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Torchelsen FKVDS, Mazzeti AL, Mosqueira VCF. Drugs in preclinical and early clinical development for the treatment of Chagas´s disease: the current status. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:575-590. [PMID: 38686546 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2349289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease is spreading faster than expected in different countries, and little progress has been reported in the discovery of new drugs to combat Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans. Recent clinical trials have ended with small hope. The pathophysiology of this neglected disease and the genetic diversity of parasites are exceptionally complex. The only two drugs available to treat patients are far from being safe, and their efficacy in the chronic phase is still unsatisfactory. AREAS COVERED This review offers a comprehensive examination and critical review of data reported in the last 10 years, and it is focused on findings of clinical trials and data acquired in vivo in preclinical studies. EXPERT OPINION The in vivo investigations classically in mice and dog models are also challenging and time-consuming to attest cure for infection. Poorly standardized protocols, availability of diagnosis methods and disease progression markers, the use of different T. cruzi strains with variable benznidazole sensitivities, and animals in different acute and chronic phases of infection contribute to it. More synchronized efforts between research groups in this field are required to put in evidence new promising substances, drug combinations, repurposing strategies, and new pharmaceutical formulations to impact the therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Karoline Vieira da Silva Torchelsen
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Lia Mazzeti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Health, Academic Unit of Passos, University of Minas Gerais State, Passos, Brazil
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2
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Murta SMF, Lemos Santana PA, Jacques Dit Lapierre TJW, Penteado AB, El Hajje M, Navarro Vinha TC, Liarte DB, de Souza ML, Goulart Trossini GH, de Oliveira Rezende Júnior C, de Oliveira RB, Ferreira RS. New drug discovery strategies for the treatment of benznidazole-resistance in Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:741-753. [PMID: 38715393 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2349155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Benznidazole, the drug of choice for treating Chagas Disease (CD), has significant limitations, such as poor cure efficacy, mainly in the chronic phase of CD, association with side effects, and parasite resistance. Understanding parasite resistance to benznidazole is crucial for developing new drugs to treat CD. AREAS COVERED Here, the authors review the current understanding of the molecular basis of benznidazole resistance. Furthermore, they discuss the state-of-the-art methods and critical outcomes employed to evaluate the efficacy of potential drugs against T. cruzi, aiming to select better compounds likely to succeed in the clinic. Finally, the authors describe the different strategies employed to overcome resistance to benznidazole and find effective new treatments for CD. EXPERT OPINION Resistance to benznidazole is a complex phenomenon that occurs naturally among T. cruzi strains. The combination of compounds that inhibit different metabolic pathways of the parasite is an important strategy for developing a new chemotherapeutic protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos - Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pedro Augusto Lemos Santana
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - André Berndt Penteado
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marissa El Hajje
- Departamento de Farmacia, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mariana Laureano de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renata Barbosa de Oliveira
- Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Salgado Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Caetano-da-Silva JE, Gonçalves-Santos E, Domingues ELBC, Caldas IS, Lima GDA, Diniz LF, Gonçalves RV, Novaes RD. The mitochondrial uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol modulates inflammatory and oxidative responses in Trypanosoma cruzi-induced acute myocarditis in mice. Cardiovasc Pathol 2024; 72:107653. [PMID: 38740356 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2024.107653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
By uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) attenuates reactive oxygen species (ROS) biosynthesis, which are known to aggravate infectious myocarditis in Chagas disease. Thus, the impact of DNP-based chemotherapy on Trypanosoma cruzi-induced acute myocarditis was investigated. C56BL/6 mice uninfected and infected untreated and treated daily with 100 mg/kg benznidazole (Bz, reference drug), 5 and 10 mg/kg DNP by gavage for 11 days after confirmation of T. cruzi infection were investigated. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the animals were euthanized and the heart was collected for microstructural, immunological and biochemical analyses. T. cruzi inoculation induced systemic inflammation (e.g., cytokines and anti-T. cruzi IgG upregulation), cardiac infection (T. cruzi DNA), oxidative stress, inflammatory infiltrate and microstructural myocardial damage in untreated mice. DNP treatment aggravated heart infection and microstructural damage, which were markedly attenuated by Bz. DNP (10 mg/kg) was also effective in attenuating ROS (total ROS, H2O2, and O2-), nitric oxide (NO), lipid (malondialdehyde - MDA) and protein (protein carbonyl - PCn) oxidation, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-10, and MCP-1/CCL2, anti-T. cruzi IgG, cardiac troponin I levels, as well as inflammatory infiltrate and cardiac damage in T. cruzi-infected mice. Our findings indicate that DNP aggravated heart infection and microstructural cardiomyocytes damage in infected mice. These responses were related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of DNP, which favors infection by weakening the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory protective mechanisms of the infected host. Conversely, Bz-induced cardioprotective effects combined effective anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic responses, which protect against heart infection, oxidative stress, and microstructural damage in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Edson Caetano-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elda Gonçalves-Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elisa L B C Domingues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ivo S Caldas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Graziela D A Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lívia F Diniz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani V Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo D Novaes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Zingales B, Macedo AM. Fifteen Years after the Definition of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs: What Have We Learned? Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2339. [PMID: 38137940 PMCID: PMC10744745 DOI: 10.3390/life13122339] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan causative of Chagas disease (ChD), exhibits striking genetic and phenotypic intraspecific diversity, along with ecoepidemiological complexity. Human-pathogen interactions lead to distinct clinical presentations of ChD. In 2009, an international consensus classified T. cruzi strains into six discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI to TcVI, later including TcBat, and proposed reproducible genotyping schemes for DTU identification. This article aims to review the impact of classifying T. cruzi strains into DTUs on our understanding of biological, ecoepidemiological, and pathogenic aspects of T. cruzi. We will explore the likely origin of DTUs and the intrinsic characteristics of each group of strains concerning genome organization, genomics, and susceptibility to drugs used in ChD treatment. We will also provide an overview of the association of DTUs with mammalian reservoirs, and summarize the geographic distribution, and the clinical implications, of prevalent specific DTUs in ChD patients. Throughout this review, we will emphasize the crucial roles of both parasite and human genetics in defining ChD pathogenesis and chemotherapy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zingales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréa M. Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil;
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Milagre MM, Torchelsen FKVDS, Pedrosa TCF, Teixeira GM, Sampaio LS, Saúde-Guimarães DA, Branquinho RT, Mosqueira VCF, Lana MD. Lychnopholide loaded in surface modified polylactide nanocapsules (LYC-PLA-PEG-NC) cure mice infected by Trypanosoma cruzi strain a prototype of resistance to benznidazole and nifurtimox: First insights of its mechanism of action. Exp Parasitol 2023; 255:108647. [PMID: 37914151 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) remains neglected and causes high morbidity and mortality. The great difficulty is the lack of effective treatment. The current drugs cause side effects and have limited therapeutic efficacy in the chronic phase. This study aims to fulfil some gaps in studies of the natural substance lychnopholide nanoencapsulated LYC-PLA-PEG-NC (LYC-NC) and free (Free-LYC): the activity in epimastigotes and amastigotes to determine its selectivity index (SI), the therapeutic efficacy in mice infected with Colombian Trypanosoma cruzi strain and insight of the mechanism of LYC-NC action on T. cruzi. The SI was obtained by calculation of the ratio between the IC50 value toward H9c2 cells divided by the IC50 value in the anti-T. cruzi test. Infected Swiss mice were treated with 2 and 12 mg/kg/day via intravenous and oral, respectively, and the therapeutic efficacy was determined. The IC50 of LYC-NC and Free-LYC for epimastigotes of T. cruzi were similar. Both were active against amastigotes in cell culture, particularly Free-LYC. The SI of LYC-NC and Free-LYC were 45.38 and 32.11, respectively. LYC-NC 2 and 12 mg/kg/day cured parasitologically, 62.5% and 80% of the animals, respectively, infected with a strain resistant to treatment. The fluorescent NC was distributed in the cardiomyocyte cytoplasm, infected or not, and interacted with the trypomastigotes. Together, these results represent advances in demonstrating LYC as a potent new therapeutic option for treating CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Marques Milagre
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gabriel Marques Teixeira
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Larissa Silva Sampaio
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Dênia Antunes Saúde-Guimarães
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Renata Tupinambá Branquinho
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Marta de Lana
- Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Escola de Farmácia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil.
