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Vitré C, Le Gal Y, Vacher A, Roisnel T, Lorcy D, Santana S, Prudêncio M, Pinheiro T, Marques F. Structure-activity relationship of anticancer and antiplasmodial gold bis(dithiolene) complexes. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:11903-11913. [PMID: 38953883 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt01458h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Monoanionic gold bis(dithiolene) complexes were recently shown to display activity against ovarian cancer cells, Gram-positive bacteria, Candida strains and the rodent malaria parasite, P. berghei. To date, only monoanionic gold(III) bis(dithiolene) complexes with a thiazoline backbone substituted with small alkyl chains have been evaluated for biomedical applications. We now analyzed the influence of the length and the hydrophobicity vs. hydrophilicity of these complexes' alkyl chain on their anticancer and antiplasmodial properties. Isomer analogues of these monoanionic gold(III) bis(dithiolene) complexes, this time with a thiazole backbone, were also investigated in order to assess the influence of the nature of the heterocyclic ligand on their overall chemical and biological properties. In this report we present the total synthesis of four novel monoanionic gold(III) bis(dithiolene) complexes with a long alkyl chain and a polyoxygenated (PEG) chain aiming to improve their solubility and biological properties. Our results showed that the complexes with a PEG chain showed promising anticancer and antiplasmodial activities beside improved solubility, a key parameter in drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Vitré
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Yann Le Gal
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Antoine Vacher
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Thierry Roisnel
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Dominique Lorcy
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Sofia Santana
- iMM-Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- iMM-Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teresa Pinheiro
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
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2
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Franco A, Flores-Garcia Y, Venezia J, Daoud A, Scott AL, Zavala F, Sullivan DJ. Hemozoin-induced IFN-γ production mediates innate immune protection against sporozoite infection. Microbes Infect 2024; 26:105343. [PMID: 38670216 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105343] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Hemozoin is a crystal synthesized by Plasmodium parasites during hemoglobin digestion in the erythrocytic stage. The hemozoin released when the parasites egress from the red blood cell, which is complexed with parasite DNA, is cleared from the circulation by circulating and tissue-resident monocytes and macrophages, respectively. Recently, we reported that intravenous administration of purified hemozoin complexed with Plasmodium berghei DNA (HzPbDNA) resulted in an innate immune response that blocked liver stage development of sporozoites that was dose-dependent and time-limited. Here, we further characterize the organismal, cellular, and molecular events associated with this protective innate response in the liver and report that a large proportion of the IV administered HzPbDNA localized to F4/80+ cells in the liver and that the rapid and strong protection against liver-stage development waned quickly such that by 1 week post-HzPbDNA treatment animals were fully susceptible to infection. RNAseq of the liver after IV administration of HzPbDNA demonstrated that the rapid and robust induction of genes associated with the acute phase response, innate immune activation, cellular recruitment, and IFN-γ signaling observed at day 1 was largely absent at day 7. RNAseq analysis implicated NK cells as the major cellular source of IFN-γ. In vivo cell depletion and IFN-γ neutralization experiments supported the hypothesis that tissue-resident macrophages and NK cells are major contributors to the protective response and the NK cell-derived IFN-γ is key to induction of the mechanisms that block sporozoite development in the liver. These findings advance our understanding of the innate immune responses that prevent liver stage malaria infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Franco
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jarrett Venezia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Abdel Daoud
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Alan L Scott
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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3
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McLellan JL, Hanson KK. Differential effects of translation inhibitors on Plasmodium berghei liver stage parasites. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302540. [PMID: 38575357 PMCID: PMC10994859 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing numbers of antimalarial compounds are being identified that converge mechanistically at inhibition of cytoplasmic translation, regardless of the molecular target or mechanism. A deeper understanding of how their effectiveness as liver stage translation inhibitors relates to their chemoprotective potential could prove useful. Here, we probed that relationship using the Plasmodium berghei-HepG2 liver stage infection model. After determining translation inhibition EC50s for five compounds, we tested them at equivalent effective concentrations to compare the parasite response to, and recovery from, a brief period of translation inhibition in early schizogony, followed by parasites to 120 h post-infection to assess antiplasmodial effects of the treatment. We show compound-specific heterogeneity in single parasite and population responses to translation inhibitor treatment, with no single metric strongly correlated to the release of hepatic merozoites for all compounds. We also demonstrate that DDD107498 is capable of exerting antiplasmodial effects on translationally arrested liver stage parasites and uncover unexpected growth dynamics during the liver stage. Our results demonstrate that translation inhibition efficacy does not determine antiplasmodial efficacy for these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L McLellan
- https://ror.org/01kd65564 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and STCEID, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kirsten K Hanson
- https://ror.org/01kd65564 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and STCEID, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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4
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Pavić K, Poje G, Pessanha de Carvalho L, Tandarić T, Marinović M, Fontinha D, Held J, Prudêncio M, Piantanida I, Vianello R, Krošl Knežević I, Perković I, Rajić Z. Discovery of harmiprims, harmine-primaquine hybrids, as potent and selective anticancer and antimalarial compounds. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 105:117734. [PMID: 38677112 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117734] [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: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Although cancer and malaria are not etiologically nor pathophysiologically connected, due to their similarities successful repurposing of antimalarial drugs for cancer and vice-versa is known and used in clinical settings and drug research and discovery. With the growing resistance of cancer cells and Plasmodium to the known drugs, there is an urgent need to discover new chemotypes and enrich anticancer and antimalarial drug portfolios. In this paper, we present the design and synthesis of harmiprims, hybrids composed of harmine, an alkaloid of the β-carboline type bearing anticancer and antiplasmodial activities, and primaquine, 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial drug with low antiproliferative activity, covalently bound via triazole or urea. Evaluation of their antiproliferative activities in vitro revealed that N-9 substituted triazole-type harmiprime was the most selective compound against MCF-7, whereas C1-substituted ureido-type hybrid was the most active compound against all cell lines tested. On the other hand, dimeric harmiprime was not toxic at all. Although spectrophotometric studies and thermal denaturation experiments indicated binding of harmiprims to the ds-DNA groove, cell localization showed that harmiprims do not enter cell nucleus nor mitochondria, thus no inhibition of DNA-related processes can be expected. Cell cycle analysis revealed that C1-substituted ureido-type hybrid induced a G1 arrest and reduced the number of cells in the S phase after 24 h, persisting at 48 h, albeit with a less significant increase in G1, possibly due to adaptive cellular responses. In contrast, N-9 substituted triazole-type harmiprime exhibited less pronounced effects on the cell cycle, particularly after 48 h, which is consistent with its moderate activity against the MCF-7 cell line. On the other hand, screening of their antiplasmodial activities against the erythrocytic, hepatic, and gametocytic stages of the Plasmodium life cycle showed that dimeric harmiprime exerts powerful triple-stage antiplasmodial activity, while computational analysis showed its binding within the ATP binding site of PfHsp90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Pavić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Goran Poje
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Tana Tandarić
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden; Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Marinović
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jana Held
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ivo Piantanida
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Vianello
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Ivana Perković
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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5
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Fonte M, Rôla C, Santana S, Avalos-Padilla Y, Fernàndez-Busquets X, Prudêncio M, Gomes P, Teixeira C. Disclosure of cinnamic acid/4,9-diaminoacridine conjugates as multi-stage antiplasmodial hits. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 104:117714. [PMID: 38582046 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117714] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
4,9-diaminoacridines with reported antiplasmodial activity were coupled to different trans-cinnamic acids, delivering a new series of conjugates inspired by the covalent bitherapy concept. The new compounds were more potent than primaquine against hepatic stages of Plasmodium berghei, although this was accompanied by cytotoxic effects on Huh-7 hepatocytes. Relevantly, the conjugates displayed nanomolar activities against blood stage P. falciparum parasites, with no evidence of hemolytic effects below 100 µM. Moreover, the new compounds were at least 25-fold more potent than primaquine against P. falciparum gametocytes. Thus, the new antiplasmodial hits disclosed herein emerge as valuable templates for the development of multi-stage antiplasmodial drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Fonte
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Rôla
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sofia Santana
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Yunuen Avalos-Padilla
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Spain
| | - Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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6
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Sulik M, Fontinha D, Steverding D, Sobczak S, Antoszczak M, Prudêncio M, Huczyński A. Unexpected rearrangement of ivermectin in the synthesis of new derivatives with trypanocidal and antiplasmodial activities. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115951. [PMID: 37988797 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115951] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Ivermectin is a sixteen-membered macrolactone "wonder drug" of Nobel prize-honored distinction that exhibits a wide range of antiparasitic activities. It has been used for almost four decades in the treatment of various parasitic diseases in humans and animals. In this paper, we describe the synthesis of the first-in-class ivermectin derivatives obtained via derivatization of the C13 position, along with the unexpected rearrangement of the oxahydrindene (hexahydrobenzofuran) unit of the macrolide ring. The structural investigation of the rearrangement has been performed using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. The antiparasitic and cytotoxic activities of the newly synthesized derivatives were determined in vitro with the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the hepatic stage of Plasmodium berghei, and human leukemia HL-60 cells. The compounds with the highest trypanocidal activity were the C13-epi-2-chloroacetamide analogs of native (6h) or rearranged (7h) ivermectin. Both 6h and 7h displayed trypanocidal activities within a similar mid-nanomolar concentration range as the commercially used trypanocides suramin and ethidium bromide. Furthermore, 6h and 7h exhibited a comparable cytotoxic to trypanocidal ratio as the reference drug ethidium bromide. The double-modified compound 7a (C13-epi-acetamide of rearranged ivermectin) exhibited the highest activity against P. berghei grown in human hepatoma cells, which was 2.5 times higher than that of ivermectin. The findings of this study suggest that C13-epi-amide derivatives of ivermectin are suitable leads in the rational development of new antiparasitic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Sulik
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61‒614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Dietmar Steverding
- Bob Champion Research & Education Building, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Szymon Sobczak
- Department of Materials Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61‒614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Michał Antoszczak
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61‒614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Adam Huczyński
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61‒614 Poznań, Poland.
