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González FB, Savino W, Pérez AR. Brain-Thymus Connections in Chagas Disease. Neuroimmunomodulation 2024; 31:78-88. [PMID: 38527434 DOI: 10.1159/000538220] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain and the immune systems represent the two primary adaptive systems within the body. Both are involved in a dynamic process of communication, vital for the preservation of mammalian homeostasis. This interplay involves two major pathways: the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. SUMMARY The establishment of infection can affect immunoneuroendocrine interactions, with functional consequences for immune organs, particularly the thymus. Interestingly, the physiology of this primary organ is not only under the control of the central nervous system (CNS) but also exhibits autocrine/paracrine regulatory circuitries mediated by hormones and neuropeptides that can be altered in situations of infectious stress or chronic inflammation. In particular, Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), impacts upon immunoneuroendocrine circuits disrupting thymus physiology. Here, we discuss the most relevant findings reported in relation to brain-thymic connections during T. cruzi infection, as well as their possible implications for the immunopathology of human Chagas disease. KEY MESSAGES During T. cruzi infection, the CNS influences thymus physiology through an intricate network involving hormones, neuropeptides, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Despite some uncertainties in the mechanisms and the fact that the link between these abnormalities and chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy is still unknown, it is evident that the precise control exerted by the brain over the thymus is markedly disrupted throughout the course of T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Belén González
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA/IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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2
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Tevere E, Di Capua CB, Chasen NM, Etheridge RD, Cricco JA. Trypanosoma cruzi heme responsive gene (TcHRG) plays a central role in orchestrating heme uptake in epimastigotes. FEBS J 2024; 291:1186-1198. [PMID: 38087972 PMCID: PMC10939882 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17030] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, a heme auxotrophic parasite, can control intracellular heme content by modulating heme responsive gene (TcHRG) expression when a free heme source is added to an axenic culture. Herein, we explored the role of TcHRG protein in regulating the uptake of heme derived from hemoglobin in epimastigotes. We demonstrate that the endogenous TcHRG (protein and mRNA) responded similarly to bound (hemoglobin) and free (hemin) heme. Endogenous TcHRG was found in the flagellar pocket boundaries and partially overlapping with the mitochondrion. On the other hand, endocytic null parasites were able to develop and exhibited a similar heme content compared to wild-type when fed with hemoglobin, indicating that endocytosis is not the main entrance pathway for hemoglobin-derived heme in this parasite. Moreover, the overexpression of TcHRG led to an increase in heme content when hemoglobin was used as the heme source. Taken together, these results suggest that the uptake of hemoglobin-derived heme likely occurs through extracellular proteolysis of hemoglobin via the flagellar pocket, and this process is governed by TcHRG. In sum, T. cruzi epimastigotes control heme homeostasis by modulating TcHRG expression independently of the available source of heme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Tevere
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Beatriz Di Capua
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Nathan Michael Chasen
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Ronald Drew Etheridge
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Julia Alejandra Cricco
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
- Área Biofísica, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
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Ahmed N, Herbert S, Arenas-Pinto A, Rickman H, Benn P, Edwards SG, Chiodini PL, Grant AD. Trypanosoma cruzi screening in people living with HIV in the UK. Int J STD AIDS 2024; 35:71-73. [PMID: 37728103 DOI: 10.1177/09564624231202292] [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] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
People living with HIV (PLWH) are at higher risk of reactivation of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. There are no data from UK HIV clinics on the prevalence of T. cruzi. We implemented T. cruzi screening at our clinic as part of routine care for PLWH with epidemiological risk factors. Among 86 patients screened, none had positive serology: one seropositive patient was identified due to increased clinician awareness. Implementing T. cruzi screening as part of routine clinical care was feasible, though labour intensive and identified at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Ahmed
- Genito-Urinary Medicine, Central North West London NHS Trust, UK
| | - Sophie Herbert
- Genito-Urinary Medicine, Central North West London NHS Trust, UK
| | - Alejandro Arenas-Pinto
- Genito-Urinary Medicine, Central North West London NHS Trust, UK
- Centre for Sexual Health & HIV Research, University College London, UK
| | - Hannah Rickman
- Genito-Urinary Medicine, Central North West London NHS Trust, UK
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Paul Benn
- Genito-Urinary Medicine, Central North West London NHS Trust, UK
| | - Simon G Edwards
- Genito-Urinary Medicine, Central North West London NHS Trust, UK
| | - Peter L Chiodini
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
- Parasitology, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, UK
| | - Alison D Grant
- Genito-Urinary Medicine, Central North West London NHS Trust, UK
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
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Shelton WJ, Gonzalez JM. Outcomes of patients in Chagas disease of the central nervous system: a systematic review. Parasitology 2024; 151:15-23. [PMID: 37987164 PMCID: PMC10941035 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001117] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. One of the complications of the disease is the infection of the central nervous system (CNS), as it can result from either the acute phase or by reactivation during the chronic phase, exhibiting high mortality in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review aimed to determine clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with Chagas disease in the CNS. Articles were searched from PubMed, Scopus and LILACS until January 2023. From 2325 articles, 59 case reports and 13 case series of patients with Chagas in the CNS were retrieved from which 138 patients were identified. In this population, 77% of the patients were male, with a median age of 35 years old, from which most of them came from Argentina and Brazil. Most of the individuals were immunocompromised from which 89% were HIV-positive, and 54 patients had an average of 48 cells per mm3 CD4+ T cells. Motor deficits and seizures were the most common manifestation of CNS compromise. Furthermore, 90 patients had a documented CNS lesion by imaging from which 89% were supratentorial and 86% were in the anterior/middle cranial fossa. The overall mortality was of 74%. Among patients who were empirically treated with anti-toxoplasma drugs, 70% died. This review shows how Chagas disease in the CNS is a devastating complication requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to improve patients’ outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Shelton
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Medicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - John M. Gonzalez
- Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Medicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Daga MA, Nicolau ST, Jurumenha-Barreto J, Lima LBS, Cabral IL, Pivotto AP, Stefanello A, Amorim JPA, Hoscheid J, Silva EA, Ayala TS, Menolli RA. Ursolic acid-rich extract presents trypanocidal action in vitro but worsens mice under experimental acute Chagas disease. Parasite Immunol 2023; 45:e13005. [PMID: 37467029 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13005] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease with only two drugs available for treatment and the plant Cecropia pachystachya has several compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to evaluate a supercritical extract from C. pachystachya leaves in vitro and in vivo against Trypanosoma cruzi. A supercritical CO2 extraction was used to obtain the extract (CPE). Cytotoxicity and immunostimulation ability were evaluated in macrophages, and the in vitro trypanocidal activity was evaluated against epimastigotes and trypomastigotes forms. In vivo tests were done by infecting BALB/c mice with blood trypomastigotes forms and treating animals orally with CPE for 10 days. The parasitemia, survival rate, weight, cytokines and nitric oxide dosage were evaluated. CPE demonstrated an effect on the epi and trypomastigotes forms of the parasite (IC50 17.90 ± 1.2 μg/mL; LC50 26.73 ± 1.2 μg/mL) and no changes in macrophages viability, resulting in a selectivity index similar to the reference drug. CPE-treated animals had a worsening compared to non-treated, demonstrated by higher parasitemia and lower survival rate. This result was attributed to the anti-inflammatory effect of CPE, demonstrated by the higher IL-10 and IL-4 values observed in the treated mice compared to the control ones. CPE demonstrated a trypanocidal effect in vitro and a worsening in the in vivo infection due to its anti-inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara A Daga
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Scheila T Nicolau
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Juliana Jurumenha-Barreto
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Lucas B S Lima
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Isaac L Cabral
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Pivotto
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Amanda Stefanello
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - João P A Amorim
- Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Hoscheid
- Professional Master's Program in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicine in Primary Care, Universidade Paranaense, Umuarama, Brazil
| | - Edson A Silva
- Laboratory of Biotechnological Processes and Separation, Center of Exact and Technological Sciences, Western Parana State University, Toledo, Brazil
| | - Thaís S Ayala
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Menolli
- Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Center of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western Parana State University, Cascavel, Brazil
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Alvim JM, Venturini G, Oliveira TGM, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Krieger JE, Pereira AC. mTOR signaling inhibition decreases lysosome migration and impairs the success of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and replication in cardiomyocytes. Acta Trop 2023; 240:106845. [PMID: 36709791 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106845] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and, among all the chronic manifestations of the disease, Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most severe outcome. Despite high burden and public health importance in Latin America, there is a gap in understanding the molecular mechanisms that results in CCC development. Previous studies showed that T. cruzi uses the host machinery for infection and replication, including the repurposing of the responses to intracellular infection such as mitochondrial activity, vacuolar membrane, and lysosomal activation in benefit of parasite infection and replication. One common signaling upstream to many responses to parasite infection is mTOR pathway, previous associated to several downstream cellular mechanisms including autophagy, mitophagy and lysosomal activation. Here, using human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSCCM), we show the mTOR pathway is activated in hiPSCCM after T. cruzi infection, and the inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin reduced number of T. cruzi 48 h post infection (hpi). Rapamycin treatment also reduced lysosome migration from nuclei region to cell periphery resulting in less T. cruzi inside the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) in the first hour of infection. In addition, the number of parasites leaving the PV to the cytoplasm to replicate in later times of infection was also lower after rapamycin treatment. Altogether, our data suggest that host's mTOR activation concomitant with parasite infection modulates lysosome migration and that T. cruzi uses this mechanism to achieve infection and replication. Modulating this mechanism with rapamycin impaired the success of T. cruzi life cycle independent of mitophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana M Alvim
- Heart Institute, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Venturini
- Heart Institute, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, United States.
