1
|
Diniz DG, de Oliveira JHP, Guerreiro LCF, de Menezes GC, de Assis ACL, Duarte TQ, dos Santos IBD, Maciel FD, Soares GLDS, Araújo SC, Franco FTDC, do Carmo EL, Morais RDAB, de Lima CM, Brites D, Anthony DC, Diniz JAP, Diniz CWP. Contrasting Disease Progression, Microglia Reactivity, Tolerance, and Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Two Mouse Strains. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1420. [PMID: 39061995 PMCID: PMC11274029 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071420] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Our study investigated the innate immune response to Toxoplasma gondii infection by assessing microglial phenotypic changes and sickness behavior as inflammatory response markers post-ocular tachyzoite instillation. Disease progression in Swiss albino mice was compared with the previously documented outcomes in BALB/c mice using an identical ocular route and parasite burden (2 × 105 tachyzoites), with saline as the control. Contrary to expectations, the Swiss albino mice displayed rapid, lethal disease progression, marked by pronounced sickness behaviors and mortality within 11-12 days post-infection, while the survivors exhibited no apparent signs of infection. Comparative analysis revealed the T. gondii-infected BALB/c mice exhibited reduced avoidance of feline odors, while the infected Swiss albino mice showed enhanced avoidance responses. There was an important increase in microglial cells in the dentate gyrus molecular layer of the infected Swiss albino mice compared to the BALB/c mice and their respective controls. Hierarchical cluster and discriminant analyses identified three microglial morphological clusters, differentially affected by T. gondii infection across strains. The BALB/c mice exhibited increased microglial branching and complexity, while the Swiss albino mice showed reduced shrunken microglial arbors, diminishing their morphological complexity. These findings highlight strain-specific differences in disease progression and inflammatory regulation, indicating lineage-specific mechanisms in inflammatory responses, tolerance, and resistance. Understanding these elements is critical in devising control measures for toxoplasmosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G. Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
- Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém 66077-830, Pará, Brazil; (S.C.A.); (F.T.d.C.F.); (J.A.P.D.)
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Oncologia, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Pará, Brazil
| | - Jhonnathan H. P. de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
| | - Luma C. F. Guerreiro
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal do Pará, Campus Bragança, Bragança 68600-000, Pará, Brazil
| | - Gabriel C. de Menezes
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
| | - Alexa C. L. de Assis
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
| | - Tainá Q. Duarte
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
| | - Izabelly B. D. dos Santos
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
| | - Flávia D. Maciel
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
| | - Gabrielly L. da S. Soares
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
| | - Sanderson C. Araújo
- Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém 66077-830, Pará, Brazil; (S.C.A.); (F.T.d.C.F.); (J.A.P.D.)
| | - Felipe T. de C. Franco
- Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém 66077-830, Pará, Brazil; (S.C.A.); (F.T.d.C.F.); (J.A.P.D.)
| | - Ediclei L. do Carmo
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém 67030-000, Pará, Brazil; (E.L.d.C.); (R.d.A.B.M.)
| | - Rafaela dos A. B. Morais
- Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém 67030-000, Pará, Brazil; (E.L.d.C.); (R.d.A.B.M.)
| | - Camila M. de Lima
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
- Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém 66077-830, Pará, Brazil; (S.C.A.); (F.T.d.C.F.); (J.A.P.D.)
| | - Dora Brites
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniel C. Anthony
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD, UK;
| | - José A. P. Diniz
- Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém 66077-830, Pará, Brazil; (S.C.A.); (F.T.d.C.F.); (J.A.P.D.)
| | - Cristovam W. P. Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-005, Pará, Brazil; (D.G.D.); (J.H.P.d.O.); (L.C.F.G.); (G.C.d.M.); (A.C.L.d.A.); (T.Q.D.); (I.B.D.d.S.); (F.D.M.); (G.L.d.S.S.); (C.M.d.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alvarado-Esquivel C, Estrada-Martínez S, Ramos-Nevarez A, Alvarado-Félix ÁO, Cerrillo-Soto SM, Alvarado-Félix GA, Guido-Arreola CA, Saenz-Soto L. Association between Toxoplasma gondii exposure and abdominal pain: An age- and gender-matched case-control seroprevalence study. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2024; 14:180-184. [PMID: 38564287 PMCID: PMC11097787 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2024.00025] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Abdominal pain has been rarely reported in individuals infected with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The aim of this study was to determine the association between T. gondii infection and abdominal pain. Two hundred and ninety-nine patients with abdominal pain (cases) and 299 age- and gender-matched people without abdominal pain (controls) were tested for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Twenty-four (8.0%) of the 299 cases and 12 (4.0%) of the 299 controls were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies (OR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.02-4.25; P = 0.03). The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was significantly higher in women with frequent abdominal pain than in women without this clinical feature (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.06-4.96; P = 0.02). Twelve (4.0%) of the 299 cases and 7 (2.3%) of the 299 controls had high (>150 IU mL-1) anti-T. gondii IgG antibody levels (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 0.67-4.49; P = 0.24). Seven (29.2%) of the 24 cases with anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and 3 (25.0%) of the 12 controls with anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were positive to anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.25-5.97; P = 1.00). Results suggest an association between T. gondii infection and frequent abdominal pain. Further research to confirm this association should be conducted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Sergio Estrada-Martínez
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera-Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Agar Ramos-Nevarez
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34079 Durango, Mexico
| | - Ángel Osvaldo Alvarado-Félix
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Sandra Margarita Cerrillo-Soto
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34079 Durango, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Alexis Alvarado-Félix
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Carlos Alberto Guido-Arreola
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34079 Durango, Mexico
| | - Leandro Saenz-Soto
