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Mady RF, El-Temsahy MM, Issa YA, Zaghloul AS, Khedr SI. MicroRNA mmu-miR-511-5p: A promising Diagnostic Biomarker in Experimental Toxoplasmosis Using Different Strains and Infective Doses in Mice with Different Immune States Before and After Treatment. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1253-1266. [PMID: 38743178 PMCID: PMC11182863 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00851-w] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Searching for a novel early diagnostic biomarker for toxoplasmosis, real-time-PCR was currently used to measure the serum mmu-miR-511-5p level in male Swiss-albino mice infected with either; ME49 or RH Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) strains. METHODS Three mice groups were used; (GI) constituted the non-infected control group, while (GII) and (GIII) were experimentally infected with ME49 or RH strains, respectively. GII mice were orally infected using 10 or 20 ME49 cysts (ME-10 and ME-20), both were subdivided into; non-treated (ME-10-NT and ME-20-NT) and were further subdivided into; immunocompetent (ME-10-IC and ME-20-IC) [euthanized 3-days, 1, 2, 6 or 8-weeks post-infection (PI)], and immunosuppressed using two Endoxan® injections (ME-10-IS and ME-20-IS) [euthanized 6- or 8-weeks PI], and spiramycin-treated (ME-10-SP and ME-20-SP) that received daily spiramycin, for one-week before euthanasia. GIII mice individually received 2500 intraperitoneal RH strain tachyzoites, then, were subdivided into; non-treated (RH-NT) [euthanized 3 or 5-days PI], and spiramycin-treated (RH-SP) that were euthanized 5 or 10-days PI (refer to the graphical abstract). RESULTS Revealed significant upregulation of mmu-miR-511-5p in GII, one-week PI, with gradually increased expression, reaching its maximum 8-weeks PI, especially in ME-20-NT group that received the higher infective dose. Immunosuppression increased the upregulation. Contrarily, treatment caused significant downregulation. GIII recorded significant upregulation 3-days PI, yet, treatment significantly decreased this expression. CONCLUSION Serum mmu-miR-511-5p is a sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of ME49 and RH infection (as early as one-week and 3-days, respectively), and its expression varies according to T. gondii infective dose, duration of infection, spiramycin-treatment and host immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Fadly Mady
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2nd Floor, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mona Mohamed El-Temsahy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2nd Floor, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Yasmine Amr Issa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime transport, New Alamein campus, Egypt
| | - Aya Saied Zaghloul
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2nd Floor, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Safaa Ibrahim Khedr
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, 2nd Floor, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Alexandria, Egypt.
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de Faria Júnior GM, Kumano LS, Bronchtein Gomes I, Camargos GS, Meira-Strejevitch CDS, Castiglioni L, Previato M, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Brandão CC, de Mattos LC. miRNA 511_5p is a potential biomarker for ocular toxoplasmosis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2023; 117:804-810. [PMID: 37477502 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is a frequent clinical manifestation due to infection by Toxoplasma gondii. It is characterized by an inflammatory process involving macrophages activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. The expression of microRNAs takes place during the inflammatory process and, among them, miRNA 511 regulates the activation of macrophages. This study evaluated the expression of miRNA 511_5p in patients with OT and healthy controls. METHODS A total of 361 patients from the Hospital de Base of Fundação Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto were enrolled and divided into four groups: G1-patients with active ocular lesions and reagent serology for T. gondii; G2-patients with scars and reagent serology for T. gondii; G3-patients without ocular lesions or scars and reagent serology for T. gondii; G4-patients without ocular lesions or scars and non-reagent serology for T. gondii. All patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation to confirm the diagnosis of OT. Serology tests, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed. RESULTS The miRNA 511_5p levels were compared among the groups. The G1 group showed a high blood plasma concentration of miRNA 511_5p (mean 22.34) compared with the G2 (4.65), G3 (8.91) and G4 (3.52) groups (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION These data suggest that miRNA 511_5p has significant potential as a biomarker for OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Magela de Faria Júnior
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Laurie Sayuri Kumano
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabela Bronchtein Gomes
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gláucio Silva Camargos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Lilian Castiglioni
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Previato
- Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic of Hospital de Base da Fundação Faculdade Regional de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (HB- FUNFARME), 5544 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil
| | - Vera Lucia Pereira-Chioccola
- Parasitology and Mycology Center, Adolpho Lutz Institute, 355 Dr Arnaldo Avenue, São Paulo, SP, 01246-000, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology Department, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), 5416 Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue, São José do Rio Preto, SP, 15090-000, Brazil; Toxoplasma Research Group, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