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Vieira da Silva Torchelsen FK, Fernandes Pedrosa TC, Rodrigues MP, de Aguiar AR, de Oliveira FM, Amarante GW, Sales-Junior PA, Branquinho RT, Gomes da Silva SP, Talvani A, Fonseca Murta SM, Martins FT, Braun RL, Teixeira RR, Furtado Mosqueira VC, Lana MD. Novel diamides inspired by protein kinase inhibitors as anti- Trypanosoma cruzi agents: in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1469-1489. [PMID: 37650735 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0090] [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] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Chagas disease is a life-threatening illness caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. The involvement of serine-/arginine-rich protein kinase in the T. cruzi life cycle is significant. Aims: To synthesize, characterize and evaluate the trypanocidal activity of diamides inspired by kinase inhibitor, SRPIN340. Material & Methods: Synthesis using a three-step process and characterization by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry were conducted. The selectivity index was obtained by the ratio of CC50/IC50 in two in vitro models. The most active compound, 3j, was evaluated using in vitro cytokine assays and assessing in vivo trypanocidal activity. Results: 3j activity in the macrophage J774 lineage showed an anti-inflammatory profile, and mice showed significantly reduced parasitemia and morbidity at low compound dosages. Conclusion: Novel diamide is active against T. cruzi in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamiles Caroline Fernandes Pedrosa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | | | - Alex Ramos de Aguiar
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 30130-171, Brazil
| | | | - Giovanni Wilson Amarante
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, 36036-900, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Tupinambá Branquinho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Sirlaine Pio Gomes da Silva
- Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - André Talvani
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
- Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde e Nutrição, Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Terra Martins
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, 74001-970, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue Braun
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Róbson Ricardo Teixeira
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 30130-171, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carla Furtado Mosqueira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Marta de Lana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, 35400-000, Brazil
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Gabaldón-Figueira JC, Martinez-Peinado N, Escabia E, Ros-Lucas A, Chatelain E, Scandale I, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. State-of-the-Art in the Drug Discovery Pathway for Chagas Disease: A Framework for Drug Development and Target Validation. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:1-19. [PMID: 37337597 PMCID: PMC10277022 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s415273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is the most important protozoan infection in the Americas, and constitutes a significant public health concern throughout the world. Development of new medications against its etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, has been traditionally slow and difficult, lagging in comparison with diseases caused by other kinetoplastid parasites. Among the factors that explain this are the incompletely understood mechanisms of pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection and its complex set of interactions with the host in the chronic stage of the disease. These demand the performance of a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays as part of any drug development effort. In this review, we discuss recent breakthroughs in the understanding of the parasite's life cycle and their implications in the search for new chemotherapeutics. For this, we present a framework to guide drug discovery efforts against Chagas disease, considering state-of-the-art preclinical models and recently developed tools for the identification and validation of molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Escabia
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Pardo-Rodriguez D, Cifuentes-López A, Bravo-Espejo J, Romero I, Robles J, Cuervo C, Mejía SM, Tellez J. Lupeol Acetate and α-Amyrin Terpenes Activity against Trypanosoma cruzi: Insights into Toxicity and Potential Mechanisms of Action. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8050263. [PMID: 37235311 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8050263] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease is a potentially fatal disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is growing scientific interest in finding new and better therapeutic alternatives for this disease's treatment. METHODS A total of 81 terpene compounds with potential trypanocidal activity were screened and found to have potential T. cruzi cysteine synthase (TcCS) inhibition using molecular docking, molecular dynamics, ADME and PAIN property analyses and in vitro susceptibility assays. RESULTS Molecular docking analyses revealed energy ranges from -10.5 to -4.9 kcal/mol in the 81 tested compounds, where pentacyclic triterpenes were the best. Six compounds were selected to assess the stability of the TcCS-ligand complexes, of which lupeol acetate (ACLUPE) and α-amyrin (AMIR) exhibited the highest stability during 200 ns of molecular dynamics analysis. Such stability was primarily due to their hydrophobic interactions with the amino acids located in the enzyme's active site. In addition, ACLUPE and AMIR exhibited lipophilic characteristics, low intestinal absorption and no structural interferences or toxicity. Finally, selective index for ACLUPE was >5.94, with moderate potency in the trypomastigote stage (EC50 = 15.82 ± 3.7 μg/mL). AMIR's selective index was >9.36 and it was moderately potent in the amastigote stage (IC50 = 9.08 ± 23.85 μg/mL). CONCLUSIONS The present study proposes a rational approach for exploring lupeol acetate and α-amyrin terpene compounds to design new drugs candidates for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pardo-Rodriguez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica Universidad Javeriana (GIFUJ), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
- Grupo de Productos Naturales, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima 730006299, Colombia
| | | | - Juan Bravo-Espejo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Ibeth Romero
- Escuela de Pregrados, Dirección Académica, Vicerrectoría de Sede, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede, De La Paz 202010, Colombia
| | - Jorge Robles
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica Universidad Javeriana (GIFUJ), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Sol M Mejía
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica Universidad Javeriana (GIFUJ), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Jair Tellez
- Escuela de Pregrados, Dirección Académica, Vicerrectoría de Sede, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede, De La Paz 202010, Colombia
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Muñoz-Calderón A, Ramírez JL, Díaz-Bello Z, Alarcón de Noya B, Noya O, Schijman AG. Genetic Characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi I Populations from an Oral Chagas Disease Outbreak in Venezuela: Natural Resistance to Nitroheterocyclic Drugs. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:582-592. [PMID: 36780430 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00569] [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: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The oral transmission of Chagas disease (oCD) in Venezuela announced its appearance in 2007. Different from other populations affected by oCD and despite close supervision during treatment with nitroheterocyclic drugs, the result was treatment failure. We studied genetic features of natural bloodstream parasite populations and populations after treatment of nine patients of this outbreak. In total, we studied six hemoculture isolates, eight Pre-Tx blood samples, and 17 samples collected at two or three Post-Tx time-points between 2007 and 2015. Parasitic loads were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and discrete typing units (DTU), minicircle signatures, and Tcntr-1 gene sequences were searched from blood samples and hemocultures. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were measured from the hemocultures. All patients were infected by TcI. Significant decrease in parasitic loads was observed between Pre-Tx and Post-Tx samples, suggesting the evolution from acute to chronic phase of Chagas disease. 60% of intra-DTU-I variability was observed between Pre-Tx and Post-Tx minicircle signatures in the general population, and 43 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in a total of 12 Tcntr-1 gene sequences, indicative of a polyclonal source of infection. SNPs in three post-Tx samples produced stop codons giving rise to putative truncated proteins or displaced open reading frames, which would render resistance genes. IC50 values varied from 5.301 ± 1.973 to 104.731 ± 4.556 μM, demonstrating a wide range of susceptibility. The poor drug response in the Pre-Tx parasite populations may be associated with the presence of naturally resistant parasite clones. Therefore, any information that can be obtained on drug susceptibility from in vitro assays, in vivo assays, or molecular characterization of natural populations of Trypanosoma cruzi becomes essential when therapeutic guidelines are designed in a given geographical area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Muñoz-Calderón
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor Torres", Buenos Aires CP1428ADN, Argentina
| | - José Luis Ramírez
- Centro de Biotecnología, Fundación Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas CP1080, Venezuela
| | - Zoraida Díaz-Bello
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Dr. Félix Pifano", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas CP1050, Venezuela
| | - Belkisyolé Alarcón de Noya
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Dr. Félix Pifano", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas CP1050, Venezuela
| | - Oscar Noya
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Dr. Félix Pifano", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas CP1050, Venezuela.,Centro de Estudios sobre Malaria, Instituto de Altos Estudios, Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Salud, Caracas CP1050, Venezuela
| | - Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor Torres", Buenos Aires CP1428ADN, Argentina
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10
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Impact of Laboratory-Adapted Intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi Strains on the Activity Profiles of Compounds with Anti- T. cruzi Activity. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020476. [PMID: 36838441 PMCID: PMC9967867 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease causes ~12,000 deaths annually and is one of the world's 20 neglected tropical diseases, as defined by the World Health Organisation. The drug discovery pipeline for Chagas disease currently has few new clinical candidates, with high attrition rates an ongoing issue. To determine if the Trypanosoma cruzi strain utilised to assess in vitro compound activity impacts activity, a comparison of laboratory-adapted T. cruzi strains from differing geographical locations was undertaken for a selection of compounds with anti-T. cruzi activity. To minimise the possible effect of differences in experimental methodology, the same host cell and multiplicity of infection were utilised. To determine whether the compound exposure time influenced results, activity was determined following exposure for 48 and 72 h of incubation. To ascertain whether replication rates affected outcomes, comparative rates of replication of the T. cruzi strains were investigated, using the nucleoside analogue, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine. Minimal differences in the in vitro activity of compounds between strains were observed following 48 h incubation, whereas significant differences were observed following 72 h incubation, in particular for the cytochrome P450 inhibitors tested and the cell cycle inhibitor, camptothecin. Thus, the use of panels of laboratory adapted strains in vitro may be dependent on the speed of action that is prioritised. For the identification of fast-acting compounds, an initial shorter duration assay using a single strain may be used. A longer incubation to identify compound activity may alternatively require profiling of compounds against multiple T. cruzi strains.
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11
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de Azevedo SLC, Catanho M, Guimarães ACR, Galvão TC. Genomic surveillance: a potential shortcut for effective Chagas disease management. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 117:e220164. [PMID: 36700581 PMCID: PMC9870261 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is an enduring public health issue in many Latin American countries, receiving insufficient investment in research and development. Strategies for disease control and management currently lack efficient pharmaceuticals, commercial diagnostic kits with improved sensitivity, and vaccines. Genetic heterogeneity of Trypanosoma cruzi is a key aspect for novel drug design since pharmacological technologies rely on the degree of conservation of parasite target proteins. Therefore, there is a need to expand the knowledge regarding parasite genetics which, if fulfilled, could leverage Chagas disease research and development, and improve disease control strategies. The growing capacity of whole-genome sequencing technology and its adoption as disease surveillance routine may be key for solving this long-lasting problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Lincoln Cardoso de Azevedo
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil,Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcos Catanho
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Ana Carolina Ramos Guimarães
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Teca Calcagno Galvão
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil,+ Corresponding author:
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12
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García F, Musikant D, Escalona JL, Edreira MM, Liñares GG. Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of N-Picolineamides as Trypanosoma cruzi Antiproliferative Agents. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:59-65. [PMID: 36655123 PMCID: PMC9841590 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00425] [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: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In our search for new safe antiparasitic agents, an enzymatic pathway was applied to synthesize a series of N-pyridinylmethyl amides derived from structurally different carboxylic acids. Thirty derivatives, including 11 new compounds, were prepared through lipase-catalyzed acylation in excellent yields. In order to optimize the synthetic methodology, the impact of different reaction parameters was analyzed. Some compounds were evaluated as antiproliferative agents against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease). Some of them showed significant activity as parasite proliferation inhibitors. Amides derived from 2-aminopicoline and stearic and elaidic acids were as potent as nifurtimox against the amastigote form of T. cruzi, the clinically relevant form of the parasite. Even more, a powerful synergism between nifurtimox and N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)stereamide was observed, almost completely inhibiting the proliferation of the parasite. Besides, the obtained compounds showed no toxicity in Vero cells, making them excellent potential candidates as lead drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabricio
Freije García
- Laboratorio
de Biocatálisis, Departamento de Química Orgánica
y UMYMFOR, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 3, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel Musikant
- Laboratorio
de Biología Molecular de Trypanosomas, Departamento de Química
Biológica e IQUIBICEN, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 4, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José L. Escalona
- Laboratorio
de Biología Molecular de Trypanosomas, Departamento de Química
Biológica e IQUIBICEN, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 4, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín M. Edreira
- Laboratorio
de Biología Molecular de Trypanosomas, Departamento de Química
Biológica e IQUIBICEN, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 4, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe García Liñares
- Laboratorio
de Biocatálisis, Departamento de Química Orgánica
y UMYMFOR, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, piso 3, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Chagas Heart Disease: Beyond a Single Complication, from Asymptomatic Disease to Heart Failure. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11247262. [PMID: 36555880 PMCID: PMC9784121 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11247262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in developing countries. It is estimated that 6 to 7 million people worldwide are infected, and it is predicted that it will be responsible for 200,000 deaths by 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers Chagas disease (CD) as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), which must be acknowledged and detected in time, as it remains a clinical and diagnostic challenge in both endemic and non-endemic regions and at different levels of care. The literature on CC was analyzed by searching different databases (Medline, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO) from 1968 until October 2022. Multicenter and bioinformatics trials, systematic and bibliographic reviews, international guidelines, and clinical cases were included. The reference lists of the included papers were checked. No linguistic restrictions or study designs were applied. This review is intended to address the current incidence and prevalence of CD and to identify the main pathogenic mechanisms, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of CC.
