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da Silva RJ, Cabo LF, George JL, Cahoon LA, Yang L, Coyne CB, Boyle JP. The trophoblast surface becomes refractory to adhesion by congenitally transmitted Toxoplasma gondii and Listeria monocytogenes during cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast development. mSphere 2024:e0074823. [PMID: 38771057 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00748-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a critical barrier against viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic pathogens. For most teratogenic pathogens, the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance are still being unraveled. Given the importance of understanding these mechanisms and challenges in replicating trophoblast-pathogen interactions using in vitro models, we tested an existing stem-cell-derived model of trophoblast development for its relevance to infection with Toxoplasma gondii. We grew human trophoblast stem cells (TSCT) under conditions leading to either syncytiotrophoblast (TSSYN) or cytotrophoblast (TSCYT) and infected them with T. gondii. We evaluated T. gondii proliferation and invasion, cell ultrastructure, as well as for transcriptome changes after infection. TSSYNs cells showed similar ultrastructure compared to primary cells and villous explants when analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a resistance to T. gondii adhesion could be visualized on the SEM level. Furthermore, TSSYNs were highly refractory to parasite adhesion and replication, while TSCYTs were not. RNA-seq data on mock-treated and infected cells identified differences between cell types as well as how they responded to T. gondii infection. We also evaluated if TSSC-derived SYNs and CYTs had distinct resistance profiles to another vertically transmitted facultative intracellular pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. We demonstrate that TSSYNs are highly resistant to L. monocytogenes, while TSCYTs are not. Like T. gondii, TSSYN resistance to L. monocytogenes was at the level of bacterial adhesion. Altogether, our data indicate that stem-cell-derived trophoblasts recapitulate resistance profiles of primary cells to T. gondii and highlight the critical importance of the placental surface in cell-autonomous resistance to teratogens.IMPORTANCECongenital toxoplasmosis can cause a devastating consequence to the fetus. To reach the fetus's tissues, Toxoplasma gondii must cross the placenta barrier. However, how this parasite crosses the placenta and the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance to this parasite are still unknown. In this study, we aimed to characterize a new cellular model of human trophoblast stem cells to determine their resistance, susceptibility, and response to T. gondii. Syncytiotrophoblast derived from trophoblast stem cells recapitulate the resistance profile similarly to placenta cells. We also showed that these cells are highly resistant to Listeria monocytogenes, at the level of bacterial adhesion. Our results suggest that resisting pathogen adhesion/attachment may be a generalized mechanism of syncytiotrophoblast resistance, and trophoblast stem cells represent a promising model to investigate cell-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to pathogen adhesion and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela J da Silva
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leah F Cabo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jada L George
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laty A Cahoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Liheng Yang
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carolyn B Coyne
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jon P Boyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Karampas G, Koulouraki S, Daikos GL, Nanou C, Aravantinos L, Eleftheriades M, Metallinou D, Christopoulos P. Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Twin Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2400. [PMID: 38673673 PMCID: PMC11051246 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), often referred to as kala-azar, is quite rare in developed countries during pregnancy. Only few studies have evaluated its impact on perinatal outcome. It is caused primarily by Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum and presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations from cutaneous ulcers to multisystem disease. Differential diagnosis is challenging as symptoms and signs are insidious, mimicking other diseases. Misdiagnosis can result in severe adverse perinatal outcomes, even maternal/neonatal death. Early treatment with liposomal amphotericin-B (LAmB) is currently the first choice with adequate effectiveness. We report a rare case of VL in a twin pregnancy with onset at the second trimester, presenting with periodic fever with rigors, right flank pain, and gradual dysregulation of all three cell lines. The positive rK39 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment with LAmB resulted in clinical improvement within 48 h and in the delivery of two late-preterm healthy neonates with no symptoms or signs of vertical transmission. The one-year follow-up, of the mother and the neonates, was negative for recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of VL in a twin pregnancy, and consequently treatment and perinatal outcome are of great importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigorios Karampas
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece; (G.K.); (S.K.); (L.A.); (M.E.); (P.C.)
| | - Sevasti Koulouraki
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece; (G.K.); (S.K.); (L.A.); (M.E.); (P.C.)
| | - George L. Daikos
- Mitera Hospital, 6, Erythrou Stavrou Str., 151 23 Athens, Greece;
| | - Christina Nanou
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, 122 43 Athens, Greece;
| | - Leon Aravantinos
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece; (G.K.); (S.K.); (L.A.); (M.E.); (P.C.)
| | - Makarios Eleftheriades
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece; (G.K.); (S.K.); (L.A.); (M.E.); (P.C.)
| | - Dimitra Metallinou
- Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, 122 43 Athens, Greece;
| | - Panagiotis Christopoulos
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieio University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece; (G.K.); (S.K.); (L.A.); (M.E.); (P.C.)
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Okoroiwu HU, Edet UO, Uchendu IK, Echieh CP, Nneoyi-Egbe AF, Anyanwu SO, Umoh EA, Nwaiwu NP, Mbabuike IU. Causes of infant and under-five (under-5) morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients in Southern Nigeria: A hospital based study. J Public Health Res 2024; 13:22799036241231787. [PMID: 38405688 PMCID: PMC10894548 DOI: 10.1177/22799036241231787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Rate and pattern of under-five mortality is a reflection of a society's healthcare system and quality of life. This study is aimed at reviewing the causes of infants and under-five morbidity and mortality in Calabar, Southern Nigeria. Methods This study used retrospective descriptive cross-sectional design. We did a retrospective collation of data on under-five morbidity and mortality from 2012 to 2017 of under-five patients admitted or died while in admission in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. The causes of morbidity and mortality were reported based on International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD-10). The morbidity, mortality and fatality rates were computed. Results A total of 11,416 under-five admissions and 391 deaths were recorded within the study period giving a fatality rate of 3.4%. Age 1-4 years category represented 50.5% of the admissions while infants (<1 year) constitute majority of the deaths (64.7%). There were 5652 infant admissions and 253 infant deaths giving fatality rate of 4.5% within the study period. Males constituted majority (55.8%) of under-five morbidity whereas females constituted majority (51.2%) of the deaths. Conditions originating from perinatal period; and infectious and parasitic diseases were the leading broad cause of under-five mortality. Specific disease analysis showed sepsis/septicemia; congenital infectious and parasitic diseases; slow fetal growth, malnutrition and short gestation as the chief causes of both infant and under-five mortality. Conclusion The leading causes of under-five deaths in the studied population are amenable. Improved healthcare and antenatal will be of immense benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henshaw Uchechi Okoroiwu
- Medical Laboratory Science Department, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
- Haematology Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Uwem Okon Edet
- Department of Biological Science (Microbiology Unit), Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Ikenna Kingsley Uchendu
- Clinical Chemistry Division, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Chidiebere Peter Echieh
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
| | | | - Stanley Obialor Anyanwu
- Department of Histopathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | | | - Ndidi Patience Nwaiwu
- Medical Laboratory Science Department, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
| | - Ikenna Uchechukwu Mbabuike
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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da Silva RJ, Cabo LF, George JL, Cahoon LA, Yang L, Coyne CB, Boyle JP. Human trophoblast stem cells can be used to model placental susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii and highlight the critical importance of the trophoblast cell surface in pathogen resistance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.10.566663. [PMID: 37986837 PMCID: PMC10659356 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.10.566663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a critical barrier against viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic pathogens. For most teratogenic pathogens, the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance are still being unraveled. Given the importance to understand these mechanisms and challenges in replicating trophoblast- pathogen interactions using in vitro models, we tested an existing stem-cell derived model of trophoblast development for its relevance to infection with Toxoplasma gondii . We grew human trophoblast stem cells (TS CT ) under conditions leading to either syncytiotrophoblast (TS SYN ) or cytotrophoblast (TS CYT ) and infected them with T. gondii . We evaluated T. gondii proliferation and invasion, cell ultrastructure, as well as for transcriptome changes after infection. TS SYNs cells showed similar ultrastructure compared to primary cells and villous explants when analyzed by TEM and SEM, a resistance to T. gondii adhesion could be visualized on the SEM level. Furthermore, TS SYNs were highly refractory to parasite adhesion and replication, while TS CYT were not. RNA-seq data on mock-treated and infected cells identified differences between cell types as well as how they responded to T. gondii infection. We also evaluated if TS SC -derived SYNs and CYTs had distinct resistance profiles to another vertically transmitted facultative intracellular pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes . We demonstrate that TS SYNs are highly resistant to L. monocytogenes , while TS CYTs are not. Like T. gondii , TS SYN resistance to L. monocytogenes was at the level of bacterial adhesion. Altogether, our data indicate that stem-cell derived trophoblasts recapitulate resistance profiles of primary cells to T. gondii and highlight the critical importance of the placental surface in cell-autonomous resistance to teratogens.
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Vanagas L, Muñoz D, Cristaldi C, Ganuza A, Nájera R, Bonardi MC, Turowski VR, Guzman F, Deng B, Kim K, Sullivan WJ, Angel SO. Histone variant H2B.Z acetylation is necessary for maintenance of Toxoplasma gondii biological fitness. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194943. [PMID: 37217032 PMCID: PMC10524646 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Through regulation of DNA packaging, histone proteins are fundamental to a wide array of biological processes. A variety of post-translational modifications (PTMs), including acetylation, constitute a proposed histone code that is interpreted by "reader" proteins to modulate chromatin structure. Canonical histones can be replaced with variant versions that add an additional layer of regulatory complexity. The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is unique among eukaryotes in possessing a novel variant of H2B designated H2B.Z. The combination of PTMs and the use of histone variants are important for gene regulation in T. gondii, offering new targets for drug development. In this work, T. gondii parasites were generated in which the 5 N-terminal acetylatable lysines in H2B.Z were mutated to either alanine (c-Myc-A) or arginine (c-Myc-R). The c-Myc-A mutant displayed no phenotype over than a mild defect in its ability to kill mice. The c-Myc-R mutant presented an impaired ability to grow and an increase in differentiation to latent bradyzoites. The c-Myc-R mutant was also more sensitive to DNA damage, displayed no virulence in mice, and provided protective immunity against future infection. While nucleosome composition was unaltered, key genes were abnormally expressed during in vitro bradyzoite differentiation. Our results show that regulation of the N-terminal positive charge patch of H2B.Z is important for these processes. We also show that acetylated N-terminal H2B.Z interacts with some unique proteins compared to its unacetylated counterpart; the acetylated peptide pulled down proteins associated with chromosome maintenance/segregation and cell cycle, suggesting a link between H2B.Z acetylation status and mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vanagas
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA, Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Daniela Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA, Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Constanza Cristaldi
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA, Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Ganuza
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA, Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosario Nájera
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA, Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mabel C Bonardi
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA, Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria R Turowski
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Celular de Parásitos, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fanny Guzman
- Núcleo de Biotecnología Curauma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Av. Universidad 330 Curauma, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Bin Deng
- Department of Biology and VBRN, University of Vermont, VT, USA
| | - Kami Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - William J Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sergio O Angel
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, B7130IIWA, Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Abugri DA, Wijerathne SVT, Sharma HN, Ayariga JA, Napier A, Robertson BK. Quercetin inhibits Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite proliferation and acts synergically with azithromycin. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:261. [PMID: 37537675 PMCID: PMC10401810 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05849-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Quercetin (QUE) is a natural polyphenol known to have numerous pharmacological properties against infectious and non-infectious diseases. Azithromycin (AZ) is an antibiotic that belongs to the azalide class of antimicrobials and an antiparasitic that is known to be effective in combination with clindamycin against pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine-resistant Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in clinical settings. Both compounds are known to target protein synthesis and have anti-inflammatory properties. However, little is known about QUE and AZ synergistic interaction against T. gondii growth. Here, we report for the first time the effects of the combination of QUE and AZ on T. gondii growth. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) for QUE at 72 h of interaction was determined to be 0.50 µM, whereas AZ gave an IC50 value of 0.66 µM at 72 h of interaction with parasites. Combination testing of QUE and AZ in a ratio of 2:1 (QUE:AZ) showed an IC50 value of 0.081 µM. Interestingly, a fractional inhibitory index value of 0.28 was observed, indicating a strong synergy. QUE was also found to upregulate the generation of reactive oxygen species and cause dysfunction of the mitochondria membrane of both intracellular and extracellular T. gondii tachyzoites. Overall, the results indicate that QUE is a novel lead capable of synergizing with AZ for inhibiting T. gondii growth and may merit future investigation in vivo for possible combination drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Abugri
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA.
