1
|
Elias MJ, Cesar G, Caputo MB, De Rissio AM, Alvarez MG, Lococo B, Natale MA, Albizu CL, Podhorzer A, Parodi C, Albareda MC, Laucella SA. Increased Natural Killer (NK)-cell cytotoxicity and Trypanosoma cruzi-specific memory B cells in subjects with discordant serology for Chagas disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167237. [PMID: 38750768 PMCID: PMC11185218 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167237] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
The presence of memory T cell specific for Trypanosoma cruzi in subjects with discordant serology for Chagas disease supports a cleared infection in these subjects. Using high-dimensional flow cytometry, ELISPOT assays and quantitative PCR, antibody-secreting cells and memory B cells specific for T. cruzi, total B-cell phenotypes, innate immune responses and parasite DNA were evaluated in serodiscordant, seropositive and seronegative subjects for T. cruzi infection. T. cruzi-specific memory B cells but no antibody-secreting cells specific for T. cruzi, increased proportion of nonclassical monocytes and increased levels of polyfunctional NK cells were found in serodiscordant compared with seropositive subjects. None of the serodiscordant subjects evaluated showed detectable parasite DNA, most of them did not show cardiac abnormalities and a group of them had had confirmed positive serology for Chagas disease. The unique immune profiles in serodiscordant subjects support that T. cruzi infection was cleared or profoundly controlled in these subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María J Elias
- Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Cesar
- Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María B Caputo
- Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana M De Rissio
- Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María G Alvarez
- Chagas Disease Unit, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bruno Lococo
- Chagas Disease Unit, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María A Natale
- Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Constanza López Albizu
- Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ariel Podhorzer
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX-CONICET), Academia Nacional de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Parodi
- Instituto de Patología Experimental (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - María C Albareda
- Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana A Laucella
- Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben", Buenos Aires, Argentina; Chagas Disease Unit, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
de Lima ACB, Mendes VG, Ferreira RR, Nisimura LM, Horita SIM, Veloso HH, Costa AR, da Silva GMS, Sangenis LHC, Holanda MT, Rimolo L, Cunha AB, Garzoni LR, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, Mediano MFF, Moreira ODC, Britto C, Saraiva RM. Predictors of Trypanosoma cruzi PCR positivity in patients with chronic Chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 118:e230115. [PMID: 38126526 PMCID: PMC10727046 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760230115] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A positive Trypanosoma cruzi polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with chronic Chagas disease (CD). OBJECTIVES To study the association of clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic characteristics and biomarker blood levels with positive T. cruzi PCR in chronic CD. METHODS This is a single-centre observational cross-sectional study. Positive T. cruzi PCR association with clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic characteristics, and biomarker blood levels were studied by logistic regression analysis. p values < 0.05 were considered significant. FINDINGS Among 333 patients with chronic CD (56.4% men; 62 ± 10 years), T. cruzi PCR was positive in 41.1%. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression showed an independent association between positive T. cruzi PCR and diabetes mellitus {odds ratio (OR) 0.53 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30-0.93]; p = 0.03}, right bundle branch block [OR 1.78 (95% CI 1.09-2.89); p = 0.02], and history of trypanocidal treatment [OR 0.13 (95% CI 0.04-0.38); p = 0.0002]. Among patients with a history of trypanocidal treatment (n = 39), only four (10%) patients had a positive T. cruzi PCR. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Among several studied parameters, only diabetes mellitus, right bundle branch block, and history of trypanocidal treatment showed an independent association with positive T. cruzi PCR. History of trypanocidal treatment was a strong protective factor against a positive T. cruzi PCR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Bastos de Lima
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Veronica Gonçalves Mendes
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Roberto Rodrigues Ferreira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Lindice Mitie Nisimura
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Samuel Iwao Maia Horita
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Henrique H Veloso
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Andréa R Costa
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Gilberto Marcelo S da Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Luiz Henrique C Sangenis
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcelo T Holanda
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Lorena Rimolo
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Ademir B Cunha
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro, Niterói, RJ, Brasil
| | - Luciana Ribeiro Garzoni
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Alejandro Marcel Hasslocher-Moreno
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Mauro Felippe F Mediano
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Otacílio da Cruz Moreira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Constança Britto
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Roberto M Saraiva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Doença de Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Toledo A, Fragoso G, Carrillo-Mezo R, Romo ML, Sciutto E, Fleury A. Can sPD-1 and sPD-L1 Plasma Concentrations Predict Treatment Response among Patients with Extraparenchymal Neurocysticercosis? Pathogens 2023; 12:1116. [PMID: 37764924 PMCID: PMC10535301 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis (EP-NC) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening disease that responds poorly to initial anthelmintic drug therapy. A depressed specific reactivity of peripheral lymphocytes and an increased level of specific Tregs accompanies EP-NC. The immune checkpoint pathway PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 downregulates effector T cells, causing specific immune suppression in chronic diseases. This study explored whether their soluble forms, sPD-1/sPD-L1, are present in plasma among patients with EP-NC and if their levels could be associated with treatment response. A total of 21 patients with vesicular EP-NC and 22 healthy controls were included. Patients received standard treatment and were followed for six months to assess treatment response by assessing changes in cyst volume determined with 3D MRI. The presence of both sPD-1 and sPD-L1 was more frequently detected among patients with EP-NC than in healthy controls and had higher concentrations. Among patients, higher pre-treatment levels of both markers were associated with a poor treatment response, and the sensitivity and specificity of the sPD-1/sPD-L1 ratio for predicting any response to treatment were high. Our results are consistent with the presence of lymphocyte exhaustion and open new research perspectives to improve the prognosis of patients with this severe disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Toledo
- Unidad de Neuro Inflamación, Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)/Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México 14269, Mexico
- División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Gladis Fragoso
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Roger Carrillo-Mezo
- Departamento de Neurorradiología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México 14269, Mexico
| | - Matthew L Romo
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Edda Sciutto
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Agnès Fleury
- Unidad de Neuro Inflamación, Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)/Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México 14269, Mexico
- Clínica de Neurocisticercosis, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México 14269, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gómez I, López MC, Egui A, Palacios G, Carrilero B, Benítez C, Simón M, Segovia M, Carmelo E, Thomas MC. Differential expression profile of genes involved in the immune response associated to progression of chronic Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011474. [PMID: 37440604 PMCID: PMC10368263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic Chagas disease present marked clinical and immunological heterogeneity. During the disease, multiple immune mechanisms are activated to fight the parasite. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of genes involved in relevant immunological processes throughout the disease in patients with chronic Chagas disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS High-throughput RT-qPCR with QuantStudio 12K Flex real-time PCR system was used to evaluate the expression of 106 immune-related genes in PBMC from a cohort of cardiac Chagas disease patients (CCC I), asymptomatic patients (IND) and healthy donors (HD) after being stimulated with T. cruzi soluble antigens. Principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and volcano plots were used to identify differentially expressed genes. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was employed to identify the enriched immunological pathways in which these genes are involved. PCA revealed the existence of a statistically divergent expression profile of the 36 genes correlated with PC1 between CCC I patients and HD (p < 0.0001). Differential gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of 41 genes (expression fold-change > 1.5) and downregulation of 14 genes (expression fold-change < 0.66) (p = 8.4x10-13 to p = 0.007) in CCC I patients versus HD. Furthermore, significant differences in the expression level of specific genes have been identified between CCC I and IND patients (8 up and 1 downregulated). GSEA showed that several upregulated genes in CCC I patients participate in immunological pathways such as antigen-dependent B cell activation, stress induction of HSP regulation, NO2-dependent IL12 pathway in NK cells, cytokines-inflammatory response and IL-10 anti-inflammatory signaling. CONCLUSIONS Cardiac Chagas disease patients show an antigen-specific differential gene expression profile in which several relevant immunological pathways seem to be activated. Assessment of gene expression profiles reveal unique insights into the immune response that occurs along chronic Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Gómez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | - Génesis Palacios
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Bartolomé Carrilero
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Celia Benítez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | - Marina Simón
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Segovia
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Emma Carmelo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bailly C. Contribution of the TIM-3/Gal-9 immune checkpoint to tropical parasitic diseases. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106792. [PMID: 36509129 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neglected tropical parasitic diseases (NTD) are prevalent in many countries and cost-effective treatments remain urgently needed. Novel approaches have been proposed to address these diseases through an action on immune co-inhibitory checkpoints which are exploited by parasites to evade the immune system. Among these checkpoints, TIM-3 has been shown to play a key role in antiparasitic immunity via a repression and functional attenuation of CD4+ and/or CD8+ T-cells. The present review discusses the role of the TIM-3/galectin-9 checkpoint in seven major NTD: Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and malaria (3 trypanosomatid infections), schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, echinococcosis and filariasis (4 helminth infections). In each case, the role of the checkpoint has been analyzed and the use of anti-TIM-3 antibodies evaluated as a potential therapeutic approach. In general, the parasitic infection is coupled with an upregulation of TIM-3 expressed on T cells, but not necessarily with an exhaustion of those T cells. In several cases, the use of anti-TIM-3 antibodies represent a possible strategy to reinforce the clearance and to reduce the parasite load. Promising data have been reported in cases of leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis, whereas a similar approach proved much less efficient (if not deleterious) in cases of echinococcosis and the Chagas disease. Nevertheless, the TIM-3 checkpoint warrants further consideration as a potential immune target to combat these pathologies, using antibodies or drugs capable of reducing directly or indirectly the expression and function of the checkpoint, to restore an immune control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bailly
