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Tandoh KZ, Ibarra-Meneses AV, Langlais D, Olivier M, Torrecilhas AC, Fernandez-Prada C, Regev-Rudzki N, Duah-Quashie NO. Extracellular Vesicles: Translational Agenda Questions for Three Protozoan Parasites. Traffic 2024; 25:e12935. [PMID: 38629580 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The protozoan parasites Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi continue to exert a significant toll on the disease landscape of the human population in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Control measures have helped reduce the burden of their respective diseases-malaria, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease-in endemic regions. However, the need for new drugs, innovative vaccination strategies and molecular markers of disease severity and outcomes has emerged because of developing antimicrobial drug resistance, comparatively inadequate or absent vaccines, and a lack of trustworthy markers of morbid outcomes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been widely reported to play a role in the biology and pathogenicity of P. falciparum, Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi ever since they were discovered. EVs are secreted by a yet to be fully understood mechanism in protozoans into the extracellular milieu and carry a cargo of diverse molecules that reflect the originator cell's metabolic state. Although our understanding of the biogenesis and function of EVs continues to deepen, the question of how EVs in P. falciparum, Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi can serve as targets for a translational agenda into clinical and public health interventions is yet to be fully explored. Here, as a consortium of protozoan researchers, we outline a plan for future researchers and pose three questions to direct an EV's translational agenda in P. falciparum, Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi. We opine that in the long term, executing this blueprint will help bridge the current unmet needs of these medically important protozoan diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwesi Z Tandoh
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ana Victoria Ibarra-Meneses
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - David Langlais
- Department of Human Genetics, Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill Research Centre on Complex Traits, Montreal, Canada
| | - Martin Olivier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill Research Centre on Complex Traits, Montreal, Canada
- IDIGH, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill Research Centre on Complex Traits, Montreal, Canada
| | - Neta Regev-Rudzki
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nancy O Duah-Quashie
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Costa TFR, Catta-Preta CMC, Goundry A, Carvalho DB, Rodrigues NS, Vivarini AC, de Abreu MF, Reis FCG, Lima APCA. The ecotin-like peptidase inhibitor of Trypanosoma cruzi prevents TMPRSS2-PAR2-TLR4 crosstalk downmodulating infection and inflammation. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23566. [PMID: 38526868 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302091rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a chronic pathology that affects the heart and/or digestive system. This parasite invades and multiplies in virtually all nucleated cells, using a variety of host cell receptors for infection. T. cruzi has a gene that encodes an ecotin-like inhibitor of serine peptidases, ISP2. We generated ISP2-null mutants (Δisp2) in T. cruzi Dm28c using CRISPR/Cas9. Epimastigotes of Δisp2 grew normally in vitro but were more susceptible to lysis by human serum compared to parental and ISP2 add-back lines. Tissue culture trypomastigotes of Δisp2 were more infective to human muscle cells in vitro, which was reverted by the serine peptidase inhibitors aprotinin and camostat, suggesting that host cell epitheliasin/TMPRSS2 is the target of ISP2. Pretreatment of host cells with an antagonist to the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) or an inhibitor of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) selectively counteracted the increased cell invasion by Δisp2, but did not affect invasion by parental and add-back lines. The same was observed following targeted gene silencing of PAR2, TLR4 or TMPRSS2 in host cells by siRNA. Furthermore, Δisp2 caused increased tissue edema in a BALB/c mouse footpad infection model after 3 h differently to that observed following infection with parental and add-back lines. We propose that ISP2 contributes to protect T. cruzi from the anti-microbial effects of human serum and to prevent triggering of PAR2 and TLR4 in host cells, resulting in the modulation of host cell invasion and contributing to decrease inflammation during acute infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana F R Costa
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina M C Catta-Preta
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Amy Goundry
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle B Carvalho
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathalia S Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aislan C Vivarini
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Insituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Mayra Fonseca de Abreu
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flavia C G Reis
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula C A Lima