- Microbiology PhD Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA.
- Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Parasitology and Drug Discovery, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA.
| | - Sandani V T Wijerathne
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
- Microbiology PhD Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Homa Nath Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
- Microbiology PhD Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
- Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Parasitology and Drug Discovery, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Joseph A Ayariga
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Audrey Napier
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Boakai K Robertson
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
- Microbiology PhD Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
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Jiang Y, Xin S, Ma Y, Zhang H, Yang X, Yang Y. Low Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep and Isolation of a Viable Strain from Edible Mutton from Central China. Pathogens 2023; 12:827. [PMID: 37375517 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sheep are highly susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii, and miscarriage is the main clinical feature. This study investigated 227 sheep samples (210 myocardial tissues from slaughterhouses, 6 ewe serum samples, 3 aborted fetuses, and 8 dead lambs from veterinary clinics) from central China for T. gondii infection. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the modified agglutination test (MAT). PCR was performed to detect T. gondii DNA in the tissue samples. The results showed that four samples were seropositive (MAT titer ≥ 1:100), with a seroprevalence of 1.8% (4/227). The seropositive samples included two myocardial samples from a slaughterhouse, one ewe and its aborted fetus from a veterinary clinic. The results revealed that 7 out of 207 (3.4%) sheep tissue samples were PCR-positive, including two myocardial tissue samples from slaughterhouses, three aborted fetuses, and two lambs from veterinary clinics. Toxoplasma gondii vertical transmission had occurred in two of three pairs of ewes and her pups. One viable T. gondii strain (TgSheepCHn14) was isolated from the myocardial tissues of sheep from a slaughterhouse. Tachyzoites were obtained from cell cultures at 70 days following seeding in the brains and lungs of mice. This strain was non-lethal to Swiss mice. The number of parasite brain cysts in mice decreased with time post-infection (p < 0.05). Overall, the prevalence of T. gondii in the sheep samples was low. Although the samples were scattered, and not from planned collections, the current study detected T. gondii antibodies and DNA in aborted fetuses, indicating that vertical transmission could occur and maintain the parasites in sheep herds without exogenous infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibao Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Shilin Xin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yiheng Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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8
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Msallam R, Redegeld FA. Mast cells-fetal mast cells crosstalk with maternal interfaces during pregnancy: Friend or foe? Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e13943. [PMID: 37102389 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Mast cells (MC) are hematopoietic immune cells that play a major role during allergic reactions in adults by releasing a myriad of vasoactive and inflammatory mediators. MC seed all vascularized tissues and are most prominent in organs with a barrier function such as skin, lungs, and intestines. These secreted molecules cause mild symptoms such as localized itchiness and sneezing to life-threatening symptoms (i.e., anaphylactic shock). Presently, despite the extensive research on Th2-mediated immune responses in allergic diseases in adults, we are still unable to determine the mechanisms of the role of MC in developing pediatric allergic (PA) disorders. In this review, we will summarize the most recent findings on the origin of MC and discuss the underappreciated contribution of MC in the sensitization phase to maternal antibodies during pregnancy in allergic reactions and other diseases such as infectious diseases. Then, we will lay out potential MC-dependent therapeutic strategies to be considered in future investigations to understand the remaining gaps in MC research for a better quality of life for these young patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Msallam
- Next Gen of Immunology (NGIg) Consultancy, Dubai, UAE
| | - Frank A Redegeld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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9
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Vanagas L, Muñoz D, Cristaldi C, Ganuza A, Nájera R, Bonardi MC, Turowski VR, Guzman F, Deng B, Kim K, Sullivan WJ, Angel SO. Histone variant H2B.Z acetylation is necessary for maintenance of Toxoplasma gondii biological fitness. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.14.528480. [PMID: 36824796 PMCID: PMC9949044 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.14.528480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Through regulation of DNA packaging, histone proteins are fundamental to a wide array of biological processes. A variety of post-translational modifications (PTMs), including acetylation, constitute a proposed histone code that is interpreted by "reader" proteins to modulate chromatin structure. Canonical histones can be replaced with variant versions that add an additional layer of regulatory complexity. The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is unique among eukaryotes in possessing a novel variant of H2B designated H2B.Z. The combination of PTMs and the use of histone variants is important for gene regulation in T. gondii, offering new targets for drug development. In this work, T. gondii parasites were generated in which the 5 N-terminal acetylatable lysines in H2B.Z were mutated to either alanine (c-Myc-A) or arginine (c-Myc-R). c-Myc-A mutant only displayed a mild effect in its ability to kill mice. c-Myc-R mutant presented an impaired ability to grow and an increase in differentiation to latent bradyzoites. This mutant line was also more sensitive to DNA damage, displayed no virulence in mice, and provided protective immunity against future infection. While nucleosome composition was unaltered, key genes were abnormally expressed during in vitro bradyzoite differentiation. Our results show that the N-terminal positive charge patch of H2B.Z is important for these procceses. Pull down assays with acetylated N-terminal H2B.Z peptide and unacetylated one retrieved common and differential interactors. Acetylated peptide pulled down proteins associated with chromosome maintenance/segregation and cell cycle, opening the question of a possible link between H2B.Z acetylation status and mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vanagas
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, (B7130IIWA), Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, (B7130IIWA), Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Constanza Cristaldi
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, (B7130IIWA), Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Ganuza
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, (B7130IIWA), Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosario Nájera
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, (B7130IIWA), Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mabel C. Bonardi
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, (B7130IIWA), Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria R. Turowski
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Celular de Parásitos, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, (B7130IIWA), Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fanny Guzman
- Núcleo de Biotecnología Curauma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso. Av. Universidad 330 Curauma, Valparaiso
| | - Bin Deng
- Department of Biology and VBRN, University of Vermont, Vermont, USA
| | - Kami Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612
| | - William J. Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
| | - Sergio O. Angel
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Av. Intendente Marino Km. 8.2, C.C 164, (B7130IIWA), Chascomús, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
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10
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Siyadatpanah A, Norouzi R, Mirzaei F, Haghirosadat BF, Nissapatorn V, Mitsuwan W, Nawaz M, Pereira ML, Hosseini SA, Montazeri M, Majdizadeh M, Almeida RS, Hemati M, Wilairatana P, Coutinho HDM. Green synthesis of nano-liposomes containing Bunium persicum and Trachyspermum ammi essential oils against Trichomonasvaginalis. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2023; 56:150-162. [PMID: 35864068 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasitic flagellated protozoan, is one of the main non-viral sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Treatment options for trichomoniasis are limited to nitroimidazole compounds. However, resistance to these drugs has been reported, which requires the development of new anti-Trichomonas agents that confer suitable efficacy and less toxicity. METHODS In the present work, we assessed the effectiveness of the liposomal system containing essential oils of Bunium persicum and Trachyspermum ammi against T. vaginalis in vitro. The chemical composition of B. persicum and T. ammi were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Liposomal vesicles were prepared with phosphatidylcholine) 70%) and cholesterol)30%) using the thin-film method. The essential oils of B. persicum and T. ammi were loaded into the liposomes using the inactive loading method. Liposomal vesicles were made for two plants separately. Their physicochemical features were tested using Zeta-Sizer, AFM and SEM. The anti-Trichomonas activity was determined after 12 and 24 h of parasite cultures in TYI-S-33 medium. RESULTS After 12 and 24 h of administration, the IC50 of the B. persicum essential oil nano-liposomes induced 14.41 μg/mL and 45.19 μg/mL, respectively. The IC50 of T. ammi essential oil nano-liposomes induced 8.08 μg/mL and 25.81 μg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These data suggested that nano-liposomes of the essential oils of B. persicum and T. ammi may be a promising alternative to current treatments for Trichomonas infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolghasem Siyadatpanah
- Ferdows School of Paramedical and Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran; Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
| | - Roghayeh Norouzi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Farzaneh Mirzaei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
| | - Bibi Fatemeh Haghirosadat
- Medical Nanotechnology & Tissue Engineering Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
| | - Veeranoot Nissapatorn
- School of Allied Health Sciences and World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
| | - Watcharapong Mitsuwan
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, And Research Center of Excellence in Innovation of Essential Oil, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
| | - Muhammad Nawaz
- Department of Nano-Medicine Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Maria Lourdes Pereira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials & Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | | | - Mahbobeh Montazeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Majdizadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Nano-Biotechnology, Nano-Biotech Foresight Company, Science & Technology Park of Yazd, Yazd, Iran.
| | - Ray S Almeida
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri - URCA, Crato, Brazil.
