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Hubbard IC, Thompson JS, Else KJ, Shears RK. Another decade of Trichuris muris research: An update and application of key discoveries. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2023; 121:1-63. [PMID: 37474238 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The mouse whipworm, Trichuris muris, has been used for over 60 years as a tractable model for human trichuriasis, caused by the related whipworm species, T. trichiura. The history of T. muris research, from the discovery of the parasite in 1761 to understanding the lifecycle and outcome of infection with different doses (high versus low dose infection), as well as the immune mechanisms associated with parasite expulsion and chronic infection have been detailed in an earlier review published in 2013. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of whipworm biology, host-parasite interactions and basic immunology brought about using the T. muris mouse model, focussing on developments from the last decade. In addition to the traditional high/low dose infection models that have formed the mainstay of T. muris research to date, novel models involving trickle (repeated low dose) infection in laboratory mice or infection in wild or semi-wild mice have led to important insights into how immunity develops in situ in a multivariate environment, while the use of novel techniques such as the development of caecal organoids (enabling the study of larval development ex vivo) promise to deliver important insights into host-parasite interactions. In addition, the genome and transcriptome analyses of T. muris and T. trichiura have proven to be invaluable tools, particularly in the context of vaccine development and identification of secreted products including proteins, extracellular vesicles and micro-RNAs, shedding further light on how these parasites communicate with their host and modulate the immune response to promote their own survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella C Hubbard
- Centre for Bioscience, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom; Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob S Thompson
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn J Else
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca K Shears
- Centre for Bioscience, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom; Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Michla M, Wilhelm C. Food for thought - ILC metabolism in the context of helminth infections. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1234-1242. [PMID: 36045216 PMCID: PMC9705246 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00559-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Helminths are multicellular ancient organisms residing as parasites at mucosal surfaces of their host. Through adaptation and co-evolution with their hosts, helminths have been able to develop tolerance mechanisms to limit inflammation and avoid expulsion. The study of helminth infections as an integral part of tissue immunology allowed us to understand fundamental aspects of mucosal and barrier immunology, which led to the discovery of a new group of tissue-resident immune cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILC), over a decade ago. Here, we review the intricate interplay between helminth infections and type 2 ILC (ILC2) biology, discuss the host metabolic adaptation to helminth infections and the metabolic pathways fueling ILC2 responses. We hypothesize that nutrient competition between host and helminths may have prevented chronic inflammation in the past and argue that a detailed understanding of the metabolic restraints imposed by helminth infections may offer new therapeutic avenues in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Michla
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Unit for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christoph Wilhelm
- grid.10388.320000 0001 2240 3300Unit for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Yousefi Y, Haq S, Banskota S, Kwon YH, Khan WI. Trichuris muris Model: Role in Understanding Intestinal Immune Response, Inflammation and Host Defense. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080925. [PMID: 34451389 PMCID: PMC8399713 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several parasites have evolved to survive in the human intestinal tract and over 1 billion people around the world, specifically in developing countries, are infected with enteric helminths. Trichuris trichiura is one of the world’s most common intestinal parasites that causes human parasitic infections. Trichuris muris, as an immunologically well-defined mouse model of T. trichiura, is extensively used to study different aspects of the innate and adaptive components of the immune system. Studies on T. muris model offer insights into understanding host immunity, since this parasite generates two distinct immune responses in resistant and susceptible strains of mouse. Apart from the immune cells, T. muris infection also influences various components of the intestinal tract, especially the gut microbiota, mucus layer, epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Here, we reviewed the different immune responses generated by innate and adaptive immune components during acute and chronic T. muris infections. Furthermore, we discussed the importance of studying T. muris model in understanding host–parasite interaction in the context of alteration in the host’s microbiota, intestinal barrier, inflammation, and host defense, and in parasite infection-mediated modulation of other immune and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeganeh Yousefi
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre Room 3N7, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.Y.); (S.H.); (S.B.); (Y.H.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Sabah Haq
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre Room 3N7, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.Y.); (S.H.); (S.B.); (Y.H.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Suhrid Banskota
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre Room 3N7, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.Y.); (S.H.); (S.B.); (Y.H.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Yun Han Kwon
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre Room 3N7, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.Y.); (S.H.); (S.B.); (Y.H.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Waliul I. Khan
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre Room 3N7, 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.Y.); (S.H.); (S.B.); (Y.H.K.)
