenic variation is promoted by variant surface glycoproteins and other proteins involved in evasion from the humoral immune response, which helps the parasite sustain itself in the extracellular milieu during infection. Conversely, Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi possess a more complex infection cycle, with specific intracellular stages. In addition to mechanisms for evading humoral immunity, the pathogens have also developed mechanisms for facilitating their adhesion and incorporation into host cells. In this review, the different immune evasion strategies at cellular and molecular levels developed by these human-pathogenic trypanosomatids have been discussed, with a focus on the key molecules responsible for mediating the invasion and evasion mechanisms and the effects of these molecules on virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Leonel de Castro Neto
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Arruda Mortara
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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In Silico Identification of New Targets for Diagnosis, Vaccine, and Drug Candidates against Trypanosoma cruzi. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2020:9130719. [PMID: 33488847 PMCID: PMC7787821 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9130719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Despite the efforts and distinct methodologies, the search of antigens for diagnosis, vaccine, and drug targets for the disease is still needed. The present study is aimed at identifying possible antigens that could be used for diagnosis, vaccine, and drugs targets against T. cruzi using reverse vaccinology and molecular docking. The genomes of 28 T. cruzi strains available in GenBank (NCBI) were used to obtain the genomic core. Then, subtractive genomics was carried out to identify nonhomologous genes to the host in the core. A total of 2630 conserved proteins in 28 strains of T. cruzi were predicted using OrthoFinder and Diamond software, in which 515 showed no homology to the human host. These proteins were evaluated for their subcellular localization, from which 214 are cytoplasmic and 117 are secreted or present in the plasma membrane. To identify the antigens for diagnosis and vaccine targets, we used the VaxiJen software, and 14 nonhomologous proteins were selected showing high binding efficiency with MHC I and MHC II with potential for in vitro and in vivo tests. When these 14 nonhomologous molecules were compared against other trypanosomatids, it was found that the retrotransposon hot spot (RHS) protein is specific only for T. cruzi parasite suggesting that it could be used for Chagas diagnosis. Such 14 proteins were analyzed using the IEDB software to predict their epitopes in both B and T lymphocytes. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis was performed using the software MHOLline. As a result, we identified 6 possible T. cruzi drug targets that could interact with 4 compounds already known as antiparasitic activities. These 14 protein targets, along with 6 potential drug candidates, can be further validated in future studies, in vivo, regarding Chagas disease.
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16
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Serological Approaches for Trypanosoma cruzi Strain Typing. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:214-225. [PMID: 33436314 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas' disease, displays a complex population structure made up of multiple strains showing a diverse ecoepidemiological distribution. Parasite genetic variability may be associated with disease outcome, hence stressing the need to develop methods for T. cruzi typing in vivo. Serological typing methods that exploit the presence of host antibodies raised against polymorphic parasite antigens emerge as an appealing approach to address this issue. These techniques are robust, simple, cost-effective, and are not curtailed by methodological/biological limitations intrinsic to available genotyping methods. Here, we critically assess the progress towards T. cruzi serotyping and discuss the opportunity provided by high-throughput immunomics to improve this field.
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17
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Libisch MG, Rego N, Robello C. Transcriptional Studies on Trypanosoma cruzi - Host Cell Interactions: A Complex Puzzle of Variables. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:692134. [PMID: 34222052 PMCID: PMC8248493 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.692134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas Disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects nearly eight million people in the world. T. cruzi is a complex taxon represented by different strains with particular characteristics, and it has the ability to infect and interact with almost any nucleated cell. The T. cruzi-host cell interactions will trigger molecular signaling cascades in the host cell that will depend on the particular cell type and T. cruzi strain, and also on many different experimental variables. In this review we collect data from multiple transcriptomic and functional studies performed in different infection models, in order to highlight key differences between works that in our opinion should be addressed when comparing and discussing results. In particular, we focus on changes in the respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation of host cells in response to infection, which depends on the experimental model of T. cruzi infection. Finally, we also discuss host cell responses which reiterate independently of the strain, cell type and experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gabriela Libisch
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Natalia Rego
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Carlos Robello,
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18
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Herreros-Cabello A, Callejas-Hernández F, Gironès N, Fresno M. Trypanosoma Cruzi Genome: Organization, Multi-Gene Families, Transcription, and Biological Implications. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1196. [PMID: 33066599 PMCID: PMC7602482 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi affects millions of people. Although its first genome dates from 2005, its complexity hindered a complete assembly and annotation. However, the new sequencing methods have improved genome annotation of some strains elucidating the broad genetic diversity and complexity of this parasite. Here, we reviewed the genomic structure and regulation, the genetic diversity, and the analysis of the principal multi-gene families of the recent genomes for several strains. The telomeric and sub-telomeric regions are sites with high recombination events, the genome displays two different compartments, the core and the disruptive, and the genome plasticity seems to play a key role in the survival and the infection process. Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) genome is composed mainly of multi-gene families as the trans-sialidases, mucins, and mucin-associated surface proteins. Trans-sialidases are the most abundant genes in the genome and show an important role in the effectiveness of the infection and the parasite survival. Mucins and MASPs are also important glycosylated proteins of the surface of the parasite that play a major biological role in both insect and mammal-dwelling stages. Altogether, these studies confirm the complexity of T. cruzi genome revealing relevant concepts to better understand Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Herreros-Cabello
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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19
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Arroyo-Olarte RD, Martínez I, Lujan E, Mendlovic F, Dinkova T, Espinoza B. Differential gene expression of virulence factors modulates infectivity of TcI Trypanosoma cruzi strains. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3803-3815. [PMID: 33006041 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06891-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, whose clinical outcome ranges from asymptomatic individuals to chronic fatal megasyndromes. Despite being central to pathogenesis, the regulation of parasite virulence factors' expression remains largely unknown. In this work, the relative expression of several parasite virulence factors between two TcI strains (Ninoa, low virulence and Qro, high virulence) was assessed by qRT-PCR of total and of polysome-associated mRNA, as well as by western blots. Trypomastigotes were also incubated with specific anti-sense morpholino oligonucleotides to block the translation of a selected virulence factor, calreticulin, in both strains. Ninoa trypomastigotes showed significantly lower levels of trypomastigote-decay acceleration factor, complement regulatory protein, complement C2 receptor inhibitor trispanning, and glycoproteins 82 and 90 mRNAs compared with Qro. There was a significantly lower recruitment of complement regulatory protein and complement C2 receptor inhibitor trispanning mRNAs to polysomes and higher recruitment of MASP mRNA to monosomes in Ninoa strain. Calreticulin mRNA displayed both a higher total mRNA level and recruitment to translationally active polysomes in the Ninoa strain (low virulence) than in the Qro strain (high virulence). When calreticulin was downregulated by ≈ 50% by anti-sense morpholino oligonucleotides, a significant decrease of parasite invasion in mammalian cells was found in both strains. Calreticulin downregulation, however, only increased significantly the activation of the complement system by Ninoa trypomastigotes. These results suggest a role for the regulation of virulence factors' gene expression in the differential virulence among T. cruzi strains. Furthermore, a possible function of calreticulin in parasite invasion not related to its binding to complement factors is shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben D Arroyo-Olarte
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Inmunología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Martínez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Inmunología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Lujan
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fela Mendlovic
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tzvetanka Dinkova
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Bertha Espinoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Inmunología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
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20
