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Almugadam SH, Trentini A, Maritati M, Contini C, Manfrinato MC, Cervellati C, Bellini T, Hanau S. A Calcium- and GTP-Dependent Transglutaminase in Leishmania infantum. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10030234. [PMID: 36977273 PMCID: PMC10053793 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10030234] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
While human and animal leishmaniasis affect several millions of people worldwide, L. infantum is the species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis in Europe, Middle East, and America. Antileishmanial drugs present issues associated with drug toxicity and increasing parasite resistance. Therefore, the study of this parasite with a focus on new potential drug targets is extremely useful. Accordingly, we purified and characterized a transglutaminase (TGase) from L. infantum promastigotes. While Tgases are known to be involved in cell death and autophagy, it appears that these functions are very important for parasites' virulence. For the first time, we showed a Ca2+- and GTP-dependent TGase in Leishmania corresponding to a 54 kDa protein, which was purified by two chromatographic steps: DEAE-Sepharose and Heparin-Sepharose. Using polyclonal antibodies against a 50-amino-acid conserved region of the catalytic core of human TGase 2, we revealed two other bands of 66 and 75 kDa. The 54 kDa band appears to be different from the previously reported TGase, which was shown to be Ca2+- independent. Future research should address the identification of the purified enzyme sequence and, subsequently, its cloning to more comprehensively investigate its pathophysiological function and possible differences from mammal enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawgi Hago Almugadam
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Khartoum, Nile Avenue, P.O. Box 321, Khartoum 51111, Sudan
| | - Alessandro Trentini
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Martina Maritati
- Infectious Diseases and Dermatology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carlo Contini
- Infectious Diseases and Dermatology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Manfrinato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carlo Cervellati
- Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bellini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefania Hanau
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Okuda K, Silva Costa Franco MM, Yasunaga A, Gazzinelli R, Rabinovitch M, Cherry S, Silverman N. Leishmania amazonensis sabotages host cell SUMOylation for intracellular survival. iScience 2022; 25:104909. [PMID: 36060064 PMCID: PMC9436752 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites use elaborate virulence mechanisms to invade and thrive in macrophages. These virulence mechanisms inhibit host cell defense responses and generate a specialized replicative niche, the parasitophorous vacuole. In this work, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen in Drosophila macrophage-like cells to identify the host factors necessary for Leishmania amazonensis infection. This screen identified 52 conserved genes required specifically for parasite entry, including several components of the SUMOylation machinery. Further studies in mammalian macrophages found that L. amazonensis infection inhibited SUMOylation within infected macrophages and this inhibition enhanced parasitophorous vacuole growth and parasite proliferation through modulation of multiple genes especially ATP6V0D2, which in turn affects CD36 expression and cholesterol levels. Together, these data suggest that parasites actively sabotage host SUMOylation and alter host transcription to improve their intracellular niche and enhance their replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendi Okuda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
| | - Miriam Maria Silva Costa Franco
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
| | - Ari Yasunaga
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ricardo Gazzinelli
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
- Centro de Tecnologia de Vacinas, Universidade Federal of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG 30190, Brazil
| | - Michel Rabinovitch
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sara Cherry
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Neal Silverman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
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Kolářová I, Valigurová A. Hide-and-Seek: A Game Played between Parasitic Protists and Their Hosts. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2434. [PMID: 34946036 PMCID: PMC8707157 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
After invading the host organism, a battle occurs between the parasitic protists and the host's immune system, the result of which determines not only whether and how well the host survives and recovers, but also the fate of the parasite itself. The exact weaponry of this battle depends, among others, on the parasite localisation. While some parasitic protists do not invade the host cell at all (extracellular parasites), others have developed successful intracellular lifestyles (intracellular parasites) or attack only the surface of the host cell (epicellular parasites). Epicellular and intracellular protist parasites have developed various mechanisms to hijack host cell functions to escape cellular defences and immune responses, and, finally, to gain access to host nutrients. They use various evasion tactics to secure the tight contact with the host cell and the direct nutrient supply. This review focuses on the adaptations and evasion strategies of parasitic protists on the example of two very successful parasites of medical significance, Cryptosporidium and Leishmania, while discussing different localisation (epicellular vs. intracellular) with respect to the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Kolářová
- Laboratory of Vector Biology, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Valigurová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
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4
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Pona MN, Dietrich JM, Silva JMD, Silva HALD, Hueb M, Damazo AS. Analysis of annexin-A1 in the macrophages and apoptotic cells of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021; 54:e07562020. [PMID: 34431955 PMCID: PMC8405212 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0756-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine the number of macrophages and apoptotic cells and perform annexin-A1 detection in patients with leishmaniasis. METHODS Patients with Leishmania infection were admitted to Júlio Müller University Hospital. RESULTS The number of apoptotic cells was higher in the exudative granulomatous reaction. The exudative cellular reaction displayed higher levels of annexin-A1 detection in macrophages and apoptotic cells. The correlation between annexin-A1 detection in apoptotic cells and macrophages was observed in exudative necrotic reaction and exudative necrotic-granulomatous reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the relevance of annexin-A1 in the regulation of apoptosis and phagocytosis in leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joselina Maria da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Ciências Básicas em Saúde, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | | | - Marcia Hueb
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Amilcar Sabino Damazo
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Ciências Básicas em Saúde, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
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5
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Duque TLA, Serrão TCDSLC, Gonçalves AJDS, Pinto EF, Oliveira-Neto MP, Pirmez C, Pereira LDOR, Menna-Barreto RFS. Leishmania (V.) braziliensis infection promotes macrophage autophagy by a LC3B-dependent and BECLIN1-independent mechanism. Acta Trop 2021; 218:105890. [PMID: 33744245 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105890] [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: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is one of the main etiological agents of tegumentary leishmaniasis in Latin America. The establishment of a successful infection in host cells requires several key events including phagocytosis, phagolysosomal maturation impairment, and parasite replication. Autophagy is accountable for the physiological turnover of cellular organelles, degradation of macromolecular structures, and pathogen elimination. In many cases, autophagy control leads to a successful infection, both impairing pathogen elimination or providing nutrients. Here, we have investigated the relationship between autophagy and L. braziliensis infection. We observed that BECLIN1 expression was upregulated early on infection in both in vitro macrophage cultures and biopsies of cutaneous lesions from L. braziliensis infected patients. On the other hand, LC3B expression was downregulated in cutaneous lesions biopsies. A transient pattern of LC3+ cells was observed along L. braziliensis infection, but the number of LC3 puncta did not vary. Additionally, autophagy induction, with rapamycin treatment or through starvation, reduced infection. As expected, rapamycin increased the percentage of LC3+ cells and the number of puncta, but the presence of parasite restricted this effect, indicating LC3-associated autophagy impairment by L. braziliensis. Finally, silencing LC3B but not BECLIN1 promoted infection, confirming BECLIN1 independent and LC3B-related control by the parasite. Taken together, these data indicate macrophage autophagic machinery manipulation by L. braziliensis, resulting in successful establishment and survival into the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eduardo Fonseca Pinto
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research, IOC, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Claude Pirmez
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research, IOC, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Karampetsou K, Koutsoni OS, Gogou G, Angelis A, Skaltsounis LA, Dotsika E. Total Phenolic Fraction (TPF) from Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Induction of apoptotic-like cell death in Leishmania spp. promastigotes and in vivo potential of therapeutic immunomodulation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0008968. [PMID: 33428610 PMCID: PMC7799795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a serious multifactorial parasitic disease with limited treatment options. Current chemotherapy is mainly consisted of drugs with serious drawbacks such as toxicity, variable efficacy and resistance. Alternative bioactive phytocompounds may provide a promising source for discovering new anti-leishmanial drugs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), a key-product in the Mediterranean diet, is rich in phenols which are associated with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-microbial effects. In this study, we investigate the anti-leishmanial effect of Total Phenolic Fraction (TPF) derived from EVOO in both in vitro and in vivo systems by investigating the contributing mechanism of action. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We tested the ability of TPF to cause apoptotic-like programmed cell death in L. infantum and L. major exponential-phase promastigotes by evaluating several apoptotic indices, such as reduction of proliferation rate, sub-G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial transmembrane potential disruption and increased ROS production, by using flow cytometry and microscopy techniques. Moreover, we assessed the therapeutic effect of TPF in L. major-infected BALB/c mice by determining skin lesions, parasite burden in popliteal lymph nodes, Leishmania-specific antibodies and biomarkers of tissue site cellular immune response, five weeks post-treatment termination. Our results show that TPF triggers cell-cycle arrest and apoptotic-like changes in Leishmania spp. promastigotes. Moreover, TPF treatment induces significant reduction of parasite burden in draining lymph nodes together with an antibody profile indicative of the polarization of Th1/Th2 immune balance towards the protective Th1-type response, characterized by the presence of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T-cells and increased Tbx21/GATA-3 gene expression ratio in splenocytes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE TPF exhibits chemotherapeutic anti-leishmanial activity by inducing programmed cell death on cell-free promastigotes and immunomodulatory properties that induce in vivo T cell-mediated responses towards the protective Th1 response in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. These findings enable deeper understanding of TPF's dual mode of action that encourages further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga S. Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Gogou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolis Angelis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Leandros-Alexios Skaltsounis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
