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Abdella S, Kim S, Afinjuomo F, Song Y, Upton R, Garg S. Combining the potential of 3D printed buccal films and nanostructured lipid carriers for personalised cannabidiol delivery. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:984-1004. [PMID: 37903964 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01446-0] [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] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been recognized for its numerous therapeutic benefits, such as neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory effects, and cardioprotection. However, CBD has some limitations, including unpredictable pharmacokinetics and low oral bioavailability. To overcome the challenges associated with CBD delivery, we employed Design of Experiments (DoE), lipid carriers, and 3D printing techniques to optimize and develop buccal film loaded with CBD-NLCs. Three-factor Box-Behnken Design was carried out to optimise the NLCs and analyse the effect of independent factors on dependent factors. The emulsification-ultrasonication technique was used to prepare the NLCs. A pressure-assisted micro-syringe printing technique was used to produce the films. The produced films were studied for physicochemical, and mechanical properties, release profiles, and predicted in vivo performance. The observed particle size of the NLCs ranged from 12.17 to 84.91 nm whereas the PDI varied from 0.099 to 0.298. Lipid and sonication time positively affected the particle size whereas the surfactant concentration was inversely related. CBD was incorporated into the optimal formulation and the observed particle size, PDI, and zeta potential for the CBD-NLCs were 94.2 ± 0.47 nm, 0.11 ± 0.01 and - 11.8 ± 0.52 mV. Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-based gel containing the CBD-NLCs was prepared and used as a feed for 3D printing. The CBD-NLCs film demonstrated a slow and sustained in vitro release profile (84. 11 ± 7.02% in 6 h). The predicted AUC0-10 h, Cmax, and Tmax were 201.5 µg·h/L, 0.74 µg/L, and 1.28 h for a film with 0.4 mg of CBD, respectively. The finding demonstrates that a buccal film of CBD-NLCs can be fabricated using 3D printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadikalmahdi Abdella
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Sangseo Kim
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Franklin Afinjuomo
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Yunmei Song
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Richard Upton
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Sanjay Garg
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
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Carvalho L, Sarcinelli M, Patrício B. Nanotechnological approaches in the treatment of schistosomiasis: an overview. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 15:13-25. [PMID: 38213572 PMCID: PMC10777326 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.15.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis causes over 200,000 deaths annually. The current treatment option, praziquantel, presents limitations, including low bioavailability and resistance. In this context, nanoparticles have emerged as a promising option for improving schistosomiasis treatment. Several narrative reviews have been published on this topic. Unfortunately, the lack of clear methodologies presented in these reviews leads to the exclusion of many important studies without apparent justification. This integrative review aims to examine works published in this area with a precise and reproducible method. To achieve this, three databases (i.e., Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched from March 31, 2022, to March 31, 2023. The search results included only original research articles that used nanoparticles smaller than 1 µm in the treatment context. Additionally, a search was conducted in the references of the identified articles to retrieve works that could not be found solely using the original search formula. As a result, 65 articles that met the established criteria were identified. Inorganic and polymeric nanoparticles were the most prevalent nanosystems used. Gold was the primary material used to produce inorganic nanoparticles, while poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and chitosan were commonly used to produce polymeric nanoparticles. None of these identified works presented results in the clinical phase. Finally, based on our findings, the outlook appears favorable, as there is a significant diversity of new substances with schistosomicidal potential. However, financial efforts are required to advance these nanoformulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Carvalho
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, FIOCRUZ, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Michelle Sarcinelli
- Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Patrício
- Post-Graduate Program in Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology, Farmanguinhos, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Pharmaceutical and Technological Innovation Laboratory - Department of Physiological Sciences, Biomedical Institute, R. Frei Caneca, 94, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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3
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Girod V, Houssier R, Sahmer K, Ghoris MJ, Caby S, Melnyk O, Dissous C, Senez V, Vicogne J. A self-purifying microfluidic system for identifying drugs acting against adult schistosomes. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220648. [PMID: 36465675 PMCID: PMC9709518 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of novel antihelmintic molecules to combat the development and spread of schistosomiasis, a disease caused by several Schistosoma flatworm species, mobilizes significant research efforts worldwide. With a limited number of biochemical assays for measuring the viability of adult worms, the antischistosomicidal activity of molecules is usually evaluated by a microscopic observation of worm mobility and/or integrity upon drug exposure. Even if these phenotypical assays enable multiple parameters analysis, they are often conducted during several days and need to be associated with image-based analysis to minimized subjectivity. We describe here a self-purifying microfluidic system enabling the selection of healthy adult worms and the identification of molecules acting instantly on the parasite. The worms are assayed in a dynamic environment that eliminates unhealthy worms that cannot attach firmly to the chip walls prior to being exposed to the drug. The detachment of the worms is also used as second step readout for identifying active compounds. We have validated this new fluidic screening approach using the two major antihelmintic drugs, praziquantel and artemisinin. The reported dynamic system is simple to produce and to parallelize. Importantly, it enables a quick and sensitive detection of antischistosomal compounds in no more than one hour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Girod
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 – CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille F-59000, France
- CNRS, University of Tokyo, IRL2820 – LIMMS, Lille F-59000, France
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- University of Lille, CNRS, UPHF, JUNIA, CLI, UMR 8520 – IEMN – Institut d'Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie, Villeneuve d'Ascq F-59650, France
| | - Robin Houssier
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 – CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille F-59000, France
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Karin Sahmer
