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Barakat AM, El Fadaly HAM, Selem RF, Madboli AENA, Abd El-Razik KA, Hassan EA, Alghamdi AH, Elmahallawy EK. Tamoxifen Increased Parasite Burden and Induced a Series of Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Changes During Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Experimentally Infected Mice. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:902855. [PMID: 35707167 PMCID: PMC9189418 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.902855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The global distribution of breast cancer and the opportunistic nature of the parasite have resulted in many patients with breast cancer becoming infected with toxoplasmosis. However, very limited information is available about the potential effects of tamoxifen on chronic toxoplasmosis and its contribution to the reactivation of the latent infection. The present study investigated the potential effects of tamoxifen on chronic toxoplasmosis in animal models (Swiss albino mice). Following induction of chronic toxoplasmosis and treatment with the drug for 14 and 28 days, the anti-parasitic effects of tamoxifen were evaluated by parasitological assessment and counting of Toxoplasma cysts. In addition, the effects of the drug on the parasite load were evaluated and quantitated using TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR followed by investigation of the major histopathological changes and immunohistochemical findings. Interestingly, tamoxifen increased the parasite burden on animals treated with the drug during 14 and 28 days as compared with the control group. The quantification of the DNA concentrations of Toxoplasma P29 gene after the treatment with the drug revealed a higher parasite load in both treated groups vs. control groups. Furthermore, treatment with tamoxifen induced a series of histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the kidney, liver, brain, and uterus, revealing the exacerbating effect of tamoxifen against chronic toxoplasmosis. These changes were represented by the presence of multiple T. gondii tissue cysts in the lumen of proximal convoluted tubules associated with complete necrosis in their lining epithelium of the kidney section. Meanwhile, liver tissue revealed multiple T. gondii tissue cysts in hepatic parenchyma which altered the structure of hepatocytes. Moreover, clusters of intracellular tachyzoites were observed in the lining epithelium of endometrium associated with severe endometrial necrosis and appeared as diffuse nuclear pyknosis combined with sever mononuclear cellular infiltration. Brain tissues experienced the presence of hemorrhages in pia mater and multiple T. gondii tissue cysts in brain tissue. The severity of the lesions was maximized by increasing the duration of treatment. Collectively, the study concluded novel findings in relation to the potential role of tamoxifen during chronic toxoplasmosis. These findings are very important for combating the disease, particularly in immunocompromised patients which could be life-threatening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Mohamed Barakat
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Ashraf Mohamed Barakat,
| | | | - Rabab Fawzy Selem
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Abd El-Nasser A. Madboli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Khaled A. Abd El-Razik
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ehssan Ahmed Hassan
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Ali H. Alghamdi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Albaha University, Alaqiq, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy,
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2
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Bazedoxifene, a Postmenopausal Drug, Acts as an Antimalarial and Inhibits Hemozoin Formation. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0278121. [PMID: 35616371 PMCID: PMC9241896 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02781-21] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite a remarkable improvement in health care and continued drug discovery efforts, malaria control efforts are continuously challenged by the emergence of drug-resistant parasite strains. Given a long and risky development path of new drugs, repurposing existing drugs for the treatment of malaria is an attractive and shorter path. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) for the treatment and prevention of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, possesses antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic activities. Hence, we assessed tamoxifen, raloxifene, and bazedoxifene, which represent the first-, second-, and third-generation SERMs, respectively, for antimalarial activity. Raloxifene and bazedoxifene inhibited the erythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum with submicromolar 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. Among the three, bazedoxifene was the most potent and also decreased P. berghei infection in female mice but not in male mice. However, bazedoxifene similarly inhibited P. falciparum growth in erythrocytes of male and female origin, which highlights the importance of sex-specific host physiology in drug efficacy. Bazedoxifene was most potent on early ring-stage parasites, and about 35% of the treated parasites did not contain hemozoin in the food vacuole. Bazedoxifene-treated parasites had almost 34% less hemozoin content than the control parasites. However, both control and bazedoxifene-treated parasites had similar hemoglobin levels, suggesting that bazedoxifene inhibits hemozoin formation and that toxicity due to accumulation of free heme could be a mechanism of its antimalarial activity. Because bazedoxifene is in clinical use and bazedoxifene-chloroquine combination shows an additive antiparasitic effect, bazedoxifene could be an adjunctive partner of currently used antimalarial regimens. IMPORTANCE The emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has necessitated new drugs. Selective estrogen receptor modulators are in clinical use for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and postmenopausal osteoporosis. We demonstrate that bazedoxifene, a third-generation selective estrogen receptor modulator, has potent inhibitory activity against both susceptible and drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. It also blocked the development of Plasmodium berghei in mice. The inhibitory effect was strongest on the ring stage and resulted in the inhibition of hemozoin formation, which could be the major mechanism of bazedoxifene action. Hemozoin is a nontoxic polymer of heme, which is a by-product of hemoglobin degradation by the malaria parasite during its development within the erythrocyte. Because bazedoxifene is already in clinical use for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, our findings support repurposing of bazedoxifene as an antimalarial.
