1
|
da Silva DD, Frederico FB, Previato M, Siqueira RC, Bonini-Domingos CR, de Souza VH, Castiglioni L, Brandão CC, de Mattos LC, Ayo CM. Interleukin 17F Gene Polymorphism as a Potential Protective Factor in the Immunopathology of Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Parasite Immunol 2024; 46:e13038. [PMID: 38767154 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13038] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is characterised by intraocular inflammation due to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Studies have found that interleukin 17 (IL-17) plays a central role in the pathology of OT. However, nucleotide variability in IL17 and interleukin 17 receptor (IL17R) genes has not been characterised in OT. As cytokine gene polymorphisms may influence the expression of these molecules, the aim of this study was to verify whether IL17A (rs2275913), IL17F (rs763780), IL17RA (rs4819554) and IL17RC (rs708567) polymorphisms are associated with OT in a Brazilian population. This study enrolled 214 patients seropositive for T. gondii (110 with OT and 104 without) and 107 controls. Polymorphisms were identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, validated by DNA sequencing with chi-square and multivariate analyses being used to assess possible associations between polymorphisms and OT. Logistic regression under the dominant model revealed a protection factor against OT of the C mutant allele of the IL17F (rs763780) polymorphism. The T/C-C/C genotypes were significantly more common in patients without OT compared to those with OT (p value = 0.0066) and controls (p value = 0.014). Findings from this study suggest that the IL17F polymorphism may have an influence in the immunopathology of OT in Brazilian individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Donizete da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Fábio Batista Frederico
- Hospital de Base of the Regional Medical Faculty Foundation (HB-FUNFARME), Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Mariana Previato
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Rubens Camargo Siqueira
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Victor Hugo de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Lilian Castiglioni
- Department of Epidemiology and Collective Health, Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Cinara Cássia Brandão
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos de Mattos
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Christiane Maria Ayo
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Eraghi AT, Garweg JG, Pleyer U. The role of age in ocular toxoplasmosis: clinical signs of immunosenescence and inflammaging. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1311145. [PMID: 38504919 PMCID: PMC10950095 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1311145] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between age, immune response, and clinical presentation of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT). Design This was a monocentric, retrospective, observational cohort study. Methods A review of the medical records of patients with active OT at the Uveitis Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin, was conducted. Baseline parameters included age at presentation, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), size and location of active lesions, inflammatory activity, antibody index (AI), and complications of intraocular inflammation. The data were presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). The level of significance was set at a p-value of <0.05. Results Between 1998 and 2019, 290 patients with active OT were diagnosed at our tertiary reference center. The mean age of the participants was 37.7 ± 17.1 years, 53.8% of them were female individuals, and 195 patients (70.9%) showed recurrent disease. Older age was associated with lower baseline visual acuity (p = 0.043), poor visual outcome (p = 0.019), increased inflammatory activity (p < 0.005), and larger retinal lesions (p < 0.005). Older patients presented a lower AI (<35 years: 45.1 ± 82.7, median: 12.1; ≥35 years: 18.6 ± 50.5, median: 5.8; p = 0.046), confirmed by a decrease in AI with increasing age (R2 = 0.045; p = 0.024). Finally, AI was correlated with lesion size (multiple linear regression analysis: p = 0.043). Macular involvement (24.3% of patients) was positively correlated with complications (macular/peripapillary edema and retinal detachment, p < 0.005) and poor visual outcome (p < 0.005) and was negatively correlated with inflammatory activity (p < 0.005). Conclusion We found a strong and clinically relevant impact of age on the clinical presentation and course of OT. While an unspecific inflammatory response increased with age, the specific, local humoral immune response declined. These findings are well in line with the concept of immunosenescence and inflammaging in uveitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Armin Taghavi Eraghi
- Augenklinik, Charité Campus Virchow Klinikum, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Justus G. Garweg
- Swiss Eye Institute, Rotkreuz, Zug, Switzerland
- Berner Augenklinik, Bern, Switzerland
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Inselspital, Universität Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Pleyer