- University of Lille, IMT Lille Douai, University of Artois, JUNIA, ULR 4515 – LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Marie-José Ghoris
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Stéphanie Caby
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Oleg Melnyk
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Colette Dissous
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Vincent Senez
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 – CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille F-59000, France
- CNRS, University of Tokyo, IRL2820 – LIMMS, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Jérôme Vicogne
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017 – Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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4
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Moreira-Filho JT, Silva AC, Dantas RF, Gomes BF, Souza Neto LR, Brandao-Neto J, Owens RJ, Furnham N, Neves BJ, Silva-Junior FP, Andrade CH. Schistosomiasis Drug Discovery in the Era of Automation and Artificial Intelligence. Front Immunol 2021; 12:642383. [PMID: 34135888 PMCID: PMC8203334 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.642383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma and affects over 200 million people worldwide. The control and treatment of this neglected tropical disease is based on a single drug, praziquantel, which raises concerns about the development of drug resistance. This, and the lack of efficacy of praziquantel against juvenile worms, highlights the urgency for new antischistosomal therapies. In this review we focus on innovative approaches to the identification of antischistosomal drug candidates, including the use of automated assays, fragment-based screening, computer-aided and artificial intelligence-based computational methods. We highlight the current developments that may contribute to optimizing research outputs and lead to more effective drugs for this highly prevalent disease, in a more cost-effective drug discovery endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- José T. Moreira-Filho
- LabMol – Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Arthur C. Silva
- LabMol – Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Rafael F. Dantas
- LaBECFar – Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Barbara F. Gomes
- LaBECFar – Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lauro R. Souza Neto
- LaBECFar – Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jose Brandao-Neto
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Didcot, United Kingdom
- Research Complex at Harwell, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond J. Owens
- The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell, United Kingdom
- Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetic, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Furnham
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno J. Neves
- LabMol – Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Floriano P. Silva-Junior
- LaBECFar – Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina H. Andrade
- LabMol – Laboratory for Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás – UFG, Goiânia, Brazil
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5
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Abou El-Nour MF, Kenawy SH, El-Bassyouni GT, Hamzawy EMA. A Novel Treatment of Schistosomiasis: Nano-Calcium Silicate Incorporating 5% Copper Oxide. Adv Pharm Bull 2021; 11:68-76. [PMID: 33747853 PMCID: PMC7961221 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2021.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Praziquantel (PZQ) is a well-known drug accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of schistosomiasis. It shows poor efficiency in patients during the earliest infection phases. Therefore, the search for new alternative drugs was the intention of many researchers. Methods: In the current study, the effect of different concentrations (ranging from 0.07-10 μg∕mL) of calcium silicate (CS) containing 5% copper oxide [CS-5%CuO] on golden hamster infected by Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium (Egyptian strains) was evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel study in investigating the efficiency of CS-5%CuO against both strains of schistosomes. The worms of S. mansoni and S. haematobium were tested in RPMI-1640 medium in vitro. Results: The results declare that CS-5% CuO exhibited excellent anti-schistosomal activities on both in vitro and in vivo experiments for both Egyptians Schistosoma strains. The most potential effect of the CS-5% CuO was exhibited after 6 h by 10 μg∕mL with significant activity of (P value = 0.001). Conclusion: Therefore, CS-5%CuO may become an innovative treatment for the schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sayed Hamed Kenawy
- Refractories, Ceramics and Building Materials Department, National Research Centre, El-Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt.,Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Collage of Science, Chemistry Dept. Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gehan T El-Bassyouni
- Refractories, Ceramics and Building Materials Department, National Research Centre, El-Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
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6
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Craven HM, Bonsignore R, Lenis V, Santi N, Berrar D, Swain M, Whiteland H, Casini A, Hoffmann KF. Identifying and validating the presence of Guanine-Quadruplexes (G4) within the blood fluke parasite Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0008770. [PMID: 33600427 PMCID: PMC7924807 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008770] [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: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that currently affects over 250 million individuals worldwide. In the absence of an immunoprophylactic vaccine and the recognition that mono-chemotherapeutic control of schistosomiasis by praziquantel has limitations, new strategies for managing disease burden are urgently needed. A better understanding of schistosome biology could identify previously undocumented areas suitable for the development of novel interventions. Here, for the first time, we detail the presence of G-quadruplexes (G4) and putative quadruplex forming sequences (PQS) within the Schistosoma mansoni genome. We find that G4 are present in both intragenic and intergenic regions of the seven autosomes as well as the sex-defining allosome pair. Amongst intragenic regions, G4 are particularly enriched in 3´ UTR regions. Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis evidenced significant G4 enrichment in the wnt signalling pathway (p<0.05) and PQS oligonucleotides synthetically derived from wnt-related genes resolve into parallel and anti-parallel G4 motifs as elucidated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Finally, utilising a single chain anti-G4 antibody called BG4, we confirm the in situ presence of G4 within both adult female and male worm nuclei. These results collectively suggest that G4-targeted compounds could be tested as novel anthelmintic agents and highlights the possibility that G4-stabilizing molecules could be progressed as candidates for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly M. Craven
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vasilis Lenis
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolo Santi
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Berrar
- Data Science Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Martin Swain
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Whiteland
