1
|
Liz Belli Cassa Domingues E, Gonçalves-Santos E, Santana Caldas I, Vilela Gonçalves R, Caetano-da-Silva JE, Cardoso Santos E, Mól Pelinsari S, Figueiredo Diniz L, Dias Novaes R. Identification of host antioxidant effectors as thioridazine targets: Impact on cardiomyocytes infection and Trypanosoma cruzi-induced acute myocarditis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167264. [PMID: 38806073 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167264] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Phenothiazines inhibit antioxidant enzymes in trypanosomatids. However, potential interferences with host cell antioxidant defenses are central concerns in using these drugs to treat Trypanosoma cruzi-induced infectious myocarditis. Thus, the interaction of thioridazine (TDZ) with T. cruzi and cardiomyocytes antioxidant enzymes, and its impact on cardiomyocytes and cardiac infection was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Cardiomyocytes and trypomastigotes in culture, and mice treated with TDZ and benznidazole (Bz, reference antiparasitic drug) were submitted to microstructural, biochemical and molecular analyses. TDZ was more cytotoxic and less selective against T. cruzi than Bz in vitro. TDZ-pretreated cardiomyocytes developed increased infection rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid and protein oxidation; similar catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced glutathione's (peroxidase - GPx, S-transferase - GST, and reductase - GR) activity than infected untreated cells. TDZ attenuated trypanothione reductase activity in T. cruzi, and protein antioxidant capacity in cardiomyocytes, making these cells more susceptible to H2O2-based oxidative challenge. In vivo, TDZ potentiated heart parasitism, total ROS production, myocarditis, lipid and protein oxidation; as well as reduced GPx, GR, and GST activities compared to untreated mice. Benznidazole decreased heart parasitism, total ROS production, heart inflammation, lipid and protein oxidation in T. cruzi-infected mice. Our findings indicate that TDZ simultaneously interact with enzymatic antioxidant targets in cardiomyocytes and T. cruzi, potentiating the infection by inducing antioxidant fragility and increasing cardiomyocytes and heart susceptibility to parasitism, inflammation and oxidative damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Liz Belli Cassa Domingues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elda Gonçalves-Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ivo Santana Caldas
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani Vilela Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Estrutural, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Edson Caetano-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eliziária Cardoso Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina 39100-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvania Mól Pelinsari
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Estrutural, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lívia Figueiredo Diniz
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Barbosa JMC, Pedra-Rezende Y, Mata-Santos HA, Vilar-Pereira G, Melo TGD, Ramos IP, Gibaldi D, Moreira OC, Nunes DF, Batista MM, Lannes-Vieira J, Daliry A, Salomão K. Preclinical evaluation of combined therapy with amiodarone and low-dose benznidazole in a mouse model of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116742. [PMID: 38754265 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116742] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagasic chronic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the primary clinical manifestation of Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Current therapeutic options for CD are limited to benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox. Amiodarone (AMD) has emerged as most effective drug for treating the arrhythmic form of CCC. To address the effects of Bz and AMD we used a preclinical model of CCC. Female C57BL/6 mice were infected with T. cruzi and subjected to oral treatment for 30 consecutive days, either as monotherapy or in combination. AMD in monotherapy decreased the prolonged QTc interval, the incidence of atrioventricular conduction disorders and cardiac hypertrophy. However, AMD monotherapy did not impact parasitemia, parasite load, TNF concentration and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiac tissue. Alike Bz therapy, the combination of Bz and AMD (Bz/AMD), improved cardiac electric abnormalities detected T. cruzi-infected mice such as decrease in heart rates, enlargement of PR and QTc intervals and increased incidence of atrioventricular block and sinus arrhythmia. Further, Bz/AMD therapy ameliorated the ventricular function and reduced parasite burden in the cardiac tissue and parasitemia to a degree comparable to Bz monotherapy. Importantly, Bz/AMD treatment efficiently reduced TNF concentration in the cardiac tissue and plasma and had beneficial effects on immunological abnormalities. Moreover, in the cardiac tissue Bz/AMD therapy reduced fibronectin and collagen deposition, mitochondrial damage and production of ROS, and improved sarcomeric and gap junction integrity. Our study underlines the potential of the Bz/AMD therapy, as we have shown that combination increased efficacy in the treatment of CCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Magalhães Chaves Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Clínica e Experimental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yasmin Pedra-Rezende
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hílton Antônio Mata-Santos
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Análise e Desenvolvimento de Inibidores Enzimáticos e Laboratório Multiusuário de Análises por RMN, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Galvão de Melo
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isalira Peroba Ramos
- Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Gibaldi
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio C Moreira
- Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ferreira Nunes
- Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Meuser Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anissa Daliry
- Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Clínica e Experimental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kelly Salomão
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Caetano-da-Silva JE, Gonçalves-Santos E, Domingues ELBC, Caldas IS, Lima GDA, Diniz LF, Gonçalves RV, Novaes RD. The mitochondrial uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol modulates inflammatory and oxidative responses in Trypanosoma cruzi-induced acute myocarditis in mice. Cardiovasc Pathol 2024; 72:107653. [PMID: 38740356 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2024.107653] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
By uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) attenuates reactive oxygen species (ROS) biosynthesis, which are known to aggravate infectious myocarditis in Chagas disease. Thus, the impact of DNP-based chemotherapy on Trypanosoma cruzi-induced acute myocarditis was investigated. C56BL/6 mice uninfected and infected untreated and treated daily with 100 mg/kg benznidazole (Bz, reference drug), 5 and 10 mg/kg DNP by gavage for 11 days after confirmation of T. cruzi infection were investigated. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the animals were euthanized and the heart was collected for microstructural, immunological and biochemical analyses. T. cruzi inoculation induced systemic inflammation (e.g., cytokines and anti-T. cruzi IgG upregulation), cardiac infection (T. cruzi DNA), oxidative stress, inflammatory infiltrate and microstructural myocardial damage in untreated mice. DNP treatment aggravated heart infection and microstructural damage, which were markedly attenuated by Bz. DNP (10 mg/kg) was also effective in attenuating ROS (total ROS, H2O2, and O2-), nitric oxide (NO), lipid (malondialdehyde - MDA) and protein (protein carbonyl - PCn) oxidation, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-10, and MCP-1/CCL2, anti-T. cruzi IgG, cardiac troponin I levels, as well as inflammatory infiltrate and cardiac damage in T. cruzi-infected mice. Our findings indicate that DNP aggravated heart infection and microstructural cardiomyocytes damage in infected mice. These responses were related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of DNP, which favors infection by weakening the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory protective mechanisms of the infected host. Conversely, Bz-induced cardioprotective effects combined effective anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic responses, which protect against heart infection, oxidative stress, and microstructural damage in Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Edson Caetano-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elda Gonçalves-Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elisa L B C Domingues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ivo S Caldas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Graziela D A Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lívia F Diniz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani V Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo D Novaes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Silva