1
|
Ammar AM, Nabi SA, El-Ghani HMA. Correlation between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia in Egyptian patients and its impact on dopamine serum levels. Acta Trop 2024; 256:107263. [PMID: 38768696 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107263] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite infecting around one-third of the global population, has been linked to neurological disorders like schizophrenia. Abnormal dopamine levels are linked to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, but their association remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between T. gondii seroprevalence and dopamine serum levels in schizophrenic patients in Egypt. This case-control study included 93 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 93 individuals as controls. T. gondii seroprevalence was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Dopamine serum levels were measured using ELISA. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were also collected. The study found a higher prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in patients with schizophrenia (68 %) compared to controls (46.2 %). Contact with cats, sausage consumption, and undercooked meat were identified as possible risk factors associated with T. gondii infection. The mean level of serum dopamine was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in patients with schizophrenia (115.3 Pg/ml ±31.8) compared to the control group (75.02 Pg/ml ±26.5). The study found that schizophrenic patients with T. gondii seropositivity had significantly higher dopamine serum levels (mean=145.2 ± 32.1 pg/ml) than those without T. gondii seropositivity (mean=122.5 ± 29.7 pg/ml) (p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that T. gondii seropositivity was a significant predictor of increased dopamine serum levels in schizophrenic patients (odds ratio=3.4, 95 % confidence interval=1.8-6.4, p < 0.001). The study suggests that T. gondii seroprevalence may increase dopamine serum levels in Egyptian schizophrenic patients, potentially contributing to dopamine dysregulation in schizophrenia, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa M Ammar
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Sohayla Abdel Nabi
- Psychiatry Department- Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hamssa M Abd El-Ghani
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yang D, Wu M, Zou N, Tang Y, Tao Q, Liu L, Jin M, Yu L, Du J, Luo Q, Shen J, Chu D, Qin K. Knockdown of DJ-1 Exacerbates Neuron Apoptosis Induced by TgCtwh3 through the NF-κB Pathway. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04265-7. [PMID: 38831169 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04265-7] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Mutations or loss of function of DJ-1 and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, which are often caused by oxidative stress. However, the relationship between DJ-1 and T. gondii infection is not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the expression of DJ-1 in the hippocampus tissue of mice or in HT22 infected with T. gondii Chinese 1 genotype Wh3 strain (TgCtwh3) and the effect of DJ-1 knockdown on neuronal apoptosis induced by TgCtwh3 tachyzoite, as well as the underlying mechanism at the cellular and molecular level. Firstly, we detected DJ-1 protein expression and cell apoptosis in the hippocampal tissue of mice infected by TgCtwh3. Then, we examined DJ-1 expression and apoptosis in HT22 challenged with TgCtwh3. Finally, we evaluated the apoptosis in HT22 with DJ-1 knockdown which was infected with TgCtwh3 and assayed the expression of NF-κBp65 and p-NF-κBp65. Our results showed that DJ-1 expression was reduced and neurons underwent apoptosis in the hippocampus of mice infected with TgCtwh3 tachyzoites. Additionally, the knockdown of DJ-1 followed by infection with TgCtwh3 tachyzoites led to increased apoptosis in HT22 cells through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, this study suggests that DJ-1 is an important target for preventing apoptosis caused by T. gondii TgCtwh3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology & Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Minmin Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Nian Zou
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yiru Tang
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qing Tao
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mengmeng Jin
- Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Anhui Province, the Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jian Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qingli Luo
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology & Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jilong Shen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology & Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Deyong Chu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Microbiology & Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Kunpeng Qin
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
- Department of Orthopaedics, Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gupta P, Hiller A, Chowdhury J, Lim D, Lim DY, Saeij JPJ, Babaian A, Rodriguez F, Pereira L, Morales-Tapia A. A parasite odyssey: An RNA virus concealed in Toxoplasma gondii. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae040. [PMID: 38817668 PMCID: PMC11137675 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
We are entering a 'Platinum Age of Virus Discovery', an era marked by exponential growth in the discovery of virus biodiversity, and driven by advances in metagenomics and computational analysis. In the ecosystem of a human (or any animal) there are more species of viruses than simply those directly infecting the animal cells. Viruses can infect all organisms constituting the microbiome, including bacteria, fungi, and unicellular parasites. Thus the complexity of possible interactions between host, microbe, and viruses is unfathomable. To understand this interaction network we must employ computationally assisted virology as a means of analyzing and interpreting the millions of available samples to make inferences about the ways in which viruses may intersect human health. From a computational viral screen of human neuronal datasets, we identified a novel narnavirus Apocryptovirus odysseus (Ao) which likely infects the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Previously, several parasitic protozoan viruses (PPVs) have been mechanistically established as triggers of host innate responses, and here we present in silico evidence that Ao is a plausible pro-inflammatory factor in human and mouse cells infected by T. gondii. T. gondii infects billions of people worldwide, yet the prognosis of toxoplasmosis disease is highly variable, and