1
|
Nikou T, Karampetsou KV, Koutsoni OS, Skaltsounis AL, Dotsika E, Halabalaki M. Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Investigation of Oleocanthal. J Nat Prod 2024; 87:530-543. [PMID: 37910854 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Oleocanthal is a secoiridoid found in olive oil, which lately gained great scientific interest due to its important pharmacological spectrum and biological properties. However, limited data exist on the metabolic fate of oleocanthal in vivo, a commonly underestimated aspect in natural products research. Especially, its pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics have never been described so far. Thus, in the current study, a mouse-based protocol was designed, and oleocanthal was administered intraperitoneally in a standard dose of 5 mg/kg. In order to determine the PK parameters of oleocanthal or its metabolites, plasma samples were collected at 10 time points. Extraction and analysis protocols were developed and applied for the recovery and detection of oleocanthal in plasma, as well as the identification of its metabolites, using LC-HRMS/MS. Oleocanthal was not detected, proving the short lifetime of the compound in vivo, and 13 metabolites were identified. Among them, oleocanthalic acid and tyrosol sulfate were proposed as oleocanthal's biomarkers, in vivo. This is the first report associating oleocanthalic acid with oleocanthal administration in vivo, while its PK parameters, Tmax (T0) and Cmax (926 μg/mL), were also determined. The current study enlightens bioavailability and metabolism aspects of oleocanthal and suggests the association of specific metabolites with the biological effects attributed to oleocanthal administration. More studies are needed to give better insights into the metabolism and the mechanism of action of secoiridoids as well as to respond to identification challenges related to secoiridoid in vivo setups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Nikou
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli, Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi V Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Olga S Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios-Leandros Skaltsounis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli, Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Halabalaki
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli, Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Karampetsou K, Koutsoni OS, Badounas F, Angelis A, Gogou G, Skaltsounis LA, Halabalaki M, Dotsika E. Exploring the Immunotherapeutic Potential of Oleocanthal against Murine Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Planta Med 2022; 88:783-793. [PMID: 35803258 PMCID: PMC9343937 DOI: 10.1055/a-1843-9788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a major tropical disease with increasing global incidence. Due to limited therapeutic options with severe drawbacks, the discovery of alternative treatments based on natural bioactive compounds is important. In our previous studies we have pointed out the antileishmanial activities of olive tree-derived molecules. In this study, we aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial as well as the in vivo immunomodulatory effects of oleocanthal, a molecule that has recently gained increasing scientific attention. Pure oleocanthal was isolated from extra virgin olive oil through extraction and chromatography techniques. The in vitro antileishmanial effects of oleocanthal were examined with a resazurin-based assay, while its in vivo efficacy was evaluated in Leishmania major-infected BALB/c mice by determining footpad induration, parasite load in popliteal lymph nodes, histopathological outcome, antibody production, cytokine profile of stimulated splenocytes and immune gene expression, at three weeks after the termination of treatment. Oleocanthal demonstrated in vitro antileishmanial effect against both L. major promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. This effect was further documented in vivo as demonstrated by the suppressed footpad thickness, the decreased parasite load and the inflammatory cell influx at the infection site. Oleocanthal treatment led to the dominance of a Th1-type immunity linked with resistance against the disease. This study establishes strong scientific evidence for olive tree-derived natural products as possible antileishmanial agents and provides an adding value to the scientific research of oleocanthal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga S. Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Fotis Badounas
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Transgenic Technology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolis Angelis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Gogou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Leandros-Alexios Skaltsounis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Halabalaki
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Associate Professor Maria Halabalaki Department of PharmacyDivision of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product
ChemistryNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens15771 Athens,
PanepistimiopolisGreece+ 30 21 07 27 47 81+ 30 21 07 27 45 94
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Correspondence Dr. Eleni Dotsika Department of MicrobiologyLaboratory of Cellular ImmunologyHellenic
Pasteur Institute127 Vass. Sofias Av.11521
AthensGreece+ 30 21 06 47 88 28+ 30 21 06 47 88 28
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Smyrli M, Anka IZ, Koutsoni O, Dotsika E, Kyriazis ID, Pavlidis M, Katharios P. Development of autogenous vaccines for farmed European seabass against Aeromonas veronii using zebrafish as a model for efficacy assessment. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2022; 123:381-387. [PMID: 35318138 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aeromonas veronii bv. sobria is an emerging pathogen for the European seabass cultured in the Aegean Sea (Mediterranean) causing significant problems in the Greek and Turkish aquaculture industry since no licensed vaccine is currently available for the disease. A bivalent vaccine was developed based on two phenotypically distinct strains of the pathogen, PDB (motile, pigment-producing strain) and NS (non-motile, non-pigment-producing). The two strains comprising the bivalent vaccine were evaluated as monovalent products in zebrafish before the seabass trials. Challenges using the homologous or the heterologous strain showed that both vaccines were protective with RPS values ranging between 66 and 100% in zebrafish. The bivalent vaccine was then tested in European seabass following dip or intraperitoneal administration. Efficacy was evaluated separately against both strains comprising the bivalent vaccine. Dip vaccination applied to juvenile seabass of 2.5 g average weight provided protection following challenge tests 30 days post vaccination only in one of the two strains tested (strain PDB, RPS: 88%). This was also the case in the injection vaccination of adult seabass of 60 g average weight where the vaccine was effective only against the PDB strain (RPS: 63%). High antibody titers against both strains were found at 30 and 60 days after intraperitoneal vaccination in the adult seabass. The use of zebrafish as a model for vaccine development for aquaculture species is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Smyrli
- University of Crete, Department of Biology, Voutes University Campus, Heraklion, 70013, Greece; Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Former American Base of Gournes, Heraklion, 71500, Greece
| | - Ishrat Zahan Anka
- University of Crete, Department of Biology, Voutes University Campus, Heraklion, 70013, Greece; Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Olga Koutsoni
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Greece
| | - Ioannis D Kyriazis
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Greece; University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Greece
| | - Michail Pavlidis
- University of Crete, Department of Biology, Voutes University Campus, Heraklion, 70013, Greece
| | - Pantelis Katharios
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Former American Base of Gournes, Heraklion, 71500, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Karampetsou K, Koutsoni OS, Gogou G, Angelis A, Skaltsounis LA, Dotsika E. Total Phenolic Fraction (TPF) from Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Induction of apoptotic-like cell death in Leishmania spp. promastigotes and in vivo potential of therapeutic immunomodulation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0008968. [PMID: 33428610 PMCID: PMC7799795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a serious multifactorial parasitic disease with limited treatment options. Current chemotherapy is mainly consisted of drugs with serious drawbacks such as toxicity, variable efficacy and resistance. Alternative bioactive phytocompounds may provide a promising source for discovering new anti-leishmanial drugs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), a key-product in the Mediterranean diet, is rich in phenols which are associated with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-microbial effects. In this study, we investigate the anti-leishmanial effect of Total Phenolic Fraction (TPF) derived from EVOO in both in vitro and in vivo systems by investigating the contributing mechanism of action. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We tested the ability of TPF to cause apoptotic-like programmed cell death in L. infantum and L. major exponential-phase promastigotes by evaluating several apoptotic indices, such as reduction of proliferation rate, sub-G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial transmembrane potential disruption and increased ROS production, by using flow cytometry and microscopy techniques. Moreover, we assessed the therapeutic effect of TPF in L. major-infected BALB/c mice by determining skin lesions, parasite burden in popliteal lymph nodes, Leishmania-specific antibodies and biomarkers of tissue site cellular immune response, five weeks post-treatment termination. Our results show that TPF triggers cell-cycle arrest and apoptotic-like changes in Leishmania spp. promastigotes. Moreover, TPF treatment induces significant reduction of parasite burden in draining lymph nodes together with an antibody profile indicative of the polarization of Th1/Th2 immune balance towards the protective Th1-type response, characterized by the presence of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T-cells and increased Tbx21/GATA-3 gene expression ratio in splenocytes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE TPF exhibits chemotherapeutic anti-leishmanial activity by inducing programmed cell death on cell-free promastigotes and immunomodulatory properties that induce in vivo T cell-mediated responses towards the protective Th1 response in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. These findings enable deeper understanding of TPF's dual mode of action that encourages further studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga S. Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Gogou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolis Angelis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Leandros-Alexios Skaltsounis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lampou E, Dovas C, Margaroni M, Chasalevris T, Pappas IS, Dotsika E, Karagouni E, Athanassopoulou F, Katsaras D, Bitchava K. Investigation of routes of entry and dispersal pattern of RGNNV in tissues of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. J Fish Dis 2020; 43:1363-1371. [PMID: 32882747 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) is a serious neuropathological fish disease affecting in the Mediterranean aquaculture mainly European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. It is well known that betanodaviruses are neurotropic viruses that replicate in nerve tissues, preferentially brain and retina. However, routes of entry and progression of the virus in the central nervous system (CNS) remain unclear. The role of four tissues-eye, oesophagus, gills and skin-as possible gateways of a betanodavirus, the redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV), was investigated after experimental challenges performed on European seabass juveniles. The dispersal pattern of Betanodavirus at primarily stages of the disease was also assessed, using a real-time qPCR assay. The development of typical clinical signs of VER, the presence of characteristic histopathological lesions in the brain and retina and the detection of viral RNA in the tissues of all experimental groups ascertained that successful invasion of RGNNV under all experimental routes was achieved. Transneuronal spread along pathways known to be connected to the initial site of entry seems to be the predominant scenario of viral progression in the CNS. Furthermore, viraemia appeared only after the installation of the infection in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Lampou
