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Mizuno M, Kiyotake S, Matsubayashi M, Kaneko T, Hatai H, Fujimoto Y, Ijiri M, Kawaguchi H, Matsui T, Matsuo T. Potential Development Ability of Residual Zoites, a Second-Generation Meront, Inducing Long-Term Infection by the Mouse Eimerian Parasite, Eimeria krijgsmanni. Acta Parasitol 2024:10.1007/s11686-024-00910-2. [PMID: 39207650 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00910-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Coccidiosis caused by eimerian parasites results in lethal watery or bloody diarrhea in hosts, and markedly impairs the growth of and feed utilization by host animals. We previously investigated detailed the life cycle of Eimeria krijgsmanni as a mouse eimerian parasite. Only second-generation meronts, as an asexual stage, were morphologically detected in the epithelium of the host cecum for at least 8 weeks after infection, even though oocyst shedding finished approximately 3 weeks after infection. The presence of zoites was of interest because infection by eimerian parasites is considered to be self-limited after their patent period. METHODS To clarify the significance of residual second-generation meronts in E. krijgsmanni infection, we performed infection experiments using immunocompetent mice under artificial immunosuppression and congenital immunodeficient mice. RESULTS The number of oocysts discharged and the duration of oocyst discharge both increased in immunosuppressed mice. In immunodeficient mice, numerous oocysts were shed over a markedly longer period, and oocyst discharge did not finish until 56 days after inoculation. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that the second-generation meronts survived in the epithelial cells of the cecum after the patent period, thereby contributing to extended infection as an asexual stage. The results obtained on E. krijgsmanni indicate that infections by Eimeria spp. are not self-limited and potentially continue for a long period of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanobu Mizuno
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Satoru Kiyotake
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Makoto Matsubayashi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Immunology, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Izumisano, 598-5831, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takane Kaneko
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyushu Sangyo University, Fukuoka, 813-8503, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hatai
- Farm Animal Clinical Skills and Diseases Control Center, Iwate University, Morioka, 020-8550, Iwate, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Fujimoto
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Moe Ijiri
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kawaguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, 034-8628, Aomori, Japan
| | | | - Tomohide Matsuo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan.
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Li H, Yuan H, Yang ZP, Song Y, Wang JJ, Wen Q, Zheng YX, Zhang XX, Yu M, Yuan ZG. Differential transcriptome study on the damage of testicular tissues caused by chronic infection of T. gondii in mice. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:252. [PMID: 38858789 PMCID: PMC11165745 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06247-z] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that is widely distributed in humans and warm-blooded animals. T. gondii chronic infections can cause toxoplasmic encephalopathy, adverse pregnancy, and male reproductive disorders. In male reproduction, the main function of the testis is to provide a stable place for spermatogenesis and immunological protection. The disorders affecting testis tissue encompass abnormalities in the germ cell cycle, spermatogenic retardation, or complete cessation of sperm development. However, the mechanisms of interaction between T. gondii and the reproductive system is unclear. The aims were to study the expression levels of genes related to spermatogenesis, following T. gondii infection, in mouse testicular tissue. METHODS RNA-seq sequencing was carried out on mouse testicular tissues from mice infected or uninfected with the T. gondii type II Prugniaud (PRU) strain and validated in combination with real-time quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence assays. RESULTS The results showed that there were 250 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (P < 0.05, |log2fold change| ≧ 1). Bioinformatics analysis showed that 101 DEGs were annotated to the 1696 gene ontology (GO) term. While there was a higher number of DEGs in the biological process classification as a whole, the GO enrichment revealed a significant presence of DEGs in the cellular component classification. The Arhgap18 and Syne1 genes undergo regulatory changes following T. gondii infection, and both were involved in shaping the cytoskeleton of the blood-testis barrier (BTB). The number of DEGs enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and the JNK signaling pathway were significant. The PTGDS gene is located in the Arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, which plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of BTB in the testis. The expression of PTGDS is downregulated subsequent to T. gondii infection, potentially exerting deleterious effects on the integrity of the BTB and the spermatogenic microenvironment within the testes. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our research provides in-depth insights into how chronic T. gondii infection might affect testicular tissue and potentially impact male fertility. These findings offer a new perspective on the impact of T. gondii infection on the male reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Zi-Peng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Yining Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun-Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingyuan Wen
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Xiang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- College of Plant, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Miao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Oral Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Oral Disease, Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510140 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
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Yuan H, Jiang T, Zhang WD, Yang Z, Luo S, Wang X, Zhu X, Qi S, Mahmmod YS, Zhang XX, Yuan ZG. Multiomics and bioinformatics identify differentially expressed effectors in the brain of Toxoplasma gondii infected masked palm civet. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1267629. [PMID: 37818043 PMCID: PMC10561248 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1267629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) serves as a reservoir in transmitting pathogens, such as Toxoplasma gondii, to humans. However, the pathogenesis of T. gondii infection in masked palm civets has not been explored. We studied the molecular changes in the brain tissue of masked palm civets chronically infected with T. gondii ME49. Methods The differentially expressed proteins in the brain tissue were investigated using iTRAQ and bioinformatics. Results A total of 268 differential proteins were identified, of which 111 were upregulated and 157 were downregulated. KEGG analysis identified pathways including PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, proteoglycans in cancer, carbon metabolism, T-cell receptor signaling pathway. Combing transcriptomic and proteomics data, we identified 24 genes that were differentially expressed on both mRNA and protein levels. The top four upregulated proteins were REEP3, REEP4, TEP1, and EEPD1, which was confirmed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. KEGG analysis of these 24 genes identified signaling cascades that were associated with small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathways among others. To understand the mechanism of the observed alteration, we conducted immune infiltration analysis using TIMER databases which identified immune cells that are associated with the upregulation of these proteins. Protein network analysis identified 44 proteins that were in close relation to all four proteins. These proteins were significantly enriched in immunoregulation and cancer pathways including PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway, cell cycle, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Bioinformatics utilizing two cancer databases (TCGA and GEPIA) revealed that the four genes were upregulated in many cancer types including glioblastoma (GBM). In addition, higher expression of REEP3 and EEPD1 was associated with better prognosis, while higher expression of REEP4 and TEP1 was associated with poor prognosis in GBM patients. Discussion We identified the differentially expressed genes in the brain of T. gondii infected masked palm civets. These genes were associated with various cellular signaling pathways including those that are immune- and cancer-related.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tiantian Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Wei-Dong Zhang
- South China Agricultural University Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zipeng Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengjun Luo
- Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohu Wang
- Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuting Qi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yasser S. Mahmmod
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Li H, Zhang J, Su C, Yang Z, Mei X, Zhang Z, Tian X, Wang S. Dynamic changes in TIGIT expression on the T-cell surface and TIGIT-mediated T-cell dysfunction in the brains of mice with chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Acta Trop 2023; 241:106871. [PMID: 36863503 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive receptor TIGIT plays a vital role in the regulation of the immune system's response to pathogens. However, the expression pattern of this receptor in mouse brains during infection with Toxoplasma gondii cysts is not known. Here, we provide evidence of immunological changes and TIGIT expression in infected mouse brains through flow cytometry and QPCR. The obtained results show that TIGIT expression on brain T cells rose considerably after infection. T. gondii infection triggered the conversion of TIGIT+ TCM cells to TIGIT+ TEM cells and reduced their cytotoxicity. During the whole period of T. gondii infection, high intensity and persistent expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α in brain and serum of mice. This study shows that chronic T. gondii infection increases TIGIT expression on brain T cells and affects their immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Li
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Changwei Su
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xuefang Mei
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhenchao Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiaowei Tian
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
| | - Shuai Wang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
