1
|
Ribeiro AJ, Silva KA, Lopes LDS, Resende CAA, Couto CAP, Gandra IB, Pereira IAG, Barcelos ICDS, Pereira SP, Xavier SR, Tavares GDSV, Machado JM, Da Paz MC, Chávez-Fumagalli MA, Coelho EAF, Giunchetti RC, Chaves AT, Dutra WO, Gonçalves AAM, Galdino AS. The use of peptides for immunodiagnosis of human Chagas disease. Amino Acids 2024; 56:35. [PMID: 38698213 PMCID: PMC11065921 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-024-03394-6] [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: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, continues to be a serious public health problem in Latin America, worsened by the limitations in its detection. Given the importance of developing new diagnostic methods for this disease, the present review aimed to verify the number of publications dedicated to research on peptides that demonstrate their usefulness in serodiagnosis. To this end, a bibliographic survey was conducted on the PubMed platform using the keyword "peptide" or "epitope" combined with "Chagas disease" or "Trypanosoma cruzi"; "diagno*" or "serodiagnosis" or "immunodiagnosis", without period restriction. An increasing number of publications on studies employing peptides in ELISA and rapid tests assays was verified, which confirms the expansion of research in this field. It is possible to observe that many of the peptides tested so far originate from proteins widely used in the diagnosis of Chagas, and many of them are part of commercial tests developed. In this sense, as expected, promising results were obtained for several peptides when tested in ELISA, as many of them exhibited sensitivity and specificity values above 90%. Furthermore, some peptides have been tested in several studies, confirming their diagnostic potential. Despite the promising results observed, it is possible to emphasize the need for extensive testing of peptides, using different serological panels, in order to confirm their potential. The importance of producing an effective assay capable of detecting the clinical stages of the disease, as well as new immunogenic antigens that enable new serological diagnostic tools for Chagas disease, is evident.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Julia Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Kamila Alves Silva
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Lucas da Silva Lopes
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Carlos Ananias Aparecido Resende
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Carolina Alves Petit Couto
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Isadora Braga Gandra
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Isabela Amorim Gonçalves Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Caroline Dos Santos Barcelos
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Paula Pereira
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Sandra Rodrigues Xavier
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Grasiele de Sousa Viera Tavares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Juliana Martins Machado
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Mariana Campos Da Paz
- Laboratório de Bioativos e Nanobiotecnologia, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chávez-Fumagalli
- Computational Biology and Chemistry Research Group, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa, 04000, Peru
| | - Eduardo Antonio Ferraz Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ana Thereza Chaves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ana Alice Maia Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Divinópolis, e Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biotecnologia Industrial (INCT-BI), Divinópolis, MG, 35501-296, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Berhe H, Kumar Cinthakunta Sridhar M, Zerihun M, Qvit N. The Potential Use of Peptides in the Fight against Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:227. [PMID: 38399281 PMCID: PMC10892537 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020227] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are both neglected tropical diseases that affect millions of people around the world. Leishmaniasis is currently the second most widespread vector-borne parasitic disease after malaria. The World Health Organization records approximately 0.7-1 million newly diagnosed leishmaniasis cases each year, resulting in approximately 20,000-30,000 deaths. Also, 25 million people worldwide are at risk of Chagas disease and an estimated 6 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, miltefosine, paromomycin, and pentamidine are currently used to treat leishmaniasis. Also, nifurtimox and benznidazole are two drugs currently used to treat Chagas disease. These drugs are associated with toxicity problems such as nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, in addition to resistance problems. As a result, the discovery of novel therapeutic agents has emerged as a top priority and a promising alternative. Overall, there is a need for new and effective treatments for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, as the current drugs have significant limitations. Peptide-based drugs are attractive due to their high selectiveness, effectiveness, low toxicity, and ease of production. This paper reviews the potential use of peptides in the treatment of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Several studies have demonstrated that peptides are effective against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, suggesting their use in drug therapy for these diseases. Overall, peptides have the potential to be effective therapeutic agents against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, but more research is needed to fully investigate their potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nir Qvit
