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Araujo S, Mabille D, Garcia AB, Caljon G. A breath of fresh air: impact of insect-borne protozoan parasites on the respiratory system. Trends Parasitol 2024:S1471-4922(24)00168-5. [PMID: 39013660 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.06.010] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
The protozoan parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma are transmitted by hematophagous insects and cause severe diseases in humans. These infections pose a global threat, particularly in low-resource settings, and are increasingly extending beyond the current endemic regions. Tropism of parasites is crucial for their development, and recent studies have revealed colonization of noncanonical tissues, aiding their survival and immune evasion. Despite receiving limited attention, cumulative evidence discloses the respiratory system as a significant interface for host-pathogen interactions, influencing the course of (co)infection and disease onset. Due to its pathophysiological and clinical implications, we emphasize that further research is needed to better understand the involvement of the respiratory system and its potential to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and interruption of the chain of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Araujo
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Dorien Mabille
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alvaro Baeza Garcia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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2
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Langston H, Fortes Francisco A, Doidge C, Roberts CH, Khan AA, Jayawardhana S, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Lewis MD. Dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in hamsters and novel association with progressive motor dysfunction. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012278. [PMID: 38905323 PMCID: PMC11221660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Clinical outcomes range from long-term asymptomatic carriage to cardiac, digestive, neurological and composite presentations that can be fatal in both acute and chronic stages of the disease. Studies of T. cruzi in animal models, principally mice, have informed our understanding of the biological basis of this variability and its relationship to infection and host response dynamics. Hamsters have higher translational value for many human infectious diseases, but they have not been well developed as models of Chagas disease. We transposed a real-time bioluminescence imaging system for T. cruzi infection from mice into female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). This enabled us to study chronic tissue pathology in the context of spatiotemporal infection dynamics. Acute infections were widely disseminated, whereas chronic infections were almost entirely restricted to the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Neither cardiac nor digestive tract disease were reproducible features of the model. Skeletal muscle had only sporadic parasitism in the chronic phase, but nevertheless displayed significant inflammation and fibrosis, features also seen in mouse models. Whereas mice had normal locomotion, all chronically infected hamsters developed hindlimb muscle hypertonia and a gait dysfunction resembling spastic diplegia. With further development, this model may therefore prove valuable in studies of peripheral nervous system involvement in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Langston
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ciaran Doidge
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chrissy H. Roberts
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Archie A. Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Wu F, Ren Y, Lv W, Liu X, Wang X, Wang C, Cao Z, Liu J, Wei J, Pang Y. Generating dual structurally and functionally skin-mimicking hydrogels by crosslinking cell-membrane compartments. Nat Commun 2024; 15:802. [PMID: 38280863 PMCID: PMC10821872 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45006-7] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The skin is intrinsically a cell-membrane-compartmentalized hydrogel with high mechanical strength, potent antimicrobial ability, and robust immunological competence, which provide multiple protective effects to the body. Methods capable of preparing hydrogels that can simultaneously mimic the structure and function of the skin are highly desirable but have been proven to be a challenge. Here, dual structurally and functionally skin-mimicking hydrogels are generated by crosslinking cell-membrane compartments. The crosslinked network is formed via free radical polymerization using olefinic double bond-functionalized extracellular vesicles as a crosslinker. Due to the dissipation of stretching energy mediated by vesicular deformation, the obtained compartment-crosslinked network shows enhanced mechanical strength compared to hydrogels crosslinked by regular divinyl monomers. Biomimetic hydrogels also exhibit specific antibacterial activity and adequate ability to promote the maturation and activation of dendritic cells given the existence of numerous extracellular vesicle-associated bioactive substances. In addition, the versatility of this approach to tune both the structure and function of the resulting hydrogels is demonstrated through introducing a second network by catalyst-free click reaction-mediated crosslinking between alkyne-double-ended polymers and azido-decorated extracellular vesicles. This study provides a platform to develop dual structure- and function-controllable skin-inspired biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yusheng Ren
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuhan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenping Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jie Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yan Pang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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4