- Laboratory of Ichthyology and Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, karditsa, Greece
| | - Chrysostomos Dovas
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maritsa Margaroni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Taxiarchis Chasalevris
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis S Pappas
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, karditsa, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Evdokia Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Fotini Athanassopoulou
- Laboratory of Ichthyology and Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, karditsa, Greece
| | | | - Konstantina Bitchava
- Laboratory of Fish, Veterinary Research Institute of Thessaloniki ELGO-DEMETER, Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Karampetsou K, Koutsoni OS, Dotsika E. Quantification of Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species in Leishmania-infected J774A.1 Macrophages as a Response to the in vitro treatment with a Natural Product Compound. Bio Protoc 2019; 9:e3442. [PMID: 33654937 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by the obligatory intracellular protozoa Leishmania spp. Current therapeutic options are limited and thus, drug discovery against leishmaniasis is very important. Nevertheless, there is a great difficulty to develop therapeutic strategies against the disease because the parasite deploys various mechanisms to evade the immune system and multiply inside the host. Among the main factors of the immunity that are recruited to confront the Leishmania infection are the macrophages (MΦs) that produce effector molecules such as Nitric Oxide (NO) and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Therefore, efficient drug agents should combine the antileishmanial effect of these gaseous transmitters along with the enhancement of the host's adaptive immunity. In the quest of therapeutic alternatives, natural products have been extensively studied and are considered as candidate antileishmanial agents since they exhibit specific properties in modulating the host's immune response towards an effective anti-leishmanial cell-mediated immunity capable to eliminate parasitic dissemination. In the current protocol, Leishmania-infected MΦs (J774A.1 cell line) that have been treated with various increasing concentrations of a natural compound, are tested for the production of the aforementioned molecules. In order to detect NO production, we employ the Griess colorimetric nitrite assay and quantification relies on the construction of an accurate standard curve using appropriate standards of known concentration. ROS detection and quantification is achieved by flow cytometry and relies on the use of carboxy-H2DCFDA, an indicator that converts to a fluorescent form when interacts with ROS molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology & National Reference Laboratory for Leishmaniasis, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias av., 11521 Athens, Greece.,Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Olga S Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology & National Reference Laboratory for Leishmaniasis, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias av., 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology & National Reference Laboratory for Leishmaniasis, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias av., 11521 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Koutsoni OS, Karampetsou K, Dotsika E. In vitro Screening of Antileishmanial Activity of Natural Product Compounds: Determination of IC 50, CC 50 and SI Values. Bio Protoc 2019; 9:e3410. [PMID: 33654910 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases gain the scientific interest of numerous research programs in an attempt to achieve their effective control or elimination. In this attempt, more cutting-edge public health policies and research are needed for the discovery of new, safer and effective drugs originated from natural products. Here, we describe protocols for the in vitro screening of a natural product-derived compound required for the determination of its antileishmanial potency. For this purpose, the Total Phenolic Fraction (TPF) derived from extra virgin olive oil is evaluated through the in vitro cell culture method against extracellular promastigote and intracellular amastigote Leishmania spp. forms. The aim of this article is to describe a step-by-step procedure that can be easily applied to accurately estimate the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), the 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) and the selectivity index (SI) via the resazurin reduction assay. These protocols are based on the ability of resazurin (oxidized blue form) to be irreversibly reduced by enzymes in viable cells and generate a red fluorescent resorufin product and can be easily expanded to the investigation of the antimicrobial activity in other microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga S Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology & National Reference Laboratory for Leishmaniasis, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias av., 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology & National Reference Laboratory for Leishmaniasis, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias av., 11521 Athens, Greece.,Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology & National Reference Laboratory for Leishmaniasis, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias av., 11521 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Barhoumi M, Koutsoni OS, Dotsika E, Guizani I. Leishmania infantum LeIF and its recombinant polypeptides induce the maturation of dendritic cells in vitro: An insight for dendritic cells based vaccine. Immunol Lett 2019; 210:20-28. [PMID: 30998957 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that recombinant Leishmania infantum eukaryotic initiation factor (LieIF) was able to induce the secretion of cytokines IL-12, IL-10 and TNF-α by human monocytes. In this study, we explored in vitro the potential of LieIF to induce phenotypic maturation and functional differentiation of murine bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs). Moreover, in order to identify potential immunnomodulatory regions of LieIF, eight recombinant overlapping protein fragments covering the whole amino acid sequence of protein, were constructed and assessed in vitro for their ability to induce maturation of BM-DCs. Our data showed that LieIF and some of its recombinant polypeptides were able to induce elevated expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 co-stimulatory molecules with concurrent IL-12 production. Moreover, we used an in vivo experimental model of cutaneous leishmaniasis consisted of susceptible Leishmania major-infected BALB/c mice and we demonstrated that LieIF-pulsed-BM-DCs adoptively transferred in mice were capable to confer protection against a high dose parasite challenge. This study further describes the immunomodulatory properties of LieIF and its polypeptides bringing relevant information for their exploitation as candidate molecules for vaccine development against leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mourad Barhoumi
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP 74, 1002 Tunis-Belvedère, Tunisia.
| | - Olga S Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass Sofias Av, Athens 11521, Greece.
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass Sofias Av, Athens 11521, Greece.
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP 74, 1002 Tunis-Belvedère, Tunisia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Frakolaki E, Kaimou P, Moraiti M, Kalliampakou KI, Karampetsou K, Dotsika E, Liakos P, Vassilacopoulou D, Mavromara P, Bartenschlager R, Vassilaki N. The Role of Tissue Oxygen Tension in Dengue Virus Replication. Cells 2018; 7:cells7120241. [PMID: 30513781 PMCID: PMC6316080 DOI: 10.3390/cells7120241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Low oxygen tension exerts a profound effect on the replication of several DNA and RNA viruses. In vitro propagation of Dengue virus (DENV) has been conventionally studied under atmospheric oxygen levels despite that in vivo, the tissue microenvironment is hypoxic. Here, we compared the efficiency of DENV replication in liver cells, monocytes, and epithelial cells under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, investigated the ability of DENV to induce a hypoxia response and metabolic reprogramming and determined the underlying molecular mechanism. In DENV-infected cells, hypoxia had no effect on virus entry and RNA translation, but enhanced RNA replication. Overexpression and silencing approaches as well as chemical inhibition and energy substrate exchanging experiments showed that hypoxia-mediated enhancement of DENV replication depends on the activation of the key metabolic regulators hypoxia-inducible factors 1α/2α (HIF-1α/2α) and the serine/threonine kinase AKT. Enhanced RNA replication correlates directly with an increase in anaerobic glycolysis producing elevated ATP levels. Additionally, DENV activates HIF and anaerobic glycolysis markers. Finally, reactive oxygen species were shown to contribute, at least in part through HIF, both to the hypoxia-mediated increase of DENV replication and to virus-induced hypoxic reprogramming. These suggest that DENV manipulates hypoxia response and oxygen-dependent metabolic reprogramming for efficient viral replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Efseveia Frakolaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece.
| | - Panagiota Kaimou
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece.
| | - Maria Moraiti
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece.
| | | | - Kalliopi Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece.
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis Liakos
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece.
| | - Dido Vassilacopoulou
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece.
| | - Penelope Mavromara
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Virology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Thrace, Greece.