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Watanabe Costa R, Batista MF, Meneghelli I, Vidal RO, Nájera CA, Mendes AC, Andrade-Lima IA, da Silveira JF, Lopes LR, Ferreira LRP, Antoneli F, Bahia D. Comparative Analysis of the Secretome and Interactome of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli Reveals Species Specific Immune Response Modulating Proteins. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1774. [PMID: 32973747 PMCID: PMC7481403 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a zoonosis caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a chronic and systemic parasitic infection that affects ~5–7 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. Chagas disease is an emerging public health problem due to the lack of vaccines and effective treatments. According to recent studies, several T. cruzi secreted proteins interact with the human host during cell invasion. Moreover, some comparative studies with T. rangeli, which is non-pathogenic in humans, have been performed to identify proteins directly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we present an integrated analysis of canonical putative secreted proteins (PSPs) from both species. Additionally, we propose an interactome with human host and gene family clusters, and a phylogenetic inference of a selected protein. In total, we identified 322 exclusively PSPs in T. cruzi and 202 in T. rangeli. Among the PSPs identified in T. cruzi, we found several trans-sialidases, mucins, MASPs, proteins with phospholipase 2 domains (PLA2-like), and proteins with Hsp70 domains (Hsp70-like) which have been previously characterized and demonstrated to be related to T. cruzi virulence. PSPs found in T. rangeli were related to protozoan metabolism, specifically carboxylases and phosphatases. Furthermore, we also identified PSPs that may interact with the human immune system, including heat shock and MASP proteins, but in a lower number compared to T. cruzi. Interestingly, we describe a hypothetical hybrid interactome of PSPs which reveals that T. cruzi secreted molecules may be down-regulating IL-17 whilst T. rangeli may enhance the production of IL-15. These results will pave the way for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of Chagas disease and may ultimately lead to the identification of molecular targets, such as key PSPs, that could be used to minimize the health outcomes of Chagas disease by modulating the immune response triggered by T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Watanabe Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Ferreira Batista
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Isabela Meneghelli
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ramon Oliveira Vidal
- The Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology-Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association in Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Laboratorio Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alcides Nájera
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara Mendes
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Izabela Augusta Andrade-Lima
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciano Rodrigo Lopes
- Departamento de Informática em Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ludmila Rodrigues Pinto Ferreira
- RNA Systems Biology Lab (RSBL), Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fernando Antoneli
- Departamento de Informática em Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Bahia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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21
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Mandacaru SC, Queiroz RML, Alborghetti MR, de Oliveira LS, de Lima CMR, Bastos IMD, Santana JM, Roepstorff P, Ricart CAO, Charneau S. Exoproteome profiling of Trypanosoma cruzi during amastigogenesis early stages. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225386. [PMID: 31756194 PMCID: PMC6874342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affecting around 8 million people worldwide. After host cell invasion, the infective trypomastigote form remains 2–4 hours inside acidic phagolysosomes to differentiate into replicative amastigote form. In vitro acidic-pH-induced axenic amastigogenesis was used here to study this step of the parasite life cycle. After three hours of trypomastigote incubation in amastigogenesis promoting acidic medium (pH 5.0) or control physiological pH (7.4) medium samples were subjected to three rounds of centrifugation followed by ultrafiltration of the supernatants. The resulting exoproteome samples were trypsin digested and analysed by nano flow liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Computational protein identification searches yielded 271 and 483 protein groups in the exoproteome at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0, respectively, with 180 common proteins between both conditions. The total amount and diversity of proteins released by parasites almost doubled upon acidic incubation compared to control. Overall, 76.5% of proteins were predicted to be secreted by classical or non-classical pathways and 35.1% of these proteins have predicted transmembrane domains. Classical secretory pathway analysis showed an increased number of mucins and mucin-associated surface proteins after acidic incubation. However, the number of released trans-sialidases and surface GP63 peptidases was higher at pH 7.4. Trans-sialidases and mucins are anchored to the membrane and exhibit an enzyme-substrate relationship. In general, mucins are glycoproteins with immunomodulatory functions in Chagas disease, present mainly in the epimastigote and trypomastigote surfaces and could be enzymatically cleaved and released in the phagolysosome during amastigogenesis. Moreover, evidence for flagella discard during amastigogenesis are addressed. This study provides the first comparative analysis of the exoproteome during amastigogenesis, and the presented data evidence the dynamism of its profile in response to acidic pH-induced differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel C. Mandacaru
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Rayner M. L. Queiroz
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marcos R. Alborghetti
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Lucas S. de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Consuelo M. R. de Lima
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Izabela M. D. Bastos
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Jaime M. Santana
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Peter Roepstorff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Carlos André O. Ricart
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Sébastien Charneau
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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22
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Overview of the role of kinetoplastid surface carbohydrates in infection and host cell invasion: prospects for therapeutic intervention. Parasitology 2019; 146:1743-1754. [PMID: 31603063 PMCID: PMC6939169 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019001355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites are responsible for serious diseases in humans and livestock such as Chagas disease and sleeping sickness (caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, respectively), and the different forms of cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis (produced by Leishmania spp). The limited number of antiparasitic drugs available together with the emergence of resistance underscores the need for new therapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action. The use of agents binding to surface glycans has been recently suggested as a new approach to antitrypanosomal design and a series of peptidic and non-peptidic carbohydrate-binding agents have been identified as antiparasitics showing efficacy in animal models of sleeping sickness. Here we provide an overview of the nature of surface glycans in three kinetoplastid parasites, T. cruzi, T. brucei and Leishmania. Their role in virulence and host cell invasion is highlighted with the aim of identifying specific glycan-lectin interactions and carbohydrate functions that may be the target of novel carbohydrate-binding agents with therapeutic applications.
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23
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Souza GBD, Mendes TADO, Fontes PP, Barros VDA, Gonçalves AB, Ferreira TDF, Costa MDBL, Alves MS, Fietto LG. Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of dormancy-associated gene 1/auxin repressed protein (DRM1/ARP) gene family in Glycine max. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 146:134-141. [PMID: 30914276 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Dormancy-Associated gene 1/Auxin Repressed protein (DRM1/ARP) genes are responsive to hormones involved in defense response to biotic stress, such as salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), as well as to hormones that regulate plant growth and development, including auxins. These characteristics suggest that this gene family may be an important link between the response to pathogens and plant growth and development. In this investigation, the DRM1/ARP genes were identified in the genome of four legume species. The deduced proteins were separated into three distinct groups, according to their sequence conservation. The expression profile of soybean genes from each group was measured in different organs, after treatment with auxin and MeJA and in response to the nematode Meloidogyne javanica. The results demonstrated that this soybean gene family is predominantly expressed in root. The time auxin takes to alter DRM1/ARP expression suggests that these genes can be classified as a late response to auxin. Nevertheless, only the groups 1 and 3 are induced in roots infected by M. javanica and only group 3 is induced by MeJA, which indicates a high level of complexity in expression control mechanisms of DRM1/ARP family in soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilza Barcelos de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Tiago Antônio de Oliveira Mendes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Pereira Fontes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Vanessa de Almeida Barros
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Amanda Bonoto Gonçalves
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Thiago de Freitas Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Maximiller Dal-Bianco Lamas Costa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Murilo Siqueira Alves
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | - Luciano Gomes Fietto
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Avenida PH Rolfs s/n, Campus Universitário, 36571-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
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24
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Anti-Trypanosoma activity of bioactive metabolites from Photorhabdus luminescens and Xenorhabdus nematophila. Exp Parasitol 2019; 204:107724. [PMID: 31279930 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.107724] [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: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Only two drugs are currently available for the treatment of Chagas disease and their effectiveness are unsatisfactory. Photorhabdus luminescens and Xenorhabdus nematophila, two enteric bacteria highly pathogenic to a broad range of insects, have been studied as potential source for bioactive metabolites against protozoa causing neglected tropical diseases. Therefore, we tested the in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of secreted metabolites from these bacteria. The conditioned medium of X. nematophila and P. luminescens showed significant parasiticidal activity in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50XN = 0.34 mg/mL, IC50PL = 1.0 mg/mL). The parasiticidal compound was identified as a small molecule stable to heating and pH changes ranging from 2 to 12. Moreover, anti-Trypanosoma molecules secreted by both bacteria stimulate the trypanocidal activity of macrophages by a mechanism independent of nitric oxide. Summarizing, our studies reveal that P. luminescens and X. nematophila are potential sources of putative novel drugs against Chagas disease.
