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Li X, Yang Q, Luo G, Xu L, Dong W, Wang W, Dong S, Wang K, Xuan P, Gao X. SAGDTI: self-attention and graph neural network with multiple information representations for the prediction of drug-target interactions. BIOINFORMATICS ADVANCES 2023; 3:vbad116. [PMID: 38282612 PMCID: PMC10818136 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbad116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Motivation Accurate identification of target proteins that interact with drugs is a vital step in silico, which can significantly foster the development of drug repurposing and drug discovery. In recent years, numerous deep learning-based methods have been introduced to treat drug-target interaction (DTI) prediction as a classification task. The output of this task is binary identification suggesting the absence or presence of interactions. However, existing studies often (i) neglect the unique molecular attributes when embedding drugs and proteins, and (ii) determine the interaction of drug-target pairs without considering biological interaction information. Results In this study, we propose an end-to-end attention-derived method based on the self-attention mechanism and graph neural network, termed SAGDTI. The aim of this method is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks in the identification of DTI. SAGDTI is the first method to sufficiently consider the unique molecular attribute representations for both drugs and targets in the input form of the SMILES sequences and three-dimensional structure graphs. In addition, our method aggregates the feature attributes of biological information between drugs and targets through multi-scale topologies and diverse connections. Experimental results illustrate that SAGDTI outperforms existing prediction models, which benefit from the unique molecular attributes embedded by atom-level attention and biological interaction information representation aggregated by node-level attention. Moreover, a case study on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) shows that our model is a powerful tool for identifying DTIs in real life. Availability and implementation The data and codes underlying this article are available in Github at https://github.com/lixiaokun2020/SAGDTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokun Li
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
- Postdoctoral Program of Heilongjiang Hengxun Technology Co., Ltd., Harbin 150090, China
| | - Qiang Yang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
- Postdoctoral Program of Heilongjiang Hengxun Technology Co., Ltd., Harbin 150090, China
| | - Gongning Luo
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Long Xu
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
- Postdoctoral Program of Heilongjiang Hengxun Technology Co., Ltd., Harbin 150090, China
| | - Weihe Dong
- Postdoctoral Program of Heilongjiang Hengxun Technology Co., Ltd., Harbin 150090, China
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Suyu Dong
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Kuanquan Wang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Ping Xuan
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, China
- Department of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences & Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 4700 KAUST, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
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Fayed ND, Arafa MF, Essa EA, El Maghraby GM. Lopinavir-menthol co-crystals for enhanced dissolution rate and intestinal absorption. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022; 74:103587. [PMID: 35845293 PMCID: PMC9272570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Lopinavir is an antiretroviral, antiparasitic agent and recently utilized in treatment of COVID-19. Unfortunately, lopinavir exhibited poor oral bioavailability due to poor dissolution, extensive pre-systemic metabolism, and significant P-glycoprotein intestinal efflux. Accordingly, the aim was to enhance dissolution rate and intestinal absorption of lopinavir. This employed co-processing with menthol which is believed to modify crystalline structures and inhibit intestinal efflux. Lopinavir was mixed with menthol at different molar ratios before ethanol assisted kneading. Formulations were evaluated using FTIR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and dissolution studies. Optimum ratio was utilized to assess lopinavir intestinal permeability. This employed in situ rabbit intestinal perfusion technique. FTIR, DSC and XRD indicated formation of lopinavir-menthol co-crystals at optimum molar ratio of 1:2. Additional menthol underwent phase separation due to possible self-association. Co-crystallization significantly enhanced lopinavir dissolution rate compared with pure drug to increase the dissolution efficiency from 24.96% in case of unprocessed lopinavir to 91.43% in optimum formulation. Lopinavir showed incomplete absorption from duodenum and jejuno-iliac segments with lower absorptive clearance from jejuno-ileum reflecting P-gp efflux. Co-perfusion with menthol increased lopinavir intestinal permeability. The study introduced menthol as co-crystal co-former for enhanced dissolution and augmented intestinal absorption of lopinavir.