- Augenklinik, Charité Campus Virchow Klinikum, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saki J, Arjmand R. Toxoplasma gondii genotyping in AIDS patients using high resolution melt analysis (HRM analysis) in Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:630-634. [PMID: 37520196 PMCID: PMC10382417 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-023-01601-x] [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: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a common protozoan in the Apicomplexa phylum. Several studies in Iran have demonstrated the presence of the parasite in various hosts, but no data on T. gondii genotyping in HIV patients in Khuzestan, Southwest Iran, is available. One hundred of blood samples from AIDS patients were collected and tested by real-time PCR High Resolution Melting analyses for T.gondii detection and genotyping. T. gondii was discovered in 8 out of 100 (8%) AIDS patients with dominant Type I. This study suggest that HRM method demonstrated excellent discriminating ability for T. gondii, and AIDS patients should be tested for Toxoplasma detection and genotyping to prevent parasite pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Saki
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Reza Arjmand
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hamed EFA, Mostafa NES, Fawzy EM, Ibrahim MN, Ibrahim BH, Radwan M, Salama MA. Toxoplasma gondii Suppresses Th2-Induced by Trichinella spiralis Infection and Downregulates Serine Protease Genes Expression: A Critical Role in Vaccine Development. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2023; 18:172-181. [PMID: 37583627 PMCID: PMC10423907 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v18i2.13183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii coinfection can modify host immune responses and the severity and spread of other parasites. We investigated how T. gondii and Trichinella spiralis infections counter-regulate each other's immune responses. Methods The parasite burden, the expression of T. gondii rhoptry kinase ROP18 and T. spiralis putative serine protease (TsSP), the IgG1 and IgG2a responses, besides histopathological and immunohistochemical staining with iNOS and arginase were used to evaluate the dynamics of coinfection. Results Through their effects on host immune responsiveness, coinfection with T. gondii modified the virulence of T. spiralis infection. Coinfected animals with high and low doses of T. gondii demonstrated significant reductions in the T. spiralis burden of 75.2% and 68.2%, respectively. TsSP expression was downregulated in both groups by 96.2% and 86.7%, whereasROP18 expression was downregulated by only 6% and10.6%, respectively. In coinfected mice, elevated levels of T. gondii-specific IgG2a antibodies were detected. Th1 induced by T. gondii inhibits the Th2 response to T. spiralis in coinfected animals with high iNOS expression andlow-arginine1 expression. Conclusion T. gondii infection induces a shift toward a Th1-type immune response while suppressing a helminth-specific Th2 immune response, paving the way for developing novel vaccines and more efficient control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nahed El-Sayed Mostafa
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia, Egypt
| | - Eman Magdy Fawzy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Nabil Ibrahim
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Qurrayat, KSA
| | - Basma Hamed Ibrahim
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia, Egypt
| | - Mona Radwan
- Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia, Egypt
| | - Marwa Ahmed Salama
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Activity of isoflavone biochanin A in chronic experimental toxoplasmosis: impact on inflammation. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2405-2414. [PMID: 35710847 PMCID: PMC9279236 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide prevalent parasite. The infection has been linked to variable inflammatory effects including neuroinflammation. Biochanin A (BCA) is an isoflavone, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this study, we examined the effect of BCA on the brain and liver inflammatory lesions in a murine model with chronic toxoplasmosis. Mice were divided in to six groups: non-infected control, non-infected BCA-treated, and four infected groups with Toxoplasmagondii Me49-type II cystogenic strain: infected control, BCA (50 mg/kg/day)-treated, combined BCA/cotrimoxazole-treated and cotrimoxazole (370 mg/kg/day) alone-treated. Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR in the brain and liver tissues. In the infected control group, an upregulation of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression levels was found. However, a downregulation of iNOS expression was detected in the brain of infected control mice. In both BCA- and combined-treated groups, the brain and liver tissues showed significantly reduced inflammatory lesions compared to the infected control mice with inhibited TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA levels. The iNOS expression levels in the brain tissues of BCA group were significantly higher than the levels of the infected control group. BCA alone or combined significantly reduced T. gondii cyst count in the brain tissues. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory activity of BCA was demonstrated in the brain tissues of mice with chronic toxoplasmosis with decreased TNF-α and IL-1β expression levels and increased iNOS expression levels.
