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Lenière AC, Vlandas A, Follet J. Treating cryptosporidiosis: A review on drug discovery strategies. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100542. [PMID: 38669849 PMCID: PMC11066572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Despite several decades of research on therapeutics, cryptosporidiosis remains a major concern for human and animal health. Even though this field of research to assess antiparasitic drug activity is highly active and competitive, only one molecule is authorized to be used in humans. However, this molecule was not efficacious in immunocompromised people and the lack of animal therapeutics remains a cause of concern. Indeed, the therapeutic arsenal needs to be developed for both humans and animals. Our work aims to clarify research strategies that historically were diffuse and poorly directed. This paper reviews in vitro and in vivo methodologies to assess the activity of future therapeutic compounds by screening drug libraries or through drug repurposing. It focuses on High Throughput Screening methodologies (HTS) and discusses the lack of knowledge of target mechanisms. In addition, an overview of several specific metabolic pathways and enzymatic activities used as targets against Cryptosporidium is provided. These metabolic processes include glycolytic pathways, fatty acid production, kinase activities, tRNA elaboration, nucleotide synthesis, gene expression and mRNA maturation. As a conclusion, we highlight emerging future strategies for screening natural compounds and assessing drug resistance issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Charlotte Lenière
- University of Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Junia, Université Polytechnique Hauts de France, UMR 8520, IEMN Institut d'Electronique de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie, F, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Alexis Vlandas
- University of Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Junia, Université Polytechnique Hauts de France, UMR 8520, IEMN Institut d'Electronique de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie, F, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Jérôme Follet
- University of Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Junia, Université Polytechnique Hauts de France, UMR 8520, IEMN Institut d'Electronique de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie, F, 59000, Lille, France.
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Zhang CX, Conrad TM, Hermann D, Gordon MA, Houpt E, Iroh Tam P, Jere KC, Nedi W, Operario DJ, Phulusa J, Quinnan GV, Sawyer LA, Barrett LK, Thole H, Toto N, Van Voorhis WC, Arnold SLM. Clofazimine pharmacokinetics in HIV-infected adults with diarrhea: Implications of diarrheal disease on absorption of orally administered therapeutics. CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol 2024; 13:410-423. [PMID: 38164114 PMCID: PMC10941540 DOI: 10.1002/psp4.13092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral drug absorption kinetics are usually established in populations with a properly functioning gastrointestinal tract. However, many diseases and therapeutics can alter gastrointestinal physiology and cause diarrhea. The extent of diarrhea-associated impact on drug pharmacokinetics has not been quantitatively described. To address this knowledge gap, we used a population pharmacokinetic modeling approach with data collected in a phase IIa study of matched human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults with/without cryptosporidiosis and diarrhea to examine diarrhea-associated impact on oral clofazimine pharmacokinetics. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed with 428 plasma samples from 23 HIV-infected adults with/without Cryptosporidium infection using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Covariates describing cryptosporidiosis-associated diarrhea severity (e.g., number of diarrhea episodes, diarrhea grade) or HIV infection (e.g., viral load, CD4+ T cell count) were evaluated. A two-compartment model with lag time and first-order absorption and elimination best fit the data. Maximum diarrhea grade over the study duration was found to be associated with a more than sixfold reduction in clofazimine bioavailability. Apparent clofazimine clearance, intercompartmental clearance, central volume of distribution, and peripheral volume of distribution were 3.71 L/h, 18.2 L/h (interindividual variability [IIV] 45.0%), 473 L (IIV 3.46%), and 3434 L, respectively. The absorption rate constant was 0.625 h-1 (IIV 149%) and absorption lag time was 1.83 h. In conclusion, the maximum diarrhea grade observed for the duration of oral clofazimine administration was associated with a significant reduction in clofazimine bioavailability. Our results highlight the importance of studying disease impacts on oral therapeutic pharmacokinetics to inform dose optimization and maximize the chance of treatment success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy X. Zhang
- Department of PharmaceuticsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Thomas M. Conrad
- EmmesRockvilleMarylandUSA
- Present address:
AstraZenecaRockvilleMDUSA
| | | | - Melita A. Gordon
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research GroupMalawi‐Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
- Institute of Infection and Global HealthUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Eric Houpt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International HealthUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Pui‐Ying Iroh Tam
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research GroupMalawi‐Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Khuzwayo C. Jere
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research GroupMalawi‐Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
- Institute of Infection and Global HealthUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Wilfred Nedi
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research GroupMalawi‐Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
| | - Darwin J. Operario
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International HealthUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
- Present address:
World Health OrganizationSuvaCentralFiji
| | - Jacob Phulusa
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research GroupMalawi‐Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
| | | | | | - Lynn K. Barrett
- Center for Emerging and Re‐emerging Infectious DiseasesUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Herbert Thole
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research GroupMalawi‐Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
| | - Neema Toto
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re‐emerging Infectious DiseasesUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
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Ali M, Xu C, Nawaz S, Ahmed AE, Hina Q, Li K. Anti-Cryptosporidial Drug-Discovery Challenges and Existing Therapeutic Avenues: A "One-Health" Concern. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:80. [PMID: 38255695 PMCID: PMC10820218 DOI: 10.3390/life14010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is the leading cause of life-threatening diarrheal infection, especially in infants. Oocysts contaminate the environment, and also, being a zoonotic disease, cryptosporidiosis is a threat to One Health. Nitazoxanide is the only FDA-approved drug, effective only in immunocompetent adults, and is not safe for infants. The absence of mitochondria and apicoplast, the presence of an electron-dense band (ED band), hindrances in its genetic and phenotypic manipulations, and its unique position inside the host cell are some challenges to the anti-cryptosporidial drug-discovery process. However, many compounds, including herbal products, have shown efficacy against Cryptosporidium during in vitro and in vivo trials. Still, the "drug of choice" against this protozoan parasite, especially in immunocompromised individuals and infants, has not yet been explored. The One-Health approach addresses this issue, focusing on the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health. The objective of this review is to provide knowledge about novel anti-cryptosporidial drug targets, available treatment options with associated limitations, and possible future shifts toward natural products to treat cryptosporidiosis. The current review is organized to address the treatment and prevention of cryptosporidiosis. An anti-cryptosporidial drug that is effective in immunocompromised individuals and infants is a necessity of our time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munwar Ali
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (M.A.); (C.X.)
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (M.A.); (C.X.)
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shah Nawaz
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Qazal Hina
- Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Kun Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (M.A.); (C.X.)
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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4
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Shaw S, Cohn IS, Baptista RP, Xia G, Melillo B, Agyabeng-Dadzie F, Kissinger JC, Striepen B. Genetic crosses within and between species of Cryptosporidium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313210120. [PMID: 38147547 PMCID: PMC10769859 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313210120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites and their hosts are engaged in reciprocal coevolution that balances competing mechanisms of virulence, resistance, and evasion. This often leads to host specificity, but genomic reassortment between different strains can enable parasites to jump host barriers and conquer new niches. In the apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium, genetic exchange has been hypothesized to play a prominent role in adaptation to humans. The sexual lifecycle of the parasite provides a potential mechanism for such exchange; however, the boundaries of Cryptosporidium sex are currently undefined. To explore this experimentally, we established a model for genetic crosses. Drug resistance was engineered using a mutated phenylalanyl tRNA synthetase gene and marking strains with this and the previously used Neo transgene enabled selection of recombinant progeny. This is highly efficient, and genomic recombination is evident and can be continuously monitored in real time by drug resistance, flow cytometry, and PCR mapping. Using this approach, multiple loci can now be modified with ease. We demonstrate that essential genes can be ablated by crossing a Cre recombinase driver strain with floxed strains. We further find that genetic crosses are also feasible between species. Crossing Cryptosporidium parvum, a parasite of cattle and humans, and Cryptosporidium tyzzeri a mouse parasite resulted in progeny with a recombinant genome derived from both species that continues to vigorously replicate sexually. These experiments have important fundamental and translational implications for the evolution of Cryptosporidium and open the door to reverse- and forward-genetic analysis of parasite biology and host specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Shaw
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Ian S. Cohn
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Rodrigo P. Baptista
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX77030
| | - Guoqin Xia
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Bruno Melillo
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA92037
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA02142
| | | | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
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Liu M, Zhang D, Wang D, Wu X, Zhang Y, Yin J, Zhu G. Cost-effective In Vivo and In Vitro Mouse Models for Evaluating Anticryptosporidial Drug Efficacy: Assessing Vorinostat, Docetaxel, and Baicalein. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:1430-1440. [PMID: 37418629 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidiosis is a significant diarrheal disease in humans and animals. Immunodeficient mice are the primary small animal models, but their high costs and specialized breeding/housing requirements limit in vivo drug testing. Numerous anticryptosporidial lead compounds identified in vitro remain untested in vivo. METHODS Cryptosporidium tyzzeri, a natural mouse parasite closely related to Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis, was isolated to establish an infection model in immunocompetent mice. The model was validated using classic anticryptosporidial drugs (paromomycin and nitazoxanide) and then employed to assess the efficacy of 3 new leads (vorinostat, docetaxel, and baicalein). An in vitro culture of C. tyzzeri was also developed to complement the animal model. RESULTS Chronic C. tyzzeri infection was established in chemically immunosuppressed wild-type mice. Paromomycin (1000 mg/kg/d) and nitazoxanide (100 mg/kg/d) demonstrated efficacy against C. tyzzeri. Vorinostat (30 mg/kg/d), docetaxel (25 mg/kg/d), and baicalein (50 mg/kg/d) were highly effective against C. tyzzeri infection. In vitro, nitazoxanide, vorinostat, docetaxel, and baicalein exhibited low to submicromolar efficacy against C. tyzzeri. CONCLUSIONS Novel in vivo and in vitro models have been developed for cost-effective anticryptosporidial drug testing. Vorinostat, docetaxel, and baicalein show potential for repurposing and/or optimization for developing new anticryptosporidial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Di Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Dongqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaodong Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jigang Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Guan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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6