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De Niz M, Frachon E, Gobaa S, Bastin P. Spatial confinement of Trypanosoma brucei in microfluidic traps provides a new tool to study free swimming parasites. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296257. [PMID: 38134042 PMCID: PMC10745224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis and is transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina spp.). All stages of this extracellular parasite possess a single flagellum that is attached to the cell body and confers a high degree of motility. While several stages are amenable to culture in vitro, longitudinal high-resolution imaging of free-swimming parasites has been challenging, mostly due to the rapid flagellar beating that constantly twists the cell body. Here, using microfabrication, we generated various microfluidic devices with traps of different geometrical properties. Investigation of trap topology allowed us to define the one most suitable for single T. brucei confinement within the field of view of an inverted microscope while allowing the parasite to remain motile. Chips populated with V-shaped traps allowed us to investigate various phenomena in cultured procyclic stage wild-type parasites, and to compare them with parasites whose motility was altered upon knockdown of a paraflagellar rod component. Among the properties that we investigated were trap invasion, parasite motility, and the visualization of organelles labelled with fluorescent dyes. We envisage that this tool we have named "Tryp-Chip" will be a useful tool for the scientific community, as it could allow high-throughput, high-temporal and high-spatial resolution imaging of free-swimming T. brucei parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana De Niz
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Frachon
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biomaterials and Microfluidics Core Facility, Paris, France
| | - Samy Gobaa
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biomaterials and Microfluidics Core Facility, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Bastin
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, INSERM U1201, Paris, France
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May DA, Taha F, Child MA, Ewald SE. How colonization bottlenecks, tissue niches, and transmission strategies shape protozoan infections. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:1074-1086. [PMID: 37839913 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.09.017] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan pathogens such as Plasmodium spp., Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Trypanosoma spp. are often associated with high-mortality, acute and chronic diseases of global health concern. For transmission and immune evasion, protozoans have evolved diverse strategies to interact with a range of host tissue environments. These interactions are linked to disease pathology, yet our understanding of the association between parasite colonization and host homeostatic disruption is limited. Recently developed techniques for cellular barcoding have the potential to uncover the biology regulating parasite transmission, dissemination, and the stability of infection. Understanding bottlenecks to infection and the in vivo tissue niches that facilitate chronic infection and spread has the potential to reveal new aspects of parasite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana A May
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Fatima Taha
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Matthew A Child
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Sarah E Ewald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Machado H, Temudo A, Niz MD. The lymphatic system favours survival of a unique T. brucei population. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio059992. [PMID: 37870927 PMCID: PMC10651106 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059992] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei colonise and multiply in the blood vasculature, as well as in various organs of the host's body. Lymph nodes have been previously shown to harbour large numbers of parasites, and the lymphatic system has been proposed as a key site that allows T. brucei distribution through, and colonization of the mammalian body. However, visualization of host-pathogen interactions in the lymphatic system has never captured dynamic events with high spatial and temporal resolution throughout infection. In our work, we used a mixture of tools including intravital microscopy and ex vivo imaging to study T. brucei distribution in 20 sets of lymph nodes. We demonstrate that lymph node colonization by T. brucei is different across lymph node sets, with the most heavily colonised being the draining lymph nodes of main tissue reservoirs: the gonadal white adipose tissue and pancreas. Moreover, we show that the lymphatic vasculature is a pivotal site for parasite dispersal, and altering this colonization by blocking LYVE-1 is detrimental for parasite survival. Additionally, parasites within the lymphatic vasculature have unique morphological and behavioural characteristics, different to those found in the blood, demonstrating that across both types of vasculature, these environments are physically separated. Finally, we demonstrate that the lymph nodes and the lymphatic vasculature undergo significant alterations during T. brucei infection, resulting in oedema throughout the host's body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Machado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
| | - António Temudo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
- Bioimaging Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-028, Portugal
