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Davie T, Serrat X, Imhof L, Snider J, Štagljar I, Keiser J, Hirano H, Watanabe N, Osada H, Fraser AG. Identification of a family of species-selective complex I inhibitors as potential anthelmintics. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3367. [PMID: 38719808 PMCID: PMC11079024 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47331-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are major pathogens infecting over a billion people. There are few classes of anthelmintics and there is an urgent need for new drugs. Many STHs use an unusual form of anaerobic metabolism to survive the hypoxic conditions of the host gut. This requires rhodoquinone (RQ), a quinone electron carrier. RQ is not made or used by vertebrate hosts making it an excellent therapeutic target. Here we screen 480 structural families of natural products to find compounds that kill Caenorhabditis elegans specifically when they require RQ-dependent metabolism. We identify several classes of compounds including a family of species-selective inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory complex I. These identified complex I inhibitors have a benzimidazole core and we determine key structural requirements for activity by screening 1,280 related compounds. Finally, we show several of these compounds kill adult STHs. We suggest these species-selective complex I inhibitors are potential anthelmintics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Davie
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xènia Serrat
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lea Imhof
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, CH-4000, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jamie Snider
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Igor Štagljar
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, Meštrovićevo Šetalište 45, HR-21000, Split, Croatia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, CH-4000, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hiroyuki Hirano
- Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Nobumoto Watanabe
- Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- Chemical Resource Development Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry (BIKAKEN), 3-14-23 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-0021, Japan
| | - Andrew G Fraser
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, M5S 3E1, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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2
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Krücken J, Ehnert P, Fiedler S, Horn F, Helm CS, Ramünke S, Bartmann T, Kahl A, Neubert A, Weiher W, Daher R, Terhalle W, Klabunde-Negatsch A, Steuber S, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Faecal egg count reduction tests and nemabiome analysis reveal high frequency of multi-resistant parasites on sheep farms in north-east Germany involving multiple strongyle parasite species. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100547. [PMID: 38733882 PMCID: PMC11097076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Anthelmintic resistance in sheep parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes is widespread and a severe health and economic issue but prevalence of resistance and involved parasite species are unknown in Germany. Here, the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was performed on eight farms using fenbendazole, ivermectin and moxidectin and on four farms using only moxidectin. A questionnaire was used to obtain data on management practices to potentially identify risk factors for presence of resistance. All requirements of the recently revised WAAVP guideline for diagnosing anthelmintic resistance using the FECRT were applied. Nematode species composition in pre- and post-treatment samples was analysed with the nemabiome approach. Using the eggCounts statistic package, resistance against fenbendazole, ivermectin and moxidectin was found on 7/8, 8/8 and 8/12 farms, respectively. No formal risk factor analysis was conducted since resistance was present on most farms. Comparison with the bayescount R package results revealed substantial agreement between methods (Cohen's κ = 0.774). In contrast, interpretation of data comparing revised and original WAAVP guidelines resulted in moderate agreement (Cohen's κ = 0.444). The FECR for moxidectin was significantly higher than for ivermectin and fenbendazole. Nemabiome data identified 4 to 12 species in pre-treatment samples and treatments caused a small but significant decrease in species diversity (inverse Simpson index). Non-metric multidimensional scaling and k-means clustering were used to identify common patterns in pre- and post-treatment samples. However, post-treatment samples were scattered among the pre-treatment samples. Resistant parasite species differed between farms. In conclusion, the revised FECRT guideline allows robust detection of anthelmintic resistance. Resistance was widespread and involved multiple parasite species. Resistance against both drug classes on the same farm was common. Further studies including additional drugs (levamisole, monepantel, closantel) should combine sensitive FECRTs with nemabiome data to comprehensively characterise the anthelmintic susceptibility status of sheep nematodes in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paula Ehnert
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Fiedler
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Horn
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christina S Helm
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabrina Ramünke
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanja Bartmann
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kahl
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ann Neubert
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wiebke Weiher
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ricarda Daher
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Werner Terhalle
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Stephan Steuber
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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3
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Shanley HT, Taki AC, Nguyen N, Wang T, Byrne JJ, Ang CS, Leeming MG, Nie S, Williamson N, Zheng Y, Young ND, Korhonen PK, Hofmann A, Chang BCH, Wells TNC, Häberli C, Keiser J, Jabbar A, Sleebs BE, Gasser RB. Structure-activity relationship and target investigation of 2-aryl quinolines with nematocidal activity. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 24:100522. [PMID: 38295619 PMCID: PMC10845918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100522] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Within the context of our anthelmintic discovery program, we recently identified and evaluated a quinoline derivative, called ABX464 or obefazimod, as a nematocidal candidate; synthesised a series of analogues which were assessed for activity against the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans; and predicted compound-target relationships by thermal proteome profiling (TPP) and in silico docking. Here, we logically extended this work and critically evaluated the anthelmintic activity of ABX464 analogues on Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm) - a highly pathogenic nematode of ruminant livestock. First, we tested a series of 44 analogues on H. contortus (larvae and adults) to investigate the nematocidal pharmacophore of ABX464, and identified one compound with greater potency than the parent compound and showed moderate activity against a select number of other parasitic nematodes (including Ancylostoma, Heligmosomoides and Strongyloides species). Using TPP and in silico modelling studies, we predicted protein HCON_00074590 (a predicted aldo-keto reductase) as a target candidate for ABX464 in H. contortus. Future work aims to optimise this compound as a nematocidal candidate and investigate its pharmacokinetic properties. Overall, this study presents a first step toward the development of a new nematocide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison T Shanley
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph J Byrne
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael G Leeming
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas Williamson
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Yuanting Zheng
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; National Reference Centre for Authentic Food, Max Rubner-Institut, 95326, Kulmbach, Germany
| | - Bill C H Chang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Tim N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cécile Häberli
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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Cheng W, Huang Y, Gao H, Bold B, Zhang T, Yang D. Marine Natural Products as Novel Treatments for Parasitic Diseases. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38554166 DOI: 10.1007/164_2024_712] [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: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases including malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis have received significant attention due to their severe health implications, especially in developing countries. Marine natural products from a vast and diverse range of marine organisms such as sponges, corals, molluscs, and algae have been found to produce unique bioactive compounds that exhibit promising potent properties, including antiparasitic, anti-Plasmodial, anti-Leishmanial, and anti-Trypanosomal activities, providing hope for the development of effective treatments. Furthermore, various techniques and methodologies have been used to investigate the mechanisms of these antiparasitic compounds. Continued efforts in the discovery and development of marine natural products hold significant promise for the future of novel treatments against parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Cheng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynthesis Chemistry, Guangxi Academy of Marine Sciences, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia Engineering Technology Research Center of Germplasm Resources Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yanbing Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynthesis Chemistry, Guangxi Academy of Marine Sciences, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Haijun Gao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital (Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/The Second Clinical Medical College), Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bolor Bold
- National Center for Zoonotic Disease, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Ting Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia Engineering Technology Research Center of Germplasm Resources Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
| | - Dengfeng Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynthesis Chemistry, Guangxi Academy of Marine Sciences, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- College of Food and Quality Engineering, Nanning University, Nanning, China
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5
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Shanley HT, Taki AC, Nguyen N, Wang T, Byrne JJ, Ang CS, Leeming MG, Williamson N, Chang BCH, Jabbar A, Sleebs BE, Gasser RB. Comparative structure activity and target exploration of 1,2-diphenylethynes in Haemonchus contortus and Caenorhabditis elegans. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024; 25:100534. [PMID: 38554597 PMCID: PMC10992699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2024.100534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Infections and diseases caused by parasitic nematodes have a major adverse impact on the health and productivity of animals and humans worldwide. The control of these parasites often relies heavily on the treatment with commercially available chemical compounds (anthelmintics). However, the excessive or uncontrolled use of these compounds in livestock animals has led to major challenges linked to drug resistance in nematodes. Therefore, there is a need to develop new anthelmintics with novel mechanism(s) of action. Recently, we identified a small molecule, designated UMW-9729, with nematocidal activity against the free-living model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we evaluated UMW-9729's potential as an anthelmintic in a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study in C. elegans and the highly pathogenic, blood-feeding Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm), and explored the compound-target relationship using thermal proteome profiling (TPP). First, we synthesised and tested 25 analogues of UMW-9729 for their nematocidal activity in both H. contortus (larvae and adults) and C. elegans (young adults), establishing a preliminary nematocidal pharmacophore for both species. We identified several compounds with marked activity against either H. contortus or C. elegans which had greater efficacy than UMW-9729, and found a significant divergence in compound bioactivity between these two nematode species. We also identified a UMW-9729 analogue, designated 25, that moderately inhibited the motility of adult female H. contortus in vitro. Subsequently, we inferred three H. contortus proteins (HCON_00134350, HCON_00021470 and HCON_00099760) and five C. elegans proteins (F30A10.9, F15B9.8, B0361.6, DNC-4 and UNC-11) that interacted directly with UMW-9729; however, no conserved protein target was shared between the two nematode species. Future work aims to extend the SAR investigation in these and other parasitic nematode species, and validate individual proteins identified here as possible targets of UMW-9729. Overall, the present study evaluates this anthelmintic candidate and highlights some challenges associated with early anthelmintic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison T Shanley
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph J Byrne
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael G Leeming
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas Williamson
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Bill C H Chang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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Shanley HT, Taki AC, Byrne JJ, Nguyen N, Wells TNC, Jabbar A, Sleebs BE, Gasser RB. A phenotypic screen of the Global Health Priority Box identifies an insecticide with anthelmintic activity. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:131. [PMID: 38486232 PMCID: PMC10938758 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06183-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with parasitic nematodes (helminths), particularly those of the order Strongylida (such as Haemonchus contortus), can cause significant and burdensome diseases in humans and animals. Widespread drug (anthelmintic) resistance in livestock parasites, the absence of vaccines against most of these nematodes, and a lack of new and effective chemical entities on the commercial market demands the discovery of new anthelmintics. In the present study, we searched the Global Health Priority Box (Medicines for Malaria Venture) for new candidates for anthelmintic development. METHODS We employed a whole-organism, motility-based phenotypic screening assay to identify compounds from the Global Health Priority Box with activity against larvae of the model parasite H. contortus, and the free-living comparator nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Hit compounds were further validated via dose-response assays, with lead candidates then assessed for nematocidal activity against H. contortus adult worms, and additionally, for cytotoxic and mitotoxic effects on human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. RESULTS The primary screen against H. contortus and C. elegans revealed or reidentified 16 hit compounds; further validation established MMV1794206, otherwise known as 'flufenerim', as a significant inhibitor of H. contortus larval motility (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 18 μM) and development (IC50 = 1.2 μM), H. contortus adult female motility (100% after 12 h of incubation) and C. elegans larval motility (IC50 = 0.22 μM). Further testing on a mammalian cell line (human hepatoma HepG2 cells), however, identified flufenerim to be both cytotoxic (half-maximal cytotoxic concentration [CC50] < 0.7 μM) and mitotoxic (half-maximal mitotoxic concentration [MC50] < 0.7 μM). CONCLUSIONS The in vitro efficacy of MMV1794206 against the most pathogenic stages of H. contortus, as well as the free-living C. elegans, suggests the potential for development as a broad-spectrum anthelmintic compound; however, the high toxicity towards mammalian cells presents a significant hindrance. Further work should seek to establish the protein-drug interactions of MMV1794206 in a nematode model, to unravel the mechanism of action, in addition to an advanced structure-activity relationship investigation to optimise anthelmintic activity and eliminate mammalian cell toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison T Shanley