| | - Theo G M Oliveira
- Heart Institute, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Christine E Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, United States; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States; Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), United States
| | - José E Krieger
- Heart Institute, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre C Pereira
- Heart Institute, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Cardiology, Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, United States
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Abstract
The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) during human acute and chronic Chagas disease (CD) has been largely reported. Meningoencephalitis is a frequent finding during the acute infection, while during chronic phase the CNS involvement is often accompanied by behavioral and cognitive impairments. In the same vein, several studies have shown that rodents infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) display behavior abnormalities, accompanied by brain inflammation, in situ production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and parasitism in diverse cerebral areas, with involvement of microglia, macrophages, astrocytes, and neurons. However, the mechanisms used by the parasite to reach the brain remain now largely unknown. Herein we discuss the evidence unravelling the CNS involvement and complexity of neuroimmune interactions that take place in acute and chronic CD. Also, we provide some clues to hypothesize brain infections routes in human and experimental acute CD following oral infection by T. cruzi, an infection route that became a major CD related public health issue in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerly Useche
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario (IDICER CONICET UNR), Rosario, Argentina
- Center for Research and Production of Biological Reagents (CIPReB), Faculty of Medical Sciences National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Juliana de Meis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adriana Bonomo
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Sousa Oliveira CV, Moreno-Loaiza O, Figueiredo-Vanzan D, Peroba Ramos I, Mata-Santos H, Torres Bozza M, Neto Paiva C, Medei E. IL-1β is not critical to chronic heart dysfunction in mice with Chagas disease. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1010257. [PMID: 36341442 PMCID: PMC9627615 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1010257] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Long after Trypanosoma cruzi infection, 40% of individuals develop a progressive chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC), with systolic dysfunction and arrhythmias. Since we previously showed IL-1β mediates the development of systolic dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias in diabetes mellitus and cardiorenal syndrome, and IL-1β remains elevated in Chagas disease patients, here we tested the role of IL-1β in CCC using a mouse model. Mice deficient in IL-1R expression (Il-1r−/−) survived acute T. cruzi infection with greater parasitemia than controls but did not lose weight as wild-type (WT) did. At the chronic stage, WT presented prolonged ventricular repolarization intervals (QJ), while Il-1r−/− presented intervals like noninfected controls. Infected Il-1r−/− and WT did not differ in stroke volume (SV), the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias on electrocardiography (EKG), whole heart action potential duration (APD), or the incidence of triggered activity after S1–S2 protocol, which is a measure of susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias. We also treated chronically infected WT mice with an IL-1R antagonist, anakinra. Treatment shortened the QJ interval but did not improve the SV or the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias on EKG. Anakinra failed to reduce triggered activity following the electrical extra-stimulation protocol. In conclusion, the absence of functional IL-1β/IL-1R signaling did not prevent or reverse the decrease of SV or the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias induced by chronic T. cruzi infection, implying this is not a critical mechanism in generating or maintaining CCC. Since similar cardiac abnormalities were previously credited to IL-1β signaling, ruling out this mechanism is important to discourage further attempts of IL-1β blockade as a therapeutical measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Victória Sousa Oliveira
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Oscar Moreno-Loaiza
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Isalira Peroba Ramos
- National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimage (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hilton Mata-Santos
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Torres Bozza
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia Neto Paiva
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Emiliano Medei, ; Claudia Neto Paiva,
| | - Emiliano Medei
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimage (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Emiliano Medei, ; Claudia Neto Paiva,
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Sabino EC, Franco LAM, Venturini G, Velho Rodrigues M, Marques E, de Oliveira-da Silva LC, Martins LNA, Ferreira AM, Almeida PEC, Silva FDD, Leite SF, Nunes MDCP, Haikal DS, Oliveira CDL, Cardoso CS, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Casas JP, Ribeiro ALP, Krieger JE, Pereira AC. Genome-wide association study for Chagas Cardiomyopathy identify a new risk locus on chromosome 18 associated with an immune-related protein and transcriptional signature. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010725. [PMID: 36215317 PMCID: PMC9550069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010725] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) usually develops between 10 and 20 years after the first parasitic infection and is one of the leading causes of end-stage heart failure in Latin America. Despite the great inter-individual variability in CCC susceptibility (only 30% of infected individuals ever present CCC), there are no known predictors for disease development in those chronically infected. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We describe a new susceptibility locus for CCC through a GWAS analysis in the SaMi-Trop cohort, a population-based study conducted in a Chagas endemic region from Brazil. This locus was also associated with CCC in the REDS II Study. The newly identified locus (rs34238187, OR 0.73, p-value 2.03 x 10-9) spans a haplotype of approximately 30Kb on chromosome 18 (chr18: 5028302-5057621) and is also associated with 80 different traits, most of them blood protein traits significantly enriched for immune-related biological pathways. Hi-C data show that the newly associated locus is able to interact with chromatin sites as far as 10Mb on chromosome 18 in a number of different cell types and tissues. Finally, we were able to confirm, at the tissue transcriptional level, the immune-associated blood protein signature using a multi-tissue differential gene expression and enrichment analysis. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We suggest that the newly identified locus impacts CCC risk among T cruzi infected individuals through the modulation of a downstream transcriptional and protein signature associated with host-parasite immune response. Functional characterization of the novel risk locus is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Cerdeira Sabino
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica (LIM-46), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Augusto Moysés Franco
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica (LIM-46), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Venturini
- Laboratorio de Genetica e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazila
- Genetics Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mariliza Velho Rodrigues
- Laboratorio de Genetica e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazila
| | - Emanuelle Marques
- Laboratorio de Genetica e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazila
| | - Lea Campos de Oliveira-da Silva
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica (LIM-46), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ariela Mota Ferreira
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe Dias Da Silva
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica (LIM-46), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jonathan G. Seidman
- Genetics Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Christine E. Seidman
- Genetics Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Juan P. Casas
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Aging, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Antonio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Telehealth Center, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jose E. Krieger
- Laboratorio de Genetica e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazila
| | - Alexandre C. Pereira
- Laboratorio de Genetica e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazila
- Genetics Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Atella T, Bittencourt-Cunha PR, Araujo MFC, Silva-Cardoso L, Maya-Monteiro CM, Atella GC. Trypanosoma cruzi modulates lipid metabolism and highjacks phospholipids from the midgut of Rhodnius prolixus. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106552. [PMID: 35671784 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106552] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is potentially life-threatening and caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite cannot synthesize some lipids and depends on the uptake of these lipids from its vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. To achieve this, T. cruzi may need to modify the physiology of the insect host for its own benefit. In this study, we investigated the interaction of T. cruzi (Y strain) with its insect vector Rhodnius prolixus and how it manipulates the vector lipid metabolism. We observed a physiological change in lipid flux in of infected insects. In the fat body of infected insects, triacylglycerol levels decreased by 80.6% and lipid storage droplet-1(LSD-1) mRNA levels were lower, when compared to controls. Lipid sequestration by infected midguts led to increased levels of 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and activation in the fat body, inhibiting the synthesis of fatty acids and stimulating their oxidation. This led to reduced lipid levels in the fat body of infected insets, despite the fact that T. cruzi does not colonize this tissue. There was a 3-fold increase, in lipid uptake and synthesis in the midgut of infected insects. Finally, our results suggest that the parasite modifies the lipid flux and metabolism of its vector R. prolixus through the increase in lipid delivery from the fat body to midgut that are then scavenge by T cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Atella
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 343 Carlos Chagas Filho Avenue, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941902, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - P R Bittencourt-Cunha
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 343 Carlos Chagas Filho Avenue, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - M F C Araujo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 343 Carlos Chagas Filho Avenue, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - L Silva-Cardoso
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 343 Carlos Chagas Filho Avenue, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - C M Maya-Monteiro
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - G C Atella
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 343 Carlos Chagas Filho Avenue, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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11
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de Castro Neto AL, da Silveira JF, Mortara RA. Role of Virulence Factors of Trypanosomatids in the Insect Vector and Putative Genetic Events Involved in Surface Protein Diversity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:807172. [PMID: 35573777 PMCID: PMC9097677 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.807172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are flagellate protozoans that can infect several invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, including insects and humans. The three most studied species are the human pathogens Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. which are the causative agents of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease and different clinical forms of leishmaniasis, respectively. These parasites possess complex dixenous life cycles, with zoonotic and anthroponotic stages, and are transmitted by hematophagous insects. To colonize this myriad of hosts, they developed mechanisms, mediated by virulence factors, to infect, propagate and survive in different environments. In insects, surface proteins play roles in parasite attachment and survival in the insect gut, whilst in the mammalian host, the parasites have a whole group of proteins and mechanisms that aid them invading the host cells and evading its immune system components. Many studies have been done on the impact of these molecules in the vertebrate host, however it is also essential to notice the importance of these virulence factors in the insect vector during the parasite life cycle. When inside the insect, the parasites, like in humans, also need to survive defense mechanisms components that can inhibit parasite colonization or survival, e.g., midgut peritrophic membrane barrier, digestive enzymes, evasion of excretion alongside the digested blood meal, anatomic structures and physiological mechanisms of the anterior gut. This protection inside the insect is often implemented by the same group of virulence factors that perform roles of immune evasion in the mammalian host with just a few exceptions, in which a specific protein is expressed specifically for the insect vector form of the parasite. This review aims to discuss the roles of the virulence molecules in the insect vectors, showing the differences and similarities of modes of action of the same group of molecules in insect and humans, exclusive insect molecules and discuss possible genetic events that may have generated this protein diversity.
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12
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Barbosa CG, Gómez-Hernández C, da Silva MV, Rezende-Oliveira K, Ferreira PTM, de Oliveira ACM, Desidério CS, Helmo FR, de Carvalho-Costa TM, Dos Santos IKP, Saraiva LKA, de Oliveira CJF, Machado JR, Ferro EAV, Rodrigues V, Ramirez LE. Congenital transmission of Mexican strains of Trypanosoma cruzi TcIa: interaction between parasite and human placental explants. Parasitology 2022; 149:418-426. [PMID: 34814960 PMCID: PMC11010536 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021002018] [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: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Congenital transmission of Chagas disease plays an important role in endemic countries because it is not a diagnosis that is encountered frequently in prenatal care. Due to limited information regarding congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Mexico, the present study aimed to investigate protozoan infectivity and modulation of immune responses in human placental explants infected with T. cruzi Ia Mexican strains. The Inc-5 strain showed increased infectivity and modulated IL-1β, IL-10 and TLR-4, decreasing their expression after 24 h of infection. Both strains (Inc-5 and Ninoa) stimulated the production of TNF-α and decreased IL-6 levels 96 h after infection. An important detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast caused by infection with T. cruzi was observed after 24 h of infection. In this study, ex vivo infection of human placental villi was performed to better understand interactions involving parasitic T. cruzi and human placental tissue. It was concluded that the strains of TcIa present parasitism in placental tissue, modulation of the innate immune system of the placenta, and cause intense detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast, a fact that may be more associated with abortion and premature birth events than the congenital transmission itself, justifying the low rate of this transmission mechanism by this genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Gomes Barbosa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - César Gómez-Hernández
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinícius da Silva
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Karine Rezende-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia – Pontal Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Ituiutaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Paula Tatiana Mutão Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Morais de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Chamberttan Souza Desidério
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Rodrigues Helmo
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Tamires Marielem de Carvalho-Costa
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Ingrid Ketlen Pereira Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Lorena Kelly Alves Saraiva
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlo José Freire de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Juliana Reis Machado
- Department of General Pathology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Campus Santa Mônica, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Virmondes Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Luís Eduardo Ramirez
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
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Teixeira TL, Chiurillo MA, Lander N, Rodrigues CC, Onofre TS, Ferreira ÉR, Yonamine CM, Santos JDG, Mortara RA, da Silva CV, da Silveira JF. Ablation of the P21 Gene of Trypanosoma cruzi Provides Evidence of P21 as a Mediator in the Control of Epimastigote and Intracellular Amastigote Replication. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:799668. [PMID: 35252026 PMCID: PMC8895596 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.799668] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
P21 is an immunomodulatory protein expressed throughout the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that P21 plays an important role in the invasion of mammalian host cells and establishment of infection in a murine model. P21 functions as a signal transducer, triggering intracellular cascades in host cells and resulting in the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and parasite internalization. Furthermore, in vivo studies have shown that P21 inhibits angiogenesis, induces inflammation and fibrosis, and regulates intracellular amastigote replication. In this study, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system for P21 gene knockout and investigated whether the ablation of P21 results in changes in the phenotypes associated with this protein. Ablation of P21 gene resulted in a lower growth rate of epimastigotes and delayed cell cycle progression, accompanied by accumulation of parasites in G1 phase. However, P21 knockout epimastigotes were viable and able to differentiate into metacyclic trypomastigotes, which are infective to mammalian cells. In comparison with wild-type parasites, P21 knockout cells showed a reduced cell invasion rate, demonstrating the role of this protein in host cell invasion. However, there was a higher number of intracellular amastigotes per cell, suggesting that P21 is a negative regulator of amastigote proliferation in mammalian cells. Here, for the first time, we demonstrated the direct correlation between P21 and the replication of intracellular amastigotes, which underlies the chronicity of T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaise Lara Teixeira
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chiurillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Noelia Lander
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | | | - Thiago Souza Onofre
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Éden Ramalho Ferreira
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Miyagui Yonamine
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Renato Arruda Mortara
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudio Vieira da Silva