- OncoWitan, Scientific Consulting Office, Lille (Wasquehal), 59290, France; University of Lille, Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), Faculté de Pharmacie, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse, BP-83, F-59006, Lille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Koh CC, Neves EGA, de Souza-Silva TG, Carvalho AC, Pinto CHR, Sobreira Galdino A, Gollob KJ, Dutra WO. Cytokine Networks as Targets for Preventing and Controlling Chagas Heart Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:171. [PMID: 36839443 PMCID: PMC9966322 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020171] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a neglected disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in 21 Latin American countries, affecting 6-8 million people. Increasing numbers of Chagas disease cases have also been reported in non-endemic countries due to migration, contamination via blood transfusions or organ transplantation, characterizing Chagas as an emerging disease in such regions. While most individuals in the chronic phase of Chagas disease remain in an asymptomatic clinical form named indeterminate, approximately 30% of the patients develop a cardiomyopathy that is amongst the deadliest cardiopathies known. The clinical distinctions between the indeterminate and the cardiac clinical forms are associated with different immune responses mediated by innate and adaptive cells. In this review, we present a collection of studies focusing on the human disease, discussing several aspects that demonstrate the association between chemokines, cytokines, and cytotoxic molecules with the distinct clinical outcomes of human infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. In addition, we discuss the role of gene polymorphisms in the transcriptional control of these immunoregulatory molecules. Finally, we discuss the potential application of cytokine expression and gene polymorphisms as markers of susceptibility to developing the severe form of Chagas disease, and as targets for disease control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Cattoni Koh
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Eula G. A. Neves
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Thaiany Goulart de Souza-Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Carvalho
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Cecília Horta Ramalho Pinto
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei (UFSJ), Campus Centro Oeste, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Kenneth J. Gollob
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, SP, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais, INCT-DT, Salvador 40110-160, BA, Brazil
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais, INCT-DT, Salvador 40110-160, BA, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Puerta CJ, Cuellar A, Lasso P, Mateus J, Gonzalez JM. Trypanosoma cruzi-specific CD8 + T cells and other immunological hallmarks in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: Two decades of research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 12:1075717. [PMID: 36683674 PMCID: PMC9846209 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1075717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, has coexisted with humans for thousands of years. Therefore, the parasite has developed several mechanisms of antigenic variability that has allowed it to live inside the cells and evade the host immune response. Since T. cruzi displays an intracellular cycle-stage, our research team focused on providing insights into the CD8+ T cells immune response in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. We began our work in the 2000s studying parasite antigens that induce natural immune responses such as the KMP11 protein and TcTLE, its N-terminal derived peptide. Different approaches allowed us to reveal TcTLE peptide as a promiscuous CD8+ T cell epitope, able of inducing multifunctional cellular immune responses and eliciting a humoral response capable of decreasing parasite movement and infective capacity. Next, we demonstrated that as the disease progresses, total CD8+ T cells display a dysfunctional state characterized by a prolonged hyper-activation state along with an increase of inhibitory receptors (2B4, CD160, PD-1, TIM-3, CTLA-4) expression, an increase of specific terminal effector T cells (TTE), a decrease of proliferative capacity, a decrease of stem cell memory (TSCM) frequency, and a decrease of CD28 and CD3ζ expression. Thus, parasite-specific CD8+ T cells undergo clonal exhaustion, distinguished by an increase in late-differentiated cells, a mono-functional response, and enhanced expression of inhibitory receptors. Finally, it was found that anti-parasitic treatment induces an improved CD8+ T cell response in asymptomatic individuals, and a mouse animal model led us to establish a correlation between the quality of the CD8+ T cell responses and the outcome of chronic infection. In the future, using OMICs strategies, the identification of the specific cellular signals involved in disease progression will provide an invaluable resource for discovering new biomarkers of progression or new vaccine and immunotherapy strategies. Also, the inclusion of the TcTLE peptide in the rational design of epitope-based vaccines, the development of immunotherapy strategies using TSCM or the blocking of inhibitory receptors, and the use of the CD8+ T cell response quality to follow treatments, immunotherapies or vaccines, all are alternatives than could be explored in the fight against Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Concepción J Puerta
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuellar
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences Group, Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jose Mateus
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Infectious Diseases Group, Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John M Gonzalez
- Group of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Caputo MB, Elias J, Cesar G, Alvarez MG, Laucella SA, Albareda MC. Role of the Complement System in the Modulation of T-Cell Responses in Chronic Chagas Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:910854. [PMID: 35846776 PMCID: PMC9282465 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.910854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the intracellular pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi, is the parasitic disease with the greatest impact in Latin America and the most common cause of infectious myocarditis in the world. The immune system plays a central role in the control of T. cruzi infection but at the same time needs to be controlled to prevent the development of pathology in the host. It has been shown that persistent infection with T. cruzi induces exhaustion of parasite-specific T cell responses in subjects with chronic Chagas disease. The continuous inflammatory reaction due to parasite persistence in the heart also leads to necrosis and fibrosis. The complement system is a key element of the innate immune system, but recent findings have also shown that the interaction between its components and immune cell receptors might modulate several functions of the adaptive immune system. Moreover, the findings that most of immune cells can produce complement proteins and express their receptors have led to the notion that the complement system also has non canonical functions in the T cell. During human infection by T. cruzi, complement activation might play a dual role in the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease; it is initially crucial in controlling parasitemia and might later contributes to the development of symptomatic forms of Chagas disease due to its role in T-cell regulation. Herein, we will discuss the putative role of effector complement molecules on T-cell immune exhaustion during chronic human T. cruzi infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Caputo
- Investigation Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Josefina Elias
- Investigation Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Cesar
- Investigation Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Gabriela Alvarez
- Chagas Section, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana Adriana Laucella
- Investigation Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Chagas Section, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Albareda
- Investigation Department, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Arana Y, Gálvez RI, Jacobs T. Role of the PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway in Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi Infection and Potential Therapeutic Options. Front Immunol 2022; 13:866120. [PMID: 35812458 PMCID: PMC9260015 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.866120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected chronic infection caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). A significant portion of infected people develops cardiac or digestive alterations over a lifetime. Since several chronic infections associated with antigen persistence and inflammation have been shown to lead to T cell exhaustion, new therapies targeting co-inhibitory receptors to regain T cell activity are under consideration. This study explored immune therapeutic approaches targeting the inhibitory PD-1/PD-L pathway in an experimental model for CD. Infected PD-L1 knockout mice (PD-L1 KO) showed increased systemic parasitemia in blood although no significant differences in parasite load were observed in different organs. Furthermore, we found no significant differences in the frequency of activated T cells or proinflammatory cytokine production when compared to WT counterparts. PD-L1 deficiency led to the production of IL-10 by CD8+ T cells and an upregulation of Tim-3 and CD244 (2B4). Unexpectedly, the lack of PD-L1 did not contribute to a significantly improved T cell response to infection. Single blockade and combined blockade of PD-1 and Tim-3 using monoclonal antibodies confirmed the results observed in infected. PD-L1 KO mice. Our results describe for the first time that the interruption of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis during acute T. cruzi infection does not necessarily enhance the immune response against this parasite. Its interruption favors increased levels of parasitemia and sustained upregulation of other co-inhibitory receptors as well as the production of regulatory cytokines. These results suggest that the clinical application of immune therapeutic approaches targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in CD might be risky and associated with adverse events. It highlights that more research is urgently needed to better understand the immune regulation of T cells in CD before designing immune therapeutic approaches for a clinical context.
Collapse
|
10
|
Jones KM, Poveda C, Versteeg L, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. Preclinical advances and the immunophysiology of a new therapeutic chagas disease vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1185-1203. [PMID: 35735065 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2093721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic infection with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi leads to a progressive cardiac disease, known as chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC). A new therapeutic Chagas disease vaccine is in development to augment existing antiparasitic chemotherapy drugs. AREAS COVERED We report on our current understanding of the underlying immunologic and physiologic mechanisms that lead to CCC, including parasite immune escape mechanisms that allow persistence and the subsequent inflammatory and fibrotic processes that lead to clinical disease. We report on vaccine design and the observed immunotherapeutic effects including induction of a balanced TH1/TH2/TH17 immune response that leads to reduced parasite burdens and tissue pathology. Further, we report vaccine-linked chemotherapy, a dose sparing strategy to further reduce parasite burdens and tissue pathology. EXPERT OPINION Our vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic approach is a multimodal treatment strategy, addressing both the parasite persistence and the underlying deleterious host inflammatory and fibrotic responses that lead to cardiac dysfunction. In targeting treatment towards patients with chronic indeterminate or early determinate Chagas disease, this vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic approach will be highly economical and will reduce the global disease burden and deaths due to CCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Jones
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America.,James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gálvez RI, Jacobs T. Exhausted PD-1+ TOX+ CD8+ T Cells Arise Only in Long-Term Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:866179. [PMID: 35720419 PMCID: PMC9203896 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.866179] [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: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi remains the most important neglected zoonosis in Latin America. This infection does not lead to specific symptoms in the acute phase, but chronic infection can result in Chagas disease (CD) with cardiac and/or gastrointestinal manifestations that can lead to death. CD8+ T cells are highly effective and essential to control this infection, but fail to eliminate all parasites. In this study, we show that the CD8+ T cells are modulated by the transient induction of co-inhibitory receptors during acute infection of C57BL/6 mice. Therapeutic intervention strategies with blocking antibodies only had a marginal effect on the elimination of parasite reservoirs. Only long-term chronic infection gave rise to dysfunctional CD8+ T cells, which were characterized by high expression of the inhibitory receptor PD-1 and the co-expression of the transcription factor TOX, which plays a crucial role in the maintenance of the exhausted phenotype. PD-1+ TOX+ CD8+ T cells isolated from the site of infection produced significantly less IFN-γ, TNF-α and Granzyme B than their PD-1- TOX- CD8+ T cell counterparts after T. cruzi-specific stimulation ex vivo. Taken together, we provide evidence that, in the context of experimental infection of mice, the magnitude of the CD8+ T cell response in the acute phase is sufficient for parasite control and cannot be further increased by targeting co-inhibitory receptors. In contrast, persistent long-term chronic infection leads to an increase of exhausted T cells within the tissues of persistence. To our knowledge, this is the first description of infection-induced CD8+ T cells with an exhausted phenotype and reduced cytokine production in muscles of T. cruzi-infected mice.