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Barbosa RCF, Landuci FS, de Oliveira MCC, Echevarria A, Pereira EC, Castelar B, Pontes MD, Torres-Santos EC, Andrade-Neto VV. Sterol profile of Neobenedenia melleni, a marine ectoparasite fish. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 246:111414. [PMID: 34551360 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neobenedenia melleni, a marine fish ectoparasite, is responsible for considerable losses in the mariculture industry. In maintaining the parasite's homeostasis, sterols are structural and functional lipids that perform vital functions. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of biosynthesis and the uptake of sterols can reveal potential pharmacological targets. The objective of this work was thereby to characterize the N. melleni sterols. The most abundant sterol found was cholesterol in either its free (47.48 ± 15.93 %) or esterified form. However, its precursors, squalene (3.53 ± 0.92 %) and desmosterol (0.25 ± 0.03 %), were also found, suggesting the uptake of these intermediates from hosts or an unusual active pathway of sterol biosynthesis, which can be further explored as pharmacological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo César Fernandes Barbosa
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, 23970-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Felipe Schwahofer Landuci
- Fundação Instituto de Pesca do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Produção, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcia Cristina Campos de Oliveira
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, 23970-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Aurea Echevarria
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, 23970-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Elisa Cavalcante Pereira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Castelar
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin. Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Marcelo Duarte Pontes
- Fundação Instituto de Pesca do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Diretoria de Pesquisa e Produção, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Valter Viana Andrade-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Abou-El-Naga IF, Gomaa MM, ElAchy SN. Effect of HIV aspartyl protease inhibitors on experimental infection with a cystogenic Me49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Pathog Glob Health 2021; 116:107-118. [PMID: 34420500 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2021.1967628] [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: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of major significant perspectives in public health and veterinary medicine. So far, the available drugs control only the active infection, once the parasite encysts in the tissues, they lose their efficacy. Cytokines; IFN-γ and IL-10, play a critical role in the modulation of toxoplasmic encephalitis and neuro-inflammation in chronic toxoplasmosis. Antiretroviral protease inhibitors applied in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, revealed activity against multiple parasites. Aluvia (lopinavir/ritonavir) (L/R); an aspartyl protease inhibitor, had efficiently treated T. gondii RH strain infection. We investigated the potential activity of L/R against experimental T. gondii infection with a cystogenic Me49 strain in mice, considering the role of IFN-γ and IL-10 in the neuropathology versus pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine combination therapy. Three aluvia regimens were applied; starting on the day of infection (acute phase), 2-week PI (early chronic phase) and eight weeks PI (late chronic phase). L/R reduced the brain-tissue cyst burden significantly in all treatment regimens. It impaired the parasite infectivity markedly in the late chronic phase. Ultrastructural changes were detected in Toxoplasma cyst membrane and wall, bradyzoite membrane and nuclear envelope. The signs of bradyzoite paraptosis and cytoplasmic lipid droplets were observed. L/R had significantly reduced the brain-homogenate levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 in its three regimens however, they could not reach the normal level in chronic phases. Cerebral hypercellularity, perivascular inflammatory response, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates and glial cellular reaction were ameliorated by L/R treatment. Herein, L/R was proved to possess promising preventive and therapeutic perspectives in chronic cerebral toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Fathy Abou-El-Naga
- Department Of Medical Parasitology, Faculty Of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Maha Mohamed Gomaa
- Department Of Medical Parasitology, Faculty Of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Samar Nabil ElAchy
- Department Of Pathology, Faculty Of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Lopinavir and Nelfinavir Induce the Accumulation of Crystalloid Lipid Inclusions within the Reservosomes of Trypanosoma cruzi and Inhibit Both Aspartyl-Type Peptidase and Cruzipain Activities Detected in These Crucial Organelles. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6030120. [PMID: 34287373 PMCID: PMC8293474 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6030120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several research groups have explored the repositioning of human immunodeficiency virus aspartyl peptidase inhibitors (HIV-PIs) on opportunistic infections caused by bacteria, fungi and protozoa. In Trypanosoma cruzi, HIV-PIs have a high impact on parasite viability, and one of the main alterations promoted by this treatment is the imbalance in the parasite’s lipid metabolism. However, the reasons behind this phenomenon are unknown. In the present work, we observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that the treatment of T. cruzi epimastigotes with the HIV-PIs lopinavir and nelfinavir induced a huge accumulation of crystalloid-shaped lipids within the reservosomes, most of them deforming these key organelles. As previously reported, those structures are characteristic of lipid inclusions formed mostly of cholesterol and cholesterol-esters. The fractionation of nontreated epimastigotes generated two distinct fractions enriched in reservosomes: one mostly composed of lipid inclusion-containing reservosomes (Fraction B1) and one where lipid inclusions were much less abundant (Fraction B2). Interestingly, the extract of Fraction B2 presented enzymatic activity related to aspartyl-type peptidases 3.5 times higher than that found in the extract obtained from Fraction B1. The cleavage of cathepsin D substrate by this class of peptidases was strongly impaired by pepstatin A, a prototypical aspartyl PI, and the HIV-PIs lopinavir and nelfinavir. In addition, both HIV-PIs also inhibited (to a lesser extent) the cruzipain activity present in reservosomes. Finally, our work provides new evidence concerning the presence and supposed participation of aspartyl peptidases in T. cruzi, even as it adds new information about the mechanisms behind the alterations promoted by lopinavir and nelfinavir in the protozoan.
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Acarbose presents in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity against Leishmania infantum and is a promising therapeutic candidate against visceral leishmaniasis. Med Microbiol Immunol 2021; 210:133-147. [PMID: 33870453 PMCID: PMC8053370 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-021-00707-4] [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: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Treatment against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is mainly hampered by drug toxicity, long treatment regimens and/or high costs. Thus, the identification of novel and low-cost antileishmanial agents is urgent. Acarbose (ACA) is a specific inhibitor of glucosidase-like proteins, which has been used for treating diabetes. In the present study, we show that this molecule also presents in vitro and in vivo specific antileishmanial activity against Leishmania infantum. Results showed an in vitro direct action against L. infantum promastigotes and amastigotes, and low toxicity to mammalian cells. In addition, in vivo experiments performed using free ACA or incorporated in a Pluronic® F127-based polymeric micelle system called ACA/Mic proved effective for the treatment of L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice. Treated animals presented significant reductions in the parasite load in their spleens, livers, bone marrows and draining lymph nodes when compared to the controls, as well as the development of antileishmanial Th1-type humoral and cellular responses based on high levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α, GM-CSF, nitrite and IgG2a isotype antibodies. In addition, ACA or ACA-treated animals suffered from low organ toxicity. Treatment with ACA/Mic outperformed treatments using either Miltefosine or free ACA based on parasitological and immunological evaluations performed one and 15 days post-therapy. In conclusion, data suggest that the ACA/Mic is a potential therapeutic agent against L. infantum and merits further consideration for VL treatment.
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7
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Xu C, Ke Z, Liu C, Wang Z, Liu D, Zhang L, Wang J, He W, Xu Z, Li Y, Yang Y, Huang Z, Lv P, Wang X, Han D, Li Y, Qiao N, Liu B. Systemic In Silico Screening in Drug Discovery for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) with an Online Interactive Web Server. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:5735-5745. [PMID: 32786695 PMCID: PMC7460831 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of the new coronavirus (nCoV-19) has impacted human health on a global scale, while the interaction between the virus and the host is the foundation of the disease. The viral genome codes a cluster of proteins, each with a unique function in the event of host invasion or viral development. Under the current adverse situation, we employ virtual screening tools in searching for drugs and natural products which have been already deposited in DrugBank in an attempt to accelerate the drug discovery process. This study provides an initial evaluation of current drug candidates from various reports using our systemic in silico drug screening based on structures of viral proteins and human ACE2 receptor. Additionally, we have built an interactive online platform (https://shennongproject.ai/) for browsing these results with the visual display of a small molecule docked on its potential target protein, without installing any specialized structural software. With continuous maintenance and incorporation of data from laboratory work, it may serve not only as the assessment tool for the new drug discovery but also an educational web site for the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Xu
- Laboratory of Health Intelligence,
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd,
Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Zunhui Ke
- Wuhan Children’s Hospital,
Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science
& Technology, Wuhan 430000,
China
| | - Chuandong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision
Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100101,
China
- College of Future Technology,
Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing, 100049
China
| | - Zhihao Wang
- BioBank, The First
Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Shaanxi 710061,
China
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and
Infection, Imperial College London, London
SW7 2AZ, U.K.
