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Rios LE, Lokugamage N, Choudhuri S, Chowdhury IH, Garg NJ. Subunit nanovaccine elicited T cell functional activation controls Trypanosoma cruzi mediated maternal and placental tissue damage and improves pregnancy outcomes in mice. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:188. [PMID: 38104118 PMCID: PMC10725459 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00782-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated a candidate vaccine effect against maternal Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) infection and improved pregnancy outcomes. For this, TcG2 and TcG4 were cloned in a nanoplasmid optimized for delivery, antigen expression, and regulatory compliance (nano2/4 vaccine). Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized with nano2/4, infected (Tc SylvioX10), and mated 7-days post-infection to enable fetal development during the maternal acute parasitemia phase. Females were euthanized at E12-E17 (gestation) days. Splenic and placental T-cell responses were monitored by flow cytometry. Maternal and placental/fetal tissues were examined for parasites by qPCR and inflammatory infiltrate by histology. Controls included age/immunization-matched non-pregnant females. Nano2/4 exhibited no toxicity and elicited protective IgG2a/IgG1 response in mice. Nano2/4 signaled a splenic expansion of functionally active CD4+ effector/effector memory (Tem) and central memory (Tcm) cells in pregnant mice. Upon challenge infection, nano2/4 increased the splenic CD4+ and CD8+T cells in all mice and increased the proliferation of CD4+Tem, CD4+Tcm, and CD8+Tcm subsets producing IFNγ and cytolytic molecules (PRF1, GZB) in pregnant mice. A balanced serum cytokines/chemokines response and placental immune characteristics indicated that pregnancy prevented the overwhelming damaging immune response in mice. Importantly, pregnancy itself resulted in a significant reduction of parasites in maternal and fetal tissues. Nano2/4 was effective in arresting the Tc-induced tissue inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, and fibrosis in maternal and placental tissues and improving maternal fertility, placental efficiency, and fetal survival. In conclusion, we show that maternal nano2/4 vaccination is beneficial in controlling the adverse effects of Tc infection on maternal health, fetal survival, and pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizette Elaine Rios
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Subhadip Choudhuri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Imran Hussain Chowdhury
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA.
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity (IHII), UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences (SIVS), UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Avalos-Borges EE, Jiménez-Coello M, Chan-Pérez JI, Cigarroa-Toledo N, Garg NJ, Guillermo-Cordero L, Segura-Correa JC, Ortega-Pacheco A. Congenital Transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Naturally Infected Dogs. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:465-474. [PMID: 37339451 PMCID: PMC10625467 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Congenital transmission (CT) of Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs has not been clearly demonstrated, even though dogs are important reservoirs of this agent. Materials and Methods: Seventeen late pregnant dogs seropositive for T. cruzi were selected, and a total of 84 fetuses were obtained. Blood and heart tissues from the fetuses and dams, and placental tissue from dam were collected. All tissues were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for T. cruzi DNA (TcDNA) and inflammatory infiltrate and pathology by histological examination. CT was determined when physical, histological, or molecular evidence of T. cruzi was detected in blood or tissues of the fetuses. Results: A general transmission frequency of 59% was found, and 0.20 ± 0.24 of fetuses per litter were infected. Dams that were qPCR positive for TcDNA in cardiac tissue or blood displayed a transmission frequency of 100% and 67%, respectively. The highest parasite burden was noted in dams that were positive for TcDNA in both blood (82E-01 ± 1.54E-01) and cardiac (5.28E+03 ± 8.85E+03) tissues. In fetuses, higher parasitic burden in blood and cardiac tissue was found in those carried by dams that were seropositive and qPCR positive for TcDNA in cardiac tissue and blood. No amastigote nests were recorded in the cardiac tissue of fetuses in the histopathological studies, but typical lesions of T. cruzi infection were identified in all fetuses where CT occurred. Conclusions: CT of T. cruzi occurred at a high frequency in naturally infected pregnant dogs from the endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo E. Avalos-Borges
- Doctorado Institucional en Ciencias Agropecuarias, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Matilde Jiménez-Coello
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Jose I. Chan-Pérez
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr Hideyo Noguchi,” Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Nohemi Cigarroa-Toledo
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr Hideyo Noguchi,” Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Nisha J. Garg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Leonardo Guillermo-Cordero
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Jose C. Segura-Correa
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Antonio Ortega-Pacheco
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
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3
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Vázquez ME, Mesías AC, Acuña L, Spangler J, Zabala B, Parodi C, Thakur M, Oh E, Walper SA, Brandán CP. Exploring the performance of Escherichia coli outer membrane vesicles as a tool for vaccine development against Chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 118:e220263. [PMID: 37222309 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine development is a laborious craftwork in which at least two main components must be defined: a highly immunogenic antigen and a suitable delivery method. Hence, the interplay of these elements could elicit the required immune response to cope with the targeted pathogen with a long-lasting protective capacity. OBJECTIVES Here we evaluate the properties of Escherichia coli spherical proteoliposomes - known as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) - as particles with natural adjuvant capacities and as antigen-carrier structures to assemble an innovative prophylactic vaccine for Chagas disease. METHODS To achieve this, genetic manipulation was carried out on E. coli using an engineered plasmid containing the Tc24 Trypanosoma cruzi antigen. The goal was to induce the release of OMVs displaying the parasite protein on their surface. FINDINGS As a proof of principle, we observed that native OMVs - as well as those carrying the T. cruzi antigen - were able to trigger a slight, but functional humoral response at low immunization doses. Of note, compared to the non-immunized group, native OMVs-vaccinated animals survived the lethal challenge and showed minor parasitemia values, suggesting a possible involvement of innate trained immunity mechanism. MAIN CONCLUSION These results open the range for further research on the design of new carrier strategies focused on innate immunity activation as an additional immunization target and venture to seek for alternative forms in which OMVs could be used for optimizing vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Elisa Vázquez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Salta, Argentina
| | - Andrea Cecilia Mesías
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Salta, Argentina
| | - Leonardo Acuña
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Salta, Argentina
| | - Joseph Spangler
- US Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Brenda Zabala
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Salta, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Parodi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Salta, Argentina
| | - Meghna Thakur
- George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Eunkeu Oh
- US Naval Research Laboratory, Optical Science Division, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Scott Allan Walper
- US Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Cecilia Pérez Brandán
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto de Patología Experimental Dr Miguel Ángel Basombrío, Salta, Argentina
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Jones KM, Poveda C, Versteeg L, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. Preclinical advances and the immunophysiology of a new therapeutic chagas disease vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1185-1203. [PMID: 35735065 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2093721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic infection with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi leads to a progressive cardiac disease, known as chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC). A new therapeutic Chagas disease vaccine is in development to augment existing antiparasitic chemotherapy drugs. AREAS COVERED We report on our current understanding of the underlying immunologic and physiologic mechanisms that lead to CCC, including parasite immune escape mechanisms that allow persistence and the subsequent inflammatory and fibrotic processes that lead to clinical disease. We report on vaccine design and the observed immunotherapeutic effects including induction of a balanced TH1/TH2/TH17 immune response that leads to reduced parasite burdens and tissue pathology. Further, we report vaccine-linked chemotherapy, a dose sparing strategy to further reduce parasite burdens and tissue pathology. EXPERT OPINION Our vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic approach is a multimodal treatment strategy, addressing both the parasite persistence and the underlying deleterious host inflammatory and fibrotic responses that lead to cardiac dysfunction. In targeting treatment towards patients with chronic indeterminate or early determinate Chagas disease, this vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic approach will be highly economical and will reduce the global disease burden and deaths due to CCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Jones
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America.,James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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5
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Ward AI, Lewis MD, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Incomplete Recruitment of Protective T Cells Is Associated with Trypanosoma cruzi Persistence in the Mouse Colon. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0038221. [PMID: 34780279 PMCID: PMC8853677 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00382-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Following T cell-mediated suppression of acute-phase infection, this intracellular eukaryotic pathogen persists long-term in a limited subset of tissues at extremely low levels. The reasons for this tissue-specific chronicity are not understood. Using a dual bioluminescent-fluorescent reporter strain and highly sensitive tissue imaging that allows experimental infections to be monitored at single-cell resolution, we undertook a systematic analysis of the immunological microenvironments of rare parasitized cells in the mouse colon, a key site of persistence. We demonstrate that incomplete recruitment of T cells to a subset of colonic infection foci permits the occurrence of repeated cycles of intracellular parasite replication and differentiation to motile trypomastigotes at a frequency sufficient to perpetuate chronic infections. The lifelong persistence of parasites in this tissue site continues despite the presence, at a systemic level, of a highly effective T cell response. Overcoming this low-level dynamic host-parasite equilibrium represents a major challenge for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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6
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Use of a small molecule integrin activator as a systemically administered vaccine adjuvant in controlling Chagas disease. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:114. [PMID: 34497271 PMCID: PMC8426359 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00378-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of suitable safe adjuvants to enhance appropriate antigen-driven immune responses remains a challenge. Here we describe the adjuvant properties of a small molecule activator of the integrins αLβ2 and α4β1, named 7HP349, which can be safely delivered systemically independent of antigen. 7HP349 directly activates integrin cell adhesion receptors crucial for the generation of an immune response. When delivered systemically in a model of Chagas disease following immunization with a DNA subunit vaccine encoding candidate T. cruzi antigens, TcG2 and TcG4, 7HP349 enhanced the vaccine efficacy in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings. In a prophylactic setting, mice immunized with 7HP349 adjuvanted vaccine exhibited significantly improved control of acute parasite burden in cardiac and skeletal muscle as compared to vaccination alone. When administered with vaccine therapeutically, parasite burden was again decreased, with the greatest adjuvant effect of 7HP349 being noted in skeletal muscle. In both settings, adjuvantation with 7HP349 was effective in decreasing pathological inflammatory infiltrate, improving the integrity of tissue, and controlling tissue fibrosis in the heart and skeletal muscle of acutely and chronically infected Chagas mice. The positive effects correlated with increased splenic frequencies of CD8+T effector cells and an increase in the production of IFN-γ and cytolytic molecules (perforin and granzyme) by the CD4+ and CD8+ effector and central memory subsets in response to challenge infection. This demonstrates that 7HP349 can serve as a systemically administered adjuvant to enhance T cell-mediated immune responses to vaccines. This approach could be applied to numerous vaccines with no reformulation of existing stockpiles.