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Palacios Gil-Antuñano S, Gold S, Abril M, Segovia Hernández M, Cancelo-Hidalgo MJ, Flores-Chávez M, Pelayo-Delgado I. Mother-to-child Chagas disease transmission: The challenge of detection and prevention in areas without the risk of vectorial transmission. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 164:835-842. [PMID: 37493222 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Although it is endemic in many Latin American (LA) countries, mother-to-child transmission has caused it to expand to other countries and continents. In places where vector transmission is controlled or absent, the epidemiological importance of T. cruzi transmission of the infected mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth (i.e., perinatal CD) increases. In countries where CD is not endemic, CD screening should be performed in pregnant or fertile women who are native to LA countries or whose mothers are native to LA countries. Diagnosis is established by detecting anti-T. cruzi IgG antibodies in a serum or plasma sample. Antiparasitic treatment cannot be offered during pregnancy, and since the majority of infected newborns are asymptomatic at birth, a diagnosis is made by direct observation or concentration (microhematocrit) or by using molecular testing techniques. Once the infected child receives a diagnosis, it is essential to offer treatment (benznidazole/nifurtimox) as soon as possible, with good tolerance and effectiveness in the first year of life. Even if the diagnosis is negative at birth, the newborn must be followed up for at least the first 9 months of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Gold
- Mundo Sano Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Manuel Segovia Hernández
- Microbiology and Parasitology Service, Universitary Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia University, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria Jesus Cancelo-Hidalgo
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Service, Universitary Hospital of Guadalajara, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Alcala de Henares Universitiy, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Flores-Chávez
- Mundo Sano Foundation - National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Pelayo-Delgado
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alcala de Henares University, Ramon y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, Spain
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Gonçalves TDS, Ursine RL, Cardozo M, Matos RLFDR, de Souza RDCM, Diotaiuti LG, Gorla DE, de Carvalho SFG, Vieira TM. Socio-environmental factors associated with the occurrence of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in an endemic municipality in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:34-47. [PMID: 37792668 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Triatomines are the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. The study aimed to evaluate the association between sociodemographic and environmental factors, and changes in land use and cover, with the occurrence and abundance of triatomines by census sectors in an endemic municipality of northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study was conducted in Montes Claros, located in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The entomological data used in the study were collected by active surveillance in the rural area from 2015 to 2019 and by passive surveillance in the urban area from 2009 to 2019. Data on sociodemographic and environmental factors and changes in land use and land cover were obtained from the urban and rural census sectors. A total of 1404 triatomines, belonging to eight species, were captured in domiciles in the rural area (2015-2019) and 277 triatomines in domiciles in the urban area (2009-2019) of the municipality of Montes Claros. The variables the number of domiciles, household economic income, pavement, NDVI, deforestation, unchanged, and anthropic proved to be positively associated with the occurrence and/or number of triatomines in census sectors, within the models. The occurrence of triatomines in the domestic environment of the municipality of Montes Claros should be considered a public health problem, as it suggests a potential risk of establishment and transmission of T. cruzi to domestic animals, farm animals, and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renata Luiz Ursine
- Health Science Programme, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil
| | - Miriam Cardozo
- Institute of Biological and Technological Research, CONICET and Córdoba National University, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - David Eladio Gorla
- Institute of Animal Diversity and Ecology, CONICET and National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
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Salassa BN, Cueto JA, Vanrell MC, López MB, Descoteaux A, Labriola CA, Romano PS. The host Rab9a/Rab32 axis is actively recruited to the Trypanosoma cruzi parasitophorous vacuole and benefits the infection cycle. Mol Microbiol 2024. [PMID: 38193389 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease is a protozoan parasite that infects phagocytic and non-phagocytic mammalian cells. At early stages of infection, trypomastigotes, the infective forms of this parasite, localize in a vesicular compartment called the T. cruzi parasitophorous vacuole until the exit of parasites to the host cell cytoplasm where continue their infective cycle. Rab proteins participate in the membrane traffic's molecular machinery, functioning as central regulators of vesicle recognition and transport. In previous work, we demonstrated that endocytic Rabs are key factors of the T. cruzi infection process in non-phagocytic cells, regulating the formation and the maturation of the vacuole. In this work, we identified and characterized other molecular components of the vesicular transport pathways and their participation in the T. cruzi infection. We found that Rab9a and Rab32, two regulators of the endocytic and autophagic pathways, were actively recruited to the T. cruzi vacuoles and favored the late stages of the infective process. The recruitment was specific and dependent on T. cruzi protein synthesis. Interestingly, Rab32 association depends on the presence of Rab9a in the vacuolar membrane, while the inhibition of the cysteine-protease cruzipain, a T. cruzi virulence factor, significantly decreases both Rab9a and Rab32 association with the vacuole. In summary, this work showed for the first time that specific molecules produced and secreted by the parasite can subvert intracellular components of host cells to benefit the infection. These new data shed light on the complex map of interactions between T. cruzi and the host cell and introduce concepts that can be useful in finding new forms of intervention against this parasite in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betiana Nebaí Salassa