Grijó Farani P, Iandra da Silva Ferreira B, Begum K, Vilar-Pereira G, Pereira IR, Fernández-Figueroa EA, Cardenas-Ovando RA, Almeida IC, Roy S, Lannes-Vieira J, Moreira OC. Treatment with benznidazole and pentoxifylline regulates microRNA transcriptomic profile in a murine model of Chagas chronic cardiomyopathy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011223. [PMID: 36972298 PMCID: PMC10121046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disorders in endemic areas of Chagas disease (CD), a neglected tropical illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. CCC is characterized by parasite persistence and inflammatory response in the heart tissue, which occur parallel to microRNA (miRNA) alterations. Here, we investigated the miRNA transcriptome profiling in the cardiac tissue of chronically T. cruzi-infected mice treated with a suboptimal dose of benznidazole (Bz), the immunomodulator pentoxifylline alone (PTX), or the combination of both (Bz+PTX), following the CCC onset. At 150 days post-infection, Bz, PTX, and Bz+PTX treatment regimens improved electrocardiographic alterations, reducing the percentage of mice afflicted by sinus arrhythmia and second-degree atrioventricular block (AVB2) when compared with the vehicle-treated animals. miRNA Transcriptome profiling revealed considerable changes in the differential expression of miRNAs in the Bz and Bz+PTX treatment groups compared with the control (infected, vehicle-treated) group. The latter showed pathways related to organismal abnormalities, cellular development, skeletal muscle development, cardiac enlargement, and fibrosis, likely associated with CCC. Bz-Treated mice exhibited 68 differentially expressed miRNAs related to signaling pathways like cell cycle, cell death and survival, tissue morphology, and connective tissue function. Finally, the Bz+PTX-treated group revealed 58 differentially expressed miRNAs associated with key signaling pathways related to cellular growth and proliferation, tissue development, cardiac fibrosis, damage, and necrosis/cell death. The T. cruzi-induced upregulation of miR-146b-5p, previously shown in acutely infected mice and in vitro T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes, was reversed upon Bz and Bz+PTX treatment regimens when further experimentally validated. Our results further our understanding of molecular pathways related to CCC progression and evaluation of treatment response. Moreover, the differentially expressed miRNAs may serve as drug targets, associated molecular therapy, or biomarkers of treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Silva Grijó Farani
- Real-Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Parasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Iandra da Silva Ferreira
- Real-Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Parasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Khodeza Begum
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edith A. Fernández-Figueroa
- Computational and Integrative Genomics, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Arenal Tepepan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Igor C. Almeida
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sourav Roy
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio Cruz Moreira
- Real-Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Parasitology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jones KM, Poveda C, Versteeg L, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. Preclinical advances and the immunophysiology of a new therapeutic chagas disease vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1185-1203. [PMID: 35735065 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2093721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic infection with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi leads to a progressive cardiac disease, known as chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC). A new therapeutic Chagas disease vaccine is in development to augment existing antiparasitic chemotherapy drugs. AREAS COVERED We report on our current understanding of the underlying immunologic and physiologic mechanisms that lead to CCC, including parasite immune escape mechanisms that allow persistence and the subsequent inflammatory and fibrotic processes that lead to clinical disease. We report on vaccine design and the observed immunotherapeutic effects including induction of a balanced TH1/TH2/TH17 immune response that leads to reduced parasite burdens and tissue pathology. Further, we report vaccine-linked chemotherapy, a dose sparing strategy to further reduce parasite burdens and tissue pathology. EXPERT OPINION Our vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic approach is a multimodal treatment strategy, addressing both the parasite persistence and the underlying deleterious host inflammatory and fibrotic responses that lead to cardiac dysfunction. In targeting treatment towards patients with chronic indeterminate or early determinate Chagas disease, this vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic approach will be highly economical and will reduce the global disease burden and deaths due to CCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Jones
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America.,James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vilas-Boas DF, Oliveira RRG, Gonçalves-Santos E, Silva LS, Diniz LF, Mazzeti AL, Brancaglion GA, Carvalho DT, Caldas S, Novaes RD, Caldas IS. 4-nitrobenzoylcoumarin potentiates the antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects of benznidazole in a murine model of acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Acta Trop 2022; 228:106314. [PMID: 35038424 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective potential of coumarin metabolites in infectious myocarditis remains overlooked. Thus, the impact of the synthetic 4-nitrobenzoylcoumarin (4NB) alone and combined with benznidazole (Bz) in a murine model of Trypanosoma cruzi-induced acute myocarditis was investigated. Swiss mice infected with T. cruzi were randomized in 8 groups: uninfected, infected untreated or treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg 4NB or Bz alone and combined. Treatments were administered by gavage for 20 days. Cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNFα, and IFN-γ), immunoglobulin reactivity index (total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), parasitemia, serum transaminases, heart and liver cellularity were analyzed. T. cruzi infection induced blood parasitism, heart and liver inflammation, upregulated all cytokines, IgG reactivity index, ANP and transaminase levels, determining 43% mortality in untreated mice. Transaminase levels, mean parasitemia, heart inflammation and ANP were reduced in 4NB-treated mice, reaching a 100% survival rate. Total survival (100%) was also obtained in all combinations of Bz and 4NB, which were effective in reducing blood parasitism, transaminases, cytokines and ANP levels, IgG reactivity index, liver and heart interstitial cellularity compared to 50 mg/kg Bz. Our findings indicated that 4NB alone and combined with Bz was well tolerated, showing no evidence of hepatotoxicity. Mainly in combination, these drugs exerted protective effects against T. cruzi-induced acute myocarditis by attenuating blood parasitism, systemic and heart inflammation. Thus, combinations based on 4NB and Bz are potentially relevant to develop new and more effective drug regimens for the treatment of T. cruzi-induced myocarditis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego F Vilas-Boas
- Departamento de Patologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-001 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Raphaela R G Oliveira
- Departamento de Patologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-001 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Elda Gonçalves-Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-000 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Luana S Silva
- Departamento de Patologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-001 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Lívia F Diniz
- Departamento de Patologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-001 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana L Mazzeti
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme A Brancaglion
- Departamento de Alimentos e Medicamentos, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-000 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Diogo T Carvalho
- Departamento de Alimentos e Medicamentos, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-000 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Sergio Caldas
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, 30510-010 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rômulo D Novaes
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-000 Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Ivo S Caldas
