1
|
Waechtler A, Cezanne B, Maillard D, Sun R, Wang S, Wang J, Harder A. Praziquantel - 50 Years of Research. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300154. [PMID: 37009677 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Investigations on praziquantel (PZQ) started fifty years ago by a cooperation between Bayer AG and Merck KGaA. Until today PZQ is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis in human medicine and used in many combinations with antinematode drugs in veterinary medicine. The Sm.TRPMPZQ , a Ca2+ -permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, has been discovered as primary target of PZQ during the last decade. Furthermore, there is a short overview of routes of large-scale synthesis of racemic and pure (R)-PZQ. Until now racemic PZQ is used in veterinary and human medicine. In 2012 the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium started PZQ chemistry and process development of pure (R)-PZQ for human application. It is hoped that (R)-PZQ will become available for pediatric use soon. The knowledge of the binding pocket of PZQ in Sm.TRPMPZQ allows to design synthesis of PZQ-derivatives of the next generation for a target-site directed screening. A similar screening should also be started for Fasciola hepatica TRPMPZQ .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Waechtler
- Central Process Development Department (EL-OTS) Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Bertram Cezanne
- Central Process Development Department (EL-OTS) Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - David Maillard
- Central Process Development Department (EL-OTS) Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Rui Sun
- R&D Department, Valiant Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Taiyuan Road No. 60, YEDA, Yantai, Shandong, 264006, China
| | - Shaofang Wang
- Technical Department, Valiant Corporation Ltd., Wuzhishan Road No. 11, YEDA, Yantai, Shandong, 264006, China
| | - Jihua Wang
- Technical Department, Valiant Corporation Ltd., Wuzhishan Road No. 11, YEDA, Yantai, Shandong, 264006, China
| | - Achim Harder
- Department WE Biology, Institute of Biology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Harder A. Activation of transient receptor potential channel Sm.(Schistosoma mansoni)TRPM PZQ by PZQ, enhanced Ca ++ influx, spastic paralysis, and tegumental disrupture-the deadly cascade in parasitic schistosomes, other trematodes, and cestodes. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2371-2382. [PMID: 32607709 PMCID: PMC7366562 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06763-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
After almost 50 years of praziquantel (PZQ) research, Park and Marchant (Trends Parasitol 36:182-194, 2020) described the Ca++-permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) channel Sm.TRPMPZQ in Schistosoma mansoni as target of PZQ. Here we describe the deadly cascade in schistosomes which is induced by the (R)-PZQ enantiomer that includes contemporaneous stereoselective activation of Sm.TRPMPZQ-mediated Ca++ influx, disturbed Ca++ homeostasis, Ca++-dependent spastic paralysis, and Ca++- and PZQ-dependent disruption of parasitic teguments. Under normal conditions, there is a reversible balance between bilayer, isotropic, and HII phases in biological membranes (Jouhet 2013). In vitro, we could observe an irreversible but not stereoselective transition to the HII phase in liposomes consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS), two naturally occurring phospholipids in schistosomes, by the concerted action of Ca++ and PZQ (Harder 2013). HII structures are a prerequisite for induction of fusion processes (Jouhet 2013), which, indeed, become visible as blebs, vacuolation processes, and large balloon-like surface exudates in a large variety of PZQ-sensitive parasitic flukes and cestodes after PZQ treatment. These tegument damages are irreversible. As homologs of Sm.TRPMPZQ are also present in the other trematodes S. japonicum, S. haematobium, or Clonorchis sinensis and cestodes Taenia solium, Echinococcus multilocularis, or Hymenolepis microstoma (Park and Marchant, Trends Parasitol 36:182-194, 2020), it is suggested that a similar deadly cascade will be operating generally in PZQ-sensitive parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Achim Harder
- WE Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Coutinho Carneiro V, de Abreu da Silva IC, Amaral MS, Pereira ASA, Silveira GO, Pires DDS, Verjovski-Almeida S, Dekker FJ, Rotili D, Mai A, Lopes-Torres EJ, Robaa D, Sippl W, Pierce RJ, Borrello MT, Ganesan A, Lancelot J, Thiengo S, Fernandez MA, Vicentino ARR, Mourão MM, Coelho FS, Fantappié MR. Pharmacological inhibition of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) induces global transcriptional deregulation and ultrastructural alterations that impair viability in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008332. [PMID: 32609727 PMCID: PMC7329083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment and control of schistosomiasis still rely on only one effective drug, praziquantel (PZQ) and, due to mass treatment, the increasing risk of selecting for schistosome strains that are resistant to PZQ has alerted investigators to the urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies. The histone-modifying enzymes (HMEs) represent promising targets for the development of epigenetic drugs against Schistosoma mansoni. In the present study, we targeted the S. mansoni lysine-specific demethylase 1 (SmLSD1), a transcriptional corepressor, using a novel and selective synthetic inhibitor, MC3935, which was used to treat schistosomula and adult worms in vitro. By using cell viability assays and optical and electron microscopy, we showed