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.B.); (M.K.C.S.); (M.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Silva-Oliveira R, Sangenito LS, Reddy A, Velasco-Torrijos T, Santos ALS, Branquinha MH. In Vitro Effects of Aminopyridyl Ligands Complexed to Copper(II) on the Physiology and Interaction Process of Trypanosoma cruzi. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8050288. [PMID: 37235336 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8050288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is derived from the infection by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. In many countries, benznidazole is the only drug approved for clinical use despite several side effects and the emergence of resistant parasite strains. In this context, our group has previously pointed out that two novel aminopyridine derivatives complexed with Cu2+, namely, cis-aquadichloro(N-[4-(hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-pyridinemethamino)copper (3a) and its glycosylated ligand cis-dichloro (N-{[4-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)pheny]lmethyl}-2-pyridinemethamino)copper (3b), are effective against T. cruzi trypomastigote forms. With this result in mind, the present work aimed to investigate the effects of both compounds on trypomastigotes physiology and on the interaction process with host cells. Apart from loss of plasma membrane integrity, an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased mitochondrial metabolism were observed. Pretreatment of trypomastigotes with these metallodrugs inhibited the association index with LLC-MK2 cells in a typical dose-dependent manner. Both compounds showed low toxicity on mammalian cells (CC50 > 100 µM), and the IC50 values calculated for intracellular amastigotes were determined as 14.4 µM for 3a and 27.1 µM for 3b. This set of results demonstrates the potential of these aminopyridines complexed with Cu2+ as promising candidates for further antitrypanosomal drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Silva-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Estudos Avancados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Leandro S Sangenito
- Laboratório de Estudos Avancados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Nilópolis 26530-060, Brazil
| | - Andrew Reddy
- Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand
| | - Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos
- Department of Chemistry, Maynooth University, W23VP22 Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
- The Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, W23VP22 Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avancados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avancados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Logullo J, Diniz-Lima I, Rocha JDB, Cortê-Real S, Silva-Júnior EBD, Guimarães-de-Oliveira JC, Morrot A, Fonseca LMD, Freire-de-Lima L, Decote-Ricardo D, Freire-de-Lima CG. Increased Trypanosoma cruzi Growth during Infection of Macrophages Cultured on Collagen I Matrix. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041063. [PMID: 37109592 PMCID: PMC10143308 DOI: 10.3390/life13041063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The interactions between cell and cellular matrix confers plasticity to each body tissue, influencing the cellular migratory capacity. Macrophages rely on motility to promote their physiological function. These phagocytes are determinant for the control of invasive infections, and their immunological role largely depends on their ability to migrate and adhere to tissue. Therefore, they interact with the components of the extracellular matrix through their adhesion receptors, conferring morphological modifications that change their shape during migration. Nevertheless, the need to use in vitro cell growth models with the conditioning of three-dimensional synthetic matrices to mimic the dynamics of cell-matrix interaction has been increasingly studied. This becomes more important to effectively understand the changes occurring in phagocyte morphology in the context of infection progression, such as in Chagas disease. This disease is caused by the intracellular pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi, capable of infecting macrophages, determinant cells in the anti-trypanosomatid immunity. In the present study, we sought to understand how an in vitro extracellular matrix model interferes with T. cruzi infection in macrophages. Using different time intervals and parasite ratios, we evaluated the cell morphology and parasite replication rate in the presence of 3D collagen I matrix. Nevertheless, microscopy techniques such as scanning electron microscopy were crucial to trace macrophage-matrix interactions. In the present work, we demonstrated for the first time that the macrophage-matrix interaction favors T. cruzi in vitro replication and the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines during macrophage infection, in addition to drastically altering the morphology of the macrophages and promoting the formation of migratory macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorgete Logullo
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, RJ, Brazil
| | - Israel Diniz-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, RJ, Brazil
| | - Juliana Dutra B Rocha
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, RJ, Brazil
| | - Suzana Cortê-Real
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Elias Barbosa da Silva-Júnior
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Morrot
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitogia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Marques da Fonseca
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, RJ, Brazil
| | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
| | - Celio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Synthetic Analogues of Gibbilimbol B Induce Bioenergetic Damage and Calcium Imbalance in Trypanosoma cruzi. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030663. [PMID: 36983820 PMCID: PMC10052702 DOI: 10.3390/life13030663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is an endemic tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which affects around 7 million people worldwide, mostly in development countries. The treatment relies on only two available drugs, with severe adverse effects and a limited efficacy. Therefore, the search for new therapies is a legitimate need. Within this context, our group reported the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of gibbilimbol B, a natural alkylphenol isolated from the plant Piper malacophyllum. Two synthetic derivatives, LINS03018 (1) and LINS03024 (2), demonstrated a higher antiparasitic potency and were selected for mechanism of action investigations. Our studies revealed no alterations in the plasma membrane potential, but a rapid alkalinization of the acidocalcisomes. Nevertheless, compound 1 exhibit a pronounced effect in the bioenergetics metabolism, with a mitochondrial impairment and consequent decrease in ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Compound 2 only depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential, with no interferences in the respiratory chain. Additionally, no macrophages response of nitric oxide (NO) was observed in both compounds. Noteworthy, simple structure modifications in these derivatives induced significant differences in their lethal effects. Thus, this work reinforces the importance of the mechanism of action investigations at the early phases of drug discovery and support further developments of the series.