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7
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McLellan JL, Hanson KK. Translation inhibition efficacy does not determine the Plasmodium berghei liver stage antiplasmodial efficacy of protein synthesis inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.07.570699. [PMID: 38106175 PMCID: PMC10723475 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.07.570699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Protein synthesis is a core cellular process, necessary throughout the complex lifecycle of Plasmodium parasites, thus specific translation inhibitors would be a valuable class of antimalarial drugs, capable of both treating symptomatic infections in the blood and providing chemoprotection by targeting the initial parasite population in the liver, preventing both human disease and parasite transmission back to the mosquito host. As increasing numbers of antiplasmodial compounds are identified that converge mechanistically at inhibition of cytoplasmic translation, regardless of molecular target or mechanism, it would be useful to gain deeper understanding of how their effectiveness as liver stage translation inhibitors relates to their chemoprotective potential. Here, we probed that relationship using the P. berghei-HepG2 liver stage infection model. Using o-propargyl puromycin-based labeling of the nascent proteome in P. berghei-infected HepG2 monolayers coupled with automated confocal feedback microscopy to generate unbiased, single parasite image sets of P. berghei liver stage translation, we determined translation inhibition EC50s for five compounds, encompassing parasite-specific aminoacyl tRNA synthetase inhibitors, compounds targeting the ribosome in both host and parasite, as well as DDD107498, which targets Plasmodium eEF2, and is a leading antimalarial candidate compound being clinically developed as cabamiquine. Compounds were then tested at equivalent effective concentrations to compare the parasite response to, and recovery from, a brief period of translation inhibition in early schizogony, with parasites followed up to 120 hours post-infection to assess liver stage antiplasmodial effects of the treatment. Our data conclusively show that translation inhibition efficacy per se does not determine a translation inhibitor's antiplasmodial efficacy. DDD107498 was the least effective translation inhibitor, yet exerted the strongest antimalarial effects at both 5x- and 10x EC50 concentrations. We show compound-specific heterogeneity in single parasite and population responses to translation inhibitor treatment, with no single metric strongly correlated to release of hepatic merozoites for all compound, demonstrate that DDD107498 is capable of exerting antiplasmodial effects on translationally arrested liver stage parasites, and uncover unexpected growth dynamics during the liver stage. Our results demonstrate that translation inhibition efficacy cannot function as a proxy for antiplasmodial effectiveness, and highlight the importance of exploring the ultimate, as well as proximate, mechanisms of action of these compounds on liver stage parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. McLellan
- University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and STCEID, San Antonio TX, USA
| | - Kirsten K. Hanson
- University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and STCEID, San Antonio TX, USA
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8
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Marinović M, Rimac H, de Carvalho LP, Rôla C, Santana S, Pavić K, Held J, Prudêncio M, Rajić Z. Design, synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation of new amide-, carbamate-, and ureido-type harmicines. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 94:117468. [PMID: 37696205 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117468] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, one of the oldest parasitic diseases, remains a global health threat, and the increasing resistance of the malaria parasite to current antimalarials is forcing the discovery of new, effective drugs. Harmicines, hybrid compounds in which harmine/β-carboline alkaloids and cinnamic acid derivatives are linked via an amide bond or a triazole ring, represent new antiplasmodial agents. In this work, we used a multiple linear regression technique to build a linear quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model, based on a group of 40 previously prepared amide-type (AT) harmicines and their antiplasmodial activities against erythrocytic stage of chloroquine-sensitive strain of P. falciparum (Pf3D7). After analysing the QSAR model, new harmicines were designed and synthesized: six amide-type, eleven carbamate-type and two ureido-type harmicines at the N-9 position of the β-carboline core. Subsequently, we evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of the new harmicines against the erythrocytic and hepatic stages of the Plasmodium life cycle in vitro and their antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cells. UT harmicine (E)-1-(2-(7-methoxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-9-yl)ethyl)-3-(3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)allyl)urea at the N-9 position of the β-carboline ring exhibited pronounced antiplasmodial activity against both the erythrocytic and the hepatic stages of the Plasmodium life cycle, accompanied by good selectivity towards Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Marinović
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hrvoje Rimac
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - C Rôla
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Santana
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Kristina Pavić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jana Held
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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9
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da Silva G, Luz AFS, Duarte D, Fontinha D, Silva VLM, Almeida Paz FA, Madureira AM, Simões S, Prudêncio M, Nogueira F, Silva AMS, Moreira R. Facile Access to Structurally Diverse Antimalarial Indoles Using a One-Pot A 3 Coupling and Domino Cyclization Approach. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300264. [PMID: 37392377 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300264] [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: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
A multistep and diversity-oriented synthetic route aiming at the A3 coupling/domino cyclization of o-ethynyl anilines, aldehydes and s-amines is described. The preparation of the corresponding precursors included a series of transformations, such as haloperoxidation and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions, amine protection, desilylation and amine reduction. Some products of the multicomponent reaction underwent further detosylation and Suzuki coupling. The resulting library of structurally diverse compounds was evaluated against blood and liver stage malaria parasites, which revealed a promising lead with sub-micromolar activity against intra-erythrocytic forms of Plasmodium falciparum. The results from this hit-to-lead optimization are hereby reported for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo da Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - André F S Luz
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Denise Duarte
- GHTM - Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira n° 100, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vera L M Silva
- LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Filipe A Almeida Paz
- Department of Chemistry & CICECO -, Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana M Madureira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra Simões
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fátima Nogueira
- GHTM - Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira n° 100, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Artur M S Silva
- LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rui Moreira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
- GHTM - Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira n° 100, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal
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10
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Nakamae S, Miyagawa S, Ogawa K, Kamiya M, Taniguchi M, Ono A, Kawaguchi M, Teklemichael AA, Jian JY, Araki T, Katagami Y, Mukai H, Annoura T, Yui K, Hirayama K, Kawakami S, Mizukami S. Induction of liver-resident memory T cells and protection at liver-stage malaria by mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1116299. [PMID: 37680630 PMCID: PMC10482405 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1116299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that CD8+ liver-resident memory T (TRM) cells are crucial in the protection against liver-stage malaria. We used liver-directed mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) to induce liver TRM cells in a murine model. Single-dose intravenous injections of ovalbumin mRNA-LNPs effectively induced antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner in the liver on day 7. TRM cells (CD8+ CD44hi CD62Llo CD69+ KLRG1-) were induced 5 weeks after immunization. To examine the protective efficacy, mice were intramuscularly immunized with two doses of circumsporozoite protein mRNA-LNPs at 3-week intervals and challenged with sporozoites of Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Sterile immunity was observed in some of the mice, and the other mice showed a delay in blood-stage development when compared with the control mice. mRNA-LNPs therefore induce memory CD8+ T cells that can protect against sporozoites during liver-stage malaria and may provide a basis for vaccines against the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuri Nakamae
- Department of Immune Regulation, Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Satoshi Miyagawa
- Department of Immune Regulation, Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, SHIONOGI & CO., LTD., Osaka, Japan
| | - Koki Ogawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Mariko Kamiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Mayumi Taniguchi
- Department of Immune Regulation, Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Akari Ono
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Maho Kawaguchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Awet Alem Teklemichael
- Department of Immune Regulation, Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Jiun-Yu Jian
- Department of Immune Regulation, Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tamasa Araki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukimi Katagami
- Department of Immune Regulation, Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Mukai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Takeshi Annoura
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Yui
- Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kenji Hirayama
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kawakami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shusaku Mizukami
- Department of Immune Regulation, Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
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11
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Fonte M, Fontinha D, Moita D, Caño-Prades O, Avalos-Padilla Y, Fernàndez-Busquets X, Prudêncio M, Gomes P, Teixeira C. New 4-(N-cinnamoylbutyl)aminoacridines as potential multi-stage antiplasmodial leads. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115575. [PMID: 37390511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115575] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
A novel family of 4-aminoacridine derivatives was obtained by linking this heteroaromatic core to different trans-cinnamic acids. The 4-(N-cinnamoylbutyl)aminoacridines obtained exhibited in vitro activity in the low- or sub-micromolar range against (i) hepatic stages of Plasmodium berghei, (ii) erythrocytic forms of Plasmodium falciparum, and (iii) early and mature gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum. The most active compound, having a meta-fluorocinnamoyl group linked to the acridine core, was 20- and 120-fold more potent, respectively, against the hepatic and gametocyte stages of Plasmodium infection than the reference drug, primaquine. Moreover, no cytotoxicity towards mammalian and red blood cells at the concentrations tested was observed for any of the compounds under investigation. These novel conjugates represent promising leads for the development of new multi-target antiplasmodials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Fonte
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Moita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Omar Caño-Prades
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yunuen Avalos-Padilla
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona), Spain; Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Portugal; Gyros Protein Technologies Inc., Tucson, AZ, USA
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12
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Santos JF, Azevedo R, Prudêncio M, Marques F, Le Gal Y, Lorcy D, Fernandes C. Block Copolymer Micelles Encapsulating Au(III) Bis(Dithiolene) Complexes as Promising Nanostructures with Antiplasmodial Activity. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15031030. [PMID: 36986890 PMCID: PMC10058554 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15031030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Block copolymer micelles (BCMs) can be used to improve the solubility of lipophilic drugs and increase their circulation half-life. Hence, BCMs assembled from MePEG-b-PCL were evaluated as drug delivery systems of gold(III) bis(dithiolene) complexes (herein AuS and AuSe) to be employed as antiplasmodial drugs. These complexes exhibited remarkable antiplasmodial activity against liver stages of the Plasmodiumberghei parasite, and low toxicity in a model of zebrafish embryos. To improve the complexes' solubility, BCMs were loaded with AuS, AuSe, and the reference drug primaquine (PQ). PQ-BCMs (Dh = 50.9 ± 2.8 nm), AuSe-BCMs (Dh = 87.1 ± 9.7 nm), and AuS-BCMs (Dh = 72.8 ± 3.1 nm) were obtained with a loading efficiency of 82.5%, 55.5%, and 77.4%, respectively. HPLC analysis and UV-Vis spectrophotometry showed that the compounds did not suffer degradation after encapsulation in BCMs. In vitro release studies suggest that AuS/AuSe-BCMs present a more controlled release compared with PQ-loaded BCMs. The antiplasmodial hepatic activity of the drugs was assessed in vitro and results indicate that both complexes present higher inhibitory activity than PQ, although encapsulated AuS and AuSe presented lower activity than their non-encapsulated counterparts. Nevertheless, these results suggest that the use of BCMs as delivery vehicles for lipophilic metallodrugs, particularly AuS and AuSe, could enable the controlled release of complexes and improve their biocompatibility, constituting a promising alternative to conventional antimalarial treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana F Santos
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
| | - Raquel Azevedo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
| | - Yann Le Gal
- Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes-UMR 6226, Université de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Dominique Lorcy
- Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes-UMR 6226, Université de Rennes, CNRS, ISCR, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Célia Fernandes
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139.7, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal
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13
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Breiterová KH, Ritomská A, Fontinha D, Křoustková J, Suchánková D, Hošťálková A, Šafratová M, Kohelová E, Peřinová R, Vrabec R, Francisco D, Prudêncio M, Cahlíková L. Derivatives of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloid Ambelline as Selective Inhibitors of Hepatic Stage of Plasmodium berghei Infection In Vitro. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15031007. [PMID: 36986868 PMCID: PMC10056443 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15031007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence rate of malaria and the ensuing mortality prompts the development of novel antimalarial drugs. In this work, the activity of twenty-eight Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (1-28) belonging to seven different structural types was assessed, as well as twenty semisynthetic derivatives of the β-crinane alkaloid ambelline (28a-28t) and eleven derivatives of the α-crinane alkaloid haemanthamine (29a-29k) against the hepatic stage of Plasmodium infection. Six of these derivatives (28h, 28m, 28n and 28r-28t) were newly synthesized and structurally identified. The most active compounds, 11-O-(3,5-dimethoxybenzoyl)ambelline (28m) and 11-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)ambelline (28n), displayed IC50 values in the nanomolar range of 48 and 47 nM, respectively. Strikingly, the derivatives of haemanthamine (29) with analogous substituents did not display any significant activity, even though their structures are quite similar. Interestingly, all active derivatives were strictly selective against the hepatic stage of infection, as they did not demonstrate any activity against the blood stage of Plasmodium infection. As the hepatic stage is a bottleneck of the plasmodial infection, liver-selective compounds can be considered crucial for further development of the malaria prophylactics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Hradiská Breiterová