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34079 Durango, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Reyes J, Zhao Y, Pandya K, Yap GS. Growth differentiation factor-15 is an IFN-γ regulated mediator of infection-induced weight loss and the hepatic FGF21 response. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:24-33. [PMID: 38013040 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections are often accompanied by weight loss caused by alterations in host behavior and metabolism, also known as sickness behaviors. Recent studies have revealed that sickness behaviors can either promote or impede survival during infections depending on factors such as the type of infectious pathogen. Nevertheless, we have an incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms of sickness behaviors. Furthermore, although the host immune responses to infections have long been known to contribute to the induction of sickness behaviors, recent studies have identified emerging cytokines that are also key regulators of host metabolism during infection and inflammation, such as growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15). GDF-15 is a distant member of the TGF-β superfamily that causes weight loss by suppressing appetite and food consumption and causing emesis. These effects require activation of neurons that express the only known GDF-15 receptor, the GFRAL receptor. GDF-15 also functions in the periphery including the induction of ketogenesis and immunoregulation. Nevertheless, the functions and regulation of GDF-15 during live infections is not yet known. Murine infection with avirulent Toxoplasma gondii is an established model to understand infection-induced weight loss. Past studies have determined that acute T. gondii infection causes weight loss due to diminished food consumption and increased energy expenditure through unknown mechanisms. Additionally, our lab previously demonstrated that T. gondii causes upregulation in serum GDF-15 in an IFN-γ-dependent manner during the post-acute phase of the infection. In this study, we interrogated the in-vivo functions and immune regulation of GDF-15 during Toxoplasma gondii infection. First, we found that in wild-type mice, acute T. gondii infection caused a significant weight loss that is preceded by elevation of serum levels of IFN-γ and GDF-15. To determine whether IFN-γ regulates GDF-15, we neutralized IFN-γ on days 5 and 6 and measured GDF-15 on day 7 and found that serum but not tissue levels of GDF-15 decreased after IFN-γ neutralization. Additionally, exogenous IFN-γ was sufficient to elevate serum GDF-15 in the absence of infection. Next, we compared the outcomes of T. gondii infection between WT and Gdf15-/- mice. We observed that the weight trajectories were declining in WT mice while they were increasing in Gdf15-/-mice during the acute phase of the infection. This difference in trajectories extended throughout the chronic infection resulting to an overall weight loss relative to initial weights in WT mice but not Gdf15-/-mice. Then, we determined that GDF-15 is not essential for survival and immunoregulation during T. gondii infection. We also demonstrated that GDF-15 is required for the induction of FGF21, stress-induced cytokine with prominent roles in regulating host metabolism. Finally, we discovered a cytokine cascade IFN-γ-GDF-15-FGF21 that is likely involved in the regulation of host metabolism. Overall, our study provides evidence that IFN-γ contributes to the regulation of host metabolism during infection by inducing GDF-15 and FGF21. GDF-15 orchestrates changes in host metabolism that supports the host immune response in clearing the infection. These physiological alterations induce FGF21, which in turn, orchestrates the adaptive responses to the effects of GDF-15, which can be detrimental when protracted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jojo Reyes
- Department of Medicine and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Yanlin Zhao
- Department of Medicine and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Krushang Pandya
- Department of Medicine and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States; Program of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, New York Institute of Technology, United States
| | - George S Yap
- Department of Medicine and Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Alsharedeh RH, Rezigue M, Bashatwah RM, Amawi H, Aljabali AAA, Obeid MA, Tambuwala MM. Nanomaterials as a Potential Target for Infectious Parasitic Agents. Curr Drug Deliv 2024; 21:828-851. [PMID: 36815647 DOI: 10.2174/1567201820666230223085403] [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: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite the technological advancement in the era of personalized medicine and therapeutics development, infectious parasitic causative agents remain one of the most challenging areas of research and development. The disadvantages of conventional parasitic prevention and control are the emergence of multiple drug resistance as well as the non-specific targeting of intracellular parasites, which results in high dose concentration needs and subsequently intolerable cytotoxicity. Nanotechnology has attracted extensive interest to reduce medication therapy adverse effects including poor bioavailability and drug selectivity. Numerous nanomaterials-based delivery systems have previously been shown in animal models to be effective in the treatment of various parasitic infections. This review discusses a variety of nanomaterials-based antiparasitic procedures and techniques as well as the processes that allow them to be targeted to different parasitic infections. This review focuses on the key prerequisites for creating novel nanotechnology-based carriers as a potential option in parasite management, specifically in the context of human-related pathogenic parasitic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rawan H Alsharedeh
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Meriem Rezigue
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Rasha M Bashatwah
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Haneen Amawi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Mohammad A Obeid
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, Brayford Pool Campus, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li L, Guan YC, Bai SY, Jin QW, Tao JP, Zhu GD, Huang SY. Mineralization Reduces the Toxicity and Improves Stability and Protective Immune Response Induced by Toxoplasma gondii. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 12:35. [PMID: 38250848 PMCID: PMC10819335 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010035] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is an ideal strategy for the control and prevention of toxoplasmosis. However, the thermostability and effectiveness of vaccines limit their application. Here, calcium mineralization was used to fabricate Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites as immunogenic core-shell particles with improved immune response and thermostability. In the current study, T. gondii RH particles coated with mineralized shells were fabricated by calcium mineralization. The mineralized shells could maintain the T. gondii tachyzoites structural integrity for at least 12 months and weaken the virulence. Immunization of mice with mineralized tachyzoites induced high levels of T. gondii-specific antibodies and cytokines. The immunized mice were protected with a 100% survival rate in acute and chronic infection, and brain cyst burdens were significantly reduced. This study reported for the first time the strategy of calcium mineralization on T. gondii and proved that mineralized tachyzoites could play an immune protective role, thus expanding the application of biomineralization in T. gondii vaccine delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China; (L.L.); (Y.-C.G.); (S.-Y.B.); (Q.-W.J.); (J.-P.T.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yong-Chao Guan
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China; (L.L.); (Y.-C.G.); (S.-Y.B.); (Q.-W.J.); (J.-P.T.)
