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Bando H, Murata Y, Han Y, Sugi T, Fukuda Y, Bzik DJ, Fox BA, Kato K. Toxoplasma gondii chitinase-like protein TgCLP1 regulates the parasite cyst burden. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1359888. [PMID: 38828265 PMCID: PMC11140023 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1359888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma, an important intracellular parasite of humans and animals, causes life-threatening toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals. Although Toxoplasma secretory proteins during acute infection (tachyzoite, which divides rapidly and causes inflammation) have been extensively characterized, those involved in chronic infection (bradyzoite, which divides slowly and is surrounded by a cyst wall) remain uncertain. Regulation of the cyst wall is essential to the parasite life cycle, and polysaccharides, such as chitin, in the cyst wall are necessary to sustain latent infection. Toxoplasma secretory proteins during the bradyzoite stage may have important roles in regulating the cyst wall via polysaccharides. Here, we focused on characterizing the hypothetical T. gondii chitinase, chitinase-like protein 1 (TgCLP1). We found that the chitinase-like domain containing TgCLP1 is partially present in the bradyzoite microneme and confirmed, albeit partially, its previous identification in the tachyzoite microneme. Furthermore, although parasites lacking TgCLP1 could convert from tachyzoites to bradyzoites and make an intact cyst wall, they failed to convert from bradyzoites to tachyzoites, indicating that TgCLP1 is necessary for bradyzoite reactivation. Taken together, our findings deepen our understanding of the molecular basis of recrudescence and could contribute to the development of novel strategies for the control of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Bando
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Osaki, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Parasitology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuho Murata
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yongmei Han
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Sugi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Fukuda
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Osaki, Miyagi, Japan
| | - David J. Bzik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Barbara A. Fox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Kentaro Kato
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Osaki, Miyagi, Japan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
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2
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Hasan T, Shimoda N, Nakamura S, Fox BA, Bzik DJ, Ushio-Watanabe N, Nishikawa Y. Protective efficacy of recombinant Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein 15 against toxoplasmosis in C57BL/6 mice. Vaccine 2024; 42:2299-2309. [PMID: 38429153 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.062] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a pervasive protozoan parasite that is responsible for significant zoonoses. A wide array of vaccines using different effector molecules of T. gondii have been studied worldwide to control toxoplasmosis. None of the existing vaccines are sufficiently effective to confer protective immunity. Among the different Toxoplasma-derived effector molecules, T. gondii dense granule protein 15 from the type II strain (GRA15 (II)) was recently characterized as an immunomodulatory molecule that induced host immunity via NF-κB. Therefore, we assessed the immunostimulatory and protective efficacy of recombinant GRA15 (II) (rGRA15) against T. gondii infection in a C57BL/6 mouse model. We observed that rGRA15 treatment increased the production of IL-12p40 from mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Immunization of mice with rGRA15 induced the production of anti-TgGRA15-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2c antibodies. The rGRA15-sensitized spleen cells from mice inoculated with the same antigen strongly promoted spleen cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. Immunization with rGRA15 significantly enhanced the survival rate of mice and dramatically decreased parasite burden in mice challenged with the Pru (type II) strain. These results suggested that rGRA15 triggered humoral and cellular immune responses to control infection. However, all of the immunized mice died when challenged with the GRA15-deficient Pru strain or the RH (type I) strain. These results suggest that GRA15 (II)-dependent immunity plays a crucial role in protection against challenge infection with the type II strain of T. gondii. This study is the first report to show GRA15 (II) as a recombinant vaccine antigen against Toxoplasma infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanjila Hasan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi 4225, Chattogram, Bangladesh.
| | - Naomi Shimoda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
| | - Shu Nakamura
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Barbara A Fox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
| | - David J Bzik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
| | - Nanako Ushio-Watanabe
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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Lüder CGK. IFNs in host defence and parasite immune evasion during Toxoplasma gondii infections. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1356216. [PMID: 38384452 PMCID: PMC10879624 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1356216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Interferons (IFNs) are a family of cytokines with diverse functions in host resistance to pathogens and in immune regulation. Type II IFN, i.e. IFN-γ, is widely recognized as a major mediator of resistance to intracellular pathogens, including the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. More recently, IFN-α/β, i.e. type I IFNs, and IFN-λ (type III IFN) have been identified to also play important roles during T. gondii infections. This parasite is a widespread pathogen of humans and animals, and it is a model organism to study cell-mediated immune responses to intracellular infection. Its success depends, among other factors, on the ability to counteract the IFN system, both at the level of IFN-mediated gene expression and at the level of IFN-regulated effector molecules. Here, I review recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying IFN-mediated host resistance and immune regulation during T. gondii infections. I also discuss those mechanisms that T. gondii has evolved to efficiently evade IFN-mediated immunity. Knowledge of these fascinating host-parasite interactions and their underlying signalling machineries is crucial for a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis, and it might also identify potential targets of parasite-directed or host-directed supportive therapies to combat the parasite more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten G. K. Lüder
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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4
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Sánchez-Arcila JC, Jensen KDC. Forward Genetics in Apicomplexa Biology: The Host Side of the Story. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:878475. [PMID: 35646724 PMCID: PMC9133346 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.878475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Forward genetic approaches have been widely used in parasitology and have proven their power to reveal the complexities of host-parasite interactions in an unbiased fashion. Many aspects of the parasite's biology, including the identification of virulence factors, replication determinants, antibiotic resistance genes, and other factors required for parasitic life, have been discovered using such strategies. Forward genetic approaches have also been employed to understand host resistance mechanisms to parasitic infection. Here, we will introduce and review all forward genetic approaches that have been used to identify host factors involved with Apicomplexa infections, which include classical genetic screens and QTL mapping, GWAS, ENU mutagenesis, overexpression, RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 library screens. Collectively, these screens have improved our understanding of host resistance mechanisms, immune regulation, vaccine and drug designs for Apicomplexa parasites. We will also discuss how recent advances in molecular genetics give present opportunities to further explore host-parasite relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Sánchez-Arcila
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Kirk D. C. Jensen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, United States
- Health Science Research Institute, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States
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5
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DU K, Lu F, Xie C, Ding H, Shen Y, Gao Y, Lu S, Zhuo X. Toxoplasma gondii infection induces cell apoptosis via multiple pathways revealed by transcriptome analysis. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:315-327. [PMID: 35403386 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2100877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide parasite that can infect almost all kinds of mammals and cause fatal toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients. Apoptosis is one of the principal strategies of host cells to clear pathogens and maintain organismal homeostasis, but the mechanism of cell apoptosis induced by T. gondii remains obscure. To explore the apoptosis influenced by T. gondii, Vero cells infected or uninfected with the parasite were subjected to apoptosis detection and subsequent dual RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Using high-throughput Illumina sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, we found that pro-apoptosis genes such as DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3), growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible α (GADD45A), caspase-3 (CASP3), and high-temperature requirement protease A2 (HtrA2) were upregulated, and anti-apoptosis genes such as poly(adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose) polymerase family member 3 (PARP3), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) were downregulated. Besides, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1), TRAF2, TNF receptor superfamily member 10b (TNFRSF10b), disabled homolog 2 (DAB2)-interacting protein (DAB2IP), and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 (ITPR3) were enriched in the upstream of TNF, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways, and TRAIL-receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2) was regarded as an important membrane receptor influenced by T. gondii that had not been previously considered. In conclusion, the T. gondii RH strain could promote and mediate apoptosis through multiple pathways mentioned above in Vero cells. Our findings improve the understanding of the T. gondii infection process through providing new insights into the related cellular apoptosis mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaige DU
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China.,Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan 250021, China
| | - Fei Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Chengzuo Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Yu Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Yafan Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Shaohong Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Xunhui Zhuo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China.
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Sasai M, Yamamoto M. Anti-toxoplasma host defense systems and the parasitic counterdefense mechanisms. Parasitol Int 2022; 89:102593. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Wang ZX, Che L, Hu RS, Sun XL. Comparative Phosphoproteomic Analysis of Sporulated Oocysts and Tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii Reveals Stage-Specific Patterns. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27031022. [PMID: 35164288 PMCID: PMC8839046 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27031022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan of severe threat to humans and livestock, whose life history harbors both gamic and apogamic stages. Chinese 1 (ToxoDB#9) was a preponderant genotype epidemic in food-derived animals and humans in China, with a different pathogenesis from the strains from the other nations of the world. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of proteins were critical mediators of the biology, developmental transforms, and pathogenesis of protozoan parasites. The phosphoprotein profiling and the difference between the developmental phases of T. gondii, contributing to development and infectivity, remain unknown. A quantitative phosphoproteomic approach using IBT integrated with TiO2 affinity chromatography was applied to identify and analyze the difference in the phosphoproteomes between the sporulated oocysts and the tachyzoites of the virulent ToxoDB#9 (PYS) strain of T. gondii. A total of 4058 differential phosphopeptides, consisting of 2597 upregulated and 1461 downregulated phosphopeptides, were characterized between sporulated the oocysts and tachyzoites. Twenty-one motifs extracted from the upregulated phosphopeptides contained 19 serine motifs and 2 threonine motifs (GxxTP and TP), whereas 16 motifs identified from downregulated phosphopeptides included 13 serine motifs and 3 threonine motifs (KxxT, RxxT, and TP). Beyond the traditional kinases, some infrequent classes of kinases, including Ab1, EGFR, INSR, Jak, Src and Syk, were found to be corresponding to motifs from the upregulated and downregulated phosphopeptides. Remarkable functional properties of the differentially expressed phosphoproteins were discovered by GO analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and STRING analysis. S8GFS8 (DNMT1-RFD domain-containing protein) and S8F5G5 (Histone kinase SNF1) were the two most connected peptides in the kinase-associated network. Out of these, phosphorylated modifications in histone kinase SNF1 have functioned in mitosis and interphase of T. gondii, as well as in the regulation of gene expression relevant to differentiation. Our study discovered a remarkable difference in the abundance of phosphopeptides between the sporulated oocysts and tachyzoites of the virulent ToxoDB#9 (PYS) strain of T. gondii, which may provide a new resource for understanding stage-specific differences in PTMs and may enhance the illustration of the regulatory mechanisms contributing to the development and infectivity of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Xiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (L.C.); (X.-L.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Liang Che
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (L.C.); (X.-L.S.)
| | - Rui-Si Hu
- Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China;
| | - Xiao-Lin Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (L.C.); (X.-L.S.)