| | - Mahdie Hemati
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
| | - Polrat Wilairatana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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11
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Souza JS, Farani PSG, Ferreira BIS, Barbosa HS, Menna-Barreto RFS, Moreira OC, Mariante RM. Establishment of a murine model of congenital toxoplasmosis and validation of a qPCR assay to assess the parasite load in maternal and fetal tissues. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1124378. [PMID: 36922978 PMCID: PMC10009190 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1124378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects warm-blooded animals and one third of the human population worldwide. Pregnant women who have never been exposed to the parasite constitute an important risk group, as infection during pregnancy often leads to congenital toxoplasmosis, the most severe form of the disease. Current therapy for toxoplasmosis is the same as it was 50 years ago and has little or no effect when vertical transmission occurs. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new strategies to prevent mother-to-fetus transmission. The implementation of experimental animal models of congenital toxoplasmosis that reproduces the transmission rates and clinical signs in humans opens an avenue of possibilities to interfere in the progression of the disease. In addition, knowing the parasite load in maternal and fetal tissues after infection, which may be related to organ abnormalities and disease outcome, is another important step in designing a promising intervention strategy. Therefore, we implemented here a murine model of congenital toxoplasmosis with outbred Swiss Webster mice infected intravenously with tachyzoites of the ME49 strain of T. gondii that mimics the frequency of transmission of the parasite, as well as important clinical signs of human congenital toxoplasmosis, such as macrocephaly, in addition to providing a highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR assay to assess parasite load in mouse tissues. As the disease is not restricted to humans, also affecting several domestic animals, including companion animals and livestock, they can also benefit from the model presented in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica S Souza
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Priscila S G Farani
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Biological Science, Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Beatriz I S Ferreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helene S Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Otacilio C Moreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Mariante
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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12
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Martínez AFF, Teixeira SC, de Souza G, Rosini AM, Júnior JPDL, Melo GN, Blandón KOE, Gomes AO, Ambrósio SR, Veneziani RCS, Bastos JK, Martins CHG, Ferro EAV, Barbosa BF. Leaf hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin from Copaifera multijuga control Toxoplasma gondii infection in human trophoblast cells and placental explants from third-trimester pregnancy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1113896. [PMID: 36860986 PMCID: PMC9970041 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1113896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The conventional treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis is mainly based on the combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. However, therapy with these drugs is associated with severe side effects and resistance, requiring the study of new therapeutic strategies. There are currently many studies with natural products, including Copaifera oleoresin, showing actions against some pathogens, as Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the leaf hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin from Copaifera multijuga against Toxoplasma gondii in human villous (BeWo) and extravillous (HTR8/SVneo) trophoblast cells, as well as in human villous explants from third-trimester pregnancy. For this purpose, both cells and villous explants were infected or not with T. gondii, treated with hydroalcoholic extract or oleoresin from C. multijuga and analyzed for toxicity, parasite proliferation, cytokine and ROS production. In parallel, both cells were infected by tachyzoites pretreated with hydroalcoholic extract or oleoresin, and adhesion, invasion and replication of the parasite were observed. Our results showed that the extract and oleoresin did not trigger toxicity in small concentrations and were able to reduce the T. gondii intracellular proliferation in cells previously infected. Also, the hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin demonstrated an irreversible antiparasitic action in BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cells. Next, adhesion, invasion and replication of T. gondii were dampened when BeWo or HTR8/SVneo cells were infected with pretreated tachyzoites. Finally, infected and treated BeWo cells upregulated IL-6 and downmodulated IL-8, while HTR8/SVneo cells did not change significantly these cytokines when infected and treated. Finally, both the extract and oleoresin reduced the T. gondii proliferation in human explants, and no significant changes were observed in relation to cytokine production. Thus, compounds from C. multijuga presented different antiparasitic activities that were dependent on the experimental model, being the direct action on tachyzoites a common mechanism operating in both cells and villi. Considering all these parameters, the hydroalcoholic extract and oleoresin from C. multijuga can be a target for the establishment of new therapeutic strategy for congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryani Felixa Fajardo Martínez
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Joed Pires de Lima Júnior
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Nogueira Melo
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Kelvin Orlando Espinoza Blandón
- Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Angelica Oliveira Gomes
- Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Sergio Ricardo Ambrósio
- Nucleus of Research in Technological and Exact Sciences, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil
| | | | - Jairo Kenupp Bastos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Bellisa Freitas Barbosa,
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13
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Hosseini SA, Sharif M, Sarvi S, Mirzaei N, Abediankenari S, Arefkhah N, Amouei A, Gholami S, Anvari D, Ahmadpour E, Javidnia J, Jafar-Ramaji T, Daryani A. Identification and multilocus genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from congenital infection in north of Iran. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:177-184. [PMID: 36369362 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07714-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis can cause severe consequences in the fetus, such as spontaneous abortion which is affected by parasite strain. Also, recent studies revealed the high genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii. This study aims to investigate the serological status of T. gondii in pregnant women, multilocus genotyping in aborted fetuses' tissue, and archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placenta. This study was performed on 100 pregnant women with spontaneous abortion and their aborted fetuses, and 250 of the archived placentae in Iran. The blood and tissue were examined for seroprevalence and genotype determination of T. gondii using ELISA and multilocus nested-PCR-RFLP, respectively. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM were detected in 68 samples (68%) and 1 (1%) out of 100 serums. Toxoplasma DNA was identified in 1 (1%) aborted fetuses' tissue and 32 (12.8%) placenta samples. Overall, ten positive DNA samples were successfully genotyped, and five genotypes were recognized (ToxoDB#1, #2, #10, #27, and #48). The obtained results indicated congenital toxoplasmosis is a severe risk in this region. As type I is highly pathogen and can lead to severe complications, the prevention of the infection should be considered in seronegative pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Abdollah Hosseini
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Nazanin Mirzaei
- Tonekabon Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeid Abediankenari
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasir Arefkhah
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Amouei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Sara Gholami
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Davood Anvari
- School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Department of Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahereh Jafar-Ramaji
- Tonekabon Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran. .,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.
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14
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Zabel RR, Favaro RR, Groten T, Brownbill P, Jones S. Ex vivo perfusion of the human placenta to investigate pregnancy pathologies. Placenta 2022; 130:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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15
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Oliveira-Scussel ACDM, Ferreira PTM, Resende RDS, Ratkevicius-Andrade CM, Gomes ADO, Paschoini MC, De Vito FB, Farnesi-de-Assunção TS, da Silva MV, Mineo JR, Rodrigues DBR, Rodrigues V. Association of gestational diabetes mellitus and negative modulation of the specific humoral and cellular immune response against Toxoplasma gondii. Front Immunol 2022; 13:925762. [PMID: 36203592 PMCID: PMC9531261 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.925762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to evaluate and compare the specific immune response of pregnant women (PW) chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii, with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and the humoral response of their respective newborns (NB), the study was carried out on 81 PW (34 GDM and 47 controls) from whose medical records the results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were obtained, and blood samples were collected at the third trimester of pregnancy; also, on 45 NBs (20 GDM and 25 controls) from whom umbilical cord blood samples were obtained. Humoral immunity was analyzed by measuring anti-T. gondii total IgG, IgG subclasses and IgG avidity. To evaluate cellular immunity, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 32 PW (16 GDM and 16 controls) were cultured, supernatant cytokines were determined, and flow cytometry was performed to analyze the expression at lymphocytes of surface molecules, cytokines and transcription factors. All PW and NBs were positive for total IgG, and the prevalent subclass was IgG1. There was a negative correlation between the OGTT glycemia of PW and the levels of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG avidity. The IgG avidity of the GDM group was significantly lower than the control group. Patients from the GDM group had a higher number of T lymphocytes expressing markers of cell activation and exhaustion (CD28 and PD-1). In the presence of T. gondii soluble antigen (STAg) the amount of CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 was significantly lower in the GDM group, while there was no difference between groups in the number of CD4+ CD25HighFOXP3+LAP+ functional Treg cells. Additionally, under STAg stimulus, the secretion of IL-17, IL-4, TNF and IL-2 cytokines at PBMCs culture supernatant was lower in the GDM group. In conclusion, there was a correlation between the increase in blood glucose and the decrease in levels of anti-T. gondii antibodies, associated with the decreased IgG avidity in patients who develop GDM. Also, the GDM group had decreased immune responses in Th1, Th2 and Th17 profiles, suggesting an association between GDM and the negative modulation of the humoral and cellular immune responses against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina de Morais Oliveira-Scussel
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paula Tatiana Mutão Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renata de Souza Resende
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cristhianne Molinero Ratkevicius-Andrade
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Angelica de Oliveira Gomes
- Laboratory of Cellular Interactions, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Structural Biology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marina Carvalho Paschoini
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetricy, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Bernadelli De Vito
- Laboratory of Hematology and Hemotherapy, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thaís Soares Farnesi-de-Assunção
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinícius da Silva
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunology “Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo”, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Virmondes Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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16
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Medina L, Guerrero-Muñoz J, Castillo C, Liempi A, Fernández-Moya A, Araneda S, Ortega Y, Rivas C, Maya JD, Kemmerling U. Differential microRNAs expression during ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Trop 2022; 235:106651. [PMID: 35964709 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii are two zoonotic parasites that constitute significant human and animal health threats, causing a significant economic burden worldwide. Both parasites can be transmitted congenitally, but transmission rates for T. gondii are high, contrary to what has been observed for T. cruzi. The probability of congenital transmission depends on complex interactions between the pathogen and the host, including the modulation of host cell gene expression by miRNAs. During ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants, we evaluated the expression of 3 miRNAs (miR-30e-3p, miR-3074-5p, and miR-127-3p) previously associated with parasitic and placental diseases and modulated by both parasites. In addition, we identified the possible target genes of the miRNAs by using computational prediction tools and performed GO and KEGG enrichment analyses to identify the biological functions and associated pathologies. The three miRNAs are differentially expressed in the canine and ovine placenta in response to T. cruzi and T. gondii. We conclude that the observed differential expression and associated functions might explain, at least partially, the differences in transmission rates and susceptibility to parasite infection in different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisvaneth Medina
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jesús Guerrero-Muñoz
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Núcleo de Investigación Aplicada en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Chile
| | - Ana Liempi
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Fernández-Moya
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Araneda
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Patología y Medicina Oral, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yessica Ortega
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Facultad de Farmacia y Bioanálisis, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Cristian Rivas
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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17
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Transfer of parasitology research to patents worldwide. Acta Trop 2022; 232:106532. [PMID: 35598652 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mankind has known about different parasitic diseases since ancient times. There is no doubt that parasites are the infectious agents that have caused the most deaths throughout history. But even today, parasitic diseases affect more than one billion people worldwide. In this paper, the relationship between articles published in the area of parasitology and international patents in this field from 1996 to 2019 was analyzed. For this purpose, Scopus has been used. This is a database developed by Elsevier, which, in addition to having numerous indexed journals and books, has developed SciVal, an analysis tool with which the publications that have been cited in the patents of the 5 largest patent offices in the world have been analyzed. The analysis has allowed us to study 2814 publications, to know their time trend, their Authors, Affiliations, and Countries, as well as the journals in which they have been published. Also, the topics and topic clusters related to parasitology that appear in publications cited in international patents have been known. Thus, the existence of six Topic Clusters that group 94% of all publications has been discovered. Of all of them, the Topic Cluster referring to malaria stands out above all others, with 968 articles (34% of the total), probably due to the fact that malaria continues to be, to this day, one of the great challenges for both industry and basic research throughout the world.