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14
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Fiuza LFDA, Batista DGJ, Girão RD, Hulpia F, Finamore-Araújo P, Aldfer MM, Elmahallawy EK, De Koning HP, Moreira O, Van Calenbergh S, Soeiro MDNC. Phenotypic Evaluation of Nucleoside Analogues against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27228087. [PMID: 36432189 PMCID: PMC9695592 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27228087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is a serious public health problem. Current treatment is restricted to two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, displaying serious efficacy and safety drawbacks. Nucleoside analogues represent a promising alternative as protozoans do not biosynthesize purines and rely on purine salvage from the hosts. Protozoan transporters often present different substrate specificities from mammalian transporters, justifying the exploration of nucleoside analogues as therapeutic agents. Previous reports identified nucleosides with potent trypanocidal activity; therefore, two 7-derivatized tubercidins (FH11706, FH10714) and a 3′-deoxytubercidin (FH8513) were assayed against T. cruzi. They were highly potent and selective, and the uptake of the tubercidin analogues appeared to be mediated by the nucleoside transporter TcrNT2. At 10 μM, the analogues reduced parasitemia >90% in 2D and 3D cardiac cultures. The washout assays showed that FH10714 sterilized the infected cultures. Given orally, the compounds did not induce noticeable mouse toxicity (50 mg/kg), suppressed the parasitemia of T. cruzi-infected Swiss mice (25 mg/kg, 5 days) and presented DNA amplification below the limit of detection. These findings justify further studies with longer treatment regimens, as well as evaluations in combination with nitro drugs, aiming to identify more effective and safer therapies for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila F. de A. Fiuza
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Denise G. J. Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Roberson D. Girão
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paula Finamore-Araújo
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20000-000, Brazil
| | - Mustafa M. Aldfer
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow 62694, UK
| | - Otacílio Moreira
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20000-000, Brazil
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maria de Nazaré C. Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2562-1368
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15
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Drug Repurposing in Chagas Disease: Chloroquine Potentiates Benznidazole Activity against Trypanosoma cruzi
In Vitro
and
In Vivo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0028422. [PMID: 36314800 PMCID: PMC9664849 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00284-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug combinations and drug repurposing have emerged as promising strategies to develop novel treatments for infectious diseases, including Chagas disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the repurposed drugs chloroquine (CQ) and colchicine (COL), known to inhibit
Trypanosoma cruzi
infection in host cells, could boost the anti-
T. cruzi
effect of the trypanocidal drug benznidazole (BZN), increasing its therapeutic efficacy while reducing the dose needed to eradicate the parasite. The combination of BZN and COL exhibited cytotoxicity to infected cells and low antiparasitic activity.
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16
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Martín-Escolano R, Rosales MJ, Marín C. Biological characteristics of the Trypanosoma cruzi Arequipa strain make it a good model for Chagas disease drug discovery. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106679. [PMID: 36096184 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD), is a genuine parasite with tremendous genetic diversity and a complex life cycle. Scientists have studied this disease for more than 100 years, and CD drug discovery has been a mainstay due to the absence of an effective treatment. Technical advances in several areas have contributed to a better understanding of the complex biology and life cycle of this parasite, with the aim of designing the ideal profile of both drug and therapeutic options to treat CD. Here, we present the T. cruzi Arequipa strain (MHOM/Pe/2011/Arequipa) as an interesting model for CD drug discovery. We characterized acute-phase parasitaemia and chronic-phase tropism in BALB/c mice and determined the in vitro and in vivo benznidazole susceptibility profile of the different morphological forms of this strain. The tropism of this strain makes it an interesting model for the screening of new compounds with a potential anti-Chagas profile for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - María José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, Granada 18071, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, Granada 18071, Spain.
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17
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Jaime LD, Aracely LM, Paulina OM, Dumonteil E, Barnabé C, Waleckx E, Hernández-Giles RG, Ramos-Ligonio A. Molecular Characterization of Four Mexican Isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi and Their Profile Susceptibility to Nifurtimox. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1584-1593. [PMID: 36029434 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00608-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to molecularly characterize Mexican isolates of T. cruzi obtained from infected triatomine bugs (the vectors of T. cruzi) and to evaluate their susceptibility to Nifurtimox (NFX). METHODS Three isolates obtained from Triatoma dimidiata (collected in the State of Veracruz) and one isolate obtained from Triatoma bassolsae (collected in the State of Puebla) were molecularly characterized and the expression of genes associated with natural resistance to NFX was analyzed by qPCR. RESULTS Molecular characterization by PCR showed that isolates Zn3, Zn5, and SRB1 belong to the DTU TcI, while isolate Sum3 belongs to TcIV. The latter was also confirmed by sequencing of mitochondrial genes. Isolate Zn5 was the most sensitive to treatment with NFX (IC50, 6.8 μM), isolates SRB1 and Zn3 were partially resistant (IC50, 12.8 μM and 12.7 μM) and isolate Sum3 showed a high degree of resistance to NFX (IC50, 21.4 µM). We also found an association between decreased NTR1 or OYE gene expression with NFX resistance. CONCLUSION Our results also evidenced a high variability in the susceptibility to NFX of these T. cruzi isolates Central and Southeastern Mexico, suggesting the presence of naturally resistant isolates circulating in the country. These results have important implications for defining treatment policies for patients with Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- López-Domínguez Jaime
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - López-Monteon Aracely
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Ochoa-Martínez Paulina
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Christian Barnabé
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Etienne Waleckx
- Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Rubén Gustavo Hernández-Giles
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.,Maestría en Ciencias en Procesos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Angel Ramos-Ligonio
- LADISER de Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Edificio D, Prolongación de Oriente 6 #1009, Colonia Rafael Alvarado, C.P. 94340, 86039, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico. .,Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.
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18
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5-Nitroindazole-based compounds: further studies for activity optimization as anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106607. [PMID: 35907502 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a new series of eleven 5-nitroindazole derivatives (10-20) and a related 6-nitroquinazoline (21) was synthesized and tested in vitro against different forms of the kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, etiological agent of Chagas disease. Among these compounds, derivatives 11-14 and 17 showed trypanocidal profiles on epimastigotes (IC50 = 1.00-8.75 µM) considerably better than that of the reference drug benznidazole, BZ (IC50 = 25.22 µM). Furthermore, the lack of cytotoxicity observed for compounds 11, 12, 14, 17 and 18 over L929 fibroblasts, led to a notable selectivity (SI) on the extracellular replicative form of the parasite: SIEPI > 12.41 to > 256 µM. Since these five derivatives overpassed the cut-off value established by BZ (SIEPI ≥ 10), they were moved to a more specific assay against the intracellular and replicative form of T. cruzi, i.e, amastigotes. These molecules were not as active as BZ (IC50 = 0.57 µM) against this parasite form; however, all of them showed remarkable IC50 values lower than 7 µM. Special mention deserve compounds 12 and 17, whose SIAMA were > 246.15 and > 188.23, respectively. The results compiled in the present work, point to a positive impact over the trypanocidal activity of the electron withdrawing substituents introduced at position 2 of the N-2 benzyl moiety of these compounds, especially fluorine, i.e., derivatives 12 and 17. These outcomes, supported by the in silico prediction of good oral bioavailability and suitable risk profile, reinforce the 5-nitroindazole scaffold as an adequate template for preparing potential antichagasic agents.
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19
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Rubio-Hernández M, Alcolea V, Pérez-Silanes S. Potential of sulfur-selenium isosteric replacement as a strategy for the development of new anti-chagasic drugs. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106547. [PMID: 35667455 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment for Chagas disease is based on only two drugs: benznidazole and nifurtimox. Compounds containing sulfur (S) in their structure have shown promising results in vitro and in vivo against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease. Notably, some reports show that the isosteric replacement of S by selenium (Se) could be an interesting strategy for the development of new compounds for the treatment of Chagas disease. To date, the activity against T. cruzi of three Se- containing groups has been compared with their S counterparts: selenosemicarbazones, selenoquinones, and selenocyanates. More studies are needed to confirm the positive results of Se compounds. Therefore, we have investigated S compounds described in the literature tested against T. cruzi. We focused on those tested in vivo that allowed isosteric replacement to propose their Se counterparts as promising compounds for the future development of new drugs against Chagas disease.