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Wanderley JLM, DaMatta RA, Barcinski MA. Apoptotic mimicry as a strategy for the establishment of parasitic infections: parasite- and host-derived phosphatidylserine as key molecule. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:10. [PMID: 31941500 PMCID: PMC6964003 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0482-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of parasitic infection is dependent on the development of efficient strategies to evade the host defense mechanisms. Phosphatidylserine (PS) molecules are pivotal for apoptotic cell recognition and clearance by professional phagocytes. Moreover, PS receptors are able to trigger anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses by phagocytes, either by coupled enzymes or through the induction of regulatory cytokine secretion. These PS-dependent events are exploited by parasites in a mechanism called apoptotic mimicry. Generally, apoptotic mimicry refers to the effects of PS recognition for the initiation and maintenance of pathogenic infections. However, in this context, PS molecules can be recognized on the surface of the infectious agent or in the surface of apoptotic host debris, leading to the respective denomination of classical and non-classical apoptotic mimicry. In this review, we discuss the role of PS in the pathogenesis of several human infections caused by protozoan parasites. Video Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luiz Mendes Wanderley
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Campus UFRJ Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Renato Augusto DaMatta
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Norte-Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcello André Barcinski
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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8
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Abstract
Leishmaniases still represent a global scourge and new therapeutic tools are necessary to replace the current expensive, difficult to administer treatments that induce numerous adverse effects and for which resistance is increasingly worrying. In this context, the particularly original organization of the Leishmania parasite in comparison to higher eukaryotes is a great advantage. It allows for the development of new, very specific, and thus non-cytotoxic treatments. Among these originalities, Leishmania cell death can be cited. Despite a classic pattern of apoptosis, key mammalian apoptotic proteins are not present in Leishmania, such as caspases, cell death receptors, and anti-apoptotic molecules. Recent studies have helped to develop a better understanding of parasite cell death, identifying new proteins or even new apoptotic pathways. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on Leishmania cell death, describing its physiological roles and its phenotype, and discusses the involvement of various proteins: endonuclease G, metacaspase, aquaporin Li-BH3AQP, calpains, cysteine proteinase C, LmjHYD36 and Lmj.22.0600. From these data, potential apoptotic pathways are suggested. This review also offers tools to identify new Leishmania cell death effectors. Lastly, different approaches to use this knowledge for the development of new therapeutic tools are suggested: either inhibition of Leishmania cell death or activation of cell death for instance by treating cells with proteins or peptides involved in parasite death fused to a cell permeant peptide or encapsulated into a lipidic vector to target intra-macrophagic Leishmania cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Basmaciyan
- UMR PAM A, Valmis Team, 2 rue Angélique Ducoudray, BP 37013, 21070 Dijon Cedex, France
| | - Magali Casanova
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, LISM, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, 13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France
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Conceição-Silva F, Morgado FN. Leishmania Spp-Host Interaction: There Is Always an Onset, but Is There an End? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:330. [PMID: 31608245 PMCID: PMC6761226 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
For a long time Leishmaniasis had been considered as a neglected tropical disease. Recently, it has become a priority in public health all over the world for different aspects such as geographic spread, number of population living at risk of infection as well as the potential lethality and/or the development of disfiguring lesions in the, respectively, visceral and tegumentary forms of the disease. As a result, several groups have been bending over this issue and many valuable data have been published. Nevertheless, parasite-host interactions are still not fully known and, consequently, we do not entirely understand the infection dynamics and parasite persistence. This knowledge may point targets for modulation or blockage, being very useful in the development of measures to interfere in the course of infection/ disease and to minimize the risks and morbidity. In the present review we will discuss some aspects of the Leishmania spp-mammalian host interaction in the onset of infection and after the clinical cure of the lesions. We will also examine the information already available concerning the parasite strategy to evade immune response mainly at the beginning of the infection, as well as during the parasite persistence. This knowledge can improve the conditions of treatment, follow-up and cure control of patients, minimizing the potential damages this protozoosis can cause to infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Conceição-Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda N Morgado
- Laboratory of Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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10
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Siripattanapipong S, Boontanom P, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M, Tan-Ariya P. In vitro growth characteristics and morphological differentiation of Leishmania martiniquensis promastigotes in different culture media. Acta Trop 2019; 197:105039. [PMID: 31132335 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan hemoflagellate, Leishmania martiniquensis, is the causative agent of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis among humans. This parasite was first isolated from an autochthonous case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Martinique Island (French West Indies) in 1995 and its taxonomical position was later established in 2002. At present, the emergence of this globally infectious disease caused by L.martiniquensis raises serious concerns and has gained attention from the national public health policy. Epidemiological studies indicated that Thailand is one of the endemic areas of L.martiniquensis with hundreds of cases, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, have been reported among patients positive for HIV/AIDS. Information on its basic biology including suitable conditions for parasite propagation is limited. To assess this, we used four established media, that is, Medium 199 (M199), RPMI 1640 medium (RPMI), Grace's insect medium (GIM), and Schneider's insect medium (SIM) to investigate the promastigote growth by evaluating the growth characteristics, viability, and kinetics of stage differentiation in each medium. The findings from this study showed that parasites growing in different media exhibited different biological characteristics, which would be suitable for very specific research purposes, i.e., RPMI; for long term parasite maintenance, M199; for mass culture of parasites, M199 and GIM; for initial isolation of the parasites in clinical specimens, and SIM; for metacyclogenesis study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parima Boontanom
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Saovanee Leelayoova
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Mathirut Mungthin
- Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Peerapan Tan-Ariya
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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Srivastava A, Garg S, Jain R, Ayana R, Kaushik H, Garg L, Pati S, Singh S. Identification and functional characterization of a bacterial homologue of Zeta toxin in Leishmania donovani. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:1223-1235. [PMID: 31074836 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Zeta-toxin is a cognate toxin of epsilon antitoxin of prokaryotic Type II toxin-antitoxin system (TA) and play an important role in cell death. An orthologue of bacterial-zeta-toxin (BzT) was identified in Leishmania donovani with similar structural and functional features. Leishmania zeta-toxin (named Ld_ζ1) harboring similar UNAG and ATP-binding pockets showed UNAG kinase and ATP-binding activity. An active Ld_ζ1 was found to express in infective extracellular promastigotes stage of L. donovani and episomal overexpression of an active Ld_ζ1domain-triggered cell death. This study demonstrates the presence of prokaryotic-like-zeta-toxin in eukaryotic parasite Leishmania and its association with cell death. Conceivably, phosphorylated UNAG or analogues, the biochemical mimics of zeta-toxin function mediating cell death can act as a novel anti-leishmanial chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akriti Srivastava
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Swati Garg
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Ravi Jain
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Rajagopal Ayana
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Himani Kaushik
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Lalit Garg
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Soumya Pati
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India.,Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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Wanderley JLM, Deolindo P, Carlsen E, Portugal AB, DaMatta RA, Barcinski MA, Soong L. CD4 + T Cell-Dependent Macrophage Activation Modulates Sustained PS Exposure on Intracellular Amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:105. [PMID: 31032234 PMCID: PMC6473175 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes can make use of surface-exposed phosphatidylserine (PS) molecules to promote infection and non-classical activation of macrophages (MΦ), leading to uncontrolled intracellular proliferation of the parasites. This mechanism was quoted as apoptotic mimicry. Moreover, the amount of PS molecules exposed on the surface of amastigotes correlates with the susceptibility of the host. In this study, we tested whether host cellular responses influence PS expression on intracellular amastigotes. We found that the level of PS exposure on intracellular amastigotes was modulated by CD4+ T cell and MΦ activation status in vitro and in vivo. L. amazonensis infection generated a Th1/Th2-mixed cytokine profile, providing the optimal MΦ stimulation that favored PS exposure on intracellular amastigotes. Maintenance of PS exposed on the parasite was dependent on low, but sustained, levels of nitric oxide and polyamine production. Amastigotes obtained from lymphopenic nude mice did not expose PS on their surface, and adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells reversed this phenotype. In addition, histopathological analysis of mice treated with anti-PS antibodies showed increased inflammation and similarities to nude mouse lesions. Collectively, our data confirm the role of pathogenic CD4+ T cells for disease progression and point to PS as a critical parasite strategy to subvert host immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao Luiz Mendes Wanderley
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade de Pesquisa Integrada em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Poliana Deolindo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eric Carlsen
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Arieli Bernardo Portugal
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade de Pesquisa Integrada em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Renato Augusto DaMatta
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Marcello Andre Barcinski
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lynn Soong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Tropical Diseases, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
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13
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Merida-de-Barros DA, Chaves SP, Belmiro CLR, Wanderley JLM. Leishmaniasis and glycosaminoglycans: a future therapeutic strategy? Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:536. [PMID: 30285837 PMCID: PMC6171297 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2953-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania spp. depend on effective macrophage infection to establish and develop in mammalian hosts. Both metacyclic promastigotes and amastigotes are able to infect host cells, and thus they rely on several ligands that, when recognized by macrophage receptors, mediate parasite uptake. During macrophage primary infection with metacyclic forms from the insect vector and during amastigote dissemination via macrophage rupture, both infective stages have to cope with the host extracellular microenvironment, including extracellular matrix molecules. Glycosaminoglycans are abundant in the extracellular matrix and many of these molecules are able to interact with the parasite and the host cell, mediating positive and negative effects for the infection, depending on their structure and/or location. In addition, glycosaminoglycans are present at the surface of macrophages as proteoglycans, playing important roles for parasite recognition and uptake. In this review, we discuss glycosaminoglycans in the context of Leishmania infection as well as the possible applications of the current knowledge regarding these molecules for the development of new therapeutic strategies to control parasite dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Almeida Merida-de-Barros
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade Integrada de Pesquisa em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Campus UFRJ-Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Programa de Pós Graduação em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Campus UFRJ-Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Suzana Passos Chaves