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Ponsonby-Thomas E, Salim M, Klein LD, Clulow AJ, Seibt S, Boyd BJ. Evaluating human milk as a drug delivery vehicle for clofazimine to premature infants. J Control Release 2023; 362:257-267. [PMID: 37619865 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Human milk is proposed as a drug delivery vehicle suitable for use in neonatal patients. Clofazimine, traditionally used for the treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis, is emerging as a treatment for cryptosporidiosis in infants, however its poor aqueous solubility has led to its commercial formulation as a waxy lipid formulation in a capsule, a format that is not suitable for infants. In this study, the evaluation of pasteurised human milk for the delivery of clofazimine was investigated using an in vitro lipolysis model to simulate gastric and intestinal digestion. The total lipid composition of the human milk was characterised alongside the liberated fatty acid species following digestion for comparison to alternative lipid-based delivery systems. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to measure the presence of crystalline clofazimine during digestion and hence the extent of drug solubilisation. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify the mass of clofazimine solubilised per gram of human milk fat (drug-to-fat ratio) in digested and undigested human milk. The digestion process was essential for the solubilisation of clofazimine, with digested human milk solubilising a sufficient dose of clofazimine for treatment of a premature infant. Human milk solubilised the clofazimine to a greater extent than bovine milk and infant formula during digestion, most likely as a result of differing lipid composition and increased long-chain fatty acid concentrations. These findings show that human milk enhances the solubility of clofazimine as a model drug and may be a suitable drug delivery vehicle for infant populations requiring therapeutic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie Ponsonby-Thomas
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Malinda Salim
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Laura D Klein
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Strategy and Growth, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, 17 O'Riordan St, Alexandria, NSW 2015, Australia
| | - Andrew J Clulow
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Susi Seibt
- Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Ben J Boyd
- Drug Delivery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Beshay EVN, Nassef NE, El Shafei OK, Saleh MM, Kora MA, Shalaan FH. Therapeutic efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole) on cryptosporidiosis parvum in immunosuppressed experimental mice. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:535-549. [PMID: 37520212 PMCID: PMC10382457 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01592-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most frequent food and water-borne diseases. The disease might be life-threatening in immunosuppressed patients. Unfortunately, the only approved drug, nitazoxanide, is with variable efficacies, particularly in malnourished children and immunocompromised patients. Therefore, there is a need to discover an alternative treatment that could be achieved by targeting the metabolic pathways. One of the important enzymes in the glycolysis pathway of C. parvum is triosephosphate isomerase, which could be hindered by the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) omeprazole. In this study, omeprazole was repurposed against C. parvum infection in experimentally immunosuppressed mice. This study was conducted on five mice groups (n = 10). Group I (Normal Control), group II (Infected Control): Mice were infected orally with 1 × 105 C. parvum oocysts on the 15th day of DEX induced immunosuppression. Group III (NTZ-treated): infected and treated by NTZ. Group IV (Omeprazole-treated), and lastly, Group V (NTZ + Omeprazole-treated). The result obtained with omeprazole alone was better than nitazoxanide regarding oocyst shedding reduction percentages (84.9% & 56.1%, respectively). Also, it was better regarding restoration of histopathological and ultrastructural architectures, improvement of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and renal functions (urea and creatinine), and the reduction of C. parvum triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) gene expression by RT-PCR. However, the best results were obtained with the combined treatment. Hence, omeprazole could be considered a novel drug option to treat this life-threatening parasitic infection either alone or combined with NTZ, especially in immunosuppressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Engy V. N. Beshay
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Yassin Abdel Gaffar St. from Gamal Abdel Nasser St., Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia Egypt
| | - Nashaat E. Nassef
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Yassin Abdel Gaffar St. from Gamal Abdel Nasser St., Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia Egypt
| | - Omaima K. El Shafei
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Yassin Abdel Gaffar St. from Gamal Abdel Nasser St., Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia Egypt
| | - Mona M. Saleh
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Yassin Abdel Gaffar St. from Gamal Abdel Nasser St., Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia Egypt
| | - Mona A. Kora
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia Egypt
| | - Fatma H. Shalaan
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Yassin Abdel Gaffar St. from Gamal Abdel Nasser St., Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia Egypt
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8
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Shaw S, Cohn IS, Baptista RP, Xia G, Melillo B, Agyabeng-Dadzie F, Kissinger JC, Striepen B. Genetic crosses within and between species of Cryptosporidium. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.04.551960. [PMID: 37577700 PMCID: PMC10418217 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.04.551960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Parasites and their hosts are engaged in rapid coevolution that balances competing mechanisms of virulence, resistance, and evasion. This often leads to host specificity, but genomic reassortment between different strains can enable parasites to jump host barriers and conquer new niches. In the apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium genetic exchange has been hypothesized to play a prominent role in adaptation to humans. The sexual lifecycle of the parasite provides a potential mechanism for such exchange; however, the boundaries of Cryptosporidium sex are currently undefined. To explore this experimentally, we established a model for genetic crosses. Drug resistance was engineered using a mutated phenylalanyl tRNA synthetase gene and marking strains with this and the previously used Neo transgene enabled selection of recombinant progeny. This is highly efficient, and genomic recombination is evident and can be continuously monitored in real time by drug resistance, flow cytometry, and PCR mapping. Using this approach multiple loci can now be modified with ease. We demonstrate that essential genes can be ablated by crossing a Cre recombinase driver strain with floxed strains. We further find that genetic crosses are also feasible between species. Crossing C. parvum, a parasite of cattle and humans, and C. tyzzeri a mouse parasite resulted in progeny with a recombinant genome derived from both species that continues to vigorously replicate sexually. These experiments have important fundamental and translational implications for the evolution of Cryptosporidium and open the door to reverse- and forward- genetic analysis of parasite biology and host specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Shaw
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ian S. Cohn
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Guoqin Xia
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA
| | - Bruno Melillo
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Institute of Bioinformatics University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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9
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Hanna JC, Corpas-Lopez V, Seizova S, Colon BL, Bacchetti R, Hall GMJ, Sands EM, Robinson L, Baragaña B, Wyllie S, Pawlowic MC. Mode of action studies confirm on-target engagement of lysyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor and lead to new selection marker for Cryptosporidium. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1236814. [PMID: 37600947 PMCID: PMC10436570 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1236814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrheal-associated morbidity and mortality, predominantly affecting children under 5 years old in low-and-middle-income countries. There is no effective treatment and no vaccine. New therapeutics are emerging from drug discovery efforts. It is critical that mode of action studies are performed alongside drug discovery to ensure the best clinical outcomes. Unfortunately, technology to identify and validate drug targets for Cryptosporidium is severely lacking. Methods We used C. parvum lysyl-tRNA synthetase (CpKRS) and DDD01510706 as a target-compound pair to develop both chemical and genetic tools for mode of action studies for Cryptosporidium. We adapted thermal proteome profiling (TPP) for Cryptosporidium, an unbiased approach for target identification. Results Using TPP we identified the molecular target of DDD01510706 and confirm that it is CpKRS. Genetic tools confirm that CpKRS is expressed throughout the life cycle and that this target is essential for parasite survival. Parasites genetically modified to over-express CpKRS or parasites with a mutation at the compound-binding site are resistant to treatment with DDD01510706. We leveraged these mutations to generate a second drug selection marker for genetic modification of Cryptosporidium, KRSR. This second selection marker is interchangeable with the original selection marker, NeoR, and expands the range of reverse genetic approaches available to study parasite biology. Due to the sexual nature of the Cryptosporidium life cycle, parental strains containing different drug selection markers can be crossed in vivo. Discussion Selection with both drug markers produces highly efficient genetic crosses (>99% hybrid progeny), paving the way for forward genetics approaches in Cryptosporidium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack C. Hanna
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Corpas-Lopez
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Simona Seizova
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice L. Colon
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Ross Bacchetti
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Grant M. J. Hall
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Emma M. Sands
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Robinson
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Baragaña
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Mattie C. Pawlowic
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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10
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Lee S, Love MS, Modukuri R, Chatterjee AK, Huerta L, Lawson AP, McNamara CW, Mead JR, Hedstrom L, Cuny GD. Structure-activity relationship of BMS906024 derivatives for Cryptosporidium parvum growth inhibition. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 90:129328. [PMID: 37196868 PMCID: PMC10290938 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BMS906024, a γ-secretase inhibitor that blocks Notch signaling, was previously shown to inhibit Cryptosporidium parvum growth in vitro. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis of BMS906024 reported herein demonstrates the importance of the stereochemistry of the C-3 benzodiazepine and the succinyl β-substituent. However, concomitant removal of the succinyl α-substituent and switching the primary amide with secondary amides was tolerated. For example, 32 (SH287) inhibited C. parvum growth in HCT-8 host cells with an EC50 = 6.4 nM and an EC90 = 16 nM; however, blocking C. parvum growth with BMS906024 derivatives was correlative with inhibition of Notch signaling, highlighting that additional SAR analysis will be needed to separate these two activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungheon Lee
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Health Building 2, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Melissa S Love
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ramkumar Modukuri
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Arnab K Chatterjee
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Lauren Huerta
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ann P Lawson
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Case W McNamara
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jan R Mead
- Atlanta VA Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lizbeth Hedstrom
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham, MA 02454, USA; Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Gregory D Cuny
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Health Building 2, Houston, TX 77204, USA.