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Aneta Ritomská
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Prudêncio Lab, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Edf. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jana Křoustková
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Suchánková
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Hošťálková
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Marcela Šafratová
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Kohelová
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Rozálie Peřinová
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Vrabec
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Denise Francisco
- Prudêncio Lab, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Edf. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Prudêncio Lab, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Edf. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lucie Cahlíková
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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14
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Schnyder JL, de Jong HK, Bache EB, van Hest RM, Schlagenhauf P, Borrmann S, Hanscheid T, Grobusch MP. On the potential for discontinuing atovaquone-proguanil (AP) ad-hoc post-exposure and other abbreviated AP-regimens: Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and perspectives. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 52:102520. [PMID: 36526126 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
According to current guidelines, atovaquone-proguanil (AP) malaria chemoprophylaxis should be taken once daily starting one day before travel and continued for seven days post-exposure. However, drug-sparing regimens, including discontinuing AP after leaving malaria-endemic areas are cost-saving and probably more attractive to travelers, and may thus enhance adherence. AP has causal prophylactic effects, killing malaria parasites during the hepatic stage. If early hepatic stages were already targeted by AP, AP could possibly be discontinued upon return. Pharmacokinetic data and studies on drug-sparing AP regimens suggest this to be the case. Nevertheless, the evidence is weak and considered insufficient to modify current recommendations. Field trials require large numbers of travelers and inherently suffer from the lack of a control group. Safely-designed controlled human malaria infection trials could significantly reduce study participant numbers and safely establish an effective AP abbreviated regimen which we propose as the optimal trial design to test this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Schnyder
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hanna K de Jong
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Emmanuel B Bache
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Reinier M van Hest
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy & Clinical Pharmacology, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Patricia Schlagenhauf
- University of Zurich Centre for Travel Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travelers' Health, Department of Public and Global Health, Military Medicine Biology Competence Centre, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Borrmann
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Centre de Recherches Médicales en Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Thomas Hanscheid
- Instituto de Microbiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Institute of Tropical Medicine, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Centre de Recherches Médicales en Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Masanga Medical Research Unit (MMRU), Masanga, Sierra Leone; Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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15
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Bouzón-Arnáiz I, Avalos-Padilla Y, Biosca A, Caño-Prades O, Román-Álamo L, Valle J, Andreu D, Moita D, Prudêncio M, Arce EM, Muñoz-Torrero D, Fernàndez-Busquets X. The protein aggregation inhibitor YAT2150 has potent antimalarial activity in Plasmodium falciparum in vitro cultures. BMC Biol 2022; 20:197. [PMID: 36271358 PMCID: PMC9587658 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background By 2016, signs of emergence of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin and partner drugs were detected in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Recently, the independent evolution of artemisinin resistance has also been reported in Africa and South America. This alarming scenario calls for the urgent development of new antimalarials with novel modes of action. We investigated the interference with protein aggregation, which is potentially toxic for the cell and occurs abundantly in all Plasmodium stages, as a hitherto unexplored drug target in the pathogen. Results Attempts to exacerbate the P. falciparum proteome’s propensity to aggregation by delivering endogenous aggregative peptides to in vitro cultures of this parasite did not significantly affect their growth. In contrast, protein aggregation inhibitors clearly reduced the pathogen’s viability. One such compound, the bis(styrylpyridinium) salt YAT2150, exhibited potent antiplasmodial activity with an in vitro IC50 of 90 nM for chloroquine- and artemisinin-resistant lines, arresting asexual blood parasites at the trophozoite stage, as well as interfering with the development of both sexual and hepatic forms of Plasmodium. At its IC50, this compound is a powerful inhibitor of the aggregation of the model amyloid β peptide fragment 1-40, and it reduces the amount of aggregated proteins in P. falciparum cultures, suggesting that the underlying antimalarial mechanism consists in a generalized impairment of proteostasis in the pathogen. YAT2150 has an easy, rapid, and inexpensive synthesis, and because it fluoresces when it accumulates in its main localization in the Plasmodium cytosol, it is a theranostic agent. Conclusions Inhibiting protein aggregation in Plasmodium significantly reduces the parasite’s viability in vitro. Since YAT2150 belongs to a novel structural class of antiplasmodials with a mode of action that potentially targets multiple gene products, rapid evolution of resistance to this drug is unlikely to occur, making it a promising compound for the post-artemisinin era. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01374-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Bouzón-Arnáiz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona), Rosselló 149-153, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yunuen Avalos-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona), Rosselló 149-153, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnau Biosca
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona), Rosselló 149-153, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Omar Caño-Prades
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona), Rosselló 149-153, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucía Román-Álamo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona), Rosselló 149-153, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Valle
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Pompeu Fabra University, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Pompeu Fabra University, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diana Moita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Fac. Medicina Univ. Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Fac. Medicina Univ. Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elsa M Arce
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Muñoz-Torrero
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona), Rosselló 149-153, 08036, Barcelona, Spain. .,Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain. .,Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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16
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Alves AJS, Alves NG, Bártolo I, Fontinha D, Caetano S, Prudêncio M, Taveira N, Pinho E Melo TMVD. Unveiling a family of spiro-β-lactams with anti-HIV and antiplasmodial activity via phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of 6-alkylidene-penicillanates and allenoates. Front Chem 2022; 10:1017250. [PMID: 36277353 PMCID: PMC9585939 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1017250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular architecture of spirocyclic compounds has been widely explored within the medicinal chemistry field to obtain new compounds with singular three-dimensional pharmacophoric features and improved bioactivity. Herein, the synthesis of 68 new spirocyclopentene-β-lactams is described, resulting from a rational drug design and structural modulation of a highly promising lead compound BSS-730A, previously identified as having dual antimicrobial activity associated with a novel mechanism of action. Among this diverse library of new compounds, 22 were identified as active against HIV-1, with eight displaying an IC50 lower than 50 nM. These eight compounds also showed nanomolar activity against HIV-2, and six of them displayed micromolar antiplasmodial activity against both the hepatic and the blood stages of infection by malaria parasites, in agreement with the lead molecule’s bioactivity profile. The spirocyclopentene-β-lactams screened also showed low cytotoxicity against TZM-bl and Huh7 human cell lines. Overall, a family of new spirocyclopentene penicillanates with potent activity against HIV and/or Plasmodium was identified. The present structure–activity relationship open avenues for further development of spirocyclopentene-β-lactams as multivalent, highly active broad spectrum antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Américo J S Alves
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nuno G Alves
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Bártolo
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Soraia Caetano
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno Taveira
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Caparica, Portugal
| | - Teresa M V D Pinho E Melo
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre-Institute of Molecular Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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17
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Olatunde AC, Cornwall DH, Roedel M, Lamb TJ. Mouse Models for Unravelling Immunology of Blood Stage Malaria. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1525. [PMID: 36146602 PMCID: PMC9501382 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091525] [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: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria comprises a spectrum of disease syndromes and the immune system is a major participant in malarial disease. This is particularly true in relation to the immune responses elicited against blood stages of Plasmodium-parasites that are responsible for the pathogenesis of infection. Mouse models of malaria are commonly used to dissect the immune mechanisms underlying disease. While no single mouse model of Plasmodium infection completely recapitulates all the features of malaria in humans, collectively the existing models are invaluable for defining the events that lead to the immunopathogenesis of malaria. Here we review the different mouse models of Plasmodium infection that are available, and highlight some of the main contributions these models have made with regards to identifying immune mechanisms of parasite control and the immunopathogenesis of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tracey J. Lamb
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Emma Eccles Jones Medical Research Building, 15 N Medical Drive E, Room 1420A, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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18
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Mughal H, Bell EC, Mughal K, Derbyshire ER, Freundlich JS. Random Forest Model Predictions Afford Dual-Stage Antimalarial Agents. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1553-1562. [PMID: 35894649 PMCID: PMC9987178 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The need for novel antimalarials is apparent given the continuing disease burden worldwide, despite significant drug discovery advances from the bench to the bedside. In particular, small-molecule agents with potent efficacy against both the liver and blood stages of Plasmodium parasite infection are critical for clinical settings as they would simultaneously prevent and treat malaria with a reduced selection pressure for resistance. While experimental screens for such dual-stage inhibitors have been conducted, the time and cost of these efforts limit their scope. Here, we have focused on leveraging machine learning approaches to discover novel antimalarials with such properties. A random forest modeling approach was taken to predict small molecules with in vitro efficacy versus liver-stage Plasmodium berghei parasites and a lack of human liver cell cytotoxicity. Empirical validation of the model was achieved with the realization of hits with liver-stage efficacy after prospective scoring of a commercial diversity library and consideration of structural diversity. A subset of these hits also demonstrated promising blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum efficacy. These 18 validated dual-stage antimalarials represent novel starting points for drug discovery and mechanism of action studies with significant potential for seeding a new generation of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haseeb Mughal
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers University – New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103
| | - Elise C. Bell
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Khadija Mughal
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers University – New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103
| | - Emily R. Derbyshire
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, 124 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, 213 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Joel S. Freundlich
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers University – New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ, 07103
- Department of Medicine, Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens, Rutgers University – New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103
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19
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Broad Spectrum Functional Activity of Structurally Related Monoanionic Au(III) Bis(Dithiolene) Complexes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137146. [PMID: 35806151 PMCID: PMC9266914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The biological properties of sixteen structurally related monoanionic gold (III) bis(dithiolene/diselenolene) complexes were evaluated. The complexes differ in the nature of the heteroatom connected to the gold atom (AuS for dithiolene, AuSe for diselenolene), the substituent on the nitrogen atom of the thiazoline ring (Me, Et, Pr, iPr and Bu), the nature of the exocyclic atom or group of atoms (O, S, Se, C(CN)2) and the counter-ion (Ph4P+ or Et4N+). The anticancer and antimicrobial activities of all the complexes were investigated, while the anti-HIV activity was evaluated only for selected complexes. Most complexes showed relevant anticancer activities against Cisplatin-sensitive and Cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells A2780 and OVCAR8, respectively. After 48 h of incubation, the IC50 values ranged from 0.1–8 µM (A2780) and 0.8–29 µM (OVCAR8). The complexes with the Ph4P+ ([P]) counter-ion are in general more active than their Et4N+ ([N]) analogues, presenting IC50 values in the same order of magnitude or even lower than Auranofin. Studies in the zebrafish embryo model further showed that, despite their marked anticancer effect, the complexes with [P] counter-ion exhibited low in vivo toxicity. In general, the exocyclic exchange of sulfur by oxygen or ylidenemalononitrile (C(CN)2) enhanced the compounds toxicity. Most complexes containing the [P] counter ion exhibited exceptional antiplasmodial activity against the Plasmodium berghei parasite liver stages, with submicromolar IC50 values ranging from 400–700 nM. In contrast, antibacterial/fungi activities were highest for most complexes with the [N] counter-ion. Auranofin and two selected complexes [P][AuSBu(=S)] and [P][AuSEt(=S)] did not present anti-HIV activity in TZM-bl cells. Mechanistic studies for selected complexes support the idea that thioredoxin reductase, but not DNA, is a possible target for some of these complexes. The complexes [P] [AuSBu(=S)], [P] [AuSEt(=S)], [P] [AuSEt(=Se)] and [P] [AuSeiPr(=S)] displayed a strong quenching of the fluorescence intensity of human serum albumin (HSA), which indicates a strong interaction with this protein. Overall, the results highlight the promising biological activities of these complexes, warranting their further evaluation as future drug candidates with clinical applicability.