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Guimarães AL, Richer Araujo Coelho D, Scoriels L, Mambrini J, Ribeiro do Valle Antonelli L, Henriques P, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Assis Martins Filho O, Mineo J, Bahia-Oliveira L, Panizzutti R. Effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on cognition, symptoms, and response to digital cognitive training in schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 8:104. [PMID: 36434103 PMCID: PMC9700796 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00292-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Studies indicate that neuroscience-informed digital cognitive training can remediate cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, but the factors contributing to these deficits and response to treatment remain unclear. Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive parasite linked to cognitive decline that also presents a higher prevalence in schizophrenia. Here, we compared the cognition and symptom severity of IgG seropositive (TOXO+; n = 25) and seronegative (TOXO-; n = 35) patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial of digital cognitive training. At baseline, TOXO+ subjects presented lower global cognition than TOXO- (F = 3.78, p = 0.05). Specifically, TOXO+ subjects showed worse verbal memory and learning (F = 4.48, p = 0.03), social cognition (F = 5.71, p = 0.02), and higher antibody concentrations were associated with increased negative (r = 0.42, p = 0.04) and total (r = 0.40, p = 0.04) schizophrenia symptoms. After training, the TOXO+ group showed higher adherence to the intervention (X2 = 9.31, p = 0.03), but there were no differences in changes in cognition and symptoms between groups. These findings highlight the association between seropositivity to T. gondii and deteriorated cognition and symptoms in schizophrenia. Further research is needed to assess the specific efficacy of digital cognitive training on this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Luiza Guimarães
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Richer Araujo Coelho
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XDepartamento de Imunoparasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Linda Scoriels
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana Mambrini
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Priscilla Henriques
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - José Mineo
- grid.411284.a0000 0004 4647 6936Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Lilian Bahia-Oliveira
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XDepartamento de Imunoparasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rogério Panizzutti
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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López-Ortega O, Moreno-Corona NC, Cruz-Holguin VJ, Garcia-Gonzalez LD, Helguera-Repetto AC, Romero-Valdovinos M, Arevalo-Romero H, Cedillo-Barron L, León-Juárez M. The Immune Response in Adipocytes and Their Susceptibility to Infection: A Possible Relationship with Infectobesity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116154. [PMID: 35682832 PMCID: PMC9181511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The current obesity pandemic has been expanding in both developing and developed countries. This suggests that the factors contributing to this condition need to be reconsidered since some new factors are arising as etiological causes of this disease. Moreover, recent clinical and experimental findings have shown an association between the progress of obesity and some infections, and the functions of adipose tissues, which involve cell metabolism and adipokine release, among others. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that adipocytes could either be reservoirs for these pathogens or play an active role in this process. In addition, there is abundant evidence indicating that during obesity, the immune system is exacerbated, suggesting an increased susceptibility of the patient to the development of several forms of illness or death. Thus, there could be a relationship between infection as a trigger for an increase in adipose cells and the impact on the metabolism that contributes to the development of obesity. In this review, we describe the findings concerning the role of adipose tissue as a mediator in the immune response as well as the possible role of adipocytes as infection targets, with both roles constituting a possible cause of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orestes López-Ortega
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S1151, CNRS UMR-S8253, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Nidia Carolina Moreno-Corona
- Laboratory of Human Lymphohematopoiesis, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Victor Javier Cruz-Holguin
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Luis Didier Garcia-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
| | - Addy Cecilia Helguera-Repetto
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
| | - Mirza Romero-Valdovinos
- Departamento de Biología Molecular e Histocompatibilidad, Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”, Calzada de Tlalpan 4800, Col. Sección XVI, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico;
| | - Haruki Arevalo-Romero
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Microbiología Molecular, División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Jalpa de Méndez, Jalpa de Méndez 86205, Mexico;
| | - Leticia Cedillo-Barron
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Moisés León-Juárez
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (V.J.C.-H.); (L.D.G.-G.); (A.C.H.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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Ross EC, Olivera GC, Barragan A. Early passage of Toxoplasma gondii across the blood–brain barrier. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:450-461. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Kalogeropoulos D, Sakkas H, Mohammed B, Vartholomatos G, Malamos K, Sreekantam S, Kanavaros P, Kalogeropoulos C. Ocular toxoplasmosis: a review of the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Int Ophthalmol 2022; 42:295-321. [PMID: 34370174 PMCID: PMC8351587 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-021-01994-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This review aims to summarize the current knowledge concerning the clinical features, diagnostic work-up and therapeutic approach of ocular toxoplasmosis focusing mainly on the postnatally acquired form of the disease. METHODS A meticulous literature search was performed in the PubMed database. A supplementary search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items. RESULTS Ocular toxoplasmosis is one of the most frequent infectious etiologies of posterior uveitis. It typically presents with retinochoroiditis. Setting an accurate diagnosis depends to a considerable degree on detecting characteristic clinical characteristics. In addition to the evaluation of clinical features, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis relies at a large degree on serologic testing. The detection of the parasite DNA in the aqueous or vitreous humor can provide evidence for a definitive diagnosis. The current mainstay for the treatment, if necessary, is the use of oral antibiotic with systemic corticosteroids. Recent evidence suggests other therapeutic approaches, such as intravitreal antibiotics can be used. CONCLUSION Recent developments in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach have contributed to preventing or limiting vision loss of patients suffering from ocular toxoplasmosis. Further studies are required to provide a better understanding of epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment with a significant impact on the management of this challenging clinical entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Stavros Niarchos Ave, 45500, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Hercules Sakkas
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Vartholomatos
- Hematology Laboratory, Unit of Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Malamos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Stavros Niarchos Ave, 45500, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Panagiotis Kanavaros
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Chris Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Stavros Niarchos Ave, 45500, Ioannina, Greece
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Olivera GC, Ross EC, Peuckert C, Barragan A. Blood-brain barrier-restricted translocation of Toxoplasma gondii from cortical capillaries. eLife 2021; 10:e69182. [PMID: 34877929 PMCID: PMC8700292 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular barriers of the central nervous system proficiently protect the brain parenchyma from infectious insults. Yet, the single-celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii commonly causes latent cerebral infection in humans and other vertebrates. Here, we addressed the role of the cerebral vasculature in the passage of T. gondii to the brain parenchyma. Shortly after inoculation in mice, parasites mainly localized to cortical capillaries, in preference over post-capillary venules, cortical arterioles or meningeal and choroidal vessels. Early invasion to the parenchyma (days 1-5) occurred in absence of a measurable increase in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, perivascular leukocyte cuffs or hemorrhage. However, sparse focalized permeability elevations were detected adjacently to replicative parasite foci. Further, T. gondii triggered inflammatory responses in cortical microvessels and endothelium. Pro- and anti-inflammatory treatments of mice with LPS and hydrocortisone, respectively, impacted BBB permeability and parasite loads in the brain parenchyma. Finally, pharmacological inhibition or Cre/loxP conditional knockout of endothelial focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a BBB intercellular junction regulator, facilitated parasite translocation to the brain parenchyma. The data reveal that the initial passage of T. gondii to the central nervous system occurs principally across cortical capillaries. The integrity of the microvascular BBB restricts parasite transit, which conversely is exacerbated by the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela C Olivera
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Emily C Ross
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Christiane Peuckert
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Antonio Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