- Departamento de Patologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-001 Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lannes-Vieira J. Multi-therapeutic strategy targeting parasite and inflammation-related alterations to improve prognosis of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: a hypothesis-based approach. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220019. [PMID: 35320825 PMCID: PMC8944190 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220019] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, presents as main clinical manifestation the chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC). CCC afflicts millions of people, mostly in Latin America, and vaccine and effective therapy are still lacking. Comprehension of the host/parasite interplay in the chronic phase of T. cruzi infection may unveil targets for rational trait-based therapies to improve CCC prognosis. In the present viewpoint, I critically summarise a collection of data, obtained by our network of collaborators and other groups on CCC and preclinical studies on pathogenesis, targeting identification for intervention and the use of drugs with immunomodulatory properties to improve CCC. In the last two decades, models combining mouse lineages and T. cruzi strains allowed replication of crucial clinical, histopathological, and immunological traits of CCC. This condition includes conduction changes (heart rate changes, arrhythmias, atrioventricular blocks, prolongation of the QRS complex and PR and corrected QT intervals), ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, CD8-enriched myocarditis, tissue remodeling and progressive fibrosis, and systemic inflammatory profile, resembling “cytokine storm”. Studies on Chagas’ heart disease pathogenesis begins to unveil the molecular mechanisms underpinning the inflammation-related cardiac tissue damage, placing IFNγ, TNF and NFκB signaling as upstream regulators of miRNAs and mRNAs associated with critical biological pathways as cell migration, inflammation, tissue remodeling and fibrosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Further, data on preclinical trials using hypothesis-based tools, targeting parasite and inflammation-related alterations, opened paths for multi-therapeutic approaches in CCC. Despite the long path taken using experimental CD models replicating relevant aspects of CCC and testing new therapies and therapeutic schemes, these findings may get lost in translation, as conceptual and economical challenges, underpinning the valley of death across preclinical and clinical trials. It is hoped that such difficulties will be overcome in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Farani PSG, Ferreira BIS, Gibaldi D, Lannes-Vieira J, Moreira OC. Modulation of miR-145-5p and miR-146b-5p levels is linked to reduced parasite load in H9C2 Trypanosoma cruzi infected cardiomyoblasts. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1436. [PMID: 35082354 PMCID: PMC8791985 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05493-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the heart tissue of acutely Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice miR-145-5p and miR-146b-5p are, respectively, downregulated and upregulated. Here, we used the H9C2 rat cardiomyoblast cell line infected with the Colombian T. cruzi strain to investigate the parasite-host cell interplay, focusing on the regulation of miR-145-5p and miR-146b-5p expression. Next, we explored the effects of interventions with the trypanosomicidal drug Benznidazole (Bz) alone or combined with Pentoxifylline (PTX), a methylxanthine derivative shown to modulate immunological and cardiac abnormalities in a model of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy, on parasite load and expression of miR-145-5p and miR-146b-5p. The infection of H9C2 cells with trypomastigote forms allowed parasite cycle with intracellular forms multiplication and trypomastigote release. After 48 and 144 h of infection, upregulation of miR-145-5p (24 h: 2.38 ± 0.26; 48 h: 3.15 ± 0.9-fold change) and miR-146b-5b (24 h: 2.60 ± 0.46; 48 h: 2.97 ± 0.23-fold change) was detected. The peak of both miRNA levels paralleled with release of trypomastigote forms. Addition of 3 µM and 10 µM of Bz 48 h after infection reduced parasite load but did not interfere with miR-145-5p and miR-146b-5p levels. Addition of PTX did not interfere with Bz-induced parasite control efficacy. Conversely, combined Bz + PTX treatment decreased the levels of both microRNAs, resembling the expression levels detected in non-infected H9C2 cells. Moreover, the use of miR-145-5p and miR-146b-5p mimic/inhibitor systems before infection of H9C2 cells decreased parasite load, 72 h postinfection. When H9C2 cells were treated with miR-145-5p and miR-146b-5p mimic/inhibitor 48 h after infection, all the used systems, except the miR-146b-5p inhibitor, reduced parasite load. Altogether, our data indicate that these microRNAs putatively control signaling pathways crucial for parasite–host cell interaction. Thus, miR-145-5p and miR-146b-5p deserve to be further investigated as biomarkers of parasite control and tools to identify therapeutic adjuvants to etiological treatment in Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Silva Grijó Farani
- Real Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Iandra Silva Ferreira
- Real Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Gibaldi
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio Cruz Moreira
- Real Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hoffman KA, Villar MJ, Poveda C, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Tweardy DJ, Jones KM. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 Modulation of Cardiac Pathology in Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:708325. [PMID: 34504808 PMCID: PMC8421853 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.708325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a severe clinical manifestation that develops in 30%–40% of individuals chronically infected with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is thus an important public health problem. Parasite persistence during chronic infection drives pathologic changes in the heart, including myocardial inflammation and progressive fibrosis, that contribute to clinical disease. Clinical manifestations of CCC span a range of symptoms, including cardiac arrhythmias, thromboembolic disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This study aimed to investigate the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in cardiac pathology in a mouse model of CCC. STAT3 is a known cellular mediator of collagen deposition and fibrosis. Mice were infected with T. cruzi and then treated daily from 70 to 91 days post infection (DPI) with TTI-101, a small molecule inhibitor of STAT3; benznidazole; a combination of benznidazole and TTI-101; or vehicle alone. Cardiac function was evaluated at the beginning and end of treatment by echocardiography. By the end of treatment, STAT3 inhibition with TTI-101 eliminated cardiac fibrosis and fibrosis biomarkers but increased cardiac inflammation; serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IFN−γ; cardiac gene expression of STAT1 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB); and upregulation of IL-6 and Type I and Type II IFN responses. Concurrently, decreased heart function was measured by echocardiography and myocardial strain. These results indicate that STAT3 plays a critical role in the cardiac inflammatory–fibrotic axis during CCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn A Hoffman
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Jose Villar
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - David J Tweardy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control & Employee Health, Division of Internal Medicine and Department of Molecular & Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kathryn M Jones
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Farani PSG, Begum K, Vilar-Pereira G, Pereira IR, Almeida IC, Roy S, Lannes-Vieira J, Moreira OC. Treatment With Suboptimal Dose of Benznidazole Mitigates Immune Response Molecular Pathways in Mice With Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:692655. [PMID: 34381739 PMCID: PMC8351877 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.692655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most frequent and severe form of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and the main cause of morbimortality from cardiovascular problems in endemic areas. Although efforts have been made to understand the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying CCC, the immunological signaling pathways regulated by the etiological treatment with benznidazole (Bz) has not been reported. In experimental CCC, Bz combined with the hemorheological and immunoregulatory agent pentoxifylline (PTX) has beneficial effects on CCC. To explore the molecular mechanisms of Bz or Bz+PTX therapeutic strategies, C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with the T. cruzi Colombian strain (discrete typing unit TcI) and showing electrocardiographic abnormalities were submitted to suboptimal dose of Bz or Bz+PTX from 120 to 150 days postinfection. Electrocardiographic alterations, such as prolonged corrected QT interval and heart parasite load, were beneficially impacted by Bz and Bz+PTX. RT-qPCR TaqMan array was used to evaluate the expression of 92 genes related to the immune response in RNA extracted from heart tissues. In comparison with non-infected mice, 30 genes were upregulated, and 31 were downregulated in infected mice. Particularly, infection upregulated the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12b, and IL-2 (126-, 44-, and 18-fold change, respectively) and the T-cell chemoattractants CCL3 and CCL5 (23- and 16-fold change, respectively). Bz therapy restored the expression of genes related to inflammatory response, cellular development, growth, and proliferation, and tissue development pathways, most probably linked to the cardiac remodeling processes inherent to CCC, thus mitigating the Th1-driven response found in vehicle-treated infected mice. The combined Bz+PTX therapy revealed pathways related to the modulation of cell death and survival, and organismal survival, supporting that this strategy may mitigate the progression of CCC. Altogether, our results contribute to the better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the immune response in the heart tissue in chronic Chagas disease and reinforce that parasite persistence and dysregulated immune response underpin CCC severity. Therefore, Bz and Bz+PTX chemotherapies emerge as tools to interfere in these pathways aiming to improve CCC prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Silva Grijó Farani