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade Integrada de Pesquisa em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Campus UFRJ-Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Celso Luis Ribeiro Belmiro
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade Integrada de Pesquisa em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Campus UFRJ-Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - João Luiz Mendes Wanderley
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade Integrada de Pesquisa em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Campus UFRJ-Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós Graduação em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Campus UFRJ-Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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14
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Aureliano DP, Lindoso JAL, de Castro Soares SR, Takakura CFH, Pereira TM, Ribeiro MS. Cell death mechanisms in Leishmania amazonensis triggered by methylene blue-mediated antiparasitic photodynamic therapy. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2018; 23:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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15
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Cassilly CD, Reynolds TB. PS, It's Complicated: The Roles of Phosphatidylserine and Phosphatidylethanolamine in the Pathogenesis of Candida albicans and Other Microbial Pathogens. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:jof4010028. [PMID: 29461490 PMCID: PMC5872331 DOI: 10.3390/jof4010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The phospholipids phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) play important roles in the virulence of Candida albicans and loss of PS synthesis or synthesis of PE from PS (PS decarboxylase) severely compromises virulence in C. albicans in a mouse model of systemic candidiasis. This review discusses synthesis of PE and PS in C. albicans and mechanisms by which these lipids impact virulence in this fungus. This is further compared to how PS and PE synthesis impact virulence in other fungi, parasites and bacteria. Furthermore, the impact of PS asymmetry on virulence and extracellular vesicle formation in several microbes is reviewed. Finally, the potential for PS and PE synthases as drug targets in these various kingdoms is also examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsi D Cassilly
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - Todd B Reynolds
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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16
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Muxel SM, Aoki JI, Fernandes JCR, Laranjeira-Silva MF, Zampieri RA, Acuña SM, Müller KE, Vanderlinde RH, Floeter-Winter LM. Arginine and Polyamines Fate in Leishmania Infection. Front Microbiol 2018; 8:2682. [PMID: 29379478 PMCID: PMC5775291 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania is a protozoan parasite that alternates its life cycle between the sand fly and the mammalian host macrophages, involving several environmental changes. The parasite responds to these changes by promoting a rapid metabolic adaptation through cellular signaling modifications that lead to transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene expression regulation and morphological modifications. Molecular approaches such as gene expression regulation, next-generation sequencing (NGS), microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling, in cell Western blot analyses and enzymatic activity profiling, have been used to characterize the infection of murine BALB/c and C57BL/6 macrophages, as well as the human monocytic cell-lineage THP-1, with Leishmania amazonensis wild type (La-WT) or arginase knockout (La-arg-). These models are being used to elucidate physiological roles of arginine and polyamines pathways and the importance of arginase for the establishment of the infection. In this review, we will describe the main aspects of Leishmania-host interaction, focusing on the arginine and polyamines pathways and pointing to possible targets to be used for prognosis and/or in the control of the infection. The parasite enzymes, arginase and nitric oxide synthase-like, have essential roles in the parasite survival and in the maintenance of infection. On the other hand, in mammalian macrophages, defense mechanisms are activated inducing alterations in the mRNA, miRNA and enzymatic profiles that lead to the control of infection. Furthermore, the genetic background of both parasite and host are also important to define the fate of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Muxel
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana I Aoki
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliane C R Fernandes
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo A Zampieri
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stephanie M Acuña
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karl E Müller
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rubia H Vanderlinde
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucile M Floeter-Winter
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Rodrigues de Santana F, de Paula Coelho C, Cardoso TN, Perez Hurtado EC, Roberti Benites N, Dalastra Laurenti M, Villano Bonamin L. Modulation of inflammation response to murine cutaneous Leishmaniasis by homeopathic medicines: Antimonium crudum 30cH. HOMEOPATHY 2018; 103:264-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2014.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background: Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the mononuclear phagocytic system. The modulation activity of these cells can interfere in the host/parasite relationship and influences the prognosis.Methods: We evaluated the effects of the homeopathic preparation Antimonium crudum 30cH on experimental infection induced by Leishmania (L.) amazonensis. Male Balb/c mice were inoculated with 2 × 106 Leishmania (L.) amazonensis promastigotes into the footpad and, after 48 h (acute phase) or 60 days (chronic phase), cell population of lymphocytes and phagocytes present in the peritoneal washing fluid and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry and histopathology, with histometry of the subcutaneous primary lesion, local lymph node and spleen. Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantify CD3 (T lymphocyte), CD45RA (B lymphocyte) and CD11b (phagocytes) positive cells.Results: In treated mice, during the acute phase, there was significant increase of the macroscopic lesion, associated to inflammatory edema, as well increase in the number of free amastigotes and B lymphocytes inside the lesion. Increase of B lymphocytes (predominantly B-2 cells) was also seen in the local lymph node, spleen and peritoneum. In the chronic phase, the inflammatory process in the infection focus was reduced, with reduced phagocyte migration and peritoneal increase of B-1a cells (precursors of B-2 immunoglobulin producers cells) and T CD8+ cells.Conclusion: The treatment of mice with Antimonium crudum 30cH induced a predominantly B cell pattern of immune response in Leishmania (L.) amazonensis experimental infection, alongside the increase of free amastigote forms number in the infection site. The clinical significance of this study is discussed, further studies are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Rodrigues de Santana
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Research Center of University Paulista, Rua Dr Bacelar, 1212 – 4th Floor, 04026-002 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cidéli de Paula Coelho
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Research Center of University Paulista, Rua Dr Bacelar, 1212 – 4th Floor, 04026-002 São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, University of Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thayná Neves Cardoso
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Research Center of University Paulista, Rua Dr Bacelar, 1212 – 4th Floor, 04026-002 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Cristina Perez Hurtado
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Research Center of University Paulista, Rua Dr Bacelar, 1212 – 4th Floor, 04026-002 São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Immunology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Leoni Villano Bonamin
- Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology, Research Center of University Paulista, Rua Dr Bacelar, 1212 – 4th Floor, 04026-002 São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, University of Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil
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18
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Schille S, Crauwels P, Bohn R, Bagola K, Walther P, van Zandbergen G. LC3-associated phagocytosis in microbial pathogenesis. Int J Med Microbiol 2017; 308:228-236. [PMID: 29169848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phagocytosis is essential for uptake and elimination of pathogenic microorganisms. Autophagy is a highly conserved mechanism for incorporation of cellular constituents to replenish nutrients by degradation. Recently, parts of the autophagy machinery - above all microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) - were found to be specifically recruited to phagosomal membranes resulting in phagosome-lysosome fusion and efficient degradation of internalized cargo in a process termed LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP). Many pathogenic bacterial, fungal and parasitic microorganisms reside within LAP-targeted single-membrane phagosomes or vacuoles after infection of host cells. In this minireview we describe the state of knowledge on the interaction of pathogens with LAP or LAP-like pathways and report on various pathogens that have evolved strategies to circumvent degradation in LAP compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schille
- Department of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Peter Crauwels
- Department of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Rebecca Bohn
- Department of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Katrin Bagola
- Department of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for EM, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ger van Zandbergen
- Department of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany; Institute for Immunology, University Medicine Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
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19
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Cárdenas-Zúñiga R, Silva-Olivares A, Villalba-Magdaleno JDA, Sánchez-Monroy V, Serrano-Luna J, Shibayama M. Amphotericin B induces apoptosis-like programmed cell death in Naegleria fowleri and Naegleria gruberi. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2017; 163:940-949. [PMID: 28721850 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri and Naegleria gruberi belong to the free-living amoebae group. It is widely known that the non-pathogenic species N. gruberi is usually employed as a model to describe molecular pathways in this genus, mainly because its genome has been recently described. However, N. fowleri is an aetiological agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, an acute and fatal disease. Currently, the most widely used drug for its treatment is amphotericin B (AmB). It was previously reported that AmB has an amoebicidal effect in both N. fowleri and N. gruberi trophozoites by inducing morphological changes that resemble programmed cell death (PCD). PCD is a mechanism that activates morphological, biochemical and genetic changes. However, PCD has not yet been characterized in the genus Naegleria. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the typical markers to describe PCD in both amoebae. These results showed that treated trophozoites displayed several parameters of apoptosis-like PCD in both species. We observed ultrastructural changes, an increase in reactive oxygen species, phosphatidylserine externalization and a decrease in intracellular potassium, while DNA degradation was evaluated using the TUNEL assay and agarose gels, and all of these parameters are related to PCD. Finally, we analysed the expression of apoptosis-related genes, such as sir2 and atg8, in N. gruberi. Taken together, our results showed that AmB induces the morphological, biochemical and genetic changes of apoptosis-like PCD in the genus Naegleria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cárdenas-Zúñiga
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Angélica Silva-Olivares
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Virginia Sánchez-Monroy
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Instituto Politénico Nacional, Calle Guillermo Massieu H. 239, Col. La Escalera, 07320, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jesús Serrano-Luna
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mineko Shibayama
- Department of Infectomics and Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico
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20
