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Teixeira SC, de Souza G, Junior JPDL, Rosini AM, Martínez AFF, Fernandes TADM, Ambrósio SR, Veneziani RCS, Bastos JK, Martins CHG, Barbosa BF, Ferro EAV. Copaifera spp. oleoresins and two isolated compounds (ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid) inhibit Toxoplasma gondii growth in vitro. Exp Parasitol 2024; 262:108771. [PMID: 38723847 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2024.108771] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis affects about one-third of the world's population. The disease treatment methods pose several side effects and do not efficiently eliminate the parasite, making the search for new therapeutic approaches necessary. We aimed to assess the anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of four Copaifera oleoresins (ORs) and two isolated diterpene acids, named ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid. We used HeLa cells as an experimental model of toxoplasmosis. Uninfected and infected HeLa cells were submitted to the treatments, and the parasite intracellular proliferation, cytokine levels and ROS production were measured. Also, tachyzoites were pre-treated and the parasite invasion was determined. Finally, an in silico analysis was performed to identify potential parasite targets. Our data show that the non-cytotoxic concentrations of ORs and diterpene acids controlled the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii in HeLa cells, thus highlighting the possible direct action on parasites. In addition, some compounds tested controlled parasite proliferation in an irreversible manner. An additional and non-exclusive mechanism of action involves the modulation of host cell components, by affecting the upregulation of the IL-6. Additionally, molecular docking suggested that ent-polyalthic acid has a high affinity for the active site of the TgCDPK1 protein. Copaifera ORs have great antiparasitic activity against T. gondii, and this effect can be partially explained by the presence of the isolated compounds ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Joed Pires de Lima Junior
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Aryani Felixa Fajardo Martínez
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Sergio Ricardo Ambrósio
- Nucleus of Research in Technological and Exact Sciences, Universidade de Franca, Franca, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Jairo Kenupp Bastos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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Itani S, Hamie M, El Jammal R, Abdine W, Doumit M, Charafeddine A, El-Sabban M, Patinote C, Masquefa C, Bonnet PA, Obeid M, El Hajj H. Imiquimod Reverses Chronic Toxoplasmosis-Associated Behavioral and Neurocognitive Anomalies in a Rat Model. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1295. [PMID: 38927503 PMCID: PMC11202296 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061295] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a highly prevalent parasitosis. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) transits in the brain from acute (AT) to chronic toxoplasmosis (CT), under host immune control. In immunocompromised patients, reactivation of CT is potentially life-threatening. Behavioral and neurological complications have been associated with CT. Furthermore, an effective treatment targeting CT is still lacking. We previously reported the efficacy of imiquimod against CT. Here, we demonstrate the molecular effects of imiquimod or imiquimod followed by the clinically used combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine (SDZ + PYR) on CT-associated behavior in a rat model. Imiquimod decreased the number of cysts in the brains of chronically infected rats due to an induced reactivation of bradyzoites into tachyzoites. Importantly, this decrease was more pronounced in rats treated with imiquimod followed by SDZ + PYR. Rats chronically infected with T. gondii exhibited an anxiety-like behavior. Notably, treatment with imiquimod reversed this behavior aberrancy, with even a more pronounced effect with imiquimod followed by SDZ/PYR. Similarly, rats chronically infected with T. gondii exhibited learning deficits, and imiquimod alone or followed by SDZ/PYR reversed this behavior. Our results enhance our knowledge of the implications of CT on behavioral aberrancies and highlight the potency of imiquimod followed by SDZ + PYR on these CT-associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa Itani
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Reem El Jammal
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Wassim Abdine
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Mark Doumit
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Adib Charafeddine
- College of Pharmacy, American University of Iraq-Baghdad, Baghdad 10071, Iraq;
| | - Marwan El-Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Cindy Patinote
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Carine Masquefa
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Pierre-Antoine Bonnet
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Makram Obeid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
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3
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Emami S, Sadeghi M, Shahdin S, Daryani A, Khalilian A, Pirestani M, Hosseini SA, Montazeri M, Nejad ZH, Sarvi S. In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Parasitic Activities of Quinolone-Coumarin Hybrids Derived from Fluoroquinolones and Novobiocin Against Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1275-1283. [PMID: 38753101 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00852-9] [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: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). In immunocompetent individuals, the infection is often asymptomatic; however, in expectant mothers and those with immune system deficiencies, complications may arise. Consequently, there is a need for new drugs that cause minimal damage to host cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro antiparasitic efficacy of quinolone-coumarin hybrids QC1-QC12, derived from quinolone antibacterials and novobiocin, against T. gondii. METHODS The derivatives were compared with novobiocin and ciprofloxacin during testing, with pyrimethamine used as a positive control. We conducted the MTT assay to examine the anti-toxoplasmic effects of the test compounds and novobiocin. Evaluation included the infection and proliferation indices, as well as the size and number of plaques, based on the viability of both healthy and infected cells. RESULTS The in vitro assays revealed that QC1, QC3, QC6, and novobiocin, with selectivity indices (SIs) of 7.27, 13.43, and 8.23, respectively, had the least toxic effect on healthy cells and the highest effect on infected cells compared to pyrimethamine (SI = 3.05). Compared to pyrimethamine, QC1, QC3, QC6, and novobiocin Without having a significant effect on cell viability, demonstrated a significant effect on reducing in both infection index and proliferation index, in addition to reducing the quantity and dimensions of plaques ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Based on our results, QC1, QC3, QC6, and novobiocin due to their significant therapeutic effects could be considered as potential new leads in the development of novel anti-Toxoplasma agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Emami
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mitra Sadeghi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shayesteh Shahdin
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Alireza Khalilian
- Biostatistics Department, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Tarbiat Modares University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Montazeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Hosseini Nejad
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran.
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Alberione MP, González-Ruiz V, von Rohr O, Rudaz S, Soldati-Favre D, Izquierdo L, Kloehn J. N-acetylglucosamine supplementation fails to bypass the critical acetylation of glucosamine-6-phosphate required for Toxoplasma gondii replication and invasion. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011979. [PMID: 38900808 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell surface of Toxoplasma gondii is rich in glycoconjugates which hold diverse and vital functions in the lytic cycle of this obligate intracellular parasite. Additionally, the cyst wall of bradyzoites, that shields the persistent form responsible for chronic infection from the immune system, is heavily glycosylated. Formation of glycoconjugates relies on activated sugar nucleotides, such as uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc). The glucosamine-phosphate-N-acetyltransferase (GNA1) generates N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate critical to produce UDP-GlcNAc. Here, we demonstrate that downregulation of T. gondii GNA1 results in a severe reduction of UDP-GlcNAc and a concomitant drop in glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs), leading to impairment of the parasite's ability to invade and replicate in the host cell. Surprisingly, attempts to rescue this defect through exogenous GlcNAc supplementation fail to completely restore these vital functions. In depth metabolomic analyses elucidate diverse causes underlying the failed rescue: utilization of GlcNAc is inefficient under glucose-replete conditions and fails to restore UDP-GlcNAc levels in GNA1-depleted parasites. In contrast, GlcNAc-supplementation under glucose-deplete conditions fully restores UDP-GlcNAc levels but fails to rescue the defects associated with GNA1 depletion. Our results underscore the importance of glucosamine-6-phosphate acetylation in governing T. gondii replication and invasion and highlight the potential of the evolutionary divergent GNA1 in Apicomplexa as a target for the development of much-needed new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Pía Alberione
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Olivier von Rohr
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Rudaz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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5
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Hasan MF, Harun AB, Hossain D, Bristi SZT, Uddin AHMM, Karim MR. Toxoplasmosis in animals and humans: a neglected zoonotic disease in Bangladesh. J Parasit Dis 2024; 48:189-200. [PMID: 38840887 PMCID: PMC11147975 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-024-01664-4] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a zoonotic disease that affects a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The parasite undergoes both sexual and asexual reproduction in intermediate hosts (humans and animals) and definitive hosts (cats). Transmission in humans occurs through consuming oocyst-contaminated water, fruits, vegetables, and raw or undercooked meats. In Bangladesh, several factors contribute to an increased risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. The parasite is reported to cause diseases among livestock such as goats and sheep in this country, and it has also been associated with some human illnesses. Toxoplasmosis prevalence varies significantly worldwide, with developing countries like Bangladesh experiencing higher rates. Diagnostic methods include both conventional non-DNA-based tests and molecular detection techniques, while treatment options involve using antiparasitic drugs like sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. To control toxoplasmosis, essential steps include improving sanitation, promoting safe food handling, and educating the public about risks related to cat ownership and undercooked meat consumption. Implementing prenatal screening and treatment is also important. With the growing popularity of pet ownership in urban areas, it becomes essential to emphasize the veterinary and public health significance of toxoplasmosis in Bangladesh. This article comprehensively reviews various aspects of toxoplasmosis, with a specific focus on the situation in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Farhan Hasan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
| | - Anas Bin Harun
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
| | - Delower Hossain
- Department of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, 1207 Bangladesh
| | - Sabiha Zarin Tasnim Bristi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, 4225 Bangladesh
| | - A. H. M. Musleh Uddin
- Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100 Bangladesh
| | - Md Robiul Karim
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706 Bangladesh
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Majeed QAH, Alnomasy SF, Shater AF, Alanazi AD. High Efficacy of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles for Treatment of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection Through Their Immunomodulatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Potency. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1201-1211. [PMID: 38634986 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00845-8] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The present experimental survey designed to green synthesis, characterization, as well as in vitro and in vivo anti-Toxplasma gondii activity of silver nanoparticles (SLN) green synthesized by Lupinus arcticus extract. SLN were green synthesized based on the reducing by L. arcticus extract through the precipitation technique. In vitro lethal effects of SLN on T. gondii tachyzoites, infectivity rate, parasites inside of the human macrophage cells (THP-1 cells), nitric oxide (NO) triggering, and iNOS and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) expression genes were evaluated. In vivo, after establishment of toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice via T. gondii ME49 strain, mice received SLN at 10 and 20 mg/kg/day alone and combined to pyrimethamine at 5 mg/kg for 14 days. SLN exhibited a spherical form with a size ranging from 25 to 90 nm. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of SLN and pyrimethamine against tachyzoites was 29.1 and 25.7 µg/mL, respectively. While, the 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) value of SLN and pyrimethamine against THP-1 cells was 412.3 µg/mL and 269.5 µg/mL, respectively. SLN in combined with pyrimethamine obviously (p < 0.05) decreased the number and size of the T. gondii cysts in the infected mice. The level of NO, iNOS and IFN-γ genes was obviously (p < 0.001) upregulated. SLN obviously (p < 0.05) decreased the liver level of oxidative stress and increased the level of antioxidant factors. The findings displayed the promising beneficial effects of SLN mainly in combination with current synthetic drugs against latent T. gondii infection in mice. But we need more experiments to approve these findings, clarifying all possible mechanisms, and its efficiency in clinical phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qais A H Majeed
- Department of Science, College of Basic Education, PAAET, Aridiya, Kuwait
| | - Sultan F Alnomasy
- Department of Medical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Al-Quwayiyah, 19257, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah F Shater
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah D Alanazi
- Departmentof Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, P.O. Box 1040, Ad-Dawadimi, 11911, Saudi Arabia.
