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Zhang XX, Sun YZ, Wang W, Gao Y, Wei XY, Sun HC, Wang CR, Ni HB, Yang X, Elsheikha HM, Guo HP. Altered landscape of total RNA, tRNA and sncRNA modifications in the liver and spleen of mice infected by Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012281. [PMID: 38905319 PMCID: PMC11221703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012281] [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: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogens can impact host RNA modification machinery to establish a favorable cellular environment for their replication. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on host RNA modification profiles and explored how these modifications may influence the host-parasite interaction. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We analyzed the modification levels of ∼ 80 nt tRNA and 17-50 nt sncRNAs in mouse liver, spleen, and serum using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The results revealed alterations in RNA modification profiles, particularly during acute infection. The liver exhibited more differentially abundant RNA modifications than the spleen. RNA modification levels in serum were mostly downregulated during acute infection compared to control mice. Correlations were detected between different RNA modifications in the liver and spleen during infection and between several RNA modifications and many cytokines. Alterations in RNA modifications affected tRNA stability and protein translation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These findings provide new insight into the role of RNA modifications in mediating the murine host response to T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xuan Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Yu-Zhe Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Yang Gao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agriculture University, Daqing, PR China
| | - Xin-Yu Wei
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agriculture University, Daqing, PR China
| | - Hong-Chao Sun
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Chun-Ren Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agriculture University, Daqing, PR China
| | - Hong-Bo Ni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, PR China
| | - Hany M. Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Huan-Ping Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Harbin, China
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Ye H, Zhou X, Zhu B, Xiong T, Huang W, He F, Li H, Chen L, Tang L, Ren Z. Toxoplasma gondii suppresses proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells by regulating their transcriptome. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:144. [PMID: 38654350 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03333-1] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has shown anticancer activity in breast cancer mouse models, and exerted beneficial effect on the survival of breast cancer patients, but the mechanism was unclear. METHODS The effect of tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH and ME49 strains) on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells) proliferation and migration was assessed using cell growth curve and wound healing assays. Dual RNA-seq was performed for T. gondii-infected and non-infected cells to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks analysis (PPI) were performed to explore the related signaling pathway and hub genes. Hub genes were validated using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database, and Pathogen Host Interaction (PHI-base) database. The results were verified by qRT-PCR. RESULTS The tachyzoites of T. gondii decreased the expression of Ki67 and increased the expression of E-cadherin, resulting in suppressing the proliferation and migration of infected human breast cancer cells. The inhibitory effect of T. gondii on breast cancer cells showed a significant dose-response relationship. Compared with the control group, 2321 genes were transcriptionally regulated in MCF-7 cells infected with T. gondii, while 169 genes were transcriptionally regulated in infected MDA-MB-231 cells. Among these genes, 698 genes in infected MCF-7 cells and 67 genes in infected MDA-MB-231 cells were validated by the publicly available database. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that several pathways were involved in anticancer function of T. gondii, such as ribosome, interleukin-17 signaling, coronavirus disease pathway, and breast cancer pathway. BRCA1, MYC and IL-6 were identified as the top three hub genes in infected-breast cancer cells based on the connectivity of PPI analysis. In addition, after interacting with breast cancer cells, the expression of ROP16 and ROP18 in T. gondii increased, while the expression of crt, TgIST, GRA15, GRA24 and MIC13 decreased. CONCLUSIONS T. gondii transcriptionally regulates several signaling pathways by altering the hub genes such as BRCA1, MYC and IL-6, which can inhibit the breast tumor growth and migration, hinting at a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengming Ye
- The School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Rd, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangzhou, China
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Xiaotao Zhou
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Bike Zhu
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Tiantian Xiong
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Weile Huang
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Feng He
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Hui Li
- Public Health Service Center of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, 518102, China
| | - Lihua Chen
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen, 518034, China
| | - Luying Tang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Zefang Ren
- The School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Rd, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangzhou, China.
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3
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Wang SS, Wang X, He JJ, Zheng WB, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM, Zhou CX. Expression profiles of host miRNAs and circRNAs and ceRNA network during Toxoplasma gondii lytic cycle. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:145. [PMID: 38418741 PMCID: PMC10902104 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08152-x] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that is highly prevalent in the human population and can lead to adverse health consequences in immunocompromised patients and pregnant women. Noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play important regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of many infections. However, the differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and circRNAs implicated in the host cell response during the lytic cycle of T. gondii are unknown. In this study, we profiled the expression of miRNAs and circRNAs in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) at different time points after T. gondii infection using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We identified a total of 7, 7, 27, 45, 70, 148, 203, and 217 DEmiRNAs and 276, 355, 782, 1863, 1738, 6336, 1229, and 1680 DEcircRNAs at 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h post infection (hpi), respectively. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the DE transcripts were enriched in immune response, apoptosis, signal transduction, and metabolism-related pathways. These findings provide new insight into the involvement of miRNAs and circRNAs in the host response to T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Sha Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Xiangwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province, China
| | - Jun-Jun He
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Higher Education of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Wen-Bin Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Higher Education of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan Province, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Chun-Xue Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, Shandong Province, China.