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora-Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Juan Agustín Cueto
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora-Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Cristina Vanrell
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora-Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Área Biología celular y molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María Belén López
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora-Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Área Biología celular y molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Albert Descoteaux
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Infectiopole INRS, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Carlos Alberto Labriola
- Laboratorio de Biología estructural y celular, Fundación Instituto Leloir (FIL-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Silvia Romano
- Laboratorio de Biología de Trypanosoma cruzi y la célula hospedadora-Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos", IHEM-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Área Biología celular y molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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de Almeida GC, de Oliveira GB, da Silva Monte Z, Costa ÉCS, da Silva Falcão EP, Scotti L, Scotti MT, Oliveira Silva R, Pereira VRA, da Silva ED, Junior PAS, de Andrade Cavalcante MK, de Melo SJ. Structure-based design, optimization of lead, synthesis, and biological evaluation of compounds active against Trypanosoma cruzi. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:843-856. [PMID: 37455325 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease affects approximately eight million people throughout the world, especially the poorest individuals. The protozoan that causes this disease-Trypanosoma cruzi-has the enzyme cruzipain, which is the main therapeutic target. As no available medications have satisfactory effectiveness and safety, it is of fundamental importance to design and synthesize novel analogues that are more active and selective. In the present study, molecular docking and the in silico prediction of ADMET properties were used as strategies to optimize the trypanocidal activity of the pyrimidine compound ZN3F based on interactions with the target site in cruzipain. From the computational results, eight 4-amino-5-carbonitrile-pyrimidine analogues were proposed, synthesized (5a-f and 7g-h) and, tested in vitro on the trypomastigote form of the Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi. The in silico study showed that the designed analogues bond favorably to important amino acid residues of the active site in cruzipain. An in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity was performed on L929 mammal cell lines. All derivatives inhibited the Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi and also exhibited lower toxicity to L929 cells. The 5e product, in particular, proved to be a potent, selective (IC50 = 2.79 ± 0.00 μM, selectivity index = 31.3) inhibitor of T. cruzi. The present results indicated the effectiveness of drugs based on the structure of the receptor, revealing the potential trypanocidal of pyrimidines. This study also provides information on molecular aspects for the inhibition of cruzipain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleybson Correia de Almeida
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Gerliny Bezerra de Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Zenaide da Silva Monte
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Érick Caique Santos Costa
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Scotti
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Oliveira Silva
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Center for Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Journalist Anibal Fernandes, Recife, Brazil
| | - Valéria Rêgo Alves Pereira
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Elis Dionisio da Silva
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Ademar Sales Junior
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Marton Kaique de Andrade Cavalcante
- Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Federal University of Pernambuco - Campus da Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, Recife, Brazil
| | - Sebastião José de Melo
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Federal University of Pernambuco/UFPE, Recife, Brazil
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Pathak S, Bhardwaj M, Agrawal N, Bhardwaj A. A comprehensive review on potential candidates for the treatment of chagas disease. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:587-605. [PMID: 37070386 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Twenty different infectious disorders induced by bacteria, viruses, and parasites are categorized as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by WHO. The severity of chagas disease remains a major concern in endemic areas and an emerging public health hazard in nonendemic countries. Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of this NTD, is mostly transmitted by triatomine vectors and comprises a range of epidemiologically significant variants. Current chemotherapeutics are obsolete, and one of the primary reasons for treatment cessation is their poor safety and effectiveness. Due to the aforementioned challenges, researchers are now focusing on discovering alternative novel safe, and economically reachable therapies for the treatment of trypanosomiasis. Certain target-based drugs that target specific biochemical processes of the causative parasites have been described as potential antichagasic agents that possesses various types of heterocyclic scaffolds. These flexible molecules have a wide range of biological actions, and various synthesized compounds with strong activity have been documented. This review aims to discuss the available literature on synthetic anti-T. cruzi drugs that will give a food for thought to medicinal chemists thriving to design and develop such drugs. Furthermore, some of the studies discussed herein are concerned with the potential of novel drugs to block new viable sites in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Pathak
