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Nicolau ST, Tres DP, Ayala TS, Menolli RA. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Experimental Chagas Disease: An Unsolved Question. Parasite Immunol 2024; 46:e13057. [PMID: 39008292 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi with an acute, detectable blood parasites phase and a chronic phase, in which the parasitemia is not observable, but cardiac and gastrointestinal consequences are possible. Mice are the principal host used in experimental Chagas disease but reproduce the human infection depending on the animal and parasite strain, besides dose and route of administration. Lipidic mediators are tremendously involved in the pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection, meaning the prostaglandins and thromboxane, which participate in the immunosuppression characteristic of the acute phase. Thus, the eicosanoids inhibition caused by the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alters the dynamic of the disease in the experimental models, both in vitro and in vivo, which can explain the participation of the different mediators in infection. However, marked differences are founded in the various NSAIDs existing because of the varied routes blocked by the drugs. So, knowing the results in the experimental models of Chagas disease with or without the NSAIDs helps comprehend the pathogenesis of this infection, which still needs a better understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scheila Thaís Nicolau
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Daniela Patrícia Tres
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Thaís Soprani Ayala
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Rafael Andrade Menolli
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
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Jones KM, Zhan B, Ernste KJ, Villar MJ, Bisht N, Nguyen D, Chang LY, Poveda C, Robinson GJ, Trivedi AJ, Hofferek CJ, Decker WK, Konduri V. Immunomodulatory proteins from hookworms reduce cardiac inflammation and modulate regulatory responses in a mouse model of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. FRONTIERS IN PARASITOLOGY 2023; 2:1244604. [PMID: 38239430 PMCID: PMC10795693 DOI: 10.3389/fpara.2023.1244604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Hookworms are parasitic helminths that secrete a variety of proteins that induce anti-inflammatory immune responses, stimulating increased CD4 + Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and IL-10 production. Hookworm-derived recombinant proteins AIP-1 and AIP-2 have been shown to reduce inflammation in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory airway disease by inducing CD4+Foxp3+ cells and IL-10 production. In contrast, chronic infection with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, leads to chronic inflammation in tissues. Persistence of the parasites in tissues drives chronic low-grade inflammation, with increased infiltration of inflammatory cells into the heart, accompanied by increased production of inflammatory cytokines. There are no current antiparasitic drugs that effectively reduce or prevent chronic myocarditis caused by the onset of Chagas disease, thus new therapies are urgently needed. Therefore, the impact of AIP-1 and AIP-2 on myocarditis was investigated in a mouse model of chronic T. cruzi infection. Methods Female BALB/c mice infected with bioluminescent T. cruzi H1 strain trypomastigotes for 70 days were treated once daily for 7 days with 1mg/kg AIP-1 or AIP-2 protein by intraperitoneal injection. Control mice were left untreated or treated once daily for 14 days with 25mg/kg aspirin in drinking water. At 84 days of infection, splenocytes, cardiac tissue and serum were collected for evaluation. Results Treatment with both AIP-1 and AIP-2 proteins significantly reduced cardiac cellular infiltration, and reduced cardiac levels of IFNγ, IL-6 and IL-2. AIP-2 treatment reduced cardiac expression of COX-2. Further, while incubation with AIP-1 and AIP-2 proteins did not induce a significant upregulation of an immunoregulatory phenotype in dendritic cells (DC), there was a modest upregulation of CD11c +CD11b+MHCII+SIRPα+ expression, suggesting a regulatory phenotype. Ex-vivo stimulation of splenocytes from the treatment groups with AIP-1 loaded DC induced reduced levels of cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory T cells, stimulation with AIP-2 loaded DC specifically induced enhanced levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells among treatment groups. Discussion All in vivo and in vitro results demonstrate that hookworm-derived AIP-1 and AIP-2 proteins reduce T. cruzi induced cardiac inflammation, possibly through multiple anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Jones
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bin Zhan
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Keenan J. Ernste
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Jose Villar
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nalini Bisht
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Duc Nguyen
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Li-Yen Chang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cristina Poveda
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gonteria J. Robinson
- Molecular & Human Genetics Department, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Akshar J. Trivedi
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Colby J. Hofferek
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - William K. Decker
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Vanaja Konduri
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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Daga MA, Nicolau ST, Jurumenha-Barreto J, Lima LBS, Cabral IL, Pivotto AP, Stefanello A, Amorim JPA, Hoscheid J, Silva EA, Ayala TS, Menolli RA. Ursolic acid-rich extract presents trypanocidal action in vitro but worsens mice under experimental acute Chagas disease. Parasite Immunol 2023; 45:e13005. [PMID: 37467029 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease with only two drugs available for treatment and the plant Cecropia pachystachya has several compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to evaluate a supercritical extract from C. pachystachya leaves in vitro and in vivo against Trypanosoma cruzi. A supercritical CO2 extraction was used to obtain the extract (CPE). Cytotoxicity and immunostimulation ability were evaluated in macrophages, and the in vitro trypanocidal activity was evaluated against epimastigotes and trypomastigotes forms. In vivo tests were done by infecting BALB/c mice with blood trypomastigotes forms and treating animals orally with CPE for 10 days. The parasitemia, survival rate, weight, cytokines and nitric oxide dosage were evaluated. CPE demonstrated an effect on the epi and trypomastigotes forms of the parasite (IC50 17.90 ± 1.2 μg/mL; LC50 26.73 ± 1.2 μg/mL) and no changes in macrophages viability, resulting in a selectivity index similar to the reference drug. CPE-treated animals had a worsening compared to non-treated, demonstrated by higher parasitemia and lower survival rate. This result was attributed to the anti-inflammatory effect of CPE, demonstrated by the higher IL-10 and IL-4 values observed in the treated mice compared to the control ones. CPE demonstrated a trypanocidal effect in vitro and a worsening in the in vivo infection due to its anti-inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara A Daga
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Scheila T Nicolau
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Juliana Jurumenha-Barreto
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Lucas B S Lima
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Isaac L Cabral
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Pivotto
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Amanda Stefanello
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - João P A Amorim
- Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Hoscheid
- Professional Master's Program in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicine in Primary Care, Universidade Paranaense, Umuarama, Brazil
| | - Edson A Silva
- Laboratory of Biotechnological Processes and Separation, Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, Western Parana State University, Toledo, Brazil
| | - Thaís S Ayala
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Menolli
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
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Burgess V, Maya JD. Statin and aspirin use in parasitic infections as a potential therapeutic strategy: A narrative review. Rev Argent Microbiol 2023; 55:278-288. [PMID: 37019801 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections, including zoonoses, constitute a threat to human health due to the spread of resistant pathogens. These diseases generate an inflammatory response controlled by a resolving mechanism involving specialized membrane lipid-derived molecules called lipoxins, resolvins, maresins, and protectins. The production of some of these molecules can be triggered by aspirin or statins. Thus, it is proposed that modulation of the host response could be a useful therapeutic strategy, contributing to the management of resistance to antiparasitic agents or preventing drift to chronic, host-damaging courses. Therefore, the present work presents the state of the art on the use of statins or aspirin for the experimental management of parasitic infections such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis or malaria. The methodology used was a narrative review covering original articles from the last seven years, 38 of which met the inclusion criteria. Based on the publications consulted, modulation of the resolution of inflammation using statins may be feasible as an adjuvant in the therapy of parasitic diseases. However, there was no strong experimental evidence on the use of aspirin; therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate its role inflammation resolution process in infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Burgess
- Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan D Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.
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dos Santos LF, Rodrigues GF, Malvezi AD, de Souza M, Nakama RP, Lovo-Martins MI, Pinge-Filho P. Beneficial effects of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) on the actions of extracellular vesicles shed by Trypanosoma cruzi in macrophages. Parasitol Int 2023; 92:102697. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Aguilera E, Sánchez C, Cruces ME, Dávila B, Minini L, Mosquillo F, Pérez-Díaz L, Serna E, Torres S, Schini A, Sanabria L, Vera de Bilbao NI, Yaluff G, Zolessi FR, Ceilas LF, Cerecetto H, Alvarez G. Preclinical Studies and Drug Combination of Low-Cost Molecules for Chagas Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010020. [PMID: 36678516 PMCID: PMC9863266 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It remains the major parasitic disease in Latin America and is spreading worldwide, affecting over 10 million people. Hundreds of new compounds with trypanosomicidal action have been identified from different sources such as synthetic or natural molecules, but they have been deficient in several stages of drug development (toxicology, scaling-up, and pharmacokinetics). Previously, we described a series of compounds with simple structures, low cost, and environmentally friendly production with potent trypanosomicidal activity in vitro and in vivo. These molecules are from three different families: thiazolidenehydrazines, diarylideneketones, and steroids. From this collection, we explored their capacity to inhibit the triosephosphate isomerase and cruzipain of T. cruzi. Then, the mechanism of action was explored using NMR metabolomics and computational molecular dynamics. Moreover, the mechanism of death was studied by flow cytometry. Consequently, five compounds, 314, 793, 1018, 1019, and 1260, were pre-clinically studied and their pharmacologic profiles indicated low unspecific toxicity. Interestingly, synergetic effects of diarylideneketones 793 plus 1018 and 793 plus 1019 were evidenced in vitro and in vivo. In vivo, the combination of compounds 793 plus 1018 induced a reduction of more than 90% of the peak of parasitemia in the acute murine model of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Aguilera
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Carina Sánchez
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - María Eugenia Cruces
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Belén Dávila
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Minini
- Laboratorio de Química Teórica y Computacional, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Mosquillo
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Elva Serna
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Susana Torres
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Alicia Schini
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Luis Sanabria
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Ninfa I. Vera de Bilbao
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Gloria Yaluff
- Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 2169, Paraguay
| | - Flavio R. Zolessi
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República and Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | | | - Hugo Cerecetto
- Grupo de Química Orgánica Medicinal, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
- Correspondence: (H.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Guzmán Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Rute 3 km 363, Paysandú 60000, Uruguay
- Correspondence: (H.C.); (G.A.)