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Casini
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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7
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Balahbib A, Amarir F, Bouhout S, Adlaoui EB, Rhajaoui M, Sadak A. Retrospective study on imported schistosomiasis in Morocco between 2005 and 2017. Trop Doct 2020; 50:317-321. [PMID: 32501173 DOI: 10.1177/0049475520928195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Since 2004, no indigenous cases of schistosomiasis have been found in Morocco; only imported cases have been detected. The aim of the present study was to describe and analyse the epidemiological profile of imported schistosomiasis between 2005 and 2017, and, by this, attract attention to the probability of a reintroduction of this disease. During this period, 27 cases were recorded in Morocco, with a male predominance (13:1). All cases reported were found among African immigrants from Mauritania (37%), Mali (18%) and Senegal (15%). Schistosoma heamatobium was the most dominant specie. Most cases were reported in Rabat and Agadir, where there are many snail habitats. To prevent a re-emergence of the disease, the main challenge would be to consolidate and maintain a sustainable surveillance and control system of the importation of bilharzia. The frequency of asymptomatic schistosomiasis justifies a systematic health check-up for all travellers, migrants and immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelaali Balahbib
- Ph.D student Laboratory of Biodiversity, Ecology and genome, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco.,Ph.D student, National Reference Laboratory of Schistosomiasis and Malacology, National Institute of Hygiene, Agdal, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Fatima Amarir
- Professor, Laboratory of Immunity and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Aïn Chock, University Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Souad Bouhout
- Doctor, Direction of Epidemiology and Disease Control (DELM), Ministry of Health, Rabat, Morocco
| | - El Bachir Adlaoui
- Doctor, National Reference Laboratory of Schistosomiasis and Malacology, National Institute of Hygiene, Agdal, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Rhajaoui
- Doctor, National Reference Laboratory of Schistosomiasis and Malacology, National Institute of Hygiene, Agdal, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Abderrahim Sadak
- Professor, Laboratory of Biodiversity, Ecology and genome, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco
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8
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Neves LX, Wilson RA, Brownridge P, Harman VM, Holman SW, Beynon RJ, Eyers CE, DeMarco R, Castro-Borges W. Quantitative Proteomics of Enriched Esophageal and Gut Tissues from the Human Blood Fluke Schistosoma mansoni Pinpoints Secreted Proteins for Vaccine Development. J Proteome Res 2019; 19:314-326. [PMID: 31729880 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomes are blood-dwelling helminth parasites that cause schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease resulting in inflammation and, in extreme cases, multiple organ damage. Major challenges to control the transmission persist, and the discovery of protective antigens remains of critical importance for vaccine development. Rhesus macaques can self-cure following schistosome infection, generating antibodies that target proteins from the tegument, gut, and esophagus, the last of which is the least investigated. We developed a dissection technique that permitted increased sensitivity in a comparative proteomics profiling of schistosome esophagus and gut. Proteome analysis of the male schistosome esophagus identified 13 proteins encoded by microexon genes (MEGs), 11 of which were uniquely located in the esophageal glands. Based on this and transcriptome information, a QconCAT was designed for the absolute quantification of selected targets. MEGs 12, 4.2, and 4.1 and venom allergen-like protein 7 were the most abundant, spanning over 245 million to 6 million copies per cell, while aspartyl protease, palmitoyl thioesterase, and galactosyl transferase were present at <1 million copies. Antigenic variation by alternative splicing of MEG proteins was confirmed together with a specialized machinery for protein glycosylation/secretion in the esophagus. Moreover, some gastrodermal secretions were highly enriched in the gut, while others were more uniformly distributed throughout the parasite, potentially indicating lysosomal activity. Collectively, our findings provide a more rational, better-oriented selection of schistosome vaccine candidates in the context of a proven model of protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro X Neves
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto , Campus Morro do Cruzeiro , Ouro Preto 35400-000 , Minas Gerais , Brazil
| | - R Alan Wilson
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology , University of York , Heslington, York YO10 5DD , United Kingdom
| | - Philip Brownridge
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology , University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZB , United Kingdom
| | - Victoria M Harman
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology , University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZB , United Kingdom
| | - Stephen W Holman
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology , University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZB , United Kingdom
| | - Robert J Beynon
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology , University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZB , United Kingdom
| | - Claire E Eyers
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology , University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 7ZB , United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos , Universidade de São Paulo , São Carlos 13566-590 , Brazil
| | - William Castro-Borges
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto , Campus Morro do Cruzeiro , Ouro Preto 35400-000 , Minas Gerais , Brazil
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9
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Nkurunungi G, van Diepen A, Nassuuna J, Sanya RE, Nampijja M, Nambuya I, Kabagenyi J, Serna S, Reichardt NC, van Ree R, Webb EL, Elliott AM, Yazdanbakhsh M, Hokke CH. Microarray assessment of N-glycan-specific IgE and IgG profiles associated with Schistosoma mansoni infection in rural and urban Uganda. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3522. [PMID: 30837526 PMCID: PMC6401159 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40009-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Core β-1,2-xylose and α-1,3-fucose are antigenic motifs on schistosome N-glycans, as well as prominent IgE targets on some plant and insect glycoproteins. To map the association of schistosome infection with responses to these motifs, we assessed plasma IgE and IgG reactivity using microarray technology among Ugandans from rural Schistosoma mansoni (Sm)-endemic islands (n = 209), and from proximate urban communities with lower Sm exposure (n = 62). IgE and IgG responses to core β-1,2-xylose and α-1,3-fucose modified N-glycans were higher in rural versus urban participants. Among rural participants, IgE and IgG to core β-1,2-xylose were positively associated with Sm infection and concentration peaks coincided with the infection intensity peak in early adolescence. Responses to core α-1,3-fucose were elevated regardless of Sm infection status and peaked before the infection peak. Among urban participants, Sm infection intensity was predominantly light and positively associated with responses to both motifs. Principal component and hierarchical cluster analysis reduced the data to a set of variables that captured core β-1,2-xylose- and α-1,3-fucose-specific responses, and confirmed associations with Sm and the rural environment. Responses to core β-1,2-xylose and α-1,3-fucose have distinctive relationships with Sm infection and intensity that should further be explored for associations with protective immunity, and cross-reactivity with other exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyaviira Nkurunungi