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research, Heidelberg partner site, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Niki Vassilaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Koutsoni OS, Karampetsou K, Kyriazis ID, Stathopoulos P, Aligiannis N, Halabalaki M, Skaltsounis LA, Dotsika E. Evaluation of total phenolic fraction derived from extra virgin olive oil for its antileishmanial activity. Phytomedicine 2018; 47:143-150. [PMID: 30166099 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis is a neglected and emerging disease with varying clinical manifestations. The current treatment options rely on limited chemotherapy with serious drawbacks. Thus, there is an increasing interest in the identification of new candidates for designing potent, less toxic and low-cost drugs. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential antileishmanial activity of the total phenolic fraction (TPF) derived from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) when added in in vitro and in vivo experimental models of Leishmania infection. STUDY DESIGN We investigated the in vitro antileishmanial activity of TPF against two Leishmania species: a viscerotropic (L. infantum) and a dermotropic (L. major) strain. The antileishmanial effect was also tested in vivo in a murine cutaneous leishmaniasis model using L. major-infected BALB/c mice. METHODS Separation and analytical methodologies were applied in order to extract the olive oil phenols (TPF) and determine the concentration of the major ones, respectively. The in vitro antileishmanial activity of TPF against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes was determined by the resazurin cell viability assay. The TPF-induced nitric oxide synthesis by L. infantum and L. major -infected J774A.1 macrophages was determined using the Griess reaction, while the respective generation of reactive oxygen species was assessed by flow cytometry. Moreover, L. major-infected BALB/c mice were treated with TPF and its in vivo therapeutic effect was determined as reduction of the footpad swelling. RESULTS Our data showed that TPF exhibits inhibitory effect against cell free promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of both L. infantum and L. major parasite strains. TPF demonstrated to be selectively active against Leishmania amastigotes and its antileishmanial activity was possibly mediated by reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates generated from the infected J774A.1 macrophages. Furthermore, administration of TPF in BALB/c mice infected with L. major caused significant reduction of footpad swelling demonstrating in vivo its antileishmanial effect. Based on HPLC-DAD analysis the major components of TPF are tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, oleacein and oleocanthal. CONCLUSION This study brings a new low-cost candidate to the leishmaniasis drug discovery pipeline, upon further pharmacological investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga S Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias av. 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias av. 11521 Athens, Greece; Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis D Kyriazis
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias av. 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Stathopoulos
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Nektarios Aligiannis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Halabalaki
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Leandros A Skaltsounis
- Division of Pharmacognosy and Natural Product Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou GR-15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias av. 11521 Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kyriazis ID, Koutsoni OS, Aligiannis N, Karampetsou K, Skaltsounis AL, Dotsika E. The leishmanicidal activity of oleuropein is selectively regulated through inflammation- and oxidative stress-related genes. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:441. [PMID: 27501956 PMCID: PMC4977900 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1701-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Much research effort has been focused on investigating new compounds derived from low-cost sources, such as natural products, for treating leishmaniasis. Oleuropein derived from numerous plants, particularly from the olive tree, Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae), is a biophenol with many biological activities. Our previous findings showed that oleuropein exhibits leishmanicidal effects against three Leishmania spp. in vitro, and minimizes the parasite burden in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible mechanism(s) that mediate this leishmanicidal activity. Methods We determined the efficacy of oleuropein in elevating ROS and NO production in L. donovani-infected J774A.1 macrophages and in explanted splenocytes and hepatocytes obtained from L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice. We also assessed the expression of genes that are related to inflammation, T-cell polarization and antioxidant defense, in splenocytes. Finally, we determined the ratios of specific IgG2a/IgG1 antibodies and DTH reactions in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice treated with oleuropein. Results Oleuropein was able to elevate ROS production in both in vitro and in vivo models of visceral leishmaniasis and raised NO production in ex vivo cultures of splenocytes and hepatocytes. The extensive oxidative stress found in oleuropein-treated mice was obviated by the upregulation of the host’s antioxidant enzyme (mGCLC) and the simultaneous downregulation of the corresponding enzyme of the parasite (LdGCLC). Moreover, oleuropein was able to mount a significant Th1 polarization characterized by the expression of immune genes (IL-12β, IL-10, TGF-β1, IFN-γ) and transcription factors (Tbx21 and GATA3). Moreover, this immunomodulatory effect was also correlated with an inhibitory effect on IL-1β gene expression, rather than with the expression of IL-1α, IL-1rn and TNF-α. Furthermore, oleuropein-treated BALB/c mice mounted a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and an elevated Leishmania-specific IgG2a/IgG1 ratio that clearly demonstrated an in vivo protective mechanism. Conclusion The ability of Oleuropein to promote a Th1 type immune response in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice points towards the candidacy of this bioactive compound as an immunomodulatory agent that may complement therapeutic approaches to leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis D Kyriazis
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11521, Athens, Greece.,VIVUS research and diagnostic center, 160 Konstanta str, Volos, Greece
| | - Olga S Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11521, Athens, Greece
| | - Nektarios Aligiannis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Karampetsou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11521, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios-Leandros Skaltsounis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11521, Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tsagozis P, Karagouni E, Dotsika E. Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Peptides of GP63 Induce Differential Protection against Experimental Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2016; 17:343-52. [PMID: 15461868 DOI: 10.1177/039463200401700314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The need for a vaccine against Leishmania spp., a major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality, is urgent. We tested the efficacy of an experimental vaccination in murine models of cutaneous leishmaniasis, using dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with synthetic or native parasite antigens. DCs pulsed with peptide 154–169aa of gp63 or soluble promastigote lysate (SPL) triggered antigen-specific immune responses and efficiently reduced lesion formation and parasite load of genetically susceptible BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. This effect was accompanied by a modulation of the cellular immune response towards a Th1 profile. Vaccination of genetically resistant CBA mice with DCs pulsed with peptide 154–169aa or SPL did not affect the course of the disease, whereas pulsing with the epitope 467–482aa of gp63 resulted in disease exacerbation, accompanied by a switch to a Th2 profile. In view of our continuously growing knowledge about the immunobiology of DCs, these findings suggest that vaccination with DCs pulsed with defined peptides could be a strategy against infectious diseases. Peptide selection is a prerequisite as they can differentially regulate the type of immune response in susceptible or resistant hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Tsagozis
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Karagouni E, Athanassopoulou F, Tsagozis P, Ralli E, Moustakareas T, Lytra K, Dotsika E. The Impact of a Successful Anti-Myxosporean Treatment on the Phagocyte Functions of Juvenile and Adult Sparus Aurata L. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2016; 18:121-32. [PMID: 15698517 DOI: 10.1177/039463200501800113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of a successful anti-myxosporean medication on the innate immune system of fish intensively cultured in the Mediterranean basin. For this purpose, juvenile and adult gilthead seabream ( S. aurata L.) naturally infected with Polysporoplasma sparis in the kidney were used in a small-scale field trial. The infected fish were treated orally with the combination of salinomycin and amprolium, two drugs well known for their anti-coccidial effect in other animals. Drug efficacy and safety was evaluated in terms of changes observed in histopathology, mortality and P. sparis intensity and prevalence rate. Phagocytic functions of head-kidney leucocytes were also investigated at the end as well as one month post the medication. Salinomycin with amprolium exhibited a significant reduction in intensity and prevalence rate in both juvenile and adult fish, and no histopathological evidence for toxic side effects was observed. In addition, the successful treatment was closely correlated with a complete restoration of the diminished phagocytic ability and capacity as well as NO, and lysozyme secretion in a time dependent manner. This data suggests that salilomycin with amprolium can be an alternative treatment for myxosporean infections in warm-water fish, possibly exhibiting their action through the enhancement of host innate functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Salamalikis V, Argiriou AA, Dotsika E. Isotopic modeling of the sub-cloud evaporation effect in precipitation. Sci Total Environ 2016; 544:1059-1072. [PMID: 26779956 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In dry and warm environments sub-cloud evaporation influences the falling raindrops modifying their final stable isotopic content. During their descent from the cloud base towards the ground surface, through the unsaturated atmosphere, hydrometeors are subjected to evaporation whereas the kinetic fractionation results to less depleted or enriched isotopic signatures compared to the initial isotopic composition of the raindrops at cloud base. Nowadays the development of Generalized Climate Models (GCMs) that include isotopic content calculation modules are of great interest for the isotopic tracing of the global hydrological cycle. Therefore the accurate description of the underlying processes affecting stable isotopic content can improve the performance of iso-GCMs. The aim of this study is to model the sub-cloud evaporation effect using a) mixing and b) numerical isotope evaporation models. The isotope-mixing evaporation model simulates the isotopic enrichment (difference between the ground and the cloud base isotopic composition of raindrops) in terms of raindrop size, ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) at ground level. The isotopic enrichment (Δδ) varies linearly with the evaporated raindrops mass fraction of the raindrop resulting to higher values at drier atmospheres and for smaller raindrops. The relationship between Δδ and RH is described by a 'heat capacity' model providing high correlation coefficients for both isotopes (R(2)>80%) indicating that RH is an ideal indicator of the sub-cloud evaporation effect. Vertical distribution of stable isotopes in falling raindrops is also investigated using a numerical isotope-evaporation model. Temperature and humidity dependence of the vertical isotopic variation is clearly described by the numerical isotopic model showing an increase in the isotopic values with increasing temperature and decreasing RH. At an almost saturated atmosphere (RH=95%) sub-cloud evaporation is negligible and the isotopic composition hardly changes even at high temperatures while at drier and warm conditions the enrichment of (18)Ο reaches up to 20‰, depending on the raindrop size and the initial meteorological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Salamalikis
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, University of Patras, GR 26500 Patras, Greece.