Collapse
|
12
|
Márvez ER, Segura CAR, Requena JM, Puerta CJ. A dataset of proteins associated with Trypanosoma cruzi LYT1 mRNAs. Data Brief 2022; 41:107953. [PMID: 35242934 PMCID: PMC8867043 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.107953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional gene regulation in Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, plays a critical role in ensuring that the parasite successfully completes its life cycle in both of its obligate hosts: insect vector and mammals. This regulation is basically governed by RNA binding proteins (RBPs) through their interactions with cis-elements located in the UTRs of their mRNA targets. LYT1 gene, coding for a virulence factor of T. cruzi, is expressed into two isoforms: kLYT1 and mLYT1, which play different functions according to their cellular location and parasite life-cycle stages. Whereas kLYT1 exhibits a regulatory role during the epimastigote-to-metacyclic trypomastigote stage transition, mLYT1 acts as a pore-forming protein, relevant for host cell invasion and parasite intracellular survival. Considering the LYT1 biological relevance and the fact that this is a protein exclusive of T. cruzi, the protein and its mechanisms regulating the alternative gene expression products are promising targets for therapeutic intervention. In this work, an experimental approach consisting of pull-downs assays followed by proteomic analyzes was carried out to identify the proteins interacting with the different LYT1 mRNAs. The dataset presented here was obtained through three biological replicates using all the different UTRs characterized in the LYT1 mRNAs (i.e., 5´UTR kLYT1, 5´UTR mLYT1, and I and II-type 3´UTRs) as baits, and protein extracts from epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of the 058 PUJ (DTU I) strain. Bound proteins were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC/MS). As a control of non-specificity, the same protein extracts were incubated with Leishmania braziliensis rRNA and the bound proteins also identified by LC/MS. In all, 1,557 proteins were identified, 313 of them were found in at least two replicates and 18 proteins were exclusively associated with the LYT1 baits. Of these, six proteins have motifs related to RNA binding, and seven remain annotated as hypothetical proteins. Remarkably, three of these hypothetical proteins also contain nucleic acid binding motifs. This knowledge, beside expanding the known T. cruzi proteome, gains insight into putative regulatory proteins responsible for alternative LYT1 mRNAs processing. Raw mass spectrometry data are available via MassIVE proteome Xchange with identifier PXD027371.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ruiz Márvez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - César Augusto Ramírez Segura
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - José María Requena
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Grupo Regulación de la Expresión Génica en Leishmania del Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pardo-Rodriguez D, Lasso P, Mateus J, Mendez J, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A, Robles J, Cuervo C. A terpenoid-rich extract from Clethra fimbriata exhibits anti- Trypanosoma cru zi activity and induces T cell cytokine production. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09182. [PMID: 35368545 PMCID: PMC8968664 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a worldwide public health concern, is a chronic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Considering T. cruzi chronic persistence correlates with CD4+ and CD8+ T cell dysfunction and the safety and efficacy profiles of Benznidazol and Nifurtimox, the two drugs currently used for its etiological treatment, are far from ideal, the search of new trypanocidal treatment options is a highly relevant issue. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the trypanocidal effect and cytokine production induction of three extracts (hexane, dichloromethane and hydroalcoholic) obtained from Clethra fimbriata, a plant traditionally used as a febrifuge in Colombia. Additionally, the extracts’ major components with the highest trypanocidal activity were determined. It was evidenced C. fimbriata hexane extract exhibited the highest activity capable of inhibiting the three parasite developmental stages with an IC50/EC50 of 153.9 ± 29.5 (epimastigotes), 39.3 ± 7.2 (trypomastigotes), and 45.6 ± 10.5 (amastigotes) μg/mL, presenting a low cytotoxicity in VERO cells with a selectivity index ranging from 6.49 to 25.4. Moreover, this extract induced trypomastigote apoptotic death and inhibited parasite cell infection. The extract also induced IFN-γ and TNF production in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as de novo production of the cytotoxic molecules granzyme B and perforin in CD8+ T cells from healthy donors. Fatty acids and terpenes represented C. fimbriata key compounds. Thus, the trypanocidal activity and cytokine production induction of the hexane extract may be associated with terpene presence, particularly, triterpenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pardo-Rodriguez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Productos Naturales, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - José Mateus
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mendez
- Grupo de Productos Naturales, Universidad del Tolima, Tolima, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo en Ciencias de Laboratorio Clínico, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jorge Robles
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mateus J, Nocua P, Lasso P, López MC, Thomas MC, Egui A, Cuervo C, González JM, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A. CD8 + T Cell Response Quality Is Related to Parasite Control in an Animal Model of Single and Mixed Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infections. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:723121. [PMID: 34712620 PMCID: PMC8546172 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.723121] [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: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD) is a chronic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This highly diverse intracellular parasite is classified into seven genotypes or discrete typing units (DTUs) and they overlap in geographic ranges, vectors, and clinical characteristics. Although studies have suggested that ChD progression is due to a decline in the immune response quality, a direct relationship between T cell responses and disease outcome is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between parasite control and immune T cell responses, we used two distinct infection approaches in an animal model to explore the histological and parasitological outcomes and dissect the T cell responses in T. cruzi-infected mice. First, we performed single infection experiments with DA (TcI) or Y (TcII) T. cruzi strains to compare the infection outcomes and evaluate its relationship with the T cell response. Second, because infections with diverse T. cruzi genotypes can occur in naturally infected individuals, mice were infected with the Y or DA strain and subsequently reinfected with the Y strain. We found different infection outcomes in the two infection approaches used. The single chronic infection showed differences in the inflammatory infiltrate level, while mixed chronic infection by different T. cruzi DTUs showed dissimilarities in the parasite loads. Chronically infected mice with a low inflammatory infiltrate (DA-infected mice) or low parasitemia and parasitism (Y/Y-infected mice) showed increases in early-differentiated CD8+ T cells, a multifunctional T cell response and lower expression of inhibitory receptors on CD8+ T cells. In contrast, infected mice with a high inflammatory infiltrate (Y-infected mice) or high parasitemia and parasitism (DA/Y-infected mice) showed a CD8+ T cell response distinguished by an increase in late-differentiated cells, a monofunctional response, and enhanced expression of inhibitory receptors. Overall, our results demonstrated that the infection outcomes caused by single or mixed T. cruzi infection with different genotypes induce a differential immune CD8+ T cell response quality. These findings suggest that the CD8+ T cell response might dictate differences in the infection outcomes at the chronic T. cruzi stage. This study shows that the T cell response quality is related to parasite control during chronic T. cruzi infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Nocua
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Ciencias de Laboratorio Clínico, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gómez I, Thomas MC, Palacios G, Egui A, Carrilero B, Simón M, Valladares B, Segovia M, Carmelo E, López MC. Differential Expression of Immune Response Genes in Asymptomatic Chronic Chagas Disease Patients Versus Healthy Subjects. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:722984. [PMID: 34552885 PMCID: PMC8450343 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.722984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite causes Chagas disease and triggers multiple immune mechanisms in the host to combat the pathogen. Chagas disease has a variable clinical presentation and progression, producing in the chronic phase a fragile balance between the host immune response and parasite replication that keeps patients in a clinically silent asymptomatic stage for years. Since the parasite is intracellular and replicates within cells, the cell-mediated response of the host adaptive immunity plays a critical role. This function is mainly orchestrated by T lymphocytes, which recognize parasite antigens and promote specific functions to control the infection. However, little is known about the immunological markers associated with this asymptomatic stage of the disease. In this large-scale analysis, the differential expression of 106 immune system-related genes has been analyzed using high-throughput qPCR in T. cruzi antigen-stimulated PBMC from chronic Chagas disease patients with indeterminate form (IND) and healthy donors (HD) from endemic and non-endemic areas of Chagas disease. This analysis revealed that there were no differences in the expression level of most genes under study between healthy donors from endemic and non-endemic areas determined by PCA and differential gene expression analysis. Instead, PCA revealed the existence of different expression profiles between IND patients and HD (p < 0.0001), dependent on the 32 genes included in PC1. Differential gene expression analysis also revealed 23 upregulated genes (expression fold change > 2) and 11 downregulated genes (expression fold change < 0.5) in IND patients versus HD. Enrichment analysis showed that several upregulated genes in IND patients participate in relevant immunological pathways such as antigen-dependent B cell activation, stress induction of HSP regulation, NO2-dependent IL12 pathway in NK cells, and cytokine-inflammatory response. The antigen-specific differential gene expression profile detected in these patients and the relevant immunological pathways that seem to be activated could represent potential biomarkers of the asymptomatic form of Chagas disease, helpful to diagnosis and infection control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Gómez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Génesis Palacios
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Bartolomé Carrilero
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marina Simón
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Basilio Valladares
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain.,Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Manuel Segovia
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Emma Carmelo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain.,Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Farani PSG, Begum K, Vilar-Pereira G, Pereira IR, Almeida IC, Roy S, Lannes-Vieira J, Moreira OC. Treatment With Suboptimal Dose of Benznidazole Mitigates Immune Response Molecular Pathways in Mice With Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:692655. [PMID: 34381739 PMCID: PMC8351877 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.692655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most frequent and severe form of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and the main cause of morbimortality from cardiovascular problems in endemic areas. Although efforts have been made to understand the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying CCC, the immunological signaling pathways regulated by the etiological treatment with benznidazole (Bz) has not been reported. In experimental CCC, Bz combined with the hemorheological and immunoregulatory agent pentoxifylline (PTX) has beneficial effects on CCC. To explore the molecular mechanisms of Bz or Bz+PTX therapeutic strategies, C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with the T. cruzi Colombian strain (discrete typing unit TcI) and showing electrocardiographic abnormalities were submitted to suboptimal dose of Bz or Bz+PTX from 120 to 150 days postinfection. Electrocardiographic alterations, such as prolonged corrected QT interval and heart parasite load, were beneficially impacted by Bz and Bz+PTX. RT-qPCR TaqMan array was used to evaluate the expression of 92 genes related to the immune response in RNA extracted from heart tissues. In comparison with non-infected mice, 30 genes were upregulated, and 31 were downregulated in infected mice. Particularly, infection upregulated the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12b, and IL-2 (126-, 44-, and 18-fold change, respectively) and the T-cell chemoattractants CCL3 and CCL5 (23- and 16-fold change, respectively). Bz therapy restored the expression of genes related to inflammatory response, cellular development, growth, and proliferation, and tissue development pathways, most probably linked to the cardiac remodeling processes inherent to CCC, thus mitigating the Th1-driven response found in vehicle-treated infected mice. The combined Bz+PTX therapy revealed pathways related to the modulation of cell death and survival, and organismal survival, supporting that this strategy may mitigate the progression of CCC. Altogether, our results contribute to the better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the immune response in the heart tissue in chronic Chagas disease and reinforce that parasite persistence and dysregulated immune response underpin CCC severity. Therefore, Bz and Bz+PTX chemotherapies emerge as tools to interfere in these pathways aiming to improve CCC prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Silva Grijó Farani