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph J Byrne
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Tim N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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7
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Jung H, Zarlenga D, Martin JC, Geldhof P, Hallsworth-Pepin K, Mitreva M. The identification of small molecule inhibitors with anthelmintic activities that target conserved proteins among ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes. mBio 2024; 15:e0009524. [PMID: 38358246 PMCID: PMC10936192 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00095-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are a major concern for the ruminant industry worldwide and result in significant production losses. Naturally occurring polyparasitism and increasing drug resistance that potentiate disease outcomes are observed among the most prevalent GINs of veterinary importance. Within the five major taxonomic clades, clade Va represents a group of GINs that predominantly affect the abomasum or small intestine of ruminants. However, the development of effective broad-spectrum anthelmintics against ruminant clade Va GINs has been challenged by a lack of comprehensive druggable genome resources. Here, we first assembled draft genomes for three clade Va species (Cooperia oncophora, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, and Ostertagia ostertagi) and compared them with closely related ruminant GINs. Genome-wide phylogenetic reconstruction showed a relationship among ruminant GINs structured by taxonomic classification. Orthogroup (OG) inference and functional enrichment analyses identified 220 clade Va-specific and Va-conserved OGs, enriched for functions related to cell cycle and cellular senescence. Further transcriptomic analysis identified 61 taxonomically and functionally conserved clade Va OGs that may function as drug targets for new broad-spectrum anthelmintics. Chemogenomic screening identified 11 compounds targeting homologs of these OGs, thus having potential anthelmintic activity. In in vitro phenotypic assays, three kinase inhibitors (digitoxigenin, K-252a, and staurosporine) exhibited broad-spectrum anthelmintic activities against clade Va GINs by obstructing the motility of exsheathed L3 (xL3) or molting of xL3 to L4. These results demonstrate valuable applications of the new ruminant GIN genomes in gaining better insights into their life cycles and offer a contemporary approach to discovering the next generation of anthelmintics.IMPORTANCEGastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in ruminants are caused by parasites that inhibit normal function in the digestive tract of cattle, sheep, and goats, thereby causing morbidity and mortality. Coinfection and increasing drug resistance to current therapeutic agents will continue to worsen disease outcomes and impose significant production losses on domestic livestock producers worldwide. In combination with ongoing therapeutic efforts, advancing the discovery of new drugs with novel modes of action is critical for better controlling GIN infections. The significance of this study is in assembling and characterizing new GIN genomes of Cooperia oncophora, Ostertagia ostertagi, and Trichostrongylus colubriformis for facilitating a multi-omics approach to identify novel, biologically conserved drug targets for five major GINs of veterinary importance. With this information, we were then able to demonstrate the potential of commercially available compounds as new anthelmintics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeim Jung
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Dante Zarlenga
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - John C. Martin
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | - Makedonka Mitreva
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Liao M, Li Y, Chen X, Ding S, Su S, Sun W, Gan Z. Photodegradation of anthelmintic drugs under natural sunlight and simulated irradiation: kinetics, mechanisms, transformation products, and toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:8828-8841. [PMID: 38182950 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31778-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Albendazole (ALB) and bithionol (BIT) are two anthelmintic drugs (ADs) with high consumption from benzimidazole group and diphenylsulfide group, respectively. However, information on the transformation of the two anthelmintics under environmental condition is scare. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the natural attenuation of the two ADs in the aquatic environment, including biodegradation, hydrolysis, and direct and indirect photodegradation. The direct photodegradation occupied a vast portion among other degradation pathways of the two ADs in natural water, with near-surface summer half-lives of 0.272-0.387 h and 0.110-0.520 h for ALB and BIT, respectively. Suspended particles in water were found to facilitate the photodegradation of the two ADs. Study on the indirect photodegradation demonstrated the positive roles of singlet oxygen (1O2) and excited triplet dissolved organic matter (3DOM*) in the photolysis of the two ADs, whereas the hydroxyl radical (•OH) affected little on the overall photodegradation procedures of ALB due to the scavenging effect of HCO3-. Dual effects of DO, DOM, HCO3-, NO3-, and NO2- on the photodegradation of ALB and BIT were perceived. Transformation intermediates (TIs) of the two ADs during photodegradation were analyzed by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. Six TIs of ALB were identified, including a broad-spectrum fungicide carbendazim and another common AD ricobendazole. Two TIs of BIT yielded from dechlorination were also detected. Probable transformation mechanism and predicted aquatic ecotoxicity based on the identified TIs were unveiled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Liao
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yiwen Li
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- College of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xi Chen
- SCIEX, Analytical Instrument Trading Co., Shanghai, 200335, China
| | - Sanglan Ding
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Shijun Su
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Weiyi Sun
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Zhiwei Gan
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
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9
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Shanley HT, Taki AC, Nguyen N, Wang T, Byrne JJ, Ang CS, Leeming MG, Nie S, Williamson N, Zheng Y, Young ND, Korhonen PK, Hofmann A, Wells TNC, Jabbar A, Sleebs BE, Gasser RB. Structure activity relationship and target prediction for ABX464 analogues in Caenorhabditis elegans. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 98:117540. [PMID: 38134663 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117540] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Global challenges with treatment failures and/or widespread resistance in parasitic worms against commercially available anthelmintics lend impetus to the development of new anthelmintics with novel mechanism(s) of action. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model organism used for drug discovery, including the screening and structure-activity investigation of new compounds, and target deconvolution. Previously, we conducted a whole-organism phenotypic screen of the 'Pandemic Response Box' (from Medicines for Malaria Venture, MMV) and identified a hit compound, called ABX464, with activity against C. elegans and a related, parasitic nematode, Haemonchus contortus. Here, we tested a series of 44 synthesized analogues to explore the pharmacophore of activity on C. elegans and revealed five compounds whose potency was similar or greater than that of ABX464, but which were not toxic to human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Subsequently, we employed thermal proteome profiling (TPP), protein structure prediction and an in silico-docking algorithm to predict ABX464-target candidates. Taken together, the findings from this study contribute significantly to the early-stage drug discovery of a new nematocide based on ABX464. Future work is aimed at validating the ABX464-protein interactions identified here, and at assessing ABX464 and associated analogues against a panel of parasitic nematodes, towards developing a new anthelmintic with a mechanism of action that is distinct from any of the compounds currently-available commercially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison T Shanley
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph J Byrne
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Michael G Leeming
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas Williamson
- Melbourne Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Yuanting Zheng
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; National Reference Centre for Authentic Food, Max Rubner-Institut, 95326 Kulmbach, Germany
| | - Tim N C Wells
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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10
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Prangthip P, Tummatorn J, Adisakwattana P, Uthailak N, Boonyuen U, Tipthara P, Tarning J, Laohapaisan P, Thongsornkleeb C, Ruchirawat S, Reamtong O. Anthelmintic efficacy evaluation and mechanism of N-methylbenzo[d]oxazol-2-amine. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22840. [PMID: 38129499 PMCID: PMC10739888 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50305-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic roundworms cause significant sickness and mortality in animals and humans. In livestock, these nematodes have severe economic impact and result in losses in food production on a global scale. None of the currently available drugs ideally suit all treatment circumstances, and the development of drug-resistant nematode strains has become a challenge to control the infection. There is an urgent need to develop novel anthelmintic compounds. According to our previous report, N-methylbenzo[d]oxazol-2-amine (1) showed anthelmintic activity and lowest cytotoxicity. In this study, in vivo anthelmintic properties were evaluated using Trichinella spiralis infected mice. Toxicity was evaluated using the rats and mode of action using molecular docking and metabolomics approaches. The in vivo results demonstrate that a dose of 250 mg/kg reduced the T. spiralis abundance in the digestive tract by 49%. The 250 mg/kg Albendazole was served as control. The relatively low acute toxicity was categorized into chemical category 5, with an LD50 greater than 2000 mg/kg body. Molecular docking analysis showed the T. spiralis tubulin beta chain and glutamate-gated channels might not be the main targets of compound 1. Metabolomics analysis was used to explain the effects of compound 1 on the T. spiralis adult worm. The results demonstrated that compound 1 significantly up-regulated the metabolism of purine, pyrimidine and down-regulated sphingolipid metabolism. In conclusion, compound 1 could be a potential molecule for anthelmintic development. The bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and absorption of this compound should be studied further to provide information for its future efficacy improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pattaneeya Prangthip
- Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Jumreang Tummatorn
- Program on Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Naphatsamon Uthailak
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Usa Boonyuen
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Phornpimon Tipthara
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Joel Tarning
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pavitra Laohapaisan
- Program on Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Charnsak Thongsornkleeb
- Program on Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Somsak Ruchirawat
- Program on Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6, Laksi, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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11
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Zhou M, Song C, Qin T, Xun Z, Liu B. Fast and sensitive detection of nitroxynil using a chalcone-based supramolecular fluorescent sensor. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 302:122974. [PMID: 37327726 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.122974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nitroxynil as a veterinary drug has been widely used for treatment of parasitic worms in food-producing sheep and cattle. However, the residual nitroxynil in edible animal products can lead to severe adverse effects on human health. Thus, development of an effective analytical tool for nitroxynil is of great significance. In the present study, we designed and synthesized a novel albumin-based fluorescent sensor, which was capable of detecting nitroxynil with the fast response (<10 s), high sensitivity (limit of detection ∼8.7 ppb), high selectivity, and excellent anti-interference property. The sensing mechanism was clarified by using the molecular docking technique and mass spectra. Moreover, this sensor showed the detection accuracy comparable to standard HPLC method, and meanwhile exhibited much shorter response time and higher sensitivity. All the results demonstrated that this novel fluorescent senor could serve as a practical analytical tool for determination of nitroxynil in real food samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Chao Song
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Tianyi Qin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhiqing Xun
- Guangzhou Quality Supervision and Testing Institute, 1-2 Zhujiang Rd, Guangzhou 511447, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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12
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Heydari F, Rodriguez-Crespo D, Wicky C. The New Nematicide Cyclobutrifluram Targets the Mitochondrial Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:39. [PMID: 37873747 PMCID: PMC10594496 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, agriculture around the world is challenged by parasitic nematode infections. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) can cause significant damage and crop loss and are a threat to food security. For a long time, the management of PPN infection has relied on nematicides that impact not only parasitic nematodes but also other organisms. More recently, new nematicides have been developed that appear to specifically target PPN. Cyclobutrifluram belongs to this new category of nematicides. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, we show here that cyclobutrifluram strongly impacts the survival and fertility rates of the worm by decreasing the number of germ cells. Furthermore, using a genetic approach, we demonstrate that cyclobutrifluram functions by inhibiting the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a strong response to cyclobutrifluram exposure. Among the deregulated genes, we found genes coding for detoxifying proteins, such as cytochrome P450s and UDP-glucuronosyl transferases (UGTs). Overall, our study contributes to the understanding of the molecular mode of action of cyclobutrifluram, to the finding of new approaches against nematicide resistance, and to the discovery of novel nematicides. Furthermore, this study confirms that C. elegans is a suitable model organism to study the mode of action of nematicides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chantal Wicky
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; (F.H.); (D.R.-C.)
