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Tsagmo JMN, Rotureau B, Calvo Alvarez E. Animal models of neglected parasitic diseases: In vivo multimodal imaging of experimental trypanosomatid infections. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 188:205-236. [PMID: 38880525 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2024.04.003] [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: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
African trypanosomiases and leishmaniases are significant neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect millions globally, with severe health and socio-economic consequences, especially in endemic regions. Understanding the pathogenesis and dissemination of Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. parasites within their hosts is pivotal for the development of effective interventions. Whole-body bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging systems (BLI and FLI, respectively), are powerful tools to visualize and quantify the progression and distribution of these parasites in real-time within live animal models. By combining this technology with the engineering of stable T. brucei and Leishmania spp. strains expressing luciferase and/or fluorescent proteins, crucial aspects of the infection process including the parasites' homing, the infection dynamics, the tissue tropism, or the efficacy of experimental treatments and vaccines can be deeply investigated. This methodology allows for enhanced sensitivity and resolution, elucidating previously unrecognized infection niches and dynamics. Importantly, whole-body in vivo imaging is non-invasive, enabling for longitudinal studies during the course of an infection in the same animal, thereby aligning with the "3Rs" principle of animal research. Here, we detail a protocol for the generation of dual-reporter T. brucei and L. major, and their use to infect mice and follow the spatiotemporal dynamics of infection by in vivo imaging systems. Additionally, 3D micro-computed tomography (μCT) coupled to BLI in T. brucei-infected animals is applied to gain insights into the anatomical parasite distribution. This Chapter underscores the potential of these bioimaging modalities as indispensable tools in parasitology, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies and deeper insights into host-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Marc Ngoune Tsagmo
- Trypanosome Transmission Group, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, INSERM U1201, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Brice Rotureau
- Trypanosome Transmission Group, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, INSERM U1201, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; Parasitology Unit, Institut Pasteur of Guinea, Conakry, Guinea
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Comparison of Bioluminescent Substrates in Natural Infection Models of Neglected Parasitic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416074. [PMID: 36555716 PMCID: PMC9781651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416074] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of in vivo bioluminescent imaging in infectious disease research has significantly increased over the past years. The detection of transgenic parasites expressing wildtype firefly luciferase is however hampered by a relatively low and heterogeneous tissue penetrating capacity of emitted light. Solutions are sought by using codon-optimized red-shifted luciferases that yield higher expression levels and produce relatively more red or near-infrared light, or by using modified bioluminescent substrates with enhanced cell permeability and improved luminogenic or pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of two modified bioluminescent substrates, CycLuc1 and AkaLumine-HCl, were compared with that of D-luciferin as a gold standard. Comparisons were made in experimental and insect-transmitted animal models of leishmaniasis (caused by intracellular Leishmania species) and African trypanosomiasis (caused by extracellular Trypanosoma species), using parasite strains expressing the red-shifted firefly luciferase PpyRE9. Although the luminogenic properties of AkaLumine-HCl and D-luciferin for in vitro parasite detection were comparable at equal substrate concentrations, AkaLumine-HCl proved to be unsuitable for in vivo infection follow-up due to high background signals in the liver. CycLuc1 presented a higher in vitro luminescence compared to the other substrates and proved to be highly efficacious in vivo, even at a 20-fold lower dose than D-luciferin. This efficacy was consistent across infections with the herein included intracellular and extracellular parasitic organisms. It can be concluded that CycLuc1 is an excellent and broadly applicable alternative for D-luciferin, requiring significantly lower doses for in vivo bioluminescent imaging in rodent models of leishmaniasis and African trypanosomiasis.