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7
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Chowdhury IH, Lokugamage N, Garg NJ. Experimental Nanovaccine Offers Protection Against Repeat Exposures to Trypanosoma cruzi Through Activation of Polyfunctional T Cell Response. Front Immunol 2020; 11:595039. [PMID: 33414785 PMCID: PMC7783422 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.595039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. Previously, we have identified T. cruzi antigens TcG2 and TcG4 as potential vaccine candidates, cloned in eukaryotic expression vector pCDNA3.1 (referred as p2/4) and tested their ability to elicit protection from T. cruzi infection. In the present study, we subcloned the two antigens in a nanoplasmid that is optimized for delivery, antigen expression, and regulatory compliance standards, and evaluated the nanovaccine (referred as nano2/4) for prophylactic protection against repeat T. cruzi infections. For this, C57BL/6 mice were immunized with two doses of p2/4 or nano2/4 at 21 days interval, challenged with T. cruzi 21 days after 2nd immunization, and euthanized at 10- and 21-days post-infection (pi) corresponding to parasite dissemination and replication phase, respectively. Some mice were re-challenged 21 days pi and monitored at 7 days after re-infection. Without the help of a vaccine, T. cruzi elicited delayed and sub-par T cell activation and low levels of effector molecules that failed to control tissue dissemination and replication of the parasite and provided no protection against repeat challenge infection. The nano2/4 was most effective in eliciting an early activation and production of IFN-γ by CD4+T effector/effector memory (TEM) cells and cytolytic perforin (PFN) and granzyme B (GZB) molecules by CD4+ and CD8+ TEM subsets at 10 days pi that was followed by robust expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ TEM and TCM cells with further increase in IFN-γ production at 21 days pi. Consequently, nano2/4-immunized mice exhibited potent control of parasite dissemination at 10 days pi, and tissue parasite burden and tissue inflammatory infiltrate and necrosis were barely detectable at 21 days pi. Furthermore, nano2/4-immunized mice responded to re-challenge infection with high levels of effector molecules production by CD4+ and CD8+ TEM subpopulations that offered even better control of tissue parasite burden than was observed after 1st infection. In comparison, non-vaccinated/infected mice exhibited clinical features of sickness and 59% mortality within 7 days after re-infection. In conclusion, we show that delivery of TcG2 and TcG4 in nanoplasmid offers excellent, protective T cell immunity against repeat T. cruzi infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran H Chowdhury
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, United States.,Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, UTMB, Galveston, TX, United States
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8
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Ricci MF, Béla SR, Moraes MM, Bahia MT, Mazzeti AL, Oliveira ACS, Andrade LO, Radí R, Piacenza L, Arantes RME. Neuronal Parasitism, Early Myenteric Neurons Depopulation and Continuous Axonal Networking Damage as Underlying Mechanisms of the Experimental Intestinal Chagas' Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:583899. [PMID: 33178632 PMCID: PMC7597600 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.583899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing consensus that the balance between the persistence of infection and the host immune response is crucial for chronification of Chagas heart disease. Extrapolation for chagasic megacolon is hampered because research in humans and animal models that reproduce intestinal pathology is lacking. The parasite-host relationship and its consequence to the disease are not well-known. Our model describes the temporal changes in the mice intestine wall throughout the infection, parasitism, and the development of megacolon. It also presents the consequence of the infection of primary myenteric neurons in culture with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Oxidative neuronal damage, involving reactive nitrogen species induced by parasite infection and cytokine production, results in the denervation of the myenteric ganglia in the acute phase. The long-term inflammation induced by the parasite's DNA causes intramuscular axonal damage, smooth muscle hypertrophy, and inconsistent innervation, affecting contractility. Acute phase neuronal loss may be irreversible. However, the dynamics of the damages revealed herein indicate that neuroprotection interventions in acute and chronic phases may help to eradicate the parasite and control the inflammatory-induced increase of the intestinal wall thickness and axonal loss. Our model is a powerful approach to integrate the acute and chronic events triggered by T. cruzi, leading to megacolon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Fernanda Ricci
- Departament of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Samantha Ribeiro Béla
- Departament of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Departament of Biological and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Michele Macedo Moraes
- Departament of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maria Terezinha Bahia
- Departament of Biological and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Ana Lia Mazzeti
- Departament of Biological and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rafael Radí
- Departament of Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Universidad de La Republica Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Piacenza
- Departament of Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Universidad de La Republica Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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9
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Bontempi I, Leal K, Prochetto E, Díaz G, Cabrera G, Bortolotti A, Morbidoni HR, Borsuk S, Dellagostin O, Marcipar I. Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG is a promising platform to develop vaccines against Trypansoma cruzi infection. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 201:306-316. [PMID: 32464684 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the hemoflagelate parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of the most prevalent endemic parasitoses, affecting 7-8 million people. Due to the complexity of the infection, no vaccines are available at present. The extraordinary adjuvant capacity of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) was explored in this work to develop a vaccine candidate to protect against T. cruzi infection using the recombinant BCG (rBCG) vaccine platform. Three antigens of the parasite corresponding to the N and C terminal fragments of the enzyme trans-sialidase (NT-TS and CT-TS, respectively) and a fragment of the cruzipain enzyme (CZf) were cloned into the vectors pUS997 and pUS2000 and transformed into the BCG Pasteur strain. In vaccinated mice, rBCG expressing NT-TS in pUS2000 plasmid provided the highest protection and the lowest parasitemia after challenging BALB/c mice with a 50% lethal dose of parasites. When mice vaccinated with pUS2000-NT-TS were challenged with a 100% lethal dose of parasite, high levels of protection were also obtained, together with a low degree of cardiac lesions 120 days after infection. In immunized mice with pUS2000-NT-TS/rBCG clone, the proliferation of CD4+ cells from splenocytes stimulated with the TS antigen was significant; this stimulation increased interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 within CD4⁺ T lymphocytes (LTCD4+ ) cells and IFN-γ and CD107 expression within LTCD8+ cells. Therefore, pUS2000-NT-TS/rBCG conferred high levels of protection, which correlated with an immune response orientated towards a T helper type 1 (Th1)/Th17 profile, together with an LTC-specific response, indicating that rBCG is a promising platform to develop vaccines against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Bontempi
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - K Leal
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, CDTec, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - E Prochetto
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - G Díaz
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - G Cabrera
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - A Bortolotti
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - H R Morbidoni
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - S Borsuk
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, CDTec, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - O Dellagostin
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, CDTec, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - I Marcipar
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
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10
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Drug-cured experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infections confer long-lasting and cross-strain protection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007717. [PMID: 32302312 PMCID: PMC7190179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long term and complex nature of Chagas disease in humans has restricted studies on vaccine feasibility. Animal models also have limitations due to technical difficulties in monitoring the extremely low parasite burden that is characteristic of chronic stage infections. Advances in imaging technology offer alternative approaches that circumvent these problems. Here, we describe the use of highly sensitive whole body in vivo imaging to assess the efficacy of recombinant viral vector vaccines and benznidazole-cured infections to protect mice from challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Mice were infected with T. cruzi strains modified to express a red-shifted luciferase reporter. Using bioluminescence imaging, we assessed the degree of immunity to re-infection conferred after benznidazole-cure. Those infected for 14 days or more, prior to the onset of benznidazole treatment, were highly protected from challenge with both homologous and heterologous strains. There was a >99% reduction in parasite burden, with parasites frequently undetectable after homologous challenge. This level of protection was considerably greater than that achieved with recombinant vaccines. It was also independent of the route of infection or size of the challenge inoculum, and was long-lasting, with no significant diminution in immunity after almost a year. When the primary infection was benznidazole-treated after 4 days (before completion of the first cycle of intracellular infection), the degree of protection was much reduced, an outcome associated with a minimal T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ+ T cell response. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that a protective Chagas disease vaccine must have the ability to eliminate parasites before they reach organs/tissues, such as the GI tract, where once established, they become largely refractory to the induced immune response.