PPVs like Ao could function as a hitherto undescribed hypervirulence factor. In a broader screen of over 7.6 million samples, we explored phylogenetically proximal viruses to Ao and discovered nineteen Apocryptovirus species, all found in libraries annotated as vertebrate transcriptome or metatranscriptomes. While samples containing this genus of narnaviruses are derived from sheep, goat, bat, rabbit, chicken, and pigeon samples, the presence of virus is strongly predictive of parasitic Apicomplexa nucleic acid co-occurrence, supporting the fact that Apocryptovirus is a genus of parasite-infecting viruses. This is a computational proof-of-concept study in which we rapidly analyze millions of datasets from which we distilled a mechanistically, ecologically, and phylogenetically refined hypothesis. We predict that this highly diverged Ao RNA virus is biologically a T. gondii infection, and that Ao, and other viruses like it, will modulate this disease which afflicts billions worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Purav Gupta
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd,Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular + Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
| | - Aiden Hiller
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular + Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
| | - Jawad Chowdhury
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular + Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
| | - Declan Lim
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular + Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
| | - Dillon Yee Lim
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Sherrington Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Jeroen P J Saeij
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Artem Babaian
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular + Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
| | - Felipe Rodriguez
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Luke Pereira
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular + Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
| | - Alejandro Morales-Tapia
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular + Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
- The Woodlands Secondary School, 3225 Erindale Station Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1Y5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Elmahallawy EK, Ali FAZ, Raya-Álvarez E, Fehaid A, Abd El-Razik KA, El Fadaly HAM, El-Khadragy MF, Sayed ASM, Soror AH, Alhegaili AS, Saleh AA, Alkhaldi AAM, Madboli AENA, Agil A, Barakat AM. Ameliorative effects of propolis and wheat germ oil on acute toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected mice are associated with reduction in parasite burden and restoration of histopathological changes in the brain, uterus, and kidney. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1357947. [PMID: 38496314 PMCID: PMC10940321 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1357947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis continues to be a prevalent parasitic zoonosis with a global distribution. This disease is caused by an intracellular parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii, and the development of effective novel drug targets to combat it is imperative. There is limited information available on the potential advantages of wheat germ oil (WGO) and propolis, both individually and in combination, against the acute phase of toxoplasmosis. In this study, acute toxoplasmosis was induced in Swiss albino mice, followed by the treatment of infected animals with WGO and propolis, either separately or in combination. After 10 days of experimental infection and treatment, mice from all groups were sacrificed, and their brains, uteri, and kidneys were excised for histopathological assessment. Additionally, the average parasite load in the brain was determined through parasitological assessment, and quantification of the parasite was performed using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting gene amplification. Remarkably, the study found that treating infected animals with wheat germ oil and propolis significantly reduced the parasite load compared to the control group that was infected but not treated. Moreover, the group treated with a combination of wheat germ oil and propolis exhibited a markedly greater reduction in parasitic load compared to the other groups. Similarly, the combination treatment effectively restored the histopathological changes observed in the brain, uterus, and kidney, and the scoring of these reported lesions confirmed these findings. In summary, the present results reveal intriguing insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of wheat germ oil and propolis in the treatment of acute toxoplasmosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Fatma Abo Zakaib Ali
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Enrique Raya-Álvarez
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Av. de la Investigación s/n, Granada, Spain
| | - Alaa Fehaid
- Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Khaled A. Abd El-Razik
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Manal F. El-Khadragy
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal S. M. Sayed
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Ashraf H. Soror
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Alaa S. Alhegaili
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amira A. Saleh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | - Abd El-Nasser A. Madboli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Agil
- Department of Pharmacology, Biohealth Institute Granada (IBs Granada) and Neuroscience Institute, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Omidian M, Shahrbabak FZ, Pouryousef A, Turki H, Sarkari B. Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among individuals with intellectual disability in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2023. [PMID: 37129061 DOI: 10.1111/jir.13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with mental defects are more likely to get the infection due to their low levels of health care and personal hygiene. The current study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection among individuals with intellectual disabilities in Hormozgan province, southern Iran. METHODS The study population was 117 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Venous blood (3 mL) was taken from each subject. A commercial ELISA kit was used to determine anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. RESULTS Of 117 recruited subjects, 55 (47.0%) were men and 62 (53.0%) were women. The mean age of participants was 27.6 (±12.31) years. Out of 117 studied subjects, 76 had severe and 41 had profound intellectual disabilities. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were detected in the sera of 35 out of 117 (29.9%) individuals. Seropositivity to toxoplasmosis was significantly higher in severe than in individuals with profound intellectual disabilities (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant association between Toxoplasma infection and age, sex and duration of residency in the rehabilitation centre. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study indicate that the prevalence of Toxoplasma in people with intellectual disabilities is not much different from other groups of the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Omidian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - F Z Shahrbabak