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20
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Kratz JM, Gonçalves KR, Romera LM, Moraes CB, Bittencourt-Cunha P, Schenkman S, Chatelain E, Sosa-Estani S. The translational challenge in Chagas disease drug development. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e200501. [PMID: 35613156 PMCID: PMC9128742 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is an urgent need for safe, effective, and accessible new treatments since the currently approved drugs have serious limitations. Drug development for Chagas disease has historically been hampered by the complexity of the disease, critical knowledge gaps, and lack of coordinated R&D efforts. This review covers some of the translational challenges associated with the progression of new chemical entities from preclinical to clinical phases of development, and discusses how recent technological advances might allow the research community to answer key questions relevant to the disease and to overcome hurdles in R&D for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadel M Kratz
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karolina R Gonçalves
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lavínia Md Romera
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Carolina Borsoi Moraes
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Diadema, SP, Brasil
| | - Paula Bittencourt-Cunha
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Sosa-Estani
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland.,Epidemiology and Public Health Research Centre, CIESP-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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21
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Pathogen diversity, immunity, and the fate of infections: lessons learned from Trypanosoma cruzi human–host interactions. THE LANCET MICROBE 2022; 3:e711-e722. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(21)00265-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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Alonso-Vega C, Urbina JA, Sanz S, Pinazo MJ, Pinto JJ, Gonzalez VR, Rojas G, Ortiz L, Garcia W, Lozano D, Soy D, Maldonado RA, Nagarkatti R, Debrabant A, Schijman A, Thomas MC, López MC, Michael K, Ribeiro I, Gascon J, Torrico F, Almeida IC. New chemotherapy regimens and biomarkers for Chagas disease: the rationale and design of the TESEO study, an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052897. [PMID: 34972765 PMCID: PMC8720984 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease (CD) affects ~7 million people worldwide. Benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX) are the only approved drugs for CD chemotherapy. Although both drugs are highly effective in acute and paediatric infections, their efficacy in adults with chronic CD (CCD) is lower and variable. Moreover, the high incidence of adverse events (AEs) with both drugs has hampered their widespread use. Trials in CCD adults showed that quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays remain negative for 12 months after standard-of-care (SoC) BZN treatment in ~80% patients. BZN pharmacokinetic data and the nonsynchronous nature of the proliferative mammal-dwelling parasite stage suggested that a lower BZN/NFX dosing frequency, combined with standard or extended treatment duration, might have the same or better efficacy than either drug SoC, with fewer AEs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS New ThErapies and Biomarkers for ChagaS infEctiOn (TESEO) is an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial, with six treatment arms (75 patients/arm, 450 patients). Primary objectives are to compare the safety and efficacy of two new proposed chemotherapy regimens of BZN and NFX in adults with CCD with the current SoC for BZN and NFX, evaluated by qPCR and biomarkers for 36 months posttreatment and correlated with CD conventional serology. Recruitment of patients was initiated on 18 December 2019 and on 20 May 2021, 450 patients (study goal) were randomised among the six treatment arms. The treatment phase was finalised on 18 August 2021. Secondary objectives include evaluation of population pharmacokinetics of both drugs in all treatment arms, the incidence of AEs, and parasite genotyping. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The TESEO study was approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), federal regulatory agency of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Ethics Committees of the participating institutions. The results will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and reports to the NIH, FDA and participating institutions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03981523.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julio A Urbina
- Center for Biochemistry and Biophysics, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC), Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
| | - Sergi Sanz
- Biostatistics and Data Management Unit, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGLOBAL), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jimy José Pinto
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Virginia R Gonzalez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Gimena Rojas
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Lourdes Ortiz
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Tarija, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho, Tarija, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Wilson Garcia
- Centro Plataforma Chagas Sucre, Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Sucre, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- Programa Departamental de Chagas Chuquisaca, Servicio Departamental de Salud de Chuquisaca, Chuquisaca, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Daniel Lozano
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Dolors Soy
- Pharmacy Service, Division of Medicines, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Investigació Biomèdica Agustí Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa A Maldonado
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Rana Nagarkatti
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alain Debrabant
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alejandro Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Granada, Spain
| | - Katja Michael
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Dynamic Portfolio Unit, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGLOBAL), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
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Ramírez JC, Acevedo GR, Torres C, Parrado R, De La Barra A, Villarroel S, García L, Gascon J, Ortiz L, Torrico F, Ribeiro I, Schijman AG. Genetic polymorphism of Trypanosoma cruzi bloodstream populations in adult chronic indeterminate Chagas disease patients from the E1224 clinical trial. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 77:578-584. [PMID: 34865002 PMCID: PMC8865008 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role that the genetic diversity of natural Trypanosoma cruzi populations plays in response to trypanocidal treatment of chronic Chagas disease (CD) patients remains to be understood. We analysed the genetic polymorphisms of parasite bloodstream populations infecting chronic CD patients enrolled in the E1224 clinical trial. METHODS A total of 506 baseline and post-treatment follow-up samples from 188 patients were analysed. T. cruzi satellite DNA (satDNA) was amplified and sequenced using cruzi1/cruzi2 primers, and samples with TcI/III, TcII, TcIV or hybrid satDNA sequences were identified. Minicircle signatures were obtained after kinetoplast DNA amplification using 121/122 primers and restriction enzyme digestion. Genetic distances between baseline and post-treatment minicircle signatures were estimated using the Jaccard coefficient. RESULTS At baseline, 74.3% TcII, 17.9% hybrid and 7.8% TcI/III satDNA sequences were found, whereas at the end of follow-up the distribution was 55.2% TcII, 35.2% hybrid and 9.5% TcI/III. The placebo arm was the treatment group with the highest variation of satDNA sequences between baseline and post-treatment follow-up. Genetic distances between baseline and post-treatment minicircle signatures were similar among all treatment arms. No association between minicircle signature variability and satDNA type distribution was found. CONCLUSIONS Genetic variability of T. cruzi bloodstream populations during post-treatment follow-up did not differ from that observed during chronic infection in the absence of treatment, suggesting that there were no selection events of E1224-resistant parasite populations. This is the first report documenting the genetic polymorphism of natural T. cruzi populations in chronic patients in the context of clinical trials with trypanocidal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Raúl Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Torres
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rudy Parrado
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Anabelle De La Barra
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Sandro Villarroel
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Lineth García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIBISMED), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Ortiz
- Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho, Tarija, Bolivia
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Colectivo de Estudios Aplicados y Desarrollo Social (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres” (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Corresponding author. E-mail: or
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Pereira CG, Moraes CB, Franco CH, Feltrin C, Grougnet R, Barbosa EG, Panciera M, Correia CRD, Rodrigues MJ, Custódio L. In Vitro Anti- Trypanosoma cruzi Activity of Halophytes from Southern Portugal Reloaded: A Special Focus on Sea Fennel ( Crithmum maritimum L.). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:2235. [PMID: 34834598 PMCID: PMC8625203 DOI: 10.3390/plants10112235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Marine halophytes are an outstanding reservoir of natural products and several species have anti-infectious traditional uses. However, reports about their potential use against neglected tropical ailments, such as Chagas disease, are scarce. This work evaluated for the first time the in vitro anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of extracts from the aromatic and medicinal species Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii (Boiss. & Reut.) Franco (Asteraceae, everlasting) and Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae, sea fennel). For that purpose, decoctions, tinctures, and essential oils from everlasting's flowers and sea fennel's stems, leaves, and flowers were tested against intracellular amastigotes of two T. cruzi strains. The extract from the sea fennel flower decoction displayed significant anti-trypanosomal activity and no toxicity towards the host cell (EC50 = 17.7 µg/mL, selectivity index > 5.65). Subsequent fractionation of this extract afforded 5 fractions that were re-tested in the same model of anti-parasitic activity. Fraction 1 was the most active and selective (EC50 = 0.47 μg/mL, selectivity index = 59.6) and was submitted to preparative thin-layer chromatography. One major compound was identified, falcarindiol, which was likely the one responsible for the observed anti-trypanosomal activity. This was confirmed using a commercially sourced molecule. Target-fishing studies showed falcarindiol as a ligand of T. cruzi spermidine synthase, pointing to a potential enzyme-inhibiting anti-trypanosomal mechanism of action. Overall, this work shows that sea fennel can provide effective anti-parasitic molecule(s) with potential pharmacological applications in the treatment of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina G. Pereira
- Centre of Marine Sciences CCMAR, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (C.G.P.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Carolina Borsoi Moraes
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, SP, Brazil; (C.B.M.); (C.H.F.); (C.F.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, SP, Brazil
| | - Caio H. Franco
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, SP, Brazil; (C.B.M.); (C.H.F.); (C.F.)
| | - Clarissa Feltrin
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-900, SP, Brazil; (C.B.M.); (C.H.F.); (C.F.)
| | - Raphaël Grougnet
- Natural Products, Analysis, Synthesis, UMR CNRS 8038, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris, 4 Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France;
| | | | - Michele Panciera
- Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Josue de Castro St., Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil; (M.P.); (C.R.D.C.)
| | - Carlos Roque D. Correia
- Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas, Josue de Castro St., Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil; (M.P.); (C.R.D.C.)
| | - Maria João Rodrigues
- Centre of Marine Sciences CCMAR, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (C.G.P.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Luísa Custódio
- Centre of Marine Sciences CCMAR, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ed. 7, Campus of Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (C.G.P.); (M.J.R.)
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25
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Gulin JEN, Rocco DM, Alonso V, Cribb P, Altcheh J, García-Bournissen F. Optimization and biological validation of an in vitro assay using the transfected Dm28c/pLacZ Trypanosoma cruzi strain. Biol Methods Protoc 2021; 6:bpab004. [PMID: 34386588 PMCID: PMC8355463 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop safer and more effective drugs for Chagas disease, as the current treatment relies on benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox (NFX). Using the Trypanosoma cruzi Dm28c strain genetically engineered to express the Escherichia coli β-galactosidase gene, lacZ, we have adapted and validated an easy, quick and reliable in vitro assay suitable for high-throughput screening for candidate compounds with anti-T. cruzi activity. In vitro studies were conducted to determine trypomastigotes sensitivity to BZ and NFX from Dm28c/pLacZ strain by comparing the conventional labour-intensive microscopy counting method with the colourimetric assay. Drug concentrations producing the lysis of 50% of trypomastigotes (lytic concentration 50%) were 41.36 and 17.99 µM for BZ and NFX, respectively, when measured by microscopy and 44.74 and 38.94 µM, for the colourimetric method, respectively. The optimal conditions for the amastigote development inhibitory assay were established considering the parasite–host relationship (i.e. multiplicity of infection) and interaction time, the time for colourimetric readout and the incubation time with the β-galactosidase substrate. The drug concentrations resulting in 50% amastigote development inhibition obtained with the colourimetric assay were 2.31 µM for BZ and 0.97 µM for NFX, similar to the reported values for the Dm28c wild strain (2.80 and 1.5 µM, respectively). In summary, a colourimetric assay using the Dm28c/pLacZ strain of T. cruzi has been set up, obtaining biologically meaningful sensibility values with the reference compounds on both trypomastigotes and amastigotes forms. This development could be applied to high-throughput screening programmes aiming to identify compounds with anti-T. cruzi in vitro activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián Ernesto Nicolás Gulin
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Gallo 1330 (C1425EFD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños "Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez", Gallo 1330 (C1425EFD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) Facultad de Medicina-CONICET, Paraguay 2155 (C1121ABG), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Marisa Rocco