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Dibello E, Comini MA, Benítez D. A Simple, Robust, and Affordable Bioluminescent Assay for Drug Screening Against Infective African Trypanosomes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2524:149-162. [PMID: 35821469 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2453-1_11] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This chapter introduces a simple and robust in vitro viability assay to screen bioactive small molecules (e.g., natural, synthetic) against the monomorphic and infective (bloodstream) form of Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The assay relies on a bioluminescent transgenic parasite harboring a genetically encoded copy of a thermostable redshifted firefly luciferase from Photinus pyralis.The major advantages of the assay are simplicity and cost efficiency, along with excellent quality parameters. The bioassay allows estimating parasite numbers and viability (and metabolic state) as a function of bioluminescence (BL) signal. Parasites are grown in the presence of the molecules of interest in a 96-well microplate, and 24 h later, BL is determined with a simple protocol lacking washing steps, using cost-efficient reagents with a reasonable readout time for high-throughput applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefania Dibello
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Laboratorio de Síntesis Orgánica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Diego Benítez
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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4
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Rivera-Correa J, Verdi J, Sherman J, Sternberg JM, Raper J, Rodriguez A. Autoimmunity to phosphatidylserine and anemia in African Trypanosome infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009814. [PMID: 34587165 PMCID: PMC8505006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anemia caused by trypanosome infection is poorly understood. Autoimmunity during Trypanosoma brucei infection was proposed to have a role during anemia, but the mechanisms involved during this pathology have not been elucidated. In mouse models and human patients infected with malaria parasites, atypical B-cells promote anemia through the secretion of autoimmune anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) antibodies that bind to uninfected erythrocytes and facilitate their clearance. Using mouse models of two trypanosome infections, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, we assessed levels of autoantibodies and anemia. Our results indicate that acute T. brucei infection, but not T. cruzi, leads to early increased levels of plasma autoantibodies against different auto antigens tested (PS, DNA and erythrocyte lysate) and expansion of atypical B cells (ABCs) that secrete these autoantibodies. In vitro studies confirmed that a lysate of T. brucei, but not T. cruzi, could directly promote the expansion of these ABCs. PS exposure on erythrocyte plasma membrane seems to be an important contributor to anemia by delaying erythrocyte recovery since treatment with an agent that prevents binding to it (Annexin V) ameliorated anemia in T. brucei-infected mice. Analysis of the plasma of patients with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) revealed high levels of anti-PS antibodies that correlated with anemia. Altogether these results suggest a relation between autoimmunity against PS and anemia in both mice and patients infected with T. brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Rivera-Correa
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Joseph Verdi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Jeremy M Sternberg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Jayne Raper
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
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5
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Novobilský A, Höglund J. Small animal in vivo imaging of parasitic infections: A systematic review. Exp Parasitol 2020; 214:107905. [PMID: 32387050 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive small animal in vivo imaging is an essential tool in a broad variety of biomedical sciences and enables continuous monitoring of disease progression in order to develop and improve diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive measures. Imaging parasites non-invasively in live animals allows efficient parasite distribution evaluation in the host organism and objective evaluation of parasitic diseases' burden and progression in individual animals. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize recent trends in small animal in vivo imaging and compare and discuss imaging of single-cell and multicellular eukaryotic parasites. A literature survey was performed using Web of Science and PubMed databases in research articles published between 1990 and 2018. The inclusion criteria were using any imaging method to visualize a range of protozoan and helminth parasites in laboratory animals in vivo. A total of 92 studies met our inclusion criteria. Protozoans and helminths were imaged in 88% and 12% of 92 studies, respectively. The most common parasite genus studied was the protozoan Plasmodium followed by Trypanosoma and Leishmania. The most frequent imaging method was bioluminescence. Among the helminths, Schistosoma and Echinococcus were the most studied organisms. In vivo imaging is applicable in both protozoans and helminths. In helminths, however, the use of in vivo imaging methods is limited to some extent. Imaging parasites in small animal models is a powerful tool in preclinical research aiming to develop novel therapeutic and preventive strategies for parasitic diseases of interest both in human and veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Novobilský
- Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Immunotherapy, Hudcova 70, 62100, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Johan Höglund