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11
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El-Wakil ES, Abdelmaksoud HF, Wakid MH, Alsulami MN, Hammam O, Albohiri HH, Ghallab MMI. Annona muricata Leaf as an Anti-Cryptosporidial Agent: An In Silico Molecular Docking Analysis and In Vivo Studies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:878. [PMID: 37375825 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is a serious parasitic diarrheal disease linked to the occurrence of colorectal cancer in immunocompromised patients. The FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) achieved a temporary effect, and relapses occur. Annona muricata leaf is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of disorders, including antiparasitic and anticancer effects. So, this study aimed to investigate Annona muricata leaf antiparasitic and anticancer properties compared to NTZ in Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) acutely and chronically infected immunosuppressed mice. A molecular docking analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of some biologically active compounds that represented the pharmacological properties of Annona muricata leaf-rich extract toward C. parvum lactate dehydrogenase compared to NTZ. For the in vivo study, eighty immunosuppressed albino mice were classified into four groups as follows: group I: infected and treated with A. muricata; group II: infected and treated with nitazoxanide; group III: infected and received no treatment; and group IV: were neither infected nor treated. Furthermore, half of the mice in groups I and II received the drugs on the 10th day post-infection (dpi), and the other half received treatment on the 90th day post-infection. Parasitological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed. The docking analysis showed that the lowest estimated free energy of binding of annonacin, casuarine, L-epigallocatechin, P-coumaric acid, and ellagic acid toward C. parvum LDH, were -6.11, -6.32, -7.51, -7.81, and -9.64 kcal/mol, respectively, while NTZ was -7.03 kcal/mol. Parasitological examination displayed a significantly high difference in C. parvum oocyst mean counts in groups I and II compared to group III (p-value < 0.001), with group I demonstrating the highest efficacy. The analyses of histopathological and immunohistochemical results revealed that group I showed restoration of the normal villous pattern without evidence of dysplasia or malignancy. A. muricata leaf has proved to be a reliable agent for Cryptosporidium treatment. This paper argues for its promising use as an antiparasitic agent and for the prevention of neoplastic sequels of Cryptosporidium infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman S El-Wakil
- Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba 12411, Egypt
| | - Hagar F Abdelmaksoud
- Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba 12411, Egypt
| | - Majed H Wakid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muslimah N Alsulami
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Olfat Hammam
- Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba 12411, Egypt
| | - Haleema H Albohiri
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marwa M I Ghallab
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
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12
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Hulverson MA, Choi R, Schaefer DA, Betzer DP, McCloskey MC, Whitman GR, Huang W, Lee S, Pranata A, McLeod MD, Marsh KC, Kempf DJ, LeRoy BE, Zafiratos MT, Bielinski AL, Hackman RC, Ojo KK, Arnold SLM, Barrett LK, Tzipori S, Riggs MW, Fan E, Van Voorhis WC. Comparison of Toxicities among Different Bumped Kinase Inhibitor Analogs for Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0142522. [PMID: 36920244 PMCID: PMC10112232 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01425-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances on the development of bumped kinase inhibitors for treatment of cryptosporidiosis have focused on the 5-aminopyrazole-4-carboxamide scaffold, due to analogs that have less hERG inhibition, superior efficacy, and strong in vitro safety profiles. Three compounds, BKI-1770, -1841, and -1708, showed strong efficacy in C. parvum infected mice. Both BKI-1770 and BKI-1841 had efficacy in the C. parvum newborn calf model, reducing diarrhea and oocyst excretion. However, both compounds caused hyperflexion of the limbs seen as dropped pasterns. Toxicity experiments in rats and calves dosed with BKI-1770 showed enlargement of the epiphyseal growth plate at doses only slightly higher than the efficacious dose. Mice were used as a screen to check for bone toxicity, by changes to the tibia epiphyseal growth plate, or neurological causes, by use of a locomotor activity box. These results showed neurological effects from both BKI-1770 and BKI-1841 and bone toxicity in mice from BKI-1770, indicating one or both effects may be contributing to toxicity. However, BKI-1708 remains a viable treatment candidate for further evaluation as it showed no signs of bone toxicity or neurological effects in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Hulverson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ryan Choi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Deborah A. Schaefer
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Dana P. Betzer
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Molly C. McCloskey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Grant R. Whitman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Wenlin Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sangun Lee
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andy Pranata
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Malcolm D. McLeod
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Kennan C. Marsh
- Research and Development, AbbVie, Inc., North Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Dale J. Kempf
- Research and Development, AbbVie, Inc., North Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Former employee of AbbVie, Inc., North Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bruce E. LeRoy
- Research and Development, AbbVie, Inc., North Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mark T. Zafiratos
- Research and Development, AbbVie, Inc., North Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Robert C. Hackman
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Samuel L. M. Arnold
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lynn K. Barrett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Saul Tzipori
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael W. Riggs
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Erkang Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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13
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Yamanouchi K, Ishimaru T, Kakuno T, Takemoto Y, Kawatsu S, Kondo K, Maruyama M, Higaki K. Improvement and characterization of oral absorption behavior of clofazimine by SNEDDS: Quantitative evaluation of extensive lymphatic transport. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 187:141-155. [PMID: 37076052 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Clofazimine, an anti-leprosy drug, has been anticipated for a candidate to treat tuberculosis, cryptosporidiosis, and coronavirus infection, but its low oral bioavailability is considered a reason for its limited activity. In the current study, we have tried to improve the oral bioavailability of clofazimine by several SNEDDS formulations and characterized the absorption behavior from various aspects. Among four SNEDDS formulations prepared, SNEDDS A, prepared with castor oil as an oil component, provided the highest bioavailability (around 61%) and SNEDDS D, prepared with Capryol 90, gave the second highest bioavailability. SNEDDS A formed the finest nanoparticles, which were maintained under gastric and intestinal luminal conditions. The comparison in oral bioavailability between the SNEDDS formulation and its corresponding preformed nanoemulsion suggested that SNEDDS A would efficiently form nanoemulsion in the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. AUC of mesenteric lymph node concentration was the highest for SNEDDS A, which would be one of the reasons for SNEDDS A to reveal the highest oral bioavailability. A cycloheximide-treated oral absorption study and single-pass perfusion study by utilizing a vascular-luminal perfused small intestine-liver preparation clearly indicated that over 90% of clofazimine absorbed to systemic circulation should be derived from lymphatic transport for both SNEDDS A and D. Furthermore, the fraction of dose absorbed was around 65% for SNEDDS D, but SNEDDS A achieved around 94%, indicating the excellent performance of SNEDDS A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Yamanouchi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Development, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. 3-1-1 Futaba-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Tomoki Ishimaru
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Nonclinical Research Center, Tokushima Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 463-10 Kagasuno, Kawauchi-cho, Tokushima 771-0192, Japan
| | - Takuya Kakuno
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Department, Nipro Co. 3023 Noji-cho, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-0055, Japan
| | - Yuki Takemoto
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Sho Kawatsu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; Formulation Design, Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Technology, Astellas Pharma Inc. 180 Ozumi, Yaizu, Shizuoka 425-0072, Japan
| | - Keiji Kondo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; Preformulation Research Laboratory, CMC Headquarters, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 224-18 Hiraishi Ebisuno, Kawauchi-cho, Tokushima 771-0182, Japan
| | - Masato Maruyama
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Higaki
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.
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14
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Miglianico M, Bolscher JM, Vos MW, Koolen KJM, de Bruijni M, Rajagopal DS, Chen E, Kiczun M, Gray D, Campo B, Sauerwein RW, Dechering KJ. Assessment of the drugability of initial malaria infection through miniaturized sporozoite assays and high-throughput screening. Commun Biol 2023; 6:216. [PMID: 36823266 PMCID: PMC9950425 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04599-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The sporozoite stages of malaria parasites are the primary cause of infection of the vertebrate host and are targeted by (experimental) vaccines. Yet, little is known about their susceptibility to chemical intervention. Phenotypic high-throughput screens have not been feasible due to a lack of in vitro systems. Here we tested 78 marketed and experimental antimalarial compounds in miniaturized assays addressing sporozoite viability, gliding motility, hepatocyte traversal, and intrahepatocytic schizogony. None potently interfered with sporozoite viability or motility but ten compounds acted at the level of schizogony with IC50s < 100 nM. To identify compounds directly targeting sporozoites, we screened 81,000 compounds from the Global Health Diversity and reFRAME libraries in a sporozoite viability assay using a parasite expressing a luciferase reporter driven by the circumsporozoite promoter. The ionophore gramicidin emerged as the single hit from this screening campaign. Its effect on sporozoite viability translated into reduced gliding motility and an inability of sporozoites to invade human primary hepatocytes and develop into hepatic schizonts. While providing proof of concept for a small molecule sporontocidal mode of action, our combined data indicate that liver schizogony is more accessible to chemical intervention by (candidate) antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emily Chen
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Michael Kiczun
- Drug Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - David Gray
- Drug Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Brice Campo
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland
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15
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Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Display Potent Activity against Cryptosporidium parvum. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0387422. [PMID: 36533912 PMCID: PMC9927415 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03874-22] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal disease (cryptosporidiosis) and death in young children. Cryptosporidiosis can be life-threatening in individuals with weak immunity such as HIV/AIDS patients and organ transplant recipients. There is currently no effective drug to treat cryptosporidiosis in the pediatric and immunocompromised population. Therefore, there is an urgent need to expedite the drug discovery process in order to develop new and effective therapies to reduce the global disease burden of cryptosporidiosis. In this study, we employed a drug repurposing strategy to screen a library of 473 human kinase inhibitors to determine their activity against Cryptosporidium parvum. We have identified 67 new anti-cryptosporidial compounds using phenotypic screening based on a transgenic C. parvum strain expressing a luciferase reporter. Further, dose-response assays led to the identification of 11 hit compounds that showed potent inhibition of C. parvum at nanomolar concentration. Kinome profiling of these 11 prioritized hits identified compounds that displayed selectivity in targeting specific families of kinases, particularly tyrosine kinases. Overall, this study identified tyrosine kinase inhibitors that hold potential for future development as new drug candidates against cryptosporidiosis. IMPORTANCE The intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of diarrhea-associated morbidity and mortality in children, immunocompromised people, and young ruminant animals. With no effective drug available to treat cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals, there is an urgent need to identify anti-parasitic compounds and new targets for drug development. To address this unmet need, we screened a GSK library of kinase inhibitors and identified several potent compounds, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, that were highly effective in killing C. parvum. Overall, our study revealed several novel compounds and a new family of kinases that can be targeted for anti-cryptosporidial drug development.
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16
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Khan SM, Witola WH. Past, current, and potential treatments for cryptosporidiosis in humans and farm animals: A comprehensive review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1115522. [PMID: 36761902 PMCID: PMC9902888 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1115522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasite of the genus Cryptosporidium is among the leading causes of waterborne diarrheal disease outbreaks throughout the world. The parasite is transmitted by ingestion of infective oocysts that are highly stable in the environment and resistant to almost all conventional disinfection methods and water treatments. Control of the parasite infection is exceedingly difficult due to the excretion of large numbers of oocysts in the feces of infected individuals that contaminate the environment and serve as a source of infection for susceptible hosts including humans and animals. Drug development against the parasite is challenging owing to its limited genetic tractability, absence of conventional drug targets, unique intracellular location within the host, and the paucity of robust cell culture platforms for continuous parasite propagation. Despite the high prevalence of the parasite, the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment of Cryptosporidium infections is nitazoxanide, which has shown moderate efficacy in immunocompetent patients. More importantly, no effective therapeutic drugs are available for treating severe, potentially life-threatening cryptosporidiosis in immunodeficient patients, young children, and neonatal livestock. Thus, safe, inexpensive, and efficacious drugs are urgently required to reduce the ever-increasing global cryptosporidiosis burden especially in low-resource countries. Several compounds have been tested for both in vitro and in vivo efficacy against the disease. However, to date, only a few experimental compounds have been subjected to clinical trials in natural hosts, and among those none have proven efficacious. This review provides an overview of the past and present anti-Cryptosporidium pharmacotherapy in humans and agricultural animals. Herein, we also highlight the progress made in the field over the last few years and discuss the different strategies employed for discovery and development of effective prospective treatments for cryptosporidiosis.