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Gallo 1330 (C1425EFD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños "Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez", Gallo 1330 (C1425EFD), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victoria Alonso
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (IBR-CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 531 (2000), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pamela Cribb
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (IBR-CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 531 (2000), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Gallo 1330 (C1425EFD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños "Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez", Gallo 1330 (C1425EFD), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Facundo García-Bournissen
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA), Gallo 1330 (C1425EFD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Servicio de Parasitología y Enfermedad de Chagas, Hospital de Niños "Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez", Gallo 1330 (C1425EFD), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Division of Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, 800 Commissioners Rd. E., Rm. B1-437, London, Canada
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Martín-Escolano R, Cebrián R, Maqueda M, Romero D, Rosales MJ, Sánchez-Moreno M, Marín C. Assessing the effectiveness of AS-48 in experimental mice models of Chagas' disease. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:1537-1545. [PMID: 32129856 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We report the in vivo trypanocidal activity of the bacteriocin AS-48 (lacking toxicity), which is produced by Enterococcus faecalis, against the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas' disease. METHODS We determined the in vivo activity of AS-48 against the T. cruzi Arequipa strain in BALB/c mice (in both acute and chronic phases of Chagas' disease). We evaluated the parasitaemia, the reactivation of parasitaemia after immunosuppression and the nested parasites in the chronic phase by PCR in target tissues. RESULTS AS-48 reduced the parasitaemia profile in acute infection and showed a noteworthy reduction in the parasitic load in chronic infection after immunosuppression according to the results obtained by PCR (double-checking to demonstrate cure). CONCLUSIONS AS-48 is a promising alternative that provides a step forward in the development of a new therapy against Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Rubén Cebrián
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Mercedes Maqueda
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Desirée Romero
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Faculty of Sciences, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, E-18071 Granada, Spain
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de Moura Ferraz LR, Tabosa AÉGA, da Silva Nascimento DDS, Ferreira AS, Silva JYR, Junior SA, Rolim LA, Rolim-Neto PJ. Benznidazole in vitro dissolution release from a pH-sensitive drug delivery system using Zif-8 as a carrier. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE 2021; 32:59. [PMID: 33999312 PMCID: PMC8128829 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-021-06530-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Endemic in underdeveloped and developed countries, due to the migratory movement, it is considered a serious public health problem. Endemic in underdeveloped countries and due to the migratory movement, in developed countries as well, it is considered a serious public health problem. One of the reasons for this is a weak therapeutic arsenal, represented only by the drug benznidazole (BNZ) which, although it promotes significant cure rates in the acute phase of the disease, presents serious problems of toxicity and bioavailability, mainly due to its low aqueous solubility. Several studies have presented several drug delivery systems (DDS) based on BNZ aiming at enhancing its solubility in aqueous medium and, with this, promoting an increase in the dissolution rate and, consequently, in its bioavailability. However, the present work is a pioneer in using a zeolitic imidazolate framework as a carrier agent for a DDS in order to promote a pH-sensitive modulation of the drug. Thus, this work aimed to develop a novel DDS based on BNZ and the ZIF-8 to use it in development of prolonged-release dosage forms to alternative treatment of Chagas disease. The BNZ@ZIF-8 system was obtained through an ex situ method selected due to its higher incorporation efficiency (38%). Different characterization techniques corroborated the obtainment and drug release data were analyzed by in vitro dissolution assay under sink and non-sink conditions and setting the kinetic results through both model dependent and independent methods. Under sink conditions, at pH 4.5, BNZ and BNZ@ZIF-8 showed similar release profile, but the DDS was effective in promoting a prolonged release. At pH 7.6, after 7 h, BNZ showed a lower release than BNZ@ZIF-8. On the other hand, in non-sink conditions at pH 4.5 the BNZ presented 80% of drug release in 3 h, while the DDS in 6 h. At pH 7.6, BNZ presented a release of 80% in 2 h, while the DDS reaches it in only at 12 h. Therefore, at pH 4.5 the DDS BNZ@ZIF-8 showed a faster release with a burst effect, while at pH 7.6 it showed a prolonged and controlled release. Finally, it is evident that a promising DDS pH-sensitive was obtained as a novel carrier that might be able to prolongs BNZ release in dosage forms intended for the alternative treatment of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Raphael de Moura Ferraz
- Laboratório de Tecnologia dos Medicamentos (LTM), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Arthur de Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50740-521, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - Alinne Élida Gonçalves Alves Tabosa
- Laboratório de Tecnologia dos Medicamentos (LTM), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Arthur de Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50740-521, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Débora Dolores Souza da Silva Nascimento
- Laboratório de Tecnologia dos Medicamentos (LTM), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Arthur de Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50740-521, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Aline Silva Ferreira
- Laboratório de Tecnologia dos Medicamentos (LTM), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Arthur de Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50740-521, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - José Yago Rodrigues Silva
- Laboratório de Terras Raras (BSTR), Fundamental Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Aníbal Fernandes, s/n - Cidade Universitária, 50740-560, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Severino Alves Junior
- Laboratório de Terras Raras (BSTR), Fundamental Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Aníbal Fernandes, s/n - Cidade Universitária, 50740-560, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Larissa Araújo Rolim
- Central Analítica de Fármaco, Medicamentos e Alimentos (CAFMA), Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Av. José de Sá Maniçoba, s/n, Centro, 56304-917, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Pedro Jose Rolim-Neto
- Laboratório de Tecnologia dos Medicamentos (LTM), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Arthur de Sá, s/n, Cidade Universitária, 50740-521, Recife, PE, Brazil
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Pandey RP, Nascimento MS, Moore CE, Raj VS, Kalil J, Cunha-Neto E. New Approaches for the Treatment of Chagas Disease. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 22:835-841. [PMID: 33238855 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121999201124122643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is a neglected tropical disease with high prevalence (5.7 million in Latin America, WHO 2015), significant burden, and significant morbimortality mostly due to severe heart disorders during the chronic phase of infection. Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America, and medical care for the disease is the major expense for Brazil's Universal Healthcare System (Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). The efficacy of the available drugs benznidazole and nifurtimox are low for the chronic phase of Chagas disease, the phase in which most patients are diagnosed, and there are frequent side effects, and drug resistance occurs. The rapid deployment of new drug regimens that are effective for the chronic phase treatment is low-cost and less toxic than the currently available therapy, which is a global priority. Repurposing drugs already in clinical use with other combinations would be the fastest and safest strategy for treating Chagas disease patients. We hypothesize that the combined treatment using repurposing drugs with benznidazole will be more efficacious than benznidazole alone. This needs to be tested further both in vitro and in animal models to understand the efficacy of the treatment before performing human clinical trials. We further hypothesize that producing nanoparticle formulation of the drugs can reduce their toxicity and improve therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramendra Pati Pandey
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, DelhiNCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat - 131 029, Haryana, India
| | - Marilda Savoia Nascimento
- Laboratorio de Imunologia, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Catrin E Moore
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
| | - V Samuel Raj
- Centre for Drug Design Discovery and Development (C4D), SRM University, DelhiNCR, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonepat - 131 029, Haryana, India
| | - Jorge Kalil
- Laboratorio de Imunologia, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edecio Cunha-Neto
- Laboratorio de Imunologia, Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Rocha-Hasler M, de Oliveira GM, da Gama AN, Fiuza LFDA, Fesser AF, Cal M, Rocchetti R, Peres RB, Guan XL, Kaiser M, Soeiro MDNC, Mäser P. Combination With Tomatidine Improves the Potency of Posaconazole Against Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:617917. [PMID: 33747979 PMCID: PMC7970121 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.617917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Azoles such as posaconazole (Posa) are highly potent against Trypanosoma cruzi. However, when tested in chronic Chagas disease patients, a high rate of relapse after Posa treatment was observed. It appears that inhibition of T. cruzi cytochrome CYP51, the target of azoles, does not deliver sterile cure in monotherapy. Looking for suitable combination partners of azoles, we have selected a set of inhibitors of sterol and sphingolipid biosynthetic enzymes. A small-scale phenotypic screening was conducted in vitro against the proliferative forms of T. cruzi, extracellular epimastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. Against the intracellular, clinically relevant forms, four out of 15 tested compounds presented higher or equal activity as benznidazole (Bz), with EC50 values ≤2.2 μM. Ro48-8071, an inhibitor of lanosterol synthase (ERG7), and the steroidal alkaloid tomatidine (TH), an inhibitor of C-24 sterol methyltransferase (ERG6), exhibited the highest potency and selectivity indices (SI = 12 and 115, respectively). Both were directed to combinatory assays using fixed-ratio protocols with Posa, Bz, and fexinidazole. The combination of TH with Posa displayed a synergistic profile against amastigotes, with a mean ΣFICI value of 0.2. In vivo assays using an acute mouse model of T. cruzi infection demonstrated lack of antiparasitic activity of TH alone in doses ranging from 0.5 to 5 mg/kg. As observed in vitro, the best combo proportion in vivo was the ratio 3 TH:1 Posa. The combination of Posa at 1.25 mpk plus TH at 3.75 mpk displayed suppression of peak parasitemia of 80% and a survival rate of 60% in the acute infection model, as compared to 20% survival for Posa at 1.25 mpk alone and 40% for Posa at 10 mpk alone. These initial results indicate a potential for the combination of posaconazole with tomatidine against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Rocha-Hasler
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz), Pavilhão Cardoso Fontes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Melo de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz), Pavilhão Cardoso Fontes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aline Nefertiti da Gama
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz), Pavilhão Cardoso Fontes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Anna Frieda Fesser
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Monica Cal
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Romina Rocchetti
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Raiza Brandão Peres
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz), Pavilhão Cardoso Fontes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Xue Li Guan
- Systems Biology of Lipid Metabolism in Human Health and Diseases Laboratory, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Pascal Mäser
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Vela A, Coral-Almeida M, Sereno D, Costales JA, Barnabé C, Brenière SF. In vitro susceptibility of Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs) to benznidazole: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009269. [PMID: 33750958 PMCID: PMC8016252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease endemic to Latin America caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, currently affects 6-7 million people and is responsible for 12,500 deaths each year. No vaccine exists at present and the only two drugs currently approved for the treatment (benznidazole and nifurtimox), possess serious limitations, including long treatment regimes, undesirable side effects, and frequent clinical failures. A link between parasite genetic variability and drug sensibility/efficacy has been suggested, but remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated associations between T. cruzi genetic variability and in vitro benznidazole susceptibility via a systematic article review and meta-analysis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In vitro normalized benznidazole susceptibility indices (LC50 and IC50) for epimastigote, trypomastigote and amastigote stages of different T. cruzi strains were recorded from articles in the scientific literature. A total of 60 articles, which include 189 assays, met the selection criteria for the meta-analysis. Mean values for each discrete typing unit (DTU) were estimated using the meta and metaphor packages through R software, and presented in a rainforest plot. Subsequently, a meta-regression analysis was performed to determine differences between estimated mean values by DTU/parasite stage/drug incubation times. For each parasite stage, some DTU mean values were significantly different, e.g. at 24h of drug incubation, a lower sensitivity to benznidazole of TcI vs. TcII trypomastigotes was noteworthy. Nevertheless, funnel plots detected high heterogeneity of the data within each DTU and even for a single strain. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Several limitations of the study prevent assigning DTUs to different in vitro benznidazole sensitivity groups; however, ignoring the parasite's genetic variability during drug development and evaluation would not be advisable. Our findings highlight the need for establishment of uniform experimental conditions as well as a screening of different DTUs during the optimization of new drug candidates for Chagas disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vela
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Marco Coral-Almeida
- One Health Research group, Facultad de Ciencias de la salud, Universidad de las Américas-Quito, Calle de los Colimes y Avenida De los Granados, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Denis Sereno