- Real Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Khodeza Begum
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Sourav Roy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacilio Cruz Moreira
- Real Time PCR Platform RPT09A, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vilar-Pereira G, Castaño Barrios L, da Silva AA, Martins Batista A, Resende Pereira I, Cruz Moreira O, Britto C, Mata dos Santos HA, Lannes-Vieira J. Memory impairment in chronic experimental Chagas disease: Benznidazole therapy reversed cognitive deficit in association with reduction of parasite load and oxidative stress in the nervous tissue. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244710. [PMID: 33400707 PMCID: PMC7785227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Memory impairment has been associated with chronic Chagas disease (CD), a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In degenerative diseases, memory loss has been associated with increased oxidative stress, revealed as enhanced lipid peroxidation, in the cerebral cortex. Benznidazole (Bz), a trypanocidal drug efficient to reduce blood parasite load in the acute and chronic phases of infection, showed controversial effects on heart disease progression, the main clinical manifestation of CD. Here, we evaluated whether C57BL/6 mice infected with the Colombian type I T. cruzi strain present memory deficit assessed by (i) the novel object recognition task, (ii) the open field test and (iii) the aversive shock evoked test, at 120 days post infection (dpi). Next, we tested the effects of Bz therapy (25mg/Kg/day, for 30 consecutive days) on memory evocation, and tried to establish a relation between memory loss, parasite load and oxidative stress in the central nervous system (CNS). At 120 dpi, T. cruzi-infected mice showed memory impairment, compared with age-matched non-infected controls. Bz therapy (from 120 to 150 dpi) hampered the progression of habituation and aversive memory loss and, moreover, reversed memory impairment in object recognition. In vehicle-administered infected mice, neuroinflammation was absent albeit rare perivascular mononuclear cells were found in meninges and choroid plexus. Bz therapy abrogated the infiltration of the CNS by inflammatory cells, and reduced parasite load in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. At 120 and 150 dpi, lipid peroxidation was increased in the hippocampus and cortex tissue extracts. Notably, Bz therapy reduced levels of lipid peroxidation in the cerebral cortex. Therefore, in experimental chronic T. cruzi infection Bz therapy improved memory loss, in association with reduction of parasite load and oxidative stress in the CNS, providing a new perspective to improve the quality of life of Chagas disease patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leda Castaño Barrios
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andrea Alice da Silva
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Apoio à Pesquisa em Nefrologia e Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Angelica Martins Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hílton Antônio Mata dos Santos
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Análise e Desenvolvimento de Inibidores Enzimáticos e Laboratório Multiusuário de Análises por RMN, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
de Almeida Fiuza LF, Batista DDGJ, Nunes DF, Moreira OC, Cascabulho C, Soeiro MDNC. Benznidazole modulates release of inflammatory mediators by cardiac spheroids infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2020; 221:108061. [PMID: 33383023 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi remains a serious public health problem in Latin America. The available treatment is limited to two old drugs, benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox, which exhibit limited efficacy and trigger side effects, justifying the search for new therapies. Also, more accurate and sensitive experimental protocols for drug discovery programs are necessary to shrink the translational gaps found among pre-clinical and clinical trials. Presently, cardiac spheroids were used to evaluate host cell cytotoxicity and anti-T.cruzi activity of benznidazole, exploring its effect on the release of inflammatory mediators. Bz presented low toxic profile on 3D matrices (LC50 > 200 μM) and high potency in vitro (EC50 = 0.99 μM) evidenced by qPCR analysis of T.cruzi-infected cardiac spheroids. Flow cytometry appraisal of inflammatory mediators released at the cellular supernatant showed increases in IL - 6 and TNF contents (≈190 and ≈ 25-fold) in parasitized spheroids as compared to uninfected cultures. Bz at 10 μM suppressed parasite load (92%) concomitantly decreasing in IL-6 (36%) and TNF (68%). Our findings corroborate the successful use of 3D cardiac matrices for in vitro identification of novel anti-parasitic agents and potential impact in host cell physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise da Gama Jaen Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ferreira Nunes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cynthia Cascabulho
- Laboratório de Inovações Em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Campos-Estrada C, González-Herrera F, Greif G, Carillo I, Guzmán-Rivera D, Liempi A, Robello C, Kemmerling U, Castillo C, Maya JD. Notch receptor expression in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with benznidazole or simvastatin revealed by microarray analysis. Cell Biol Int 2020; 44:1112-1123. [PMID: 31943572 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Current therapy involves benznidazole. Benznidazole and other drugs can modify gene expression patterns, improving the response to the inflammatory influx induced by T. cruzi and decreasing the endothelial activation or immune cell recruitment, among other effects. Here, we performed a microarray analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with benznidazole and the anti-inflammatory drugs acetylsalicylic acid or simvastatin and infected with T. cruzi. Parasitic infection produces differential expression of a set of genes in HUVECs treated with benznidazole alone or a combination with simvastatin or acetylsalicylic acid. The differentially expressed genes were involved in inflammation, adhesion, cardiac function, and remodeling. Notch1 and high mobility group B1 were genes of interest in this analysis due to their importance in placental development, cardiac development, and inflammation. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmation of these two genes indicated that both are upregulated in the presence of benznidazole.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Campos-Estrada
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Av. Gran Bretaña 1093, Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Región de Valparaíso, 2360102, Chile
| | - Fabiola González-Herrera
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, 8380453, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Greif
- Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute and Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Avenida General Flores 2125, Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
| | - Ileana Carillo
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, 8380453, Chile
| | - Daniela Guzmán-Rivera
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, 8380453, Chile
| | - Ana Liempi
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, 8380453, Chile
| | - Carlos Robello
- Molecular Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute and Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Avenida General Flores 2125, Montevideo, 11800, Uruguay