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Lokugamage N, Choudhuri S, Davies C, Chowdhury IH, Garg NJ. Antigen-Based Nano-Immunotherapy Controls Parasite Persistence, Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress, and Cardiac Fibrosis, the Hallmarks of Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy, in A Mouse Model of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010096. [PMID: 32098116 PMCID: PMC7157635 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas cardiomyopathy is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc). We identified two candidate antigens (TcG2 and TcG4) that elicit antibodies and T cell responses in naturally infected diverse hosts. In this study, we cloned TcG2 and TcG4 in a nanovector and evaluated whether nano-immunotherapy (referred as nano2/4) offers resistance to chronic Chagas disease. For this, C57BL/6 mice were infected with Tc and given nano2/4 at 21 and 42 days post-infection (pi). Non-infected, infected, and infected mice treated with pcDNA3.1 expression plasmid encoding TcG2/TcG4 (referred as p2/4) were used as controls. All mice responded to Tc infection with expansion and functional activation of splenic lymphocytes. Flow cytometry showed that frequency of splenic, poly-functional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing interferon-γ, perforin, and granzyme B were increased by immunotherapy (Tc.nano2/4 > Tc.p2/4) and associated with 88%–99.7% decline in cardiac and skeletal (SK) tissue levels of parasite burden (Tc.nano2/4 > Tc.p2/4) in Chagas mice. Subsequently, Tc.nano2/4 mice exhibited a significant decline in peripheral and tissues levels of oxidative stress (e.g., 4-hydroxynonenal, protein carbonyls) and inflammatory infiltrate that otherwise were pronounced in Chagas mice. Further, nano2/4 therapy was effective in controlling the tissue infiltration of pro-fibrotic macrophages and established a balanced environment controlling the expression of collagens, metalloproteinases, and other markers of cardiomyopathy and improving the expression of Myh7 (encodes β myosin heavy chain) and Gsk3b (encodes glycogen synthase kinase 3) required for maintaining cardiac contractility in Chagas heart. We conclude that nano2/4 enhances the systemic T cell immunity that improves the host’s ability to control chronic parasite persistence and Chagas cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX 77555-1070, USA; (N.L.); (S.C.); (I.H.C.)
| | - Subhadip Choudhuri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX 77555-1070, USA; (N.L.); (S.C.); (I.H.C.)
| | - Carolina Davies
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta 4400, Argentina;
| | - Imran Hussain Chowdhury
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX 77555-1070, USA; (N.L.); (S.C.); (I.H.C.)
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX 77555-1070, USA; (N.L.); (S.C.); (I.H.C.)
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-409-747-6865
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Gupta S, Salgado-Jiménez B, Lokugamage N, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC, Garg NJ. TcG2/TcG4 DNA Vaccine Induces Th1 Immunity Against Acute Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: Adjuvant and Antigenic Effects of Heterologous T. rangeli Booster Immunization. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1456. [PMID: 31293599 PMCID: PMC6606718 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chagas cardiomyopathy is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc). Two antigenic candidates, TcG2 and TcG4, are recognized by antibodies in naturally infected dogs and humans; and these vaccine candidates provided protection from Tc infection in mice and dogs. Trypanosoma rangeli (Tr) is non-pathogenic to mammals and shown to elicit cross-reactive anti-Tc antibodies. In this study, we investigated if fixed Tr (fTr) can further enhance the efficacy of the TcG2/TcG4 DNA vaccine. Methods and Results: C57BL/6 mice were immunized with TcG2/TcG4 DNA vaccine and fTr (delivered as an adjuvant or in prime-boost approach), and challenged with Tc. Serology studies showed that fTr (±quil-A) elicited Tc- and Tr-reactive IgGs that otherwise were not stimulated by TcG2/TcG4 vaccine only, and quil-A had suppressive effects on fTr-induced IgGs. After challenge infection, TcG2/TcG4-vaccinated mice exhibited potent expansion of antigen- and Tc-specific IgGs that were not boosted by fTr±quil-A. Flow cytometry analysis showed that TcG2/TcG4-induced dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (Mφ) responded to challenge infection by expression of markers of antigen uptake, processing, and presentation, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. TcG2/TcG4-induced CD4+T cells acquired Th1 phenotype and expressed markers that orchestrate adaptive immunity. A fraction of vaccine-induced CD4+T cells exhibited iTreg phenotype responsible for aversion of self-injurious immune responses. Further, TcG2/TcG4-vaccinated mice exhibited potent expansion of poly-functional CD8+T cells with TNF-α/IFN-γ production and cytolytic phenotype post-infection. Subsequently, tissue parasites and pathology were hardly detectable in TcG2/TcG4-vaccinated/infected mice. Inclusion of fTr±quil-A had no clear additive effects in improving the Tc-specific adaptive immunity and parasite control than was noted in mice vaccinated with TcG2/TcG4 alone. Non-vaccinated mice lacked sufficient activation of Th1 CD4+/CD8+T cells, and exhibited >10-fold higher levels of tissue parasite burden than was noted in vaccinated/infected mice. Conclusion:TcG2/TcG4 vaccine elicits highly effective immunity, and inclusion of fTr is not required to improve the efficacy of DNA vaccine against acute Tc infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivali Gupta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Berenice Salgado-Jiménez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Juan Carlos Vázquez-Chagoyán
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
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Hegazy-Hassan W, Zepeda-Escobar JA, Ochoa-García L, Contreras-Ortíz JME, Tenorio-Borroto E, Barbabosa-Pliego A, Aparicio-Burgos JE, Oros-Pantoja R, Rivas-Santiago B, Díaz-Albiter H, Garg NJ, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC. TcVac1 vaccine delivery by intradermal electroporation enhances vaccine induced immune protection against Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice. Vaccine 2018; 37:248-257. [PMID: 30497833 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The efforts for the development and testing of vaccines against Trypanosoma cruzi infection have increased during the past years. We have designed a TcVac series of vaccines composed of T. cruzi derived, GPI-anchored membrane antigens. The TcVac vaccines have been shown to elicit humoral and cellular mediated immune responses and provide significant (but not complete) control of experimental infection in mice and dogs. Herein, we aimed to test two immunization protocols for the delivery of DNA-prime/DNA-boost vaccine (TcVac1) composed of TcG2 and TcG4 antigens in a BALB/c mouse model. Mice were immunized with TcVac1 through intradermal/electroporation (IDE) or intramuscular (IM) routes, challenged with T. cruzi, and evaluated during acute phase of infection. The humoral immune response was evaluated through the assessment of anti-TcG2 and anti-TcG4 IgG subtypes by using an ELISA. Cellular immune response was assessed through a lymphocyte proliferation assay. Finally, clinical and morphopathological aspects were evaluated for all experimental animals. Our results demonstrated that when comparing TcVac1 IDE delivery vs IM delivery, the former induced significantly higher level of antigen-specific antibody response (IgG2a + IgG2b > IgG1) and lymphocyte proliferation, which expanded in response to challenge infection. Histological evaluation after challenge infection showed infiltration of inflammatory cells (macrophages and lymphocytes) in the heart and skeletal tissue of all infected mice. However, the largest increase in inflammatory infiltrate was observed in TcVac1_IDE/Tc mice when compared with TcVac1_IM/Tc or non-vaccinated/infected mice. The extent of tissue inflammatory infiltrate was directly associated with the control of tissue amastigote nests in vaccinated/infected (vs. non-vaccinated/infected) mice. Our results suggest that IDE delivery improves the protective efficacy of TcVac1 vaccine against T. cruzi infection in mice when compared with IM delivery of the vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Hegazy-Hassan
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 15.5 Carretera Panamericana Toluca-Atlacomulco, Toluca, Estado de México C.P. 50200, Mexico
| | - José Antonio Zepeda-Escobar
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 15.5 Carretera Panamericana Toluca-Atlacomulco, Toluca, Estado de México C.P. 50200, Mexico
| | - Laucel Ochoa-García
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 15.5 Carretera Panamericana Toluca-Atlacomulco, Toluca, Estado de México C.P. 50200, Mexico; Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública del Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, Independencia Oriente #1310 Colonia: Reforma y FFCC, CP. 50070 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - J M Eloy Contreras-Ortíz
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 15.5 Carretera Panamericana Toluca-Atlacomulco, Toluca, Estado de México C.P. 50200, Mexico
| | - Esvieta Tenorio-Borroto
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 15.5 Carretera Panamericana Toluca-Atlacomulco, Toluca, Estado de México C.P. 50200, Mexico
| | - Alberto Barbabosa-Pliego
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 15.5 Carretera Panamericana Toluca-Atlacomulco, Toluca, Estado de México C.P. 50200, Mexico
| | - José Esteban Aparicio-Burgos
- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Escuela Superior de Apan, Carretera Apan-Calpulalpan, Km. 8, Chimalpa Tlalayote S/N, Colonia Chimalpa, Apan, C.P. 43920 Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Rigoberto Oros-Pantoja
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Departamento de Neurociencias, Tollocan esq. Jesus Carranza S/N, Colonia Moderna de la Cruz, C.P. 50180 Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Unidad de Investigación Médica Zacatecas-IMSS, Interior de la Alameda, 45, Centro, C.P. 98000 Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Héctor Díaz-Albiter
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom; El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Carretera Villahermosa-Reforma Km 15.5, Ranchería Guineo, sección II, CP 86280 Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1070, United States; Departments of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1070, United States
| | - Juan Carlos Vázquez-Chagoyán
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Km 15.5 Carretera Panamericana Toluca-Atlacomulco, Toluca, Estado de México C.P. 50200, Mexico.