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Benítez D, Dibello E, Bonilla M, Comini MA. A simple, robust, and affordable bioluminescent assay for drug discovery against infective African trypanosomes. Drug Dev Res 2020; 83:253-263. [PMID: 31958156 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis is a major problem for human and animal health in endemic countries, where it threatens millions of people and affects economic development. New drugs are needed to overcome the toxicity, administration, low efficacy, and resistance issues of the current chemotherapy. Robust, simple, and economical high-throughput, whole-cell-based assays are required to accelerate the identification of novel chemical entities. With this aim, we generated a bioluminescent cell line of the bloodstream stage of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and established a screening assay. Trypanosomes were stably transfected to constitutively express a thermostable red-shifted luciferase. The growth phenotype and drug sensitivity of the reporter cell line were essentially identical to that of the parental cell line. The endogenous luciferase activity, measured by a simple bioluminescence assay, proved to be proportional to parasite number and metabolic status. The assay, optimized to detect highly potent compounds in a 96-well-plate format, was validated by screening a small compound library (inter-assay values for Z' factor and coefficient variation were 0.77 and 5.8%, respectively). With a hit-confirmation ratio of ~97%, the assay was potent enough to identify several hits with EC50 ≤ 10 μM. Preliminary tests indicated that the assay can be scaled up to a 384-well-plate format without compromising its robustness. In summary, we have generated reporter trypanosomes and a simple, robust, and affordable bioluminescence screening assay with great potential to speed up the early-phase drug discovery against African trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Benítez
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Estefania Dibello
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratorio de Síntesis Orgánica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariana Bonilla
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica y Laboratorio de Enzimología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Hulpia F, Mabille D, Campagnaro GD, Schumann G, Maes L, Roditi I, Hofer A, de Koning HP, Caljon G, Van Calenbergh S. Combining tubercidin and cordycepin scaffolds results in highly active candidates to treat late-stage sleeping sickness. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5564. [PMID: 31804484 PMCID: PMC6895180 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13522-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei parasites with limited treatment options. Trypanosoma is unable to synthesize purines de novo and relies solely on their uptake and interconversion from the host, constituting purine nucleoside analogues a potential source of antitrypanosomal agents. Here we combine structural elements from known trypanocidal nucleoside analogues to develop a series of 3’-deoxy-7-deazaadenosine nucleosides, and investigate their effects against African trypanosomes. 3’-Deoxytubercidin is a highly potent trypanocide in vitro and displays curative activity in animal models of acute and CNS-stage disease, even at low doses and oral administration. Whole-genome RNAi screening reveals that the P2 nucleoside transporter and adenosine kinase are involved in the uptake and activation, respectively, of this analogue. This is confirmed by P1 and P2 transporter assays and nucleotide pool analysis. 3’-Deoxytubercidin is a promising lead to treat late-stage sleeping sickness. Trypanosoma brucei relies on uptake and conversion of purines from the host, which constitutes a potential drug target. Here, Hulpia et al. combine structural elements from known trypanocidal nucleoside analogues and develop a potent trypanocide with curative activity in animal models of acute and late stage sleeping sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Dorien Mabille
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Gustavo D Campagnaro
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Gabriela Schumann
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Isabel Roditi
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anders Hofer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Harry P de Koning
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Gent, Belgium.
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Calvo-Alvarez E, Cren-Travaillé C, Crouzols A, Rotureau B. A new chimeric triple reporter fusion protein as a tool for in vitro and in vivo multimodal imaging to monitor the development of African trypanosomes and Leishmania parasites. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 63:391-403. [PMID: 29339220 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomiases and leishmaniases, caused by a group of related protist parasites, are Neglected Tropical Diseases currently threatening >500 million people worldwide. Reporter proteins have revolutionised the research on infectious diseases and have opened up new advances in the understanding of trypanosomatid-borne diseases in terms of both biology, pathogenesis and drug development. Here, we describe the generation and some applications of a new chimeric triple reporter fusion protein combining the red-shifted firefly luciferase PpyREH9 and the tdTomato red fluorescent protein, fused by the TY1 tag. Expressed in both Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Leishmania major transgenic parasites, this construct was successfully assessed on different state-of-the-art imaging technologies, at different scales ranging from whole organism to cellular level, both in vitro and in vivo in murine models. For T. b. brucei, the usefulness of this triple marker to monitor the entire parasite cycle in both tsetse flies and mice was further demonstrated. This stable reporter allows to qualitatively and quantitatively scrutinize in real-time several crucial aspects of the parasite's development, including the development of African trypanosomes in the dermis of the mammalian host. We briefly discuss developments in bio-imaging technologies and highlight how we could improve our understanding of parasitism by combining the genetic engineering of parasites to the one of the hosting organisms in which they complete their developmental program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefania Calvo-Alvarez
- Trypanosome Transmission Group, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France.