| | - Denghui Liu
- Laboratory of Health Intelligence,
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd,
Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Laboratory of Health Intelligence,
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd,
Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Jingning Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School
of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong
University of Science and Technology, Wuhan
430030, China
| | - Wenjun He
- Laboratory of Health Intelligence,
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd,
Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Zhimeng Xu
- Laboratory of Health Intelligence,
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd,
Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Yanqing Li
- BioBank, The First
Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Shaanxi 710061,
China
| | - Yanan Yang
- BioBank, The First
Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Shaanxi 710061,
China
| | - Zhaowei Huang
- Laboratory of Health Intelligence,
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd,
Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Panjing Lv
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School
of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong
University of Science and Technology, Wuhan
430030, China
| | - Xin Wang
- BioBank, The First
Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Shaanxi 710061,
China
| | - Dali Han
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision
Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100101,
China
- College of Future Technology,
Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing, 100049
China
- Institute for
Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Beijing 100101,
China
- China National Center for
Bioinformation, Beijing 100101,
China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School
of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong
University of Science and Technology, Wuhan
430030, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji
Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of
Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030,
China
| | - Nan Qiao
- Laboratory of Health Intelligence,
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd,
Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Bing Liu
- BioBank, The First
Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Shaanxi 710061,
China
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and
Infection, Imperial College London, London
SW7 2AZ, U.K.
- Instrument Analysis
Centre, of Xi’an Jiaotong University,
Shaanxi 710049, China
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Van den Kerkhof M, Sterckx YGJ, Leprohon P, Maes L, Caljon G. Experimental Strategies to Explore Drug Action and Resistance in Kinetoplastid Parasites. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E950. [PMID: 32599761 PMCID: PMC7356981 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are the causative agents of leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and American trypanosomiasis. They are responsible for high mortality and morbidity in (sub)tropical regions. Adequate treatment options are limited and have several drawbacks, such as toxicity, need for parenteral administration, and occurrence of treatment failure and drug resistance. Therefore, there is an urgency for the development of new drugs. Phenotypic screening already allowed the identification of promising new chemical entities with anti-kinetoplastid activity potential, but knowledge on their mode-of-action (MoA) is lacking due to the generally applied whole-cell based approach. However, identification of the drug target is essential to steer further drug discovery and development. Multiple complementary techniques have indeed been used for MoA elucidation. In this review, the different 'omics' approaches employed to define the MoA or mode-of-resistance of current reference drugs and some new anti-kinetoplastid compounds are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Van den Kerkhof
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Yann G.-J. Sterckx
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry (LMB), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (M.V.d.K.); (L.M.)