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - A Pouryousef
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - H Turki
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - B Sarkari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cui Z, Gong Y, Luo X, Zheng N, Tan S, Liu S, Li Y, Wang Q, Sun F, Hu M, Pan W, Yang X. β-Glucan alleviates goal-directed behavioral deficits in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:65. [PMID: 36782332 PMCID: PMC9926625 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05686-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a neuroinvasive parasite causing neuroinflammation, which in turn is associated with a higher risk for several psycho-behavioral disorders. There is an urgent need to identify drugs capable of improving cognitive deficits induced by T. gondii infection. β-Glucan, an active ingredient in mushrooms, could significantly enhance immunity. However, the effects of β-glucan against neuroinflammation and cognitive decline induced by T. gondii infection remain unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of β-glucan on goal-directed behavior of mice chronically infected by T. gondii Wh6 strain. METHODS A mice model of chronic T. gondii Wh6 infection was established by infecting mice by oral gavage with 10 cysts of T. gondii Wh6. Intraperitoneal injection of β-glucan was manipulated 2 weeks before T. gondii infection. Performance of the infected mice on the Y-maze test and temporal order memory (TOM) test was used to assess the goal-directed behavior. Golgi-Cox staining, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and western blot assays were used to detect prefrontal cortex-associated pathological change and neuroinflammation. RESULTS The administration of β-glucan significantly prevented T. gondii Wh6-induced goal-directed behavioral impairment as assessed behaviorally by the Y-maze test and TOM test. In the prefrontal cortex, β-glucan was able to counter T. gondii Wh6-induced degeneration of neurites, impairment of synaptic ultrastructure and decrease of pre- and postsynaptic protein levels. Also, β-glucan significantly prevented the hyperactivation of pro-inflammatory microglia and astrocytes, as well as the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines caused by chronic T. gondii Wh6 infection. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that β-glucan prevents goal-directed behavioral impairment induced by chronic T. gondii infection in mice. These findings suggest that β-glucan may be an effective drug candidate to prevent T. gondii-associated psycho-behavioral disorders including goal-directed behavioral injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Cui
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China ,grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Yuying Gong
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Xiaotong Luo
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China ,grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Niuyi Zheng
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Shimin Tan
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China ,grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Shuxi Liu
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China ,grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537The First Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Youwei Li
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China ,grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Qingling Wang
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Fenfen Sun
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Minmin Hu
- grid.417303.20000 0000 9927 0537Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004 Jiangsu China
| | - Wei Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Novel insights on the potential activity of propolis and wheat germ oil against chronic toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113811. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
|
8
|
Veleva I, Stoychev K, Stoimenova-Popova M, Stoyanov L, Mineva-Dimitrova E, Angelov I. Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and cognitive function in adults with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res Cogn 2022; 30:100269. [PMID: 36065435 PMCID: PMC9440062 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction and methods Based on the limited research focusing on the severity of cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia with preceding toxoplasmosis, we sampled 89 demographically matched paranoid schizophrenia patients (mean age 38.97 years) with (n = 42) and without (n = 47) seroprevalence of IgG type anti T. gondii antibodies as marker of past infection. They underwent examination of verbal memory (10 words Luria test), logical memory and visual memory (BVRT), processing speed (TMT-A/DSST) and executive functions (TMT-B/verbal fluency). We compared the results of both groups, taking into account the normative values for the Bulgarian population where available. We also compared the two groups in terms of clinical severity as evidenced by positive, negative and disorganization sub-scores of the PANSS. Results While both groups were expectedly under the population norms for verbal and logical memory, seropositive patients showed significantly bigger impairment in verbal memory (Luria Smax = 72.85 vs 78.51; p = 0.029), psychomotor speed (TMT-A 50.98 s vs 44.64 s; p = 0.017), semantic verbal fluency (27.12 vs 30.02; p = 0.011) and literal verbal fluency (17.17 vs 18.78; p = 0.014) compared to the seronegative ones. In addition to that, they gave less correct answers on the BVRT (2.98 vs 4.09; p = 0.006) while making markedly more errors (13.95 vs 10.21; p = 0.002). Despite not reaching statistical significance, past toxoplasmosis was associated with higher score on the PANSS disorganization sub-scale (16.50 points vs 14.72 points) and with lower educational attainment. Conclusion Our results suggest a more profound neuropathological insult(s) resulting in greater cognitive impairment in schizophrenia cases that are exposed to T. gondii infection.