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Birge RB, Boeltz S, Kumar S, Carlson J, Wanderley J, Calianese D, Barcinski M, Brekken RA, Huang X, Hutchins JT, Freimark B, Empig C, Mercer J, Schroit AJ, Schett G, Herrmann M. Phosphatidylserine is a global immunosuppressive signal in efferocytosis, infectious disease, and cancer. Cell Death Differ 2016; 23:962-78. [PMID: 26915293 PMCID: PMC4987730 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2016.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 459] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved and tightly regulated cell death modality. It serves important roles in physiology by sculpting complex tissues during embryogenesis and by removing effete cells that have reached advanced age or whose genomes have been irreparably damaged. Apoptosis culminates in the rapid and decisive removal of cell corpses by efferocytosis, a term used to distinguish the engulfment of apoptotic cells from other phagocytic processes. Over the past decades, the molecular and cell biological events associated with efferocytosis have been rigorously studied, and many eat-me signals and receptors have been identified. The externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) is arguably the most emblematic eat-me signal that is in turn bound by a large number of serum proteins and opsonins that facilitate efferocytosis. Under physiological conditions, externalized PS functions as a dominant and evolutionarily conserved immunosuppressive signal that promotes tolerance and prevents local and systemic immune activation. Pathologically, the innate immunosuppressive effect of externalized PS has been hijacked by numerous viruses, microorganisms, and parasites to facilitate infection, and in many cases, establish infection latency. PS is also profoundly dysregulated in the tumor microenvironment and antagonizes the development of tumor immunity. In this review, we discuss the biology of PS with respect to its role as a global immunosuppressive signal and how PS is exploited to drive diverse pathological processes such as infection and cancer. Finally, we outline the rationale that agents targeting PS could have significant value in cancer and infectious disease therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Birge
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - S Boeltz
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - S Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - J Carlson
- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, 14282 Franklin Avenue, Tustin, CA 92780, USA
| | - J Wanderley
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - D Calianese
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - M Barcinski
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - R A Brekken
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Dallas, TX 75390-8593, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8593, USA
| | - X Huang
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Dallas, TX 75390-8593, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8593, USA
| | - J T Hutchins
- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, 14282 Franklin Avenue, Tustin, CA 92780, USA
| | - B Freimark
- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, 14282 Franklin Avenue, Tustin, CA 92780, USA
| | - C Empig
- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, 14282 Franklin Avenue, Tustin, CA 92780, USA
| | - J Mercer
- Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - A J Schroit
- Simmons Cancer Center and the Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - G Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - M Herrmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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21
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DaMata JP, Mendes BP, Maciel-Lima K, Menezes CAS, Dutra WO, Sousa LP, Horta MF. Distinct Macrophage Fates after in vitro Infection with Different Species of Leishmania: Induction of Apoptosis by Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, but Not by Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141196. [PMID: 26513474 PMCID: PMC4626090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania is an intracellular parasite in vertebrate hosts, including man. During infection, amastigotes replicate inside macrophages and are transmitted to healthy cells, leading to amplification of the infection. Although transfer of amastigotes from infected to healthy cells is a crucial step that may shape the outcome of the infection, it is not fully understood. Here we compare L. amazonensis and L. guyanensis infection in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice and investigate the fate of macrophages when infected with these species of Leishmania in vitro. As previously shown, infection of mice results in distinct outcomes: L. amazonensis causes a chronic infection in both strains of mice (although milder in C57BL/6), whereas L. guyanensis does not cause them disease. In vitro, infection is persistent in L. amazonensis-infected macrophages whereas L. guyanensis growth is controlled by host cells from both strains of mice. We demonstrate that, in vitro, L. amazonensis induces apoptosis of both C57BL/6 and BALB/c macrophages, characterized by PS exposure, DNA cleavage into nucleosomal size fragments, and consequent hypodiploidy. None of these signs were seen in macrophages infected with L. guyanensis, which seem to die through necrosis, as indicated by increased PI-, but not Annexin V-, positive cells. L. amazonensis-induced macrophage apoptosis was associated to activation of caspases-3, -8 and -9 in both strains of mice. Considering these two species of Leishmania and strains of mice, macrophage apoptosis, induced at the initial moments of infection, correlates with chronic infection, regardless of its severity. We present evidence suggestive that macrophages phagocytize L. amazonensis-infected cells, which has not been verified so far. The ingestion of apoptotic infected macrophages by healthy macrophages could be a way of amastigote spreading, leading to the establishment of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarina Pena DaMata
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Pinheiro Mendes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Kátia Maciel-Lima
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Alves Silva Menezes
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lirlândia Pires Sousa
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Fátima Horta
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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22
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de Mendonça SCF, Cysne-Finkelstein L, Matos DCDS. Kinetoplastid Membrane Protein-11 as a Vaccine Candidate and a Virulence Factor in Leishmania. Front Immunol 2015; 6:524. [PMID: 26528287 PMCID: PMC4602152 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastid membrane protein-11 (KMP-11), a protein present in all kinetoplastid protozoa, is considered a potential candidate for a leishmaniasis vaccine. In Leishmania amazonensis, KMP-11 is expressed in promastigotes and amastigotes. In both stages, the protein was found in association with membrane structures at the cell surface, flagellar pocket, and intracellular vesicles. More importantly, its surface expression is higher in amastigotes than in promastigotes and increases during metacyclogenesis. The increased expression of KMP-11 in metacyclic promastigotes, and especially in amastigotes, indicates a role for this molecule in the parasite relationship with the mammalian host. In this connection, we have shown that addition of KMP-11 exacerbates L. amazonensis infection in peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice by increasing interleukin (IL)-10 secretion and arginase activity while reducing nitric oxide production. The doses of KMP-11, the IL-10 levels, and the intracellular amastigote loads were strongly, positively, and significantly correlated. The increase in parasite load induced by KMP-11 was inhibited by anti-KMP-11 or anti-IL-10-neutralizing antibodies, but not by isotype controls. The neutralizing antibodies, but not the isotype controls, were also able to significantly decrease the parasite load in macrophages cultured without the addition of KMP-11, demonstrating that KMP-11-induced exacerbation of the infection is not dependent on the addition of exogenous KMP-11 and that the protein naturally expressed by the parasite is able to promote it. All these data indicate that KMP-11 acts as a virulence factor in L. amazonensis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Léa Cysne-Finkelstein
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Denise Cristina de Souza Matos
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
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23
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Pitaluga AN, Moreira MEC, Traub-Csekö YM. A putative role for inosine 5' monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) in Leishmania amazonensis programmed cell death. Exp Parasitol 2014; 149:32-8. [PMID: 25499513 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis undergoes apoptosis-like programmed cell death (PCD) under heat shock conditions. We identified a potential role for inosine 5' monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) in L. amazonensis PCD. Trypanosomatids do not have a "de novo" purine synthesis pathway, relying on the salvage pathway for survival. IMPDH, a key enzyme in the purine nucleotide pathway, is related to cell growth and apoptosis. Since guanine nucleotide depletion triggers cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in several organisms we analyzed the correlation between IMPDH and apoptosis-like death in L. amazonensis. The L. amazonensis IMPDH inhibition effect on PCD was evaluated through gene expression analysis, mitochondrial depolarization and detection of Annexin-V labeled parasites. We demonstrated a down-regulation of impdh expression under heat shock treatment, which mimics the natural mammalian host infection. Also, IMPDH inhibitors ribavirin and mycophenolic acid (MPA) prevented cell growth and generated an apoptosis-like phenotype in sub-populations of L. amazonensis promastigotes. Our results are in accordance with previous results showing that a subpopulation of parasites undergoes apoptosis-like cell death in the nutrient poor environment of the vector gut. Here, we suggest the involvement of purine metabolism in previously observed apoptosis-like cell death during Leishmania infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Pitaluga
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - M E C Moreira
- Divisão de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Y M Traub-Csekö
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Cecílio P, Pérez-Cabezas B, Santarém N, Maciel J, Rodrigues V, Cordeiro da Silva A. Deception and manipulation: the arms of leishmania, a successful parasite. Front Immunol 2014; 5:480. [PMID: 25368612 PMCID: PMC4202772 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania spp. are intracellular parasitic protozoa responsible for a group of neglected tropical diseases, endemic in 98 countries around the world, called leishmaniasis. These parasites have a complex digenetic life cycle requiring a susceptible vertebrate host and a permissive insect vector, which allow their transmission. The clinical manifestations associated with leishmaniasis depend on complex interactions between the parasite and the host immune system. Consequently, leishmaniasis can be manifested as a self-healing cutaneous affliction or a visceral pathology, being the last one fatal in 85–90% of untreated cases. As a result of a long host–parasite co-evolutionary process, Leishmania spp. developed different immunomodulatory strategies that are essential for the establishment of infection. Only through deception and manipulation of the immune system, Leishmania spp. can complete its life cycle and survive. The understanding of the mechanisms associated with immune evasion and disease progression is essential for the development of novel therapies and vaccine approaches. Here, we revise how the parasite manipulates cell death and immune responses to survive and thrive in the shadow of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Cecílio
- Parasite Disease Group, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - Begoña Pérez-Cabezas
- Parasite Disease Group, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Parasite Disease Group, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - Joana Maciel
- Parasite Disease Group, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - Vasco Rodrigues
- Parasite Disease Group, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro da Silva
- Parasite Disease Group, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal ; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
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25
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Rochael NC, Lima LG, Oliveira SMPD, Barcinski MA, Saraiva EM, Monteiro RQ, Pinto-da-Silva LH. Leishmania amazonensis exhibits phosphatidylserine-dependent procoagulant activity, a process that is counteracted by sandfly saliva. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2014; 108:679-85. [PMID: 24037188 PMCID: PMC3970692 DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276108062013002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites expose phosphatidylserine (PS) on their
surface, a process that has been associated with regulation of host's immune
responses. In this study we demonstrate that PS exposure by metacyclic
promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis favours blood
coagulation. L. amazonensis accelerates in vitro coagulation of
human plasma. In addition, L. amazonensis supports the assembly
of the prothrombinase complex, thus promoting thrombin formation. This process
was reversed by annexin V which blocks PS binding sites. During blood meal,
Lutzomyia longipalpis sandfly inject saliva in the bite
site, which has a series of pharmacologically active compounds that inhibit
blood coagulation. Since saliva and parasites are co-injected in the host during
natural transmission, we evaluated the anticoagulant properties of sandfly
saliva in counteracting the procoagulant activity of L.