| | - Christelle Cren-Travaillé
- Trypanosome Transmission Group, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Aline Crouzols
- Trypanosome Transmission Group, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Brice Rotureau
- Trypanosome Transmission Group, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France
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9
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Kaskova ZM, Tsarkova AS, Yampolsky IV. 1001 lights: luciferins, luciferases, their mechanisms of action and applications in chemical analysis, biology and medicine. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 45:6048-6077. [PMID: 27711774 DOI: 10.1039/c6cs00296j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence (BL) is a spectacular phenomenon involving light emission by live organisms. It is caused by the oxidation of a small organic molecule, luciferin, with molecular oxygen, which is catalysed by the enzyme luciferase. In nature, there are approximately 30 different BL systems, of which only 9 have been studied to various degrees in terms of their reaction mechanisms. A vast range of in vitro and in vivo analytical techniques have been developed based on BL, including tests for different analytes, immunoassays, gene expression assays, drug screening, bioimaging of live organisms, cancer studies, the investigation of infectious diseases and environmental monitoring. This review aims to cover the major existing applications for bioluminescence in the context of the diversity of luciferases and their substrates, luciferins. Particularly, the properties and applications of d-luciferin, coelenterazine, bacterial, Cypridina and dinoflagellate luciferins and their analogues along with their corresponding luciferases are described. Finally, four other rarely studied bioluminescent systems (those of limpet Latia, earthworms Diplocardia and Fridericia and higher fungi), which are promising for future use, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinaida M Kaskova
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia. and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianova 1, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Aleksandra S Tsarkova
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia. and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianova 1, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Ilia V Yampolsky
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia. and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianova 1, Moscow 117997, Russia
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10
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Ur Rahman S, Stanton M, Casey PG, Spagnuolo A, Bensi G, Hill C, Francis KP, Tangney M, Gahan CGM. Development of a Click Beetle Luciferase Reporter System for Enhanced Bioluminescence Imaging of Listeria monocytogenes: Analysis in Cell Culture and Murine Infection Models. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1797. [PMID: 29018414 PMCID: PMC5622934 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen that is widely used as a model organism for the analysis of infection biology. In this context, there is a current need to develop improved reporters for enhanced bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of the pathogen in infection models. We have developed a click beetle red luciferase (CBR-luc) based vector (pPL2CBRopt) expressing codon optimized CBR-luc under the control of a highly expressed Listerial promoter (PHELP) for L. monocytogenes and have compared this to a lux-based system expressing bacterial luciferase for BLI of the pathogen using in vitro growth experiments and in vivo models. The CBR-luc plasmid stably integrates into the L. monocytogenes chromosome and can be used to label field isolates and laboratory strains of the pathogen. Growth experiments revealed that CBR-luc labeled L. monocytogenes emits a bright signal in exponential phase that is maintained during stationary phase. In contrast, lux-labeled bacteria produced a light signal that peaked during exponential phase and was significantly reduced during stationary phase. Light from CBR-luc labeled bacteria was more efficient than the signal from lux-labeled bacteria in penetrating an artificial tissue depth assay system. A cell invasion assay using C2Bbe1 cells and a systemic murine infection model revealed that CBR-luc is suited to BLI approaches and demonstrated enhanced sensitivity relative to lux in the context of Listeria infection models. Overall, we demonstrate that this novel CBR reporter system provides efficient, red-shifted light production relative to lux and may have significant applications in the analysis of L. monocytogenes pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadeeq Ur Rahman
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Michael Stanton
- Cork Cancer Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Pat G Casey
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Mark Tangney
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Cork Cancer Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,SynBio Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Cormac G M Gahan
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,SynBio Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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11
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Branchini BR, Southworth TL, Fontaine DM, Kohrt D, Welcome FS, Florentine CM, Henricks ER, DeBartolo DB, Michelini E, Cevenini L, Roda A, Grossel MJ. Red-emitting chimeric firefly luciferase for in vivo imaging in low ATP cellular environments. Anal Biochem 2017; 534:36-39. [PMID: 28687486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Beetle luciferases have been adapted for live cell imaging where bioluminescence is dependent on the cellular availability of ATP, O2, and added luciferin. Previous Photinus pyralis red-emitting variants with high Km values for ATP have performed disappointingly in live cells despite having much higher relative specific activities than enzymes like Click Beetle Red (CBR). We engineered a luciferase variant PLR3 having a Km value for ATP similar to CBR and ∼2.6-fold higher specific activity. The red-emitting PLR3 was ∼2.5-fold brighter than CBR in living HEK293T and HeLa cells, an improvement consistent with the importance of the Km value in low ATP environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce R Branchini
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA.