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Wang F, Holmes MJ, Hong HJ, Thaprawat P, Kannan G, Huynh MH, Schultz TL, Licon MH, Lourido S, Dong W, Brito Querido J, Sullivan WJ, O'Leary SE, Carruthers VB. Translation initiation factor eIF1.2 promotes Toxoplasma stage conversion by regulating levels of key differentiation factors. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4385. [PMID: 38782906 PMCID: PMC11116398 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48685-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii persists in its hosts by converting from replicating tachyzoites to latent bradyzoites housed in tissue cysts. The molecular mechanisms that mediate T. gondii differentiation remain poorly understood. Through a mutagenesis screen, we identified translation initiation factor eIF1.2 as a critical factor for T. gondii differentiation. A F97L mutation in eIF1.2 or the genetic ablation of eIF1.2 (∆eif1.2) markedly impeded bradyzoite cyst formation in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated, at single-molecule level, that the eIF1.2 F97L mutation impacts the scanning process of the ribosome preinitiation complex on a model mRNA. RNA sequencing and ribosome profiling experiments unveiled that ∆eif1.2 parasites are defective in upregulating bradyzoite induction factors BFD1 and BFD2 during stress-induced differentiation. Forced expression of BFD1 or BFD2 significantly restored differentiation in ∆eif1.2 parasites. Together, our findings suggest that eIF1.2 functions by regulating the translation of key differentiation factors necessary to establish chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengrong Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Michael J Holmes
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Hea Jin Hong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Pariyamon Thaprawat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Geetha Kannan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - My-Hang Huynh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Tracey L Schultz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | | | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Wenzhao Dong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jailson Brito Querido
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - William J Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Seán E O'Leary
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
- Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Vern B Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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8
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Bando H, Murata Y, Han Y, Sugi T, Fukuda Y, Bzik DJ, Fox BA, Kato K. Toxoplasma gondii chitinase-like protein TgCLP1 regulates the parasite cyst burden. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1359888. [PMID: 38828265 PMCID: PMC11140023 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1359888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma, an important intracellular parasite of humans and animals, causes life-threatening toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals. Although Toxoplasma secretory proteins during acute infection (tachyzoite, which divides rapidly and causes inflammation) have been extensively characterized, those involved in chronic infection (bradyzoite, which divides slowly and is surrounded by a cyst wall) remain uncertain. Regulation of the cyst wall is essential to the parasite life cycle, and polysaccharides, such as chitin, in the cyst wall are necessary to sustain latent infection. Toxoplasma secretory proteins during the bradyzoite stage may have important roles in regulating the cyst wall via polysaccharides. Here, we focused on characterizing the hypothetical T. gondii chitinase, chitinase-like protein 1 (TgCLP1). We found that the chitinase-like domain containing TgCLP1 is partially present in the bradyzoite microneme and confirmed, albeit partially, its previous identification in the tachyzoite microneme. Furthermore, although parasites lacking TgCLP1 could convert from tachyzoites to bradyzoites and make an intact cyst wall, they failed to convert from bradyzoites to tachyzoites, indicating that TgCLP1 is necessary for bradyzoite reactivation. Taken together, our findings deepen our understanding of the molecular basis of recrudescence and could contribute to the development of novel strategies for the control of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Bando
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Osaki, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Parasitology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuho Murata
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yongmei Han
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Sugi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Fukuda
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Osaki, Miyagi, Japan
| | - David J. Bzik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Barbara A. Fox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Kentaro Kato
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Environment, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Osaki, Miyagi, Japan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
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9
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Abbaali I, Truong D, Wetzel DM, Morrissette NS. Toxoplasma replication is inhibited by MMV676477 without development of resistance. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 38757481 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21876] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites cause life-threatening infections in both humans and animals, including agriculturally significant livestock. Available treatments are typically narrow spectrum and are complicated by drug toxicity and the development of resistant parasites. Protozoan tubulin is an attractive target for the development of broad-spectrum antimitotic agents. The Medicines for Malaria Pathogen Box compound MMV676477 was previously shown to inhibit replication of kinetoplastid parasites, such as Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma brucei, and the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum by selectively stabilizing protozoan microtubules. In this report, we show that MMV676477 inhibits intracellular growth of the human apicomplexan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii with an EC50 value of ~50 nM. MMV676477 does not stabilize vertebrate microtubules or cause other toxic effects in human fibroblasts. The availability of tools for genetic studies makes Toxoplasma a useful model for studies of the cytoskeleton. We conducted a forward genetics screen for MMV676477 resistance, anticipating that missense mutations would delineate the binding site on protozoan tubulin. Unfortunately, we were unable to use genetics to dissect target interactions because no resistant parasites emerged. This outcome suggests that future drugs based on the MMV676477 scaffold would be less likely to be undermined by the emergence of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izra Abbaali
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Danny Truong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Dawn M Wetzel
- Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Naomi S Morrissette
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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10
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Wang F, Holmes MJ, Hong HJ, Thaprawat P, Kannan G, Huynh MH, Schultz TL, Licon MH, Lourido S, Dong W, Querido JB, Sullivan WJ, O'Leary SE, Carruthers VB. Translation initiation factor eIF1.2 promotes Toxoplasma stage conversion by regulating levels of key differentiation factors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.03.565545. [PMID: 37961607 PMCID: PMC10635126 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.03.565545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii persists in its hosts by converting from replicating tachyzoites to latent bradyzoites housed in tissue cysts. The molecular mechanisms that mediate T. gondii differentiation remain poorly understood. Through a mutagenesis screen, we identified translation initiation factor eIF1.2 as a critical factor for T. gondii differentiation. A F97L mutation in eIF1.2 or the genetic ablation of eIF1.2 (Δ eif1.2 ) markedly impeded bradyzoite cyst formation in vitro and in vivo . We demonstrated, at single-molecule level, that the eIF1.2 F97L mutation impacts the scanning process of the ribosome preinitiation complex on a model mRNA. RNA sequencing and ribosome profiling experiments unveiled that Δ eif1.2 parasites are defective in upregulating bradyzoite induction factors BFD1 and BFD2 during stress-induced differentiation. Forced expression of BFD1 or BFD2 significantly restored differentiation in Δ eif1.2 parasites. Together, our findings suggest that eIF1.2 functions by regulating the translation of key differentiation factors necessary to establish chronic toxoplasmosis.
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11
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Kumar P, Tomita T, Gerken TA, Ballard CJ, Lee YS, Weiss LM, Samara NL. A Toxoplasma gondii O-glycosyltransferase that modulates bradyzoite cyst wall rigidity is distinct from host homologues. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3792. [PMID: 38710711 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48253-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection with the apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii can be life-threatening in immunocompromised hosts. Transmission frequently occurs through the oral ingestion of T. gondii bradyzoite cysts, which transition to tachyzoites, disseminate, and then form cysts containing bradyzoites in the central nervous system, resulting in latent infection. Encapsulation of bradyzoites by a cyst wall is critical for immune evasion, survival, and transmission. O-glycosylation of the protein CST1 by the mucin-type O-glycosyltransferase T. gondii (Txg) GalNAc-T3 influences cyst wall rigidity and stability. Here, we report X-ray crystal structures of TxgGalNAc-T3, revealing multiple features that are strictly conserved among its apicomplexan homologues. This includes a unique 2nd metal that is coupled to substrate binding and enzymatic activity in vitro and cyst wall O-glycosylation in T. gondii. The study illustrates the divergence of pathogenic protozoan GalNAc-Ts from their host homologues and lays the groundwork for studying apicomplexan GalNAc-Ts as therapeutic targets in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Kumar
- Structural Biochemistry Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Tadakimi Tomita
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, New York, 10461, USA
| | - Thomas A Gerken
- Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Collin J Ballard
- Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yong Sok Lee
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Louis M Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, New York, 10461, USA
- Department of Medicine (Infectious Disease), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx 1300 Morris Park Avenue, New York, 10461, USA
| | - Nadine L Samara
- Structural Biochemistry Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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12
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Boubaker G, Bernal A, Vigneswaran A, Imhof D, de Sousa MCF, Hänggeli KPA, Haudenschild N, Furrer J, Păunescu E, Desiatkina O, Hemphill A. In vitro and in vivo activities of a trithiolato-diRuthenium complex conjugated with sulfadoxine against the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100544. [PMID: 38703737 PMCID: PMC11087982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100544] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Organometallic compounds, including Ruthenium complexes, have been widely developed as anti-cancer chemotherapeutics, but have also attracted much interest as potential anti-parasitic drugs. Recently hybrid drugs composed of organometallic Ruthenium moieties that were complexed to different antimicrobial agents were synthesized. One of these compounds, a trithiolato-diRuthenium complex (RU) conjugated to sulfadoxine (SDX), inhibited proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites grown in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) monolayers with an IC50 < 150 nM, while SDX and the non-modified RU complex applied either individually or as an equimolar mixture were much less potent. In addition, conjugation of SDX to RU lead to decreased HFF cytotoxicity. RU-SDX did not impair the in vitro proliferation of murine splenocytes at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 μM but had an impact at 2 μM, and induced zebrafish embryotoxicity at 20 μM, but not at 2 or 0.2 μM. RU-SDX acted parasitostatic but not parasiticidal, and induced transient ultrastructural changes in the mitochondrial matrix of tachyzoites early during treatment. While other compounds that target the mitochondrion such as the uncouplers FCCP and CCCP and another trithiolato-Ruthenium complex conjugated to adenine affected the mitochondrial membrane potential, no such effect was detected for RU-SDX. Evaluation of the in vivo efficacy of RU-SDX in a murine T. gondii oocyst infection model comprised of non-pregnant outbred CD1 mice showed no effects on the cerebral parasite burden, but reduced parasite load in the eyes and in heart tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Alice Bernal
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Anitha Vigneswaran
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Maria Cristina Ferreira de Sousa
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Kai Pascal Alexander Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Noé Haudenschild
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Julien Furrer
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Emilia Păunescu
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Oksana Desiatkina
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern. Länggass-Strasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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Hasan T, Shimoda N, Nakamura S, Fox BA, Bzik DJ, Ushio-Watanabe N, Nishikawa Y. Protective efficacy of recombinant Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein 15 against toxoplasmosis in C57BL/6 mice. Vaccine 2024; 42:2299-2309. [PMID: 38429153 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a pervasive protozoan parasite that is responsible for significant zoonoses. A wide array of vaccines using different effector molecules of T. gondii have been studied worldwide to control toxoplasmosis. None of the existing vaccines are sufficiently effective to confer protective immunity. Among the different Toxoplasma-derived effector molecules, T. gondii dense granule protein 15 from the type II strain (GRA15 (II)) was recently characterized as an immunomodulatory molecule that induced host immunity via NF-κB. Therefore, we assessed the immunostimulatory and protective efficacy of recombinant GRA15 (II) (rGRA15) against T. gondii infection in a C57BL/6 mouse model. We observed that rGRA15 treatment increased the production of IL-12p40 from mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Immunization of mice with rGRA15 induced the production of anti-TgGRA15-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2c antibodies. The rGRA15-sensitized spleen cells from mice inoculated with the same antigen strongly promoted spleen cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. Immunization with rGRA15 significantly enhanced the survival rate of mice and dramatically decreased parasite burden in mice challenged with the Pru (type II) strain. These results suggested that rGRA15 triggered humoral and cellular immune responses to control infection. However, all of the immunized mice died when challenged with the GRA15-deficient Pru strain or the RH (type I) strain. These results suggest that GRA15 (II)-dependent immunity plays a crucial role in protection against challenge infection with the type II strain of T. gondii. This study is the first report to show GRA15 (II) as a recombinant vaccine antigen against Toxoplasma infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanjila Hasan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi 4225, Chattogram, Bangladesh.