amazonensis . Lu. longipalpis saliva reverses
plasma clotting promoted by promastigotes. It also inhibits thrombin formation
by the prothrombinase complex assembled either in phosphatidylcholine (PC)/PS
vesicles or in L. amazonensis . Sandfly saliva inhibits factor
X activation by the intrinsic tenase complex assembled on PC/PS vesicles and
blocks factor Xa catalytic activity. Altogether our results show that metacyclic
promastigotes of L. amazonensis are procoagulant due to PS
exposure. Notably, this effect is efficiently counteracted by sandfly
saliva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Cadaxo Rochael
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brasil
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26
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Araújo-Santos T, Rodríguez NE, Moura-Pontes S, Dixt UG, Abánades DR, Bozza PT, Wilson ME, Borges VM. Role of prostaglandin F2α production in lipid bodies from Leishmania infantum chagasi: insights on virulence. J Infect Dis 2014; 210:1951-61. [PMID: 24850789 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid bodies (LB; lipid droplets) are cytoplasmic organelles involved in lipid metabolism. Mammalian LBs display an important role in host-pathogen interactions, but the role of parasite LBs in biosynthesis of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) has not been investigated. We report herein that LBs increased in abundance during development of Leishmania infantum chagasi to a virulent metacyclic stage, as did the expression of PGF2α synthase (PGFS). The amount of parasite LBs and PGF2α were modulated by exogenous arachidonic acid. During macrophage infection, LBs were restricted to parasites inside the parasitophorous vacuoles (PV). We detected PGF2α receptor (FP) on the Leishmania PV surface. The blockage of FP with AL8810, a selective antagonist, hampered Leishmania infection, whereas the irreversible inhibition of cyclooxygenase with aspirin increased the parasite burden. These data demonstrate novel functions for parasite-derived LBs and PGF2α in the cellular metabolism of Leishmania and its evasion of the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théo Araújo-Santos
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil University of Iowa and the Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa
| | | | - Sara Moura-Pontes
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel R Abánades
- Department of Chemical and Physical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mary E Wilson
- University of Iowa and the Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa
| | - Valéria Matos Borges
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil Institute for Investigation in Immunology, iii-INCT (National Institute of Science and Technology), São Paulo, Brazil
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27
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The calpain inhibitor MDL28170 induces the expression of apoptotic markers in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87659. [PMID: 24498160 PMCID: PMC3909198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by distinct species, including Leishmania amazonensis. Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis is far from satisfactory due to increases in drug resistance and relapses, and toxicity of compounds to the host. As a consequence for this situation, the development of new leishmanicidal drugs and the search of new targets in the parasite biology are important goals. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we investigated the mechanism of death pathway induced by the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 on Leishmania amazonensis promastigote forms. The combined use of different techniques was applied to contemplate this goal. MDL28170 treatment with IC50 (15 µM) and two times the IC50 doses induced loss of parasite viability, as verified by resazurin assay, as well as depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, which was quantified by JC-1 staining. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic images revealed drastic alterations on the parasite morphology, some of them resembling apoptotic-like death, including cell shrinking, surface membrane blebs and altered chromatin condensation pattern. The lipid rearrangement of the plasma membrane was detected by Annexin-V labeling. The inhibitor also induced a significant increase in the proportion of cells in the sub-G0/G1 phase, as quantified by propidium iodide staining, as well as genomic DNA fragmentation, detected by TUNEL assay. In cells treated with MDL28170 at two times the IC50 dose, it was also possible to observe an oligonucleossomal DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis. Conclusions/Significance The data presented in the current study suggest that MDL28170 induces apoptotic marker expression in promastigotes of L. amazonensis. Altogether, the results described in the present work not only provide a rationale for further exploration of the mechanism of action of calpain inhibitors against trypanosomatids, but may also widen the investigation of the potential clinical utility of calpain inhibitors in the chemotherapy of leishmaniases.
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28
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Abstract
SUMMARYAn ideal culture medium forLeishmaniapromastigotes should retain the basic characteristics of promastigotes found in sandflies (morphology and infectivity). Furthermore, the media should not create a bias in experimental settings, thus enabling the proper extrapolation of results. To assess this we studied several established media for promastigote growth. We analysed morphology, viability, cell cycle progression, metacyclic profile, capacity to differentiate into axenic amastigotes and infectivity. Furthermore, using a rational approach from the evaluated media we developed a simple serum-free medium (cRPMI). We report that parasites growing in different media present different biological characteristics and distinctin vitroandin vivoinfectivities. The developed medium, cRPMI, proved to be a less expensive substitute for traditional serum-supplemented media for thein vitromaintenance of promastigotes. In fact, cRPMI is ideal for the maintenance of parasites in the laboratory, diminishing the expected loss of virulence over time typical of the parasite cultivation. Ultimately this report is a clear warning that the normalization of culture media should be a real concern in the field as media-specific phenomena are sufficient to induce biological bias with consequences in infectivity and general parasite biology.
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29
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Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes trigger neutrophil activation but resist neutrophil microbicidal mechanisms. Infect Immun 2013; 81:3966-74. [PMID: 23918780 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00770-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are the first cells to infiltrate to the site of Leishmania promastigote infection, and these cells help to reduce parasite burden shortly after infection is initiated. Several clinical reports indicate that neutrophil recruitment is sustained over the course of leishmaniasis, and amastigote-laden neutrophils have been isolated from chronically infected patients and experimentally infected animals. The goal of this study was to compare how thioglycolate-elicited murine neutrophils respond to L. amazonensis metacyclic promastigotes and amastigotes derived from axenic cultures or from the lesions of infected mice. Neutrophils efficiently internalized both amastigote and promastigote forms of the parasite, and phagocytosis was enhanced in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated neutrophils or when parasites were opsonized in serum from infected mice. Parasite uptake resulted in neutrophil activation, oxidative burst, and accelerated neutrophil death. While promastigotes triggered the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), uptake of amastigotes preferentially resulted in the secretion of interleukin-10 (IL-10) from neutrophils. Finally, the majority of promastigotes were killed by neutrophils, while axenic culture- and lesion-derived amastigotes were highly resistant to neutrophil microbicidal mechanisms. This study indicates that neutrophils exhibit distinct responses to promastigote and amastigote infection. Our findings have important implications for determining the impact of sustained neutrophil recruitment and amastigote-neutrophil interactions during the late phase of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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30
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Wanderley JLM, Thorpe PE, Barcinski MA, Soong L. Phosphatidylserine exposure on the surface of Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes modulates in vivo infection and dendritic cell function. Parasite Immunol 2013; 35:109-119. [PMID: 23163958 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis parasites can cause diverse forms of leishmaniasis in humans and persistent lesions in most inbred strains of mice. In both cases, the infection is characterized by a marked immunosuppression of the host. We previously showed that amastigote forms of the parasite make use of surface-exposed phosphatidylserine (PS) molecules to infect host cells and promote alternative macrophage activation, leading to uncontrolled intracellular proliferation of the parasites. In this study, we demonstrated that treatment of infected mice with a PS-targeting monoclonal antibody ameliorated parasite loads and lesion development, which correlated with increased proliferative responses by lymphocytes. In addition, we observed an enhanced dendritic cell (DC) activation and antigen presentation in vitro. Our data imply that the recognition of PS exposed on the surface of amastigotes plays a role in down-modulating DC functions, in a matter similar to that of apoptotic cell clearance. This study provides new information regarding the mechanism of immune suppression in Leishmania infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L M Wanderley
- Morphological Sciences Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Campus UFRJ Macaé, Pólo Universitário, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - P E Thorpe
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - M A Barcinski
- Parasitology Department, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Institute Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - L Soong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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31
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Lipid synthesis in protozoan parasites: a comparison between kinetoplastids and apicomplexans. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:488-512. [PMID: 23827884 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism is of crucial importance for pathogens. Lipids serve as cellular building blocks, signalling molecules, energy stores, posttranslational modifiers, and pathogenesis factors. Parasites rely on a complex system of uptake and synthesis mechanisms to satisfy their lipid needs. The parameters of this system change dramatically as the parasite transits through the various stages of its life cycle. Here we discuss the tremendous recent advances that have been made in the understanding of the synthesis and uptake pathways for fatty acids and phospholipids in apicomplexan and kinetoplastid parasites, including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Lipid synthesis differs in significant ways between parasites from both phyla and the human host. Parasites have acquired novel pathways through endosymbiosis, as in the case of the apicoplast, have dramatically reshaped substrate and product profiles, and have evolved specialized lipids to interact with or manipulate the host. These differences potentially provide opportunities for drug development. We outline the lipid pathways for key species in detail as they progress through the developmental cycle and highlight those that are of particular importance to the biology of the pathogens and/or are the most promising targets for parasite-specific treatment.