Collapse
|
6
|
Kalogeropoulos D, Sakkas H, Mohammed B, Vartholomatos G, Malamos K, Sreekantam S, Kanavaros P, Kalogeropoulos C. Ocular toxoplasmosis: a review of the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Int Ophthalmol 2022; 42:295-321. [PMID: 34370174 PMCID: PMC8351587 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01994-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This review aims to summarize the current knowledge concerning the clinical features, diagnostic work-up and therapeutic approach of ocular toxoplasmosis focusing mainly on the postnatally acquired form of the disease. METHODS A meticulous literature search was performed in the PubMed database. A supplementary search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items. RESULTS Ocular toxoplasmosis is one of the most frequent infectious etiologies of posterior uveitis. It typically presents with retinochoroiditis. Setting an accurate diagnosis depends to a considerable degree on detecting characteristic clinical characteristics. In addition to the evaluation of clinical features, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis relies at a large degree on serologic testing. The detection of the parasite DNA in the aqueous or vitreous humor can provide evidence for a definitive diagnosis. The current mainstay for the treatment, if necessary, is the use of oral antibiotic with systemic corticosteroids. Recent evidence suggests other therapeutic approaches, such as intravitreal antibiotics can be used. CONCLUSION Recent developments in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach have contributed to preventing or limiting vision loss of patients suffering from ocular toxoplasmosis. Further studies are required to provide a better understanding of epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment with a significant impact on the management of this challenging clinical entity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Stavros Niarchos Ave, 45500, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Hercules Sakkas
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Vartholomatos
- Hematology Laboratory, Unit of Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Malamos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Stavros Niarchos Ave, 45500, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Panagiotis Kanavaros
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Chris Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Stavros Niarchos Ave, 45500, Ioannina, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rinkenberger N, Abrams ME, Matta SK, Schoggins JW, Alto NM, Sibley LD. Over-expression screen of interferon-stimulated genes identifies RARRES3 as a restrictor of Toxoplasma gondii infection. eLife 2021; 10:73137. [PMID: 34871166 PMCID: PMC8789288 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important human pathogen infecting an estimated one in three people worldwide. The cytokine interferon gamma (IFNγ) is induced during infection and is critical for restricting T. gondii growth in human cells. Growth restriction is presumed to be due to the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that are upregulated to protect the host from infection. Although there are hundreds of ISGs induced by IFNγ, their individual roles in restricting parasite growth in human cells remain somewhat elusive. To address this deficiency, we screened a library of 414 IFNγ induced ISGs to identify factors that impact T. gondii infection in human cells. In addition to IRF1, which likely acts through the induction of numerous downstream genes, we identified RARRES3 as a single factor that restricts T. gondii infection by inducing premature egress of the parasite in multiple human cell lines. Overall, while we successfully identified a novel IFNγ induced factor restricting T. gondii infection, the limited number of ISGs capable of restricting T. gondii infection when individually expressed suggests that IFNγ-mediated immunity to T. gondii infection is a complex, multifactorial process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Rinkenberger
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - Michael E Abrams
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Sumit K Matta
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| | - John W Schoggins
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Neal M Alto
- Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - L David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Matta SK, Rinkenberger N, Dunay IR, Sibley LD. Toxoplasma gondii infection and its implications within the central nervous system. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 19:467-480. [PMID: 33627834 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00518-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that infects a wide range of animals and causes zoonotic infections in humans. Although it normally only results in mild illness in healthy individuals, toxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection with high mortality in individuals who are immunocompromised, most commonly due to reactivation of infection in the central nervous system. In the acute phase of infection, interferon-dependent immune responses control rapid parasite expansion and mitigate acute disease symptoms. However, after dissemination the parasite differentiates into semi-dormant cysts that form within muscle cells and neurons, where they persist for life in the infected host. Control of infection in the central nervous system, a compartment of immune privilege, relies on modified immune responses that aim to balance infection control while limiting potential damage due to inflammation. In response to the activation of interferon-mediated pathways, the parasite deploys an array of effector proteins to escape immune clearance and ensure latent survival. Although these pathways are best studied in the laboratory mouse, emerging evidence points to unique mechanisms of control in human toxoplasmosis. In this Review, we explore some of these recent findings that extend our understanding for proliferation, establishment and control of toxoplasmosis in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumit K Matta