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13
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Das NC, Chakraborty P, Nandy S, Dey A, Malik T, Mukherjee S. Programmed cell death pathways as targets for developing antifilarial drugs: Lessons from the recent findings. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:2819-2840. [PMID: 37605891 PMCID: PMC10538269 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17913] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
More than half a century has passed since the introduction of the National Filariasis Control Program; however, as of 2023, lymphatic filariasis (LF) still prevails globally, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions, posing a substantial challenge to the objective of worldwide elimination. LF is affecting human beings and its economically important livestock leading to a crucial contributor to morbidities and disabilities. The current scenario has been blowing up alarms of attention to develop potent therapeutics and strategies having efficiency against the adult stage of filarial nematodes. In this context, the exploration of a suitable drug target that ensures lethality to macro and microfilariae is now our first goal to achieve. Apoptosis has been the potential target across all three stages of filarial nematodes viz. oocytes, microfilariae (mf) and adults resulting in filarial death after receiving the signal from the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and executed through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Hence, it is considered a leading target for developing antifilarial drugs. Herein, we have shown the efficacy of several natural and synthetic compounds/nanoformulations in triggering the apoptotic death of filarial parasites with little or no toxicity to the host body system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabarun Chandra Das
- Integrative Biochemistry & Immunology Laboratory, Department of Animal ScienceKazi Nazrul UniversityAsansolIndia
| | - Pritha Chakraborty
- Integrative Biochemistry & Immunology Laboratory, Department of Animal ScienceKazi Nazrul UniversityAsansolIndia
| | - Samapika Nandy
- Department of Life SciencePresidency UniversityKolkataIndia
- School of PharmacyGraphic Era Hill UniversityDehradunIndia
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life SciencePresidency UniversityKolkataIndia
| | | | - Suprabhat Mukherjee
- Integrative Biochemistry & Immunology Laboratory, Department of Animal ScienceKazi Nazrul UniversityAsansolIndia
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14
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Coghlan A, Partridge FA, Duque-Correa MA, Rinaldi G, Clare S, Seymour L, Brandt C, Mkandawire TT, McCarthy C, Holroyd N, Nick M, Brown AE, Tonitiwong S, Sattelle DB, Berriman M. A drug repurposing screen for whipworms informed by comparative genomics. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011205. [PMID: 37669291 PMCID: PMC10503962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are infected with the whipworm Trichuris trichiura. Novel treatments are urgently needed as current drugs, such as albendazole, have relatively low efficacy. We have investigated whether drugs approved for other human diseases could be repurposed as novel anti-whipworm drugs. In a previous comparative genomics analysis, we identified 409 drugs approved for human use that we predicted to target parasitic worm proteins. Here we tested these ex vivo by assessing motility of adult worms of Trichuris muris, the murine whipworm, an established model for human whipworm research. We identified 14 compounds with EC50 values of ≤50 μM against T. muris ex vivo, and selected nine for testing in vivo. However, the best worm burden reduction seen in mice was just 19%. The high number of ex vivo hits against T. muris shows that we were successful at predicting parasite proteins that could be targeted by approved drugs. In contrast, the low efficacy of these compounds in mice suggest challenges due to their chemical properties (e.g. lipophilicity, polarity, molecular weight) and pharmacokinetics (e.g. absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) that may (i) promote absorption by the host gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing availability to the worms embedded in the large intestine, and/or (ii) restrict drug uptake by the worms. This indicates that identifying structural analogues that have reduced absorption by the host, and increased uptake by worms, may be necessary for successful drug development against whipworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avril Coghlan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frederick A. Partridge
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Simon Clare
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Seymour
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Nancy Holroyd
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Marina Nick
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Canton C, Canton L, Lifschitz A, Paula Dominguez M, Alvarez L, Ceballos L, Mate L, Lanusse C, Ballent M. Monepantel-based anthelmintic combinations to optimize parasite control in cattle. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:441-449. [PMID: 36963744 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.02.001] [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: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Improvement in the use of existing anthelmintics is a high priority need for the pharmaco-parasitology research field, considering the magnitude and severity of anthelmintic resistance as an important issue in livestock production. In the work described here, monepantel (MNP) was given alone or co-administered with either macrocyclic lactone (ML) or benzimidazole (BZ) anthelmintics to calves naturally infected with ML- and BZ-resistant gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes on two different commercial cattle farms. Both pharmacokinetic (PK) and efficacy assessments were performed. On Farm A, male calves (n = 15 per group) were treated with either MNP orally (2.5 mg/kg), IVM s.c. (0.2 mg/kg), ricobendazole (RBZ) s.c. (3.75 mg/kg) or remained untreated. On Farm B, eight groups (n = 15) of male calves received treatment with either: MNP, abamectin (ABM, oral, 0.2 mg/kg), RBZ (s.c., 3.75 mg/kg), albendazole (ABZ, oral, 5 mg/kg), MNP+ABM, MNP+RBZ, MNP+ABZ (all at the above-mentioned routes and doses) or remained untreated. Seven animals from each treated group (Farm B) were randomly selected to perform the PK study. MNP and its metabolite monepantel sulphone (MNPSO2) were the main analytes recovered in plasma after HPLC analysis. The combined treatments resulted in decreased systemic exposures to MNP parent drug compared with that observed after treatment with MNP alone (P < 0.05). However, the systemic availability of the main MNP metabolite (MNPSO2) was unaffected by co-administration with either ABM, RBZ or ABZ. Efficacies of 98% (Farm A) and 99% (Farm B) demonstrated the high efficacy of MNP given alone (P < 0.05) against GI nematodes resistant to ML and BZ in cattle. While the ML (IVM, ABM) failed to control Haemonchus spp., Cooperia spp. and Ostertagia spp., MNP achieved 99% to 100% efficacy against those nematode species on both commercial farms. However, MNP alone failed to control Oesophagostomum spp. (60% efficacy) on Farm A. The co-administered treatments MNP+ABZ and MNP+RBZ reached a 100% reduction against all GI nematode genera. In conclusion, the oral treatment with MNP should be considered to deal with resistant nematode parasites in cattle. The use of MNP in combination with BZ compounds could be a valid strategy to extend its lifespan for use in cattle as well as to reverse its poor activity against Oesophagostomum spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candela Canton
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Lucila Canton
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adrian Lifschitz
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Paula Dominguez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Ceballos
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Mate
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Lanusse
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Ballent
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), UNCPBA-CONICET-CICPBA, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Campus Universitario, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Xu Z, Song C, Chen Z, Zeng C, Lv T, Wang L, Liu B. A portable paper-based testing device for fast and on-site determination of nitroxynil in food. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1260:341201. [PMID: 37121652 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Nitroxynil (NTX) is a common anthelmintic veterinary drug for the management of fascioliasis in food-producing sheep and cattle. Since excessive NTX residue in food can lead to several adverse side effects, such as allergic skin reaction and respiratory irritation, it is of great importance to develop an efficient analytical method for NTX determination. Herein, we report a simple fluorescent detection method based on a novel supramolecular probe capable of detecting NTX with a fast response (5 s), high sensitivity (107 nM), high selectivity, and acceptable anti-interference property. Moreover, the portable paper-based test strips were facilely prepared and successfully realized on-site determination of NTX in real edible animal products simply with the aid of a smartphone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first report on the portable detection of NTX. This study also provides a promising strategy for the fast and portable detection of analyte based on the host-guest system, which will lead to improved fluorescent probe design for food analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyong Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Chao Song
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Zihao Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Conghui Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Taoyuze Lv
- School of Physics, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Lei Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Bin Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China.
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17
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Burns AR, Baker RJ, Kitner M, Knox J, Cooke B, Volpatti JR, Vaidya AS, Puumala E, Palmeira BM, Redman EM, Snider J, Marwah S, Chung SW, MacDonald MH, Tiefenbach J, Hu C, Xiao Q, Finney CAM, Krause HM, MacParland SA, Stagljar I, Gilleard JS, Cowen LE, Meyer SLF, Cutler SR, Dowling JJ, Lautens M, Zasada I, Roy PJ. Selective control of parasitic nematodes using bioactivated nematicides. Nature 2023:10.1038/s41586-023-06105-5. [PMID: 37225985 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes are a major threat to global food security, particularly as the world amasses 10 billion people amid limited arable land1-4. Most traditional nematicides have been banned owing to poor nematode selectivity, leaving farmers with inadequate means of pest control4-12. Here we use the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to identify a family of selective imidazothiazole nematicides, called selectivins, that undergo cytochrome-p450-mediated bioactivation in nematodes. At low parts-per-million concentrations, selectivins perform comparably well with commercial nematicides to control root infection by Meloidogyne incognita, a highly destructive plant-parasitic nematode. Tests against numerous phylogenetically diverse non-target systems demonstrate that selectivins are more nematode-selective than most marketed nematicides. Selectivins are first-in-class bioactivated nematode controls that provide efficacy and nematode selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Burns
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Rachel J Baker
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Megan Kitner
- USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Jessica Knox
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brittany Cooke
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan R Volpatti
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurology and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aditya S Vaidya
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Emily Puumala
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bruna M Palmeira
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Redman
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jamie Snider
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sagar Marwah
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sai W Chung
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret H MacDonald
- USDA-ARS Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Jens Tiefenbach
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chun Hu
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qi Xiao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Host Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Constance A M Finney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Host Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Henry M Krause
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sonya A MacParland
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Igor Stagljar
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, Split, Croatia
| | - John S Gilleard
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Leah E Cowen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan L F Meyer
- USDA-ARS Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Sean R Cutler
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - James J Dowling
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurology and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Lautens
- Davenport Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Inga Zasada
- USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Peter J Roy
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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18
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Harris TJ, Liao Y, Shi W, Evangelista M, Pal B, Puthalakath H, Aston R, Mollard R, Mariadason JM, Lee EF, Fairlie WD. Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress is associated with the anti-tumor activity of monepantel across cancer types. Cancer Med 2023. [PMID: 37148543 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monepantel is an anti-helminthic drug that also has anti-cancer properties. Despite several studies over the years, the molecular target of monepantel in mammalian cells is still unknown, and its mechanism-of-action is not fully understood, though effects on cell cycle, mTOR signalling and autophagy have been implicated. METHODS Viability assays were performed on >20 solid cancer cell cells, and apoptosis assays were performed on a subset of these, including 3D cultures. Genetic deletion of BAX/BAK and ATG were used to establish roles of apoptosis and autophagy in killing activity. RNA-sequencing was performed on four cell lines after monepantel treatment, and differentially regulated genes were confirmed by Western blotting. RESULTS We showed that monepantel has anti-proliferative activity on a broad range of cancer cell lines. In some, this was associated with induction of apoptosis which was confirmed using a BAX/BAK-deficient cell line. However, proliferation is still inhibited in these cells following monepantel treatment, indicating cell-cycle disruption as the major anti-cancer effect. Previous studies have also indicated autophagic cell death occurs following monepantel treatment. We showed autophagy induction in multiple cell lines; however, deletion of a key autophagy regulator ATG7 had minimal impact on monepantel's anti-proliferative activity, suggesting autophagy is associated with, but not required for its anti-tumour effects. Transcriptomic analysis of four cell lines treated with monepantel revealed downregulation of many genes involved in the cell cycle, and upregulation of genes linked to ATF4-mediated ER stress responses, especially those involved in amino-acid metabolism and protein synthesis. CONCLUSIONS As these outcomes are all associated with mTOR signalling, cell cycle and autophagy, we now provide a likely triggering mechanism for the anti-cancer activity of monepantel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany J Harris
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yang Liao
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wei Shi
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marco Evangelista
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bhupinder Pal
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hamsa Puthalakath
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Richard Mollard
- PharmAust Ltd, Claremont, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - John M Mariadason
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Erinna F Lee
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Walter D Fairlie
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Pharmacological Profiling of a Brugia malayi Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor as a Putative Antiparasitic Target. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0118822. [PMID: 36602350 PMCID: PMC9872666 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01188-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The diversification of anthelmintic targets and mechanisms of action will help ensure the sustainable control of nematode infections in response to the growing threat of drug resistance. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are established drug targets in human medicine but remain unexploited as anthelmintic substrates despite their important roles in nematode neuromuscular and physiological processes. Bottlenecks in exploring the druggability of parasitic nematode GPCRs include a limited helminth genetic toolkit and difficulties establishing functional heterologous expression. In an effort to address some of these challenges, we profile the function and pharmacology of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the human parasite Brugia malayi, an etiological agent of human lymphatic filariasis. While acetylcholine-gated ion channels are intensely studied as targets of existing anthelmintics, comparatively little is known about metabotropic receptor contributions to parasite cholinergic signaling. Using multivariate phenotypic assays in microfilariae and adults, we show that nicotinic and muscarinic compounds disparately affect parasite fitness traits. We identify a putative G protein-linked acetylcholine receptor of B. malayi (Bma-GAR-3) that is highly expressed across intramammalian life stages and adapt spatial RNA in situ hybridization to map receptor transcripts to critical parasite tissues. Tissue-specific expression of Bma-gar-3 in Caenorhabditis elegans (body wall muscle, sensory neurons, and pharynx) enabled receptor deorphanization and pharmacological profiling in a nematode physiological context. Finally, we developed an image-based feeding assay as a reporter of pharyngeal activity to facilitate GPCR screening in parasitized strains. We expect that these receptor characterization approaches and improved knowledge of GARs as putative drug targets will further advance the study of GPCR biology across medically important nematodes.