that treatment with MC3935 affected parasite motility, egg-laying, tegument, and cellular organelle structures, culminating in the death of schistosomula and adult worms. In silico molecular modeling and docking analysis suggested that MC3935 binds to the catalytic pocket of SmLSD1. Western blot analysis revealed that MC3935 inhibited SmLSD1 demethylation activity of H3K4me1/2. Knockdown of SmLSD1 by RNAi recapitulated MC3935 phenotypes in adult worms. RNA-Seq analysis of MC3935-treated parasites revealed significant differences in gene expression related to critical biological processes. Collectively, our findings show that SmLSD1 is a promising drug target for the treatment of schistosomiasis and strongly support the further development and in vivo testing of selective schistosome LSD1 inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Coutinho Carneiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabel Caetano de Abreu da Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Adriana S. A. Pereira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Gilbert Oliveira Silveira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | | | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Frank J. Dekker
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan, AV Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eduardo José Lopes-Torres
- Laboratório de Helmintologia Romero Lascasas Porto, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dina Robaa
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Raymond J. Pierce
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - M. Teresa Borrello
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - A. Ganesan
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Julien Lancelot
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Silvana Thiengo
- Laboratório de Malacologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Monica Ammon Fernandez
- Laboratório de Malacologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Amanda Roberta Revoredo Vicentino
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marina Moraes Mourão
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Sales Coelho
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Rosado Fantappié
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mduluza T, Jones C, Osakunor DNM, Lim R, Kuebel JK, Phiri I, Manangazira P, Tagwireyi P, Mutapi F. Six rounds of annual praziquantel treatment during a national helminth control program significantly reduced schistosome infection and morbidity levels in a cohort of schoolchildren in Zimbabwe. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008388. [PMID: 32569278 PMCID: PMC7332090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008388] [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: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends that schistosomiasis be treated through Mass Drug Administration (MDA). In line with this recommendation, Zimbabwe commenced a national helminth control program in 2012 targeting schoolchildren throughout the country for 6 years. This study, part of a larger investigation of the impact of helminth treatment on the overall health of the children, determined the effect of annual praziquantel treatment on schistosome infection and morbidity in a cohort of children during Zimbabwe's 6-year national helminth control program. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A school-based longitudinal study was carried out in 35 sentinel sites across Zimbabwe from September 2012 to November 2017. The sentinel sites were selected following a countrywide survey conducted in 280 primary schools. Schistosoma haematobium was diagnosed using the urine filtration technique. Schistosoma mansoni was diagnosed using both the Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration techniques. S. haematobium morbidity was determined through detection of macro and microhaematuria. A cohort of children aged 6-15 years old was surveyed annually before MDA and 6 weeks post treatment. Maximum treatment coverage reached 90% over the 6 rounds of MDA. At baseline S. haematobium infection prevalence and intensity were 31.7% (95% CI = 31.1-32.2) and 28.75 eggs/10ml urine (SEM = 0.81) respectively, while S. mansoni prevalence and intensity were 4.6% (95% CI = 4.4-4.8) and 0.28 eggs/25mg (SEM = 0.02). Prior to the 6th round of MDA, S. haematobium infection prevalence had reduced to 1.56% (p<0.001) and infection intensity to 0.07 (SEM 0.02). Six weeks later after the 6th MDA, both were 0. Similarly the prevalence of S. haematobium morbidity as indicated by haematuria also fell significantly from 32.3% (95% CI = 29.9-34.6) to 0% (p< 0.0001) prior to the final MDA. For S.mansoni, both prevalence and intensity had decreased to 0 prior to the 6th MDA. After 6 rounds of annual MDA, prevalence and intensity of both schistosome species decreased significantly to 0% (p< 0.0001). CONCLUSION Zimbabwe's helminth control program significantly reduced schistosome infection intensity and prevalence and urogenital schistosomiasis morbidity prevalence in a cohort of school-aged children, moving the schistosome prevalence in the children from moderate to low by WHO classification. These findings will inform the design of the country's next stage interventions for helminth control and eventual elimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takafira Mduluza
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.,TIBA Zimbabwe, NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Caitlin Jones
- Centre for Infection, Immunity & Evolution and Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) at the University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Derick N M Osakunor
- Centre for Infection, Immunity & Evolution and Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rivka Lim