| | - Naomi Shimoda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
| | - Shu Nakamura
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Barbara A Fox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
| | - David J Bzik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
| | - Nanako Ushio-Watanabe
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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Chakraborty S, Deshmukh A, Kesari P, Bhaumik P. Toxoplasma gondii aspartic protease 5: structural basis of substrate binding and inhibition mechanism. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38424737 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2322625] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a worldwide prevalent parasite is responsible for causing toxoplasmosis in almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Golgi-resident T. gondii aspartic protease 5 (TgASP5) plays an essential role in the maturation and export of the effector proteins those modulate the host immune system to establish a successful infection. Hence, inhibiting this enzyme can be a possible therapeutic strategy against toxoplasmosis. This is the first report of the detailed structural investigations of the TgASP5 mature enzyme using molecular modeling and an all-atom simulation approach which provide in-depth knowledge of the active site architecture of TgASP5. The analysis of the binding mode of the TEXEL (Toxoplasma EXport Element) substrate to TgASP5 highlighted the importance of the active site residues. Ser505, Ala776 and Tyr689 in the S2 binding pocket are responsible for the specificity towards Arg at the P2 position of TEXEL substrate. The molecular basis of inhibition by the only known inhibitor RRLStatine has been identified, and our results show that it blocks the active site by forming a hydrogen bond with a catalytic aspartate. Besides that, known aspartic protease inhibitors were screened against TgASP5 using docking, MD simulations and MM-PBSA binding energy calculations. The top-ranked inhibitors (SC6, ZY1, QBH) showed higher binding energy than RRLStatine. Understanding the structural basis of substrate recognition and the binding mode of these inhibitors will help to develop potent mechanistic inhibitors against TgASP5. This study will also provide insights into the structural features of pepsin-like aspartic proteases from other apicomplexan parasites for developing antiparasitic agents.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satadru Chakraborty
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Anuradha Deshmukh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Pooja Kesari
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Prasenjit Bhaumik
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
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15
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Imhof D, Hänggeli KPA, De Sousa MCF, Vigneswaran A, Hofmann L, Amdouni Y, Boubaker G, Müller J, Hemphill A. Working towards the development of vaccines and chemotherapeutics against neosporosis-With all of its ups and downs-Looking ahead. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2024; 124:91-154. [PMID: 38754928 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan and obligatory intracellular parasite, which is the leading cause of reproductive failure in cattle and affects other farm and domestic animals, but also induces neuromuscular disease in dogs of all ages. In cattle, neosporosis is an important health problem, and has a considerable economic impact. To date there is no protective vaccine or chemotherapeutic treatment on the market. Immuno-prophylaxis has long been considered as the best control measure. Proteins involved in host cell interaction and invasion, as well as antigens mediating inflammatory responses have been the most frequently assessed vaccine targets. However, despite considerable efforts no effective vaccine has been introduced to the market to date. The development of effective compounds to limit the effects of vertical transmission of N. caninum tachyzoites has emerged as an alternative or addition to vaccination, provided suitable targets and safe and efficacious drugs can be identified. Additionally, the combination of both treatment strategies might be interesting to further increase protectivity against N. caninum infections and to decrease the duration of treatment and the risk of potential drug resistance. Well-established and standardized animal infection models are key factors for the evaluation of promising vaccine and compound candidates. The vast majority of experimental animal experiments concerning neosporosis have been performed in mice, although in recent years the numbers of experimental studies in cattle and sheep have increased. In this review, we discuss the recent findings concerning the progress in drug and vaccine development against N. caninum infections in mice and ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Kai Pascal Alexander Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maria Cristina Ferreira De Sousa
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anitha Vigneswaran
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Larissa Hofmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yosra Amdouni
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Salomè S, Malesci R, Delle Cave V, Amitrano A, Gammella R, Fanelli F, Capone E, Capasso L, Fetoni AR, Raimondi F. Congenital toxoplasmosis and audiological outcome: from a case series to a suggestion of patient-based schedule. Front Pediatr 2024; 11:1297208. [PMID: 38239593 PMCID: PMC10794333 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1297208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been suggested to be possibly related to congenital toxoplasmosis (CT), although its prevalence varies from 0% to 26%. This variance appears to be dependent especially on early timing of treatment. However, the available data are based on outdated studies conducted on small groups of patients that lack homogeneity. Therefore, to establish evidence-based guidelines for audiologic monitoring in CT, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of a large case series over a long period of time. Patients and methods This is a single-center, retrospective cohort that enrolled all infants and children who were exposed in utero to Toxoplasma gondii and/or congenitally infected between September 1980 and December 2022. They underwent standard serial audiological evaluations to detect possible SNHL at an early stage. The first evaluation was performed during the initial assessment to define the onset of congenital toxoplasmosis, with another evaluation conducted at least at 12 months of life. Results We collected data from 1,712 patients, and 183 (10.7%) were diagnosed with CT. Among these cases, 78 children (42.6%) presented with symptomatic CT at the onset, exhibiting ocular findings (21.1%), clinical cerebral manifestations (6.1%), and/or abnormal findings on neuroimaging (35.5%). Therapy was administrated at the onset in 164 patients (89.6%) with 115 of them starting treatment prior to 2.5 months of age (0-388, median 32.00 ± 92.352 days of life). Only one patient presented with SNHL at the onset, but this was apparently unrelated to CT. The median number of audiological assessments was 2.2 ± 1.543 (2-10). No patients developed any grade of delayed hearing loss, both in treated and untreated groups. The median age at last audiological evaluation was 2.3 ± 2.18 years (1-8), although the median follow-up period was 12.4 years (±6.3), ranging from 1 to 27 years. Conclusions Based on these data, it appears that SNHL may be less frequent in CT than previously assumed. We recommend conducting an audiological assessment at the onset (within the first 2.5 months of life) to comprehensively define the type of CT onset, and then conducting another evaluation within 9 months of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Salomè
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - R. Malesci
- Unit of Audiology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - V. Delle Cave
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - A. Amitrano
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - R. Gammella
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - F. Fanelli
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - E. Capone
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - L. Capasso
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - A. R. Fetoni
- Unit of Audiology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - F. Raimondi
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Pan M, Ge CC, Niu SZ, Duan YY, Fan YM, Jin QW, Chen X, Tao JP, Huang SY. Functional analyses of Toxoplasma gondii dihydroorotase reveal a promising anti-parasitic target. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23397. [PMID: 38149908 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301493r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii relies heavily on the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway for fueling the high uridine-5'-monophosphate (UMP) demand during parasite growth. The third step of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis is catalyzed by dihydroorotase (DHO), a metalloenzyme that catalyzes the reversible condensation of carbamoyl aspartate to dihydroorotate. Here, functional analyses of TgDHO reveal that tachyzoites lacking DHO are impaired in overall growth due to decreased levels of UMP, and the noticeably growth restriction could be partially rescued after supplementation with uracil or high concentrations of L-dihydroorotate in vitro. When pyrimidine salvage pathway is disrupted, both DHOH35A and DHOD284E mutant strains proliferated much slower than DHO-expressing parasites, suggesting an essential role of both TgDHO His35 and Asp284 residues in parasite growth. Additionally, DHO deletion causes the limitation of bradyzoite growth under the condition of uracil supplementation or uracil deprivation. During the infection in mice, the DHO-deficient parasites are avirulent, despite the generation of smaller tissue cysts. The results reveal that TgDHO contributes to parasite growth both in vitro and in vivo. The significantly differences between TgDHO and mammalian DHO reflect that DHO can be exploited to produce specific inhibitors targeting apicomplexan parasites. Moreover, potential DHO inhibitors exert beneficial effects on enzymatic activity of TgDHO and T. gondii growth in vitro. In conclusion, these data highlight the important role of TgDHO in parasite growth and reveal that it is a promising anti-parasitic target for future control of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Pan
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Ceng-Ceng Ge
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Shui-Zhu Niu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Yin-Yan Duan
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Yi-Min Fan
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Qi-Wang Jin
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Jian-Ping Tao
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Si-Yang Huang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
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Corvi MM, Rossi F, Ganuza A, Alonso AM, Alberca LN, Dietrich RC, Gavernet L, Talevi A. Triclabendazole and clofazimine reduce replication and spermine uptake in vitro in Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:69. [PMID: 38135783 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08062-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Although this infection is generally asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, it can cause serious clinical manifestations in newborns with congenital infection or in immunocompromised patients. As current treatments are not always well tolerated, there is an urgent need to find new drugs against human toxoplasmosis. Drug repurposing has gained considerable momentum in the last decade and is a particularly attractive approach for the search of therapeutic alternatives to treat rare and neglected diseases. Thus, in this study, we investigated the antiproliferative effect of several repurposed drugs. Of these, clofazimine and triclabendazole displayed a higher selectivity against T. gondii, affecting its replication. Furthermore, both compounds inhibited spermine incorporation into the parasite, which is necessary for the formation of other polyamines. The data reported here indicate that clofazimine and triclabendazole could be used for the treatment of human toxoplasmosis and confirms that drug repurposing is an excellent strategy to find new therapeutic targets of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Corvi
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Celular de Parásitos, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnología (UNSAM), B7130, Chascomus, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Franco Rossi
- Laboratorio de Estres Biotico y Abiotico en Plantas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnología (UNSAM), Chascomus, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Ganuza
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Celular de Parásitos, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnología (UNSAM), B7130, Chascomus, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés M Alonso
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Celular de Parásitos, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET), Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnología (UNSAM), B7130, Chascomus, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas N Alberca
- Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Compuestos Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roque C Dietrich
- Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Compuestos Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana Gavernet
- Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Compuestos Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alan Talevi
- Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Compuestos Bioactivos (LIDeB), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Wakid MH, Alsulami MN, Farid M, El Kholy WA. Potential Anti-Toxoplasmosis Efficiency of Phoenix dactylifera Extracts Loaded on Selenium Nanoparticles. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:7743-7758. [PMID: 38144223 PMCID: PMC10749168 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s443047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that infects humans and many types of mammals and birds. Objective To investigate the effect of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and Phoenix dactylifera (Pd) extracts loaded on SeNPs as a new agent to combat chronic T. gondii infections in murine model as an alternative method to standard Spiramycin drug therapy. Methods A total of 64 female mice were randomly divided into eight groups: GI: Normal control, GII: Positive control, GIII: infected and treated with Spiramycin, GIV: infected and treated with SeNPs, GV: infected and treated with aqueous extract of Pd, GVI: infected and treated with methanolic extract of Pd, GVII: infected and treated with aqueous extract of Pd loaded on SeNPs, GVIII: infected and treated with methanolic extract of Pd loaded on SeNPs. Date palm (P. dactylifera) fruits were identified and collected from the farms of Saudi Arabia. Preparation and characterization of SeNPs were done. The parasitological, histopathological examinations and biochemical changes were evaluated in all groups. Results Parasitological results showed significant differences in GVII in comparison to GII while GVIII showed significant differences in comparison to GII and GIII. The histopathological section of the cerebral cortex showed obvious alterations in the infected compared with untreated control groups. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of P. dactylifera loaded on SeNPs treatment showed improvement that indicated by few perivascular cuffing with few inflammatory cell infiltrations. Few granule cells with mild intracellular vacuolation and edema few deformed neurons with deep pyknotic nuclei. Microglia cells expression of Iba-1 and inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and INF-γ) in serum of all groups was higher in GII and lowest in GVIII followed by GVII. Conclusion SeNPs and P. dactylifera extracts loaded on SeNPs could be a potent agent to combat T. gondii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majed H Wakid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muslimah N Alsulami
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Farid
- Sciences Academy of Experimental Researches, Special Scientific Foundation, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Walaa A El Kholy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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20
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Shi Y, Jiang Y, Qiu H, Hu D, Song X. Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by bedaquiline as an anti-Toxoplasma alternative. Vet Res 2023; 54:123. [PMID: 38115043 PMCID: PMC10731829 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that infects one-third of the world's population and nearly all warm-blooded animals. Due to the complexity of T. gondii's life cycle, available treatment options have limited efficacy. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new compounds or repurpose existing drugs with potent anti-Toxoplasma activity. This study demonstrates that bedaquiline (BDQ), an FDA-approved diarylquinoline antimycobacterial drug for the treatment of tuberculosis, potently inhibits the tachyzoites of T. gondii. At a safe concentration, BDQ displayed a dose-dependent inhibition on T. gondii growth with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 4.95 μM. Treatment with BDQ significantly suppressed the proliferation of T. gondii tachyzoites in the host cell, while the invasion ability of the parasite was not affected. BDQ incubation shrunk the mitochondrial structure and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP level of T. gondii parasites. In addition, BDQ induced elevated ROS and led to autophagy in the parasite. By transcriptomic analysis, we found that oxidative phosphorylation pathway genes were significantly disturbed by BDQ-treated parasites. More importantly, BDQ significantly reduces brain cysts for the chronically infected mice. These results suggest that BDQ has potent anti-T. gondii activity and may impair its mitochondrial function by affecting proton transport. This study provides bedaquiline as a potential alternative drug for the treatment of toxoplasmosis, and our findings may facilitate the development of new effective drugs for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehong Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Yucong Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Haolong Qiu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Dandan Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xingju Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, 530004, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China.