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8
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Seizova S, Ruparel U, Garnham AL, Bader SM, Uboldi AD, Coffey MJ, Whitehead LW, Rogers KL, Tonkin CJ. Transcriptional modification of host cells harboring Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites prevents IFN gamma-mediated cell death. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 30:232-247.e6. [PMID: 34921775 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii develops a latent infection in the muscle and central nervous system that acts as a reservoir for acute-stage reactivation in vulnerable patients. Little is understood about how parasites manipulate host cells during latent infection and the impact this has on survival. We show that bradyzoites impart a unique transcriptional signature on infected host cells. Many of these transcriptional changes rely on protein export and result in the suppression of type I interferon (IFN) and IFNγ signaling more so than in acute stages. Loss of the protein export component, MYR1, abrogates transcriptional remodeling and prevents suppression of IFN signaling. Among the exported proteins, the inhibitor of STAT1 transcription (IST) plays a key role in limiting IFNγ signaling in bradyzoites. Furthermore, bradyzoite protein export protects host cells from IFNγ-mediated cell death, even when export is restricted to latent stages. These findings highlight the functional importance of host manipulation in Toxoplasma's bradyzoite stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Seizova
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Wellcome Center for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Ushma Ruparel
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexandra L Garnham
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stefanie M Bader
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alessandro D Uboldi
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael J Coffey
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Poseida Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lachlan W Whitehead
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kelly L Rogers
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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de Faria Junior GM, Murata FHA, Lorenzi HA, Castro BBP, Assoni LCP, Ayo CM, Brandão CC, de Mattos LC. The Role of microRNAs in the Infection by T. gondii in Humans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:670548. [PMID: 34055667 PMCID: PMC8160463 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.670548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are molecules belonging to an evolutionarily conserved family of small non-coding RNAs, which act on post-transcriptional gene regulation, causing messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation or inhibiting mRNA translation into proteins. These molecules represent potential biomarkers for diagnosis, non-invasive prognosis, and monitoring the development of the disease. Moreover, they may provide additional information on the pathophysiology of parasitic infections and guide strategies for treatment. The Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii modifies the levels of microRNAs and mRNAs in infected host cells by modulating the innate and adaptive immune responses, facilitating its survival within the host. Some studies have shown that microRNAs are promising molecular markers for developing diagnostic tools for human toxoplasmosis. MicroRNAs can be detected in human specimens collected using non-invasive procedures. changes in the circulating host microRNAs have been associated with T. gondii infection in mice and ocular toxoplasmosis in humans. Besides, microRNAs can be amplified from samples using sensitive and molecular-specific approaches such as real-time PCR. This review presents recent findings of the role that microRNAs play during T. gondii infection and discuss their potential use of these small nuclei acid molecules to different approaches such as laboratory diagnosis, modulation of cell and tissue infected as other potential applications in human toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Magela de Faria Junior
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata
- Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | | | - Bruno Bello Pede Castro
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Carolina Paraboli Assoni
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Christiane Maria Ayo
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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10
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Wang Y, Sangaré LO, Paredes-Santos TC, Hassan MA, Krishnamurthy S, Furuta AM, Markus BM, Lourido S, Saeij JPJ. Genome-wide screens identify Toxoplasma gondii determinants of parasite fitness in IFNγ-activated murine macrophages. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5258. [PMID: 33067458 PMCID: PMC7567896 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18991-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages play an essential role in the early immune response against Toxoplasma and are the cell type preferentially infected by the parasite in vivo. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) elicits a variety of anti-Toxoplasma activities in macrophages. Using a genome-wide CRISPR screen we identify 353 Toxoplasma genes that determine parasite fitness in naїve or IFNγ-activated murine macrophages, seven of which are further confirmed. We show that one of these genes encodes dense granule protein GRA45, which has a chaperone-like domain, is critical for correct localization of GRAs into the PVM and secretion of GRA effectors into the host cytoplasm. Parasites lacking GRA45 are more susceptible to IFNγ-mediated growth inhibition and have reduced virulence in mice. Together, we identify and characterize an important chaperone-like GRA in Toxoplasma and provide a resource for the community to further explore the function of Toxoplasma genes that determine fitness in IFNγ-activated macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Lamba Omar Sangaré
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Tatiana C. Paredes-Santos
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Musa A. Hassan
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK ,grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK ,grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Center for Tropical Livestock Health and Genetics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shruthi Krishnamurthy
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Anna M. Furuta
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Benedikt M. Markus
- grid.270301.70000 0001 2292 6283Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA USA ,grid.5963.9Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- grid.270301.70000 0001 2292 6283Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA USA ,grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Jeroen P. J. Saeij
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
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11
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Nie LB, Liang QL, Elsheikha HM, Du R, Zhu XQ, Li FC. Global profiling of lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylome in Toxoplasma gondii using affinity purification mass spectrometry. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:4061-4071. [PMID: 33057814 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06923-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib) is a recently discovered and evolutionarily conserved form of protein post-translational modification (PTM) found in mammalian and yeast cells. Previous studies have shown that Khib plays roles in the activity of gene transcription and Khib-containing proteins are closely related to the cellular metabolism. In this study, a global Khib-containing analysis using the latest databases (ToxoDB 46, 8322 sequences, downloaded on April 16, 2020) and sensitive immune-affinity enrichment coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was performed. A total of 1078 Khib modification sites across 400 Khib-containing proteins were identified in tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii RH strain. Bioinformatics and functional enrichment analysis showed that Khib-modified proteins were associated with various biological processes, such as ribosome, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and central carbon metabolism. Interestingly, many proteins of the secretory organelles (e.g., microneme, rhoptry, and dense granule) that play roles in the infection cycle of T. gondii were found to be Khib-modified, suggesting the involvement of Khib in key biological process during T. gondii infection. We also found that histone proteins, key enzymes related to cellular metabolism, and several glideosome components had Khib sites. These results expanded our understanding of the roles of Khib in T. gondii and should promote further investigations of how Khib regulates gene expression and key biological functions in T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Bi Nie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin-Li Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Rui Du
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China. .,College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fa-Cai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
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12
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Wong ZS, Borrelli SLS, Coyne CC, Boyle JP. Cell type- and species-specific host responses to Toxoplasma gondii and its near relatives. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:423-431. [PMID: 32407716 PMCID: PMC8281328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is remarkably unique in its ability to successfully infect vertebrate hosts from multiple phyla and can successfully infect most cells within these organisms. The infection outcome in each of these species is determined by the complex interaction between parasite and host genotype. As techniques to quantify global changes in cell function become more readily available and precise, new data are coming to light about how (i) different host cell types respond to parasitic infection and (ii) different parasite species impact the host. Here we focus on recent studies comparing the response to intracellular parasitism by different cell types and insights into understanding host-parasite interactions from comparative studies on T. gondii and its close extant relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhee S Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sarah L Sokol Borrelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Carolyn C Coyne
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jon P Boyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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13
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Toxoplasma gondii secretory proteins and their role in invasion and pathogenesis. Microbiol Res 2019; 227:126293. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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14
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Poncet AF, Blanchard N, Marion S. Toxoplasma and Dendritic Cells: An Intimate Relationship That Deserves Further Scrutiny. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:870-886. [PMID: 31492624 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (Tg), an obligate intracellular parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, infects a wide range of animals, including humans. A hallmark of Tg infection is the subversion of host responses, which is thought to favor parasite persistence and propagation to new hosts. Recently, a variety of parasite-secreted modulatory effectors have been uncovered in fibroblasts and macrophages, but the specific interplay between Tg and dendritic cells (DCs) is just beginning to emerge. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on Tg-DC interactions, including innate recognition, cytokine production, and antigen presentation, and discuss open questions regarding how Tg-secreted effectors may shape DC functions to perturb innate and adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs F Poncet
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Université de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Blanchard
- Centre de Physiopathologie Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France. @inserm.fr
| | - Sabrina Marion
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Université de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France. @pasteur-lille.fr
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15
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Tyebji S, Seizova S, Garnham AL, Hannan AJ, Tonkin CJ. Impaired social behaviour and molecular mediators of associated neural circuits during chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in female mice. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 80:88-108. [PMID: 30807837 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a neurotropic parasite that is associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. Rodents infected with T. gondii display a plethora of behavioural alterations, and Toxoplasma infection in humans has been strongly associated with disorders such as schizophrenia, in which impaired social behaviour is an important feature. Elucidating changes at the cellular level relevant to neuropsychiatric conditions can lead to effective therapies. Here, we compare changes in behaviour during an acute and chronic T. gondii infection in female mice. Further, we notice that during chronic phase of infection, mice display impaired sociability when exposed to a novel conspecific. Also, we show that T. gondii infected mice display impaired short-term social recognition memory. However, object recognition memory remains intact. Using c-Fos as a marker of neuronal activity, we show that infection leads to an impairment in neuronal activation in the medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus as well as the amygdala when mice are exposed to a social environment and a change in functional connectivity between these regions. We found changes in synaptic proteins that play a role in the process of neuronal activation such as synaptophysin, PSD-95 and changes in downstream substrates of cell activity such as cyclic AMP, phospho-CREB and BDNF. Our results point towards an imbalance in neuronal activity that can lead to a wider range of neuropsychiatric problems upon T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiraz Tyebji
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Simona Seizova
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia.