| | - Shao-Yuan Bai
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China; (L.L.); (Y.-C.G.); (S.-Y.B.); (Q.-W.J.); (J.-P.T.)
| | - Qi-Wang Jin
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China; (L.L.); (Y.-C.G.); (S.-Y.B.); (Q.-W.J.); (J.-P.T.)
| | - Jian-Ping Tao
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China; (L.L.); (Y.-C.G.); (S.-Y.B.); (Q.-W.J.); (J.-P.T.)
| | - Guo-Ding Zhu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China;
| | - Si-Yang Huang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China; (L.L.); (Y.-C.G.); (S.-Y.B.); (Q.-W.J.); (J.-P.T.)
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mendoza-Larios LA, García-Dolores F, Sánchez-Anguiano LF, Antuna-Salcido EI, Hernández-Tinoco J, Rocha-Salais A, Segoviano-Mendoza MA, Sifuentes-Álvarez A, Alvarado-Esquivel C. Toxoplasma gondii infection of the central nervous system and suicide: A case-control study of decedents. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2023; 13:77-82. [PMID: 37982867 PMCID: PMC10668923 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2023.00033] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We sought to determine the association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection of the central nervous system and suicide in a sample of decedents in Mexico City. One hundred and forty-seven decedents (87 who committed suicide and 60 who did not commit suicide) were studied. Brain tissues (amygdala and prefrontal cortex) of decedents were examined for the detection of T. gondii using immunohistochemistry. Detection of T. gondii was positive in 7 (8.0%) of the 87 cases (6 found in prefrontal cortex and one in amygdala), and in one (1.7%) of the 60 controls (found in prefrontal cortex) (OR: 5.16; 95% CI: 0.61-43.10; P = 0.14). Results suggest that T. gondii infection in brain is not associated with suicide. Further studies to confirm this finding are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Alejandra Mendoza-Larios
- Instituto de Ciencias Forenses de la Ciudad de México, Avenida Niños Héroes 130, Colonia Doctores, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, 06720 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Fernando García-Dolores
- Instituto de Ciencias Forenses de la Ciudad de México, Avenida Niños Héroes 130, Colonia Doctores, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, 06720 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luis Francisco Sánchez-Anguiano
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N. 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Irasema Antuna-Salcido
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Jesús Hernández-Tinoco
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N. 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Adriana Rocha-Salais
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N. 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Marcela Araceli Segoviano-Mendoza
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N. 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Antonio Sifuentes-Álvarez
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N. 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N. 34000 Durango, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jafari MM, Azimzadeh Tabrizi Z, Dayer MS, Kazemi-Sefat NA, Mohtashamifard M, Mohseni R, Bagheri A, Bahadory S, Karimipour-Saryazdi A, Ghaffarifar F. Immune system roles in pathogenesis, prognosis, control, and treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110872. [PMID: 37660595 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the protozoan causative agent of toxoplasmosis in humans and warm-blooded animals. Recent studies have illustrated that the immune system plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis by triggering immune cytokines like IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ and immune cells like DCs, Th1, and Th17. On the other hand, some immune components can serve as prognosis markers of toxoplasmosis. In healthy people, the disease is often asymptomatic, but immunocompromised people and newborns may suffer severe symptoms and complications. Therefore, the immune prognostic markers may provide tools to measure the disease progress and help patients to avoid further complications. Immunotherapies using monoclonal antibody, cytokines, immune cells, exosomes, novel vaccines, and anti-inflammatory molecules open new horizon for toxoplasmosis treatment. In this review article, we discussed the immunopathogenesis, prognosis, and immunotherapy of Toxoplasma gondii infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahdi Jafari
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Azimzadeh Tabrizi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saaid Dayer
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mahshid Mohtashamifard
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rahimeh Mohseni
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Bagheri
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Bahadory
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Karimipour-Saryazdi
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Deng T, Chen S, Zhang Y, Xu Y, Feng D, Wu H, Sun X. A cofunctional grouping-based approach for non-redundant feature gene selection in unannotated single-cell RNA-seq analysis. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad042. [PMID: 36754847 PMCID: PMC10025445 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Feature gene selection has significant impact on the performance of cell clustering in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. A well-rounded feature selection (FS) method should consider relevance, redundancy and complementarity of the features. Yet most existing FS methods focus on gene relevance to the cell types but neglect redundancy and complementarity, which undermines the cell clustering performance. We develop a novel computational method GeneClust to select feature genes for scRNA-seq cell clustering. GeneClust groups genes based on their expression profiles, then selects genes with the aim of maximizing relevance, minimizing redundancy and preserving complementarity. It can work as a plug-in tool for FS with any existing cell clustering method. Extensive benchmark results demonstrate that GeneClust significantly improve the clustering performance. Moreover, GeneClust can group cofunctional genes in biological process and pathway into clusters, thus providing a means of investigating gene interactions and identifying potential genes relevant to biological characteristics of the dataset. GeneClust is freely available at https://github.com/ToryDeng/scGeneClust.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Deng
- School of Data Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong—Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Hubei, China
| | - Yuanbin Xu
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Hubei, China
| | - Da Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, Hubei, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, GA, USA
- Faculty of Computer Science and Control Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaobo Sun