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Santi AMM, Ribeiro JM, Reis-Cunha JL, Burle-Caldas GDA, Santos IFM, Silva PA, Resende DDM, Bartholomeu DC, Teixeira SMR, Murta SMF. Disruption of multiple copies of the Prostaglandin F2alpha synthase gene affects oxidative stress response and infectivity in Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010845. [PMID: 36260546 PMCID: PMC9581433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a serious chronic parasitic disease, currently treated with Nifurtimox (NFX) and Benznidazole (BZ). In addition to high toxicity, these drugs have low healing efficacy, especially in the chronic phase of the disease. The existence of drug-resistant T. cruzi strains and the occurrence of cross-resistance between BZ and NFX have also been described. In this context, it is urgent to study the metabolism of these drugs in T. cruzi, to better understand the mechanisms of resistance. Prostaglandin F2α synthase (PGFS) is an enzyme that has been correlated with parasite resistance to BZ, but the mechanism by which resistance occurs is still unclear. Our results show that the genome of the CL Brener clone of T. cruzi, contains five PGFS sequences and three potential pseudogenes. Using CRISPR/Cas9 we generated knockout cell lines in which all PGFS sequences were disrupted, as shown by PCR and western blotting analyses. The PGFS deletion did not alter the growth of the parasites or their susceptibility to BZ and NFX when compared to wild-type (WT) parasites. Interestingly, NTR-1 transcripts were shown to be upregulated in ΔPGFS mutants. Furthermore, the ΔPGFS parasites were 1.6 to 1.7-fold less tolerant to oxidative stress generated by menadione, presented lower levels of lipid bodies than the control parasites during the stationary phase, and were less infective than control parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Murta Santi
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juliana Martins Ribeiro
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Paula Alves Silva
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Di Bella S, Luzzati R, Principe L, Zerbato V, Meroni E, Giuffrè M, Crocè LS, Merlo M, Perotto M, Dolso E, Maurel C, Lovecchio A, Dal Bo E, Lagatolla C, Marini B, Ippodrino R, Sanson G. Aspirin and Infection: A Narrative Review. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020263. [PMID: 35203473 PMCID: PMC8868581 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. It derives from the extract of white willow bark, whose therapeutic potential was known in Egypt since 1534 BC. ASA’s pharmacological effects are historically considered secondary to its anti-inflammatory, platelet-inhibiting properties; however, human studies demonstrating a pro-inflammatory effect of ASA exist. It is likely that we are aware of only part of ASA’s mechanisms of action; moreover, the clinical effect is largely dependent on dosages. During the past few decades, evidence of the anti-infective properties of ASA has emerged. We performed a review of such research in order to provide a comprehensive overview of ASA and viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, as well as ASA’s antibiofilm properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Di Bella
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (R.L.); (L.S.C.); (M.M.); (M.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Roberto Luzzati
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (R.L.); (L.S.C.); (M.M.); (M.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Luigi Principe
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology Unit, “S. Giovanni di Dio” Hospital, 88900 Crotone, Italy;
| | - Verena Zerbato
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (V.Z.); (E.D.); (C.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Elisa Meroni
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, “A. Manzoni” Hospital, 23900 Lecco, Italy;
| | - Mauro Giuffrè
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (R.L.); (L.S.C.); (M.M.); (M.P.); (G.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-040-3994-305
| | - Lory Saveria Crocè
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (R.L.); (L.S.C.); (M.M.); (M.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Marco Merlo
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (R.L.); (L.S.C.); (M.M.); (M.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Maria Perotto
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (R.L.); (L.S.C.); (M.M.); (M.P.); (G.S.)
| | - Elisabetta Dolso
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (V.Z.); (E.D.); (C.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Cristina Maurel
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (V.Z.); (E.D.); (C.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Antonio Lovecchio
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (V.Z.); (E.D.); (C.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Eugenia Dal Bo
- Cardiothoracic-Vascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata, Cattinara University Hospital, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Cristina Lagatolla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Bruna Marini
- Ulisse BioMed Labs, Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.M.); (R.I.)
| | - Rudy Ippodrino
- Ulisse BioMed Labs, Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (B.M.); (R.I.)
| | - Gianfranco Sanson
- Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (S.D.B.); (R.L.); (L.S.C.); (M.M.); (M.P.); (G.S.)
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Combination Therapy Using Benznidazole and Aspirin during the Acute Phase of Experimental Chagas Disease Prevents Cardiovascular Dysfunction and Decreases Typical Cardiac Lesions in the Chronic Phase. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00069-20. [PMID: 32366719 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00069-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of the main causes of death due to cardiomyopathy and heart failure in Latin American countries. The treatment of Chagas disease is directed at eliminating the parasite, decreasing the probability of cardiomyopathy and disrupting the disease transmission cycle. Benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox (Nfx) are recognized as effective drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease by the World Health Organization, but both have high toxicity and limited efficacy, especially in the chronic disease phase. At low doses, aspirin (ASA) has been reported to protect against T. cruzi infection. We evaluated the effectiveness of BZ in combination with ASA at low doses during the acute disease phase and evaluated cardiovascular aspects and cardiac lesions in the chronic phase. ASA treatment prevented the cardiovascular dysfunction (hypertension and tachycardia) and typical cardiac lesions. Moreover, BZ+ASA-treated mice had a smaller cardiac fibrotic area than BZ-treated mice. These results were associated with an increase in numbers of eosinophils and reticulocytes and levels of nitric oxide in the plasma and cardiac tissue of ASA-treated mice relative to respective controls. These effects of ASA and BZ+ASA in chronically infected mice were inhibited by pretreatment with the lipoxin A4 (LXA4) receptor antagonist Boc-2, indicating that the protective effects of ASA are mediated by ASA-triggered lipoxin. These results emphasize the importance of exploring new drug combinations for treatments of the acute phase of Chagas disease that are beneficial for patients with chronic disease.
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Wozniak JM, Silva TA, Thomas D, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH, Gonzalez DJ, Calvet CM. Molecular dissection of Chagas induced cardiomyopathy reveals central disease associated and druggable signaling pathways. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007980. [PMID: 32433643 PMCID: PMC7279607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, the clinical presentation of T. cruzi infection, is a major human health concern. While the acute phase of Chagas disease is typically asymptomatic and self-resolving, chronically infected individuals suffer numerous sequelae later in life. Cardiomyopathies in particular are the most severe consequence of chronic Chagas disease and cannot be reversed solely by parasite load reduction. To prioritize new therapeutic targets, we unbiasedly interrogated the host signaling events in heart tissues isolated from a Chagas disease mouse model using quantitative, multiplexed proteomics. We defined the host response to infection at both the proteome and phospho-proteome levels. The proteome showed an increase in the immune response and a strong repression of several mitochondrial proteins. Complementing the proteome studies, the phospho-proteomic survey found an abundance of phospho-site alterations in plasma membrane and cytoskeletal proteins. Bioinformatic analysis of kinase activity provided substantial evidence for the activation of NDRG2 and JNK/p38 kinases during Chagas disease. A significant activation of DYRK2 and AMPKA2 and the inhibition of casein family kinases were also predicted. We concluded our analyses by linking the diseased heart proteome profile to known therapeutic interventions, uncovering a potential to target mitochondrial proteins, secreted immune effectors and core kinases for the treatment of chronic Chagas disease. Together, this study provides molecular insight into host proteome and phospho-proteome responses to T. cruzi infection in the heart for the first time, highlighting pathways that can be further validated for functional contributions to disease and suitability as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M. Wozniak
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Tatiana Araújo Silva
- Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory; Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Diane Thomas
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - David J. Gonzalez
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DJG); (CMC)
| | - Claudia M. Calvet
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California San Diego; La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory; Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- * E-mail: (DJG); (CMC)
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11
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Krishnamoorthy N, Abdulnour REE, Walker KH, Engstrom BD, Levy BD. Specialized Proresolving Mediators in Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in Airway Diseases. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1335-1370. [PMID: 29717929 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00026.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Airborne pathogens and environmental stimuli evoke immune responses in the lung. It is critical to health that these responses be controlled to prevent tissue damage and the compromise of organ function. Resolution of inflammation is a dynamic process that is coordinated by biochemical and cellular mechanisms. Recently, specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) have been identified in resolution exudates. These molecules orchestrate anti-inflammatory and proresolving actions that are cell type specific. In this review, we highlight SPM biosynthesis, the influence of SPMs on the innate and adaptive immune responses in the lung, as well as recent insights from SPMs on inflammatory disease pathophysiology. Uncovering these mediators and cellular mechanisms for resolution is providing new windows into physiology and disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Krishnamoorthy
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts ; and Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Raja-Elie E Abdulnour
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts ; and Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katherine H Walker
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts ; and Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Braden D Engstrom
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts ; and Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bruce D Levy
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts ; and Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
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12
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Tavares de Oliveira M, Taciana Santos Silva K, Xavier Neves L, de Ornelas Toledo MJ, Castro-Borges W, de Lana M. Differential expression of proteins in genetically distinct Trypanosoma cruzi samples (TcI and TcII DTUs) isolated from chronic Chagas disease cardiac patients. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:611. [PMID: 30497493 PMCID: PMC6267078 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3181-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite and the etiological agent of Chagas disease (CD), exhibits great genetic and biological diversity. Infected individuals may present clinical manifestations with different levels of severity. Several hypotheses have been proposed to attempt to correlate the diversity of clinical signs and symptoms to the genetic variability of T. cruzi. This work aimed to investigate the differential expression of proteins from two distinct genetic groups of T. cruzi (discrete typing units TcI and TcII), isolated from chronically infected individuals displaying the cardiac form of CD. For this purpose, epimastigote forms of the two isolates were cultured in vitro and the cells recovered for protein extraction. Comparative two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoreses were performed and differentially expressed spots selected for identification by mass spectrometry, followed by database searching and protein categorization. RESULTS The 2D electrophoretic profiles revealed the complex composition of the T. cruzi extracted proteome. Protein spots were distributed along the entire pH and molecular mass ranges attesting for the integrity of the protein preparations. In total, 46 differentially expressed proteins were identified present in 40 distinct spots found in the comparative gel analyses. Of these, 16 displayed upregulation in the gel from TcI-typed parasites and 24 appeared overexpressed in the gel from TcII-typed parasites. Functional characterization of differentially expressed proteins revealed major alterations associated with stress response, lipid and amino acid metabolism in parasites of the TcII isolate, whilst those proteins upregulated in the TcI sample were primarily linked to central metabolic pathways. CONCLUSIONS The comparative 2D-gel electrophoresis allowed detection of major differences in protein expression between two T. cruzi isolates, belonging to the TcI and TcII genotypes. Our findings suggest that patients displaying the cardiac form of the disease harbor parasites capable of exhibiting distinct proteomic profiles. This should be of relevance to disease prognosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maykon Tavares de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas do Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP, Ouro Preto, MG 35400-000 Brazil
| | - Karina Taciana Santos Silva
- Departamento de Farmácia, Escola de Farmácia, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP, Ouro Preto, MG 35400-000 Brazil
| | - Leandro Xavier Neves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia do Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG Brazil
| | - Max Jean de Ornelas Toledo
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde – Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, CEP: 87020-900, Maringá, Paraná, PR Brazil
| | - William Castro-Borges