Collapse
|
6
|
Oliveira C, Holetz FB, Alves LR, Ávila AR. Modulation of Virulence Factors during Trypanosoma cruzi Differentiation. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010032. [PMID: 36678380 PMCID: PMC9865030 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This protozoan developed several mechanisms to infect, propagate, and survive in different hosts. The specific expression of proteins is responsible for morphological and metabolic changes in different parasite stages along the parasite life cycle. The virulence strategies at the cellular and molecular levels consist of molecules responsible for mediating resistance mechanisms to oxidative damage, cellular invasion, and immune evasion, performed mainly by surface proteins. Since parasite surface coat remodeling is crucial to invasion and infectivity, surface proteins are essential virulence elements. Understanding the factors involved in these processes improves the knowledge of parasite pathogenesis. Genome sequencing has opened the door to high-throughput technologies, allowing us to obtain a deeper understanding of gene reprogramming along the parasite life cycle and identify critical molecules for survival. This review therefore focuses on proteins regulated during differentiation into infective forms considered virulence factors and addresses the current known mechanisms acting in the modulation of gene expression, emphasizing mRNA signals, regulatory factors, and protein complexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Oliveira
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
- Centre de Recherche CERVO, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Fabíola Barbieri Holetz
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Lysangela Ronalte Alves
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity CHU de Quebec Research Center, University Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Andréa Rodrigues Ávila
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Apicomplexa, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-41-33163230
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rodríguez-Durán J, Gallardo JP, Alba Soto CD, Gómez KA, Potenza M. The Kinetoplastid-Specific Protein TcCAL1 Plays Different Roles During In Vitro Differentiation and Host-Cell Invasion in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:901880. [PMID: 35846750 PMCID: PMC9280158 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.901880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the pathogen Typanosoma cruzi, the calcium ion (Ca2+) regulates key processes for parasite survival. However, the mechanisms decoding Ca2+ signals are not fully identified or understood. Here, we investigate the role of a hypothetical Ca2+-binding protein named TcCAL1 in the in vitro life cycle of T. cruzi. Results showed that the overexpression of TcCAL1 fused to a 6X histidine tag (TcCAL1-6xHis) impaired the differentiation of epimastigotes into metacyclic trypomastigotes, significantly decreasing metacyclogenesis rates. When the virulence of transgenic metacyclic trypomastigotes was explored in mammalian cell invasion assays, we found that the percentage of infection was significantly higher in Vero cells incubated with TcCAL1-6xHis-overexpressing parasites than in controls, as well as the number of intracellular amastigotes. Additionally, the percentage of Vero cells with adhered metacyclic trypomastigotes significantly increased in samples incubated with TcCAL1-6xHis-overexpressing parasites compared with controls. In contrast, the differentiation rates from metacyclic trypomastigotes to axenic amastigotes or the epimastigote proliferation in the exponential phase of growth have not been affected by TcCAL1-6xHis overexpression. Based on our findings, we speculate that TcCAL1 exerts its function by sequestering intracellular Ca2+ by its EF-hand motifs (impairing metacyclogenesis) and/or due to an unknown activity which could be amplified by the ion binding (promoting cell invasion). This work underpins the importance of studying the kinetoplastid-specific proteins with unknown functions in pathogen parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rodríguez-Durán
- Laboratorio de Biología e Inmunología de las Infecciones por Tripanosomátidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor Torres”—CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Pablo Gallardo
- Laboratorio de Biología e Inmunología de las Infecciones por Tripanosomátidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor Torres”—CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Catalina Dirney Alba Soto
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karina Andrea Gómez
- Laboratorio de Biología e Inmunología de las Infecciones por Tripanosomátidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor Torres”—CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Potenza
- Laboratorio de Biología e Inmunología de las Infecciones por Tripanosomátidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor Torres”—CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Mariana Potenza, ;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wiser MF. Unique Endomembrane Systems and Virulence in Pathogenic Protozoa. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11080822. [PMID: 34440567 PMCID: PMC8401336 DOI: 10.3390/life11080822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virulence in pathogenic protozoa is often tied to secretory processes such as the expression of adhesins on parasite surfaces or the secretion of proteases to assisted in tissue invasion and other proteins to avoid the immune system. This review is a broad overview of the endomembrane systems of pathogenic protozoa with a focus on Giardia, Trichomonas, Entamoeba, kinetoplastids, and apicomplexans. The focus is on unique features of these protozoa and how these features relate to virulence. In general, the basic elements of the endocytic and exocytic pathways are present in all protozoa. Some of these elements, especially the endosomal compartments, have been repurposed by the various species and quite often the repurposing is associated with virulence. The Apicomplexa exhibit the most unique endomembrane systems. This includes unique secretory organelles that play a central role in interactions between parasite and host and are involved in the invasion of host cells. Furthermore, as intracellular parasites, the apicomplexans extensively modify their host cells through the secretion of proteins and other material into the host cell. This includes a unique targeting motif for proteins destined for the host cell. Most notable among the apicomplexans is the malaria parasite, which extensively modifies and exports numerous proteins into the host erythrocyte. These modifications of the host erythrocyte include the formation of unique membranes and structures in the host erythrocyte cytoplasm and on the erythrocyte membrane. The transport of parasite proteins to the host erythrocyte involves several unique mechanisms and components, as well as the generation of compartments within the erythrocyte that participate in extraparasite trafficking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark F Wiser
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| |
Collapse
|