- Real Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Khodeza Begum
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Sourav Roy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio Cruz Moreira
- Real Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ferragut F, Acevedo GR, Gómez KA. T Cell Specificity: A Great Challenge in Chagas Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:674078. [PMID: 34267750 PMCID: PMC8276045 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.674078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immune response against T. cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease, are relevant for both parasite control and disease pathogenesis. Several studies have been focused on their phenotype and functionally, but only a few have drilled down to identify the parasite proteins that are processed and presented to these cells, especially to CD4+ T lymphocytes. Although approximately 10,000 proteins are encoded per haploid T. cruzi genome, fewer than 200 T cell epitopes from 49 T. cruzi proteins have been identified so far. In this context, a detailed knowledge of the specific targets of T cell memory response emerges as a prime tool for the conceptualization and development of prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines, an approach with great potential to prevent and treat this chronic disease. Here, we review the available information about this topic in a comprehensive manner and discuss the future challenges in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Ferragut
- Laboratorio de Inmunología de las Infecciones por Tripanosomátidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo R Acevedo
- Laboratorio de Inmunología de las Infecciones por Tripanosomátidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karina A Gómez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología de las Infecciones por Tripanosomátidos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Natale MA, Minning T, Albareda MC, Castro Eiro MD, Álvarez MG, Lococo B, Cesar G, Bertocchi G, Elias MJ, Caputo MB, Tarleton RL, Laucella SA. Immune exhaustion in chronic Chagas disease: Pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action of IL-27 in vitro. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009473. [PMID: 34061845 PMCID: PMC8195349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In chronic Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi-specific T-cell function decreases over time, and alterations in the homeostatic IL-7/IL-7R axis are evident, consistent with a process of immune exhaustion. IL-27 is an important immunoregulatory cytokine that shares T-cell signaling with IL-7 and other cytokines of the IL-12 family and might be involved in the transcriptional regulation of T-cell function. Here, we evaluated the expression and function of IL-27R in antigen-experienced T cells from subjects with chronic Chagas disease and assessed whether in vitro treatment with IL-27 and IL-7 might improve T. cruzi-specific polyfunctional T-cell responses. In vitro exposure of PBMCs to T. cruzi induced a downregulation of IL-27R in CD4+ T cells and an upregulation in CD8+ T cells in subjects without heart disease, while IL-27R expression remained unaltered in subjects with more severe clinical stages. The modulation of IL-27R was associated with functional signaling through STAT3 and STAT5 and induction of the downstream genes TBX21, EOMES and CXCL9 in response to IL-27. In vitro treatment of PBMCs with IL-27 and IL-7 improved monofunctional and polyfunctional Th1 responses, accompanied by the induction of IL-10 and Bcl-2 expression in subjects without heart disease but did not improve those in subjects with cardiomyopathy. Our findings support the process of desensitization of the IL-27/IL-27R pathway along with disease severity and that the pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms of IL-27 might be interconnected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Ailén Natale
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Todd Minning
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - María Cecilia Albareda
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Daiana Castro Eiro
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Bruno Lococo
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Eva Perón”, San Martín, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Cesar
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Bertocchi
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Eva Perón”, San Martín, Argentina
| | - María Josefina Elias
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Caputo
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rick Lee Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Susana Adriana Laucella
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Eva Perón”, San Martín, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Pérez-Antón E, Egui A, Thomas MC, Carrilero B, Simón M, López-Ruz MÁ, Segovia M, López MC. A proportion of CD4+ T cells from patients with chronic Chagas disease undergo a dysfunctional process, which is partially reversed by benznidazole treatment. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009059. [PMID: 33539379 PMCID: PMC7888659 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Signs of senescence and the late stages of differentiation associated with the more severe forms of Chagas disease have been described in the Trypanosoma cruzi antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell population. However, the mechanisms involved in these functions are not fully known. To date, little is known about the possible impact of benznidazole treatment on the T. cruzi-specific functional response of CD4+ T cells. Methodology/Principal findings The functional capacity of CD4+ T cells was analyzed by cytometric assays in chronic Chagas disease patients, with indeterminate form (IND) and cardiac alterations (CCC) (25 and 15, respectively) before and after benznidazole treatment. An increase in the multifunctional capacity (expression of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, perforin and/or granzyme B) of the antigen-specific CD4+ T cells was observed in indeterminate versus cardiac patients, which was associated with the reduced coexpression of inhibitory receptors (2B4, CD160, CTLA-4, PD-1 and/or TIM-3). The functional profile of these cells shows statistically significant differences between IND and CCC (p<0.001), with a higher proportion of CD4+ T cells coexpressing 2 and 3 molecules in IND (54.4% versus 23.1% and 4.1% versus 2.4%, respectively). A significant decrease in the frequencies of CD4+ T cells that coexpress 2, 3 and 4 inhibitory receptors was observed in IND after 24–48 months of treatment (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively), which was associated with an increase in antigen-specific multifunctional activity. The IND group showed, at 9–12 months after treatment, an increase in the CD4+ T cell subset coproducing three molecules, which were mainly granzyme B+, perforin+ and IFN-γ+ (1.4% versus 4.5%). Conclusions/Significance A CD4+ T cell dysfunctional process was detected in chronic Chagas disease patients, being more exacerbated in those patients with cardiac symptoms. After short-term benznidazole treatment (9–12 months), indeterminate patients showed a significant increase in the frequency of multifunctional antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. Trypanosoma cruzi infection triggers several immune mechanisms in the host that do not result in a total clearance of the parasite, the persistence of which leads to the chronicity of Chagas disease. The mechanisms by which some chronic patients remain asymptomatic or become symptomatic are not entirely clear. The aim of the present manuscript is to study the CD4+ T cell population and its functional capacity in patients with different forms of chronic disease. The obtained results indicate that cells from indeterminate patients have an enhanced multifunctional profile, which is associated with the reduced expression of inhibitory molecules. CD4+ T cells from chronic patients with cardiac alterations show lower functional activity against specific antigens of the parasite and increased coexpression of inhibitory molecules. After benznidazole treatment, antigen-specific CD4+ T cells, especially those from indeterminate patients, are more likely to show a multifunctional profile and a decline in the coexpression of inhibitory receptors. These results allow us to make progress in clarifying the mechanisms that may influence disease progression and to realize the importance of antiparasitic treatment for the enhancement of the activity of the immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pérez-Antón
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - M. Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - Bartolomé Carrilero
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca; El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marina Simón
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca; El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Segovia
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca; El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Castañeda JS, Suta-Velásquez M, Mateus J, Pardo-Rodriguez D, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A, Robles J, Cuervo C. Preliminary chemical characterization of ethanolic extracts from Colombian plants with promising anti - Trypanosoma cruzi activity. Exp Parasitol 2021; 223:108079. [PMID: 33524381 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, and it is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Latin America. There are no vaccines, and the chemotherapy available to treat this infection has serious side effects. In a search for alternative treatments, we determined the in vitro susceptibility of epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi and the cytotoxic effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ethanolic extracts obtained from six different plant species. The ethanolic extracts of Ageratina vacciniaefolia, Clethra fimbriata and Siparuna sessiliflora showed antiprotozoal activity against epimastigotes and low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. However, only the ethanolic extract of C. fimbriata showed activity against T. cruzi trypomastigotes, and it had low cytotoxicity in PBMCs. An analysis on the phytochemical composition of C. fimbriata extract showed that its metabolites were primarily represented by two families of compounds: flavonoids and terpenoids. Lastly, we analyzed whether the A. vacciniaefolia, C. fimbriata, or S. sessiliflora ethanolic extracts induced IFN-γ or TNF-α production. Significantly, ethanolic extracts of C. fimbriata induced TNF-α production and S. sessiliflora induced both cytokines. In addition, C. fimbriata and S. sessiliflora induced the simultaneous secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α in CD8+ T cells. The antiprotozoal and immunomodulatory activity of C. fimbriata may be related to the presence of flavonoid and triterpene compounds in the extract. Thus, these findings suggest that C. fimbriata may represent a valuable source of new bioactive compounds for the therapeutic treatment of Chagas disease that combines trypanocidal activity with the capacity to boost the immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Sebastián Castañeda
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - María Suta-Velásquez
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jose Mateus
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniel Pardo-Rodriguez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (GIFUJ), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jorge Robles
- Grupo de Investigación Fitoquímica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (GIFUJ), Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ruiz-Márvez E, Ramírez CA, Rodríguez ER, Flórez MM, Delgado G, Guzmán F, Gómez-Puertas P, Requena JM, Puerta CJ. Molecular Characterization of Tc964, A Novel Antigenic Protein from Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2432. [PMID: 32244527 PMCID: PMC7177413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tc964 protein was initially identified by its presence in the interactome associated with the LYT1 mRNAs, which code for a virulence factor of Trypanosoma cruzi. Tc964 is annotated in the T. cruzi genome as a hypothetical protein. According to phylogenetic analysis, the protein is conserved in the different genera of the Trypanosomatidae family; however, recognizable orthologues were not identified in other groups of organisms. Therefore, as a first step, an in-depth molecular characterization of the Tc946 protein was carried out. Based on structural predictions and molecular dynamics studies, the Tc964 protein would belong to a particular class of GTPases. Subcellular fractionation analysis indicated that Tc964 is a nucleocytoplasmic protein. Additionally, the protein was expressed as a recombinant protein in order to analyze its antigenicity with sera from Chagas disease (CD) patients. Tc964 was found to be antigenic, and B-cell epitopes were mapped by the use of synthetic peptides. In parallel, the Leishmania major homologue (Lm964) was also expressed as recombinant protein and used for a preliminary evaluation of antigen cross-reactivity in CD patients. Interestingly, Tc964 was recognized by sera from Chronic CD (CCD) patients at different stages of disease severity, but no reactivity against this protein was observed when sera from Colombian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were analyzed. Therefore, Tc964 would be adequate for CD diagnosis in areas where both infections (CD and leishmaniasis) coexist, even though additional assays using larger collections of sera are needed in order to confirm its usefulness for differential serodiagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ruiz-Márvez
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia; (E.R.-M.); (C.A.R.); (E.R.R.)
| | - César Augusto Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia; (E.R.-M.); (C.A.R.); (E.R.R.)
| | - Eliana Rocío Rodríguez
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia; (E.R.-M.); (C.A.R.); (E.R.R.)