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25
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A prophylactic α-Gal-based glycovaccine effectively protects against murine acute Chagas disease. NPJ Vaccines 2019; 4:13. [PMID: 30911415 PMCID: PMC6430786 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-019-0107-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD), caused by the hemoflagellate parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects six to seven million people in Latin America. Lately, it has become an emerging public health concern in nonendemic regions such as North America and Europe. There is no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine as yet, and current chemotherapy is rather toxic and has limited efficacy in the chronic phase of the disease. The parasite surface is heavily coated by glycoproteins such as glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored mucins (tGPI-mucins), which display highly immunogenic terminal nonreducing α-galactopyranosyl (α-Gal)-containing glycotopes that are entirely absent in humans. The immunodominant tGPI-mucin α-Gal glycotope, the trisaccharide Galα1,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc (Galα3LN), elicits high levels of protective T. cruzi-specific anti-α-Gal antibodies in ChD patients in both the acute and chronic phases. Although glycoconjugates are the major parasite glycocalyx antigens, they remain completely unexplored as potential ChD vaccine candidates. Here we investigate the efficacy of the T. cruzi immunodominant glycotope Galα3LN, covalently linked to a carrier protein (human serum albumin (HSA)), as a prophylactic vaccine candidate in the acute model of ChD, using the α1,3-galactosyltransferase-knockout (α1,3GalT-KO) mouse, which mimics the human immunoresponse to α-Gal glycotopes. Animals vaccinated with Galα3LN-HSA were fully protected against lethal T. cruzi challenge by inducing a strong anti-α-Gal antibody-mediated humoral response. Furthermore, Galα3LN-HSA-vaccinated α1,3GalT-KO mice exhibited significant reduction (91.7–99.9%) in parasite load in all tissues analyzed, cardiac inflammation, myocyte necrosis, and T cell infiltration. This is a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate the efficacy of a prophylactic α-Gal-based glycovaccine for experimental acute Chagas disease. A vaccine candidate derived from an immunodominant parasitic glycan could offer a much-needed preventive therapy for Chagas disease. The disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic to Latin America and an emergent threat to North America and Europe. Current therapies are few, poorly efficacious, and toxic. Igor Almeida, from the University of Texas at El Paso, United States, and his team created a candidate which presents a host with T. cruzi surface-derived α-galactose-containing (α-Gal) glycan covalently linked to a carrier protein. Parasite-derived α-Gal-containing proteins are known to be highly immune-stimulating to humans but were previously unexplored as prophylactics. In a mouse model designed to mimic the human response to Chagas disease, vaccinated animals had a strong antibody response and were fully protected against lethal exposure to T. cruzi. The results offer a promising candidate for future research and validate the method used in this proof-of-concept study.
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26
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Reis-Cunha JL, Bartholomeu DC. Trypanosoma cruzi Genome Assemblies: Challenges and Milestones of Assembling a Highly Repetitive and Complex Genome. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1955:1-22. [PMID: 30868515 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9148-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi present one of the most complex parasite genomes sequenced to date. Among its features are 600-kb-long repetitive multigene families' clusters, hybrid strains, and aneuploidies, which hampered genome assembly completeness and contiguity. Several approaches, such as Sanger sequencing in 2005, next-generation sequencing in 2011 and third-generation sequencing in 2018, were used to improve draft assemblies of different strains of this parasite. Hence, the study of T. cruzi genome assemblies' history is an excellent way to describe the evolution of genome sequencing methodologies and compare their efficiency and limitations to assembly complex genomes. In this book chapter, we summarize the principal findings and methodologies of T. cruzi genome assembly projects to date, highlighting the improvements and limitations of each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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27
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Kelly S, Ivens A, Mott GA, O'Neill E, Emms D, Macleod O, Voorheis P, Tyler K, Clark M, Matthews J, Matthews K, Carrington M. An Alternative Strategy for Trypanosome Survival in the Mammalian Bloodstream Revealed through Genome and Transcriptome Analysis of the Ubiquitous Bovine Parasite Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 9:2093-2109. [PMID: 28903536 PMCID: PMC5737535 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There are hundreds of Trypanosoma species that live in the blood and tissue spaces of their vertebrate hosts. The vast majority of these do not have the ornate system of antigenic variation that has evolved in the small number of African trypanosome species, but can still maintain long-term infections in the face of the vertebrate adaptive immune system. Trypanosoma theileri is a typical example, has a restricted host range of cattle and other Bovinae, and is only occasionally reported to cause patent disease although no systematic survey of the effect of infection on agricultural productivity has been performed. Here, a detailed genome sequence and a transcriptome analysis of gene expression in bloodstream form T. theileri have been performed. Analysis of the genome sequence and expression showed that T. theileri has a typical kinetoplastid genome structure and allowed a prediction that it is capable of meiotic exchange, gene silencing via RNA interference and, potentially, density-dependent growth control. In particular, the transcriptome analysis has allowed a comparison of two distinct trypanosome cell surfaces, T. brucei and T. theileri, that have each evolved to enable the maintenance of a long-term extracellular infection in cattle. The T. theileri cell surface can be modeled to contain a mixture of proteins encoded by four novel large and divergent gene families and by members of a major surface protease gene family. This surface composition is distinct from the uniform variant surface glycoprotein coat on African trypanosomes providing an insight into a second mechanism used by trypanosome species that proliferate in an extracellular milieu in vertebrate hosts to avoid the adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Kelly
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alasdair Ivens
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - G Adam Mott
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ellis O'Neill
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Emms
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Macleod
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Voorheis
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin Tyler
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Clark
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline Matthews
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Matthews
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Carrington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
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28
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Elisei RMT, Matos CS, Carvalho AMRS, Chaves AT, Medeiros FAC, Barbosa R, Marcelino AP, Dos Santos Emidio K, Coelho EAF, Duarte MC, de Oliveira Mendes TA, da Costa Rocha MO, Menezes-Souza D. Immunogenomic screening approach to identify new antigens for the serological diagnosis of chronic Chagas' disease. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:6069-6080. [PMID: 29736822 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8992-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Serological tests are preferentially used for the diagnosis of Chagas' disease (CD) during the chronic phase because of the low parasitemia and high anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibody titers. However, the current methods showed several disadvantages, as contradictory or inconclusive results, mainly related to the characteristics of the antigens used, in general, crude or whole parasites, but also due to antigen production protocol and the experimental conditions used in serological tests. Thus, better-quality serological assays are urgently needed. Here, we performed a wide immunogenomic screen strategy to identify conserved linear B-cell epitopes in the predicted proteome based on genome sequence from T. cruzi strains to will be applied as synthetic peptides in the serodiagnosis of the chronic CD. Three B-cell epitopes derived from mucin-associated surface protein (MASP) family, expressed in both infective parasite stages, trypomastigote and amastigotes, conserved in T. cruzi strains, and highly divergent as compared with Leishmania spp. proteome, were selected for this study. The results demonstrated that synthetic peptide 2 and a mixture of peptides (Mix II: peptides 2 and 3) were able to identify all chronic CD cases, indeterminate or Chagas cardiomyopathy clinical presentation, and simultaneously able to discriminate infections caused by Leishmania parasites, with high accuracy (98.37 and 100.00%, respectively) and agreement (kappa index = 0.967 and 1.000, respectively) with direct methods as compared to current diagnostic pipeline performed by reference laboratories in Brazil. This study represents an interesting strategy for the discovery of new antigens applied to serologic diagnosis of infectious diseases and for the technological development of platforms for large-scale production of diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rutyanne Maria Tonelli Elisei
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Christiane Santos Matos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Ravena Severino Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Thereza Chaves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Ronaldo Barbosa
- Serviço de Doenças Parasitárias, Instituto Octávio Magalhães, Fundação Ezequiel Dias (FUNED), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andreza Pain Marcelino