| | - Tara L Southworth
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | | | - Dawn Kohrt
- Department of Biology, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | | | | | - Emma R Henricks
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
| | | | - Elisa Michelini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Cevenini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martha J Grossel
- Department of Biology, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320, USA
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12
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Mezzanotte L, van 't Root M, Karatas H, Goun EA, Löwik CWGM. In Vivo Molecular Bioluminescence Imaging: New Tools and Applications. Trends Biotechnol 2017; 35:640-652. [PMID: 28501458 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLi) is an optical molecular imaging technique used to visualize molecular and cellular processes in health and diseases and to follow the fate of cells with high sensitivity using luciferase-based gene reporters. The high sensitivity of this technique arises from efficient photon production, followed by the reaction between luciferase enzymes and luciferin substrates. Novel discoveries and developments of luciferase reporters, substrates, and gene-editing techniques, and emerging fields of applications, promise a new era of deeper and more sensitive molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mezzanotte
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Moniek van 't Root
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hacer Karatas
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elena A Goun
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clemens W G M Löwik
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Caljon G, Van Reet N, De Trez C, Vermeersch M, Pérez-Morga D, Van Den Abbeele J. The Dermis as a Delivery Site of Trypanosoma brucei for Tsetse Flies. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005744. [PMID: 27441553 PMCID: PMC4956260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tsetse flies are the sole vectors of Trypanosoma brucei parasites that cause sleeping sickness. Our knowledge on the early interface between the infective metacyclic forms and the mammalian host skin is currently highly limited. Glossina morsitans flies infected with fluorescently tagged T. brucei parasites were used in this study to initiate natural infections in mice. Metacyclic trypanosomes were found to be highly infectious through the intradermal route in sharp contrast with blood stream form trypanosomes. Parasite emigration from the dermal inoculation site resulted in detectable parasite levels in the draining lymph nodes within 18 hours and in the peripheral blood within 42 h. A subset of parasites remained and actively proliferated in the dermis. By initiating mixed infections with differentially labeled parasites, dermal parasites were unequivocally shown to arise from the initial inoculum and not from a re-invasion from the blood circulation. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated intricate interactions of these skin-residing parasites with adipocytes in the connective tissue, entanglement by reticular fibers of the periadipocytic baskets and embedment between collagen bundles. Experimental transmission experiments combined with molecular parasite detection in blood fed flies provided evidence that dermal trypanosomes can be acquired from the inoculation site immediately after the initial transmission. High resolution thermographic imaging also revealed that intradermal parasite expansion induces elevated skin surface temperatures. Collectively, the dermis represents a delivery site of the highly infective metacyclic trypanosomes from which the host is systemically colonized and where a proliferative subpopulation remains that is physically constrained by intricate interactions with adipocytes and collagen fibrous structures. Sleeping sickness is caused by trypanosomes that are transmitted by the blood feeding tsetse flies. The present study has established an experimental transmission model with fluorescently labeled parasites in mice that allows us to study their fate following natural transmission by a tsetse fly bite. Parasites that arise in the tsetse salivary glands were found to be highly infective following inoculation in the mammalian skin in contrast with previous observations made for trypanosomes purified from the blood stream. This study unveiled that a proportion of parasites is retained in the skin and actively proliferates close to the initial inoculation site resulting in significantly elevated skin temperatures. This retention was linked to interaction with fat cells and collagen fibrous structures. Experimental transmission experiments were able to demonstrate that parasites can be acquired from the inoculation site immediately after the initial transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Caljon
- Unit of Veterinary Protozoology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail: (GC); (JVDA)
| | - Nick Van Reet
- Unit of Parasite Diagnostics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carl De Trez
- Unit of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Structural Biology Research Center (SBRC), VIB, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marjorie Vermeersch
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies, Belgium
| | - David Pérez-Morga
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Jan Van Den Abbeele
- Unit of Veterinary Protozoology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail: (GC); (JVDA)
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Birhanu H, Gebrehiwot T, Goddeeris BM, Büscher P, Van Reet N. New Trypanosoma evansi Type B Isolates from Ethiopian Dromedary Camels. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004556. [PMID: 27035661 PMCID: PMC4818106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma (T.) evansi is a dyskinetoplastic variant of T. brucei that has gained the ability to be transmitted by all sorts of biting flies. T. evansi can be divided into type A, which is the most abundant and found in Africa, Asia and Latin America and type B, which has so far been isolated only from Kenyan dromedary camels. This study aimed at the isolation and the genetic and phenotypic characterisation of type A and B T. evansi stocks from camels in Northern Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS T. evansi was isolated in mice by inoculation with the cryopreserved buffy coat of parasitologically confirmed animals. Fourteen stocks were thus isolated and subject to genotyping with PCRs targeting type-specific variant surface glycoprotein genes, mitochondrial minicircles and maxicircles, minisatellite markers and the F1-ATP synthase γ subunit gene. Nine stocks corresponded to type A, two stocks were type B and three stocks represented mixed infections between A and B, but not hybrids. One T. evansi type A stock was completely akinetoplastic. Five stocks were adapted to in vitro culture and subjected to a drug sensitivity assay with melarsomine dihydrochloride, diminazene diaceturate, isometamidium chloride and suramin. In vitro adaptation induced some loss of kinetoplasts within 60 days. No correlation between drug sensitivity and absence of the kinetoplast was observed. Sequencing the full coding sequence of the F1-ATP synthase γ subunit revealed new type-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms and deletions. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study addresses some limitations of current molecular markers for T. evansi genotyping. Polymorphism within the F1-ATP synthase γ subunit gene may provide new markers to identify the T. evansi type that do not rely on variant surface glycoprotein genes or kinetoplast DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadush Birhanu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