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Najafi M, Amini R, Maghsood AH, Fallah M, Foroughi-Parvar F. Co Expression of GMFβ, IL33, CCL2 and SDF1 Genes in the Acute Stage of Toxoplasmosis in Mice Model and Relation for Neuronal Impairment. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2021; 16:426-434. [PMID: 34630588 PMCID: PMC8476739 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v16i3.7096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that migrates through macrophages or dendritic cells to neurons and nerve cells. Glia Maturation Factor (GMF) is a pre-inflammatory protein that is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). GMFβ expression is related to IL33 and CCL2 and SDF1 in some neurodegenerative diseases. According to the importance of GMFβ in neurodegenerative diseases and its association with IL33, CCL2 and SDF1 genes, this study was designed to determine the level of expression of these genes in the brains of mice with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods Tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strains were injected to 5 Swiss Albino mice. At the same time, healthy mice were inoculated with the Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Their brains were removed and kept at -70 °C in order to RNA extraction, cDNA syntheses and Real Time PCR performance. The level of gene expression was investigated with SYBR Green Quantitative Real-Time PCR. Results GMFβ gene expression increased significantly (P=0.003) 3.26 fold in Toxoplasma infected mice in comparison to the control. GMFβ gene expression was associated with increased expression level of IL33, CCL2, and SDF1 genes. Conclusion Considering the prominent role of GMFβ in CNS as well as the immune system, the elevation of GMFβ, IL33, CCL2 and SDF1 genes expression in the early stage of toxoplasmosis is associated with the occurrence of neuropathological alterations. Detection of these genes as an indication of brain damage in the early stages of Toxoplasma infection can prevent neurodegenerative disorders following acquired toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehri Najafi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Razieh Amini
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Maghsood
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Fallah
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Faeze Foroughi-Parvar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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11
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Kim ES, Jeon MT, Kim KS, Lee S, Kim S, Kim DG. Spike Proteins of SARS-CoV-2 Induce Pathological Changes in Molecular Delivery and Metabolic Function in the Brain Endothelial Cells. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102021. [PMID: 34696455 PMCID: PMC8538996 DOI: 10.3390/v13102021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is currently infecting millions of people worldwide and is causing drastic changes in people’s lives. Recent studies have shown that neurological symptoms are a major issue for people infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, the mechanism through which the pathological effects emerge is still unclear. Brain endothelial cells (ECs), one of the components of the blood–brain barrier, are a major hurdle for the entry of pathogenic or infectious agents into the brain. They strongly express angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for its normal physiological function, which is also well-known to be an opportunistic receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, facilitating their entry into host cells. First, we identified rapid internalization of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) S1 domain (S1) and active trimer (Trimer) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein through ACE2 in brain ECs. Moreover, internalized S1 increased Rab5, an early endosomal marker while Trimer decreased Rab5 in the brain ECs. Similarly, the permeability of transferrin and dextran was increased in S1 treatment but decreased in Trimer, respectively. Furthermore, S1 and Trimer both induced mitochondrial damage including functional deficits in mitochondrial respiration. Overall, this study shows that SARS-CoV-2 itself has toxic effects on the brain ECs including defective molecular delivery and metabolic function, suggesting a potential pathological mechanism to induce neurological signs in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Seon Kim
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Sinseo, Daegu 41062, Korea; (E.S.K.); (M.-T.J.); (K.-S.K.); (S.L.); (S.K.)
- Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Korea
| | - Min-Tae Jeon
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Sinseo, Daegu 41062, Korea; (E.S.K.); (M.-T.J.); (K.-S.K.); (S.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Kyu-Sung Kim
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Sinseo, Daegu 41062, Korea; (E.S.K.); (M.-T.J.); (K.-S.K.); (S.L.); (S.K.)
- Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Korea
| | - Suji Lee
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Sinseo, Daegu 41062, Korea; (E.S.K.); (M.-T.J.); (K.-S.K.); (S.L.); (S.K.)
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King’s College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Suji Kim
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Sinseo, Daegu 41062, Korea; (E.S.K.); (M.-T.J.); (K.-S.K.); (S.L.); (S.K.)
| | - Do-Geun Kim
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Sinseo, Daegu 41062, Korea; (E.S.K.); (M.-T.J.); (K.-S.K.); (S.L.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Kalogeropoulos D, Kalogeropoulos C, Sakkas H, Mohammed B, Vartholomatos G, Malamos K, Sreekantam S, Kanavaros P, de-la-Torre A. Pathophysiological Aspects of Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Host-parasite Interactions. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2021; 30:560-569. [PMID: 34242103 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2021.1922706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: This review aims to present the state of the art to understand the pathophysiology of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), providing further foundations that would help to improve the future treatment and prognosis of this potentially blinding disease.Methods: A thorough literature search was performed in PubMed database. An additional search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items.Results: Toxoplasma gondii ocular infection is one of the most frequent causes of posterior uveitis. Despite the ocular barriers, the parasite reaches the eye through different mechanisms. Once inside, it remains encysted livelong within the retina, and recurrences cannot be completely avoided. The complexity of host-parasite interactions, leading to the success of this parasite, encompasses host factors such as genetic predisposition, immune status, and age; and parasite factors such as strain diversity, virulence, phylogenetic origin, and geographical distribution. These factors influence the clinical presentation, course, and progression of the disease. Additional elements, such as pregnancy, eating behavior, and environmental, social, and cultural factors may also contribute to this complex balance.Conclusions: The host-parasite interaction in OT is a complex and multifactorial relationship, with the parasite always on the driving edge of the game. There are still multiple incompletely understood fields to be investigated. Future research would permit further insight into the immune-biology of the parasite and recognition of the host-parasite interplay to improve the diagnostic and management performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - Chris Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | - Hercules Sakkas
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Bashar Mohammed
- Department of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, UK
| | - Georgios Vartholomatos
- Hematology Laboratory, Unit of Molecular Biology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Malamos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Panagiotis Kanavaros
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Immunology Unit, NeURos Research Group, NeuroVitae Research Center, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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13
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Vatansever S, Schlessinger A, Wacker D, Kaniskan HÜ, Jin J, Zhou M, Zhang B. Artificial intelligence and machine learning-aided drug discovery in central nervous system diseases: State-of-the-arts and future directions. Med Res Rev 2021; 41:1427-1473. [PMID: 33295676 PMCID: PMC8043990 DOI: 10.1002/med.21764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders significantly outnumber diseases in other therapeutic areas. However, developing drugs for central nervous system (CNS) disorders remains the most challenging area in drug discovery, accompanied with the long timelines and high attrition rates. With the rapid growth of biomedical data enabled by advanced experimental technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have emerged as an indispensable tool to draw meaningful insights and improve decision making in drug discovery. Thanks to the advancements in AI and ML algorithms, now the AI/ML-driven solutions have an unprecedented potential to accelerate the process of CNS drug discovery with better success rate. In this review, we comprehensively summarize AI/ML-powered pharmaceutical discovery efforts and their implementations in the CNS area. After introducing the AI/ML models as well as the conceptualization and data preparation, we outline the applications of AI/ML technologies to several key procedures in drug discovery, including target identification, compound screening, hit/lead generation and optimization, drug response and synergy prediction, de novo drug design, and drug repurposing. We review the current state-of-the-art of AI/ML-guided CNS drug discovery, focusing on blood-brain barrier permeability prediction and implementation into therapeutic discovery for neurological diseases. Finally, we discuss the major challenges and limitations of current approaches and possible future directions that may provide resolutions to these difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezen Vatansever
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic TechnologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics DiscoveryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Daniel Wacker
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics DiscoveryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of NeuroscienceIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - H. Ümit Kaniskan
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics DiscoveryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jian Jin
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics DiscoveryIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ming‐Ming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic TechnologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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14
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Bergersen KV, Barnes A, Worth D, David C, Wilson EH. Targeted Transcriptomic Analysis of C57BL/6 and BALB/c Mice During Progressive Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection Reveals Changes in Host and Parasite Gene Expression Relating to Neuropathology and Resolution. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:645778. [PMID: 33816350 PMCID: PMC8012756 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.645778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a resilient parasite that infects a multitude of warm-blooded hosts and results in a lifelong chronic infection requiring continuous responses by the host. Chronic infection is characterized by a balanced immune response and neuropathology that are driven by changes in gene expression. Previous research pertaining to these processes has been conducted in various mouse models, and much knowledge of infection-induced gene expression changes has been acquired through the use of high throughput sequencing techniques in different mouse strains and post-mortem human studies. However, lack of infection time course data poses a prominent missing link in the understanding of chronic infection, and there is still much that is unknown regarding changes in genes specifically relating to neuropathology and resulting repair mechanisms as infection progresses throughout the different stages of chronicity. In this paper, we present a targeted approach to gene expression analysis during T. gondii infection through the use of NanoString nCounter gene expression assays. Wild type C57BL/6 and BALB/c background mice were infected, and transcriptional changes in the brain were evaluated at 14, 28, and 56 days post infection. Results demonstrate a dramatic shift in both previously demonstrated and novel gene expression relating to neuropathology and resolution in C57BL/6 mice. In addition, comparison between BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice demonstrate initial differences in gene expression that evolve over the course of infection and indicate decreased neuropathology and enhanced repair in BALB/c mice. In conclusion, these studies provide a targeted approach to gene expression analysis in the brain during infection and provide elaboration on previously identified transcriptional changes and also offer insights into further understanding the complexities of chronic T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina V Bergersen