- Centre for Infection, Immunity & Evolution and Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) at the University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Julius K Kuebel
- Centre for Infection, Immunity & Evolution and Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) at the University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Isaac Phiri
- Epidemiology & Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Portia Manangazira
- Epidemiology & Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Paradzayi Tagwireyi
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Geo-information and Earth Observation Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Francisca Mutapi
- Centre for Infection, Immunity & Evolution and Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) at the University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Giri BR, Du X, Xia T, Chen Y, Li H, Cheng G. Molecular characterization and expression profile of nanos in Schistosoma japonicum and its influence on the expression several mammalian stem cell factors. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1947-1954. [PMID: 28555405 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5476-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells, called neoblasts, are well known for the regenerative capability and developmental plasticity in flatworms. Impressive advancement has been made in free-living flatworms, while in case of its parasitic counterpart, neoblast-like stem cells have attracted recent attention for its self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Nanos is a key conserved post-transcriptional regulator critical for the formation, development, and/or maintenance of the pluripotent germ line stem cell systems in many metazoans including schistosomes. In the present study, we report the molecular cloning and expression of nanos orthologous genes nanos in Schistosoma japonicum (Sjnanos). The cDNA of Sjnanos is 826 bp long, containing an open reading frame (ORF) for 223 amino acid long protein. qRT-PCR analysis shown that Sjnanos was differently expressed in several stages of schistosomes with relatively high level in schistosomula. Additionally, Sjnanos was expressed highly in adult females compared to adult males. Transfection of recombinant plasmid for expressing Sjnanos resulted in significant proliferation and increased expression of several stem cell factors in mammalian cells. Overall, our preliminary study provides the molecular basis to further functionally characterize Sjnanos in S. japonicum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Ranjan Giri
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xiaoli Du
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Tianqi Xia
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hao Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture, 518 Ziyue Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women, in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Infect Dis Poverty 2016; 5:81. [PMID: 27581074 PMCID: PMC5007686 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0174-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because infections with Schistosoma Haematobium usually peak in childhood, the majority of studies on schistosomiasis have focused on school-aged children. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women in Burkina Faso, West Africa. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in a mesoendemic region (Kombissiri) and a hyperendemic region (Dori) for schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso. A total of 287 females aged 5 to 50 years were included in the study. S. haematobium infection was assessed using the urine filtration method and dipsticks were used for the detection of hematuria. Interviews were conducted to identify clinical aspects and risk factors related to urogenital schistosomiasis. RESULTS The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection in Dori was 21.3 %, where as Kombissiri was less affected with a prevalence of 4.6 %. The most affected age group was the 10- to 14-year-olds (41.2 %), followed by the 15- to 19-year-olds (26.3 %). Risk factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis (P <0.05) were place of residence, age, contact with open water in the past year, and distance of home to open water. The percentage of participants who had contact with open water was significantly higher among the women living in Dori compared to Kombissiri. Females over 15 years of age showed a significant higher rate of water contact compared to the 5- to 15-year-olds. A significant correlation between schistosomiasis and hematuria was established. Microhematuria showed a sensitivity of 80.6 %, a specificity of 92.7 %, and a positive predictive value of 61.7 %, whereas macrohematuria had a sensitivity of 47.2 %, a specificity of 99.2 %, and a positive predictive value of 89.5 %. The mass distribution of praziquantel in Burkina Faso is well established. However, over half of the participants with schistosomiasis in this study said they took praziquantel in the past 6 months, which indicates a high reinfection rate. This may be associated with a lack of knowledge about the transmission of schistosomiasis. Only 6 % of the participants in Kombissiri and 1.5 % in Dori knew about the correct mode of transmission. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study indicate that distribution campaigns should be extended from school-aged children to young women. Our data also demonstrate the necessity of combining already established mass distribution campaigns with information campaigns, so that long-term elimination, or at least reduction, of schistosomiasis can be achieved.