| | - Alexandra L Garnham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia.
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia.
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16
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Zhu W, Li J, Pappoe F, Shen J, Yu L. Strategies Developed by Toxoplasma gondii to Survive in the Host. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:899. [PMID: 31080445 PMCID: PMC6497798 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most successful intracellular parasites, Toxoplasma gondii has developed several strategies to avoid destruction by the host. These include approaches such as rapid and efficient cell invasion to avoid phagocytic engulfment, negative regulation of the canonical CD40-CD40L-mediated autophagy pathway, impairment of the noncanonical IFN-γ-dependent autophagy pathway, and modulation of host cell survival and death to obtain lifelong parasite survival. Different virulent strains have even evolved different ways to cope with and evade destruction by the host. This review aims to illustrate every aspect of the game between the host and Toxoplasma during the process of infection. A better understanding of all aspects of the battle between Toxoplasma and its hosts will be useful for the development of better strategies and drugs to control the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanbo Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Graduate School of Affiliated Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingyang Li
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Clinical Laboratory of the Third People's Hospital of Heifei, Hefei, China
| | - Faustina Pappoe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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17
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Lima TS, Lodoen MB. Mechanisms of Human Innate Immune Evasion by Toxoplasma gondii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:103. [PMID: 31041194 PMCID: PMC6476913 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite of global importance that can remarkably infect, survive, and replicate in nearly all mammalian cells. Notably, 110 years after its discovery, Toxoplasmosis is still a neglected parasitic infection. Although most human infections with T. gondii are mild or asymptomatic, T. gondii infection can result in life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals and in the developing fetus due to congenital infection, underscoring the role of the host immune system in controlling the parasite. Recent evidence indicates that T. gondii elicits a robust innate immune response during infection. Interestingly, however, T. gondii has evolved strategies to successfully bypass or manipulate the immune system and establish a life-long infection in infected hosts. In particular, T. gondii manipulates host immunity through the control of host gene transcription and dysregulation of signaling pathways that result in modulation of cell adhesion and migration, secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines, production of microbicidal molecules, and apoptosis. Many of these host-pathogen interactions are governed by parasite effector proteins secreted from the apical secretory organelles, including the rhoptries and dense granules. Here, we review recent findings on mechanisms by which T. gondii evades host innate immunity, with a focus on parasite evasion of the human innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiane S Lima
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and the Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Melissa B Lodoen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and the Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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18
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He C, Kong L, Puthiyakunnon S, Wei HX, Zhou LJ, Peng HJ. iTRAQ-based phosphoproteomic analysis reveals host cell's specific responses to Toxoplasma gondii at the phases of invasion and prior to egress. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2018; 1867:202-212. [PMID: 30576742 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation plays a key role in host cell-T. gondii interaction. However, the phosphoproteome data of host cell at various phases of T. gondii infection has not been thoroughly described. In this study, we assessed the host phosphoproteome data with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) method during the phases of T. gondii invasion (30 min post infection, PI) and prior to egress (28 h PI). Our iTRAQ analysis revealed a total of 665 phosphoproteins, among which the significantly regulated phosphoproteins in different between-group comparisons were further analyzed. Functional analysis of these significantly regulated phosphoproteins suggested that T. gondii modulated host cell processes through phosphorylation including cell cycle regulation, inducing apoptosis, blocking the synthesis of some inflammatory factors, mediating metabolism to support its proliferation at the infection phase prior to egress, and utilizing membrane and energy from host cell, reorganizing cytoskeleton to favor its invasion and PV formation at the phase of invasion. The phosphorylation level of Smad2, CTNNA1, and HSPB1 identified with western blot revealed a consistent trend of change with iTRAQ result. These newly identified and significantly regulated phosphoproteins from our phosphoproteome data may provide new clues to unravel the host cell's complex reaction against T. gondii infection and the interaction between the host cell and T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng He
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ling Kong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Santhosh Puthiyakunnon
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hai-Xia Wei
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hong-Juan Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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19
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Tyebji S, Seizova S, Hannan AJ, Tonkin CJ. Toxoplasmosis: A pathway to neuropsychiatric disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 96:72-92. [PMID: 30476506 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that resides, in a latent form, in the human central nervous system. Infection with Toxoplasma drastically alters the behaviour of rodents and is associated with the incidence of specific neuropsychiatric conditions in humans. But the question remains: how does this pervasive human pathogen alter behaviour of the mammalian host? This fundamental question is receiving increasing attention as it has far reaching public health implications for a parasite that is very common in human populations. Our current understanding centres on neuronal changes that are elicited directly by this intracellular parasite versus indirect changes that occur due to activation of the immune system within the CNS, or a combination of both. In this review, we explore the interactions between Toxoplasma and its host, the proposed mechanisms and consequences on neuronal function and mental health, and discuss Toxoplasma infection as a public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiraz Tyebji
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Simona Seizova
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
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20
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Aspartyl Protease 5 Matures Dense Granule Proteins That Reside at the Host-Parasite Interface in Toxoplasma gondii. mBio 2018; 9:mBio.01796-18. [PMID: 30377279 PMCID: PMC6212819 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01796-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most successful human parasites. Central to its success is the arsenal of virulence proteins introduced into the infected host cell. Several of these virulence proteins require direct maturation by the aspartyl protease ASP5, and all require ASP5 for translocation into the host cell, yet the true number of ASP5 substrates and complete repertoire of effectors is currently unknown. Here we selectively enrich N-terminally derived peptides using Terminal Amine Isotopic Labeling of Substrates (TAILS) and use quantitative proteomics to reveal novel ASP5 substrates. We identify, using two different enrichment techniques, new ASP5 substrates and their specific cleavage sites. ASP5 substrates include two kinases and one phosphatase that reside at the host-parasite interface, which are important for infection. Toxoplasma gondii infects approximately 30% of the world’s population, causing disease primarily during pregnancy and in individuals with weakened immune systems. Toxoplasma secretes and exports effector proteins that modulate the host during infection, and several of these proteins are processed by the Golgi-associated aspartyl protease 5 (ASP5). Here, we identify ASP5 substrates by selectively enriching N-terminally derived peptides from wild-type and Δasp5 parasites. We reveal more than 2,000 unique Toxoplasma N-terminal peptides, mapping to both natural N termini and protease cleavage sites. Several of these peptides mapped directly downstream of the characterized ASP5 cleavage site, arginine-arginine-leucine (RRL). We validate candidates as true ASP5 substrates, revealing they are not processed in parasites lacking ASP5 or in wild-type parasites following mutation of the motif from RRL to ARL. All identified ASP5 substrates are dense granule proteins, and interestingly, none appear to be exported, thus differing from the analogous system in related Plasmodium spp. Instead we show that the majority of substrates reside within the parasitophorous vacuole (PV), and its membrane (the PVM), including two kinases and one phosphatase. We show that genetic deletion of WNG2 leads to attenuation in a mouse model, suggesting that this putative kinase is a new virulence factor in Toxoplasma. Collectively, these data constitute the first in-depth analyses of ASP5 substrates and shed new light on the role of ASP5 as a maturase of dense granule proteins during the Toxoplasma lytic cycle.