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas do Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP, Ouro Preto, MG 35400-000 Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia do Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG Brazil
| | - Marta de Lana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas do Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas (NUPEB), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP, Ouro Preto, MG 35400-000 Brazil
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP: 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG Brazil
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13
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López-Muñoz RA, Molina-Berríos A, Campos-Estrada C, Abarca-Sanhueza P, Urrutia-Llancaqueo L, Peña-Espinoza M, Maya JD. Inflammatory and Pro-resolving Lipids in Trypanosomatid Infections: A Key to Understanding Parasite Control. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1961. [PMID: 30186271 PMCID: PMC6113562 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic trypanosomatids (Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, and Leishmania spp.) are protozoan parasites that cause neglected diseases affecting millions of people in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In the process of infection, trypanosomatids evade and survive the immune system attack, which can lead to a chronic inflammatory state that induces cumulative damage, often killing the host in the long term. The immune mediators involved in this process are not entirely understood. Most of the research on the immunologic control of protozoan infections has been focused on acute inflammation. Nevertheless, when this process is not terminated adequately, permanent damage to the inflamed tissue may ensue. Recently, a second process, called resolution of inflammation, has been proposed to be a pivotal process in the control of parasite burden and establishment of chronic infection. Resolution of inflammation is an active process that promotes the normal function of injured or infected tissues. Several mediators are involved in this process, including eicosanoid-derived lipids, cytokines such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and interleukin (IL)-10, and other proteins such as Annexin-V. For example, during T. cruzi infection, pro-resolving lipids such as 15-epi-lipoxin-A4 and Resolvin D1 have been associated with a decrease in the inflammatory changes observed in experimental chronic heart disease, reducing inflammation and fibrosis, and increasing host survival. Furthermore, Resolvin D1 modulates the immune response in cells of patients with Chagas disease. In Leishmania spp. infections, pro-resolving mediators such as Annexin-V, lipoxins, and Resolvin D1 are related to the modulation of cutaneous manifestation of the disease. However, these mediators seem to have different roles in visceral or cutaneous leishmaniasis. Finally, although T. brucei infections are less well studied in terms of their relationship with inflammation, it has been found that arachidonic acid-derived lipids act as key regulators of the host immune response and parasite burden. Also, cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β may be related to increased infection. Knowledge about the inflammation resolution process is necessary to understand the host–parasite interplay, but it also offers an interesting opportunity to improve the current therapies, aiming to reduce the detrimental state induced by chronic protozoan infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A López-Muñoz
- Instituto de Farmacología y Morfofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Alfredo Molina-Berríos
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Odontológicas, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Campos-Estrada
- Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Centro de Investigación Farmacopea Chilena, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Patricio Abarca-Sanhueza
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Urrutia-Llancaqueo
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel Peña-Espinoza
- Instituto de Farmacología y Morfofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Juan D Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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14
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Díaz-Viraqué F, Chiribao ML, Trochine A, González-Herrera F, Castillo C, Liempi A, Kemmerling U, Maya JD, Robello C. Old Yellow Enzyme from Trypanosoma cruzi Exhibits In Vivo Prostaglandin F 2α Synthase Activity and Has a Key Role in Parasite Infection and Drug Susceptibility. Front Immunol 2018; 9:456. [PMID: 29563916 PMCID: PMC5845897 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery that trypanosomatids, unicellular organisms of the order Kinetoplastida, are capable of synthesizing prostaglandins raised questions about the role of these molecules during parasitic infections. Multiple studies indicate that prostaglandins could be related to the infection processes and pathogenesis in trypanosomatids. This work aimed to unveil the role of the prostaglandin F2α synthase TcOYE in the establishment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the causative agent of Chagas disease. This chronic disease affects several million people in Latin America causing high morbidity and mortality. Here, we propose a prokaryotic evolutionary origin for TcOYE, and then we used in vitro and in vivo experiments to show that T. cruzi prostaglandin F2α synthase plays an important role in modulating the infection process. TcOYE overexpressing parasites were less able to complete the infective cycle in cell culture infections and increased cardiac tissue parasitic load in infected mice. Additionally, parasites overexpressing the enzyme increased PGF2α synthesis from arachidonic acid. Finally, an increase in benznidazole and nifurtimox susceptibility in TcOYE overexpressing parasites showed its participation in activating the currently anti-chagasic drugs, which added to its observed ability to confer resistance to hydrogen peroxide, highlights the relevance of this enzyme in multiple events including host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Laura Chiribao
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrea Trochine
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fabiola González-Herrera
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad De Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Ana Liempi
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad De Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad De Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica - ICBM, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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15
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Lopez M, Tanowitz HB, Garg NJ. Pathogenesis of Chronic Chagas Disease: Macrophages, Mitochondria, and Oxidative Stress. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2018; 5:45-54. [PMID: 29868332 PMCID: PMC5983038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease. Decades after initial infection, ~30% of individuals can develop chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. There are several proposed mechanisms for pathogenesis of Chagas disease, including parasite persistence, immune responses against parasite or self that continue in the heart, vascular compromise, and involvement of autonomous and central nervous system. Herein, we will focus on the significance of macrophages, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in progression of chagasic cardiomyopathy. RECENT FINDINGS The current literature suggests that T. cruzi prevents cytotoxic activities of the innate immune cells and persists in the host, contributing to mitochondrial oxidative stress. We discuss how the neoantigens generated due to cellular oxidative damage contribute to chronic inflammatory stress in chagasic disease. SUMMARY We propose that metabolic regulators, PARP-1/SIRT1, determine the disease outcome by modulating the mitochondrial and macrophage stress and antioxidant/oxidant imbalance, and offer a potential new therapy against chronic Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Lopez
- Translational Biomedical Research Group, Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, Floridablanca, Colombia and Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciencies, Faculty of Health, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Herbert B Tanowitz
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-1070
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16
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Iacobas DA, Iacobas S, Tanowitz HB, Campos de Carvalho A, Spray DC. Functional genomic fabrics are remodeled in a mouse model of Chagasic cardiomyopathy and restored following cell therapy. Microbes Infect 2018; 20:185-195. [PMID: 29158000 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We previously found that, in a mouse model of Chagas cardiomyopathy, 18% of the 9390 quantified unigenes were significantly regulated by Trypanosoma cruzi infection. However, treatment with bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (MNCs) resulted in 84% transcriptomic recovery. We have applied new algorithms to reanalyze these datasets with respect to specific pathways [Chagas disease (CHAGAS), cardiac muscle contraction (CMC) and chemokine signaling (CCS)]. In addition to the levels of expression of individual genes we also calculated gene expression variability and coordination of expression of each gene with all others. These additional measures revealed changes in the control of transcript abundances and gene networking in CHAGAS and restoration following MNC treatment, not accessible using the conventional approach limited to the average expression levels. Moreover, our weighted pathway regulation analysis incorporated the contributions of all affected genes, eliminating the arbitrary cut-off criteria of fold-change and/or p-value for significantly regulated genes. The new analyses revealed that T. cruzi infection had large transcriptomic consequences for the CMC pathway and triggered a huge cytokine signaling. Remarkably, MNC therapy not only restored normal expression levels of numerous genes, but it also recovered most of the CHAGAS, CMC and CCS fabrics that were altered by the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dumitru A Iacobas
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College School of Medicine, 15 Dana Rd, Valhalla, NY, USA; Center for Computational Systems Biology at Prairie View A&M University, TX 77446, USA.
| | - Sanda Iacobas
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College School of Medicine, 15 Dana Rd, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Herbert B Tanowitz
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx NY, USA; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx NY, USA
| | - Antonio Campos de Carvalho
- Center for Computational Systems Biology at Prairie View A&M University, TX 77446, USA; Laboratório de Cardiologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David C Spray
- Center for Computational Systems Biology at Prairie View A&M University, TX 77446, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx NY, USA
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17
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Lopez M, Tanowitz HB, Garg NJ. Pathogenesis of Chronic Chagas Disease: Macrophages, Mitochondria, and Oxidative Stress. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40588-018-0081-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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Massocatto CL, Martins Moreira N, Muniz E, Marques de Araújo S, Pinge-Filho P, Rossi RM, de Almeida Araújo EJ, de Mello Gonçales Sant'ana D. Treatment with low doses of aspirin during chronic phase of experimental Chagas' disease increases oesophageal nitrergic neuronal subpopulation in mice. Int J Exp Pathol 2018; 98:356-362. [PMID: 29349896 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with Chagas' disease may develop dysfunctions of oesophageal and colonic motility resulting from the degeneration or loss of the myenteric neurons of the enteric nervous system. Studies have shown that the use of aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), influences the pathogenesis of the disease. However, this remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of treatment with low doses of aspirin during the chronic phase of Chagas' disease on oesophageal function. Twenty male Swiss mice, 60 days of age, were used. The animals were infected with Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, injected intraperitoneally. Aspirin was given at a dose of 50 mg/kg to some of the infected animals, from the 55th to 63rd day after inoculation on consecutive days, and from the 65th to 75th day on alternate days. We investigated food passage of time, wall structure and nitrergic neuronal population of the distal oesophagus. Our data revealed that the use of low doses of aspirin in chronic Chagas' disease caused an increase in the number of nitrergic neurons and partially prevented hypertrophy of the oesophagus. In addition, the aspirin administration impeded Chagas' diseases associated changes in intestinal transit time. Thus treatment with aspirin in the chronic phase of Chagas' disease changes the natural history of the disease and raises the possibility of using it as a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of this aspect of Chagas' disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neide Martins Moreira
- Department of Morphological Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Eliane Muniz
- Department of Morphological Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
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19
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Protective effect of aspirin treatment on mouse behavior in the acute phase of experimental infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitol Res 2017; 117:189-200. [PMID: 29196837 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5693-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a potentially fatal disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can in some cases affect the central nervous system. The objective was to evaluate the effect of aspirin (ASA) in the behavior of mice infected with T. cruzi during the acute phase. This was an experimental study with random assignation. Twenty four BALB/c mice were divided into four groups of six animals each as follows: only ASA (OA), ASA before infection (BI), ASA after infection (AI) and only infection (OI). The strain used for infection was M/HOM/Bra/53/Y. An ASA dose of 100 mg/kg per day was administered 72 h before infection to BI group and the same dose 48 h after infection to AI group. Mice behavior in the open field test, mortality, and brain histopathology was evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, chi square test, and Kaplan-Meier with long-rank for survival analysis. In the open field test, the OA group has similar results with the BI group, in the variables of immobility and escape. Also, the OA group displayed significantly higher rates of micturition (p < 0.001) and defecation (p < 0.001) compared to infected groups. Mortality was higher in BI group (p = 0.02). The presence of T. cruzi amastigotes were higher in brain tissues of the AI and OI groups (p = 0.008). In conclusion, the administration of ASA before infection seemed to prevent behavioral changes induced by the acute infection, but it led to accelerated mortality. The study highlighted the potential importance of the pathways inhibited by ASA in the early hours of acute infection with T. cruzi.