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Uzcategui NL, Güçer S, Richter C, Speidel A, Zirdum E, Duszenko M, Garaschuk O, Figarella K. Live imaging of microglia during sleeping sickness reveals early and heterogeneous inflammatory responses. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1253648. [PMID: 37781403 PMCID: PMC10534015 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1253648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) is the most serious consequence of Trypanosoma brucei infection, which causes sleeping sickness. Recent experimental data have revealed some more insights into the disease during the meningoencephalitic stage. However, detailed cellular processes befalling the CNS during the disease are poorly understood. Methods To further address this issue, we implanted a cranial window on the cortex of B6.129P2(Cg)-Cx3cr1tm1Litt/J mice, infected them with Trypanosoma brucei expressing RFP via intraperitoneal injection, and monitored microglial cells and parasites longitudinally over 30 days using in vivo 2-photon imaging. We correlated the observed changes with histological analyses to evaluate the recruitment of peripheral immune cells. Results and discussion We uncovered an early involvement of microglia that precedes invasion of the CNS by the parasite. We accomplished a detailed characterization of the progressive sequence of events that correlates with microglial morphological changes and microgliosis. Our findings unveiled a heterogeneous microglial response in places of initial homeostatic disruption near brain barriers and pointed out an exceptional capability of microglia to hamper parasite proliferation inside the brain. We also found early signs of inflammation in the meninges, which synchronize with the microglial response. Moreover, we observed a massive infiltration of peripheral immune cells into the parenchyma as a signature in the final disease stage. Overall, our study provides new insights into the host-pathogen immune interactions in the meningeal and parenchymal compartments of the neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nestor L. Uzcategui
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Sena Güçer
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Cris Richter
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Annika Speidel
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Elizabeta Zirdum
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Michael Duszenko
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Olga Garaschuk
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Katherine Figarella
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Ye C, Zhang L, Tang L, Duan Y, Liu J, Zhou H. Host genetic backgrounds: the key to determining parasite-host adaptation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1228206. [PMID: 37637465 PMCID: PMC10449477 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1228206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases pose a significant threat to global public health, particularly in developing countries. Host genetic factors play a crucial role in determining susceptibility and resistance to infection. Recent advances in molecular and biological technologies have enabled significant breakthroughs in understanding the impact of host genes on parasite adaptation. In this comprehensive review, we analyze the host genetic factors that influence parasite adaptation, including hormones, nitric oxide, immune cells, cytokine gene polymorphisms, parasite-specific receptors, and metabolites. We also establish an interactive network to better illustrate the complex relationship between host genetic factors and parasite-host adaptation. Additionally, we discuss future directions and collaborative research priorities in the parasite-host adaptation field, including investigating the impact of host genes on the microbiome, developing more sophisticated models, identifying and characterizing parasite-specific receptors, utilizing patient-derived sera as diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and developing novel treatments and management strategies targeting specific host genetic factors. This review highlights the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to investigating the underlying mechanisms of parasite-host adaptation, which requires interdisciplinary collaborations among biologists, geneticists, immunologists, and clinicians. By deepening our understanding of the complex interactions between host genetics and parasite adaptation, we can develop more effective and targeted interventions to prevent and treat parasitic diseases. Overall, this review provides a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians working in the parasitology field and offers insights into the future directions of this critical research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Ye
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Yunyang Women and Children’s Hospital (Yunyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital), Chongqing, China
| | - Lianhua Zhang
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Surgery, Yunyang Women and Children’s Hospital (Yunyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital), Chongqing, China
| | - Lili Tang
- The 3rd Affiliated Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Affiliated Tumor Hospital), Urumqi, China
| | - Yongjun Duan
- Department of Pediatrics, Yunyang Women and Children’s Hospital (Yunyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital), Chongqing, China
| | - Ji Liu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongli Zhou