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21
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Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Is a Key Host Factor for Toxoplasma GRA15-Dependent Disruption of the Gamma Interferon-Induced Antiparasitic Human Response. mBio 2018; 9:mBio.01738-18. [PMID: 30301855 PMCID: PMC6178625 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01738-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Toxoplasma virulence mechanisms targeting gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-induced cell-autonomous antiparasitic immunity have been extensively characterized in mice, the virulence mechanisms in humans remain uncertain, partly because cell-autonomous immune responses against Toxoplasma differ markedly between mice and humans. Despite the identification of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as an anti-Toxoplasma host factor in mice, here we show that iNOS in humans is a pro-Toxoplasma host factor that promotes the growth of the parasite. The GRA15 Toxoplasma effector-dependent disarmament of IFN-γ-induced parasite growth inhibition was evident when parasite-infected monocytes were cocultured with hepatocytes. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), produced from monocytes in a manner dependent on GRA15 and the host's NLRP3 inflammasome, combined with IFN-γ to strongly stimulate iNOS expression in hepatocytes; this dramatically reduced the levels of indole 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), a critically important IFN-γ-inducible anti-Toxoplasma protein in humans, thus allowing parasite growth. Taking the data together, Toxoplasma utilizes human iNOS to antagonize IFN-γ-induced IDO1-mediated cell-autonomous immunity via its GRA15 virulence factor.IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma, an important intracellular parasite of humans and animals, causes life-threatening toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) is produced in the host to inhibit the proliferation of this parasite and eventually cause its death. Unlike mouse disease models, which involve well-characterized virulence strategies that are used by Toxoplasma to suppress IFN-γ-dependent immunity, the strategies used by Toxoplasma in humans remain unclear. Here, we show that GRA15, a Toxoplasma effector protein, suppresses the IFN-γ-induced indole-2,3-dioxygenase 1-dependent antiparasite immune response in human cells. Because NLRP3-dependent production of IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO) in Toxoplasma-infected human cells is involved in the GRA15-dependent virulence mechanism, blocking NO or IL-1β production in the host could represent a novel therapeutic approach for treating human toxoplasmosis.
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22
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Bando H, Sakaguchi N, Lee Y, Pradipta A, Ma JS, Tanaka S, Lai DH, Liu J, Lun ZR, Nishikawa Y, Sasai M, Yamamoto M. Toxoplasma Effector TgIST Targets Host IDO1 to Antagonize the IFN-γ-Induced Anti-parasitic Response in Human Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2073. [PMID: 30283439 PMCID: PMC6156249 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important human and animal pathogen that causes life-threatening toxoplasmosis. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is critical for anti-T. gondii cell-autonomous immunity in both humans and mice. To proliferate efficiently within the hosts, virulent strains of T. gondii can suppress IFN-γ-dependent immunity. During parasite infection, it is well-characterized that various virulence effectors are secreted to transcriptionally or post-translationally target IFN-γ-inducible GTPases, which are essential for anti-parasite responses in mice. However, the role of IFN-γ-inducible GTPases in anti-T. gondii responses in human cells is controversial since they are non-functional or absent in humans. Instead, IFN-γ-induced tryptophan degradation by indole-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is important for the anti-T. gondii human response. To date, the T. gondii virulent mechanism targeting IDO in human cells remains elusive. Here we show that although humans possess two IDO isozymes, IDO1 and IDO2, human cells of various origins require IDO1 but not IDO2 for IFN-γ-induced cell-autonomous immunity to T. gondii. T. gondii secretes an effector TgIST to inhibit IDO1 mRNA expression. Taken together, the data suggests that T. gondii possesses virulence programs operated by TgIST to antagonize IFN-γ-induced IDO1-mediated anti-parasite cell-autonomous immunity in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Bando
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakaguchi
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Youngae Lee
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ariel Pradipta
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ji Su Ma
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shun Tanaka
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - De-Hua Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Center for Parasitic Organisms, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfa Liu
- Department of Pathology and Pathogenic Biology, Medical College of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Center for Parasitic Organisms, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Miwa Sasai
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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23
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Nast R, Staab J, Meyer T, Lüder CGK. Toxoplasma gondii stabilises tetrameric complexes of tyrosine-phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 and leads to its sustained and promiscuous DNA binding. Cell Microbiol 2018; 20:e12887. [PMID: 29968354 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects up to 30% of humans worldwide. It can lead to severe diseases particularly in individuals with immature or defective immune responses. Control of T. gondii relies on the IFN-γ-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) pathway. T. gondii, however, largely inactivates STAT1-mediated gene transcription by T. gondii inhibitor of STAT1-dependent transcription (TgIST), a parasite effector protein binding to STAT1. Here, we have analysed requirements of STAT1 to bind TgIST and characterised downstream effects on STAT1 signalling. TgIST bound to STAT1 dimers but more efficiently assembled with STAT1 tetramers, which are essential for effective IFN-γ responsiveness. Such binding was abrogated in N-terminal, but not C-terminal deletion mutants of STAT1. Furthermore, TgIST did not bind to the STAT1F77A substitution mutant that cannot form STAT1 tetramers, resulting in a complete unresponsiveness of parasite-infected STAT1F77A -expressing cells to IFN-γ. Remarkably, binding of TgIST considerably increased the affinity of the aberrant STAT1 tetramers for DNA consensus sequence binding motifs and even enabled binding to nonconsensus sequences. Consistent with the increased DNA binding, STAT1 from parasite-infected cells remained phosphorylated at Tyr701 and Ser727 and was retained within the nucleus in a DNA-bound state. The sustained and promiscuous binding activity particularly of STAT1 tetramers to unspecific DNA sites lacking a consensus STAT1-binding motif is an as yet unrecognised mechanism contributing to the defective IFN-γ-mediated signalling in T. gondii-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roswitha Nast
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Staab
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carsten G K Lüder
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
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24
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Naor A, Panas MW, Marino N, Coffey MJ, Tonkin CJ, Boothroyd JC. MYR1-Dependent Effectors Are the Major Drivers of a Host Cell's Early Response to Toxoplasma, Including Counteracting MYR1-Independent Effects. mBio 2018; 9:e02401-17. [PMID: 29615509 PMCID: PMC5885026 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02401-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii controls its host cell from within the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) by using a number of diverse effector proteins, a subset of which require the aspartyl protease 5 enzyme (ASP5) and/or the recently discovered MYR1 protein to cross the PV membrane. To examine the impact these effectors have in the context of the entirety of the host response to Toxoplasma, we used RNA-Seq to analyze the transcriptome expression profiles of human foreskin fibroblasts infected with wild-type RH (RH-WT), RHΔmyr1, and RHΔasp5 tachyzoites. Interestingly, the majority of the differentially regulated genes responding to Toxoplasma infection are MYR1 dependent. A subset of MYR1 responses were ASP5 independent, and MYR1 function did not require ASP5 cleavage, suggesting the export of some effectors requires only MYR1. Gene set enrichment analysis of MYR1-dependent host responses suggests an upregulation of E2F transcription factors and the cell cycle and a downregulation related to interferon signaling, among numerous others. Most surprisingly, "hidden" responses arising in RHΔmyr1- but not RH-WT-infected host cells indicate counterbalancing actions of MYR1-dependent and -independent activities. The host genes and gene sets revealed here to be MYR1 dependent provide new insight into the parasite's ability to co-opt host cell functions.IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondii is unique in its ability to successfully invade and replicate in a broad range of host species and cells within those hosts. The complex interplay of effector proteins exported by Toxoplasma is key to its success in co-opting the host cell to create a favorable replicative niche. Here we show that a majority of the transcriptomic effects in tachyzoite-infected cells depend on the activity of a novel translocation system involving MYR1 and that the effectors delivered by this system are part of an intricate interplay of activators and suppressors. Removal of all MYR1-dependent effectors reveals previously unknown activities that are masked or hidden by the action of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adit Naor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael W Panas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nicole Marino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael J Coffey
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- Division of Infection and Immunity, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John C Boothroyd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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25
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Torelli F, Zander S, Ellerbrok H, Kochs G, Ulrich RG, Klotz C, Seeber F. Recombinant IFN-γ from the bank vole Myodes glareolus: a novel tool for research on rodent reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2797. [PMID: 29434310 PMCID: PMC5809609 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21143-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent species like Myodes glareolus and Microtus spp. are natural reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens causing human diseases and are gaining increasing interest in the field of eco-immunology as candidate animal models. Despite their importance the lack of immunological reagents has hampered research in these animal species. Here we report the recombinant production and functional characterization of IFN-γ, a central mediator of host’s innate and adaptive immune responses, from the bank vole M. glareolus. Soluble dimeric recMgIFN-γ was purified in high yield from Escherichia coli. Its activity on M. glareolus and Microtus arvalis kidney cell lines was assessed by immunofluorescent detection of nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of the transcription factor STAT1. RecMgIFN-γ also induced expression of an IFN-γ-regulated innate immunity gene. Inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus replication in vole cells upon recMgIFN-γ treatment provided further evidence of its biological activity. Finally, we established a recMgIFN-γ-responsive bank vole reporter cell line that allows the sensitive titration of the cytokine activity via a bioluminescence reporter assay. Taken together, we report valuable tools for future investigations on the immune response against zoonotic pathogens in their natural animal hosts, which might foster the development of novel animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Torelli
- Department of Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steffen Zander
- Department of Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinz Ellerbrok
- Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Kochs
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christian Klotz
- Department of Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Seeber
- Department of Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany.