- School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sun W, Wang B, Wang P, Liu B, Pan B. Microenvironment pH modified solid dispersion of Toltrazuril as a new strategy to improve the treatment of experimental Apicomplexan infection. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106797. [PMID: 36528088 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106797] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The phylum Apicomplexa contains some of the most serious human and veterinary parasites, including Eimeria magna, Toxoplasma gondii, and many others. Toltrazuril (TOL) has activity against multiple stages of Apicomplexan parasites, but its clinical use is limited by low bioavailability. In present study, we prepared one new formulation named the microenvironment pH modified solid dispersion (pHM-SD), which was composed of three components including Ca(OH)2, TOL, and PVPk30 with the weight ratio of 1:8:8. In vivo evaluation for bioavailability and efficacy of the pHM-SD was conducted following oral administration and hypodermic injection. The performance of the pHM-SD was also contrast to corresponding results of raw material drug and commercial Baycox® to evaluate the advantages for clinical application. The results showed that the bioavailability of prototype TOL and its active metabolites toltrazuril sulfoxide (TOLSO), toltrazuril sulfone (TOLSO2) in rabbits were improved remarkably after oral administration of the pHM-SD. The safety of the pHM-SD via oral administration was adequately verified via the histopathological examination. We subsequently evaluated effects of the pHM-SD on Eimeria magna oocysts and Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. In vivo anti-coccidia efficacy further confirmed that the pHM-SD could be used as a strategy to minimize the oocyst exposure. In vitro cytotoxicity and anti-Toxoplasma tests showed that the pHM-SD had little damage to host cells within the concentration of 100 μg/ mL, and the anti-Toxoplasma efficacy was significantly improved compared with TOL. Combined with the above-mentioned experimental results, we conclude that the pHM-SD maybe a promising candidate for providing better clinical outcomes.
Collapse
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
| | - Baoliang Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lopez BS. Can Infectious Disease Control Be Achieved without Antibiotics by Exploiting Mechanisms of Disease Tolerance? Immunohorizons 2022; 6:730-740. [DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2200043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Antimicrobial use in animal agriculture may be contributing to the emerging public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance. The sustained prevalence of infectious diseases driving antimicrobial use industry-wide suggests that traditional methods of bolstering disease resistance are, for some diseases, ineffective. A paradigm shift in our approach to infectious disease control is needed to reduce antimicrobial use and sustain animal and human health and the global economy. Targeting the defensive mechanisms that promote the health of an infected host without impacting pathogen fitness, termed “disease tolerance,” is a novel disease control approach ripe for discovery. This article presents examples of disease tolerance dictating clinical outcomes for several infectious diseases in humans, reveals evidence suggesting a similarly critical role of disease tolerance in the progression of infectious diseases plaguing animal agriculture, and thus substantiates the assertion that exploiting disease tolerance mechanisms can positively impact animal and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brina S. Lopez
- Department of Farm Animal Medicine, Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yuan H, Song Y, Zhang XX, Zhai J, Zhang J, Yuan ZG. Public awareness should be raised on a crucial but neglected factor for COVID-19 vaccination. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1027539. [PMID: 36225943 PMCID: PMC9550233 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1027539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yining Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingbo Zhai
- Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonose Prevention and Control at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Tongliao, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zi-Guo Yuan,
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Walsh D, Katris NJ, Sheiner L, Botté CY. Toxoplasma metabolic flexibility in different growth conditions. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:775-790. [PMID: 35718642 PMCID: PMC10506913 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites have complex metabolic networks that coordinate acquisition of metabolites by de novo synthesis and by scavenging from the host. Toxoplasma gondii has a wide host range and may rely on the flexibility of this metabolic network. Currently, the literature categorizes genes as essential or dispensable according to their dispensability for parasite survival under nutrient-replete in vitro conditions. However, recent studies revealed correlations between medium composition and gene essentiality. Therefore, nutrient availability in the host environment likely determines the requirement of metabolic pathways, which may redefine priorities for drug target identification in a clinical setting. Here we review the recent work characterizing some of the major Toxoplasma metabolic pathways and their functional adaptation to host nutrient content.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Walsh
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicholas J Katris
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Lilach Sheiner
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
López-Ortega O, Moreno-Corona NC, Cruz-Holguin VJ, Garcia-Gonzalez LD, Helguera-Repetto AC, Romero-Valdovinos M, Arevalo-Romero H, Cedillo-Barron L, León-Juárez M. The Immune Response in Adipocytes and Their Susceptibility to Infection: A Possible Relationship with Infectobesity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116154. [PMID: 35682832 PMCID: PMC9181511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The current obesity pandemic has been expanding in both developing and developed countries. This suggests that the factors contributing to this condition need to be reconsidered since some new factors are arising as etiological causes of this disease. Moreover, recent clinical and experimental findings have shown an association between the progress of obesity and some infections, and the functions of adipose tissues, which involve cell metabolism and adipokine release, among others. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that adipocytes could either be reservoirs for these pathogens or play an active role in this process. In addition, there is abundant evidence indicating that during obesity, the immune system is exacerbated, suggesting an increased susceptibility of the patient to the development of several forms of illness or death. Thus, there could be a relationship between infection as a trigger for an increase in adipose cells and the impact on the metabolism that contributes to the development of obesity. In this review, we describe the findings concerning the role of adipose tissue as a mediator in the immune response as well as the possible role of adipocytes as infection targets, with both roles constituting a possible cause of obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orestes López-Ortega
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S1151, CNRS UMR-S8253, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Nidia Carolina Moreno-Corona
- Laboratory of Human Lymphohematopoiesis, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Victor Javier Cruz-Holguin