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Uno Y, Uehara S, Ushirozako G, Masatani T, Yamazaki H. Chronic Toxoplasma infection affects gene expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes in mouse liver. Xenobiotica 2023; 53:581-586. [PMID: 37991059 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2023.2286597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite causing toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease affecting warm-blooded vertebrates worldwide. Many drug-metabolizing enzymes are located in the liver, a major organ of drug metabolism, and their function can be affected by pathogen infection.Using next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), changes in the hepatic expressions of drug-metabolizing enzymes were analysed in mice chronically infected with T. gondii. The analysis found that, among drug-metabolizing enzymes, 22 genes were upregulated and 28 genes were downregulated (≥1.5-fold); of these 5 and 17 genes, respectively, were cytochromes P450 (Cyp or P450).Subsequent qPCR analysis showed that six P450 genes were upregulated significantly (≥1.5-fold, p < 0.05), namely, Cyp1b1, Cyp2c29, Cyp2c65, Cyp2d9, Cyp2d12, and Cyp3a59, whereas nine P450 genes were downregulated significantly (≥1.5-fold, p < 0.05), namely, Cyp2c38, Cyp2c39, Cyp2c44, Cyp2c69, Cyp2d40, Cyp2e1, Cyp3a11, Cyp3a41, and Cyp3a44.Moreover, metabolic assays in infected mouse liver using typical P450 substrates revealed that midazolam 1'-hydroxylation and testosterone 2-hydroxylation activities decreased significantly (≥1.5-fold, p < 0.05), whereas testosterone 16-hydroxylation activity increased significantly (≥1.5-fold, p < 0.05).Chronic Toxoplasma infection affects drug metabolism, at least partly, by altering the gene expressions of drug-metabolizing enzymes, including P450s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Uno
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shotaro Uehara
- Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Genki Ushirozako
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Masatani
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Zoonotic Diseases, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yamazaki
- Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo, Japan
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He Y, Xu D, Yan Z, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Tian X, Zhu J, Liu Z, Cheng W, Zheng K, Yang X, Yu Y, Pan W. A metabolite attenuates neuroinflammation, synaptic loss and cognitive deficits induced by chronic infection of Toxoplasma gondii. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1043572. [PMID: 36618398 PMCID: PMC9815861 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1043572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurodegenerative diseases including AD is currently one of intractable problems globally due to the insufficiency of intervention strategies. Long-term infection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) can induce cognitive impairment in hosts, which is closely implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Aconitate decarboxylase 1 (Acod1) and its produced metabolite itaconate (termed Acod1/itaconate axis), have recently attracted extensive interests due to its anti-inflammatory role in macrophages. However, whether the axis can influence cognitive function remains unknown. Methods A chronic T. gondii-infected mice (C57BL/6J) model was established via administration of cysts by gavage. Novel location (NL), novel object recognition (NOR), Y-maze spatial memory and nest building tests were used to evaluate the behavior performance. Transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, western-blotting and RNA sequencing were utilized to determine the pathological changes, neuroinflammation and transcription profile in hippocampus tissues post infection, respectively. Moreover, the protective effect of Acod1/itaconate axis in T. gondii-induced cognitive deficits was evaluated. Results We found that the latent infection of the parasite impaired the cognitive function, which was assessed behaviorally by novel location (NL), novel object recognition (NOR), Y-maze spatial memory and nest building tests. RNA sequencing of hippocampus showed that the infection downregulated the expression of genes related to synaptic plasticity, transmission and cognitive behavior. To our attention, the infection robustly upregulated the expression of genes associated with pro-inflammatory responses, which was characterized by microglia activation and disorder of Acod1/itaconate axis. Interestingly, administration of dimethyl itaconate (DI, an itaconate derivative with cell membrane permeability) could significantly ameliorate the cognitive deficits induced by T. gondii, which was proved by improvement of behavior performance and synaptic ultrastructure impairment, and lower accumulation of pro-inflammatory microglia. Notably, DI administration had a potential therapeutic effect on the cognitive deficits and synaptic impairment induced by the parasitic infection. Conclusions Overall, these findings provide a novel insight for the pathogenesis of T. gondii-related cognitive deficits in hosts, and also provide a novel clue for the potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Daxiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziyi Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongshuai Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongsheng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaokang Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinhang Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Basic Medicine (Xuzhou Medical University), Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuanzhuan Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanpeng Cheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kuiyang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Wei Pan, ; Yinghua Yu, ; Xiaoying Yang,
| | - Yinghua Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Wei Pan, ; Yinghua Yu, ; Xiaoying Yang,
| | - Wei Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Wei Pan, ; Yinghua Yu, ; Xiaoying Yang,
