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Ribeiro HAL, Scindia Y, Mehrad B, Laubenbacher R. COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients: a virtual patient cohort study. J Math Biol 2023; 87:6. [PMID: 37306747 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-023-01940-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The opportunistic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus infects the lungs of immunocompromised hosts, including patients undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplantation. More recently however, immunocompetent patients with severe SARS-CoV2 have been reported to be affected by COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA), in the absence of the conventional risk factors for invasive aspergillosis. This paper explores the hypothesis that contributing causes are the destruction of the lung epithelium permitting colonization by opportunistic pathogens. At the same time, the exhaustion of the immune system, characterized by cytokine storms, apoptosis, and depletion of leukocytes may hinder the response to A. fumigatus infection. The combination of these factors may explain the onset of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients. We used a previously published computational model of the innate immune response to infection with Aspergillus fumigatus. Variation of model parameters was used to create a virtual patient population. A simulation study of this virtual patient population to test potential causes for co-infection in immunocompetent patients. The two most important factors determining the likelihood of CAPA were the inherent virulence of the fungus and the effectiveness of the neutrophil population, as measured by granule half-life and ability to kill fungal cells. Varying these parameters across the virtual patient population generated a realistic distribution of CAPA phenotypes observed in the literature. Computational models are an effective tool for hypothesis generation. Varying model parameters can be used to create a virtual patient population for identifying candidate mechanisms for phenomena observed in actual patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique A L Ribeiro
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA
| | - Yogesh Scindia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA
| | - Borna Mehrad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA
| | - Reinhard Laubenbacher
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA.
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Paes-Vieira L, Rocco-Machado N, Freitas-Mesquita AL, Dos Santos Emiliano YS, Gomes-Vieira AL, de Almeida-Amaral EE, Meyer-Fernandes JR. Differential regulation of E-NTPdases during Leishmania amazonensis lifecycle and effect of their overexpression on parasite infectivity and virulence. Parasitol Int 2021; 85:102423. [PMID: 34298165 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by Leishmania amazonensis are characterized by a persistent parasitemia due to the ability of the parasite to modulate the immune response of macrophages. It has been proposed that ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDases) could be able to suppress the host immune defense by reducing the ATP and ADP levels. The AMP generated from E-NTPDase activity can be subsequently hydrolyzed by ecto-nucleotidases, increasing the levels of adenosine, which can reduce the inflammatory response. In the present work, we provide new information about the role of E-NTPDases on infectivity and virulence of L. amazonensis. Our data demonstrate that not only the E-NTPDase activity is differentially regulated during the parasite development but also the expression of the genes ntpd1 and ntpd2. E-NTPDase activity increases significantly in axenic amastigotes and metacyclic promastigotes, both infective forms in mammalian host. A similar profile was found for mRNA levels of the ntpd1 and ntpd2 genes. Using parasites overexpressing the genes ntpd1 and ntpd2, we could demonstrate that L. amazonensis promastigotes overexpressing ntpd2 gene show a remarkable increase in their ability to interact with macrophages compared to controls. In addition, both ntpd1 and ntpd2-overexpressing parasites were more infective to macrophages than controls. The kinetics of lesion formation by transfected parasites were similar to controls until the second week. However, twenty days post-infection, mice infected with ntpd1 and ntpd2-overexpressing parasites presented significantly reduced lesions compared to controls. Interestingly, parasite load reached similar levels among the different experimental groups. Thus, our data show a non-linear relationship between higher E-NTPDase activity and lesion formation. Previous studies have correlated increased ecto-NTPDase activity with virulence and infectivity of Leishmania parasites. Based in our results, we are suggesting that the induced overexpression of E-NTPDases in L. amazonensis could increase extracellular adenosine levels, interfering with the balance of the immune response to promote the pathogen clearance and maintain the host protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisvane Paes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Nathália Rocco-Machado
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Anita Leocadio Freitas-Mesquita
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Yago Sousa Dos Santos Emiliano
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatideos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Pavilhão Leônidas Deane, 4° andar, sala 405A, Manguinhos, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - André Luiz Gomes-Vieira
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Elmo Eduardo de Almeida-Amaral
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatideos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Pavilhão Leônidas Deane, 4° andar, sala 405A, Manguinhos, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Celular, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Basu M, Gupta P, Dutta A, Jana K, Ukil A. Increased host ATP efflux and its conversion to extracellular adenosine is crucial for establishing Leishmania infection. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs239939. [PMID: 32079656 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.239939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular survival of Leishmania donovani demands rapid production of host ATP for its sustenance. However, a gradual decrease in intracellular ATP in spite of increased glycolysis suggests ATP efflux during infection. Accordingly, upon infection, we show here that ATP is exported and the major exporter was pannexin-1, leading to raised extracellular ATP levels. Extracellular ATP shows a gradual decrease after the initial increase, and analysis of cell surface ATP-degrading enzymes revealed induction of the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73. Ectonucleotidase-mediated ATP degradation leads to increased extracellular adenosine (eADO), and inhibition of CD39 and CD73 in infected cells decreased adenosine concentration and parasite survival, documenting the importance of adenosine in infection. Inhibiting adenosine uptake by cells did not affect parasite survival, suggesting that eADO exerts its effect through receptor-mediated signalling. We also show that Leishmania induces the expression of adenosine receptors A2AR and A2BR, both of which are important for anti-inflammatory responses. Treating infected BALB/c mice with CD39 and CD73 inhibitors resulted in decreased parasite burden and increased host-favourable cytokine production. Collectively, these observations indicate that infection-induced ATP is exported, and after conversion into adenosine, propagates infection via receptor-mediated signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Basu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Purnima Gupta
- Infections and Cancer Biology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 69372, Lyon Cedex 08, France
| | - Ananya Dutta
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, P1/12 Calcutta Improvement Trust Scheme, VIIM, Kolkata, 700054, West Bengal, India
| | - Kuladip Jana
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, P1/12 Calcutta Improvement Trust Scheme, VIIM, Kolkata, 700054, West Bengal, India
| | - Anindita Ukil
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
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Magombedze G, Marino S. Mathematical and computational approaches in understanding the immunobiology of granulomatous diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Cicchese JM, Evans S, Hult C, Joslyn LR, Wessler T, Millar JA, Marino S, Cilfone NA, Mattila JT, Linderman JJ, Kirschner DE. Dynamic balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory signals controls disease and limits pathology. Immunol Rev 2018; 285:147-167. [PMID: 30129209 PMCID: PMC6292442 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immune responses to pathogens are complex and not well understood in many diseases, and this is especially true for infections by persistent pathogens. One mechanism that allows for long-term control of infection while also preventing an over-zealous inflammatory response from causing extensive tissue damage is for the immune system to balance pro- and anti-inflammatory cells and signals. This balance is dynamic and the immune system responds to cues from both host and pathogen, maintaining a steady state across multiple scales through continuous feedback. Identifying the signals, cells, cytokines, and other immune response factors that mediate this balance over time has been difficult using traditional research strategies. Computational modeling studies based on data from traditional systems can identify how this balance contributes to immunity. Here we provide evidence from both experimental and mathematical/computational studies to support the concept of a dynamic balance operating during persistent and other infection scenarios. We focus mainly on tuberculosis, currently the leading cause of death due to infectious disease in the world, and also provide evidence for other infections. A better understanding of the dynamically balanced immune response can help shape treatment strategies that utilize both drugs and host-directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Cicchese
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephanie Evans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Caitlin Hult
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Louis R. Joslyn
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Timothy Wessler
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jess A. Millar
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Simeone Marino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Cilfone
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Joshua T. Mattila
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Denise E. Kirschner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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