| | - Magda Mellisa Flórez
- Grupo de Investigación en Inmunotoxicología, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 30 # 45-01, Bogota; Colombia; (M.M.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Gabriela Delgado
- Grupo de Investigación en Inmunotoxicología, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 30 # 45-01, Bogota; Colombia; (M.M.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Fanny Guzmán
- Núcleo de Biotecnología Curauma (NBC), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Avenida Universidad 2373223, Curauma, Valparaiso-Chile;
| | - Paulino Gómez-Puertas
- Grupo de Modelado Molecular del Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Microbes in Health and Welfare Department, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CBMSO, CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - José María Requena
- Grupo Regulación de la Expresión Génica en Leishmania del Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Molecular Biology Department, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CBMSO, CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia; (E.R.-M.); (C.A.R.); (E.R.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Gómez-Olarte S, Bolaños NI, Cuéllar A, Puerta CJ, González JM. Diminished mitogen-induced T cell proliferation by Trypanosoma cruzi antigens associated with antigen-presenting cell modulation and CD3 signaling. Cell Immunol 2020; 348:103974. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2019.103974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
23
|
Pérez-Antón E, Egui A, Thomas MC, Simón M, Segovia M, López MC. Immunological exhaustion and functional profile of CD8 + T lymphocytes as cellular biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy in chronic Chagas disease patients. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105242. [PMID: 31669531 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The lack of useful tools for detection the impact of treatment during the follow-up of chronic Chagas disease treated patients difficult the adequate care to the affected population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional response of CD8+ T lymphocyte population, critical for the control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, as a possible cellular biomarker of treated Chagas disease patients. Thus, we analyzed the antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell response before and after benznidazole treatment in asymptomatic (indeterminate) and cardiac chronic Chagas disease patients. A marked dysfunctional process of the CD8+ T cell population was found in patients with an advanced pathology. Thus, the cardiac patients have a higher co-expression of inhibitory receptors and a lower antigen-specific multifunctional capacity compared with that of asymptomatic patients. Remarkably, benznidazole treatment partially reverses this functional exhaustion process of CD8+ T cells in both asymptomatic and cardiac Chagas disease patients. Thus, the co-expression of inhibitory molecules tends to be reduced after benznidazole treatment, mainly in asymptomatic patients, finding a significant drop in the expression of inhibitory receptors such as PD-1 and 2B4. In addition, the multifunctional antigen-specific response of CD8+ T cells is enhanced after treatment in chronic patients. An increase in the subset of cells with cytotoxic capacity and production of the IFN-γ cytokine was also observed in both treated asymptomatic and cardiac chronic Chagas disease patients. The results derived from this study show the improvement of the functional capacity of CD8+ T cells after treatment which could be have a positive effect on parasitic control. In addition, the phenotypic and functional profile of the CD8+ T cells described could serve as a tool for monitoring the impact of benznidazole treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pérez-Antón
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Mª Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Marina Simón
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Segovia
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Differential phenotypic and functional profile of epitope-specific cytotoxic CD8 + T cells in benznidazole-treated chronic asymptomatic Chagas disease patients. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1866:165629. [PMID: 31816438 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges in Chagas disease research is the search for tools that will enable the assessment of pharmacological treatment efficacy. A recently described set of serological biomarkers composed of four parasite antigens and established criteria of treatment efficacy allowed the evaluation of the impact of benznidazole treatment a short/medium time after the treatment. In addition, cellular immunological parameters have also been described as potential indicators of the treatment response. The cytotoxic CD8+ T cells specific to five epitopes in the PFR2, PFR3, TcCA-2 and KMP11 antigens have been analysed, and these epitopes have been shown to be recognized, processed and presented in the context of a natural T. cruzi infection. In the present manuscript, we characterized these antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in indeterminate chronic Chagas disease patients both before and after (from 11 to 28 months) benznidazole treatment. The results indicate that there is a differential memory CD8+ T cell profile depending on the antigenic epitope and that the benznidazole treatment modulates the memory, differentiation and senescence phenotypes of the epitope-specific CD8+ T cells. Moreover, in these patients, the reactivity of sera against the referred set of biomarkers was evaluated. The data obtained show that the patients who met the established therapeutic efficacy criteria presented a differential phenotypic profile of the antigen-specific CD8+ T cells even prior to treatment compared to the patients who did not meet the therapeutic efficacy criteria, and this behaviour is associated with a better functionality of these CD8+ T cells.
Collapse
|
25
|
Acosta Rodríguez EV, Araujo Furlan CL, Fiocca Vernengo F, Montes CL, Gruppi A. Understanding CD8 + T Cell Immunity to Trypanosoma cruzi and How to Improve It. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:899-917. [PMID: 31607632 PMCID: PMC6815727 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas' disease, endemic in Latin America but present worldwide. Research efforts have focused on the examination of immune mechanisms that mediate host protection as well as immunopathology during this parasitic infection. The study of CD8+ T cell immunity emerges as a key aspect given the critical importance of parasite-specific CD8+ T cells for host resistance throughout the infection. In recent years, new research has shed light on novel pathways that modulate the induction, maintenance, and regulation of CD8+ T cell responses to T. cruzi. This new knowledge is setting the ground for future vaccines and/or immunotherapies. Herein, we critically review and analyze the latest results published in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva V Acosta Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Cintia L Araujo Furlan
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Facundo Fiocca Vernengo
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Carolina L Montes
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Adriana Gruppi
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI)-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
A Parasite Biomarker Set for Evaluating Benznidazole Treatment Efficacy in Patients with Chronic Asymptomatic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.02436-18. [PMID: 31358581 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02436-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the current greatest challenges of Chagas disease is the establishment of biomarkers to assess the efficacy of drugs in a short period of time. In this context, the reactivity of sera from 66 adults with chronic indeterminate Chagas disease (IND) for a set of four Trypanosoma cruzi antigens (KMP11, PFR2, HSP70, and 3973d) was analyzed before and after benznidazole treatment. The results showed that the reactivity against these antigens decreased at 9, 24, and 48 months after treatment. Moreover, the 42.4% and 68.75% of IND patients met the established standard criteria of therapeutic efficacy (STEC) at 24 and 48 months posttreatment, respectively. Meeting the STEC implied that there was a continuous decrease in the reactivity of the patient sera against the four antigens after treatment and that there was a substantial decrease in the reactivity for at least two of the antigens. This important decrease in reactivity may be associated with a drastic reduction in the parasite load, but it is not necessarily associated with a parasitological cure. After treatment, a positive PCR result was only obtained in patients who did not meet the STEC. The percentage of granzyme B+/perforin+ CD8+ T cells was significantly higher in patients who met the STEC than in those who did not meet the STEC (35.2% versus 2.2%; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the patients who met the STEC exhibited an increased quality of the multifunctional response of the antigen-specific CD8+ T cells compared with that in the patients who did not meet the STEC.
Collapse
|
27
|
Gómez-Olarte S, Bolaños NI, Echeverry M, Rodríguez AN, Cuéllar A, Puerta CJ, Mariño A, González JM. Intermediate Monocytes and Cytokine Production Associated With Severe Forms of Chagas Disease. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1671. [PMID: 31379862 PMCID: PMC6658923 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocytes are classified according to their CD14 and CD16 expression into classical (reparative), intermediate (inflammatory), and non-classical. This study assessed the frequency of monocyte and the relationship between monocyte subset percentages and the levels of blood cytokines in Colombian chagasic patients with different clinical forms. This study included chagasic patients in different clinical stages: indeterminate (IND) n = 14, chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) n = 14, and heart transplant chagasic (HTCC) n = 9; controls with non-chagasic cardiopathy (NCC) n = 15, and healthy individuals (HI) n = 15. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, labeled for CD14, CD16, and HLA-DR, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokines were measured with a bead-based immunoassay. Percentages of total CD14+ CD16+ and CD14+ HLA-DR+ monocytes were higher in patients with heart involvement (CCC, HTCC, and NCC) than controls. Percentages of intermediate monocytes increased in symptomatic chagasic patients (CCC and HTCC) compared to asymptomatic chagasic patients (IND) and controls (HI). Asymptomatic chagasic patients (IND) had higher percentages of classical monocytes, an increased production of CCL17 chemokine compared to chagasic symptomatic patients (CCC), and their levels of CCL17 was positively correlated with the percentage of classical monocyte subset. In CCC, the percentages of intermediate and classical monocytes were positively correlated with IL-6 levels, which were higher in this group compared to HI, and negatively with IL-12p40 concentration, respectively. Remarkably, there also was an important increased of classical monocytes frequency in three chronic chagasic patients who underwent cardiac transplant, of which one received anti-parasitic treatment. Our findings suggest that cardiac chagasic patients have an increased percentage of inflammatory monocytes and produce more IL-6, a biomarker of heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction, whereas asymptomatic chagasic individuals present a higher percentage of reparative monocytes and CCL17.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Gómez-Olarte
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.,Department of Biological Sciences, School of Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natalia I Bolaños
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mariana Echeverry
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Ciencias del Laboratorio Clínico, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alejandro Mariño
- Failure and Heart Transplantation Clinic, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John M González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Mateus J, Guerrero P, Lasso P, Cuervo C, González JM, Puerta CJ, Cuéllar A. An Animal Model of Acute and Chronic Chagas Disease With the Reticulotropic Y Strain of Trypanosoma cruzi That Depicts the Multifunctionality and Dysfunctionality of T Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 10:918. [PMID: 31105709 PMCID: PMC6499084 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD), a complex and persistent parasitosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, represents a natural model of chronic infection, in which some people exhibit cardiac or digestive complications that can result in death 20–40 years after the initial infection. Nonetheless, due to unknown mechanisms, some T. cruzi-infected individuals remain asymptomatic throughout their lives. Actually, no vaccine is available to prevent ChD, and treatments for chronic ChD patients are controversial. Chronically T. cruzi-infected individuals exhibit a deterioration of T cell function, an exhaustion state characterized by poor cytokine production and increased inhibitory receptor co-expression, suggesting that these changes are potentially related to ChD progression. Moreover, an effective anti-parasitic treatment appears to reverse this state and improve the T cell response. Taking into account these findings, the functionality state of T cells might provide a potential correlate of protection to detect individuals who will or will not develop the severe forms of ChD. Consequently, we investigated the T cell response, analyzed by flow cytometry with two multicolor immunofluorescence panels, to assess cytokines/cytotoxic molecules and the expression of inhibitory receptors, in a murine model of acute (10 and 30 days) and chronic (100 and 260 days) ChD, characterized by parasite persistence for up to 260 days post-infection and moderate inflammation of the colon and liver of T. cruzi-infected mice. Acute ChD induced a high antigen-specific multifunctional T cell response by producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, granzyme B, and perforin; and a high frequency of T cells co-expressed 2B4, CD160, CTLA-4, and PD-1. In contrast, chronically infected mice with moderate inflammatory infiltrate in liver tissue exhibited monofunctional antigen-specific cells, high cytotoxic activity (granzyme B and perforin), and elevated levels of inhibitory receptors (predominantly CTLA-4 and PD-1) co-expressed on T cells. Taken together, these data support our previous results showing that similar to humans, the T. cruzi persistence in mice promotes the dysfunctionality of T cells, and these changes might correlate with ChD progression. Thus, these results constitute a model that will facilitate an in-depth search for immune markers and correlates of protection, as well as long-term studies of new immunotherapy strategies for ChD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paula Guerrero