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1200 Main St. W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-905-521-2100 (ext. 22846)
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4
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Bancroft AJ, Grencis RK. Immunoregulatory molecules secreted by Trichuris muris. Parasitology 2021; 148:1-7. [PMID: 34075864 PMCID: PMC8660643 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Trichuris, whipworm nematode infections are prevalent in humans, domestic livestock and mammals. All share an epithelial dwelling niche and similar life cycle with the chronic infections that follow implying that immune evasion mechanisms are operating. Nematode excretory secretory (ES) products have been shown to be a rich source of immunomodulatory molecules for many species. The Trichuris muris model is a natural parasite of mice and has been used extensively to study host–parasite interactions and provides a tractable platform for investigation of the immunoregulatory capacity of whipworm ES. The present review details progress in identification of the composition of T. muris ES, immunomodulatory components and their potential mechanisms of action. The adult T. muris secretome is dominated by one protein with modulatory capacity although remains to be completely characterized. In addition, the secretome contains multiple other proteins and small molecules that have immunomodulatory potential, certainly by comparison to other Trichuris species. Moreover, T. muris-derived exosomes/exosome-like vesicles contain both protein and multiple miRNAs providing an alternate delivery process for molecules with the potential to modulate host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J. Bancroft
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology and Inflammation, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, UK
| | - Richard K. Grencis
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology and Inflammation, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, UK
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Mair I, Else KJ, Forman R. Trichuris muris as a tool for holistic discovery research: from translational research to environmental bio-tagging. Parasitology 2021; 148:1-13. [PMID: 33952360 PMCID: PMC8660646 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202100069x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Trichuris spp. (whipworms) are intestinal nematode parasites which cause chronic infections associated with significant morbidities. Trichuris muris in a mouse is the most well studied of the whipworms and research on this species has been approached from a number of different disciplines. Research on T. muris in a laboratory mouse has provided vital insights into the host–parasite interaction through analyses of the immune responses to infection, identifying factors underpinning host susceptibility and resistance. Laboratory studies have also informed strategies for disease control through anthelmintics and vaccine research. On the contrary, research on naturally occurring infections with Trichuris spp. allows the analysis of the host–parasite co-evolutionary relationships and parasite genetic diversity. Furthermore, ecological studies utilizing Trichuris have aided our knowledge of the intricate relationships amongst parasite, host and environment. More recently, studies in wild and semi-wild settings have combined the strengths of the model organism of the house mouse with the complexities of context-dependent physiological responses to infection. This review celebrates the extraordinarily broad range of beneficiaries of whipworm research, from immunologists and parasitologists, through epidemiologists, ecologists and evolutionary biologists to the veterinary and medical communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Mair
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
| | - Kathryn J. Else
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
| | - Ruth Forman
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
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Bach T, Galbiati S, Kennedy JK, Deye G, Nomicos EYH, Codd EE, Garcia HH, Horton J, Gilman RH, Gonzalez AE, Winokur P, An G. Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Oxfendazole in Healthy Adults in an Open-Label Phase 1 Multiple Ascending Dose and Food Effect Study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:e01018-20. [PMID: 32816721 PMCID: PMC7577123 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01018-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurocysticercosis and trichuriasis are difficult-to-treat parasitic infections that affect more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. Oxfendazole, a potent broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic approved for use in veterinary medicine, has shown substantial antiparasitic activity against neurocysticercosis and intestinal helminths in preclinical studies. As part of a program to transition oxfendazole from veterinary medicine to human use, phase I multiple ascending dose and food effect studies were conducted. Thirty-six healthy adults were enrolled in an open-label study which evaluated (i) the pharmacokinetics and safety of oxfendazole following multiple ascending doses of oxfendazole oral suspension at 3, 7.5, and 15 mg/kg once daily for 5 days and (ii) the effect of food on oxfendazole pharmacokinetics and safety after a single 3-mg/kg dose administered following an overnight fast or the consumption of a fatty breakfast. Following multiple oral dose administration, the intestinal absorption of oxfendazole was rapid, with the time to maximum concentration of drug in serum (Tmax) ranging from 1.92 to 2.56 h. A similar half-life of oxfendazole (9.21 to 11.8 h) was observed across all dose groups evaluated, and oxfendazole exhibited significantly less than a dose-proportional increase in exposure. Oxfendazole plasma exposures were higher in female subjects than in male subjects. Following daily administration, oxfendazole reached a steady state in plasma on study day 3, with minimal accumulation. Food delayed the oxfendazole Tmax by a median of 6.88 h and resulted in a 49.2% increase in the maximum observed drug concentration in plasma (Cmax) and an 86.4% increase in the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). Oxfendazole was well tolerated in all study groups, and there were no major safety signals identified in this study. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT03035760.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Bach