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jaime A. Costales
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Christian Barnabé
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Simone Frédérique Brenière
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
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de Almeida JM, Nunes FO, Ceole LF, Klimeck TDF, da Cruz LA, Tófoli D, Borges BS, Garcez WS, Tozetti IA, Medeiros LCS, Garcez FR, Ferreira AMT. Synergistic effect and ultrastructural changes in Trypanosoma cruzi caused by isoobtusilactone A in short exposure of time. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245882. [PMID: 33507972 PMCID: PMC7842926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Butanolides have shown a variety of biological effects including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal effects against certain strains of Trypanosoma cruzi. Considering the lack of an effective drug to treat T. cruzi infections and the prominent results obtained in literature with this class of lactones, we investigated the anti-T. cruzi activity of five butanolides isolated from two species of Lauraceae, Aiouea trinervis and Mezilaurus crassiramea. Initially, the activity of these compounds was evaluated on epimastigote forms of the parasite, after a treatment period of 4 h, followed by testing on amastigotes, trypomastigotes, and mammalian cells. Next, the synergistic effect of active butanolides against amastigotes was evaluated. Further, metacyclogenesis inhibition and infectivity assays were performed for the most active compound, followed by ultrastructural analysis of the treated amastigotes and trypomastigotes. Among the five butanolides studied, majoranolide and isoobtusilactone A were active against all forms of the parasite, with good selectivity indexes in Vero cells. Both butanolides were more active than the control drug against trypomastigote and epimastigote forms and also had a synergic effect on amastigotes. The most active compound, isoobtusilactone A, which showed activity against all tested strains inhibited metacyclogenesis and infection of new host cells. In addition, ultrastructural analysis revealed that this butanolide caused extensive damage to the mitochondria of both amastigotes and trypomastigotes, resulting in severe morphological changes in the infective forms of the parasite. Altogether, our results highlight the potential of butanolides against the etiologic agent of Chagas disease and the relevance of isoobtusilactone A as a strong anti-T. cruzi drug, affecting different events of the life cycle and all evolutionary forms of parasite after a short period of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio Menta de Almeida
- Laboratório de Imunologia, Biologia Molecular e Bioensaios do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Felipe Oliveira Nunes
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Produtos Naturais Bioativos do Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Lígia Fernanda Ceole
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas (Fiocruz-Paraná), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Letícia Alves da Cruz
- Laboratório de Imunologia, Biologia Molecular e Bioensaios do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Danilo Tófoli
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Produtos Naturais Bioativos do Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Santana Borges
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas (Fiocruz-Paraná), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Walmir Silva Garcez
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Produtos Naturais Bioativos do Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Inês Aparecida Tozetti
- Laboratório de Imunologia, Biologia Molecular e Bioensaios do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Rodrigues Garcez
- Laboratório de Pesquisa de Produtos Naturais Bioativos do Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Alda Maria Teixeira Ferreira
- Laboratório de Imunologia, Biologia Molecular e Bioensaios do Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
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32
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Gonzalez SN, Mills JJ, Maugeri D, Olaya C, Laguera BL, Enders JR, Sherman J, Rodriguez A, Pierce JG, Cazzulo JJ, D'Antonio EL. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of substrate - analogue inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi ribose 5-phosphate isomerase type B. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 32:127723. [PMID: 33249135 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase type B (RPI-B) is a key enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway that catalyzes the isomerization of ribose 5-phosphate (R5P) and ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P). Trypanosoma cruzi RPI-B (TcRPI-B) appears to be a suitable drug-target mainly due to: (i) its essentiality (as previously shown in other trypanosomatids), (ii) it does not present a homologue in mammalian genomes sequenced thus far, and (iii) it participates in the production of NADPH and nucleotide/nucleic acid synthesis that are critical for parasite cell survival. In this survey, we report on the competitive inhibition of TcRPI-B by a substrate - analogue inhibitor, Compound B (Ki = 5.5 ± 0.1 μM), by the Dixon method. This compound has an iodoacetamide moiety that is susceptible to nucleophilic attack, particularly by the cysteine thiol group. Compound B was conceived to specifically target Cys-69, an important active site residue. By incubating TcRPI-B with Compound B, a trypsin digestion LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the identification of Compound B covalently bound to Cys-69. This inhibitor also exhibited notable in vitro trypanocidal activity against T. cruzi infective life-stages co-cultured in NIH-3T3 murine host cells (IC50 = 17.40 ± 1.055 μM). The study of Compound B served as a proof-of-concept so that next generation inhibitors can potentially be developed with a focus on using a prodrug group in replacement of the iodoacetamide moiety, thus representing an attractive starting point for the future treatment of Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Natalia Gonzalez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín - CONICET (IIBio-UNSAM), Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia CP (1650), San Martín (Buenos Aires), Argentina
| | - Jonathan J Mills
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, 2620 Yarbrough Drive, Box 8204, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Dante Maugeri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín - CONICET (IIBio-UNSAM), Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia CP (1650), San Martín (Buenos Aires), Argentina
| | - Christopher Olaya
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, 2620 Yarbrough Drive, Box 8204, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Breana L Laguera
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, SC 29909, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Enders
- Molecular Education, Technology and Research Innovation Center (METRIC), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Julian Sherman
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 430 East 29(th) Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 430 East 29(th) Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joshua G Pierce
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, 2620 Yarbrough Drive, Box 8204, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Juan José Cazzulo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín - CONICET (IIBio-UNSAM), Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia CP (1650), San Martín (Buenos Aires), Argentina
| | - Edward L D'Antonio
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, SC 29909, USA.
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Optimization of 1,4-Naphthoquinone Hit Compound: A Computational, Phenotypic, and In Vivo Screening against Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26020423. [PMID: 33467422 PMCID: PMC7829778 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) still represents a serious public health problem in Latin America, even after more than 100 years of its discovery. Clinical treatments (nifurtimox and benznidazole) are considered inadequate, especially because of undesirable side effects and low efficacy in the chronic stages of the disease, highlighting the urgency for discovering new effective and safe drugs. A small library of compounds (1a–i and 2a–j) was designed based on the structural optimization of a Hit compound derived from 1,4-naphthoquinones (C2) previously identified. The biological activity, structure-activity relationship (SAR), and the in silico physicochemical profiles of the naphthoquinone derivatives were analyzed. Most modifications resulted in increased trypanocidal activity but some substitutions also increased toxicity. The data reinforce the importance of the chlorine atom in the thiophenol benzene ring for trypanocidal activity, highlighting 1g, which exhibit a drug-likeness profile, as a promising compound against Trypanosoma cruzi. SAR analysis also revealed 1g as cliff generator in the structure-activity similarity map (SAS maps). However, compounds C2 and 1g were unable to reduce parasite load, and did not prevent mouse mortality in T. cruzi acute infection. Phenotypic screening and computational analysis have provided relevant information to advance the optimization and design of new 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives with a better pharmacological profile.
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de Almeida Fiuza LF, Batista DDGJ, Nunes DF, Moreira OC, Cascabulho C, Soeiro MDNC. Benznidazole modulates release of inflammatory mediators by cardiac spheroids infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2020; 221:108061. [PMID: 33383023 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi remains a serious public health problem in Latin America. The available treatment is limited to two old drugs, benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox, which exhibit limited efficacy and trigger side effects, justifying the search for new therapies. Also, more accurate and sensitive experimental protocols for drug discovery programs are necessary to shrink the translational gaps found among pre-clinical and clinical trials. Presently, cardiac spheroids were used to evaluate host cell cytotoxicity and anti-T.cruzi activity of benznidazole, exploring its effect on the release of inflammatory mediators. Bz presented low toxic profile on 3D matrices (LC50 > 200 μM) and high potency in vitro (EC50 = 0.99 μM) evidenced by qPCR analysis of T.cruzi-infected cardiac spheroids. Flow cytometry appraisal of inflammatory mediators released at the cellular supernatant showed increases in IL - 6 and TNF contents (≈190 and ≈ 25-fold) in parasitized spheroids as compared to uninfected cultures. Bz at 10 μM suppressed parasite load (92%) concomitantly decreasing in IL-6 (36%) and TNF (68%). Our findings corroborate the successful use of 3D cardiac matrices for in vitro identification of novel anti-parasitic agents and potential impact in host cell physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise da Gama Jaen Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ferreira Nunes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cynthia Cascabulho
- Laboratório de Inovações Em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Martín-Escolano R, Guardia JJ, Martín-Escolano J, Cirauqui N, Fernández A, Rosales MJ, Chahboun R, Sánchez-Moreno M, Alvarez-Manzaneda E, Marín C. In Vivo Biological Evaluation of a Synthetic Royleanone Derivative as a Promising Fast-Acting Trypanocidal Agent by Inducing Mitochondrial-Dependent Necrosis. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 83:3571-3583. [PMID: 33253573 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The life-long and life-threatening Chagas disease is one of the most neglected tropical diseases caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a major public health problem in Latin America, as six to seven million people are infected, being the principal cause of mortality in many endemic regions. Moreover, Chagas disease has become widespread due to migrant populations. Additionally, there are no vaccines nor effective treatments to fight the disease because of its long-term nature and complex pathology. Therefore, these facts emphasize how crucial the international effort for the development of new treatments against Chagas disease is. Here, we present the in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity of some oxygenated abietane diterpenoids and related compounds. The 1,4-benzoquinone 15, not yet reported, was identified as a fast-acting trypanocidal drug with efficacy against different strains in vitro and higher activity and lower toxicity than benznidazole in both phases of murine Chagas disease. The mode of action was also evaluated, suggesting that quinone 15 kills T. cruzi by inducing mitochondrion-dependent necrosis through a bioenergetics collapse caused by a mitochondrial membrane depolarization and iron-containing superoxide dismutase inhibition. Therefore, the abietane 1,4-benzoquinone 15 can be considered as a new candidate molecule for the development of an appropriate and commercially accessible anti-Chagas drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan J Guardia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Nuria Cirauqui
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Maria J Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Rachid Chahboun
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Enrique Alvarez-Manzaneda
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Martín-Escolano J, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. Chagas Disease: Current View of an Ancient and Global Chemotherapy Challenge. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:2830-2843. [PMID: 33034192 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease and a global public health issue. In terms of treatment, no progress has been made since the 1960s, when benznidazole and nifurtimox, two obsolete drugs still prescribed, were used to treat this disease. Hence, currently, there are no effective treatments available to tackle Chagas disease. Over the past 20 years, there has been an increasing interest in the disease. However, parasite genetic diversity, drug resistance, tropism, and complex life cycle, along with the limited understanding of the disease and inadequate methodologies and strategies, have resulted in the absence of new insights in drugs development and disappointing outcomes in clinical trials so far. In summary, new drugs are urgently needed. This Review considers the relevant aspects related to the lack of drugs for Chagas disease, resumes the advances in tools for drug discovery, and discusses the main features to be taken into account to develop new effective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), Hospitales Universitarios De Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Calvet CM, Silva TA, Thomas D, Suzuki B, Hirata K, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH. Long term follow-up of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and Chagas disease manifestations in mice treated with benznidazole or posaconazole. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008726. [PMID: 32970692 PMCID: PMC7561097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas' Disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is responsible for up to 41% of the heart failures in endemic areas in South America and is an emerging infection in regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Treatment is suboptimal due to two factors. First, the lack of an adequate biomarker to predict disease severity and response to therapy; and second, up to 120-days treatment course coupled with a significant incidence of adverse effects from the drug currently used. Because the disease can manifest itself clinically a few years to decades after infection, controversy remains concerning the suitability of current drug treatment (benznidazole), and the efficacy of alternative drugs (e.g. posaconazole). We therefore followed the clinical course, and PCR detection of parasite burden, in a mouse model of infection for a full year following treatment with benznidazole or posaconazole. Efficacy of the two drugs depended on whether the treatment was performed during the acute model or the chronic model of infection. Posaconazole was clearly superior in treatment of acute disease whereas only benznidazole had efficacy in the chronic model. These results have important implications for the design and analysis of human clinical trials, and the use of specific drugs in specific clinical settings. Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can be incapacitating, leading to heart failure with risk of sudden death. Currently, only one drug treatment is available, Benznidazole, but it demands a long period of treatment, has variable efficacy and leads to serious side effects that can lead to discontinuation of the treatment. An alternative therapy, the anti-fungal drug, Posaconazole, was repurposed for treatment of Chagas disease, but its use has been controversial with conflicting results in studies from different groups. In our approach, we followed the parasitic infection, disease symptoms and persistence of the pathogen in mice for a full year after treatment with Benznidazole or Posaconazole. Posaconazole treatment was more effective in the early infection (acute disease) whereas only Benznidazole had efficacy in the chronic model. This information can have important implications for the design and analysis of human clinical trials, and the use of specific drugs in specific clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Magalhães Calvet