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Magang EMK, Kamga RMN, Telleria J, Tichit M, Crouzols A, Kaboré J, Hardy D, Bouaka CUT, Jamonneau V, Rotureau B, Kuete V, Bart JM, Simo G. Prevalence of blood and skin trypanosomes in domestic and wild fauna from two sleeping sickness foci in Southern Cameroon. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011528. [PMID: 37498955 PMCID: PMC10411957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although studies on African Trypanosomiases revealed a variety of trypanosome species in the blood of various animal taxa, animal reservoirs of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and anatomical niches such as skin have been overlooked in most epidemiological settings. This study aims to update epidemiological data on trypanosome infections in animals from human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) foci of Cameroon. Blood and skin snips were collected from 291 domestic and wild animals. DNA was extracted from blood and skin snips and molecular approaches were used to identify different trypanosomes species. Immunohistochemical analyses were used to confirm trypanosome infections in skin snips. PCR revealed 137 animals (47.1%) with at least one trypanosome species in the blood and/or in the skin. Of these 137 animals, 90 (65.7%) and 32 (23.4%) had trypanosome infections respectively in the blood and skin. Fifteen (10.9%) animals had trypanosome infections in both blood and skin snip. Animals from the Campo HAT focus (55.0%) were significantly (X2 = 17.6; P< 0.0001) more infected than those (29.7%) from Bipindi. Trypanosomes of the subgenus Trypanozoon were present in 27.8% of animals while T. vivax, T. congolense forest type and savannah type were detected in 16.5%, 10.3% and 1.4% of animals respectively. Trypanosoma b. gambiense infections were detected in the blood of 7.6% (22/291) of animals. No T. b. gambiense infection was detected in skin. This study highlights the presence of several trypanosome species in the blood and skin of various wild and domestic animals. Skin appeared as an anatomical reservoir for trypanosomes in animals. Despite methodological limitations, pigs, sheep, goats and wild animals were confirmed as potential reservoirs of T. b. gambiense. These animal reservoirs must be considered for the designing of control strategies that will lead to sustainable elimination of HAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenie Melaine Kemta Magang
- Molecular Parasitology & Entomology Sub-unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
- Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Intertryp, Montpellier, France
| | - Rolin Mitterran Ndefo Kamga
- Molecular Parasitology & Entomology Sub-unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Jenny Telleria
- Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Intertryp, Montpellier, France
| | - Magali Tichit
- Histopathology Platform, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Aline Crouzols
- Trypanosome Transmission Group, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, INSERM U1201, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Kaboré
- Centre International de Recherche-Développement sur l’Elevage en zone Subhumide, Unité de recherche sur les maladies à vecteurs et biodiversité, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - David Hardy
- Histopathology Platform, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Vincent Jamonneau
- Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Intertryp, Montpellier, France
- Unité de Recherche « Trypanosomoses », Institut Pierre Richet, Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Brice Rotureau
- Trypanosome Transmission Group, Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, INSERM U1201, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Parasitology Unit, Institut Pasteur of Guinea, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Victor Kuete
- Research Unit of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Substances, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | | | - Gustave Simo
- Molecular Parasitology & Entomology Sub-unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
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Chandra M, Đaković S, Foti K, Zeelen JP, van Straaten M, Aresta-Branco F, Tihon E, Lübbehusen N, Ruppert T, Glover L, Papavasiliou FN, Stebbins CE. Structural similarities between the metacyclic and bloodstream form variant surface glycoproteins of the African trypanosome. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011093. [PMID: 36780870 PMCID: PMC9956791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
During infection of mammalian hosts, African trypanosomes thwart immunity using antigenic variation of the dense Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) coat, accessing a large repertoire of several thousand genes and pseudogenes, and switching to antigenically distinct copies. The parasite is transferred to mammalian hosts by the tsetse fly. In the salivary glands of the fly, the pathogen adopts the metacyclic form and expresses a limited repertoire of VSG genes specific to that developmental stage. It has remained unknown whether the metacyclic VSGs possess distinct properties associated with this particular and discrete phase of the parasite life cycle. We present here three novel metacyclic form VSG N-terminal domain crystal structures (mVSG397, mVSG531, and mVSG1954) and show that they mirror closely in architecture, oligomerization, and surface diversity the known classes of bloodstream form VSGs. These data suggest that the mVSGs are unlikely to be a specialized subclass of VSG proteins, and thus could be poor candidates as the major components of prophylactic vaccines against trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Chandra
- Division of Structural Biology of Infection and Immunity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Immune Diversity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sara Đaković
- Division of Structural Biology of Infection and Immunity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Konstantina Foti
- Division of Structural Biology of Infection and Immunity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johan P. Zeelen
- Division of Structural Biology of Infection and Immunity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Monique van Straaten
- Division of Structural Biology of Infection and Immunity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francisco Aresta-Branco
