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Uddin T, Xia J, Fu Y, McNamara CW, Chatterjee AK, Sibley LD. High Throughput Repurposing Screen Reveals Compounds with Activity Against Toxoplasma gondii Bradyzoites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601569. [PMID: 39005312 PMCID: PMC11244992 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes widespread chronic infections that are not cured by current treatments due to inability to affect semi-dormant bradyzoite stages within tissue cysts. To identify compounds to eliminate chronic infection, we developed a HTS using a recently characterized strain of T. gondii that undergoes efficient conversion to bradyzoites in intro. Stage-specific expression of luciferase was used to selectively monitor growth inhibition of bradyzoites by the Library of Pharmacological Active Compounds, consisting of 1,280 drug-like compounds. We identified 44 compounds with >50% inhibitory effects against bradyzoites, including new highly potent compounds, several of which have precedent for antimicrobial activity. Subsequent characterization of the compound Sanguinarine sulfate revealed potent and rapid killing against in vitro produced bradyzoites and bradyzoites harvested from chronically infected mice. These findings provide a platform for expanded screening and identify promising compounds for further preclinical development against T. gondii bradyzoites responsible for chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taher Uddin
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jing Xia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yong Fu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - L. David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Gallego-López GM, Contreras Guzman E, Desa DE, Knoll LJ, Skala MC. Metabolic changes in Toxoplasma gondii-infected host cells measured by autofluorescence imaging. mBio 2024; 15:e0072724. [PMID: 38975793 PMCID: PMC11323734 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00727-24] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects warm-blooded vertebrates across the world. In humans, seropositivity rates of T. gondii range from 10% to 90% across communities. Despite its prevalence, few studies address how T. gondii infection changes the metabolism of host cells. In this study, we investigate how T. gondii manipulates the host cell metabolic environment by monitoring the metabolic response over time using noninvasive autofluorescence lifetime imaging of single cells, metabolite analysis, extracellular flux analysis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Autofluorescence lifetime imaging indicates that infected host cells become more oxidized and have an increased proportion of bound NAD(P)H compared to uninfected controls. Over time, infected cells also show decreases in levels of intracellular glucose and lactate, increases in oxygen consumption, and variability in ROS production. We further examined changes associated with the pre-invasion "kiss and spit" process using autofluorescence lifetime imaging, which also showed a more oxidized host cell with an increased proportion of bound NAD(P)H over 48 hours compared to uninfected controls, suggesting that metabolic changes in host cells are induced by T. gondii kiss and spit even without invasion.IMPORTANCEThis study sheds light on previously unexplored changes in host cell metabolism induced by T. gondii infection using noninvasive, label-free autofluorescence imaging. In this study, we use optical metabolic imaging (OMI) to measure the optical redox ratio (ORR) in conjunction with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to noninvasively monitor single host cell response to T. gondii infection over 48 hours. Collectively, our results affirm the value of using autofluorescence lifetime imaging to noninvasively monitor metabolic changes in host cells over the time course of a microbial infection. Understanding this metabolic relationship between the host cell and the parasite could uncover new treatment and prevention options for T. gondii infections worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M. Gallego-López
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | | | - Laura J. Knoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Melissa C. Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Gallego-López GM, Guzman EC, Knoll LJ, Skala M. Metabolic changes to host cells with Toxoplasma gondii infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.10.552811. [PMID: 37609172 PMCID: PMC10441426 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects warm-blooded vertebrates across the world. In humans, seropositivity rates of T. gondii range from 10% to 90%. Despite its prevalence, few studies address how T. gondii infection changes the metabolism of host cells. Here, we investigate how T. gondii manipulates the host cell metabolic environment by monitoring metabolic response over time using non-invasive autofluorescence lifetime imaging of single cells, seahorse metabolic flux analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and metabolomics. Autofluorescence lifetime imaging indicates that infected host cells become more oxidized and have an increased proportion of bound NAD(P)H with infection. These findings are consistent with changes in mitochondrial and glycolytic function, decrease of intracellular glucose, fluctuations in lactate and ROS production in infected cells over time. We also examined changes associated with the pre-invasion "kiss and spit" process using autofluorescence lifetime imaging, which similarly showed a more oxidized host cell with an increased proportion of bound NAD(P)H over 48 hours. Glucose metabolic flux analysis indicated that these changes are driven by NADH and NADP+ in T. gondii infection. In sum, metabolic changes in host cells with T. gondii infection were similar during full infection, and kiss and spit. Autofluorescence lifetime imaging can non-invasively monitor metabolic changes in host cells over a microbial infection time-course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M. Gallego-López
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, 53706
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706