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20
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Preparation of Decoquinate Solid Dispersion by Hot-Melt Extrusion as an Oral Dosage Form Targeting Liver-Stage Plasmodium Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0221821. [PMID: 35658489 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02218-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver-stage Plasmodium in humans is an early stage of malarial infection. Decoquinate (DQ) has a potent multistage antimalarial activity. However, it is practically water insoluble. In this study, the hot-melt extrusion (HME) approach was employed to prepare solid dispersions of DQ to improve oral bioavailability. The DQ dispersions were homogeneous in an aqueous suspension that contained most DQ (>90%) in the aqueous phase. Soluplus, a solubilizer, was found compatible with DQ in forming nanoparticle formulations during the HME process. Another excipient HPMC AS-126 was also proven to be suitable for making DQ nanoparticles through HME. Particle size and antimalarial activity of HME DQ suspensions remained almost unchanged after storage at 4°C for over a year. HME DQ was highly effective at inhibiting Plasmodium infection in vitro at both the liver stage and blood stage. HME DQ at 3 mg/kg by oral administration effectively prevented Plasmodium infection in mice inoculated with Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. Orally administered HME DQ at 2,000 mg/kg to mice showed no obvious adverse effects. HME DQ at 20 mg/kg orally administered to rats displayed characteristic distributions of DQ in the blood with most DQ in the blood cells, revealing the permeability of HME DQ into the cells in relation to its antimalarial activity. The DQ dispersions may be further developed as an oral formulation targeting Plasmodium infection at the liver stage.
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21
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Nunes-Cabaço H, Moita D, Rôla C, Mendes AM, Prudêncio M. Impact of Dietary Protein Restriction on the Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Whole-Sporozoite Malaria Vaccination. Front Immunol 2022; 13:869757. [PMID: 35529859 PMCID: PMC9070679 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.869757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the world’s most prevalent infectious diseases. Several vaccination strategies currently under investigation aim at hampering the development of the Plasmodium parasite during the clinically silent liver stage of its life cycle in the mammalian host, preventing the subsequent disease-associated blood stage of infection. Immunization with radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS), the liver-infecting parasite forms, can induce sterile protection against malaria. However, the efficacy of vaccine candidates in malaria-naïve individuals in high-income countries is frequently higher than that found in populations where malaria is endemic. Malnutrition has been associated with immune dysfunction and with a delay or impairment of the immune response to some vaccines. Since vaccine efficacy depends on the generation of competent immune responses, and malaria-endemic regions are often associated with malnutrition, we hypothesized that an inadequate host nutritional status, specifically resulting from a reduction in dietary protein, could impact on the establishment of an efficient anti-malarial immune response. We developed a model of RAS immunization under low protein diet to investigate the impact of a reduced host protein intake on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of this vaccine. Our analysis of the circulating and tissue-associated immune compartments revealed that a reduction in dietary protein intake during immunization resulted in a decrease in the frequency of circulating CD4+ T cells and of hepatic NK cells. Nevertheless, the profile of CD8+ T cells in the blood, liver and spleen was robust and minimally affected by the dietary protein content during RAS immunization, as assessed by supervised and in-depth unsupervised X-shift clustering analysis. Although mice immunized under low protein diet presented higher parasite liver load upon challenge than those immunized under adequate protein intake, the two groups displayed similar levels of protection from disease. Overall, our data indicate that dietary protein reduction may have minimal impact on the immunogenicity and efficacy of RAS-based malaria vaccination. Importantly, this experimental model can be extended to assess the impact of other nutrient imbalances and immunization strategies, towards the refinement of future translational interventions that improve vaccine efficacy in malnourished individuals.
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22
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Fontinha D, Arez F, Gal IR, Nogueira G, Moita D, Baeurle THH, Brito C, Spangenberg T, Alves PM, Prudêncio M. Pre-erythrocytic Activity of M5717 in Monotherapy and Combination in Preclinical Plasmodium Infection Models. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:721-727. [PMID: 35312290 PMCID: PMC9003234 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Combination therapies
have emerged to mitigate Plasmodium drug resistance,
which has hampered the fight against malaria. M5717
is a potent multistage antiplasmodial drug under clinical development,
which inhibits parasite protein synthesis. The combination of M5717
with pyronaridine, an inhibitor of hemozoin formation, displays potent
activity against blood stage Plasmodium infection.
However, the impact of this therapy on liver infection by Plasmodium remains unknown. Here, we employed a recently
described 3D culture-based hepatic infection platform to evaluate
the activity of the M5717-pyronaridine combination against hepatic
infection by P. berghei. This effect was further
confirmed in vivo by employing the C57BL/6J rodent Plasmodium infection model. Collectively, our data demonstrate
that pyronaridine potentiates the activity of M5717 against P. berghei hepatic development. These preclinical results
contribute to the validation of pyronaridine as a suitable partner
drug for M5717, supporting the clinical evaluation of this novel antiplasmodial
combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Francisca Arez
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Isabella Ramella Gal
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Nogueira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Moita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tobias Hyun Ho Baeurle
- Site Management − Analytics, the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Catarina Brito
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Thomas Spangenberg
- Global Health Institute of Merck, Ares Trading S.A. (a subsidiary of Merck KGaA Darmstadt Germany), 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Paula M. Alves
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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23
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A Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitor with Pleiotropic In Vitro Anti- Toxoplasma and Anti- Plasmodium Activities Controls Acute and Chronic Toxoplasma Infection in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063254. [PMID: 35328672 PMCID: PMC8952293 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a highly prevalent human disease, and virulent strains of this parasite emerge from wild biotopes. Here, we report on the potential of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor we previously synthesized, named JF363, to act in vitro against a large panel of Toxoplasma strains, as well as against the liver and blood stages of Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria. In vivo administration of the drug significantly increases the survival of mice during the acute phase of infection by T. gondii, thus delaying its spreading. We further provide evidence of the compound’s efficiency in controlling the formation of cysts in the brain of T. gondii-infected mice. A convincing docking of the JF363 compound in the active site of the five annotated ME49 T. gondii HDACs was performed by extensive sequence–structure comparison modeling. The resulting complexes show a similar mode of binding in the five paralogous structures and a quite similar prediction of affinities in the micromolar range. Altogether, these results pave the way for further development of this compound to treat acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. It also shows promise for the future development of anti-Plasmodium therapeutic interventions.
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24
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Lopes EA, Mestre R, Fontinha D, Legac J, Pei JV, Sanches-Vaz M, Mori M, Lehane AM, Rosenthal PJ, Prudêncio M, Santos MM. Discovery of spirooxadiazoline oxindoles with dual-stage antimalarial activity. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114324. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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25
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Portugal S, Rodriguez A, Prudêncio M. Maria M. Mota: Bringing Plasmodium Liver Infection to the Centre Stage of Malaria Research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:851484. [PMID: 35211424 PMCID: PMC8860983 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.851484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Miguel Prudêncio,
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26
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Synthesis and antiplasmodial activity of regioisomers and epimers of second-generation dual acting ivermectin hybrids. Sci Rep 2022; 12:564. [PMID: 35022455 PMCID: PMC8755717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04532-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
With its strong effect on vector-borne diseases, and insecticidal effect on mosquito vectors of malaria, inhibition of sporogonic and blood-stage development of Plasmodium falciparum, as well as in vitro and in vivo impairment of the P. berghei development inside hepatocytes, ivermectin (IVM) continues to represent an antimalarial therapeutic worthy of investigation. The in vitro activity of the first-generation IVM hybrids synthesized by appending the IVM macrolide with heterocyclic and organometallic antimalarial pharmacophores, against the blood-stage and liver-stage infections by Plasmodium parasites prompted us to design second-generation molecular hybrids of IVM. Here, a structural modification of IVM to produce novel molecular hybrids by using sub-structures of 4- and 8-aminoquinolines, the time-tested antiplasmodial agents used for treating the blood and hepatic stage of Plasmodium infections, respectively, is presented. Successful isolation of regioisomers and epimers has been demonstrated, and the evaluation of their in vitro antiplasmodial activity against both the blood stages of P. falciparum and the hepatic stages of P. berghei have been undertaken. These compounds displayed structure-dependent antiplasmodial activity, in the nM range, which was more potent than that of IVM, its aglycon or primaquine, highlighting the superiority of this hybridization strategy in designing new antiplasmodial agents.