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Atakorah EA, Afranie BO, Addy KD, Sarfo AD, Okyere BA. Assessment of intestinal and blood protozoan infections among pregnant women visiting ante-natal care at Tafo Hospital, Ghana. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09968. [PMID: 35958269 PMCID: PMC9358421 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Intestinal and blood protozoans cause morbidity and mortality in both pregnant women and developing foetuses worldwide. It constitutes a major health problem in many tropical areas in Africa. This study assessed the prevalence of intestinal and blood protozoans’ parasitic load and their risk factors among pregnant women visiting antenatal care at Tafo Hospital, Ghana from November 2016 to January 2017. Method A pilot cross-sectional study was conducted among consented pregnant women who visited antenatal care at Tafo Government Hospital, Kumasi Ghana. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain socio-demographic data, knowledge on protozoan infections, and their risk factors among study participants. A stool sample was obtained from each participant for the microscopic examination of the intestinal protozoa. Venous blood was taken from participants for the detection of Plasmodium and Toxoplasma gondii infections. Wet mount and the faecal protozoan concentrated method were done for the identification of intestinal parasites. Blood films and serological examination for malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) were done for identification of Plasmodium parasites while an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detecting the antibodies of T. gondii among participants. Data were analyzed using statistical packages for the social sciences (SPSS). Results The mean age of the study participants was 27.83, and ranges from 18 to 40 years. The majority of the participants (82.2%) had never experienced stillbirth nor spontaneous abortion. Intestinal parasites were found in 36.7% of participants. Giardia lamblia (28.1%), Cryptosporidium parvum (5.3%), and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (3.3%) were among the intestinal protozoans detected. T. gondii antibodies were detected by high levels of immunoglobulins, resulting in IgG (48.0%) and IgM (11.3%) being found among participants, with 7.3% testing positive for both IgM and IgG. The prevalence of malaria infection among the study participants was 2.7%. The consumption of raw or cooked vegetables had significant influence on their intestinal and blood protozoan infections status (p = 0.004) (OR = 0.32, CI = 0.12–0.86). There was a significant association between Hb levels and malaria (p = 0.014) and that of intestinal protozoans (p = 0.035). Conclusion The prevalence of intestinal protozoans and blood protozoans such as T. gondii were high and therefore effective measures should be put in place to reduce the infectivity. Environmental hygiene should be improved and education by relevant agencies should be intensified on the possible transmission of intestinal and blood parasite infections given the possible role of these infections in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Borges HDS, Oliveira-Scussel ACM, Oliveira ÂMM, Abdallah VOS, Pajuaba ACAM, Mineo JR. Comparative Detection of Immunoglobulin Isotypes and Subclasses against Toxoplasma gondii Soluble Antigen in Serum and Colostrum Samples from Puerperal Women. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137953. [PMID: 35805611 PMCID: PMC9265988 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect several species, including humans, and can cause severe damage to the fetus when the infection occurs during pregnancy. The environment and/or food contamination are critical to spreading the infection. Human milk is rich in nutrients and bioactive elements that provide growth and development of the immune system of the newborn. All isotypes of immunoglobulins are present in human colostrum and they are produced from systemic or local sources. Breastfeeding protects the infant against various pathogens, but there is no conclusive study to detect IgG subclasses in colostrum against T. gondii. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect and evaluate the presence of antibody isotypes against T. gondii in paired samples of serum and colostrum. Methods: The study included 283 puerperal patients. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) for detection of anti-T. gondii-specific IgM, IgA, and IgG isotypes and IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 subclasses were conducted on paired samples of serum and colostrum. Results: It was found that 45.9%, 6.0%, and 2.1% of serum samples and 45.2%, 7.1%, and 2.1% of colostrum samples were positive for IgG, IgM, and IgA, respectively. Specific IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 were positive, respectively, in 98.5%, 54.6%, and 44.6% of serum samples, in contrast with 56.9%, 78.5%, and 34.6% of colostrum samples. Thus, the predominant reactivity of IgG subclasses against T. gondii was IgG1 in serum and IgG3 in colostrum. The higher percentage of positive samples and higher levels of anti-T. gondii IgG3 antibodies were observed in colostrum, when compared to serum samples, suggesting a local production of this subclass. IgG3 and IgG1 subclasses presented different percentages of positivity in serum and colostrum. Only the IgG1 subclass showed a significant correlation between the levels of anti-T. gondii in serum and colostrum, suggesting that IgG1 in breast milk comes from a systemic source. IgG4 showed a similar percentage of positivity in both sample types, but no significant correlation was observed between their levels. Conclusion: Colostrum presents representative levels of IgM, IgA, IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 antibodies specific to T. gondii. The detection of these antibodies presents the potential for diagnostic application of colostrum samples to better identify the diagnostic status of T. gondii infection, especially during the acute phase. In addition, breastfeeding can also be a possible source of protective antibodies for the newborn against toxoplasmosis, an anthropozoonosis maintained by environmental infection, which interferes in the public health of many countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellen Dayane Silva Borges
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology “Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo”, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-317, MG, Brazil; (H.D.S.B.); (A.C.M.O.-S.); (A.C.A.M.P.)
| | - Ana Carolina Morais Oliveira-Scussel
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology “Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo”, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-317, MG, Brazil; (H.D.S.B.); (A.C.M.O.-S.); (A.C.A.M.P.)
- Biomedicine Teaching Laboratory, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-180, MG, Brazil
| | - Ângela Maria Morais Oliveira
- Human Milk Bank, The Clinics Hospital of Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Uberlândia 38405-320, MG, Brazil;
| | - Vânia Olivetti Steffen Abdallah
- Department of Pediatrics, The Clinics Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-320, MG, Brazil;
| | - Ana Cláudia Arantes Marquez Pajuaba
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology “Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo”, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-317, MG, Brazil; (H.D.S.B.); (A.C.M.O.-S.); (A.C.A.M.P.)
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology “Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo”, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38405-317, MG, Brazil; (H.D.S.B.); (A.C.M.O.-S.); (A.C.A.M.P.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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Cantey JB, Prusakov P. A Proposed Framework for the Clinical Management of Neonatal "Culture-Negative" Sepsis. J Pediatr 2022; 244:203-211. [PMID: 35074307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Cantey
- Divisions of Neonatology and Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
| | - Pavel Prusakov
- Department of Pharmacy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
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21
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Lu D, Zhang NZ, Yao Y, Wang T, Hua Q, Zheng X, Cong W, Tan F. Investigation of Antiparasitic Activity of Two Marine Natural Products, Estradiol Benzoate, and Octyl Gallate, on Toxoplasma gondii In Vitro. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:841941. [PMID: 35370702 PMCID: PMC8968875 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.841941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a common disease worldwide and could be severe and even fatal in immunocompromised individuals and fetuses. Limitation in current available treatment options drives the need to develop novel therapeutics. This study assessed the anti-T. gondii potential of 103 marine natural products. A luminescence-based β-galactosidase activity assay was used to screen the marine natural products library. Afterward, those compounds that displayed over 70% parasite inhibition ratio were further chosen to assess their cytotoxicity. Compounds exhibiting low cytotoxicity (≥80% cell viability) were applied to evaluate the inhibition efficacy on discrete steps of the T. gondii lytic cycle, including invasion, intracellular growth, and egress abilities as well as the cell cycle. We found that both estradiol benzoate and octyl gallate caused >70% inhibition of tachyzoite growth with IC50 values of 4.41 ± 0.94 and 5.66 ± 0.35 μM, respectively, and displayed low cytotoxicity with TD50 values of 34.11 ± 2.86 and 26.4 ± 0.98 μM, respectively. Despite their defects in inhibition of invasion and egress of tachyzoite, the two compounds markedly inhibited the tachyzoite intracellular replication. Flow cytometric analyses further suggested that the anti-T. gondii activity of estradiol benzoate, rather than octyl gallate, may be linked to halting cell cycle progression of tachyzoite from G1 to S phase. Taken together, these findings suggest that both estradiol benzoate and octyl gallate are potential inhibitors for anti-T. gondii infection and support the further exploration of marine natural products as a thinkable source of alternative and active agents against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiqiang Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National Animal Echinococcosis Para-Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yinning Yao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Hua
- Clinical Laboratory, Dongyang People's Hospital, Jinhua, China
| | - Xiaozi Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Cong
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, China
| | - Feng Tan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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22
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Toxoplasma TgAtg8-TgAtg3 Interaction Primarily Contributes to Apicoplast Inheritance and Parasite Growth in Tachyzoite. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0149521. [PMID: 35196797 PMCID: PMC8865545 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01495-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicoplast, which harbors key pathways involved in biosynthesis of vital metabolites, is a unique and essential nonphotosynthetic plastid organelle in apicomplexan parasites. Intriguingly, autophagy-related protein 8 (Atg8), a highly conserved eukaryotic protein, can localize to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast and modulate its inheritance in both Toxoplasma and Plasmodium parasites. The Atg8-Atg3 interaction plays a key role in Atg8 lipidation and localization, and our previously work in Toxoplasma has suggested that the core Atg8-family interacting motif (AIM) in TgAtg3, 239FADI242, and the R27 residue of TgAtg8 contribute to TgAtg8-TgAtg3 interaction in vitro. However, little is known about the function of this interaction or its importance in tachyzoite growth in Toxoplasma gondii. Here, we generated two complemented cell lines, TgAtg3F239A/I242A and TgAtg8R27E, based on the TgAtg3 and TgAtg8 conditional knockdown cell lines, respectively. We found that both mutant complemented cell lines were severely affected in terms of tachyzoite growth and displayed delayed death upon conditional knockdown of endogenous TgAtg3 or TgAtg8. Intriguingly, both complemented lines appeared to be defective in TgAtg8 lipidation and apicoplast inheritance. Moreover, we showed that the interaction of TgAtg8 and TgAtg3 is critical for TgAtg8 apicoplast localization. In addition, we found that the TgAtg3F239A/I242A complemented line exhibits an integral mitochondrial network upon ablation of endogenous TgAtg3, which is distinct from TgAtg3-depleted parasites with a fragmented mitochondrial network. Taken together, this work solidifies the contribution of the TgAtg8-TgAtg3 interaction to apicoplast inheritance and the growth of T. gondii tachyzoites. IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondiiis a widespread intracellular parasite infecting a variety of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Current frontline treatment of toxoplasmosis suffers many drawbacks, including toxicity, drug resistance, and failure to eradicate tissue cysts, underscoring the need to identify novel drug targets for suppression or treatment of toxoplasmosis. TgAtg8 is thought to serve multiple functions in lipidation and is considered essential to the growth and development of both tachyzoites and bradyzoites. Here, we show that Toxoplasma gondii has adapted a conserved Atg8-Atg3 interaction, required for canonical autophagy in other eukaryotes, to function specifically in apicoplast inheritance. Our finding not only highlights the importance of TgAtg8-TgAtg3 interaction in tachyzoite growth but also suggests that this interaction is a promising drug target for the therapy of toxoplasmosis.