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20
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Lonien SCH, Malvezi AD, Suzukawa HT, Yamauchi LM, Yamada-Ogatta SF, Rizzo LV, Bordignon J, Pinge-Filho P. Response to Trypanosoma cruzi by Human Blood Cells Enriched with Dentritic Cells Is Controlled by Cyclooxygenase-2 Pathway. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2020. [PMID: 29118740 PMCID: PMC5660982 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (Cd) or American human trypanosomiasis is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and affects ~7 million people, mostly in Latin America. The infective trypomastigote forms of the parasite can invade several human blood cell populations, including monocytes and dendritic cells (DC). Although these cells display a wide functional diversity, their interactions with T. cruzi via cyclooxygenase (COX) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) dependent pathways have not been analyzed. To exploiting this mechanism, DC-enriched peripheral human blood mononuclear cell populations (DC-PBMC) were used as our model. Our results showed that the treatment of these cell populations with celecoxib (CEL), a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor or SQ 22,536, an adenilate cyclase inhibitor, significantly caused marked inhibition of T. cruzi infection. In contrast, aspirin (ASA, a non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor) treatment did not inhibit the infection of the cells by the parasite and was independent of nitric oxide (NO) production. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 were similar on cells treated or not with both COX-inhibitors. The infection stimulated the release of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 production by infected cells. Treatment with ASA or CEL did not affect TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and NO production by infected cells, but increased IL-1β production by them. Our results suggest a key role of COX-2 and cAMP pathways in T. cruzi invasion process of human blood cells and these pathways may represent targets of new therapeutic options for Cd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra C H Lonien
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Aparecida D Malvezi
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Helena T Suzukawa
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Lucy M Yamauchi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Sueli F Yamada-Ogatta
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Luiz V Rizzo
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliano Bordignon
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
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21
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Oda JY, Belém MO, Carlos TM, Gouveia R, Luchetti BFC, Moreira NM, Massocatto CL, Araújo SM, Sant Ana DMG, Buttow NC, Pinge-Filho P, Araújo EJA. Myenteric neuroprotective role of aspirin in acute and chronic experimental infections with Trypanosoma cruzi. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017; 29:1-13. [PMID: 28524628 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experimental and clinical studies have shown that myenteric neuron cell death during infection with Trypanosoma cruzi mainly occurs in the esophagus and colon, resulting in megaesophagus and megacolon, respectively. Evidence suggests that the cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX) is involved in the T. cruzi invasion process. The use of low-dose aspirin (ASA), a COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, has been shown to reduce infection with T. cruzi. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the effects of treatment with low-dose ASA on myenteric colonic neurons during murine infection with T. cruzi. METHODS Swiss mice were assigned into groups treated with either phosphate-buffered saline or low doses of ASA during the acute phase (20 mg/kg ASA) and chronic phase (50 mg/kg ASA) of infection with the Y strain of T. cruzi. Seventy-five days after infection, colon samples were collected to quantify inflammatory foci in histological sections and also general (myosin-V+ ), nitrergic, and VIPergic myenteric neurons in whole mounts. Gastrointestinal transit time was also measured. KEY RESULTS Aspirin treatment during the acute phase of infection reduced parasitemia (P<.05). Aspirin treatment during the acute or chronic phase of the infection reduced the intensity of inflammatory foci in the colon, protected myenteric neurons from cell death and plastic changes, and recovered the gastrointestinal transit of mice infected with T. cruzi (P<.05). CONCLUSION & INFERENCES Early and delayed treatment with low-dose ASA can reduce the morphofunctional damage of colonic myenteric neurons caused by murine T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Y Oda
- Department of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.,Department of Pathological Science, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - M O Belém
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - T M Carlos
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - R Gouveia
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - B F C Luchetti
- Department of Pathological Science, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - N M Moreira
- Center for Education, Letters and Health, State University of Western Paraná, Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil
| | - C L Massocatto
- Department of Morphological Science, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - S M Araújo
- Department of Basic Health Science, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - D M G Sant Ana
- Department of Morphological Science, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - N C Buttow
- Department of Morphological Science, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - P Pinge-Filho
- Department of Pathological Science, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - E J A Araújo
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
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22
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Carvalho de Freitas R, Lonien SCH, Malvezi AD, Silveira GF, Wowk PF, da Silva RV, Yamauchi LM, Yamada-Ogatta SF, Rizzo LV, Bordignon J, Pinge-Filho P. Trypanosoma cruzi: Inhibition of infection of human monocytes by aspirin. Exp Parasitol 2017; 182:26-33. [PMID: 28939444 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi and its intracellular replication are essential for progression of the parasite life cycle and development of Chagas disease. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and other eicosanoids potently modulate host response and contribute to Chagas disease progression. In this study, we evaluated the effect of aspirin (ASA), a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor on the T. cruzi invasion and its influence on nitric oxide and cytokine production in human monocytes. The pretreatment of monocytes with ASA or SQ 22536 (adenylate-cyclase inhibitor) induced a marked inhibition of T. cruzi infection. On the other hand, the treatment of monocytes with SQ 22536 after ASA restored the invasiveness of T. cruzi. This reestablishment was associated with a decrease in nitric oxide and PGE2 production, and also an increase of interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 by cells pre-treated with ASA. Altogether, these results reinforce the idea that the cyclooxygenase pathway plays a fundamental role in the process of parasite invasion in an in vitro model of T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Carvalho de Freitas
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, 86051-970, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sandra Cristina Heim Lonien
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, 86051-970, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Aparecida Donizette Malvezi
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, 86051-970, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Ferreira Silveira
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Carlos Chagas - ICC/Fiocruz, Curitiba, 81350-010, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Pryscilla Fanini Wowk
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Carlos Chagas - ICC/Fiocruz, Curitiba, 81350-010, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rosiane Valeriano da Silva
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, 86051-970, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Lucy Megumi Yamauchi
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, 86051-970, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, 86051-970, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Luiz Vicente Rizzo
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Avenida Albert Einstein 627-701, Subsolo Bloco A., 05651-901, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliano Bordignon
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Carlos Chagas - ICC/Fiocruz, Curitiba, 81350-010, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, 86051-970, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
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23
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Massocatto CL, Moreira NM, Muniz E, Pinge-Filho P, Rossi RM, Araújo EJDA, Sant'Ana DDMG. Aspirin prevents atrophy of esophageal nitrergic myenteric neurons in a mouse model of chronic Chagas disease. Dis Esophagus 2017; 30:1-8. [PMID: 26725535 DOI: 10.1111/dote.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The consequences of using aspirin (ASA) for the pathogenesis of Chagas disease are unclear. This study evaluated the effects of treatment of Chagas disease with ASA on the esophageal nitrergic myenteric neuron population and esophageal wall in mice. We observed that treatment of chagasic infection with ASA protects the esophageal myenteric neurons from the atrophy caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The mice were infected with 1300 trypomastigotes of Y strain T. cruzi intraperitoneally. Part of infected mice was treated with ASA from fifth to twelfth day after inoculation. Our data support the hypothesis that eicosanoids given during the acute phase of the chagasic infection may act as immunomodulators aiding the transition to and maintenance of the chronic phase of the disease. Besides, ASA treatment did not provoke alterations in the esophageal wall and the myenteric neurons in infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Massocatto
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - N M Moreira
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - E Muniz
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - P Pinge-Filho
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - R M Rossi
- Department of Statistics, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - E J de A Araújo
- Department of Histology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - D de M G Sant'Ana
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
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24
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Vilar-Pereira G, Carneiro VC, Mata-Santos H, Vicentino ARR, Ramos IP, Giarola NLL, Feijó DF, Meyer-Fernandes JR, Paula-Neto HA, Medei E, Bozza MT, Lannes-Vieira J, Paiva CN. Resveratrol Reverses Functional Chagas Heart Disease in Mice. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005947. [PMID: 27788262 PMCID: PMC5082855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) develops years after acute infection by Trypanosoma cruzi and does not improve after trypanocidal therapy, despite reduction of parasite burden. During disease, the heart undergoes oxidative stress, a potential causative factor for arrhythmias and contractile dysfunction. Here we tested whether antioxidants/ cardioprotective drugs could improve cardiac function in established Chagas heart disease. We chose a model that resembles B1-B2 stage of human CCC, treated mice with resveratrol and performed electrocardiography and echocardiography studies. Resveratrol reduced the prolonged PR and QTc intervals, increased heart rates and reversed sinus arrhythmia, atrial and atrioventricular conduction disorders; restored a normal left ventricular ejection fraction, improved stroke volume and cardiac output. Resveratrol activated the AMPK-pathway and reduced both ROS production and heart parasite burden, without interfering with vascularization or myocarditis intensity. Resveratrol was even capable of improving heart function of infected mice when treatment was started late after infection, while trypanocidal drug benznidazole failed. We attempted to mimic resveratrol's actions using metformin (AMPK-activator) or tempol (SOD-mimetic). Metformin and tempol mimicked the beneficial effects of resveratrol on heart function and decreased lipid peroxidation, but did not alter parasite burden. These results indicate that AMPK activation and ROS neutralization are key strategies to induce tolerance to Chagas heart disease. Despite all tissue damage observed in established Chagas heart disease, we found that a physiological dysfunction can still be reversed by treatment with resveratrol, metformin and tempol, resulting in improved heart function and representing a starting point to develop innovative therapies in CCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vitor C. Carneiro
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Tecnologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hilton Mata-Santos
- UFRJ, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Imunologial, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- UFRJ, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Amanda R. R. Vicentino
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Tecnologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isalira P. Ramos
- UFRJ, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Departamento de Radiologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- UFRJ, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- UFRJ, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Naira L. L. Giarola
- UFRJ, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniel F. Feijó
- UFRJ, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Imunologial, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José R. Meyer-Fernandes
- UFRJ, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia da Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Heitor A. Paula-Neto
- UFRJ, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Emiliano Medei
- UFRJ, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- UFRJ, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcelo T. Bozza
- UFRJ, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Imunologial, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudia N. Paiva
- UFRJ, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Departamento de Imunologial, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- * E-mail: ,
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25
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Ogata H, Teixeira MM, Sousa RCD, Silva MVD, Correia D, Rodrigues Junior V, Levy BD, Rogério ADP. Effects of aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Chagas' heart disease. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 777:26-32. [PMID: 26927755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). In some patients with Chagas disease, symptoms progress to chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Endogenously, inflammation is resolved in the presence of lipid mediators such as aspirin-triggered RvD1 (AT-RvD1) which has anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution effects. Here, we demonstrated, for the first time, the effects of AT-RvD1 on T. cruzi antigen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with Chagas heart disease. The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-13 increased in PBMCs from cardiac-form Chagas patients in stage B1 (patients with fewer heart abnormalities) stimulated with T. cruzi antigen compared to those in non-stimulated PBMCs. AT-RvD1 reduced the IFN-γ concentrations in PBMCs from patients with Chagas disease stimulated with T. cruzi antigen compared to stimulated with T. cruzi antigen cells. AT-RvD1 treatment resulted in no observable changes in TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-13 levels. AT-RvD1 significantly decreased the percentage of necrotic cells and caused a significant reduction in the proliferation rate of T. cruzi antigen-stimulated PBMCs from patients with Chagas disease. These findings demonstrate that AT-RvD1 modulates the immune response in Chagas disease patients and might have potential to be used as an alternative approach for slowing the development of further heart damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haline Ogata
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Immunopharmacology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Rua Vigário Carlos 162, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-350, Brazil.