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Su D, Zhu S, Hou Z, Hao F, Xu K, Xu F, Zhu Y, Liu D, Xu J, Tao J. Toxoplasma gondii infection regulates apoptosis of host cells via miR-185/ARAF axis. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:371. [PMID: 37858158 PMCID: PMC10585723 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05991-y] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis with a worldwide presence that is caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Active regulation of apoptosis is an important immune mechanism by which host cells resist the growth of T. gondii or avoid excessive pathological damage induced by this parasite. Previous studies found that upregulated expression of microRNA-185 (miR-185) during T. gondii infection has a potential role in regulating the expression of the ARAF gene, which is reported to be associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. METHODS The expression levels of miR-185 and the ARAF gene were evaluated by qPCR and Western blot, respectively, in mice tissues, porcine kidney epithelial cells (PK-15) and porcine alveolar macrophages (3D4/21) following infection with the T. gondii ToxoDB#9 and RH strains. The dual luciferase reporter assay was then used to verify the relationship between miR-185 and ARAF targets in PK-15 cells. PK-15 and 3D4/21 cell lines with stable knockout of the ARAF gene were established by CRISPR, and then the apoptosis rates of the cells following T. gondii infection were detected using cell flow cytometry assays. Simultaneously, the activities of cleaved caspase-3, as a key apoptosis executive protein, were detected by Western blot to evaluate the apoptosis levels of cells. RESULTS Infection with both the T. gondii ToxoDB#9 and RH strains induced an increased expression of miR-185 and a decreased expression of ARAF in mice tissues, PK-15 and 3D4/21 cells. MiR-185 mimic transfections showed a significantly negative correlation in expression levels between miR-185 and the ARAF gene. The dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that ARAF was a target of miR-185. Functional investigation revealed that T. gondii infection induced the apoptosis of PK-15 and 3D4/21 cells, which could be inhibited by ARAF knockout or overexpression of miR-185. The expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 protein were significantly lower in cells with ARAF knockout than in normal cells, which were consistent with the results of the cell flow cytometry assays. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma gondii infection could lead to the upregulation of miR-185 and the downregulation of ARAF, which was not related to the strain of T. gondii and the host cells. Toxoplasma gondii infection could regulate the apoptosis of host cells via the miR-185/ARAF axis, which represents an additional strategy used by T. gondii to counteract host-cell apoptosis in order to maintain survival and reproduce in the host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingzeyang Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shifan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Fuxing Hao
- Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, 225300 People’s Republic of China
| | - Kangzhi Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuyang Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009 Jiangsu People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
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Doghish AS, Ali MA, Elrebehy MA, Mohamed HH, Mansour R, Ghanem A, Hassan A, Elballal MS, Elazazy O, Elesawy AE, Abdel Mageed SS, Nassar YA, Mohammed OA, Abulsoud AI. The interplay between toxoplasmosis and host miRNAs: Mechanisms and consequences. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 250:154790. [PMID: 37683390 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the highly prevalent zoonotic diseases worldwide caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The infection with T. gondii could pass unidentified in immunocompetent individuals; however, latent cysts remain dormant in their digestive tract, but they could be shed and excreted with feces infesting the environment. However, active toxoplasmosis can create serious consequences, particularly in newborns and infected persons with compromised immunity. These complications include ocular toxoplasmosis, in which most cases cannot be treated. Additionally, it caused many stillbirths and miscarriages. Circulating miRNAs are important regulatory molecules ensuring that the normal physiological role of various organs is harmonious. Upon infection with T. gondii, the tightly regulated miRNA profile is disrupted to favor the parasite's survival and further participate in the disease pathogenesis. Interestingly, this dysregulated profile could be useful in acute and chronic disease discrimination and in providing insights into the pathomechanisms of the disease. Thus, this review sheds light on the various roles of miRNAs in signaling pathways regulation involved in the pathogenesis of T. gondii and provides insights into the application of miRNAs clinically for its diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11231, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed A Ali
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
| | - Hend H Mohamed
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Reda Mansour
- Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan 11795, Egypt; Biology Department, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Aml Ghanem
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Hassan
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Helwan 11795, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Elballal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ola Elazazy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Elesawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Yara A Nassar
- Biology Department, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11231, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