- Laboratório de Tripanosomatídeos, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Claudio Vieira da Silva, ; José Franco da Silveira,
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Claudio Vieira da Silva, ; José Franco da Silveira,
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14
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Ward AI, Lewis MD, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Incomplete Recruitment of Protective T Cells Is Associated with Trypanosoma cruzi Persistence in the Mouse Colon. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0038221. [PMID: 34780279 PMCID: PMC8853677 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00382-21] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Following T cell-mediated suppression of acute-phase infection, this intracellular eukaryotic pathogen persists long-term in a limited subset of tissues at extremely low levels. The reasons for this tissue-specific chronicity are not understood. Using a dual bioluminescent-fluorescent reporter strain and highly sensitive tissue imaging that allows experimental infections to be monitored at single-cell resolution, we undertook a systematic analysis of the immunological microenvironments of rare parasitized cells in the mouse colon, a key site of persistence. We demonstrate that incomplete recruitment of T cells to a subset of colonic infection foci permits the occurrence of repeated cycles of intracellular parasite replication and differentiation to motile trypomastigotes at a frequency sufficient to perpetuate chronic infections. The lifelong persistence of parasites in this tissue site continues despite the presence, at a systemic level, of a highly effective T cell response. Overcoming this low-level dynamic host-parasite equilibrium represents a major challenge for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Fleitas PE, Floridia-Yapur N, Nieves EE, Echazu A, Vargas PA, Caro NR, Aveldaño R, Lopez W, Fernandez M, Crudo F, Cimino RO, Krolewiecki AJ. Strongyloides stercoralis and Trypanosoma cruzi coinfections in a highly endemic area in Argentina. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010179. [PMID: 35120117 PMCID: PMC8865657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010179] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Strongyloidiasis and Chagas disease are endemic in northern Argentina. In this study we evaluate the association between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi infections in villages with diverse prevalence levels for these parasites. Further understanding in the relationship between these Neglected Tropical Diseases of South America is relevant for the design of integrated control measures as well as exploring potential biologic interactions. Methodology Community based cross-sectional studies were carried in different villages of the Chaco and Yungas regions in Argentina. Individuals were diagnosed by serology for S. stercoralis and T. cruzi. The association between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi, and between anemia and the two parasites was evaluated using two approaches: marginal (Ma) and multilevel regression (Mu). Results A total of 706 individuals from six villages of northern Argentina were included. A total of 37% were positive for S. stercoralis, 14% were positive for T. cruzi and 5% were positive for both. No association was found between infection with S. stercoralis and T. cruzi in any of the models, but we found a negative correlation between the prevalence of these species in the different villages (r = -0.91). Adults (> 15 years) presented association with S. stercoralis (Ma OR = 2.72; Mu OR = 2.84) and T. cruzi (Ma OR = 5.12; Mu OR = 5.48). Also, 12% and 2% of the variance of infection with S. stercoralis and T. cruzi, respectively, could be explained by differences among villages. On the other hand, anemia was associated with infection with S. stercoralis (Ma OR = 1.73; Mu OR = 1.78) and was more prevalent in adults (Ma OR = 2.59; Mu OR = 2.69). Conclusion We found that coinfection between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi is not more frequent than chance in endemic areas. However, the high prevalence for both parasites, raises the need for an integrated strategy for the control of STH and Chagas disease. Infections with S. stercoralis and T. cruzi belong to the group of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs are influenced by climate and the presence of their vectors and host reservoirs in areas with structural poverty. S. stercoralis and T. cruzi have high prevalence in northern Argentina. Due to the high prevalence and chronicity of infections by these parasites, coinfection with both is possible. We conducted a cross sectional study in six villages in the north of Argentina. These villages have different prevalence for the two parasites and are located in different ecoregions (Chaco, Yungas and the border between these two). We found that coinfection between S. stercoralis and T. cruzi occurs only by chance; and the most affected groups for S. stercoralis and T. cruzi infection are adults. We also found that adults or individual with infection with S. stercoralis were more likely to have anemia. In addition, each village represents a different setting for infection with S. stercoralis and T. cruzi, and individuals in different villages presented differences in the probability of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro E Fleitas
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Cátedra de Química Biológica, Salta, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Noelia Floridia-Yapur
- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Cátedra de Química Biológica, Salta, Argentina
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Elvia E Nieves
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Adriana Echazu
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Cátedra de Parasitología, Salta, Argentina
| | - Paola A Vargas
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
- Biotecnología, Universidad Católica de Boliviana San Pablo, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
| | - Nicolás R Caro
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Ramiro Aveldaño
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Walter Lopez
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Mariana Fernandez
- Asociación para el Desarrollo Sanitario Regional (ADESAR), San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Fundación Mundo Sano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Favio Crudo
- Asociación para el Desarrollo Sanitario Regional (ADESAR), San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Fundación Mundo Sano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de San Antonio de Areco, San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rubén O Cimino
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Cátedra de Química Biológica, Salta, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro J Krolewiecki
- Universidad Nacional de Salta. Sede Regional Orán. Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales (IIET), Salta, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Alves AA, Alcantara CL, Dantas-Jr MVA, Sunter JD, De Souza W, Cunha-E-Silva NL. Dynamics of the orphan myosin MyoF over Trypanosoma cruzi life cycle and along the endocytic pathway. Parasitol Int 2022; 86:102444. [PMID: 34464754 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102444] [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: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi proliferative forms perform endocytosis through a specialized structure named the cytostome-cytopharynx complex (SPC). The SPC is a specialized invagination of the cell membrane that extends through the cell body towards the posterior regions, with its aperture close to the flagellar pocket. Recently, diverse proteins were found along the cytopharynx, including two myosin motors. One of these is the orphan myosin MyoF, that was proved to be essential for endocytosis in epimastigotes. However, the dynamics of MyoF localization along the endocytic pathway and through the T. cruzi life cycle remain unclear. Using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, we generated epimastigotes expressing MyoF fused to mNeonGreen from its endogenous locus. Using these cells, we observed that during the epimastigote cell cycle MyoF signal disappeared during G2, reappearing at early cytokinesis. Additionally, we show that MyoF localization during metacyclogenesis is compatible with the progressive disappearance of the SPC, being absent in metacyclic trypomastigotes. Detergent fractionation showed that MyoF was predominantly present in the insoluble fraction and immunolocalized at the SPC microtubules in whole-mount cytoskeleton preparations. Moreover, during tracer uptake through the SPC, MyoF followed the tracer along the endocytic pathway and was found in posterior compartments after 30 min. Taken together, the data suggest that MyoF may play a role not only at the cargo entry site but also along the endocytic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Alves
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - C L Alcantara
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M V A Dantas-Jr
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - J D Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - W De Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - N L Cunha-E-Silva
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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17
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Braga YLL, Neto JRC, Costa AWF, Silva MVT, Silva MV, Celes MRN, Oliveira MAP, Joosten LAB, Ribeiro-Dias F, Gomes RS, Machado JR. Interleukin-32 γ in the Control of Acute Experimental Chagas Disease. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:7070301. [PMID: 35097133 PMCID: PMC8794684 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7070301] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is an important parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Interleukin-32 (IL-32) plays an important role in inflammation and in the development of Th1/Th17 acquired immune responses. We evaluated the influence of IL-32γ on the immune response profile, pathogenesis of myocarditis in acute experimental CD, and control of the disease. For this, C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and IL-32γTg mice were infected subcutaneously with 1,000 forms of Colombian strain of T. cruzi. In the histopathological analyzes, T. cruzi nests, myocarditis, and collagen were quantified in cardiac tissue. Cytokine productions (IL-32, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-17) were measured in cardiac homogenate by ELISA. The IL-32γTg mice showed a better control of parasitemia and T. cruzi nests in the heart than WT mice. Infected-WT and -IL-32γTg mice showed similar levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17, but IL-10 was significantly higher expressed in IL-32γTg than in WT mice. The cytokine profile found in IL-32γTg animals contributed to body weight maintenance, parasitemia control, and survival. Our results indicate that the presence of human IL-32γ in mice infected with the Colombian strain of T. cruzi is important for infection control during the acute phase of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yarlla L. L. Braga
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - José R. C. Neto
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Arthur W. F. Costa
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Muriel V. T. Silva
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Marcos V. Silva
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Mara R. N. Celes
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Milton A. P. Oliveira
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Leo A. B. Joosten
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center of Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Fátima Ribeiro-Dias
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo S. Gomes
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Juliana R. Machado
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia, Genética e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
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Abreu APD, Teston APM, Massago M, Lucas da Silva HF, Ferreira ÉC, Fernandes NDS, Araújo SMD, Dale C, Galvão C, Toledo MJDO. Experimental infection of Rhodnius robustus Larrousse, 1927 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) IV. Exp Parasitol 2021; 232:108197. [PMID: 34863706 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108197] [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: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Vector competence of triatomines (kissing bugs) for Trypanosoma cruzi transmission depends on the parasite-vector interaction and the genetic constitution of both. This study evaluates the susceptibility and vector competence of Rhodnius robustus experimentally infected with T. cruzi IV (TcIV). Nymphs were fed on infected mice or an artificial feeder with blood containing culture-derived metacyclic trypomastigotes (CMT) or blood trypomastigotes (BT). The intestinal contents (IC) and excreta of the insects were examined by fresh examination and kDNA-PCR. The rate of metacyclogenesis was also determined by differential counts. Fifth instar nymphs fed with CMT ingested a greater blood volume (mean of 74.5 μL) and a greater amount of parasites (mean of 149,000 CMT/μL), and had higher positivity in the fresh examination of the IC. Third instar nymphs fed with CMT had higher positivity (33.3%) in the fresh examination of the excreta. On the 20th day after infection (dai), infective metacyclic trypomastigote (MT) forms were predominant in the excreta of 3/4 experimental groups, and on the 30th dai, the different parasitic forms were observed in the IC of all the groups. Higher percentages of MT were observed in the excreta of the 5th instar nymphs group (84.1%) and in the IC of the 3rd instar nymphs group (80.0%). Rhodnius robustus presented high susceptibility to infection since all nymphs were infected, regardless of the method used for blood meal, in addition these insects demonstrated vector competence for TcIV with high rates of metacyclogenesis being evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula de Abreu
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
| | - Ana Paula Margioto Teston
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil; Departamento de Farmácia, Centro Universitário Uningá, Rodovia PR317, 87035-510, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
| | - Miyoko Massago
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UEM, 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
| | - Hevillyn Fernanda Lucas da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
| | - Érika Cristina Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
| | - Nilma de Souza Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UEM, 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
| | - Silvana Marques de Araújo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, CCS, UEM, 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Dale
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade Entomológica / Coleção Entomológica, Pavilhão Mourisco, Manguinhos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Cleber Galvão
- Laboratório Nacional e Internacional de Referência em Taxonomia de Triatomíneos, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Max Jean de Ornelas Toledo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, UEM, 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, CCS, UEM, 87 020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
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Carrillo I, Rabelo RAN, Barbosa C, Rates M, Fuentes-Retamal S, González-Herrera F, Guzmán-Rivera D, Quintero H, Kemmerling U, Castillo C, Machado FS, Díaz-Araya G, Maya JD. Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 reduces parasitic cardiac load by decreasing inflammation in a murine model of early chronic Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009978. [PMID: 34784372 PMCID: PMC8631674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in Latin America and is widely distributed worldwide because of migration. In 30% of cases, after years of infection and in the absence of treatment, the disease progresses from an acute asymptomatic phase to a chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy, leading to heart failure and death. An inadequate balance in the inflammatory response is involved in the progression of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. Current therapeutic strategies cannot prevent or reverse the heart damage caused by the parasite. Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 (AT-RvD1) is a pro-resolving mediator of inflammation that acts through N-formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2). AT-RvD1 participates in the modification of cytokine production, inhibition of leukocyte recruitment and efferocytosis, macrophage switching to a nonphlogistic phenotype, and the promotion of healing, thus restoring organ function. In the present study, AT-RvD1 is proposed as a potential therapeutic agent to regulate the pro-inflammatory state during the early chronic phase of Chagas disease. Methodology/Principal findings C57BL/6 wild-type and FPR2 knock-out mice chronically infected with T. cruzi were treated for 20 days with 5 μg/kg/day AT-RvD1, 30 mg/kg/day benznidazole, or the combination of 5 μg/kg/day AT-RvD1 and 5 mg/kg/day benznidazole. At the end of treatment, changes in immune response, cardiac tissue damage, and parasite load were evaluated. The administration of AT-RvD1 in the early chronic phase of T. cruzi infection regulated the inflammatory response both at the systemic level and in the cardiac tissue, and it reduced cellular infiltrates, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, and the parasite load in the heart tissue. Conclusions/Significance AT-RvD1 was shown to be an attractive therapeutic due to its regulatory effect on the inflammatory response at the cardiac level and its ability to reduce the parasite load during early chronic T. cruzi infection, thereby preventing the chronic cardiac damage induced by the parasite. Chagas disease is prevalent in Latin America and is widely distributed worldwide due to migration. In 30% of patients, if the parasite is left untreated, the disease may progress from an acute symptomless phase to chronic myocardial inflammation, which can cause heart failure and death, years after the infection. Imbalances in the inflammatory response are related to this progression. Current treatments cannot prevent or reverse the cardiac damage inflicted by the parasite. Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1, also named AT-RvD1, can modify cellular and humoral inflammatory responses leading to the resolution of inflammation, thus promoting healing and restoring organ function. In this study, AT-RvD1, in an N-formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2)-dependent manner, was shown to regulate local and systemic inflammation and decrease cellular infiltration in the heart tissue of mice chronically infected with the parasite and reduce cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in the early stages of the chronic phase of the disease. Importantly, AT-RvD1 was able to decrease parasite load in the infected hearts. Thus, this research indicates that At-RvD1 treatment is a potential therapeutic strategy that offers an improvement on current drug therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Carrillo
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rayane Aparecida Nonato Rabelo
- Programa em Ciências da Saúde, Doenças Infecciosas e Medicina Tropical/ Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - César Barbosa
- Laboratório de Imunorregulação de Doenças Infecciosas, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mariana Rates
- Laboratório de Imunorregulação de Doenças Infecciosas, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sebastián Fuentes-Retamal
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabiola González-Herrera
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Guzmán-Rivera
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Helena Quintero
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Núcleo de Investigación Aplicada en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabiana S. Machado
- Programa em Ciências da Saúde, Doenças Infecciosas e Medicina Tropical/ Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Laboratório de Imunorregulação de Doenças Infecciosas, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Guillermo Díaz-Araya