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20
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Antiparasitic Tannin-Rich Plants from the South of Europe for Grazing Livestock: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020201. [PMID: 36670741 PMCID: PMC9855007 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020201] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Internal parasites are one of the main causes of health threats in livestock production, especially in extensive livestock farming. Despite the environmental toxic effects (loss of dung beetles, biodiversity, and other issues) and resistance phenomenon derived from their prolonged use, anti-parasitic chemical pharmaceuticals are frequently used, even in organic farming. Such a situation within the context of climate change requires urgent exploration of alternative compounds to solve these problems and apparent conflicts between organic farming objectives regarding the environment, public health, and animal health. This review is focused on some plants (Artemisia spp., Cichorium intybus L., Ericaceae family, Hedysarum coronarium L., Lotus spp., Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) that are well known for their antiparasitic effect, are voluntarily grazed and ingested, and can be spontaneously found or cultivated in southern Europe and other regions with a Mediterranean climate. The differences found between effectiveness, parasite species affected, in vitro/in vivo experiments, and active compounds are explored. A total of 87 papers where antiparasitic activity of those plants have been studied are included in this review; 75% studied the effect on ruminant parasites, where gastrointestinal nematodes were the parasite group most studied (70%), and these included natural (31%) and experimental (37%) infections.
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21
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Analysis of residual monepantel sulfone in milk using icELISA based on a monoclonal antibody developed from an easy-synthesized and low-cost hapten. J Food Compost Anal 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Anthelmintic Components from Semen pharbitidis, and the Mechanism of Action of Pharbitin. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415739. [PMID: 36555386 PMCID: PMC9779150 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic helminths continue to pose problems in human and veterinary medicine, as well as in agriculture. Semen pharbitidis, the seeds of Pharbitis nil (Linn.) Choisy (Convolvulaceae), is a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal botanical preparation widely used for treating intestinal parasites in China owing to its desirable efficacy. However, the anthelmintic compounds in Semen pharbitidis and their mechanism of action have not been investigated yet. This study aimed to identify the compounds active against helminths from Semen pharbitidis, and to establish the mechanism of action of these active compounds. Bioassay-guided fractionation was used to identify the anthelmintic compounds from Semen pharbitidis. The anthelmintic assay was performed by monitoring Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) motility with a WMicrotracker instrument. Active compounds were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Several (analogues of) fragments of the anthelmintic compounds were purchased and tested to explore the structure-activity relationship, and to find more potent compounds. A panel of C. elegans mutant strains resistant to major currently used anthelmintic drugs was used to explore the mechanism of action of the active compounds. The bioassay-guided isolation from an ethanol extract of Semen pharbitidis led to a group of glycosides, namely pharbitin (IC50: 41.0 ± 9.4 μg/mL). Hit expansion for pharbitin fragments yielded two potent analogues: 2-bromohexadecanoic acid (IC50: 1.6 ± 0.7 μM) and myristoleic acid (IC50: 35.2 ± 7.6 μM). One drug-resistant mutant ZZ37 unc-63 (x37) demonstrated a ~17-fold increased resistance to pharbitin compared with wild-type worms. Collectively, we provide further experimental scientific evidence to support the traditional use of Semen pharbitidis for the treatment of intestinal parasites. The anthelmintic activity of Semen pharbitidis is due to pharbitin, whose target could be UNC-63 in C. elegans.
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23
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Gunes Y, Okyar A, Krajcsi P, Fekete Z, Ustuner O. Modulation of monepantel secretion into milk by soy isoflavones. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2022; 46:185-194. [PMID: 36448496 DOI: 10.1111/jvp.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Monepantel (MNP), a novel anthelmintic drug from amino-acetonitrile derivatives, is a substrate for breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). BCRP-mediated milk secretion of drugs can be altered by isoflavones. In this study, we aimed to show how soy isoflavones and BCRP inhibitors genistein (GEN) and daidzein (DAI) can modulate the secretion of MNP into milk. Moreover, we observed that the expression of BCRP in the lactating mammary gland of sheep was significantly higher than in non-lactating sheep using Western blot analysis. These properties of MNP and MNPSO2 (monepantel sulfone, the major active metabolite of MNP), identified as a BCRP substrate in determining the interaction with BCRP, were examined by vesicular transport (VT) inhibition assays. In pharmacokinetic studies, we demonstrated the transport of MNP into milk in three experimental groups: G1 fed standard forage; G2 fed soy-enriched forage; G3 fed standard forage paired with orally administered exogenous GEN and DAI. The concentrations of MNP and MNPSO2 were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Compared to the control group (3.27 ± 1.13 vs. 5.46 ± 2.23), the AUC (0-840 h) milk/plasma ratio decreased by 40% in the soy-enriched diet group. The concentrations of GEN and DAI were determined using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in soy. A VT inhibition assay was conducted to determine the IC50 values for MNP and MNPSO2 as BCRP inhibitors. This study showed that milk excretion of a BCRP substrate, such as monepantel, can be diminished by the presence of isoflavones in the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yigit Gunes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Istanbul University‐Cerrahpasa Istanbul Turkey
| | - Alper Okyar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy Istanbul University Istanbul Turkey
| | - Peter Krajcsi
- Solvo Biotechnology, A Charles River Company, Faculty of Health Sciences Semmelweis University Budapest Hungary
| | | | - Oya Ustuner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Istanbul University‐Cerrahpasa Istanbul Turkey
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24
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Essential Oils as Novel Anthelmintic Drug Candidates. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238327. [PMID: 36500419 PMCID: PMC9735941 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Helminths, with an estimated 1.5 billion annual global infections, are one of the major health challenges worldwide. The current strategy of the World Health Organization to prevent helminth infection includes increasing hygienic awareness, providing better sanitation and preventative anthelmintic drug therapy in vulnerable populations. Nowadays, anthelmintic drugs are used heavily in livestock, both in case of infection and as a preventative measure. However, this has led to the development of resistance against several of the most common drugs, such as levamisole, ivermectin and thiabendazole. As many as 70% of the livestock in developed countries now has helminths that are drug resistant, and multiple resistance is common. Because of this, novel anthelmintics are urgently needed to help combat large-scale production losses. Prior to this review, no comprehensive review of the anthelmintic effects of essential oils and their components existed. Multiple review articles have been published on the uses of a single plant and its extracts that only briefly touch upon their anthelmintic activity. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of essential oils and their components as anthelmintic treatment against a wider variety of helminths.
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25
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Reconstitution of an N-AChR from Brugia malayi an evolved change in acetylcholine receptor accessory protein requirements in filarial parasites. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010962. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmission is an important target for anthelmintic drugs, where receptor characteristics and response can be examined through reconstitution ex vivo in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The homomeric ACR-16 nicotine sensitive acetylcholine receptors (N-AChRs) of several helminth species have been characterized in this way. Our efforts to reconstitute the N-AChR from the clade III filarial parasite, Brugia malayi using similar conditions, initially produced no detectable response. A robust response to acetylcholine is obtained from the closely related clade III parasite Ascaris suum, suggesting that specific changes have occurred between Ascaris and Brugia. N-AChRs from three species intermediate between A. suum and B. malayi were characterized to provide information on the cause. Maximal response to acetylcholine did not change abruptly, consistent with a discrete event, but rather decreased progressively from A. suum through Dracunculus medinensis, Gonglylonema pulchrum and Thelazia callipaeda. Receptor responses to the characteristic nicotine, and other agonists were generally similar. The decrease in maximal current did correlate with a delayed time to reach larger response. Together, this suggested that the failure to reconstitute the B. malayi N-AChR was one extreme of a progressive decrease and that an issue with synthesis of the receptor in oocytes was responsible. Addition of accessory proteins EMC-6, NRA-2 and NRA-4, in addition to RIC-3, produced a small, but measurable B. malayi N-AChR response. Pharmacological properties of a chimeric B. malayi N-AChR were equivalent to the other species, confirming the receptor response remains unchanged while its production is increasingly dependent on accessory proteins. One possibility is that loss of many subunits for acetylcholine receptors from the filarial nematode genome is linked to new subunit combinations that lead to such a dependence. This novel phylogenetic approach allowed the first characterization of a B. malayi AChR ex vivo and in doing so, provides a framework for the successful characterization of other receptors that have yet to be reconstituted.