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Nie LB, Cong W, He JJ, Zheng WB, Zhu XQ. Global proteomic profiling of multiple organs of cats (Felis catus) and proteome-transcriptome correlation during acute Toxoplasma gondii infection. Infect Dis Poverty 2022; 11:96. [PMID: 36104766 PMCID: PMC9473462 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-01022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite which can infect almost all warm-blooded animals and humans. Understanding the differential expression of proteins and transcripts associated with T. gondii infection in its definitive host (cat) may improve our knowledge of how the parasite manipulates the molecular microenvironment of its definitive host. The aim of this study was to explore the global proteomic alterations in the major organs of cats during acute T. gondii infection. Methods iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic profiling was performed on six organs (brain, liver, lung, spleen, heart and small intestine) of cats on day 7 post-infection by cysts of T. gondii PRU strain (Genotype II). Mascot software was used to conduct the student’s t-test. Proteins with P values < 0.05 and fold change > 1.2 or < 0.83 were considered as differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Results A total of 32,657 proteins were identified in the six organs, including 2556 DEPs; of which 1325 were up-regulated and 1231 were down-regulated. The brain, liver, lung, spleen, heart and small intestine exhibited 125 DEPs, 463 DEPs, 255 DEPs, 283 DEPs, 855 DEPs and 575 DEPs, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of all proteins and DEPs in all organs showed that many proteins were enriched in binding, cell part, cell growth and death, signal transduction, translation, sorting and degradation, extracellular matrix remodeling, tryptophan catabolism, and immune system. Correlations between differentially expressed proteins and transcripts were detected in the liver (n = 19), small intestine (n = 17), heart (n = 9), lung (n = 9) and spleen (n = 3). Conclusions The present study identified 2556 DEPs in six cat tissues on day 7 after infection by T. gondii PRU strain, and functional enrichment analyses showed that these DEPs were associated with various cellular and metabolic processes. These findings provide a solid base for further in-depth investigation of the complex proteotranscriptomic reprogramming that mediates the dynamic interplays between T. gondii and the different feline tissues. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40249-022-01022-7.
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Wang S, Moreau F, Chadee K. Gasdermins in Innate Host Defense Against Entamoeba histolytica and Other Protozoan Parasites. Front Immunol 2022; 13:900553. [PMID: 35795683 PMCID: PMC9251357 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.900553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gasdermins (GSDMs) are a group of proteins that are cleaved by inflammatory caspases to induce pore formation in the plasma membrane to cause membrane permeabilization and lytic cell death or pyroptosis. All GSDMs share a conserved structure, containing a cytotoxic N-terminal (NT) pore-forming domain and a C-terminal (CT) repressor domain. Entamoeba histolytica (Eh) in contact with macrophages, triggers outside-in signaling to activate inflammatory caspase-4/1 via the noncanonical and canonical pathway to promote cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD). Cleavage of GSDMD removes the auto-inhibition that masks the active pore-forming NT domain in the full-length protein by interactions with GSDM-CT. The cleaved NT-GSDMD monomers then oligomerize to form pores in the plasma membrane to facilitate the release of IL-1β and IL-18 with a measured amount of pyroptosis. Pyroptosis is an effective way to counteract intracellular parasites, which exploit replicative niche to avoid killing. To date, most GSDMs have been verified to perform pore-forming activity and GSDMD-induced pyroptosis is rapidly emerging as a mechanism of anti-microbial host defence. Here, we review our comprehensive and current knowledge on the expression, activation, biological functions, and regulation of GSDMD cleavage with emphases on physiological scenario and related dysfunctions of each GSDM member as executioner of cell death, cytokine secretion and inflammation against Eh and other protozoan parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kris Chadee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Illuminating Host-Parasite Interaction at the Cellular and Subcellular Levels with Infrared Microspectroscopy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050811. [PMID: 35269433 PMCID: PMC8909495 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050811] [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: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an opportunistic protozoan that can cause brain infection and other serious health consequences in immuno-compromised individuals. This parasite has a remarkable ability to cross biological barriers and exploit the host cell microenvironment to support its own survival and growth. Recent advances in label-free spectroscopic imaging techniques have made it possible to study biological systems at a high spatial resolution. In this study, we used conventional Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy and synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy to analyze the chemical changes that are associated with infection of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) by T. gondii (RH) tachyzoites. Both FTIR microspectroscopic methods showed utility in revealing the chemical alterations in the infected hBMECs. Using a ZnS hemisphere device, to increase the numerical aperture, and the synchrotron source to increase the brightness, we obtained spatially resolved spectra from within a single cell. The spectra extracted from the nucleus and cytosol containing the tachyzoites were clearly distinguished. RNA sequencing analysis of T. gondii-infected and uninfected hBMECs revealed significant changes in the expression of host cell genes and pathways in response to T. gondii infection. These FTIR spectroscopic and transcriptomic findings provide significant insight into the molecular changes that occur in hBMECs during T. gondii infection.