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21
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Rodriguez JB, Szajnman SH. An updated review of chemical compounds with anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115885. [PMID: 37871407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115885] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The opportunistic apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent for toxoplasmosis, which can infect a widespread range of hosts, particularly humans and warm-blooded animals. The present chemotherapy to treat or prevent toxoplasmosis is deficient and is based on diverse drugs such as atovaquone, trimethoprim, spiramycine, which are effective in acute toxoplasmosis. Therefore, a safe chemotherapy is required for toxoplasmosis considering that its responsible agent, T. gondii, provokes severe illness and death in pregnant women and immunodeficient patients. A certain disadvantage of the available treatments is the lack of effectiveness against the tissue cyst of the parasite. A safe chemotherapy to combat toxoplasmosis should be based on the metabolic differences between the parasite and the mammalian host. This article covers different relevant molecular targets to combat this disease including the isoprenoid pathway (farnesyl diphosphate synthase, squalene synthase), dihydrofolate reductase, calcium-dependent protein kinases, histone deacetylase, mitochondrial electron transport chain, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan B Rodriguez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR), C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Sergio H Szajnman
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos en Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR), C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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22
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Elati HAA, Goerner AL, Martorelli Di Genova B, Sheiner L, de Koning HP. Pyrimidine salvage in Toxoplasma gondii as a target for new treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1320160. [PMID: 38162577 PMCID: PMC10755004 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1320160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a common protozoan infection that can have severe outcomes in the immunocompromised and during pregnancy, but treatment options are limited. Recently, nucleotide metabolism has received much attention as a target for new antiprotozoal agents and here we focus on pyrimidine salvage by Toxoplasma gondii as a drug target. Whereas uptake of [3H]-cytidine and particularly [3H]-thymidine was at most marginal, [3H]-uracil and [3H]-uridine were readily taken up. Kinetic analysis of uridine uptake was consistent with a single transporter with a Km of 3.3 ± 0.8 µM, which was inhibited by uracil with high affinity (Ki = 1.15 ± 0.07 µM) but not by thymidine or 5-methyluridine, showing that the 5-Me group is incompatible with uptake by T. gondii. Conversely, [3H]-uracil transport displayed a Km of 2.05 ± 0.40 µM, not significantly different from the uracil Ki on uridine transport, and was inhibited by uridine with a Ki of 2.44 ± 0.59 µM, also not significantly different from the experimental uridine Km. The reciprocal, complete inhibition, displaying Hill slopes of approximately -1, strongly suggest that uridine and uracil share a single transporter with similarly high affinity for both, and we designate it uridine/uracil transporter 1 (TgUUT1). While TgUUT1 excludes 5-methyl substitutions, the smaller 5F substitution was tolerated, as 5F-uracil inhibited uptake of [3H]-uracil with a Ki of 6.80 ± 2.12 µM (P > 0.05 compared to uracil Km). Indeed, we found that 5F-Uridine, 5F-uracil and 5F,2'-deoxyuridine were all potent antimetabolites against T. gondii with EC50 values well below that of the current first line treatment, sulfadiazine. In vivo evaluation also showed that 5F-uracil and 5F,2'-deoxyuridine were similarly effective as sulfadiazine against acute toxoplasmosis. Our preliminary conclusion is that TgUUT1 mediates potential new anti-toxoplasmosis drugs with activity superior to the current treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza A. A. Elati
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmacy College, University of Elmergib, Al Khums, Libya
| | - Amber L. Goerner
- Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Bruno Martorelli Di Genova
- Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Lilach Sheiner
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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23
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Sun W, Wang B, Wang P, Liu B, Yan A, Pan B. Toltrazuril alkalizer-modifying solid dispersions against Toxoplasma gondii: A pharmacotechnical strategy to improve the efficacy of the drug. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 191:106613. [PMID: 37863442 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106613] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan that can parasitize nucleated cells of all warm-blooded animals, and seriously harm human and livestock. Toltrazuril (TOL) has insecticidal activity against parasites of the phylum Apicomplexan at multiple development stages, but the clinical application is limited by its poor water solubility. To improve the dissolution of TOL, nine ternary solid dispersions (SD) were prepared with PEG6000 as the carrier and various alkalizers as the pH modifier. Compared with the binary SD, all ternary SDs had improved TOL dissolution although dissolution rates differed. The complete dissolution was achieved for the Ca(OH)2-SD, associated with a gradual release of the alkalizer and adequate pH regulation of the microenvironment. DSC, PXRD and FTIR analyses indicated that TOL in the Ca(OH)2-SD was present in an amorphous form and had a strong hydrogen bond with Ca(OH)2. Within the drug concentration of 100 μg/mL, Ca(OH)2-SD was proved to have no damage to host cells by in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, and its anti-T. gondii efficacy was significantly higher than that of TOL and binary SD. The in vivo efficacy of Ca(OH)2-SD against T. gondii in mice further confirmed that Ca(OH)2-SD could be used as a new strategy to prevent T. gondii from killing mice and treat toxoplasmosis. In conclusion, Ca(OH)2-SD is expected to eventually turn into a clinical candidate for toxoplasmosis treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bohan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Penglong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Boxing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - An Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Baoliang Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100193, China.
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24
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Schlange C, Müller J, Imhof D, Hänggeli KPA, Boubaker G, Ortega-Mora LM, Wong HN, Haynes RK, Van Voorhis WC, Hemphill A. Single and combination treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infections with a bumped kinase inhibitor and artemisone in vitro and with artemiside in experimentally infected mice. Exp Parasitol 2023; 255:108655. [PMID: 37981259 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108655] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
In previous studies, the artemisinin derivatives artemisone, its pro-drug artemiside and the bumped-kinase inhibitor BKI-1748 were effective against T. gondii via different modes of action. This suggests that they may act synergistically resulting in improved efficacies in vitro and in vivo. To test this hypothesis, the compounds were applied alone and in combination to T. gondii infected human fibroblast host cells in order to determine their inhibition constants and effects on cellular ultrastructure. In addition, the efficacy of either single- or combined treatments were assessed in an acute TgShSp1-oocyst infection model based on CD1 outbred mice. Whereas the IC50 of the compounds in combination (42 nM) was close to the IC50 of BKI-1748 alone (46 nM) and half of the IC50 of artemisone alone (92 nM), the IC90 of the combination was half of the values found with the single compounds (138 nM vs. ca. 270 nM). Another indication for synergistic effects in vitro were distinct alterations of the cellular ultrastructure of tachyzoites observed in combination, but not with the single compounds. These promising results could not be reproduced in vivo. There was no decrease in number of T. gondii positive brains by either treatment. However, the levels of infection in these brains, i. e. the number of tachyzoites, was significantly decreased upon BKI-1748 treatment alone, and the combination with artemiside did not produce any further decrease. The treatment with artemiside alone had no significant effects. A vertical transmission model could not be established since artemiside strongly interfered with pregnancy and caused abortion. These results show that is difficult to extrapolate from promising in vitro results to the situation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carling Schlange
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kai Pascal Alexander Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria S/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ho Ning Wong
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia
| | - Richard K Haynes
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Wesley C Van Voorhis
- Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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25
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Boissavy T, Rotili D, Mouveaux T, Roger E, Aliouat EM, Pierrot C, Valente S, Mai A, Gissot M. Hydroxamate-based compounds are potent inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii HDAC biological activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0066123. [PMID: 37850734 PMCID: PMC10648960 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00661-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a critical health issue for immune-deficient individuals and the offspring of newly infected mothers. It is caused by a unicellular intracellular parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that is found worldwide. Although efficient drugs are commonly used to treat toxoplasmosis, serious adverse events are common. Therefore, new compounds with potent anti-T. gondii activity are needed to provide better suited treatments. We have tested compounds designed to target specifically histone deacetylase enzymes. Among the 55 compounds tested, we identified three compounds showing a concentration of drug required for 50% inhibition (IC50) in the low 100 nM range with a selectivity index of more than 100. These compounds are not only active at inhibiting the growth of the parasite in vitro but also at preventing some of the consequences of the acute disease in vivo. Two of these hydroxamate based compound also induce a hyper-acetylation of the parasite histones while the parasitic acetylated tubulin level remains unchanged. These findings suggest that the enzymes regulating histone acetylation are potent therapeutic targets for the treatment of acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Boissavy
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Dante Rotili
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Thomas Mouveaux
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuel Roger
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - El Moukthar Aliouat
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Christine Pierrot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Sergio Valente
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Mathieu Gissot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
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26
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Yang C, Doud EH, Sampson E, Arrizabalaga G. The protein phosphatase PPKL is a key regulator of daughter parasite development in Toxoplasma gondii. mBio 2023; 14:e0225423. [PMID: 37877735 PMCID: PMC10746186 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02254-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites, including Toxoplasma gondii, encode many plant-like proteins, which play significant roles and present attractive targets for drug development. In this study, we have characterized the plant-like protein phosphatase PPKL, which is unique to the parasite and absent in its mammalian host. We have shown that its localization changes as the parasite divides. In non-dividing parasites, it is present in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and preconoidal region. As the parasite begins division, PPKL is enriched in the preconoidal region and the cortical cytoskeleton of nascent parasites. Later in the division, PPKL is present in the basal complex ring. Conditional knockdown of PPKL showed that it is essential for parasite propagation. Moreover, parasites lacking PPKL exhibit uncoupling of division, with normal DNA duplication but severe defects in forming daughter parasites. While PPKL depletion does not impair the duplication of centrosomes, it affects the stability of cortical microtubules. Both co-immunoprecipitation and proximity labeling identified the kinase DYRK1 as a potential functional partner of PPKL. Complete knockout of DYRK1 causes parasites to exhibit division defects with predominantly asynchronous divisions. Global phosphoproteomics analysis revealed a significant increase in phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein SPM1 in PPKL-depleted parasites, suggesting that PPKL regulates cortical microtubules by mediating the phosphorylation state of SPM1. More importantly, the phosphorylation of cell cycle-associated kinase Crk1, a known regulator of daughter cell assembly, is altered in PPKL-depleted parasites. Thus, we propose that PPKL regulates daughter parasite development by influencing the Crk1-dependent signaling pathway. IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients and during congenital infections. Treating toxoplasmosis presents enormous challenges since the parasite shares many biological processes with its mammalian hosts, which results in significant side effects with current therapies. Consequently, proteins that are essential and unique to the parasite represent favorable targets for drug development. Interestingly, Toxoplasma, like other members of the phylum Apicomplexa, has numerous plant-like proteins, many of which play crucial roles and do not have equivalents in the mammalian host. In this study, we found that the plant-like protein phosphatase PPKL appears to be a key regulator of daughter parasite development. With the depletion of PPKL, the parasite shows severe defects in forming daughter parasites. This study provides novel insights into the understanding of parasite division and offers a new potential target for the development of antiparasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlin Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Emma H. Doud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Center for Proteome Analysis, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Emily Sampson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Gustavo Arrizabalaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Teixeira SC, Paschoalino M, de Souza G, Rosini AM, de Lima Junior JP, Luz LC, Fajardo Martínez AF, Alves RN, Almeida MPO, Damasceno JL, Silva MJB, Ietta F, Barbosa BF, Ferro EAV, Gomes Martins CH. Rottlerin impairs early and late steps of Toxoplasma gondii infection in human trophoblast cells and villous explants. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 384:110716. [PMID: 37722575 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110716] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis, caused by the opportunistic protozoan parasite T. gondii, can cause stillbirths, miscarriages and fetal abnormalities, as well as encephalitis and chorioretinitis in newborns. Available treatment options rely on antiparasitic drugs that have been linked to serious side effects, high toxicity and the development of drug-resistant parasites. The search for alternative therapeutics to treat this disease without acute toxicity for the mother and child is essential for the advancement of current therapeutic procedures. The present study aimed to unravel the mode of the anti-T. gondii action of Rottlerin, a natural polyphenol with multiple pharmacological properties described. Herein, we further assessed the antiparasitic activity of Rottlerin against T. gondii infection on the human trophoblastic cells (BeWo cells) and, for the first time, on human villous explants. We found that non-cytotoxic doses of Rottlerin impaired early and late steps of parasite infection with an irreversible manner in BeWo cells. Rottlerin caused parasite cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and compromised the ability of tachyzoites to infect new cells, thus highlighting the possible direct action on parasites. An additional and non-exclusive mechanism of action of Rottlerin involves the modulation of host cell components, by affecting lipid droplet formation, mitochondrial function and upregulation of the IL-6 and MIF levels in BeWo cells. Supporting our findings, Rottlerin also controlled T. gondii proliferation in villous explants with low toxicity and reduced the IL-10 levels, a cytokine associated with parasite susceptibility. Collectively, our results highlighted the potential use of Rottlerin as a promising tool to prevent and/or treat congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marina Paschoalino
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Joed Pires de Lima Junior
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Luana Carvalho Luz
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Aryani Felixa Fajardo Martínez
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Rosiane Nascimento Alves
- Department of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Ituiutaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Lopes Damasceno
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo José Barbosa Silva
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Francesca Ietta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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Abbasali Z, Pirestani M, Dalimi A, Badri M, Fasihi-Ramandi M. Anti-parasitic activity of a chimeric peptide Cecropin A (2-8)-Melittin (6-9) (CM11) against tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii and the BALB/c mouse model of acute toxoplasmosis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2023; 255:111578. [PMID: 37348706 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2023.111578] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that infects most animals, including humans. Pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine is the standard treatment for toxoplasmosis. Although this treatment has been successful, it is often associated with side effects that cannot be tolerated. Therefore, various compounds have been proposed as alternative treatments for toxoplasmosis. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) act on various pathogens, from viruses to protozoa. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of CM11 on in vitro and in vivo Toxoplasma gondii infection. For in vitro experiments, VERO cells were treated with different concentrations of CM11 (1-128 μg/ml) compared to sulfadiazine (SDZ) (0.78-100 μg/ml). MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays evaluated the cell viability and plasma membrane integrity. Then, the inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were determined for treating tachyzoites of T. gondii before or on cells previously infected. Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining was used to distinguish viable and apoptotic cells. The effect of CM11, SDZ, and a combination of CM11 and SDZ was evaluated in the BALB/c mouse model of acute toxoplasmosis. CM11 was effective on tachyzoites of T. gondii and had a time and dose-dependent manner. The results of the MTT assay showed that the CC50 values of CM11 and SDZ were estimated at 17.4 µg/ml and 62.3 µg/ml after 24-h, respectively. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CM11 and SDZ on infected cells was estimated at 1.9 µg/ml and 1.4 µg/ml after 24-h, respectively. The highest rate of apoptosis (early and late) in high concentrations of SDZ and CM11 was determined for tachyzoites (2.13 % and 13.88 %), non-infected VERO cells (6.1 % and 19.76 %), and infected VERO cells (7.45 % and 29.9 %), respectively. Treating infected mice with CM11 and a combination of CM11 and SDZ had increased survival time. Based on the mentioned results, it can be concluded that CM11 has a beneficial effect on tachyzoites of T. gondii in vitro. The result of the mouse model suggests that CM11, either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, could be a potential therapeutic for toxoplasmosis. Hence, antimicrobial peptides could be applied as promising anti-toxoplasma agents for treating toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abbasali
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abdolhossein Dalimi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Milad Badri
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Chyb M, Dziadek B, Dzitko K, Ferra BT, Kawka M, Holec-Gąsior L, Gatkowska J. Evaluation of long-term immunity and protection against T. gondii after immunization with multivalent recombinant chimeric T. gondii proteins. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12976. [PMID: 37563166 PMCID: PMC10415312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40147-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis caused by the opportunistic, cosmopolitan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasitoses in the world. Although it may prove dangerous or even fatal for immunocompromised individuals, immunoprophylaxis for humans is still nonexistent. Thus, the aim of the current work was to assess the ability of two immunogenic recombinant chimeric T. gondii proteins, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1 (SGR) and SAG1-MIC1-MAG1-GRA2 (SMMG), selected in previous experiments to induce long-lasting immunity when administered with a safe adjuvant. Thus, the determination of immunological parameters and parasite challenge were performed both two weeks after the last boost injection and 6 months postvaccination. Both experimental vaccines triggered specific humoral and cellular responses in immunized C3H/HeOuJ male mice, characterized by the production of specific IgG (IgG1/IgG2a) antibodies in vivo and the synthesis of key Th1/Th2 cytokines by Toxoplasma lysate antigen-stimulated splenocytes in vitro. Although the levels of specific antibodies and cytokine release were in most cases lower six months postimmunization, the protection rates conferred by the vaccination were comparable regardless of the time after the administration of the last vaccine dose. The results indicate that both preparations induce long-lasting immunity, which makes them attractive candidates for further research aimed at boosting their immunogenicity and immunoprotective capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Chyb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
- Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School of the University of Lodz and Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Bożena Dziadek
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dzitko
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Tomasz Ferra
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Malwina Kawka
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Justyna Gatkowska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland.
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Liu X, Zhang P, Liu Y, Li J, Yang D, Liu Z, Jiang L. Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Effects of Lipopeptide Derivatives of Lycosin-I. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:477. [PMID: 37624234 PMCID: PMC10467082 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080477] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease. We previously found that Lycosin-I exhibited anti-T. gondii activity, but its serum stability was not good enough. In this study, we aimed to improve the stability and activity of Lycosin-I through fatty acid chain modification, so as to find a better anti-T. gondii drug candidate. The α/ε-amino residues of different lysine residues of Lycosin-I were covalently coupled with lauric acid to obtain eight lipopeptides, namely L-C12, L-C12-1, L-C12-2, L-C12-3, L-C12-4, L-C12-5, L-C12-6, and L-C12-7. Among these eight lipopeptides, L-C12 showed the best activity against T. gondii in vitro in a trypan blue assay. We then conjugated a shorter length fatty chain, aminocaproic acid, at the same modification site of L-C12, namely L-an. The anti-T. gondii effects of Lycosin-I, L-C12 and L-an were evaluated via an invasion assay, proliferation assay and plaque assay in vitro. A mouse model acutely infected with T. gondii tachyzoites was established to evaluate their efficacy in vivo. The serum stability of L-C12 and L-an was improved, and they showed comparable or even better activity than Lycosin-I did in inhibiting the invasion and proliferation of tachyzoites. L-an effectively prolonged the survival time of mice acutely infected with T. gondii. These results suggest that appropriate fatty acid chain modification can improve serum stability and enhance anti-T. gondii effect of Lycosin-I. The lipopeptide derivatives of Lycosin-I have potential as a novel anti-T. gondii drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
| | - Peng Zhang
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; (P.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
| | - Dongqian Yang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- The National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; (P.Z.); (Z.L.)
| | - Liping Jiang
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (X.L.); (Y.L.); (J.L.); (D.Y.)
- China-Africa Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
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Burgess V, Maya JD. Statin and aspirin use in parasitic infections as a potential therapeutic strategy: A narrative review. Rev Argent Microbiol 2023; 55:278-288. [PMID: 37019801 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections, including zoonoses, constitute a threat to human health due to the spread of resistant pathogens. These diseases generate an inflammatory response controlled by a resolving mechanism involving specialized membrane lipid-derived molecules called lipoxins, resolvins, maresins, and protectins. The production of some of these molecules can be triggered by aspirin or statins. Thus, it is proposed that modulation of the host response could be a useful therapeutic strategy, contributing to the management of resistance to antiparasitic agents or preventing drift to chronic, host-damaging courses. Therefore, the present work presents the state of the art on the use of statins or aspirin for the experimental management of parasitic infections such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis or malaria. The methodology used was a narrative review covering original articles from the last seven years, 38 of which met the inclusion criteria. Based on the publications consulted, modulation of the resolution of inflammation using statins may be feasible as an adjuvant in the therapy of parasitic diseases. However, there was no strong experimental evidence on the use of aspirin; therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate its role inflammation resolution process in infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Burgess
- Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan D Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.