| | - A A Argiriou
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Department of Physics, University of Patras, GR 26500 Patras, Greece
| | - E Dotsika
- Stable Isotope Unit, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Center of Scientific Research 'Demokritos', Ag. Paraskevi Attikis, 15310 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tseveleki V, Tselios T, Kanistras I, Koutsoni O, Karamita M, Vamvakas SS, Apostolopoulos V, Dotsika E, Matsoukas J, Lassmann H, Probert L. Mannan-conjugated myelin peptides prime non-pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells and ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Exp Neurol 2014; 267:254-67. [PMID: 25447934 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Antigen presenting cells (APC) are critical for regulating immune responses. We tested mannan-peptide conjugates for targeting myelin peptides to APC to induce T cell tolerance and resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Myelin peptides conjugated to mannan in oxidized (OM) or reduced (RM) forms protected mice against EAE in prophylactic and therapeutic protocols, with OM-conjugated peptides giving best results. Protection was peptide-specific and associated with reduced antigen-specific T cell proliferation, but not alterations in Th1, Th17 and Treg cell differentiation or T cell apoptosis compared to EAE controls. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC) loaded with OM-MOG showed up-regulated expression of co-stimulatory molecules, reduced PD-L1 expression and enhanced CD40-inducible IL-12 and IL-23 production compared to MOG DC, features consistent with immunogenic DC. OM-MOG induced active T cell tolerance because i.d. administration or passive transfer of OM-MOG DC suppressed ongoing EAE, while OM-MOG-vaccinated mice did not reduce the proliferation of transferred MOG-specific T cells. As in vivo, MOG-specific T cells cultured with OM-MOG DC showed reduced proliferation and equal Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation compared to those with MOG DC, but surprisingly cytokine production was unresponsive to CD40 engagement. Impaired effector T cell function was further evidenced in spinal cord sections from OM-MOG-vaccinated EAE mice, where markedly reduced numbers of CD3(+) T cells were present, restricted to leptomeninges and exceptional parenchymal lesions. Our results show that mannan-conjugated myelin peptides protect mice against EAE through the expansion of antigen-specific Th1 and Th17 cells with impaired proliferation responses and APC-induced co-stimulatory signals that are required for licensing them to become fully pathogenic T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Tseveleki
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodore Tselios
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Rio Patras, Greece.
| | - Ioannis Kanistras
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Karamita
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Vasso Apostolopoulos
- Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention & Management, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - John Matsoukas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Rio Patras, Greece
| | - Hans Lassmann
- Division of Neuroimmunology, Centre for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lesley Probert
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Raco B, Dotsika E, Poutoukis D, Battaglini R, Chantzi P. O-H-C isotope ratio determination in wine in order to be used as a fingerprint of its regional origin. Food Chem 2014; 168:588-94. [PMID: 25172752 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.07.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Stable isotopes have been applied to determine the origin assignment and verify the geographical provenance that is considered important characteristics of wine products both for consumers and the international regulations, of wines. Stable isotope analyses of (18)O/(16)O, D/H and (13)C/(12)C ratio for the detection of origin and of adulteration in wine are discussed in this study. The δ(13)C analysis of ethanol and wines water δ(18)O underlines the importance of the photosynthetic pathway and the environmental conditions of wine. Also we discuss the main factors that are responsible for the differentiation of the oxygen isotope ratios of wine water. Data interpretation demonstrated the efficacy of δ(18)O analysis not only in the wine but also in grape berries, preferably if the determination of the δ(18)O value is employed together with the determination of the δ(2)H isotope content of wine, for the detection of the geographical origin of wine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Raco
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - E Dotsika
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; Stable Isotope Unit of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, NCSR Demokritos, 15310 Agia Paraskevi Attiki, Greece.
| | - D Poutoukis
- General Secretariat for Research and Technology, 14-18 Mesogion Ave., 115 10 Athens, Greece
| | - R Battaglini
- Massa spin-off srl, Largo Guido Novello, 50126 Firenze, Italy
| | - P Chantzi
- Stable Isotope Unit of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, NCSR Demokritos, 15310 Agia Paraskevi Attiki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Agallou M, Athanasiou E, Koutsoni O, Dotsika E, Karagouni E. Experimental Validation of Multi-Epitope Peptides Including Promising MHC Class I- and II-Restricted Epitopes of Four Known Leishmania infantum Proteins. Front Immunol 2014; 5:268. [PMID: 24959167 PMCID: PMC4051127 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a significant worldwide health problem for which no vaccine exists. Activation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells is crucial for the generation of protective immunity against parasite. Recent trend in vaccine design has been shifted to epitope-based vaccines that are more specific, safe, and easy to produce. In the present study, four known antigenic Leishmania infantum proteins, cysteine peptidase A (CPA), histone H1, KMP-11, and Leishmania eukaryotic initiation factor (LeIF) were analyzed for the prediction of binding epitopes to H2(d) MHC class I and II molecules, using online available algorithms. Based on in silico analysis, eight peptides including highly scored MHC class I- and II-restricted epitopes were synthesized. Peptide immunogenicity was validated in MHC compatible BALB/c mice immunized with each synthetic peptide emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant/incomplete Freund's adjuvant. CPA_p2, CPA_p3, H1_p1, and LeIF_p6 induced strong spleen cell proliferation upon in vitro peptide re-stimulation. In addition, the majority of the peptides, except of LeIF_p1 and KMP-11_p1, induced IFN-γ secretion, while KMP-11_p1 indicated a suppressive effect on IL-10 production. CPA_p2, CPA_p3, LeIF_p3, and LeIF_p6 induced IFN-γ-producing CD4(+) T cells indicating a TH1-type response. In addition, CPA_p2, CPA_p3, and H1_p1 induced also the induction of CD8(+) T cells. The induction of peptide-specific IgG in immunized mice designated also the existence of B cell epitopes in peptide sequences. Combining immunoinformatic tools and experimental validation, we demonstrated that CPA_p2, CPA_p3, H1_p1, H1_p3, CPA_p2, LeIF_p3, and LeIF_p6 are likely to include potential epitopes for the induction of protective cytotoxic and/or TH1-type immune responses supporting the feasibility of peptide-based vaccine development for leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Agallou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute , Athens , Greece
| | - Evita Athanasiou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute , Athens , Greece
| | - Olga Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute , Athens , Greece
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute , Athens , Greece
| | - Evdokia Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute , Athens , Greece
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Koutsoni O, Barhoumi M, Guizani I, Dotsika E. Leishmania eukaryotic initiation factor (LeIF) inhibits parasite growth in murine macrophages. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97319. [PMID: 24830439 PMCID: PMC4022710 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The leishmaniases constitute neglected global public health problems that require adequate control measures, prophylactic clinical vaccines and effective and non-toxic drug treatments. In this study, we explored the potential of Leishmania infantum eukaryotic initiation factor (LieIF), an exosomal protein, as a novel anti-infective therapeutic molecule. More specifically, we assessed the efficacy of recombinant LieIF, in combination with recombinant IFN-γ, in eliminating intracellular L. donovani parasites in an in vitro macrophage model. J774A.1 macrophages were initially treated with LieIF/IFN-γ prior to in vitro infection with L. donovani stationary phase promastigotes (pre-infection treatment), and resistance to infection was observed 72 h after infection. J774A.1 macrophages were also treated with LieIF/IFN-γ after L. donovani infection (post-infection treatment), and resistance to infection was also observed at both time points tested (19 h and 72 h) after infection. To elucidate the LieIF/IFN-γ-induced mechanism(s) that mediate the reduction of intracellular parasite growth, we examined the generation of potent microbicidal molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), within infected macrophages. Furthermore, macrophages pre-treated with LieIF/IFN-γ showed a clear up-regulation in macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expression. However, significant different protein levels were not detected. In addition, macrophages pre-treated with LieIF/IFN-γ combined with anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody produced significantly lower amounts of ROS. These data suggest that during the pre-treatment state, LieIF induces intramacrophage parasite growth inhibition through the production of TNF-α, which induces microbicidal activity by stimulating NO and ROS production. The mechanisms of NO and ROS production when macrophages are treated with LieIF after infection are probably different. Overall, these results indicate that LieIF is a good candidate for use as an anti-leishmanial molecule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Microbiology, Medical School of Athens, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
| | - Mourad Barhoumi
- Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie Moléculaire et de Pathologie Expérimentale Appliquée aux Maladies Infectieuses/LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis- Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie Moléculaire et de Pathologie Expérimentale Appliquée aux Maladies Infectieuses/LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis- Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis-Belvédère, Tunisia