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nicholas Rinkenberger
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ildiko R Dunay
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - L David Sibley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rudzinski M, Pardini L, Bernstein M, Moré G, Khoury M, Duarte SC, Argüelles C, Reina S, Oubiña JR. Interferon-γ and IL-10 Release Assay for Patients with Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:2239-2243. [PMID: 32901605 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis were challenged with total antigens from Toxoplasma gondii lysate (TATL) in a cytokine release assay (CRA), run during the inactive period of the disease. Increased interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels were detected after PBMC stimulation with either ME49 reference strain (P = 0.0015) or local TgCkAr-11-9 isolate (P = 0.0012), as compared with those recorded under basal conditions. TATL from TgCkAr11-9 isolate induced a higher release of IFN-γ than ME49 strain in CRA from all tested patients (P = 0.02). The median value of IFN-γ release on TgCkAr-11-9 stimulation (26.03 pg/mL) allowed the classification of patients into high- or low-/non-IFN-γ releasers. Clinical correlations were established with both groups. The results obtained in this study suggest the need to include local strains when performing CRA with TATL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Rudzinski
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigación, Universidad Católica de las Misiones (UCAMI), Posadas, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.,Cátedra de Oftalmología, Universidad Católica de las Misiones (UCAMI), Posadas, Argentina
| | - Lais Pardini
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Mariana Bernstein
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Gastón Moré
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Marina Khoury
- Dirección de Docencia e Investigación, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas "Alfredo Lanari", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvana Carolina Duarte
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigación, Universidad Católica de las Misiones (UCAMI), Posadas, Argentina
| | - Carina Argüelles
- Cátedra de Biología Molecular, Universidad Católica de las Misiones (UCAMI), Posadas, Argentina
| | - Silvia Reina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigación, Universidad Católica de las Misiones (UCAMI), Posadas, Argentina
| | - José Raúl Oubiña
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Human extracellular vesicles and correlation with two clinical forms of toxoplasmosis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229602. [PMID: 32126572 PMCID: PMC7054008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim This study analyzed microvesicles and exosomes, called as extracellular vesicles (EVs) excreted in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with cerebral or gestational toxoplasmosis. Methods Clinical samples from 83 individuals were divided into four groups. Group I, 20 sera from healthy individuals and pregnant women (seronegative for toxoplasmosis); group II, 21 sera from seropositive patients for toxoplasmosis (cerebral or gestational forms); group III, 26 CSF samples from patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis/HIV co-infection (CT/HIV) (seropositive for toxoplasmosis); and group IV, 16 CSF samples from seronegative patients for toxoplasmosis, but with HIV infection and other opportunistic infections (OI/HIV). Serum and CSF samples were ultracentrifuged to recover EVs. Next, vesicle size and concentration were characterized by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). Results Concentrations of serum-derived EVs from toxoplasmosis patients (mean: 2.4 x 1010 EVs/mL) were statically higher than of non-infected individuals (mean: 5.9 x 109 EVs/mL). Concentrations of CSF-derived EVs were almost similar in both groups. CT/HIV (mean: 2.9 x 109 EVs/mL) and OI/HIV (mean: 4.8 x 109 EVs/mL). Analyses by NTA confirmed that CSF-derived EVs and serum-derived EVs had size and shape similar to microvesicles and exosomes. The mean size of EVs was similar in serum and CSF. Thus, the concentration, and not size was able distinguish patients with toxoplasmosis than healthy individuals. Presence of exosomes was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and evidence of tetraspanins CD63 and CD9 in immunoblotting. Relative expressions of miR-146a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-29c-3p and miR-125b-5p were estimated in exosomal miRNA extracted of EVs. Serum-derived EVs from group II (cerebral and gestational toxoplasmosis) up-expressed miR-125b-5p and miR-146a-5p. CSF-derived EVs from CT/HIV patients) up-expressed miR-155-5p and miR-21-5p and were unable to express miR-29c-3p. Conclusion These data suggest the participation of EVs and exosomal miRNAs in unbalance of immune response as elevation of TNF-α, IL-6; and downregulation of IFN-γ in cerebral and gestational forms of toxoplasmosis.
Collapse
|
11
|
Hernández-de-Los-Ríos A, Murillo-Leon M, Mantilla-Muriel LE, Arenas AF, Vargas-Montes M, Cardona N, de-la-Torre A, Sepúlveda-Arias JC, Gómez-Marín JE. Influence of Two Major Toxoplasma Gondii Virulence Factors (ROP16 and ROP18) on the Immune Response of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Toxoplasmosis Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:413. [PMID: 31867288 PMCID: PMC6904310 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii ROP16 and ROP18 proteins have been identified as important virulence factors for this parasite. Here, we describe the effect of ROP16 and ROP18 proteins on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from individuals with different clinical status of infection. We evaluated IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-1β levels in supernatants from PBMCs cultures infected with tachyzoites of the T. gondii wild-type RH strain or with knock-out mutants of the rop16 and rop18 encoding genes (RHΔrop16 and RHΔrop18). Cytokine secretion was compared between PBMCs obtained from seronegative