- Serviço de Doenças Parasitárias, Instituto Octávio Magalhães, Fundação Ezequiel Dias (FUNED), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Kenia Dos Santos Emidio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Antonio Ferraz Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana Costa Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Manoel Otávio da Costa Rocha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniel Menezes-Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. .,Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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29
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Reis-Cunha JL, Valdivia HO, Bartholomeu DC. Gene and Chromosomal Copy Number Variations as an Adaptive Mechanism Towards a Parasitic Lifestyle in Trypanosomatids. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:87-97. [PMID: 29491737 PMCID: PMC5814966 DOI: 10.2174/1389202918666170911161311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are a group of kinetoplastid parasites including some of great public health importance, causing debilitating and life-long lasting diseases that affect more than 24 million people worldwide. Among the trypanosomatids, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and species from the Leishmania genus are the most well studied parasites, due to their high prevalence in human infections. These parasites have an extreme genomic and phenotypic variability, with a massive expansion in the copy number of species-specific multigene families enrolled in host-parasite interactions that mediate cellular invasion and immune evasion processes. As most trypanosomatids are heteroxenous, and therefore their lifecycles involve the transition between different hosts, these parasites have developed several strategies to ensure a rapid adaptation to changing environments. Among these strategies, a rapid shift in the repertoire of expressed genes, genetic variability and genome plasticity are key mechanisms. Trypanosomatid genomes are organized into large directional gene clusters that are transcribed polycistronically, where genes derived from the same polycistron may have very distinct mRNA levels. This particular mode of transcription implies that the control of gene expression operates mainly at post-transcriptional level. In this sense, gene duplications/losses were already associated with changes in mRNA levels in these parasites. Gene duplications also allow the generation of sequence variability, as the newly formed copy can diverge without loss of function of the original copy. Recently, aneuploidies have been shown to occur in several Leishmania species and T. cruzi strains. Although aneuploidies are usually associated with debilitating phenotypes in superior eukaryotes, recent data shows that it could also provide increased fitness in stress conditions and generate drug resistance in unicellular eukaryotes. In this review, we will focus on gene and chromosomal copy number variations and their relevance to the evolution of trypanosomatid parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Hugo O. Valdivia
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Callao, Peru
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Callao, Peru
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30
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Seco-Hidalgo V, Osuna A, de Pablos LM. Characterizing Cell Heterogeneity Using PCR Fingerprinting of Surface Multigene Families in Protozoan Parasites. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1745:277-286. [PMID: 29476474 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7680-5_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Parasites counteract the action of the immune system and other environmental pressures by modulating and changing the composition of their cell surfaces. Surface multigene protein families are defined not only by highly variable regions in length and/or sequence exposed to the outer space but also by conserved sequences codifying for the signal peptide, hydrophobic C-terminal regions necessary for GPI modifications, as well as conserved UTR regions for mRNA regulation. The method here presented exploits these conserved signatures for characterizing variations in the mRNA expression of clonal cell populations of protozoan parasites using a combination of nested PCR amplification and capillary electrophoresis. With this workflow, in silico gels from isolated cell clones can be generated, thus providing an excellent tool for analyzing cellular heterogeneity in protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel de Pablos
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular CTS-183, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.
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Toro Acevedo CA, Valente BM, Burle-Caldas GA, Galvão-Filho B, Santiago HDC, Esteves Arantes RM, Junqueira C, Gazzinelli RT, Roffê E, Teixeira SMR. Down Modulation of Host Immune Response by Amino Acid Repeats Present in a Trypanosoma cruzi Ribosomal Antigen. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2188. [PMID: 29176965 PMCID: PMC5686100 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Several antigens from Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD), contain amino acid repeats identified as targets of the host immune response. Ribosomal proteins containing an Ala, Lys, Pro-rich repeat domain are among the T. cruzi antigens that are strongly recognized by antibodies from CD patients. Here we investigated the role of amino acid repeats present in the T. cruzi ribosomal protein L7a, by immunizing mice with recombinant versions of the full-length protein (TcRpL7a), as well as with truncated versions containing only the repetitive (TcRpL7aRep) or the non-repetitive domains (TcRpL7aΔRep). Mice immunized with full-length TcRpL7a produced high levels of IgG antibodies against the complete protein as well as against the repeat domain, whereas mice immunized with TcRpL7aΔRep or TcRpL7aRep produced very low levels or did not produce IgG antibodies against this antigen. Also in contrast to mice immunized with the full-length TcRpL7a, which produced high levels of IFN-γ, only low levels of IFN-γ or no IFN-γ were detected in cultures of splenocytes derived from mice immunized with truncated versions of the protein. After challenging with trypomastigotes, mice immunized with the TcRpL7a were partially protected against the infection whereas immunization with TcRpL7aΔRep did not alter parasitemia levels compared to controls. Strikingly, mice immunized with TcRpL7aRep displayed an exacerbated parasitemia compared to the other groups and 100% mortality after infection. Analyses of antibody production in mice that were immunized with TcRpL7aRep prior to infection showed a reduced humoral response to parasite antigens as well as against an heterologous antigen. In vitro proliferation assays with mice splenocytes incubated with different mitogens in the presence of TcRpL7aRep resulted in a drastic inhibition of B-cell proliferation and antibody production. Taken together, these results indicate that the repeat domain of TcRpL7a acts as an immunosuppressive factor that down regulates the host B-cell response against parasite antigens favoring parasite multiplication in the mammalian host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A. Toro Acevedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Bruna M. Valente
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriela A. Burle-Caldas
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Bruno Galvão-Filho
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Helton da C. Santiago
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rosa M. Esteves Arantes
- Departamento de Patologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Caroline Junqueira
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T. Gazzinelli
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ester Roffê
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Santuza M. R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Mucci J, Carmona SJ, Volcovich R, Altcheh J, Bracamonte E, Marco JD, Nielsen M, Buscaglia CA, Agüero F. Next-generation ELISA diagnostic assay for Chagas Disease based on the combination of short peptidic epitopes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005972. [PMID: 28991925 PMCID: PMC5648266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas Disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major health and economic problem in Latin America for which no vaccine or appropriate drugs for large-scale public health interventions are yet available. Accurate diagnosis is essential for the early identification and follow up of vector-borne cases and to prevent transmission of the disease by way of blood transfusions and organ transplantation. Diagnosis is routinely performed using serological methods, some of which require the production of parasite lysates, parasite antigenic fractions or purified recombinant antigens. Although available serological tests give satisfactory results, the production of reliable reagents remains laborious and expensive. Short peptides spanning linear B-cell epitopes have proven ideal serodiagnostic reagents in a wide range of diseases. Recently, we have conducted a large-scale screening of T. cruzi linear B-cell epitopes using high-density peptide chips, leading to the identification of several hundred novel sequence signatures associated to chronic Chagas Disease. Here, we performed a serological assessment of 27 selected epitopes and of their use in a novel multipeptide-based diagnostic method. A combination of 7 of these peptides were finally evaluated in ELISA format against a panel of 199 sera samples (Chagas-positive and negative, including sera from Leishmaniasis-positive subjects). The multipeptide formulation displayed a high diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 96.3% and a specificity of 99.15%. Therefore, the use of synthetic peptides as diagnostic tools are an attractive alternative in Chagas’ disease diagnosis. Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a life-long and debilitating illness of major significance throughout Latin America, and an emergent threat to global public health. Diagnostic tests are key tools to support disease surveillance, and to ultimately help stop transmission of the parasite. However currently available diagnostic methods have several limitations. Identification of novel biomarkers with improved diagnostic characteristics is a main priority. Recently, we conducted a large-scale screening looking for new T. cruzi antigens using short peptides displayed on a solid support at high-density. This led to the identification of several hundred novel antigenic epitopes. In this work we validated the serodiagnostic performance of 27 of these against an extended panel of human serum samples. Based on this analysis, we developed a proof-of-principle multiplex diagnostic kit by combining different validated reactive peptides. Overall, our data support the applicability of high-density peptide microarrays for the rapid identification and mapping epitopes that could be readily translated into novel and useful tools for diagnosis of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB)–Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago J. Carmona