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Zewdie KA, Hailu HG, Ayza MA, Tesfaye BA. Antileishmanial Activity of Tamoxifen by Targeting Sphingolipid Metabolism: A Review. Clin Pharmacol 2022; 14:11-17. [PMID: 35221731 PMCID: PMC8880078 DOI: 10.2147/cpaa.s344268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kaleab Alemayehu Zewdie
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: Kaleab Alemayehu Zewdie, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, PO Box 1871, Mekelle, Ethiopia, Tel +251 921546562, Email
| | - Haftom Gebregergs Hailu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Muluken Altaye Ayza
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Bekalu Amare Tesfaye
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
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Pepe G, Sfogliarini C, Rizzello L, Battaglia G, Pinna C, Rovati G, Ciana P, Brunialti E, Mornata F, Maggi A, Locati M, Vegeto E. ERα-independent NRF2-mediated immunoregulatory activity of tamoxifen. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 144:112274. [PMID: 34653752 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in immune-mediated diseases are linked to the activity of estrogens on innate immunity cells, including macrophages. Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used in estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα)-dependent breast cancers and off-target indications such as infections, although the immune activity of TAM and its active metabolite, 4-OH tamoxifen (4HT), is poorly characterized. Here, we aimed at investigating the endocrine and immune activity of these SERMs in macrophages. Using primary cultures of female mouse macrophages, we analyzed the expression of immune mediators and activation of effector functions in competition experiments with SERMs and 17β-estradiol (E2) or the bacterial endotoxin LPS. We observed that 4HT and TAM induce estrogen antagonist effects when used at nanomolar concentrations, while pharmacological concentrations that are reached by TAM in clinical settings regulate the expression of VEGFα and other immune activation genes by ERα- and G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPER1)-independent mechanisms that involve NRF2 through PI3K/Akt-dependent mechanisms. Importantly, we observed that SERMs potentiate cell phagocytosis and modify the effects of LPS on the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα and IL1β, with an overall increase in cell inflammatory phenotype, further sustained by potentiation of IL1β secretion through caspase-1 activation. Altogether, our data unravel a novel molecular mechanism and immune functions for TAM and 4HT, sustaining their repurposing in infective and other estrogen receptors-unrelated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Pepe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Sfogliarini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Loris Rizzello
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; National Institute of Molecular Genetics (INGM) Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- Department of Chemistry and; The EPSRC/Jeol Centre for Liquid Phase Electron Microscopy, University College London, WC1H 0AJ London, U.K; Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Physics of Living System, University College London, WC1E 6BT London, U.K; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christian Pinna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianenrico Rovati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Ciana
- Department of Health Sciences University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Electra Brunialti
- Department of Health Sciences University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Mornata
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Locati
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Vegeto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Repurposing of the Tamoxifen Metabolites to Treat Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Infections. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0040321. [PMID: 34668743 PMCID: PMC8528103 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00403-21] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Repurposing drugs provides a new approach to the fight against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. We have reported that three major tamoxifen metabolites, N-desmethyltamoxifen (DTAM), 4-hydroxytamoxifen (HTAM), and endoxifen (ENDX), presented bactericidal activity against Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli. Here, we aimed to analyze the activity of a mixture of the three tamoxifen metabolites against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) and Enterococcus species. MRSE (n = 17) and Enterococcus species (Enterococcus faecalisn = 8 and Enterococcus faeciumn = 10) strains were used. MIC of the mixture of DTAM, HTAM, and ENDX and that of vancomycin were determined by microdilution assay. The bactericidal activity of the three metabolites together and of vancomycin against MRSE (SE385 and SE742) and vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (EVR1 and EVR2) strains was determined by time-kill curve assays. Finally, changes in membrane permeability of SE742 and EVR1 strains were analyzed using fluorescence assays. MIC90 of tamoxifen metabolites was 1 mg/liter for MRSE strains and 2 mg/liter for E. faecalis and E. faecium strains. In the time-killing assays, tamoxifen metabolites mixture showed bactericidal activity at 4× MIC for MRSE (SE385 and SE742) and at 2× MIC and 4× MIC