Collapse
|
9
|
Host cell proteins modulated upon Toxoplasma infection identified using proteomic approaches: a molecular rationale. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1853-1865. [PMID: 35552534 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07541-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogenic protozoan parasite belonging to the apicomplexan phylum that infects the nucleated cells of warm-blooded hosts leading to an infectious disease known as toxoplasmosis. Apicomplexan parasites such as T. gondii can display different mechanisms to control or manipulate host cells signaling at different levels altering the host subcellular genome and proteome. Indeed, Toxoplasma is able to modulate host cell responses (especially immune responses) during infection to its advantage through both structural and functional changes in the proteome of different infected cells. Consequently, parasites can transform the invaded cells into a suitable environment for its own replication and the induction of infection. Proteomics as an applicable tool can identify such critical proteins involved in pathogen (Toxoplasma)-host cell interactions and consequently clarify the cellular mechanisms that facilitate the entry of pathogens into host cells, and their replication and transmission, as well as the central mechanisms of host defense against pathogens. Accordingly, the current paper reviews several proteins (identified using proteomic approaches) differentially expressed in the proteome of Toxoplasma-infected host cells (macrophages and human foreskin fibroblasts) and tissues (brain and liver) and highlights their plausible functions in the cellular biology of the infected cells. The identification of such modulated proteins and their related cell impact (cell responses/signaling) can provide further information regarding parasite pathogenesis and biology that might lead to a better understanding of therapeutic strategies and novel drug targets.
Collapse
|
10
|
Yin K, Xu C, Zhao G, Xie H. Epigenetic Manipulation of Psychiatric Behavioral Disorders Induced by Toxoplasma gondii. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:803502. [PMID: 35237531 PMCID: PMC8882818 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.803502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is known to have a complex life cycle and infect almost all kinds of warm-blooded animals around the world. The brain of the host could be persistently infected by cerebral cysts, and a variety of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and suicide have been reported to be related with latent toxoplasmosis. The infected animals showed fear reduction and a tendency to be preyed upon. However, the mechanism of this “parasites manipulation” effects have not been elucidated. Here, we reviewed the recent infection prevalence of toxoplasmosis and the evidence of mental and behavioral disorders induced by T. gondii and discussed the related physiological basis including dopamine dysregulation and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) pathway and the controversial opinion of the necessity for cerebral cysts existence. Based on the recent advances, we speculated that the neuroendocrine programs and neurotransmitter imbalance may play a key role in this process. Simultaneously, studies in the evaluation of the expression pattern of related genes, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and mRNAs of the host provides a new point for understanding the mechanism of neurotransmitter dysfunction induced by parasite manipulation. Therefore, we summarized the animal models, T. gondii strains, and behavioral tests used in the related epigenetic studies and the responsible epigenetic processes; pinpointed opportunities and challenges in future research including the causality evidence of human psychiatric disorders, the statistical analysis for rodent-infected host to be more vulnerable preyed upon; and identified responsible genes and drug targets through epigenetics.