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Ashli Barnes
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Danielle Worth
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Clement David
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Emma H Wilson
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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15
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Hamie M, Najm R, Deleuze-Masquefa C, Bonnet PA, Dubremetz JF, El Sabban M, El Hajj H. Imiquimod Targets Toxoplasmosis Through Modulating Host Toll-Like Receptor-MyD88 Signaling. Front Immunol 2021; 12:629917. [PMID: 33767699 PMCID: PMC7986122 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.629917] [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: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent parasite of medical and veterinary importance. Tachyzoïtes and bradyzoïtes are responsible for acute and chronic toxoplasmosis (AT and CT), respectively. In immunocompetent hosts, AT evolves into a persistent CT, which can reactivate in immunocompromised patients with dire consequences. Imiquimod is an efficient immunomodulatory drug against certain viral and parasitic infections. In vivo, treatment with Imiquimod, throughout AT, reduces the number of brain cysts while rendering the remaining cysts un-infectious. Post-establishment of CT, Imiquimod significantly reduces the number of brain cysts, leading to a delay or abortion of reactivation. At the molecular level, Imiquimod upregulates the expression of Toll-like receptors 7, 11, and 12, following interconversion from bradyzoïtes to tachyzoïtes. Consequently, MyD88 pathway is activated, resulting in the induction of the immune response to control reactivated Toxoplasma foci. This study positions Imiquimod as a potent drug against toxoplasmosis and elucidates its mechanism of action particularly against chronic toxoplasmosis, which is the most prevalent form of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rania Najm
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | | | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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16
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Bahceci I, Bahceci B, Senturk S, Yildiz IE, Yazici ZA. Correlation of Suicidal Thoughts and Toxoplasmosis in Patients With Depression. Cureus 2021; 13:e13369. [PMID: 33747661 PMCID: PMC7970650 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.13369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective We investigated the correlation between serum anti-Toxplasma gondii IgG and suicidal thoughts in depressive patients. Methods Depressive patients with (n = 100) and without (n = 100) suicidal thoughts along with 100 healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. In all three groups, a semi-structured clinical interview form called Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) Axis-I Disorder (SCID-I), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), suicidal behavior scale, and a sociodemographic data form were completed. Sera from all participants were taken, and anti-toxoplasma IgG was measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay. Statistical analysis of the data was performed. Results The serum anti-toxoplasma IgG levels of patients with suicidal thoughts were significantly higher than those without suicidal thoughts and the controls, which were 80.04 ± 40.66, 78 ± 14.82, and 19.98 ± 14.65, respectively, p < 0.001. There was no correlation between toxoplasma IgG and HAMD score in patients lacking suicidal thoughts (r = -0.112, p = 0.463). Conclusion This study shows a correlation between seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and depression with suicidal thoughts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilkay Bahceci
- Medical Microbiology, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Medical Faculty, Rize, TUR
| | - Bulent Bahceci
- Psychiatry, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Medical Faculty, Rize, TUR
| | - Senol Senturk
- Gynecology and Obstetrics, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Medical Faculty, Rize, TUR
| | - Ilknur E Yildiz
- Infectious Diseases, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Medical Faculty, Rize, TUR
| | - Zihni A Yazici
- Medical Microbiology, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Medical Faculty, Rize, TUR
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17
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El Saftawy EA, Amin NM, Sabry RM, El-Anwar N, Shash RY, Elsebaie EH, Wassef RM. Can Toxoplasma gondii Pave the Road for Dementia? J Parasitol Res 2020; 2020:8859857. [PMID: 32802484 PMCID: PMC7414348 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8859857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Dementia is an ominous neurological disease. Scientists proposed a link between its occurrence and the presence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The long-term sequels of anti-Toxoplasma premunition, chiefly dominated by TNF-α, on the neurons and their receptors as the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is tangled in cognition and synaptic plasticity, are still not clear. IGF-1R mediates its action via IGF-1, and its depletion is incorporated in the pathogenesis of dementia. The activated TNF-α signaling pathway induces NF-κβ that may induce or inhibit neurogenesis. This study speculates the potential impact of anti-Toxoplasma immune response on the expression of IGF-1R in chronic cerebral toxoplasmosis. The distributive pattern of T. gondii cysts was studied in association with TNF-α serum levels, the in situ expression of NF-κβ, and IGF-1R in mice using the low virulent ME-49 T. gondii strain. There was an elevation of the TNF-α serum level (p value ≤ 0.004) and significant upsurge in NF-κβ whereas IGF-1R was of low abundance (p value < 0.05) compared to the controls. TNF-α had a strong positive correlation with the intracerebral expression of NF-κβ (r value ≈ 0.943, p value ≈ 0.005) and a strong negative correlation to IGF-1R (r value -0.584 and -0.725 for area% and O.D., respectively). This activated TNF-α/NF-κβ keeps T. gondii under control at the expense of IGF-1R expression, depriving neurons of the effect of IGF-1, the receptor's ligand. We therefore deduce that T. gondii immunopathological reaction may be a road paver for developing dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enas A. El Saftawy
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha M. Amin
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rania M. Sabry
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Noha El-Anwar
- Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Rania Y. Shash
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman H. Elsebaie
- Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rita M. Wassef
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
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18
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Sander VA, Sánchez López EF, Mendoza Morales L, Ramos Duarte VA, Corigliano MG, Clemente M. Use of Veterinary Vaccines for Livestock as a Strategy to Control Foodborne Parasitic Diseases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:288. [PMID: 32670892 PMCID: PMC7332557 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Foodborne diseases (FBDs) are a major concern worldwide since they are associated with high mortality and morbidity in the human population. Among the causative agents of FBDs, Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., and Trichinella spiralis are listed in the top global risk ranking of foodborne parasites. One common feature between them is that they affect domestic livestock, encompassing an enormous risk to global food production and human health from farm to fork, infecting animals, and people either directly or indirectly. Several approaches have been employed to control FBDs caused by parasites, including veterinary vaccines for livestock. Veterinary vaccines against foodborne parasites not only improve the animal health by controlling animal infections but also contribute to increase public health by controlling an important source of FBDs. In the present review, we discuss the advances in the development of veterinary vaccines for domestic livestock as a strategy to control foodborne parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Marina Clemente
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Unidad Biotecnológica 6-UB6, INTECH, UNSAM-CONICET, Chascomús, Argentina
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19
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Chen KY, Chen YJ, Cheng CJ, Jhan KY, Wang LC. Excretory/secretory products of Angiostrongylus cantonensis fifth-stage larvae induce endoplasmic reticulum stress via the Sonic hedgehog pathway in mouse astrocytes. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:317. [PMID: 32552877 PMCID: PMC7301976 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04189-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an important food-borne zoonotic parasite. Humans are non-permissive hosts, and this parasite develops into fifth-stage larvae (L5) in the brain and subarachnoid cavity and then induces eosinophilic meningitis and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Excretory/secretory products (ESPs) are valuable targets for the investigation of host-parasite interactions. These products contain a wide range of molecules for penetrating defensive barriers and avoiding the immune response of the host. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been found to be associated with a wide range of parasitic infections and inflammation. ER stress can increase cell survival via the activation of downstream signalling. However, the mechanisms of ER stress in A. cantonensis infection have not yet been clarified. This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of ER stress in astrocytes after treatment with the ESPs of A. cantonensis L5. RESULTS The results demonstrated that A. cantonensis infection activated astrocytes in the mouse hippocampus and induced the expression of ER stress-related molecules. Next, the data showed that the expression of ER stress-related molecules and the Ca2+ concentration were significantly increased in activated astrocytes after treatment with the ESPs of L5 of A. cantonensis. Ultimately, we found that ESPs induced GRP78 expression via the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that in astrocytes, the ESPs of A. cantonensis L5 induce ER stress and that the Shh signalling pathway plays an important role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yao Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Ju Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ju Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yuan Jhan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Harun MSR, Taylor M, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM. Transcriptome Profiling of Toxoplasma gondii-Infected Human Cerebromicrovascular Endothelial Cell Response to Treatment with Monensin. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060842. [PMID: 32512820 PMCID: PMC7356316 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Central to the progression of cerebral toxoplasmosis is the interaction of Toxoplasma gondii with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells. In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of Wnt pathway signalling by the monovalent ionophore monensin reduces the growth of T. gondii infecting human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) or microglial cells. The anti-parasitic effect of monensin (a Wnt signalling inhibitor) on the in vitro growth of T. gondii tachyzoites was investigated using two methods (Sulforhodamine B staining and microscopic parasite counting). The monensin inhibited T. gondii growth (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 0.61 μM) with a selective index = 8.48 when tested against hBMECs (50% cytotoxic concentration [CC50] = 5.17 μM). However, IC50 of monensin was 4.13 μM with a SI = 13.82 when tested against microglia cells (CC50 = 57.08 μM), suggesting less sensitivity of microglia cells to monensin treatment. The effect of T. gondii on the integrity of the BBB was assessed by the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay using an in vitro human BBB model. The results showed that T. gondii infection significantly decreased hBMECs' TEER resistance, which was rescued when cells were treated with 0.1 µM monensin, probably due to the anti-parasitic activity of monensin. We also investigated the host-targeted effects of 0.1 µM monensin on global gene expression in hBMECs with or without T. gondii infection. Treatment of hBMECs with monensin did not significantly influence the expression of genes involved in the Wnt signalling pathway, suggesting that although inhibition of the Wnt signalling pathway did not play a significant role in T. gondii infection of hBMECs, monensin was still effective in limiting the growth of T. gondii. On the contrary, monensin treatment downregulated pathways related to steroids, cholesterol and protein biosynthesis and their transport between endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and deregulated pathways related to cell cycle and DNA synthesis and repair mechanisms. These results provide new insight into the host-modulatory effect of monensin during T. gondii infection, which merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S. R. Harun
- Infectomics Cluster, Advanced Medical & Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang 13200, Malaysia;
| | - Mica Taylor
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
- Correspondence: (X.-Q.Z.); (H.M.E.); Tel.: +86-(0)931-834-2837 (X.-Q.Z.); +44-(0)115-951-6445 (H.M.E); Fax: +44-(0)115-951-6440 (H.M.E.)
| | - Hany M. Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK;
- Correspondence: (X.-Q.Z.); (H.M.E.); Tel.: +86-(0)931-834-2837 (X.-Q.Z.); +44-(0)115-951-6445 (H.M.E); Fax: +44-(0)115-951-6440 (H.M.E.)
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Chen KY, Cheng CJ, Cheng CC, Jhan KY, Chen YJ, Wang LC. The excretory/secretory products of fifth-stage larval Angiostrongylus cantonensis induces autophagy via the Sonic hedgehog pathway in mouse brain astrocytes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008290. [PMID: 32479527 PMCID: PMC7289448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiostrongyliasis is induced by the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis and leads to eosinophilic meningitis and meningoencephalitis in humans. Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) are important investigation targets for studying the relationship between hosts and nematodes. These products assist worms in penetrating the blood-brain barrier and avoiding the host immune response. Autophagy is a catabolic process that is responsible for digesting cytoplasmic organelles, proteins, and lipids and removing them through lysosomes. This process is essential to cell survival and homeostasis during nutritional deficiency, cell injury and stress. In this study, we investigated autophagy induction upon treatment with the ESPs of the fifth-stage larvae (L5) of A. cantonensis and observed the relationship between autophagy and the Shh pathway. First, the results showed that A. cantonensis infection induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction and pathological changes in the brain. Moreover, A. cantonensis L5 ESPs stimulated autophagosome formation and the expression of autophagy molecules, such as LC3B, Beclin, and p62. The data showed that upon ESPs treatment, rapamycin elevated cell viability through the activation of the autophagy mechanism in astrocytes. Finally, we found that ESPs induced the activation of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway and that the expression of autophagy molecules was increased through the Shh signaling pathway. Collectively, these results suggest that A. cantonensis L5 ESPs stimulate autophagy through the Shh signaling pathway and that autophagy has a protective effect in astrocytes. In helminthes, Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) contains a wide range of molecules, including proteins, lipids, glycans, and nucleic acids, that assist in the penetration of host defensive barriers, reduction of oxidative stress, and avoid the host immune attack. It has been known as a key factor for parasite development, including feeding, invasion and molting. Therefore, ESPs is a valuable target for the investigation of the host-parasite relationships. However, only a few researches about the function of Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis ESPs have been verified to date. Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, a blood-feeding nematode, and it is an important causative agent of eosinophilic meningitis and meningoencephalitis in human. Recent our studies have demonstrated that the A. cantonensis ESPs can induce oxidative stress, apoptosis, and immune response. In this study, we will use a mouse astrocytes as a model to investigate the signaling mechanisms of autophagy induction by ESPs treatment. First, the Microarray, Western blotting, and Transmission electron microscopy data demonstrated that A. cantonensis ESPs can induce autophagy generation in astrocytes. Next, ESPs-induced autophagy was activated via Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, and it has a protective potential for astrocytes. These finding will provide new insights into the mechanisms and effects of the A. cantonensis ESPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang-Yao Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ju Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chieh Cheng
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yuan Jhan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Lian-Chen Wang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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23
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Toxoplasmosis and Risk of Endothelial Dysfunction: Role of Oxidative Stress and Pro-Inflammatory Mediators. ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/archcid.95563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Al-Kuraishi AH, Al-Windy SD, Al-Kuraishy HM, Al-Gareeb AI. Endothelial dysfunction in acute acquired toxoplasmosis. Trop Parasitol 2020; 10:29-33. [PMID: 32775289 PMCID: PMC7365500 DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_26_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute toxoplasmosis (AT) which is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to induction of pro-inflammatory and/or oxidative stress changes through activation of host immune response. Therefore, the endeavor of the present study was to assess endothelial dysfunction(ED) and oxidative stress in patients with acute toxoplasmosis. METHODS This study involved 21 patients with AT compared with 20 healthy controls. Serum immunoglobulin levels [IgG], IgM, IgA), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and human malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were evaluated. RESULTS IgM, IgG, and IgA levels were high patients with AT as compared with the control (P < 0.01). IL-6, MDA, and ET-1 serum levels were high in patients with AT compared with control (P < 0.01). In patients with AT, IgM serum level was significantly correlated with other immunoglobulin, and with the biomarker of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and ED (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION AT is linked with oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory changes which together provoke ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azhar H. Al-Kuraishi
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicine, College of Medicine Almustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Salah D. Al-Windy
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicine, College of Medicine Almustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Hayder M. Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicine, College of Medicine Almustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali I. Al-Gareeb
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicine, College of Medicine Almustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq
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Urbano JCDC, Leite RBDCH, Castro RLP, Silva CMVD, Andrade JMDA, Oliveira CBSD, Barbosa VSDA, Andrade-Neto VFD, Holanda CMDCX. Effect of toxoplasmic infection on the biodistribution of a brain radiopharmaceutical. Int J Radiat Biol 2019; 95:1547-1551. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2019.1642533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Del Giudice M. Invisible Designers: Brain Evolution Through the Lens of Parasite Manipulation. QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1086/705038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Ihara F, Tanaka S, Fereig RM, Nishimura M, Nishikawa Y. Involvement of Toll-like receptor 2 in the cerebral immune response and behavioral changes caused by latent Toxoplasma infection in mice. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220560. [PMID: 31404078 PMCID: PMC6690529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Subacute and chronic infections with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii are associated with an increased risk of psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved in T. gondii-induced neuronal disorders. Recently, we reported that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was required to initiate the innate immune response in cultured mouse brain cells. However, how TLR2 contributes to latent infection with T. gondii remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the role of TLR2 in brain pathology and behavior using wild-type (TLR2+/+) and TLR2-deficient (TLR2-/-) mice. The behavioral analyses showed that TLR2 deficiency increased the anxiety state of the uninfected and infected animals alike, and TLR2 deficiency showed no relationship with the infection. In the contextual and cued fear-conditioning tests, T. gondii infection decreased the mouse freezing reaction while TLR2 deficiency increased it, but there was no interaction between the two factors. Our histopathological analysis showed that the TLR2+/+ and TLR2-/- mice had similar brain lesions at 30 days post infection (dpi) with T. gondii. Higher numbers of parasites were detected in the brains of the TLR2-/- mice than in those from the TLR2+/+ mice at 30 dpi, but not at 7 and 14 dpi. No significant differences were observed in the proinflammatory gene expression levels in the TLR2+/+ and TLR2-/- mice. Therefore, it appears that TLR2 signaling in the brain might contribute to the control of parasite growth, but not to brain pathology or the impaired fear memory response induced by infection with T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ihara
