1
|
de Oliveira AA, Carmo Silva LD, Neves BJ, Fiaia Costa VA, Muratov EN, Andrade CH, de Almeida Soares CM, Alves VM, Pereira M. Cheminformatics-driven discovery of hit compounds against Paracoccidioides spp. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1553-1567. [PMID: 37727967 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0288] [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] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims: The development of safe and effective therapies for treating paracoccidioidomycosis using computational strategies were employed to discover anti-Paracoccidioides compounds. Materials & methods: We 1) collected, curated and integrated the largest library of compounds tested against Paracoccidioides spp.; 2) employed a similarity search to virtually screen the ChemBridge database and select nine compounds for experimental evaluation; 3) performed an experimental evaluation to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration as well as cytotoxicity; and 4) employed computational tools to identify potential targets for the most active compounds. Seven compounds presented activity against Paracoccidioides spp. Conclusion: These compounds are new hits with a predicted mechanisms of action, making them potentially attractive to develop new compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Alves de Oliveira
- Institute of Tropical Pathology & Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, 74690-900, Brazil
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Lívia do Carmo Silva
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Bruno Junior Neves
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | | | - Eugene N Muratov
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling & Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | | | - Vinicius M Alves
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling & Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Maristela Pereira
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
de Macedo PM, Almeida-Paes R, de Medeiros Muniz M, Oliveira MME, Zancopé-Oliveira RM, Costa RLB, do Valle ACF. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis PS2: First Autochthonous Paracoccidioidomycosis Case Report in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Literature Review. Mycopathologia 2016; 181:701-8. [PMID: 27161127 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-016-0015-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by pathogenic dimorphic fungi of the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex. It is the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America, mainly in Brazil. Despite its severity and high mortality rates, it is considered a neglected disease. Species within the genus Paracoccidioides present genetics and morphological variations with probable clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic consequences. In fact, there are a very small number of detailed case reports with molecular identification of these fungal agents. Here, it is reported a case of PCM due to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis PS2. Molecular identification of the isolate was performed by amplification and sequencing of the arf and gp43 genes. Clinical cases and strain reports with molecular identification in the literature are also reviewed. The case herein presented is the first autochthonous report of PCM due to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis PS2 species in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an important endemic area. The patient presented a chronic pulmonary form of PCM and had a satisfactory response to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim although sequelae such as adrenal insufficiency and dysphonia were observed. This study may contribute to improve the knowledge about this severe disease, its causative cryptic species and their consequences to patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Marques de Macedo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mauro de Medeiros Muniz
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Rosely Maria Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Regina Lana Braga Costa
- Coordenação de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos Francesconi do Valle
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Menino JF, Saraiva M, Gomes-Rezende J, Sturme M, Pedrosa J, Castro AG, Ludovico P, Goldman GH, Rodrigues F. P. brasiliensis virulence is affected by SconC, the negative regulator of inorganic sulfur assimilation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74725. [PMID: 24066151 PMCID: PMC3774720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Conidia/mycelium-to-yeast transition of Paracoccidioidesbrasiliensis is a critical step for the establishment of paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America. Thus, knowledge of the factors that mediate this transition is of major importance for the design of intervention strategies. So far, the only known pre-requisites for the accomplishment of the morphological transition are the temperature shift to 37°C and the availability of organic sulfur compounds. In this study, we investigated the auxotrophic nature to organic sulfur of the yeast phase of Paracoccidioides, with special attention to P. brasiliensis species. For this, we addressed the role of SconCp, the negative regulator of the inorganic sulfur assimilation pathway, in the dimorphism and virulence of this pathogen. We show that down-regulation of SCONC allows initial steps of mycelium-to-yeast transition in the absence of organic sulfur compounds, contrarily to the wild-type fungus that cannot undergo mycelium-to-yeast transition under such conditions. However, SCONC down-regulated transformants were unable to sustain yeast growth using inorganic sulfur compounds only. Moreover, pulses with inorganic sulfur in SCONC down-regulated transformants triggered an increase of the inorganic sulfur metabolism, which culminated in a drastic reduction of the ATP and NADPH cellular levels and in higher oxidative stress. Importantly, the down-regulation of SCONC resulted in a decreased virulence of P. brasiliensis, as validated in an in vivo model of infection. Overall, our findings shed light on the inability of P. brasiliensis yeast to rely on inorganic sulfur compounds, correlating its metabolism with cellular energy and redox imbalances. Furthermore, the data herein presented reveal SconCp as a novel virulence determinant of P. brasiliensis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Filipe Menino
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Margarida Saraiva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jéssica Gomes-Rezende
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mark Sturme
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jorge Pedrosa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António Gil Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Paula Ludovico
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol, CTBE, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Menino JF, Saraiva M, Gomes-Alves AG, Lobo-Silva D, Sturme M, Gomes-Rezende J, Saraiva AL, Goldman GH, Cunha C, Carvalho A, Romani L, Pedrosa J, Castro AG, Rodrigues F. TLR9 activation dampens the early inflammatory response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, impacting host survival. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2317. [PMID: 23936560 PMCID: PMC3723571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes paracoccidioidomycosis, one of the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. Thus, understanding the characteristics of the protective immune response to P. brasiliensis is of interest, as it may reveal targets for disease control. The initiation of the immune response relies on the activation of pattern recognition receptors, among which are TLRs. Both TLR2 and TLR4 have been implicated in the recognition of P. brasiliensis and regulation of the immune response. However, the role of TLR9 during the infection by this fungus remains unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We used in vitro and in vivo models of infection by P. brasiliensis, comparing wild type and TLR9 deficient ((-/-)) mice, to assess the contribution of TLR9 on cytokine induction, phagocytosis and outcome of infection. We show that TLR9 recognizes either the yeast form or DNA from P. brasiliensis by stimulating the expression/production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by bone marrow derived macrophages, also increasing their phagocytic ability. We further show that TLR9 plays a protective role early after intravenous infection with P. brasiliensis, as infected TLR9(-/-) mice died at higher rate during the first 48 hours post infection than wild type mice. Moreover, TLR9(-/-) mice presented tissue damage and increased expression of several cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. The increased pattern of cytokine expression was also observed during intraperitoneal infection of TLR9(-/-) mice, with enhanced recruitment of neutrophils. The phenotype of TLR9(-/-) hosts observed during the early stages of P. brasiliensis infection was reverted upon a transient, 48 hours post-infection, neutrophil depletion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest that TLR9 activation plays an early protective role against P. brasiliensis, by avoiding a deregulated type of inflammatory response associated to neutrophils that may lead to tissue damage. Thus modulation of TLR9 may be of interest to potentiate the host response against this pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Filipe Menino
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Margarida Saraiva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana G. Gomes-Alves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Diogo Lobo-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mark Sturme
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jéssica Gomes-Rezende
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Laura Saraiva
- EUVG - Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Castelo Viegas, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gustavo H. Goldman
- Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol – CTBE, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, and Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luigina Romani
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Jorge Pedrosa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António Gil Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|