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Torres-Vargas J, Jiménez-Coello M, Guzmán-Marín E, Acosta-Viana KY, Yadon ZE, Gutiérrez-Blanco E, Guillermo-Cordero JL, Garg NJ, Ortega-Pacheco A. Quantitative and histological assessment of maternal-fetal transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in guinea pigs: An experimental model of congenital Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006222. [PMID: 29364882 PMCID: PMC5798842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on fertility, gestation outcome, and maternal-fetal transmission in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). METHODS Animals were infected with T. cruzi H4 strain (TcI lineage) before gestation (IBG) or during gestation (IDG). Tissue and sera samples of dams and fetuses were obtained near parturition. RESULTS All IBG and IDG dams were seropositive by two tests, and exhibited blood parasite load of 1.62±2.2 and 50.1±62 parasites/μl, respectively, by quantitative PCR. Histological evaluation showed muscle fiber degeneration and cellular necrosis in all infected dams. Parasite nests were not detected in infected dams by histology. However, qPCR analysis detected parasites-eq/g heart tissue of 153±104.7 and 169.3±129.4 in IBG and IDG dams, respectively. All fetuses of infected dams were positive for anti-parasite IgG antibodies and tissue parasites by qPCR, but presented a low level of tissue inflammatory infiltrate. Fetuses of IDG (vs. IBG) dams exhibited higher degree of muscle fiber degeneration and cellular necrosis in the heart and skeletal tissues. The placental tissue exhibited no inflammatory lesions and amastigote nests, yet parasites-eq/g of 381.2±34.3 and 79.2±84.9 were detected in IDG and IBG placentas, respectively. Fetal development was compromised, and evidenced by a decline in weight, crow-rump length, and abdominal width in both groups. CONCLUSIONS T. cruzi TcI has a high capacity of congenital transmission even when it was inoculated at a very low dose before or during gestation. Tissue lesions, parasite load, and fetal under development provide evidence for high virulence of the parasite during pregnancy. Despite finding of high parasite burden by qPCR, placentas were protected from cellular damage. Our studies offer an experimental model to study the efficacy of vaccines and drugs against congenital transmission of T. cruzi. These results also call for T. cruzi screening in pregnant women and adequate follow up of the newborns in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatziri Torres-Vargas
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Matilde Jiménez-Coello
- C.A. Biomedicina de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Eugenia Guzmán-Marín
- C.A. Biomedicina de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Karla Y. Acosta-Viana
- C.A. Biomedicina de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Zaida E. Yadon
- Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, Pan American Health Organization, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Gutiérrez-Blanco
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - José Leonardo Guillermo-Cordero
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Nisha J. Garg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NJG); (AOP)
| | - Antonio Ortega-Pacheco
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
- * E-mail: (NJG); (AOP)
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Genetic Adjuvantation of a Cell-Based Therapeutic Vaccine for Amelioration of Chagasic Cardiomyopathy. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00127-17. [PMID: 28674032 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00127-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a leading cause of heart disease ("chagasic cardiomyopathy") in Latin America, disproportionately affecting people in resource-poor areas. The efficacy of currently approved pharmaceutical treatments is limited mainly to acute infection, and there are no effective treatments for the chronic phase of the disease. Preclinical models of Chagas disease have demonstrated that antigen-specific CD8+ gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-positive T-cell responses are essential for reducing parasite burdens, increasing survival, and decreasing cardiac pathology in both the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease. In the present study, we developed a genetically adjuvanted, dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic for acute Chagas disease in an attempt to delay or prevent the cardiac complications that eventually result from chronic T. cruzi infection. Dendritic cells transduced with the adjuvant, an adenoviral vector encoding a dominant negative isoform of Src homology region 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) along with the T. cruzi Tc24 antigen and trans-sialidase antigen 1 (TSA1), induced significant numbers of antigen-specific CD8+ IFN-γ-positive cells following injection into BALB/c mice. A vaccine platform transduced with the adenoviral vector and loaded in tandem with the recombinant protein reduced parasite burdens by 76% to >99% in comparison to a variety of different controls and significantly reduced cardiac pathology in a BALB/c mouse model of live Chagas disease. Although no statistical differences in overall survival rates among cohorts were observed, the data suggest that immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of acute Chagas disease are feasible and that this approach may warrant further study.
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Seid CA, Jones KM, Pollet J, Keegan B, Hudspeth E, Hammond M, Wei J, McAtee CP, Versteeg L, Gutierrez A, Liu Z, Zhan B, Respress JL, Strych U, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. Cysteine mutagenesis improves the production without abrogating antigenicity of a recombinant protein vaccine candidate for human chagas disease. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 13:621-633. [PMID: 27737611 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1242540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A therapeutic vaccine for human Chagas disease is under development by the Sabin Vaccine Institute Product Development Partnership. The aim of the vaccine is to significantly reduce the parasite burden of Trypanosoma cruzi in humans, either as a standalone product or in combination with conventional chemotherapy. Vaccination of mice with Tc24 formulated with monophosphoryl-lipid A (MPLA) adjuvant results in a Th1 skewed immune response with elevated IgG2a and IFNγ levels and a statistically significant decrease in parasitemia following T. cruzi challenge. Tc24 was therefore selected for scale-up and further evaluation. During scale up and downstream process development, significant protein aggregation was observed due to intermolecular disulfide bond formation. To prevent protein aggregation, cysteine codons were replaced with serine codons which resulted in the production of a non-aggregated and soluble recombinant protein, Tc24-C4. No changes to the secondary structure of the modified molecule were detected by circular dichroism. Immunization of mice with wild-type Tc24 or Tc24-C4, formulated with E6020 (TLR4 agonist analog to MPLA) emulsified in a squalene-oil-in-water emulsion, resulted in IgG2a and antigen specific IFNγ production levels from splenocytes that were not significantly different, indicating that eliminating putative intermolecular disulfide bonds had no significant impact on the immunogenicity of the molecule. In addition, vaccination with either formulated wild type Tc24 or Tc24-C4 antigen also significantly increased survival and reduced cardiac parasite burden in mice. Investigations are now underway to examine the efficacy of Tc24-C4 formulated with other adjuvants to reduce parasite burden and increase survival in pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Seid
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Kathryn M Jones
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Jeroen Pollet
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Brian Keegan
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Elissa Hudspeth
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Molly Hammond
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Junfei Wei
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - C Patrick McAtee
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Amanda Gutierrez
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Zhuyun Liu
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Bin Zhan
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Jonathan L Respress
- d Southwest Electronic Energy Medical Research Institute (SWEMRI) , Missouri City , TX , USA
| | - Ulrich Strych
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- a Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development , Houston , TX , USA.,b Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology , National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy , Rice University , Houston , TX , USA
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Wen JJ, Wan X, Thacker J, Garg NJ. Chemotherapeutic efficacy of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in chagasic cardiomyopathy. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2016; 1:235-250. [PMID: 27747306 PMCID: PMC5065248 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc)-induced Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM) are not well understood. The NO-cGMP-PKG1α pathway maintains cardiac homeostasis and inotropy and may be disturbed due to phosphodiesterase (PDE5)-mediated cGMP catabolism in CCM. To test this, C57BL/6 mice were infected with T. cruzi, and after the control of acute parasitemia (∼45 days post-infection), given sildenafil (SIL) (1 mg/kg) treatment for 3 weeks that ended long before the chronic disease phase (∼150 days post-infection). The PDE5 was increased and cGMP/PKG activity was decreased in chagasic myocardium. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed left ventricular (LV) systolic function, that is, stroke volume, cardiac output, and ejection fraction, was significantly decreased in chagasic mice. SIL treatment resulted in normal levels of PDE5 and cGMP/PKG activity and preserved the LV function. The cardioprotective effects of SIL were provided through inhibition of cardiac collagenosis and chronic inflammation that otherwise were pronounced in CCM. Further, SIL treatment restored the mitochondrial DNA–encoded gene expression, complex I–dependent (but not complex II–dependent) ADP-coupled respiration, and oxidant/antioxidant balance in chagasic myocardium. In vitro studies in cardiomyocytes verified that SIL conserved the redox metabolic state and cellular health via maintaining the antioxidant status that otherwise was compromised in response to T. cruzi infection. We conclude that SIL therapy was useful in controlling the LV dysfunction and chronic pathology in CCM. Mice infected with T. cruzi control acute parasitemia but develop chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Treatment with SIL (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) during a therapeutic window of indeterminate phase provided powerful cardioprotective effects against chronic development of cardiomyopathy and LV dysfunction. SIL normalized the cGMP-dependent protein kinase activity and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, and established the oxidant/antioxidant balance in chagasic myocardium. SIL prevented the oxidative/inflammatory adducts that precipitate cardiomyocytes death and cardiac remodeling in CCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Jun Wen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas
| | - Xianxiu Wan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas
| | - John Thacker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas; Department of Pathology, UTMB, Galveston, TX; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, UTMB, Galveston, TX
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TcI Isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi Exploit the Antioxidant Network for Enhanced Intracellular Survival in Macrophages and Virulence in Mice. Infect Immun 2016; 84:1842-1856. [PMID: 27068090 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00193-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi species is categorized into six discrete typing units (TcI to TcVI) of which TcI is most abundantly noted in the sylvatic transmission cycle and considered the major cause of human disease. In our study, the TcI strains Colombiana (COL), SylvioX10/4 (SYL), and a cultured clone (TCC) exhibited different biological behavior in a murine model, ranging from high parasitemia and symptomatic cardiomyopathy (SYL), mild parasitemia and high tissue tropism (COL), to no pathogenicity (TCC). Proteomic profiling of the insect (epimastigote) and infective (trypomastigote) forms by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, followed by functional annotation of the differential proteome data sets (≥2-fold change, P < 0.05), showed that several proteins involved in (i) cytoskeletal assembly and remodeling, essential for flagellar wave frequency and amplitude and forward motility of the parasite, and (ii) the parasite-specific antioxidant network were enhanced in COL and SYL (versus TCC) trypomastigotes. Western blotting confirmed the enhanced protein levels of cytosolic and mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidases and their substrate (tryparedoxin) and iron superoxide dismutase in COL and SYL (versus TCC) trypomastigotes. Further, COL and SYL (but not TCC) were resistant to exogenous treatment with stable oxidants (H2O2 and peroxynitrite [ONOO(-)]) and dampened the intracellular superoxide and nitric oxide response in macrophages, and thus these isolates escaped from macrophages. Our findings suggest that protein expression conducive to increase in motility and control of macrophage-derived free radicals provides survival and persistence benefits to TcI isolates of T. cruzi.