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Sachi Tanaka
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ragab M. Fereig
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena City, Qena, Egypt
| | - Maki Nishimura
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Ross EC, Olivera GC, Barragan A. Dysregulation of focal adhesion kinase upon
Toxoplasma gondii
infection facilitates parasite translocation across polarised primary brain endothelial cell monolayers. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13048. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily C. Ross
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner‐Gren InstituteStockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Gabriela C. Olivera
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner‐Gren InstituteStockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Antonio Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner‐Gren InstituteStockholm University Stockholm Sweden
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Mitoma H, Manto M. Disruption of the Blood-Brain Barrier During Neuroinflammatory and Neuroinfectious Diseases. NEUROIMMUNE DISEASES 2019. [PMCID: PMC7121618 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-19515-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
As the organ of highest metabolic demand, utilizing over 25% of total body glucose utilization via an enormous vasculature with one capillary every 73 μm, the brain evolves a barrier at the capillary and postcapillary venules to prevent toxicity during serum fluctuations in metabolites and hormones, to limit brain swelling during inflammation, and to prevent pathogen invasion. Understanding of neuroprotective barriers has since evolved to incorporate the neurovascular unit (NVU), the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, and the presence of CNS lymphatics that allow leukocyte egress. Identification of the cellular and molecular participants in BBB function at the NVU has allowed detailed analyses of mechanisms that contribute to BBB dysfunction in various disease states, which include both autoimmune and infectious etiologies. This chapter will introduce some of the cellular and molecular components that promote barrier function but may be manipulated by inflammatory mediators or pathogens during neuroinflammation or neuroinfectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Mitoma
- Medical Education Promotion Center, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mario Manto
- Department of Neurology, CHU-Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium, Department of Neurosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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Alvarado-Esquivel C, Rico-Almochantaf YDR, Sanchez-Anguiano LF, Quinones-Canales G, Hernandez-Tinoco J, Torres-Gonzalez J, Gonzalez-Silva MF, Ramirez-Valles EG. Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Headache: A Matched Case-Control Study in a Public Hospital in Durango City, Mexico. J Clin Med Res 2017; 10:27-31. [PMID: 29238431 PMCID: PMC5722042 DOI: 10.14740/jocmr3236w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) can disseminate to brain in infected hosts. Little is known about the magnitude of the association between this infection and headache. Therefore, we sought to determine the association of T. gondii seropositivity and headache in patients attending neurological consultations in a public hospital in Durango City, Mexico. Methods Through an age- and gender-matched case-control study, 105 patients suffering from headache and 105 subjects without headache were examined for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassays. Seropositive cases were analyzed for detection of T. gondii DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Results Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in five (4.8%) of the 105 cases and in seven (6.7%) of the 105 controls (odds ratio (OR) = 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21 - 2.28; P = 0.76). The frequency of high (> 150 IU/mL) levels of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies among anti-T. gondii IgG positive individuals was significantly (P = 0.01) higher in cases (5/5) than in controls (1/7). Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in one (20.0%) of the five IgG seropositive cases, and in three (42.9%) of the seven IgG seropositive controls (P = 0.60). T. gondii DNA was not detected in any of the five anti-T. gondii IgG positive cases. No association between T. gondii infection and specific headache types was found. Conclusions This is the first matched case-control study on the association between T. gondii infection and headache. Results suggest that high anti-T. gondii IgG antibody levels, but not T. gondii seropositivity, were associated with headache in the population studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Yazmin Del Rosario Rico-Almochantaf
- Biomedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Luis Francisco Sanchez-Anguiano
- Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera-Damm", Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Quinones-Canales
- Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales para los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Jesus Hernandez-Tinoco
- Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera-Damm", Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Jorge Torres-Gonzalez
- Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales para los Trabajadores del Estado, Predio Canoas S/N, 34000 Durango, Mexico
| | - Maria Felix Gonzalez-Silva
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Veterinaria S/N, 34120 Durango, Mexico
| | - Eda Guadalupe Ramirez-Valles
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Veterinaria S/N, 34120 Durango, Mexico
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Kelly JR, Minuto C, Cryan JF, Clarke G, Dinan TG. Cross Talk: The Microbiota and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:490. [PMID: 28966571 PMCID: PMC5605633 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans evolved within a microbial ecosystem resulting in an interlinked physiology. The gut microbiota can signal to the brain via the immune system, the vagus nerve or other host-microbe interactions facilitated by gut hormones, regulation of tryptophan metabolism and microbial metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA), to influence brain development, function and behavior. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota may play a role in shaping cognitive networks encompassing emotional and social domains in neurodevelopmental disorders. Drawing upon pre-clinical and clinical evidence, we review the potential role of the gut microbiota in the origins and development of social and emotional domains related to Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia. Small preliminary clinical studies have demonstrated gut microbiota alterations in both ASD and schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. However, we await the further development of mechanistic insights, together with large scale longitudinal clinical trials, that encompass a systems level dimensional approach, to investigate whether promising pre-clinical and initial clinical findings lead to clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Kelly
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College CorkCork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Institute, University College CorkCork, Ireland
| | - Chiara Minuto
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College CorkCork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Institute, University College CorkCork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College CorkCork, Ireland.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College CorkCork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College CorkCork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Institute, University College CorkCork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College CorkCork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Institute, University College CorkCork, Ireland
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Lv L, Wang Y, Feng W, Hernandez JA, Huang W, Zheng Y, Zhou X, Lv S, Chen Y, Yuan ZG. iTRAQ-based differential proteomic analysis in Mongolian gerbil brains chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii. J Proteomics 2017; 160:74-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Long-Term Relationships: the Complicated Interplay between the Host and the Developmental Stages of Toxoplasma gondii during Acute and Chronic Infections. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 79:387-401. [PMID: 26335719 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00027-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii represents one of the most common parasitic infections in the world. The asexual cycle can occur within any warm-blooded animal, but the sexual cycle is restricted to the feline intestinal epithelium. T. gondii is acquired through consumption of tissue cysts in undercooked meat as well as food and water contaminated with oocysts. Once ingested, it differentiates into a rapidly replicating asexual form and disseminates throughout the body during acute infection. After stimulation of the host immune response, T. gondii differentiates into a slow-growing, asexual cyst form that is the hallmark of chronic infection. One-third of the human population is chronically infected with T. gondii cysts, which can reactivate and are especially dangerous to individuals with reduced immune surveillance. Serious complications can also occur in healthy individuals if infected with certain T. gondii strains or if infection is acquired congenitally. No drugs are available to clear the cyst form during the chronic stages of infection. This therapeutic gap is due in part to an incomplete understanding of both host and pathogen responses during the progression of T. gondii infection. While many individual aspects of T. gondii infection are well understood, viewing the interconnections between host and parasite during acute and chronic infection may lead to better approaches for future treatment. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of what is known and unknown about the complex relationship between the host and parasite during the progression of T. gondii infection, with the ultimate goal of bridging these events.