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | | | - Gregory Deye
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Effie Y H Nomicos
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ellen E Codd
- Codd Consulting, LLC, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA
- Oxfendazole Development Group, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hector H Garcia
- Oxfendazole Development Group, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - John Horton
- Oxfendazole Development Group, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA
- Tropical Projects, Hitchin, United Kingdom
| | - Robert H Gilman
- Oxfendazole Development Group, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA
- Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Armando E Gonzalez
- Oxfendazole Development Group, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Global Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Patricia Winokur
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Guohua An
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Lopes-Torres EJ, Girard-Dias W, de Souza W, Miranda K. On the structural organization of the bacillary band of Trichuris muris under cryopreparation protocols and three-dimensional electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2020; 212:107611. [PMID: 32890779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Whipworms of the genus Trichuris are nematode parasites that infect mammals and can lead to various intestinal diseases of human and veterinary interest. The most intimate interaction between the parasite and the host intestine occurs through the anterior region of the nematode body, inserted into the intestinal mucosa during infection. One of the most prominent structures of the nematode surface found at the infection site is the bacillary band, a surface domain formed by a number of cells, mostly stichocytes and bacillary glands, whose structure and function are still under debate. Here, we used confocal microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, helium ion microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and FIB-SEM tomography to unveil the functional role of the bacillary gland cell. We analyzed the surface organization as well as the intracellular milieu of the bacillary glands of Trichuris muris in high pressure frozen/freeze-substituted samples. Results showed that the secretory content is preserved in all gland openings, presenting a projected pattern. FIB-SEM analysis showed that the lamellar zone within the bacillary gland chamber is formed by a set of lacunar structures that may exhibit secretory or absorptive functions. In addition, incubation of parasites with the fluid phase endocytosis marker sulforhodamine B showed a time-dependent uptake by the parasite mouth, followed by perfusion through different tissues with ultimate secretion through the bacillary gland. Taken together, the results show that the bacillary gland possess structural characteristics of secretory and absorptive cells and unequivocally demonstrate that the bacillary gland cell functions as a secretory structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Lopes-Torres
- Laboratório de Helmintologia Romero Lascasas Porto, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Brazil.
| | - W Girard-Dias
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - W de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, s/n Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, CEP: 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - K Miranda
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, s/n Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, CEP: 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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8
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Ribas A, Wells K, Morand S, Chaisiri K, Agatsuma T, Lakim MB, Yuh Tuh FY, Saijuntha W. Whipworms of south-east Asian rodents are distinct from Trichuris muris. Parasitol Int 2020; 77:102128. [PMID: 32330535 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The whipworm Trichuris muris is known to be associated with various rodent species in the northern hemisphere, but the species identity of whipworm infecting rodents in the Oriental region remains largely unknown. We collected Trichuris of Muridae rodents in mainland and insular Southeast Asia between 2008 and 2015 and used molecular and morphological approaches to identify the systematic position of new specimens. We discovered two new species that were clearly distinct from T. muris, both in terms of molecular phylogenetic clustering and morphological features, with one species found in Thailand and another one in Borneo. We named the new species from Thailand as Trichuris cossoni and the species from Borneo as Trichuris arrizabalagai. Molecular phylogeny using internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) showed a divergence between T. arrizabalagai n. sp., T. cossoni n. sp. and T. muris. Our findings of phylogeographically distinct Trichuris species despite some globally distributed host species requires further research into the distribution of different species, previously assumed to belong to T. muris, which has particular relevance for using these species as laboratory model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Ribas
- Parasitology Section, Department of Biology, Healthcare and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Konstans Wells
- Swansea University, Department of Biosciences, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Serge Morand
- CNRS-CIRAD, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Takeshi Agatsuma
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Oko, Nankoku 783-8505, Japan
| | - Maklarin B Lakim
- Sabah Parks, Lot 45 & 46 KK Times Square Coastal Highway, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Fred Y Yuh Tuh
- Sabah Parks, Lot 45 & 46 KK Times Square Coastal Highway, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Weerachai Saijuntha
- Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute (WRBRI), Biodiversity and Conservation Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