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23
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Gibbs L, Fairfax KC. Altered Offspring Immunity in Maternal Parasitic Infections. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:221-226. [PMID: 35017211 PMCID: PMC8769501 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy is known to alter the development and function of offspring's immune system, leading to inappropriate immune responses to common childhood infections and immunizations. Although this is an expanding field, maternal parasitic infections remain understudied. Millions of women of reproductive age are currently at risk for parasitic infection, whereas many pregnant, chronically infected women are excluded from mass drug administration due partially to a lack of resources, as well as fear of unknown adverse fetal developmental outcomes. In areas endemic for multiple parasitic infections, such as sub-Saharan Africa, there are increased rates of morbidity and mortality for various infections during early childhood in comparison with nonendemic areas. Despite evidence supporting similar immunomodulatory effects between various parasite species, there is no clear mechanistic understanding of how maternal infection reprograms offspring immunity. This brief review will compare the effects of selected maternal parasitic infections on offspring immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Gibbs
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City Utah, USA
| | - Keke C. Fairfax
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City Utah, USA
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24
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Doritchamou JYA, Aitken EH, Luty AJF. Editorial: Immunity to Parasitic Infections in Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:813446. [PMID: 34975925 PMCID: PMC8716405 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.813446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Y. A. Doritchamou
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Justin Y. A. Doritchamou,
| | - Elizabeth H. Aitken
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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25
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Rojas-Pirela M, Medina L, Rojas MV, Liempi AI, Castillo C, Pérez-Pérez E, Guerrero-Muñoz J, Araneda S, Kemmerling U. Congenital Transmission of Apicomplexan Parasites: A Review. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:751648. [PMID: 34659187 PMCID: PMC8519608 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.751648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexans are a group of pathogenic protists that cause various diseases in humans and animals that cause economic losses worldwide. These unicellular eukaryotes are characterized by having a complex life cycle and the ability to evade the immune system of their host organism. Infections caused by some of these parasites affect millions of pregnant women worldwide, leading to various adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects. Unfortunately, the exact pathogenesis of congenital apicomplexan diseases is far from being understood, including the mechanisms of how they cross the placental barrier. In this review, we highlight important aspects of the diseases caused by species of Plasmodium, Babesia, Toxoplasma, and Neospora, their infection during pregnancy, emphasizing the possible role played by the placenta in the host-pathogen interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Rojas-Pirela
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Facultad de Farmacia y Bioanálisis, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Lisvaneth Medina
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maria Verónica Rojas
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Ana Isabel Liempi
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Núcleo de Investigación Aplicada en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Jesús Guerrero-Muñoz
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Araneda
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Salud y Odontología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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26
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Maani S, Rezanezhad H, Solhjoo K, Kalantari M, Erfanian S. Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from human spontaneous aborted fetuses in Jahrom, southern Iran. Microb Pathog 2021; 161:105217. [PMID: 34601055 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan that infects the fetus through the placenta and leads to severe complications in the fetus. One of the complications of congenital toxoplasmosis is spontaneous abortion. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection was investigated among spontaneously aborted fetuses (SAFs), and the genotypes of parasite isolates were determined in the present study. Placentas from 330 samples of SAFs were collected in Jahrom (Fars province) from February to September 2018. DNA was extracted from each placental tissue. The T. gondii infection was detected using nested polymerase chain reaction (Nested-PCR) assay based on a 529 bp repeat element (RE) gene. Afterward, Toxoplasma was genotyped using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) based on the GRA6 gene. The frequency of T. gondii infection was found to be 14.5% (48 out of 330 samples). Genotyping of nine T. gondii isolates revealed that all belonged to genotype II. Statistically, the prevalence of T. gondii infection was significantly correlated with the education levels of the mothers and the age of the fetus (P < 0.05). The lowest prevalence of Toxoplasma infection belonged to mothers with university education and the highest frequency of infection was observed among the fetuses in the age group of 8-9 weeks. The findings of the present study suggest a significant role for toxoplasmosis in SAFs in Jahrom city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salar Maani
- Department of Parasitology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Hassan Rezanezhad
- Department of Parasitology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran; Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
| | - Kavous Solhjoo
- Department of Parasitology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran; Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Mohsen Kalantari
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saiedeh Erfanian
- Research Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases, Department of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
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Antinarelli LMR, Silva MR, Guimarães RJDPSE, Terror MS, Lima PE, Ishii JDSC, Muniz PF, Coimbra ES. Rural residence remains a risk factor for Toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in a highly urbanized Brazilian area: a robust cross-sectional study. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:896-903. [PMID: 33347595 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite high seroprevalence of asymptomatic infection in humans, toxoplasmosis can manifest as a severe systemic disease, as occurs in the congenital infection. Here we evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in a highly urbanized area of Brazil. METHODS A robust seroepidemiological study was conducted using laboratory databases of anti-Toxoplasma gondii serological results together with information on age, month/year of diagnosis and place of residence of pregnant women in the public health system of the city of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. RESULTS Of 5895 pregnant women analysed, 54.7% showed seronegativity and 44.4% showed seropositivity for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. This seropositivity rate increased to 68.3% when only considering participants from rural areas. Multivariate analysis revealed higher odds of being seropositive associated with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.06 [confidence interval {CI} 1.05 to 1.07]) and with living in rural areas (OR 2.96 [CI 1.64 to 5.36]). The spatial distribution of IgG seropositivity indicated a higher prevalence concentrated in rural and peripheral neighbourhoods. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report to use spatial analysis to show a cluster of Toxoplasma infection in rural and peripheral neighbourhoods of a highly urbanized municipality, which highlights the need for adequate healthcare actions to be implemented for women living in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Maria Ribeiro Antinarelli
- Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil.,Laboratório Central da Prefeitura de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36020-485, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mariana Sequetto Terror
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Enham Lima
- Laboratório Central da Prefeitura de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36020-485, Brazil
| | | | - Patrícia Fabiano Muniz
- Laboratório Central da Prefeitura de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36020-485, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil
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28
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Staurengo-Ferrari L, Sanfelice RADS, de Souza JB, Assolini JP, Dos Santos DP, Cataneo AHD, Bordignon J, Conchon-Costa I, da Costa IN, Fernandes GSA. Impact of Toxoplasma gondii infection on TM3 Leydig cells: Alterations in testosterone and cytokines levels. Acta Trop 2021; 220:105938. [PMID: 33932363 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leydig cells play pivotal roles in eliciting male characteristics by producing testosterone and any damage to these cells can compromise male fertility Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular parasite capable to invade any nucleated cell, including cells from male reproductive system. Herein, we evaluated the capacity of RH strain of T. gondii to infect TM3 Leydig cells and the impact of this infection on testosterone and inflammatory mediators production. We first, by performing adherence, infection, and intracellular proliferation assays, we found a significant increase in the number of infected Leydig cells, peaking 48 h after the infection with T. gondii. Supernatants of TM3 infected cells exhibited, in a time-dependent manner, increased levels of testosterone as well as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), which is correlated with the robust T. gondii infection. In conclusion, our study provides new insights regarding the harmful effects of T. gondii infection on male reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Staurengo-Ferrari
- Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Pr 445 Km 380, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Raquel Arruda da Silva Sanfelice
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer-LIDNC, Department, Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Julia Bagatim de Souza
- Department of General Biology, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Pr 445 Km 380, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil
| | - Joao Paulo Assolini
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer-LIDNC, Department, Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Dayane Priscila Dos Santos
- Department of Pathological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Pr 445 Km 380, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil; Department of General Biology, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Pr 445 Km 380, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil
| | | | - Juliano Bordignon
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz-PR, Curitiba, Paraná Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer-LIDNC, Department, Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Idessania Nazareth da Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer-LIDNC, Department, Department of Pathological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
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Bekier A, Węglińska L, Paneth A, Paneth P, Dzitko K. 4-Arylthiosemicarbazide derivatives as a new class of tyrosinase inhibitors and anti- Toxoplasma gondii agents. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 36:1145-1164. [PMID: 34074198 PMCID: PMC8174488 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1931164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
We report herein anti-proliferation effects of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides, with a cyclopentane substitution at N1 position, on highly virulent RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Among them, the highest in vitro anti-Toxoplasma activity was found with the meta-iodo derivative. Further experiments demonstrated inhibitory effects of thiosemicarbazides on tyrosinase (Tyr) activity, and good correlation was found between percentage of Tyr inhibition and IC50Tg. To confirm the concept that thiosemicarbazides are able to disrupt tyrosine metabolism in Toxoplasma tachyzoites, the most potent Tyr inhibitors were tested for their efficacy of T. gondii growth inhibition. All of them significantly reduced the number of tachyzoites in the parasitophorous vacuoles (PVs) compared to untreated cells, as well as inhibited tachyzoites growth by impeding cell division. Collectively, these results indicate that compounds with the thiosemicarbazide scaffold are able to disrupt tyrosine metabolism in Toxoplasma tachyzoites by deregulation of their crucial enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TyrH).