individuals (n = 10), with those with chronic asymptomatic (n = 8), or ocular infection (n = 12). We also evaluated if polymorphisms in the genes encoding for IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-1β, Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), and purinoreceptor P2RX7 influenced the production of the encoded proteins after ex vivo stimulation. In individuals with chronic asymptomatic infection, only a moderate effect on IL-10 levels was observed when PBMCs were infected with RHΔrop16, whereas a significant difference in the levels of inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-1β was observed in seronegative individuals, but this was also dependent on the host's cytokine gene polymorphisms. Infection with ROP16-deficient parasites had a significant effect on IFN-γ production in previously non-infected individuals, suggesting that ROP16 which is considered as a virulence factor plays a role during the primary infection in humans, but not in the secondary immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Hernández-de-Los-Ríos
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Mateo Murillo-Leon
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Luz Eliana Mantilla-Muriel
- Grupo Infección e Inmunidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Ailan Farid Arenas
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Mónica Vargas-Montes
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Néstor Cardona
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia.,Grupo Infección e Inmunidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia.,Universidad Antonio Nariño, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Grupo NeURos, Unidad de Inmunología, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Juan Carlos Sepúlveda-Arias
- Grupo Infección e Inmunidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- Grupo de Estudio en Parasitología Molecular (GEPAMOL), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Immune Mediator Profile in Aqueous Humor Differs in Patients with Primary Acquired Ocular Toxoplasmosis and Recurrent Acute Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Mediators Inflamm 2019; 2019:9356728. [PMID: 30906227 PMCID: PMC6398019 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9356728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To compare the intraocular cytokine and chemokine profiles in patients with acute primary acquired ocular toxoplasmosis (pOT) or recurrent ocular toxoplasmosis (rOT) and to correlate them with their clinical characteristics. Methods Aqueous humor samples were collected from 62 consecutive patients (21 pOT, 30 rOT, and 11 noninfected controls) and analyzed by multiplex assay. Correlations were assessed between cytokine/chemokine levels, type of inflammatory response (Th1, Th2, and Th17), and clinical characteristics. In all OT patients, the clinical diagnosis of either pOT or rOT was confirmed by positive intraocular Goldmann/Witmer-Desmonts coefficient. Correlations were assessed between a preselected panel of immune mediators and the clinical characteristics of OT. Results In pOT patients, increased levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-15, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, IL-17, IL-1Rα, IL-6, IL-1β, and chemokines MIP-1α, MIP-1β, IP-10, Eotaxin, IL-8, RANTES, PDGF-bb, GM-CSF, G-CSF, and MCP-1 were found in comparison to those in controls (p < 0.05). Patients with rOT showed elevated levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-15, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-17, IL-1Rα, IL-6, IL-1β, and chemokines MIP-1α, IP-10, Eotaxin, IL-8, RANTES, PDGF-bb, G-CSF, and MCP-1 compared to controls (p < 0.05). In addition, IL-7 (p = 0.028) differed between pOT and rOT; IL-9 (p = 0.054) and IL-13 (p = 0.051) showed a tendency of higher concentration in pOT than in rOT. A negative correlation was found between IL-7 (p = 0.017) as well as IL-9 (p = 0.008) and the number of recurrences. Cytokine ratios showed no difference between pOT and rOT, indicating a dominant Th1-type response in both infectious groups. Moreover, a positive correlation was detected between IL-7, VEGF, IL-13 and age at aqueous humor sampling (p < 0.05). Conclusions This study for the first time shows subtle differences between the intraocular cytokine profiles in patients with either acute pOT or rOT.
Collapse
|
13
|
Acosta Davila JA, Hernandez De Los Rios A. An Overview of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as a Model for Immunological Research of Toxoplasma gondii and Other Apicomplexan Parasites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:24. [PMID: 30800644 PMCID: PMC6376612 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In biology, models are experimental systems meant to recreate aspects of diseases or human tissue with the goal of generating inferences and approximations that can contribute to the resolution of specific biological problems. Although there are many models for studying intracellular parasites, their data have produced critical contradictions, especially in immunological assays. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) represent an attractive tissue source in pharmacogenomics and in molecular and immunologic studies, as these cells are easily collected from patients and can serve as sentinel tissue for monitoring physiological perturbations due to disease. However, these cells are a very sensitive model due to variables such as temperature, type of stimulus and time of collection as part of posterior processes. PBMCs have been used to study Toxoplasma gondii and other apicomplexan parasites. For instance, this model is frequently used in new therapies or vaccines that use peptides or recombinant proteins derived from the parasite. The immune response to T. gondii is highly variable, so it may be necessary to refine this cellular model. This mini review highlights the major approaches in which PBMCs are used as a model of study for T. gondii and other apicomplexan parasites. The variables related to this model have significant implications for data interpretation and conclusions related to host-parasite interaction.