- Departamento de Farmacología Química y Toxicología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (GD-A); (JDM)
| | - Juan D. Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (GD-A); (JDM)
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20
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Busselman RE, Meyers AC, Zecca IB, Auckland LD, Castro AH, Dowd RE, Curtis-Robles R, Hodo CL, Saunders AB, Hamer SA. High incidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infections in dogs directly detected through longitudinal tracking at 10 multi-dog kennels, Texas, USA. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009935. [PMID: 34758049 PMCID: PMC8631682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is increasingly recognized as a health concern for dogs in the USA, and infected dogs may signal geographic regions of risk for human disease. Dogs living in multi-dog kennel environments (kennels with more than one dog) where triatomine vectors are endemic may be at high risk for infection. We monitored a cohort of 64 T. cruzi-infected and uninfected dogs across 10 kennels in Texas, USA, to characterize changes in infection status over one year. We used robust diagnostic criteria in which reactivity on multiple independent platforms was required to be considered positive. Among the 30 dogs enrolled as serologically- and/or PCR-positive, all but one dog showed sustained positive T. cruzi diagnostic results over time. Among the 34 dogs enrolled as serologically- and PCR-negative, 10 new T. cruzi infections were recorded over a 12-month period. The resulting incidence rate for dogs initially enrolled as T. cruzi-negative was 30.7 T. cruzi infections per 100 dogs per year. This study highlights the risk of T. cruzi infection to dogs in kennel environments. To protect both dog and human health, there is an urgent need to develop more integrated vector control methods as well as prophylactic and curative antiparasitic treatment options for T. cruzi infection in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Busselman
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alyssa C. Meyers
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Italo B. Zecca
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lisa D. Auckland
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Andres H. Castro
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rebecca E. Dowd
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rachel Curtis-Robles
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Carolyn L. Hodo
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, Bastrop, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ashley B. Saunders
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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21
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Passos LSA, Koh CC, Magalhães LMD, Nunes MDCP, Gollob KJ, Dutra WO. Distinct CD4 -CD8 - (Double-Negative) Memory T-Cell Subpopulations Are Associated With Indeterminate and Cardiac Clinical Forms of Chagas Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:761795. [PMID: 34868005 PMCID: PMC8632628 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.761795] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4-CD8- (double-negative, DN) T cells are critical orchestrators of the cytokine network associated with the pathogenic inflammatory response in one of the deadliest cardiomyopathies known, Chagas heart disease, which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Here, studying the distribution, activation status, and cytokine expression of memory DN T-cell subpopulations in Chagas disease patients without cardiac involvement (indeterminate form-IND) or with Chagas cardiomyopathy (CARD), we report that while IND patients displayed a higher frequency of central memory, CARD had a high frequency of effector memory DN T cells. In addition, central memory DN T cells from IND displayed a balanced cytokine profile, characterized by the concomitant expression of IFN-γ and IL-10, which was not observed in effector memory DN T cells from CARD. Supporting potential clinical relevance, we found that the frequency of central memory DN T cells was associated with indicators of better ventricular function, while the frequency of effector memory DN T cells was not. Importantly, decreasing CD1d-mediated activation of DN T cells led to an increase in IL-10 expression by effector memory DN T cells from CARD, restoring a balanced profile similar to that observed in the protective central memory DN T cells. Targeting the activation of effector memory DN T cells may emerge as a strategy to control inflammation in Chagas cardiomyopathy and potentially in other inflammatory diseases where these cells play a key role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Silva Araújo Passos
- Departamento de Morfologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Pós-graduação em Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carolina Cattoni Koh
- Departamento de Morfologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luísa Mourão Dias Magalhães
- Departamento de Morfologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Pós-graduação em Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maria do Carmo Pereira Nunes
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Kenneth John Gollob
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Doenças Tropicais—INCT-DT, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Departamento de Morfologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Pós-graduação em Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Doenças Tropicais—INCT-DT, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Lima-Neiva V, Toma HK, Abrantes Aguiar LM, Lopes CM, Dias LP, Monte Gonçalves TC, Costa J. The connection between Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles by Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis: A threat to human health in an area susceptible to desertification in the Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009919. [PMID: 34752464 PMCID: PMC8577756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An outbreak of Chagas disease, possibly involving its vector Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis, was identified in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Given the historical significance of this vector in public health, the study aimed to evaluate its role in the transmission dynamics of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi in an area undergoing desertification in the Seridó region, RN, Brazil. We captured triatomines in sylvatic and anthropic ecotopes. Natural vector infection was determined using parasitological and molecular methods and we identified discrete typing units (DTUs) of T. cruzi by analyzing the COII gene of mtDNA, 24Sα rDNA, and mini-exon gene. Their blood meals sources were identified by amplification and sequencing of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene. A total of 952 T. b. brasiliensis were captured in peridomestic (69.9%) and sylvatic ecotopes (30.4%). A wide range of natural infection rates were observed in peridomestic (36.0% - 71.1%) and sylvatic populations (28.6% - 100.0%). We observed the circulation of TcI and TcII DTUs with a predominance of Tcl in sylvatic and peridomestic environments. Kerodon rupestris, rocky cavy (13/39), Homo sapiens, human (8/39), and Bos taurus, ox (6/39) were the most frequently detected blood meals sources. Thus, Triatoma b. brasiliensis is invading and colonizing the human dwellings. Furthermore, high levels of natural infection, coupled with the detection of TcI and TcII DTUs, and also the detection of K. rupestris and H. sapiens as blood meals sources of infected T. b. brasiliensis indicate a risk of T. cruzi transmission to human populations in areas undergoing desertification. Chagas disease currently affects about six to seven million people worldwide, resulting in high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden in endemic countries of Latin America. Its etiological agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, circulates among a wide variety of mammalian and insect vectors. Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis is adapted to the dry and warm climate of the Caatinga biome, and is considered the main vector in the semi-arid areas of northeastern Brazil. Information on the infestation, natural infection rates, T. cruzi strains, and blood meals sources of this vector is crucial for understanding the dynamics of T. cruzi transmission in areas susceptible to desertification. Triatoma b. brasiliensis colonizes peridomestic structures, particularly in the stone walls of cattle corrals that emerge as a refuge for sylvatic populations where they access a variety of blood meals sources. The predominance of the TcI strain in the sylvatic and peridomestic environments shows an overlap of transmission cycles by T. cruzi mediated by T. b. brasiliensis. The high rates of natural infection and the evidence of their feeding on humans and the rodent K. rupestris are worrisome and indicate the threat this vector poses to human health in the area studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Lima-Neiva
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade Entomológica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Helena Keiko Toma
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico Molecular e Hematologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Catarina Macedo Lopes
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz /FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Letícia Paschoaletto Dias
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade Entomológica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Teresa Cristina Monte Gonçalves
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz /FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jane Costa
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade Entomológica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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23
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Pérez G, Muñoz-San Martín C, Chacón F, Bacigalupo A, Cattan PE, Solís R. Modification of the Daily Activity Pattern of the Diurnal Triatomine Mepraia spinolai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Induced by Trypanosoma cruzi (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) Infection. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:2474-2478. [PMID: 34197593 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mepraia spinolai, (Porter) 1934, is a diurnal triatomine endemic to Chile and a wild vector of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, (Chagas) 1909, which causes Chagas disease. Behavioral changes in M. spinolai induced by this parasite have been reported previously, which include detection of a potential host, defecation latency, and some life history traits. In this study we assessed changes in locomotor and daily activity due to infection with T. cruzi. No difference was detected in distance traveled between infected and uninfected individuals. However, the groups differed in their daily activity patterns; infected individuals showed significant reduction of movements during the light phase and concentrated their activity in the dark phase. Uninfected individuals showed no differences in locomotor activity between the phases. The results suggest that T. cruzi induces a displacement in the activity of M. spinolai toward the dark phase of the circadian cycle, which may improve its vector competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pérez
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
| | - C Muñoz-San Martín
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
- Núcleo de Investigaciones Aplicadas en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Universidad de las Américas, Campus Providencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - F Chacón
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
| | - A Bacigalupo
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - P E Cattan
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
| | - R Solís
- Depto. Cs. Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Cs. Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, Santiago,Chile
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Cuevas-Hernández RI, Girard RMBM, Krstulović L, Bajić M, Silber AM. An aromatic imidazoline derived from chloroquinoline triggers cell cycle arrest and inhibits with high selectivity the Trypanosoma cruzi mammalian host-cells infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009994. [PMID: 34843481 PMCID: PMC8659321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009994] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a hemoflagellated parasite causing Chagas disease, which affects 6-8 million people in the Americas. More than one hundred years after the description of this disease, the available drugs for treating the T. cruzi infection remain largely unsatisfactory. Chloroquinoline and arylamidine moieties are separately found in various compounds reported for their anti-trypanosoma activities. In this work we evaluate the anti-T. cruzi activity of a collection of 26 "chimeric" molecules combining choroquinoline and amidine structures. In a first screening using epimastigote forms of the parasite as a proxy for the clinically relevant stages, we selected the compound 7-chloro-4-[4-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)phenoxy]quinoline (named here as A6) that performed better as an anti-T. cruzi compound (IC50 of 2.2 ± 0.3 μM) and showed a low toxicity for the mammalian cell CHO-K1 (CC50 of 137.9 ± 17.3 μM). We initially investigated the mechanism of death associated to the selected compound. The A6 did not trigger phosphatidylserine exposure or plasma membrane permeabilization. Further investigation led us to observe that under short-term incubations (until 6 hours), no alterations of mitochondrial function were observed. However, at longer incubation times (4 days), A6 was able to decrease the intracellular Ca2+, to diminish the intracellular ATP levels, and to collapse mitochondrial inner membrane potential. After analysing the cell cycle, we found as well that A6 produced an arrest in the S phase that impairs the parasite proliferation. Finally, A6 was effective against the infective forms of the parasite during the infection of the mammalian host cells at a nanomolar concentration (IC50(tryps) = 26.7 ± 3.7 nM), exhibiting a selectivity index (SI) of 5,170. Our data suggest that A6 is a promising hit against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto I. Cuevas-Hernández
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Richard M. B. M. Girard
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luka Krstulović
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Miroslav Bajić
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ariel Mariano Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Trindade JDS, Freire-de-Lima CG, Côrte-Real S, Decote-Ricardo D, Freire de Lima ME. Drug repurposing for Chagas disease: In vitro assessment of nimesulide against Trypanosoma cruzi and insights on its mechanisms of action. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258292. [PMID: 34679091 PMCID: PMC8535186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected illness caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and its treatment is done only with two drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole. However, both drugs are ineffective in the chronic phase, in addition to causing serious side effects. This context of therapeutic limitation justifies the continuous research for alternative drugs. Here, we study the in vitro trypanocidal effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide, a molecule that has in its chemical structure a toxicophoric nitroaromatic group (NO2). The set of results obtained in this work highlights the potential for repurposing nimesulide in the treatment of this disease that affects millions of people around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana D’Arc S. Trindade
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Célio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Suzana Côrte-Real
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Instituto de Veterinária, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marco Edilson Freire de Lima
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Svensen N, Wyllie S, Gray DW, De Rycker M. Live-imaging rate-of-kill compound profiling for Chagas disease drug discovery with a new automated high-content assay. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009870. [PMID: 34634052 PMCID: PMC8530327 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009870] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan intracellular parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a highly neglected tropical disease, causing significant morbidity and mortality in central and south America. Current treatments are inadequate, and recent clinical trials of drugs inhibiting CYP51 have failed, exposing a lack of understanding of how to translate laboratory findings to the clinic. Following these failures many new model systems have been developed, both in vitro and in vivo, that provide improved understanding of the causes for clinical trial failures. Amongst these are in vitro rate-of-kill (RoK) assays that reveal how fast compounds kill intracellular parasites. Such assays have shown clear distinctions between the compounds that failed in clinical trials and the standard of care. However, the published RoK assays have some key drawbacks, including low time-resolution and inability to track the same cell population over time. Here, we present a new, live-imaging RoK assay for intracellular T. cruzi that overcomes these issues. We show that the assay is highly reproducible and report high time-resolution RoK data for key clinical compounds as well as new chemical entities. The data generated by this assay allow fast acting compounds to be prioritised for progression, the fate of individual parasites to be tracked, shifts of mode-of-action within series to be monitored, better PKPD modelling and selection of suitable partners for combination therapy. Chagas disease is caused by the single cell protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Millions of people suffer from this disease in central and south America, which frequently causes heart disease and can result in death. Chagas disease is classified as a neglected tropical disease due to the lack of investment in development of new medicines. The currently available medicines are inadequate as they require long treatments, often with severe side-effects. To develop new medicines, it is critical to build laboratory assays and tools that help predict the ability of new compounds to cure patients. Rate-of-kill assays measure how quickly compounds can kill parasites, providing a route to differentiate promising compounds from poor ones. Here, we describe development of an advanced rate-of-kill assay that, unlike existing assays, can monitor the same cell population over the duration of compound treatment. Using live-cell microscopy, parasite-infected host cells and their response to compound treatment can be continuously monitored. This enables better defined rate-of-kill profiles to be produced, in turn allowing better informed decisions on subsequent compound progression. Here, we report the live-imaging rate-of-kill profiles for several key compounds, including current drugs and compounds in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Svensen
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - David W Gray
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Manu De Rycker