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26
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Hwang YS, Shin JH, Yang JP, Jung BK, Lee SH, Shin EH. Characteristics of Infection Immunity Regulated by Toxoplasma gondii to Maintain Chronic Infection in the Brain. Front Immunol 2018; 9:158. [PMID: 29459868 PMCID: PMC5807351 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To examine the immune environment of chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in the brain, the characteristics of infection-immunity (premunition) in infection with T. gondii strain ME49 were investigated for 12 weeks postinfection (PI). The results showed that neuronal cell death, microglia infiltration and activation, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, Stat1 phosphorylation, and microglia activation and inflammatory gene transcripts related to M1 polarization in the brain were increased during the acute infection (AI) stage (within 6 weeks PI), suggesting that innate and cellular inflammatory response activation and neurodegeneration contributed to excessive inflammatory responses. However, these immune responses decreased during the chronic infection (CI) stage (over 6 weeks PI) with reductions in phosphorylated STAT1 (pSTAT1) and eosinophilic neurons. Notably, increases were observed in transcripts of T-cell exhaustion markers (TIM3, LAG3, KLRG1, etc.), suppressor of cytokines signaling 1 protein (SOCS1), inhibitory checkpoint molecules (PD-1 and PD-L1), and Arg1 from the AI stage (3 weeks PI), implying active immune intervention under the immune environment of M1 polarization of microglia and increases in inflammatory cytokine levels. However, when BV-2 microglia were stimulated with T. gondii lysate antigens (strain RH or ME49) in vitro, nitrite production increased and urea production decreased. Furthermore, when BV-2 cells were infected by T. gondii tachyzoites (strain RH or ME49) in vitro, nitric oxide synthase and COX-2 levels decreased, whereas Arg1 levels significantly increased. Moreover, Arg1 expression was higher in ME49 infection than in RH infection, whereas nitrite production was lower in ME49 infection than in RH infection. Accordingly, these results strongly suggest that immune triggering of T. gondii antigens induces M1 polarization and activation of microglia as well as increase NO production, whereas T. gondii infection induces the inhibition of harmful inflammatory responses, even with M1 polarization and activation of microglia and Th1 inflammatory responses, suggesting a host–parasite relationship through immune regulation during CI. This is a characteristic of infection immunity in infection with T. gondii in the central nervous system, and SOCS1, a negative regulator of toxoplasmic encephalitis, may play a role in the increase in Arg1 levels to suppress NO production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sang Hwang
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji-Hun Shin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung-Pyo Yang
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bong-Kwang Jung
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Hyung Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Shin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
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27
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Arenas AF, Salcedo GE, Gomez-Marin JE. R Script Approach to Infer Toxoplasma Infection Mechanisms From Microarrays and Domain-Domain Protein Interactions. Bioinform Biol Insights 2017; 11:1177932217747256. [PMID: 29317802 PMCID: PMC5753922 DOI: 10.1177/1177932217747256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogen-host protein-protein interaction systems examine the interactions between the protein repertoires of 2 distinct organisms. Some of these pathogen proteins interact with the host protein system and may manipulate it for their own advantages. In this work, we designed an R script by concatenating 2 functions called rowDM and rowCVmed to infer pathogen-host interaction using previously reported microarray data, including host gene enrichment analysis and the crossing of interspecific domain-domain interactions. We applied this script to the Toxoplasma-host system to describe pathogen survival mechanisms from human, mouse, and Toxoplasma Gene Expression Omnibus series. Our outcomes exhibited similar results with previously reported microarray analyses, but we found other important proteins that could contribute to toxoplasma pathogenesis. We observed that Toxoplasma ROP38 is the most differentially expressed protein among toxoplasma strains. Enrichment analysis and KEGG mapping indicated that the human retinal genes most affected by Toxoplasma infections are those related to antiapoptotic mechanisms. We suggest that proteins PIK3R1, PRKCA, PRKCG, PRKCB, HRAS, and c-JUN could be the possible substrates for differentially expressed Toxoplasma kinase ROP38. Likewise, we propose that Toxoplasma causes overexpression of apoptotic suppression human genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailan F Arenas
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
- Ailan F Arenas, Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Universidad del Quindío, Carrera 15 Calle 12N, Armenia, 630001 Quindío, Colombia.
| | - Gladys E Salcedo
- Grupo de Investigación y Asesoría en Estadística, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Jorge E Gomez-Marin
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
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28
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Yakubu RR, Weiss LM, Silmon de Monerri NC. Post-translational modifications as key regulators of apicomplexan biology: insights from proteome-wide studies. Mol Microbiol 2017; 107:1-23. [PMID: 29052917 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parasites of the Apicomplexa phylum, such as Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, undergo complex life cycles involving multiple stages with distinct biology and morphologies. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, acetylation and glycosylation, regulate numerous cellular processes, playing a role in every aspect of cell biology. PTMs can occur on proteins at any time in their lifespan and through alterations of target protein activity, localization, protein-protein interactions, among other functions, dramatically increase proteome diversity and complexity. In addition, PTMs can be induced or removed on changes in cellular environment and state. Thus, PTMs are likely to be key regulators of developmental transitions, biology and pathogenesis of apicomplexan parasites. In this review we examine the roles of PTMs in both parasite-specific and conserved eukaryotic processes, and the potential crosstalk between PTMs, that together regulate the intricate lives of these protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama R Yakubu
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10128, USA.,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10128, USA
| | - Louis M Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10128, USA.,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10128, USA
| | - Natalie C Silmon de Monerri
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10128, USA.,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10128, USA
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29
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Sumpf K, Nast R, Downie B, Salinas G, Lüder CG. Histone deacetylase inhibitor MS-275 augments expression of a subset of IFN-γ-regulated genes in Toxoplasma gondii-infected macrophages but does not improve parasite control. Exp Parasitol 2017; 180:45-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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30
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Olias P, Etheridge RD, Zhang Y, Holtzman MJ, Sibley LD. Toxoplasma Effector Recruits the Mi-2/NuRD Complex to Repress STAT1 Transcription and Block IFN-γ-Dependent Gene Expression. Cell Host Microbe 2017; 20:72-82. [PMID: 27414498 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is an essential mediator of host defense against intracellular pathogens, including the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. However, prior T. gondii infection blocks IFN-γ-dependent gene transcription, despite the downstream transcriptional activator STAT1 being activated and bound to cognate nuclear promoters. We identify the parasite effector that blocks STAT1-dependent transcription and show it is associated with recruitment of the Mi-2 nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex, a chromatin-modifying repressor. This secreted effector, toxoplasma inhibitor of STAT1-dependent transcription (TgIST), translocates to the host cell nucleus, where it recruits Mi-2/NuRD to STAT1-dependent promoters, resulting in altered chromatin and blocked transcription. TgIST is conserved across strains, underlying their shared ability to block IFN-γ-dependent transcription. TgIST deletion results in increased parasite clearance in IFN-γ-activated cells and reduced mouse virulence, which is restored in IFN-γ-receptor-deficient mice. These findings demonstrate the importance of both IFN-γ responses and the ability of pathogens to counteract these defenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Olias
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ronald D Etheridge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael J Holtzman
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - L David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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31
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Swierzy IJ, Händel U, Kaever A, Jarek M, Scharfe M, Schlüter D, Lüder CGK. Divergent co-transcriptomes of different host cells infected with Toxoplasma gondii reveal cell type-specific host-parasite interactions. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7229. [PMID: 28775382 PMCID: PMC5543063 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07838-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infects various cell types in avian and mammalian hosts including humans. Infection of immunocompetent hosts is mostly asymptomatic or benign, but leads to development of largely dormant bradyzoites that persist predominantly within neurons and muscle cells. Here we have analyzed the impact of the host cell type on the co-transcriptomes of host and parasite using high-throughput RNA sequencing. Murine cortical neurons and astrocytes, skeletal muscle cells (SkMCs) and fibroblasts differed by more than 16,200 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) before and after infection with T. gondii. However, only a few hundred of them were regulated by infection and these largely diverged in neurons, SkMCs, astrocytes and fibroblasts indicating host cell type-specific transcriptional responses after infection. The heterogeneous transcriptomes of host cells before and during infection coincided with ~5,400 DEGs in T. gondii residing in different cell types. Finally, we identified gene clusters in both T. gondii and its host, which correlated with the predominant parasite persistence in neurons or SkMCs as compared to astrocytes or fibroblasts. Thus, heterogeneous expression profiles of different host cell types and the parasites’ ability to adapting to them may govern the parasite-host cell interaction during toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela J Swierzy
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Händel
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Kaever
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Bioinformatics, Georg-August-University, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Jarek
- Genome Analytics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maren Scharfe
- Genome Analytics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dirk Schlüter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.,Organ-Specific Immune Regulation, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Carsten G K Lüder
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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32
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STAT1 Signaling in Astrocytes Is Essential for Control of Infection in the Central Nervous System. mBio 2016; 7:mBio.01881-16. [PMID: 27834206 PMCID: PMC5101356 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01881-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The local production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) is important to control Toxoplasma gondii in the brain, but the basis for these protective effects is not fully understood. The studies presented here reveal that the ability of IFN-γ to inhibit parasite replication in astrocytes in vitro is dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and that mice that specifically lack STAT1 in astrocytes are unable to limit parasite replication in the central nervous system (CNS). This susceptibility is associated with a loss of antimicrobial pathways and increased cyst formation in astrocytes. These results identify a critical role for astrocytes in limiting the replication of an important opportunistic pathogen. Astrocytes are the most numerous cell type in the brain, and they are activated in response to many types of neuroinflammation, but their function in the control of CNS-specific infection is unclear. The parasite Toxoplasma gondii is one of the few clinically relevant microorganisms that naturally infects astrocytes, and the studies presented here establish that the ability of astrocytes to inhibit parasite replication is essential for the local control of this opportunistic pathogen. Together, these studies establish a key role for astrocytes as effector cells and in the coordination of many aspects of the protective immune response that operates in the brain.