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Bekier
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Lidia Węglińska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agata Paneth
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Paneth
- Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland.,Institute Center for Research on Innovative Biobased Materials (ICRI-BioM) - International Research Agenda, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dzitko
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Tołkacz K, Rodo A, Wdowiarska A, Bajer A, Bednarska M. Impact of Babesia microti infection on the initiation and course of pregnancy in BALB/c mice. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:132. [PMID: 33653384 PMCID: PMC7923482 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04638-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Protozoa in the genus Babesia are transmitted to humans through tick bites and cause babesiosis, a malaria-like illness. Vertical transmission of Babesia spp. has been reported in mammals; however, the exact timing and mechanisms involved are not currently known. The aims of this study were to evaluate the success of vertical transmission of B. microti in female mice infected before pregnancy (mated during the acute or chronic phases of Babesia infection) and that of pregnant mice infected during early and advanced pregnancy; to evaluate the possible influence of pregnancy on the course of parasite infections (parasitaemia); and to assess pathological changes induced by parasitic infection. Methods The first set of experiments involved two groups of female mice infected with B. microti before mating, and inseminated on the 7th day and after the 40th day post infection. A second set of experiments involved female mice infected with B. microti during pregnancy, on the 4th and 12th days of pregnancy. Blood smears and PCR targeting the 559 bp 18S rRNA gene fragment were used for the detection of B. microti. Pathology was assessed histologically. Results Successful development of pregnancy was recorded only in females mated during the chronic phase of infection. The success of vertical transmission of B. microti in this group was 63%. No evidence of pregnancy was found in females mated during the acute phase of infection or on the 4th day of pregnancy. In the group infected on the 12th day of pregnancy, numerous complications including loss of pregnancy and stillbirths were recorded. During the acute phase of infection, parasitaemia was lower in pregnant females in comparison to infected, non-pregnant control females. Conclusions Acute B. microti infection prevents the initiation of pregnancy and embryonic development if it occurs during the first trimester, and causes severe complications in foetal BALB/c mice in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Chronic B. microti infection has no detrimental impact on the initiation and development of pregnancy, but results in congenital infection of the offspring. Further study is required to determine the extent to which maternal anti-babesial immune responses contribute to compromise pregnancy in the murine model of congenital Babesia infection.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Tołkacz
- Department of Eco-epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Str, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland. .,Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5A Pawińskiego Str, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anna Rodo
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska Str, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Eco-epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Str, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Bednarska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Functional Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Str, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
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31
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Flores-Ferrer A, Nguyen A, Glémin S, Deragon JM, Panaud O, Gourbière S. The ecology of the genome and the dynamics of the biological dark matter. J Theor Biol 2021; 518:110641. [PMID: 33640450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are essential components of the eukaryotic genomes. While mostly deleterious, evidence is mounting that TEs provide the host with beneficial adaptations. How 'selfish' or 'parasitic' DNA persists until it helps species evolution is emerging as a major evolutionary puzzle, especially in asexual taxa where the lack of sex strongly impede the spread of TEs. Since occasional but unchecked TE proliferations would ultimately drive host lineages toward extinction, asexual genomes are typically predicted to be free of TEs, which contrasts with their persistence in asexual taxa. We designed innovative 'Eco-genomic' models that account for both host demography and within-host molecular mechanisms of transposition and silencing to analyze their impact on TE dynamics in asexual genome populations. We unraveled that the spread of TEs can be limited to a stable level by density-dependent purifying selection when TE copies are over-dispersed among lineages and the host demographic turn-over is fast. We also showed that TE silencing can protect host populations in two ways; by preventing TEs with weak effects to accumulate or by favoring the elimination of TEs with large effects. Our predictions may explain TE persistence in known asexual taxa that typically show fast demography and where TE copy number variation between lineages is expected. Such TE persistence in asexual taxa potentially has important implications for their evolvability and the preservation of sexual reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alheli Flores-Ferrer
- UMR5096 'Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes', Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
| | - Anne Nguyen
- UMR5096 'Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes', Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
| | - Sylvain Glémin
- UMR 6553 'Ecosystèmes, Biodiversité, Evolution', Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France.
| | - Jean-Marc Deragon
- UMR5096 'Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes', Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
| | - Olivier Panaud
- UMR5096 'Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes', Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
| | - Sébastien Gourbière
- UMR5096 'Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes', Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France; Centre for the Study of Evolution, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
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32
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Liempi A, Castillo C, Medina L, Rojas-Pirela M, Araneda S, Maya JD, Parraguez VH, Kemmerling U. Ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii: differential activation of NF kappa B signaling pathways. Acta Trop 2021; 214:105766. [PMID: 33245906 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease and toxoplasmosis, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii, respectively, are important zoonotic diseases affecting humans, companion animals, and livestock, responsible for major health and economic burden. Both parasites can be transmitted vertically in different mammalian species through the placenta. Of note, the transmission rate of T. cruzi is low in dogs, whereas that of T. gondii is high in sheep. The probability of congenital infection depends on complex parasite-host interactions; parasite factors, maternal and fetal immune responses and placental responses all have a role in infection establishment. Since the innate immune response is regulated, at least partially, by NF-κB signaling pathways, our main objective was to determine the effect of ex vivo infection of canine (CPE) and ovine (OPE) placental explants with both parasites, on the activation of canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways and its relation to infection. Here, we show that T. cruzi activates both the NF-κB canonical and non-canonical pathways in CPE and OPE, unlike T. gondii, that activates only the canonical pathway in CPE and has no effect on the non-canonical pathway in both explants. Moreover, the inhibition of either or both NF-κB pathways increases the DNA load of T. cruzi in both explants, modulates, on the other hand, T. gondii infection in a differential fashion. Overall, we conclude that the differential modulation of the NF-κB pathways by both pathogens in placental explants might explain, at least partially, the differences in transmission rates of T. cruzi and T. gondii in different mammalian species.
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Costa IN, Ribeiro M, Silva Franco P, da Silva RJ, de Araújo TE, Milián ICB, Luz LC, Guirelli PM, Nakazato G, Mineo JR, Mineo TWP, Barbosa BF, Ferro EAV. Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Can Control Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Both Human Trophoblast Cells and Villous Explants. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:623947. [PMID: 33552033 PMCID: PMC7858645 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.623947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine plus folinic acid is the conventional treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis. However, this classical treatment presents teratogenic effects and bone marrow suppression. In this sense, new therapeutic strategies are necessary to reduce these effects and improve the control of infection. In this context, biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNp-Bio) appear as a promising alternative since they have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic activity. The purpose of this study to investigate the action of AgNp-Bio in BeWo cells, HTR-8/SVneo cells and villous explants and its effects against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Both cells and villous explants were treated with different concentrations of AgNp-Bio or combination of sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine (SDZ + PYZ) in order to verify the viability. After, cells and villi were infected and treated with AgNp-Bio or SDZ + PYZ in different concentrations to ascertain the parasite proliferation and cytokine production profile. AgNp-Bio treatment did not reduce the cell viability and villous explants. Significant reduction was observed in parasite replication in both cells and villous explants treated with silver nanoparticles and classical treatment. The AgNp-Bio treatment increased of IL-4 and IL-10 by BeWo cells, while HTR8/SVneo cells produced macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and IL-4. In the presence of T. gondii, the treatment induced high levels of MIF production by BeWo cells and IL-6 by HTR8SV/neo. In villous explants, the AgNp-Bio treatment downregulated production of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 after infection. In conclusion, AgNp-Bio can decrease T. gondii infection in trophoblast cells and villous explants. Therefore, this treatment demonstrated the ability to reduce the T. gondii proliferation with induction of inflammatory mediators in the cells and independent of mediators in chorionic villus which we consider the use of AgNp-Bio promising in the treatment of toxoplasmosis in BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cell models and in chorionic villi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Mayara Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Priscila Silva Franco
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Rafaela José da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Thádia Evelyn de Araújo
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Iliana Claudia Balga Milián
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Luana Carvalho Luz
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Pâmela Mendonça Guirelli
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Gerson Nakazato
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology of Neglected Diseases and Cancer, Center of Biological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Tiago W. P. Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
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Primus S, Rocha SC, Giacani L, Parveen N. Identification and Functional Assessment of the First Placental Adhesin of Treponema pallidum That May Play Critical Role in Congenital Syphilis. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:621654. [PMID: 33408711 PMCID: PMC7779807 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.621654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Syphilis is a global, re-emerging sexually transmitted infection and congenital syphilis remains a major cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to bacterial infection in developing nations with a high rate of fetus loss. The molecular mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of the causative agent, Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum remain poorly understood due to the difficulties of working with this pathogen, including the inability to grow it in pure culture. To reduce the spread of syphilis, we must first increase our knowledge of the virulence factors of T. pallidum and their contribution to syphilis manifestations. Tp0954 was predicted to be a surface lipoprotein of T. pallidum. Therefore, we experimentally demonstrated that Tp0954 is indeed a surface protein and further investigated its role in mediating bacterial attachment to various mammalian host cells. We found that expression of Tp0954 in a poorly adherent, but physiologically related derivative strain of the Lyme disease causing spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi B314 strain promotes its binding to epithelial as well as non-epithelial cells including glioma and placental cell lines. We also found that Tp0954 expression facilitates binding of this strain to purified dermatan sulfate and heparin, and also that bacterial binding to mammalian cell lines is mediated by the presence of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate in the extracellular matrix of the specific cell lines. These results suggest that Tp0954 may be involved not only in initiating T. pallidum infection by colonizing skin epithelium, but it may also contribute to disseminated infection and colonization of distal tissues. Significantly, we found that Tp0954 promotes binding to the human placental choriocarcinoma BeWo cell line, which is of trophoblastic endocrine cell type, as well as human placental tissue sections, suggesting its role in placental colonization and possible contribution to transplacental transmission of T. pallidum. Altogether, these novel findings offer an important step toward unraveling syphilis pathogenesis, including placental colonization and T. pallidum vertical transmission from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekerah Primus
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Sandra C Rocha
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Lorenzo Giacani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nikhat Parveen
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
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Medina L, Castillo C, Liempi A, Guerrero-Muñoz J, Rojas-Pirela M, Maya JD, Prieto H, Kemmerling U. Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii Induce a Differential MicroRNA Profile in Human Placental Explants. Front Immunol 2020; 11:595250. [PMID: 33240284 PMCID: PMC7677230 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.595250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii are two parasites than can be transmitted from mother to child through the placenta. However, congenital transmission rates are low for T. cruzi and high for T. gondii. Infection success or failure depends on complex parasite-host interactions in which parasites can alter host gene expression by modulating non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs. As of yet, there are no reports on altered miRNA expression in placental tissue in response to either parasite. Therefore, we infected human placental explants ex vivo by cultivation with either T. cruzi or T. gondii for 2 h. We then analyzed the miRNA expression profiles of both types of infected tissue by miRNA sequencing and quantitative PCR, sequence-based miRNA target prediction, pathway functional enrichment, and upstream regulator analysis of differentially expressed genes targeted by differentially expressed miRNAs. Both parasites induced specific miRNA profiles. GO analysis revealed that the in silico predicted targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs regulated different cellular processes involved in development and immunity, and most of the identified KEGG pathways were related to chronic diseases and infection. Considering that the differentially expressed miRNAs identified here modulated crucial host cellular targets that participate in determining the success of infection, these miRNAs might explain the differing congenital transmission rates between the two parasites. Molecules of the different pathways that are regulated by miRNAs and modulated during infection, as well as the miRNAs themselves, may be potential targets for the therapeutic control of either congenital Chagas disease or toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisvaneth Medina
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana Liempi
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jesús Guerrero-Muñoz
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maura Rojas-Pirela
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Humberto Prieto
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Ministerio de Agricultura, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Copaifera spp. oleoresins impair Toxoplasma gondii infection in both human trophoblastic cells and human placental explants. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15158. [PMID: 32938966 PMCID: PMC7495442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72230-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine is the standard care in cases of congenital toxoplasmosis. However, therapy with these drugs is associated with severe and sometimes life-threatening side effects. The investigation of phytotherapeutic alternatives to treat parasitic diseases without acute toxicity is essential for the advancement of current therapeutic practices. The present study investigates the antiparasitic effects of oleoresins from different species of Copaifera genus against T. gondii. Oleoresins from C. reticulata, C. duckei, C. paupera, and C. pubiflora were used to treat human trophoblastic cells (BeWo cells) and human villous explants infected with T. gondii. Our results demonstrated that oleoresins were able to reduce T. gondii intracellular proliferation, adhesion, and invasion. We observed an irreversible concentration-dependent antiparasitic action in infected BeWo cells, as well as parasite cell cycle arrest in the S/M phase. The oleoresins altered the host cell environment by modulation of ROS, IL-6, and MIF production in BeWo cells. Also, Copaifera oleoresins reduced parasite replication and TNF-α release in villous explants. Anti-T. gondii effects triggered by the oleoresins are associated with immunomodulation of the host cells, as well as, direct action on parasites.