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17
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Khan NF, Salim M, Binte Abu Bakar SY, Ristroph K, Prud'homme RK, Hawley A, Boyd BJ, Clulow AJ. Small-volume in vitro lipid digestion measurements for assessing drug dissolution in lipid-based formulations using SAXS. Int J Pharm X 2022; 4:100113. [PMID: 35243327 PMCID: PMC8881665 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2022.100113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid-based formulations improve the absorption capacity of poorly-water-soluble drugs and digestion of the formulation is a critical step in that absorption process. A recent approach to understanding the propensity for drug to dissolve in digesting lipid-based formulations couples an in vitro pH-stat lipolysis model to small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) by means of a flow-through capillary. However, the conventional pH-stat apparatus used to measure the extent of lipid digestion during such experiments requires digest volumes of 15–30 mL and drug doses of 50–200 mg, which is problematic for scarce compounds and can require excessive amounts of formulation reagents. This manuscript describes an approach to reduce the amount of material required for in vitro lipolysis experiments coupled to SAXS, for use in instances where the amount of drug or formulation medium is limited. Importantly, this was achieved while maintaining the pH stat conditions, which is critical for maintaining biorelevance and driving digestion to completion. The digestibility of infant formula with the poorly-water-soluble drugs halofantrine and clofazimine dispersed into it was measured as an exemplar paediatric-friendly lipid formulation. Halofantrine was incorporated in its powdered free base form and clofazimine was incorporated both as unformulated drug powder and as drug in nanoparticulate form prepared using Flash NanoPrecipitation. The fraction of triglyceride digested was found to be independent of vessel size and the incorporation of drug. The dissolution of the two forms of clofazimine during the digestion of infant formula were then measured using synchrotron SAXS, which revealed complete and partial solubilisation over 30 min of digestion for the powdered drug and nanoparticle formulations, respectively. The main challenge in reducing the volume of the measurements was in ensuring that thorough mixing was occurring in the smaller digestion vessel to provide uniform sampling of the dispersion medium.
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18
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Identification of potent anti-Cryptosporidium new drug leads by screening traditional Chinese medicines. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010947. [PMID: 36441814 PMCID: PMC9731497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. are gastrointestinal opportunistic protozoan parasites that infect humans, domestic animals, and wild animals all over the world. Cryptosporidiosis is the second leading infectious diarrheal disease in infants less than 5 years old. Cryptosporidiosis is a common zoonotic disease associated with diarrhea in infants and immunocompromised individuals. Consequently, cryptosporidiosis is considered a serious economic, veterinary, and medical concern. The treatment options for cryptosporidiosis are limited. To address this problem, we screened a natural product library containing 87 compounds of Traditional Chinese Medicines for anti-Cryptosporidium compounds that could serve as novel drug leads and therapeutic targets against C. parvum. To examine the anti-Cryptosporidium activity and half-maximal inhibitory doses (EC50) of these compounds, we performed in vitro assays (Cryptosporidium growth inhibition assay and host cell viability assay) and in vivo experiments in mice. In these assays, the C. parvum HNJ-1 strain was used. Four of the 87 compounds (alisol-A, alisol-B, atropine sulfate, and bufotalin) showed strong anti-Cryptosporidium activity in vitro (EC50 values = 122.9±6.7, 79.58±13.8, 253.5±30.3, and 63.43±18.7 nM, respectively), and minimum host cell cytotoxicity (cell survival > 95%). Furthermore, atropine sulfate (200 mg/kg) and bufotalin (0.1 mg/kg) also showed in vivo inhibitory effects. Our findings demonstrate that atropine sulfate and bufotalin are effective against C. parvum infection both in vitro and in vivo. These compounds may, therefore, represent promising novel anti-Cryptosporidium drug leads for future medications against cryptosporidiosis.
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19
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Willmer AR, Nie J, De la Rosa MVG, Wen W, Dunne S, Rosania GR. Molecular design of a pathogen activated, self-assembling mechanopharmaceutical device. J Control Release 2022; 347:620-631. [PMID: 35623493 PMCID: PMC9901583 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Weakly basic small molecule drugs like clofazimine can be used as building blocks for endowing cells with unnatural structural and functional elements. Here, we describe how clofazimine represents a first-in-class mechanopharmaceutical device, serving to construct inert, inactive and stimulus responsive drug depots within the endophagolysosomal compartment of cells of living organisms. Upon oral administration, clofazimine molecules self-assemble into stable, membrane-bound, crystal-like drug inclusions (CLDI) that accumulate within macrophages to form a "smart" biocompatible, pathogen activatable mechanopharmaceutical device. Upon perturbation of the mechanism maintaining pH and ion homeostasis of these CLDIs, the inert encapsulated drug precipitates are destabilized, releasing bioactive drug molecules into the cell and its surrounding. The resulting increase in clofazimine solubility activates this broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiviral or cytotoxic agent within the infected macrophage. We present a general, molecular design strategy for using clofazimine and other small molecule building blocks for the cytoplasmic construction of mechanopharmaceutical devices, aimed at rapid deployment during infectious disease outbreaks, for the purpose of pandemic prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R. Willmer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,Corresponding author: Andrew R. Willmer, PharmD, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, Phone: 734-536-3383,
| | - Jiayi Nie
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Mery Vet George De la Rosa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Winnie Wen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Steven Dunne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gus R. Rosania
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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20
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Dhal AK, Panda C, Yun SIL, Mahapatra RK. An update on Cryptosporidium biology and therapeutic avenues. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:923-939. [PMID: 35755159 PMCID: PMC9215156 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01510-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium species has been identified as an important pediatric diarrheal pathogen in resource-limited countries, particularly in very young children (0–24 months). However, the only available drug (nitazoxanide) has limited efficacy and can only be prescribed in a medical setting to children older than one year. Many drug development projects have started to investigate new therapeutic avenues. Cryptosporidium’s unique biology is challenging for the traditional drug discovery pipeline and requires novel drug screening approaches. Notably, in recent years, new methods of oocyst generation, in vitro processing, and continuous three-dimensional cultivation capacities have been developed. This has enabled more physiologically pertinent research assays for inhibitor discovery. In a short time, many great strides have been made in the development of anti-Cryptosporidium drugs. These are expected to eventually turn into clinical candidates for cryptosporidiosis treatment in the future. This review describes the latest development in Cryptosporidium biology, genomics, transcriptomics of the parasite, assay development, and new drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Kumar Dhal
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024 India
| | - Chinmaya Panda
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024 India
| | - Soon-IL Yun
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896 Republic of Korea
- Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896 Republic of Korea
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21
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Repurposing the Kinase Inhibitor Mavelertinib for Giardiasis Therapy. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0001722. [PMID: 35703552 PMCID: PMC9295539 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00017-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A phenotypic screen of the ReFRAME compound library was performed to identify cell-active inhibitors that could be developed as therapeutics for giardiasis. A primary screen against Giardia lamblia GS clone H7 identified 85 cell-active compounds at a hit rate of 0.72%. A cytotoxicity counterscreen against HEK293T cells was carried out to assess hit compound selectivity for further prioritization. Mavelertinib (PF-06747775), a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), was identified as a potential new therapeutic based on indication, activity, and availability after reconfirmation. Mavelertinib has in vitro efficacy against metronidazole-resistant 713-M3 strains. Other EGFR-TKIs screened in follow-up assays exhibited insignificant inhibition of G. lamblia at 5 μM, suggesting that the primary molecular target of mavelertinib may have a different mechanistic binding mode from human EGFR-tyrosine kinase. Mavelertinib, dosed as low as 5 mg/kg of body weight or as high as 50 mg/kg, was efficacious in the acute murine Giardia infection model. These results suggest that mavelertinib merits consideration for repurposing and advancement to giardiasis clinical trials while its analogues are further developed.
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22
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Esmat M, Abdel-Aal AA, Shalaby MA, Badawi M, Elaskary H, Yousif AB, Fahmy MEA. Efficacy of clofazimine and nitazoxanide combination in treating intestinal cryptosporidiosis and enhancing intestinal cellular regeneration in immunocompromised mice. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2022; 27:e00161. [PMID: 35601881 PMCID: PMC9118138 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a widely distributed food and water-borne enteric protozoan that affects a wide range of vertebrates, resulting in life-threatening consequences, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. The lack of effective anti-cryptosporidial drugs may be related to the parasite's unique intestinal location, plus the lack of studies on the process by which the protozoan is able to impair intestinal cellular function. The present work aimed to assess the effect of clofazimine (CFZ), an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of leprosy, as an anti-cryptosporidial drug, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and an immunocompromised mouse model. The affected intestinal mucosa with parasitic stages in the infected non-treated group showed signs of severe cellular degeneration, including the loss of tight junctions, deformed and damaged microvilli and irregularly distributed nuclei with a severely vacuolated cytoplasm. Comparatively, nitazoxanide (NTZ) monotherapy showed the lowest efficacy as the drug was associated with the lowest rate of oocyst shedding. In addition, NTZ treatment failed to achieve the return of complete cellular function; abnormalities were evident in the microvilli, cytoplasmic organelles and nuclear features. Clofazimine demonstrated an improvement of the mucosal cellular components, including mitochondria and significantly reduced oocyst shedding. Combined treatment with low-dose CFZ and half-dose NTZ resulted in a significant improvement in the enterocyte cellular structures with an absence of intracellular parasitic stages. These results indicate that CFZ, a safe and readily prescribed drug, effectively reduces cryptosporidiosis when used in combination with only half the dose of NTZ. Used in combination, these drugs were shown to be efficient in regaining intestinal cellular activity following Cryptosporidium-induced functional damage in an immunocompromised mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Esmat
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th October city, Egypt
| | - Amany A. Abdel-Aal
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
- Department of Postgraduate Studies & Scientific Research, Armed Forces College of Medicine (AFCM), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maisa A. Shalaby
- Medical Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), Giza, Egypt
| | - Manal Badawi
- Department of Pathology, National Research center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hala Elaskary
- Depatment of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Badawi Yousif
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Faiyum, Egypt
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23
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English ED, Guérin A, Tandel J, Striepen B. Live imaging of the Cryptosporidium parvum life cycle reveals direct development of male and female gametes from type I meronts. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001604. [PMID: 35436284 PMCID: PMC9015140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a leading infectious cause of diarrhea around the world associated with waterborne outbreaks, community spread, or zoonotic transmission. The parasite has significant impact on early childhood mortality, and infection is both a consequence and cause of malnutrition and stunting. There is currently no vaccine, and treatment options are very limited. Cryptosporidium is a member of the Apicomplexa, and, as typical for this, protist phylum relies on asexual and sexual reproduction. In contrast to other Apicomplexa, including the malaria parasite Plasmodium, the entire Cryptosporidium life cycle unfolds in a single host in less than 3 days. Here, we establish a model to image life cycle progression in living cells and observe, track, and compare nuclear division of asexual and sexual stage parasites. We establish the length and sequence of the cell cycles of all stages and map the developmental fate of parasites across multiple rounds of invasion and egress. We propose that the parasite executes an intrinsic program of 3 generations of asexual replication, followed by a single generation of sexual stages that is independent of environmental stimuli. We find no evidence for a morphologically distinct intermediate stage (the tetraploid type II meront) but demonstrate direct development of gametes from 8N type I meronts. The progeny of each meront is collectively committed to either asexual or sexual fate, but, importantly, meronts committed to sexual fate give rise to both males and females. We define a Cryptosporidium life cycle matching Tyzzer’s original description and inconsistent with the coccidian life cycle now shown in many textbooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth D. English
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Amandine Guérin
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jayesh Tandel
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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Bone Relat RM, Winder PL, Bowden GD, Guzmán EA, Peterson TA, Pomponi SA, Roberts JC, Wright AE, O’Connor RM. High-Throughput Screening of a Marine Compound Library Identifies Anti-Cryptosporidium Activity of Leiodolide A. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20040240. [PMID: 35447913 PMCID: PMC9026894 DOI: 10.3390/md20040240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium sp. are apicomplexan parasites that cause significant morbidity and possible mortality in humans and valuable livestock. There are no drugs on the market that are effective in the population most severely affected by this parasite. This study is the first high-throughput screen for potent anti-Cryptosporidium natural products sourced from a unique marine compound library. The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University has a collection of diverse marine organisms some of which have been subjected to medium pressure liquid chromatography to create an enriched fraction library. Numerous active compounds have been discovered from this library, but it has not been tested against Cryptosporidium parvum. A high-throughput in vitro growth inhibition assay was used to test 3764 fractions in the library, leading to the identification of 23 fractions that potently inhibited the growth of Cryptosporidium parvum. Bioassay guided fractionation of active fractions from a deep-sea sponge, Leiodermatium sp., resulted in the purification of leiodolide A, the major active compound in the organism. Leiodolide A displayed specific anti-Cryptosporidium activity at a half maximal effective concentration of 103.5 nM with selectivity indexes (SI) of 45.1, 11.9, 19.6 and 14.3 for human ileocecal colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HCT-8), human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep G2), human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and green monkey kidney cells (Vero), respectively. The unique structure of leiodolide A provides a valuable drug scaffold on which to develop new anti-Cryptosporidium compounds and supports the importance of screening natural product libraries for new chemical scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M. Bone Relat
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, 100 Dairy Rd, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (R.M.B.R.); (G.D.B.)