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32
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Santarém N, Racine G, Silvestre R, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Ouellette M. Exoproteome dynamics in Leishmania infantum. J Proteomics 2013; 84:106-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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33
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Campos-Salinas J, León-Guerrero D, González-Rey E, Delgado M, Castanys S, Pérez-Victoria JM, Gamarro F. LABCG2, a new ABC transporter implicated in phosphatidylserine exposure, is involved in the infectivity and pathogenicity of Leishmania. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2179. [PMID: 23638200 PMCID: PMC3636091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease produced by the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania. In the present study, we show that LABCG2, a new ATP-binding cassette half-transporter (ABCG subfamily) from Leishmania, is involved in parasite virulence. Down-regulation of LABCG2 function upon expression of an inactive mutant version of this half-transporter (LABCG2(K/M)) is shown to reduce the translocation of short-chain analogues of phosphatidylserine (PS). This dominant-negative phenotype is specific for the headgroup of the phospholipid, as the movement of phospholipid analogues of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine or sphingomyelin is not affected. In addition, promastigotes expressing LABCG2(K/M) expose less endogenous PS in the stationary phase than control parasites. Transient exposure of PS at the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane is known to be one of the mechanisms used by Leishmania to infect macrophages and to silence their immune response. Stationary phase/metacyclic promastigotes expressing LABCG2(K/M) are less infective for macrophages and show decreased pathogenesis in a mouse model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Thus, mice infected with parasites expressing LABCG2(K/M) did not develop any lesion and showed significantly lower inflammation and parasite burden than mice infected with control parasites. Our results indicate that LABCG2 function is required for the externalization of PS in Leishmania promastigotes, a process that is involved in the virulence of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Campos-Salinas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - David León-Guerrero
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Elena González-Rey
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Mario Delgado
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Santiago Castanys
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - José M. Pérez-Victoria
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Gamarro
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina “López-Neyra”, CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Chagas disease chemotherapy is based on drugs that exhibit toxic effects and have limited efficacy, such as Benznidazole. Therefore, research into new chemotherapeutic agents from natural sources needs to be exploited. Apis mellifera venom consists of many biologically active molecules and has been reported to exhibit remarkable anti-cancer effects, often promoting an apoptosis-like death phenotype. This study demonstrates that A. mellifera venom can affect the growth, viability and ultrastructure of all Trypanosoma cruzi developmental forms, including intracellular amastigotes, at concentrations 15- to 100-fold lower than those required to cause toxic effects in mammalian cells. The ultrastructural changes induced by the venom in the different developmental forms led us to hypothesize the occurrence of different programmed cell death pathways. Autophagic cell death, characterized by the presence of autophagosomes-like organelles and a strong monodansyl cadaverine labelling, appears to be the main death mechanism in epimastigotes. In contrast, increased TUNEL staining, abnormal nuclear chromatin condensation and kDNA disorganization was observed in venom-treated trypomastigotes, suggesting cell death by an apoptotic mechanism. On the other hand, intracellular amastigotes presented a heterogeneous cell death phenotype profile, where apoptosis-like death seemed to be predominant. Our findings confirm the great potential of A. mellifera venom as a source for the development of new drugs for the treatment of neglected diseases such as Chagas disease.
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35
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dos Santos MG, Muxel SM, Zampieri RA, Pomorski TG, Floeter-Winter LM. Transbilayer dynamics of phospholipids in the plasma membrane of the Leishmania genus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55604. [PMID: 23383240 PMCID: PMC3559443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoans of the Leishmania genus are the etiological agents of a wide spectrum of diseases commonly known as leishmaniases. Lipid organization of the plasma membrane of the parasite may mimic the lipid organization of mammalian apoptotic cells and play a role in phagocytosis and parasite survival in the mammal host. Here, we analyzed the phospholipid dynamics in the plasma membrane of both the L. (Leishmania) and the L. (Viannia) subgenera. We found that the activity and substrate specificity of the inward translocation machinery varied between Leishmania species. The differences in activity of inward phospholipid transport correlated with the different sensitivities of the various species towards the alkyl-phospholipid analogue miltefosine. Furthermore, all species exhibited a phospholipid scramblase activity in their plasma membranes upon stimulation with calcium ionophores. However, binding of annexin V to the parasite surface was only detected for a subpopulation of parasites during the stationary growth phase and only marginally enhanced by scramblase activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra Marcia Muxel
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Andrade Zampieri
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thomas Günther Pomorski
- Center for Membrane Pumps in Cells and Disease - PUMPKIN, Danish National Research Foundation, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- * E-mail: (LMF-W); (TGP)
| | - Lucile Maria Floeter-Winter
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (LMF-W); (TGP)
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36
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37
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Farias LHS, Rodrigues APD, Silveira FT, Seabra SH, DaMatta RA, Saraiva EM, Silva EO. Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Surface Sugars in Two Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Strains Involved in Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis. J Infect Dis 2012; 207:537-43. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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38
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Verçosa BLA, Melo MN, Puerto HLD, Mendonça IL, Vasconcelos AC. Apoptosis, inflammatory response and parasite load in skin of Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi naturally infected dogs: A histomorphometric analysis. Vet Parasitol 2012; 189:162-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Revised: 04/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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39
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Serafim TD, Figueiredo AB, Costa PAC, Marques-da-Silva EA, Gonçalves R, de Moura SAL, Gontijo NF, da Silva SM, Michalick MSM, Meyer-Fernandes JR, de Carvalho RP, Uliana SRB, Fietto JLR, Afonso LCC. Leishmania metacyclogenesis is promoted in the absence of purines. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1833. [PMID: 23050028 PMCID: PMC3458635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites, the causative agent of leishmaniasis, are transmitted through the bite of an infected sand fly. Leishmania parasites present two basic forms known as promastigote and amastigote which, respectively, parasitizes the vector and the mammalian hosts. Infection of the vertebrate host is dependent on the development, in the vector, of metacyclic promastigotes, however, little is known about the factors that trigger metacyclogenesis in Leishmania parasites. It has been generally stated that "stressful conditions" will lead to development of metacyclic forms, and with the exception of a few studies no detailed analysis of the molecular nature of the stress factor has been performed. Here we show that presence/absence of nucleosides, especially adenosine, controls metacyclogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. We found that addition of an adenosine-receptor antagonist to in vitro cultures of Leishmania amazonensis significantly increases metacyclogenesis, an effect that can be reversed by the presence of specific purine nucleosides or nucleobases. Furthermore, our results show that proliferation and metacyclogenesis are independently regulated and that addition of adenosine to culture medium is sufficient to recover proliferative characteristics for purified metacyclic promastigotes. More importantly, we show that metacyclogenesis was inhibited in sand flies infected with Leishmania infantum chagasi that were fed a mixture of sucrose and adenosine. Our results fill a gap in the life cycle of Leishmania parasites by demonstrating how metacyclogenesis, a key point in the propagation of the parasite to the mammalian host, can be controlled by the presence of specific purines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Donatelli Serafim
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Amanda Braga Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Pedro Augusto Carvalho Costa
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Almeida Marques-da-Silva
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Sandra Aparecida Lima de Moura
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Nelder Figueiredo Gontijo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sydnei Magno da Silva
- Laboratório de Sorologia, Departamento de Parasitologia/ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto Paes de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia Celular, Departamento de Neurobiologia/Programa de Neurociências, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Silvia Reni Bortolin Uliana
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lopes Rangel Fietto
- Laboratório de Infectologia Molecular Animal, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular/Bioagro, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Luís Carlos Crocco Afonso
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
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Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Parasitic infections continue to be a major problem for global human health. Vaccines are practically not available and chemotherapy is highly unsatisfactory. One approach toward a novel antiparasitic drug development is to unravel pathways that may be suited as future targets. Parasitic organisms show a remarkable diversity with respect to the nature and functions of their main low-molecular-mass antioxidants and many of them developed pathways that do not have a counterpart in their mammalian hosts. RECENT ADVANCES Work of the last years disclosed the individual antioxidants employed by parasites and their distinct pathways. Entamoeba, Trichomonas, and Giardia directly use cysteine as main low-molecular-mass thiol but have divergent cysteine metabolisms. Malarial parasites rely exclusively on cysteine uptake and generate glutathione (GSH) as main free thiol as do metazoan parasites. Trypanosomes and Leishmania have a unique trypanothione-based thiol metabolism but employ individual mechanisms for their cysteine supply. In addition, some trypanosomatids synthesize ovothiol A and/or ascorbate. Various essential parasite enzymes such as trypanothione synthetase and trypanothione reductase in Trypanosomatids and the Schistosoma thioredoxin GSH reductase are currently intensively explored as drug target molecules. CRITICAL ISSUES Essentiality is a prerequisite but not a sufficient property of an enzyme to become a suited drug target. The availability of an appropriate in vivo screening system and many other factors are equally important. FUTURE DIRECTIONS The current organism-wide RNA-interference and proteome analyses are supposed to reveal many more interesting candidates for future drug development approaches directed against the parasite antioxidant defense systems.