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Hayward JA, Makota FV, Cihalova D, Leonard RA, Rajendran E, Zwahlen SM, Shuttleworth L, Wiedemann U, Spry C, Saliba KJ, Maier AG, van Dooren GG. A screen of drug-like molecules identifies chemically diverse electron transport chain inhibitors in apicomplexan parasites. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011517. [PMID: 37471441 PMCID: PMC10403144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexans are widespread parasites of humans and other animals, and include the causative agents of malaria (Plasmodium species) and toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii). Existing anti-apicomplexan therapies are beset with issues around drug resistance and toxicity, and new treatment options are needed. The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is one of the few processes that has been validated as a drug target in apicomplexans. To identify new inhibitors of the apicomplexan ETC, we developed a Seahorse XFe96 flux analyzer approach to screen the 400 compounds contained within the Medicines for Malaria Venture 'Pathogen Box' for ETC inhibition. We identified six chemically diverse, on-target inhibitors of the ETC in T. gondii, at least four of which also target the ETC of Plasmodium falciparum. Two of the identified compounds (MMV024937 and MMV688853) represent novel ETC inhibitor chemotypes. MMV688853 belongs to a compound class, the aminopyrazole carboxamides, that were shown previously to target a kinase with a key role in parasite invasion of host cells. Our data therefore reveal that MMV688853 has dual targets in apicomplexans. We further developed our approach to pinpoint the molecular targets of these inhibitors, demonstrating that all target Complex III of the ETC, with MMV688853 targeting the ubiquinone reduction (Qi) site of the complex. Most of the compounds we identified remain effective inhibitors of parasites that are resistant to Complex III inhibitors that are in clinical use or development, indicating that they could be used in treating drug resistant parasites. In sum, we have developed a versatile, scalable approach to screen for compounds that target the ETC in apicomplexan parasites, and used this to identify and characterize novel inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni A. Hayward
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - F. Victor Makota
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Daniela Cihalova
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Rachel A. Leonard
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Esther Rajendran
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Soraya M. Zwahlen
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Laura Shuttleworth
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Ursula Wiedemann
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Christina Spry
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Kevin J. Saliba
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Alexander G. Maier
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Giel G. van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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Shen Y, Zheng B, Sun H, Wu S, Fan J, Ding J, Gao M, Kong Q, Lou D, Ding H, Zhuo X, Lu S. A live attenuated RHΔompdcΔuprt mutant of Toxoplasma gondii induces strong protective immunity against toxoplasmosis in mice and cats. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:60. [PMID: 37322556 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01109-9] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite and is responsible for zoonotic toxoplasmosis. It is essential to develop an effective anti-T. gondii vaccine for the control of toxoplasmosis, and this study is to explore the immunoprotective effects of a live attenuated vaccine in mice and cats. METHODS First, the ompdc and uprt genes of T. gondii were deleted through the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Then, the intracellular proliferation and virulence of this mutant strain were evaluated. Subsequently, the immune responses induced by this mutant in mice and cats were detected, including antibody titers, cytokine levels, and subsets of T lymphocytes. Finally, the immunoprotective effects were evaluated by challenge with tachyzoites of different strains in mice or cysts of the ME49 strain in cats. Furthermore, to discover the effective immune element against toxoplasmosis, passive immunizations were carried out. GraphPad Prism software was used to conduct the log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test, Student's t test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS The RHΔompdcΔuprt were constructed by the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Compared with the wild-type strain, the mutant notably reduced proliferation (P < 0.05). In addition, the mutant exhibited virulence attenuation in both murine (BALB/c and BALB/c-nu) and cat models. Notably, limited pathological changes were found in tissues from RHΔompdcΔuprt-injected mice. Furthermore, compared with nonimmunized group, high levels of IgG (IgG1 and IgG2a) antibodies and cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-2 and IL-12) in mice were detected by the mutant (P < 0.05). Remarkably, all RHΔompdcΔuprt-vaccinated mice survived a lethal challenge with RHΔku80 and ME49 and WH6 strains. The immunized sera and splenocytes, especially CD8+ T cells, could significantly extend (P < 0.05) the survival time of mice challenged with the RHΔku80 strain compared with naïve mice. In addition, compared with nonimmunized cats, cats immunized with the mutant produced high levels of antibodies and cytokines (P < 0.05), and notably decreased the shedding numbers of oocysts in feces (95.3%). CONCLUSIONS The avirulent RHΔompdcΔuprt strain can provide strong anti-T. gondii immune responses, and is a promising candidate for developing a safe and effective live attenuated vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Songrui Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiyuan Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzu Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Lou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xunhui Zhuo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Shaohong Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
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Yang C, Doud EH, Sampson E, Arrizabalaga G. The protein phosphatase PPKL is a key regulator of daughter parasite development in Toxoplasma gondii. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.13.544803. [PMID: 37398039 PMCID: PMC10312731 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.13.544803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites, including Toxoplasma gondii, encode many plant-like proteins, which play significant roles and present attractive targets for drug development. In this study, we have characterized the plant-like protein phosphatase PPKL, which is unique to the parasite and absent in its mammalian host. We have shown that its localization changes as the parasite divides. In non-dividing parasites, it is present in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and preconoidal region. As the parasite begins division, PPKL is enriched in the preconoidal region and the cortical cytoskeleton of the nascent parasites. Later in the division, PPKL is present in the basal complex ring. Conditional knockdown of PPKL showed that it is essential for parasite propagation. Moreover, parasites lacking PPKL exhibit uncoupling of division, with normal DNA duplication but severe defects in forming daughter parasites. While PPKL depletion does not impair the duplication of centrosomes, it affects the rigidity and arrangement of the cortical microtubules. Both Co-Immunoprecipitation and proximity labeling identified the kinase DYRK1 as a potential functional partner of PPKL. Complete knockout of DYRK1 phenocopies lack of PPKL, strongly suggesting a functional relationship between these two signaling proteins. Global phosphoproteomics analysis revealed a significant increase in phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated proteins SPM1 in PPKL-depleted parasites, suggesting PPKL regulates the cortical microtubules by mediating the phosphorylation state of SPM1. More importantly, the phosphorylation of cell cycle-associated kinase Crk1, a known regulator of daughter cell assembly, is altered in PPKL-depleted parasites. Thus, we propose that PPKL regulates daughter parasite development by influencing the Crk1-dependent signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlin Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Emma H. Doud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Center for Proteome Analysis, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Emily Sampson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Gustavo Arrizabalaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Finkensieper J, Mayerle F, Rentería-Solís Z, Fertey J, Makert GR, Lange F, Besecke J, Schopf S, Poremba A, König U, Standfest B, Thoma M, Daugschies A, Ulbert S. Apicomplexan parasites are attenuated by low-energy electron irradiation in an automated microfluidic system and protect against infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitol Res 2023:10.1007/s00436-023-07880-w. [PMID: 37233817 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07880-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Radiation-attenuated intracellular parasites are promising immunization strategies. The irradiated parasites are able to invade host cells but fail to fully replicate, which allows for the generation of an efficient immune response. Available radiation technologies such as gamma rays require complex shielding constructions and are difficult to be integrated into pharmaceutical production processes. In this study, we evaluated for the first time low-energy electron irradiation (LEEI) as a method to generate replication-deficient Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. Similar to other radiation technologies, LEEI mainly damages nucleic acids; however, it is applicable in standard laboratories. By using a novel, continuous, and microfluidic-based LEEI process, tachyzoites of T. gondii and oocysts of C. parvum were irradiated and subsequently analyzed in vitro. The LEEI-treated parasites invaded host cells but were arrested in intracellular replication. Antibody-based analysis of surface proteins revealed no significant structural damage due to LEEI. Similarly, excystation rates of sporozoites from irradiated C. parvum oocysts were similar to those from untreated controls. Upon immunization of mice, LEEI-attenuated T. gondii tachyzoites induced high levels of antibodies and protected the animals from acute infection. These results suggest that LEEI is a useful technology for the generation of attenuated Apicomplexan parasites and has potential for the development of anti-parasitic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Finkensieper
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Florian Mayerle
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstrasse 12, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Zaida Rentería-Solís
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Albrecht-Daniel-Thaer Institute, Rudolf-Breitscheid-Str. 35, 04463 Großpösna, Germany
| | - Jasmin Fertey
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gustavo R Makert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Lange
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joana Besecke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Winterbergstrasse 28, 01277, Dresden, Germany
| | - Simone Schopf
- Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Winterbergstrasse 28, 01277, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andre Poremba
- Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Winterbergstrasse 28, 01277, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulla König
- Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Winterbergstrasse 28, 01277, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bastian Standfest
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstrasse 12, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martin Thoma
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstrasse 12, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Arwid Daugschies
- Institute of Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ulbert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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dos Santos DA, Souza HFS, Silber AM, de Souza TDACB, Ávila AR. Protein kinases on carbon metabolism: potential targets for alternative chemotherapies against toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1175409. [PMID: 37287468 PMCID: PMC10242022 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1175409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a global disease that significantly impacts human health. The clinical manifestations are mainly observed in immunocompromised patients, including ocular damage and neuronal alterations leading to psychiatric disorders. The congenital infection leads to miscarriage or severe alterations in the development of newborns. The conventional treatment is limited to the acute phase of illness, without effects in latent parasites; consequently, a cure is not available yet. Furthermore, considerable toxic effects and long-term therapy contribute to high treatment abandonment rates. The investigation of exclusive parasite pathways would provide new drug targets for more effective therapies, eliminating or reducing the side effects of conventional pharmacological approaches. Protein kinases (PKs) have emerged as promising targets for developing specific inhibitors with high selectivity and efficiency against diseases. Studies in T. gondii have indicated the presence of exclusive PKs without homologs in human cells, which could become important targets for developing new drugs. Knockout of specific kinases linked to energy metabolism have shown to impair the parasite development, reinforcing the essentiality of these enzymes in parasite metabolism. In addition, the specificities found in the PKs that regulate the energy metabolism in this parasite could bring new perspectives for safer and more efficient therapies for treating toxoplasmosis. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the limitations for reaching an efficient treatment and explores the role of PKs in regulating carbon metabolism in Toxoplasma, discussing their potential as targets for more applied and efficient pharmacological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Higo Fernando Santos Souza
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Trypanosomes (LabTryp), Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariel M. Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Trypanosomes (LabTryp), Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andréa Rodrigues Ávila
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Apicomplexa, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Curitiba, Brazil
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Ahmadi M, Salimi M, Saraei M, Nezhad NS, Javadi A, Mohammadi F, Heydarian P, Ali E, Hajialilo E. In vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of Ganoderma lucidum extracts. BMC Res Notes 2023; 16:82. [PMID: 37202827 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-023-06355-6] [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: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ganoderma extracts have the potential to be used as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, and antimicrobial agents, as evaluated in numerous studies. This study was aimed to determine the lethal and inhibitory effects of aqueous, hydroalcoholic, and alcoholic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum on Toxoplasma gondii RH strain tachyzoites, in vitro. RESULTS All three types of extracts showed toxoplasmacidal effects. The highest percentage of mortality was related to hydroalcoholic extract. The EC50 of Ganoderma extracts for tachyzoites were 76.32, 3.274, and 40.18 for aqueous, hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts, respectively. The selectivity index obtained for hydroalcoholic extract was 71.22, showing the highest activity compared to other extracts. According to our findings, the hydroalcoholic part was the most effective substance among the extracts. This basic study showed obvious anti-toxoplasma effect of Ganoderma lucidum extracts. These extracts can be used as candidates for further in-depth and comprehensive studies especially In vivo experiments to prevent toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ahmadi
- Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Salimi
- Department of medical parasitology and Mycology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrzad Saraei
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Niloofar Salavati Nezhad
- Department of medicine Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Amir Javadi
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Faezeh Mohammadi
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Peyman Heydarian
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ali
- Department of Pharmacology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Elham Hajialilo
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
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de Lima Bessa G, Vitor RWDA, Lobo LMS, Rêgo WMF, de Souza GCA, Lopes REN, Costa JGL, Martins-Duarte ES. In vitro and in vivo susceptibility to sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from Brazilian free wild birds. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7359. [PMID: 37147353 PMCID: PMC10162961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34502-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the existence of drug-resistant Toxoplasma gondii strains and their possible impact on clinic outcomes. To expand our knowledge about the existence of natural variations on drug susceptibility of T. gondii strains in Brazil, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo susceptibility to sulfadiazine (SDZ) and pyrimethamine (PYR) of three atypical strains (Wild2, Wild3, and Wild4) isolated from free-living wild birds. In vitro susceptibility assay showed that the three strains were equally susceptible to SDZ and PYR but variations in the susceptibility were observed to SDZ plus PYR treatment. Variations in the proliferation rates in vitro and spontaneous conversion to bradyzoites were also accessed for all strains. Wild2 showed a lower cystogenesis capacity compared to Wild3 and Wild4. The in vivo analysis showed that while Wild3 was highly susceptible to all SDZ and PYR doses, and their combination, Wild2 and Wild4 showed low susceptibility to the lower doses of SDZ or PYR. Interestingly, Wild2 presented low susceptibility to the higher doses of SDZ, PYR and their combination. Our results suggest that the variability in treatment response by T. gondii isolates could possibly be related not only to drug resistance but also to the strain cystogenesis capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella de Lima Bessa
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Wagner de Almeida Vitor
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luana Margarida Sabino Lobo
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wagner Martins Fontes Rêgo
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Carolina Alves de Souza
- Laboratório de Quimioterapia de Protozoários Egler Chiari, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rosálida Estevam Nazar Lopes
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Júlia Gatti Ladeia Costa
- Laboratório de Toxoplasmose, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Universidade Do Estado de Minas Gerais, Unidade Ibirité, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Erica S Martins-Duarte
- Laboratório de Quimioterapia de Protozoários Egler Chiari, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil.