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27
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Silva AT, Oliveira IS, Gomes J, Aguiar L, Fontinha D, Duarte D, Nogueira F, Prudêncio M, Marques EF, Teixeira C, Ferraz R, Gomes P. Drug-Derived Surface-Active Ionic Liquids: A Cost-Effective Way To Expressively Increase the Blood-Stage Antimalarial Activity of Primaquine. ChemMedChem 2021; 17:e202100650. [PMID: 34882979 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100650] [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: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Inspired by previous disclosure of room-temperature ionic liquids derived from primaquine and cinnamic acids, which displayed slightly enhanced blood-stage activity compared to the parent drug, we have now combined this emblematic antimalarial with natural fatty acids. This affords surface-active ionic liquids whose liver-stage antiplasmodial activity is either retained or slightly enhanced, while revealing blood-stage antiplasmodial activity at least one order of magnitude higher than that of the parent compound. These findings open new perspectives towards the cost-effective recycling of classical drugs that are either shelved or in decline, and which is not limited to antimalarial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Teresa Silva
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel S Oliveira
- CIQ-UP, Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.,CIQ-UP, Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luísa Aguiar
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana Fontinha
- IMM-Instituto de Medicinal Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Denise Duarte
- GHTM - Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fátima Nogueira
- GHTM - Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- IMM-Instituto de Medicinal Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eduardo F Marques
- CIQ-UP, Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Ferraz
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.,CQB - Ciências Químicas e das Biomoléculas, Escola Superior de Saúde, Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 400, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
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28
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Studies of Potency and Efficacy of an Optimized Artemisinin-Quinoline Hybrid against Multiple Stages of the Plasmodium Life Cycle. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111129. [PMID: 34832911 PMCID: PMC8620906 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A recently developed artemisinin-quinoline hybrid, named 163A, has been shown to display potent activity against the asexual blood stage of Plasmodium, the malaria parasite. In this study, we determined its in vitro cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, its potency to suppress P. berghei hepatic infection and to decrease the viability of P. falciparum gametocytes, in addition to determining whether the drug exhibits efficacy of a P. berghei infection in mice. This hybrid compound has a low level of cytotoxicity to mammalian cells and, conversely, a high level of selectivity. It is potent in the prevention of hepatic stage development as well as in killing gametocytes, denoting a potential blockage of malaria transmission. The hybrid presents a potent inhibitory activity for beta-hematin crystal formation, in which subsequent assays revealed that its endoperoxide component undergoes bioactivation by reductive reaction with ferrous heme towards the formation of heme-drug adducts; in parallel, the 7-chloroquinoline component has binding affinity for ferric hemin. Both structural components of the hybrid co-operate to enhance the inhibition of beta-hematin, and this bitopic ligand property is essential for arresting the growth of asexual blood parasites. We demonstrated the in vivo efficacy of the hybrid as an erythrocytic schizonticide agent in comparison to a chloroquine/artemisinin combination therapy. Collectively, the findings suggest that the bitopic property of the hybrid is highly operative on heme detoxification suppression, and this provides compelling evidence for explaining the action of the hybrid on the asexual blood stage. For sporozoite and gametocyte stages, the hybrid conserves the potency typically observed for endoperoxide drugs, and this is possibly achieved due to the redox chemistry of endoperoxide components with ferrous heme.
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29
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Temporão A, Sanches-Vaz M, Luís R, Nunes-Cabaço H, Smith TK, Prudêncio M, Figueiredo LM. Excreted Trypanosoma brucei proteins inhibit Plasmodium hepatic infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009912. [PMID: 34714824 PMCID: PMC8580256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains a major threat to public health globally. It is the most common disease in patients with sleeping sickness, another parasitic illness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei. We have previously shown that a T. brucei infection impairs a secondary P. berghei liver infection and decreases malaria severity in mice. However, whether this effect requires an active trypanosome infection remained unknown. Here, we show that Plasmodium liver infection can also be inhibited by the serum of a mouse previously infected by T. brucei and by total protein lysates of this kinetoplastid. Biochemical characterisation showed that the anti-Plasmodium activity of the total T. brucei lysates depends on its protein fraction, but is independent of the abundant variant surface glycoprotein. Finally, we found that the protein(s) responsible for the inhibition of Plasmodium infection is/are present within a fraction of ~350 proteins that are excreted to the bloodstream of the host. We conclude that the defence mechanism developed by trypanosomes against Plasmodium relies on protein excretion. This study opens the door to the identification of novel antiplasmodial intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Temporão
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida Sanches-Vaz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rafael Luís
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Helena Nunes-Cabaço
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Schools of Biology and Chemistry Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, The North Haugh, The University, St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luisa M. Figueiredo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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30
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Alves E, Benns HJ, Magnus L, Dominicus C, Dobai T, Blight J, Wincott CJ, Child MA. An Extracellular Redox Signal Triggers Calcium Release and Impacts the Asexual Development of Toxoplasma gondii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:728425. [PMID: 34447699 PMCID: PMC8382974 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.728425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of an organism to sense and respond to environmental redox fluctuations relies on a signaling network that is incompletely understood in apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii. The impact of changes in redox upon the development of this intracellular parasite is not known. Here, we provide a revised collection of 58 genes containing domains related to canonical antioxidant function, with their encoded proteins widely dispersed throughout different cellular compartments. We demonstrate that addition of exogenous H2O2 to human fibroblasts infected with T. gondii triggers a Ca2+ flux in the cytosol of intracellular parasites that can induce egress. In line with existing models, egress triggered by exogenous H2O2 is reliant upon both Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 3 and diacylglycerol kinases. Finally, we show that the overexpression a glutaredoxin-roGFP2 redox sensor fusion protein in the parasitophorous vacuole severely impacts parasite replication. These data highlight the rich redox network that exists in T. gondii, evidencing a link between extracellular redox and intracellular Ca2+ signaling that can culminate in parasite egress. Our findings also indicate that the redox potential of the intracellular environment contributes to normal parasite growth. Combined, our findings highlight the important role of redox as an unexplored regulator of parasite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Alves
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Henry J Benns
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lilian Magnus
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caia Dominicus
- Signaling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tamás Dobai
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua Blight
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ceire J Wincott
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew A Child
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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31
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Fontinha D, Sousa SA, Morais TS, Prudêncio M, Leitão JH, Le Gal Y, Lorcy D, Silva RAL, Velho MFG, Belo D, Almeida M, Guerreiro JF, Pinheiro T, Marques F. Gold(iii) bis(dithiolene) complexes: from molecular conductors to prospective anticancer, antimicrobial and antiplasmodial agents. Metallomics 2021; 12:974-987. [PMID: 32391537 DOI: 10.1039/d0mt00064g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The anticancer, antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities of six gold(iii) bis(dithiolene) complexes were studied. Complexes 1-6 showed relevant anticancer properties against A2780/A2780cisR ovarian cancer cells (IC50 values of 0.08-2 μM), also being able to overcome cisplatin resistance in A2780cisR cells. Complex 1 also exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 12.1 ± 3.9 μg mL-1) and both Candida glabrata and Candida albicans (MICs of 9.7 ± 2.7 and 19.9 ± 2.4 μg mL-1, respectively). In addition, all complexes displayed antiplasmodial activity against the Plasmodium berghei parasite liver stages, even exhibiting better results than the ones obtained using primaquine, an anti-malarial drug. Mechanistic studies support the idea that thioredoxin reductase, but not DNA, is a possible target of these complexes. Complex 1 is stable under biological conditions, which would be important if this compound is ever to be considered as a drug. Overall, the results obtained evidenced the promising biological activity of complex 1, which might have potential as a novel anticancer, antimicrobial and antiplasmodial agent to be used as an alternative to current therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sílvia A Sousa
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Departmento de Bioengenharia, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tânia S Morais
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge H Leitão
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Departmento de Bioengenharia, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Yann Le Gal
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Dominique Lorcy
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Rafaela A L Silva
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - Mariana F G Velho
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal. and Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Dulce Belo
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - M Almeida
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - Joana F Guerreiro
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - Teresa Pinheiro
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
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32
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Memvanga PB, Nkanga CI. Liposomes for malaria management: the evolution from 1980 to 2020. Malar J 2021; 20:327. [PMID: 34315484 PMCID: PMC8313885 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases and the foremost cause of morbidity in the tropical regions of the world. Strategies for the efficient management of this parasitic infection include adequate treatment with anti-malarial therapeutics and vaccination. However, the emergence and spread of resistant strains of malaria parasites to the majority of presently used anti-malarial medications, on the other hand, complicates malaria treatment. Other shortcomings of anti-malarial drugs include poor aqueous solubility, low permeability, poor bioavailability, and non-specific targeting of intracellular parasites, resulting in high dose requirements and toxic side effects. To address these limitations, liposome-based nanotechnology has been extensively explored as a new solution in malaria management. Liposome technology improves anti-malarial drug encapsulation, bioavailability, target delivery, and controlled release, resulting in increased effectiveness, reduced resistance progression, and fewer adverse effects. Furthermore, liposomes are exploited as immunological adjuvants and antigen carriers to boost the preventive effectiveness of malaria vaccine candidates. The present review discusses the findings from studies conducted over the last 40 years (1980-2020) using in vitro and in vivo settings to assess the prophylactic and curative anti-malarial potential of liposomes containing anti-malarial agents or antigens. This paper and the discussion herein provide a useful resource for further complementary investigations and may pave the way for the research and development of several available and affordable anti-malarial-based liposomes and liposomal malaria vaccines by allowing a thorough evaluation of liposomes developed to date for the management of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick B Memvanga
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 212, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Christian I Nkanga
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 212, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Marinović M, Poje G, Perković I, Fontinha D, Prudêncio M, Held J, Pessanha de Carvalho L, Tandarić T, Vianello R, Rajić Z. Further investigation of harmicines as novel antiplasmodial agents: Synthesis, structure-activity relationship and insight into the mechanism of action. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 224:113687. [PMID: 34274829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The rise of the resistance of the malaria parasite to the currently approved therapy urges the discovery and development of new efficient agents. Previously we have demonstrated that harmicines, hybrid compounds composed from β-carboline alkaloid harmine and cinnamic acid derivatives, linked via either triazole or amide bond, exert significant antiplasmodial activity. In this paper, we report synthesis, antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of expanded series of novel triazole- and amide-type harmicines. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that amide-type harmicines 27, prepared at N-9 of the β-carboline core, exhibit superior potency against both erythrocytic stage of P. falciparum and hepatic stages of P. berghei. Notably, harmicine 27a, m-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamic acid derivative, exhibited the most favourable selectivity index (SI = 1105). Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the ATP binding site of P. falciparum heat shock protein 90 as a druggable binding location, confirmed the usefulness of the harmine's N-9 substitution and identified favourable N-H … π interactions involving Lys45 and the aromatic phenyl unit in the attached cinnamic acid fragment as crucial for the enhanced biological activity. Thus, those compounds were identified as promising and valuable leads for further derivatization in the search of novel, more efficient antiplasmodial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Marinović
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Goran Poje
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Perković
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jana Held
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Tana Tandarić
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Division of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bijenička Cesta 54, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Vianello
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Division of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bijenička Cesta 54, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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34
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Sylvester K, Maher SP, Posfai D, Tran MK, Crawford MC, Vantaux A, Witkowski B, Kyle DE, Derbyshire ER. Characterization of the Tubovesicular Network in Plasmodium vivax Liver Stage Hypnozoites and Schizonts. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:687019. [PMID: 34195101 PMCID: PMC8236947 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.687019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium is a genus of apicomplexan parasites which replicate in the liver before causing malaria. Plasmodium vivax can also persist in the liver as dormant hypnozoites and cause clinical relapse upon activation, but the molecular mechanisms leading to activation have yet to be discovered. In this study, we use high-resolution microscopy to characterize temporal changes of the P. vivax liver stage tubovesicular network (TVN), a parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM)-derived network within the host cytosol. We observe extended membrane clusters, tubules, and TVN-derived vesicles present throughout P. vivax liver stage development. Additionally, we demonstrate an unexpected presence of the TVN in hypnozoites and observe some association of this network to host nuclei. We also reveal that the host water and solute channel aquaporin-3 (AQP3) associates with TVN-derived vesicles and extended membrane clusters. AQP3 has been previously shown to localize to the PVM of P. vivax hypnozoites and liver schizonts but has not yet been shown in association to the TVN. Our results highlight host-parasite interactions occur in both dormant and replicating liver stage P. vivax forms and implicate AQP3 function during this time. Together, these findings enhance our understanding of P. vivax liver stage biology through characterization of the TVN with an emphasis on the presence of this network in dormant hypnozoites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Sylvester