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Smith K, Marcos LA. Pathogenesis of Chagas Disease: an Emphasis for Transplant Patient Populations. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-019-0168-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
30
|
Lasso P, Mateus J, González JM, Cuéllar A, Puerta C. CD8 + T Cell Response to Trypanosoma cruzi Antigens during Chronic Chagas Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1955:349-361. [PMID: 30868540 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9148-8_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Flow cytometry is a valuable technique in cellular immunology that allows evaluating effective parameters of the immune response associated with CD8+ T cells. During Chagas disease, infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, similar to other intracellular infectious agents, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells are essential for controlling the infection. However, CD8+ T cell response is only partially effective in some chronic Chagas disease patients. Thus, characterization and phenotyping of T. cruzi-specific CD8+ T cells are of great importance during chronic Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. .,Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Jose Mateus
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.,Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción Puerta
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Natale MA, César GA, Alvarez MG, Castro Eiro MD, Lococo B, Bertocchi G, Albareda MC, Laucella SA. Trypanosoma cruzi-specific IFN-γ-producing cells in chronic Chagas disease associate with a functional IL-7/IL-7R axis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006998. [PMID: 30517089 PMCID: PMC6281225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The severity of cardiac disease in chronic Chagas disease patients is associated with different features of T-cell exhaustion. Here, we assessed whether the ability of T cells to secrete IFN-γ in response to T. cruzi was linked to disruption in immune homeostasis and inflammation in patients with chronic Chagas disease. Methodology/Principal findings PBMCs from chronic Chagas disease patients and uninfected controls were examined for frequencies of T. cruzi-responsive IFN-γ-producing cells by ELISPOT and cellular expression and function of IL-7R using flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-7, IL-21, IL-27, soluble IL-7R, and inflammatory cytokines were also evaluated by ELISA or CBA techniques. Patients possessing T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ-producing cells (i.e. IFN-γ producers) had higher levels of memory T cells capable of modulating the alpha chain of IL-7R and an efficient response to IL-7 compared to that in patients lacking (i.e. IFN-γ nonproducers) parasite-specific T-cell responses. IFN-γ producers also showed low levels of soluble IL-7R, high basal expression of Bcl-2 in T cells and low basal frequencies of activated CD25+ T cells. Modulation of IL-7R was inversely associated with serum IL-6 levels and positively associated with serum IL-8 levels. Circulating IL-21 and IL-27 levels were not associated with the frequency of IFN-γ producing cells but were reduced in less severe clinical forms of the disease. In vitro stimulation of PBMCs with IL-7 or IL-27 enhanced IFN-γ production in IFN-γ producers but not in IFN-γ nonproducers. Conclusions/Significance Alterations of the IL-7/IL-7R axis and in the levels of inflammatory cytokines were linked to impaired T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ production. These alterations might be responsible of the process of immune exhaustion observed in chronic Chagas disease. Mechanisms of acquired immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi antigens include both humoral and cellular components that might be critical in a chronic infection. Through a vast number of studies, several groups have postulated that, similar to other chronic infections, T-cell responses in chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection are driven to exhaustion. Alterations in T-cell signaling pathways have emerged as one of the mechanisms of immune exhaustion. Here, we investigated whether the ability of T cells to secrete IFN-γ in response to T. cruzi was linked to the expression and function of the IL-7 receptor and the cytokines involved in regulating this axis in patients with different clinical forms of chronic Chagas disease. This study showed that the ability of T cells to secrete IFN-γ in response to T. cruzi is linked to an efficient modulation and function of IL-7R and low levels of inflammatory cytokines. Low IFN-γ-ELISPOT responses could not be reverted by in vitro treatment with IL-7. These findings contribute to our understanding of the long-term consequences of T. cruzi-infection and might be useful to delineate novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María A. Natale
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo A. César
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María G. Alvarez
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Bruno Lococo
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Bertocchi
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María C. Albareda
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana A. Laucella
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Egui A, Ledesma D, Pérez-Antón E, Montoya A, Gómez I, Robledo SM, Infante JJ, Vélez ID, López MC, Thomas MC. Phenotypic and Functional Profiles of Antigen-Specific CD4 + and CD8 + T Cells Associated With Infection Control in Patients With Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:393. [PMID: 30510917 PMCID: PMC6252334 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The host immunological response is a key factor determining the pathogenesis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. It is known that a Th1 cellular response is associated with infection control and that antigen-specific memory T cells are necessary for the development of a rapid and strong protective cellular response. The present manuscript reports the analysis of the functional and phenotypic profiles of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from patients cured of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), patients with an active process of cutaneous leishmaniasis, asymptomatic individuals with a positive Montenegro test and healthy donors (HD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the patients exhibited a lymphoproliferative capacity after stimulation with total soluble protein from either Leishmania panamensis (SLpA) or Leishmania infantum (SLiA) or with a recombinant paraflagellar rod protein-1 (rPFR1). Higher frequencies of antigen-specific TNAIVE cells, mainly following stimulation with rPFR1, were observed in asymptomatic and cured patients than in patients with active cutaneous leishmaniasis, while T cells from patients with active cutaneous leishmaniasis showed a higher percentage of effector memory T cells (TEM for CD4+ T cells and TEMRA for CD8+ T cells). The amount of antigen-specific CD57+/CD8+ TEMRA cells in patients with active cutaneous leishmaniasis was higher than that in cured patients and asymptomatic subjects. Regarding functionality, a more robust multifunctional CD8+ T cell response was detected in cured patients than in those with active cutaneous leishmaniasis. Moreover, cured patients showed a significant increase in the frequency of cells expressing a Th1-type cytotoxic production profile (IFN-γ+/granzyme-B/+perforin+). Patients with an active leishmaniosis process had a significantly higher frequency of CD8+ T cells expressing the inhibitory CD160 and 2B4 receptors than did cured patients. The expression profile observed in cured patients could be indicative of an imbalance toward a CD8+ Th1 response, which could be associated with infection control; consequently, the determination of this profile could be a useful tool for facilitating the clinical follow-up of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. The results also suggest a possible exhaustion process of CD8+ T cells associated with the evolution of Leishmania infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Egui
- Molecular Biology Department, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Darién Ledesma
- Molecular Biology Department, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Elena Pérez-Antón
- Molecular Biology Department, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Andrés Montoya
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Inmaculada Gómez
- Molecular Biology Department, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - Sara María Robledo
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan José Infante
- Bionaturis Group, Bioorganic Research and Services, S.A., Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
| | - Ivan Darío Vélez
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Manuel C López
- Molecular Biology Department, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Molecular Biology Department, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López Neyra", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Pack AD, Collins MH, Rosenberg CS, Tarleton RL. Highly competent, non-exhausted CD8+ T cells continue to tightly control pathogen load throughout chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007410. [PMID: 30419010 PMCID: PMC6258465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi infection is characterized by chronic parasitism of non-lymphoid tissues and is rarely eliminated despite potent adaptive immune responses. This failure to cure has frequently been attributed to a loss or impairment of anti-T. cruzi T cell responses over time, analogous to the T cell dysfunction described for other persistent infections. In this study, we have evaluated the role of CD8+ T cells during chronic T. cruzi infection (>100 dpi), with a focus on sites of pathogen persistence. Consistent with repetitive antigen exposure during chronic infection, parasite-specific CD8+ T cells from multiple organs expressed high levels of KLRG1, but exhibit a preferential accumulation of CD69+ cells in skeletal muscle, indicating recent antigen encounter in a niche for T. cruzi persistence. A significant proportion of CD8+ T cells in the muscle also produced IFNγ, TNFα and granzyme B in situ, an indication of their detection of and functional response to T. cruzi in vivo. CD8+ T cell function was crucial for the control of parasite burden during chronic infection as exacerbation of parasite load was observed upon depletion of this population. Attempts to improve T cell function by blocking PD-1 or IL-10, potential negative regulators of T cells, failed to increase IFNγ and TNFα production or to enhance T. cruzi clearance. These results highlight the capacity of the CD8+ T cell population to retain essential in vivo function despite chronic antigen stimulation and support a model in which CD8+ T cell dysfunction plays a negligible role in the ability of Trypanosoma cruzi to persist in mice. The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi establishes lifelong infections in humans and other mammals, leading to severe cardiac and gastrointestinal complications known as Chagas disease. Although the factors that enable T. cruzi persistence remain undefined, in this and many other infection models, pathogen persistence has been attributed to the exhaustion of the immune system, particularly of CD8+ T cells. Here, we show that the inability of hosts to fully resolve T. cruzi infection is not a result of immune exhaustion and that in fact the T. cruzi-specific CD8+ T cell population remains highly competent and actively suppresses parasite outgrowth throughout the chronic infection. These results demonstrate that compromised immunity is not the eventual outcome of all chronic infections and suggest that T. cruzi, and perhaps other pathogens, may employ alternative strategies to subvert immune clearance in the presence of highly functional pathogen-specific effectors. These findings also suggest that interventions to inhibit immune regulatory pathways or to otherwise boost existing immune responses in such infections, will have limited benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela D. Pack
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Matthew H. Collins
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Charles S. Rosenberg
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rick L. Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
The Role of Co-Stimulatory Molecules in Chagas Disease. Cells 2018; 7:cells7110200. [PMID: 30405039 PMCID: PMC6262639 DOI: 10.3390/cells7110200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a potentially life-threatening tropical disease endemic to Latin American countries that affects approximately 8 million people. In the chronic phase of the disease, individuals are classified as belonging to the indeterminate clinical form or to the cardiac and/or digestive forms when clinical symptoms are apparent. The relationship between monocytes and lymphocytes may be an important point to help clarify the complexity that surrounds the clinical symptoms of the chronic phase of Chagas disease. The co-stimulatory signals are essential to determining the magnitude of T cell response to the antigen. The signals are known to determine the regulation of subsequent adaptive immune response. However, little is known about the expression and function of these molecules in Chagas disease. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the possible role of main pathways of co-stimulatory molecule-receptor interactions in this pathology that could be crucial to understand the disease dynamics.