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Matos MN, Sánchez Alberti A, Morales C, Cazorla SI, Malchiodi EL. A prime-boost immunization with Tc52 N-terminal domain DNA and the recombinant protein expressed in Pichia pastoris protects against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Vaccine 2016; 34:3243-51. [PMID: 27177947 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
We have previously reported that the N-terminal domain of the antigen Tc52 (NTc52) is the section of the protein that confers the strongest protection against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. To improve vaccine efficacy, we conducted here a prime-boost strategy (NTc52PB) by inoculating two doses of pcDNA3.1 encoding the NTc52 DNA carried by attenuated Salmonella (SNTc52), followed by two doses of recombinant NTc52 expressed in Picchia pastoris plus ODN-CpG as adjuvant. This strategy was comparatively analyzed with the following protocols: (1) two doses of NTc52+ODN-CpG by intranasal route followed by two doses of NTc52+ODN-CpG by intradermal route (NTc52CpG); (2) four doses of SNTc52; and (3) a control group with four doses of Salmonella carrying the empty plasmid. All immunized groups developed a predominant Th1 cellular immune response but with important differences in antibody development and protection against infection. Thus, immunization with just SNTc52 induces a strong specific cellular response, a specific systemic antibody response that is weak yet functional (considering lysis of trypomastigotes and inhibition of cell invasion), and IgA mucosal immunity, protecting in both the acute and chronic stages of infection. The group that received only recombinant protein (NTc52CpG) developed a strong antibody immune response but weaker cellular immunity than the other groups, and the protection against infection was clear in the acute phase of infection but not in chronicity. The prime-boost strategy, which combines DNA and protein vaccine and both mucosal and systemic immunizations routes, was the best assayed protocol, inducing strong cellular and humoral responses as well as specific mucosal IgA, thus conferring better protection in the acute and chronic stages of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina N Matos
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología and Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés Sánchez Alberti
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología and Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Celina Morales
- Instituto de Fisiopatología Cardiovascular, Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia I Cazorla
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología and Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emilio L Malchiodi
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología and Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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20
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Barry MA, Wang Q, Jones KM, Heffernan MJ, Buhaya MH, Beaumier CM, Keegan BP, Zhan B, Dumonteil E, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. A therapeutic nanoparticle vaccine against Trypanosoma cruzi in a BALB/c mouse model of Chagas disease. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 12:976-87. [PMID: 26890466 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1119346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, results in an acute febrile illness that progresses to chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy in 30% of patients. Current treatments have significant side effects and poor efficacy during the chronic phase; therefore, there is an urgent need for new treatment modalities. A robust TH1-mediated immune response correlates with favorable clinical outcomes. A therapeutic vaccine administered to infected individuals could bolster the immune response, thereby slowing or stopping the progression of chagasic cardiomyopathy. Prior work in mice has identified an efficacious T. cruzi DNA vaccine encoding Tc24. To elicit a similar protective cell-mediated immune response to a Tc24 recombinant protein, we utilized a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle delivery system in conjunction with CpG motif-containing oligodeoxynucleotides as an immunomodulatory adjuvant. In a BALB/c mouse model, the vaccine produced a TH1-biased immune response, as demonstrated by a significant increase in antigen-specific IFNγ-producing splenocytes, IgG2a titers, and proliferative capacity of CD8(+) T cells. When tested for therapeutic efficacy, significantly reduced systemic parasitemia was seen during peak parasitemia. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in cardiac parasite burden and inflammatory cell infiltrate. This is the first study demonstrating immunogenicity and efficacy of a therapeutic Chagas vaccine using a nanoparticle delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan A Barry
- a Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,b Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Qian Wang
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Kathryn M Jones
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,d National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Michael J Heffernan
- a Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,d National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,h Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Munir H Buhaya
- e Summer Medical and Research Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Coreen M Beaumier
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Brian P Keegan
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Bin Zhan
- c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- f Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.,g Department of Tropical Medicine , School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- a Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,d National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,h Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Peter J Hotez
- a Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,c Department of Pediatrics , Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,d National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA.,h Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
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21
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Carrea A, Diambra L. Systems Biology Approach to Model the Life Cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146947. [PMID: 26752404 PMCID: PMC4709001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to recent advances in reprogramming cell phenotypes, many efforts have been dedicated to developing reverse engineering procedures for the identification of gene regulatory networks that emulate dynamical properties associated with the cell fates of a given biological system. In this work, we propose a systems biology approach for the reconstruction of the gene regulatory network underlying the dynamics of the Trypanosoma cruzi’s life cycle. By means of an optimisation procedure, we embedded the steady state maintenance, and the known phenotypic transitions between these steady states in response to environmental cues, into the dynamics of a gene network model. In the resulting network architecture we identified a small subnetwork, formed by seven interconnected nodes, that controls the parasite’s life cycle. The present approach could be useful for better understanding other single cell organisms with multiple developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Carrea
- Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Luis Diambra
- Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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22
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Tanowitz HB, Machado FS, Spray DC, Friedman JM, Weiss OS, Lora JN, Nagajyothi J, Moraes DN, Garg NJ, Nunes MCP, Ribeiro ALP. Developments in the management of Chagas cardiomyopathy. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2015; 13:1393-409. [PMID: 26496376 DOI: 10.1586/14779072.2015.1103648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Over 100 years have elapsed since the discovery of Chagas disease and there is still much to learn regarding pathogenesis and treatment. Although there are antiparasitic drugs available, such as benznidazole and nifurtimox, they are not totally reliable and often toxic. A recently released negative clinical trial with benznidazole in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy further reinforces the concerns regarding its effectiveness. New drugs and new delivery systems, including those based on nanotechnology, are being sought. Although vaccine development is still in its infancy, the reality of a therapeutic vaccine remains a challenge. New ECG methods may help to recognize patients prone to developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The management of heart failure, stroke and arrhythmias also remains a challenge. Although animal experiments have suggested that stem cell based therapy may be therapeutic in the management of heart failure in Chagas cardiomyopathy, clinical trials have not been promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert B Tanowitz
- a Department of Pathology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , NY , USA.,b Department of Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Fabiana S Machado
- c Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Science , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil.,d Program in Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical School , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - David C Spray
- b Department of Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , NY , USA.,e Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Joel M Friedman
- f Department of Physiology & Biophysics , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Oren S Weiss
- a Department of Pathology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Jose N Lora
- a Department of Pathology , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Jyothi Nagajyothi
- g Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School , Rutgers University , Newark , NJ , USA
| | - Diego N Moraes
- d Program in Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical School , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil.,h Department of Internal Medicine and University Hospital , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- i Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Institute for Human Infections and Immunity , University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston , TX , USA
| | - Maria Carmo P Nunes
- d Program in Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical School , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil.,h Department of Internal Medicine and University Hospital , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Antonio Luiz P Ribeiro
- d Program in Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical School , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil.,h Department of Internal Medicine and University Hospital , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
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23
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Gupta S, Smith C, Auclair S, Delgadillo ADJ, Garg NJ. Therapeutic Efficacy of a Subunit Vaccine in Controlling Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection and Chagas Disease Is Enhanced by Glutathione Peroxidase Over-Expression. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130562. [PMID: 26075398 PMCID: PMC4468200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi-induced oxidative and inflammatory responses are implicated in chagasic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we examined the therapeutic utility of a subunit vaccine against T. cruzi and determined if glutathione peroxidase (GPx1, antioxidant) protects the heart from chagasic pathogenesis. C57BL/6 mice (wild-type (WT) and GPx1 transgenic (GPxtg) were infected with T. cruzi and at 45 days post-infection (dpi), immunized with TcG2/TcG4 vaccine delivered by a DNA-prime/Protein-boost (D/P) approach. The plasma and tissue-sections were analyzed on 150 dpi for parasite burden, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis. WT mice infected with T. cruzi had significantly more blood and tissue parasite burden compared with infected/GPxtg mice (n = 5-8, p<0.01). Therapeutic vaccination provided >15-fold reduction in blood and tissue parasites in both WT and GPxtg mice. The increase in plasma levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO, 24.7%) and nitrite (iNOS activity, 45%) was associated with myocardial increase in oxidant levels (3-4-fold) and non-responsive antioxidant status in chagasic/WT mice; and these responses were not controlled after vaccination (n = 5-7). The GPxtg mice were better equipped than the WT mice in controlling T. cruzi-induced inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Extensive myocardial and skeletal tissue inflammation noted in chagasic/WT mice, was significantly more compared with chagasic/GPxtg mice (n = 4-6, p<0.05). Vaccination was equally effective in reducing the chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the heart and skeletal tissue of infected WT and GPxtg mice (n = 6, p<0.05). Hypertrophy (increased BNP and ANP mRNA) and fibrosis (increased collagen) of the heart were extensively present in chronically-infected WT and GPxtg mice and notably decreased after therapeutic vaccination. We conclude the therapeutic delivery of D/P vaccine was effective in arresting the chronic parasite persistence and chagasic pathology; and GPx1 over-expression provided additive benefits in reducing the parasite burden, inflammatory/oxidative stress and cardiac remodeling in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivali Gupta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SG); (NG)
| | - Charity Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sarah Auclair
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Anahi De Jesus Delgadillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SG); (NG)
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24
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Experimental Vaccines against Chagas Disease: A Journey through History. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:489758. [PMID: 26090490 PMCID: PMC4452192 DOI: 10.1155/2015/489758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, which is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is primarily a vector disease endemic in 21 Latin American countries, including Mexico. Although many vector control programs have been implemented, T. cruzi has not been eradicated. The development of an anti-T. cruzi vaccine for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes may significantly contribute to the transmission control of Chagas disease. Immune protection against experimental infection with T. cruzi has been studied since the second decade of the last century, and many types of immunogens have been used subsequently, such as killed or attenuated parasites and new DNA vaccines. This primary prevention strategy appears feasible, effective, safe, and inexpensive, although problems remain. The objective of this review is to summarize the research efforts about the development of vaccines against Chagas disease worldwide. A thorough literature review was conducted by searching PubMed with the terms “Chagas disease” and “American trypanosomiasis” together with “vaccines” or “immunization”. In addition, reports and journals not cited in PubMed were identified. Publications in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were reviewed.