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda. .,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Angela van Diepen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jacent Nassuuna
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Richard E Sanya
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Margaret Nampijja
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Irene Nambuya
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joyce Kabagenyi
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Sonia Serna
- Glycotechnology Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biomateriales (CIC biomaGUNE), San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Niels-Christian Reichardt
- Glycotechnology Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biomateriales (CIC biomaGUNE), San Sebastián, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ronald van Ree
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Departments of Experimental Immunology and of Otorhinolaryngology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Emily L Webb
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison M Elliott
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H Hokke
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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10
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Frahm S, Anisuzzaman A, Prodjinotho UF, Vejzagić N, Verschoor A, Prazeres da Costa C. A novel cell-free method to culture Schistosoma mansoni from cercariae to juvenile worm stages for in vitro drug testing. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0006590. [PMID: 30689639 PMCID: PMC6375649 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The arsenal in anthelminthic treatment against schistosomiasis is limited and relies almost exclusively on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Thus, resistance to PZQ could constitute a major threat. Even though PZQ is potent in killing adult worms, its activity against earlier stages is limited. Current in vitro drug screening strategies depend on newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) for initial hit identification, thereby limiting sensitivity to new compounds predominantly active in later developmental stages. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a highly standardized, straightforward and reliable culture method to generate and maintain advanced larval stages in vitro. We present here how this method can be a valuable tool to test drug efficacy at each intermediate larval stage, reducing the reliance on animal use (3Rs). Methodology/Principal findings Cercariae were mechanically transformed into skin-stage (SkS) schistosomula and successfully cultured for up to four weeks with no loss in viability in a commercially available medium. Under these serum- and cell-free conditions, development halted at the lung-stage (LuS). However, the addition of human serum (HSe) propelled further development into liver stage (LiS) worms within eight weeks. Skin and lung stages, as well as LiS, were submitted to 96-well drug screening assays using known anti-schistosomal compounds such as PZQ, oxamniquine (OXM), mefloquine (MFQ) and artemether (ART). Our findings showed stage-dependent differences in larval susceptibility to these compounds. Conclusion With this robust and highly standardized in vitro assay, important developmental stages of S. mansoni up to LiS worms can be generated and maintained over prolonged periods of time. The phenotype of LiS worms, when exposed to reference drugs, was comparable to most previously published works for ex vivo harvested adult worms. Therefore, this in vitro assay can help reduce reliance on animal experiments in search for new anti-schistosomal drugs. Schistosomiasis remains a major health threat, predominantly in developing countries. Even though there has been some progress in search of new drugs, praziquantel remains the only available drug. Probably the most important advance in the search for new drugs was in vitro transformation of cercariae and their subsequent culture. However, hit identification in compound screenings is exclusively tested in skin stage parasites and is only confirmed for more mature worms in a subsequent step. This is in part due to the lack of an easy culture system for advance-stage parasites. We present here a reliable and highly standardized way to generate LiS worms in vitro in a cell-free culture system. The inclusion of in vitro drug tests on advanced-stage parasites in initial hit identification will help to identify compounds that might otherwise be overlooked. Furthermore, the ability to continuously observe the parasite’s development in vitro will provide an important platform for a better understanding of its maturation in the human host. Taken together, this opens up new avenues to investigate the influence of specific cell types or host proteins on the development of Schistosoma mansoni and provides an additional tool to reduce animal use in future drug discovery efforts (3Rs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören Frahm
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anisuzzaman Anisuzzaman
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Ulrich Fabien Prodjinotho
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Nermina Vejzagić
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Admar Verschoor
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
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11
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Panic G, Keiser J. Acting beyond 2020: better characterization of praziquantel and promising antischistosomal leads. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2018; 42:27-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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12
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Freer JB, Bourke CD, Durhuus GH, Kjetland EF, Prendergast AJ. Schistosomiasis in the first 1000 days. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 18:e193-e203. [PMID: 29170089 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(17)30490-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Infections during the first 1000 days-the period from conception to a child's second birthday-can have lifelong effects on health, because this is a crucial phase of growth and development. There is increasing recognition of the burden and potential effects of schistosomiasis in women of reproductive age and young children. Exposure to schistosomes during pregnancy can modulate infant immune development and schistosomiasis can occur from early infancy, such that the high disease burden found in adolescents is often due to accumulation of infections with long-lived schistosomes from early life. Women of reproductive age and young children are largely neglected in mass drug administration programmes, but early treatment could avert subsequent disease. We evaluate the evidence that early schistosomiasis has adverse effects on birth, growth, and development. We also discuss the case for expanding public health interventions for schistosomiasis in women of reproductive age and preschool-age children, and the need for further research to evaluate the potential of treating women pre-conception to maximise health across the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Freer
- Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe; Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Claire D Bourke
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Gunn H Durhuus
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sorlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Eyrun F Kjetland
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases Ullevaal, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andrew J Prendergast
- Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe; Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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13
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Abudho BO, Ndombi EM, Guya B, Carter JM, Riner DK, Kittur N, Karanja DMS, Secor WE, Colley DG. Impact of Four Years of Annual Mass Drug Administration on Prevalence and Intensity of Schistosomiasis among Primary and High School Children in Western Kenya: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018. [PMID: 29532768 PMCID: PMC5953387 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains a major public health problem in Kenya. The World Health Organization recommends preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ) to control morbidity due to schistosomiasis. Morbidity is considered linked to intensity of infection, which along with prevalence is used to determine the frequency of mass drug administration (MDA) to school-age children. We determined the impact of annual school-based MDA on children across all primary and high school years using a repeated cross-sectional study design in five schools near Lake Victoria in western Kenya, an area endemic for Schistosoma mansoni. At baseline and for the following four consecutive years, between 897 and 1,440 school children in Grades 1-12 were enrolled and evaluated by Kato-Katz for S. mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths (STH), followed by annual MDA with PZQ and albendazole. Four annual rounds of MDA with PZQ were associated with reduced S. mansoni prevalence in all school children (44.7-14.0%; P < 0.001) and mean intensity of infection by 91% (90.4 to 8.1 eggs per gram [epg] of stool; P < 0.001). Prevalence of high-intensity infection (≥ 400 epg) decreased from 6.8% at baseline to 0.3% by the end of the study. Soil-transmitted helminth infections, already low at baseline, also decreased significantly over the years. In this high prevalence area, annual school-based MDA with high coverage across all Grades (1-12) resulted in rapid and progressive declines in overall prevalence and intensity of infection. This decrease was dramatic in regard to heavy infections in older school-attending children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard O Abudho
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya.,Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric M Ndombi
- Department of Pathology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Bernard Guya
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
| | - Jennifer M Carter
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Diana K Riner
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Nupur Kittur
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Diana M S Karanja
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - W Evan Secor
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Daniel G Colley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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14
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Solid dispersions to enhance the delivery of a potential drug candidate LPSF/FZ4 for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 115:270-285. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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15
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Sokolow SH, Wood CL, Jones IJ, Lafferty KD, Kuris AM, Hsieh MH, De Leo GA. To Reduce the Global Burden of Human Schistosomiasis, Use 'Old Fashioned' Snail Control. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:23-40. [PMID: 29126819 PMCID: PMC5819334 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Control strategies to reduce human schistosomiasis have evolved from 'snail picking' campaigns, a century ago, to modern wide-scale human treatment campaigns, or preventive chemotherapy. Unfortunately, despite the rise in preventive chemotherapy campaigns, just as many people suffer from schistosomiasis today as they did 50 years ago. Snail control can complement preventive chemotherapy by reducing the risk of transmission from snails to humans. Here, we present ideas for modernizing and scaling up snail control, including spatiotemporal targeting, environmental diagnostics, better molluscicides, new technologies (e.g., gene drive), and 'outside the box' strategies such as natural enemies, traps, and repellants. We conclude that, to achieve the World Health Assembly's stated goal to eliminate schistosomiasis, it is time to give snail control another look.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne H Sokolow
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - Chelsea L Wood
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Box 355020, Seattle, WA 98195-5020, USA
| | - Isabel J Jones
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Kevin D Lafferty
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, c/o Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Armand M Kuris
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Michael H Hsieh
- Children's National Health System, Washington DC, 20010, USA; The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20037, USA; Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Giulio A De Leo
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
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16
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Abstract
Praziquantel has remained the drug of choice for schistosomiasis chemotherapy for almost 40 years. The pressing need to develop a new antischistosomal drug may necessitate exploring and filtering chemotherapeutic history to search for the most promising ones. In this context, this review attempts to summarize all progress made in schistosomiasis chemotherapy from the early 20th century (mid-1910s) to 2016. We gathered almost 100 compounds providing information on therapeutic action, specifically covering at least first in vivo studies in animal model and in vitro. Pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles of antischistosomal agents were also described. Preclinical studies indicate a handful of promising future candidates.
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17
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Abstract
In the last 2 decades, renewed attention to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) has spurred the development of antiparasitic agents, especially in light of emerging drug resistance. The need for new drugs has required in vitro screening methods using parasite culture. Furthermore, clinical laboratories sought to correlate in vitro susceptibility methods with treatment outcomes, most notably with malaria. Parasites with their various life cycles present greater complexity than bacteria, for which standardized susceptibility methods exist. This review catalogs the state-of-the-art methodologies used to evaluate the effects of drugs on key human parasites from the point of view of drug discovery as well as the need for laboratory methods that correlate with clinical outcomes.
