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Ross R, Hasheminasab SS, Conejeros I, Gärtner U, Kamena F, Krueger A, Taubert A, Hermosilla C. Human dendritic cell interactions with the zoonotic parasite Cryptosporidium parvum result in activation and maturation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1388366. [PMID: 38799470 PMCID: PMC11116633 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1388366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis in humans is caused by infection of the zoonotic apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. In 2006, it was included by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the group of the most neglected poverty-related diseases. It is characterized by enteritis accompanied by profuse catarrhalic diarrhea with high morbidity and mortality, especially in children of developing countries under the age of 5 years and in HIV patients. The vulnerability of HIV patients indicates that a robust adaptive immune response is required to successfully fight this parasite. Little is known, however, about the adaptive immune response against C. parvum. To have an insight into the early events of the adaptive immune response, we generated primary human dendritic cells (DCs) from monocytes of healthy blood donors and exposed them to C. parvum oocysts and sporozoites in vitro. DCs are equipped with numerous receptors that detect microbial molecules and alarm signals. If stimulation is strong enough, an essential maturation process turns DCs into unique activators of naïve T cells, a prerequisite of any adaptive immune response. Parasite exposure highly induced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in DCs. Moreover, antigen-presenting molecules (HLA-DR and CD1a), maturation markers, and costimulatory molecules required for T-cell stimulation (CD83, CD40, and CD86) and adhesion molecules (CD11b and CD58) were all upregulated. In addition, parasite-exposed human DCs showed enhanced cell adherence, increased mobility, and a boosted but time-limited phagocytosis of C. parvum oocysts and sporozoites, representing other prerequisites for antigen presentation. Unlike several other microbial stimuli, C. parvum exposure rather led to increased oxidative consumption rates (OCRs) than extracellular acidification rates (ECARs) in DCs, indicating that different metabolic pathways were used to provide energy for DC activation. Taken together, C. parvum-exposed human DCs showed all hallmarks of successful maturation, enabling them to mount an effective adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Ross
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Seyed Sajjad Hasheminasab
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Iván Conejeros
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Gärtner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Faustin Kamena
- Laboratory for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Andreas Krueger
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Pala S, Martínez-Sáez L, Llobat L, Marín-García PJ. Prevalence and factors associated with Leishmania spp. and Toxoplasma gondii infections in apparently healthy horses in Eastern Spain. Res Vet Sci 2024; 171:105236. [PMID: 38531238 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105236] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and toxoplasmosis are two of the most common parasitic zoonoses. Leishmaniasis is endemic to 98 countries around the world, whereas toxoplasmosis is widely distributed throughout the world, causing significant health expenditure. Horses can play a relevant role in the transmission of the disease, being a silent reservoir, as clinical signs are not common. Serum samples from 166 horses living in eastern Spain (Mediterranean basin) were analysed to determine the presence of antibodies against Leishmania spp. and T. gondii by ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.) The risk factors evaluated were the geographical area and the relative humidity and average temperature, and epidemiological factors such as sex, reproductive status, age, breed, morphotype, living with other domestic animals, use and access to the outdoors. Seroprevalence of Leishmania spp. and T. gondii infection was found 28.92%, and 16.27% respectively, whereas co-infection of the two parasites was found only in two males. Leishmania seroprevalence was high in castrated males and several mesodolichomorphic equine breeds used for teaching, as well as in outdoor animals. The most elevated seroprevalence was found in winter with higher levels of rainfall, whereas high seroprevalence of T. gondii was found in crossbreeding animals and those used for breeding. High seroprevalence of Leishmania spp. and T. gondii was found in horses of the Mediterranean basin. These data suggest that horses can act as a silent reservoir and that this species has high potential for transmission to humans, outdoor animals and in geographical areas with high average rainfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Pala
- Molecular Mechanisms of Zoonotic Diseases (MMOPS) Research group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Lola Martínez-Sáez
- Molecular Mechanisms of Zoonotic Diseases (MMOPS) Research group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Lola Llobat
- Molecular Mechanisms of Zoonotic Diseases (MMOPS) Research group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Pablo Jesús Marín-García
- Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46113 Valencia, Spain