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Weingärtner A, Kemmer G, Müller FD, Zampieri RA, Gonzaga dos Santos M, Schiller J, Pomorski TG. Leishmania promastigotes lack phosphatidylserine but bind annexin V upon permeabilization or miltefosine treatment. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42070. [PMID: 22870283 PMCID: PMC3411662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania is an intracellular pathogen infecting and replicating inside vertebrate host macrophages. A recent model suggests that promastigote and amastigote forms of the parasite mimic mammalian apoptotic cells by exposing phosphatidylserine (PS) at the cell surface to trigger their phagocytic uptake into host macrophages. PS presentation at the cell surface is typically analyzed using fluorescence-labeled annexin V. Here we show that Leishmania promastigotes can be stained by fluorescence-labeled annexin V upon permeabilization or miltefosine treatment. However, combined lipid analysis by thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed that Leishmania promastigotes lack any detectable amount of PS. Instead, we identified several other phospholipid classes such phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylethanolamine; phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as candidate lipids enabling annexin V staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Weingärtner
- Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Helmholtz Center for Infektion Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gerdi Kemmer
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ricardo Andrade Zampieri
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jürgen Schiller
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Günther Pomorski
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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El-Hani CN, Borges VM, Wanderley JLM, Barcinski MA. Apoptosis and apoptotic mimicry in Leishmania: an evolutionary perspective. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2012; 2:96. [PMID: 22912937 PMCID: PMC3418608 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2012.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptotic death and apoptotic mimicry are defined respectively as a non-accidental death and as the mimicking of an apoptotic-cell phenotype, usually by phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. In the case of the murine infection by Leishmania spp, apoptotic death has been described in promastigotes and apoptotic mimicry in amastigotes. In both situations they are important events of the experimental murine infection by this parasite. In the present review we discuss what features we need to consider if we want to establish if a behavior shown by Leishmania is altruistic or not: does the behavior increases the fitness of organisms other than the one showing it? Does this behavior have a cost for the actor? If we manage to show that a given behavior is costly for the actor and beneficial for the recipient of the action, we will be able to establish it as altruistic. From this perspective, we can argue that apoptotic-like death and apoptotic mimicry are both altruistic with the latter representing a weaker altruistic behavior than the former.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charbel N. El-Hani
- Laboratório de Ensino, História e Filosofia de Biologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da BahiaSalvador, Brazil
| | - Valéria M. Borges
- Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo CruzSalvador, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da BahiaSalvador, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Investigação em ImunologiaSalvador, Brazil
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Canine leishmaniosis. Modulation of macrophage/lymphocyte interactions by L. infantum. Vet Parasitol 2012; 189:137-44. [PMID: 22698797 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2011] [Revised: 05/06/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis, caused by Leishmania infantum, is a systemic disease with variable clinical signs and a progressive evolution. This disease is characterized by impaired T cell-mediated immune response, which has been associated with disease chronicity and high mortality. Protective immunity against leishmaniosis is thought to be mediated by T cell and cytokine production. The T cell activation requires a primary signal delivered by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules present on the surface of antigen presenting cells, and a non-specific signal generated by co-stimulatory molecules. To characterize canine immune responses in the presence of L. infantum parasites or their antigens, in vitro cell cultures of canine macrophages and lymphocytes were established, and the macrophages presenting MHC class II molecules were evaluated as well as the expression of IL-12 and CD80-86 co-stimulatory molecules and nitric oxide production. The results showed for the first time the up-regulation of MHC class II molecules on the surface in canine peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages during L. infantum infection in the presence of lymphocytes. In addition, a lack of co-stimulatory expression and a reduced release of nitric oxide were observed, suggesting a loss of T cell function and consequently an inactivation of the macrophage oxidative burst which, in turn, favors the survival of Leishmania. These results constitute a new contribution for the understanding of the interactions between L. infantum and the canine immune system.
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França-Costa J, Wanderley JLM, Deolindo P, Zarattini JB, Costa J, Soong L, Barcinski MA, Barral A, Borges VM. Exposure of phosphatidylserine on Leishmania amazonensis isolates is associated with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis and parasite infectivity. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36595. [PMID: 22574191 PMCID: PMC3344919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) is a rare clinical manifestation of leishmaniasis, characterized by an inefficient parasite-specific cellular response and heavily parasitized macrophages. In Brazil, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis is the main species involved in DCL cases. In the experimental model, recognition of phosphatidylserine (PS) molecules exposed on the surface of amastigotes forms of L. amazonensis inhibits the inflammatory response of infected macrophages as a strategy to evade the host immune surveillance. In this study, we examined whether PS exposure on L. amazonensis isolates from DCL patients operated as a parasite pathogenic factor and as a putative suppression mechanism of immune response during the infection. Peritoneal macrophages from F1 mice (BALB/c×C57BL/6) were infected with different L. amazonensis isolates from patients with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) or DCL. DCL isolates showed higher PS exposure than their counterparts from LCL patients. In addition, PS exposure was positively correlated with clinical parameters of the human infection (number of lesions and time of disease) and with characteristics of the experimental infection (macrophage infection and anti-inflammatory cytokine induction). Furthermore, parasites isolated from DCL patients displayed an increased area in parasitophorous vacuoles (PV) when compared to those isolated from LCL patients. Thus, this study shows for the first time that a parasite factor (exposed PS) might be associated with parasite survival/persistence in macrophages and lesion exacerbation during the course of DCL, providing new insights regarding pathogenic mechanism in this rare chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline França-Costa
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz/FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Brasil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brasil
| | - João Luiz Mendes Wanderley
- Pólo Universitário Macaé, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Divisão de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Poliana Deolindo
- Divisão de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Jessica B. Zarattini
- Divisão de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Jackson Costa
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz/FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Brasil
| | - Lynn Soong
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Pathology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Marcello André Barcinski
- Divisão de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Aldina Barral
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz/FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Brasil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brasil
| | - Valeria M. Borges
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz/FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Brasil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brasil
- * E-mail:
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Lodge R, Ouellet M, Barat C, Andreani G, Kumar P, Tremblay MJ. HIV-1 promotes intake of Leishmania parasites by enhancing phosphatidylserine-mediated, CD91/LRP-1-dependent phagocytosis in human macrophages. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32761. [PMID: 22412921 PMCID: PMC3295765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the number of reported human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)/Leishmania co-infections has risen dramatically, particularly in regions where both diseases are endemic. Although it is known that HIV-1 infection leads to an increase in susceptibility to Leishmania infection and leishmaniasis relapse, little remains known on how HIV-1 contributes to Leishmania parasitaemia. Both pathogens infect human macrophages, and the intracellular growth of Leishmania is increased by HIV-1 in co-infected cultures. We now report that uninfected bystander cells, not macrophages productively infected with HIV-1, account for enhanced phagocytosis and higher multiplication of Leishmania parasites. This effect can be driven by HIV-1 Tat protein and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Furthermore, we show for the first time that HIV-1 infection increases surface expression of phosphatidylserine receptor CD91/LRP-1 on human macrophages, thereby leading to a Leishmania uptake by uninfected bystander cells in HIV-1-infected macrophage populations. The more important internalization of parasites is due to interactions between the scavenger receptor CD91/LRP-1 and phosphatidylserine residues exposed at the surface of Leishmania. We determined also that enhanced CD91/LRP-1 surface expression occurs rapidly following HIV-1 infection, and is triggered by the activation of extracellular TGF-β. Thus, these results establish an intricate link between HIV-1 infection, Tat, surface CD91/LRP-1, TGF-β, and enhanced Leishmania phosphatidylserine-mediated phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Lodge
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - CHUL, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel Ouellet
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - CHUL, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Corinne Barat
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - CHUL, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Guadalupe Andreani
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - CHUL, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Pranav Kumar
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - CHUL, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel J. Tremblay
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - CHUL, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Subversion of Immunity by Leishmania amazonensis Parasites: Possible Role of Phosphatidylserine as a Main Regulator. J Parasitol Res 2012; 2012:981686. [PMID: 22518276 PMCID: PMC3306939 DOI: 10.1155/2012/981686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 10/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis parasites cause progressive disease in most inbred mouse strains and are associated with the development of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. The poor activation of an effective cellular response is correlated with the ability of these parasites to infect mononuclear phagocytic cells without triggering their activation or actively suppressing innate responses of these cells. Here we discuss the possible role of phosphatidylserine exposure by these parasites as a main regulator of the mechanism underlying subversion of the immune system at different steps during the infection.