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Luis Didier Garcia-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
| | - Addy Cecilia Helguera-Repetto
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
| | - Mirza Romero-Valdovinos
- Departamento de Biología Molecular e Histocompatibilidad, Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”, Calzada de Tlalpan 4800, Col. Sección XVI, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico;
| | - Haruki Arevalo-Romero
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Microbiología Molecular, División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Jalpa de Méndez, Jalpa de Méndez 86205, Mexico;
| | - Leticia Cedillo-Barron
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Moisés León-Juárez
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Esenkaya Taşbent F, Beder D, Özdemir M, Doğan M, Feyzioğlu B. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Different Patient Groups in Our Hospital. TURKIYE PARAZITOLOJII DERGISI 2022; 46:1-6. [PMID: 35232698 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.25733] [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: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite. It is regarded as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in congenital contamination and immunosuppressive patients. This study aimed to determine the seropositivity of T. gondii in various ages and patient groups, as well as to reveal the current immune status, especially in risk groups. METHODS Results of T. gondii serology conducted between 2015 and 2019 in the medical microbiology laboratory in a university hospital were retrospectively analyzed. In the study, anti-T. gondii IgM, anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, and anti-T. gondii IgG avidity test results were investigated by the enzyme-linked fluorescent assay method. Additionally, seropositivity rates among immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women, which are risk groups for toxoplasmosis, were revealed. In the identification of the immunosuppressed patients, groups with significant immunosuppression were retrospectively determined by examining their files. RESULTS The serology of T. gondii was investigated in serum samples of a total of 20.875 individuals, among which 6.220 (29.8%) are males and 14.655 (70.2%) are females. Anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG positivity rates were significantly higher in women than in men. When all years are evaluated, IgM positivity in 16.448 patients and IgG positivity in 4.427 patients were investigated. In the 5-year period, T. gondii IgM seropositivity and T. gondii IgG seropositivity was among all the patients was 2.4% and 24.1%, respectively. While the rate of T. gondii IgG seropositivity in women of childbearing age was 36.1%, it was 42.4% in pregnant women and 14.6% in immunosuppressed patients. CONCLUSION T. gondii serology follow-up of pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients in terms of reactivity of latent infection should be advised and toxoplasmosis should be considered in suspicious clinical cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Esenkaya Taşbent
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Duygu Beder
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Özdemir
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Metin Doğan
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| | - Bahadır Feyzioğlu
- Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Meram Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Konya, Türkiye
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Inhibitory Effects of Inonotus obliquus Polysaccharide on Inflammatory Response in Toxoplasma gondii-Infected RAW264.7 Macrophages. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2021:2245496. [PMID: 35003292 PMCID: PMC8731277 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2245496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Our previous reports have shown that Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOP) has protective effects against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in vivo. The aim of the present research is to explore the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of IOP and its mechanism in RAW264.7 macrophages infected by T. gondii. In this study, it is indicated that IOP decreased the excessive secretion of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-4, and IL-6 in T. gondii-infected RAW264.7 macrophages. IOP effectively suppressed the mRNA expression of these cytokines and chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α). Moreover, IOP inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitor kappa B kinase α/β (IKKα/β), inhibitor κBα (IκBα), p65 in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway. Meantime, IOP prevented NF-κB p65 and c-Jun translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Further, IOP downregulated the protein expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 in T. gondii-infected RAW264.7 macrophages. The above results suggest that IOP can inhibit the inflammatory response infected with T. gondii via regulating TLR2/TLR4-NF-κB/MAPKs pathways and exerting its anti-T. gondii role in vitro.
Collapse
|
16
|
Assessment of the Activity of Decoquinate and Its Quinoline- O-Carbamate Derivatives against Toxoplasma gondii In Vitro and in Pregnant Mice Infected with T. gondii Oocysts. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216393. [PMID: 34770802 PMCID: PMC8587999 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The quinolone decoquinate (DCQ) is widely used in veterinary practice for the treatment of bacterial and parasitic infections, most notably, coccidiosis in poultry and in ruminants. We have investigated the effects of treatment of Toxoplasma gondii in infected human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) with DCQ. This induced distinct alterations in the parasite mitochondrion within 24 h, which persisted even after long-term (500 nM, 52 days) treatment, although there was no parasiticidal effect. Based on the low half-maximal effective concentration (IC50) of 1.1 nM and the high selectivity index of >5000, the efficacy of oral treatment of pregnant mice experimentally infected with T. gondii oocysts with DCQ at 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days was assessed. However, the treatment had detrimental effects, induced higher neonatal mortality than T. gondii infection alone, and did not prevent vertical transmission. Thus, three quinoline-O-carbamate derivatives of DCQ, anticipated to have better physicochemical properties than DCQ, were assessed in vitro. One such compound, RMB060, displayed an exceedingly low IC50 of 0.07 nM, when applied concomitantly with the infection of host cells and had no impact on HFF viability at 10 µM. As was the case for DCQ, RMB060 treatment resulted in the alteration of the mitochondrial matrix and loss of cristae, but the changes became apparent at just 6 h after the commencement of treatment. After 48 h, RMB060 induced the expression of the bradyzoite antigen BAG1, but TEM did not reveal any other features reminiscent of bradyzoites. The exposure of infected cultures to 300 nM RMB060 for 52 days did not result in the complete killing of all tachyzoites, although mitochondria remained ultrastructurally damaged and there was a slower proliferation rate. The treatment of mice infected with T. gondii oocysts with RMB060 did reduce parasite burden in non-pregnant mice and dams, but vertical transmission to pups could not be prevented.