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Steven P Maher
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Dora Posfai
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Michael K Tran
- Chemistry Department, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | | | - Amélie Vantaux
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Benoît Witkowski
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Dennis E Kyle
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Emily R Derbyshire
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Chemistry Department, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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35
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Tavella TA, da Silva NSM, Spillman N, Kayano ACAV, Cassiano GC, Vasconcelos AA, Camargo AP, da Silva DCB, Fontinha D, Salazar Alvarez LC, Ferreira LT, Peralis Tomaz KC, Neves BJ, Almeida LD, Bargieri DY, Lacerda MVGD, Lemos Cravo PV, Sunnerhagen P, Prudêncio M, Andrade CH, Pinto Lopes SC, Carazzolle MF, Tilley L, Bilsland E, Borges JC, Maranhão Costa FT. Violacein-Induced Chaperone System Collapse Underlies Multistage Antiplasmodial Activity. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:759-776. [PMID: 33689276 PMCID: PMC8042658 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Antimalarial drugs with novel modes of action and wide therapeutic potential are needed to pave the way for malaria eradication. Violacein is a natural compound known for its biological activity against cancer cells and several pathogens, including the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). Herein, using chemical genomic profiling (CGP), we found that violacein affects protein homeostasis. Mechanistically, violacein binds Pf chaperones, PfHsp90 and PfHsp70-1, compromising the latter's ATPase and chaperone activities. Additionally, violacein-treated parasites exhibited increased protein unfolding and proteasomal degradation. The uncoupling of the parasite stress response reflects the multistage growth inhibitory effect promoted by violacein. Despite evidence of proteotoxic stress, violacein did not inhibit global protein synthesis via UPR activation-a process that is highly dependent on chaperones, in agreement with the notion of a violacein-induced proteostasis collapse. Our data highlight the importance of a functioning chaperone-proteasome system for parasite development and differentiation. Thus, a violacein-like small molecule might provide a good scaffold for development of a novel probe for examining the molecular chaperone network and/or antiplasmodial drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Almeida Tavella
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases−Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Noeli Soares Melo da Silva
- Biochemistry and Biophysics of Proteins Group−São Carlos Institute of Chemistry−IQSC, University of São Paulo, Trabalhador Sancarlense Avenue, 400, BQ1, S27, São Carlos, SP 13566-590, Brazil
| | - Natalie Spillman
- Department of Biochemistry, Bio 21 Institute, University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Rd, Parkville, Melbourne,VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ana Carolina Andrade Vitor Kayano
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases−Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Capatti Cassiano
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases−Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Adrielle Ayumi Vasconcelos
- Laboratory of Genomics and BioEnergy, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Antônio Pedro Camargo
- Laboratory of Genomics and BioEnergy, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Djane Clarys Baia da Silva
- Leônidas & Maria Deane Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz−FIOCRUZ, Manaus , AM 69057070, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical−Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM 69040-000, Brazil
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luis Carlos Salazar Alvarez
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases−Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Letícia Tiburcio Ferreira
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases−Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Kaira Cristina Peralis Tomaz
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases−Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, LabMol, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74605-170, Brazil
- LabChem−Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Centro Universitário de Anápolis−UniEVANGÉLICA, Anápolis, GO 75083-515, Brazil
| | - Ludimila Dias Almeida
- Synthetic Biology Laboratory, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Daniel Youssef Bargieri
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Cidade Universitária “Armando Salles Oliveira”, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Vitor Lemos Cravo
- LabChem−Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Centro Universitário de Anápolis−UniEVANGÉLICA, Anápolis, GO 75083-515, Brazil
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1099-085 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Per Sunnerhagen
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases−Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, LabMol, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO 74605-170, Brazil
| | - Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes
- Leônidas & Maria Deane Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz−FIOCRUZ, Manaus , AM 69057070, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical−Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, AM 69040-000, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Falsarella Carazzolle
- Laboratory of Genomics and BioEnergy, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Leann Tilley
- Department of Biochemistry, Bio 21 Institute, University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Rd, Parkville, Melbourne,VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Bilsland
- Synthetic Biology Laboratory, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP Brazil
| | - Júlio César Borges
- Biochemistry and Biophysics of Proteins Group−São Carlos Institute of Chemistry−IQSC, University of São Paulo, Trabalhador Sancarlense Avenue, 400, BQ1, S27, São Carlos, SP 13566-590, Brazil
| | - Fabio Trindade Maranhão Costa
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases−Prof. Dr. Luiz Jacinto da Silva, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Campinas−UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
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36
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Clustering and Erratic Movement Patterns of Syringe-Injected versus Mosquito-Inoculated Malaria Sporozoites Underlie Decreased Infectivity. mSphere 2021; 6:6/2/e00218-21. [PMID: 33827910 PMCID: PMC8546700 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00218-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria vaccine candidates based on live, attenuated sporozoites have led to high levels of protection. However, their efficacy critically depends on the sporozoites' ability to reach and infect the host liver. Administration via mosquito inoculation is by far the most potent method for inducing immunity but highly impractical. Here, we observed that intradermal syringe-injected Plasmodium berghei sporozoites (syrSPZ) were 3-fold less efficient in migrating to and infecting mouse liver than mosquito-inoculated sporozoites (msqSPZ). This was related to a clustered dermal distribution (2-fold-decreased median distance between syrSPZ and msqSPZ) and, more importantly, a 1.4-fold (significantly)-slower and more erratic movement pattern. These erratic movement patterns were likely caused by alteration of dermal tissue morphology (>15-μm intercellular gaps) due to injection of fluid and may critically decrease sporozoite infectivity. These results suggest that novel microvolume-based administration technologies hold promise for replicating the success of mosquito-inoculated live, attenuated sporozoite vaccines.IMPORTANCE Malaria still causes a major burden on global health and the economy. The efficacy of live, attenuated malaria sporozoites as vaccine candidates critically depends on their ability to migrate to and infect the host liver. This work sheds light on the effect of different administration routes on sporozoite migration. We show that the delivery of sporozoites via mosquito inoculation is more efficient than syringe injection; however, this route of administration is highly impractical for vaccine purposes. Using confocal microscopy and automated imaging software, we demonstrate that syringe-injected sporozoites do cluster, move more slowly, and display more erratic movement due to alterations in tissue morphology. These findings indicate that microneedle-based engineering solutions hold promise for replicating the success of mosquito-inoculated live, attenuated sporozoite vaccines.
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37
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Bang S, Donnelly CR, Luo X, Toro-Moreno M, Tao X, Wang Z, Chandra S, Bortsov AV, Derbyshire ER, Ji RR. Activation of GPR37 in macrophages confers protection against infection-induced sepsis and pain-like behaviour in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1704. [PMID: 33731716 PMCID: PMC7969930 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21940-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
GPR37 was discovered more than two decades ago, but its biological functions remain poorly understood. Here we report a protective role of GPR37 in multiple models of infection and sepsis. Mice lacking Gpr37 exhibited increased death and/or hypothermia following challenge by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Listeria bacteria, and the mouse malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Sepsis induced by LPS and Listeria in wild-type mice is protected by artesunate (ARU) and neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), but the protective actions of these agents are lost in Gpr37−/− mice. Notably, we found that ARU binds to GPR37 in macrophages and promotes phagocytosis and clearance of pathogens. Moreover, ablation of macrophages potentiated infection, sepsis, and their sequelae, whereas adoptive transfer of NPD1- or ARU-primed macrophages reduced infection, sepsis, and pain-like behaviors. Our findings reveal physiological actions of ARU in host cells by activating macrophages and suggest that GPR37 agonists may help to treat sepsis, bacterial infections, and malaria. GPR37 is expressed in macrophages, and has been implicated in resolution of inflammatory pain. Here the authors show that GPR37 can modulate sepsis in several animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangsu Bang
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher R Donnelly
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xin Luo
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Xueshu Tao
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Zilong Wang
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sharat Chandra
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Andrey V Bortsov
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Ru-Rong Ji
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. .,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. .,Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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38
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Bártolo I, Santos BS, Fontinha D, Machado M, Francisco D, Sepodes B, Rocha J, Mota-Filipe H, Pinto R, Figueira ME, Barroso H, Nascimento T, Alves de Matos AP, Alves AJS, Alves NG, Simões CJV, Prudêncio M, Pinho e Melo TMVD, Taveira N. Spiro-β-lactam BSS-730A Displays Potent Activity against HIV and Plasmodium. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:421-434. [PMID: 33395253 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The high burden of malaria and HIV/AIDS prevents economic and social progress in developing countries. A continuing need exists for development of novel drugs and treatment regimens for both diseases in order to address the tolerability and long-term safety concerns associated with current treatment options and the emergence of drug resistance. We describe new spiro-β-lactam derivatives with potent (nM) activity against HIV and Plasmodium and no activity against bacteria and yeast. The best performing molecule of the series, BSS-730A, inhibited both HIV-1 and HIV-2 replication with an IC50 of 13 ± 9.59 nM and P. berghei hepatic infection with an IC50 of 0.55 ± 0.14 μM with a clear impact on parasite development. BSS-730A was also active against the erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum, with an estimated IC50 of 0.43 ± 0.04 μM. Time-of-addition studies showed that BSS-730A potentially affects all stages of the HIV replicative cycle, suggesting a complex mechanism of action. BSS-730A was active against multidrug-resistant HIV isolates, with a median 2.4-fold higher IC50 relative to control isolates. BSS-730A was equally active against R5 and X4 HIV isolates and displayed strong synergism with the entry inhibitor AMD3100. BSS-730A is a promising candidate for development as a potential therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent against HIV and Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Bártolo
- Instituto de investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruna S. Santos
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre (CQC), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1648-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marta Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1648-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Denise Francisco
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1648-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sepodes
- Instituto de investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Rocha
- Instituto de investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hélder Mota-Filipe
- Instituto de investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui Pinto
- Instituto de investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria E. Figueira
- Instituto de investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena Barroso
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Teresa Nascimento
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - António P. Alves de Matos
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Américo J. S. Alves
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre (CQC), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nuno G. Alves
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre (CQC), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos J. V. Simões
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre (CQC), Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1648-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Nuno Taveira
- Instituto de investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, Quinta da Granja, 2829-511 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
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39
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Chemoprotective antimalarials identified through quantitative high-throughput screening of Plasmodium blood and liver stage parasites. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2121. [PMID: 33483532 PMCID: PMC7822874 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81486-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to most first-line antimalarials creates an imperative to enrich the drug discovery pipeline, preferably with curative compounds that can also act prophylactically. We report a phenotypic quantitative high-throughput screen (qHTS), based on concentration–response curves, which was designed to identify compounds active against Plasmodium liver and asexual blood stage parasites. Our qHTS screened over 450,000 compounds, tested across a range of 5 to 11 concentrations, for activity against Plasmodium falciparum asexual blood stages. Active compounds were then filtered for unique structures and drug-like properties and subsequently screened in a P. berghei liver stage assay to identify novel dual-active antiplasmodial chemotypes. Hits from thiadiazine and pyrimidine azepine chemotypes were subsequently prioritized for resistance selection studies, yielding distinct mutations in P. falciparum cytochrome b, a validated antimalarial drug target. The thiadiazine chemotype was subjected to an initial medicinal chemistry campaign, yielding a metabolically stable analog with sub-micromolar potency. Our qHTS methodology and resulting dataset provides a large-scale resource to investigate Plasmodium liver and asexual blood stage parasite biology and inform further research to develop novel chemotypes as causal prophylactic antimalarials.