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26
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Doyle SR, Laing R, Bartley D, Morrison A, Holroyd N, Maitland K, Antonopoulos A, Chaudhry U, Flis I, Howell S, McIntyre J, Gilleard JS, Tait A, Mable B, Kaplan R, Sargison N, Britton C, Berriman M, Devaney E, Cotton JA. Genomic landscape of drug response reveals mediators of anthelmintic resistance. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111522. [PMID: 36261007 PMCID: PMC9597552 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Like other pathogens, parasitic helminths can rapidly evolve resistance to drug treatment. Understanding the genetic basis of anthelmintic drug resistance in parasitic nematodes is key to tracking its spread and improving the efficacy and sustainability of parasite control. Here, we use an in vivo genetic cross between drug-susceptible and multi-drug-resistant strains of Haemonchus contortus in a natural host-parasite system to simultaneously map resistance loci for the three major classes of anthelmintics. This approach identifies new alleles for resistance to benzimidazoles and levamisole and implicates the transcription factor cky-1 in ivermectin resistance. This gene is within a locus under selection in ivermectin-resistant populations worldwide; expression analyses and functional validation using knockdown experiments support that cky-1 is associated with ivermectin survival. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of high-resolution forward genetics in a parasitic nematode and identifies variants for the development of molecular diagnostics to combat drug resistance in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Doyle
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Roz Laing
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | - David Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Alison Morrison
- Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Nancy Holroyd
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Kirsty Maitland
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Alistair Antonopoulos
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Umer Chaudhry
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Ilona Flis
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Sue Howell
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jennifer McIntyre
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - John S Gilleard
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Host-Parasite Interactions Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Andy Tait
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Barbara Mable
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Ray Kaplan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Neil Sargison
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Collette Britton
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | | | - Eileen Devaney
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - James A Cotton
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK
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Niciura SCM, Okino CH, Nucci ADS, Malagó W, Benavides MV, Esteves SN, Chagas ACDS. Polymorphisms in exon 11 of the mptl-1 gene and monepantel resistance in Haemonchus contortus. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3581-3588. [PMID: 36194275 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07682-6] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Chemical treatments are the main strategy to control gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep, and the emergence of anthelmintic resistance, as consequence, results in control failures and leads to economic losses. Thus, molecular tests may constitute an excellent tool for the early detection of anthelmintic resistance-related mutations. Thus, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based genotyping assay followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was developed to detect polymorphisms in exon 11 of the acetylcholine receptor monepantel-1 gene (mptl-1) that were previously associated with monepantel resistance through a genome-wide study in Haemonchus contortus. DNA samples recovered from individual and pooled third-stage larvae from two susceptible field-derived isolates and five (three in vivo-derived and two field-derived) resistant populations were used. New polymorphisms, including a 6-bp deletion and a 3-bp insertion, were detected in resistant individuals. These indels, confirmed using sequencing of cloned PCR products, are predicted to result in amino acid changes in transmembrane domain 2 (TMD2) of the MPTL-1 protein. The two susceptible isolates showed only the presence of the wild-type allele (100%), whereas lower frequencies of the wild-type allele were detected in monepantel-resistant populations (11.1 to 66.7%). These findings report new polymorphisms in the mptl-1 gene, validate the results obtained through genomic mapping for monepantel resistance, and provide a PCR-based assay to genotype indels located in exon 11 of mptl-1 in H. contortus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cristina Méo Niciura
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, Fazenda Canchim, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13560-970, Brazil.
| | - Cintia Hiromi Okino
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, Fazenda Canchim, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Alessandra da Silva Nucci
- Centro Universitário Central Paulista, Rua Miguel Petroni, 5111, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13563-470, Brazil
| | - Wilson Malagó
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, Fazenda Canchim, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Magda Vieira Benavides
- Embrapa Pecuária Sul, Rodovia BR-153, Km 632,9, Vila Industrial, Bagé, RS, CEP 96401-970, Brazil
| | - Sergio Novita Esteves
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, Fazenda Canchim, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina de Souza Chagas
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, Fazenda Canchim, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13560-970, Brazil
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28
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Genomic signatures of selection associated with benzimidazole drug treatments in Haemonchus contortus field populations. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:677-689. [PMID: 36113620 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide methods offer a powerful approach to detect signatures of drug selection. However, limited availability of suitable reference genomes and the difficulty of obtaining field populations with well-defined, distinct drug treatment histories mean there is little information on the signatures of selection in parasitic nematodes and on how best to detect them. This study addresses these knowledge gaps by using field populations of Haemonchus contortus with well-defined benzimidazole treatment histories, leveraging a recently completed chromosomal-scale reference genome assembly. We generated a panel of 49,393 genomic markers to genotype 20 individual adult worms from each of four H. contortus populations: two from closed sheep flocks with an approximate 20 year history of frequent benzimidazole treatment, and two populations with a history of little or no treatment. Sampling occurred in the same geographical region to limit genetic differentiation and maximise the detection sensitivity. A clear signature of selection was detected on chromosome I, centred on the isotype-1 β-tubulin gene. Two additional, but weaker, signatures of selection were detected; one near the middle of chromosome I spanning 3.75 Mbp and 259 annotated genes, and one on chromosome II spanning a region of 3.3 Mbp and 206 annotated genes, including the isotype-2 β-tubulin locus. We also assessed how sensitivity was impacted by sequencing depth, worm number, and pooled versus individual worm sequence data. This study provides the first known direct genome-wide evidence for any parasitic nematode, that the isotype-1 β-tubulin gene is quantitatively the single most important benzimidazole resistance locus. It also identified two additional genomic regions that likely contain benzimidazole resistance loci of secondary importance. This study provides an experimental framework to maximise the power of genome-wide approaches to detect signatures of selection driven by anthelmintic drug treatments in field populations of parasitic nematodes.
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29
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Valderas-García E, Häberli C, Álvarez-Bardón M, Escala N, Castilla-Gómez de Agüero V, de la Vega J, Del Olmo E, Balaña-Fouce R, Keiser J, Martínez-Valladares M. Benzimidazole and aminoalcohol derivatives show in vitro anthelmintic activity against Trichuris muris and Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:243. [PMID: 35804427 PMCID: PMC9270828 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05347-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infections by gastrointestinal nematodes cause significant economic losses and disease in both humans and animals worldwide. The discovery of novel anthelmintic drugs is crucial for maintaining control of these parasitic infections. Methods For this purpose, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential anthelmintic activity of three series of compounds against the gastrointestinal nematodes Trichuris muris and Heligmosomoides polygyrus in vitro. The compounds tested were derivatives of benzimidazole, lipidic aminoalcohols and diamines. A primary screening was performed to select those compounds with an ability to inhibit T. muris L1 motility by > 90% at a single concentration of 100 µM; then, their respective IC50 values were calculated. Those compounds with IC50 < 10 µM were also tested against the adult stage of T. muris and H. polygyrus at a single concentration of 10 µM. Results Of the 41 initial compounds screened, only compounds AO14, BZ6 and BZ12 had IC50 values < 10 µM on T. muris L1 assay, showing IC50 values of 3.30, 8.89 and 4.17 µM, respectively. However, only two of them displayed activity against the adult stage of the parasites: BZ12 killed 81% of adults of T. muris (IC50 of 8.1 µM) and 53% of H. polygyrus while BZ6 killed 100% of H. polygyrus adults (IC50 of 5.3 µM) but only 17% of T. muris. Conclusions BZ6 and BZ12 could be considered as a starting point for the synthesis of further structurally related compounds. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Elora Valderas-García
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, 24346, Grulleros, León, Spain.,Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Cécile Häberli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - María Álvarez-Bardón
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Nerea Escala
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas: Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, CIETUS, IBSAL, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Verónica Castilla-Gómez de Agüero
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, 24346, Grulleros, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 12, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Jennifer de la Vega
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas: Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, CIETUS, IBSAL, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Esther Del Olmo
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas: Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, CIETUS, IBSAL, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, 24346, Grulleros, León, Spain. .,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 12, 24071, León, Spain.
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30
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Muchiut S, Fiel C, Lirón JP, Lloberas M, Ceriani C, Lorenzo R, Riva E, Bernat G, Cardozo P, Fernández S, Steffan P. Population replacement of benzimidazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus with susceptible strains: evidence of changes in the resistance status. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2623-2632. [PMID: 35779120 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07582-9] [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: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The spread of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in nematode populations threatens the viability of sheep production systems worldwide, and warrants the adoption of sensitive, practical, and standardized tests to detect AR. The aim of this study was to characterize the replacement of an Haemonchus contortus population resistant to benzimidazoles (BZDs) by a susceptible one, by means of both phenotypic and genotypic techniques. Phenotypic methods to assess BZD resistance included in vivo tests, such as the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), and in vitro tests, such as the egg hatch assay (EHA). Additionally, genotypification of polymorphisms associated with BZD resistance by sequencing a fragment of the isotype 1 β-tubulin gene was carried out. The initial, BZD-resistant population (initial Balcarce population) exhibited an egg count reduction (ECR) of 59.3%. Following refugium replacement, the final population (final Balcarce population) exhibited an ECR of 95.2%. For the initial Balcarce population, the median effective dose (ED50) for the EHA was 0.607 μg thiabendazole (TBZ)/mL, with a rate of eclosion at a discriminating dose (EDD) of 0.1 μg TBZ/mL of 76.73%. For the final Balcarce population, ED50 was 0.02 μg TBZ/mL, and EDD was 1.97%. In the initial population, 93% of the analyzed individuals exhibited genotypic combinations associated with BZD resistance (53% Phe/Phe167-Tyr/Tyr200, 37% Phe/Tyr167-Phe/Tyr200, and 3% Phe/Tyr167-Glu/Leu198). Conversely, no combination associated with resistance was found in individuals from the final population. All of the tests were useful for detecting AR to BZDs. The results from the genetic and phenotypical studies were consistent, and the resulting information greatly aided in interpreting the outcomes of the population replacement and the potential impact of this strategy on management of AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Muchiut
- Área de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pje. Arroyo Seco s/n, B7000, Tandil, Argentina. .,Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina.