Collapse
|
7
|
Li T, Ziniel PD, He PQ, Kommer VP, Crowther GJ, He M, Liu Q, Van Voorhis WC, Williams DL, Wang MW. High-throughput screening against thioredoxin glutathione reductase identifies novel inhibitors with potential therapeutic value for schistosomiasis. Infect Dis Poverty 2015; 4:40. [PMID: 26341081 PMCID: PMC4560900 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-015-0071-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease also known as bilharzia and snail fever, is caused by different species of flatworms, such as Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni). Thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR) from S. mansoni (SmTGR) is a well-characterized drug target for schistosomiasis, yet no anti-SmTGR compounds have reached clinical trials, suggesting that therapeutic development against schistosomiasis might benefit from additional scaffolds targeting this enzyme. METHODS A high-throughput screening (HTS) assay in vitro against SmTGR was developed and applied to a diverse compound library. SmTGR activity was quantified with ThioGlo®, a reagent that fluoresces upon binding to the free sulfhydryl groups of the reaction product GSH (reduced glutathione). RESULTS We implemented an HTS effort against 59,360 synthetic compounds. In the primary screening, initial hits (928 or 1.56 %) showing greater than 90 % inhibition on SmTGR activity at a final concentration of 10 μM for each compound were identified. Further tests were carried out to confirm the effects of these hits and to explore the concentration-dependent response characteristics. As a result, 74 of them (0.12 %) representing 17 chemical scaffolds were confirmed and showed a great concentration-dependent inhibitory trend against SmTGR, including structures previously shown to be lethal to schistosomal growth. Of these, two scaffolds displayed a limited structure-activity relationship. When tested in cultured larvae, 39 compounds had cidal activity in 48 h, and five of them killed larvae completely at 3.125 μM. Of these, three compounds also killed adult worms ex vivo at concentrations between 5 μM and 10 μM. CONCLUSION These confirmed hits may serve as starting points for the development of novel therapeutics to combat schistosomiasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Peter D Ziniel
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Pan-Qing He
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Valerie P Kommer
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Gregory J Crowther
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Min He
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Qing Liu
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - David L Williams
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhu D, Song K, Chen J, Wang J, Sun X, Qian H, Gu X, Zhang L, Qin Y, Duan Y. Expression of Septin4 in Schistosoma japonicum-infected mouse livers after praziquantel treatment. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:19. [PMID: 25582427 PMCID: PMC4298944 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0640-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Septin4 (SEPT4) exists widely in human tissues and is related to mechanical stability, actin dynamics, membrane trafficking, viral replication and apoptosis. Data from many studies have suggested that SEPT4 plays a significant role in liver fibrosis. SEPT4 is down-regulated in the model of CCl4 and BDL treated liver fibrosis. However, it is up-regulated and peaked at 12 weeks post-infection (p.i.), and then decreased subsequently in Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) egg-induced liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to observe the dynamic alteration of SEPT4 after the treatment of praziquantel (PZQ) in ICR mice infected with S. japonicum. Methods Expression of SEPT4 was determined by western blot, immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR. And pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by qRT-PCR. The number of eggs, the diameter of egg granulomas and fibrosis-associated genes were also measured. Results Our results showed that the granulomatous inflammation was reduced, whereafter the expression of SEPT4 on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) was decreased after PZQ anti-schistosome therapy. And the variation tendency of SEPT4 had positive correlation with the inflammatory response in the area of S. japonicum egg granulomas. Conclusions Based on these findings, the inhibition of the expression of the SEPT4 by PZQ might be due to alleviation of the inflammatory response at the chronic and advanced stage of S. japonicum infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ke Song
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinling Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianxin Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Laboratory Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaolei Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongyan Qian
- Cancer Research Center, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xijuan Gu
- Nantong University Xinglin College, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lingbo Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yongwei Qin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yinong Duan