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Gupta S, Garg NJ. A Two-Component DNA-Prime/Protein-Boost Vaccination Strategy for Eliciting Long-Term, Protective T Cell Immunity against Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004828. [PMID: 25951312 PMCID: PMC4423834 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the long-term efficacy of a two-component subunit vaccine against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with TcG2/TcG4 vaccine delivered by a DNA-prime/Protein-boost (D/P) approach and challenged with T. cruzi at 120 or 180 days post-vaccination (dpv). We examined whether vaccine-primed T cell immunity was capable of rapid expansion and intercepting the infecting T. cruzi. Our data showed that D/P vaccine elicited CD4+ (30-38%) and CD8+ (22-42%) T cells maintained an effector phenotype up to 180 dpv, and were capable of responding to antigenic stimulus or challenge infection by a rapid expansion (CD8>CD4) with type 1 cytokine (IFNγ+ and TFNα+) production and cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. Subsequently, challenge infection at 120 or 180 dpv, resulted in 2-3-fold lower parasite burden in vaccinated mice than was noted in unvaccinated/infected mice. Co-delivery of IL-12- and GMCSF-encoding expression plasmids provided no significant benefits in enhancing the anti-parasite efficacy of the vaccine-induced T cell immunity. Booster immunization (bi) with recombinant TcG2/TcG4 proteins 3-months after primary vaccine enhanced the protective efficacy, evidenced by an enhanced expansion (1.2-2.8-fold increase) of parasite-specific, type 1 CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and a potent CTL response capable of providing significantly improved (3-4.5-fold) control of infecting T. cruzi. Further, CD8+T cells in vaccinated/bi mice were predominantly of central memory phenotype, and capable of responding to challenge infection 4-6-months post bi by a rapid expansion to a poly-functional effector phenotype, and providing a 1.5-2.3-fold reduction in tissue parasite replication. We conclude that the TcG2/TcG4 D/P vaccine provided long-term anti-T. cruzi T cell immunity, and bi would be an effective strategy to maintain or enhance the vaccine-induced protective immunity against T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease. Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection, represents the third greatest tropical disease burden in the world. No vaccine or suitable treatment is available for control of this infection. Based upon several studies we have conducted, we believe that TcG2 and TcG4 candidate antigens that are highly conserved in T. cruzi, expressed in clinically relevant forms of the parasite, and recognized by both B and T cell responses in multiple hosts, are an excellent choice for subunit vaccine development. In this study, we demonstrate that the delivery of TcG2 and TcG4 as a DNA-prime/protein-boost vaccine provided long-term protection from challenge infection, and this protection was associated with elicitation of long-lived CD8+ effector T cells. The longevity and efficacy of vaccine could be enhanced by booster immunization. We believe that this is the first report demonstrating a) a subunit vaccine can be useful in achieving long-term protection against T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease, and b) the effector T cells can be long-lived and play a role in vaccine elicited protection from parasitic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivali Gupta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SG); (NJG)
| | - Nisha J. Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SG); (NJG)
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Bonney KM, Engman DM. Autoimmune pathogenesis of Chagas heart disease: looking back, looking ahead. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2015; 185:1537-47. [PMID: 25857229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Revised: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Chagas heart disease is an inflammatory cardiomyopathy that develops in approximately one-third of individuals infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Since the discovery of T. cruzi by Carlos Chagas >100 years ago, much has been learned about Chagas disease pathogenesis; however, the outcome of T. cruzi infection is highly variable and difficult to predict. Many mechanisms have been proposed to promote tissue inflammation, but the determinants and the relative importance of each have yet to be fully elucidated. The notion that some factor other than the parasite significantly contributes to the development of myocarditis was hypothesized by the first physician-scientists who noted the conspicuous absence of parasites in the hearts of those who succumbed to Chagas disease. One of these factors-autoimmunity-has been extensively studied for more than half a century. Although questions regarding the functional role of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease remain unanswered, the development of autoimmune responses during infection clearly occurs in some individuals, and the implications that this autoimmunity may be pathogenic are significant. In this review, we summarize what is known about the pathogenesis of Chagas heart disease and conclude with a view of the future of Chagas disease diagnosis, pathogenesis, therapy, and prevention, emphasizing recent advances in these areas that aid in the management of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Bonney
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - David M Engman
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
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Sánchez-Sampedro L, Perdiguero B, Mejías-Pérez E, García-Arriaza J, Di Pilato M, Esteban M. The evolution of poxvirus vaccines. Viruses 2015; 7:1726-803. [PMID: 25853483 PMCID: PMC4411676 DOI: 10.3390/v7041726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
After Edward Jenner established human vaccination over 200 years ago, attenuated poxviruses became key players to contain the deadliest virus of its own family: Variola virus (VARV), the causative agent of smallpox. Cowpox virus (CPXV) and horsepox virus (HSPV) were extensively used to this end, passaged in cattle and humans until the appearance of vaccinia virus (VACV), which was used in the final campaigns aimed to eradicate the disease, an endeavor that was accomplished by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1980. Ever since, naturally evolved strains used for vaccination were introduced into research laboratories where VACV and other poxviruses with improved safety profiles were generated. Recombinant DNA technology along with the DNA genome features of this virus family allowed the generation of vaccines against heterologous diseases, and the specific insertion and deletion of poxvirus genes generated an even broader spectrum of modified viruses with new properties that increase their immunogenicity and safety profile as vaccine vectors. In this review, we highlight the evolution of poxvirus vaccines, from first generation to the current status, pointing out how different vaccines have emerged and approaches that are being followed up in the development of more rational vaccines against a wide range of diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- History, 18th Century
- History, 19th Century
- History, 20th Century
- History, 21st Century
- Humans
- Poxviridae/immunology
- Poxviridae/isolation & purification
- Smallpox/prevention & control
- Smallpox Vaccine/history
- Smallpox Vaccine/immunology
- Smallpox Vaccine/isolation & purification
- Vaccines, Attenuated/history
- Vaccines, Attenuated/immunology
- Vaccines, Attenuated/isolation & purification
- Vaccines, Synthetic/history
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/isolation & purification
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Sánchez-Sampedro
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid-28049, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Perdiguero
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid-28049, Spain.
| | - Ernesto Mejías-Pérez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid-28049, Spain
| | - Juan García-Arriaza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid-28049, Spain
| | - Mauro Di Pilato
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid-28049, Spain.
| | - Mariano Esteban
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid-28049, Spain.