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, India
| | - Muskan Bhardwaj
- Hospital Administration, FCAM, SGT University, Gurugram, India
| | - Neetu Agrawal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, India
| | - Aditya Bhardwaj
- Department of Healthcare Management, Chitkara Business School, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
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Paulina OM, Aracely LM, Jaime LD, Jesús TM, Alberto DGJ, Angel RL. Identification of a triatomine infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in an urban area of the state of Veracruz, Mexico: A comprehensive study. Zoonoses Public Health 2023. [PMID: 36915955 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease, considered a neglected disease, was initially confined to rural localities in endemic areas; however, in recent years through the process of urbanization and migration of infected people, the disease is gaining importance in urban environments. The presence of the vector in urban areas in most cases is due to the passive transport of vectors, but recently, its presence seems to be linked to vector adaptation processes associated with climate change. This paper reports the occurrence of an infected triatomine in the peridomicile of a house in an urban area of Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico, where the species found is described, the molecular characteristics and resistance to BZN and NFX of the Trypanosoma cruzi isolate obtained, as well as serological data of the dwelling inhabitants. These urban disease scenarios make it possible to generate new scientific knowledge and enable the creation of new control strategies for Chagas disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ochoa-Martínez Paulina
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico.,LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Mexico
| | - López-Monteon Aracely
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Mexico.,Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, Mexico
| | - López-Domínguez Jaime
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Mexico.,Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Universidad Politécnica de Huatusco, Huatusco de Chicuellar, Mexico
| | - Torres-Montero Jesús
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Mexico
| | | | - Ramos-Ligonio Angel
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Mexico.,Asociacion Chagas con Ciencia y Conocimiento A.C., Orizaba, Mexico
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Bonifácio BS, Bonfim-Melo A, Mortara RA, Ferreira ÉR. Successful invasion of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes is dependent of host cell actin cytoskeleton. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12903. [PMID: 35279903 PMCID: PMC9314811 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cellular invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic trypomastigotes (MTs) or tissue culture trypomastigotes (TCTs) is a complex process involving host-parasite cellular and molecular interactions. Particularly, the involvement of host cell actin cytoskeleton during trypomastigote invasion is poorly investigated and still, the results controversial. In the present work we compare side by side both trypomastigote forms and employing state of art live cell imaging we show for the first time the dynamic mobilization of host cell actin cytoskeleton to MT and TCT invasion sites. Moreover, cytochalasin D, latrunculin B, and jasplakinolide-pretreated cells inhibited MT and TCT invasion. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that TCT invasion decreased in RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc-42 GTPase-depleted cells, whereas MT invasion decreased only in Cdc42-and RhoA-depleted cells. Interestingly, depletion of the three studied GTPases induced a scattered lysosomal distribution throughout the cytosol. These observations indicate that GTPase depletion is sufficient to impair parasite invasion despite the importance of lysosome spread in trypomastigote invasion. Together, our results demonstrate that the host cell actin cytoskeleton plays a direct role during TCT and MT invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Souza Bonifácio
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexis Bonfim-Melo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Renato Arruda Mortara
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Éden Ramalho Ferreira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,The University of York, York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, Wentworth Way, Heslington
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10
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Campos MCOA, Gonçalves TDS, Ursine RL, Marinho SDSB, Rodríguez Moreno A, Diotaiuti LG, Damasceno RF, Ferreira AM, Ribeiro ALP, Sabino EC, Vieira TM. Occurrence and spatial distribution of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the urban area of the municipality of Montes Claros, Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:83-94. [PMID: 34825495 PMCID: PMC10787537 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12897] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The north of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais is classified as an area of high risk of vectorial transmission of Chagas disease (CD) or of reestablishing transmission in the home, but the Chagas disease control programme is disjointed. The study evaluated the occurrence, natural infection and the spatial distribution of species of triatomines associated with climatic variations in the urban area of Montes Claros, a municipality endemic to CD in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Triatomine data were obtained from passive entomological surveillance actions of the Chagas Disease Control Program (Programa de Controle de Doença