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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Vizcaya D, Grossmann U, Kleinjung F, Zhang R, Suzart-Woischnik K, Seu S, Ramirez T, Colmegna L, Ledesma O. Serological response to nifurtimox in adult patients with chronic Chagas disease: An observational comparative study in Argentina. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009801. [PMID: 34606501 PMCID: PMC8489720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nifurtimox is indicated in Chagas disease but determining its effectiveness in chronic disease is hindered by the length of time needed to demonstrate negative serological conversion. We manually reviewed long-term follow-up data from hospital records of patients with chronic Chagas disease (N = 1,497) in Argentina diagnosed during 1967-1980. All patients were aged ≥18 years at diagnosis and were either treated with nifurtimox (n = 968) or received no antitrypanosomal treatment (n = 529). The primary endpoint was negative seroconversion (the "event"), defined as a change from positive to negative in the serological or parasitological laboratory test used at diagnosis. Time to event was from baseline visit to date of endpoint event or censoring. The effectiveness of nifurtimox versus no treatment was estimated with Cox proportional hazard regression using propensity scores with overlap weights to calculate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval. The nifurtimox group was younger than the untreated group (mean, 32.4 vs. 40.3 years), with proportionally fewer females (47.9% vs. 60.1%), and proportionally more of the nifurtimox group than the untreated group had clinical signs and symptoms of Chagas disease at diagnosis (28.9% vs. 14.0%). Median maximum daily dose of nifurtimox was 8.0 mg/kg/day (interquartile range [IQR]: 8.0-9.0) and median treatment duration was 44 days (IQR: 1-90). Median time to event was 2.1 years (IQR: 1.0-4.5) for nifurtimox-treated and 2.4 years (IQR: 1.0-4.2) for untreated patients. Accounting for potential confounders, the estimated hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for negative seroconversion was 2.22 (1.61-3.07) favoring nifurtimox. Variable treatment regimens and follow-up duration, and an uncommonly high rate of spontaneous negative seroconversion, complicate interpretation of this epidemiological study, but with the longest follow-up and largest cohort analyzed to date it lends weight to the benefit of nifurtimox in adults with chronic Chagas disease. Trial registration: The study protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03784391.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Vizcaya
- Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Sant Joan Despi, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | | | | | - Sandra Seu
- Centro de Chagas y Patología Regional, Hospital Independencia, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
| | - Teresa Ramirez
- Centro de Chagas y Patología Regional, Hospital Independencia, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
| | | | - Oscar Ledesma
- Centro de Chagas y Patología Regional, Hospital Independencia, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
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Dean DA, Gautham G, Siqueira-Neto JL, McKerrow JH, Dorrestein PC, McCall LI. Spatial metabolomics identifies localized chemical changes in heart tissue during chronic cardiac Chagas Disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009819. [PMID: 34606502 PMCID: PMC8516257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of nineteen neglected tropical diseases. CD is a vector-borne disease transmitted by triatomines, but CD can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, T. cruzi-contaminated food and drinks, and congenital transmission. While endemic to the Americas, T. cruzi infects 7–8 million people worldwide and can induce severe cardiac symptoms including apical aneurysms, thromboembolisms and arrhythmias during the chronic stage of CD. However, these cardiac clinical manifestations and CD pathogenesis are not fully understood. Using spatial metabolomics (chemical cartography), we sought to understand the localized impact of chronic CD on the cardiac metabolome of mice infected with two divergent T. cruzi strains. Our data showed chemical differences in localized cardiac regions upon chronic T. cruzi infection, indicating that parasite infection changes the host metabolome at specific sites in chronic CD. These sites were distinct from the sites of highest parasite burden. In addition, we identified acylcarnitines and glycerophosphocholines as discriminatory chemical families within each heart region, comparing infected and uninfected samples. Overall, our study indicated global and positional metabolic differences common to infection with different T. cruzi strains and identified select infection-modulated pathways. These results provide further insight into CD pathogenesis and demonstrate the advantage of a systematic spatial perspective to understand infectious disease tropism. Chagas disease (CD) is a tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. CD originated in the Americas but is now found globally due to population movements. CD is transmitted through a triatomine vector, organ transplants, blood transfusions, T. cruzi-contaminated food and drinks, and congenitally. It occurs in two stages, an acute stage (usually asymptomatic) and a chronic stage. Twenty to thirty percent of chronic stage cases present severe cardiac symptoms such as heart failure, localized aneurysms and cardiomyopathy. Unfortunately, what causes severe cardiac symptoms in some individuals in chronic CD is not fully understood. Therefore, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to analyze the heart tissue of chronically T. cruzi-infected and uninfected mice, to understand the impact of infection on the tissue metabolome. We identified discriminatory small molecules related to T. cruzi infection and determined that regions with the highest parasite burden are distinct from the regions with the largest changes in overall metabolite profile. These locations of high metabolic perturbation provide a molecular mechanism to explain why localized cardiac symptoms occur in CD, particularly at the heart apex. Overall, our work gives insight into chronic cardiac CD symptom development and shapes a framework for novel CD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danya A. Dean
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Gautham Gautham
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Pieter C. Dorrestein
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Ribeiro-Jr G, Abad-Franch F, de Sousa OMF, dos Santos CGS, Fonseca EOL, dos Santos RF, Cunha GM, de Carvalho CMM, Reis RB, Gurgel-Gonçalves R, Reis MG. TriatoScore: an entomological-risk score for Chagas disease vector control-surveillance. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:492. [PMID: 34563255 PMCID: PMC8465766 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04954-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triatomine bugs transmit Chagas disease across Latin America, where vector control-surveillance is increasingly decentralized. Locally run systems often deal with highly diverse native-vector faunas-plus, in some areas, domestic populations of non-native species. Flexible entomological-risk indicators that cover native and non-native vectors and can support local decision-making are therefore needed. METHODS We present a local-scale entomological-risk score ("TriatoScore") that leverages and builds upon information on the ecology-behavior and distribution-biogeography of individual triatomine bug species. We illustrate our approach by calculating TriatoScores for the 417 municipalities of Bahia state, Brazil. For this, we (i) listed all triatomine bug species recorded statewide; (ii) derived a "species relevance score" reflecting whether each species is native/non-native and, if native, whether/how often it invades/colonizes dwellings; (iii) mapped each species' presence by municipality; (iv) for native vectors, weighted presence by the proportion of municipal territory within ecoregions occupied by each species; (v) multiplied "species relevance score" × "weighted presence" to get species-specific "weighted scores"; and (vi) summed "weighted scores" across species to get municipal TriatoScores. Using standardized TriatoScores, we then grouped municipalities into high/moderate/low entomological-risk strata. RESULTS TriatoScores were higher in municipalities dominated by dry-to-semiarid ecoregions than in those dominated by savanna-grassland or, especially, moist-forest ecoregions. Bahia's native triatomines can maintain high to moderate risk of vector-borne Chagas disease in 318 (76.3%) municipalities. Historical elimination of Triatoma infestans from 125 municipalities reduced TriatoScores by ~ 27% (range, 20-44%); eight municipalities reported T. infestans since Bahia was certified free of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission by this non-native species. Entomological-risk strata based on TriatoScores agreed well with Bahia's official disease-risk strata, but TriatoScores suggest that the official classification likely underestimates risk in 42 municipalities. Of 152 municipalities failing to report triatomines in 2006-2019, two and 71 had TriatoScores corresponding to, respectively, high and moderate entomological risk. CONCLUSIONS TriatoScore can help control-surveillance managers to flexibly assess and stratify the entomological risk of Chagas disease at operationally relevant scales. Integrating eco-epidemiological, demographic, socioeconomic, or operational data (on, e.g., local-scale dwelling-infestation or vector-infection frequencies, land-use change and urbanization, housing conditions, poverty, or the functioning of control-surveillance systems) is also straightforward. TriatoScore may thus become a useful addition to the triatomine bug control-surveillance toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernando Abad-Franch
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal Brazil
| | - Orlando M. F. de Sousa
- Coordenação Geral de Vigilância de Zoonoses e Doenças de Transmissão Vetorial, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Brasília, Distrito Federal Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo O. L. Fonseca
- Instituto de Tecnologias da Saúde, Centro Universitário SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Roberto F. dos Santos
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública Prof. Gonçalo Moniz, Secretaria de Saúde do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia Brazil
| | - Gabriel M. Cunha
- Centro de Atenção à Saúde José Maria de Magalhães Neto, Secretaria de Saúde do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia Brazil
| | - Cristiane M. M. de Carvalho
- Centro de Atenção à Saúde José Maria de Magalhães Neto, Secretaria de Saúde do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Gurgel-Gonçalves
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica e Biologia de Vetores, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal Brazil
| | - Mitermayer G. Reis
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fiocruz Bahia, Salvador, Bahia Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia Brazil
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
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Vasconcelos CI, Cronemberger-Andrade A, Souza-Melo N, Maricato JT, Xander P, Batista WL, Soares RP, Schenkman S, Torrecilhas AC. Stress Induces Release of Extracellular Vesicles by Trypanosoma cruzi Trypomastigotes. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:2939693. [PMID: 34604391 PMCID: PMC8486533 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2939693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
All extracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, release extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing major surface molecules of the parasite. EV release depends on several mechanisms (internal and external). However, most of the environmental conditions affecting this phenomenon are still unknown. In this work, we evaluated EV release under different stress conditions and their ability to be internalized by the parasites. In addition, we investigated whether the release conditions would affect their immunomodulatory properties in preactivated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Sodium azide and methyl-cyclo-β-dextrin (CDB) reduced EV release, indicating that this phenomenon relies on membrane organization. EV release was increased at low temperatures (4°C) and acidic conditions (pH 5.0). Under this pH, trypomastigotes differentiated into amastigotes. EVs are rapidly liberated and reabsorbed by the trypomastigotes in a concentration-dependent manner. Nitrosative stress caused by sodium nitrite in acid medium or S-nitrosoglutathione also stimulated the secretion of EVs. EVs released under all stress conditions also maintained their proinflammatory activity and increased the expression of iNOS, Arg 1, IL-12, and IL-23 genes in IFN-γ and LPS preactivated BMDM. In conclusion, our results suggest a budding mechanism of release, dependent on the membrane structure and parasite integrity. Stress conditions did not affect functional properties of EVs during interaction with host cells. EV release variations under stress conditions may be a physiological response against environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Ioshida Vasconcelos
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNIFESP, Rua São Nicolau, 210, 09913-030, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A Cronemberger-Andrade
- Cell Therapy Institute, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Normanda Souza-Melo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, UNIFESP, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 04039-032 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Terzi Maricato
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, UNIFESP, Rua Botucatu, 862, 04023-062 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Xander
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNIFESP, Rua São Nicolau, 210, 09913-030, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wagner Luiz Batista
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNIFESP, Rua São Nicolau, 210, 09913-030, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Pedro Soares
- Instituto René Rachou/FIOCRUZ-MG, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, 30190-009 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, UNIFESP, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, 04039-032 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, UNIFESP, Rua São Nicolau, 210, 09913-030, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
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Honorato NRM, da Silva ANB, de Negreiros CCA, Aguiar LMA, Marliére NP, de Souza RDCM, Souza E Guimarães RJDP, Galvão LMDC, da Câmara ACJ. Triatomine and Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units distribution in a semi-arid area of northeastern Brazil. Acta Trop 2021; 220:105950. [PMID: 33979639 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of triatomine species, their bloodmeal sources and the discrete typing units (DTUs) of Trypanosoma cruzi isolated from them were determined in different municipalities of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Triatomine captures were carried out in the rural areas of 23 municipalities. The genotyping of T. cruzi isolates was performed using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (coii) gene, the D7 region of the 24Sα rDNA, and the spliced leader intergenic region (SL-IR). Five triatomine species were captured, and the most frequent was Triatoma brasiliensis (84.3%; 916/1086), which was found in 16 of the 23 municipalities surveyed, and infested all types of environment investigated. The TcI DTU was found in all mesoregions surveyed in 51.5% (17/33) of the culture-positive samples. In contrast, TcII (9.1%; 3/33) was detected in the Central mesoregion, while TcIII (27.3%; 9/33) was found in all mesoregions. The geographic distribution and spatial overlap of different DTUs was inferred using the superposition of the radius of occurrence of isolates and using ecological niche distribution modelling. Triatoma brasiliensis was found infected in all mesoregions and with all three T. cruzi DTUs, including mixed infections. With regard to bloodmeal sources, the DNA of rodents was found in triatomines infected with either TcI or TcIII, while that of domestic animals and humans was associated with both single and mixed infections. Our findings demonstrate that different DTUs of T. cruzi are widely dispersed among triatomines in our study area. The association of T. brasiliensis with several different mammalian hosts, as well as overlapping areas with different DTUs, suggests that this triatomine species may have an important role as a vector in both anthropic and sylvatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Ravi Medeiros Honorato
- Graduate Program in Parasitic Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Newmar Pinto Marliére
- René Rachou Institute - FIOCRUZ Minas, Triatomine Research Group, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lúcia Maria da Cunha Galvão
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Antônia Cláudia Jácome da Câmara
- Graduate Program in Parasitic Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
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Julião GR, Pimentel IF, de França AK, Gil LHS, Simplício MF, Santos da Silva GD, Katsuragawa TH, de Souza Rodrigues MM. Rhodnius spp. infestation in palm trees and natural infection by Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli in periurban and rural areas of state of the Rondônia, in the Brazilian Amazon. Acta Trop 2021; 220:105963. [PMID: 34023303 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105963] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The state of Rondônia in the Brazilian Amazon is prone to diseases transmitted by insect vectors because of the environmental and population changes resulting from large hydroelectric projects and the expansion of agricultural and livestock industries. The first case of Chagas disease by vectorial transmission was recorded in 2019 in a rural area in Rondônia, reinforcing the need for entomological surveillance. Hence, our goal was to estimate the abundance of Rhodnius spp. in palm trees located in rural and periurban areas and in Brazil-Bolivia border regions, perform domiciliary searches, and check for possible associations between triatomines and the presence/absence of palm-inhabiting fauna and outdoor farming, domestic animals, and buildings. The sampling took place in five municipalities of Rondônia in 2014 (June to August) and 2015 (April to June). Triatomines were collected by active searches during the selective pruning of palm tree crowns. Domiciliary inspections lasted from 30 to 60 min. A set of captured triatomines was analyzed for Trypanosoma cruzi and T. rangeli infection by PCR. Overall, 496 insects were captured during sampling of 150 palms in rural areas and 150 in periurban areas. No triatomine was found during active searches of 59 dwelling either indoors or outdoors. The majority of triatomines caught in the palm trees were identified as Rhodnius robustus (98.6%), and seven specimens were R. pictipes. Triatomine infestation was observed in only 20% of the sampled palms (61/300) in the vicinity of 26/59 households. Nearly half of the infested palm trees had only one or two triatomines, and few palms presented more than 15 triatomines. The municipality of Buritis had the highest triatomine abundance and percentage of infested palms; however, the highest triatomine density per infested palm was observed in Alvorada D'Oeste, where a quarter of the palms were infested. Ants, arachnids, termites, reptiles, and rodents were frequently found in palm trees. Dogs were the predominant domestic animals in households, whereas hens and cattle were the main farming animals. Model estimates showed that the number of triatomines was affected by the presence of henhouses and varied strongly between localities. No relationships were detected between the average number of triatomines and palm fauna and/or palm height. Overall, approximately half of the triatomines were infected with T. cruzi (51.4%) and/or T. rangeli (47.2%), reinforcing the need for continuous entomological surveillance and implementation of community-based approaches because the Brazilian state of Rondônia borders areas experiencing reinfestation by domiciled species and potential colonization of animal shelters by triatomines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genimar Rebouças Julião
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz Rondônia, Laboratório de Entomologia-1, Porto Velho, RO 76812-245, Brasil.
| | - Iasmin Ferreira Pimentel
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz Rondônia, Laboratório de Epidemiologia Genética, Porto Velho, RO, Brasil.
| | | | - Luiz Herman Soares Gil
- Instituto de Patologia em Doenças Tropicais, Rua da Beira 7671, CEP 76812-245, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.
| | - Marlon Ferreira Simplício
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz Rondônia, Laboratório de Entomologia-1, Porto Velho, RO 76812-245, Brasil.
| | | | - Tony Hiroshi Katsuragawa
- Instituto de Patologia em Doenças Tropicais, Rua da Beira 7671, CEP 76812-245, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Centro de Pesquisa em Medicina Tropical-CEPEM/RO, CEP 76812-329, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.