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40
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Fonte M, Tassi N, Fontinha D, Bouzón-Arnáiz I, Ferraz R, Araújo MJ, Fernàndez-Busquets X, Prudêncio M, Gomes P, Teixeira C. 4,9-Diaminoacridines and 4-Aminoacridines as Dual-Stage Antiplasmodial Hits. ChemMedChem 2020; 16:788-792. [PMID: 33217195 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Multi-stage drugs have been prioritized in antimalarial drug discovery, as targeting more than one process in the Plasmodium life cycle is likely to increase efficiency, while decreasing the chances of emergence of resistance by the parasite. Herein, we disclose two novel acridine-based families of compounds that combine the structural features of primaquine and chloroquine. Compounds prepared and studied thus far retained the in vitro activity displayed by the parent drugs against the erythrocytic stages of chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains, and against the hepatic stages of Plasmodium berghei, hence acting as dual-stage antiplasmodial hits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Fonte
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, R. do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Natália Tassi
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, R. do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inés Bouzón-Arnáiz
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricardo Ferraz
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, R. do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.,Ciências Químicas e das Biomoléculas Escola Superior de Saúde, Politécnico do Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 400, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria J Araújo
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, R. do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets
- Nanomalaria Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10-12, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, R. do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cátia Teixeira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, R. do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
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41
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de Souza Pereira C, Costa Quadros H, Magalhaes Moreira DR, Castro W, Santos De Deus Da Silva RI, Botelho Pereira Soares M, Fontinha D, Prudêncio M, Schmitz V, Dos Santos HF, Gendrot M, Fonta I, Mosnier J, Pradines B, Navarro M. A Novel Hybrid of Chloroquine and Primaquine Linked by Gold(I): Multitarget and Multiphase Antiplasmodial Agent. ChemMedChem 2020; 16:662-678. [PMID: 33231370 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites kill 435 000 people around the world every year due to unavailable vaccines, a limited arsenal of antimalarial drugs, delayed treatment, and the reduced clinical effectiveness of current practices caused by drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover and develop new antiplasmodial candidates. In this work, we present a novel strategy to develop a multitarget metallic hybrid antimalarial agent with possible dual efficacy in both sexual and asexual erythrocytic stages. A hybrid of antimalarial drugs (chloroquine and primaquine) linked by gold(I) was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The CQPQ-gold(I) hybrid molecule affects essential parasite targets, it inhibits β-hematin formation and interacts moderately with the DNA minor groove. Its interaction with PfTrxR was also examined in computational modeling studies. The CQPQ-gold(I) hybrid displayed an excellent in vitro antimalarial activity against the blood-stage of Plasmodium falciparum and liver-stage of Plasmodium berghei and efficacy in vivo against P. berghei, thereby demonstrating its multiple-stage antiplasmodial activity. This metallic hybrid is a promising chemotherapeutic agent that could act in the treatment, prevention, and transmission of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline de Souza Pereira
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n - Campus Universitário, Bairro Martelos, CEP 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Helenita Costa Quadros
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Waldemar Falcão, 121, Candeal, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil
| | | | - William Castro
- Centro de Química, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Centro de Química, Carretera Panamericana, Km 11, Altos de Pipe, San Antonio de los Altos Miranda, 1020-A, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | | | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa <, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa <, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vinicius Schmitz
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n - Campus Universitário, Bairro Martelos, CEP 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Hélio F Dos Santos
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n - Campus Universitário, Bairro Martelos, CEP 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Mathieu Gendrot
- Unité Parasitologie et entomologie, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Isabelle Fonta
- Unité Parasitologie et entomologie, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Joel Mosnier
- Unité Parasitologie et entomologie, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Pradines
- Unité Parasitologie et entomologie, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, 19-21 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Maribel Navarro
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n - Campus Universitário, Bairro Martelos, CEP 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil
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42
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Disrupting Plasmodium UIS3-host LC3 interaction with a small molecule causes parasite elimination from host cells. Commun Biol 2020; 3:688. [PMID: 33214643 PMCID: PMC7677311 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01422-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium obligatorily infects and replicates inside hepatocytes surrounded by a parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), which is decorated by the host-cell derived autophagy protein LC3. We have previously shown that the parasite-derived, PVM-resident protein UIS3 sequesters LC3 to avoid parasite elimination by autophagy from hepatocytes. Here we show that a small molecule capable of disrupting this interaction triggers parasite elimination in a host cell autophagy-dependent manner. Molecular docking analysis of more than 20 million compounds combined with a phenotypic screen identified one molecule, C4 (4-{[4-(4-{5-[3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl}benzyl)piperazino]carbonyl}benzonitrile), capable of impairing infection. Using biophysical assays, we established that this impairment is due to the ability of C4 to disrupt UIS3-LC3 interaction, thus inhibiting the parasite's ability to evade the host autophagy response. C4 impacts infection in autophagy-sufficient cells without harming the normal autophagy pathway of the host cell. This study, by revealing the disruption of a critical host-parasite interaction without affecting the host's normal function, uncovers an efficient anti-malarial strategy to prevent this deadly disease.
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43
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Novel Harmicines with Improved Potency against Plasmodium. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25194376. [PMID: 32977642 PMCID: PMC7583898 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Harmicines represent hybrid compounds composed of β-carboline alkaloid harmine and cinnamic acid derivatives (CADs). In this paper we report the synthesis of amide-type harmicines and the evaluation of their biological activity. N-harmicines 5a–f and O-harmicines 6a–h were prepared by a straightforward synthetic procedure, from harmine-based amines and CADs using standard coupling conditions, 1-[bis(dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-1,2,3-triazolo [4,5-b]pyridinium 3-oxid hexafluorophosphate (HATU) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIEA). Amide-type harmicines exerted remarkable activity against the erythrocytic stage of P. falciparum, in low submicromolar concentrations, which was significantly more pronounced compared to their antiplasmodial activity against the hepatic stages of P. berghei. Furthermore, a cytotoxicity assay against the human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) revealed favorable selectivity indices of the most active harmicines. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the binding of ligands within the ATP binding site of PfHsp90, while the calculated binding free energies confirmed higher activity of N-harmicines 5 over their O-substituted analogues 6. Amino acids predominantly affecting the binding were identified, which provided guidelines for the further derivatization of the harmine framework towards more efficient agents.
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44
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Milheiro SA, Gonçalves J, Lopes RMRM, Madureira M, Lobo L, Lopes A, Nogueira F, Fontinha D, Prudêncio M, M Piedade MF, Pinto SN, Florindo PR, Moreira R. Half-Sandwich Cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) Complexes: A New Antimalarial Chemotype. Inorg Chem 2020; 59:12722-12732. [PMID: 32838513 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c01795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
A small library of "half-sandwich" cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) compounds of the general formula [(η5-C5R5)Ru(PPh3)(N-N)][PF6], a scaffold hitherto absent from the toolbox of antiplasmodials, was screened for activity against the blood stage of CQ-sensitive 3D7-GFP, CQ-resistant Dd2, and artemisinin-resistant IPC5202 Plasmodium falciparum strains and the liver stage of Plasmodium berghei. The best-performing compounds displayed dual-stage activity, with single-digit nanomolar IC50 values against blood-stage malaria parasites, nanomolar activity against liver-stage parasites, and residual cytotoxicity against HepG2 and Huh7 mammalian cells. The parasitic absorption/distribution of 7-nitrobenzoxadiazole-appended fluorescent compounds Ru4 and Ru5 was investigated by confocal fluorescence microscopy, revealing parasite-selective absorption in infected erythrocytes and nuclear accumulation of both compounds. The lead compound Ru2 impaired asexual parasite differentiation, exhibiting fast parasiticidal activity against both ring and trophozoite stages of a synchronized culture of the P. falciparum 3D7 strain. These results point to cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complexes as a highly promising chemotype for the development of dual-stage antiplasmodials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia A Milheiro
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Gonçalves
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ricardo M R M Lopes
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida Madureira
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lis Lobo
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andreia Lopes
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fátima Nogueira
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Fátima M Piedade
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra N Pinto
- iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro R Florindo
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Moreira
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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Kancharla P, Dodean RA, Li Y, Pou S, Pybus B, Melendez V, Read L, Bane CE, Vesely B, Kreishman-Deitrick M, Black C, Li Q, Sciotti RJ, Olmeda R, Luong TL, Gaona H, Potter B, Sousa J, Marcsisin S, Caridha D, Xie L, Vuong C, Zeng Q, Zhang J, Zhang P, Lin H, Butler K, Roncal N, Gaynor-Ohnstad L, Leed SE, Nolan C, Ceja FG, Rasmussen SA, Tumwebaze PK, Rosenthal PJ, Mu J, Bayles BR, Cooper RA, Reynolds KA, Smilkstein MJ, Riscoe MK, Kelly JX. Lead Optimization of Second-Generation Acridones as Broad-Spectrum Antimalarials. J Med Chem 2020; 63:6179-6202. [PMID: 32390431 PMCID: PMC7354843 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The global impact of malaria remains staggering despite extensive efforts to eradicate the disease. With increasing drug resistance and the absence of a clinically available vaccine, there is an urgent need for novel, affordable, and safe drugs for prevention and treatment of malaria. Previously, we described a novel antimalarial acridone chemotype that is potent against both blood-stage and liver-stage malaria parasites. Here, we describe an optimization process that has produced a second-generation acridone series with significant improvements in efficacy, metabolic stability, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of dual-stage targeting acridones as novel drug candidates for further preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Papireddy Kancharla
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
| | - Rozalia A. Dodean
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Yuexin Li
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Sovitj Pou
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Brandon Pybus
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Victor Melendez
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Lisa Read
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Charles E. Bane
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Brian Vesely
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Mara Kreishman-Deitrick
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Chad Black
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Qigui Li
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Richard J. Sciotti
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Raul Olmeda
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Thu-Lan Luong
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Heather Gaona
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Brittney Potter
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Jason Sousa
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Sean Marcsisin
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Diana Caridha
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Lisa Xie
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Chau Vuong
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Jing Zhang
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Ping Zhang
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Hsiuling Lin
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Kirk Butler
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Norma Roncal
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Lacy Gaynor-Ohnstad
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Susan E. Leed
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Christina Nolan
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
| | - Frida G. Ceja
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA 94901, United States
| | - Stephanie A. Rasmussen
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA 94901, United States
| | | | - Philip J. Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Jianbing Mu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville MD 20852, USA
| | - Brett R. Bayles
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA 94901, United States
- Global Public Health Program, Dominican University of California, San Rafael CA 94901
| | - Roland A. Cooper
- Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA 94901, United States
| | - Kevin A. Reynolds
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
| | - Martin J. Smilkstein
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Michael K. Riscoe
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Jane X. Kelly
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
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Alves AJ, Alves NG, Caratão CC, Esteves MI, Fontinha D, Bártolo I, Soares MI, Lopes SM, Prudêncio M, Taveira N, Pinho e Melo TM. Spiro-Lactams as Novel Antimicrobial Agents. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:140-152. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666191105110049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction:
Structural modulation of previously identified lead spiro-β-lactams with antimicrobial
activity was carried out.