| | - César Fiel
- Área de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pje. Arroyo Seco s/n, B7000, Tandil, Argentina.,Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Juan Pedro Lirón
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lloberas
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce) EEA-INTA, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Carolina Ceriani
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina.,Área de Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Pje. Arroyo Seco s/n, B7000, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Ramiro Lorenzo
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Eliana Riva
- Área de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pje. Arroyo Seco s/n, B7000, Tandil, Argentina.,Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Gisele Bernat
- Área de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pje. Arroyo Seco s/n, B7000, Tandil, Argentina.,Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Patricia Cardozo
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce) EEA-INTA, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Silvina Fernández
- Área de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pje. Arroyo Seco s/n, B7000, Tandil, Argentina.,Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina
| | - Pedro Steffan
- Área de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Pje. Arroyo Seco s/n, B7000, Tandil, Argentina.,Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN) (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Tandil, Argentina
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31
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Choudhary S, Kashyap SS, Martin RJ, Robertson AP. Advances in our understanding of nematode ion channels as potential anthelmintic targets. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 18:52-86. [PMID: 35149380 PMCID: PMC8841521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ion channels are specialized multimeric proteins that underlie cell excitability. These channels integrate with a variety of neuromuscular and biological functions. In nematodes, the physiological behaviors including locomotion, navigation, feeding and reproduction, are regulated by these protein entities. Majority of the antinematodal chemotherapeutics target the ion channels to disrupt essential biological functions. Here, we have summarized current advances in our understanding of nematode ion channel pharmacology. We review cys-loop ligand gated ion channels (LGICs), including nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), acetylcholine-chloride gated ion channels (ACCs), glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls), and GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors, and other ionotropic receptors (transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and potassium ion channels). We have provided an update on the pharmacological properties of these channels from various nematodes. This article catalogs the differences in ion channel composition and resulting pharmacology in the phylum Nematoda. This diversity in ion channel subunit repertoire and pharmacology emphasizes the importance of pursuing species-specific drug target research. In this review, we have provided an overview of recent advances in techniques and functional assays available for screening ion channel properties and their application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Choudhary
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Sudhanva S Kashyap
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Richard J Martin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Alan P Robertson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
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32
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Xie Y, Wang S, Wu S, Gao S, Meng Q, Wang C, Lan J, Luo L, Zhou X, Xu J, Gu X, He R, Yang Z, Peng X, Hu S, Yang G. Genome of the Giant Panda Roundworm Illuminates Its Host Shift and Parasitic Adaptation. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 20:366-381. [PMID: 34487863 PMCID: PMC9684166 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Baylisascaris schroederi, a roundworm (ascaridoid) parasite specific to the bamboo-feeding giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), represents a leading cause of mortality in wild giant panda populations. Here, we present a 293-megabase chromosome-level genome assembly of B. schroederi to infer its biology, including host adaptations. Comparative genomics revealed an evolutionary trajectory accompanied by host-shift events in ascaridoid parasite lineages after host separations, suggesting their potential for transmission and rapid adaptation to new hosts. Genomic and anatomical lines of evidence, including expansion and positive selection of genes related to the cuticle and basal metabolisms, indicate that B. schroederi undergoes specific adaptations to survive in the sharp-edged bamboo-enriched gut of giant pandas by structurally increasing its cuticle thickness and efficiently utilizing host nutrients through gut parasitism. Additionally, we characterized the secretome of B. schroederi and predicted potential drug and vaccine targets for new control strategies. Overall, this genome resource provides new insights into the host adaptation of B. schroederi to the giant panda as well as the host-shift events in ascaridoid parasite lineages. Our findings on the unique biology of B. schroederi will also aid in the development of prevention and treatment measures to protect giant panda populations from roundworm parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Sen Wang
- Agricultural Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Shuangyang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17164, Sweden
| | - Shenghan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qingshu Meng
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Chengdong Wang
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
| | - Jingchao Lan
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
| | - Li Luo
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xiaobin Gu
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Ran He
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Zijiang Yang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Xuerong Peng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Life and Basic Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Songnian Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Guangyou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
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33
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Baltrušis P, Doyle SR, Halvarsson P, Höglund J. Genome-wide analysis of the response to ivermectin treatment by a Swedish field population of Haemonchus contortus. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 18:12-19. [PMID: 34959200 PMCID: PMC8718930 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Haemonchus contortus is a pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode of small ruminants and, in part due to its capacity to develop resistance to drugs, contributes to significant losses in the animal production sector worldwide. Despite decades of research, comparatively little is known about the specific mechanism(s) driving resistance to drugs such as ivermectin in this species. Here we describe a genome-wide approach to detect evidence of selection by ivermectin treatment in a field population of H. contortus from Sweden, using parasites sampled from the same animals before and seven days after ivermectin exposure followed by whole-genome sequencing. Despite an 89% reduction in parasites recovered after treatment measured by the fecal egg count reduction test, the surviving population was highly genetically similar to the population before treatment, suggesting that resistance has likely evolved over time and that resistance alleles are present on diverse haplotypes. Pairwise gene and SNP frequency comparisons indicated the highest degree of differentiation was found at the terminal end of chromosome 4, whereas the most striking difference in nucleotide diversity was observed in a region on chromosome 5 previously reported to harbor a major quantitative trait locus involved in ivermectin resistance. These data provide novel insight into the genome-wide effect of ivermectin selection in a field population as well as confirm the importance of the previously established quantitative trait locus in the development of resistance to ivermectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulius Baltrušis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Stephen R Doyle
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Peter Halvarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Höglund
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Section for Parasitology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, Uppsala, Sweden
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34
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Charlier J, Bartley DJ, Sotiraki S, Martinez-Valladares M, Claerebout E, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Thamsborg SM, Hoste H, Morgan ER, Rinaldi L. Anthelmintic resistance in ruminants: challenges and solutions. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2022; 115:171-227. [PMID: 35249662 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Anthelmintic resistance (AR) is a growing concern for effective parasite control in farmed ruminants globally. Combatting AR will require intensified and integrated research efforts in the development of innovative diagnostic tests to detect helminth infections and AR, sustainable anthelmintic treatment strategies and the development of complementary control approaches such as vaccination and plant-based control. It will also require a better understanding of socio-economic drivers of anthelmintic treatment decisions, in order to support a behavioural shift and develop targeted communication strategies that promote the uptake of evidence-based sustainable solutions. Here, we review the state-of-the-art in these different fields of research activity related to AR in helminths of livestock ruminants in Europe and beyond. We conclude that in the advent of new challenges and solutions emerging from continuing spread of AR and intensified research efforts, respectively, there is a strong need for transnational multi-actor initiatives. These should involve all key stakeholders to develop indicators of infection and sustainable control, set targets and promote good practices to achieve them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D J Bartley
- Disease Control, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, United Kingdom
| | - S Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation ELGO-DIMITRA, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - M Martinez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, León, Spain
| | - E Claerebout
- Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - G von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - S M Thamsborg
- Veterinary Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - H Hoste
- INRAE, UMR 1225 IHAP INRAE/ENVT, Toulouse University, Toulouse, France
| | - E R Morgan
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - L Rinaldi
- University of Naples Federico II, Unit of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, CREMOPAR, Napoli, Italy.
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Herath HMPD, Taki AC, Rostami A, Jabbar A, Keiser J, Geary TG, Gasser RB. Whole-organism phenotypic screening methods used in early-phase anthelmintic drug discovery. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 57:107937. [PMID: 35271946 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Diseases caused by parasitic helminths (worms) represent a major global health burden in both humans and animals. As vaccines against helminths have yet to achieve a prominent role in worm control, anthelmintics are the primary tool to limit production losses and disease due to helminth infections in both human and veterinary medicine. However, the excessive and often uncontrolled use of these drugs has led to widespread anthelmintic resistance in these worms - particularly of animals - to almost all commercially available anthelmintics, severely compromising control. Thus, there is a major demand for the discovery and development of new classes of anthelmintics. A key component of the discovery process is screening libraries of compounds for anthelmintic activity. Given the need for, and major interest by the pharmaceutical industry in, novel anthelmintics, we considered it both timely and appropriate to re-examine screening methods used for anthelmintic discovery. Thus, we reviewed current literature (1977-2021) on whole-worm phenotypic screening assays developed and used in academic laboratories, with a particular focus on those employed to discover nematocides. This review reveals that at least 50 distinct phenotypic assays with low-, medium- or high-throughput capacity were developed over this period, with more recently developed methods being quantitative, semi-automated and higher throughput. The main features assessed or measured in these assays include worm motility, growth/development, morphological changes, viability/lethality, pharyngeal pumping, egg hatching, larval migration, CO2- or ATP-production and/or enzyme activity. Recent progress in assay development has led to the routine application of practical, cost-effective, medium- to high-throughput whole-worm screening assays in academic or public-private partnership (PPP) contexts, and major potential for novel high-content, high-throughput platforms in the near future. Complementing this progress are major advances in the molecular data sciences, computational biology and informatics, which are likely to further enable and accelerate anthelmintic drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M P Dilrukshi Herath
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Timothy G Geary
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Sainte Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X3V9, Canada; School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University-Belfast, Belfast, Ireland
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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A High-Throughput Phenotypic Screen of the 'Pandemic Response Box' Identifies a Quinoline Derivative with Significant Anthelmintic Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020257. [PMID: 35215369 PMCID: PMC8874578 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes cause diseases in livestock animals and major economic losses to the agricultural industry worldwide. Nematodes of the order Strongylida, including Haemonchus contortus, are particularly important. The excessive use of anthelmintic compounds to treat infections and disease has led to widespread resistance to these compounds in nematodes, such that there is a need for new anthelmintics with distinctive mechanisms of action. With a focus on discovering new anthelmintic entities, we screened 400 chemically diverse compounds within the 'Pandemic Response Box' (from Medicines for Malaria Venture, MMV) for activity against H. contortus and its free-living relative, Caenorhabditis elegans-a model organism. Using established phenotypic assays, test compounds were evaluated in vitro for their ability to inhibit the motility and/or development of H. contortus and C. elegans. Dose-response evaluations identified a compound, MMV1581032, that significantly the motility of H. contortus larvae (IC50 = 3.4 ± 1.1 μM) and young adults of C. elegans (IC50 = 7.1 ± 4.6 μM), and the development of H. contortus larvae (IC50 = 2.2 ± 0.7 μM). The favourable characteristics of MMV1581032, such as suitable physicochemical properties and an efficient, cost-effective pathway to analogue synthesis, indicates a promising candidate for further evaluation as a nematocide. Future work will focus on a structure-activity relationship investigation of this chemical scaffold, a toxicity assessment of potent analogues and a mechanism/mode of action investigation.
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Campos KFD, Monteiro ALG, Pontarolo DV, Molento MB. Suppressive treatment with monepantel and the fast selection for phenotypically resistant trichostrongylids of sheep. Parasitology 2022:1-5. [PMID: 35241201 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202200018x] [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: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal parasite control has been a major challenge to livestock due to the failure of anthelmintic treatments. Monepantel (MNT) was introduced in 2009 as an alternative treatment option showing a new mechanism of action against nematode parasites. To study the response of MNT in a suppressive regime, 45-Suffolk and White Dorper naturally infected sheep were divided into one of three groups, G1: control – with no treatment, G2: MNT at 2.5 mg kg−1 live weight (LW) PO every 30 days, and G3: MNT at 4.0 mg kgLW−1 PO every 30 days for 6 months. Every 15 days, the animals were individually weighed (body weight, BW) and checked for Famacha (FMC) and body condition score (BCS). The efficacy of MNT was evaluated weekly by fecal egg count (FEC) every month. FEC showed >97% efficacy at the start of the experiment, revealing a significant reduction for G2 (28%) and G3 (39%) in the following months. There was no treatment, BW or BCS effect between treatments; however, there was a period (P < 0.0001) and a treatment vs period interaction (P < 0.0001) for BW. The data revealed that MNT at a therapeutic and suppressive dose had a non-linear polynomial efficacy regression (R2) of 0.988 and 0.992, respectively. This original experiment demonstrates how short-interval and suppressive MNT treatments would rapidly select Haemonchus contortus, showing a fast susceptible-resistance phenotypic population replacement. Therefore, it is suggested that MNT might be carefully used in parasite control programmes alongside other management strategies (i.e. FMC, BCS) to reduce treatment frequency and the selection process for resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Francisca Duarte Campos
- Department of Animal Science, Sheep and Goat Production and Research Center, Federal University of Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Alda Lúcia Gomes Monteiro
- Department of Animal Science, Sheep and Goat Production and Research Center, Federal University of Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Desiree Vera Pontarolo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Beltrão Molento
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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Hansen TVA, Sager H, Toutain CE, Courtot E, Neveu C, Charvet CL. The Caenorhabditis elegans DEG-3/DES-2 Channel Is a Betaine-Gated Receptor Insensitive to Monepantel. Molecules 2022; 27:312. [PMID: 35011544 PMCID: PMC8747062 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural plant compounds, such as betaine, are described to have nematocidal properties. Betaine also acts as a neurotransmitter in the free-living model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, where it is required for normal motility. Worm motility is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), including subunits from the nematode-specific DEG-3 group. Not all types of nAChRs in this group are associated with motility, and one of these is the DEG-3/DES-2 channel from C. elegans, which is involved in nociception and possibly chemotaxis. Interestingly, the activity of DEG-3/DES-2 channel from the parasitic nematode of ruminants, Haemonchus contortus, is modulated by monepantel and its sulfone metabolite, which belong to the amino-acetonitrile derivative anthelmintic drug class. Here, our aim was to advance the pharmacological knowledge of the DEG-3/DES-2 channel from C. elegans by functionally expressing the DEG-3/DES-2 channel in Xenopus laevis oocytes and using two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology. We found that the DEG-3/DES-2 channel was more sensitive to betaine than ACh and choline, but insensitive to monepantel and monepantel sulfone when used as direct agonists and as allosteric modulators in co-application with betaine. These findings provide important insight into the pharmacology of DEG-3/DES-2 from C. elegans and highlight the pharmacological differences between non-parasitic and parasitic nematode species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina V. A. Hansen
- INRAE, Université de Tours, ISP, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; (T.V.A.H.); (E.C.); (C.N.)
| | - Heinz Sager
- Elanco Animal Health Inc., CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland;
| | | | - Elise Courtot
- INRAE, Université de Tours, ISP, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; (T.V.A.H.); (E.C.); (C.N.)
| | - Cédric Neveu
- INRAE, Université de Tours, ISP, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; (T.V.A.H.); (E.C.); (C.N.)
| | - Claude L. Charvet
- INRAE, Université de Tours, ISP, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; (T.V.A.H.); (E.C.); (C.N.)