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
- Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Araújo Silva
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
- Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Diane Thomas
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Brian Suzuki
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Ken Hirata
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Jair Lage Siqueira-Neto
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Bonatto V, Batista PHJ, Cianni L, De Vita D, Silva DG, Cedron R, Tezuka DY, de Albuquerque S, Moraes CB, Franco CH, Lameira J, Leitão A, Montanari CA. On the intrinsic reactivity of highly potent trypanocidal cruzain inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:1275-1284. [PMID: 34095840 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00097c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The cysteine protease cruzipain is considered to be a validated target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of Chagas disease. Hence, peptidomimetic cruzipain inhibitors having a reactive group (known as warhead) are subject to continuous studies to discover novel antichagasic compounds. Here, we evaluated how different warheads for a set of structurally similar related compounds could inhibit the activity of cruzipain and, ultimately, their trypanocidal effect. We first investigated in silico the intrinsic reactivity of these compounds by applying the Fukui index to correlate it with the enzymatic affinity. Then, we evaluated their potency against T. cruzi (Y and Tulahuen strains), which revealed the reversible cruzain inhibitor Neq0656 as a better trypanocidal agent (ECY.strain 50 = 0.1 μM; SI = 58.4) than the current drug benznidazole (ECY.strain 50 = 5.1 μM; SI > 19.6). We also measured the half-life time by HPLC analysis of three lead compounds in the presence of glutathione and cysteine to experimentally assess their intrinsic reactivity. Results clearly illustrated the reactivity trend for the warheads (azanitrile > aldehyde > nitrile), where the aldehyde displayed an intermediate intrinsic reactivity. Therefore, the aldehyde bearing peptidomimetic compounds should be subject for in-depth evaluation in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Bonatto
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Jatai Batista
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Lorenzo Cianni
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Daniela De Vita
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Daniel G Silva
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Cedron
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Daiane Y Tezuka
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil .,Ribeirão Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto São Paulo Brazil
| | - Sérgio de Albuquerque
- Ribeirão Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto São Paulo Brazil
| | - Carolina Borsoi Moraes
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM) Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Caio Haddad Franco
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM) Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Jerônimo Lameira
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil .,Laboratório de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Pará Rua Augusto Corrêa 01 CP 66075-110 Belém-PA Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 23566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
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Fernandes FS, Santos H, Lima SR, Conti C, Rodrigues MT, Zeoly LA, Ferreira LLG, Krogh R, Andricopulo AD, Coelho F. Discovery of highly potent and selective antiparasitic new oxadiazole and hydroxy-oxindole small molecule hybrids. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 201:112418. [PMID: 32590115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A series of highly active hybrids were discovered as novel antiparasitic agents. Two heterocyclic scaffolds (1,2,4-oxadiazole and 3-hydroxy-2-oxindole) were linked, and the resulting compounds showed in vitro activities against intracellular amastigotes of two protozoan parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum. Their cytotoxicity was assessed using HFF-1 fibroblasts and HepG2 hepatocytes. Compounds 5b, 5d, 8h and 8o showed selectivity against L. infantum (IC50 values of 3.89, 2.38, 2.50 and 2.85 μM, respectively). Compounds 4c, 4q, 8a and 8k were the most potent against T. cruzi, exhibiting IC50 values of 6.20, 2.20, 2.30 and 2.20 μM, respectively. Additionally, the most potent anti-T. cruzi compounds showed in vitro efficacies comparable or superior to that of benznidazole. These easy-to-synthesize molecules represent novel chemotypes for the design of potent and selective lead compounds for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio S Fernandes
- Laboratory of Synthesis of Natural Products and Drugs, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Hugo Santos
- Laboratory of Synthesis of Natural Products and Drugs, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Samia R Lima
- Laboratory of Synthesis of Natural Products and Drugs, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline Conti
- Laboratory of Synthesis of Natural Products and Drugs, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Manoel T Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Synthesis of Natural Products and Drugs, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas A Zeoly
- Laboratory of Synthesis of Natural Products and Drugs, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo L G Ferreira
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Physics of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Joao Dagnone, 1100, 13563-120, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata Krogh
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Physics of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Joao Dagnone, 1100, 13563-120, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano D Andricopulo
- Laboratory of Medicinal and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Physics of Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Joao Dagnone, 1100, 13563-120, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Coelho
- Laboratory of Synthesis of Natural Products and Drugs, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Fesser AF, Braissant O, Olmo F, Kelly JM, Mäser P, Kaiser M. Non-invasive monitoring of drug action: A new live in vitro assay design for Chagas' disease drug discovery. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008487. [PMID: 32716934 PMCID: PMC7419005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
New assay designs are needed to improve the predictive value of the Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro tests used as part of the Chagas' disease drug development pipeline. Here, we employed a green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-expressing parasite line and live high-content imaging to monitor the growth of T. cruzi amastigotes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. A novel assay design allowed us to follow parasite numbers over 6 days, in four-hour intervals, while occupying the microscope for only 24 hours per biological replicate. Dose-response curves were calculated for each time point after addition of test compounds, revealing how EC50 values first decreased over the time of drug exposure, and then leveled off. However, we observed that parasite numbers could vary, even in the untreated controls, and at different sites in the same well, which caused variability in the EC50 values. To overcome this, we established that fold change in parasite number per hour is a more robust and informative measure of drug activity. This was calculated based on an exponential growth model for every biological sample. The net fold change per hour is the result of parasite replication, differentiation, and death. The calculation of this fold change enabled us to determine the tipping point of drug action, i.e. the time point when the death rate of the parasites exceeded the growth rate and the fold change dropped below 1, depending on the drug concentration and exposure time. This revealed specific pharmacodynamic profiles of the benchmark drugs benznidazole and posaconazole. Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a chronic debilitating infection occurring mostly in Latin America. There is an urgent need for new, well tolerated drugs. However, the latest therapeutic candidates have yielded disappointing outcomes in clinical trials, despite promising preclinical results. This demands new and more predictive in vitro assays. To address this, we have developed an assay design that enables the growth of T. cruzi intracellular forms to be monitored in real time, under drug pressure, for 6 days post-infection. This allowed us to establish the tipping point of drug action, when the death rate of the parasites exceeded the growth rate. The resulting pharmacodynamics profiles can provide robust and informative details on anti-chagasic candidates, as demonstrated for the benchmark drugs benznidazole and posaconazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna F. Fesser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Braissant
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Francisco Olmo
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Martín-Escolano R, Martín-Escolano J, Ballesteros-Garrido R, Cirauqui N, Abarca B, Rosales MJ, Sánchez-Moreno M, Ballesteros R, Marín C. Repositioning of leishmanicidal [1,2,3]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts for Chagas disease treatment: Trypanosoma cruzi cell death involving mitochondrial membrane depolarisation and Fe-SOD inhibition. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2943-2954. [PMID: 32607710 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06779-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomatidae is a family of unicellular parasites belonging to the phylum Euglenozoa, which are causative agents in high impact human diseases such as Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and African sleeping sickness. The impact on human health and local economies, together with a lack of satisfactory chemotherapeutic treatments and effective vaccines, justifies stringent research efforts to search for new disease therapies. Here, we present in vitro trypanocidal activity data and mode of action data, repositioning leishmanicidal [1,2,3]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts against Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. This disease is one of the most neglected tropical diseases and is a major public health issue in Central and South America. The disease affects approximately 6-7 million people and is widespread due to increased migratory movements. We screened a suite of leishmanicidal [1,2,3]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyridinium salt compounds, of which compounds 13, 20 and 21 were identified as trypanocidal drugs. These compounds caused cell death in a mitochondrion-dependent manner through a bioenergetic collapse. Moreover, compounds 13 and 20 showed a remarkable inhibition of iron superoxide dismutase activity of T. cruzi, a key enzyme in the protection from the damage produced by oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Escolano
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Rafael Ballesteros-Garrido
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Cirauqui
- Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69367, Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - Belén Abarca
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - María José Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Moreno
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Rafael Ballesteros
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. Granada), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada/University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain.
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Activity profile of two 5-nitroindazole derivatives over the moderately drug-resistant Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain (DTU TcII): in vitro and in vivo studies. Parasitology 2020; 147:1216-1228. [PMID: 32530391 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020000955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In previous studies, we have identified several families of 5-nitroindazole derivatives as promising antichagasic prototypes. Among them, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-2-benzyl-5-nitro-1,2-dihydro-3H-indazol-3-one, (hydrochloride) and 1-(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-benzyl-5-nitro-1,2-dihydro-3H-indazol-3-one (compounds 16 and 24, respectively) have recently shown outstanding activity in vitro over the drug-sensitive Trypanosoma cruzi CL strain (DTU TcVI). Here, we explored the activity of these derivatives against the moderately drug-resistant Y strain (DTU TcII), in vitro and in vivo. The outcomes confirmed their activity over replicative forms, showing IC50 values of 0.49 (16) and 5.75 μm (24) towards epimastigotes, 0.41 (16) and 1.17 μm (24) against intracellular amastigotes. These results, supported by the lack of toxicity on cardiac cells, led to better selectivities than benznidazole (BZ). Otherwise, they were not as active as BZ in vitro against the non-replicative form of the parasite, i.e. bloodstream trypomastigotes. In vivo, acute toxicity assays revealed the absence of toxic events when administered to mice. Moreover, different therapeutic schemes pointed to their capability for decreasing the parasitaemia of T. cruzi Y acute infected mice, reaching up to 60% of reduction at the peak day as monotherapy (16), 79.24 and 91.11% when 16 and 24 were co-administered with BZ. These combined therapies had also a positive impact over the mortality, yielding survivals of 83.33 and 66.67%, respectively, while untreated animals reached a cumulative mortality of 100%. These findings confirm the 5-nitroindazole scaffold as a putative prototype for developing novel drugs potentially applicable to the treatment of Chagas disease and introduce their suitability to act in combination with the reference drug.