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9
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Rebello KM, Andrade-Neto VV, Gomes CRB, de Souza MVN, Branquinha MH, Santos ALS, Torres-Santos EC, d'Avila-Levy CM. Miltefosine-Lopinavir Combination Therapy Against Leishmania infantum Infection: In vitro and in vivo Approaches. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:229. [PMID: 31316919 PMCID: PMC6611157 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Concurrently, leishmaniasis and AIDS are global public health issues and the overlap between these diseases adds additional treats to the management of co-infected patients. Lopinavir (LPV) has a well characterized anti-HIV and leishmanicidal action, and to analyze its combined action with miltefosine (MFS) could help to envisage strategies to the management of co-infected patients. Here, we evaluate the interaction between LPV and MFS against Leishmania infantum infection by in vitro and in vivo approaches. The effect of the compounds alone or in association was assessed for 72 h in mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with L. infantum by the determination of the IC50s and FICIs. Subsequently, mice were orally treated twice daily during 5 days with the compounds alone or in association and evaluated after 30 days. The in vitro assays revealed an IC50 of 0.24 μM and 9.89 μM of MFS and LPV, respectively, and an additive effect of the compounds (FICI 1.28). The in vivo assays revealed that LPV alone reduced the parasite load in the spleen and liver by 52 and 40%, respectively. The combined treatment of infected BALB/c mice revealed that the compounds alone required at least two times higher doses than when administered in association to virtually eliminate the parasite. Mice plasma biochemical parameters assessed revealed that the combined therapy did not present any relevant hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, the association of MFS with LPV allowed a reduction in each compound concentration to achieve the same outcome in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Although a pronounced synergistic effect was not evidenced, it does not discard that such combination could be useful in humans co-infected with HIV and Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina M Rebello
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Valter V Andrade-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia Regina B Gomes
- Laboratório de Síntese de Substâncias no Combate a Doenças Tropicais, Farmanguinhos, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinícius N de Souza
- Laboratório de Síntese de Substâncias no Combate a Doenças Tropicais, Farmanguinhos, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Claudia M d'Avila-Levy
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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10
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Castilho VVS, Gonçalves KCS, Rebello KM, Baptista LPR, Sangenito LS, Santos HLC, Branquinha MH, Santos ALS, Menna-Barreto RFS, Guimarães AC, d'Avila-Levy CM. Docking simulation between HIV peptidase inhibitors and Trypanosoma cruzi aspartyl peptidase. BMC Res Notes 2018; 11:825. [PMID: 30463602 PMCID: PMC6249910 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3927-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The low investment in research, diagnosis and treatment are factors that contribute to the continuity of Chagas’ disease as a neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In this context, the repositioning of drugs represents a useful strategy, in the search for new chemotherapeutic approaches for NTDs. HIV aspartic peptidase inhibitors (HIV IPs) are good candidates for drug repurposing. Here, we modeled the three dimensional structure of an aspartyl peptidase of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease, aligned it to the HIV aspartyl peptidase and performed docking binding assays with the HIV PIs. Results The 3D structure confirmed the presence of acid aspartic residues, which are critical to enzyme activity. The docking experiment revealed that HIV IPs bind to the active site of the enzyme, being ritonavir and lopinavir the ones with greater affinity. Benznidazole presented the worst binding affinity, this drug is currently used in Chagas’ disease treatment and was included as negative control. These results together with previous data on the trypanocidal effect of the HIV PIs support the hypothesis that a T. cruzi aspartyl peptidase can be the intracellular target of these inhibitors. However, the direct demonstration of the inhibition of T. cruzi aspartyl peptidase activity by HIV PIs is still a goal to be persuaded. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3927-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa V S Castilho
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Keyla C S Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Karina M Rebello
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz P R Baptista
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro S Sangenito
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helena L C Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marta H Branquinha
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rubem F S Menna-Barreto
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana C Guimarães
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia M d'Avila-Levy
- Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Protozoologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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11
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Abstract
Thanks to modern molecular biology methods, our understanding of the impact of (endo)symbiotic bacteria on parasitic protists and helminths is growing fast. In this issue, 9 papers have been brought together that describe various facets of the relationships between these microorganisms, reveal their range and high frequency, as well as their capacity to create novel biological complexity. Comparative analyses of these host-endosymbiont interactions indicate that there may be no discrete types of relationships but rather a continuum ranging from a dispensable endosymbiont minimally integrated within the host cell to organelles, such as mitochondria and plastids that evolved into an indispensable, deeply integrated components of the cell. We hope that this series of studies on parasites and (endo)symbiotic bacteria will increase awareness about these relationships and their representation in microbial ecology models.
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