Collapse
|
17
|
Inclan-Rico JM, Herbert DR. T Regulatory Cells Influence Decisions between Concomitant Immunity versus Sterile Cure. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2021; 207:3-4. [PMID: 34935628 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Inclan-Rico
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - De'Broski R Herbert
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Recombinant Toxoplasma gondii Ribosomal Protein P2 Modulates the Functions of Murine Macrophages In Vitro and Provides Immunity against Acute Toxoplasmosis In Vivo. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9040357. [PMID: 33917244 PMCID: PMC8068005 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Almost every warm-blooded animal can be an intermediate host for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii); there is still no efficient vaccine and medicine available for T. gondii infections. Detected on the surface of free tachyzoites of T. gondii, T. gondii ribosomal protein P2 (TgRPP2) has been identified as a target for protection against toxoplasmosis. In the present study, TgRPP2 was firstly expressed in a prokaryotic expression system, and the purified recombinant TgRPP2 (rTgRPP2) was characterized by its modulation effects on murine macrophages. Then, the purified rTgRPP2 was injected into mice to evaluate the immune protection of rTgRPP2. The results indicated that rTgRPP2 could bind to murine Ana-1 cells and showed good reactogenicity. After incubation with purified rTgRPP2, the proliferation, apoptosis, phagocytosis, nitric oxide (NO) production, and cytokines secreted by murine macrophages were modulated. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments indicated that animals immunized with rTgRPP2 could generate a significantly high level of antibodies, cytokines, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, leading to a prolonged survival time. All of the results indicated that murine macrophages could be regulated by rTgRPP2 and are essential for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Immunization with rTgRPP2 triggered significant protection, with prolonged survival time in a mice model of acute toxoplasmosis. Our results lend credibility to the idea that rTgRPP2 could be a potential target for drug design and vaccine development.
Collapse
|
19
|
Yu Z, Chen S, Aleem M, He S, Yang Y, Zhou T, Liu J, Luo J, Yan R, Xu L, Song X, Li X. Histone deacetylase SIR2 in Toxoplasma gondii modulates functions of murine macrophages in vitro and protects mice against acute toxoplasmosis in vivo. Microb Pathog 2021; 154:104835. [PMID: 33731306 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104835] [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: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Silent information regulator 2 (SIR2) in histone deacetylase (HDAC) is particularly conserved and widely expressed in all eukaryotic cells. HDAC is a crucial post-translational modification protein regulating gene expression. In the present study, a Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) silent information regulator 2 (TgSIR2) gene in HDAC was cloned and the modulation effects of recombinant TgSIR2 (rTgSIR2) on murine Ana-1 macrophages were characterized in vitro. The results indicated that rTgSIR2 had a good capacity to eliminate T. gondii by promoting proliferation, apoptosis, and phagocytosis, and modulating the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In in vivo experiments, animals were immunized with recombinant TgSIR2, followed by a lethal dose of T. gondii RH strain challenge 14 days after the second immunization. As compared to the blank and control group, the animals immunized with rTgSIR2 could generate specific humoral responses, as demonstrated by the significantly high titers of total IgG and subclasses IgG1 and IgG2a. Significant increases of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 were seen, while no significant changes were detected in IL-17. The percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in animals immunized with rTgSIR2 significantly increased. A significantly long survival time was also observed in animals vaccinated with rTgSIR2 14 days after the last immunization. All these results clearly indicate that rTgSIR2 played an essential role in modulating host macrophages and offered the potential to develop a therapeutic strategy against T. gondii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- ZhengQing Yu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - SiYing Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - MuhammadTahir Aleem
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - SuHui He
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Yang Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - TianYuan Zhou
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - JunLong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - JianXun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - RuoFeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - LiXin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - XiaoKai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - XiangRui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Barros M, Teixeira D, Vilanova M, Correia A, Teixeira N, Borges M. Vaccines in Congenital Toxoplasmosis: Advances and Perspectives. Front Immunol 2021; 11:621997. [PMID: 33658997 PMCID: PMC7917294 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.621997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis has a high impact on human disease worldwide, inducing serious consequences from fetus to adulthood. Despite this, there are currently no human vaccines available to prevent this infection. Most vaccination studies against Toxoplasma gondii infection used animal models in which the infection was established by exogenous inoculation. Here, we review recent research on potential T. gondii vaccines using animal models in which infection was congenitally established. Endeavors in this field have so far revealed that live or subunit vaccines previously found to confer protection against extrinsically established infections can also protect, at least partially, from vertically transmitted infection. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on the more adequate immune response to protect the host and the fetus in congenital infection. Most of the vaccination studies rely on the assessment of maternal systemic immune responses, quantification of parasitic loads in the fetuses, and survival indexes and/or brain parasitic burden in the neonates. More research must be carried out not only to explore new vaccines but also to further study the nature of the elicited immune protection at the maternal-fetal interface. Particularly, the cellular and molecular effector mechanisms at the maternal-fetal interface induced by immunization remain poorly characterized. Deeper knowledge on the immune response at this specific location will certainly help to refine the vaccine-induced immunity and, consequently, to provide the most effective and safest protection against T. gondii vertical infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Barros
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniela Teixeira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Vilanova