| | - Priscilla L. Winder
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA; (P.L.W.); (E.A.G.); (T.A.P.); (S.A.P.); (J.C.R.)
| | - Gregory D. Bowden
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, 100 Dairy Rd, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (R.M.B.R.); (G.D.B.)
| | - Esther A. Guzmán
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA; (P.L.W.); (E.A.G.); (T.A.P.); (S.A.P.); (J.C.R.)
| | - Tara A. Peterson
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA; (P.L.W.); (E.A.G.); (T.A.P.); (S.A.P.); (J.C.R.)
| | - Shirley A. Pomponi
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA; (P.L.W.); (E.A.G.); (T.A.P.); (S.A.P.); (J.C.R.)
| | - Jill C. Roberts
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA; (P.L.W.); (E.A.G.); (T.A.P.); (S.A.P.); (J.C.R.)
| | - Amy E. Wright
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA; (P.L.W.); (E.A.G.); (T.A.P.); (S.A.P.); (J.C.R.)
- Correspondence: (A.E.W.); (R.M.O.)
| | - Roberta M. O’Connor
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, 100 Dairy Rd, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (R.M.B.R.); (G.D.B.)
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1971 Commonwealth Ave, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
- Correspondence: (A.E.W.); (R.M.O.)
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25
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Protein Kinase C-α Is a Gatekeeper of Cryptosporidium Sporozoite Adherence and Invasion. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0067921. [PMID: 35099276 PMCID: PMC8929341 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00679-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium infection is a leading cause of diarrhea-associated morbidity and mortality in young children globally. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human protein kinase C-α (PRKCA) gene region have been associated with susceptibility to cryptosporidiosis. Here, we examined the role of protein kinase C-α (PKCα) activity in human HCT-8 intestinal epithelial cells during infection with Cryptosporidium parvum sporozoites. To delineate the role of PKCα in infection, we developed a fluorescence-based imaging assay to differentiate adherent from intracellular parasites. We tested pharmacological agonists and antagonists of PKCα and measured the effect on C. parvum sporozoite adherence to and invasion of HCT-8 cells. We demonstrate that both PKCα agonists and antagonists significantly alter parasite adherence and invasion in vitro. We found that HCT-8 cell PKCα is activated by C. parvum infection. Our findings suggest intestinal epithelial cell PKCα as a potential host-directed therapeutic target for cryptosporidiosis and implicate PKCα activity as a mediator of parasite adherence and invasion.
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26
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Carey MA, Medlock GL, Stolarczyk M, Petri WA, Guler JL, Papin JA. Comparative analyses of parasites with a comprehensive database of genome-scale metabolic models. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009870. [PMID: 35196325 PMCID: PMC8901074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites cause diverse diseases with large global impacts. Research on the pathogenesis and biology of these organisms is limited by economic and experimental constraints. Accordingly, studies of one parasite are frequently extrapolated to infer knowledge about another parasite, across and within genera. Model in vitro or in vivo systems are frequently used to enhance experimental manipulability, but these systems generally use species related to, yet distinct from, the clinically relevant causal pathogen. Characterization of functional differences among parasite species is confined to post hoc or single target studies, limiting the utility of this extrapolation approach. To address this challenge and to accelerate parasitology research broadly, we present a functional comparative analysis of 192 genomes, representing every high-quality, publicly-available protozoan parasite genome including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Giardia, and other species. We generated an automated metabolic network reconstruction pipeline optimized for eukaryotic organisms. These metabolic network reconstructions serve as biochemical knowledgebases for each parasite, enabling qualitative and quantitative comparisons of metabolic behavior across parasites. We identified putative differences in gene essentiality and pathway utilization to facilitate the comparison of experimental findings and discovered that phylogeny is not the sole predictor of metabolic similarity. This knowledgebase represents the largest collection of genome-scale metabolic models for both pathogens and eukaryotes; with this resource, we can predict species-specific functions, contextualize experimental results, and optimize selection of experimental systems for fastidious species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen A. Carey
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MAC); (JP)
| | - Gregory L. Medlock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Michał Stolarczyk
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - William A. Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Guler
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jason A. Papin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MAC); (JP)
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27
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Wrzosek A, Gałecka S, Żochowska M, Olszewska A, Kulawiak B. Alternative Targets for Modulators of Mitochondrial Potassium Channels. Molecules 2022; 27:299. [PMID: 35011530 PMCID: PMC8746388 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial potassium channels control potassium influx into the mitochondrial matrix and thus regulate mitochondrial membrane potential, volume, respiration, and synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been found that pharmacological activation of mitochondrial potassium channels during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury activates cytoprotective mechanisms resulting in increased cell survival. In cancer cells, the inhibition of these channels leads to increased cell death. Therefore, mitochondrial potassium channels are intriguing targets for the development of new pharmacological strategies. In most cases, however, the substances that modulate the mitochondrial potassium channels have a few alternative targets in the cell. This may result in unexpected or unwanted effects induced by these compounds. In our review, we briefly present the various classes of mitochondrial potassium (mitoK) channels and describe the chemical compounds that modulate their activity. We also describe examples of the multidirectional activity of the activators and inhibitors of mitochondrial potassium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Wrzosek
- Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.); (S.G.); (M.Ż.)
| | - Shur Gałecka
- Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.); (S.G.); (M.Ż.)
| | - Monika Żochowska
- Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.); (S.G.); (M.Ż.)
| | - Anna Olszewska
- Department of Histology, Medical University of Gdansk, 1a Debinki, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Bogusz Kulawiak
- Laboratory of Intracellular Ion Channels, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.W.); (S.G.); (M.Ż.)
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28
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Yamada K, Ristroph KD, Kaneko Y, Lu HD, Sato H, Prud'homme RK, Onoue S. Clofazimine-Loaded Mucoadhesive Nanoparticles Prepared by Flash Nanoprecipitation for Strategic Intestinal Delivery. Pharm Res 2021; 38:2109-2118. [PMID: 34904203 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-021-03144-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was undertaken to develop novel mucoadhesive formulations of clofazimine (CFZ), a drug candidate for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis, with the aim of strategic delivery to the small intestine, the main site of the disease parasites. METHODS CFZ-loaded nanoparticles (nCFZ) coated with non-biodegradable anionic polymer (nCFZ/A) and biodegradable anionic protein complex (nCFZ/dA) were prepared by Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP) and evaluated for their physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. RESULTS The mean diameters of nCFZ/A and nCFZ/dA were ca. 90 and 240 nm, respectively, and they showed narrow size distributions and negative ζ-potentials. Both formulations showed higher solubility of CFZ in aqueous solution than crystalline CFZ. Despite their improved dispersion behaviors, both formulations exhibited significantly lower diffusiveness than crystalline CFZ in a diffusion test using artificial mucus (AM). Quartz crystal microbalance analysis showed that both formulations clearly interacted with mucin, which appeared to be responsible for their reduced diffusiveness in AM. These results suggest the potent mucoadhesion of nCFZ/A and nCFZ/dA. After the oral administration of CFZ samples (10 mg-CFZ/kg) to rats, nCFZ/dA and nCFZ/A exhibited a prolongation in Tmax by 2 and >9 h, respectively, compared with crystalline CFZ. At 24 h after oral doses of nCFZ/A and nCFZ/dA with mucoadhesion, there were marked increases in the intestinal CFZ concentration (4-7 fold) compared with Lamprene®, a commercial CFZ product, indicating enhanced CFZ exposure in the small intestine. CONCLUSION The use of FNP may produce mucoadhesive CFZ formulations with improved intestinal exposure, possibly offering enhanced anti-cryptosporidium therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yamada
- Laboratory of Biopharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan
| | - Kurt D Ristroph
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, A301 EQUAD, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Yuki Kaneko
- Laboratory of Biopharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan
| | - Hoang D Lu
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, A301 EQUAD, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Hideyuki Sato
- Laboratory of Biopharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan
| | - Robert K Prud'homme
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, A301 EQUAD, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | - Satomi Onoue
- Laboratory of Biopharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan.
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29
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Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of clofazimine for treatment of cryptosporidiosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 66:e0156021. [PMID: 34748385 PMCID: PMC8765308 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01560-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with Cryptosporidium spp. can cause severe diarrhea, leading to long-term adverse impacts and even death in malnourished children and immunocompromised patients. The only FDA-approved drug for treating cryptosporidiosis, nitazoxanide, has limited efficacy in the populations impacted the most by the diarrheal disease, and safe, effective treatment options are urgently needed. Initially identified by a large-scale phenotypic screening campaign, the antimycobacterial therapeutic clofazimine demonstrated great promise in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical models of Cryptosporidium infection. Unfortunately, a phase 2a clinical trial in HIV-infected adults with cryptosporidiosis did not identify any clofazimine treatment effect on Cryptosporidium infection burden or clinical outcomes. To explore whether clofazimine’s lack of efficacy in the phase 2a trial may have been due to subtherapeutic clofazimine concentrations, a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling approach was undertaken to determine the relationship between clofazimine in vivo concentrations and treatment effects in multiple preclinical infection models. Exposure-response relationships were characterized using Emax and logistic models, which allowed predictions of efficacious clofazimine concentrations for the control and reduction of disease burden. After establishing exposure-response relationships for clofazimine treatment of Cryptosporidium infection in our preclinical model studies, it was unmistakable that the clofazimine levels observed in the phase 2a study participants were well below concentrations associated with anti-Cryptosporidium efficacy. Thus, despite a dosing regimen above the highest doses recommended for mycobacterial therapy, it is very likely the lack of treatment effect in the phase 2a trial was at least partially due to clofazimine concentrations below those required for efficacy against cryptosporidiosis. It is unlikely that clofazimine will provide a remedy for the large number of cryptosporidiosis patients currently without a viable treatment option unless alternative, safe clofazimine formulations with improved oral absorption are developed. (This study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT03341767.)
