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Yarlett N, Morada M, Schaefer DA, Ackman K, Carranza E, Baptista RDP, Riggs MW, Kissinger JC. Genomic and virulence analysis of in vitro cultured Cryptosporidium parvum. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011992. [PMID: 38416794 PMCID: PMC10927135 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011992] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in the in vitro cultivation of Cryptosporidium parvum using hollow fiber bioreactor technology (HFB) have permitted continuous growth of parasites that complete all life cycle stages. The method provides access to all stages of the parasite and provides a method for non-animal production of oocysts for use in clinical trials. Here we examined the effect of long-term (>20 months) in vitro culture on virulence-factors, genome conservation, and in vivo pathogenicity of the host by in vitro cultured parasites. We find low-level sequence variation that is consistent with that observed in calf-passaged parasites. Further using a calf model infection, oocysts obtained from the HFB caused diarrhea of the same volume, duration and oocyst shedding intensity as in vivo passaged parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Yarlett
- Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mary Morada
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Deborah A. Schaefer
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Kevin Ackman
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Carranza
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Rodrigo de Paula Baptista
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Michael W. Riggs
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Love MS, McNamara CW. Phenotypic screening techniques for Cryptosporidium drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 16:59-74. [PMID: 32892652 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1812577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Two landmark epidemiological studies identified Cryptosporidium spp. as a significant cause of diarrheal disease in pediatric populations in resource-limited countries. Notably, nitazoxanide is the only approved drug for treatment of cryptosporidiosis but shows limited efficacy. As a result, many drug discovery efforts have commenced to find improved treatments. The unique biology of Cryptosporidium presents challenges for traditional drug discovery methods, which has inspired new assay platforms to study parasite biology and drug screening. Areas covered: The authors review historical advancements in phenotypic-based assays and techniques for Cryptosporidium drug discovery, as well as recent advances that will define future drug discovery. The reliance on phenotypic-based screens and repositioning of phenotypic hits from other pathogens has quickly created a robust pipeline of potential cryptosporidiosis therapeutics. The latest advances involve new in vitro culture methods for oocyst generation, continuous culturing capabilities, and more physiologically relevant assays for testing compounds. Expert opinion: Previous phenotypic screening techniques have laid the groundwork for recent cryptosporidiosis drug discovery efforts. The resulting improved methodologies characterize compound activity, identify, and validate drug targets, and prioritize new compounds for drug development. The most recent improvements in phenotypic assays are poised to help advance compounds into clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S Love
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Case W McNamara
- Calibr, a division of The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla, CA, USA
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Yarlett N, Morada M, Gobin M, Van Voorhis W, Arnold S. In Vitro Culture of Cryptosporidium parvum Using Hollow Fiber Bioreactor: Applications for Simultaneous Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Test Compounds. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2052:335-350. [PMID: 31452171 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9748-0_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Hollow fiber technology is a powerful tool for the culture of difficult-to-grow cells. Cryptosporidium parvum has a multistage sexual and asexual life cycle that has proved difficult to culture by conventional in vitro culture methods. Here, we describe a method utilizing a hollow fiber bioreactor for the continuous in vitro growth of C. parvum that produces sexual and asexual stages. The method enables the evaluation of potential therapeutic compounds under conditions that mirror the dynamic conditions found in the gut facilitating preliminary pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data to be obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Yarlett
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, NY, USA.
- The Department of Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, Pace University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Mary Morada
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mohini Gobin
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wesley Van Voorhis
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, The Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samuel Arnold
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, The Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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