de Chagas-PCDCh), registered by the Zoonosis Control Center (Centro de Controle de Zoonoses-CCZ) from 2009 to 2019. A total of 277 triatomines belonging to eight species were collected, and of these, 203 insects were examined. It was found that 46.2% of triatomines were captured inside the home and 8.3% around the home. The natural infection rate was 6.9%; 14 specimens showed natural infection by Trypanosoma cruzi (12 females and 2 males), and of these, 13 were found in the home and one in an uninformed location. The number of triatomine records collected was significantly higher in the month of September (p = .01), and there was an inverse correlation between the number of triatomines and the relative humidity of the air (p < .001). It was verified that the highest triatomine densities are located in transition areas between urban infrastructure (32.12%) and pasture (25.72%). The diversity of species of triatomines infected with T. cruzi in residential units in urban areas in the municipality of Montes Claros is worrying, as it suggests a potential risk of transmission of the parasite to domestic animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renata Luiz Ursine
- Health Science Programme, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ariela Mota Ferreira
- Health Science Programme, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil
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11
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dos Santos GRRM, Leite ACR, Lander N, Chiurillo MA, Vercesi AE, Docampo R. Trypanosoma cruzi Letm1 is involved in mitochondrial Ca 2+ transport, and is essential for replication, differentiation, and host cell invasion. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21685. [PMID: 34085343 PMCID: PMC10437107 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100120rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Leucine zipper-EF-hand containing transmembrane protein 1 (Letm1) is a mitochondrial inner membrane protein involved in Ca2+ and K+ homeostasis in mammalian cells. Here, we demonstrate that the Letm1 orthologue of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, is important for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release. The results show that both mitochondrial Ca2+ influx and efflux are reduced in TcLetm1 knockdown (TcLetm1-KD) cells and increased in TcLetm1 overexpressing cells, without alterations in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Remarkably, TcLetm1 knockdown or overexpression increases or does not affect mitochondrial Ca2+ levels in epimastigotes, respectively. TcLetm1-KD epimastigotes have reduced growth, and both overexpression and knockdown of TcLetm1 cause a defect in metacyclogenesis. TcLetm1-KD also affected mitochondrial bioenergetics. Invasion of host cells by TcLetm1-KD trypomastigotes and their intracellular replication is greatly impaired. Taken together, our findings indicate that TcLetm1 is important for Ca2+ homeostasis and cell viability in T cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Catarina Rezende Leite
- Laboratório de Bioenergética, Instituto de Química e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Noelia Lander
- Center of Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Miguel Angel Chiurillo
- Center of Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Aníbal Eugênio Vercesi
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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12
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López L, Chiribao ML, Girard MC, Gómez KA, Carasi P, Fernandez M, Hernandez Y, Robello C, Freire T, Piñeyro MD. The cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase from Trypanosoma cruzi induces a pro-inflammatory Th1 immune response in a peroxidatic cysteine-dependent manner. Immunology 2021; 163:46-59. [PMID: 33410127 PMCID: PMC8044337 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase (c-TXNPx) is a 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx) with an important role in detoxifying host cell oxidative molecules during parasite infection. c-TXNPx is a virulence factor, as its overexpression enhances parasite infectivity and resistance to exogenous oxidation. As Prxs from other organisms possess immunomodulatory properties, we studied the effects of c-TXNPx in the immune response and analysed whether the presence of the peroxidatic cysteine is necessary to mediate these properties. To this end, we used a recombinant c-TXNPx and a mutant version (c-TXNPxC52S) lacking the peroxidatic cysteine. We first analysed the oligomerization profile, oxidation state and peroxidase activity of both proteins by gel filtration, Western blot and enzymatic assay, respectively. To investigate their immunological properties, we analysed the phenotype and functional activity of macrophage and dendritic cells and the T-cell response by flow cytometry after injection into mice. Our results show that c-TXNPx, but not c-TXNPxC52S, induces the recruitment of IL-12/23p40-producing innate antigen-presenting cells and promotes a strong specific Th1 immune response. Finally, we studied the cellular and humoral immune response developed in the context of parasite natural infection and found that only wild-type c-TXNPx induces proliferation and high levels of IFN-γ secretion in PBMC from chronic patients without demonstrable cardiac manifestations. In conclusion, we demonstrate that c-TXNPx possesses pro-inflammatory properties that depend on the presence of peroxidatic cysteine that is essential for peroxidase activity and quaternary structure of the protein and could contribute to rational design of immune-based strategies against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía López
- Laboratorio de Inmunomodulación y Desarrollo de VacunasDepartamento de InmunobiologíaFacultad de MedicinaUniversidad de La RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
- Unidad de Biología MolecularInstitut Pasteur MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - María Laura Chiribao
- Unidad de Biología MolecularInstitut Pasteur MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Departamento de BioquímicaFacultad de MedicinaUniversidad de La RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - Magalí C. Girard