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West BS, Becerra Ramirez M, Bristow CC, Abramovitz DA, Vera A, Staines H, Gudelia Rangel M, Patterson TL, Strathdee SA. Correlates of trichomoniasis among female sex workers who inject drugs in two Mexico-US border cities. Int J STD AIDS 2020; 31:866-875. [PMID: 32623979 DOI: 10.1177/0956462420929463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper evaluates correlates of trichomoniasis among female sex workers who inject drugs (FSWIDs) in two Mexico-US border cities. HIV-negative FSWIDs aged 18 years or older were enrolled in a study between 2008 and 2010 in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez (Cd.), Mexico. All participants underwent a baseline interviewer-administered survey and did a rapid test for trichomoniasis. Using regression to estimate prevalence ratios, we examined sociodemographics, sex work characteristics, sexual health and behavior, substance use, and police and violence exposures as potential correlates of trichomoniasis. Of 584 women (284 in Tijuana, 300 in Cd. Juarez), prevalence of trichomoniasis was 33.6%. Factors associated with trichomoniasis in multivariable analysis were having money stolen by police in the past six months (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] =1.448, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.152-1.821), recent methamphetamine use (aPR = 1.432, CI = 1.055-1.944), lifetime syphilis infection (aPR = 1.360, CI = 1.061-1.743), ever use of a home remedy to treat vaginal symptoms (aPR = 1.301, CI = 1.027-1.649), and number of regular clients in the past month (aPR = 1.006 per client, CI = 1.004-1.009), while controlling for age and city of interview. Alongside the need for trichomoniasis surveillance and treatment programs, findings indicate that both structural and behavioral factors serve as primary correlates of trichomoniasis among FSWIDs in these cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke S West
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, USA
| | - Milagros Becerra Ramirez
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles International Medical Graduate Program, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Claire C Bristow
- Department of Medicine, Division of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniela A Abramovitz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alicia Vera
- Department of Medicine, Division of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hugo Staines
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, México
| | | | - Thomas L Patterson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steffanie A Strathdee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Bartholo BBGR, Monteiro DLM, Rodrigues NCP, Trajano AJB, de Jesus NR, Cardoso FFO, de Souza FM, Werner H, Araujo Júnior E. Treatment of Acute Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy: Influence in the Mother-to-Child Transmission. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2020; 42:1505-1510. [PMID: 32912728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2020.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between treatment and mother-to-child transmission of acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnancy. METHODS This was a concurrent cohort study of 26 pregnant women diagnosed with acute toxoplasmosis. Transmission of T. gondii to the fetus was characterized by detection of the parasite in the amniotic fluid by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Congenital toxoplasmosis was diagnosed by a positive serological test for IgM, intracranial calcification, chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus, and/or microcephaly in the newborn. RESULTS There was direct correlation between acute toxoplasmosis and low socioeconomic status and inadequate hygienic/health conditions. The MCT rate in adequately and inadequately treated patients was 17.4% and 33.3%, respectively. PCR analysis of the amniotic fluid was performed for 15 women, with 1 positive result; the pregnant woman was adequately treated, and her infant had no complications. Congenital infection occurred in 4 newborns, who had hydrocephalus, intracranial calcifications, and chorioretinitis. Cerebrospinal fluid alteration was found in 3 of the 16 infants tested. Transmission was more frequent in the third quarter of pregnancy (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION The rate of mother-to-child transmission of T. gondii is higher in untreated pregnant women and those who acquired the infection later in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise Leite Maia Monteiro
- Department of Obstetrics, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Serra dos Órgãos University Center, Teresópolis, Brazil
| | - Nádia Cristina Pinheiro Rodrigues
- Department of Epidemiology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Epidemiology, National School of Public Health (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre José Baptista Trajano
- Department of Obstetrics, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Unigranrio University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nilson Ramires de Jesus
- Department of Obstetrics, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Freitas Oliveira Cardoso
- Department of Obstetrics, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Heron Werner
- Department of Radiology, Clínica de Diagnóstico por Imagem, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edward Araujo Júnior
- Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine-Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Municipal University of São Caetano do Sul, Campus Bela Vista, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Duarte PO, Oshiro LM, Zimmermann NP, Csordas BG, Dourado DM, Barros JC, Andreotti R. Serological and molecular detection of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in human umbilical cord blood and placental tissue samples. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9043. [PMID: 32493968 PMCID: PMC7271125 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65991-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Neosporosis primarily affects cattle and dogs and is not currently considered a zoonotic disease. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution that is asymptomatic in most cases, but when acquired during pregnancy, it can have serious consequences. The seropositivity rates determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody test for Neospora caninum (N. caninum) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) were 24.3% (49 samples) and 26.8% (54 samples), respectively. PCR positivity for N. caninum was observed in two samples of cord blood (1%) using the Nc5 and ITS1 gene, positivity for T. gondii was observed in 16 samples using the primer for the B1 gene (5.5% positivity in cord blood and 2.5% positivity in placental tissue). None of the samples showed structures characteristic of tissue cysts or inflammatory infiltrate on histopathology. Significant associations were observed only between N. caninum seropositivity and the presence of domestic animals (p = 0.039) and presence of dogs (p = 0.038) and between T. gondii seropositivity and basic sanitation (p = 0.04). This study obtained important findings regarding the seroprevalence and molecular detection of N. caninum and T. gondii in pregnant women; however, more studies are necessary to establish a correlation between risk factors and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pâmella Oliveira Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | - Leandra Marla Oshiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Carrapato, Departamento de Sanidade Animal, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | - Namor Pinheiro Zimmermann
- Professor do Curso de Medicina Veterinária do Centro Universitário da Grande Dourados-UNIGRAN, Dourados, Brasil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Bolsista de Pós-Doutorado- FUNDAPAM, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Carrapato, Departamento de Sanidade Animal, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | | | | | - Renato Andreotti
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.
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Liu S, Wu M, Hua Q, Lu D, Tian Y, Yu H, Cheng L, Chen Y, Cao J, Hu X, Tan F. Two old drugs, NVP-AEW541 and GSK-J4, repurposed against the Toxoplasma gondii RH strain. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:242. [PMID: 32393321 PMCID: PMC7216583 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04094-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic pathogen that causes toxoplasmosis and leads to serious public health problems in developing countries. However, current clinical therapeutic drugs have some disadvantages, such as serious side effects, a long course of treatment and the emergence of drug-resistant strains. The urgent need to identify novel anti-Toxoplasma drugs has initiated the effective strategy of repurposing well-characterized drugs. As a principled screening for the identification of effective compounds against Toxoplasma gondii, in the current study, a collection of 666 compounds were screened for their ability to significantly inhibit Toxoplasma growth. Methods The inhibition of parasite growth was determined using a luminescence-based β-galactosidase activity assay. Meanwhile, the effect of compounds on the viability of host cells was measured using CCK8. To assess the inhibition of the selected compounds on discrete steps of the T. gondii lytic cycle, the invasion, intracellular proliferation and egress abilities were evaluated. Finally, a murine infection model of toxoplasmosis was used to monitor the protective efficacy of drugs against acute infection of a highly virulent RH strain. Results A total of 68 compounds demonstrated more than 70% parasite growth inhibition. After excluding compounds that impaired host cell viability, we further characterized two compounds, NVP-AEW541 and GSK-J4 HCl, which had IC50 values for parasite growth of 1.17 μM and 2.37 μM, respectively. In addition, both compounds showed low toxicity to the host cell. Furthermore, we demonstrated that NVP-AEW541 inhibits tachyzoite invasion, while GSK-J4 HCl inhibits intracellular tachyzoite proliferation by halting cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. These findings prompted us to analyse the efficacy of the two compounds in vivo by using established mouse models of acute toxoplasmosis. In addition to prolonging the survival time of mice acutely infected with T. gondii, both compounds had a remarkable ability to reduce the parasite burden of tissues. Conclusions Our findings suggest that both NVP-AEW541 and GSK-J4 could be potentially repurposed as candidate drugs against T. gondii infection.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxian Liu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mimi Wu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qianqian Hua
- Clinical Laboratory, Dongyang People's Hospital, Jinhua, 322100, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Daiqiang Lu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Helin Yu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Linyan Cheng
- School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yinqi Chen
- School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaxin Cao
- School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Hu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and School of Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Feng Tan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
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Rios L, Campos EE, Menon R, Zago MP, Garg NJ. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of maternal-fetal transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and a case for vaccine development against congenital Chagas disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165591. [PMID: 31678160 PMCID: PMC6954953 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Trypanos o ma cruzi (T. cruzi or Tc) is the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD). It is common for patients to suffer from non-specific symptoms or be clinically asymptomatic with acute and chronic conditions acquired through various routes of transmission. The expecting women and their fetuses are vulnerable to congenital transmission of Tc. Pregnant women face formidable health challenges because the frontline antiparasitic drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, are contraindicated during pregnancy. However, it is worthwhile to highlight that newborns can be cured if they are diagnosed and given treatment in a timely manner. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of maternal-fetal transmission of Tc and provide a justification for the investment in the development of vaccines against congenital CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizette Rios
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - E Emanuel Campos
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - M Paola Zago
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina.