| | - Maxelle Martins Teixeira
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Immunopharmacology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Rua Vigário Carlos 162, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-350, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Cunha de Sousa
- Infectious Disease Division, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Rua Frei Paulino, 30, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-180, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Vinícius da Silva
- Infectious Disease Division, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Rua Frei Paulino, 30, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-180, Brazil.
| | - Dalmo Correia
- Infectious Disease Division, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Rua Frei Paulino, 30, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-180, Brazil.
| | - Virmondes Rodrigues Junior
- Infectious Disease Division, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Rua Frei Paulino, 30, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-180, Brazil.
| | - Bruce David Levy
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, 77 Ave. Louis Pasteur, HIM 807, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| | - Alexandre de Paula Rogério
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory of Experimental Immunopharmacology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Rua Vigário Carlos 162, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-350, Brazil.
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26
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Cossentini LA, Da Silva RV, Yamada-Ogatta SF, Yamauchi LM, De Almeida Araújo EJ, Pinge-Filho P. Aspirin treatment exacerbates oral infections by Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2016; 164:64-70. [PMID: 26826555 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Oral transmission of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, has been documented in Latin American countries. The reported cases of infection were due to the ingestion of contaminated fresh fruit, juices, or sugar cane juice. There have been few studies on the physiopathology of the disease in oral transmission cases. Gastritis is a common ailment that can be caused by poor dietary habits, intake of alcohol or other gastric irritants, bacterial infection, or by the widespread use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This study investigated in a mouse model whether gastric mucosal injury, induced by aspirin, would affect the course of disease in animals infected with T. cruzi by the oral route. The CL14 and G strains of T. cruzi, both of low infectivity, were used. To this end, groups of BALB/c mice were treated during 5 days with aspirin (100 mg kg(-1)) before oral infection with T. cruzi metacyclic forms (4 × 10(5) or 5 × 10(7) parasites/mouse). Histological analysis and determination of nitric oxide and TNF-α were performed in gastric samples obtained 5 days after infection. Parasitemia was monitored from the thirteenth day after infection. The results indicate that aspirin treatment of mice injured their gastric mucosa and facilitated invasion by both CL14 and G strains of T. cruzi. Strain CL14 caused more severe infection compared to the G strain, as larger numbers of amastigote nests were found in the stomach and parasitemia levels were higher. Our study is novel in that it shows that gastric mucosal damage caused by aspirin, a commonly used NSAID, facilitates T. cruzi infection by the oral route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Aparecida Cossentini
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lucy Megumi Yamauchi
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Eduardo José De Almeida Araújo
- Laboratório de Neurogastroenterologia, Departamento de Histologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Phileno Pinge-Filho
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia Experimental, Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
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27
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Korosh T, Jordan KD, Wu JS, Yarlett N, Upmacis RK. Eicosapentaenoic Acid Modulates Trichomonas vaginalis Activity. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2015; 63:153-61. [PMID: 26333486 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted parasite and, while it is often asymptomatic in males, the parasite is associated with disease in both sexes. Metronidazole is an effective treatment for trichomoniasis, but resistant strains have evolved and, thus, it has become necessary to investigate other possible therapies. In this study, we examined the effects of native and oxidized forms of the sodium salts of eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and arachidonic acids on T. vaginalis activity. Eicosapentaenoic acid was the most toxic with 190 and 380 μM causing approximately 90% cell death in Casu2 and ATCC 50142 strains, respectively. In contrast, oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid was the least toxic, requiring > 3 mM to inhibit activity, while low levels (10 μM) were associated with increased parasite density. Mass spectrometric analysis of oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid revealed C20 products containing one to six additional oxygen atoms and various degrees of bond saturation. These results indicate that eicosapentaenoic acid has different effects on T. vaginalis survival, depending on whether it is present in the native or oxidized form. A better understanding of lipid metabolism in T. vaginalis may facilitate the design of synthetic fatty acids that are effective for the treatment of metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Korosh
- The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038
| | - Kelsey D Jordan
- The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038
| | - Ja-Shin Wu
- The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038
| | - Nigel Yarlett
- The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038
| | - Rita K Upmacis
- The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038
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28
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Guerrero NA, Camacho M, Vila L, Íñiguez MA, Chillón-Marinas C, Cuervo H, Poveda C, Fresno M, Gironès N. Cyclooxygenase-2 and Prostaglandin E2 Signaling through Prostaglandin Receptor EP-2 Favor the Development of Myocarditis during Acute Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004025. [PMID: 26305786 PMCID: PMC4549243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Prostanoids are regulators of homeostasis and inflammation and are produced mainly by myeloid cells, being cyclooxygenases, COX-1 and COX-2, the key enzymes in their biosynthesis from arachidonic acid (AA). Here, we have investigated the expression of enzymes involved in AA metabolism during T. cruzi infection. Our results show an increase in the expression of several of these enzymes in acute T. cruzi infected heart. Interestingly, COX-2 was expressed by CD68+ myeloid heart-infiltrating cells. In addition, infiltrating myeloid CD11b+Ly6G- cells purified from infected heart tissue express COX-2 and produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) ex vivo. T. cruzi infections in COX-2 or PGE2-dependent prostaglandin receptor EP-2 deficient mice indicate that both, COX-2 and EP-2 signaling contribute significantly to the heart leukocyte infiltration and to the release of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines in the heart of T. cruzi infected mice. In conclusion, COX-2 plays a detrimental role in acute Chagas disease myocarditis and points to COX-2 as a potential target for immune intervention. The role of prostanoids, products of the arachidonic acid pathway, during Trypanosoma cruzi infection has been studied by inhibiting key enzymes in prostanoid synthesis as cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), with opposed results. Here we analyzed the expression of cyclooxygenases, prostanoid synthases and receptors in the heart of mice susceptible and non-susceptible to T. cruzi infection and found that they were highly increased respect to non-infected mice. We previously identified the presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells expressing arginase-1 (Arg-1). Further analysis showed that COX-2 was expressed in Arg-1- myeloid cells in heart tissue, suggesting the existence of different myeloid populations involved in the leukocyte infiltration (COX-2+Arg-1-) and tissue repair (COX-2-Arg-1+). Mice deficient in the expression of COX-2 and the prostaglandin PGE2 receptor EP-2 infected with T. cruzi showed a marked reduction in the cardiac inflammatory infiltration in comparison with infected wild type mice, indicating an adverse effect of COX-2 and PGE2 signaling through EP-2 receptor in the development of myocarditis during acute T. cruzi infection, suggesting the possibility of immune intervention using COX inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mercedes Camacho
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Vila
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Íñiguez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Henar Cuervo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Moraes KCM, Diniz LF, Bahia MT. Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in Trypanosoma cruzi survival in the early stages of parasite host-cell interaction. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:181-91. [PMID: 25946241 PMCID: PMC4489448 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760140311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a serious health problem in Latin America. During this parasitic infection, the heart is one of the major organs affected. The pathogenesis of tissue remodelling, particularly regarding cardiomyocyte behaviour after parasite infection and the molecular mechanisms that occur immediately following parasite entry into host cells are not yet completely understood. When cells are infected with T. cruzi, they develop an inflammatory response, in which cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) catalyses rate-limiting steps in the arachidonic acid pathway. However, how the parasite interaction modulates COX-2 activity is poorly understood. In this study, the H9c2 cell line was used as our model and we investigated cellular and biochemical aspects during the initial 48 h of parasitic infection. Oscillatory activity of COX-2 was observed, which correlated with the control of the pro-inflammatory environment in infected cells. Interestingly, subcellular trafficking was also verified, correlated with the control of Cox-2 mRNA or the activated COX-2 protein in cells, which is directly connected with the assemble of stress granules structures. Our collective findings suggest that in the very early stage of the T. cruzi-host cell interaction, the parasite is able to modulate the cellular metabolism in order to survives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen CM Moraes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto
de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Rio Claro, SP,
Brasil
| | - Lívia F Diniz
- Laboratório de Doença de Chagas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas,
Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro
Preto, MG, Brasil
| | - Maria Terezinha Bahia
- Laboratório de Doença de Chagas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas,
Núcleo de Pesquisa em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro
Preto, MG, Brasil
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Nitric oxide-releasing indomethacin enhances susceptibility to Trypanosoma cruzi infection acting in the cell invasion and oxidative stress associated with anemia. Chem Biol Interact 2015; 227:104-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2014.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Revised: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Gazos-Lopes F, Oliveira MM, Hoelz LVB, Vieira DP, Marques AF, Nakayasu ES, Gomes MT, Salloum NG, Pascutti PG, Souto-Padrón T, Monteiro RQ, Lopes AH, Almeida IC. Structural and functional analysis of a platelet-activating lysophosphatidylcholine of Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3077. [PMID: 25101628 PMCID: PMC4125143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of the life-threatening Chagas disease, in which increased platelet aggregation related to myocarditis is observed. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent intercellular lipid mediator and second messenger that exerts its activity through a PAF-specific receptor (PAFR). Previous data from our group suggested that T. cruzi synthesizes a phospholipid with PAF-like activity. The structure of T. cruzi PAF-like molecule, however, remains elusive. Methodology/Principal findings Here, we have purified and structurally characterized the putative T. cruzi PAF-like molecule by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Our ESI-MS/MS data demonstrated that the T. cruzi PAF-like molecule is actually a lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), namely sn-1 C18:1(delta 9)-LPC. Similar to PAF, the platelet-aggregating activity of C18:1-LPC was abrogated by the PAFR antagonist, WEB 2086. Other major LPC species, i.e., C16:0-, C18:0-, and C18:2-LPC, were also characterized in all T. cruzi stages. These LPC species, however, failed to induce platelet aggregation. Quantification of T. cruzi LPC species by ESI-MS revealed that intracellular amastigote and trypomastigote forms have much higher levels of C18:1-LPC than epimastigote and metacyclic trypomastigote forms. C18:1-LPC was also found to be secreted by the parasite in extracellular vesicles (EV) and an EV-free fraction. A three-dimensional model of PAFR was constructed and a molecular docking study was performed to predict the interactions between the PAFR model and PAF, and each LPC species. Molecular docking data suggested that, contrary to other LPC species analyzed, C18:1-LPC is predicted to interact with the PAFR model in a fashion similar to PAF. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, our data indicate that T. cruzi synthesizes a bioactive C18:1-LPC, which aggregates platelets via PAFR. We propose that C18:1-LPC might be an important lipid mediator in the progression of Chagas disease and its biosynthesis could eventually be exploited as a potential target for new therapeutic interventions. Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, was exclusively confined to Latin America but it has recently spread to other regions of the world. Chagas disease affects 8–10 million people and kills thousands of them every year. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a major bioactive phospholipid of human plasma low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid similar to LPC and a potent intercellular mediator. Both PAF and LPC have been reported to act on mammalian cells through PAF receptor (PAFR). Previous data from our group suggested that T. cruzi produces a phospholipid with PAF activity. Here, we describe the structural and functional analysis of different species of LPC from T. cruzi, including a LPC with a fatty acid chain of 18 carbon atoms and one double bond (C18:1-LPC). We also show that C18:1-LPC is able to induce rabbit platelet aggregation, which is abrogated by a PAFR antagonist. In addition, a three-dimensional model of human PAFR was constructed. Contrary to other T. cruzi LPC molecules, C18:1-LPC is predicted to interact with the PAFR model in a fashion similar to PAF. Further studies are needed to validate the biosynthesis of T. cruzi C18:1-LPC as a potential drug target in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Gazos-Lopes
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mauricio M. Oliveira
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucas V. B. Hoelz
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle P. Vieira
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre F. Marques
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ernesto S. Nakayasu
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Marta T. Gomes
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco H, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nasim G. Salloum
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pedro G. Pascutti
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thaïs Souto-Padrón
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Robson Q. Monteiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco H, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Angela H. Lopes
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (AHL); (ICA)
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AHL); (ICA)
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Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 impairs Trypanosoma cruzi entry into cardiac cells and promotes differential modulation of the inflammatory response. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:6157-64. [PMID: 25092706 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02752-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, a serious disorder that affects millions of people in Latin America. Cell invasion by T. cruzi and its intracellular replication are essential to the parasite's life cycle and for the development of Chagas disease. Here, we present evidence suggesting the involvement of the host's cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes during T. cruzi invasion. Pharmacological antagonists for COX-1 (aspirin) and COX-2 (celecoxib) caused marked inhibition of T. cruzi infection when rat cardiac cells were pretreated with these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 60 min at 37°C before inoculation. This inhibition was associated with an increase in the production of NO and interleukin-1β and decreased production of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) by cells. Taken together, these results indicate that COX-1 more than COX-2 is involved in the regulation of anti-T. cruzi activity in cardiac cells, and they provide a better understanding of the influence of TGF-β-interfering therapies on the innate inflammatory response to T. cruzi infection and may represent a very pertinent target for new therapeutic treatments of Chagas disease.
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Braga MS, Neves LX, Campos JM, Roatt BM, de Oliveira Aguiar Soares RD, Braga SL, de Melo Resende D, Reis AB, Castro-Borges W. Shotgun proteomics to unravel the complexity of the Leishmania infantum exoproteome and the relative abundance of its constituents. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2014; 195:43-53. [PMID: 25017697 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The exoproteome of some Leishmania species has revealed important insights into host-parasite interaction, paving the way for the proposal of novel disease-oriented interventions. The focus of the present investigation constituted the molecular profile of the L. infantum exoproteome revealed by a shotgun proteomic approach. Promastigotes under logarithmic phase of growth were obtained and harvested by centrifugation at different time points. Cell integrity was evaluated through the counting of viable parasites using propidium iodide labeling, followed by flow cytometry analysis. The 6h culture supernatant, operationally defined here as exoproteome, was then conditioned to in solution digestion and the resulting peptides submitted to mass spectrometry. A total of 102 proteins were identified and categorized according to their cellular function. Their relative abundance index (emPAI) allowed inference that the L. infantum exoproteome is a complex mixture dominated by molecules particularly involved in nucleotide metabolism and antioxidant activity. Bioinformatic analyses support that approximately 60% of the identified proteins are secreted, of which, 85% possibly reach the extracellular milieu by means of non-classic pathways. At last, sera from naturally infected animals, carriers of differing clinical forms of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL), were used to test the immunogenicity associated to the L. infantum exoproteome. Western blotting experiments revealed that this sub-proteome was useful at discriminating symptomatic animals from those exhibiting other clinical forms of the disease. Collectively, the molecular characterization of the L. infantum exoproteome and the preliminary immunoproteomic assays opened up new research avenues related to treatment, prognosis and diagnosis of CVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micheline Soares Braga
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Proteômica, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leandro Xavier Neves
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Proteômica, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jonatan Marques Campos
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Proteômica, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruno Mendes Roatt
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Samuel Leôncio Braga
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Grupo Informática de Biossistemas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Barbosa Reis
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - William Castro-Borges
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Proteômica, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Aspirin modulates innate inflammatory response and inhibits the entry of Trypanosoma cruzi in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Mediators Inflamm 2014; 2014:580919. [PMID: 25045211 PMCID: PMC4089847 DOI: 10.1155/2014/580919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, a serious disorder that affects millions of people in Latin America. Cell invasion by T. cruzi and its intracellular replication are essential to the parasite's life cycle and for the development of Chagas disease. Here, we present evidence suggesting the involvement of the host's cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme during T. cruzi invasion. Pharmacological antagonist for COX-1, aspirin (ASA), caused marked inhibition of T. cruzi infection when peritoneal macrophages were pretreated with ASA for 30 min at 37°C before inoculation. This inhibition was associated with increased production of IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO(∙)) by macrophages. The treatment of macrophages with either NOS inhibitors or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) restored the invasive action of T. cruzi in macrophages previously treated with ASA. Lipoxin ALX-receptor antagonist Boc2 reversed the inhibitory effect of ASA on trypomastigote invasion. Our results indicate that PGE2, NO(∙), and lipoxins are involved in the regulation of anti-T. cruzi activity by macrophages, providing a better understanding of the role of prostaglandins in innate inflammatory response to T. cruzi infection as well as adding a new perspective to specific immune interventions.
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Role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the immune response profile and development of pathology during Plasmodium berghei Anka infection. Infect Immun 2014; 82:3127-40. [PMID: 24818665 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01733-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Plasmodium falciparum may result in severe disease affecting various organs, including liver, spleen, and brain, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Plasmodium berghei Anka infection of mice recapitulates many features of severe human malaria. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an intracellular receptor activated by ligands important in the modulation of the inflammatory response. We found that AhR-knockout (KO) mice infected with P. berghei Anka displayed increased parasitemia, earlier mortality, enhanced leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in the brain microvasculature, and increased inflammation in brain (interleukin-17 [IL-17] and IL-6) and liver (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) compared to infected wild-type (WT) mice. Infected AhR-KO mice also displayed a reduction in cytokines required for host resistance, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, in the brain and spleen. Infection of AhR-KO mice resulted in an increase in T regulatory cells and transforming growth factor β, IL-6, and IL-17 in the brain. AhR modulated the basal expression of SOCS3 in spleen and brain, and P. berghei Anka infection resulted in enhanced expression of SOCS3 in brain, which was absent in infected AhR-KO mice. These data suggest that AhR-mediated control of SOCS3 expression is probably involved in the phenotype seen in infected AhR-KO mice. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of a role for AhR in the pathogenesis of malaria.
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Metabolic signatures of triatomine vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi unveiled by metabolomics. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77283. [PMID: 24204787 PMCID: PMC3813737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a trypanosomiasis whose causative agent is the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to humans by hematophagous insects known as triatomines and affects a large proportion of South America. The digestive tract of the insect vectors in which T. cruzi develops constitutes a dynamic environment that affects the development of the parasite. Thus, we set out to investigate the chemical composition of the triatomine intestinal tract through a metabolomics approach. We performed Direct Infusion Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry on fecal samples of three triatomine species (Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans, Panstrongylus megistus) fed with rabbit blood. We then identified groups of metabolites whose frequencies were either uniform in all species or enriched in each of them. By querying the Human Metabolome Database, we obtained putative identities of the metabolites of interest. We found that a core group of metabolites with uniform frequencies in all species represented approximately 80% of the molecules detected, whereas the other 20% varied among triatomine species. The uniform core was composed of metabolites of various categories, including fatty acids, steroids, glycerolipids, nucleotides, sugars, and others. Nevertheless, the metabolic fingerprint of triatomine feces differs depending on the species considered. The variable core was mainly composed of prenol lipids, amino acids, glycerolipids, steroids, phenols, fatty acids and derivatives, benzoic acid and derivatives, flavonoids, glycerophospholipids, benzopyrans, and quinolines. Triatomine feces constitute a rich and varied chemical medium whose constituents are likely to affect T. cruzi development and infectivity. The complexity of the fecal metabolome of triatomines suggests that it may affect triatomine vector competence for specific T. cruzi strains. Knowledge of the chemical environment of T. cruzi in its invertebrate host is likely to generate new ways to understand the factors influencing parasite proliferation as well as methods to control Chagas disease.