for E. faecalis (EVR1 and EVR2) strains, respectively. SE385 and EVR2 strains treated with the tamoxifen metabolites mixture presented higher membrane permeabilization. Altogether, these results showed that tamoxifen metabolites presented antibacterial activity against MRSE and vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis, suggesting that tamoxifen metabolites might increase the arsenal of drug treatments against these bacterial pathogens. IMPORTANCE The development of new antimicrobial therapeutic strategies requires immediate attention to avoid the tens of millions of deaths predicted to occur by 2050 as a result of MDR bacterial infections. In this study, we assessed the antibacterial activity of three major tamoxifen metabolites, N-desmethyltamoxifen (DTAM), 4-hydroxytamoxifen (HTAM), and endoxifen (ENDX), against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) and Enterococcus spp. (E. faecalis and E. faecium). We found that the tamoxifen metabolites have antibacterial activity against MRSE, E. faecalis, and E. faecium strains by presenting MIC90 between 1 and 2 mg/liter and bactericidal activity over 24 h. In addition, this antibacterial activity is paralleled by an increased membrane permeability of these strains. Our results showed that tamoxifen metabolites might be potentially used as a therapeutic alternative when treating MRSE and E. faecalis strains in an animal model of infection.
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6
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Briquet S, Gissot M, Silvie O. A toolbox for conditional control of gene expression in apicomplexan parasites. Mol Microbiol 2021; 117:618-631. [PMID: 34564906 PMCID: PMC9293482 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites encompass diverse pathogens for humans and animals, including the causative agents of malaria and toxoplasmosis, Plasmodium spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. Genetic manipulation of these parasites has become central to explore parasite biology, unravel gene function and identify new targets for therapeutic strategies. Tremendous progress has been achieved over the past years with the advent of next generation sequencing and powerful genome editing methods. In particular, various methods for conditional gene expression have been developed in both Plasmodium and Toxoplasma to knockout or knockdown essential genes, or for inducible expression of master developmental regulators or mutant versions of proteins. Conditional gene expression can be achieved at three distinct levels. At the DNA level, inducible site‐specific recombinases allow conditional genome editing. At the RNA level, regulation can be achieved during transcription, using stage‐specific or regulatable promoters, or post‐transcriptionally through alteration of mRNA stability or translation. At the protein level, several systems have been developed for inducible degradation or displacement of a protein of interest. In this review, we provide an overview of current systems for conditional control of gene expression in Plasmodium and Toxoplasma parasites, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Briquet
- INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Gissot
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, CIIL, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
| | - Olivier Silvie
- INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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7
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Cervantes-Candelas LA, Aguilar-Castro J, Buendía-González FO, Fernández-Rivera O, Cervantes-Sandoval A, Morales-Montor J, Legorreta-Herrera M. Tamoxifen Suppresses the Immune Response to Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Exacerbates Symptomatology. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060743. [PMID: 34204678 PMCID: PMC8231265 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is the most lethal parasitic disease in the world. Mortality and severity in symptoms are higher in men than women, suggesting that oestrogens, which are in higher concentration in females than in males, may regulate the immune response against malaria. Tamoxifen, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator used in breast cancer treatment due to its antagonistic effect on oestrogen receptors α and β, is also studied because of its potential therapeutic use for several parasitic diseases. However, most studies, including one in malaria, have not addressed the immunomodulatory role of tamoxifen. In this work, we evaluated the effect of tamoxifen on the immune response of CBA/Ca mice against Plasmodium berghei ANKA. This study showed for the first time that tamoxifen increased parasite load, aggravated symptoms by decreasing body temperature and body weight, and worsened anaemia. Additionally, tamoxifen significantly increased the splenic index and the percentages of CD4+ and NK+ cells on day eight post-infection. By contrast, tamoxifen decreased both CD8+ and B220+ populations in the spleen and decreased the serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, and IL-17. Our findings support the notion that tamoxifen is a potent immunomodulator in malaria-infected mice and suggest caution when administering it to malaria-infected women with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Antonio Cervantes-Candelas
- Unidad de Investigación Química Computacional, Síntesis y Farmacología de Moléculas de Interés Biológico, Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 09230, Mexico; (L.A.C.-C.); (J.A.-C.); (F.O.B.-G.); (O.F.-R.)