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Substantial progress has been made recently on the development of new therapeutics for cryptosporidiosis, an infection by the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium that is associated with diarrhea, malnutrition, growth stunting, cognitive deficits, and oral vaccine failure in children living in low-resource settings. RECENT FINDINGS Various drug discovery approaches have generated promising lead candidates. The repurposed antimycobacterial drug clofazimine was tested in Malawian HIV patients with cryptosporidiosis but was ineffective. Target-based screens identified inhibitors of lysyl-tRNA synthetase, phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, methionyl-tRNA synthetase, and calcium-dependent protein kinase 1. Phenotypic screens led to discovery of a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase inhibitor, the piperazine MMV665917, and the benzoxaborole AN7973. The relationship between pharmacokinetic properties and in-vivo efficacy is gradually emerging. A pathway to clinical trials, regulatory approval, and introduction has been proposed but additional work is needed to strengthen the route. SUMMARY Several lead compounds with potent activity in animal models and a favorable safety profile have been identified. A sustained effort will be required to advance at least one to clinical proof-of-concept studies. The demonstrated risk of resistance indicates multiple candidates should be advanced as potential components of a combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S. Love
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
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31
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Iroh Tam P, Arnold SLM, Barrett LK, Chen CR, Conrad TM, Douglas E, Gordon MA, Hebert D, Henrion M, Hermann D, Hollingsworth B, Houpt E, Jere KC, Lindblad R, Love MS, Makhaza L, McNamara CW, Nedi W, Nyirenda J, Operario DJ, Phulusa J, Quinnan GV, Sawyer LA, Thole H, Toto N, Winter A, Van Voorhis WC. Clofazimine for Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Adults: An Experimental Medicine, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 2a Trial. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:183-191. [PMID: 32277809 PMCID: PMC8282326 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We evaluated the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), and safety of clofazimine (CFZ) in patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with cryptosporidiosis. Methods We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Primary outcomes in part A were reduction in Cryptosporidium shedding, safety, and PK. Primary analysis was according to protocol (ATP). Part B of the study compared CFZ PK in matched individuals living with HIV without cryptosporidiosis. Results Twenty part A and 10 part B participants completed the study ATP. Almost all part A participants had high viral loads and low CD4 counts, consistent with failure of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. At study entry, the part A CFZ group had higher Cryptosporidium shedding, total stool weight, and more diarrheal episodes compared with the placebo group. Over the inpatient period, compared with those who received placebo, the CFZ group Cryptosporidium shedding increased by 2.17 log2 Cryptosporidium per gram stool (95% upper confidence limit, 3.82), total stool weight decreased by 45.3 g (P = .37), and number of diarrheal episodes increased by 2.32 (P = .87). The most frequent solicited adverse effects were diarrhea, abdominal pain, and malaise. One placebo and 3 CFZ participants died during the study. Plasma levels of CFZ in participants with cryptosporidiosis were 2-fold lower than in part B controls. Conclusions Our findings do not support the efficacy of CFZ for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in a severely immunocompromised HIV population. However, this trial demonstrates a pathway to assess the therapeutic potential of drugs for cryptosporidiosis treatment. Screening persons living with HIV for diarrhea, and especially Cryptosporidium infection, may identify those failing ARV therapy. Clinical Trials Registration NCT03341767.
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Affiliation(s)
- Py Iroh Tam
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - S L M Arnold
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - L K Barrett
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - E Douglas
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - M A Gordon
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - M Henrion
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - D Hermann
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - E Houpt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - K C Jere
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - M S Love
- Calibr, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - L Makhaza
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - W Nedi
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - J Nyirenda
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - D J Operario
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - J Phulusa
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | - H Thole
- Paediatrics and Child Health Research Group, Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - N Toto
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - W C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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32
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Oboh E, Schubert TJ, Teixeira JE, Stebbins EE, Miller P, Philo E, Thakellapalli H, Campbell SD, Griggs DW, Huston CD, Meyers MJ. Optimization of the Urea Linker of Triazolopyridazine MMV665917 Results in a New Anticryptosporidial Lead with Improved Potency and Predicted hERG Safety Margin. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11729-11745. [PMID: 34342443 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is caused by infection of the small intestine by Cryptosporidium parasites, resulting in severe diarrhea, dehydration, malabsorption, and potentially death. The only FDA-approved therapeutic is only partially effective in young children and ineffective for immunocompromised patients. Triazolopyridazine MMV665917 is a previously reported anti-Cryptosporidium screening hit with in vivo efficacy but suffers from modest inhibition of the hERG ion channel, which could portend cardiotoxicity. Herein, we describe our initial development of structure-activity relationships of this novel lead series with a particular focus on optimization of the piperazine-urea linker. We have discovered that piperazine-acetamide is a superior linker resulting in identification of SLU-2633, which has an EC50 of 0.17 μM, an improved projected margin versus hERG, prolonged pharmacokinetic exposure in small intestine, and oral efficacy in vivo with minimal systemic exposure. SLU-2633 represents a significant advancement toward the identification of a new effective and safe treatment for cryptosporidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Oboh
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Tanner J Schubert
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Jose E Teixeira
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05401, United States
| | - Erin E Stebbins
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05401, United States
| | - Peter Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05401, United States
| | - Emily Philo
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Haresh Thakellapalli
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Scott D Campbell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - David W Griggs
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States.,Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
| | - Christopher D Huston
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05401, United States
| | - Marvin J Meyers
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103, United States.,Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, United States
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33
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Schneider A, Wendt S, Lübbert C, Trawinski H. Current pharmacotherapy of cryptosporidiosis: an update of the state-of-the-art. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:2337-2342. [PMID: 34281461 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1957097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis has emerged as a major cause of diarrheal disease worldwide. It has especially serious health consequences for young, malnourished children living in endemic areas and for individuals with highly impaired T-cell function, such as HIV-positive individuals with low CD4 counts or immunosuppressed solid-organ transplant recipients.Areas covered: A selective literature search using PubMed was performed to review the available therapeutics to treat cryptosporidiosis, as well as related advances in drug development.Expert opinion: The only FDA-approved antiparasitic treatment in immunocompetent patients is nitazoxanide; however, it has failed to demonstrate convincing effectiveness among HIV-positive patients, immunosuppressed individuals and malnourished children. Thus, restoring HIV-positive patients' cellular immune response through effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), or reducing or changing immunosuppressive drugs, is important. Several new targets have been identified for chemotherapy, and the development of drugs for these targets has progressed, including parasite kinases, nucleic acid synthesis and processing, proteases and lipid metabolism. Candidate drugs that have been shown to be effective and safe in a neonatal calf model will most likely constitute the next advance for clinical trials in humans. However, developing an effective and inexpensive vaccination, as well as complementing structural preventive measures, would most decisively reduce the global cryptosporidiosis burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Schneider
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wendt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Lübbert
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henning Trawinski
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (ZINF), Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
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34
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Huston CD. The Clofazimine for Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in HIV-Infected Adults (CRYPTOFAZ) and Lessons Learned for Anticryptosporidial Drug Development. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:192-194. [PMID: 32277815 PMCID: PMC8427724 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Huston
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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35
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Vinayak S, Jumani RS, Miller P, Hasan MM, McLeod BI, Tandel J, Stebbins EE, Teixeira JE, Borrel J, Gonse A, Zhang M, Yu X, Wernimont A, Walpole C, Eckley S, Love MS, McNamara CW, Sharma M, Sharma A, Scherer CA, Kato N, Schreiber SL, Melillo B, Striepen B, Huston CD, Comer E. Bicyclic azetidines kill the diarrheal pathogen Cryptosporidium in mice by inhibiting parasite phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/563/eaba8412. [PMID: 32998973 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aba8412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite and a leading cause of diarrheal disease and mortality in young children. Currently, there are no fully effective treatments available to cure infection with this diarrheal pathogen. In this study, we report a broad drug repositioning effort that led to the identification of bicyclic azetidines as a new anticryptosporidial series. Members of this series blocked growth in in vitro culture of three Cryptosporidium parvum isolates with EC50 's in 1% serum of <0.4 to 96 nM, had comparable potencies against Cryptosporidium hominis and C. parvum, and was effective in three of four highly susceptible immunosuppressed mice with once-daily dosing administered for 4 days beginning 2 weeks after infection. Comprehensive genetic, biochemical, and chemical studies demonstrated inhibition of C. parvum phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (CpPheRS) as the mode of action of this new lead series. Introduction of mutations directly into the C. parvum pheRS gene by CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing resulted in parasites showing high degrees of compound resistance. In vitro, bicyclic azetidines potently inhibited the aminoacylation activity of recombinant ChPheRS. Medicinal chemistry optimization led to the identification of an optimal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile for this series. Collectively, these data demonstrate that bicyclic azetidines are a promising series for anticryptosporidial drug development and establish a broad framework to enable target-based drug discovery for this infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumiti Vinayak
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Rajiv S Jumani
- Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Peter Miller
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Muhammad M Hasan
- Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Briana I McLeod
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jayesh Tandel
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Erin E Stebbins
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jose E Teixeira
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Julien Borrel
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Arthur Gonse
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mingliang Zhang
- International Discovery Service Unit, WuXi AppTec (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Tianjin 300457, P.R. China
| | - Xianshui Yu
- International Discovery Service Unit, WuXi AppTec (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Tianjin 300457, P.R. China
| | - Amy Wernimont
- Structural Genomics Consortium, MaRS Building, South Tower, 101 College Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Chris Walpole
- Structural Genomics Consortium, MaRS Building, South Tower, 101 College Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | | | - Melissa S Love
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Case W McNamara
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Manmohan Sharma
- Structural Parasitology, Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- Structural Parasitology, Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Christina A Scherer
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nobutaka Kato
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Stuart L Schreiber
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Bruno Melillo
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Christopher D Huston
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | - Eamon Comer
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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36
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Guérin A, Striepen B. The Biology of the Intestinal Intracellular Parasite Cryptosporidium. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 28:509-515. [PMID: 33031769 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium emerged as a leading global cause of severe diarrheal disease in children. The parasite occupies a unique intracellular niche at the brush border of intestinal epithelial cells, where it undergoes a complex sexual life cycle. How this life cycle unfolds and how host and parasite interact remain largely to be discovered. A series of technical advances now offer genetic and immunological tools for mechanistic investigation of the parasite. Here we introduce the pathogen and disease and highlight important questions to tackle onward. We invite scientists to consider this versatile parasite model to probe the biology and immunology of the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Guérin
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 380 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 380 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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37
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Spontaneous Selection of Cryptosporidium Drug Resistance in a Calf Model of Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.00023-21. [PMID: 33753338 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00023-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal protozoan Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal disease and mortality in young children. There is currently no fully effective treatment for cryptosporidiosis, which has stimulated interest in anticryptosporidial development over the last ∼10 years, with numerous lead compounds identified, including several tRNA synthetase inhibitors. Here, we report the results of a dairy calf efficacy trial of the methionyl-tRNA (Cryptosporidium parvum MetRS [CpMetRS]) synthetase inhibitor 2093 and the spontaneous emergence of drug resistance. Dairy calves experimentally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum initially improved with 2093 treatment, but parasite shedding resumed in two of three calves on treatment day 5. Parasites shed by each recrudescent calf had different amino acid-altering mutations in the gene encoding CpMetRS (CpMetRS), yielding either an aspartate 243-to-glutamate (D243E) or a threonine 246-to-isoleucine (T246I) mutation. Transgenic parasites engineered to have either the D243E or T246I CpMetRS mutation using CRISPR/Cas9 grew normally but were highly 2093 resistant; the D243E and T246I mutant-expressing parasites, respectively, had 2093 half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50s) that were 613- and 128-fold that of transgenic parasites with wild-type CpMetRS. In studies using recombinant enzymes, the D243E and T246I mutations shifted the 2093 IC50 >170-fold. Structural modeling of CpMetRS based on an inhibitor-bound Trypanosoma brucei MetRS crystal structure suggested that the resistance mutations reposition nearby hydrophobic residues, interfering with compound binding while minimally impacting substrate binding. This is the first report of naturally emerging Cryptosporidium drug resistance, highlighting the need to address the potential for anticryptosporidial resistance and establish strategies to limit its occurrence.