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18
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Karanja DMS, Awino EK, Wiegand RE, Okoth E, Abudho BO, Mwinzi PNM, Montgomery SP, Secor WE. Cluster randomized trial comparing school-based mass drug administration schedules in areas of western Kenya with moderate initial prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006033. [PMID: 29059190 PMCID: PMC5667887 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mass drug administration (MDA) using praziquantel is the WHO-recommended approach for control of schistosomiasis. However, few studies have compared the impact of different schedules of MDA on the resultant infection levels. We wished to evaluate whether annual MDA was more effective than less frequent treatments for reducing community-level prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infections. Methods We performed a cluster randomized trial (ISRCTN 14849830) of 3 different MDA frequencies over a 5 year period in 75 villages with moderate (10%-24%) initial prevalence of S. mansoni in school children in western Kenya. Praziquantel was distributed by school teachers to students either annually, the first 2 years, or every other year over a 4 year period. Prevalence and intensity of infection were measured by stool examination in 9–12 year old students using the Kato-Katz method at baseline, each treatment year, and for the final evaluation at year 5. S. mansoni prevalence and intensity were also measured in first year students at baseline and year 5. Results Twenty-five schools were randomly assigned to each arm. S. mansoni prevalence and infection intensity in 9–12 year old students significantly decreased within each arm from baseline to year 5 but there were no differences between arms. There were no differences in infection levels in first year students either within or between arms. Conclusions Strategies employing 2 or 4 rounds of MDA had a similar impact in schools with moderate initial prevalence, suggesting that schistosomiasis control can be sustained by school-based MDA, even if provided only every other year. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel for control of schistosomiasis. The target group for and the frequency of treatment are based on infections levels in school age children at the initiation of the control program. However, these guidelines have not been rigorously evaluated. Through the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE), we had the opportunity to compare the impact of school-based treatment in an area of western Kenya with moderate (10%-24%) initial prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infections. We found that providing MDA every year or every other year over a 4 year period provided similar benefits for reducing prevalence and intensity of infection in the final evaluation at year 5. Annual or biennial MDA moved villages from the “moderate risk” to the “low risk category” prescribed in the WHO guidelines. The results from this study and parallel SCORE studies in other African countries should provide the evidence base necessary for improved WHO guidelines for schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M. S. Karanja
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Branch, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Emmy K. Awino
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Branch, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ryan E. Wiegand
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Edward Okoth
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Branch, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Bernard O. Abudho
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Branch, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Pauline N. M. Mwinzi
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Branch, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Susan P. Montgomery
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - W. Evan Secor
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Nasareth JM, Fraga CM, Lima NF, Picanço GA, Costa TL, Lino-Junior RS, Vinaud MC. In vivo treatment with nitazoxanide induces anaerobic metabolism in experimental intraperitoneal cysticercosis. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:3037-3041. [PMID: 28914356 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5614-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Taenia crassiceps cysticerci are used as experimental model to study the host-parasite relationship and treatment of cysticercosis. One of the described mode of actions of nitazoxanide (NTZ) is to block the pyruvate ferredoxine oxidoreductase (PFOR) enzyme which is an essential enzyme to the parasite metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the in vivo influence of one dosage of NTZ on the energetic metabolism of T. crassiceps cysticerci. Thirty days after the intraperitoneal inoculation of T. crassiceps cysticerci, BALB/c mice were orally treated with 7.5 mg/kg of NTZ. The control group was treated with physiologic solution (NaCl 0.9%). After 24 h, the animals were euthanized and the cysticerci were removed, washed, and processed for biochemical analysis. The organic acids detection occurred through high-performance liquid chromatographic and spectrophotometric analysis. While there was no difference in the glucose dosages, it was possible to observe a significant increase in the lactate concentrations and a decrease in the pyruvate concentrations of the NTZ-treated groups when compared to the control group. Also, there was a decrease in the urea and alpha-ketoglutarate concentrations. This probably occurred due to the impairment of the parasite's PFOR and nitroreductases leading an impairment of the mitochondrial aerobic pathways. In conclusion, the in vivo NTZ treatment leads to an increase in the lactic fermentation and to a decrease in the protein catabolism in T. crassiceps cysticerci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelma M Nasareth
- Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goias, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Carolina M Fraga
- Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goias, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Nayana F Lima
- Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goias, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Guaraciara A Picanço
- Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goias, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Tatiane L Costa
- Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goias, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Ruy S Lino-Junior
- Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goias, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Marina Clare Vinaud
- Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goias, Rua 235, s/n, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil.
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20
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Szabó ZI, Gál R, Szőcs L, Ludmerczki R, Muntean DL, Noszál B, Tóth G. Validated capillary electrophoretic method for the enantiomeric quality control of R-praziquantel. Electrophoresis 2017; 38:1886-1894. [PMID: 28221678 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201600492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The enantiomers of praziquantel, the drug of choice in schistosomiasis, were separated by electrokinetic chromatography with cyclodextrins. Nine anionic cyclodextrins were screened for their ability to discriminate between the uncharged enantiomers. Seven investigated selectors presented chiral interactions with the enantiomers, these cases being interpreted in terms of stability constants and complex mobilities. The best results were delivered by sulfated-β-cyclodextrin, where quasi-equal stability constants were accompanied by extreme selectivity values and was explained on the basis of highly different mobilities of the transient diastereomeric complexes. Since the enantiomer migration order was unfavorable, a simple polarity switch was employed (detection end at anode), which apart from migration order reversal, also resulted in extreme resolution values (Rs > 35) and increased migration times. After optimization (50 mM phosphate buffer pH 2.0, supplied with 15 mM sulfated-β-cyclodextrin, 15 kV, capillary temperature 25°C, short-end injection with 50 mbar × 2 s), analysis time under 10 min were obtained, while still maintaining high resolution (Rs > 10). The method was validated according to the ICH guidelines and application of the method was tested on in-house synthetized R-praziquantel batches and on commercial, combination tablets containing racemic mixture of the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán-István Szabó
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Réka Gál