| | | | - Laura J. Knoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706
| | - Melissa Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, 53706
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin- Madison, WI 53706, USA
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de Melo Fernandes TA, Teixeira SC, Costa TR, Rosini AM, de Souza G, Polloni L, Barbosa BDF, Silva MJB, Ferro EAV, Ávila VDMR. BjussuLAAO-II, an l-amino acid oxidase from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom, impairs Toxoplasma gondii infection in human trophoblast cells and villous explants from the third trimester of pregnancy. Microbes Infect 2023; 25:105123. [PMID: 36870599 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
One-third of the world's population is estimated to be affected by toxoplasmosis. Pregnancy-related Toxoplasma gondii infection can cause vertical transmission, infect the fetus, and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and fetal death. The current study showed that both human trophoblast cells (BeWo lineage) and human explant villous were resistant to T. gondii infection after incubation with BjussuLAAO-II, an l-amino acid oxidase isolated from Bothrops jararacussu. Almost 90% of the parasite's ability to proliferate in BeWo cells was decreased by the toxin at 1.56 μg/mL and showed an irreversible anti-T. gondii effect. Also, BjussuLAAO-II impaired the key events of adhesion and invasion of T. gondii tachyzoites in BeWo cells. BjussuLAAO-II antiparasitic properties were associated with the intracellular production of reactive oxygen species and hydrogen peroxide, since the presence of catalase restored the parasite's growth and invasion. In addition, T. gondii growth in human villous explants was decreased to approximately 51% by the toxin treatment at 12.5 μg/mL. Furthermore, BjussuLAAO-II treatment altered IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and MIF cytokines levels, assuming a pro-inflammatory profile in the control of T. gondii infection. This study contributes to the potential use of a snake venom l-amino acid oxidase for the development of agents against congenital toxoplasmosis and the discovery of new targets in parasites and host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thales Alves de Melo Fernandes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, St. Acre s/n, 38402-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Para, 1720, 38400-239, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Tássia Rafaela Costa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, St. Acre s/n, 38402-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Para, 1720, 38400-239, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Para, 1720, 38400-239, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Lorena Polloni
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, St. Acre s/n, 38402-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Bellisa de Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Para, 1720, 38400-239, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo José Barbosa Silva
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Campus Umuarama, Av. Para, 1720, 38400-239, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, Av. Para, 1720, 38400-239, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Veridiana de Melo Rodrigues Ávila
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Umuarama, St. Acre s/n, 38402-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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Zhuang H, Yao C, Zhao X, Chen X, Yang Y, Huang S, Pan L, Du A, Yang Y. DNA double-strand breaks in the Toxoplasma gondii-infected cells by the action of reactive oxygen species. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:490. [PMID: 32988387 PMCID: PMC7523337 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate parasite of all warm-blooded animals around the globe. Once infecting a cell, it manipulates the host's DNA damage response that is yet to be elucidated. The objectives of the present study were three-fold: (i) to assess DNA damages in T. gondii-infected cells in vitro; (ii) to ascertain causes of DNA damage in T. gondii-infected cells; and (iii) to investigate activation of DNA damage responses during T. gondii infection. METHODS HeLa, Vero and HEK293 cells were infected with T. gondii at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10:1. Infected cells were analyzed for a biomarker of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) γH2AX at 10 h, 20 h or 30 h post-infection using both western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), and ROS-induced DNA damage was inhibited by a ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Lastly, DNA damage responses were evaluated by detecting the active form of ataxia telangiectasia mutated/checkpoint kinase 2 (ATM/CHK2) by western blot. RESULTS γH2AX levels in the infected HeLa cells were significantly increased over time during T. gondii infection compared to uninfected cells. NAC treatment greatly reduced ROS and concomitantly diminished γH2AX in host cells. The phosphorylated ATM/CHK2 were elevated in T. gondii-infected cells. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma gondii infection triggered DNA DSBs with ROS as a major player in host cells in vitro. It also activated DNA damage response pathway ATM/CHK2. Toxoplasma gondii manages to keep a balance between survival and apoptosis of its host cells for the benefit of its own survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haohan Zhuang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Xianfeng Zhao
- Animals & Plant Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center of Shenzhen Customs, Shenzhen, 518045, PR China
| | - Xueqiu Chen
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Yimin Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Siyang Huang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, and Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Lingtao Pan
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Aifang Du
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Yi Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
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