- Division of Structural Biology of Infection and Immunity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Immune Diversity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eliane Tihon
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Trypanosome Molecular Biology, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
| | - Nicole Lübbehusen
- Centre for Molecular Biology at the University of Heidelberg (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Ruppert
- Centre for Molecular Biology at the University of Heidelberg (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lucy Glover
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Trypanosome Molecular Biology, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Paris, France
| | - F. Nina Papavasiliou
- Division of Immune Diversity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C. Erec Stebbins
- Division of Structural Biology of Infection and Immunity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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11
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Mabille D, Dirkx L, Thys S, Vermeersch M, Montenye D, Govaerts M, Hendrickx S, Takac P, Van Weyenbergh J, Pintelon I, Delputte P, Maes L, Pérez-Morga D, Timmermans JP, Caljon G. Impact of pulmonary African trypanosomes on the immunology and function of the lung. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7083. [PMID: 36400767 PMCID: PMC9674601 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34757-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 20% of sleeping sickness patients exhibit respiratory complications, however, with a largely unknown role of the parasite. Here we show that tsetse fly-transmitted Trypanosoma brucei parasites rapidly and permanently colonize the lungs and occupy the extravascular spaces surrounding the blood vessels of the alveoli and bronchi. They are present as nests of multiplying parasites exhibiting close interactions with collagen and active secretion of extracellular vesicles. The local immune response shows a substantial increase of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and γδ and activated αβ T cells and a later influx of neutrophils. Interestingly, parasite presence results in a significant reduction of B cells, eosinophils and natural killer cells. T. brucei infected mice show no infection-associated pulmonary dysfunction, mirroring the limited pulmonary clinical complications during sleeping sickness. However, the substantial reduction of the various immune cells may render individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections, as evident by a co-infection experiment with respiratory syncytial virus. Collectively, these observations provide insights into a largely overlooked target organ, and may trigger new diagnostic and supportive therapeutic approaches for sleeping sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Mabille
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Laura Dirkx
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sofie Thys
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marjorie Vermeersch
- grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium ,grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Daniel Montenye
- grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium ,grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Matthias Govaerts
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sarah Hendrickx
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Takac
- grid.419303.c0000 0001 2180 9405Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia ,grid.455086.aScientica, Ltd., 83106 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Johan Van Weyenbergh
- grid.415751.3Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute of Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Pintelon
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - David Pérez-Morga
- grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium ,grid.4989.c0000 0001 2348 0746Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, IBMM, Université libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Timmermans
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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12
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Heme-deficient metabolism and impaired cellular differentiation as an evolutionary trade-off for human infectivity in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7075. [PMID: 36400774 PMCID: PMC9674590 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34501-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to African trypanosomes in humans relies in part on the high affinity targeting of a trypanosome lytic factor 1 (TLF1) to a trypanosome haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor (HpHbR). While TLF1 avoidance by the inactivation of HpHbR contributes to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense human infectivity, the evolutionary trade-off of this adaptation is unknown, as the physiological function of the receptor remains to be elucidated. Here we show that uptake of hemoglobin via HpHbR constitutes the sole heme import pathway in the trypanosome bloodstream stage. T. b. gambiense strains carrying the inactivating mutation in HpHbR, as well as genetically engineered T. b. brucei HpHbR knock-out lines show only trace levels of intracellular heme and lack hemoprotein-based enzymatic activities, thereby providing an uncommon example of aerobic parasitic proliferation in the absence of heme. We further show that HpHbR facilitates the developmental progression from proliferating long slender forms to cell cycle-arrested stumpy forms in T. b. brucei. Accordingly, T. b. gambiense was found to be poorly competent for slender-to-stumpy differentiation unless a functional HpHbR receptor derived from T. b. brucei was genetically restored. Altogether, we identify heme-deficient metabolism and disrupted cellular differentiation as two distinct HpHbR-dependent evolutionary trade-offs for T. b. gambiense human infectivity.