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Gomes JAS, Molica AM, Keesen TSL, Morato MJF, de Araujo FF, Fares RCG, Fiuza JA, Chaves AT, Pinheiro V, Nunes MDCP, Correa-Oliveira R, da Costa Rocha MO. Inflammatory mediators from monocytes down-regulate cellular proliferation and enhance cytokines production in patients with polar clinical forms of Chagas disease. Hum Immunol 2013; 75:20-8. [PMID: 24071371 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Revised: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi parasites induces monocytes and macrophages to produce various endogenous mediators, including prostaglandins and cytokines. To clarify the involvement of monocytes as an important source of inflammatory mediators in Chagas disease patients, we evaluated PBMC before and after depletion of adherent cells (monocytes) from patients with indeterminate (IND) and cardiac (CARD) clinical forms and from non-infected individuals (NI). We demonstrated that after the partial depletion of adherent cells, production of PGE2 was slightly decreased in patients with Chagas disease. Inhibition of the cells by indomethacin increased the proliferation in PBMC cells from patients after antigen stimulation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines as IL-2 and IFN-γ also had a greater decrease after partial depletion of adherent cells in both clinical forms of Chagas disease. IL-10 and IL-5 levels were also reduced after partial depletion of adherent cells both in IND and CARD patients. In addition, we evaluated the APC potential of B cells and observed that the MHCII and CD80 molecules had an increased expression after partial depletion of most monocytes in all groups. Thus, inflammatory mediators produced by monocytes seem to be important to modulate immune responses in Chagas disease by regulating the processes of inflammation and antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Assis Silva Gomes
- Department of Morphology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil; School of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences: Infectology in Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil; René Rachou Research Center, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-002, Brazil.
| | - Andreia Maria Molica
- School of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences: Infectology in Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil; René Rachou Research Center, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Tatjana Souza Lima Keesen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ana Thereza Chaves
- René Rachou Research Center, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Vladimir Pinheiro
- School of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences: Infectology in Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil; René Rachou Research Center, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Maria do Carmo Pereira Nunes
- School of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences: Infectology in Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Correa-Oliveira
- René Rachou Research Center, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-002, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Tropical Diseases - INCT-DT, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Manoel Otávio da Costa Rocha
- School of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences: Infectology in Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil
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Molina-Berríos A, Campos-Estrada C, Lapier M, Duaso J, Kemmerling U, Galanti N, Ferreira J, Morello A, López-Muñoz R, Maya JD. Protection of vascular endothelium by aspirin in a murine model of chronic Chagas' disease. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:2731-9. [PMID: 23681190 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3444-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chronic Chagas' disease affects 10-30 % of patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, and it mainly manifests as cardiomyopathy. Important pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the cardiac lesions include activation of the endothelium and induced microvascular alterations. These processes involve the production of endothelial adhesion molecules and thromboxane A2, which are involved in inflammatory cell recruitment and platelet aggregation, respectively. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin decrease thromboxane production and alter the course of Chagas' disease, both in the acute and chronic phases. We studied the effects of the administration of low and high doses of aspirin during the early phase of T. cruzi infection, following microvascular damage in the context of a chronic murine model of Chagas' disease. The effects of both schedules were assessed at 24 and 90 days postinfection by evaluating parasitemia, mortality, and cardiac histopathological changes as well as the expression of ICAM, VCAM, and E-selectin in cardiac tissue. Thromboxane A2, soluble ICAM, and E-selectin blood levels were also measured. While aspirin did not affect parasitemia or mortality in the infected mice, it decreased both cardiac inflammatory infiltrates and thromboxane levels. Additionally, at 90 days postinfection, aspirin normalized sICAM and sE-selectin levels. Considering the improved endothelial function induced by aspirin, we propose the possibility of including this drug in clinical therapy to treat chronic Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Molina-Berríos
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Chile
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Molina-Berríos A, Campos-Estrada C, Henriquez N, Faúndez M, Torres G, Castillo C, Escanilla S, Kemmerling U, Morello A, López-Muñoz RA, Maya JD. Protective role of acetylsalicylic acid in experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection: evidence of a 15-epi-lipoxin A₄-mediated effect. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2173. [PMID: 23638194 PMCID: PMC3630130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas' disease, produced by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects more than 8 million people, producing approximately 10,000 deaths each year in Latin America. Migration of people from endemic regions to developed countries has expanded the risk of infection, transforming this disease into a globally emerging problem. PGE₂ and other eicosanoids contribute to cardiac functional deficits after infection with T. cruzi. Thus, the inhibition of host cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme emerges as a potential therapeutic target. In vivo studies about the effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) upon T. cruzi infection are controversial, and always report the effect of ASA at a single dose. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the effect of ASA at different doses in an in vivo model of infection and correlate it with the production of arachidonic acid metabolites. ASA decreased mortality, parasitemia, and heart damage in T. cruzi (Dm28c) infected mice, at the low doses of 25 and 50 mg/Kg. However, this effect disappeared when the high ASA doses of 75 and 100 mg/Kg were used. We explored whether this observation was related to the metabolic shift toward the production of 5-lipoxygenase derivatives, and although we did not observe an increase in LTB4 production in infected RAW cells and mice infected, we did find an increase in 15-epi-LXA₄ (an ASA-triggered lipoxin). We also found high levels of 15-epi-LXA₄ in T. cruzi infected mice treated with the low doses of ASA, while the high ASA doses decreased 15-epi-LXA₄ levels. Importantly, 15-epi-LXA₄ prevented parasitemia, mortality, and cardiac changes in vivo and restored the protective role in the treatment with a high dose of ASA. This is the first report showing the production of ASA-triggered lipoxins in T. cruzi infected mice, which demonstrates the role of this lipid as an anti-inflammatory molecule in the acute phase of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Molina-Berríos
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Campos-Estrada
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Henriquez
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario Faúndez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gloria Torres
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastián Escanilla
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonio Morello
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A. López-Muñoz
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (RALM); (JDM)
| | - Juan D. Maya
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (RALM); (JDM)
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The absence of myocardial calcium-independent phospholipase A2γ results in impaired prostaglandin E2 production and decreased survival in mice with acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Infect Immun 2013; 81:2278-87. [PMID: 23429536 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00497-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathy is a serious complication of Chagas' disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite often infects cardiac myocytes, causing the release of inflammatory mediators, including eicosanoids. A recent study from our laboratory demonstrated that calcium-independent phospholipase A2γ (iPLA2γ) accounts for the majority of PLA2 activity in rabbit ventricular myocytes and is responsible for arachidonic acid (AA) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release. Thus, we hypothesized that cardiac iPLA2γ contributes to eicosanoid production in T. cruzi infection. Inhibition of the isoform iPLA2γ or iPLA2β, with the R or S enantiomer of bromoenol lactone (BEL), respectively, demonstrated that iPLA2γ is the predominant isoform in immortalized mouse cardiac myocytes (HL-1 cells). Stimulation of HL-1 cells with thrombin, a serine protease associated with microthrombus formation in Chagas' disease and a known activator of iPLA2, increased AA and PGE2 release, accompanied by platelet-activating factor (PAF) production. Similarly, T. cruzi infection resulted in increased AA and PGE2 release over time that was inhibited by pretreatment with (R)-BEL. Further, T. cruzi-infected iPLA2γ-knockout (KO) mice had lower survival rates and increased tissue parasitism compared to wild-type (WT) mice, suggesting that iPLA2γ-KO mice were more susceptible to infection than WT mice. A significant increase in iPLA2 activity was observed in WT mice following infection, whereas iPLA2γ-KO mice showed no alteration in cardiac iPLA2 activity and produced less PGE2. In summary, these studies demonstrate that T. cruzi infection activates cardiac myocyte iPLA2γ, resulting in increased AA and PGE2 release, mediators that may be essential for host survival during acute infection. Thus, these studies suggest that iPLA2γ plays a cardioprotective role during the acute stage of Chagas' disease.
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Mukherjee S, Sadekar N, Ashton AW, Huang H, Spray DC, Lisanti MP, Machado FS, Weiss LM, Tanowitz HB. Identification of a functional prostanoid-like receptor in the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:1417-25. [PMID: 23403991 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-3271-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2012] [Accepted: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans and experimental animals causes Chagas disease which is often accompanied by myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and vasculopathy. T. cruzi-derived thromboxane A2 (TXA2) modulates vasculopathy and other pathophysiological features of Chagasic cardiomyopathy. Here, we provide evidence that epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and amastigotes of T. cruzi (Brazil and Tulahuen strains) express a biologically active prostanoid receptor (PR) that is responsive to TXA2 mimetics, e.g. IBOP. This putative receptor, TcPR, is mainly localized in the flagellar membrane of the parasites and shows a similar glycosylation pattern to that of bona fide thromboxane prostanoid (TP) receptors obtained from human platelets. Furthermore, TXA2-PR signal transduction activates T. cruzi-specific MAPK pathways. While mammalian TP is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR); T. cruzi genome sequencing has not demonstrated any confirmed GPCRs in these parasites. Based on this genome sequencing it is likely that TcPR is unique in these protists with no counterpart in mammals. TXA2 is a potent vasoconstrictor which contributes to the pathogenesis of Chagasic cardiovascular disease. It may, however, also control parasite differentiation and proliferation in the infected host allowing the infection to progress to a chronic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankar Mukherjee
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, USA.