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38
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Hulverson MA, Choi R, McCloskey MC, Whitman GR, Ojo KK, Michaels SA, Somepalli M, Love MS, McNamara CW, Rabago LM, Barrett LK, Verlinde CLMJ, Arnold SL, Striepen B, Jimenez-Alfaro D, Ballell L, Fernández E, Greenwood MN, las Heras LD, Calderón F, Van Voorhis WC. Repurposing Infectious Disease Hits as Anti- Cryptosporidium Leads. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1275-1282. [PMID: 33740373 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
New drugs are critically needed to treat Cryptosporidium infections, particularly for malnourished children under 2 years old in the developing world and persons with immunodeficiencies. Bioactive compounds from the Tres-Cantos GSK library that have activity against other pathogens were screened for possible repurposing against Cryptosporidium parvum growth. Nineteen compounds grouped into nine structural clusters were identified using an iterative process to remove excessively toxic compounds and screen related compounds from the Tres-Cantos GSK library. Representatives of four different clusters were advanced to a mouse model of C. parvum infection, but only one compound, an imidazole-pyrimidine, led to significant clearance of infection. This imidazole-pyrimidine compound had a number of favorable safety and pharmacokinetic properties and was maximally active in the mouse model down to 30 mg/kg given daily. Though the mechanism of action against C. parvum was not definitively established, this imidazole-pyrimidine compound inhibits the known C. parvum drug target, calcium-dependent protein kinase 1, with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 2 nM. This compound, and related imidazole-pyrimidine molecules, should be further examined as potential leads for Cryptosporidium therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Hulverson
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Ryan Choi
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Molly C. McCloskey
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Grant R. Whitman
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Samantha A. Michaels
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Mastanbabu Somepalli
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Melissa S. Love
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Case W. McNamara
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Lesley M. Rabago
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Lynn K. Barrett
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | | | - Samuel L.M. Arnold
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Dolores Jimenez-Alfaro
- Medicines Development Campus, Global Health Pharma Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid Spain
| | - Lluis Ballell
- Medicines Development Campus, Global Health Pharma Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid Spain
| | - Elena Fernández
- Medicines Development Campus, Global Health Pharma Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid Spain
| | - M. Nicole Greenwood
- Academic Liaison, GlaxoSmithKline, Upper Providence, Pennsylvania 19426, United States
| | | | - Felix Calderón
- Medicines Development Campus, Global Health Pharma Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, 28760, Madrid Spain
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Department of Medicine Division of Allergy Infectious Disease Center for Emerging Reemerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
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Hulverson MA, Choi R, Vidadala RSR, Whitman GR, Vidadala VN, Ojo KK, Barrett LK, Lynch JJ, Marsh K, Kempf DJ, Maly DJ, Van Voorhis WC. Pyrrolopyrimidine Bumped Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1200-1207. [PMID: 33565854 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) that target Cryptosporidium parvum calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 have been well established as potential drug candidates against cryptosporidiosis. Recently, BKI-1649, with a 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine, or "pyrrolopyrimidine", central scaffold, has shown improved efficacy in mouse models of Cryptosporidium at substantially reduced doses compared to previously explored analogs of the pyrazolopyrimidine scaffold. Here, two pyrrolopyrimidines with varied substituent groups, BKI-1812 and BKI-1814, were explored in several in vitro and in vivo models and show improvements in potency over the previously utilized pyrazolopyrimidine bumped kinase inhibitors while maintaining equivalent results in other key properties, such as toxicity and efficacy, with their pyrazolopyrimidine isosteric counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Hulverson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Ryan Choi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Rama S. R. Vidadala
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Grant R. Whitman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | | | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Lynn K. Barrett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - James J. Lynch
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Kennan Marsh
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Dale J. Kempf
- Research and Development, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Dustin J. Maly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
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40
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Abstract
High-content screening (HCS) is a cell-based type of phenotypic screening that combines multiple simultaneous readouts with a high level of throughput. A particular benefit of this form of screening for drug discovery is the ability to perform the interrogation in a biologically relevant system. This approach has greatly advanced the field of drug discovery for cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease caused by protozoan parasites of Cryptosporidium spp. These parasites are obligate intracellular parasites and cannot be cultured in vitro without the support of a host cell, limiting the options for potential assay readout. Here we describe an established 384- or 1536-well format high-content imaging (HCI) assay of Cryptosporidium-infected HCT-8 human ileocecal adenocarcinoma cells. This HCS assay is a powerful tool to assess large numbers of compounds to power drug discovery, as well as to phenotypically characterize known Cryptosporidium-active compounds.
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Marzook NB, Sateriale A. Crypto-Currency: Investing in New Models to Advance the Study of Cryptosporidium Infection and Immunity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:587296. [PMID: 33312965 PMCID: PMC7708325 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.587296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrheal disease and an important contributor to global morbidity and mortality. Although the brunt of disease burden is felt by children in developing countries, Cryptosporidium is a ubiquitous intestinal parasite with frequent outbreaks around the world. There are no consistently effective treatments for cryptosporidiosis and the research to drive new developments has stagnated, largely due to a lack of efficient in vivo and in vitro models. Fortunately, these research barriers have started to fall. In this review, we highlight two recent advances aiding this process: A tractable mouse model for Cryptosporidium infection and stem cell-based in vitro culture systems that mimic the complexity of the host intestine. These models are paving the way for researchers to investigate Cryptosporidium infection and host immunity down to a molecular level. We believe that wise investments made to adopt and develop these new models will reap benefits not only for the Cryptosporidium community but also for the intestinal immunology field at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Bishara Marzook
- Cryptosporidiosis Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Sateriale
- Cryptosporidiosis Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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Vinayak S. Recent advances in genetic manipulation of Cryptosporidium. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 58:146-152. [PMID: 33161368 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrhea-associated morbidity and mortality in young children. Currently, there is no fully effective drug to treat cryptosporidiosis and a complete lack of vaccine to prevent disease. For a long time, progress in the field of Cryptosporidium research has been hindered due to unavailability of methods to propagate the parasite, lack of efficient animal infection models and most importantly, the absence of technology to genetically manipulate the parasite. The recent advent of molecular genetics has been transformative for Cryptosporidium research, and is facilitating our fundamental understanding of parasite biology, and accelerating the pace of drug discovery. This review summarizes recent advancements in genetic manipulation and its applications for studying parasite gene function, host-parasite interactions and discovery of anti-cryptosporidial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumiti Vinayak
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, United States.
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43
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Hosseini FS, Amanlou M. Anti-HCV and anti-malaria agent, potential candidates to repurpose for coronavirus infection: Virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation study. Life Sci 2020; 258:118205. [PMID: 32777300 PMCID: PMC7413873 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has appeared in Wuhan, China but the fast transmission has led to its widespread prevalence in various countries, which has made it a global concern. Another concern is the lack of definitive treatment for this disease. The researchers tried different treatment options which are not specific. The current study aims to identify potential small molecule inhibitors against the main protease protein of SARS-CoV-2 by the computational approach. MAIN METHODS In this study, a virtual screening procedure employing docking of the two different datasets from the ZINC database, including 1615 FDA approved drugs and 4266 world approved drugs were used to identify new potential small molecule inhibitors for the newly released crystal structure of main protease protein of SARS-CoV-2. In the following to validate the docking result, molecular dynamics simulations were applied on selected ligands to identify the behavior and stability of them in the binding pocket of the main protease in 150 nanoseconds (ns). Furthermore, binding energy using the MMPBSA approach was also calculated. KEY FINDINGS The result indicates that simeprevir (Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease inhibitor) and pyronaridine (antimalarial agent) could fit well to the binding pocket of the main protease and because of some other beneficial features including broad-spectrum antiviral properties and ADME profile, they might be a promising drug candidate for repurposing to the treatment of COVID-19. SIGNIFICANCE Simeprevir and pyronaridine were selected by the combination of virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation approaches as a potential candidate for treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Sadat Hosseini
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Massoud Amanlou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Riva L, Yuan S, Yin X, Martin-Sancho L, Matsunaga N, Pache L, Burgstaller-Muehlbacher S, De Jesus PD, Teriete P, Hull MV, Chang MW, Chan JFW, Cao J, Poon VKM, Herbert KM, Cheng K, Nguyen TTH, Rubanov A, Pu Y, Nguyen C, Choi A, Rathnasinghe R, Schotsaert M, Miorin L, Dejosez M, Zwaka TP, Sit KY, Martinez-Sobrido L, Liu WC, White KM, Chapman ME, Lendy EK, Glynne RJ, Albrecht R, Ruppin E, Mesecar AD, Johnson JR, Benner C, Sun R, Schultz PG, Su AI, García-Sastre A, Chatterjee AK, Yuen KY, Chanda SK. Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drugs through large-scale compound repurposing. Nature 2020; 586:113-119. [PMID: 32707573 PMCID: PMC7603405 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2577-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 571] [Impact Index Per Article: 142.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 has triggered an ongoing global pandemic of the severe pneumonia-like disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)1. The development of a vaccine is likely to take at least 12-18 months, and the typical timeline for approval of a new antiviral therapeutic agent can exceed 10 years. Thus, repurposing of known drugs could substantially accelerate the deployment of new therapies for COVID-19. Here we profiled a library of drugs encompassing approximately 12,000 clinical-stage or Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved small molecules to identify candidate therapeutic drugs for COVID-19. We report the identification of 100 molecules that inhibit viral replication of SARS-CoV-2, including 21 drugs that exhibit dose-response relationships. Of these, thirteen were found to harbour effective concentrations commensurate with probable achievable therapeutic doses in patients, including the PIKfyve kinase inhibitor apilimod2-4 and the cysteine protease inhibitors MDL-28170, Z LVG CHN2, VBY-825 and ONO 5334. Notably, MDL-28170, ONO 5334 and apilimod were found to antagonize viral replication in human pneumocyte-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, and apilimod also demonstrated antiviral efficacy in a primary human lung explant model. Since most of the molecules identified in this study have already advanced into the clinic, their known pharmacological and human safety profiles will enable accelerated preclinical and clinical evaluation of these drugs for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Riva
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin Yin
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Laura Martin-Sancho
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Naoko Matsunaga
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lars Pache
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sebastian Burgstaller-Muehlbacher
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Max Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul D De Jesus
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Peter Teriete
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Max W Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianli Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vincent Kwok-Man Poon
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kristina M Herbert
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kuoyuan Cheng
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Andrey Rubanov
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuan Pu
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Courtney Nguyen
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Angela Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Raveen Rathnasinghe
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael Schotsaert
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lisa Miorin
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marion Dejosez
- Huffington Foundation Center for Cell-based Research in Parkinson's Disease, Department for Cell, Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas P Zwaka
- Huffington Foundation Center for Cell-based Research in Parkinson's Disease, Department for Cell, Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ko-Yung Sit
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Wen-Chun Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kris M White
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mackenzie E Chapman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Emma K Lendy
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Randy Albrecht
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew D Mesecar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher Benner
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ren Sun
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Andrew I Su
- Department of Integrative, Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China.