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A journey through 50 years of research relevant to the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminant livestock and thoughts on future directions. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:1133-1151. [PMID: 34774857 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This review article provides an historical perspective on some of the major research advances of relevance to ruminant livestock gastrointestinal nematode control over the last 50 years. Over this period, gastrointestinal nematode control has been dominated by the use of broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs. Whilst this has provided unprecedented levels of successful control for many years, this approach has been gradually breaking down for more than two decades and is increasingly unsustainable which is due, at least in part, to the emergence of anthelmintic drug resistance and a number of other factors discussed in this article. We first cover the remarkable success story of the discovery and development of broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs, the changing face of anthelmintic drug discovery research and the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. This is followed by a review of some of the major advances in the increasingly important area of non-pharmaceutical gastrointestinal nematode control including immunology and vaccine development, epidemiological modelling and some of the alternative control strategies such as breeding for host resistance, refugia-based methods and biological control. The last 50 years have witnessed remarkable innovation and success in research aiming to improve ruminant livestock gastrointestinal nematode control, particularly given the relatively small size of the research community and limited funding. In spite of this, the growing global demand for livestock products, together with the need to maximise production efficiencies, reduce environmental impacts and safeguard animal welfare - as well as specific challenges such as anthelmintic drug resistance and climate change- mean that gastrointestinal nematode researchers will need to be as innovative in the next 50 years as in the last.
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Ahuir-Baraja AE, Cibot F, Llobat L, Garijo MM. Anthelmintic resistance: is a solution possible? Exp Parasitol 2021; 230:108169. [PMID: 34627787 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
More than 50 years after anthelmintic resistance was first identified, its prevalence and impact on the animal production industry continues to increase across the world. The term "anthelmintic resistance" (AR) can be briefly defined as the reduction in efficacy of a certain dose of anthelmintic drugs (AH) in eliminating the presence of a parasite population that was previously susceptible. The main aim of this study is to examine anthelmintic resistance in domestic herbivores. There are numerous factors playing a role in the development of AR, but the most important is livestock management. The price of AH and the need to treat a high number of animals mean that farmers face significant costs in this regard, yet, since 1981, little progress has been made in the discovery of new molecules and the time and cost required to bring a new AH to market has increased dramatically in recent decades. Furthermore, resistance has also emerged for new AH, such as monepantel or derquantel. Consequently, ruminant parasitism cannot be controlled solely by using synthetic chemicals. A change in approach is needed, using a range of preventive measures in order to achieve a sustainable control programme. The use of nematophagous fungi or of plant extracts rich in compounds with anthelmintic properties, such as terpenes, condensed tannins, or flavonoids, represent potential alternatives. Nevertheless, although new approaches are showing promising results, there is still much to do. More research focused on the control of AR is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Ahuir-Baraja
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Research Group (PARAVET), Department of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Spain
| | - F Cibot
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Spain
| | - L Llobat
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction Research Group (PROVAGINBIO), Department of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Spain.
| | - M M Garijo
- Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Research Group (PARAVET), Department of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASAPTA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Spain
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Jayawardene KLTD, Palombo EA, Boag PR. Natural Products Are a Promising Source for Anthelmintic Drug Discovery. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1457. [PMID: 34680090 PMCID: PMC8533416 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes infect almost all forms of life. In the human context, parasites are one of the major causative factors for physical and intellectual growth retardation in the developing world. In the agricultural setting, parasites have a great economic impact through a reduction in livestock performance or control cost. The main method of controlling these devastating conditions is the use of anthelmintic drugs. Unfortunately, there are only a few anthelmintic drug classes available in the market and significant resistance has developed in most of the parasitic species of livestock. Therefore, development of new anthelmintics with different modes of action is critical for sustainable parasitic control in the future. The drug development pipeline is broadly limited to two types of molecules, namely synthetic compounds and natural plant products. Compared to synthetic compounds, natural products are highly diverse, and many have historically proven valuable in folk medicine to treat various gastrointestinal ailments. This review focus on the use of traditional knowledge-based plant extracts in the development of new therapeutic leads, the approaches used as screening techniques, and common bottlenecks and opportunities in plant-based anthelmintic drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. L. T. Dilrukshi Jayawardene
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Enzo A. Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Peter R. Boag
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
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Nguyen LT, Zajíčková M, Mašátová E, Matoušková P, Skálová L. The ATP bioluminescence assay: a new application and optimization for viability testing in the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. Vet Res 2021; 52:124. [PMID: 34593042 PMCID: PMC8482649 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00980-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasitic gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus causes serious economic losses to agriculture due to infection and disease in small ruminant livestock. The development of new therapies requires appropriate viability testing, with methods nowadays relying on larval motility or development using procedures that involve microscopy. None of the existing biochemical methods, however, are performed in adults, the target stage of the anthelmintic compounds. Here we present a new test for the viability of H. contortus adults and exsheathed third-stage larvae which is based on a bioluminescent assay of ATP content normalized to total protein concentration measured using bicinchoninic acid. All the procedure steps were optimized to achieve maximal sensitivity and robustness. This novel method can be used as a complementary assay for the phenotypic screening of new compounds with potential antinematode activity in exsheathed third-stage larvae and in adult males. Additionally, it might be used for the detection of drug-resistant isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Zajíčková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Mašátová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Matoušková
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Skálová
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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Taki AC, Byrne JJ, Wang T, Sleebs BE, Nguyen N, Hall RS, Korhonen PK, Chang BC, Jackson P, Jabbar A, Gasser RB. High-Throughput Phenotypic Assay to Screen for Anthelmintic Activity on Haemonchus contortus. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070616. [PMID: 34206910 PMCID: PMC8308562 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic worms cause very significant diseases in animals and humans worldwide, and their control is critical to enhance health, well-being and productivity. Due to widespread drug resistance in many parasitic worms of animals globally, there is a major, continuing demand for the discovery and development of anthelmintic drugs for use to control these worms. Here, we established a practical, cost-effective and semi-automated high throughput screening (HTS) assay, which relies on the measurement of motility of larvae of the barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) using infrared light-interference. Using this assay, we screened 80,500 small molecules and achieved a hit rate of 0.05%. We identified three small molecules that reproducibly inhibited larval motility and/or development (IC50 values of ~4 to 41 µM). Future work will critically assess the potential of selected hits as candidates for subsequent optimisation or repurposing against parasitic nematodes. This HTS assay has a major advantage over most previous assays in that it achieves a ≥ 10-times higher throughput (i.e., 10,000 compounds per week), and is thus suited to the screening of libraries of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of compounds for subsequent hit-to-lead optimisation or effective repurposing and development. The current assay should be adaptable to many socioeconomically important parasitic nematodes, including those that cause neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This aspect is of relevance, given the goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) Roadmap for NTDs 2021–2030, to develop more effective drugs and drug combinations to improve patient outcomes and circumvent the ineffectiveness of some current anthelmintic drugs and possible drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya C. Taki
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Joseph J. Byrne
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Brad E. Sleebs
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
- Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Chemical Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ross S. Hall
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Pasi K. Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Bill C.H. Chang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Paul Jackson
- Johnson & Johnson, Global Public Health, Janssen Research and Development, San Diego, CA 92121, USA;
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.C.T.); (J.J.B.); (T.W.); (B.E.S.); (R.S.H.); (P.K.K.); (B.C.H.C.); (A.J.)
- Correspondence:
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Valderas-García E, de la Vega J, Álvarez Bardón M, Castilla Gómez de Agüero V, Escarcena R, López-Pérez JL, Rojo-Vázquez FA, San Feliciano A, Del Olmo E, Balaña-Fouce R, Martínez-Valladares M. Anthelmintic activity of aminoalcohol and diamine derivatives against the gastrointestinal nematode Teladorsagia circumcincta. Vet Parasitol 2021; 296:109496. [PMID: 34147018 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) infections are a serious problem in livestock production due to the great economic losses they cause. Their control is increasingly difficult because of the rapid development of drug resistance and the limited number of available drugs. Therefore, this study evaluated 18 aminoalcohol and 16 diamine derivatives against eggs, first and third stage larvae from a susceptible and a resistant isolate of Teladorsagia circumcincta collected from sheep. The effectiveness of the in vitro anthelmintic activity of the compounds was evaluated using three different procedures: Egg Hatch Test (EHT), Larval Mortality Test (LMT) and Larval Migration Inhibition Test (LMIT). Those compounds with activities higher than 90 % in the initial screening at 50 μM were selected to determine their half maximal effective concentration (EC50). In parallel, cytotoxicity assays were conducted on Caco2 and HepG2 cell lines to calculate Selectivity Indexes (SI) for each compound. The diamine 30 presented the best results in preventing egg hatching, displaying the lowest EC50 value (1.01 ± 0.04 μM) of all compounds tested and the highest SI (21.21 vs. Caco-2 cells). For the LMIT, the diamine 34 showed the highest efficacy, with EC50 values of 2.67 ± 0.08 and 3.02 ± 0.09 μM on the susceptible and resistant isolate of the parasite, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elora Valderas-García
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, 24346, Grulleros, León, Spain; Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Jennifer de la Vega
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas: Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, CIETUS, IBSAL, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - María Álvarez Bardón
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Verónica Castilla Gómez de Agüero
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, 24346, Grulleros, León, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Ricardo Escarcena
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas: Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, CIETUS, IBSAL, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - José Luis López-Pérez
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas: Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, CIETUS, IBSAL, 37007, Salamanca, Spain; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, R. de Panamá
| | - Francisco A Rojo-Vázquez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Arturo San Feliciano
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas: Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, CIETUS, IBSAL, 37007, Salamanca, Spain; Programa de Pós-graduaçao em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universida de do Vale do Itajaí, UNIVALI, Itajaí, SC, Brazil
| | - Esther Del Olmo
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas: Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, CIETUS, IBSAL, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain.