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33
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Gay G, Braun L, Brenier-Pinchart MP, Vollaire J, Josserand V, Bertini RL, Varesano A, Touquet B, De Bock PJ, Coute Y, Tardieux I, Bougdour A, Hakimi MA. Toxoplasma gondii TgIST co-opts host chromatin repressors dampening STAT1-dependent gene regulation and IFN-γ-mediated host defenses. J Exp Med 2016; 213:1779-98. [PMID: 27503074 PMCID: PMC4995087 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20160340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
An early hallmark of Toxoplasma gondii infection is the rapid control of the parasite population by a potent multifaceted innate immune response that engages resident and homing immune cells along with pro- and counter-inflammatory cytokines. In this context, IFN-γ activates a variety of T. gondii-targeting activities in immune and nonimmune cells but can also contribute to host immune pathology. T. gondii has evolved mechanisms to timely counteract the host IFN-γ defenses by interfering with the transcription of IFN-γ-stimulated genes. We now have identified TgIST (T. gondii inhibitor of STAT1 transcriptional activity) as a critical molecular switch that is secreted by intracellular parasites and traffics to the host cell nucleus where it inhibits STAT1-dependent proinflammatory gene expression. We show that TgIST not only sequesters STAT1 on dedicated loci but also promotes shaping of a nonpermissive chromatin through its capacity to recruit the nucleosome remodeling deacetylase (NuRD) transcriptional repressor. We found that during mice acute infection, TgIST-deficient parasites are rapidly eliminated by the homing Gr1(+) inflammatory monocytes, thus highlighting the protective role of TgIST against IFN-γ-mediated killing. By uncovering TgIST functions, this study brings novel evidence on how T. gondii has devised a molecular weapon of choice to take control over a ubiquitous immune gene expression mechanism in metazoans, as a way to promote long-term parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Gay
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Laurence Braun
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Julien Vollaire
- IAB, OPTIMAL Small Animal Imaging Facility, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | | | - Rose-Laurence Bertini
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Aurélie Varesano
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Bastien Touquet
- IAB, Team Membrane and Cell Dynamics of Host-Parasite Interactions, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Pieter-Jan De Bock
- Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies de Grenoble-Laboratoire Biologie à Grande Échelle (BIG-BGE), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), INSERM, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Yohann Coute
- Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies de Grenoble-Laboratoire Biologie à Grande Échelle (BIG-BGE), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), INSERM, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Tardieux
- IAB, Team Membrane and Cell Dynamics of Host-Parasite Interactions, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Alexandre Bougdour
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
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34
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Fernández C, Jaimes J, Ortiz MC, Ramírez JD. Host and Toxoplasma gondii genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the development of ocular toxoplasmosis: A systematic review. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 44:199-209. [PMID: 27389360 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan infection caused by the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This infectious disease is widely distributed across the world where cats play an important role in its spread. The symptomatology caused by this parasite is diverse but the ocular affectation emerges as the most important clinical phenotype. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the current knowledge of ocular toxoplasmosis from the genetic diversity of the pathogen towards the treatment available for this infection. This review represents an update to the scientific community regarding the genetic diversity of the parasite, the genetic factors of the host, the molecular pathogenesis and its association with disease, the available diagnostic tools and the available treatment of patients undergoing ocular toxoplamosis. This review will be an update for the scientific community in order to encourage researchers to deploy cutting-edge investigation across this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Fernández
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jesús Jaimes
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - María Camila Ortiz
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Functional Analysis of the Role of Toxoplasma gondii Nucleoside Triphosphate Hydrolases I and II in Acute Mouse Virulence and Immune Suppression. Infect Immun 2016; 84:1994-2001. [PMID: 27091930 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00077-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescent reporter assays have been widely used to study the effect of Toxoplasma gondii on host gene expression. In the present study, we extend these studies by engineering novel reporter cell lines containing a gamma-activated sequence (GAS) element driving firefly luciferase (FLUC). In RAW264.7 macrophages, T. gondii type I strain (GT1) infection blocked interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-induced FLUC activity to a significantly greater extent than infection by type II (ME49) and type III (CTG) strains. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of progeny from a prior genetic cross identified a genomic region on chromosome XII that correlated with the observed strain-dependent phenotype. This QTL region contains two isoforms of the T. gondii enzyme nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase (NTPase) that were the prime candidates for mediating the observed strain-specific effect. Using reverse genetic analysis we show that deletion of NTPase I from a type I strain (RH) background restored the higher luciferase levels seen in the type II (ME49) strain. Rather than an effect on IFN-γ-dependent transcription, our data suggest that NTPase I was responsible for the strain-dependent difference in FLUC activity due to hydrolysis of ATP. We further show that NTPases I and II were not essential for tachyzoite growth in vitro or virulence in mice. Our study reveals that although T. gondii NTPases are not essential for immune evasion, they can affect ATP-dependent reporters. Importantly, this limitation was overcome using an ATP-independent Gaussia luciferase, which provides a more appropriate reporter for use with T. gondii infection studies.
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Abstract
The intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii dramatically reprograms the transcriptome of host cells it infects, including substantially up-regulating the host oncogene c-myc. By applying a flow cytometry-based selection to infected mouse cells expressing green fluorescent protein fused to c-Myc (c-Myc–GFP), we isolated mutant tachyzoites defective in this host c-Myc up-regulation. Whole-genome sequencing of three such mutants led to the identification of MYR1 (Myc regulation 1; TGGT1_254470) as essential for c-Myc induction. MYR1 is a secreted protein that requires TgASP5 to be cleaved into two stable portions, both of which are ultimately found within the parasitophorous vacuole and at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. Deletion of MYR1 revealed that in addition to its requirement for c-Myc up-regulation, the MYR1 protein is needed for the ability of Toxoplasma tachyzoites to modulate several other important host pathways, including those mediated by the dense granule effectors GRA16 and GRA24. This result, combined with its location at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane, suggested that MYR1 might be a component of the machinery that translocates Toxoplasma effectors from the parasitophorous vacuole into the host cytosol. Support for this possibility was obtained by showing that transit of GRA24 to the host nucleus is indeed MYR1-dependent. As predicted by this pleiotropic phenotype, parasites deficient in MYR1 were found to be severely attenuated in a mouse model of infection. We conclude, therefore, that MYR1 is a novel protein that plays a critical role in how Toxoplasma delivers effector proteins to the infected host cell and that this is crucial to virulence. Toxoplasma gondii is an important human pathogen and a model for the study of intracellular parasitism. Infection of the host cell with Toxoplasma tachyzoites involves the introduction of protein effectors, including many that are initially secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole but must ultimately translocate to the host cell cytosol to function. The work reported here identified a novel protein that is required for this translocation. These results give new insight into a very unusual cell biology process as well as providing a potential handle on a pathway that is necessary for virulence and, therefore, a new potential target for chemotherapy.