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Sumit K Chanda
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Program, Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Love MS, McNamara CW. Phenotypic screening techniques for Cryptosporidium drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:59-74. [PMID: 32892652 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1812577] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Two landmark epidemiological studies identified Cryptosporidium spp. as a significant cause of diarrheal disease in pediatric populations in resource-limited countries. Notably, nitazoxanide is the only approved drug for treatment of cryptosporidiosis but shows limited efficacy. As a result, many drug discovery efforts have commenced to find improved treatments. The unique biology of Cryptosporidium presents challenges for traditional drug discovery methods, which has inspired new assay platforms to study parasite biology and drug screening. Areas covered: The authors review historical advancements in phenotypic-based assays and techniques for Cryptosporidium drug discovery, as well as recent advances that will define future drug discovery. The reliance on phenotypic-based screens and repositioning of phenotypic hits from other pathogens has quickly created a robust pipeline of potential cryptosporidiosis therapeutics. The latest advances involve new in vitro culture methods for oocyst generation, continuous culturing capabilities, and more physiologically relevant assays for testing compounds. Expert opinion: Previous phenotypic screening techniques have laid the groundwork for recent cryptosporidiosis drug discovery efforts. The resulting improved methodologies characterize compound activity, identify, and validate drug targets, and prioritize new compounds for drug development. The most recent improvements in phenotypic assays are poised to help advance compounds into clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S Love
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Case W McNamara
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla, CA, USA
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46
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Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are leading pathogens responsible for diarrheal disease (cryptosporidiosis) and deaths in infants and children below 5 years of age. There are no effective treatment options and no vaccine for cryptosporidiosis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify essential gene targets and uncover their biological function to accelerate the development of new and effective anticryptosporidial drugs. Current genetic tool allows targeted disruption of gene function but leads to parasite lethality if the gene is essential for survival. In this study, we have developed a genetic tool for conditional degradation of proteins in Cryptosporidium spp., thus allowing us to study the function of essential genes. Our conditional system expands the molecular toolbox for Cryptosporidium, and it will help us to understand the biology of this important human diarrheal pathogen for the development of new drugs and vaccines. Cryptosporidium spp., protozoan parasites, are a leading cause of global diarrhea-associated morbidity and mortality in young children and immunocompromised individuals. The limited efficacy of the only available drug and lack of vaccines make it challenging to treat and prevent cryptosporidiosis. Therefore, the identification of essential genes and understanding their biological functions are critical for the development of new therapies. Currently, there is no genetic tool available to investigate the function of essential genes in Cryptosporidium spp. Here, we describe the development of the first conditional system in Cryptosporidium parvum. Our system utilizes the Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase degradation domain (DDD) and the stabilizing compound trimethoprim (TMP) for conditional regulation of protein levels in the parasite. We tested our system on the calcium-dependent protein kinase-1 (CDPK1), a leading drug target in C. parvum. By direct knockout strategy, we establish that cdpk1 is refractory to gene deletion, indicating its essentiality for parasite survival. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated transgenic parasites expressing CDPK1 with an epitope tag, and localization studies indicate its expression during asexual parasite proliferation. We then genetically engineered C. parvum to express CDPK1 tagged with DDD. We demonstrate that TMP can regulate CDPK1 levels in this stable transgenic parasite line, thus revealing the critical role of this kinase in parasite proliferation. Further, these transgenic parasites show TMP-mediated regulation of CDPK1 levels in vitro and an increased sensitivity to kinase inhibitor upon conditional knockdown. Overall, this study reports the development of a powerful conditional system that can be used to study essential genes in Cryptosporidium.
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47
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Toto N, Douglas E, Gmeiner M, Barrett LK, Lindblad R, Makhaza L, Nedi W, Phulusa J, Quinnan GV, Sawyer LA, Thole H, Van Voorhis WC, Iroh Tam PY. Conducting clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and lessons learned from the Malawi Cryptosporidium study. Trials 2020; 21:680. [PMID: 32711568 PMCID: PMC7382797 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background An effective drug to treat cryptosporidial diarrhea in HIV-infected individuals is a global health priority. Promising drugs need to be evaluated in endemic areas which may be challenged by both lack of resources and experience to conduct International Committee of Harmonisation-Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP)-compliant clinical trials. Methods We present the challenges and lessons learned in implementing a phase 2A, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of clofazimine, in treatment of cryptosporidiosis among HIV-infected adults at a single site in Malawi. Results Primary challenges are grouped under study initiation, study population, study implementation, and cultural issues. The lessons learned primarily deal with regulatory system and operational barriers, and recommendations can be applied to other human experimental trials in low- and middle-income countries, specifically in sub-Saharan Africa. Conclusion This study demonstrated that initiating and implementing human experimental trials in sub-Saharan Africa can be challenging. However, solutions exist and successful execution requires careful planning, ongoing evaluation, responsiveness to new developments, and oversight of all trial operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neema Toto
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elaine Douglas
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Markus Gmeiner
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lynn K Barrett
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Lumbani Makhaza
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Wilfred Nedi
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jacob Phulusa
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | - Herbert Thole
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Pui-Ying Iroh Tam
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi. .,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
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48
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Wang B, Castellanos-Gonzalez A, White AC. Novel drug targets for treatment of cryptosporidiosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:915-922. [PMID: 32552166 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1785432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Cryptosporidium species are protozoan parasites that are important causes of diarrheal disease including waterborne outbreaks, childhood diarrhea in resource-poor countries, and diarrhea in compromised hosts worldwide. Recent studies highlight the importance of cryptosporidiosis in childhood diarrhea, malnutrition, and death in resource-poor countries. Despite this, only a single drug, nitazoxanide, has demonstrated efficacy in human cryptosporidiosis and its efficacy is limited in malnourished children and patients with HIV. Areas covered In this review, we highlight work on potential targets for chemotherapy and review progress on drug development. A number of new targets have been identified for chemotherapy and progress has been made at developing drugs for these targets. Targets include parasite kinases, nucleic acid synthesis and processing, proteases, and lipid metabolism. Other groups have performed high-throughput screening to identify potential drugs. Several compounds have advanced to large animal studies. Expert opinion Development of drugs for cryptosporidiosis has been plagued by a lack of success. Barriers have included poor correlations between in vitro activity and clinical success as well as frequent unanticipated adverse effects. Without a clear pathway forward, it is wise to maintain a diverse development pipeline. Drug developers should also realize that success will likely require a sustained, methodical effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilin Wang
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - A Clinton White
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, TX, USA
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49
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Choy RKM, Huston CD. Cryptosporidiosis should be designated as a tropical disease by the US Food and Drug Administration. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008252. [PMID: 32614819 PMCID: PMC7332027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher D. Huston
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
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50
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Riva L, Yuan S, Yin X, Martin-Sancho L, Matsunaga N, Burgstaller-Muehlbacher S, Pache L, De Jesus PP, Hull MV, Chang M, Chan JFW, Cao J, Poon VKM, Herbert K, Nguyen TT, Pu Y, Nguyen C, Rubanov A, Martinez-Sobrido L, Liu WC, Miorin L, White KM, Johnson JR, Benner C, Sun R, Schultz PG, Su A, Garcia-Sastre A, Chatterjee AK, Yuen KY, Chanda SK. A Large-scale Drug Repositioning Survey for SARS-CoV-2 Antivirals. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.04.16.044016. [PMID: 32511357 PMCID: PMC7263415 DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.16.044016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of novel SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 has triggered an ongoing global pandemic of severe pneumonia-like disease designated as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, more than 2.1 million confirmed cases and 139,500 deaths have been reported worldwide, and there are currently no medical countermeasures available to prevent or treat the disease. As the development of a vaccine could require at least 12-18 months, and the typical timeline from hit finding to drug registration of an antiviral is >10 years, repositioning of known drugs can significantly accelerate the development and deployment of therapies for COVID-19. To identify therapeutics that can be repurposed as SARS-CoV-2 antivirals, we profiled a library of known drugs encompassing approximately 12,000 clinical-stage or FDA-approved small molecules. Here, we report the identification of 30 known drugs that inhibit viral replication. Of these, six were characterized for cellular dose-activity relationships, and showed effective concentrations likely to be commensurate with therapeutic doses in patients. These include the PIKfyve kinase inhibitor Apilimod, cysteine protease inhibitors MDL-28170, Z LVG CHN2, VBY-825, and ONO 5334, and the CCR1 antagonist MLN-3897. Since many of these molecules have advanced into the clinic, the known pharmacological and human safety profiles of these compounds will accelerate their preclinical and clinical evaluation for COVID-19 treatment.
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