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Nascimento FS, Suzuki LA, Branco N, Franco RMB, Andrade PD, Costa SCB, Pedro MN, Rossi CL. Toxoplasma-SPECIFIC IgG SUBCLASS ANTIBODY RESPONSE IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID SAMPLES FROM PATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL TOXOPLASMOSIS. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2015; 57:439-42. [PMID: 26603234 PMCID: PMC4660456 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652015000500013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral toxoplasmosis can be highly debilitating and occasionally fatal in persons with immune system deficiencies. In this study, we evaluated the Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG subclass antibody response in 19 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis who had a positive IgG anti-T. gondii ELISA standardized with a cyst antigen preparation. There were no significant differences between the rates of positivity and the antibody concentrations (arithmetic means of the ELISA absorbances, MEA) for IgG1 and IgG2, but the rates of positivity and MEA values for these two IgG subclasses were significantly higher than those for IgG3 and IgG4. The marked IgG2 response in CSF from patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda S Nascimento
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Lisandra A Suzuki
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Nilson Branco
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Regina M B Franco
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Paula D Andrade
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Sandra C B Costa
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo N Pedro
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
| | - Cláudio L Rossi
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil
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Beltrame A, Venturini S, Crichiutti G, Meroni V, Buonfrate D, Bassetti M. Recurrent seizures during acute acquired toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent traveller returning from Africa. Infection 2015; 44:259-62. [PMID: 26168861 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-015-0821-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We report an unusual case of acute acquired toxoplasmosis (AAT) presenting as lymphadenopathy and recurrent seizures in an immunocompetent 15-year-old boy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The patient reported an 18-day vacation to Africa (Ethiopia), 39 days prior to the first seizure. Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed sporadic single-spike or sharp-wave paroxysms and the magnetic resonance imaging (RMI) of the brain was negative. The serology for T. gondii was compatible with an acute infection defined as positive for both toxoplasma-specific IgG and IgM and a low avidity (6 %), confirmed by a reference laboratory. The patient reported other two episodes of seizures, occurring 7 days apart. He was treated with pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine and leucovorin for 4 weeks, with an improvement of lymphadenitis and normalization of EEG. After 5 months, new seizures were reported and a diagnosis of epilepsy was done. Toxoplasma polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood were negative. A treatment with valproic acid was started, obtaining control of the neurological disease. CONCLUSION Awareness of this neurologic manifestation by clinicians is required, also in immunocompetent patients. The relationship between toxoplasmosis and recurrent seizure needs to be investigated by new studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Beltrame
- Centre for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore Hospital, via Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Italy. .,Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Udine, Udine, Italy.
| | - Sergio Venturini
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giovanni Crichiutti
- Department of Paediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Valeria Meroni
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Microbiology and Virology Department Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Centre for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore Hospital, via Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Italy
| | - Matteo Bassetti
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Udine, Udine, Italy
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Activation of Sonic Hedgehog Leads to Survival Enhancement of Astrocytes via the GRP78-Dependent Pathway in Mice Infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:674371. [PMID: 25961032 PMCID: PMC4415671 DOI: 10.1155/2015/674371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection may cause elevation of ROS and antioxidants in the CSF of infected mice. Astrocytes may protect the surrounding neurons from oxidative stress-induced cell death by secreting Sonic hedgehog (Shh) via the PI3-K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway. This study was conducted to determine the role of the Shh signaling pathway in A. cantonensis-infected BABL/c mice by coculturing astrocytes with living fifth-stage larvae or soluble antigens. The Shh pathway was activated with corresponding increases in the level of the Shh. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Shh were increased in astrocyte cocultured with living fifth-stage larvae or soluble antigens. The survival of astrocytes pretreated with Shh was significantly elevated in cocultures with the antigens but reduced by its inhibitor cyclopamine. The expression of GRP78 and Bcl-2 was significantly higher in astrocytes pretreated with recombinant Shh. These findings suggest that the expression of Shh may inhibit cell death by activating Bcl-2 through a GRP78-dependent pathway.