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Carneiro VC, de Abreu da Silva IC, Torres EJL, Caby S, Lancelot J, Vanderstraete M, Furdas SD, Jung M, Pierce RJ, Fantappié MR. Epigenetic changes modulate schistosome egg formation and are a novel target for reducing transmission of schistosomiasis. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004116. [PMID: 24809504 PMCID: PMC4014452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment and control of schistosomiasis relies on the only available drug, praziquantel, and the search for alternative chemotherapeutic agents is therefore urgent. Egg production is required for the transmission and immunopathology of schistosomiasis and females of S. mansoni lay 300 eggs daily. A large fraction of the total mRNA in the mature female worm encodes one eggshell protein, Smp14. We report that the nuclear receptors SmRXR1 and SmNR1 regulate Smp14 transcription through the recruitment of two histone acetyltransferases (HATs), SmGCN5 and SmCBP1. The treatment of HEK293 cells with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (NaB or TSA) produced an 8-fold activation of the SmRXR1/SmNR1-mediated Smp14 promoter activity. Incubation with synthetic HAT inhibitors, including PU139, significantly impaired the Smp14 promoter activity in these cells. Worm pairs cultivated in the presence of PU139 exhibited limited expression of Smp14 mRNA and protein. ChIP analysis demonstrated chromatin condensation at the Smp14 promoter site in worms treated with PU139. ChIP also revealed the presence of H3K27me3 and the absence of RNA Pol II at the Smp14 promoter region in the PU139-treated worms. Most significantly, the PU139-mediated inhibition of Smp14 expression resulted in a significant number of abnormal eggs as well as defective eggs within the ootype. In addition, scanning electron microscopy revealed structural defects and unformed eggshells, and vitelline cell leakage was apparent. The dsRNAi-targeting of SmGCN5 or SmCBP1 significantly decreased Smp14 transcription and protein synthesis, which compromised the reproductive system of mature female worms, egg-laying and egg morphology. Our data strongly suggest that the inhibition of Smp14 expression targeting SmGCN5 and/or SmCBP1 represents a novel and effective strategy to control S. mansoni egg development. Schistosoma mansoni is a parasitic worm that causes schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease in Africa and South America. Female worms mated with males produce hundreds of eggs that can reach the environment to propagate the biological cycle, or become trapped in host tissues, triggering inflammation and pathology. Because eggshell formation is a key step in egg development and viability, we have studied the molecular mechanisms of S. mansoni eggshell development, focusing on a major eggshell gene, Smp14. Using a variety of technical and biological approaches, we obtained strong evidence that eggshell formation depends on nuclear receptors and coactivators with chromatin modifying activities, mainly histone acetylation. Inhibition or partial deletion of S. mansoni histone acetyltransferases impaired the expression of Smp14, culminating in a severe negative effect on eggshell formation. Our findings will contribute not only to a better understanding of sex and tissue-specific gene regulation in S. mansoni but also provide an alternative strategy for interfering with the egg production, which might be targeted in novel therapeutics directed against this parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Coutinho Carneiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Isabel Caetano de Abreu da Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Stephany Caby
- CIIL, INSERM U1019 – CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Julien Lancelot
- CIIL, INSERM U1019 – CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Mathieu Vanderstraete
- CIIL, INSERM U1019 – CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Silviya D. Furdas
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Raymond J. Pierce
- CIIL, INSERM U1019 – CNRS UMR 8204, Université Lille Nord de France, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
- * E-mail: (RJP); (MRF)
| | - Marcelo Rosado Fantappié
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Programa de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- * E-mail: (RJP); (MRF)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Stothard JR, Sousa-Figueiredo JC, Navaratnam AMD. Advocacy, policies and practicalities of preventive chemotherapy campaigns for African children with schistosomiasis. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 11:733-52. [DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2013.811931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
11
|
Elbaz T, Esmat G. Hepatic and intestinal schistosomiasis: review. J Adv Res 2013; 4:445-52. [PMID: 25685451 PMCID: PMC4293886 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is an endemic disease in Egypt caused by the trematode Schistosoma which has different species. Hepatic schistosomiasis represents the best known form of chronic disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. The pathogenesis of schistosomiasis is related to the host cellular immune response. This leads to granuloma formation and neo angiogenesis with subsequent periportal fibrosis manifested as portal hypertension, splenomegaly and esophageal varices. Intestinal schistosomiasis is another well identified form of chronic schistosomal affection. Egg deposition and granuloma formation eventually leads to acute then chronic schistosomal colitis and is commonly associated with polyp formation. It frequently presents as abdominal pain, diarrhea, tenesmus and anal pain. Definite diagnosis of schistosomiasis disease depends on microscopy and egg identification. Marked progress regarding serologic diagnosis occurred with development of recent PCR techniques that can confirm schistosomal affection at any stage. Many antischistosomal drugs have been described for treatment, praziquantel being the most safe and efficient drug. Still ongoing studies try to develop effective vaccines with identification of many target antigens. Preventive programs are highly needed to control the disease morbidity and to break the cycle of transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamer Elbaz
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Gamal Esmat
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|