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O'Sullivan JDB, Cruickshank SM, Starborg T, Withers PJ, Else KJ. Characterisation of cuticular inflation development and ultrastructure in Trichuris muris using correlative X-ray computed tomography and electron microscopy. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5846. [PMID: 32246000 PMCID: PMC7125116 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasitic nematode Trichuris trichiura is a significant burden on public health in developing countries, and currently available drugs exhibit a poor cure rate. Worms live within a specialised tunnel of host intestinal epithelial cells and have anterior-ventral projections of the cuticle termed “cuticular inflations”, which are thought to be involved in host-parasite interactions. This work aimed to characterise structure and suggest a function of cuticular inflations in the most tractable and widely-used model of trichuriasis, Trichuris muris. Using scanning electron microscopy, we show for the first time that most cuticular inflations develop between the second and third larval moults. Correlative X-ray computed tomography (CT)-steered Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy enabled ultrastructural imaging of cuticular inflations, and showed the presence of an additional, web-like layer of cuticle between the median and cortical layers of the inflation. Additionally, we characterised variation in inflation morphology, resolving debate as to the inflations’ true shape in situ. Cells underlying the inflations had many mitochondria, and we highlight their potential capacity for active transport as an area for future investigation. Overall, insights from the powerful imaging techniques used provide an excellent basis for future study of cuticular inflation function.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D B O'Sullivan
- Henry Royce Institute, Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom. .,The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Sheena M Cruickshank
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Starborg
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Matrix Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J Withers
- Henry Royce Institute, Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn J Else
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
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Whipworm Infection Promotes Bacterial Invasion, Intestinal Microbiota Imbalance, and Cellular Immunomodulation. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00642-19. [PMID: 31843966 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00642-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with Trichuris trichiura are among the most common causes of intestinal parasitism in children worldwide, and the diagnosis is based on microscopic egg identification in the chronic phase of the infection. During parasitism, the adult worm of the trichurid nematode maintains its anterior region inserted in the intestinal mucosa, which causes serious damage and which may open access for gut microorganisms through the intestinal tissue. The immune-regulatory processes taking place during the evolution of the chronic infection are still not completely understood. By use of the Swiss Webster outbred mouse model, mice were infected with 200 eggs, and tolerance to the establishment of a chronic Trichuris muris infection was induced by the administration of a short pulse of dexamethasone during nematode early larval development. The infected mice presented weight loss, anemia, an imbalance of the microbiota, and intense immunological cell infiltration in the large intestine. It was found that mice have a mixed Th1/Th2/Th17 response, with differences being found among the different anatomical locations. After 45 days of infection, the parasitism induced changes in the microbiota composition and bacterial invasion of the large intestine epithelium. In addition, we describe that the excretory-secretory products from the nematode have anti-inflammatory effects on mouse macrophages cultured in vitro, suggesting that T. muris may modulate the immune response at the site of insertion of the worm inside mouse tissue. The data presented in this study suggest that the host immune state at 45 days postinfection with T. muris during the chronic phase of infection is the result of factors derived from the worm as well as alterations to the microbiota and bacterial invasion. Taken together, these results provide new information about the parasite-host-microbiota relationship and open new treatment possibilities.
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Helminth-microbiota cross-talk - A journey through the vertebrate digestive system. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 233:111222. [PMID: 31541662 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract of vertebrates is inhabited by a vast array of organisms, i.e., the microbiota and macrobiota. The former is composed largely of commensal microorganisms, which play vital roles in host nutrition and maintenance of energy balance, in addition to supporting the development and function of the vertebrate immune system. By contrast, the macrobiota includes parasitic helminths, which are mostly considered detrimental to host health via a range of pathogenic effects that depend on parasite size, location in the GI tract, burden of infection, metabolic activity, and interactions with the host immune system. Sharing the same environment within the vertebrate host, the GI microbiota and parasitic helminths interact with each other, and the results of such interactions may impact, directly or indirectly, on host health and homeostasis. The complex relationships occurring between parasitic helminths and microbiota have long been neglected; however, recent studies point towards a role for these interactions in the overall pathophysiology of helminth disease, as well as in parasite-mediated suppression of inflammation. Whilst several discrepancies in qualitative and quantitative modifications in gut microbiota composition have been described based on host and helminth species under investigation, we argue that attention should be paid to the systems biology of the gut compartment under consideration, as variations in the abundances of the same population of bacteria inhabiting different niches of the GI tract may result in varying functional consequences for host physiology.