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, 8380453, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, 8380453, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, 8380453, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Meira CS, Santos EDS, Santo RFDE, Vasconcelos JF, Orge ID, Nonaka CKV, Barreto BC, Caria ACI, Silva DN, Barbosa-Filho JM, Macambira SG, Moreira DRM, Soares MBP. Betulinic Acid Derivative BA5, Attenuates Inflammation and Fibrosis in Experimental Chronic Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy by Inducing IL-10 and M2 Polarization. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1257. [PMID: 31244833 PMCID: PMC6579897 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a major cause of heart disease in Latin America and treatment for this condition is unsatisfactory. Here we investigated the effects of BA5, an amide semi-synthetic derivative betulinic acid, in a model of CCC. Mice chronically infected with T. cruzi were treated orally with BA5 (10 or 1 mg/Kg), three times per week, for 2 months. BA5 treatment decreased inflammation and fibrosis in heart sections but did not improve exercise capacity or ameliorate cardiac electric disturbances in infected mice. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β, as well as cardiac gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, were reduced after BA5 treatment. In contrast, a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 concentration was observed in BA5-treated mice in both tested doses compared to vehicle-treated mice. Moreover, polarization to anti-inflammatory/M2 macrophage phenotype was evidenced by a decrease in the expression of NOS2 and proinflammatory cytokines and the increase in M2 markers, such as Arg1 and CHI3 in mice treated with BA5. In conclusion, BA5 had a potent anti-inflammatory activity on a model of parasite-driven heart disease related to IL-10 production and a switch from M1 to M2 subset of macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renan Fernandes do Espírito Santo
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Science and Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Juliana Fraga Vasconcelos
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Iasmim Diniz Orge
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Carolina Kymie Vasques Nonaka
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Breno Cardim Barreto
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | - Daniela Nascimento Silva
- FIOCRUZ, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - José Maria Barbosa-Filho
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Simone Garcia Macambira
- Science and Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil.,Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhang Z, Li K. Curcumin attenuates high glucose-induced inflammatory injury through the reactive oxygen species-phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B-nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway in rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells. J Diabetes Investig 2018; 9:731-740. [PMID: 29080256 PMCID: PMC6031518 DOI: 10.1111/jdi.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS/INTRODUCTION Endothelial cell inflammatory injury is likely required for barrier dysfunction under hyperglycemic conditions. Curcumin (CUR) is well known for its anti-inflammatory effect. However, there have been few reports about the anti-inflammatory effect of CUR induced by high glucose in endothelial cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inflammatory effect of high glucose and the anti-inflammatory effect of CUR induced by high glucose in rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells (TAECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS Well characterized TAECs were established and cell viability was assayed by the cell counting kit-8 method, messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expression were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The production of reactive oxygen species was observed by a fluorescence microscope. RESULTS High glucose (30 mmol/L) significantly decreased the cell viability of TAECs after being co-cultivated for 12 h and showed a time-dependent manner, and increased interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion in TAECs. The injury effect of high glucose was involved in the reactive oxygen species-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)-nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. Anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine, PI3K and NF-κB-specific pathway inhibitors can abolish the secretion of these inflammatory factors; pretreatment with anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine significantly decreased PI3K expression, the level of phosphorylated AKT and nuclear NF-κB; pretreatment of LY294002 can significantly decrease the NF-κB level in nuclei. After treatment with CUR for 12 h, IL-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion were markedly decreased, and PI3K expression, the phosphorylation of AKT and nuclear NF-κB level were also decreased. CONCLUSION Curcumin attenuates high glucose-induced inflammatory injury through the reactive oxygen species-PI3K/AKT-NF-κB signaling pathway in rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- Department of EndocrinologyFirst People's HospitalShangqiuHenanChina
| | - Keming Li
- Department of pharmacologyResearch institute of traditional Chinese medicineJinanShandongChina
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li W, Sun R, Zhou S, Ma J, Xie Y, Xu B, Long H, Luo K, Fang K. 2,3,5,4'‑Tetrahydroxystilbene‑2‑O‑β‑D‑glucoside inhibits septic serum‑induced inflammatory injury via interfering with the ROS‑MAPK‑NF‑κB signaling pathway in pulmonary aortic endothelial cells. Int J Mol Med 2017; 41:1643-1650. [PMID: 29286092 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is characterized by injury to the microvasculature and the microvascular endothelial cells, leading to barrier dysfunction. However, the specific role of injury in septic endothelial barrier dysfunction remains to be elucidated. In the present study, it was hypothesized that endothelial cell inflammatory injury is likely required for barrier dysfunction under septic conditions in vitro. 2,3,5,4'‑Tetrahydroxystilbene‑2‑O‑β‑D‑glucoside (TSG), a compound extracted from Chinese herbs, is able to inhibit the inflammatory injury of septic‑serum in endothelial cells. In the present study, cell viability was assayed by CCK‑8 method; mRNA and protein expression was identified by RT‑qPCR, western blot or Elisa, respectively and the production of reactive oxygen species was observed by a fluorescence microscope. The present study indicated that septic serum significantly decreased the cell viability of pulmonary aortic endothelial cells (PAECs) following co‑cultivation for 6 h, which occurred in a time‑dependent manner. TSG notably increased the viability of PAECs in a time‑ and concentration‑dependent manner. Further investigations revealed that septic serum increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6 and C‑reactive protein in PAECs, whereas pretreatment with TSG significantly decreased the secretion of these inflammatory factors. These data indicated that septic serum increased inflammatory injury to the PAECs, and TSG decreased this injury via the reactive oxygen species‑mitogen‑activated protein kinase‑nuclear factor‑κB signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Li
- Intensive Care Unit, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
| | - Ruifang Sun
- Department of Joint Surgery, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
| | - Sumei Zhou
- Intensive Care Unit, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
| | - Jinluan Ma
- Intensive Care Unit, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
| | - Yingguang Xie
- Intensive Care Unit, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272011, P.R. China
| | - Bingcan Xu
- Department of Emergency, Sun Yat‑Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Huibao Long
- Department of Emergency, Sun Yat‑Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Keqin Luo
- Department of Emergency, Sun Yat‑Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Kuaifa Fang
- Emergency of ICU, Huiyang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
The immunomodulatory effects of the Enalapril in combination with Benznidazole during acute and chronic phases of the experimental infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 2017; 174:136-145. [PMID: 28720491 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi infection triggers a chronic inflammatory process responsible for the alterations in the extracellular matrix and functionality of the heart. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors affects T. cruzi in vitro surveillance and modulates in vivo some inflammatory mediators. In this study, we investigated the treatment with an ACE inhibitor (Enalapril) and the Benznidazole (Bz) in a single and combination therapies (CT) in C57BL/6 mice infected with VL-10 strain of the T. cruzi. Animals were treated during 20days with different doses of Bz (100, 80, 60mg/kg), Enalapril (25, 20, 15mg/kg) and their CT (100+25; 80+20; 60+15mg/kg) and euthanized at 30° (acute) and at 120° (chronic) days post infection. The plasma and heart were processed for immunopathological investigations. Our data shown that Bz and Enalapril controlled, in part, the parasite replication and reduced plasma levels of TNF, CCL2 and CCL5 in the acute and in chronic phase of infection. However, the CT doses reduced in around 20% the inflammatory parameters obtained with the Bz therapy. The CT doses of 100+25 and 80+20mg/kg increased the IL-10 levels and reduced the cardiac inflammation while Bz inhibited the collagen neogenesis in the infection. In conclusion, we assume that the CT administrated in the initial stage of infection, presents a minor immunomodulatory effect when the VL-10 strain of T. cruzi is used. In contrast, Bz and Enalapril in monotherapies persist suggesting a potential protection against cardiac damages during experimental T. cruzi infection.