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Li H, Zhang J, Su C, Yang Z, Mei X, Zhang Z, Tian X, Wang S. Dynamic changes in TIGIT expression on the T-cell surface and TIGIT-mediated T-cell dysfunction in the brains of mice with chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Acta Trop 2023; 241:106871. [PMID: 36863503 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106871] [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: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive receptor TIGIT plays a vital role in the regulation of the immune system's response to pathogens. However, the expression pattern of this receptor in mouse brains during infection with Toxoplasma gondii cysts is not known. Here, we provide evidence of immunological changes and TIGIT expression in infected mouse brains through flow cytometry and QPCR. The obtained results show that TIGIT expression on brain T cells rose considerably after infection. T. gondii infection triggered the conversion of TIGIT+ TCM cells to TIGIT+ TEM cells and reduced their cytotoxicity. During the whole period of T. gondii infection, high intensity and persistent expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α in brain and serum of mice. This study shows that chronic T. gondii infection increases TIGIT expression on brain T cells and affects their immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Li
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Changwei Su
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xuefang Mei
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhenchao Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiaowei Tian
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
| | - Shuai Wang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
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Licon MH, Giuliano CJ, Chan AW, Chakladar S, Eberhard JN, Shallberg LA, Chandrasekaran S, Waldman BS, Koshy AA, Hunter CA, Lourido S. A positive feedback loop controls Toxoplasma chronic differentiation. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:889-904. [PMID: 37081202 PMCID: PMC10520893 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01358-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Successful infection strategies must balance pathogen amplification and persistence. In the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii this is accomplished through differentiation into dedicated cyst-forming chronic stages that avoid clearance by the host immune system. The transcription factor BFD1 is both necessary and sufficient for stage conversion; however, its regulation is not understood. In this study we examine five factors that are transcriptionally activated by BFD1. One of these is a cytosolic RNA-binding protein of the CCCH-type zinc-finger family, which we name bradyzoite formation deficient 2 (BFD2). Parasites lacking BFD2 fail to induce BFD1 and are consequently unable to fully differentiate in culture or in mice. BFD2 interacts with the BFD1 transcript under stress, and deletion of BFD2 reduces BFD1 protein levels but not messenger RNA abundance. The reciprocal effects on BFD2 transcription and BFD1 translation outline a positive feedback loop that enforces the chronic-stage gene-expression programme. Thus, our findings help explain how parasites both initiate and commit to chronic differentiation. This work provides new mechanistic insight into the regulation of T. gondii persistence, and can be exploited in the design of strategies to prevent and treat these key reservoirs of human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher J Giuliano
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alex W Chan
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sundeep Chakladar
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julia N Eberhard
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lindsey A Shallberg
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin S Waldman
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anita A Koshy
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Neurology, Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Arrighi F, Granese A, Chimenti P, Guglielmi P. Novel therapeutic opportunities for Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia intestinalis infections. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:211-245. [PMID: 37099697 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2206017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia intestinalis are the causative agents of Toxoplasmosis, Trichomoniasis and Giardiasis, three important infections threatening human health and affecting millions of people worldwide. Although drugs and treatment are available to fight these protozoan parasites, side-effects and increasing drug resistance, require continuous efforts for the development of novel effective drugs. AREAS COVERED The patents search was carried out in September/October 2022 with four official scientific databases (Espacenet, Scifinder, Reaxys, Google Patents). Treatments for Toxoplasmosis, Trichomoniasis and Giardiasis (2015-2022) have been grouped according to their chemotypes. In particular, novel chemical entities have been reported and investigated for their structure-activity relationship, when accessible. On the other hand, drug repurposing, extensively exploited to obtain novel anti-protozoal treatment, has been in-depth described. Finally, natural metabolites and extracts have also been reported. EXPERT OPINION T. gondii, T. vaginalis and G. intestinalis are protozoan infections usually controlled by immune system in immunocompetent patients; however, they could represent a threatening health for immunocompromised people. The needs of novel effective drugs, endowed with new mechanisms of actions arises from the increasing drug resistance affecting antibiotic as well as antiprotozoal therapies. In this review different therapeutic approaches to treat protozoan infections have been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Arrighi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Granese
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Chimenti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Guglielmi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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42
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Han C, Guan L, Xu L. Protective effect of luteoloside against Toxoplasma gondii-induced liver injury through inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB and P2X7R/NLRP3 and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1333-1342. [PMID: 37046028 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07833-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection can cause liver injury by inducing inflammation and oxidative stress. The Chinese herbal extract luteoloside (Lut) has considerable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its effects on the liver injury during T. gondii infection have not been reported. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Lut by treating T. gondii-infected mice with 0-200 mg/kg doses of Lut and further examined the expression of key proteins in the inflammation and oxidative stress-related pathways in the liver to investigate the potential mechanism of the hepatoprotective effects of Lut. Results showed that Lut remarkably reduced serum ALT and AST levels, considerably decreased inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, as well as oxidative products MDA, and greatly increased antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH. The expression of key proteins TLR4, Myd88, TRAF6, p-NF-κB p65 in the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and P2X7R, NLRP3, caspase 1, IL-1β, IL-18 in the P2X7R/NLRP3 pathway were significantly decreased in the liver. And the expression of key proteins Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, and GCLC in the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant-related pathway was significantly upregulated. In conclusion, Lut attenuated T. gondii-induced liver injury by inhibiting the inflammatory response and enhancing antioxidant capacity. The hepatoprotective mechanisms of Lut are involved in inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB and P2X7R/NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathways, as well as enhancing the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway. These findings not only provide some reference for further exploring the specific hepatoprotective mechanism of Lut during T. gondii infection, but also provide some theoretical basis for the future clinical application of Lut as a hepatoprotective drug in T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengquan Han
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, Shandong, China
| | - Lizeng Guan
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, Shandong, China
| | - Lu Xu
- College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, Shandong, China.
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Gharibi Z, Shahbazi B, Gouklani H, Nassira H, Rezaei Z, Ahmadi K. Computational screening of FDA-approved drugs to identify potential TgDHFR, TgPRS, and TgCDPK1 proteins inhibitors against Toxoplasma gondii. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5396. [PMID: 37012275 PMCID: PMC10070243 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32388-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most successful parasites in the world, because about a third of the world's population is seropositive for toxoplasmosis. Treatment regimens for toxoplasmosis have remained unchanged for the past 20 years, and no new drugs have been introduced to the market recently. This study, performed molecular docking to identify interactions of FDA-approved drugs with essential residues in the active site of proteins of T. gondii Dihydrofolate Reductase (TgDHFR), Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase (TgPRS), and Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (TgCDPK1). Each protein was docked with 2100 FDA-approved drugs using AutoDock Vina. Also, the Pharmit software was used to generate pharmacophore models based on the TgDHFR complexed with TRC-2533, TgPRS in complex with halofuginone, and TgCDPK1 in complex with a bumped kinase inhibitor, RM-1-132. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was also performed for 100 ns to verify the stability of interaction in drug-protein complexes. Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) analysis evaluated the binding energy of selected complexes. Ezetimibe, Raloxifene, Sulfasalazine, Triamterene, and Zafirlukast drugs against the TgDHFR protein, Cromolyn, Cefexim, and Lactulose drugs against the TgPRS protein, and Pentaprazole, Betamethasone, and Bromocriptine drugs against TgCDPK1 protein showed the best results. These drugs had the lowest energy-based docking scores and also stable interactions based on MD analyses with TgDHFR, TgPRS, and TgCDPK1 drug targets that can be introduced as possible drugs for laboratory investigations to treat T. gondii parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Gharibi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Behzad Shahbazi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Gouklani
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Hoda Nassira
- Polymer Division, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Zahra Rezaei
- Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Ahmadi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
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Hua QQ, Lin XJ, Xiang SP, Jiang LY, Cai JH, Sun JM, Tan F, Mou YN. Two small-molecule inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii proliferation in vitro. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1145824. [PMID: 37077525 PMCID: PMC10106592 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1145824] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonosis. Most infections appear asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, but toxoplasmosis can be fatal in fetuses and immunocompromised adults. There is an urgent need to research and develop effective and low-toxicity anti-T. gondii drugs because of some defects in current clinical anti-T. gondii drugs, such as limited efficacy, serious side effects and drug resistance. Methods In this study, 152 autophagy related compounds were evaluated as anti-T. gondii drugs. The activity of β-galactosidase assay based on luminescence was used to determine the inhibitory effect on parasite growth. At the same time, MTS assay was used to further detect the effects of compounds with over 60% inhibition rate on host cell viability. The invasion, intracellular proliferation, egress and gliding abilities of T. gondii were tested to assess the inhibitory effect of the chosen drugs on the distinct steps of the T. gondii lysis cycle. Results The results showed that a total of 38 compounds inhibited parasite growth by more than 60%. After excluding the compounds affecting host cell activity, CGI-1746 and JH-II-127 were considered for drug reuse and further characterized. Both CGI-1746 and JH-II-127 inhibited tachyzoite growth by 60%, with IC50 values of 14.58 ± 1.52 and 5.88 ± 0.23 μM, respectively. TD50 values were 154.20 ± 20.15 and 76.39 ± 14.32 μM, respectively. Further research found that these two compounds significantly inhibited the intracellular proliferation of tachyzoites. Summarize the results, we demonstrated that CGI-1746 inhibited the invasion, egress and especially the gliding abilities of parasites, which is essential for the successful invasion of host cells, while JH-II-127 did not affect the invasion and gliding ability, but seriously damaged the morphology of mitochondria which may be related to the damage of mitochondrial electron transport chain. Discussion Taken together, these findings suggest that both CGI-1746 and JH-II-127 could be potentially repurposed as anti-T. gondii drugs, lays the groundwork for future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-qian Hua
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xue-jing Lin
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shi-peng Xiang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li-ya Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin-hao Cai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian-min Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng Tan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ya-ni Mou
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Eid RK, Arafa MF, Ashour DS, Essa EA, El-Wakil ES, Younis SS, El Maghraby GM. Surfactant vesicles for enhanced antitoxoplasmic effect of norfloxacin: in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Int J Pharm 2023; 638:122912. [PMID: 37015296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
The goal was to scrutinize niosomes as potential carriers for enhanced efficacy of norfloxacin against Toxoplasma gondii RH strain. This was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Standard niosomes of Span 60 and cholesterol were prepared. Gelucire 48/16 or Tween 80 was incorporated as hydrophilic fluidizer. The prepared vesicles were characterized for shape, size, viscosity and norfloxacin release. The in vitro anti-Toxoplasma was assessed by monitoring tachyzoites viability after incubation with niosomes. In vivo efficacy of niosomes encapsulated norfloxacin was evaluated on infected mice. Transmission electron micrographs showed nano-sized spherical vesicles. Norfloxacin release varied with niosomal composition to show faster liberation in presence of fluidizing agent. The half maximum effective concentration of norfloxacin against tachyzoites (EC50) was significantly reduced after niosomal encapsulation compared with simple drug solution with no significant difference between vesicular formulations. Tachyzoite count in the peritoneal fluid of infected mice was reduced by 45.2, 90.8, 88.3 and 84% after treatment with simple drug dispersion, standard niosomes, Gelucire containing and Tween containing vesicles, respectively compared to infected untreated mice. These results correlate with the in vitro data and reflects the efficacy of niosomes. The study introduced surfactant vesicles as a tool for enhanced efficacy of norfloxacin against toxoplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania K Eid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Mona F Arafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Dalia S Ashour
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Ebtessam A Essa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Eman S El-Wakil
- Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Kornaish El-Nile, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba (P.O. 30), Giza, 12411, Egypt.