- Immunobiology Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Imuno-Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Correia
- Immunobiology Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Imuno-Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Natercia Teixeira
- Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit/Rede de Química e Tecnologia (UCIBIO/REQUIMTE), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Borges
- Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit/Rede de Química e Tecnologia (UCIBIO/REQUIMTE), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jafarpour Azami S, Mohammad Rahimi H, Mirjalali H, Zali MR. Unravelling Toxoplasma treatment: conventional drugs toward nanomedicine. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:48. [PMID: 33566198 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03000-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide protozoan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals. Although human toxoplasmosis is mostly latent, pregnant women and immunocompromised patients need effective treatment. There are drugs of choice for treatment of toxoplasmosis; however, due to their side effects and/or their disease stage-specificity, prescription of them is limited. During recent years, nanomedicine has been employed to overcome limitations of conventional drugs. Here, we provided a state-of-the-art review of experimental toxoplasmosis treatment using nanotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Jafarpour Azami
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yu Z, Zhou T, Luo Y, Dong L, Li C, Liu J, Luo J, Yan R, Xu L, Song X, Li X. Modulation Effects of Toxoplasma gondii Histone H2A1 on Murine Macrophages and Encapsulation with Polymer as a Vaccine Candidate. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040731. [PMID: 33287313 PMCID: PMC7761694 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is the most common zoonotic protozoa and has infected about one-third of the population worldwide. Recombinant epitopes encapsulated in nanospheres have advantages over traditional T. gondii vaccines. For an efficient delivery system, poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and chitosan are the most frequently used biodegradable polymeric nanospheres with strong safety profiles. In the present study, we first expressed and purified histone H2A1 of T. gondii using the prokaryotic expression system. The effects of recombinant TgH2A1 on the functions of murine macrophages were then studied. Purified recombinant TgH2A1 was then encapsulated in nanospheres with PLGA and chitosan. After subcutaneous vaccination in mice, the immune response was evaluated by double antibody sandwich ELISA kits. The results from this study showed that PLGA and chitosan loaded with rTgH2A1 could trigger a stronger Th1 oriented immune response and prolong the survival time of mice effectively. In conclusion, PLGA and chitosan nanospheres loaded with histone H2A1 are an effective method for the development of vaccines against T. gondii. Further studies should focus on evaluating the regulatory mechanism of TgH2A1, vaccine potency, and cellular response in chronic T. gondii infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengqing Yu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Tianyuan Zhou
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Yanxin Luo
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Lu Dong
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Chunjing Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Junlong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (J.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Jianxun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (J.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Lixin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaokai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiangrui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Graham AK, Fong C, Naqvi A, Lu JQ. Toxoplasmosis of the central nervous system: Manifestations vary with immune responses. J Neurol Sci 2020; 420:117223. [PMID: 33213861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii (TG), which affects one third of the global human population and commonly involves the central nervous system (CNS)/brain despite the so-called CNS immune privilege. Symptomatic clinical disease of TG infection is much more commonly associated with immunodeficiency; clinicopathological manifestations of CNS toxoplasmosis are linked to individual immune responses including the CNS infiltration of T-cells that are thought to prevent the disease. In patients with autoimmune diseases, immune status is complicated mainly byimmunosuppressant and/or immunomodulatory treatment but typically accompanied by infiltration of T-cells that supposedly fight against toxoplasmosis. In this article, we review characteristics of CNS toxoplasmosis comparatively in immunocompromised patients, immunocompetent patients, and patients with coexisting autoimmune diseases, as well as CNS immune responses to toxoplasmosis with a representative case to demonstrate brain lesions at different stages. In addition to general understanding of CNS toxoplasmosis, our review reveals that clinical manifestations of CNS toxoplasmosis are commonly nonspecific, and incidental pathological findings of TG infection are relatively common in immunocompetent patients and patients with autoimmune diseases (compared to immunocompromised patients); CNS immune responses such as T-cell infiltrates vary in acute and chronic lesions of brain toxoplasmosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice K Graham
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Crystal Fong
- Neuroradiology Division, Department of Radiology, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Asghar Naqvi
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jian-Qiang Lu
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Neuropathology Section, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Pamplona A, Silva-Santos B. γδ T cells in malaria: a double-edged sword. FEBS J 2020; 288:1118-1129. [PMID: 32710527 PMCID: PMC7983992 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a devastating global health problem, resulting in many annual deaths due to the complications of severe malaria. However, in endemic regions, individuals can acquire ‘clinical immunity’ to malaria, characterized by a decrease in severe malaria episodes and an increase of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections. Recently, it has been reported that tolerance to ‘clinical malaria’ and reduced disease severity correlates with a decrease in the numbers of circulating Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, the major subset of γδ T cells in the human peripheral blood. This is particularly interesting as this population typically undergoes dramatic expansions during acute Plasmodium infections and was previously shown to play antiparasitic functions. Thus, regulated γδ T‐cell responses may be critical to balance immune protection with severe pathology, particularly as both seem to rely on the same pro‐inflammatory cytokines, most notably TNF and IFN‐γ. This has been clearly demonstrated in mouse models of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) based on Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection. Furthermore, our recent studies suggest that the natural course of Plasmodium infection, mimicked in mice through mosquito bite or sporozoite inoculation, includes a major pathogenic component in ECM that depends on γδ T cells and IFN‐γ production in the asymptomatic liver stage, where parasite virulence is seemingly set and determines pathology in the subsequent blood stage. Here, we discuss these and other recent advances in our understanding of the complex—protective versus pathogenic—functions of γδ T cells in malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pamplona