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Williams SH, Che X, Oleynik A, Garcia JA, Muller D, Zabka TS, Firth C, Corrigan RM, Briese T, Jain K, Lipkin WI. Discovery of two highly divergent negative-sense RNA viruses associated with the parasitic nematode, Capillaria hepatica, in wild Mus musculus from New York City. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:1350-1362. [PMID: 31513008 PMCID: PMC7363305 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technology have led to a rapid expansion in the number of viral sequences associated with samples from vertebrates, invertebrates and environmental samples. Accurate host identification can be difficult in assays of complex samples that contain more than one potential host. Using unbiased metagenomic sequencing, we investigated wild house mice (Mus musculus) and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from New York City to determine the aetiology of liver disease. Light microscopy was used to characterize liver disease, and fluorescent microscopy with in situ hybridization was employed to identify viral cell tropism. Sequences representing two novel negative-sense RNA viruses were identified in homogenates of wild house mouse liver tissue: Amsterdam virus and Fulton virus. In situ hybridization localized viral RNA to Capillaria hepatica, a parasitic nematode that had infected the mouse liver. RNA from either virus was found within nematode adults and unembryonated eggs. Expanded PCR screening identified brown rats as a second rodent host for C. hepatica as well as both nematode-associated viruses. Our findings indicate that the current diversity of nematode-associated viruses may be underappreciated and that anatomical imaging offers an alternative to computational host assignment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon H Williams
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Che
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexandra Oleynik
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joel A Garcia
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dorothy Muller
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tanja S Zabka
- Development Sciences Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California
| | - Cadhla Firth
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | | | - Thomas Briese
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Komal Jain
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - W Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Starborg T, O'Sullivan JDB, Carneiro CM, Behnsen J, Else KJ, Grencis RK, Withers PJ. Experimental steering of electron microscopy studies using prior X-ray computed tomography. Ultramicroscopy 2019; 201:58-67. [PMID: 30928781 PMCID: PMC6504073 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Using microCT pre-scans to accurately steer serial block face SEM. High throughput screening and mapping samples to reduce time hunting for features of interest. Using microCT to optimise specimen preparation and staining. Using microCT to guide site-specific TEM sample preparation.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can provide unrivalled high-resolution images of specific features and volumes of interest. However, the regions interrogated are typically very small, and sample preparation is both time-consuming and destructive. Here we consider how prior X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) presents an opportunity to increase the efficiency of electron microscopy in biology. We demonstrate how it can be used to; select the most promising samples and target site-specific locations; provide a wider context of the location being interrogated (multiscale correlative imaging); guide sample preparation and 3D imaging schemes; as well as quantify the effects of destructive sample preparation and staining procedures. We present a workflow utilising open source software in which microCT can be used either broadly, or precisely, to experimentally steer and inform subsequent electron microscopy studies. As automated sample registration procedures are developed to enable correlative microscopy, experimental steering by prior CT could be beneficially routinely incorporated into many experimental workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Starborg
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Matrix Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - James D B O'Sullivan
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Claudia Martins Carneiro
- Immunopathology Laboratory, NUPEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Julia Behnsen
- Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Kathryn J Else
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Richard K Grencis
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Matrix Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Philip J Withers
- Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Hansen TVA, Williams AR, Denwood M, Nejsum P, Thamsborg SM, Friis C. Pathway of oxfendazole from the host into the worm: Trichuris suis in pigs. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2017; 7:416-424. [PMID: 29156431 PMCID: PMC5695533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that the efficacy of a single oral dose of benzimidazoles against Trichuris spp. infections in humans and animals is poor, but is currently still used in control programmes against human trichuriasis. However, the route of the benzimidazoles from the treated host to Trichuris remains unknown. As parts of adult Trichuris are situated intracellularly in the caecum, they might be exposed to anthelmintic drugs in the intestinal content as well as the mucosa. In this study, the pathway of oxfendazole and its metabolites was explored using a T. suis-pig infection model, by simultaneously measuring drug concentrations within the worms and the caecal mucosa, caecal tissue, caecal content and plasma of pigs over time after a single oral dose of 5 mg/kg oxfendazole. Additionally, for comparison to the in vivo study, drug uptake and metabolism of oxfendazole by T. suis was examined after in vitro incubation. Oxfendazole and metabolites were quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed a strong and highly significant association between OFZ concentrations within T. suis and in plasma, along with a weaker association between