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Levente Szőcs
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róbert Ludmerczki
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Daniela-Lucia Muntean
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Béla Noszál
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergő Tóth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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21
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Stothard JR, Campbell SJ, Osei-Atweneboana MY, Durant T, Stanton MC, Biritwum NK, Rollinson D, Ombede DRE, Tchuem-Tchuenté LA. Towards interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in sub-Saharan Africa: developing an appropriate environmental surveillance framework to guide and to support 'end game' interventions. Infect Dis Poverty 2017; 6:10. [PMID: 28088239 PMCID: PMC5237522 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0215-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a waterborne parasitic disease in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly common in rural populations living in impoverished conditions. With the scale-up of preventive chemotherapy, national campaigns will transition from morbidity- to transmission-focused interventions thus formal investigation of actual or expected declines in environmental transmission is needed as 'end game' scenarios arise. Surprisingly, there are no international or national guidelines to do so in sub-Saharan Africa. Our article therefore provides an introduction to key practicalities and pitfalls in the development of an appropriate environmental surveillance framework. In this context, we discuss how strategies need to be adapted and tailored to the local level to better guide and support future interventions through this transition. As detection of egg-patent infection in people becomes rare, careful sampling of schistosome larvae in freshwater and in aquatic snails with robust species-specific DNA assays will be required. Appropriate metrics, derived from observed prevalence(s) as compared with predetermined thresholds, could each provide a clearer insight into contamination- and exposure-related dynamics. Application could be twofold, first to certify areas currently free from schistosomiasis transmission or second to red-flag recalcitrant locations where extra effort or alternative interventions are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA UK
| | - Suzy J. Campbell
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA UK
| | - Mike Y. Osei-Atweneboana
- Department of Environmental Biology and Health, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Insitute, P.O. Box M 32, Accra, Ghana
| | - Timothy Durant
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA UK
| | - Michelle C. Stanton
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA UK
| | | | - David Rollinson
- Department of Life Sciences; Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Dieudonné R. Eloundou Ombede
- Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Louis-Albert Tchuem-Tchuenté
- Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Helminthiasis, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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22
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Tekwu EM, Anyan WK, Boamah D, Baffour-Awuah KO, Keyetat Tekwu S, Penlap Beng V, Nyarko AK, Bosompem KM. Mechanically produced schistosomula as a higher-throughput tools for phenotypic pre-screening in drug sensitivity assays: current research and future trends. Biomark Res 2016; 4:21. [PMID: 27895916 PMCID: PMC5120492 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-016-0075-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
It is crucial to develop new antischistosomal drugs since there is no vaccine and the whole world is relying on only a single drug for the treatment of schistosomiasis. One of the obstacles to the development of drugs is the absence of the high throughput objective screening methods to assess drug compounds efficacy. Thus for identification of new drug compounds candidates, fast and accurate in vitro assays are unavoidable and more research efforts in the field of drug discovery can target schistosomula. This review presents a substantial overview of the present state of in vitro drug sensitivity assays developed so far for the determination of anti-schistosomula activity of drug compounds, natural products and derivatives using newly transformed schistosomula (NTS). It highlights some of the challenges involved in in vitro compound screening using NTS and the way forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Mouafo Tekwu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG581 Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Laboratory for Tuberculosis Research and Pharmacology, Biotechnology Centre, Nkolbisson, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - William Kofi Anyan
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG581 Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Daniel Boamah
- Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), Akwapim, Mampong, Ghana
| | - Kofi Owusu Baffour-Awuah
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG581 Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Veronique Penlap Beng
- Laboratory for Tuberculosis Research and Pharmacology, Biotechnology Centre, Nkolbisson, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Kwabena Mante Bosompem
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, PO Box LG581 Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Zheng S, Zhang P, Chen Y, Zheng S, Zheng L, Weng Z. Inhibition of Notch Signaling Attenuates Schistosomiasis Hepatic Fibrosis via Blocking Macrophage M2 Polarization. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166808. [PMID: 27875565 PMCID: PMC5119780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages play a key role in the pathogenesis of liver granuloma and fibrosis in schistosomiasis. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully characterized. This study revealed that the macrophages infiltrating the liver tissues in a murine model of Schistosoma japonica infection exhibited M2 functional polarization, and Notch1/Jagged1 signaling was significantly upregulated in the M2 polarized macrophages in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the blockade of Notch signaling pathway by a γ-secretase inhibitor could reverse macrophage M2 polarization in vitro and alleviate liver granuloma and fibrosis in the murine model of schistosomiasis. These results implied that the Notch1/Jagged1 signaling-dependent M2 polarization of macrophages might play an important role in liver granuloma and fibrosis in schistosomiasis, and the inhibition of Notch1/Jagged1 signaling might provide a novel therapeutic approach to administrate patients with schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoping Zheng
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peige Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yixiong Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaojiang Zheng
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Hainan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College,Haikou, China
| | - Liping Zheng
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Hainan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College,Haikou, China
| | - Zhihong Weng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
SUMMARYSchistosomiasis, commonly known as bilharzia, is a parasitic disease prevalent in Africa, Asia and South America. The majority of the cases occur in Sub-Saharan Africa where schistosomiasis is a major public health problem impacting on child health and development as well as adult health when infections become chronic. Control of schistosomiasis is by treatment of infected people with the antihelminthic drug praziquantel. Current schistosome control programmes advocated by the World Health Assembly in 2001 are aimed at regular school-based integrated deworming strategies in order to reduce development of severe morbidity, promote school health and to improve cognitive potential of children. Several countries in Africa have now embarked on national scale deworming programmes treating millions of children exposed to schistosomiasis in endemic areas without prior diagnosis of infection through mass drug administration programmes. Implementing such control programmes requires a concerted effort between scientists, policy makers, health practitioners and several other stake holders and of course a receptive community. This paper considers the contributions to global schistosome control efforts made by research conducted in Zimbabwe and the historical context and developments leading to the national schistosomiasis control programme in Zimbabwe giving an example of Getting Research into Policy and Practice.