Collapse
|
14
|
Guo J, Sun X, Yin H, Wang T, Li Y, Zhou C, Zhou H, He S, Cong H. Chitosan Microsphere Used as an Effective System to Deliver a Linked Antigenic Peptides Vaccine Protect Mice Against Acute and Chronic Toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:163. [PMID: 29876322 PMCID: PMC5974094 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) vaccines have advantages over traditional Toxoplasma gondii vaccines, but are more susceptible to enzymatic degradation. As an effective delivery system, chitosan microspheres (CS) can overcome this obstacle and act as a natural adjuvant to promote T helper 1 (Th1) cellular immune responses. In this study, we use chitosan microparticles to deliver multiple antigenic epitopes from GRA10 (G10E), containing three dominant epitopes. When G10E was entrapped within chitosan microparticles (G10E-CS), adequate peptides for eliciting immune response were loaded in the microsphere core and this complex released G10E peptides stably. The efficiency of G10E-CS was detected both in vitro, via cell culture, and through in vivo mouse immunization. In vitro, G10E-CS activated Dendritic Cells (DC) and T lymphocytes by upregulating the secretion of costimulatory molecules (CD40 and CD86). In vivo, Th1 biased cellular and humoral immune responses were activated in mice vaccinated with G10E-CS, accompanied by significantly increased production of IFN-γ, IL-2, and IgG, and decreases in IL-4, IL-10, and IgG1. Immunization with G10E-CS conferred significant protection with prolonged survival in mice model of acute toxoplasmosis and statistically significant decreases in cyst burden in murine chronic toxoplasmosis. The results from this study indicate that chitosan microspheres used as an effective system to deliver a linked antigenic peptides is a promising strategy for the development of efficient vaccine against T. gondii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Guo
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiahui Sun
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Huiquan Yin
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Chunxue Zhou
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Huaiyu Zhou
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shenyi He
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hua Cong
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Yao Y, Liu M, Ren C, Shen J, Ji Y. Exogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha could induce egress of Toxoplasma gondii from human foreskin fibroblast cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:45. [PMID: 29173277 PMCID: PMC5703069 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2017051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intra-cellular protozoan parasite that can infect almost all nucleated cells, eliciting host immune responses against infection. Host tissue damage is mainly caused by cellular lysis when T. gondii egresses from infected cells. However, the effects of cytokines released by host immune cells on egression of T. gondii remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on the egress of T. gondii from infected human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that regulate TNF-α-induced egress. Using flow cytometry to count tachyzoites of T. gondii released into cell culture medium, we found that egress of T. gondii from infected HFF cells could be induced by 10 ng/mL TNF-α in a time-dependent manner. Pre-treatment of infected HFF cells with BAPTA-AM to chelate intra-parasitic calcium could greatly inhibit TNF-α-induced egress. Similar results were obtained when using cytochalasin D to block parasite motility before the TNF-α-induced egress assay. In addition, blocking host apoptosis by Z-VAD-FMK could decrease TNF-α induced egress, while blocking necroptosis by necrostatin-1 has little impact on TNF-α-induced egress. The egressed tachyzoites displayed a normal growth rate and lost no virulence. Our results suggest that host cytokines could influence the cellular lytic processes of T. gondii, providing new insights into the relationship between host TNF-α and T. gondii pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology; Laboratory of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases Control; Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology; Laboratory of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases Control; Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Cuiping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology; Laboratory of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases Control; Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Jijia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology; Laboratory of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases Control; Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Yongsheng Ji
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology; Laboratory of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases Control; Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E7150-E7158. [PMID: 28760971 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1710519114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Although some signs of inflammation have been reported previously in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), the data are limited and contradictory. High-throughput methods now allow us to interrogate the human immune system for multiple markers of inflammation at a scale that was not previously possible. To determine whether a signature of serum cytokines could be associated with ME/CFS and correlated with disease severity and fatigue duration, cytokines of 192 ME/CFS patients and 392 healthy controls were measured using a 51-multiplex array on a Luminex system. Each cytokine's preprocessed data were regressed on ME/CFS severity plus covariates for age, sex, race, and an assay property of newly discovered importance: nonspecific binding. On average, TGF-β was elevated (P = 0.0052) and resistin was lower (P = 0.0052) in patients compared with controls. Seventeen cytokines had a statistically significant upward linear trend that correlated with ME/CFS severity: CCL11 (Eotaxin-1), CXCL1 (GROα), CXCL10 (IP-10), IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17F, leptin, G-CSF, GM-CSF, LIF, NGF, SCF, and TGF-α. Of the 17 cytokines that correlated with severity, 13 are proinflammatory, likely contributing to many of the symptoms experienced by patients and establishing a strong immune system component of the disease. Only CXCL9 (MIG) inversely correlated with fatigue duration.