OFZ concentrations in caecal tissue/mucosa and T. suis, suggesting that oxfendazole reaches T. suis after absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and enters the worms by the blood-enterocyte pathway. The fenbendazole sulfone level in T. suis was highly affected by the concentrations in plasma. In addition, correlations between drug concentrations in the host compartments, were generally highest for this metabolite. In comparison to oxfendazole, the correlation between plasma and content was particularly high for this metabolite, suggesting a high level of drug movement between these compartments and the possible involvement of the enterohepatic circulation. Trichuris suis accumulate OFZ, FBZSO2 and FBZ without significant metabolism in vitro. OFZ concentrations in plasma, tissue and mucosa are major determinants of OFZ levels in worms. FBZSO2 concentration in plasma is the main determinant of FBZSO2 levels in T. suis. The blood-enterocyte pathway is proposed as the major route for OFZ to reach T. suis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina V A Hansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Andrew R Williams
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Matthew Denwood
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Stig M Thamsborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Christian Friis
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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15
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Partridge FA, Murphy EA, Willis NJ, Bataille CJR, Forman R, Heyer-Chauhan N, Marinič B, Sowood DJC, Wynne GM, Else KJ, Russell AJ, Sattelle DB. Dihydrobenz[e][1,4]oxazepin-2(3H)-ones, a new anthelmintic chemotype immobilising whipworm and reducing infectivity in vivo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005359. [PMID: 28182663 PMCID: PMC5321434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichuris trichiura is a human parasitic whipworm infecting around 500 million people globally, damaging the physical growth and educational performance of those infected. Current drug treatment options are limited and lack efficacy against the worm, preventing an eradication programme. It is therefore important to develop new treatments for trichuriasis. Using Trichuris muris, an established model for T. trichiura, we screened a library of 480 novel drug-like small molecules for compounds causing paralysis of the ex vivo adult parasite. We identified a class of dihydrobenz[e][1,4]oxazepin-2(3H)-one compounds with anthelmintic activity against T. muris. Further screening of structurally related compounds and resynthesis of the most potent molecules led to the identification of 20 active dihydrobenzoxazepinones, a class of molecule not previously implicated in nematode control. The most active immobilise adult T. muris with EC50 values around 25–50μM, comparable to the existing anthelmintic levamisole. The best compounds from this chemotype show low cytotoxicity against murine gut epithelial cells, demonstrating selectivity for the parasite. Developing a novel oral pharmaceutical treatment for a neglected disease and deploying it via mass drug administration is challenging. Interestingly, the dihydrobenzoxazepinone OX02983 reduces the ability of embryonated T. muris eggs to establish infection in the mouse host in vivo. Complementing the potential development of dihydrobenzoxazepinones as an oral anthelmintic, this supports an alternative strategy of developing a therapeutic that acts in the environment, perhaps via a spray, to interrupt the parasite lifecycle. Together these results show that the dihydrobenzoxazepinones are a new class of anthelmintic, active against both egg and adult stages of Trichuris parasites. They demonstrate encouraging selectivity for the parasite, and importantly show considerable scope for further optimisation to improve potency and pharmacokinetic properties with the aim of developing a clinical agent. Trichuris trichiura is a human parasitic whipworm infecting around 500 million people globally and having major consequences on the physical growth and educational performance of those infected. Current drug treatment options are limited and lack efficacy against the worm. Critically, they lack the effectiveness that would allow for a practical program for eradication of this parasite. It is therefore important to develop new treatments for trichuriasis. We screened for molecules that could paralyse the adult of a closely related mouse parasite, and identified a class of compounds, the dihydrobenzoxazepinones, not previously implicated as anthelmintics. Importantly, our compounds are active against the parasite but show only low toxicity against mouse cells, demonstrating selectivity for the parasite. Dihydrobenzoxazepinones could be developed as potential pharmaceutical treatments for trichuriasis. Since developing and deploying new drugs for neglected diseases by mass administration is challenging, we also explored whether the compounds could potentially be used to interrupt the Trichuris lifecycle by acting on eggs. Our dihydrobenzoxazepinone compounds reduced the ability of T. muris eggs to establish infection in their mouse host. This supports an environmental spray strategy for the control of Trichuris targeting their eggs in environmental hotspots such as latrines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick A. Partridge
- Centre for Respiratory Biology, UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma A. Murphy
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nicky J. Willis
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carole J. R. Bataille
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Forman
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Narinder Heyer-Chauhan
- Centre for Respiratory Biology, UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Marinič
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J. C. Sowood
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn J. Else
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KJE); (AJR); (DBS)
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KJE); (AJR); (DBS)
| | - David B. Sattelle
- Centre for Respiratory Biology, UCL Respiratory, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KJE); (AJR); (DBS)
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