- KU Leuven, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Biosystems, Leuven, Belgium
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Bruno Maria Goddeeris
- KU Leuven, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Biosystems, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Büscher
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nick Van Reet
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
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Krüger T, Engstler M. Flagellar motility in eukaryotic human parasites. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 46:113-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Coutant EP, Janin YL. Synthetic Routes to Coelenterazine and Other Imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one Luciferins: Essential Tools for Bioluminescence-Based Investigations. Chemistry 2015; 21:17158-71. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201501531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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17
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Siciliano G, Alano P. Enlightening the malaria parasite life cycle: bioluminescent Plasmodium in fundamental and applied research. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:391. [PMID: 26029172 PMCID: PMC4426725 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The unicellular protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium impose on human health worldwide the enormous burden of malaria. The possibility to genetically modify several species of malaria parasites represented a major advance in the possibility to elucidate their biology and is now turning laboratory lines of transgenic Plasmodium into precious weapons to fight malaria. Amongst the various genetically modified plasmodia, transgenic parasite lines expressing bioluminescent reporters have been essential to unveil mechanisms of parasite gene expression and to develop in vivo imaging approaches in mouse malaria models. Mainly the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the rodent parasite P. berghei have been engineered to express bioluminescent reporters in almost all the developmental stages of the parasite along its complex life cycle between the insect and the vertebrate hosts. Plasmodium lines expressing conventional and improved luciferase reporters are now gaining a central role to develop cell based assays in the much needed search of new antimalarial drugs and to open innovative approaches for both fundamental and applied research in malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pietro Alano
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di SanitàRome, Italy
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Pyana Pati P, Van Reet N, Mumba Ngoyi D, Ngay Lukusa I, Karhemere Bin Shamamba S, Büscher P. Melarsoprol sensitivity profile of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense isolates from cured and relapsed sleeping sickness patients from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3212. [PMID: 25275572 PMCID: PMC4183442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei (T.b.) gambiense constitutes a serious health problem in sub-Sahara Africa. In some foci, alarmingly high relapse rates were observed in patients treated with melarsoprol, which used to be the first line treatment for patients in the neurological disease stage. Particularly problematic was the situation in Mbuji-Mayi, East Kasai Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a 57% relapse rate compared to a 5% relapse rate in Masi-Manimba, Bandundu Province. The present study aimed at investigating the mechanisms underlying the high relapse rate in Mbuji-Mayi using an extended collection of recently isolated T.b. gambiense strains from Mbuji-Mayi and from Masi-Manimba. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Forty five T.b. gambiense strains were used. Forty one were isolated from patients that were cured or relapsed after melarsoprol treatment in Mbuji-Mayi. In vivo drug sensitivity tests provide evidence of reduced melarsoprol sensitivity in these strains. This reduced melarsoprol sensitivity was not attributable to mutations in TbAT1. However, in all these strains, irrespective of the patient treatment outcome, the two aquaglyceroporin (AQP) 2 and 3 genes are replaced by chimeric AQP2/3 genes that may be associated with resistance to pentamidine and melarsoprol. The 4 T.b. gambiense strains isolated in Masi-Manimba contain both wild-type AQP2 and a different chimeric AQP2/3. These findings suggest that the reduced in vivo melarsoprol sensitivity of the Mbuji-Mayi strains and the high relapse rates in that sleeping sickness focus are caused by mutations in the AQP2/AQP3 locus and not by mutations in TbAT1. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We conclude that mutations in the TbAQP2/3 locus of the local T.b. gambiense strains may explain the high melarsoprol relapse rates in the Mbuji-Mayi focus but other factors must also be involved in the treatment outcome of individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patient Pyana Pati
- Département de Parasitologie, Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa Gombe, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- * E-mail:
| | - Nick Van Reet
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dieudonné Mumba Ngoyi
- Département de Parasitologie, Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa Gombe, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Ipos Ngay Lukusa
- Département de Parasitologie, Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa Gombe, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Stomy Karhemere Bin Shamamba
- Département de Parasitologie, Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa Gombe, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Philippe Büscher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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