Collapse
|
17
|
Qiu J, Wang L, Zhang R, Ge K, Guo H, Liu X, Liu J, Kong D, Wang Y. Identification of a TNF-α inducer MIC3 originating from the microneme of non-cystogenic, virulent Toxoplasma gondii. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39407. [PMID: 28000706 PMCID: PMC5175157 DOI: 10.1038/srep39407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite with avirulent cystogenic and highly virulent non-cystogenic isolates. Although non-cystogenic strains are considered the most virulent, there are also marked genetic and virulence differences among these strains. Excretory-secretory antigens (ESAs) of T. gondii are critical for the invasion process and the immune response of the host. To better understand the differences in virulence between non-cystogenic T. gondii isolates, we studied ESAs of the RH strain (Type I), and the very prevalent in China, but less virulent TgCtwh3 strain (Chinese 1). ESAs of RH and TgCtwh3 triggered different levels of TNF-α production and macrophage M1 polarization. Using iTRAQ analysis, 27 differentially expressed proteins originating from secretory organelles and surface were quantified. Of these proteins, 11 microneme-associated proteins (MICs), 6 rhoptry proteins, 2 dense granule proteins and 5 surface proteins were more abundant in RH than in TgCtwh3. The protein-protein correlation network was employed to identify the important functional node protein MIC3, which was upregulated 5-fold in RH compared with TgCtwh3. MIC3 was experimentally confirmed to evoke a TNF-α secretory response, and it also induced macrophage M1 polarization. This result suggests that MIC3 is a potentially useful immunomodulator that induces TNF-α secretion and macrophage M1 polarization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingfan Qiu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ke Ge
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hongfei Guo
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xinjian Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jinfeng Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Delong Kong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gay G, Braun L, Brenier-Pinchart MP, Vollaire J, Josserand V, Bertini RL, Varesano A, Touquet B, De Bock PJ, Coute Y, Tardieux I, Bougdour A, Hakimi MA. Toxoplasma gondii TgIST co-opts host chromatin repressors dampening STAT1-dependent gene regulation and IFN-γ-mediated host defenses. J Exp Med 2016; 213:1779-98. [PMID: 27503074 PMCID: PMC4995087 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20160340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
An early hallmark of Toxoplasma gondii infection is the rapid control of the parasite population by a potent multifaceted innate immune response that engages resident and homing immune cells along with pro- and counter-inflammatory cytokines. In this context, IFN-γ activates a variety of T. gondii-targeting activities in immune and nonimmune cells but can also contribute to host immune pathology. T. gondii has evolved mechanisms to timely counteract the host IFN-γ defenses by interfering with the transcription of IFN-γ-stimulated genes. We now have identified TgIST (T. gondii inhibitor of STAT1 transcriptional activity) as a critical molecular switch that is secreted by intracellular parasites and traffics to the host cell nucleus where it inhibits STAT1-dependent proinflammatory gene expression. We show that TgIST not only sequesters STAT1 on dedicated loci but also promotes shaping of a nonpermissive chromatin through its capacity to recruit the nucleosome remodeling deacetylase (NuRD) transcriptional repressor. We found that during mice acute infection, TgIST-deficient parasites are rapidly eliminated by the homing Gr1(+) inflammatory monocytes, thus highlighting the protective role of TgIST against IFN-γ-mediated killing. By uncovering TgIST functions, this study brings novel evidence on how T. gondii has devised a molecular weapon of choice to take control over a ubiquitous immune gene expression mechanism in metazoans, as a way to promote long-term parasitism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Gay
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Laurence Braun
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Julien Vollaire
- IAB, OPTIMAL Small Animal Imaging Facility, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | | | - Rose-Laurence Bertini
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Aurélie Varesano
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Bastien Touquet
- IAB, Team Membrane and Cell Dynamics of Host-Parasite Interactions, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Pieter-Jan De Bock
- Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies de Grenoble-Laboratoire Biologie à Grande Échelle (BIG-BGE), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), INSERM, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Yohann Coute
- Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies de Grenoble-Laboratoire Biologie à Grande Échelle (BIG-BGE), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), INSERM, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Tardieux
- IAB, Team Membrane and Cell Dynamics of Host-Parasite Interactions, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Alexandre Bougdour