Collapse
|
18
|
Dos Santos-Silva AM, de Caland LB, de S L Oliveira ALC, de Araújo-Júnior RF, Fernandes-Pedrosa MF, Cornélio AM, da Silva-Júnior AA. Designing structural features of novel benznidazole-loaded cationic nanoparticles for inducing slow drug release and improvement of biological efficacy. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2017; 78:978-987. [PMID: 28576075 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2017.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Several polymers have been investigated for producing cationic nanocarriers due to their ability to cross biological barriers. Polycations such as copolymers of polymethylmethacrylate are highlighted due to their biocompatibility and low toxicity. The purpose of this study was to produce small and narrow-sized cationic nanoparticles able to overcome cell membranes and improve the biological activity of benznidazole (BNZ) in normal and cancer cells. The effect of composition and procedure parameters of the used emulsification-solvent evaporation method were controlled for this purpose. The experimental approach included particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy (AFM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (ATR- FTIR), drug loading efficiency, and physical stability assays. Spherical and stable (over six weeks) sub 150nm cationic nanoparticles were optimized, with the encapsulation efficiency >80%. The used drug/copolymer ratio modulated the slow drug release, which was adjusted by the parabolic diffusion mathematical model. In addition, the ability of the cationic nanoparticles improve the BNZ uptake in the normal kidney cells (HEK 293) and the human colorectal cancer cells (HT 29) demonstrate that this novel BNZ-loaded cationic has great potential as a chemotherapeutic application of benznidazole.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaine M Dos Santos-Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Lilia B de Caland
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil
| | | | | | - Matheus F Fernandes-Pedrosa
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Alianda Maira Cornélio
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, - RN, Brazil
| | - Arnóbio A da Silva-Júnior
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lambertucci F, Motiño O, Villar S, Rigalli JP, de Luján Alvarez M, Catania VA, Martín-Sanz P, Carnovale CE, Quiroga AD, Francés DE, Ronco MT. Benznidazole, the trypanocidal drug used for Chagas disease, induces hepatic NRF2 activation and attenuates the inflammatory response in a murine model of sepsis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2016; 315:12-22. [PMID: 27899278 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms on sepsis progression are linked to the imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular antioxidant capacity. Previous studies demonstrated that benznidazole (BZL), known for its antiparasitic action on Trypanosoma cruzi, has immunomodulatory effects, increasing survival in C57BL/6 mice in a model of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The mechanism by which BZL inhibits inflammatory response in sepsis is poorly understood. Also, our group recently reported that BZL is able to activate the nuclear factor erytroide-derived 2-Like 2 (NRF2) in vitro. The aim of the present work was to delineate the beneficial role of BZL during sepsis, analyzing its effects on the cellular redox status and the possible link to the innate immunity receptor TLR4. Specifically, we analyzed the effect of BZL on Nrf2 regulation and TLR4 expression in liver of mice 24hours post-CLP. BZL was able to induce NRF2 nuclear protein localization in CLP mice. Also, we found that protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in the NRF2 nuclear accumulation and induction of its target genes. In addition, BZL prompted a reduction in hepatic CLP-induced TLR4 protein membrane localization, evidencing its immunomodulatory effects. Together, our results demonstrate that BZL induces hepatic NRF2 activation with the concomitant increase in the antioxidant defenses, and the attenuation of inflammatory response, in part, by inhibiting TLR4 expression in a murine model of sepsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Lambertucci
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (IFISE-CONICET), Suipacha 570, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Omar Motiño
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, CSIC-UAM, Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvina Villar
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNR, Suipacha 531, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Juan Pablo Rigalli
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (IFISE-CONICET), Suipacha 570, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - María de Luján Alvarez
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (IFISE-CONICET), Suipacha 570, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Viviana A Catania
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (IFISE-CONICET), Suipacha 570, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Paloma Martín-Sanz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, CSIC-UAM, Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ariel Darío Quiroga
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (IFISE-CONICET), Suipacha 570, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Daniel Eleazar Francés
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (IFISE-CONICET), Suipacha 570, 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - María Teresa Ronco
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (IFISE-CONICET), Suipacha 570, 2000 Rosario, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Combination Chemotherapy with Suboptimal Doses of Benznidazole and Pentoxifylline Sustains Partial Reversion of Experimental Chagas' Heart Disease. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:4297-309. [PMID: 27161638 PMCID: PMC4914640 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02123-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) progresses with parasite persistence, fibrosis, and electrical alterations associated with an unbalanced immune response such as high plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nitric oxide (NO). Presently, the available treatments only mitigate the symptoms of CCC. To improve CCC prognosis, we interfered with the parasite load and unbalanced immune response using the trypanocidal drug benznidazole (Bz) and the immunoregulator pentoxifylline (PTX). C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with the Colombian strain of Trypanosoma cruzi and with signs of CCC were treated for 30 days with a suboptimal dose of Bz (25 mg/kg of body weight), PTX (20 mg/kg), or their combination (Bz plus PTX) and analyzed for electrocardiographic, histopathological, and immunological changes. Bz (76%) and Bz-plus-PTX (79%) therapies decreased parasite loads. Although the three therapies reduced myocarditis and fibrosis and ameliorated electrical alterations, only Bz plus PTX restored normal heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) intervals. Bz-plus-PTX-treated mice presented complementary effects of Bz and PTX, which reduced TNF expression (37%) in heart tissue and restored normal TNF receptor 1 expression on CD8+ T cells, respectively. Bz (85%) and PTX (70%) therapies reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS2) in heart tissue, but only Bz (58%) reduced NO levels in serum. These effects were more pronounced after Bz-plus-PTX therapy. Moreover, 30 to 50 days after treatment cessation, reductions of the prolonged QTc and QRS intervals were sustained in Bz-plus-PTX-treated mice. Our findings support the importance of interfering with the etiological agent and immunological abnormalities to improve CCC prognosis, opening an opportunity for a better quality of life for Chagas' disease (CD) patients.