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB)–Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Romina Volcovich
- Servicio de Parasitología y Chagas, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutierrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Servicio de Parasitología y Chagas, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutierrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Estefanía Bracamonte
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Jorge D. Marco
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Morten Nielsen
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB)–Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, DK Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Carlos A. Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB)–Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB)–Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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Durante IM, La Spina PE, Carmona SJ, Agüero F, Buscaglia CA. High-resolution profiling of linear B-cell epitopes from mucin-associated surface proteins (MASPs) of Trypanosoma cruzi during human infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005986. [PMID: 28961244 PMCID: PMC5636173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Trypanosoma cruzi genome bears a huge family of genes and pseudogenes coding for Mucin-Associated Surface Proteins (MASPs). MASP molecules display a 'mosaic' structure, with highly conserved flanking regions and a strikingly variable central and mature domain made up of different combinations of a large repertoire of short sequence motifs. MASP molecules are highly expressed in mammal-dwelling stages of T. cruzi and may be involved in parasite-host interactions and/or in diverting the immune response. METHODS/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS High-density microarrays composed of fully overlapped 15mer peptides spanning the entire sequences of 232 non-redundant MASPs (~25% of the total MASP content) were screened with chronic Chagasic sera. This strategy led to the identification of 86 antigenic motifs, each one likely representing a single linear B-cell epitope, which were mapped to 69 different MASPs. These motifs could be further grouped into 31 clusters of structurally- and likely antigenically-related sequences, and fully characterized. In contrast to previous reports, we show that MASP antigenic motifs are restricted to the central and mature region of MASP polypeptides, consistent with their intracellular processing. The antigenicity of these motifs displayed significant positive correlation with their genome dosage and their relative position within the MASP polypeptide. In addition, we verified the biased genetic co-occurrence of certain antigenic motifs within MASP polypeptides, compatible with proposed intra-family recombination events underlying the evolution of their coding genes. Sequences spanning 7 MASP antigenic motifs were further evaluated using distinct synthesis/display approaches and a large panel of serum samples. Overall, the serological recognition of MASP antigenic motifs exhibited a remarkable non normal distribution among the T. cruzi seropositive population, thus reducing their applicability in conventional serodiagnosis. As previously observed in in vitro and animal infection models, immune signatures supported the concurrent expression of several MASPs during human infection. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In spite of their conspicuous expression and potential roles in parasite biology, this study constitutes the first unbiased, high-resolution profiling of linear B-cell epitopes from T. cruzi MASPs during human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio M. Durante
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E. La Spina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago J. Carmona
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (FA); (CAB)
| | - Carlos A. Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (FA); (CAB)
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Pastro L, Smircich P, Di Paolo A, Becco L, Duhagon MA, Sotelo-Silveira J, Garat B. Nuclear Compartmentalization Contributes to Stage-Specific Gene Expression Control in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Dev Biol 2017; 5:8. [PMID: 28243589 PMCID: PMC5303743 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2017.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, as in other trypanosomatids, transcription of protein coding genes occurs in a constitutive fashion, producing large polycistronic transcription units. These units are composed of non-functionally related genes which are pervasively processed to yield each mRNA. Therefore, post-transcriptional processes are crucial to regulate gene expression. Considering that nuclear compartmentalization could contribute to gene expression regulation, we comparatively studied the nuclear, cytoplasmic and whole cell transcriptomes of the non-infective epimastigote stage of T. cruzi, using RNA-Seq. We found that the cytoplasmic transcriptome tightly correlates with the whole cell transcriptome and both equally correlate with the proteome. Nonetheless, 1,200 transcripts showed differential abundance between the nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. For the genes with transcript content augmented in the nucleus, significant structural and compositional differences were found. The analysis of the reported epimastigote translatome and proteome, revealed scarce ribosome footprints and encoded proteins for them. Ontology analyses unveiled that many of these genes are distinctive of other parasite life-cycle stages. Finally, the relocalization of transcript abundance in the metacyclic trypomastigote infective stage was confirmed for specific genes. While gene expression is strongly dependent on transcript steady-state level, we here highlight the importance of the distribution of transcripts abundance between compartments in T. cruzi. Particularly, we show that nuclear compartmentation is playing an active role in the developmental stage determination preventing off-stage expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Pastro
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la RepúblicaMontevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la RepúblicaMontevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Smircich
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la RepúblicaMontevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la RepúblicaMontevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés Di Paolo
- Departamento de Genómica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lorena Becco
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María A Duhagon
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la RepúblicaMontevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la RepúblicaMontevideo, Uruguay
| | - José Sotelo-Silveira
- Departamento de Genómica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Beatriz Garat
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Montevideo, Uruguay
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Mucci J, Lantos AB, Buscaglia CA, Leguizamón MS, Campetella O. The Trypanosoma cruzi Surface, a Nanoscale Patchwork Quilt. Trends Parasitol 2016; 33:102-112. [PMID: 27843019 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote membrane provides a major protective role against mammalian host-derived defense mechanisms while allowing the parasite to interact with different cell types and trigger pathogenesis. This surface has been historically appreciated as a rather unstructured 'coat', mainly consisting of a continuous layer of glycolipids and heavily O-glycosylated mucins, occasionally intercalated with different developmentally regulated molecules displaying adhesive and/or enzymatic properties. Recent findings, however, indicate that the trypomastigote membrane is made up of multiple, densely packed and discrete 10-150nm lipid-driven domains bearing different protein composition; hence resembling a highly organized 'patchwork quilt' design. Here, we discuss different aspects underlying the biogenesis, assembly, and dynamics of this cutting-edge fashion outfit, as well as its functional implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), B1650HMP San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés B Lantos
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), B1650HMP San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos A Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), B1650HMP San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Susana Leguizamón
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), B1650HMP San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Oscar Campetella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), B1650HMP San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Seco-Hidalgo V, De Pablos LM, Osuna A. Transcriptional and phenotypical heterogeneity of Trypanosoma cruzi cell populations. Open Biol 2016; 5:150190. [PMID: 26674416 PMCID: PMC4703061 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.150190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi has a complex life cycle comprising pools of cell populations which circulate among humans, vectors, sylvatic reservoirs and domestic animals. Recent experimental evidence has demonstrated the importance of clonal variations for parasite population dynamics, survival and evolution. By limiting dilution assays, we have isolated seven isogenic clonal cell lines derived from the Pan4 strain of T. cruzi. Applying different molecular techniques, we have been able to provide a comprehensive characterization of the expression heterogeneity in the mucin-associated surface protein (MASP) gene family, where all the clonal isogenic populations were transcriptionally different. Hierarchical cluster analysis and sequence comparison among different MASP cDNA libraries showed that, despite the great variability in MASP expression, some members of the transcriptome (including MASP pseudogenes) are conserved, not only in the life-cycle stages but also among different strains of T. cruzi. Finally, other important aspects for the parasite, such as growth, spontaneous metacyclogenesis or excretion of different catabolites, were also compared among the clones, demonstrating that T. cruzi populations of cells are also phenotypically heterogeneous. Although the evolutionary strategy that sustains the MASP expression polymorphism remains unknown, we suggest that MASP clonal variability and phenotypic heterogeneities found in this study might provide an advantage, allowing a rapid response to environmental pressure or changes during the life cycle of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Seco-Hidalgo
- Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology Research Group, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel De Pablos
- Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology Research Group, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, Granada, Spain Centre for Immunology and Infection (CII), Biology Department, University of York, York, UK
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology Research Group, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, Granada, Spain
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De Pablos LM, Díaz Lozano IM, Jercic MI, Quinzada M, Giménez MJ, Calabuig E, Espino AM, Schijman AG, Zulantay I, Apt W, Osuna A. The C-terminal region of Trypanosoma cruzi MASPs is antigenic and secreted via exovesicles. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27293. [PMID: 27270330 PMCID: PMC4897614 DOI: 10.1038/srep27293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, a neglected and emerging tropical disease, endemic to South America and present in non-endemic regions due to human migration. The MASP multigene family is specific to T. cruzi, accounting for 6% of the parasite’s genome and plays a key role in immune evasion. A common feature of MASPs is the presence of two conserved regions: an N-terminal region codifying for signal peptide and a C-terminal (C-term) region, which potentially acts as GPI-addition signal peptide. Our aim was the analysis of the presence of an immune response against the MASP C-term region. We found that this region is highly conserved, released via exovesicles (EVs) and has an associated immune response as revealed by epitope affinity mapping, IFA and inhibition of the complement lysis assays. We also demonstrate the presence of a fast IgM response in Balb/c mice infected with T. cruzi. Our results reveal the presence of non-canonical secreted peptides in EVs, which can subsequently be exposed to the immune system with a potential role in evading immune system targets in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Miguel De Pablos
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Campus de Fuentenueva, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.,Center for Immunology and Infection (CII), Biology Department, University of York, York, UK
| | - Isabel María Díaz Lozano
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Campus de Fuentenueva, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Jercic
- Parasitology Reference Laboratory, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Avenida Marathon 1000, 7780050 Santiago, Chile
| | - Markela Quinzada
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Maria José Giménez
- Servicio de Microbiología Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva Calabuig
- Servicio de Microbiología Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Margarita Espino
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine. PO BOX 365067, San Juan, 00936-5067, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Inés Zulantay
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Básico-Clínico, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Werner Apt
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Básico-Clínico, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Departamento de Parasitología, Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Campus de Fuentenueva, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Watanabe Costa R, da Silveira JF, Bahia D. Interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi Secreted Proteins and Host Cell Signaling Pathways. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:388. [PMID: 27065960 PMCID: PMC4814445 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the prevalent neglected tropical diseases, affecting at least 6-7 million individuals in Latin America. It is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to vertebrate hosts by blood-sucking insects. After infection, the parasite invades and multiplies in the myocardium, leading to acute myocarditis that kills around 5% of untreated individuals. T. cruzi secretes proteins that manipulate multiple host cell signaling pathways to promote host cell invasion. The primary secreted lysosomal peptidase in T. cruzi is cruzipain, which has been shown to modulate the host immune response. Cruzipain hinders macrophage activation during the early stages of infection by interrupting the NF-kB P65 mediated signaling pathway. This allows the parasite to survive and replicate, and may contribute to the spread of infection in acute Chagas disease. Another secreted protein P21, which is expressed in all of the developmental stages of T. cruzi, has been shown to modulate host phagocytosis signaling pathways. The parasite also secretes soluble factors that exert effects on host extracellular matrix, such as proteolytic degradation of collagens. Finally, secreted phospholipase A from T. cruzi contributes to lipid modifications on host cells and concomitantly activates the PKC signaling pathway. Here, we present a brief review of the interaction between secreted proteins from T. cruzi and the host cells, emphasizing the manipulation of host signaling pathways during invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Watanabe Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jose F da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Bahia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisMinas Gerais, Brazil
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Cardoso MS, Reis-Cunha JL, Bartholomeu DC. Evasion of the Immune Response by Trypanosoma cruzi during Acute Infection. Front Immunol 2016; 6:659. [PMID: 26834737 PMCID: PMC4716143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people mainly in Latin America. To establish a life-long infection, T. cruzi must subvert the vertebrate host's immune system, using strategies that can be traced to the parasite's life cycle. Once inside the vertebrate host, metacyclic trypomastigotes rapidly invade a wide variety of nucleated host cells in a membrane-bound compartment known as the parasitophorous vacuole, which fuses to lysosomes, originating the phagolysosome. In this compartment, the parasite relies on a complex network of antioxidant enzymes to shield itself from lysosomal oxygen and nitrogen reactive species. Lysosomal acidification of the parasitophorous vacuole is an important factor that allows trypomastigote escape from the extremely oxidative environment of the phagolysosome to the cytoplasm, where it differentiates into amastigote forms. In the cytosol of infected macrophages, oxidative stress instead of being detrimental to the parasite, favors amastigote burden, which then differentiates into bloodstream trypomastigotes. Trypomastigotes released in the bloodstream upon the rupture of the host cell membrane express surface molecules, such as calreticulin and GP160 proteins, which disrupt initial and key components of the complement pathway, while others such as glycosylphosphatidylinositol-mucins stimulate immunoregulatory receptors, delaying the progression of a protective immune response. After an immunologically silent entry at the early phase of infection, T. cruzi elicits polyclonal B cell activation, hypergammaglobulinemia, and unspecific anti-T. cruzi antibodies, which are inefficient in controlling the infection. Additionally, the coexpression of several related, but not identical, epitopes derived from trypomastigote surface proteins delays the generation of T. cruzi-specific neutralizing antibodies. Later in the infection, the establishment of an anti-T. cruzi CD8(+) immune response focused on the parasite's immunodominant epitopes controls parasitemia and tissue infection, but fails to completely eliminate the parasite. This outcome is not detrimental to the parasite, as it reduces host mortality and maintains the parasite infectivity toward the insect vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S Cardoso
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Fasciola hepatica mucin-encoding gene: expression, variability and its potential relevance in host-parasite relationship. Parasitology 2015; 142:1673-81. [PMID: 26440911 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182015001134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica is the causative agent of fasciolosis, a zoonosis with significant impact both in human and animal health. Understanding the basic processes of parasite biology, especially those related to interactions with its host, will contribute to control F. hepatica infections and hence liver pathology. Mucins have been described as important mediators for parasite establishment within its host, due to their key roles in immune evasion. In F. hepatica, mucin expression is upregulated in the mammalian invasive newly excysted juvenile (NEJ) stage in comparison with the adult stage. Here, we performed sequencing of mucin cDNAs prepared from NEJ RNA, resulting in six different cDNAs clusters. The differences are due to the presence of a tandem repeated sequence of 66 bp encoded by different exons. Two groups of apomucins one with three and the other with four repeats, with 459 and 393 bp respectively, were identified. These cDNAs have open reading frames encoding Ser-Thr enriched proteins with an N-terminal signal peptide, characteristic of apomucin backbone. We cloned a 4470 bp gene comprising eight exons and seven introns that encodes all the cDNA variants identified in NEJs. By real time polymerase chain reaction and high-resolution melting approaches of individual flukes we infer that fhemuc-1 is a single-copy gene, with at least two different alleles. Our data suggest that both gene polymorphism and alternative splicing might account for apomucin variability in the fhemuc-1 gene that is upregulated in NEJ invasive stage. The relevance of this variation in host-parasite interplay is discussed.