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Menezes APDJ, Silva MLD, Pereira WL, Costa GDP, Horta AL, Mendonça AAS, Carneiro ACA, Souza DMSD, Novaes RD, Teixeira RR, Talvani A. In vitro tripanocidal effect of 1,8-dioxooctahydroxanthenes (xanthenodiones) and tetraketones and improvement of cardiac parameters in vivo. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2020; 22:466-476. [PMID: 32417591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Trypanosoma cruzi infection affects millions of people worldwide, and the drugs available for its treatment have limited efficacy. 1,8-Dioxooctahydroxanthenes and tetraketones are compounds with important biological applications. The aim of this study was to assess the trypanocidal and inflammatory activities of nine 1,8-dioxooctahydroxanthenes (1-9) and three tetraketones (10-12). METHODS AND RESULTS By in vitro killing assay, three compounds were able to eliminate CL TdTomato expressing strain of T. cruzi, 9 (IC50=30.65μM), 10 (IC50=14.11μM), and 11 (IC50=26.43μM). However, only 9 was not toxic to Vero cells. Next, to evaluate the in vivo antitrypanosomal and immunological efficacy of 9, Swiss mice were infected with the Y and CL strains of T. cruzi and treated for 10 days with 50mg/kg of 9. This compound reduced the cardiac inflammatory infiltration in animals infected with both strains. Rank's ligand (RankL), CCL2, and interferon (IFN)-γ were measured in the cardiac tissue homogenate of the Y-strain-infected animals, and no interference of 9 was observed. However, compound 9 increased the RankL and interleukin (IL)-10 levels in CL-infected mice. No hepatic and renal toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION Our findings showed that 1,8-dioxooctahydroxanthene has antiparasitic effect and ameliorates the cardiac inflammatory parameters related to T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula de Jesus Menezes
- Immunobiology Laboratory of Inflammation, Department of Biological Sciences/ICEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Guilherme de Paula Costa
- Immunobiology Laboratory of Inflammation, Department of Biological Sciences/ICEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Aline Luciano Horta
- Immunobiology Laboratory of Inflammation, Department of Biological Sciences/ICEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Claudia Alvarenga Carneiro
- Immunobiology Laboratory of Inflammation, Department of Biological Sciences/ICEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Debora Maria Soares de Souza
- Immunobiology Laboratory of Inflammation, Department of Biological Sciences/ICEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | | | - André Talvani
- Immunobiology Laboratory of Inflammation, Department of Biological Sciences/ICEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
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Chagas disease: Historic perspective. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165689. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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do Vale Chaves e Mello F, Castro Salomão Quaresma BM, Resende Pitombeira MC, Araújo de Brito M, Farias PP, Lisboa de Castro S, Salomão K, Silva de Carvalho A, Oliveira de Paula JI, de Brito Nascimento S, Peixoto Cupello M, Paes MC, Boechat N, Felzenszwalb I. Novel nitroimidazole derivatives evaluated for their trypanocidal, cytotoxic, and genotoxic activities. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 186:111887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Bern C, Messenger LA, Whitman JD, Maguire JH. Chagas Disease in the United States: a Public Health Approach. Clin Microbiol Rev 2019; 33:e00023-19. [PMID: 31776135 PMCID: PMC6927308 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00023-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, usually transmitted by triatomine vectors. An estimated 20 to 30% of infected individuals develop potentially lethal cardiac or gastrointestinal disease. Sylvatic transmission cycles exist in the southern United States, involving 11 triatomine vector species and infected mammals such as rodents, opossums, and dogs. Nevertheless, imported chronic T. cruzi infections in migrants from Latin America vastly outnumber locally acquired human cases. Benznidazole is now FDA approved, and clinical and public health efforts are under way by researchers and health departments in a number of states. Making progress will require efforts to improve awareness among providers and patients, data on diagnostic test performance and expanded availability of confirmatory testing, and evidence-based strategies to improve access to appropriate management of Chagas disease in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caryn Bern
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey D Whitman
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - James H Maguire
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Zecca IB, Hodo CL, Slack S, Auckland L, Rodgers S, Killets KC, Saunders AB, Hamer SA. Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and associated histologic findings in domestic cats (Felis catus). Vet Parasitol 2019; 278:109014. [PMID: 31972512 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.109014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a zoonotic protozoan parasite transmitted by triatomines that infects a wide range of mammals. South Texas is a hotspot for triatomines, T. cruzi-infected dogs and wildlife, and local transmission to humans also occurs. However, little is known about the infection of domestic cats (Felis catus) in the United States. Given the role cats play in the ecology of T. cruzi in Mexico and South America, we hypothesized that T. cruzi infection occurs in cats from south Texas, sometimes associated with cardiac pathology. In 2017, 167 euthanized cats from a south Texas shelter were sampled across winter, spring, and summer. We collected whole blood and hearts from all cats, with additional tissues from a subset. Serum samples were screened for T. cruzi antibodies using two independent rapid immunochromatographic tests and an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Cats were considered seropositive if they were positive on at least two independent serological tests. Blood clot, heart tissue and other tissues were subjected to qPCR for parasite detection and discrete typing unit (DTU) determination. Tissues from selected seropositive or PCR-positive animals and a subset of negative animals were processed routinely for histopathology and examined by a board-certified pathologist. A total of 19 cats (11.4%) were seropositive and three cats (1.8%) - one of which was seropositive - had one or more PCR-positive tissues. Infected tissues included heart, bicep femoris muscle, sciatic nerve, esophagus, and mesentery. Genotyping of the parastite to the level of DTU showed that exclusively DTU TcI was present, despite past studies showing both TcI and TcIV in vectors of the region. Eight of 19 (42.1%) seropositive cats exhibited lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, sometimes with fibrosis, in cardiac tissue compared to 28.6% of 28 seronegative cats (P = 0.10). Domestic cats are affected hosts in the eco-epidemiology of Chagas disease. Future prospective studies are needed to understand disease progression. Veterinarians in the southern United States should consider T. cruzi in their index of suspicion in cats with exposure to vectors and undetermined cardiac abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Italo B Zecca
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, 77843-4458, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Carolyn L Hodo
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, 77843-4458, College Station, TX, 77840, USA; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, 650 Cool Water Drive, Bastrop, TX, 78602, USA
| | - Sarah Slack
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, 77843-4458, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Lisa Auckland
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, 77843-4458, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Sandy Rodgers
- Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, 483 Agronomy Rd, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Keswick C Killets
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, 77843-4458, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Ashley B Saunders
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, 77843-4458, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
| | - Sarah A Hamer
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4458 TAMU, 77843-4458, College Station, TX, 77840, USA.
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de Paula Silva F, da Costa CMB, Pereira LM, Lessa DFS, Pitol DL, Issa JPM, do Prado Júnior JC, Abrahão AAC. Effects of ghrelin supplementation on the acute phase of Chagas disease in rats. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:532. [PMID: 31706334 PMCID: PMC6842500 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3787-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, which is endemic to subtropical and tropical Americas. The disease treatment remains partially ineffective, involving therapies directed to the parasite as well as palliative strategies for the clinical manifestations. Therefore, novel candidates for disease control are necessary. Additionally, strategies based on parasite inhibition via specific targets and application of compounds which improve the immune response against the disease is welcomed. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone pointed as a substance with important cardioprotective, vasodilatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative and immune modulatory functions. The aims of this study were to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of ghrelin in male Wistar rats infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi. Methods In order to delineate an immune response against T. cruzi mediated by ghrelin, we evaluated the following parameters: quantification of blood and cardiac parasites; analysis of cell markers (CD3+, CD8+, NK, NKT, CD45RA+, macrophage and RT1B+); nitric oxide (NO) production; lymphoproliferation assays; splenocyte apoptosis; and INF-γ, IL-12 and IL-6 quantification in sera. Results The animals infected with T. cruzi and supplemented with ghrelin demonstrated an upregulated pattern in macrophage and NO production, whereas an anti-inflammatory response was observed in T cells and cytokines. The low response against T. cruzi mediated by T cells probably contributed to a higher colonization of the cardiac tissue, when compared to infected groups. On the other side, the peptide decreased the inflammatory infiltration in cardiac tissue infected with T. cruzi. Conclusions Ghrelin demonstrated a dual function in animals infected with T. cruzi. Further studies, especially related to the decrease of cardiac tissue inflammation, are needed in order to determine the advantages of ghrelin supplementation in Chagas disease, mostly for populations from endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinando de Paula Silva
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Cássia Mariana Bronzon da Costa
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Luiz Miguel Pereira
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Diego Fernando Silva Lessa
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Dimitrius Leonardo Pitol
- Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto USP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-904, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Mardegan Issa
- Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto USP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-904, Brazil
| | - José Clóvis do Prado Júnior
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Ana Amélia Carraro Abrahão
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil.
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Sulleiro E, Muñoz-Calderon AQ, Schijman AG. Role of nucleic acid amplification assays in monitoring treatment response in chagas disease: Usefulness in clinical trials. Acta Trop 2019; 199:105120. [PMID: 31376368 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease has become a global health problem due to migration of infected people out of Latin America to non-endemic countries. For more than 40 years, only the nitroimidazole compounds Benznidazole and Nifurtimox, have been used for specific treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection with disappointing results, specially due to the long duration of treatment and adverse events in the chronic phase. In the last years, ergosterol inhibitors have been also proposed for specific treatment. Different randomized clinical trials were performed for evaluating their treatment efficacy and safety. One of the greatest concerns in clinical trials is to provide an early surrogate biomarker of response to trypanocidal chemotherapy. Serological response is slow and the classical parasitological tests have poor sensitivity and are time-consuming. Nowadays, PCR is the most helpful tool for assessing treatment response in a short period of time. Different protocols of PCR have been developed, being quantitative real time PCR based on amplification of repetitive satellite or minicircle DNA sequences plus an internal amplification standard, the mostly employed strategies in clinical trials. Standardized protocols and the use of an external quality assessment ensure adequate technical procedures and reliable data. Clinical trials have shown a significant reduction in parasite loads, reaching undetectable DNA levels in bloodstream after specific treatment, however events of treatment failure have also been reported. Treatment failure could be due to inadequate penetrance of the drugs into the affected tissues, to the presence of primary or secondary drug resistance of the infecting strains as well as to the existence of dormant parasite variants reluctant to drug action. The early diagnosis of drug resistance would improve clinical management of Chagas disease patients, allowing dictating alternative therapies with a combination of existing drugs or new anti-T. cruzi agents. The aim of this review was to describe the usefulness of detecting T.cruzi DNA by means of real time PCR assays, as surrogate biomarker in clinical trials for evaluating new drugs for CD or new regimens of available drugs and the possibility to detect treatment failure.
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Villalta F, Rachakonda G. Advances in preclinical approaches to Chagas disease drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:1161-1174. [PMID: 31411084 PMCID: PMC6779130 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1652593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease affects 8-10 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. The current therapy for Chagas disease is limited to nifurtimox and benznidazole, which are effective in treating only the acute phase of the disease but with severe side effects. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new drugs and for the exploration of innovative approaches which may lead to the discovery of new effective and safe drugs for its treatment. Areas covered: The authors report and discuss recent approaches including structure-based design that have led to the discovery of new promising small molecule candidates for Chagas disease which affect prime targets that intervene in the sterol pathway of T. cruzi. Other trypanosome targets, phenotypic screening, the use of artificial intelligence and the challenges with Chagas disease drug discovery are also discussed. Expert opinion: The application of recent scientific innovations to the field of Chagas disease have led to the discovery of new promising drug candidates for Chagas disease. Phenotypic screening brought new hits and opportunities for drug discovery. Artificial intelligence also has the potential to accelerate drug discovery in Chagas disease and further research into this is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Girish Rachakonda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA
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