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Coffey MJ, Sleebs BE, Uboldi AD, Garnham A, Franco M, Marino ND, Panas MW, Ferguson DJP, Enciso M, O'Neill MT, Lopaticki S, Stewart RJ, Dewson G, Smyth GK, Smith BJ, Masters SL, Boothroyd JC, Boddey JA, Tonkin CJ. An aspartyl protease defines a novel pathway for export of Toxoplasma proteins into the host cell. eLife 2015; 4:e10809. [PMID: 26576949 PMCID: PMC4764566 DOI: 10.7554/elife.10809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection by Toxoplasma gondii leads to massive changes to the host cell. Here, we identify a novel host cell effector export pathway that requires the Golgi-resident aspartyl protease 5 (ASP5). We demonstrate that ASP5 cleaves a highly constrained amino acid motif that has similarity to the PEXEL-motif of Plasmodium parasites. We show that ASP5 matures substrates at both the N- and C-terminal ends of proteins and also controls trafficking of effectors without this motif. Furthermore, ASP5 controls establishment of the nanotubular network and is required for the efficient recruitment of host mitochondria to the vacuole. Assessment of host gene expression reveals that the ASP5-dependent pathway influences thousands of the transcriptional changes that Toxoplasma imparts on its host cell. All these changes result in attenuation of virulence of Δasp5 tachyzoites in vivo. This work characterizes the first identified machinery required for export of Toxoplasma effectors into the infected host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Coffey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alessandro D Uboldi
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexandra Garnham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Magdalena Franco
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Nicole D Marino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Michael W Panas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - David JP Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Enciso
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew T O'Neill
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sash Lopaticki
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Stewart
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Grant Dewson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gordon K Smyth
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brian J Smith
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Seth L Masters
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John C Boothroyd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Justin A Boddey
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Chang S, Shan X, Li X, Fan W, Zhang SQ, Zhang J, Jiang N, Ma D, Mao Z. Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Protein ROP16 Mediates Partially SH-SY5Y Cells Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest by Directing Ser15/37 Phosphorylation of p53. Int J Biol Sci 2015; 11:1215-25. [PMID: 26327815 PMCID: PMC4551757 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.10516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma rhoptries, an unusual set of apical organelles that are associated with Toxoplasma infection may cause subversion of the host cell functions. Parasite rhoptry protein 16 (ROP16) is a regulator of host cell transcription during cell invasion in which it migrates into the host cell cytoplasm and subsequently localizes to the nucleus. In the present study, we found that overexpression of ROP16 could partially mediate human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y apoptosis (12.47%) and cell cycle arrest in G1 phase (60.77%) in a p53 dependent manner by influencing the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and p21/CDKs. ROP16 was identified to co-localize with p53, a novel direct interaction partner in the nucleus of SH-SY5Y. Furthermore, SH-SY5Y apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent p53 pathway and cell cycle arrest caused by ROP16 dealt with direct serine 15/37 phosphorylation of p53. Our studies provide a new mechanism by which ROP16 interacts with the nucleus proteins which subsequently subverts the host cells functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Chang
- 1. Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiumei Shan
- 1. Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xingliang Li
- 1. Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Weiwei Fan
- 1. Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Steven Qian Zhang
- 1. Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- 2. Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- 2. Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Duan Ma
- 2. Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zuohua Mao
- 1. Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
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Hakimi MA, Bougdour A. Toxoplasma 's ways of manipulating the host transcriptome via secreted effectors. Curr Opin Microbiol 2015; 26:24-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Beiting DP, Hidano S, Baggs JE, Geskes JM, Fang Q, Wherry EJ, Hunter CA, Roos DS, Cherry S. The Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX Is an Enhancer of STAT1-Mediated Transcription and Immunity to Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Biol 2015. [PMID: 26196739 PMCID: PMC4509904 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma, like many intracellular pathogens, suppresses interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) activity. We exploited this well-defined host–pathogen interaction as the basis for a high-throughput screen, identifying nine transcription factors that enhance STAT1 function in the nucleus, including the orphan nuclear hormone receptor TLX. Expression profiling revealed that upon IFN-γ treatment TLX enhances the output of a subset of IFN-γ target genes, which we found is dependent on TLX binding at those loci. Moreover, infection of TLX deficient mice with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma results in impaired production of the STAT1-dependent cytokine interleukin-12 by dendritic cells and increased parasite burden in the brain during chronic infection. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for this orphan nuclear hormone receptor in regulating STAT1 signaling and host defense and reveal that STAT1 activity can be modulated in a context-specific manner by such “modifiers.” Exploitation of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii identifies the host orphan nuclear hormone receptor TLX as a key enhancer of STAT1-dependent immune signaling and host defense. Immune responses are orchestrated by a diverse array of secreted ligands, yet the downstream transcriptional responses are coordinated by a relatively small set of key transcription factors, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). The molecular mechanisms that tailor the output of these immune signaling pathways to generate cell-, tissue-, or context-specific responses are poorly understood. In this study, we exploit a host–pathogen interaction, Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice, using a genetic screen to identify host factors that overcome parasite suppression of STAT1 signaling. We show that the orphan nuclear receptor TLX, a key regulator of brain development, enhances expression of a subset of STAT1-dependent genes in response to IFN-γ stimulation. Through genetic and pharmacological studies, we show that endogenous TLX function is required for triggering appropriate responses to IFN-γ in astrocytes. Moreover, we found that genetic disruption of TLX in mice impairs their ability to mount an effective immune response and control T. gondii infection in the brain. These data suggest that natural or synthetic ligands for TLX might be effective tools for modulating immune responses, particularly in the brain where TLX expression is highest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Beiting
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Shinya Hidano
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - Julie E. Baggs
- Department of Pharmacology and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jeanne M. Geskes
- Department of Pharmacology and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Qun Fang
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - E. John Wherry
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Christopher A. Hunter
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
| | - David S. Roos
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DSR); (SC)
| | - Sara Cherry
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DSR); (SC)
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Arenas AF, Salcedo GE, Montoya AM, Gomez-Marin JE. MSCA: a spectral comparison algorithm between time series to identify protein-protein interactions. BMC Bioinformatics 2015; 16:152. [PMID: 25963052 PMCID: PMC4448560 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-015-0599-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The interactions between pathogen proteins and their hosts allow pathogens to manipulate host cellular mechanisms to their advantage. The identification of host proteins that are targeted by virulent pathogen proteins is crucial to increase our understanding of infection mechanisms and to propose new therapeutics that target pathogens. Understanding the virulence mechanisms of pathogens requires a detailed molecular description of the proteins involved, but acquiring this knowledge is time consuming and prohibitively expensive. Therefore, we develop a statistical method based on hypothesis testing to compare the time series obtained from conversion of the physicochemical characteristics of the amino acids that form the primary structure of proteins and thus to propose potential functional relation between proteins. We called this algorithm the multiple spectral comparison algorithm (MSCA); the MSCA was inspired by the BLASTP tool and was implemented in R code. The algorithm compares and relates multiple time series according to their spectral similarities, and the biological relation between them could be interpreted as either a similar function or protein-protein interaction (PPI). Results A simulation study showed that the MSCA works satisfactorily well when we compare unequal time series generated from ARMA processes because its power was close to 1. The MSCA presented a 70% average accuracy of detecting protein interactions using a threshold of 0.7 for our spectral measure, indicating that this algorithm could predict novel PPIs and pathogen-host interactions (PHIs) with acceptable confidence. The MSCA also was validated by its identification of well-known interactions of the human proteins MAGI1, SCRIB and JAK1, as well as interactions of the virulence proteins ROP16, ROP18, ROP17 and ROP5. We verified the spectral similarities for human intraspecific PPIs and PHIs that were previously demonstrated experimentally by other authors. We suggest that human GBP (GTPase group induced by interferon) and the CREB transcription factor family could be human substrates for the complex of ROP18, ROP17 and ROP5. Conclusions Using multiple-hypothesis testing between the spectral densities of a set of unequal time series, we developed an algorithm that is able to identify the similarities or interactions between a set of proteins. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-015-0599-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailan F Arenas
- Gepamol, Universidad del Quindío, Carrera 15 Calle 12N, Armenia, Colombia.
| | - Gladys E Salcedo
- Grupo de Investigación y Asesoría en Estadística, Carrera 15 Calle 12N, 460, Armenia, Colombia.
| | - Andrey M Montoya
- Grupo de Investigación y Asesoría en Estadística, Carrera 15 Calle 12N, 460, Armenia, Colombia.
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Hehl AB, Basso WU, Lippuner C, Ramakrishnan C, Okoniewski M, Walker RA, Grigg ME, Smith NC, Deplazes P. Asexual expansion of Toxoplasma gondii merozoites is distinct from tachyzoites and entails expression of non-overlapping gene families to attach, invade, and replicate within feline enterocytes. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:66. [PMID: 25757795 PMCID: PMC4340605 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1225-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is cosmopolitan in nature, largely as a result of its highly flexible life cycle. Felids are its only definitive hosts and a wide range of mammals and birds serve as intermediate hosts. The latent bradyzoite stage is orally infectious in all warm-blooded vertebrates and establishes chronic, transmissible infections. When bradyzoites are ingested by felids, they transform into merozoites in enterocytes and expand asexually as part of their coccidian life cycle. In all other intermediate hosts, however, bradyzoites differentiate exclusively to tachyzoites, and disseminate extraintestinally to many cell types. Both merozoites and tachyzoites undergo rapid asexual population expansion, yet possess different effector fates with respect to the cells and tissues they develop in and the subsequent stages they differentiate into. Results To determine whether merozoites utilize distinct suites of genes to attach, invade, and replicate within feline enterocytes, we performed comparative transcriptional profiling on purified tachyzoites and merozoites. We used high-throughput RNA-Seq to compare the merozoite and tachyzoite transcriptomes. 8323 genes were annotated with sequence reads across the two asexually replicating stages of the parasite life cycle. Metabolism was similar between the two replicating stages. However, significant stage-specific expression differences were measured, with 312 transcripts exclusive to merozoites versus 453 exclusive to tachyzoites. Genes coding for 177 predicted secreted proteins and 64 membrane- associated proteins were annotated as merozoite-specific. The vast majority of known dense-granule (GRA), microneme (MIC), and rhoptry (ROP) genes were not expressed in merozoites. In contrast, a large set of surface proteins (SRS) was expressed exclusively in merozoites. Conclusions The distinct expression profiles of merozoites and tachyzoites reveal significant additional complexity within the T. gondii life cycle, demonstrating that merozoites are distinct asexual dividing stages which are uniquely adapted to their niche and biological purpose. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1225-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian B Hehl
- Institute of Parasitology-University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland.
| | - Walter U Basso
- Institute of Parasitology-University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland.
| | - Christoph Lippuner
- Institute of Parasitology-University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland. .,Current address: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
| | - Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Institute of Parasitology-University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland.
| | - Michal Okoniewski
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland.
| | - Robert A Walker
- Institute of Parasitology-University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland. .,Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, McGregor Road, Smithfield, QLD, 4878, Australia.