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Agallou M, Dotsika E, Karagouni E. Low CD40 Expression Levels in Leishmania Infantum-Infected Bone Marrow Dendritic Cells Evoke Regulatory Responses by Down-Regulating Interleukin-12 Production: Role of ERK1/2. EUR J INFLAMM 2014. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x1401200211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in promoting resistance to leishmaniasis, both by activating CD4+ T cells and endorsing their differentiation into Th1 cells by producing interleukin (IL)-12. High level of IL-12 production, a decisive component of the DC maturation, requires not only microbial stimuli but also strong CD40-CD40L interactions. Until now, the mechanisms by which Leishmania (L.) infantum parasites affect DC functional maturation and consequently T cell polarization are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the response that is elicited when L. infantum promastigote-infected bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) to CD40 engagement and this way mimicking DC-T cells interactions at the early stages of infection. We found that L. infantum promastigotes-infected BM-DCs following CD40 engagement were capable of inducing significant amounts of TNF-α and IL-10, whereas IL-12 production remained unaffected compared to infected untreated cells. Interestingly, infected BM-DCs did not up-regulate CD40 surface expression. On the other hand, BM-DC stimulation with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA) resulted not only in significant increase of co-stimulatory molecule expression but also IL-12 and IL-10 production. CD40 engagement on L. infantum-infected BM-DCs sustained ERK1/2 activation induced by the parasite alone. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation with the use of PD98059 inhibitor prior to CD40 engagement on L. infantum-infected BM-DCs resulted in significant up-regulation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation and IL-12 production, whereas it did not affect TNF-α and IL-10 production. These findings suggest that L. infantum has evolved specific strategies to avoid efficient DC-T cell interactions by suppressing CD40 expression and consequently leading CD40 signaling pathways to ERK1/2 activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Agallou
- Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - E. Dotsika
- Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - E. Karagouni
- Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Agallou M, Dotsika E, Frydas S, Karagouni E. Toll-like receptor 4 promotes control of Leishmania infantum infection through inducement of leishmanicidal activity in host macrophages: role of mitogen activated kinases. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2014; 28:41-52. [PMID: 24750790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Establishment of Leishmania infection inside macrophages requires deactivation of various signaling pathways that are dispensable for effective immune responses against the parasite. In the present study, we provide evidence that Leishmania infantum promastigotes attachment on the surface of peritoneal macrophages, internalization and transformation to amastigotes abrogated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2, p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK) and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12 and TNFalpha. Subsequent macrophage stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during the first hours of exposure to parasite or infection resulted in restoration of MAPK phosphorylation. However, LPS-mediated MAPK activation required parasite internalization (uptake) since cytochalasin-D pretreated macrophages did not responded to LPS stimulation. IL-12, TNFalpha, and NO production was positively regulated with MAPK phosphorylation in contrast to nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) which was MAPK independent. Specifically, inhibition of MAPK activation with specific inhibitors revealed that IL-12 production required p38 MAPK activation, whereas TNFalpha and NO production required all three MAPK. The restoration of NO production resulted in decrease of infection rates. Hence, these results suggest that in contrast to phagocytosis of L. infantum promastigotes, establishment of infection does not desensitize macrophages to subsequent stimulation with LPS, resulting in parasite elimination through MAPK and NF-κB activation and partial restoration of IL-12, TNFalpha and NO synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Agallou
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - E Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - S Frydas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - E Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kyriazis JD, Aligiannis N, Polychronopoulos P, Skaltsounis AL, Dotsika E. Leishmanicidal activity assessment of olive tree extracts. Phytomedicine 2013; 20:275-81. [PMID: 23273752 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2012.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Revised: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a protozoan parasitic disease that remains a major worldwide health problem with high endemicity in developing countries, is prevalent around the Mediterranean basin. High cost, systemic toxicity, and diminished efficacy due to development of parasite resistance are the serious drawbacks of current treatment options. Thus, identifying new, effective, and safer anti-leishmanial drug(s) is of paramount importance. Here we tested the anti-promastigote and anti-amastigote activity of five natural products, including oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, present in olive tree leaves and olive mill wastewater. These products are recognized as low-cost starting materials rich in bioactive compounds, particularly biophenols. Oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol exhibited the best inhibitory effect among the natural products tested in both stationary and middle logarithmic phase promastigotes of L. infantum, L. donovani, and L. major. Similarly, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol demonstrated the highest selectivity index ratio against L. donovani amastigotes that parasitize J774A.1 macrophages. Moreover, oleuropein was tested in vivo in an experimental visceral leishmaniasis model. L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice received intraperitoneal oleuropein a total of 14 times at intervals of every other day. Three days after treatment termination, the spleen parasitic burden was reduced >80%. Of interest, this effect of oleuropein persisted and was even enhanced 6 weeks after the termination of the treatment, as determined by parasite depletion of >95% in liver and spleen. These findings contribute to the potential development of natural products as effective drugs against parasites of the Leishmania genus, with low cost and diminished cytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joannis D Kyriazis
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Barhoumi M, Koutsoni O, Guizani I, Dotsika E. Characterization of immunomodulatory activity of eIF4A protein. BMC Proc 2011. [DOI: 10.1186/1753-6561-5-s1-o5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
|
23
|
Chatzovoulos P, Tsoupras A, Samiotaki M, Panayotou G, Demopoulos C, Dotsika E. Paf-Metabolic Enzymes and Paf-like Activity in L. Infantum and L. Major Promastigotes. EUR J INFLAMM 2011. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x1100900303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania spp are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites of the mononuclear phagocyte system that cause a spectrum of diseases known as leishmaniasis. Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) and some PAF-antagonists seem to play a key role in Leishmania infection. In this article we detected for the first time the specific activities of PAF basic metabolic enzymes, PAF cholinephosphotransferase (PAF-CPT) and Lyso-PAF-acetylotransferase (Lyso-PAF-AT), in two species of Leishmania, namely Leishmania major (L. major) and Leishmania infantum (L. infantum). Specific activity of PAF-CPT of L. major homogenates was substantially higher than that of L. infantum homogenates, while Lyso-PAF-AT specific activities of the homogenates of both species were detected in the same levels. In addition, PAF-like molecules were detected in cells and their culture medium of both species. These results show that PAF-biosynthesis exists and varies between Leishmania species, findings that are in correlation with the general idea that the presence of PAF in several Leishmania species is implicated in Leishmania infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P. Chatzovoulos
- Faculty of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - A.B. Tsoupras
- Faculty of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - M. Samiotaki
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory B.S.R.C. “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Athens
| | - G. Panayotou
- Protein Chemistry Laboratory B.S.R.C. “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Athens
| | - C.A. Demopoulos
- Faculty of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
| | - E. Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Koutsoni O, Barhoumi M, Guizani I, Dotsika E. LiEIF and its recombinant polypeptides enhance the maturation of mouse dendritic cells and the production of the protective IL-12 cytokine. BMC Proc 2011. [PMCID: PMC3019467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- O Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens 11521, Greece
| | - M Barhoumi
- Laboratoire d’Epidémiologie et d’Ecologie Parasitaire, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 1002 Tunis-Belvedère, Tunisia
| | - I Guizani
- Laboratoire d’Epidémiologie et d’Ecologie Parasitaire, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 1002 Tunis-Belvedère, Tunisia
| | - E Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens 11521, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Barhoumi M, Koutsoni O, Guizani I, Dotsika E. Characterization of immunomodulatory activity of eIF4A protein. BMC Proc 2011. [PMCID: PMC3019408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mourad Barhoumi
- Laboratoire d’Epidémiologie et d’Ecologie Parasitaire, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 1002 Tunis-Belvedère, Tunisia
| | - Olga Koutsoni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Departement of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens 11521, Greece
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Laboratoire d’Epidémiologie et d’Ecologie Parasitaire, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 1002 Tunis-Belvedère, Tunisia
| | - Eleni Dotsika
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Departement of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens 11521, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Koutsoni O, Barhoumi M, Guizani I, Dotsika E. LiEIF and its recombinant polypeptides enhance the maturation of mouse dendritic cells and the production of the protective IL-12 cytokine. BMC Proc 2011. [DOI: 10.1186/1753-6561-5-s1-p41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
|
27
|
Voutsa D, Dotsika E, Kouras A, Poutoukis D, Kouimtzis T. Study on distribution and origin of boron in groundwater in the area of Chalkidiki, Northern Greece by employing chemical and isotopic tracers. J Hazard Mater 2009; 172:1264-1272. [PMID: 19717234 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.07.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2009] [Revised: 07/29/2009] [Accepted: 07/30/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents an integrate study on the occurrence and distribution of boron in groundwater in the area of Chalkidiki, Northern Greece. Groundwater samples were collected from wells used for drinking and irrigation purposes. Samples were analysed for boron, various physicochemical parameters (T, pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Br, Cl, HCO(3), SO(4), NO(3) and As) and isotopes ((18)O, (2)H, (11)B). Boron showed high spatial variation ranged from 0.04 to 6.5mg/L. Almost 60% of the examined wells exhibited boron concentration higher than the limit of 1mg/L proposed for water intended for human consumption. The higher concentrations were determined in geothermal waters with relatively high temperature. Correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were employed to find out possible relationships among the examined parameters and groundwater samples. Chemical and isotopic fingerprints have been used to investigate the origin of boron.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Voutsa
- Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University, 54 124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Dotsika E, Psomiadis D, Poutoukis D, Raco B, Gamaletsos P. Isotopic analysis for degradation diagnosis of calcite matrix in mortar. Anal Bioanal Chem 2009; 395:2227-34. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-009-3135-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2009] [Revised: 09/01/2009] [Accepted: 09/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
29
|
Tseveleki V, Tsagozis P, Koutsoni O, Dotsika E, Probert L. Cellular FLIP long isoform transgenic mice overcome inherent Th2-biased immune responses to efficiently resolve Leishmania major infection. Int Immunol 2007; 19:1183-9. [PMID: 17878261 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxm089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
c-FLIP(L) expression in T cells is required for mounting effective T cell responses and can also be critical for effector T cell differentiation, as has recently been shown by a number of in vivo studies in conditional knockout and transgenic mouse systems. Available data supports therefore a novel immunomodulatory role of this anti-apoptotic protein besides its traditionally proposed function in homeostatic maintenance of T cell populations. In this study, the responses to infection with Leishmania major of mice over-expressing FLIP(L) specifically in the T cell compartment (TgFLIP(L)) are assessed. Although previous studies have shown that FLIP(L) drives T cells towards a T(h)2 differentiation programme in various autoimmune and allergic paradigms, in this study, we show that TgFLIP(L) are able to overcome this T(h)2 bias in a dermal L. major infection model to mount a robust T(h)1 response to pathogen and effectively clear infection. Our results suggest that vaccination protocols designed to enhance FLIP(L) expression in T cells may be useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, without necessarily compromising immune responses towards infectious agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Tseveleki
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 115 21 Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Karagouni E, Athanassopoulou F, Lytra A, Komis C, Dotsika E. Antiparasitic and immunomodulatory effect of innovative treatments against Myxobolus sp. infection in Diplodus puntazzo. Vet Parasitol 2005; 134:215-28. [PMID: 16169152 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2004] [Revised: 04/27/2005] [Accepted: 07/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The potential antiparasitic and immunomodulatory effect of three treatments against myxosporean parasites on the innate immune system of sharpsnout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo) was investigated. Fish naturally infected with Myxobolus sp. (Bivalvulida/Platysporina), a histozoic parasite mainly affecting the renal interstitial tissue, were treated by oral administration of a combination of salinomycin with amprolium, Origanum essential oil or fumagillin in a small-scale field trial. Various leucocyte functions influenced by myxosporean infection were examined in order to determine treatment effects on leucocyte immunocompetence of treated fish. One month post treatment all drugs caused a significant decrease in prevalence and intensity of infection in comparison to untreated, infected fish. The effect was most prominent in salinomycin with amprolium treated fish, which 1-month post treatment contained either no cysts at all or a few spores free in melanomacrophage centres revealing almost total elimination of the parasite and the antiparasitic action of the treatment. There was no histopathological evidence of drug toxicity. Antiparasitic action was accompanied by a significant enhancement of phagocytic activity demonstrated by ingestion of large numbers of latex beads and the secretion of high levels of reactive nitrogen intermediates by phagocytes in vitro. Complete restoration of the diminished mitogenic responses and serum lysozyme secretion was also detected in salinomycin with amprolium-treated fish compared to untreated, infected fish. These data suggest that salilomycin with amprolium may be a promising treatment for myxosporean infections in intensively cultured warm-water fish, exhibiting action partially via the enhancement of host, innate immune functions and leading to parasite elimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Karagouni
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur Hellenique, 127 Vas. Sofias Ave., 115 21 Athens, Greece.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Tsagozis P, Karagouni E, Dotsika E. Function of CD8+ T lymphocytes in a self-curing mouse model of visceral leishmaniasis. Parasitol Int 2005; 54:139-46. [PMID: 15866476 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2005.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2004] [Revised: 10/03/2004] [Accepted: 02/18/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
CD8+ T lymphocytes play an important role in the control of visceral leishmaniasis in non self-cure mice (e.g. BALB/c). In the present study, the mode of action of CD8+ T cells and their in vivo contribution to immunity was addressed in self-curing C57BL/6 mice. During the course of the experimental infection, CD8+ T cells specific for Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) developed and apoptotic cell death subsequently followed. They exhibited perforin-dependent cytotoxicity and a T(C)1 profile characterized by secretion of IFN-gamma and CC chemokines. Despite evidence for activation of CD8+ T lymphocytes, both intravenous and intradermal infection of beta2-microglobulin deficient C57BL/6 mice with L. infantum showed that these knockout animals had similar parasite loads to their wild-type counterpart. Lymphocytes from the beta2-microglobulin deficient mice produced high levels of IFN-gamma, reflecting a T(H)1 response to the parasite, which was apparently sufficient for the immunologic control of the pathogen. Thus, despite their functional activation, CD8+ T lymphocytes do not appear to play a primary role in parasite restraint in the self-curing mouse model of visceral leishmaniasis, as shown using beta2-microglobulin deficient mice which do not produce functional CD8+ T lymphocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Tsagozis
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vass. Sofias Ave., 11521 Athens, Greece
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Athanassopoulou F, Karagouni E, Dotsika E, Ragias V, Tavla J, Christofilloyanis P, Vatsos I. Efficacy and toxicity of orally administrated anti-coccidial drugs for innovative treatments of Myxobolus sp. infection in Puntazzo puntazzo. Dis Aquat Organ 2004; 62:217-226. [PMID: 15672877 DOI: 10.3354/dao062217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This study tested drugs and therapeutic compounds to determine effective commercial treatment for fishes infected with myxosporeans. Two series of shore-based experiments and 1 field trial were performed. For the shore-based experiments we used Puntazzo puntazzo (ca. 20 g weight) with kidneys infected with Myxobolus sp. Initially, 6 different doses of Fumagillin, 2 doses of Toltrazuril, and 1 dose of Amprolium, ESB3 and Salinomycin were tested. In the second shore-based experiment, infected fish were treated with Origanum essential oils, Toltrazuril with propylene glycol, Amprolium, and a combination of Salinomycin 12% + Amprolium (SA). In the field trial, P. puntazzo (ca. 165 g) infected with the parasite were treated with SA, Origanum essential oils and Fumagillin. In all trials, the drugs were added to the feed and administered according to the selected regimen. Their efficacy was evaluated in terms of mortality (acceptable level was <3%), pathology and prevalence rate of Myxobolus sp. Lesions were observed only in fish treated with Fumagillin and Toltrazuril. Pathology due to treatment with Fumagillin was observed only at doses > 6 mg kg(-1) body wt for 6 wk in the interstitial renal tissue, where slight inflammation arose. The highest dose tested (25 mg kg(-1)) also produced necrosis in the interstitial tissue, degeneration of the epithelial cells of the tubules and a reduction in melanomacrophage centre numbers. The SA combination proved the most effective treatment for Myxobolus sp. infection of P. puntazzo as (1) the therapeutic regimen and commercial product was not toxic and (2) a significant reduction occurred in the prevalence rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Athanassopoulou
- Laboratory of Ichthyology & Fish Pathology, University of Thessaly, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, 221 Trikalon Street, 431 00 Karditsa, Greece.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Tsagozis P, Tseveleki V, Probert L, Dotsika E, Karagouni E. Vaccination with Plasmids Encoding the Leishmania Major GP63 Glycoprotein and CD40L Results in a Partial Suppression of the Inflammatory Reaction after Experimental Infection. EUR J INFLAMM 2004. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x0400200207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of an effective vaccine against leishmaniasis is the aim of an intensive research effort, to bring relief to thousands of people worldwide. DNA vaccination is a promising approach in this direction, since it is able to generate a strong cellular immune response. We tested whether the co-administration of a plasmid encoding a truncated gp63 gene, that allows extracellular secretion of the encoded protein, and a plasmid encoding for CD40L could induce a protective response in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice and reduce the local inflammatory swelling after infection with Leishmania major. We document that vaccination with the combination of plasmids for gp63 and CD40L reduced inflammatory swelling, while vaccination with the truncated gp63-encoding plasmid resulted in an exacerbation of the local inflammatory reaction. These preliminary data indicate that the CD40L expression plasmid is consequently an efficient adjuvant for the induction of protective responses in the context of a DNA vaccination against leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - V. Tseveleki
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece
| | - L. Probert