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13
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Nguyen HTT, Radwanska M, Magez S. Tipping the balance between erythroid cell differentiation and induction of anemia in response to the inflammatory pathology associated with chronic trypanosome infections. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1051647. [PMID: 36420267 PMCID: PMC9676970 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection caused by extracellular single-celled trypanosomes triggers a lethal chronic wasting disease in livestock and game animals. Through screening of 10 Trypanosoma evansi field isolates, exhibiting different levels of virulence in mice, the current study identifies an experimental disease model in which infection can last well over 100 days, mimicking the major features of chronic animal trypanosomosis. In this model, despite the well-controlled parasitemia, infection is hallmarked by severe trypanosomosis-associated pathology. An in-depth scRNA-seq analysis of the latter revealed the complexity of the spleen macrophage activation status, highlighting the crucial role of tissue resident macrophages (TRMs) in regulating splenic extramedullary erythropoiesis. These new data show that in the field of experimental trypanosomosis, macrophage activation profiles have so far been oversimplified into a bi-polar paradigm (M1 vs M2). Interestingly, TRMs exert a double-sided effect on erythroid cells. On one hand, these cells express an erythrophagocytosis associated signature. On another hand, TRMs show high levels of Vcam1 expression, known to support their interaction with hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). During chronic infection, the latter exhibit upregulated expression of Klf1, E2f8, and Gfi1b genes, involved in erythroid differentiation and extramedullary erythropoiesis. This process gives rise to differentiation of stem cells to BFU-e/CFU-e, Pro E, and Baso E subpopulations. However, infection truncates progressing differentiation at the orthochromatic erythrocytes level, as demonstrated by scRNAseq and flow cytometry. As such, these cells are unable to pass to the reticulocyte stage, resulting in reduced number of mature circulating RBCs and the occurrence of chronic anemia. The physiological consequence of these events is the prolonged poor delivery of oxygen to various tissues, triggering lactic acid acidosis and the catabolic breakdown of muscle tissue, reminiscent of the wasting syndrome that is characteristic for the lethal stage of animal trypanosomosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Thi Thu Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Magdalena Radwanska
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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14
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Briggs EM, Warren FSL, Matthews KR, McCulloch R, Otto TD. Application of single-cell transcriptomics to kinetoplastid research. Parasitology 2021; 148:1223-1236. [PMID: 33678213 PMCID: PMC8311972 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202100041x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites are responsible for both human and animal diseases across the globe where they have a great impact on health and economic well-being. Many species and life cycle stages are difficult to study due to limitations in isolation and culture, as well as to their existence as heterogeneous populations in hosts and vectors. Single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) has the capacity to overcome many of these difficulties, and can be leveraged to disentangle heterogeneous populations, highlight genes crucial for propagation through the life cycle, and enable detailed analysis of host–parasite interactions. Here, we provide a review of studies that have applied scRNA-seq to protozoan parasites so far. In addition, we provide an overview of sample preparation and technology choice considerations when planning scRNA-seq experiments, as well as challenges faced when analysing the large amounts of data generated. Finally, we highlight areas of kinetoplastid research that could benefit from scRNA-seq technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M. Briggs
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Felix S. L. Warren
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Keith R. Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Richard McCulloch
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Thomas D. Otto
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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15
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Dermal bacterial LPS-stimulation reduces susceptibility to intradermal Trypanosoma brucei infection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9856. [PMID: 33972588 PMCID: PMC8110744 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89053-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with Trypanosoma brucei sp. are established after the injection of metacyclic trypomastigotes into the skin dermis by the tsetse fly vector. The parasites then gain access to the local lymphatic vessels to infect the local draining lymph nodes and disseminate systemically via the bloodstream. Macrophages are considered to play an important role in host protection during the early stage of systemic trypanosome infections. Macrophages are abundant in the skin dermis, but relatively little is known of their impact on susceptibility to intradermal (ID) trypanosome infections. We show that although dermal injection of colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) increased the local abundance of macrophages in the skin, this did not affect susceptibility to ID T. brucei infection. However, bacterial LPS-stimulation in the dermis prior to ID trypanosome infection significantly reduced disease susceptibility. In vitro assays showed that LPS-stimulated macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells had enhanced cytotoxicity towards T. brucei, implying that dermal LPS-treatment may similarly enhance the ability of dermal macrophages to eliminate ID injected T. brucei parasites in the skin. A thorough understanding of the factors that reduce susceptibility to ID injected T. brucei infections may lead to the development of novel strategies to help reduce the transmission of African trypanosomes.
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