Collapse
|
35
|
Egui A, Lasso P, Pérez-Antón E, Thomas MC, López MC. Dynamics of T Cells Repertoire During Trypanosoma cruzi Infection and its Post-Treatment Modulation. Curr Med Chem 2018; 26:6519-6543. [PMID: 30381063 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181101111819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease courses with different clinical phases and has a variable clinical presentation and progression. The acute infection phase mostly exhibits a non-specific symptomatology. In the absence of treatment, the acute phase is followed by a chronic phase, which is initially asymptomatic. This chronic asymptomatic phase of the disease is characterized by a fragile balance between the host's immune response and the parasite replication. The loss of this balance is crucial for the progression of the sickness. The virulence and tropism of the T. cruzi infecting strain together to the inflammation processes in the cardiac tissue are the main factors for the establishment and severity of the cardiomyopathy. The efficacy of treatment in chronic Chagas disease patients is controversial. However, several studies carried out in chronic patients demonstrated that antiparasitic treatment reduces parasite load in the bloodstream and leads to an improvement in the immune response against the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite. The present review is mainly focused on the cellular patterns associated to the clinical status and the evolution of the disease in chronic patients, as well as the effectiveness of the treatment related to T. cruzi infection control. Therefore, an emphasis is placed on the dynamics of specific-antigens T cell subpopulations, their memory and activation phenotypes, their functionality and their contribution to pathogenesis or disease control, as well as their association with risk of congenital transmission of the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina Lopez-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo de Inmunobiologia y Biologia Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; Bogota, Colombia
| | - Elena Pérez-Antón
- Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina Lopez-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina Lopez-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina Lopez-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Tosello Boari J, Araujo Furlan CL, Fiocca Vernengo F, Rodriguez C, Ramello MC, Amezcua Vesely MC, Gorosito Serrán M, Nuñez NG, Richer W, Piaggio E, Montes CL, Gruppi A, Acosta Rodríguez EV. IL-17RA-Signaling Modulates CD8+ T Cell Survival and Exhaustion During Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2347. [PMID: 30364284 PMCID: PMC6193063 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The IL-17 family contributes to host defense against many intracellular pathogens by mechanisms that are not fully understood. CD8+ T lymphocytes are key elements against intracellular microbes, and their survival and ability to mount cytotoxic responses are orchestrated by several cytokines. Here, we demonstrated that IL-17RA-signaling cytokines sustain pathogen-specific CD8+ T cell immunity. The absence of IL-17RA and IL-17A/F during Trypanosoma cruzi infection resulted in increased tissue parasitism and reduced frequency of parasite-specific CD8+ T cells. Impaired IL-17RA-signaling in vivo increased apoptosis of parasite-specific CD8+ T cells, while in vitro recombinant IL-17 down-regulated the pro-apoptotic protein BAD and promoted the survival of activated CD8+ T cells. Phenotypic, functional, and transcriptomic profiling showed that T. cruzi-specific CD8+ T cells derived from IL-17RA-deficient mice presented features of cell dysfunction. PD-L1 blockade partially restored the magnitude of CD8+ T cell responses and parasite control in these mice. Adoptive transfer experiments established that IL-17RA-signaling is intrinsically required for the proper maintenance of functional effector CD8+ T cells. Altogether, our results identify IL-17RA and IL-17A as critical factors for sustaining CD8+ T cell immunity to T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Tosello Boari
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cintia L. Araujo Furlan
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Facundo Fiocca Vernengo
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Constanza Rodriguez
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María C. Ramello
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María C. Amezcua Vesely
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Melisa Gorosito Serrán
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Nicolás G. Nuñez
- SiRIC TransImm “Translational Immunotherapy Team,” Translational Research Department, Research Center, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Biothérapie CICBT 1428, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Wilfrid Richer
- SiRIC TransImm “Translational Immunotherapy Team,” Translational Research Department, Research Center, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Biothérapie CICBT 1428, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Eliane Piaggio
- SiRIC TransImm “Translational Immunotherapy Team,” Translational Research Department, Research Center, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Biothérapie CICBT 1428, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Carolina L. Montes
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Adriana Gruppi
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eva V. Acosta Rodríguez
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Pérez-Antón E, Egui A, Thomas MC, Puerta CJ, González JM, Cuéllar A, Segovia M, López MC. Impact of benznidazole treatment on the functional response of Trypanosoma cruzi antigen-specific CD4+CD8+ T cells in chronic Chagas disease patients. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006480. [PMID: 29750791 PMCID: PMC5965897 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. The persistence of the parasite is associated with the disease chronicity and the impairment of the cellular immune response. It has been reported that the CD4+CD8+ T cell population expands in chronic Chagas disease patients. Few studies have focused on this subset of cells, and very little is known about the impact of antiparasitic treatment on this population. Methodology Thirty-eight chronic Chagas disease patients (20 asymptomatic and 18 symptomatic) and twelve healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with soluble T. cruzi antigens to analyze the production of cytokines and cytotoxic molecules by CD4+CD8+ T cells before and after benznidazole treatment. Additionally, expression and co-expression of five inhibitory receptors in these patients after treatment were studied using a multiparameter flow cytometry technique. Principal findings The frequency of CD4+CD8+ T cells was higher in chronic Chagas disease patients compared with healthy donors. Furthermore, a higher ratio of CD4+CD8low/CD4+CD8high subpopulations was observed in chronic Chagas disease patients than in healthy donors. Additionally, CD4+CD8+ T cells from these patients expressed and co-expressed higher levels of inhibitory receptors in direct proportion to the severity of the pathology. Benznidazole treatment reduced the frequency of CD4+CD8+ T cells and decreased the ratio of CD4+CD8low/CD4+CD8high subpopulations. The co-expression level of the inhibitory receptor was reduced after treatment simultaneously with the enhancement of the multifunctional capacity of CD4+CD8+ T cells. After treatment, an increase in the frequency of T. cruzi antigen-specific CD4+CD8+ T cells expressing IL-2 and TNF-α was also observed. Conclusions CD4+CD8+ T cells could play an important role in the control of T. cruzi infection since they were able to produce effector molecules for parasite control. Benznidazole treatment partially reversed the exhaustion process caused by T. cruzi infection in these cells with an improvement in the functional response of the T. cruzi antigen-specific CD4+CD8+ T cells. Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The persistence of the parasite leads to deterioration of the host immune response, which is known as an exhaustion process. This process affects T cell populations, leading to increased expression of inhibitory receptors that leads to a dysfunctional ability to respond to the parasite. CD4+CD8+ T cells form a poorly studied population of T cells in the context of Chagas disease. In this study, as in others previously reported, an increase in the frequency of these cells was observed in chronic Chagas disease patients. In addition, CD4+CD8+ T cells from chronic Chagas disease patients underwent stronger exhaustion processes with more severe disease pathology. A higher level of expression and co-expression of inhibitory receptors was observed in these cells in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, we evaluated whether antiparasitic treatment affected the population of CD4+CD8+ T cells. Our results showed that after treatment, the functional capacity of these cells against the parasite improved. Concomitantly, a partial reversion of this exhaustion process occurred since the co-expression of inhibitory receptors decreased in CD4+CD8+ T cells from chronic patients after treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pérez-Antón
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - M. Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes; Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Segovia
- Unidad Regional de Medicina Tropical, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca; Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Granada, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Panesso-Gómez S, Pavia P, Rodríguez-Mantilla IE, Lasso P, Orozco LA, Cuellar A, Puerta CJ, Mendoza de Molano B, González JM. Trypanosoma cruzi Detection in Colombian Patients with a Diagnosis of Esophageal Achalasia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 98:717-723. [PMID: 29405099 PMCID: PMC5930867 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Achalasia is a motility disorder of the esophagus that might be secondary to a chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Several studies have investigated esophageal achalasia in patients with Chagas disease (CD) in Latin America, but no related studies have been performed in Colombia. The goals of the present study were to determine the presence of anti-T. cruzi antibodies in patients with esophageal achalasia who visited a referral hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, and to detect the presence of the parasite and its discrete typing units (DTUs). This cross-sectional study was conducted in adult patients (18-65 years old) who were previously diagnosed with esophageal achalasia and from whom blood was drawn to assess antibodies against T. cruzi using four different serological tests. Trypanosoma cruzi DNA was detected by conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In total, 38 patients, with an average age of 46.6 years (standard deviation of ±16.2) and comprising 16 men and 22 women, were enrolled. Five (13.15%) patients were found to be positive for anti-T. cruzi antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and two patients who were negative according to IFA were reactive by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot (5.3%). Parasite DNA was detected in two of these seven patients by cPCR and in one of these by qPCR. The parasite DTU obtained was TcI. In summary, this study identified T. cruzi in Colombian patients with esophageal achalasia, indicating that digestive compromise could also be present in patients with chronic CD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Panesso-Gómez
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paula Pavia
- Scientific Research Unit, Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Paola Lasso
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis A Orozco
- Gastrocenter, Investigación y Desarrollo Sistemas Clínicos, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuellar
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, School of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Belén Mendoza de Molano
- Gastroenterology Section, Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John M González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Ripoll JG, Giraldo NA, Bolaños NI, Roa N, Rosas F, Cuéllar A, Puerta CJ, González JM. T cells responding to Trypanosoma cruzi detected by membrane TNF-α and CD154 in chagasic patients. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2017; 6:47-57. [PMID: 28967229 PMCID: PMC5818450 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Chagas disease is a parasitic infection whose pathogenesis is related to parasite persistence and a dysfunctional cellular immune response. Variability in cytokine secretion among chronic Trypanosoma cruzi‐infected patients might preclude the identification of the pool of antigen specific T cells. The goal of this study was to determine the fraction of T cells responding to T. cruzi antigen measured by the expression of membrane TNF‐α and CD154. Methods A total of 21 chagasic patients, 11 healthy and 5 non‐chagasic cardiomyopathy controls were analyzed. PBMCs were short‐term cultured in the presence of anti‐CD28, anti‐CD49d, anti‐TNF‐α, and TACE (TNF‐α converting enzyme) inhibitor either under T. cruzi‐lysate or polyclonal stimuli. Cells were stained with anti‐CD3, anti‐CD4, anti‐CD8, and anti‐CD154, and analyzed with flow cytometry. Results CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in chagasic patients displayed higher percentages of membrane‐bound TNF‐α+ and CD154+ compared with controls after T. cruzi‐antigen stimulation. Both markers displayed a positive correlation in the T cell subpopulations analyzed. Symptomatic chagasic patients were differentiated from asymptomatic patients based on the expression of CD154 and membrane TNF‐α in TCD4+ and TCD8+ compartments, respectively. Conclusions These results show that both markers could be useful for assessing the pool of antigen‐specific T cells in chronic chagasic patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan G Ripoll
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nicolás A Giraldo
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natalia I Bolaños
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nubia Roa
- Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John M González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Expression of inhibitory receptors and polyfunctional responses of T cells are linked to the risk of congenital transmission of T. cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005627. [PMID: 28598971 PMCID: PMC5479596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital T. cruzi infections involve multiple factors in which complex interactions between the parasite and the immune system of pregnant women play important roles. In this study, we used an experimental murine model of chronic infection with T. cruzi to evaluate the changes in the expression of inhibitory receptors and the polyfunctionality of T cells during gestation and their association with congenital transmission rate of T. cruzi infection. The results showed that pregnant naïve mice had a higher percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that expressed inhibitory receptors than cells from non-pregnant naïve mice. However, in mice chronically infected with T. cruzi, gestation induced a significant decrease in the frequency of T cells that expressed or co-expressed inhibitory receptors, as well as an increase in the frequency of polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. This different behavior may be due to the breakdown in the infected mice of the gestation-induced immune homeostasis, probably to control the parasite load. Remarkably, it was observed that the mothers that transmitted the parasite had a higher frequency of T cells that expressed and co-expressed inhibitory receptors as well as a lower frequency of polyfunctional parasite-specific T cells than those that did not transmit it, even though the parasitemia load was similar in both groups. All together these data suggest that the maternal immune profile of the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells could be a determining factor in the congenital transmission of T. cruzi. Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis is a complex parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. This disease that affects approximately 10 million people worldwide may be mother-to-child transmitted which is an important public health problem with great relevance in endemic and non-endemic areas and regions where the vector transmission has been controlled. During gestation, the maternal immune system must defend both the mother and the fetus from infections, while, at the same time, it must tolerate a semiallogenic fetus. This immune homeostasis is characterized by a natural process of immunosuppression that in T. cruzi-infected pregnant women can lead to an increase in the mother´s parasite load that favors the risk of congenital transmission. In this study, it was determined the immunological modifications induced by gestation in an experimental model of T. cruzi chronic infection and their influence in the parasite congenital transmission. The results indicate that a T. cruzi infection induces a reversion of the pregnancy-associated homeostasis. Furthermore, it is shown that females who are not able to reverse the biological profile induced by pregnancy are those that transmit the parasite.