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Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Post-Genomic Era. Trends Genet 2015; 31:539-555. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Carmona SJ, Nielsen M, Schafer-Nielsen C, Mucci J, Altcheh J, Balouz V, Tekiel V, Frasch AC, Campetella O, Buscaglia CA, Agüero F. Towards High-throughput Immunomics for Infectious Diseases: Use of Next-generation Peptide Microarrays for Rapid Discovery and Mapping of Antigenic Determinants. Mol Cell Proteomics 2015; 14:1871-84. [PMID: 25922409 PMCID: PMC4587317 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m114.045906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Complete characterization of antibody specificities associated to natural infections is expected to provide a rich source of serologic biomarkers with potential applications in molecular diagnosis, follow-up of chemotherapeutic treatments, and prioritization of targets for vaccine development. Here, we developed a highly-multiplexed platform based on next-generation high-density peptide microarrays to map these specificities in Chagas Disease, an exemplar of a human infectious disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. We designed a high-density peptide microarray containing more than 175,000 overlapping 15mer peptides derived from T. cruzi proteins. Peptides were synthesized in situ on microarray slides, spanning the complete length of 457 parasite proteins with fully overlapped 15mers (1 residue shift). Screening of these slides with antibodies purified from infected patients and healthy donors demonstrated both a high technical reproducibility as well as epitope mapping consistency when compared with earlier low-throughput technologies. Using a conservative signal threshold to classify positive (reactive) peptides we identified 2,031 disease-specific peptides and 97 novel parasite antigens, effectively doubling the number of known antigens and providing a 10-fold increase in the number of fine mapped antigenic determinants for this disease. Finally, further analysis of the chip data showed that optimizing the amount of sequence overlap of displayed peptides can increase the protein space covered in a single chip by at least ∼threefold without sacrificing sensitivity. In conclusion, we show the power of high-density peptide chips for the discovery of pathogen-specific linear B-cell epitopes from clinical samples, thus setting the stage for high-throughput biomarker discovery screenings and proteome-wide studies of immune responses against pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago J Carmona
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Morten Nielsen
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; §Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Juan Mucci
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- ‖Servicio de Parasitología y Chagas, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Balouz
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Tekiel
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto C Frasch
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Oscar Campetella
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos A Buscaglia
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- From the ‡Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, Sede San Martín, B 1650 HMP, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina;
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Bartholomeu DC, de Paiva RMC, Mendes TAO, DaRocha WD, Teixeira SMR. Unveiling the intracellular survival gene kit of trypanosomatid parasites. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004399. [PMID: 25474314 PMCID: PMC4256449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are unicellular protozoans of medical and economical relevance since they are the etiologic agents of infectious diseases in humans as well as livestock. Whereas Trypanosoma cruzi and different species of Leishmania are obligate intracellular parasites, Trypanosoma brucei and other trypanosomatids develop extracellularly throughout their entire life cycle. After their genomes have been sequenced, various comparative genomic studies aimed at identifying sequences involved with host cell invasion and intracellular survival have been described. However, for only a handful of genes, most of them present exclusively in the T. cruzi or Leishmania genomes, has there been any experimental evidence associating them with intracellular parasitism. With the increasing number of published complete genome sequences of members of the trypanosomatid family, including not only different Trypanosoma and Leishmania strains and subspecies but also trypanosomatids that do not infect humans or other mammals, we may now be able to contemplate a slightly better picture regarding the specific set of parasite factors that defines each organism's mode of living and the associated disease phenotypes. Here, we review the studies concerning T. cruzi and Leishmania genes that have been implicated with cell invasion and intracellular parasitism and also summarize the wealth of new information regarding the mode of living of intracellular parasites that is resulting from comparative genome studies that are based on increasingly larger trypanosomatid genome datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rita Marcia Cardoso de Paiva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tiago A. O. Mendes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wanderson D. DaRocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | - Santuza M. R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Stoco PH, Wagner G, Talavera-Lopez C, Gerber A, Zaha A, Thompson CE, Bartholomeu DC, Lückemeyer DD, Bahia D, Loreto E, Prestes EB, Lima FM, Rodrigues-Luiz G, Vallejo GA, Filho JFDS, Schenkman S, Monteiro KM, Tyler KM, de Almeida LGP, Ortiz MF, Chiurillo MA, de Moraes MH, Cunha ODL, Mendonça-Neto R, Silva R, Teixeira SMR, Murta SMF, Sincero TCM, Mendes TADO, Urmenyi TP, Silva VG, DaRocha WD, Andersson B, Romanha ÁJ, Steindel M, de Vasconcelos ATR, Grisard EC. Genome of the avirulent human-infective trypanosome--Trypanosoma rangeli. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3176. [PMID: 25233456 PMCID: PMC4169256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma rangeli is a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite infecting humans and other wild and domestic mammals across Central and South America. It does not cause human disease, but it can be mistaken for the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi. We have sequenced the T. rangeli genome to provide new tools for elucidating the distinct and intriguing biology of this species and the key pathways related to interaction with its arthropod and mammalian hosts. Methodology/Principal Findings The T. rangeli haploid genome is ∼24 Mb in length, and is the smallest and least repetitive trypanosomatid genome sequenced thus far. This parasite genome has shorter subtelomeric sequences compared to those of T. cruzi and T. brucei; displays intraspecific karyotype variability and lacks minichromosomes. Of the predicted 7,613 protein coding sequences, functional annotations could be determined for 2,415, while 5,043 are hypothetical proteins, some with evidence of protein expression. 7,101 genes (93%) are shared with other trypanosomatids that infect humans. An ortholog of the dcl2 gene involved in the T. brucei RNAi pathway was found in T. rangeli, but the RNAi machinery is non-functional since the other genes in this pathway are pseudogenized. T. rangeli is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, a phenotype that may be explained by a smaller number of anti-oxidant defense enzymes and heat-shock proteins. Conclusions/Significance Phylogenetic comparison of nuclear and mitochondrial genes indicates that T. rangeli and T. cruzi are equidistant from T. brucei. In addition to revealing new aspects of trypanosome co-evolution within the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, comparative genomic analysis with pathogenic trypanosomatids provides valuable new information that can be further explored with the aim of developing better diagnostic tools and/or therapeutic targets. Comparative genomics is a powerful tool that affords detailed study of the genetic and evolutionary basis for aspects of lifecycles and pathologies caused by phylogenetically related pathogens. The reference genome sequences of three trypanosomatids, T. brucei, T. cruzi and L. major, and subsequent addition of multiple Leishmania and Trypanosoma genomes has provided data upon which large-scale investigations delineating the complex systems biology of these human parasites has been built. Here, we compare the annotated genome sequence of T. rangeli strain SC-58 to available genomic sequence and annotation data from related species. We provide analysis of gene content, genome architecture and key characteristics associated with the biology of this non-pathogenic trypanosome. Moreover, we report striking new genomic features of T. rangeli compared with its closest relative, T. cruzi, such as (1) considerably less amplification on the gene copy number within multigene virulence factor families such as MASPs, trans-sialidases and mucins; (2) a reduced repertoire of genes encoding anti-oxidant defense enzymes; and (3) the presence of vestigial orthologs of the RNAi machinery, which are insufficient to constitute a functional pathway. Overall, the genome of T. rangeli provides for a much better understanding of the identity, evolution, regulation and function of trypanosome virulence determinants for both mammalian host and insect vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Hermes Stoco
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- * E-mail: (PHS); (ECG)
| | - Glauber Wagner
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Carlos Talavera-Lopez
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Gerber
- Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Arnaldo Zaha
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Diana Bahia
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elgion Loreto
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Fábio Mitsuo Lima
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Sérgio Schenkman