Objective:
The main objective of this work was to synthesize and evaluate the biological activity of
novel spiro-lactams based on previously identified lead compounds with antimicrobial activity.
Methods:
The target chiral spiro-γ-lactams were synthesized through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction
of a diazo-γ-lactam with electron-deficient dipolarophiles. In vitro activity against HIV and Plasmodium
of a wide range of spiro-β-lactams and spiro-γ-lactams was evaluated. Among these compounds, one
derivative with good anti-HIV activity and two with promising antiplasmodial activity (IC50 < 3.5 µM)
were identified.
Results:
A novel synthetic route to chiral spiro-γ-lactams has been established. The studied β- and γ-
lactams were not cytotoxic, and three compounds with promising antimicrobial activity were identified,
whose structural modulation may lead to new and more potent drugs.
Conclusion:
The designed structural modulation of biologically active spiro-β-lactams involved the replacement
of the four-membered β-lactam ring by a five-membered γ-lactam ring. Although conformational
and superimposition computational studies revealed no significant differences between β- and γ-
lactam pharmacophoric features, the studied structural modulation did not lead to compounds with a
similar biological profile. The observed results suggest that the β-lactamic core is a requirement for the
activity against both HIV and Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Américo J.S. Alves
- CQC and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nuno G. Alves
- CQC and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cátia C. Caratão
- CQC and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular Joao Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Inês Bártolo
- Instituto de Investigacao do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria I.L. Soares
- CQC and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana M.M. Lopes
- CQC and Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular Joao Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno Taveira
- Instituto de Investigacao do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmacia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
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47
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Singh L, Fontinha D, Francisco D, Mendes AM, Prudêncio M, Singh K. Molecular Design and Synthesis of Ivermectin Hybrids Targeting Hepatic and Erythrocytic Stages of Plasmodium Parasites. J Med Chem 2020; 63:1750-1762. [PMID: 32011136 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ivermectin is a powerful endectocide, which reduces the incidence of vector-borne diseases. Besides its strong insecticidal effect on mosquito vectors of the disease, ivermectin inhibits Plasmodium falciparum sporogonic and blood stage development and impairs Plasmodium berghei development inside hepatocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we present the first report on structural modification of ivermectin to produce dual-action molecular hybrids with good structure-dependent in vitro activity against both the hepatic and erythrocytic stages of P. berghei and P. falciparum infection, suggesting inclusion of ivermectin antimalarial hybrids in malaria control strategies. The most active hybrid displayed over threefold and 10-fold higher in vitro activity than ivermectin against hepatic and blood stage infections, respectively. Although an overwhelming insecticidal effect against Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes in laboratory conditions was not noticed, in silico docking analysis supports allosteric binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels similar to ivermectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lovepreet Singh
- Department of Chemistry , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar 143 005 , India
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular , Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa , Av. Prof. Egas Moniz , Lisboa 1649-028 , Portugal
| | - Denise Francisco
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular , Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa , Av. Prof. Egas Moniz , Lisboa 1649-028 , Portugal
| | - Antonio M Mendes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular , Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa , Av. Prof. Egas Moniz , Lisboa 1649-028 , Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular , Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa , Av. Prof. Egas Moniz , Lisboa 1649-028 , Portugal
| | - Kamaljit Singh
- Department of Chemistry , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar 143 005 , India
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48
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Vera IM, Grilo Ruivo MT, Lemos Rocha LF, Marques S, Bhatia SN, Mota MM, Mancio-Silva L. Targeting liver stage malaria with metformin. JCI Insight 2019; 4:127441. [PMID: 31852843 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.127441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite an unprecedented 2 decades of success, the combat against malaria - the mosquito-transmitted disease caused by Plasmodium parasites - is no longer progressing. Efforts toward eradication are threatened by the lack of an effective vaccine and a rise in antiparasite drug resistance. Alternative approaches are urgently needed. Repurposing of available, approved drugs with distinct modes of action are being considered as viable and immediate adjuncts to standard antimicrobial treatment. Such strategies may be well suited to the obligatory and clinically silent first phase of Plasmodium infection, where massive parasite replication occurs within hepatocytes in the liver. Here, we report that the widely used antidiabetic drug, metformin, impairs parasite liver stage development of both rodent-infecting Plasmodium berghei and human-infecting P. falciparum parasites. Prophylactic treatment with metformin curtails parasite intracellular growth in vitro. An additional effect was observed in mice with a decrease in the numbers of infected hepatocytes. Moreover, metformin provided in combination with conventional liver- or blood-acting antimalarial drugs further reduced the total burden of P. berghei infection and substantially lessened disease severity in mice. Together, our findings indicate that repurposing of metformin in a prophylactic regimen could be considered for malaria chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iset Medina Vera
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida T Grilo Ruivo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Leonardo F Lemos Rocha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sofia Marques
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sangeeta N Bhatia
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Masschusetts, USA
| | - Maria M Mota
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Mancio-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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49
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Flores-Garcia Y, Herrera SM, Jhun H, Pérez-Ramos DW, King CR, Locke E, Raghunandan R, Zavala F. Optimization of an in vivo model to study immunity to Plasmodium falciparum pre-erythrocytic stages. Malar J 2019; 18:426. [PMID: 31849326 PMCID: PMC6918627 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-3055-9] [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: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium is a key surface antigen that induces antibodies and T-cells, conferring immune protection in animal models and humans. However, much of the work on CSP and immunity has been developed based on studies using rodent or non-human primate CSP antigens, which may not be entirely translatable to CSP expressed by human malaria parasites, especially considering the host specificity of the different species. METHODS Using a genetically engineered strain of Plasmodium berghei that expresses luciferase, GFP and the Plasmodium falciparum orthologue of CSP, the effect of laboratory preparation, mosquito treatment and mouse factors on sporozoite infectivity was assessed using an in vivo bioluminescence assay on mice. This assay was compared with a PCR-based protection assay using an already described monoclonal antibody that can provide sterile protection against sporozoite challenge. RESULTS Bioluminescence assay demonstrated similar detection levels of the quantity and kinetics of liver-stage infection, compared to PCR-based detection. This assay was used to evaluate treatment of sporozoite and delivery method on mouse infectivity, as well as the effects of age, sex and strain of mice. Finally, this assay was used to test the protective capacity of monoclonal antibody AB317; results strongly recapitulate the findings of previous work on this antibody. CONCLUSIONS The PbGFP-Luc line and in vivo bioluminescence imaging provide highly sensitive read-outs of liver-stage infection in mice, and this method can be useful to reliably evaluate potency of pre-erythrocytic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sonia M Herrera
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Hugo Jhun
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Daniel W Pérez-Ramos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - C Richter King
- PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, 455 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20001, USA
| | - Emily Locke
- PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, 455 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20001, USA
| | - Ramadevi Raghunandan
- PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, 455 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20001, USA
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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50
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Perković I, Raić-Malić S, Fontinha D, Prudêncio M, Pessanha de Carvalho L, Held J, Tandarić T, Vianello R, Zorc B, Rajić Z. Harmicines - harmine and cinnamic acid hybrids as novel antiplasmodial hits. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 187:111927. [PMID: 31812035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Harmicines constitute novel hybrid compounds that combine two agents with reported antiplasmodial properties, namely β-carboline harmine and a cinnamic acid derivative (CAD). Cu(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition was employed for the preparation of three classes of hybrid molecules: N-harmicines 6a-i, O-harmicines 7a-i and N,O-bis-harmicines 8a-g,i. In vitro antiplasmodial activities of harmicines against the erythrocytic stage of Plasmodium falciparum (chloroquine-sensitive Pf3D7 and chloroquine-resistant PfDd2 strains) and hepatic stage of P. berghei, as well as cytotoxicity against human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), were evaluated. Remarkably, most of the compounds exerted significant activities against both stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. The conjugation of various CADs to harmine resulted in the increased antiplasmodial activity relative to harmine. In general, O-harmicines 7 exhibited the highest activity against the erythrocytic stage of both P. falciparum strains, whereas N,O-bis harmicines 8 showed the most pronounced activity against P. berghei hepatic stages. For the latter compound, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed binding within the ATP binding site of PfHsp90, while the weaker binders, namely 6b and harmine, were found to be positioned away from this structural element. In addition, decomposition of the computed binding free energies into contributions from individual residues suggested guidelines for further derivatization of harmine towards more efficient compounds. Cytotoxicity screening revealed N-harmicines 6 as the least, and O-harmicines 7 as the most toxic compounds. Harmicines 6g, 8b and 6d exerted the most selective action towards Plasmodium over human cells, respectively. These results establish harmicines as hits for future optimisation and development of novel antiplasmodial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Perković
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Silvana Raić-Malić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Marulićev trg 19, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Jana Held
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tana Tandarić
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Division of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Vianello
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Division of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branka Zorc
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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