Collapse
|
21
|
Cevey ÁC, Mirkin GA, Penas FN, Goren NB. Low-dose benznidazole treatment results in parasite clearance and attenuates heart inflammatory reaction in an experimental model of infection with a highly virulent Trypanosoma cruzi strain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2015; 6:12-22. [PMID: 26862474 PMCID: PMC4706620 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is the main cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in the Americas. Antiparasitic treatment mostly relies on benznidazole (Bzl) due to Nifurtimox shortage or unavailability. Both induce adverse drug effects (ADE) of varied severity in many patients, leading to treatment discontinuation or abandonment. Since dosage may influence ADE, we aimed to assess Bzl efficacy in terms of parasiticidal and anti-inflammatory activity, using doses lower than those previously reported. BALB/c mice infected with the T. cruzi RA strain were treated with different doses of Bzl. Parasitaemia, mortality and weight change were assessed. Parasite load, tissue infiltrates and inflammatory mediators were studied in the heart. Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity was determined as a marker of heart damage. The infection-independent anti-inflammatory properties of Bzl were studied in an in vitro model of LPS-treated cardiomyocyte culture. Treatment with 25 mg/kg/day Bzl turned negative the parasitological parameters, induced a significant decrease in IL-1β, IL-6 and NOS2 in the heart and CK activity in serum, to normal levels. No mortality was observed in infected treated mice. Primary cultured cardiomyocytes treated with Bzl showed that inflammatory mediators were reduced via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. A Bzl dose lower than that previously reported for treatment of experimental Chagas disease exerts adequate antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory effects leading to parasite clearance and tissue healing. This may be relevant to reassess the dose currently used for the treatment of human Chagas disease, aiming to minimize ADE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ágata Carolina Cevey
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM - UBA, CONICET), Argentina
| | - Gerardo Ariel Mirkin
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM - UBA, CONICET), Argentina
| | - Federico Nicolás Penas
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM - UBA, CONICET), Argentina
| | - Nora Beatriz Goren
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM - UBA, CONICET), Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Campos-Estrada C, Liempi A, González-Herrera F, Lapier M, Kemmerling U, Pesce B, Ferreira J, López-Muñoz R, Maya JD. Simvastatin and Benznidazole-Mediated Prevention of Trypanosoma cruzi-Induced Endothelial Activation: Role of 15-epi-lipoxin A4 in the Action of Simvastatin. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003770. [PMID: 25978361 PMCID: PMC4433340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of Chagas Disease that is endemic in Latin American, afflicting more than ten million people approximately. This disease has two phases, acute and chronic. The acute phase is often asymptomatic, but with time it progresses to the chronic phase, affecting the heart and gastrointestinal tract and can be lethal. Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy involves an inflammatory vasculopathy. Endothelial activation during Chagas disease entails the expression of cell adhesion molecules such as E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) through a mechanism involving NF-κB activation. Currently, specific trypanocidal therapy remains on benznidazole, although new triazole derivatives are promising. A novel strategy is proposed that aims at some pathophysiological processes to facilitate current antiparasitic therapy, decreasing treatment length or doses and slowing disease progress. Simvastatin has anti-inflammatory actions, including improvement of endothelial function, by inducing a novel pro-resolving lipid, the 5-lypoxygenase derivative 15-epi-lipoxin A4 (15-epi-LXA4), which belongs to aspirin-triggered lipoxins. Herein, we propose modifying endothelial activation with simvastatin or benznidazole and evaluate the pathways involved, including induction of 15-epi-LXA4. The effect of 5 μM simvastatin or 20 μM benznidazole upon endothelial activation was assessed in EA.hy926 or HUVEC cells, by E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. 15-epi-LXA4 production and the relationship of both drugs with the NFκB pathway, as measured by IKK-IKB phosphorylation and nuclear migration of p65 protein was also assayed. Both drugs were administered to cell cultures 16 hours before the infection with T. cruzi parasites. Indeed, 5 μM simvastatin as well as 20 μM benznidazole prevented the increase in E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in T. cruzi-infected endothelial cells by decreasing the NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, Simvastatin and benznidazole prevent endothelial activation induced by T. cruzi infection, and the effect of simvastatin is mediated by the inhibition of the NFκB pathway by inducing 15-epi-LXA4 production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Campos-Estrada
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana Liempi
- Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabiola González-Herrera
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Michel Lapier
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Barbara Pesce
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Ferreira
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo López-Muñoz
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Farmacología y Morfofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Juan D. Maya
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
González FB, Villar SR, Fernández Bussy R, Martin GH, Pérol L, Manarin R, Spinelli SV, Pilon C, Cohen JL, Bottasso OA, Piaggio E, Pérez AR. Immunoendocrine dysbalance during uncontrolled T. cruzi infection is associated with the acquisition of a Th-1-like phenotype by Foxp3(+) T cells. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 45:219-32. [PMID: 25483139 PMCID: PMC7126853 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously showed that Trypanosomacruzi infection in C57BL/6 mice results in a lethal infection linked to unbalanced pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators production. Here, we examined the dynamics of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells within this inflammatory and highly Th1-polarized environment. Treg cells showed a reduced proliferation rate and their frequency is progressively reduced along infection compared to effector T (Teff) cells. Also, a higher fraction of Treg cells showed a naïve phenotype, meanwhile Teff cells were mostly of the effector memory type. T. cruzi infection was associated with the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, notably IL-27p28, and with the induction of T-bet and IFN-γ expression in Treg cells. Furthermore, endogenous glucocorticoids released in response to T. cruzi-driven immune activation were crucial to sustain the Treg/Teff cell balance. Notably, IL-2 plus dexamethasone combined treatment before infection was associated with increased Treg cell proliferation and expression of GATA-3, IL-4 and IL-10, and increased mice survival time. Overall, our results indicate that therapies aimed at specifically boosting Treg cells, which during T. cruzi infection are overwhelmed by the effector immune response, represent new opportunities for the treatment of Chagas disease, which is actually only based on parasite-targeted chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florencia B. González
- IDICER-CONICET, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario and Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina
| | - Silvina R. Villar
- IDICER-CONICET, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario and Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina
| | - Rodrigo Fernández Bussy
- IDICER-CONICET, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario and Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina
| | | | - Louis Pérol
- INSERM U932, 26 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France,Institut Curie, Section Recherche, 26 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Romina Manarin
- IDICER-CONICET, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario and Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina
| | - Silvana V. Spinelli
- IDICER-CONICET, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario and Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina
| | | | - José Laurent Cohen
- INSERM U955, Equipe 21, Créteil, France,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France,AP-HP, Hôpital Henri-Mondor – A. Chenevier, CIC-BT-504, Créteil, France
| | - Oscar A. Bottasso
- IDICER-CONICET, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario and Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina
| | - Eliane Piaggio
- INSERM U932, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Curie, Section Recherche, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France; INSERM Center of Clinical Investigation (CBT507 IGR-Curie), 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Ana R. Pérez
- IDICER-CONICET, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario and Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina,Corresponding authors at: IDICER-CONICET, Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Santa Fe 3100, 2000 Rosario, Argentina (A.R. Pérez). INSERM U932, 26 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France (E. Piaggio).