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Tsagozis P, Karagouni E, Dotsika E. CD8+ T cells with parasite-specific cytotoxic activity and a Tc1 profile of cytokine and chemokine secretion develop in experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Parasite Immunol 2003; 25:569-79. [PMID: 15053778 DOI: 10.1111/j.0141-9838.2004.00672.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a prominent role for CD8(+) T cells in immunity against pathogens has emerged. The mode of action of CD8(+) T cells in murine visceral leishmaniasis and their contribution to the clearance of the parasite has been addressed in the present study. We showed that during the course of experimental infection cytotoxic clones specific for Leishmania infantum antigens developed in the spleen of susceptible BALB/c mice, showed an activated phenotype and became susceptible to apoptotic cell death late in the course of the disease. CD8(+) T cells exhibited considerable cytotoxic activity against cells expressing Leishmania antigens. This activity was mediated by both the perforin and the Fas/FasL pathway, as judged from in vitro and in vivo assays. The CD8(+) T cells also up-regulated mRNAs for cytokines (IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) and C-C chemokines (RANTES and MIP-1alpha), which have a major role in immunity against the pathogen. CD8(+) T-cells thus displayed a Tc1 pattern of differentiation. In conclusion, CD8(+) T cells appear to play multiple roles in an experimental model of visceral leishmaniasis comprising both cytotoxic activity and secretion of cytokines and chemokines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Tsagozis
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Routsias JG, Dotsika E, Touloupi E, Papamattheou M, Sakarellos C, Sakarellos-Daitsiotis M, Moutsopoulos HM, Tzioufas AG. Idiotype-anti-idiotype circuit in non-autoimmune mice after immunization with the epitope and complementary epitope 289-308aa of La/SSB: implications for the maintenance and perpetuation of the anti-La/SSB response. J Autoimmun 2003; 21:17-26. [PMID: 12892732 DOI: 10.1016/s0896-8411(03)00063-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibodies to La/SSB are usually found in sera of patients with Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Recent work from our laboratory (Mol Med 2002;8:293-305) revealed that an active idiotypic network involving antibodies to epitopes of La/SSB and their anti-idiotypes exist in human sera. The anti-idiotypic antibodies were detected using complementary peptides to B-cell epitopes of the autoantigen. The principle of the complementary peptides is based on the 'molecular recognition' theory. According to this theory, translation of two complementary RNA strands (coding and non-coding strand) into protein, generate a pair of peptides, which bind each other with specificity and high affinity. AIM To investigate antibody production and T-cell responses in non-autoimmune-susceptible animal strains which were immunized with the epitope 289-308aa of La/SSB as well as its complementary epitope. MATERIALS AND METHODS Balb/c mice were immunized with a peptide corresponding to epitope 289-308aa (pep) or its complementary (cpep) peptide (5 animals/group). The sera were tested for the presence of antibodies to pep and cpep as well as for epitope spreading to recombinant human La/SSB and a major B-cell epitope of La/SSB spanning the region 349-364aa. Another group of animals was sacrificed on day 10 and T-cell responses against pep and cpep were evaluated in cells from lymph nodes and spleen. RESULTS Immunizations with either pep or cpep led to the appearance of antibodies against the immunogen peptide by day 31 which subsequently was followed by antibody production to its complementary peptide by day 55. In two out of five animals immunized with the epitope 289-308aa, a spreading of the immune response to epitope 349-364aa was observed. In the remaining three animals, negative for antibodies to pep349-364, a specific treatment of sera, using cpep349-364 revealed that anti-idiotypic antibodies masked antibodies to pep349-364. In all immunization experiments high T-cell proliferative responses to both pep and cpep peptides were detected. CONCLUSIONS Complementary peptides to epitopes of La/SSB can be utilized as probes to study the development of an idiotypic-anti-idiotypic network towards the major autoantigen. The ability of pep and cpep peptides to induce both B-cell and T-cell responses may provide useful insights into understanding further the initiation and maintenance of autoimmune response and create new tools for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John G Routsias
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Routsias JG, Touloupi E, Dotsika E, Moulia A, Tsikaris V, Sakarellos C, Sakarellos-Daitsiotis M, Moutsopoulos HM, Tzioufas AG. Unmasking the anti-La/SSB response in sera from patients with Sjogren's syndrome by specific blocking of anti-idiotypic antibodies to La/SSB antigenic determinants. Mol Med 2002; 8:293-305. [PMID: 12428060 PMCID: PMC2039996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoantigen La/SSB is molecular target of humoral autoimmunity in patients with primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we investigated the existence and possible influence of anti-idiotypic response to anti-La/SSB antibodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Synthetic peptide analogs (pep) of the major antigenic determinants of La/SSB (289-308 aa and 349-364 aa) were prepared. Based on "molecular recognition" theory, complementary peptides (cpep), derived by anti-parallel readings of the noncoding strand of La/SSB DNA encoding for its antigenic determinants, were constructed. Sera from 150 patients with anti-La/SSB antibodies, 30 patients without anti-La/SSB antibodies, and 42 normal individuals were tested against all four peptides. F(ab')(2) fragments from anti-peptide IgG were prepared and F(ab')(2) - IgG interactions were evaluated using a specific anti-idiotypic ELISA. RESULTS All four peptides were recognized by anti-La positive sera (83% and 51% for pep and cpep 349-364 and 51% and 28% for pep and cpep289-308, respectively). Anti-cpep F(ab')(2 )bound to a common idiotype (Id) located within or spatially close to the antigen combining site of anti La/SSB (anti-pep) antibodies. Homologous and cross-inhibition experiments further confirmed this relation. The anti-idiotypic antibodies inhibited the anti-La/SSB antibody binding to recombinant La/SSB by 91%. To overcome the anti-idiotypic interference in anti-La/SSB detection, a specific assay was developed. Sera were heated for dissociation of Id-anti-Id complexes, anti-Id antibodies blocked with cpep, and anti-La/SSB reactivity was recovered. Application of this method to anti-Ro positive-anti-La/SSB "negative" sera showed that all anti-Ro/SSA positive autoimmune sera also possess anti-La/SSB antibodies. This reaction was not observed in 14 anti-Ro negative- anti-Sm/RNP positive sera from patients with SLE. CONCLUSIONS Autoimmune sera from patients with pSS and SLE contain anti-idiotypic antibodies targeting a common anti-La/SSB idiotype. These antibodies can be detected using complementary peptides of La/SSB epitopes. The antiidiotypic antibodies mask the anti-La/SSB response. Hidden anti-La/SSB antibodies can be released and detected using complementary epitope analogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John G Routsias
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National University of Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Frydas S, Reale M, Vacalis D, Barbacane RC, Placido FC, Cataldo I, Di Gioacchino M, Karagouni E, Dotsika E, Anogiannakis G, Trakatellis A, Conti P. IgG, IgG1 and IgM response in Trichinella spiralis-infected mice treated with 4-deoxypirydoxine or fed a Vitamin B6-deficient diet. Mol Cell Biochem 1999; 194:47-52. [PMID: 10391123 DOI: 10.1023/a:1006996603605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) deficiency on the immunological response of BALB/c mice infected with the parasite T. spiralis. Specific anti-parasite IgM and IgG immunoglobulins were detected by ELISA method in the serum of treated animals at different periods for 60 days post infection. Vitamin B6-deficiency was induced in two separate groups of mice by either (1) maintaining the mice on a Vitamin B6-deficient synthetic pellet diet for 40 days before infection, or (2) by daily intraperitoneal injection of 8 x 10(5) M/100 microl of 4-Deoxypyridoxine (4-DPD), a potent antagonist of Vitamin B6 for 20 days prior to infection. These two groups of mice were then injected with 100 larvae (L1-T. spiralis) per os. Parasite burdens in the mice were observed by light microscopy. Cysts were present in the diaphragms of the mice after 60 days post-infection. Parasite specific IgG, as well as IgG1 levels were determined in the sera of infected mice fed a normal diet. These levels were found to be lower in the 4-DPD-treated mice compared to the untreated mice. The inhibition started from the 10th day and continued to the 60th day, and in the 4-DPD-treated group the inhibition initiated after 24 h to 60 days. IgM level also was depressed by 4-DPD, starting from 24 h after injection of the compound. In mice fed Vitamin B6-deficient diets the levels of IgG were lower than in mice fed normal diets. These results show that BALB/c mice infected with T. spiralis and fed either a Vitamin B6-deficient diet or a diet which included the Vitamin B6-antagonist, 4-DPD, both influence the course of IgG, IgG1 and IgM production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Frydas
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
Leishmania (L.) infantum is the etiological agent of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean subregion. Domestic dogs are the main reservoir of the parasite in most urban areas. A survey of 1638 asymptomatic dogs registered in Greater Athens area was carried out in the Hellenic Pasteur Institute during the period 1986-1994 to investigate the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in apparently healthy dogs. Dog sera was tested using the indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT). Of the 1638 dogs, 366 (22.4%) had anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies at titre greater than or equal to 1/200 which were considered positive; 53 (3.2%) had antibody titres of 1/100 and were considered uncertain; and 1219 (74.4%) dogs were seronegative. From the 366 seropositive dogs, 212 were positive at 1/1600 serum dilution, 57 at 1/800, 38 at 1/400 and 59 at 1/200. The results were plotted according the site of residence, breed and age. The rate of asymptomatic infections with L. infantum dogs in Greater Athens area appears to be significantly high. Although there is an apparent lack of clinical symptoms in these dogs, asymptomatic animals harbor a chronic L. infantum infection and as such consist a 'dangerous' reservoir with regard to the spread of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Sideris
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Department of Parasitology, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
The major surface glycoprotein (gp63) of Leishmania major incorporated into the immunostimulating complexes (ISCOMs) was used to protect Balb/c mice against experimental infection. Two intraperitoneal vaccinations with low doses of gp63 into ISCOMs (gp63-ISCOMs) induced protective immunity in vaccinated mice as indicated by reduced inflammation and suppressed lesions after experimental challenge. An augmented IgG-specific secretion and a specific switching towards the IgG2a isotype was observed in the serum of vaccinated mice. Gp63-ISCOMs primed spleen cells restimulated in vitro with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA) or live parasites displayed strong gp63-specific proliferative responses and secreted high levels of interleukin-2, interferon gamma and interleukin-10 but not interleukin-4. No delayed type hypersensitivity response to either SLA or LV39 was detected. These data indicate that gp63-ISCOMs induced a protective immunity in the susceptible Balb/c mice against Leishmania challenge, modulating the immune response towards a Th1 rather than Th2 type.