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Kevin Morris Tyler
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mauro Freitas Ortiz
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chiurillo
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | | | | | | | - Rosane Silva
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Turán Peter Urmenyi
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Álvaro José Romanha
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Mário Steindel
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Edmundo Carlos Grisard
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- * E-mail: (PHS); (ECG)
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Heitlinger E, Spork S, Lucius R, Dieterich C. The genome of Eimeria falciformis--reduction and specialization in a single host apicomplexan parasite. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:696. [PMID: 25142335 PMCID: PMC4287421 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phylum Apicomplexa comprises important unicellular human parasites such as Toxoplasma and Plasmodium. Eimeria is the largest and most diverse genus of apicomplexan parasites and some species of the genus are the causative agent of coccidiosis, a disease economically devastating in poultry. We report a complete genome sequence of the mouse parasite Eimeria falciformis. We assembled and annotated the genome sequence to study host-parasite interactions in this understudied genus in a model organism host. RESULTS The genome of E. falciformis is 44 Mb in size and contains 5,879 predicted protein coding genes. Comparative analysis of E. falciformis with Toxoplasma gondii shows an emergence and diversification of gene families associated with motility and invasion mainly at the level of the Coccidia. Many rhoptry kinases, among them important virulence factors in T. gondii, are absent from the E. falciformis genome. Surface antigens are divergent between Eimeria species. Comparisons with T. gondii showed differences between genes involved in metabolism, N-glycan and GPI-anchor synthesis. E. falciformis possesses a reduced set of transmembrane transporters and we suggest an altered mode of iron uptake in the genus Eimeria. CONCLUSIONS Reduced diversity of genes required for host-parasite interaction and transmembrane transport allow hypotheses on host adaptation and specialization of a single host parasite. The E. falciformis genome sequence sheds light on the evolution of the Coccidia and helps to identify determinants of host-parasite interaction critical for drug and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Heitlinger
- />Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Spork
- />Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Lucius
- />Department of Molecular Parasitology, Humboldt University, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Dieterich
- />Computational RNA Biology and Ageing, Max Plank Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann Straße 9b, 50913 Cologne, Germany
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Abstract
A decade of genome sequencing has transformed our understanding of how
trypanosomatid parasites have evolved and provided fresh impetus to explaining
the origins of parasitism in the Kinetoplastida. In this review, I will consider
the many ways in which genome sequences have influenced our view of genomic
reduction in trypanosomatids; how species-specific genes, and the genomic
domains they occupy, have illuminated the innovations in trypanosomatid genomes;
and how comparative genomics has exposed the molecular mechanisms responsible
for innovation and adaptation to a parasitic lifestyle.
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Mattos EC, Tonelli RR, Colli W, Alves MJM. The Gp85 surface glycoproteins from Trypanosoma cruzi. Subcell Biochem 2014; 74:151-180. [PMID: 24264245 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7305-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi strains show distinctive characteristics as genetic polymorphism and infectivity. Large repertoires of molecules, such as the Gp85 glycoproteins, members of the Gp85/Trans-sialidase superfamily, as well as multiple signaling pathways, are associated with invasion of mammalian cells by the parasite. Due to the large number of expressed members, encoded by more than 700 genes, the research focused on this superfamily conserved sequences is discussed. Binding sites to laminin have been identified at the N-terminus of the Gp85 molecules. Interestingly, the T. cruzi protein phosphorylation profile is changed upon parasite binding to laminin (or fibronectin), particularly the cytoskeletal proteins such as those from the paraflagellar rod and the tubulins, which are both markedly dephosphorylated. Detailed analysis of the signaling cascades triggered upon T. cruzi binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins revealed the involvement of the MAPK/ERK pathway in this event. At the C-terminus, the conserved FLY sequence is a cytokeratin-binding domain and is involved in augmented host cell invasion in vitro and high levels of parasitemia in vivo. FLY, which is associated to tissue tropism and preferentially binds to the heart vasculature may somehow be correlated with the severe cardiac form, an important clinical manifestation of chronic Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliciane C Mattos
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-900, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, Brazil
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Silva DCF, Silva RC, Ferreira RC, Briones MRS. Examining marginal sequence similarities between bacterial type III secretion system components and Trypanosoma cruzi surface proteins: horizontal gene transfer or convergent evolution? Front Genet 2013; 4:143. [PMID: 23967008 PMCID: PMC3744899 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2013.00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell invasion mechanism of Trypanosoma cruzi has similarities with some intracellular bacterial taxa especially regarding calcium mobilization. This mechanism is not observed in other trypanosomatids, suggesting that the molecules involved in this type of cell invasion were a product of (1) acquisition by horizontal gene transfer (HGT); (2) secondary loss in the other trypanosomatid lineages of the mechanism inherited since the bifurcation Bacteria-Neomura (1.9 billion to 900 million years ago); or (3) de novo evolution from non-homologous proteins via convergent evolution. Similar to T. cruzi, several bacterial genera require increased host cell cytosolic calcium for intracellular invasion. Among intracellular bacteria, the mechanism of host cell invasion of genus Salmonella is the most similar to T. cruzi. The invasion of Salmonella occurs by contact with the host's cell surface and is mediated by the type III secretion system (T3SS) that promotes the contact-dependent translocation of effector proteins directly into host's cell cytoplasm. Here we provide evidence of distant sequence similarities and structurally conserved domains between T. cruzi and Salmonella spp T3SS proteins. Exhaustive database searches were directed to a wide range of intracellular bacteria and trypanosomatids, exploring sequence patterns for comparison of structural similarities and Bayesian phylogenies. Based on our data we hypothesize that T. cruzi acquired genes for calcium mobilization mediated invasion by ancient HGT from ancestral Salmonella lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C F Silva
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Laboratório de Genômica Evolutiva e Biocomplexidade, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
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Bernabó G, Levy G, Ziliani M, Caeiro LD, Sánchez DO, Tekiel V. TcTASV-C, a protein family in Trypanosoma cruzi that is predominantly trypomastigote-stage specific and secreted to the medium. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71192. [PMID: 23923058 PMCID: PMC3726618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the several multigene families codified by the genome of T. cruzi, the TcTASV family was the latest discovered. The TcTASV (Trypomastigote, Alanine, Serine, Valine) family is composed of ∼40 members, with conserved carboxi- and amino-termini but with a variable central core. According to the length and sequence of the central region the family is split into 3 subfamilies. The TcTASV family is conserved in the genomes of – at least – lineages TcI and TcVI and has no orthologues in other trypanosomatids. In the present work we focus on the study of the TcTASV-C subfamily, composed by 16 genes in the CL Brener strain. We determined that TcTASV-C is preferentially expressed in trypomastigotes, but it is not a major component of the parasite. Both immunoflourescence and flow cytometry experiments indicated that TcTASV-C has a clonal expression, i.e. it is not expressed by all the parasites of a certain population at the same time. We also determined that TcTASV-C is phosphorylated and glycosylated. TASV-C is attached to the parasite surface by a GPI anchor and is shed spontaneously into the medium. About 30% of sera from infected hosts reacted with TcTASV-C, confirming its exposition to the immune system. Its superficial localization and secretory nature suggest a possible role in host-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Bernabó
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas – Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Levy
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas – Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Ziliani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas – Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas D. Caeiro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas – Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel O. Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas – Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Tekiel
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas – Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomus (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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