- Laboratorio de Inmunología de las Infecciones por TripanosomátidosInstituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI‐CONICET)Buenos AiresArgentina
| | - Karina A. Gómez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología de las Infecciones por TripanosomátidosInstituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI‐CONICET)Buenos AiresArgentina
| | - Paula Carasi
- Laboratorio de Inmunomodulación y Desarrollo de VacunasDepartamento de InmunobiologíaFacultad de MedicinaUniversidad de La RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - Marisa Fernandez
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología ‘Doctor Mario Fatala Chabén’Buenos AiresArgentina
| | - Yolanda Hernandez
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología ‘Doctor Mario Fatala Chabén’Buenos AiresArgentina
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biología MolecularInstitut Pasteur MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Departamento de BioquímicaFacultad de MedicinaUniversidad de La RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - Teresa Freire
- Laboratorio de Inmunomodulación y Desarrollo de VacunasDepartamento de InmunobiologíaFacultad de MedicinaUniversidad de La RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - María Dolores Piñeyro
- Unidad de Biología MolecularInstitut Pasteur MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Departamento de BioquímicaFacultad de MedicinaUniversidad de La RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
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13
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Benvenuti LA, Freitas VLT, Roggério A, Nishiya AS, Mangini S, Strabelli TMV. Usefulness of PCR for Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in blood and endomyocardial biopsies for detection of Chagas disease reactivation after heart transplantation: A comparative study. Transpl Infect Dis 2021; 23:e13567. [PMID: 33448054 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease reactivation (CDR) after heart transplantation is characterized by relapse of the infectious disease with proliferation and dissemination of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. Serial blood PCR testing is consensually recommended for CDR monitoring, but there is uncertainty about the incremental value in performing the molecular tests in endomyocardial biopsies (EMB). METHODS We compared qualitative and quantitative results of PCR for T cruzi DNA in 62 pairs of blood and EMB collected with a maximum time interval of 7 days, from 34 heart-transplanted, chagasic patients. RESULTS Blood PCR resulted positive in 39/62 (62.9%) samples, with PL ranging from 0.14 to 1610.73 (median: 3.31). PCR resulted positive in 8/60 (13.3%) EMB, with PL ranging from 2.82 to 1670.55 (median: 65.63). All blood samples which tested negative presented a paired EMB which also tested negative. However, 31/39 (79.5%) blood samples which tested positive presented a paired EMB which tested negative. There was poor agreement between blood and EMB PCR (kappa = 0.153). CDR affecting the myocardium (myo-CDR) was diagnosed in three occasions. PCR resulted positive in both blood and EMB at the time of myo-CDR, with PL ranging from 0.61 to 1610.73 in blood and 13.8 to 1670.55 in EMB. CONCLUSIONS Negative PCR for T cruzi in blood rules out myo-CDR, with no value of testing EMB. Positive PCR in blood with high PL is diagnostic for myo-CDR. If PCR in blood results positive with low PL, testing EMB is useful: negative PCR turns unlikely, and positive PCR reinforces greatly the possibility of myo-CDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz A Benvenuti
- Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vera L T Freitas
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Disease, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Roggério
- Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anna S Nishiya
- Fundação Pró-Sangue/Hemocentro de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandrigo Mangini
- Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tânia M V Strabelli
- Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Scarim CB, de Andrade CR, da Rosa JA, dos Santos JL, Chin CM. Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone treatment in indeterminate form of chronic Chagas disease: Reduced intensity of tissue parasitism and inflammation-A histopathological study. Int J Exp Pathol 2018; 99:236-248. [PMID: 30320480 PMCID: PMC6302791 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone (NFOH) is a nitrofurazone prodrug effective in vivo during acute infections, and it has less hepatotoxicity effect than the standard drug benznidazole (BZN) which has been used during short- and long-term treatment. In the present study, we induced the indeterminate form of Chagas disease in mice with a Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi and analysed the histopathological data about the effects of NFOH and BZN on different tissues, including the heart, skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, colon, spleen and brain. After infection, BALB/c mice were treated with NFOH (150 mg/kg) and BZN (60 mg/kg) for 60 days and then submitted to immunosuppression using dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) for 14 days. Two trained analysts, as part of a blind evaluation, examined the results using serial sections of 3 mm diameter in two different moments. The results showed reactivation of the disease only in the infected nontreated group (POS). After treatment, amastigote nests were found in the heart, colon, liver and skeletal muscle in the POS group and in the heart and liver of the BZN group. Interestingly, amastigote nests were not found in the NFOH and NEG groups. The histopathological analysis showed fewer tissue lesions and parasite infiltrates in the NFOH group when compared with the BZN and POS groups. We have not observed any increase in the levels of hepatocellular injury biomarkers (AST/ALT) in the NFOH group. These in vivo studies show the potential for NFOH as an effective and safe compound useful as an anti-T. cruzi agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cauê B. Scarim