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9
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Yan X, Han W, Jin X, Sun Y, Gao J, Yu X, Guo J. Study on the effect of koumiss on the intestinal microbiota of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1271. [PMID: 35075239 PMCID: PMC8786867 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05454-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide food-borne parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. To date, there are no effective drugs to prevent or eradicate T. gondii infection. Recent studies have shown that probiotics could influence the relationship between the microbiota and parasites in the host. Koumiss has been used to treat many diseases based on its probiotic diversity. Therefore, we explored the effect of koumiss on T. gondii infection via its effect on the host intestinal microbiota. BALB/c mice were infected with T. gondii and treated with PBS, koumiss and mares' milk. Brain cysts were counted, and long-term changes in the microbiota and the effect of koumiss on gut microbiota were investigated with high-throughput sequencing technology. The results suggested that koumiss treatment significantly decreased the cyst counts in the brain (P < 0.05). Moreover, T. gondii infection changed the microbiota composition, and koumiss treatment increased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Akkermansia muciniphila, which were associated with preventing T. gondii infection. Moreover, koumiss could inhibit or ameliorate T. gondii infection by increasing the abundance of certain bacteria that control unique metabolic pathways. The study not only established a close interaction among the host, intracellular pathogens and intestinal microbiota but also provided a novel focus for drug development to prevent and eradicate T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Yan
- Food Science and Engineering College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China.
| | - Wenying Han
- Food Science and Engineering College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Xindong Jin
- Food Science and Engineering College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Yufei Sun
- Food Science and Engineering College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Jialu Gao
- Food Science and Engineering College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Xiuli Yu
- Food Science and Engineering College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Food Science and Engineering College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China.
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10
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Bergersen KV, Barnes A, Worth D, David C, Wilson EH. Targeted Transcriptomic Analysis of C57BL/6 and BALB/c Mice During Progressive Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection Reveals Changes in Host and Parasite Gene Expression Relating to Neuropathology and Resolution. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:645778. [PMID: 33816350 PMCID: PMC8012756 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.645778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a resilient parasite that infects a multitude of warm-blooded hosts and results in a lifelong chronic infection requiring continuous responses by the host. Chronic infection is characterized by a balanced immune response and neuropathology that are driven by changes in gene expression. Previous research pertaining to these processes has been conducted in various mouse models, and much knowledge of infection-induced gene expression changes has been acquired through the use of high throughput sequencing techniques in different mouse strains and post-mortem human studies. However, lack of infection time course data poses a prominent missing link in the understanding of chronic infection, and there is still much that is unknown regarding changes in genes specifically relating to neuropathology and resulting repair mechanisms as infection progresses throughout the different stages of chronicity. In this paper, we present a targeted approach to gene expression analysis during T. gondii infection through the use of NanoString nCounter gene expression assays. Wild type C57BL/6 and BALB/c background mice were infected, and transcriptional changes in the brain were evaluated at 14, 28, and 56 days post infection. Results demonstrate a dramatic shift in both previously demonstrated and novel gene expression relating to neuropathology and resolution in C57BL/6 mice. In addition, comparison between BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice demonstrate initial differences in gene expression that evolve over the course of infection and indicate decreased neuropathology and enhanced repair in BALB/c mice. In conclusion, these studies provide a targeted approach to gene expression analysis in the brain during infection and provide elaboration on previously identified transcriptional changes and also offer insights into further understanding the complexities of chronic T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina V Bergersen
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Ashli Barnes
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Danielle Worth
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Clement David
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Emma H Wilson
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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