Collapse
|
41
|
Mateus J, Pérez-Antón E, Lasso P, Egui A, Roa N, Carrilero B, González JM, Thomas MC, Puerta CJ, López MC, Cuéllar A. Antiparasitic Treatment Induces an Improved CD8 + T Cell Response in Chronic Chagasic Patients. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 198:3170-3180. [PMID: 28258194 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1602095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a chronic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, an intracellular protozoan parasite. Chronic chagasic patients (CCPs) have dysfunctional CD8+ T cells that are characterized by impaired cytokine production, high coexpression of inhibitory receptors, and advanced cellular differentiation. Most patients diagnosed in the chronic phase of Chagas disease already exhibit heart involvement, and there is no vaccination that protects against the disease. Antiparasitic treatment is controversial as to its indication for this stage of the disease. There is a lack of biological markers to evaluate the effectiveness of antiparasitic treatment, and little is known about the effect of the treatment on CD8+ T cells. Thus, the aim of the current study was to analyze the early effects of antiparasitic treatment on CD8+ T cells from CCPs with asymptomatic clinical forms of disease. To evaluate the CD8+ T cell subsets, expression of inhibitory receptors, and functionality of T cells in CCPs, PBMCs were isolated. The results showed that treatment of CCPs with the asymptomatic form of the disease induces an increase in the frequency of CD8+ central memory T cells and terminal effector T cells, a decrease in the coexpression of inhibitory receptors, an improved Ag-specific CD8+ T cell response exhibited by the individual production of IFN-γ or IL-2, and a multifunctional CD8+ T cell profile of up to four functions (IFN-γ+IL-2+Perforin+Granzyme B+). These findings suggest that, in CCPs, antiparasitic treatment improved the quality of Ag-specific CD8+ T cell responses associated with a decrease in inhibitory receptor coexpression, which could serve as biomarkers for monitoring the effectiveness of antiparasitic treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mateus
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231 Bogota, Colombia.,Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231 Bogota, Colombia
| | - Elena Pérez-Antón
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Paola Lasso
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231 Bogota, Colombia.,Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231 Bogota, Colombia
| | - Adriana Egui
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Nubia Roa
- Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231 Bogota, Colombia
| | | | - John M González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, 111711 Bogota, Colombia
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Concepción J Puerta
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231 Bogota, Colombia
| | - Manuel C López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 110231 Bogota, Colombia;
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Changes in the immune response after treatment with benznidazole versus no treatment in patients with chronic indeterminate Chagas disease. Acta Trop 2016; 164:117-124. [PMID: 27619190 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Symptomatic chronic Chagas disease affects up to 40% of patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. The lack of reliable early markers of cure after therapy hinders disease management and clinical trials with new drugs. We performed a study with 18 months of follow-up to compare changes in immune parameters and T. cruzi-specific immune responses as surrogate markers of response to therapy between patients treated with benznidazole and untreated patients. This was a pilot, open-label, randomised clinical trial of treatment with benznidazole versus no treatment in patients with indeterminate chronic T. cruzi infection. In both groups we investigated changes in T-cell activation, T-cell subpopulations, regulatory T-cell counts, IL6, and sCD14 levels, and T. cruzi-specific immune responses (Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses). Fourteen patients were included in the study (seven in each group). Median age was 35 years (P25-75 31-43), 57% were female, and 93% were Bolivian. Benznidazole was administered at 5mg/kg/day for 60days. Three patients discontinued benznidazole owing to adverse reactions and were not evaluated. At the end of the follow-up period, treated patients showed significantly less immune activation and lower regulatory T-cell counts, with an increased Th17 and Th1 response. This randomised pilot clinical trial administering benznidazole to patients with indeterminate chronic Chagas disease brings about changes in the adaptive immunity, leading to a general decrease in inflammatory status. This apparently beneficial response could act as the basis for monitoring new antiparasitic drugs.
Collapse
|
43
|
Alvarez MG, Bertocchi GL, Cooley G, Albareda MC, Viotti R, Perez-Mazliah DE, Lococo B, Castro Eiro M, Laucella SA, Tarleton RL. Treatment Success in Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Is Predicted by Early Changes in Serially Monitored Parasite-Specific T and B Cell Responses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004657. [PMID: 27128444 PMCID: PMC4851297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease is the highest impact parasitic disease in Latin America. We have proposed that changes in Trypanosoma cruzi-specific immune responses might serve as surrogate indicators of treatment success. Herein, we addressed in a long-term follow-up study whether cure achieved after treatment can be predicted by changes in non-conventional indexes of anti-parasite serological and T cell activities. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS T. cruzi-specific T cell responses, as measured by interferon-γ ELISPOT and T. cruzi-specific antibodies assessed by ELISA, hemagglutination and immunofluorescence tests as well as by a multiplex assay incorporating 14 recombinant T. cruzi proteins were measured in 33 patients at 48-150 months post-benznidazole treatment. Cure - as assessed by conventional serological tests - was associated with an early decline in T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ-producing T cells and in antibody titers measured by the multiplex serological assay. Changes in the functional status and potential of T. cruzi-specific T cells, indicative of reduced antigen stimulation, provided further evidence of parasitological cure following benznidazole treatment. Patients showing a significant reduction in T. cruzi-specific antibodies had higher pre-therapy levels of T. cruzi-specific IFN-γ- producing T cells compared to those with unaltered humoral responses post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Monitoring of appropriate immunological responses can provide earlier and robust measures of treatment success in T. cruzi infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María G. Alvarez
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Gretchen Cooley
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - María C. Albareda
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo Viotti
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Bruno Lococo
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Castro Eiro
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana A. Laucella
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Eva Perón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rick L. Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lasso P, Beltrán L, Guzmán F, Rosas F, Thomas MC, López MC, González JM, Cuéllar A, Puerta CJ. Promiscuous Recognition of a Trypanosoma cruzi CD8+ T Cell Epitope among HLA-A2, HLA-A24 and HLA-A1 Supertypes in Chagasic Patients. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150996. [PMID: 26974162 PMCID: PMC4790940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background TcTLE is a nonamer peptide from Trypanosoma cruzi KMP-11 protein that is conserved among different parasite strains and that is presented by different HLA-A molecules from the A2 supertype. Because peptides presented by several major histocompatibility complex (MHC) supertypes are potential targets for immunotherapy, the aim of this study was to determine whether MHC molecules other than the A2 supertype present the TcTLE peptide. Methodology/Principal Findings From 36 HLA-A2-negative chagasic patients, the HLA-A genotypes of twenty-eight patients with CD8+ T cells that recognized the TcTLE peptide using tetramer (twenty) or functional (eight) assays, were determined. SSP-PCR was used to identify the A locus and the allelic variants. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the frequency of TcTLE-specific CD8+ T cells, and their functional activity (IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-2, perforin, granzyme and CD107a/b production) was induced by exposure to the TcTLE peptide. All patients tested had TcTLE-specific CD8+ T cells with frequencies ranging from 0.07–0.37%. Interestingly, seven of the twenty-eight patients had HLA-A homozygous alleles: A*24 (5 patients), A*23 (1 patient) and A*01 (1 patient), which belong to the A24 and A1 supertypes. In the remaining 21 patients with HLA-A heterozygous alleles, the most prominent alleles were A24 and A68. The most common allele sub-type was A*2402 (sixteen patients), which belongs to the A24 supertype, followed by A*6802 (six patients) from the A2 supertype. Additionally, the A*3002/A*3201 alleles from the A1 supertype were detected in one patient. All patients presented CD8+ T cells producing at least one cytokine after TcTLE peptide stimulation. Conclusion/Significance These results show that TcTLE is a promiscuous peptide that is presented by the A24 and A1 supertypes, in addition to the A2 supertype, suggesting its potential as a target for immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Lasso
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, CSIC, PTS-Granada, Granada, España
| | - Lina Beltrán
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fanny Guzmán
- Núcleo de Biotecnología Curauma (NBC), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Fernando Rosas
- Instituto de Arritmias Joseph Brugada, Fundación Clínica Abood Shaio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - M. Carmen Thomas
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, CSIC, PTS-Granada, Granada, España
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, CSIC, PTS-Granada, Granada, España
| | - John Mario González
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Cuéllar
- Grupo de Inmunobiología y Biología Celular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|