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of Drugs and MedicinesLapdesf ‐ Laboratory of Research and Development of DrugsAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
| | - Cleverton R. de Andrade
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)Faculty of DentistryDepartment of Physiology and PathologyAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
| | - João A. da Rosa
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of Biological SciencesAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
| | - Jean L. dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of Drugs and MedicinesLapdesf ‐ Laboratory of Research and Development of DrugsAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
| | - Chung M. Chin
- São Paulo State University (UNESP)School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDepartment of Drugs and MedicinesLapdesf ‐ Laboratory of Research and Development of DrugsAraraquaraSão PauloBrazil
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15
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Brazão V, Colato RP, Santello FH, Vale GTD, Gonzaga NDA, Tirapelli CR, Prado JCD. Effects of melatonin on thymic and oxidative stress dysfunctions during Trypanosoma cruzi infection. J Pineal Res 2018; 65:e12510. [PMID: 29781553 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although the exact etiology of Chagas disease is not completely elucidated, thymic atrophy and oxidative stress are believed to be important contributors to the pathogenesis during acute Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection. We hypothesized that exogenous melatonin, administered by gavage (5 mg/kg, p.o., gavage) to young (5 weeks old) and middle-aged (18 months old) male Wistar rats, would modulate thymic oxidative damage and reverse the age-related thymus regression during T. cruzi acute infection. Increased levels of superoxide anion (O2- ) were detected in the thymus of infected animals, and treatment with melatonin reverted this response. We found reduced TBARS levels as well as a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the thymus of all middle-aged melatonin-treated animals, infected or not with T. cruzi. Furthermore, melatonin increased the thymic expression of SOD1 and SOD2 in middle-aged control animals. Nox2 expression was not affected by melatonin treatment in young or middle-aged animals. Melatonin reverted the age-related thymic regression as revealed by the increase in thymus weight, total number of thymocytes, and reduction in age-related accumulation of double-negative thymocytes. This is the first report to directly examine the effects of melatonin treatment on the thymic antioxidant/oxidant status and thymic changes during T. cruzi infection. Our results revealed new antioxidant features that turn melatonin a potentially useful compound for the treatment of Chagas disease, a condition in which an excessive oxidative damage occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia Brazão
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Pravato Colato
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabricia Helena Santello
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Tavares do Vale
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Natália de Almeida Gonzaga
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Renato Tirapelli
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José Clóvis do Prado
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Salvador F, Sulleiro E, Piron M, Sánchez-Montalvá A, Sauleda S, Molina-Morant D, Moure Z, Molina I. Strongyloides stercoralis infection increases the likelihood to detect Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in peripheral blood in Chagas disease patients. Trop Med Int Health 2017; 22:1436-1441. [PMID: 28869694 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In a previous study performed by our group, Strongyloides stercoralis infection in patients with Chagas disease was associated with higher proportion of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA detection in peripheral blood. The aim of the study was to confirm this association in a larger cohort of patients. METHODS Cross-sectional study of all patients with Chagas disease diagnosed from 2005 to 2015 during blood donation at the Catalan Blood Bank. Demographic data and T. cruzi RT-PCR were collected. S. stercoralis infection diagnosis was based on a serological test. RESULTS Two hundred and two blood donors were included. T. cruzi RT-PCR was positive in 72 (35.6%) patients, and S. stercoralis serology was positive in 22 (10.9%) patients. Patients with positive S. stercoralis serology had higher proportion of positive T. cruzi RT-PCR than those with negative serology (54.5% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.050), and the difference increased when taking a serological index cut-off of 2.5, which increases the specificity of the test to detect a confirmed strongyloidiasis (60% vs. 33%, P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS Patients with Chagas disease with positive S. stercoralis serology had higher proportion of positive T. cruzi RT-PCR in peripheral blood than those with negative serology, which reflects the potential immunomodulatory effects of S. stercoralis in T. cruzi co-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Salvador
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Sulleiro
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Piron
- Catalan Blood and Tissue Bank, Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrián Sánchez-Montalvá
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Sauleda
- Catalan Blood and Tissue Bank, Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Molina-Morant
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zaira Moure
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Israel Molina
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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17