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Nunes da Costa EAP, Victória C, Fortaleza CMCB. Predictors of development of cardiac and digestive disorders among patients with indeterminate chronic Chagas Disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009680. [PMID: 34388146 PMCID: PMC8386853 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009680] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease, CD) affects circa 7 million persons worldwide. While of those persons present the asymptomatic, indeterminate chronic form (ICF), many will eventually progress to cardiac or digestive disorders. We studied a nonconcurrent (retrospective) cohort of patients attending an outpatient CD clinic in Southeastern Brazil, who were admitted while presenting the ICF in the period from 1998 through 2018 and followed until 2019. The outcomes of interest were the progression to cardiac or digestive CD forms. We were also interested in analyzing the impact of Benznidazole therapy on the progression of the disease. Extensive review of medical charts and laboratory files was conducted, collecting data up to year 2019. Demographics (upon inclusion), body mass index, comorbidities (including the Charlson index) and use of Benznidazole were recorded. The outcomes were defined by abnormalities in those test that could not be attributed to other causes. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariable Cox regression models. Among 379 subjects included in the study, 87 (22.9%) and 100 (26.4%) progressed to cardiac and digestive forms, respectively. In the final multivariable model, cardiac disorders were positively associated with previous coronary syndrome (Hazzard Ratio [HR], 2.42; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.53-3.81) and negatively associated with Benznidazole therapy (HR, 0.26; 95%CI, 0.11-0.60). On the other hand, female gender was the only independent predictor of progression to digestive forms (HR, 1.56; 95%CI, 1.03-2.38). Our results point to the impact of comorbidities on progression do cardiac CD, with possible benefit of the use of Benznidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cassiano Victória
- Department of Zoonosis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), City of Botucatu, Brazil
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de Brito TF, Coelho VL, Cardoso MA, Brito IADA, Berni MA, Zenk FL, Iovino N, Pane A. Transovarial transmission of a core virome in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009780. [PMID: 34407148 PMCID: PMC8372912 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009780] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Triatomine assassin bugs comprise hematophagous insect vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Although the microbiome of these species has been investigated to some extent, only one virus infecting Triatoma infestans has been identified to date. Here, we describe for the first time seven (+) single-strand RNA viruses (RpV1-7) infecting Rhodnius prolixus, a primary vector of Chagas disease in Central and South America. We show that the RpVs belong to the Iflaviridae, Permutotetraviridae and Solemoviridae and are vertically transmitted from the mothers to the progeny via transovarial transmission. Consistent with this, all the RpVs, except RpV2 that is related to the entomopathogenic Slow bee paralysis virus, established persistent infections in our R. prolixus colony. Furthermore, we show that R. prolixus ovaries express 22-nucleotide viral siRNAs (vsiRNAs), but not viral piRNAs, that originate from the processing of dsRNA intermediates during viral replication of the RpVs. Interestingly, the permutotetraviruses and sobemoviruses display shared pools of vsiRNAs that might provide the basis for a cross-immunity system. The vsiRNAs are maternally deposited in the eggs, where they likely contribute to reduce the viral load and protect the developing embryos. Our results unveil for the first time a complex core virome in R. prolixus and begin to shed light on the RNAi-based antiviral defenses in triatomines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vitor Lima Coelho
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maira Arruda Cardoso
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mateus Antonio Berni
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fides Lea Zenk
- Department of Chromatin Regulation, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicola Iovino
- Department of Chromatin Regulation, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Attilio Pane
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Marliére NP, Lorenzo MG, Guarneri AA. Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Rhodnius prolixus endure increased predation facilitating parasite transmission to mammal hosts. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009570. [PMID: 34197458 PMCID: PMC8279422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009570] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Triatomine bugs aggregate with conspecifics inside shelters during daylight hours. At dusk, they leave their refuges searching for hosts on which to blood feed. After finding a host, triatomines face the threat of being killed, because hosts often prey on them. As it is known that many parasites induce the predation of intermediate hosts to promote transmission, and that ingestion of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected bugs represents a very effective means for mammal infection, we hypothesized that trypanosomes induce infected bugs to take increased risk, and, as a consequence, be predated when approaching a host. Therefore, we evaluated whether the predation risk and predation rates endured by Rhodnius prolixus increase when infected with T. cruzi. Assays were performed in square glass arenas offering one central refuge to infected and uninfected 5th instar nymphs. A caged mouse was introduced in each arena after a three-day acclimation interval to activate sheltered insects and induce them to approach it. As hypothesized, a significantly higher proportion of infected insects was predated when compared with uninfected ones (36% and 19%, respectively). Indeed, T. cruzi-infected bugs took higher risk (Approximation Index = 0.642) when compared with healthy ones (Approximation Index = 0.302) and remained outside the shelters when the host was removed from the arena. Our results show that infection by T. cruzi induces bugs to assume higher risk and endure higher predation rates. We reveal a hitherto unknown trypanosome-vector interaction process that increases infected bug predation, promoting increased rates of robust oral transmission. The significant consequences of the mechanism revealed here make it a fundamental component for the resilient maintenance of sylvatic, peridomestic and domestic cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Newmar Pinto Marliére
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gustavo Lorenzo
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri
- Vector Behavior and Pathogen Interaction Group, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Gonçalves R, Logan RAE, Ismail HM, Paine MJI, Bern C, Courtenay O. Indoor residual spraying practices against Triatoma infestans in the Bolivian Chaco: contributing factors to suboptimal insecticide delivery to treated households. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:327. [PMID: 34134775 PMCID: PMC8207695 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04831-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoor residual spraying (IRS) of insecticides is a key method to reduce vector transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, causing Chagas disease in a large part of South America. However, the successes of IRS in the Gran Chaco region straddling Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay, have not equalled those in other Southern Cone countries. AIMS This study evaluated routine IRS practices and insecticide quality control in a typical endemic community in the Bolivian Chaco. METHODS Alpha-cypermethrin active ingredient (a.i.) captured onto filter papers fitted to sprayed wall surfaces, and in prepared spray tank solutions, were measured using an adapted Insecticide Quantification Kit (IQK™) validated against HPLC quantification methods. The data were analysed by mixed-effects negative binomial regression models to examine the delivered insecticide a.i. concentrations on filter papers in relation to the sprayed wall heights, spray coverage rates (surface area / spray time [m2/min]), and observed/expected spray rate ratios. Variations between health workers and householders' compliance to empty houses for IRS delivery were also evaluated. Sedimentation rates of alpha-cypermethrin a.i. post-mixing of prepared spray tanks were quantified in the laboratory. RESULTS Substantial variations were observed in the alpha-cypermethrin a.i. concentrations delivered; only 10.4% (50/480) of filter papers and 8.8% (5/57) of houses received the target concentration of 50 mg ± 20% a.i./m2. The delivered concentrations were not related to those in the matched spray tank solutions. The sedimentation of alpha-cypermethrin a.i. in the surface solution of prepared spray tanks was rapid post-mixing, resulting in a linear 3.3% loss of a.i. content per minute and 49% loss after 15 min. Only 7.5% (6/80) of houses were sprayed at the WHO recommended rate of 19 m2/min (± 10%), whereas 77.5% (62/80) were sprayed at a lower than expected rate. The median a.i. concentration delivered to houses was not significantly associated with the observed spray coverage rate. Householder compliance did not significantly influence either the spray coverage rates or the median alpha-cypermethrin a.i. concentrations delivered to houses. CONCLUSIONS Suboptimal delivery of IRS is partially attributable to the insecticide physical characteristics and the need for revision of insecticide delivery methods, which includes training of IRS teams and community education to encourage compliance. The IQK™ is a necessary field-friendly tool to improve IRS quality and to facilitate health worker training and decision-making by Chagas disease vector control managers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Gonçalves
- Zeeman Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Rhiannon A E Logan
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Vector Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Hanafy M Ismail
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Vector Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Mark J I Paine
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Vector Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Caryn Bern
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Orin Courtenay
- Zeeman Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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Natale MA, Minning T, Albareda MC, Castro Eiro MD, Álvarez MG, Lococo B, Cesar G, Bertocchi G, Elias MJ, Caputo MB, Tarleton RL, Laucella SA. Immune exhaustion in chronic Chagas disease: Pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action of IL-27 in vitro. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009473. [PMID: 34061845 PMCID: PMC8195349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [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: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In chronic Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi-specific T-cell function decreases over time, and alterations in the homeostatic IL-7/IL-7R axis are evident, consistent with a process of immune exhaustion. IL-27 is an important immunoregulatory cytokine that shares T-cell signaling with IL-7 and other cytokines of the IL-12 family and might be involved in the transcriptional regulation of T-cell function. Here, we evaluated the expression and function of IL-27R in antigen-experienced T cells from subjects with chronic Chagas disease and assessed whether in vitro treatment with IL-27 and IL-7 might improve T. cruzi-specific polyfunctional T-cell responses. In vitro exposure of PBMCs to T. cruzi induced a downregulation of IL-27R in CD4+ T cells and an upregulation in CD8+ T cells in subjects without heart disease, while IL-27R expression remained unaltered in subjects with more severe clinical stages. The modulation of IL-27R was associated with functional signaling through STAT3 and STAT5 and induction of the downstream genes TBX21, EOMES and CXCL9 in response to IL-27. In vitro treatment of PBMCs with IL-27 and IL-7 improved monofunctional and polyfunctional Th1 responses, accompanied by the induction of IL-10 and Bcl-2 expression in subjects without heart disease but did not improve those in subjects with cardiomyopathy. Our findings support the process of desensitization of the IL-27/IL-27R pathway along with disease severity and that the pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms of IL-27 might be interconnected.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Ailén Natale
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Todd Minning
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - María Cecilia Albareda
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Daiana Castro Eiro
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Bruno Lococo
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Eva Perón”, San Martín, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Cesar
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Bertocchi
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Eva Perón”, San Martín, Argentina
| | - María Josefina Elias
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Caputo
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rick Lee Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Susana Adriana Laucella
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Eva Perón”, San Martín, Argentina
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Lander N, Chiurillo MA, Docampo R. Signaling pathways involved in environmental sensing in Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Microbiol 2021; 115:819-828. [PMID: 33034088 PMCID: PMC8032824 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a unicellular parasite and the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. The parasite has a digenetic life cycle alternating between mammalian and insect hosts, where it faces a variety of environmental conditions to which it must adapt in order to survive. The adaptation to these changes is mediated by signaling pathways that coordinate the cellular responses to the new environmental settings. Major environmental changes include temperature, nutrient availability, ionic composition, pH, osmolarity, oxidative stress, contact with host cells and tissues, host immune response, and intracellular life. Some of the signaling pathways and second messengers potentially involved in the response to these changes have been elucidated in recent years and will be the subject of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Lander
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Miguel A. Chiurillo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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do Carmo Neto JR, Braga YLL, da Costa AWF, Lucio FH, do Nascimento TC, dos Reis MA, Celes MRN, de Oliveira FA, Machado JR, da Silva MV. Biomarkers and Their Possible Functions in the Intestinal Microenvironment of Chagasic Megacolon: An Overview of the (Neuro)inflammatory Process. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6668739. [PMID: 33928170 PMCID: PMC8049798 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6668739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between inflammatory processes and intestinal neuronal destruction during the progression of Chagasic megacolon is well established. However, many other components play essential roles, both in the long-term progression and control of the clinical status of patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Components such as neuronal subpopulations, enteric glial cells, mast cells and their proteases, and homeostasis-related proteins from several organic systems (serotonin and galectins) are differentially involved in the progression of Chagasic megacolon. This review is aimed at revealing the characteristics of the intestinal microenvironment found in Chagasic megacolon by using different types of already used biomarkers. Information regarding these components may provide new therapeutic alternatives and improve the understanding of the association between T. cruzi infection and immune, endocrine, and neurological system changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Rodrigues do Carmo Neto
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Yarlla Loyane Lira Braga
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Arthur Wilson Florêncio da Costa
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Hélia Lucio
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Thais Cardoso do Nascimento
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Marlene Antônia dos Reis
- Department of General Pathology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mara Rubia Nunes Celes
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Flávia Aparecida de Oliveira
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Juliana Reis Machado
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
- Department of General Pathology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinícius da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Florentino PTV, Mendes D, Vitorino FNL, Martins DJ, Cunha JPC, Mortara RA, Menck CFM. DNA damage and oxidative stress in human cells infected by Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009502. [PMID: 33826673 PMCID: PMC8087042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease. Infected cells with T. cruzi activate several responses that promote unbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may cause DNA damage that activate cellular responses including DNA repair processes. In this work, HeLa cells and AC16 human cardiomyocyte cell line were infected with T. cruzi to investigate host cell responses at genome level during parasites intracellular life cycle. In fact, alkaline sensitive sites and oxidized DNA bases were detected in the host cell genetic material particularly in early stages of infection. These DNA lesions were accompanied by phosphorylation of the histone H2Ax, inducing γH2Ax, a marker of genotoxic stress. Moreover, Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase-1 (PARP1) and 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) are recruited to host cell nuclei, indicating activation of the DNA repair process. In infected cells, chromatin-associated proteins are carbonylated, as a possible consequence of oxidative stress and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is induced early after infection, suggesting that the host cell antioxidant defenses are activated. However, at late stages of infection, NRF2 is downregulated. Interestingly, host cells treated with glutathione precursor, N-acetyl cysteine, NRF2 activator (Sulforaphane), and also Benznidonazol (BNZ) reduce parasite burst significantly, and DNA damage. These data indicate that the balance of oxidative stress and DNA damage induction in host cells may play a role during the process of infection itself, and interference in these processes may hamper T. cruzi infection, revealing potential target pathways for the therapy support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar T. V. Florentino