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Sahu A, Kumar S, Sreenivasamurthy SK, Selvan LDN, Madugundu AK, Yelamanchi SD, Puttamallesh VN, Dey G, Anil AK, Srinivasan A, Mukherjee KK, Gowda H, Satishchandra P, Mahadevan A, Pandey A, Prasad TSK, Shankar SK. Host response profile of human brain proteome in toxoplasma encephalitis co-infected with HIV. Clin Proteomics 2014; 11:39. [PMID: 25404878 PMCID: PMC4232683 DOI: 10.1186/1559-0275-11-39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma encephalitis is caused by the opportunistic protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Primary infection with T. gondii in immunocompetent individuals remains largely asymptomatic. In contrast, in immunocompromised individuals, reactivation of the parasite results in severe complications and mortality. Molecular changes at the protein level in the host central nervous system and proteins associated with pathogenesis of toxoplasma encephalitis are largely unexplored. We used a global quantitative proteomic strategy to identify differentially regulated proteins and affected molecular networks in the human host during T. gondii infection with HIV co-infection. Results We identified 3,496 proteins out of which 607 proteins were differentially expressed (≥1.5-fold) when frontal lobe of the brain from patients diagnosed with toxoplasma encephalitis was compared to control brain tissues. We validated differential expression of 3 proteins through immunohistochemistry, which was confirmed to be consistent with mass spectrometry analysis. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed proteins indicated deregulation of several pathways involved in antigen processing, immune response, neuronal growth, neurotransmitter transport and energy metabolism. Conclusions Global quantitative proteomic approach adopted in this study generated a comparative proteome profile of brain tissues from toxoplasma encephalitis patients co-infected with HIV. Differentially expressed proteins include previously reported and several new proteins in the context of T. gondii and HIV infection, which can be further investigated. Molecular pathways identified to be associated with the disease should enhance our understanding of pathogenesis in toxoplasma encephalitis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1559-0275-11-39) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apeksha Sahu
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India ; Bioinformatics Centre, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014 India
| | - Satwant Kumar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India
| | - Sreelakshmi K Sreenivasamurthy
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India ; Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, 576104 India
| | - Lakshmi Dhevi N Selvan
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India ; Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita University, Kollam, 690525 India
| | - Anil K Madugundu
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India ; Bioinformatics Centre, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014 India
| | - Soujanya D Yelamanchi
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India ; School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, 751024 India
| | | | - Gourav Dey
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India ; Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, 576104 India
| | | | - Anand Srinivasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012 India
| | - Kanchan K Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, 160012 India
| | - Harsha Gowda
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India
| | | | - Anita Mahadevan
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, 560029 India ; Human Brain Tissue Repository, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, 560029 India
| | - Akhilesh Pandey
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA ; Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 1205 USA ; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA ; The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Thottethodi Subrahmanya Keshava Prasad
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore, 560066 India ; Bioinformatics Centre, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014 India ; Manipal University, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, 576104 India ; Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita University, Kollam, 690525 India ; NIMHANS-IOB Proteomics and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, 560029 India
| | - Susarla Krishna Shankar
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, 560029 India ; Human Brain Tissue Repository, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, 560029 India
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Pittman KJ, Aliota MT, Knoll LJ. Dual transcriptional profiling of mice and Toxoplasma gondii during acute and chronic infection. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:806. [PMID: 25240600 PMCID: PMC4177681 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii establishes a life-long chronic infection within any warm-blooded host. After ingestion of an encysted parasite, T. gondii disseminates throughout the body as a rapidly replicating form during acute infection. Over time and after stimulation of the host immune response, T. gondii differentiates into a slow growing, cyst form that is the hallmark of chronic infection. Global transcriptome analysis of both host and parasite during the establishment of chronic T. gondii infection has not yet been performed. Here, we conducted a dual RNA-seq analysis of T. gondii and its rodent host to better understand host and parasite responses during acute and chronic infection. RESULTS We obtained nearly one billion paired-end RNA sequences from the forebrains of uninfected, acutely and chronically infected mice, then aligned them to the genomic reference files of both T. gondii and Mus musculus. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the 100 most highly expressed T. gondii genes showed less than half were shared between acute and chronic infection. The majority of the highly expressed genes common in both acute and chronic infection were involved in transcription and translation, underscoring that parasites in both stages are actively synthesizing proteins. Similarly, most of the T. gondii genes highly expressed during chronic infection were involved in metabolic processes, again highlighting the activity of the cyst stage at 28 days post-infection. Comparative analyses of host genes using uninfected forebrain revealed over twice as many immune regulatory genes were more abundant during chronic infection compared to acute. This demonstrates the influence of parasite development on host gene transcription as well as the influence of the host environment on parasite gene transcription. CONCLUSIONS RNA-seq is a valuable tool to simultaneously analyze host and microbe transcriptomes. Our data shows that T. gondii is metabolically active and synthesizing proteins at 28 days post-infection and that a distinct subset of host genes associated with the immune response are more abundant specifically during chronic infection. These data suggest host and pathogen interplay is still present during chronic infection and provides novel T. gondii targets for future drug and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura J Knoll
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1550 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Pleyer U, Schlüter D, Mänz M. Ocular toxoplasmosis: recent aspects of pathophysiology and clinical implications. Ophthalmic Res 2014; 52:116-23. [PMID: 25248050 DOI: 10.1159/000363141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an extremely successful opportunistic parasite which infects approximately one third of the human population worldwide. The impact of this parasite on human health becomes particularly manifest in congenital damage with infection and subsequent inflammation of neuronal tissues including the retina. Although advances in our understanding could be achieved in ocular toxoplasmosis, large gaps still exist on factors influencing the epidemiology and pathophysiology of this potentially blinding disease. We are only at the beginning of understanding the complex biology of this parasite and its mechanisms of invasion, virulence and interaction with the host's immune response. Since it is a preventable cause of blindness, it is necessary to assess factors that have the potential to control this disease in the future. This mini review will focus on recent advances in postnatal acquired ocular infection and the factors that may influence its prevalence and functional outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Pleyer
- Eye Clinic, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Schlüter D, Däubener W, Schares G, Groß U, Pleyer U, Lüder C. Animals are key to human toxoplasmosis. Int J Med Microbiol 2014; 304:917-29. [PMID: 25240467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an extremely sucessfull protozoal parasite which infects almost all mamalian species including humans. Approximately 30% of the human population worldwide is chronically infected with T. gondii. In general, human infection is asymptomatic but the parasite may induce severe disease in fetuses and immunocompromised patients. In addition, T. gondii may cause sight-threatening posterior uveitis in immunocompetent patients. Apart from few exceptions, humans acquire T. gondii from animals. Both, the oral uptake of T. gondii oocysts released by specific hosts, i.e. felidae, and of cysts persisting in muscle cells of animals result in human toxoplasmosis. In the present review, we discuss recent new data on the cell biology of T. gondii and parasite diversity in animals. In addition, we focus on the impact of these various parasite strains and their different virulence on the clinical outcome of human congenital toxoplasmosis and T. gondii uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Schlüter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Walter Däubener
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gereon Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Uwe Groß
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uwe Pleyer
- Eye Clinic, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Lüder
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
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Evans AK, Strassmann PS, Lee IP, Sapolsky RM. Patterns of Toxoplasma gondii cyst distribution in the forebrain associate with individual variation in predator odor avoidance and anxiety-related behavior in male Long-Evans rats. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 37:122-33. [PMID: 24269877 PMCID: PMC3951684 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the world's most successful brain parasites. T. gondii engages in parasite manipulation of host behavior and infection has been epidemiologically linked to numerous psychiatric disorders. Mechanisms by which T. gondii alters host behavior are not well understood, but neuroanatomical cyst presence and the localized host immune response to cysts are potential candidates. The aim of these studies was to test the hypothesis that T. gondii manipulation of specific host behaviors is dependent on neuroanatomical location of cysts in a time-dependent function post-infection. We examined neuroanatomical cyst distribution (53 forebrain regions) in infected rats after predator odor aversion behavior and anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze and open field arena, across a 6-week time course. In addition, we examined evidence for microglial response to the parasite across the time course. Our findings demonstrate that while cysts are randomly distributed throughout the forebrain, individual variation in cyst localization, beginning 3 weeks post-infection, can explain individual variation in the effects of T. gondii on behavior. Additionally, not all infected rats develop cysts in the forebrain, and attenuation of predator odor aversion and changes in anxiety-related behavior are linked with cyst presence in specific forebrain areas. Finally, the immune response to cysts is striking. These data provide the foundation for testing hypotheses about proximate mechanisms by which T. gondii alters behavior in specific brain regions, including consequences of establishment of a homeostasis between T. gondii and the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Evans
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | | | - I-Ping Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Robert M Sapolsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Ocular toxoplasmosis past, present and new aspects of an old disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2014; 39:77-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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El Khoury J. The blood-brain barrier and pathogens: Hadrian's Wall or a Dardanian gate? Virulence 2012; 3:157-8. [PMID: 22460634 DOI: 10.4161/viru.19751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph El Khoury
- NeuroImmunology Laboratory, Center for Immunology & Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a structural and functional barrier that protects the central nervous system (CNS) from invasion by blood-borne pathogens including parasites. However, some intracellular and extracellular parasites can traverse the BBB during the course of infection and cause neurological disturbances and/or damage which are at times fatal. The means by which parasites cross the BBB and how the immune system controls the parasites within the brain are still unclear. In this review we present the current understanding of the processes utilized by two human neuropathogenic parasites, Trypanosoma brucei spp and Toxoplasma gondii, to go across the BBB and consequences of CNS invasion. We also describe briefly other parasites that can invade the brain and how they interact with or circumvent the BBB. The roles played by parasite-derived and host-derived molecules during parasitic and white blood cell invasion of the brain are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willias Masocha
- Department of Applied Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
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