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, 24346, Grulleros, León, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain.
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45
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Badar SN, Iqbal Z, Sajid MS, Rizwan HM, Shareef M, Malik MA, Khan MN. Comparative anthelmintic efficacy of Arundo donax, Areca catechu, and Ferula assa-foetida against Haemonchus contortus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e001221. [PMID: 34076046 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, anthelmintic activities of Arundo (A.) donax L., Areca (Ar.) catechu L., and Ferula (F.) assa-foetida L. were determined. Leaves of A. donax L., latex of F. assa-foetida L. and seeds of Ar. catechu L. in different solvent fractions were subjected to in vitro (egg hatch assay; EHA, and adult motility assay; AMA) and in vivo (faecal egg count reduction test; FECRT) tests of anthelmintic activity using Haemonchus contortus model. In the AMA, crude aqueous methanol extracts (CAME) and ethyl acetate fractions of F. assa-foetida at 10 hr post-treatment showed maximum mortality of H. contortus at 12.5-50 mg mL-1. In the EHA, CAME of F. assa-foetida was identified as a potent ovicide based on its low LC50 (16.9 µg mL-1), followed in order by Ar. catechu and A. donax. Results from the FECRT also showed the extract of F. assa-foetida L. to be more effective than those of Ar. catechu L. and A. donax L., against the gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed better anthelmintic activities against the adult worms in vitro, while CAME of these plants were better than their crude powders in vivo. It is recommended to document and investigate indigenous knowledge of possible medicinal plants to plan scientific trials that may justify their endorsement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Nadeem Badar
- Department of Livestock and Dairy Development, Rawalpindi Division, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Zafar Iqbal
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sohail Sajid
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.,One Health Laboratory, Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, KBCMA College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Narowal, subcampus UVAS Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shareef
- Institute of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Knox J, Joly N, Linossi EM, Carmona-Negrón JA, Jura N, Pintard L, Zuercher W, Roy PJ. A survey of the kinome pharmacopeia reveals multiple scaffolds and targets for the development of novel anthelmintics. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9161. [PMID: 33911106 PMCID: PMC8080662 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88150-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Over one billion people are currently infected with a parasitic nematode. Symptoms can include anemia, malnutrition, developmental delay, and in severe cases, death. Resistance is emerging to the anthelmintics currently used to treat nematode infection, prompting the need to develop new anthelmintics. Towards this end, we identified a set of kinases that may be targeted in a nematode-selective manner. We first screened 2040 inhibitors of vertebrate kinases for those that impair the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. By determining whether the terminal phenotype induced by each kinase inhibitor matched that of the predicted target mutant in C. elegans, we identified 17 druggable nematode kinase targets. Of these, we found that nematode EGFR, MEK1, and PLK1 kinases have diverged from vertebrates within their drug-binding pocket. For each of these targets, we identified small molecule scaffolds that may be further modified to develop nematode-selective inhibitors. Nematode EGFR, MEK1, and PLK1 therefore represent key targets for the development of new anthelmintic medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Knox
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.,The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Nicolas Joly
- Programme Équipe Labellisée Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR7592, Université de Paris, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Edmond M Linossi
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - José A Carmona-Negrón
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Natalia Jura
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Lionel Pintard
- Programme Équipe Labellisée Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Institut Jacques Monod, UMR7592, Université de Paris, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - William Zuercher
- School of Pharmacy, UNC Eshelman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Peter J Roy
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada. .,The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada. .,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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47
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Giunti S, Andersen N, Rayes D, De Rosa MJ. Drug discovery: Insights from the invertebrate Caenorhabditis elegans. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 9:e00721. [PMID: 33641258 PMCID: PMC7916527 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic drug development is a long, expensive, and complex process that usually takes 12-15 years. In the early phases of drug discovery, in particular, there is a growing need for animal models that ensure the reduction in both cost and time. Caenorhabditis elegans has been traditionally used to address fundamental aspects of key biological processes, such as apoptosis, aging, and gene expression regulation. During the last decade, with the advent of large-scale platforms for screenings, this invertebrate has also emerged as an essential tool in the pharmaceutical research industry to identify novel drugs and drug targets. In this review, we discuss the reasons why C. elegans has been positioned as an outstanding cost-effective option for drug discovery, highlighting both the advantages and drawbacks of this model. Particular attention is paid to the suitability of this nematode in large-scale genetic and pharmacological screenings. High-throughput screenings in C. elegans have indeed contributed to the breakthrough of a wide variety of candidate compounds involved in extensive fields including neurodegeneration, pathogen infections and metabolic disorders. The versatility of this nematode, which enables its instrumentation as a model of human diseases, is another attribute also herein underscored. As illustrative examples, we discuss the utility of C. elegans models of both human neurodegenerative diseases and parasitic nematodes in the drug discovery industry. Summing up, this review aims to demonstrate the impact of C. elegans models on the drug discovery pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Giunti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS‐CONICETBahía BlancaArgentina
- Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y FarmaciaUniversidad Nacional del SurBahía BlancaArgentina
| | - Natalia Andersen
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS‐CONICETBahía BlancaArgentina
- Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y FarmaciaUniversidad Nacional del SurBahía BlancaArgentina
| | - Diego Rayes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS‐CONICETBahía BlancaArgentina
- Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y FarmaciaUniversidad Nacional del SurBahía BlancaArgentina
| | - María José De Rosa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) CCT UNS‐CONICETBahía BlancaArgentina
- Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y FarmaciaUniversidad Nacional del SurBahía BlancaArgentina
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48
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Monepantel pharmaco-therapeutic evaluation in cattle: Pattern of efficacy against multidrug resistant nematodes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2021; 15:162-167. [PMID: 33799058 PMCID: PMC8044591 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The goal of the current work was to perform an integrated evaluation of monepantel (MNP) pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics, measured as anthelmintic efficacy, after its oral administration to calves naturally infected with GI nematodes resistant to ivermectin (IVM) and ricobendazole (RBZ) on three commercial farms. On each farm, forty-five calves were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 15): MNP oral administration (2.5 mg/kg); IVM subcutaneous (SC) administration (0.2 mg/kg); and RBZ SC administration (3.75 mg/kg). Eight animals from the MNP treated group (Farm 1) were selected to perform the PK study. Drug concentrations were measured by HPLC. The efficacy was determined by the faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). MNP and MNP-sulphone (MNPSO2) were the main analytes recovered in plasma. MNPSO2 systemic exposure was markedly higher compared to that obtained for MNP. Higher Cmax and AUC values were obtained for the active MNPSO2 metabolite (96.8 ± 29.7 ng/mL and 9220 ± 1720 ng h/mL) compared to MNP (21.5 ± 4.62 ng/mL and 1709 ± 651 ng h/mL). The MNPSO2 AUC value was 6-fold higher compared to the parent drug. Efficacies of 99% (Farm 1), 96% (Farm 2) and 98% (Farm 3) demonstrated the high activity of MNP (P < 0.05) against GI nematodes resistant to IVM (reductions between 27 and 68%) and RBZ (overall efficacy of 75% on Farm 3). While IVM failed to control Haemonchus spp. and Cooperia spp., and RBZ failed to control Coooperia spp. and Ostertagia spp., MNP achieved 100% efficacy against Haemonchus spp., Cooperia spp. and Ostertagia spp. However, a low efficacy of MNP against Oesophagostomum spp. (efficacies ranging from 22 to 74%) was observed. In conclusion, oral treatment with MNP should be considered for dealing with IVM and benzimidazole resistant nematode parasites in cattle. The work described here reports for the first time an integrated assessment of MNP pharmaco-therapeutic features and highlights the need to be considered as a highly valuable tool to manage nematode resistant to other chemical families.
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Arsenopoulos KV, Fthenakis GC, Katsarou EI, Papadopoulos E. Haemonchosis: A Challenging Parasitic Infection of Sheep and Goats. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020363. [PMID: 33535656 PMCID: PMC7912824 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper reviews the challenges about haemonchosis-a significant and common parasitic infection of small ruminants. Haemonchus contortus is a highly pathogenic parasite that localises in the abomasum of affected animals and exerts its pathogenicity by blood-sucking activity, adversely affecting the health and productivity of animals. The first challenge is the uneven distribution of the infection globally, this being more prevalent in tropical and subtropical and warm temperate and summer rainfall regions than in cool and cold temperate and arid regions; hence, this leads in differences in the approaches required for its control. Another challenge is the widespread presence of Haemonchus strains resistant to the various anthelmintics available: Benzimidazoles, imidazothiazoles, macrocyclic lactones, closantel and monepantel, which makes the control of the infection difficult. The third challenge refers to the difficulty of diagnosing the disease, given that field evidence can provide suspicion about the infection, which needs to be subsequently confirmed by laboratory tests through parasitological or molecular techniques. The final challenge relates to the difficulties in the control of the infection and the necessity to use pharmaceutical products cautiously and with a planned approach, to avoid further development of anthelmintic resistance, also given that use of a recently licenced vaccine is not widespread. In conclusion, at the moment, we should be concerned, but not worried, about this infection, and apply correctly the appropriate health management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos V. Arsenopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - George C. Fthenakis
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (G.C.F.); (E.I.K.)
| | - Eleni I. Katsarou
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (G.C.F.); (E.I.K.)
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
- Correspondence:
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50
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Herath HMPD, Taki AC, Sleebs BE, Hofmann A, Nguyen N, Preston S, Davis RA, Jabbar A, Gasser RB. Advances in the discovery and development of anthelmintics by harnessing natural product scaffolds. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 111:203-251. [PMID: 33482975 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Widespread resistance to currently-used anthelmintics represents a major obstacle to controlling parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. Given the reliance on anthelmintics in many control regimens, there is a need for the continued discovery and development of new nematocides. Enabling such a focus are: (i) the major chemical diversity of natural products; (ii) the availability of curated, drug-like extract-, fraction- and/or compound-libraries from natural sources; (iii) the utility and practicality of well-established whole-worm bioassays for Haemonchus contortus-an important parasitic nematodes of livestock-to screen natural product libraries; and (iv) the availability of advanced chromatographic (HPLC), spectroscopic (NMR) and spectrometric (MS) techniques for bioassay-guided fractionation and structural elucidation. This context provides a sound basis for the identification and characterisation of anthelmintic candidates from natural sources. This chapter provides a background on the importance and impact of helminth infections/diseases, parasite control and aspects of drug discovery, and reviews recent work focused on (i) screening well-defined compound libraries to establish the methods needed for large-scale screening of natural extract libraries; (ii) discovering plant and marine extracts with nematocidal or nematostatic activity, and purifying bioactive compounds and assessing their potential for further development; and (iii) synthesising analogues of selected purified natural compounds for the identification of possible 'lead' candidates. The chapter describes some lessons learned from this work and proposes future areas of focus for drug discovery. Collectively, the findings from this recent work show potential for selected natural product scaffolds as candidates for future development. Developing such candidates via future chemical optimisation, efficacy and safety evaluations, broad spectrum activity assessments, and target identification represents an exciting prospect and, if successful, could pave the way to subsequent pre-clinical and clinical evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M P Dilrukshi Herath
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aya C Taki
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Preston
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rohan A Davis
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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