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Davi Mendes
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Davi J. Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julia P. C. Cunha
- Special Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato A. Mortara
- Department of Microbiology, Imunology & Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos F. M. Menck
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Rabinovich JE, Alvarez Costa A, Muñoz IJ, Schilman PE, Fountain-Jones NM. Machine-learning model led design to experimentally test species thermal limits: The case of kissing bugs (Triatominae). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0008822. [PMID: 33684127 PMCID: PMC7971882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) determines habitat suitability of a species across geographic areas using macro-climatic variables; however, micro-habitats can buffer or exacerbate the influence of macro-climatic variables, requiring links between physiology and species persistence. Experimental approaches linking species physiology to micro-climate are complex, time consuming and expensive. E.g., what combination of exposure time and temperature is important for a species thermal tolerance is difficult to judge a priori. We tackled this problem using an active learning approach that utilized machine learning methods to guide thermal tolerance experimental design for three kissing-bug species: Triatoma infestans, Rhodnius prolixus, and Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae), vectors of the parasite causing Chagas disease. As with other pathogen vectors, triatomines are well known to utilize micro-habitats and the associated shift in microclimate to enhance survival. Using a limited literature-collected dataset, our approach showed that temperature followed by exposure time were the strongest predictors of mortality; species played a minor role, and life stage was the least important. Further, we identified complex but biologically plausible nonlinear interactions between temperature and exposure time in shaping mortality, together setting the potential thermal limits of triatomines. The results from this data led to the design of new experiments with laboratory results that produced novel insights of the effects of temperature and exposure for the triatomines. These results, in turn, can be used to better model micro-climatic envelope for the species. Here we demonstrate the power of an active learning approach to explore experimental space to design laboratory studies testing species thermal limits. Our analytical pipeline can be easily adapted to other systems and we provide code to allow practitioners to perform similar analyses. Not only does our approach have the potential to save time and money: it can also increase our understanding of the links between species physiology and climate, a topic of increasing ecological importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge E. Rabinovich
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE CONICET-CCT La Plata, UNLP), National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Agustín Alvarez Costa
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología de Insectos, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), CONICET–Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ignacio J. Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología de Insectos, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), CONICET–Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E. Schilman
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología de Insectos, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), CONICET–Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Sarto MPM, Lucas da Silva HF, de Souza Fernandes N, de Abreu AP, Zanusso Junior G, de Ornelas Toledo MJ. Essential oils from Syzygium aromaticum and Zingiber officinale, administered alone or in combination with benznidazole, reduce the parasite load in mice orally inoculated with Trypanosoma cruzi II. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:77. [PMID: 33632196 PMCID: PMC7908772 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03248-8] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease (CD) or American trypanosomiasis, an important public health problem in Latin America. Benznidazole (BZ), a drug available for its treatment, has limited efficacy and significant side effects. Essential oils (EOs) have demonstrated trypanocidal activity and may constitute a therapeutic alternative. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the EOs of clove (CEO - Syzygium aromaticum) and ginger (GEO - Zingiber officinale), administered alone and in combination with BZ, in Swiss mice infected with T. cruzi. METHODS The animals were inoculated with 10,000 blood trypomastigotes of the Y strain of T. cruzi II by gavage and divided into four groups (n = 12 to 15): 1) untreated control (NT); 2) treated with BZ; 3) treated with CEO or GEO; and 4) treated with BZ + CEO or GEO. The treatments consisted of oral administration of 100 mg/kg/day, from the 5th day after parasite inoculation, for 20 consecutive days. All groups were submitted to fresh blood examination (FBE), blood culture (BC), conventional PCR (cPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR), before and after immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide. RESULTS Clove and ginger EOs, administered alone and in combination with BZ, promoted suppression of parasitemia (p < 0.0001), except for the animals treated with CEO alone, which presented a parasitemia curve similar to NT animals. However, there was a decrease in the BC positivity rate (p < 0.05) and parasite load (< 0.0001) in this group. Treatment with GEO alone, on the other hand, besides promoting a decrease in the BC positivity rate (p < 0.05) and parasite load (p < 0.01), this EO also resulted in a decrease in mortality rate (p < 0.05) of treated mice. CONCLUSIONS Decreased parasite load, as detected by qPCR, was observed in all treatment groups (BZ, CEO, GEO and BZ + EOs), demonstrating benefits even in the absence of parasitological cure, thus opening perspectives for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Paula Mansano Sarto
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Jardim Universitário, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900 Brazil
| | - Hevillyn Fernanda Lucas da Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Jardim Universitário, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900 Brazil
| | - Nilma de Souza Fernandes
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Jardim Universitário, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900 Brazil
| | - Ana Paula de Abreu
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Jardim Universitário, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900 Brazil
| | - Gerson Zanusso Junior
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Jardim Universitário, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900 Brazil
| | - Max Jean de Ornelas Toledo
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Jardim Universitário, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900 Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Jardim Universitário, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900 Brazil
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, State University of Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Jardim Universitário, Maringá, Paraná, 87020-900 Brazil
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Hzounda Fokou JB, Dize D, Etame Loe GM, Nko'o MHJ, Ngene JP, Ngoule CC, Boyom FF. Anti-leishmanial and anti-trypanosomal natural products from endophytes. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:785-796. [PMID: 33409640 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07035-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi are parasites belonging to the Trypanosomatidae family and the causative agents for two very important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), namely leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, respectively. Together, they affect millions of people worldwide and the number of cases is constantly rising; thus, further effort on identifying and developing non-toxic, affordable and effective new drug is urgently needed to overcome this alarming situation. Exploring natural products from fungal and bacterial origin remains hitherto a valuable approach to find new hits and candidates for the development of new drugs against these protozoal human infections. Endophytes, which are microorganisms (fungal and bacterial) inhabiting plant tissues, represent a promising source, as they hold potential to produce a high number of distinct chemical scaffolds. These structurally diverse natural products have previously been successfully tested against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. The present review provides an update of endophytic compounds exerting anti-trypanosomal and anti-leishmanial effects and their predicted pharmacokinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Baptiste Hzounda Fokou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon.
- Antimicrobial & Biocontrol Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Studies, Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Darline Dize
- Antimicrobial & Biocontrol Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Studies, Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Gisele Marguerite Etame Loe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Moise Henri Julien Nko'o
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Jean Pierre Ngene
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Charles Christian Ngoule
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box 2701, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Fabrice Fekam Boyom
- Antimicrobial & Biocontrol Agents Unit, Laboratory for Phytobiochemistry and Medicinal Plants Studies, Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Araújo CAC, Pacheco JPF, Waniek PJ, Geraldo RB, Sibajev A, Dos Santos AL, Evangelho VGO, Dyson PJ, Azambuja P, Ratcliffe NA, Castro HC, Mello CB. A rhamnose-binding lectin from Rhodnius prolixus and the impact of its silencing on gut bacterial microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi. Dev Comp Immunol 2021; 114:103823. [PMID: 32800901 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lectins are ubiquitous proteins involved in the immune defenses of different organisms and mainly responsible for non-self-recognition and agglutination reactions. This work describes molecular and biological characterization of a rhamnose-binding lectin (RBL) from Rhodnius prolixus, which possesses a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a mature protein of 34.6 kDa. The in-silico analysis of the primary and secondary structures of RpLec revealed a lectin domain fully conserved among previous insects studied. The three-dimensional homology model of RpLec was similar to other RBL-lectins. Docking predictions with the monosaccharides showed rhamnose and galactose-binding sites comparable to Latrophilin-1 and N-Acetylgalactosamine-binding in a different site. The effects of RpLec gene silencing on levels of infecting Trypanosoma cruzi Dm 28c and intestinal bacterial populations in the R. prolixus midgut were studied by injecting RpLec dsRNA into the R. prolixus hemocoel. Whereas T. cruzi numbers remained unchanged compared with the controls, numbers of bacteria increased significantly. The silencing also induced the up regulation of the R. prolixus defC (defensin) expression gene. These results with RpLec reveal the potential importance of this little studied molecule in the insect vector immune response and homeostasis of the gut bacterial microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A C Araújo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - J P F Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - P J Waniek
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - R B Geraldo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - A Sibajev
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Roraima, Av. Cap. Enê Garcez 2413, Boa Vista, RR, CEP 69400-000, Brazil
| | - A L Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - V G O Evangelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil
| | - P J Dyson
- Institute of Life Science, School of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - P Azambuja
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação, Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21045-900, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - N A Ratcliffe
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA28PP, UK
| | - H C Castro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil.
| | - C B Mello
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Do Gragoatá, Bloco M, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 24201-201, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia Em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Milduberger N, Bustos PL, González C, Perrone AE, Postan M, Bua J. Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Cyclophilin D deficient mice. Exp Parasitol 2021; 220:108044. [PMID: 33253715 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108044] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, which is endemic in Latin America and around the world through mother to child transmission. The heart is the organ most frequently affected in the chronic stage of the human infection and depends on mitochondria for the required energy for its activity. Cyclophilins are involved in protein folding and the mitochondrial isoform, Cyclophilin D (CyPD), has a crucial role in the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. In the present study, we infected CyPD deficient mice, with ablation of the Ppif gene, with T. cruzi parasites and the course of the infection was analyzed. Parasite load, quantified by PCR, was significantly lower in skeletal and cardiac tissues of Ppif-/- mice compared to wild type mice. In vitro cultured cardiomyocytes and macrophages from mice lacking CyPD exhibited lower percentage of infected cells and number of intracellular parasites than those observed for wild type mice. Although histopathological analysis of heart and mRNA of heart cytokines showed differences between T. cruzi-infected mice compared to the uninfected animals, no significant differences were found mice due to the ablation of the Ppif gene. Our results suggest that cells deficient for mitochondrial CyPD, inhibited for the mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, reduces the severity of parasite aggression and spread of cellular infection.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Chagas Disease/parasitology
- Peptidyl-Prolyl Isomerase F/deficiency
- Cytokines/analysis
- Cytokines/genetics
- DNA, Protozoan/isolation & purification
- Heart/parasitology
- Liver/pathology
- Macrophages, Peritoneal/cytology
- Macrophages, Peritoneal/parasitology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Muscle, Skeletal/parasitology
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Myocardium/pathology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/parasitology
- Parasite Load
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Protozoan/analysis
- RNA, Protozoan/isolation & purification
- Spleen/pathology
- Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics
- Trypanosoma cruzi/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Milduberger
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben" - ANLIS C. G. Malbrán, Paseo Colón 568, PC 1063, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia L Bustos
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben" - ANLIS C. G. Malbrán, Paseo Colón 568, PC 1063, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina González
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben" - ANLIS C. G. Malbrán, Paseo Colón 568, PC 1063, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de La Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alina E Perrone
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben" - ANLIS C. G. Malbrán, Paseo Colón 568, PC 1063, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Miriam Postan
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben" - ANLIS C. G. Malbrán, Paseo Colón 568, PC 1063, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jacqueline Bua
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben" - ANLIS C. G. Malbrán, Paseo Colón 568, PC 1063, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de La Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Vieira CS, Figueiredo MB, Moraes CDS, Pereira SB, Dyson P, Mello CB, Castro DP, Azambuja P. Azadirachtin interferes with basal immunity and microbial homeostasis in the Rhodnius prolixus midgut. Dev Comp Immunol 2021; 114:103864. [PMID: 32918931 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus is an insect vector of two flagellate parasites, Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi, the latter being the causative agent of Chagas disease in Latin America. The R. prolixus neuroendocrine system regulates the synthesis of the steroid hormone ecdysone, which is essential for not only development and molting but also insect immunity. Knowledge for how this modulates R. prolixus midgut immune responses is essential for understanding interactions between the vector, its parasites and symbiotic microbes. In the present work, we evaluated the effects of ecdysone inhibition on R. prolixus humoral immunity and homeostasis with its microbiota, using the triterpenoid natural product, azadirachtin. Our results demonstrated that azadirachtin promoted a fast and lasting inhibitory effect on expression of both RpRelish, a nuclear factor kappa B transcription factor (NF-kB) component of the IMD pathway, and several antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes. On the other hand, RpDorsal, encoding the equivalent NF-kB transcription factor in the Toll pathway, and the defC AMP gene were upregulated later in azadirachtin treated insects. The treatment also impacted on proliferation of Serratia marcescens, an abundant commensal bacterium. The simultaneous administration of ecdysone and azadirachtin in R. prolixus blood meals counteracted the azadirachtin effects on insect molting and also on expression of RpRelish and AMPs genes. These results support the direct involvement of ecdysone in regulation of the IMD pathway in the Rhodnius prolixus gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Stahl Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcela Barbosa Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Caroline da Silva Moraes
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Suelen Bastos Pereira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Paul Dyson
- School of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Cícero Brasileiro Mello
- Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniele Pereira Castro
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Azambuja
- Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil.