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Liempi A, Castillo C, Medina L, Galanti N, Maya JD, Parraguez VH, Kemmerling U. Comparative ex vivo infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii of human, canine and ovine placenta: Analysis of tissue damage and infection efficiency. Parasitol Int 2020; 76:102065. [PMID: 32001348 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, and Toxoplasma gondii, which is responsible for Toxoplasmosis, are two parasites that cause significant protozoan zoonoses and consequently important economic losses in human, companion animals and livestock. For the congenital transmission to occur, both parasites must cross the barrier present in the mammalian placenta, which differs between species. Particularly, hemochorial, endotheliochorial and epitheliochorial placental barriers are present, respectively, in human, dog and sheep. The type of placental barrier has been associated with the probability of transmission of pathogens. In this study, we used experimental placental ex vivo infection models of T. cruzi and T. gondii in the above-mentioned mammals in order to study tissue alterations and to compare infection efficiency. Here, we infected placental term explants from human, dog and sheep and analyzed tissue damage by standard histological and histochemical methods. Comparative infection efficiency was determined by quantitative PCR. Both parasites are able to infect the different placental explants; however, more T. gondii parasites were detected, and T. gondii causes a more severe tissue damage in human and canine explants than T. cruzi. The histopathological changes observed in ovine placenta explants were similar in presence of both parasites. We conclude that the infection efficiency of T. gondii is higher, compared to T. cruzi, during the ex vivo infection of human, canine and ovine placental explants. In addition, the ex vivo infection of mammalian placental explants constitutes an interesting experimental approach to study part of the infection mechanisms as well as host responses during congenital infection of both parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Liempi
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lisvaneth Medina
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Norbel Galanti
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Victor Hugo Parraguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Wang LC, Yan F, Ruan JX, Xiao Y, Yu Y. TORCH screening used appropriately in China?─three years results from a teaching hospital in northwest China. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019; 19:484. [PMID: 31818265 PMCID: PMC6902533 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-019-2642-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives TORCH infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii (TOX), rubella virus (RV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus 1,2 (HSV-1,2) are associated with congenital anomalies. The study aimed to analyze the characteristics of TORCH screening in reproductive age women. Methods A total of 18,104 women (2015–2017) from a teaching hospital in Xi’an, China, were enrolled in the study. The characteristics of TORCH screening, i.e., the application of TORCH test, the seroprevalence, the impact of age, periods of gestation and woman with bad obstetric history (BOH) on the serological data were investigated. Results In the study, 319 women (1.76%) performed dynamic TORCH test. 51.66, 20.44 and 3.83% of the population did the test in the pre-gestation period, the first and third trimester, respectively. Quite a few pre-gestation women (29.74%) ignored screening of IgG antibodies. The overall IgG/IgM seropositvity of TOX, RV, CMV, HSV-1 and HSV-2 was 4.35%/0.35, 90%/0.63, 96.79%/0.97, 81.11%/0.14 and 6.1%/0.19%, respectively. The age-specific distributions and periods of gestation had no significant effect on the seroprevalence of TORCH agents, p>0.05. However, BOH was significantly associated with higher seropositvity of IgM (RV, CMV, HSV-1 and HSV-2) and IgG (CMV and HSV-1) antibodies, p < 0.05. Conclusion In Xi’an region, more attentions should be paid to TOX, CMV, HSV-2 and the women with BOH for TORCH screening. Meanwhile, a greater emphasis needs to be placed on TORCH test used inappropriately in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Chuan Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Fang Yan
- Xi'an NO.3 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jing-Xiong Ruan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
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Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a global health threat in which occurrence in pregnant women poses grave consequences to fetal wellbeing. Studies on prenatal Toxoplasma gondii infection are generally limited in sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria. The risk of transmission of toxoplasmosis is very high in Nigeria due to the favourable climatic conditions and prevailing behavioural and socio-economic factors that could aid transmission. Currently, there are no systematic and organized procedures for diagnosis and treatment of maternal toxoplasmosis in Nigeria. These conditions forecast possible unabated transmission in many areas and exponential impact on associated adverse events of the disease during pregnancy. This paper highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy which may forestall subsequent development of infection in children delivered by infected mothers. Inclusion of toxoplasmosis control policy in the routine antenatal care of pregnant women is therefore strongly recommended.
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Liempi A, Castillo C, Medina L, Rojas M, Maya JD, Parraguez VH, Kemmerling U. Ex vivo infection of human placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii: Differential activation of NF kappa B signaling pathways. Acta Trop 2019; 199:105153. [PMID: 31469971 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) are the causative agents of Chagas disease and Toxoplasmosis. T. cruzi and T. gondii present, respectively, low and high congenital transmission rates and induce a distinctive cytokine/chemokine profile in ex vivo infected human placental explants (HPE). Since the innate immune response is regulated, at least partially, by NF-κB signaling pathways, our main objective was to determine the effect of ex vivo infection with both parasites on the activation of canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways and its relation to parasite infection. T. cruzi activates both, the canonical and non-canonical pathways of NF-κB, unlike T. gondii, which has no effect on the canonical pathway and inhibits the non-canonical pathway. The inhibition of both pathways of NF-κB increases the DNA load of T. cruzi and T. gondii in HPE. Therefore, the differential modulation of NF-κB signal transduction pathways by both parasites might explain, at least partially, the low and high congenital transmission rates of T. cruzi and T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Liempi
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lisvaneth Medina
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maura Rojas
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Victor H Parraguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Kemmerling U, Osuna A, Schijman AG, Truyens C. Congenital Transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi: A Review About the Interactions Between the Parasite, the Placenta, the Maternal and the Fetal/Neonatal Immune Responses. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1854. [PMID: 31474955 PMCID: PMC6702454 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is considered a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. Congenital transmission of CD is an increasingly relevant public health problem. It progressively becomes the main transmission route over others and can occur in both endemic and non-endemic countries. Though most congenitally infected newborns are asymptomatic at birth, they display higher frequencies of prematurity, low birth weight, and lower Apgar scores compared to uninfected ones, and some suffer from severe symptoms. If not diagnosed and treated, infected newborns are at risk of developing disabling and life-threatening chronic pathologies later in life. The success or failure of congenital transmission depends on interactions between the parasite, the placenta, the mother, and the fetus. We review and discuss here the current knowledge about these parameters, including parasite virulence factors such as exovesicles, placental tropism, potential placental defense mechanisms, the placental transcriptome of infected women, gene polymorphism, and the maternal and fetal/neonatal immune responses, that might modulate the risk of T. cruzi congenital transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Molecular Biology of Chagas Disease Laboratory, Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology Research Institute Dr. Héctor Torres (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carine Truyens
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Frauchiger B, Koch D, Gaehler A, Blum J, Lurà M, Kaiser D, Buettcher M. Don't forget the past: A sleeping disease can be awakened. J Paediatr Child Health 2019; 55:854-856. [PMID: 30636071 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Frauchiger
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Doris Koch
- Department of Haematology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Anita Gaehler
- Department of Haematology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Blum
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco Lurà
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Kaiser
- Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Buettcher
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital Lucerne, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
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Milian ICB, Silva RJ, Manzan-Martins C, Barbosa BF, Guirelli PM, Ribeiro M, de Oliveira Gomes A, Ietta F, Mineo JR, Silva Franco P, Ferro EAV. Increased Toxoplasma gondii Intracellular Proliferation in Human Extravillous Trophoblast Cells (HTR8/SVneo Line) Is Sequentially Triggered by MIF, ERK1/2, and COX-2. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:852. [PMID: 31068920 PMCID: PMC6491458 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, which mediates the regulation of diverse cellular functions. It is produced by extravillous trophoblastic cells and has been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of diseases caused by some protozoa, including Toxoplasma gondii. Previous studies demonstrated the ability of T. gondii to take advantage of MIF action in human trophoblast cells. However, MIF action in T. gondii-infected extravillous trophoblastic cells (HTR8/SVneo cell line) has not been fully investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the role of MIF in T. gondii-infected HTR8/SVneo cells and verify the intracellular signaling pathways triggered by this cytokine. We found that T. gondii increased MIF production by HTR8/SVneo cells, and by contrast, MIF inhibition, by ISO-1, led to a significant decrease in T. gondii proliferation and CD74 expression in HTR8/SVneo cells. Moreover, in infected HTR8/SVneo cells, the addition of recombinant MIF (rMIF) increased CD44 co-receptor expression, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, COX-2 expression, and IL-8 production, which favored T. gondii proliferation. Our findings indicate that T. gondii can use MIF to modulate important factors in HTR8/SVneo cells, being a possible explanation for the higher susceptibility of extravillous trophoblast cells than other trophoblast cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliana Claudia Balga Milian
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Rafaela José Silva
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Camilla Manzan-Martins
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Pamela Mendonça Guirelli
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Mayara Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | | | - Francesca Ietta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Priscila Silva Franco
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
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Discovery of Potent and Selective Halogen-Substituted Imidazole-Thiosemicarbazides for Inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii Growth In Vitro via Structure-Based Design. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081618. [PMID: 31022878 PMCID: PMC6514996 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Employing a simple synthetic protocol, a series of highly effective halogen-substituted imidazole-thiosemicarbazides with anti-Toxoplasma gondii effects against the RH tachyzoites, much better than sulfadiazine, were obtained (IC50s 10.30—113.45 µg/mL vs. ~2721.45 µg/mL). The most potent of them, 12, 13, and 15, blocked the in vitro proliferation of T. gondii more potently than trimethoprim (IC50 12.13 µg/mL), as well. The results of lipophilicity studies collectively suggest that logP would be a rate-limiting factor for the anti-Toxoplasma activity of this class of compounds.
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Munera López J, Ganuza A, Bogado SS, Muñoz D, Ruiz DM, Sullivan WJ, Vanagas L, Angel SO. Evaluation of ATM Kinase Inhibitor KU-55933 as Potential Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Agent. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:26. [PMID: 30815397 PMCID: PMC6381018 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle composed of multiple stages that infect mammals and birds. Tachyzoites rapidly replicate within host cells to produce acute infection during which the parasite disseminates to tissues and organs. Highly replicative cells are subject to Double Strand Breaks (DSBs) by replication fork collapse and ATM, a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) family, is a key factor that initiates DNA repair and activates cell cycle checkpoints. Here we demonstrate that the treatment of intracellular tachyzoites with the PI3K inhibitor caffeine or ATM kinase-inhibitor KU-55933 affects parasite replication rate in a dose-dependent manner. KU-55933 affects intracellular tachyzoite growth and induces G1-phase arrest. Addition of KU-55933 to extracellular tachyzoites also leads to a significant reduction of tachyzoite replication upon infection of host cells. ATM kinase phosphorylates H2A.X (γH2AX) to promote DSB damage repair. The level of γH2AX increases in tachyzoites treated with camptothecin (CPT), a drug that generates fork collapse, but this increase was not observed when co-administered with KU-55933. These findings support that KU-55933 is affecting the Toxoplasma ATM-like kinase (TgATM). The combination of KU-55933 and other DNA damaging agents such as methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) and CPT produce a synergic effect, suggesting that TgATM kinase inhibition sensitizes the parasite to damaged DNA. By contrast, hydroxyurea (HU) did not further inhibit tachyzoite replication when combined with KU-55933.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Munera López
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, IIB-INTECH, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Agustina Ganuza
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, IIB-INTECH, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Silvina S Bogado
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, IIB-INTECH, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Daniela Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, IIB-INTECH, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Diego M Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, IIB-INTECH, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - William J Sullivan
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Laura Vanagas
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, IIB-INTECH, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Sergio O Angel
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, IIB-INTECH, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional General San Martin (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
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