Collapse
|
11
|
Daher D, Shaghlil A, Sobh E, Hamie M, Hassan ME, Moumneh MB, Itani S, El Hajj R, Tawk L, El Sabban M, El Hajj H. Comprehensive Overview of Toxoplasma gondii-Induced and Associated Diseases. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111351. [PMID: 34832507 PMCID: PMC8625914 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a prevalent protozoan parasite of medical and veterinary significance. It is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a neglected disease in which incidence and symptoms differ between patients and regions. In immunocompetent patients, toxoplasmosis manifests as acute and chronic forms. Acute toxoplasmosis presents as mild or asymptomatic disease that evolves, under the host immune response, into a persistent chronic disease in healthy individuals. Chronic toxoplasmosis establishes as latent tissue cysts in the brain and skeletal muscles. In immunocompromised patients, chronic toxoplasmosis may reactivate, leading to a potentially life-threatening condition. Recently, the association between toxoplasmosis and various diseases has been shown. These span primary neuropathies, behavioral and psychiatric disorders, and different types of cancer. Currently, a direct pre-clinical or clinical molecular connotation between toxoplasmosis and most of its associated diseases remains poorly understood. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on Toxoplasma-induced and associated diseases with a focus on available knowledge of the molecular players dictating these associations. We will also abridge the existing therapeutic options of toxoplasmosis and highlight the current gaps to explore the implications of toxoplasmosis on its associated diseases to advance treatment modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darine Daher
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Ahmad Shaghlil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, R. Hariri Campus, Lebanese University, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Eyad Sobh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, R. Hariri Campus, Lebanese University, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Malika Elhage Hassan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Mohamad Bahij Moumneh
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Shaymaa Itani
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Rana El Hajj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon;
| | - Lina Tawk
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut 1100 2807, Lebanon;
| | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +961–1-350000 (ext. 4897)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gajewski PD, Getzmann S, Bröde P, Burke M, Cadenas C, Capellino S, Claus M, Genç E, Golka K, Hengstler JG, Kleinsorge T, Marchan R, Nitsche MA, Reinders J, van Thriel C, Watzl C, Wascher E. Impact of biological and lifestyle factors on cognitive aging and work ability in the Dortmund Vital Study: Protocol of an interdisciplinary, cross-sectional, and longitudinal study (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 11:e32352. [PMID: 35285810 PMCID: PMC8961345 DOI: 10.2196/32352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Gajewski
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stephan Getzmann
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Peter Bröde
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Michael Burke
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Cristina Cadenas
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Silvia Capellino
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Maren Claus
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Erhan Genç
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Klaus Golka
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thomas Kleinsorge
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rosemarie Marchan
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jörg Reinders
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Carsten Watzl
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Edmund Wascher
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) at the Technical University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Alvarado-Esquivel C, Estrada-Martínez S, Ramos-Nevárez A, Pérez-Álamos AR, Beristain-García I, Alvarado-Félix ÁO, Cerrillo-Soto SM, Sifuentes-Álvarez A, Alvarado-Félix GA, Guido-Arreola CA, Saenz-Soto L. Association between Toxoplasma gondii Exposure and Suicidal Behavior in Patients Attending Primary Health Care Clinics. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060677. [PMID: 34070892 PMCID: PMC8229255 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the association between suicidal behavior and T. gondii seroreactivity in 2045 patients attending primary care clinics. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were found in 37 (12.1%) out of 306 individuals with a history of suicidal ideation and in 134 (7.7%) of 1739 individuals without this history (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.11–2.42; p = 0.01). Seropositivity to T. gondii was associated with suicidal ideation in women (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.01–2.42; p = 0.03) and individuals aged ≤30 years (OR: 3.25; 95% CI: 1.53–6.88; p = 0.001). No association between the rates of high (>150 IU/mL) levels of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and suicidal ideation or suicide attempts was found. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were found in 22 of 185 (11.9%) individuals with a history of suicide attempts and in 149 (8.0%) of 1860 individuals without this history (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 0.96–2.49; p = 0.06). The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was associated with suicide attempts in individuals aged 31–50 years (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.09–3.71; p = 0.02), and with more than three suicide attempts (OR: 4.02; 95% CI: 1.34–12.03; p = 0.008). Our results indicate that T. gondii exposure is associated with suicidal behavior among patients attending primary care clinics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango 34000, Mexico; (A.O.A.-F.); (A.S.-A.); (G.A.A.-F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-618-2364146
| | - Sergio Estrada-Martínez
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr Roberto Rivera-Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango 34000, Mexico; (S.E.-M.); (A.R.P.-A.)