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Aparicio-Burgos JE, Zepeda-Escobar JA, de Oca-Jimenez RM, Estrada-Franco JG, Barbabosa-Pliego A, Ochoa-García L, Alejandre-Aguilar R, Rivas N, Peñuelas-Rivas G, Val-Arreola M, Gupta S, Salazar-García F, Garg NJ, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC. Immune protection against Trypanosoma cruzi induced by TcVac4 in a canine model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003625. [PMID: 25853654 PMCID: PMC4390229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in southern parts of the American continent. Herein, we have tested the protective efficacy of a DNA-prime/T. rangeli-boost (TcVac4) vaccine in a dog (Canis familiaris) model. Dogs were immunized with two-doses of DNA vaccine (pcDNA3.1 encoding TcG1, TcG2, and TcG4 antigens plus IL-12- and GM-CSF-encoding plasmids) followed by two doses of glutaraldehyde-inactivated T. rangeli epimastigotes (TrIE); and challenged with highly pathogenic T. cruzi (SylvioX10/4) isolate. Dogs given TrIE or empty pcDNA3.1 were used as controls. We monitored post-vaccination and post-challenge infection antibody response by an ELISA, parasitemia by blood analysis and xenodiagnosis, and heart function by electrocardiography. Post-mortem anatomic and pathologic evaluation of the heart was conducted. TcVac4 induced a strong IgG response (IgG2>IgG1) that was significantly expanded post-infection, and moved to a nearly balanced IgG2/IgG1 response in chronic phase. In comparison, dogs given TrIE or empty plasmid DNA only developed high IgG titers with IgG2 predominance in response to T. cruzi infection. Blood parasitemia, tissue parasite foci, parasite transmission to triatomines, electrocardiographic abnormalities were significantly lower in TcVac4-vaccinated dogs than was observed in dogs given TrIE or empty plasmid DNA only. Macroscopic and microscopic alterations, the hallmarks of chronic Chagas disease, were significantly decreased in the myocardium of TcVac4-vaccinated dogs. We conclude that TcVac4 induced immunity was beneficial in providing resistance to T. cruzi infection, evidenced by control of chronic pathology of the heart and preservation of cardiac function in dogs. Additionally, TcVac4 vaccination decreased the transmission of parasites from vaccinated/infected animals to triatomines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José A. Zepeda-Escobar
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Roberto Montes de Oca-Jimenez
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - José G. Estrada-Franco
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Alberto Barbabosa-Pliego
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Laucel Ochoa-García
- Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública del Instituto Salud del Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Ricardo Alejandre-Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, México
| | - Nancy Rivas
- Laboratorio de Entomología, Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, México
| | - Giovanna Peñuelas-Rivas
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Margarita Val-Arreola
- Hospital General de Zona No. 2, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Irapuato, México
| | - Shivali Gupta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Felix Salazar-García
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Nisha J. Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, and Faculty of the Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, and the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Juan C. Vázquez-Chagoyán
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Estado de México, Toluca, México
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Efficacy of a trans-sialidase-ISCOMATRIX subunit vaccine candidate to protect against experimental Chagas disease. Vaccine 2015; 33:1274-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Pereira IR, Vilar-Pereira G, Marques V, da Silva AA, Caetano B, Moreira OC, Machado AV, Bruna-Romero O, Rodrigues MM, Gazzinelli RT, Lannes-Vieira J. A human type 5 adenovirus-based Trypanosoma cruzi therapeutic vaccine re-programs immune response and reverses chronic cardiomyopathy. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004594. [PMID: 25617628 PMCID: PMC4305326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a prototypical neglected tropical disease. Specific immunity promotes acute phase survival. Nevertheless, one-third of CD patients develop chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) associated with parasite persistence and immunological unbalance. Currently, the therapeutic management of patients only mitigates CCC symptoms. Therefore, a vaccine arises as an alternative to stimulate protective immunity and thereby prevent, delay progression and even reverse CCC. We examined this hypothesis by vaccinating mice with replication-defective human Type 5 recombinant adenoviruses (rAd) carrying sequences of amastigote surface protein-2 (rAdASP2) and trans-sialidase (rAdTS) T. cruzi antigens. For prophylactic vaccination, naïve C57BL/6 mice were immunized with rAdASP2+rAdTS (rAdVax) using a homologous prime/boost protocol before challenge with the Colombian strain. For therapeutic vaccination, rAdVax administration was initiated at 120 days post-infection (dpi), when mice were afflicted by CCC. Mice were analyzed for electrical abnormalities, immune response and cardiac parasitism and tissue damage. Prophylactic immunization with rAdVax induced antibodies and H-2Kb-restricted cytotoxic and interferon (IFN)γ-producing CD8+ T-cells, reduced acute heart parasitism and electrical abnormalities in the chronic phase. Therapeutic vaccination increased survival and reduced electrical abnormalities after the prime (analysis at 160 dpi) and the boost (analysis at 180 and 230 dpi). Post-therapy mice exhibited less heart injury and electrical abnormalities compared with pre-therapy mice. rAdVax therapeutic vaccination preserved specific IFNγ-mediated immunity but reduced the response to polyclonal stimuli (anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28), CD107a+ CD8+ T-cell frequency and plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels. Moreover, therapeutic rAdVax reshaped immunity in the heart tissue as reduced the number of perforin+ cells, preserved the number of IFNγ+ cells, increased the expression of IFNγ mRNA but reduced inducible NO synthase mRNA. Vaccine-based immunostimulation with rAd might offer a rational alternative for re-programming the immune response to preserve and, moreover, recover tissue injury in Chagas’ heart disease. The idea that Chagas disease (CD) has an important autoimmune involvement contributed to delay the development of therapies and vaccines. CD is a parasitic neglected disease which afflicts millions of people mostly in Latin America. The cardiac form is the main clinical manifestation of CD. Currently, patients with access to therapy receive medicaments that only mitigate symptoms. Because of the limited prospect of treatment, vaccine reemerged as a strategy to prevent infection, interfere with CD progression and, moreover, reverse heart abnormalities. Here we tested a recombinant adenovirus carrying sequences of ASP2 and TS T. cruzi antigens (rAdVax) as prophylactic and therapeutic tool using a model of chronic Chagas’ heart disease. We showed that prophylactic vaccination reduced heart parasite load, inflammation and electrical abnormalities. The rAdVax therapeutic vaccination also reduced heart injury and improved electrical function, preserved specific IFNγ-mediated immunity but reduced response to polyclonal stimuli, CD107a+ CD8+ T-cell frequency and plasma nitric oxide levels. Moreover, therapeutic rAdVax preserved the number IFNγ+ cells, but decreased perforin+ cells in the heart tissue. Therefore, our results support the hypothesis that vaccination can modify the immunological unbalance that concurs to Chagas’ heart disease to improve prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Virgínia Marques
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea Alice da Silva
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bráulia Caetano
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e do Sarampo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Vieira Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Oscar Bruna-Romero
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Maurício Martins Rodrigues
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Tostes Gazzinelli
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Sánchez-Valdéz FJ, Pérez Brandán C, Ferreira A, Basombrío MÁ. Gene-deleted live-attenuated Trypanosoma cruzi parasites as vaccines to protect against Chagas disease. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 14:681-97. [PMID: 25496192 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.989989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This illness is now becoming global, mainly due to congenital transmission, and so far, there are no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines available to either prevent or treat Chagas disease. Therefore, different approaches aimed at identifying new protective immunogens are urgently needed. Live vaccines are likely to be more efficient in inducing protection, but safety issues linked with their use have been raised. The development of improved protozoan genetic manipulation tools and genomic and biological information has helped to increase the safety of live vaccines. These advances have generated a renewed interest in the use of genetically attenuated parasites as vaccines against Chagas disease. This review discusses the protective capacity of genetically attenuated parasite vaccines and the challenges and perspectives for the development of an effective whole-parasite Chagas disease vaccine.