Collapse
|
40
|
Karagouni E, Mantzavinos T, Papadopoulou G, Kanakas N, Dotsika E, Chryssikopoulos A. P-233. Levels of IL-1α and IL-1β in follicular fluid and serum of IVF and embryo transfer patients. Hum Reprod 1997. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/12.suppl_2.228-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
41
|
Dotsika E, Karagouni E, Sundquist B, Morein B, Morgan A, Villacres-Eriksson M. Influence of Quillaja saponaria triterpenoid content on the immunomodulatory capacity of Epstein-Barr virus iscoms. Scand J Immunol 1997; 45:261-8. [PMID: 9122615 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3083.1997.d01-395.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The immune responses to immunostimulating complexes (iscoms) containing recombinant Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) gp340 envelope protein was evaluated in BALB/c (H-2(d)) and CBA (H-2(k)) mice. Gp340-iscoms were used either with a low content of Quillaja triterpenoid adjuvant (L-iscoms) or supplemented with additional Quillaja adjuvant in the form of iscomatrix (S-iscoms). Class and subclass distribution of anti-gp340 antibodies, EBV-neutralizing antibodies, antigen-specific T cell proliferation and cytokine production were determined and these results compared to those obtained by immunization with non-adjuvated gp340. The H-2(d) and H-2(k) mice were characterized as low or high responders in respect to the level of specific anti-gp340 antibodies, secretion of IgG2a isotype, antigen-specific lymphoproliferative capacity, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in the basic immunizations with gp340. While presentation of the antigen in iscom formulations with low levels of Quillaja triterpenoids induces a moderate enhancement of the immune responses in the low responder H-2(d) mice, supplementation with high levels of iscomatrix immunomodulator was required to enhance the immune responses in the high responder H-2(k) mice. In both mouse strains subcutaneous immunization with S-iscoms resulted in a significant increase of IgG1- and IgG2a-specific antibodies, as well as in strong antigen-specific proliferative response confirmed by the simultaneous cytokine production. The enhanced antigen-specific secretion of IL-2 and IFN-gamma together with the abrogation of IL-10 and the absence of IL-4 indicates that the responses were driven towards a Th1-type rather than Th2-type immune response. The S-iscom formulations minimized the differences in immune responses between the two mouse strains, but the capacity of immune sera to neutralize EBV transformation in vitro remained completely strain-dependent. These data indicate that immune responses generated by iscoms can be manipulated by altering the triterpenoid composition of the iscoms and that the levels of triterpenoids can determine whether or not a Th1-type response is made.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Dotsika
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Chryssikopoulos A, Mantzavinos T, Kanakas N, Karagouni E, Dotsika E, Zourlas PA. Correlation of serum and follicular fluid concentrations of placental protein 14 and CA-125 in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer patients. Fertil Steril 1996; 66:599-603. [PMID: 8816623 DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)58574-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study serum and follicular fluid (FF) concentrations of placental protein 14 (PP14) and CA-125 in patients participating in an IVF-ET program. DESIGN Determination in serum and FF on the day of hCG administration, day of oocyte retrieval, and on ET day of PP14 and CA-125. SETTING Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Athens; Euromedica IVF Unit; and Hellenic Pasteur Institute. PATIENTS Thirty-three patients undergoing IVF-ET divided in three groups: 8 with conception, 18 with fertilized oocytes but no conception, and 7 without fertilized oocytes. INTERVENTIONS All patients underwent an ovarian stimulation with a short protocol of GnRH analogue-pure-FSH-hMG. Three blood probes were collected from each patient, on the day of hCG administration, on retrieval day, and on ET day, respectively, whereas FF was collected on retrieval day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Determination in serum and FF of CA-125 and PP14. RESULTS On the day of oocyte retrieval, both mean values of serum PP14 and CA-125 were significantly higher in conceptional than nonconceptional cycles. On the day of ET, the mean values of serum PP14 increased significantly in conceptional cycles whereas CA-125 showed no difference. The mean concentration of PP14 in FF was significantly higher in conceptional cycles whereas there was no significant change in the mean concentration of FF CA-125. CONCLUSIONS In conceptional cycles after IVF, PP14 increases in serum significantly from hCG day to ET day compared with nonconceptional cycles, whereas CA-125 increases from hCG day to oocyte retrieval day and decreases on ET day. In FF, PP14 was increased in conceptional cycles, whereas CA-125 in FF showed no change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Chryssikopoulos
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Areteion Hospital, University of Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Sideris V, Karagouni E, Papadopoulou G, Garifallou A, Dotsika E. Canine visceral leishmaniasis in the great Athens area, Greece. Parasite 1996; 3:125-30. [PMID: 8758549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A survey of 1,175 dogs with suspected visceral leishmaniasis (VL), was carried out to investigate canine leishmaniasis in the Athens basin, the largest metropolitan area of Greece. The dogs examined were not a random sample since animals were selected on the basis of symptoms indicating the disease. Dog sera were tested using the indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT), with titres greater than or equal to 1/200 considered positive for VL. On this basis 569 dogs (48.4%) were found positive for VL and 69 (5.9%) borderline (with titres of 1/100). Additionally, 218 of these sera were also tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of this sample, 120 were negative and 88 were positive with both IFAT and ELISA (according to the stated criteria), and thus the concordance of the two methods was 98.6%. Dogs positive for VL were classified according to age, sex, breed, and area of residence. Dogs from outlying areas of the Athens basin had higher infection rates than dogs from the city. The most affected breed was the Doberman, and the least affected was the Collie.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Sideris
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Dept. of Parasitology, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Frydas S, Karagouni E, Dotsika E, Reale M, Barbacane RC, Vlemmas I, Anogianakis G, Trakatellis A, Conti P. Generation of TNF alpha, IFN gamma, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 in mouse serum from trichinellosis: effect of the anti-inflammatory compound 4-deoxypyridoxine (4-DPD). Immunol Lett 1996; 49:179-84. [PMID: 8739314 DOI: 10.1016/0165-2478(96)02501-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Infections caused by the nematode Trichinella spiralis is characterized in the host by an inflammatory response with cytokine production. In these studies we have detected TNF alpha, IL-6, IFN gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 in the serum of 10 mice infected with T. spiralis. Moreover, we detected, for the first time, these cytokines in the serum of mice treated with 4-DPD, a potent antagonist of vitamin B6 coenzyme which has anti-inflammatory properties. 4-DPD was used at 100, 400, 800 micrograms/bolus for 20 days, starting one day before the infection. After 15 days of T. spiralis infection, TNF alpha reached a maximum level, while IL-6 was maximal after 7 days, IFN gamma at 20 days and IL-4 at 14 days. IL-10 was not affected by the T. spiralis infection. When the animals were treated with 4-DPD at the reported dosages and infected with T. spiralis the inhibition of TNF alpha and IL-6, were dose-dependent in the first 7 days while IL-4 was reduced only at 400-800 micrograms/bolus. 4-DPD-treated mice did not statistically (P > 0.05) affect the generation of IFN gamma. In healthy animals the production of cytokines were not measurable, just as it was in non-infected animals treated with 4-DPD. The increase of cytokines such as, TNF alpha and IL-6 may be related to the severity of the disease, boosting the host's resistance to the pathogen and inhibiting parasite survival. In addition, the augmentation of IL-4 production enhances T and B cells and macrophage responses and may stimulate T-cell antibody-mediated response to the pathogen. 4-DPD, an inhibitor of IL-1 and inflammatory reactions, proved to be most effective on TNF alpha and IL-6, which are mainly produced by macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Frydas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
We have investigated specific immune responses in BALB/c mice with experimentally induced secondary hydatidosis. Following intraperitoneal inoculation of brood capsules containing Echinococcus granulosus-protoscoleces, the course of the infection was followed for 513 days. The sera of the mice were screened for the presence of a number of cytokines, and for specific antibodies. During the first 129 days of infection, high levels of cytokines TNF alpha, IL-alpha, IFN gamma, IL-6, and IL-10 and specific IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes were detected, as compared to uninfected controls. The levels of IgM and IgG2a were slightly increased following infection, and remained elevated throughout the period of observation. The levels of IL-1 alpha and specific immunoglobulin of all isotypes except IgM and IgG2a, were significantly decreased 103 days post infection (p.i.), whereas TNF alpha was sharply decreased 129 days p.i. During the period of 129 to 209 days of infection there was an increase in secreted IL-10, and a slow decrease in the levels of IL-6 and IFN gamma. Levels of IgM, IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a plateaued during this period, whereas IgG3 and TNF alpha showed a peak at day 190 p.i. These data suggest the induction of Th2 antibody-mediated immunity with a parallel expansion of Th1-mediated inflammatory responses as important mechanism of host defence against the metacestode.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Haralabidis
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Fridas S, Trakatellis A, Karagouni E, Dotsika E, Himonas C, Conti P. 4-Deoxypyridoxine inhibits chronic granuloma formation induced by potassium permanganate in vivo. Mol Cell Biochem 1994; 136:59-63. [PMID: 7854332 DOI: 10.1007/bf00931605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
4-Deoxypyridoxine (4-DPD) is a potent antagonist of Vitamin B6 coenzyme which inhibits IL-1, lymphocyte proliferation and has demonstrated that tolerance to skin grafts can be induced by administering splenic cells to pyridoxine-deficient mice. Chronic inflammation induced by dorsal injections of 200 microliters of a 1:40 saturated crystal solution of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in mice treated or untreated with 4-DPD (400 micrograms/dose), has been investigated. After 7 days all mice developed a subcutaneous granulomatous tissue indicative of a chronic inflammatory response, at the site of injection. KMnO4-treated mice injected intraperitoneally with 4-DPD (400 micrograms/dose) on 5 consecutive days (the first at the same time of induction of the granuloma) show a significant decrease in size and weight of granuloma when compared to mice not treated with 4-DPD (Controls). In addition, in all mice treated with 4-DPD there was a strong inhibition of TNF alpha in serum (P < 0.01) and in supernatant fluids (P < 0.05) from minced granuloma, while IL-6 was inhibited in the supernatant fluids (P < 0.05) of minced granulomas but was not detected in the serum of treated and untreated mice. In this study we show for the first time the antiinflammatory effect of 4-DPD on chronic inflammation and the inhibitory effect of TNF and IL-6 generation in supernatant fluids from minced granulomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Fridas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|