| | - Salwa S Younis
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
| | - Gamal M El Maghraby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
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Tuszewska H, Szczepański J, Mandziuk S, Trotsko N. Thiazolidin-4-one-based derivatives - Efficient tools for designing antiprotozoal agents. A review of the last decade. Bioorg Chem 2023; 133:106398. [PMID: 36739686 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106398] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Thiazolidin-4-one derivatives have a wide range of therapeutic implementations and clinical significance for medicinal chemistry. This heterocyclic ring has been reported to possess a variety of biological activities, including antiprotozoal activities that have inspired scientists to integrate this scaffold with different pharmacophoric fragments to design novel and effective antiprotozoal compounds. There are reviews describing thiazolidin-4-ones small molecules as good candidates with a single type of antiprotozoal activity, but none of these show collected news associated with the antiprotozoal activity of thiazolidin-4-ones and their SAR analysis from the last decade. In this review we are focusing on the antitoxoplasmic, anti-trypanosomal, antimalarial, antileishmanial, and antiamoebic activity of these derivatives, we attempt to summarize and analyze the recent developments with regard to the antiprotozoal potential of 4-TZD covering the structure-activity relationship and main molecular targets. The importance of various structural modifications at C2, N3, and C5 of the thiazolidine-4-one core has also been discussed in this review. We hope that all information concluded in this review can be useful for other researchers in constructing new effective antiprotozoal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Tuszewska
- Chair and Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4a, Chodzki Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Szczepański
- Chair and Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4a, Chodzki Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Sławomir Mandziuk
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Chemotherapy, Medical University of Lublin, 8, Jaczewski Str., 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Nazar Trotsko
- Chair and Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4a, Chodzki Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
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Almallah TM, Khedr SI, El Nouby KA, Younis SS, Elazeem MA, Elmehy DA. The synergetic potential of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus fermentum probiotics in alleviating the outcome of acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:927-937. [PMID: 36786888 PMCID: PMC10006249 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07787-6] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an immunologically complex disease, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Although there are several therapeutic regimens for such disease, the majority of them have many drawbacks. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to improve the current regimen in an effort to achieve a well-tolerated therapy while also enhancing the host immune response. Famous for their immunomodulatory effect, Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus fermentum probiotics were chosen to be evaluated in this study as an adjuvant therapy against the virulent RH Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) strain. Experimental mice were divided into control and treated groups. The control group was further subdivided into two groups: group I: 10 uninfected mice and group II: 20 infected untreated mice. The treated experimental group was subdivided into three groups (20 mice each); group III: sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP) treated, group IV: probiotics treated, and group V: SMZ-TMP combined with probiotics. The results obtained revealed that combined therapy increased survival rate and time up to 95% and 16 days, respectively, with an 82% reduction of tachyzoites and marked distortion, as detected by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Additionally, combined therapy alleviated the severity and the extent of the inflammatory cells' infiltration, thereby reducing hepatocyte degeneration. Intriguingly, serum IF-γ level showed a significant increase to 155.92 ± 10.12 ng/L with combined therapy, reflecting the immunological role of the combined therapy. The current results revealed that probiotics have a high adjuvant potential in alleviating the impact of toxoplasmosis. Using probiotics as a synergistic treatment to modulate conventional therapy in systemic toxoplasmosis may gain popularity due to their low cost and current availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasneem M Almallah
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Safaa I Khedr
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Kholoud A El Nouby
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Salwa S Younis
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mona A Elazeem
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Dalia A Elmehy
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
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Li H, Liang X, Sun W, Zhuang B, Cao Y, Zhang J, Shen J, Wang Y, Yu L. Immunological evaluation of a recombinant vaccine delivered with an analogous hyaluronic acid chitosan nanoparticle-hydrogel against Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Microb Pathog 2023; 179:106092. [PMID: 37003502 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is not only a threat to the public health but it also poses adverse impacts on the livestock industry. This study aimed to develop a recombinant vaccine composed of T. gondii microneme protein 6 (TgMIC6) and T. gondii rhoptry protein 18 (TgROP18).The vaccine was delivered with a novel vector, named analogous hyaluronic acid chitosan nanoparticle-hydrogel (AHACNP-HG) and its immune protection was evaluated. METHODS The recombinant MIC6 and ROP18 proteins were obtained by affinity chromatography and loaded onto AHACNP-HG by magnetic stirring. The characterizations of AHACNP-HG were investigated, including its structure, rheological property, nanoparticle size and zeta potential, its ability to release protein in vitro and toxicology in vivo. The immunological and anti-infection effects of AHACNP-HG/rMIC6/rROP18 were examined in the mice model. RESULTS AHACNP-HG presented a characteristic of composite system and possessed biosecurity with excellent protein control-release property. AHACNP-HG/rMIC6/rROP18 vaccine enhanced a mixed Th1/Th2 cellular immune response accompanied by an increased level of the cytokines, IFN-γ and IL-10. It also provoked a stronger humoral immune response. Additionally, after challenge with T. gondii tachyzoite, AHACNP-HG/rMIC6/rROP18 inoculation prolonged the survival time of mice. CONCLUSION Our data indicated that mixed rMIC6 and rROP18 induced strong immune response and played a certain protective role in controlling T. gondii infection, and the novel adjuvant AHACNP-HG improved modestly some immunogenicity properties in mouse model, which indicated that it can be used as a novel delivery system in vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Li
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Taihe People's Hospital, Fuyang, 236600, China.
| | - Xiao Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Wenze Sun
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Baocan Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Junling Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Yongzhong Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Human Microenvironment and Precision Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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CRISPR Screens Identify Toxoplasma Genes That Determine Parasite Fitness in Interferon Gamma-Stimulated Human Cells. mBio 2023; 14:e0006023. [PMID: 36916910 PMCID: PMC10128063 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00060-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma virulence depends on its ability to evade or survive the toxoplasmacidal mechanisms induced by interferon gamma (IFNγ). While many Toxoplasma genes involved in the evasion of the murine IFNγ response have been identified, genes required to survive the human IFNγ response are largely unknown. In this study, we used a genome-wide loss-of-function screen to identify Toxoplasma genes important for parasite fitness in IFNγ-stimulated primary human fibroblasts. We generated gene knockouts for the top six hits from the screen and confirmed their importance for parasite growth in IFNγ-stimulated human fibroblasts. Of these six genes, three have homology to GRA32, localize to dense granules, and coimmunoprecipitate with each other and GRA32, suggesting they might form a complex. Deletion of individual members of this complex leads to early parasite egress in IFNγ-stimulated cells. Thus, prevention of early egress is an important Toxoplasma fitness determinant in IFNγ-stimulated human cells. IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma infection causes serious complications in immunocompromised individuals and in the developing fetus. During infection, certain immune cells release a protein called interferon gamma that activates cells to destroy the parasite or inhibit its growth. While most Toxoplasma parasites are cleared by this immune response, some can survive by blocking or evading the IFNγ-induced restrictive environment. Many Toxoplasma genes that determine parasite survival in IFNγ-activated murine cells are known but parasite genes conferring fitness in IFNγ-activated human cells are largely unknown. Using a Toxoplasma adapted genome-wide loss-of-function screen, we identified many Toxoplasma genes that determine parasite fitness in IFNγ-activated human cells. The gene products of four top hits play a role in preventing early parasite egress in IFNγ-stimulated human cells. Understanding how IFNγ-stimulated human cells inhibit Toxoplasma growth and how Toxoplasma counteracts this, could lead to the development of novel therapeutics.
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Giuliano CJ, Wei KJ, Harling FM, Waldman BS, Farringer MA, Boydston EA, Lan TCT, Thomas RW, Herneisen AL, Sanderlin AG, Coppens I, Dvorin JD, Lourido S. Functional profiling of the Toxoplasma genome during acute mouse infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.05.531216. [PMID: 36945434 PMCID: PMC10028831 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.05.531216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Within a host, pathogens encounter a diverse and changing landscape of cell types, nutrients, and immune responses. Examining host-pathogen interactions in animal models can therefore reveal aspects of infection absent from cell culture. We use CRISPR-based screens to functionally profile the entire genome of the model apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii during mouse infection. Barcoded gRNAs were used to track mutant parasite lineages, enabling detection of bottlenecks and mapping of population structures. We uncovered over 300 genes that modulate parasite fitness in mice with previously unknown roles in infection. These candidates span multiple axes of host-parasite interaction, including determinants of tropism, host organelle remodeling, and metabolic rewiring. We mechanistically characterized three novel candidates, including GTP cyclohydrolase I, against which a small-molecule inhibitor could be repurposed as an antiparasitic compound. This compound exhibited antiparasitic activity against T. gondii and Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal agent of malaria. Taken together, we present the first complete survey of an apicomplexan genome during infection of an animal host, and point to novel interfaces of host-parasite interaction that may offer new avenues for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth J. Wei
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | - Faye M. Harling
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Madeline A. Farringer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Biological Sciences in Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Raina W. Thomas
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | - Alice L. Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Biology Department, MIT, Cambridge, MA
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