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
| | - Nicholas C Smith
- Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, McGregor Road, Smithfield, QLD, 4878, Australia.
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology-University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland.
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Beiting DP. Protozoan parasites and type I interferons: a cold case reopened. Trends Parasitol 2014; 30:491-8. [PMID: 25153940 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites, such as Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, trypanosomes, and Leishmania, are a major cause of disease in both humans and other animals, highlighting the need to understand the full spectrum of strategies used by the host immune system to sense and respond to parasite infection. Although type II interferon (IFN-γ) has long been recognized as an essential antiparasite immune effector, much less is known about the role of type I interferons (IFN-α and -β) in host defense, particularly in vivo. Recent studies are reviewed which collectively highlight that type I IFN can be induced in response to parasite infection and influence the outcome of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Beiting
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Cirelli KM, Gorfu G, Hassan MA, Printz M, Crown D, Leppla SH, Grigg ME, Saeij JPJ, Moayeri M. Inflammasome sensor NLRP1 controls rat macrophage susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1003927. [PMID: 24626226 PMCID: PMC3953412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded species. Rats vary in their susceptibility to this parasite. The Toxo1 locus conferring Toxoplasma resistance in rats was previously mapped to a region of chromosome 10 containing Nlrp1. This gene encodes an inflammasome sensor controlling macrophage sensitivity to anthrax lethal toxin (LT) induced rapid cell death (pyroptosis). We show here that rat strain differences in Toxoplasma infected macrophage sensitivity to pyroptosis, IL-1β/IL-18 processing, and inhibition of parasite proliferation are perfectly correlated with NLRP1 sequence, while inversely correlated with sensitivity to anthrax LT-induced cell death. Using recombinant inbred rats, SNP analyses and whole transcriptome gene expression studies, we narrowed the candidate genes for control of Toxoplasma-mediated rat macrophage pyroptosis to four genes, one of which was Nlrp1. Knockdown of Nlrp1 in pyroptosis-sensitive macrophages resulted in higher parasite replication and protection from cell death. Reciprocally, overexpression of the NLRP1 variant from Toxoplasma-sensitive macrophages in pyroptosis-resistant cells led to sensitization of these resistant macrophages. Our findings reveal Toxoplasma as a novel activator of the NLRP1 inflammasome in rat macrophages. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that are a major component of the innate immune system. They contain “sensor” proteins that are responsible for detecting various microbial and environmental danger signals and function by activating caspase-1, an enzyme that mediates cleavage and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-18. Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful protozoan parasite capable of infecting a wide range of host species that have variable levels of resistance. Rat strains have been previously shown to vary in their susceptibility to this parasite. We report here that rat macrophages from different inbred strains also vary in sensitivity to Toxoplasma induced lysis. We find that NLRP1, an inflammasome sensor whose only known agonist is anthrax LT, is also activated by Toxoplasma infection. In rats there is a perfect correlation between NLRP1 sequence and macrophage sensitivity to Toxoplasma-induced rapid cell death, inhibition of parasite proliferation, and IL-1β/IL-18 processing. Nlrp1 genes from sensitive rat macrophages can confer sensitivity to this rapid cell death when expressed in Toxoplasma resistant rat macrophages. Our findings suggest Toxoplasma is a new activator of the NLRP1 inflammasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M. Cirelli
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gezahegn Gorfu
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Musa A. Hassan
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Morton Printz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Devorah Crown
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stephen H. Leppla
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael E. Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MEG); (JPJS); (MM)
| | - Jeroen P. J. Saeij
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MEG); (JPJS); (MM)
| | - Mahtab Moayeri
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MEG); (JPJS); (MM)
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Melo MB, Nguyen QP, Cordeiro C, Hassan MA, Yang N, McKell R, Rosowski EE, Julien L, Butty V, Dardé ML, Ajzenberg D, Fitzgerald K, Young LH, Saeij JPJ. Transcriptional analysis of murine macrophages infected with different Toxoplasma strains identifies novel regulation of host signaling pathways. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003779. [PMID: 24367253 PMCID: PMC3868521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Most isolates of Toxoplasma from Europe and North America fall into one of three genetically distinct clonal lineages, the type I, II and III lineages. However, in South America these strains are rarely isolated and instead a great variety of other strains are found. T. gondii strains differ widely in a number of phenotypes in mice, such as virulence, persistence, oral infectivity, migratory capacity, induction of cytokine expression and modulation of host gene expression. The outcome of toxoplasmosis in patients is also variable and we hypothesize that, besides host and environmental factors, the genotype of the parasite strain plays a major role. The molecular basis for these differences in pathogenesis, especially in strains other than the clonal lineages, remains largely unexplored. Macrophages play an essential role in the early immune response against T. gondii and are also the cell type preferentially infected in vivo. To determine if non-canonical Toxoplasma strains have unique interactions with the host cell, we infected murine macrophages with 29 different Toxoplasma strains, representing global diversity, and used RNA-sequencing to determine host and parasite transcriptomes. We identified large differences between strains in the expression level of known parasite effectors and large chromosomal structural variation in some strains. We also identified novel strain-specifically regulated host pathways, including the regulation of the type I interferon response by some atypical strains. IFNβ production by infected cells was associated with parasite killing, independent of interferon gamma activation, and dependent on endosomal Toll-like receptors in macrophages and the cytoplasmic receptor retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I) in fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane B. Melo
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Quynh P. Nguyen
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Cynthia Cordeiro
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Musa A. Hassan
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ninghan Yang
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Renée McKell
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emily E. Rosowski
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lindsay Julien
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Vincent Butty
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Marie-Laure Dardé
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Daniel Ajzenberg
- Centre National de Référence Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center, Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1094, Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Katherine Fitzgerald
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lucy H. Young
- Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeroen P. J. Saeij
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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46
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Toxoplasma gondii Inhibits gamma interferon (IFN-γ)- and IFN-β-induced host cell STAT1 transcriptional activity by increasing the association of STAT1 with DNA. Infect Immun 2013; 82:706-19. [PMID: 24478085 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01291-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The gamma interferon (IFN-γ) response, mediated by the STAT1 transcription factor, is crucial for host defense against the intracellular pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, but prior infection with Toxoplasma can inhibit this response. Recently, it was reported that the Toxoplasma type II NTE strain prevents the recruitment of chromatin remodeling complexes containing Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG-1) to promoters of IFN-γ-induced secondary response genes such as Ciita and major histocompatibility complex class II genes in murine macrophages, thereby inhibiting their expression. We report here that a type I strain of Toxoplasma inhibits the expression of primary IFN-γ response genes such as IRF1 through a distinct mechanism not dependent on the activity of histone deacetylases. Instead, infection with a type I, II, or III strain of Toxoplasma inhibits the dissociation of STAT1 from DNA, preventing its recycling and further rounds of STAT1-mediated transcriptional activation. This leads to increased IFN-γ-induced binding of STAT1 at the IRF1 promoter in host cells and increased global IFN-γ-induced association of STAT1 with chromatin. Toxoplasma type I infection also inhibits IFN-β-induced interferon-stimulated gene factor 3-mediated gene expression, and this inhibition is also linked to increased association of STAT1 with chromatin. The secretion of proteins into the host cell by a type I strain of Toxoplasma without complete parasite invasion is not sufficient to block STAT1-mediated expression, suggesting that the effector protein responsible for this inhibition is not derived from the rhoptries.
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Schneider AG, Abi Abdallah DS, Butcher BA, Denkers EY. Toxoplasma gondii triggers phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of dendritic cell STAT1 while simultaneously blocking IFNγ-induced STAT1 transcriptional activity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60215. [PMID: 23527309 PMCID: PMC3603897 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii actively modulates cytokine-induced JAK/STAT signaling pathways to facilitate survival within the host, including blocking IFNγ-mediated STAT1-dependent proinflammatory gene expression. We sought to further characterize inhibition of STAT1 signaling in infected murine dendritic cells (DC) because this cell type has not previously been examined, yet is known to serve as an early target of in vivo infection. Unexpectedly, we discovered that T. gondii infection alone induced sustained STAT1 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation in DC in a parasite strain-independent manner. Maintenance of STAT1 phosphorylation required active invasion but intracellular parasite replication was dispensable. The parasite rhoptry protein ROP16, recently shown to mediate STAT3 and STAT6 phosphorylation, was not required for STAT1 phosphorylation. In combination with IFNγ, T. gondii induced synergistic STAT1 phosphorylation and binding of aberrant STAT1-containing complexes to IFNγ consensus sequence oligonucleotides. Despite these findings, parasite infection blocked STAT1 binding to the native promoters of the IFNγ-inducible genes Irf-1 and Lrg47, along with subsequent gene expression. These results reinforce the importance of parasite-mediated blockade of IFNγ responses in dendritic cells, while simultaneously showing that T. gondii alone induces STAT1 phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne G. Schneider
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Delbert S. Abi Abdallah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Barbara A. Butcher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Eric Y. Denkers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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