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Nielebock MAP, Moreira OC, Xavier SCDC, Miranda LDFC, de Lima ACB, Pereira TODJS, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, Britto C, Sangenis LHC, Saraiva RM. Association between Trypanosoma cruzi DTU TcII and chronic Chagas disease clinical presentation and outcome in an urban cohort in Brazil. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243008. [PMID: 33264350 PMCID: PMC7710061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The specific roles of parasite characteristics and immunological factors of the host in Chagas disease progression and prognosis are still under debate. Trypanosoma cruzi genotype may be an important determinant of the clinical chronic Chagas disease form and prognosis. This study aimed to identify the potential association between T. cruzi genotypes and the clinical presentations of chronic Chagas disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS This is a retrospective study using T. cruzi isolated from blood culture samples of 43 patients with chronic Chagas disease. From 43 patients, 42 were born in Brazil, mainly in Southeast and Northeast Brazilian regions, and one patient was born in Bolivia. Their mean age at the time of blood collection was 52.4±13.2 years. The clinical presentation was as follows 51.1% cardiac form, 25.6% indeterminate form, and 23.3% cardiodigestive form. Discrete typing unit (DTU) was determined by multilocus conventional PCR. TcII (n = 40) and TcVI (n = 2) were the DTUs identified. DTU was unidentifiable in one patient. The average follow-up time after blood culture was 5.7±4.4 years. A total of 14 patients (32.5%) died and one patient underwent heart transplantation. The cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest in six patients, heart failure in five patients, not related to Chagas disease in one patient, and ignored in two patients. A total of 8 patients (18.6%) progressed, all of them within the cardiac or cardiodigestive forms. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE TcII was the main T. cruzi DTU identified in chronic Chagas disease Brazilian patients (92.9%) with either cardiac, indeterminate or cardiodigestive forms, born at Southeast and Northeast regions. Other DTU found in much less frequency was TcVI (4.8%). TcII was also associated to patients that evolved with heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest, the two most common and ominous consequences of the cardiac form of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antonio Prates Nielebock
- Clinical Research Laboratory in Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacílio C. Moreira
- Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Alejandro Marcel Hasslocher-Moreno
- Clinical Research Laboratory in Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique Conde Sangenis
- Clinical Research Laboratory in Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto Magalhães Saraiva
- Clinical Research Laboratory in Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Verly T, Costa S, Lima N, Mallet J, Odêncio F, Pereira M, Moreira CJDC, Britto C, Pavan MG. Vector competence and feeding-excretion behavior of Triatoma rubrovaria (Blanchard, 1843) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi TcVI. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008712. [PMID: 32970687 PMCID: PMC7544132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies addressed changes on the insect vector behavior due to parasite infection, but little is known for triatomine bugs, vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. We assessed infection rates and metacyclogenesis of T. cruzi (TcVI) in fifth-instar nymphs of Triatoma rubrovaria comparing with the primary vector Triatoma infestans. Also, biological parameters related to feeding-excretion behavior were evaluated aiming to identify which variables are most influenced by T. cruzi infection. Methodology/principal findings Fifth-instar nymphs of T. rubrovaria and T. infestans were fed on mice infected with T. cruzi (TcVI). We compared the presence and the number of parasite evolutive forms in excreta of both triatomine species at 30, 60 and 90 days post-infection (dpi) with traditional statistical analyses. Moreover, both species were analyzed through generalized linear models and multinomial logistic regression hypotheses for seven behavioral parameters related to host-seeking and feeding-excretion. Triatoma rubrovaria and T. infestans had similar overall infection and metacyclogenesis rates of T. cruzi TcVI in laboratory conditions. Regarding vector behavior, we confirmed that the triatomine’s tendency is to move away from the bite region after a blood meal, probably to avoid being noticed by the vertebrate host. Interspecific differences were observed on the volume of blood ingested and on the proportion of individuals that excreted after the blood meal, revealing the higher feeding efficiency and dejection rates of T. infestans. The amount of ingested blood and the bite behavior of T. rubrovaria seems to be influenced by TcVI infection. Infected specimens tended to ingest ~25% more blood and to bite more the head of the host. Noteworthy, in two occasions, kleptohematophagy and coprophagy behaviors were also observed in T. rubrovaria. Conclusions/significance Laboratory infections revealed similar rate of T. cruzi TcVI trypomatigotes in excreta of T. rubrovaria and T. infestans, one of the most epidemiological important vectors of T. cruzi. Therefore, TcVI DTU was able to complete its life cycle in T. rubrovaria under laboratory conditions, and this infection changed the feeding behavior of T. rubrovaria. Considering these results, T. rubrovaria must be kept under constant entomological surveillance in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Chagas disease is caused by the etiological agent Trypanosoma cruzi and is mainly transmitted through the excreta of triatomine vectors. It is endemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting ~8 million people. Control programs are based on the elimination of domestic vectors through insecticide-spraying indoors, since there is no vaccine or efficient treatment for chronic patients. However, this strategy is not sustainable where native triatomine species are capable of colonizing peridomestic structures and reinvading human dwellings. Since the ‘virtual’ elimination of Triatomainfestans in Brazil (residual foci remain in Rio Grande do Sul and Bahia), specimens of the native Triatoma rubrovaria have been constantly collected inside human dwellings and peridomiciliary ecotopes in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, which might represent a real risk for human infections. Here we analyzed a unique and large dataset through classical and modern statistical methods to evaluate T. cruzi infection in T. rubrovaria and to identify host-seeking, and also feeding/excretion behavioral traits that could be influenced by the parasite. Our results indicated that the parasite infection caused changes in T. rubrovaria feeding behavior that could increase T. cruzi TcVI transmission. Moreover, this vector species had similar infection rate to one of the main important Chagas disease vectors in South America, T. infestans. Therefore, T. rubrovaria must be kept under constant entomological surveillance in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaiane Verly
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stephanie Costa
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathanielly Lima
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jacenir Mallet
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Vigilância Entomológica em Diptera e Hemiptera, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Universidade Iguaçu - UNIG, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Francisco Odêncio
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mirian Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Márcio G. Pavan
- Laboratório de Mosquitos Transmissores de Hematozoários, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Besuschio SA, Picado A, Muñoz-Calderón A, Wehrendt DP, Fernández M, Benatar A, Diaz-Bello Z, Irurtia C, Cruz I, Ndung’u JM, Cafferata ML, Montenegro G, Sosa Estani S, Lucero RH, Alarcón de Noya B, Longhi SA, Schijman AG. Trypanosoma cruzi loop-mediated isothermal amplification (Trypanosoma cruzi Loopamp) kit for detection of congenital, acute and Chagas disease reactivation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008402. [PMID: 32797041 PMCID: PMC7458301 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A Trypanosoma cruzi Loopamp kit was recently developed as a ready-to-use diagnostic method requiring minimal laboratory facilities. We evaluated its diagnostic accuracy for detection of acute Chagas disease (CD) in different epidemiological and clinical scenarios. In this retrospective study, a convenience series of clinical samples (venous blood treated with EDTA or different stabilizer agents, heel-prick blood in filter paper or cerebrospinal fluid samples (CSF)) from 30 infants born to seropositive mothers (13 with congenital CD and 17 noninfected), four recipients of organs from CD donors, six orally-infected cases after consumption of contaminated guava juice and six CD patients coinfected with HIV at risk of CD reactivation (N = 46 patients, 46 blood samples and 1 CSF sample) were tested by T. cruzi Loopamp kit (Tc LAMP) and standardized quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). T. cruzi Loopamp accuracy was estimated using the case definition in the different groups as a reference. Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) was applied to measure the agreement between Tc LAMP (index test) and qPCR (reference test). Sensitivity and specificity of T. cruzi Loopamp kit in blood samples from the pooled clinical groups was 93% (95% CI: 77-99) and 100% (95% CI: 80-100) respectively. The agreement between Tc LAMP and qPCR was almost perfect (κ = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.62-1.00). The T. cruzi Loopamp kit was sensitive and specific for detection of T. cruzi infection. It was carried out from DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples (via frozen EDTA blood, guanidine hydrochloride-EDTA blood, DNAgard blood and dried blood spots), as well as in CSF specimens infected with TcI or TcII/V/VI parasite populations. The T. cruzi Loopamp kit appears potentially useful for rapid detection of T. cruzi infection in congenital, acute and CD reactivation due to HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana A. Besuschio
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr Héctor Torres”, (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Albert Picado
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Arturo Muñoz-Calderón
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr Héctor Torres”, (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diana P Wehrendt
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr Héctor Torres”, (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marisa Fernández
- Hospital de Enfermedades Infecciosas “Dr. Francisco J. Muñiz” Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología, “Dr Mario Fatala Chabén”, ANLIS CG Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Benatar
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr Héctor Torres”, (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Zoraida Diaz-Bello
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela 5
| | - Cecilia Irurtia
- Hospital Nacional “Profesor Alejandro Posadas”, Villa Sarmiento, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Israel Cruz
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joseph M Ndung’u
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - María L Cafferata
- Departamento en Salud de la Madre y el Niño, Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria – Centro de Investigación en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (IECS-CIESP), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Montenegro
- Hospital Nacional “Profesor Alejandro Posadas”, Villa Sarmiento, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sergio Sosa Estani
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología, “Dr Mario Fatala Chabén”, ANLIS CG Malbrán, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Raúl H. Lucero
- Área de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Argentina
| | | | - Silvia A Longhi
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr Héctor Torres”, (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr Héctor Torres”, (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Arun A, Rayford KJ, Cooley A, Rachakonda G, Villalta F, Pratap S, Lima MF, Sheibani N, Nde PN. Thrombospondin-1 Plays an Essential Role in Yes-Associated Protein Nuclear Translocation during the Early Phase of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Heart Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144912. [PMID: 32664627 PMCID: PMC7403984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease. This neglected tropical disease causes severe morbidity and mortality in endemic regions. About 30% of T. cruzi infected individuals will present with cardiac complications. Invasive trypomastigotes released from infected cells can be carried in the vascular endothelial system to infect neighboring and distant cells. During the process of cellular infection, the parasite induces host cells, to increase the levels of host thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), to facilitate the process of infection. TSP-1 plays important roles in the functioning of vascular cells, including vascular endothelial cells with important implications in cardiovascular health. Many signal transduction pathways, including the yes-associated protein 1 (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator, with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling, which are upstream of TSP-1, have been linked to the pathophysiology of heart damage. The molecular mechanisms by which T. cruzi signals, and eventually infects, heart endothelial cells remain unknown. To evaluate the importance of TSP-1 expression in heart endothelial cells during the process of T. cruzi infection, we exposed heart endothelial cells prepared from Wild Type and TSP-1 Knockout mouse to invasive T. cruzi trypomastigotes at multiple time points, and evaluated changes in the hippo signaling cascade using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays. We found that the parasite turned off the hippo signaling pathway in TSP-1KO heart endothelial cells. The levels of SAV1 and MOB1A increased to a maximum of 2.70 ± 0.23 and 5.74 ± 1.45-fold at 3 and 6 h, respectively, in TSP-1KO mouse heart endothelial cells (MHEC), compared to WT MHEC, following a parasite challenge. This was accompanied by a significant continuous increase in the nuclear translocation of downstream effector molecule YAP, to a maximum mean nuclear fluorescence intensity of 10.14 ± 0.40 at 6 h, compared to wild type cells. Furthermore, we found that increased nuclear translocated YAP significantly colocalized with the transcription co-activator molecule pan-TEAD, with a maximum Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.51 ± 0.06 at 6 h, compared to YAP-Pan-TEAD colocalization in the WT MHEC, which decreased significantly, with a minimum Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.30 ± 0.01 at 6 h. Our data indicate that, during the early phase of infection, upregulated TSP-1 is essential for the regulation of the hippo signaling pathway. These studies advance our understanding of the molecular interactions occurring between heart endothelial cells and T. cruzi, in the presence and absence of TSP-1, providing insights into processes linked to parasite dissemination and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Arun
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Kayla J. Rayford
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Ayorinde Cooley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Girish Rachakonda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
| | - Siddharth Pratap
- School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (S.P.); (M.F.L.)
| | - Maria F. Lima
- School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (S.P.); (M.F.L.)
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Nader Sheibani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering and Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Pius N. Nde
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (A.A.); (K.J.R.); (A.C.); (G.R.); (F.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-615-327-6997
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