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Bruno Silva-Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhao XY, Ewald SE. The molecular biology and immune control of chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. J Clin Invest 2020; 130:3370-3380. [PMID: 32609097 PMCID: PMC7324197 DOI: 10.1172/jci136226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an incredibly successful parasite owing in part to its ability to persist within cells for the life of the host. Remarkably, at least 350 host species of T. gondii have been described to date, and it is estimated that 30% of the global human population is chronically infected. The importance of T. gondii in human health was made clear with the first reports of congenital toxoplasmosis in the 1940s. However, the AIDS crisis in the 1980s revealed the prevalence of chronic infection, as patients presented with reactivated chronic toxoplasmosis, underscoring the importance of an intact immune system for parasite control. In the last 40 years, there has been tremendous progress toward understanding the biology of T. gondii infection using rodent models, human cell experimental systems, and clinical data. However, there are still major holes in our understanding of T. gondii biology, including the genes controlling parasite development, the mechanisms of cell-intrinsic immunity to T. gondii in the brain and muscle, and the long-term effects of infection on host homeostasis. The need to better understand the biology of chronic infection is underscored by the recent rise in ocular disease associated with emerging haplotypes of T. gondii and our lack of effective treatments to sterilize chronic infection. This Review discusses the cell types and molecular mediators, both host and parasite, that facilitate persistent T. gondii infection. We highlight the consequences of chronic infection for tissue-specific pathology and identify open questions in this area of host-Toxoplasma interactions.
Collapse
|
26
|
Melchor SJ, Saunders CM, Sanders I, Hatter JA, Byrnes KA, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Ewald SE. IL-1R Regulates Disease Tolerance and Cachexia in Toxoplasma gondii Infection. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2020; 204:3329-3338. [PMID: 32350081 PMCID: PMC7323938 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that establishes life-long infection in a wide range of hosts, including humans and rodents. To establish a chronic infection, pathogens often exploit the trade-off between resistance mechanisms, which promote inflammation and kill microbes, and tolerance mechanisms, which mitigate inflammatory stress. Signaling through the type I IL-1R has recently been shown to control disease tolerance pathways in endotoxemia and Salmonella infection. However, the role of the IL-1 axis in T. gondii infection is unclear. In this study we show that IL-1R-/- mice can control T. gondii burden throughout infection. Compared with wild-type mice, IL-1R-/- mice have more severe liver and adipose tissue pathology during acute infection, consistent with a role in acute disease tolerance. Surprisingly, IL-1R-/- mice had better long-term survival than wild-type mice during chronic infection. This was due to the ability of IL-1R-/- mice to recover from cachexia, an immune-metabolic disease of muscle wasting that impairs fitness of wild-type mice. Together, our data indicate a role for IL-1R as a regulator of host homeostasis and point to cachexia as a cost of long-term reliance on IL-1-mediated tolerance mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Melchor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- The Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - Claire M Saunders
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- The Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - Imani Sanders
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- The Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - Jessica A Hatter
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908; and
| | - Kari A Byrnes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- The Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060
| | - Sarah E Ewald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908;
- The Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Khosravi M, Mohammad Rahimi H, Doroud D, Mirsamadi ES, Mirjalali H, Zali MR. In vitro Evaluation of Mannosylated Paromomycin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on Acute Toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:33. [PMID: 32117807 PMCID: PMC7031658 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic intracellular protozoan with worldwide distribution. Acute and severe toxoplasmosis are commonly reported in patients who suffer from acquired/congenital immune deficiency. This study aimed to synthesize mannosylated paromomycin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (PM-SLN-M) and to evaluate them on acute toxoplasmosis. SLN was synthesized and then loaded by 7 mg/mL paromomycin sodium. Mannose coating was performed, and after washing, the size, zeta potential, and loading percentage were calculated. To evaluate the cell toxicity, an MTT assay was performed on Vero cells by different concentrations (log 10-1) of SLN, PM-SLN-M, and PM-SLN. In addition, the anti-Toxoplasma effects were also evaluated using trypan-blue staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An MTT assay was also employed to evaluate the effects of PM and PM-SLN-M on intracellular Toxoplasma. A 6-month stability test of PM-SLN and PM-SLN-M represented that the characteristics all remained constant. The cell viability assay demonstrated that PM-SLN-M had lower cell toxicity (<20%) compared to PM-SLN (<30%) and PM (<40%). Statistical analysis showed that PM-SLN-M significantly killed ~97.555 ± 0.629 (95% CI: 91.901 to 103.209; P < 0.05) of T. gondii tachyzoites. More than 50% of Toxoplasma-infected Vero cells remained viable in concentrations more than 0.07 μg/mL and 7 μg/mL of PM and PM-SLN-M, respectively. SEM analysis showed that T. gondii tachyzoites were changed in both size and morphology facing with PM-SLN-M. Our findings indicated that synthesized PM-SLN-M had anti-Toxoplasma activity without significant host cell toxicity at the highest concentration. Our study demonstrated that PM was able to kill intracellular Toxoplasma in lower concentration in comparison to PM-SLN-M, although PM-SLN-M showed lower cytotoxic effects on Vero cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mojdeh Khosravi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Delaram Doroud
- Regulatory Department, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Sadat Mirsamadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|