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Prescott S, Mutka T, Baumgartel K, Yoo JY, Morgan H, Postolache TT, Seyfang A, Gostner JM, Fuchs D, Kim K, Groer ME. Tryptophan metabolism and immune alterations in pregnant Hispanic women with chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 90:e13768. [PMID: 37641377 PMCID: PMC10538252 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13768] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Pregnancy markedly modifies women's metabolism and immune functions. We hypothesized that pregnancy might alter the immune and metabolic responses to chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY A population of 690 pregnant Hispanic women were screened for antibodies to T. gondii and 158 women were positive (23% positivity) with 83% showing high avidity indices. These seropositive women were followed through their pregnancies with four data collection time points and a postpartum collection at two clinics in Tampa, Florida. A T. gondii seronegative group (N = 128) was randomly selected to serve as a control group and measured along pregnancy in the same way. Serum levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, and their ratio, phenylalanine, tyrosine and their ratio, neopterin, and nitrite were measured through pregnancy and the postpartum. A plasma cytokine panel (IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, IL-6, IL-17) was analyzed in parallel. RESULTS The major findings suggest that indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1) was less activated in T. gondii seropositive pregnant Hispanic women with chronic infection. Evidence for IDO-1 suppression was that tryptophan catabolism was less pronounced and there were lower levels of multiple inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, which is the major inducer of IDO-1, and higher nitrite concentration, a surrogate marker for nitric oxide, an inhibitor of IDO. CONCLUSIONS Latent T. gondii infection was associated with higher plasma tryptophan levels, and lower inflammatory cytokines across pregnancy, suggesting suppression of the IDO-1 enzyme, and possible T cell exhaustion during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Prescott
- University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida, USA
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Tina Mutka
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Kelley Baumgartel
- University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Ji Youn Yoo
- University of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Hailey Morgan
- University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Teodor T Postolache
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- VISN 5 MIRECC, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andreas Seyfang
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Johanna M Gostner
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Fuchs
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kami Kim
- University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Maureen E Groer
- University of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection in the central nervous system commonly occurs among immunodeficient patients. Its prevalence is high in countries with a high burden of HIV and low coverage of antiretroviral drugs. The brain is one of the predilections for T. gondii infection due to its low inflammatory reaction, and cerebral toxoplasmosis occurs solely due to the reactivation of a latent infection rather than a new infection. Several immune elements have recently been recognized to have an essential role in the immunopathogenesis of cerebral toxoplasmosis. Although real-time isothermal amplification, next-generation sequencing, and enzyme-linked aptamer assays from blood samples have been the recommended diagnostic tools in some in-vivo studies, a combination of clinical symptoms, serology examination, and neuroimaging are still the daily standard for the presumptive diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis and early anti-toxoplasma administration. Clinical trials are needed to find a new therapy that is less likely to affect folate synthesis, have neuroprotective properties, or cure the latent phase of infection. The development of a vaccine is being extensively tested in animals, but its efficacy and safety for humans are still not proven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiati Dian
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjdjaran/Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
- Health Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University/Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Ahmad Rizal Ganiem
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjdjaran/Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
- Health Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University/Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Savira Ekawardhani
- Parasitology Division, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia
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Hou Z, Zhang H, Xu K, Zhu S, Wang L, Su D, Liu J, Su S, Liu D, Huang S, Xu J, Pan Z, Tao J. Cluster analysis of splenocyte microRNAs in the pig reveals key signal regulators of immunomodulation in the host during acute and chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:58. [PMID: 35177094 PMCID: PMC8851844 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05164-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause a geographically widespread zoonosis. Our previous splenocyte microRNA profile analyses of pig infected with T. gondii revealed that the coordination of a large number of miRNAs regulates the host immune response during infection. However, the functions of other miRNAs involved in the immune regulation during T. gondii infection are not yet known. METHODS Clustering analysis was performed by K-means, self-organizing map (SOM), and hierarchical clustering to obtain miRNA groups with the similar expression patterns. Then, the target genes of the miRNA group in each subcluster were further analyzed for functional enrichment by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome pathway to recognize the key signaling molecules and the regulatory signatures of the innate and adaptive immune responses of the host during T. gondii infection. RESULTS A total of 252 miRNAs were successfully divided into 22 subclusters by K-means clustering (designated as K1-K22), 29 subclusters by SOM clustering (designated as SOM1-SOM29), and six subclusters by hierarchical clustering (designated as H1-H6) based on their dynamic expression levels in the different infection stages. A total of 634, 660, and 477 GO terms, 15, 26, and 14 KEGG pathways, and 16, 15, and 7 Reactome pathways were significantly enriched by K-means, SOM, and hierarchical clustering, respectively. Of note, up to 22 miRNAs mainly showing downregulated expression at 50 days post-infection (dpi) were grouped into one subcluster (namely subcluster H3-K17-SOM1) through the three algorithms. Functional analysis revealed that a large group of immunomodulatory signaling molecules were controlled by the different miRNA groups to regulate multiple immune processes, for