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42
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Trypanosoma cruzi infection and endothelin-1 cooperatively activate pathogenic inflammatory pathways in cardiomyocytes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2034. [PMID: 23409199 PMCID: PMC3566987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, induces multiple responses in the heart, a critical organ of infection and pathology in the host. Among diverse factors, eicosanoids and the vasoactive peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. In the present study, we found that T. cruzi infection in mice induces myocardial gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2) and thromboxane synthase (Tbxas1) as well as endothelin-1 (Edn1) and atrial natriuretic peptide (Nppa). T. cruzi infection and ET-1 cooperatively activated the Ca2+/calcineurin (Cn)/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathway in atrial myocytes, leading to COX-2 protein expression and increased eicosanoid (prostaglandins E2 and F2α, thromboxane A2) release. Moreover, T. cruzi infection of ET-1-stimulated cardiomyocytes resulted in significantly enhanced production of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a prognostic marker for impairment in cardiac function of chagasic patients. Our findings support an important role for the Ca2+/Cn/NFAT cascade in T. cruzi-mediated myocardial production of inflammatory mediators and may help define novel therapeutic targets. Chronic cardiomyopathy is the most common and severe manifestation of human Chagas' disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Among diverse inflammation-promoting moieties, eicosanoids and the vasoactive peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) have been implicated in its pathogenesis. Nevertheless, the link between these two factors has not yet been identified. In the present study, we found that T. cruzi infection induces gene expression of ET-1 and eicosanoid-forming enzymes in the heart of infected mice. We also demonstrated that HL-1 atrial myocytes respond to ET-1 stimulus and T. cruzi infection by induction of cyclooxygenase-2 through activation of the Ca2+/calcineurin/NFAT intracellular signaling pathway. Moreover, the cooperation between T. cruzi and ET-1 leads to overproduction of eicosanoids (prostaglandins E2 and F2α, thromboxane A2) and the pro-hypertrophic atrial natriuretic peptide. Our results support an important role for NFAT in T. cruzi plus ET-1-dependent induction of key agents of pathogenesis in chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Identification of the Ca2+/calcineurin/NFAT cascade as mediator of cardiovascular pathology in Chagas' disease advances our understanding of host-parasite interrelationship and may help define novel potential targets for therapeutic interventions to ameliorate or prevent cardiomyopathy during chronic T. cruzi infection.
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Machado FS, Dutra WO, Esper L, Gollob KJ, Teixeira MM, Factor SM, Weiss LM, Nagajyothi F, Tanowitz HB, Garg NJ. Current understanding of immunity to Trypanosoma cruzi infection and pathogenesis of Chagas disease. Semin Immunopathol 2012; 34:753-70. [PMID: 23076807 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-012-0351-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi remains an important neglected tropical disease and a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. No longer confined to endemic areas of Latin America, it is now found in non-endemic areas due to immigration. The parasite may persist in any tissue, but in recent years, there has been increased recognition of adipose tissue both as an early target of infection and a reservoir of chronic infection. The major complications of this disease are cardiomyopathy and megasyndromes involving the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of Chagas disease is complex and multifactorial involving many interactive pathways. The significance of innate immunity, including the contributions of cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species, and oxidative stress, has been emphasized. The role of the components of the eicosanoid pathway such as thromboxane A(2) and the lipoxins has been demonstrated to have profound effects as both pro- and anti-inflammatory factors. Additionally, we discuss the vasoconstrictive actions of thromboxane A(2) and endothelin-1 in Chagas disease. Human immunity to T. cruzi infection and its role in pathogen control and disease progression have not been fully investigated. However, recently, it was demonstrated that a reduction in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was associated with clinically significant chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana S Machado
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Wen JJ, Zago MP, Nuñez S, Gupta S, Burgos FN, Garg NJ. Serum proteomic signature of human chagasic patients for the identification of novel potential protein biomarkers of disease. Mol Cell Proteomics 2012; 11:435-52. [PMID: 22543060 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m112.017640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is initiated upon infection by Trypanosoma cruzi. Among the health consequences is a decline in heart function, and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this manifestation are not well understood. To explore the possible mechanisms, we employed IgY LC10 affinity chromatography in conjunction with ProteomeLab PF2D and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to resolve the proteome signature of high and low abundance serum proteins in chagasic patients. MALDI-TOF MS/MS analysis yielded 80 and 14 differentially expressed proteins associated with cardiomyopathy of chagasic and other etiologies, respectively. The extent of oxidative stress-induced carbonyl modifications of the differentially expressed proteins (n = 26) was increased and coupled with a depression of antioxidant proteins. Functional annotation of the top networks developed by ingenuity pathway analysis of proteome database identified dysregulation of inflammation/acute phase response signaling and lipid metabolism relevant to production of prostaglandins and arachidonic acid in chagasic patients. Overlay of the major networks identified prothrombin and plasminogen at a nodal position with connectivity to proteome signature indicative of heart disease (i.e., thrombosis, angiogenesis, vasodilatation of blood vessels or the aorta, and increased permeability of blood vessel and endothelial tubes), and inflammatory responses (e.g., platelet aggregation, complement activation, and phagocyte activation and migration). The detection of cardiac proteins (myosin light chain 2 and myosin heavy chain 11) and increased levels of vinculin and plasminogen provided a comprehensive set of biomarkers of cardiac muscle injury and development of clinical Chagas disease in human patients. These results provide an impetus for biomarker validation in large cohorts of clinically characterized chagasic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Jun Wen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-1070, USA
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Machado FS, Jelicks LA, Kirchhoff LV, Shirani J, Nagajyothi F, Mukherjee S, Nelson R, Coyle CM, Spray DC, Campos de Carvalho AC, Guan F, Prado CM, Lisanti MP, Weiss LM, Montgomery SP, Tanowitz HB. Chagas heart disease: report on recent developments. Cardiol Rev 2012; 20:53-65. [PMID: 22293860 PMCID: PMC3275684 DOI: 10.1097/crd.0b013e31823efde2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of cardiac disease in endemic areas of Latin America. It is now being diagnosed in nonendemic areas because of immigration. Typical cardiac manifestations of Chagas disease include dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, cardioembolism, and stroke. Clinical and laboratory-based research to define the pathology resulting from T. cruzi infection has shed light on many of the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to these manifestations. Antiparasitic treatment may not be appropriate for patients with advanced cardiac disease. Clinical management of Chagas heart disease is similar to that used for cardiomyopathies caused by other processes. Cardiac transplantation has been successfully performed in a small number of patients with Chagas heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana S. Machado
- Departments of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, and Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Linda A. Jelicks
- Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center and Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Louis V. Kirchhoff
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA
| | - Jamshid Shirani
- Department of Cardiology St Luke’s Hospital and Health Network, Bethlehem, PA
| | - Fnu Nagajyothi
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Shankar Mukherjee
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Randin Nelson
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Christina M. Coyle
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Parasitology, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | - David C. Spray
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Antonio C. Campos de Carvalho
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- National Cardiology Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fangxia Guan
- Bioengineering Department of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cibele M. Prado
- Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Michael P. Lisanti
- Kimmel Cancer Center, Departments of Cancer Biology and Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Louis M. Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Parasitology, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- Global Health Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Susan P. Montgomery
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Herbert B. Tanowitz
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Parasitology, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- Global Health Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
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Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite. Chagas disease remains a serious health problem in large parts of Mexico and Central and South America, where it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This disease is being increasingly recognized in non-endemic regions due to immigration. Heart disease develops in 10-30% of infected individuals. It is increasingly clear that parasite- and host-derived bioactive lipids potently modulate disease progression. Many of the changes that occur during acute and chronic Chagas disease can be accounted for by the effects of arachidonic acid (AA)-derived lipids such as leukotrienes, lipoxins, H(P)ETEs, prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane. During the course of infection with T. cruzi, changes in circulating levels of AA metabolites are observed. Antagonism of PG synthesis with cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors has both beneficial and adverse effects. Treatment with COX inhibitors during acute infection may result in increased parasite load and mortality. However, treatment instituted during chronic infection may be beneficial with no increase in mortality and substantial improvement with cardiac function. Recently, T. cruzi infection of mice deficient in AA biosynthetic enzymes for various pathways has yielded more insightful data than pharmacological inhibition and has highlighted the potential deleterious effects of inhibitors due to "off-target" actions. Using COX-1 null mice, it was observed that parasite biosynthesis is dependent upon host metabolism, that the majority of TXA(2) liberated during T. cruzi infection is derived from the parasite and that this molecule may act as a quorum sensor to control parasite growth/differentiation. Thus, eicosanoids present during acute infection may act as immunomodulators aiding the transition to, and maintenance of, the chronic stage of the disease. It is also likely that the same mediators that initially function to ensure host survival may later contribute to cardiovascular damage. Collectively, the eicosanoids represent a new series of targets for therapy in Chagas disease with defined potential therapeutic windows in which to apply these agents for greatest effect. A deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may provide clues to the differences between host responses in acute and chronic T. cruzi infection.
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Prado CM, Jelicks LA, Weiss LM, Factor SM, Tanowitz HB, Rossi MA. The vasculature in chagas disease. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 76:83-99. [PMID: 21884888 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385895-5.00004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The cardiovascular manifestations of Chagas disease are well known. However, the contribution of the vasculature and specifically the microvasculature has received little attention. This chapter reviews the evidence supporting the notion that alterations in the microvasculature especially in the heart contribute to the pathogenesis of chagasic cardiomyopathy. These data may also be important in understanding the contributions of the microvasculature in the aetiologies of other cardiomyopathies. The role of endothelin-1 and of thromboxane A(2) vascular spasm and platelet aggregation is also discussed. Further, these observations may provide target(s) for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cibele M Prado
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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48
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Tanowitz HB, Mukhopadhyay A, Ashton AW, Lisanti MP, Machado FS, Weiss LM, Mukherjee S. Microarray analysis of the mammalian thromboxane receptor-Trypanosoma cruzi interaction. Cell Cycle 2011; 10:1132-43. [PMID: 21364319 DOI: 10.4161/cc.10.7.15207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, causes vasculopathy and cardiomyopathy in humans and is associated with elevated levels of several vasoactive molecules such as nitric oxide, endothelin-1 and thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2). Parasite derived TXA 2 modulates vasculopathy and other pathophysiological features of Chagasic cardiomyopathy. Previously, we demonstrated that in response to infection with T. cruzi, TXA 2 receptor (TP) null mice displayed increased parasitemia; mortality and cardiac pathology compared with wild type (WT) and TXA 2 synthase null mice. In order to further study the role of TXA 2-TP signaling in the development of Chagas disease, GeneChip microarrays were used to detect transcriptome changes in rat fat pad endothelial cells (RFP-ECs) which is incapable of TXA 2 signaling (TP null) to that of control (wild type) and RFP-EC with reconstituted TP expression. Genes that were significantly regulated due to infection were identified using a time course of 2, 18 and 48 hrs post infection. We identified several key genes such as suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS-5), several cytokines (CSF-1, CXCF ligands), and MAP kinases (MAPK-1, Janus kinase) that were upregulated in the absence of TP signaling. These data underscore the importance of the interaction of the parasite with mammalian TP and may explain the increased mortality and cardiovascular pathology observed in infected TP null mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert B Tanowitz
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY USA.
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