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Moreira D, Santarém N, Loureiro I, Tavares J, Silva AM, Amorim AM, Ouaissi A, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Silvestre R. Impact of continuous axenic cultivation in Leishmania infantum virulence. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1469. [PMID: 22292094 PMCID: PMC3265455 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental infections with visceral Leishmania spp. are frequently performed referring to stationary parasite cultures that are comprised of a mixture of metacyclic and non-metacyclic parasites often with little regard to time of culture and metacyclic purification. This may lead to misleading or irreproducible experimental data. It is known that the maintenance of Leishmania spp. in vitro results in a progressive loss of virulence that can be reverted by passage in a mammalian host. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the loss of virulence in culture comparing the in vitro and in vivo infection and immunological profile of L. infantum stationary promastigotes submitted to successive periods of in vitro cultivation. To evaluate the effect of axenic in vitro culture in parasite virulence, we submitted L. infantum promastigotes to 4, 21 or 31 successive in vitro passages. Our results demonstrated a rapid and significant loss of parasite virulence when parasites are sustained in axenic culture. Strikingly, the parasite capacity to modulate macrophage activation decreased significantly with the augmentation of the number of in vitro passages. We validated these in vitro observations using an experimental murine model of infection. A significant correlation was found between higher parasite burdens and lower number of in vitro passages in infected Balb/c mice. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the virulence deficit caused by successive in vitro passages results from an inadequate capacity to differentiate into amastigote forms. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that the use of parasites with distinct periods of axenic in vitro culture induce distinct infection rates and immunological responses and correlated this phenotype with a rapid loss of promastigote differentiation capacity. These results highlight the need for a standard operating protocol (SOP) when studying Leishmania species. Protozoan of the genus Leishmania undergo several developmental transitions during its life cycle. Leishmania alternates between two morphologically distinct forms, promastigotes (insect stage) and amastigotes (vertebrate stage). Most of the available information about Leishmania spp. has been obtained from studying in vitro cultured promastigotes, an excellent experimental model for the different developmental stages present in the insect vector. Although promastigotes are grown in a controlled environment, the maintenance of long term culture results in loss of virulence, which can lead to a misinterpretation and often contradictory experimental results. It is then of great interest to unravel the defects arising from sustained axenic parasite culture in laboratory settings. The authors demonstrate a correlation between the maintenance of parasite culture with a growing defect of the promastigote form to differentiate in the mammalian amastigote form. This research provides a biological explanation for the loss of virulence due to sustained parasite culture and discusses the impact for all experimental work done with visceral Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Moreira
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Loureiro
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Tavares
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Marta Silva
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Marina Amorim
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ali Ouaissi
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INSERM, UMR, CNRS 5235, Université Montpellier II, Montpellier, France
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Silvestre
- Parasite Disease Group, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Côrtes LM, Silva RM, Pereira BA, Guerra C, Zapata AC, Bello FJ, Finkelstein LC, Madeira MF, Brazil RP, Côrte-Real S, Alves CR. Lulo cell line derived from Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae): a novel model to assay Leishmania spp. and vector interaction. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:216. [PMID: 22082050 PMCID: PMC3228680 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmania (Vianna) braziliensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi are important parasites in the scenario of leishmaniasis in Brazil. During the life cycle of these parasites, the promastigote forms adhere to the midgut epithelial microvillii of phlebotomine insects to avoid being secreted along with digestive products. Lulo cells are a potential model that will help to understand the features of this adhesion phenomenon. Here, we analyze the interaction between Leishmania spp. promastigotes and Lulo cells in vitro, specifically focusing on adhesion events occurring between three Leishmania species and this cell line. Methods Confluent monolayers of Lulo cells were incubated with promastigotes and adhesion was assessed using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Findings The results indicate that species from the subgenera Leishmania and Viannia have great potential to adhere to Lulo cells. The highest adherence rate was observed for L. (L.) chagasi after 24 h of incubation with Lulo cells (27.3 ± 1.8% of cells with adhered promastigotes), followed by L. (L.) amazonensis (16.0 ± 0.7%) and L. (V.) braziliensis (3.0 ± 0.7%), both after 48 h. In the ultrastructural analysis, promastigote adherence was also assessed by scanning electron microscopy, showing that, for parasites from both subgenera, adhesion occurs by both the body and the flagellum. The interaction of Lulo cells with Leishmania (L.) chagasi showed the participation of cytoplasmic projections from the former closely associating the parasites with the cells. Conclusions We present evidence that Lulo cells can be useful in studies of insect-parasite interactions for Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luzia Mc Côrtes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Av, Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro-CEP 21040-360, Brasil
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Marques-da-Silva C, Chaves MM, Rodrigues JC, Corte-Real S, Coutinho-Silva R, Persechini PM. Differential modulation of ATP-induced P2X7-associated permeabilities to cations and anions of macrophages by infection with Leishmania amazonensis. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25356. [PMID: 21966508 PMCID: PMC3179508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania and other parasites display several mechanisms to subvert host immune cell function in order to achieve successful infection. The ATP receptor P2X7, an agonist-gated cation channel widely expressed in macrophages and other cells of the immune system, is also coupled to inflammasome activation, IL-1 beta secretion, production of reactive oxygen species, cell death and the induction of the permeabilization of the plasma membrane to molecules of up to 900 Da. P2X7 receptors can function as an effective microbicidal triggering receptor in macrophages infected with several microorganisms including Mycobacteria tuberculosis, Chlamydia and Leishmania. We have previously shown that its expression is up-regulated in macrophages infected with L. amazonensis and that infected cells also display an increase in P2X7-induced apoptosis and membrane permeabilization to some anionic fluorescent dyes. In an independent study we recently showed that the phenomenon of macrophage membrane permeabilization can involve at least two distinct pathways for cations and anions respectively. Here, we re-addressed the effects of ATP-induced P2X7-associated phenomena in macrophages infected with L. amazonensis and demonstrated that the P2X7-associated dye uptake mechanisms are differentially modulated. While the membrane permeabilization for anionic dyes is up-modulated, as previously described, the uptake of cationic dyes is strongly down-modulated. These results unveil new characteristics of two distinct permeabilization mechanisms associated with P2X7 receptors in macrophages and provide the first evidence indicating that these pathways can be differentially modulated in an immunologically relevant situation. The possible importance of these results to the L. amazonensis escape mechanism is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Marques-da-Silva
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Martins Chaves
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliany Cola Rodrigues
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Suzana Corte-Real
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Robson Coutinho-Silva
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Pedro Muanis Persechini
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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50
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Grekov I, Svobodová M, Nohýnková E, Lipoldová M. Preparation of highly infective Leishmania promastigotes by cultivation on SNB-9 biphasic medium. J Microbiol Methods 2011; 87:273-7. [PMID: 21889549 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2011.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2011] [Revised: 08/15/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan hemoflagellates Leishmania are causative agents of leishmaniases and an important biological model for study of host-pathogen interaction. A wide range of methods of Leishmania cultivation on both biphasic and liquid media is available. Biphasic media are considered to be superior for initial isolation of the parasites and obtaining high promastigote infectivity; however, liquid media are more suitable for large-scale experiments. The aim of the present study was the adaptation and optimization of the cultivation of Leishmania promastigotes on a biphasic SNB-9 (saline-neopeptone-blood 9) medium that was originally developed for Trypanosoma cultivation and combines the advantages of biphasic and liquid media. SNB-9 medium is characterized with a large volume of the liquid phase, which facilitates the manipulation with the culture and provides parasite yields comparable to parasite yields on such liquid medium as Schneider's Insect Medium. We demonstrate that SNB-9 very considerably surpasses Schneider's Insect Medium in in vitro infectivity of the parasites. Additionally, we show that the ratio of apoptotic parasites, which are important for the infectivity of the inoculum, in Leishmania culture in SNB-9 is higher than in Leishmania culture in Schneider's Insect Medium. Thus, we demonstrate that the cultivation of Leishmania on SNB-9 reliably yields highly infective promastigotes suitable for experimental infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Grekov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics AS CR, vvi, Prague, Czech Republic
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