instance, IL-1-mediated cellular response and Th1/Th2 cell differentiation partly depending on Notch signaling transduction for subclusters K1 and K2, innate immune response involved in neutrophil degranulation and TLR4 cascade signaling for subcluster K15, B cell activation for subclusters SOM17, SOM1, and SOM25, leukocyte migration, and chemokine activity for subcluster SOM9, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction for subcluster H2, and interleukin production, chemotaxis of immune cells, chemokine signaling pathway, and C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway for subcluster H3-K17-SOM1. CONCLUSIONS Cluster analysis of splenocyte microRNAs in the pig revealed key regulatory properties of subcluster miRNA molecules and important features in the immune regulation induced by acute and chronic T. gondii infection. These results contribute new insight into the identification of physiological immune responses and maintenance of tolerance in pig spleen tissues during T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Kangzhi Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Shifan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Lele Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Dingzeyang Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiantao Liu
- YEBIO Bioengineering Co., Ltd. of QINGDAO, Qingdao, 266109, People's Republic of China
| | - Shijie Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyang Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiming Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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Daher D, Shaghlil A, Sobh E, Hamie M, Hassan ME, Moumneh MB, Itani S, El Hajj R, Tawk L, El Sabban M, El Hajj H. Comprehensive Overview of Toxoplasma gondii-Induced and Associated Diseases. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111351. [PMID: 34832507 PMCID: PMC8625914 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a prevalent protozoan parasite of medical and veterinary significance. It is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a neglected disease in which incidence and symptoms differ between patients and regions. In immunocompetent patients, toxoplasmosis manifests as acute and chronic forms. Acute toxoplasmosis presents as mild or asymptomatic disease that evolves, under the host immune response, into a persistent chronic disease in healthy individuals. Chronic toxoplasmosis establishes as latent tissue cysts in the brain and skeletal muscles. In immunocompromised patients, chronic toxoplasmosis may reactivate, leading to a potentially life-threatening condition. Recently, the association between toxoplasmosis and various diseases has been shown. These span primary neuropathies, behavioral and psychiatric disorders, and different types of cancer. Currently, a direct pre-clinical or clinical molecular connotation between toxoplasmosis and most of its associated diseases remains poorly understood. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on Toxoplasma-induced and associated diseases with a focus on available knowledge of the molecular players dictating these associations. We will also abridge the existing therapeutic options of toxoplasmosis and highlight the current gaps to explore the implications of toxoplasmosis on its associated diseases to advance treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darine Daher
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Ahmad Shaghlil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, R. Hariri Campus, Lebanese University, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Eyad Sobh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, R. Hariri Campus, Lebanese University, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Malika Elhage Hassan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Mohamad Bahij Moumneh
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Shaymaa Itani
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Rana El Hajj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon;
| | - Lina Tawk
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut 1100 2807, Lebanon;
| | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +961–1-350000 (ext. 4897)
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9
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Chadha A, Chadee K. The NF-κB Pathway: Modulation by Entamoeba histolytica and Other Protozoan Parasites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:748404. [PMID: 34595137 PMCID: PMC8476871 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.748404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites have led to worldwide devastation because of their ability to cause infectious diseases. They have evolved as successful pathogens in part because of their remarkable and sophisticated ways to evade innate host defenses. This holds true for both intracellular and extracellular parasites that deploy multiple strategies to circumvent innate host defenses for their survival. The different strategies protozoan parasites use include hijacking the host cellular signaling pathways and transcription factors. In particular, the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway seems to be an attractive target for different pathogens owing to their central role in regulating prompt innate immune responses in host defense. NF-κB is a ubiquitous transcription factor that plays an indispensable role not only in regulating immediate immune responses against invading pathogens but is also a critical regulator of cell proliferation and survival. The major immunomodulatory components include parasite surface and secreted proteins/enzymes and stimulation of host cells intracellular pathways and inflammatory caspases that directly or indirectly interfere with the NF-κB pathway to thwart immune responses that are directed for containment and/or elimination of the pathogen. To showcase how protozoan parasites exploits the NF-κB signaling pathway, this review highlights recent advances from Entamoeba histolytica and other protozoan parasites in contact with host cells that induce outside-in and inside-out signaling to modulate NF-κB in disease pathogenesis and survival in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attinder Chadha
- Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kris Chadee
- Departments of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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