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De M, Sukla S, Bharatiya S, Keshri S, Roy DG, Roy S, Dutta D, Saha S, Ejazi SA, Ravichandiran V, Ali N, Chatterjee M, Chinnaswamy S. IFN-λ3 is induced by Leishmania donovani and can inhibit parasite growth in cell line models but not in the mouse model, while it shows a significant association with leishmaniasis in humans. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0050423. [PMID: 38193711 PMCID: PMC10863405 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00504-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani causes debilitating human diseases that involve visceral and dermal manifestations. Type 3 interferons (IFNs), also referred to as lambda IFNs (IFNL, IFN-L, or IFN-λ), are known to play protective roles against intracellular pathogens at the epithelial surfaces. Herein, we show that L. donovani induces IFN-λ3 in human as well as mouse cell line-derived macrophages. Interestingly, IFN-λ3 treatment significantly decreased parasite load in infected cells, mainly by increasing reactive oxygen species production. Microscopic examination showed that IFN-λ3 inhibited uptake but not replication, while the phagocytic ability of the cells was not affected. This was confirmed by experiments that showed that IFN-λ3 could decrease parasite load only when added to the medium at earlier time points, either during or soon after parasite uptake, but had no effect on parasite load when added at 24 h post-infection, suggesting that an early event during parasite uptake was targeted. Furthermore, the parasites could overcome the inhibitory effect of IFN-λ3, which was added at earlier time points, within 2-3 days post-infection. BALB/c mice treated with IFN-λ3 before infection led to a significant increase in expression of IL-4 and ARG1 post-infection in the spleen and liver, respectively, and to different pathological changes, especially in the liver, but not to changes in parasite load. Treatment with IFN-λ3 during infection did not decrease the parasite load in the spleen either. However, IFN-λ3 was significantly increased in the sera of visceral leishmaniasis patients, and the IFNL genetic variant rs12979860 was significantly associated with susceptibility to leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjarika De
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - Soumi Sukla
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
- Centre for High Impact Neuroscience and Translational Applications (CHINTA), TCG-Centres for Research and Education in Science and Technology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Seema Bharatiya
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Sagar Keshri
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Debarati Guha Roy
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
| | - Sutopa Roy
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Debrupa Dutta
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Shriya Saha
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - Sarfaraz Ahmad Ejazi
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - V. Ravichandiran
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Nahid Ali
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Mitali Chatterjee
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Sreedhar Chinnaswamy
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India
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Veshkini A, Dengler F, Bachmann L, Liermann W, Helm C, Ulrich R, Delling C, Kühn C, Hammon HM. Cryptosporidium parvum infection alters the intestinal mucosa transcriptome in neonatal calves: implications for immune function. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1351427. [PMID: 38318169 PMCID: PMC10839036 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1351427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the leading causes of infectious diarrhea in newborn calves is the apicomplexan protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum). However, little is known about its immunopathogenesis. Using next generation sequencing, this study investigated the immune transcriptional response to C. parvum infection in neonatal calves. Neonatal male Holstein-Friesian calves were either orally infected (N = 5) or not (CTRL group, N = 5) with C. parvum oocysts (gp60 subtype IIaA15G2R1) at day 1 of life and slaughtered on day 7 after infection. Total RNA was extracted from the jejunal mucosa for short read. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between infected and CTRL groups were assessed using DESeq2 at a false discovery rate < 0.05. Infection did not affect plasma immunohematological parameters, including neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, leucocyte, thrombocyte, and erythrocyte counts as well as hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration on day 7 post infection. The immune-related DEGs were selected according to the UniProt immune system process database and were used for gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis using Cytoscape (v3.9.1). Based on GO analysis, DEGs annotated to mucosal immunity, recognizing and presenting antigens, chemotaxis of neutrophils, eosinophils, natural killer cells, B and T cells mediated by signaling pathways including toll like receptors, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, T cell receptor, and NF-KB were upregulated, while markers of macrophages chemotaxis and cytosolic pattern recognition were downregulated. This study provides a holistic snapshot of immune-related pathways induced by C. parvum in calves, including novel and detailed feedback and feedforward regulatory mechanisms establishing the crosstalk between innate and adaptive immune response in neonate calves, which could be utilized further to develop new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Veshkini
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute of Nutritional Physiology “Oskar Kellner”, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Franziska Dengler
- Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Bachmann
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute of Nutritional Physiology “Oskar Kellner”, Dummerstorf, Germany
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Applied Science Neubrandenburg, Neubrandenburg, Germany
| | - Wendy Liermann
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute of Nutritional Physiology “Oskar Kellner”, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Christiane Helm
- Institutue for Veterinary Pathology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Reiner Ulrich
- Institutue for Veterinary Pathology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cora Delling
- Institute of Veterinary Parasitology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christa Kühn
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute of Genome Biology, Dummerstorf, Germany
- Agricultural and Environmental Faculty, University Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Harald M. Hammon
- Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Institute of Nutritional Physiology “Oskar Kellner”, Dummerstorf, Germany
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