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Brazão V, Santello FH, Colato RP, Mazotti TT, Tazinafo LF, Toldo MPA, do Vale GT, Tirapelli CR, do Prado JC. Melatonin: Antioxidant and modulatory properties in age-related changes during Trypanosoma cruzi infection. J Pineal Res 2017; 63. [PMID: 28370218 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin on selected biomarkers of innate and humoral immune response as well as the antioxidant/oxidant status (superoxide dismutase-SOD and reduced glutathione levels (GSH) to understand whether age-related changes would influence the development of acute Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection. Young- (5 weeks) and middle-aged (18 months) Wistar rats were orally treated with melatonin (gavage) (05 mg/kg/day), 9 days after infection. A significant increase in both SOD activity and GSH levels was found in plasma from all middle-aged melatonin-treated animals. Melatonin triggered enhanced expression of major histocompatibility class II (MHC-II) antigens on antigen-presenting cell (APC) and peritoneal macrophages in all treated animals. High levels of CD4+ CD28-negative T cells (*P<.05) were detected in middle-aged control animals. Melatonin induced a significant reduction (***P<.001) in CD28-negative in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in middle-aged control animals. Contrarily, the same group displayed upregulated CD4+ CD28+ T and CD8+ CD28+ T cells. Melatonin also triggered an upregulation of CD80 and CD86 expression in all young-treated groups. Significant percentages of B and spleen dendritic cells in middle-aged infected and treated animals were observed. Our data reveal new features of melatonin action in inhibiting membrane lipid peroxidation, through the reduction in 8-isoprostane, upregulating the antioxidant defenses and triggering an effective balance in the antioxidant/oxidant status during acute infection. The ability of melatonin to counteract the immune alterations induced by aging added further support to its use as a potential therapeutic target not only for T. cruzi infection but also for other immunocompromised states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia Brazão
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabricia H Santello
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafaela P Colato
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tamires T Mazotti
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas F Tazinafo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Míriam Paula A Toldo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel T do Vale
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos R Tirapelli
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José C do Prado
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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18
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Castellanos‐Domínguez YZ, Cucunubá ZM, Orozco LC, Valencia‐Hernández CA, León CM, Florez AC, Muñoz L, Pavía P, Montilla M, Uribe LM, García C, Ardila W, Nicholls RS, Puerta CJ. Risk factors associated with Chagas disease in pregnant women in Santander, a highly endemic Colombian area. Trop Med Int Health 2016; 21:140-148. [PMID: 26578246 PMCID: PMC4737279 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Chagas disease in pregnant women in an endemic area of Santander, Colombia. METHODS Cross-sectional study included 23 municipalities of Santander, Colombia. Serological IFAT and ELISA tests were undertaken to detect IgG anti- Trypanosoma cruzi. A questionnaire was conducted for assessing the risk factors of each participant. Newborns were evaluated at birth and followed up to 1 year of age to determine congenital infection. RESULTS An overall prevalence of 3.2% (95% CI 2.4-4.2) among 1518 pregnant women was detected. Prevalences by provinces were as follows: Guanentina: 6.0% (95% CI 4.1-8.5), García Rovira: 2.9% (95% CI: 1.5-4.8) and Comunera: 0.4% (0.4-2.3). The main risk factors identified were age >32 years old (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-3.9); currently having a thatched roof (OR: 11.8; CI95% 2.2-63.2) and a thatched roof during childhood (OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4-6.6); having below primary school education level (OR: 4.6; 95% CI: 2.2-9.5); and a history of a close contact with the vector (triatomine bugs) at least once during their lifetime (OR: 6.9; 95% CI: 3.7-12.9). No congenital cases were detected by parasitological or serological techniques. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of Chagas disease in pregnant women is a potential source of infection in this Colombian endemic area. The main risk factors associated with seropositivity were related to conditions favouring the contact with the vector. The results show that it is necessary to continue an active surveillance in order to offer diagnosis and treatment to mothers and their newborns in addition to screening to pregnant women from endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zulma M. Cucunubá
- Grupo de ParasitologíaInstituto Nacional de SaludBogotáD.C.Colombia
- RED CHAGASInstituto Nacional de SaludBogotáD.C.Colombia
| | | | - Carlos A. Valencia‐Hernández
- Grupo de ParasitologíaInstituto Nacional de SaludBogotáD.C.Colombia
- RED CHAGASInstituto Nacional de SaludBogotáD.C.Colombia
| | - Cielo M. León
- Grupo de ParasitologíaInstituto Nacional de SaludBogotáD.C.Colombia
| | - Astrid C. Florez
- Grupo de ParasitologíaInstituto Nacional de SaludBogotáD.C.Colombia
| | - Lyda Muñoz
- Grupo de ParasitologíaInstituto Nacional de SaludBogotáD.C.Colombia
| | - Paula Pavía
- Laboratorio de Parasitología MolecularDepto. de MicrobiologíaFacultad de CienciasPontificia Universidad JaverianaBogotáD.C.Colombia
| | - Marleny Montilla
- Grupo de ParasitologíaInstituto Nacional de SaludBogotáD.C.Colombia
| | | | - Carlos García
- Secretaría de Salud de SantanderBucaramangaSantanderColombia
| | - William Ardila
- Secretaría de Salud de SantanderBucaramangaSantanderColombia
| | | | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Laboratorio de Parasitología MolecularDepto. de MicrobiologíaFacultad de CienciasPontificia Universidad JaverianaBogotáD.C.Colombia
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