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Dhiman M, Garg NJ. P47phox-/- mice are compromised in expansion and activation of CD8+ T cells and susceptible to Trypanosoma cruzi infection. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004516. [PMID: 25474113 PMCID: PMC4256457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage activation of NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) is suggested to kill Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease. However, the role of NOX2 in generation of protective immunity and whether these mechanisms are deregulated in the event of NOX2 deficiency are not known, and examined in this study. Our data showed that C57BL/6 p47(phox-/-) mice (lack NOX2 activity), as compared to wild-type (WT) mice, succumbed within 30 days post-infection (pi) to low doses of T. cruzi and exhibited inability to control tissue parasites. P47(phox-/-) bone-marrow and splenic monocytes were not compromised in maturation, phagocytosis and parasite uptake capacity. The deficiency of NOX2 mediated ROS was compensated by higher level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β) release by p47(phox-/-) macrophages as compared to that noted in WT controls infected by T. cruzi. Splenic activation of Th1 CD4(+)T cells and tissue infiltration of immune cells in T. cruzi infected p47(phox-/-) mice were comparable to that noted in infected control mice. However, generation and activation of type 1 CD8(+)T cells was severely compromised in p47(phox-/-) mice. In comparison, WT mice exhibited a robust T. cruzi-specific CD8(+)T cell response with type 1 (IFN-γ(+)TNF-α>IL-4+IL-10), cytolytic effector (CD8(+)CD107a(+)IFN-γ(+)) phenotype. We conclude that NOX2/ROS activity in macrophages signals the development of antigen-specific CD8(+)T cell response. In the event of NOX2 deficiency, a compromised CD8(+)T cell response is generated, leading to increased parasite burden, tissue pathogenesis and mortality in chagasic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monisha Dhiman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MD); (NJG)
| | - Nisha Jain Garg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, UTMB, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, UTMB, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MD); (NJG)
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Cazorla SI, Matos MN, Cerny N, Ramirez C, Alberti AS, Bivona AE, Morales C, Guzmán CA, Malchiodi EL. Oral multicomponent DNA vaccine delivered by attenuated Salmonella elicited immunoprotection against American trypanosomiasis. J Infect Dis 2014; 211:698-707. [PMID: 25160983 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We have reported that attenuated Salmonella (S) carrying plasmids encoding the cysteine protease cruzipain (Cz) protects against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Here, we determined whether immunoprotection could be improved by the oral coadministration of 3 Salmonella carrying the plasmids that encode the antigens Cz, Tc52, and Tc24. SCz+STc52+STc24-immunized mice presented an increased antibody response against each antigen compared with those in the single antigen-immunized groups, as well as higher trypomastigotes antibody-mediated lyses and cell invasion inhibition compared with controls. SCz+STc52+STc24-immunized and -challenged mice rendered lower parasitemia. Weight loss after infection was detected in all mice except those in the SCz+STc52+STc24 group. Moreover, cardiomyopathy-associated enzyme activity was significantly lower in SCz+STc24+STc52-immunized mice compared with controls. Few or no abnormalities were found in muscle tissues of SCz+STc24+STc52-immunized mice, whereas controls presented with inflammatory foci, necrosis, and amastigote nests. We conclude that a multicomponent approach that targets several invasion and metabolic mechanisms improves protection compared with single-component vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia I Cazorla
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Dr. R. A. Margni, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET and Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA
| | - Marina N Matos
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Dr. R. A. Margni, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET and Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA
| | - Natacha Cerny
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Dr. R. A. Margni, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET and Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA
| | - Carolina Ramirez
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Dr. R. A. Margni, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET and Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA
| | - Andrés Sanchez Alberti
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Dr. R. A. Margni, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET and Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA
| | - Augusto E Bivona
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Dr. R. A. Margni, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET and Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA
| | - Celina Morales
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina UBA, Instituto de Fisiopatología Cardiovascular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos A Guzmán
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Emilio L Malchiodi
- Cátedra de Inmunología and Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Dr. R. A. Margni, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas-Universidad de Buenos Aires (CONICET-UBA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET and Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA
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Vázquez A, Ruiz-Rosado JDD, Terrazas LI, Juárez I, Gomez-Garcia L, Calleja E, Camacho G, Chávez A, Romero M, Rodriguez T, Espinoza B, Rodriguez-Sosa M. Mouse macrophage galactose-type lectin (mMGL) is critical for host resistance against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Int J Biol Sci 2014; 10:909-20. [PMID: 25170304 PMCID: PMC4147224 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.9214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-type lectin receptor mMGL is expressed exclusively by myeloid antigen presenting cells (APC) such as dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (Mφ), and it mediates binding to glycoproteins carrying terminal galactose and α- or β-N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal/GalNAc) residues. Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) expresses large amounts of mucin (TcMUC)-like glycoproteins. Here, we show by lectin-blot that galactose moieties are also expressed on the surface of T. cruzi. Male mMGL knockout (-/-) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice were infected intraperitoneally with 104T. cruzi trypomastigotes (Queretaro strain). Following T. cruzi infection, mMGL-/- mice developed higher parasitemia and higher mortality rates compared with WT mice. Although hearts from T. cruzi-infected WT mice presented few amastigote nests, mMGL-/- mice displayed higher numbers of amastigote nests. Compared with WT, Mφ from mMGL-/- mice had low production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in response to soluble T. cruzi antigens (TcAg). Interestingly, upon in vitro T. cruzi infection, mMGL-/- Mφ expressed lower levels of MHC-II and TLR-4 and harbored higher numbers of parasites, even when mMGL-/- Mφ were previously primed with IFN-γ or LPS/IFN-γ. These data suggest that mMGL plays an important role during T. cruzi infection, is required for optimal Mφ activation, and may synergize with TLR-4-induced pathways to produce TNF-α, IL-1β and NO during the early phase of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Vázquez
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Juan de Dios Ruiz-Rosado
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Luis I Terrazas
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Imelda Juárez
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Lorena Gomez-Garcia
- 2. Department of Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez," México, D.F. 14080 México
| | - Elsa Calleja
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Griselda Camacho
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Ana Chávez
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Miriam Romero
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Tonathiu Rodriguez
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
| | - Bertha Espinoza
- 3. Department of Immunology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. México, D.F. 04510 México
| | - Miriam Rodriguez-Sosa
- 1. Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), C. P. 54090, Estado de México, México
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Tc52 amino-terminal-domain DNA carried by attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium induces protection against a Trypanosoma cruzi lethal challenge. Infect Immun 2014; 82:4265-75. [PMID: 25069980 DOI: 10.1128/iai.02190-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work we immunized mice with DNA encoding full-length Tc52 or its amino- or carboxy-terminal (N- and C-term, respectively) domain carried by attenuated Salmonella as a DNA delivery system. As expected, Salmonella-mediated DNA delivery resulted in low antibody titers and a predominantly Th1 response, as shown by the ratio of IgG2a/IgG1-specific antibodies. Despite modest expression of Tc52 in trypomastigotes, the antibodies elicited by vaccination were able to mediate lysis of the trypomastigotes in the presence of complement and inhibit their invasion of mammal cells in vitro. The strongest functional activity was observed with sera from mice immunized with Salmonella carrying the N-term domain (SN-term), followed by Tc52 (STc52), and the C-term domain (SC-term). All immunized groups developed strong cellular responses, with predominant activation of Th1 cells. However, mice immunized with SN-term showed higher levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), counterbalancing the inflammatory reaction, and also strong activation of Tc52-specific gamma interferon-positive (IFN-γ(+)) CD8(+) T cells. In agreement with this, although all prototypes conferred protection against infection, immunization with SN-term promoted greater protection than that with SC-term for all parameters tested and slightly better protection than that with STc52, especially in the acute stage of infection. We conclude that the N-terminal domain of Tc52 is the section of the protein that confers maximal protection against infection and propose it as a promising candidate for vaccine development.
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CD8(+) T cell-mediated immunity during Trypanosoma cruzi infection: a path for vaccine development? Mediators Inflamm 2014; 2014:243786. [PMID: 25104879 PMCID: PMC4102079 DOI: 10.1155/2014/243786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
MHC-restricted CD8+ T cells are important during infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Experimental studies performed in the past 25 years have elucidated a number of features related to the immune response mediated by these T cells, which are important for establishing the parasite/host equilibrium leading to chronic infection. CD8+ T cells are specific for highly immunodominant antigens expressed by members of the trans-sialidase family. After infection, their activation is delayed, and the cells display a high proliferative activity associated with high apoptotic rates. Although they participate in parasite control and elimination, they are unable to clear the infection due to their low fitness, allowing the parasite to establish the chronic phase when these cells then play an active role in the induction of heart immunopathology. Vaccination with a number of subunit recombinant vaccines aimed at eliciting specific CD8+ T cells can reverse this path, thereby generating a productive immune response that will lead to the control of infection, reduction of symptoms, and reduction of disease transmission. Due to these attributes, activation of CD8+ T lymphocytes may constitute a path for the development of a veterinarian or human vaccine.
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Bonney KM. Chagas disease in the 21st century: a public health success or an emerging threat? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:11. [PMID: 24626257 PMCID: PMC3952655 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2014012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health burden in Latin America and a potentially serious emerging threat to a number of countries throughout the world. Although public health programs have significantly reduced the prevalence of Chagas disease in Latin America in recent decades, the number of infections in the United States and non-endemic countries in Europe and the Western Pacific Region continues to rise. Moreover, there is still no vaccine or highly effective cure available for the approximately 10 million people currently infected with T. cruzi, a third of which will develop potentially fatal cardiomyopathy and/or severe digestive tract disorders. As Chagas disease becomes an increasingly globalized public health issue in the twenty-first century, continued attentiveness from governmental and health organizations as well as improved diagnostic tools, expanded surveillance and increased research funding will be required to maintain existing public health successes and stymie the spread of the disease to new areas and populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Bonney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York, 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, New York 11235-2398, USA
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Serum-mediated activation of macrophages reflects TcVac2 vaccine efficacy against Chagas disease. Infect Immun 2014; 82:1382-9. [PMID: 24421046 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01186-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America and an emerging infectious disease in the United States. No effective treatments are available. The TcG1, TcG2, and TcG4 antigens are highly conserved in clinically relevant Trypanosoma cruzi isolates and are recognized by B and T cells in infected hosts. Delivery of these antigens as a DNA prime/protein boost vaccine (TcVac2) elicited lytic antibodies and type 1 CD8(+) T cells that expanded upon challenge infection and provided >90% control of parasite burden and myocarditis in chagasic mice. Here we determined if peripheral blood can be utilized to capture the TcVac2-induced protection from Chagas disease. We evaluated the serum levels of T. cruzi kinetoplast DNA (TckDNA), T. cruzi 18S ribosomal DNA (Tc18SrDNA), and murine mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as indicators of parasite persistence and tissue damage and monitored the effect of sera on macrophage phenotype. Circulating TckDNA/Tc18SrDNA and mtDNA were decreased by >3- to 5-fold and 2-fold, respectively, in vaccinated infected mice compared to nonvaccinated infected mice. Macrophages incubated with sera from vaccinated infected mice exhibited M2 surface markers (CD16, CD32, CD200, and CD206), moderate proliferation, a low oxidative/nitrosative burst, and a regulatory/anti-inflammatory cytokine response (interleukin-4 [IL-4] plus IL-10 > tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]). In comparison, macrophages incubated with sera from nonvaccinated infected mice exhibited M1 surface markers, vigorous proliferation, a substantial oxidative/nitrosative burst, and a proinflammatory cytokine response (TNF-α ≫ IL-4 plus IL-10). Cardiac infiltration of macrophages and TNF-α and oxidant levels were significantly reduced in TcVac2-immunized chagasic mice. We conclude that circulating TcDNA and mtDNA levels and macrophage phenotype mediated by serum constituents reflect in vivo levels of parasite persistence, tissue damage, and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory state and have potential utility in evaluating disease severity and efficacy of vaccines and drug therapies.
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Basso B, Moretti E, Fretes R. Vaccination with Trypanosoma rangeli induces resistance of guinea pigs to virulent Trypanosoma cruzi. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2014; 157:119-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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