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Identification of Host Insulin Binding Sites on Schistosoma japonicum Insulin Receptors. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159704. [PMID: 27441998 PMCID: PMC4956214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma japonicum insulin receptors (SjIRs) have been identified as encouraging vaccine candidates. Interrupting or blocking the binding between host insulin and the schistosome insulin receptors (IRs) may result in reduced glucose uptake leading to starvation and stunting of worms with a reduction in egg output. To further understand how schistosomes are able to exploit host insulin for development and growth, and whether these parasites and their mammalian hosts compete for the same insulin source, we identified insulin binding sites on the SjIRs. Based on sequence analysis and the predicted antigenic structure of the primary sequences of the SjIRs, we designed nine and eleven peptide analogues from SjIR-1 and SjIR-2, respectively. Using the Octet RED system, we identified analogues derived from SjIR-1 (10) and SjIR-2 (20, 21 and 22) with insulin-binding sequences specific for S. japonicum. Nevertheless, the human insulin receptor (HIR) may compete with the SjIRs in binding human insulin in other positions which are important for HIR binding to insulin. However, no binding occurred between insulin and parasite analogues derived from SjIR-1 (2, 7 and 8) and SjIR-2 (14, 16 and 18) at the same locations as HIR sequences which have been shown to have strong insulin binding affinities. Importantly, we found two analogues (1 and 3), derived from SjIR-1, and two analogues (13 and 15) derived from SjIR-2, were responsible for the major insulin binding affinity in S. japonicum. These peptide analogues were shown to have more than 10 times (in KD value) stronger binding capacity for human insulin compared with peptides derived from the HIR in the same sequence positions. Paradoxically, analogues 1, 3, 13 and 15 do not appear to contain major antigenic determinants which resulted in poor antibody responses to native S. japonicum protein. This argues against their future development as peptide-vaccine candidates.
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Molehin AJ, Rojo JU, Siddiqui SZ, Gray SA, Carter D, Siddiqui AA. Development of a schistosomiasis vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2016; 15:619-27. [PMID: 26651503 PMCID: PMC5070536 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2016.1131127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) of public health importance. Despite decades of implementation of mass praziquantel therapy programs and other control measures, schistosomiasis has not been contained and continues to spread to new geographic areas. A schistosomiasis vaccine could play an important role as part of a multifaceted control approach. With regards to vaccine development, many biological bottlenecks still exist: the lack of reliable surrogates of protection in humans; immune interactions in co-infections with other diseases in endemic areas; the potential risk of IgE responses to antigens in endemic populations; and paucity of appropriate vaccine efficacy studies in nonhuman primate models. Research is also needed on the role of modern adjuvants targeting specific parts of the innate immune system to tailor a potent and protective immune response for lead schistosome vaccine candidates with the long-term aim to achieve curative worm reduction. This review summarizes the current status of schistosomiasis vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adebayo J. Molehin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Juan U. Rojo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Sabrina Z. Siddiqui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Darrick Carter
- PAI Life Sciences, Washington, USA
- Infectious Disease Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Afzal A. Siddiqui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Panic G, Flores D, Ingram-Sieber K, Keiser J. Fluorescence/luminescence-based markers for the assessment of Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula drug assays. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:624. [PMID: 26644133 PMCID: PMC4672532 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1233-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is responsible for a tremendous public health burden, yet only a single drug, praziquantel, is available. New antischistosomal treatments should therefore be developed. The accuracy, speed and objectivity of in vitro drug screening depend on the assay read-out. Microscopy is still the current gold standard and is in need of updating to an automated format. The aim of the present study was to investigate a panel of fluorescence/luminescence dyes for their applicability as viability markers in drug sensitivity assays for Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula. Methods A search for available viability and cytotoxicity marker assays and dyes was carried out and a short-list of the most interesting candidates was created. The selected kits and dyes were tested on S. mansoni Newly Transformed Schistosomula (NTS), first to assess whether they correlate with parasite viability, with comparatively low background noise, and to optimise assay conditions. Markers fulfilling these criteria were then tested in a dose–response drug assay using standard and experimental drugs and those for which an IC50 value could be accurately and reproducibly calculated were also tested on a subset of a compound library to determine their hit-identification accuracy. Results Of the 11 markers selected for testing, resazurin, Vybrant® and CellTiter-Glo® correlated best with NTS viability, produced signals ≥ 3-fold stronger than background noise and revealed a significant signal-to-NTS concentration relationship. Of these, CellTiter-Glo® could be used to accurately determine IC50 values for antischistosomals. Use of CellTiter-Glo® in a compound subset screen identified 100 % of hits that were identified using standard microscopic evaluation. Conclusion This study presents a comprehensive overview of the utility of colorimetric markers in drug screening. Our study demonstrates that it is difficult to develop a simple, cheap “just add” colorimetric marker-based drug assay for the larval stage of S. mansoni. CellTiter-Glo® can likely be used for endpoint go/no go screens and potentially for drug dose–response studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1233-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordana Panic
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Dayana Flores
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Katrin Ingram-Sieber
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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