| | - Agar Ramos-Nevárez
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, Durango 34079, Mexico; (A.R.-N.); (S.M.C.-S.); (C.A.G.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| | - Alma Rosa Pérez-Álamos
- Institute for Scientific Research “Dr Roberto Rivera-Damm”, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango 34000, Mexico; (S.E.-M.); (A.R.P.-A.)
| | - Isabel Beristain-García
- Facultad de Enfermería y Obstetricia Juárez University of Durango State, Blvd, Juan Pablo II 512, Durango 34000, Mexico;
| | - Ángel Osvaldo Alvarado-Félix
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango 34000, Mexico; (A.O.A.-F.); (A.S.-A.); (G.A.A.-F.)
| | - Sandra Margarita Cerrillo-Soto
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, Durango 34079, Mexico; (A.R.-N.); (S.M.C.-S.); (C.A.G.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| | - Antonio Sifuentes-Álvarez
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango 34000, Mexico; (A.O.A.-F.); (A.S.-A.); (G.A.A.-F.)
| | - Gustavo Alexis Alvarado-Félix
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, Durango 34000, Mexico; (A.O.A.-F.); (A.S.-A.); (G.A.A.-F.)
| | - Carlos Alberto Guido-Arreola
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, Durango 34079, Mexico; (A.R.-N.); (S.M.C.-S.); (C.A.G.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| | - Leandro Saenz-Soto
- Clínica de Medicina Familiar, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, Durango 34079, Mexico; (A.R.-N.); (S.M.C.-S.); (C.A.G.-A.); (L.S.-S.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
He Y, Qiang Y. Mechanism of Autonomic Exercise Improving Cognitive Function of Alzheimer's Disease by Regulating lncRNA SNHG14. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2021; 36:15333175211027681. [PMID: 34338033 PMCID: PMC10581095 DOI: 10.1177/15333175211027681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper studied the influence of exercise on the cognitive ability of AD patients and elucidated potential mechanisms. The expression of SNHG14 was validated by qRT-PCR. The cognitive impairment of mice was examined by MWM Test. ELISA tests were applied to discover the influence of SNHG14 on inflammation. Overexpression of SNHG14 was found in AD patients and underexpression of SNHG14 was identified in these AD patients after exercise. In APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, SNHG14 reversed the protective impacts of exercise on escape latency and distance moved. The upregulation of SNHG14 also inhibited the effects of exercise on the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant and times of platform crossing. Besides, overexpression of SNHG14 reversed the repressed expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. In total, exercise could ameliorate cognitive disorder and inflammation activity by reducing the levels of SNHG14.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen He
- Rehabilitation Department, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Qiang
- Rehabilitation Department, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hatton O, Stitzlein L, Dudley RW, Charvat RA. Evaluating the Antiparasitic Activity of Novel BPZ Derivatives Against Toxoplasma gondii. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8081159. [PMID: 32751616 PMCID: PMC7466062 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8081159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevalence studies revealed that one-third of the human population is chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Presently, such infections are without medical treatment that effectively eradicates the parasite once it is in its latent form. Moreover, the therapeutics used to treat acute infections are poorly tolerated by patients and also cause the parasite to convert into long-lasting tissue cysts. Hence, there is a dire need for compounds with antiparasitic activity against all forms of T. gondii. This study examines the antiparasitic capacity of nine novel bisphenol Z (BPZ) derivatives to determine whether they possessed any activity that prevented T. gondii replication. To begin assessing the efficacy of the novel derivatives, parasites were treated with increasing concentrations of the compounds, then doubling assays and MitoTracker staining were performed. Three of the nine compounds demonstrated strong inhibitory activity, i.e., parasite replication significantly decreased with higher concentrations. Additionally, many of the treated parasites exhibited decreases in fluorescent signaling and disruption of mitochondrial morphology. These findings suggest that bisphenol Z compounds disrupt mitochondrial function to inhibit parasite replication and may provide a foundation for the development of new and effective treatment modalities against T. gondii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Hatton
- Department of Biology, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH 45840, USA;
| | - Lea Stitzlein
- College of Pharmacy, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH 45840, USA; (L.S.); (R.W.D.)
| | - Richard W. Dudley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH 45840, USA; (L.S.); (R.W.D.)
| | - Robert A. Charvat
- Department of Biology, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH 45840, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-419-434-5746
| |
Collapse
|