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Chen H, Zhu W, Feng J, Li S. Protective effect of diallyl trisulfide on liver in rats with sepsis and the mechanism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 32:657-662. [PMID: 23073793 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-012-1013-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The protective effects of diallyl trisulfide on liver were examined in rats with sepsis. Sepsis was reproduced in rats by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP). Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (group S, n=8), sepsis model group (group C, n=24), diallyl trisulfide (DATS)-treated group (group D, n=24). Animals in groups C and D were further divided into three subgroups according to different observation time points, with 8 rats in each subgroup· Rats in group D and C were intravenously injected with normal saline or DATS respectively at a dose of 20 mg/kg after the establishment of sepsis model. Eight rats in groups C and D were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 24 h post-CLP and their livers were harvested for detection of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor associated kinase-4 (IRAK-4), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), c-fos, c-jun, malondialdehydethhe (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and for pathological examination. The results showed that the levels of serum IRAK-4, NF-κB and TNF-α in hepatic tissues were higher in group C than group S (control group) (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the levels of IRAK-4 and NF-κB in the hepatic tissues and serum TNF-α in group D were lower than those in group C (P<0.05). The levels of c-fos and c-jun and MDA in the hepatic tissues were higher in group C than in group S (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the levels of c-fos and c-jun and MDA in the hepatic tissues were significantly lower in group D than in group C (P<0.05). When compared with group S group, concentration of SOD in the hepatic tissues in group C was significantly lower (P<0.05). After DATS treatment, the concentration of SOD in the hepatic tissues was higher in group D than in group C (P<0.05). These findings suggested that treatment with DATS could ameliorate sepsis-induced liver injury in rats. The protective effect might be related to its ability to inhibit the signal pathway of IRAK-4 and NF-κB, thereby decreasing the production of oxygen free radicals and down-regulating the expression of c-fos and c-jun.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huawen Chen
- Department of Emergence Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Emergence Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Jun Feng
- Department of Emergence Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shusheng Li
- Department of Emergence Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Calvo KL, Ronco MT, Noguera NI, García F. Benznidazole modulates cell proliferation in acute leukemia cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2014; 35:478-86. [PMID: 23855487 DOI: 10.3109/08923973.2013.811597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT We have previously reported that benznidazole (BZL), known for its trypanocidal action, has anti-proliferative activity against different cell lines like HeLa and Raw 264.7 among others. At the moment, it has not been reported if the anti-proliferative effect of BZL is similar for non-adherent hematopoietic cells like was reported for adherent cancer cell lines. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the efficacy of BZL on the growth of the leukemic cell lines THP-1 and OCI/AML3. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated cell proliferation by [³H]-thymidine incorporation and MTT reduction as well as cell death by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. We assessed apoptosis by flow cytometry for detection of annexin V-positive and propidium iodide-negative cells, along with nuclear morphology by diamidino-2-phenolindole (DAPI) staining. Western blot studies were performed to evaluate changes in cell cycle proteins in BZL-treated cells. RESULTS BZL significantly reduced proliferation of both cell lines without inducing cell death. Likewise it produced no significant differences in apoptosis between treated cells and controls. In addition, flow cytometry analysis indicated that BZL caused a larger number of THP-1 cells in G0/G1 phase and a smaller number of cells in S phase than controls. This was accompanied with an increase in the expression of the CDK inhibitor p27 and of cyclin D1, with no significant differences in the protein levels of CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, cyclins E, A and B as compared to controls. CONCLUSION BZL inhibits the proliferation of leukemic non-adherent cells by controlling cell cycle at G0/G1 cell phase through up-regulation of p27.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karina Lucrecia Calvo
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Molina-Berríos A, Campos-Estrada C, Lapier M, Duaso J, Kemmerling U, Galanti N, Leiva M, Ferreira J, López-Muñoz R, Maya JD. Benznidazole prevents endothelial damage in an experimental model of Chagas disease. Acta Trop 2013; 127:6-13. [PMID: 23529066 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of benznidazole on endothelial activation in a murine model of Chagas disease. METHODS A low (30mg/kg/day) and a high (100mg/kg/day) dose of benznidazole were administered to mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi during the early phases of the infection. The effects of the treatments were assessed at 24 and 90 days postinfection by evaluating the parasitaemia, mortality, histopathological changes and expression of ICAM in the cardiac tissue. The blood levels of thromboxane A2, soluble ICAM and E-selectin were also measured. T. cruzi clearance was assessed by the detection of parasite DNA in the heart tissue of infected mice. RESULTS Benznidazole decreased the cardiac damage induced by the parasite, and amastigote nests disappeared at 90 days postinfection. Both doses cleared the parasite from the cardiac tissue at 24 and 90 days postinfection. In addition, benznidazole decreased the thromboxane levels and normalized the plasma sICAM and sE-selectin levels by 90 days postinfection. CONCLUSIONS Early administration of benznidazole at a dose as low as 30mg/kg eradicates T. cruzi from cardiac tissue. Additionally, benznidazole prevents cardiac damage and modulates endothelial activation as part of its antichagasic activity.
Collapse
|
27
|
Zymomonas mobilis culture protects against sepsis by modulating the inflammatory response, alleviating bacterial burden and suppressing splenocyte apoptosis. Eur J Pharm Sci 2013; 48:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|