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bastos LM, Macêdo AG, Silva MV, Santiago FM, Ramos ELP, Santos FAA, Pirovani CP, Goulart LR, Mineo TWP, Mineo JR. Toxoplasma gondii-Derived Synthetic Peptides Containing B- and T-Cell Epitopes from GRA2 Protein Are Able to Enhance Mice Survival in a Model of Experimental Toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:59. [PMID: 27313992 PMCID: PMC4888622 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis distributed all over the world, which the etiologic agent is an intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. This disease may cause abortions and severe diseases in many warm-blood hosts, including humans, particularly the immunocompromised patients. The parasite specialized secretory organelles, as micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules, are critical for the successful parasitism. The dense granule protein 2 (GRA2) is a parasite immunogenic protein secreted during infections and previous studies have been shown that this parasite component is crucial for the formation of intravacuolar membranous nanotubular network (MNN), as well as for secretion into the vacuole and spatial organization of the parasites within the vacuole. In the present study, we produced a monoclonal antibody to GRA2 (C3C5 mAb, isotype IgG2b), mapped the immunodominant epitope of the protein by phage display and built GRA2 synthetic epitopes to evaluate their ability to protect mice in a model of experimental infection. Our results showed that synthetic peptides for B- and T-cell epitopes are able to improve survival of immunized animals. In contrast with non-immunized animals, the immunized mice with both B- and T-cell epitopes had a better balance of cytokines and demonstrated higher levels of IL-10, IL-4 and IL-17 production, though similar levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were observed. The immunization with both B- and T-cell epitopes resulted in survival rate higher than 85% of the challenged mice. Overall, these results demonstrate that immunization with synthetic epitopes for both B- and T-cells from GRA2 protein can be more effective to protect against infection by T. gondii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciana M Bastos
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil; Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de UberlândiaUberlândia, Brazil
| | - Arlindo G Macêdo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Murilo V Silva
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Fernanda M Santiago
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eliezer L P Ramos
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Fabiana A A Santos
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Carlos P Pirovani
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Luiz R Goulart
- Laboratório de Nanobiotecnologia, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Tiago W P Mineo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - José R Mineo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Uberlândia, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Innate recognition of Toxoplasma gondii in humans involves a mechanism distinct from that utilized by rodents. Cell Mol Immunol 2016; 14:36-42. [PMID: 27157497 PMCID: PMC5214937 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2016.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects rodents as part of its natural transmission cycle and induces disease in humans, an end-stage host. As one of the natural hosts of T. gondii, the mouse has been used extensively for elucidating the cellular and molecular basis of immunity to this pathogen while relatively few studies have focused on the response of humans. In our recent work, we identified CD16+ monocytes and DC1 dendritic cells as the major myeloid cell populations that respond to T. gondii in human peripheral blood. Interestingly, these myeloid subsets represent the opposite counterparts from those triggered by the parasite in mice. Moreover, whereas the innate cytokine response to T. gondii in the mouse involves stimulation of Toll-like receptors by a soluble parasite ligand, the response of human cells instead requires phagocytosis of the live pathogen. We speculate that these marked distinctions in the pathways utilized for innate recognition of toxoplasma in mouse and man reflect the differing roles of the two hosts in the biology of this parasite.
Collapse
|
21
|
Is Toxoplasma gondii type related to clinical outcome in human congenital infection? Systematic and critical review. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 35:1079-88. [PMID: 27146878 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2656-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In human congenital toxoplasmosis the effects of parasite burden and pregnancy time at infection on clinical outcome are well known, but there is controversy regarding the role of Toxoplasma gondii type. Through a systematic review of the literature, we aimed to discern if T. gondii type has a role on clinical outcome in human congenital toxoplasmosis. We built up a database of congenital toxoplasmosis from reports of cases, case series and screening-based cohorts, which had information about parasite type, gestation time at maternal infection and/or clinical outcome in the product. Then, we obtained frequencies for loci used to genotype geographical origin of cases and types found. Also, odds ratios were calculated for association between time of maternal infection or parasite type on outcome. Type II parasites were the most common in Europe, Asia and Africa, while in America there were mainly atypical strains. More newborns with clinical problems were born from mothers infected during the first half of gestation than from those acquiring the parasite after week 24, regardless of parasite genotype (92.9 vs. 16.1 %, OR = 67.9, CI95 25.4-181.6). Type I and atypical parasites were associated with clinical problems as opposed to types II and III, regardless of pregnancy period at infection (86.9 vs. 72.9 %, OR = 2.47, CI95 1.1-5.4). A significant and remarkable tendency of type I parasites to be present during early pregnancy was also observed (94.4 vs. 5.6 %, P < 0.009). In addition to parasite burden and period of gestation, T. gondii genotype seems involved in CT clinical outcome.
Collapse
|