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Edificio D, 1° Piso, Circuito de Posgrados, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Jesús Aguilar-Castro
- Unidad de Investigación Química Computacional, Síntesis y Farmacología de Moléculas de Interés Biológico, Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 09230, Mexico; (L.A.C.-C.); (J.A.-C.); (F.O.B.-G.); (O.F.-R.)
| | - Fidel Orlando Buendía-González
- Unidad de Investigación Química Computacional, Síntesis y Farmacología de Moléculas de Interés Biológico, Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 09230, Mexico; (L.A.C.-C.); (J.A.-C.); (F.O.B.-G.); (O.F.-R.)
| | - Omar Fernández-Rivera
- Unidad de Investigación Química Computacional, Síntesis y Farmacología de Moléculas de Interés Biológico, Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 09230, Mexico; (L.A.C.-C.); (J.A.-C.); (F.O.B.-G.); (O.F.-R.)
| | - Armando Cervantes-Sandoval
- Laboratorio de Aplicaciones Computacionales, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 09230, Mexico;
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, AP 70228, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Martha Legorreta-Herrera
- Unidad de Investigación Química Computacional, Síntesis y Farmacología de Moléculas de Interés Biológico, Laboratorio de Inmunología Molecular, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 09230, Mexico; (L.A.C.-C.); (J.A.-C.); (F.O.B.-G.); (O.F.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-5556230700 (ext. 83207)
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8
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Miró-Canturri A, Ayerbe-Algaba R, Vila-Domínguez A, Jiménez-Mejías ME, Pachón J, Smani Y. Repurposing of the Tamoxifen Metabolites to Combat Infections by Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10030336. [PMID: 33810067 PMCID: PMC8004611 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10030336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of new strategic antimicrobial therapeutic approaches, such as drug repurposing, has become an urgent need. Previously, we reported that tamoxifen presents therapeutic efficacy against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli in experimental infection models by modulating innate immune system cell traffic. The main objective of this study was to analyze the activity of N-desmethyltamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and endoxifen, three major metabolites of tamoxifen, against these pathogens. We showed that immunosuppressed mice infected with A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, or E. coli in peritoneal sepsis models and treated with tamoxifen at 80 mg/kg/d for three days still reduced the bacterial load in tissues and blood. Moreover, it increased mice survival to 66.7% (for A. baumannii and E. coli) and 16.7% (for P. aeruginosa) when compared with immunocompetent mice. Further, susceptibility and time-kill assays showed that N-desmethyltamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and endoxifen exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration of the 90% of the isolates (MIC90) values of 16 mg/L, and were bactericidal against clinical isolates of A. baumannii and E. coli. This antimicrobial activity of tamoxifen metabolites paralleled an increased membrane permeability of A. baumannii and E. coli without affecting their outer membrane proteins profiles. Together, these data showed that tamoxifen metabolites presented antibacterial activity against MDR A. baumannii and E. coli, and may be a potential alternative for the treatment of infections caused by these two pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Miró-Canturri
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.M.-C.); (R.A.-A.); (A.V.-D.); (M.E.J.-M.)
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, CSIC, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain;
| | - Rafael Ayerbe-Algaba
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.M.-C.); (R.A.-A.); (A.V.-D.); (M.E.J.-M.)
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, CSIC, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain;
| | - Andrea Vila-Domínguez
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.M.-C.); (R.A.-A.); (A.V.-D.); (M.E.J.-M.)
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, CSIC, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain;
| | - Manuel E. Jiménez-Mejías
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.M.-C.); (R.A.-A.); (A.V.-D.); (M.E.J.-M.)
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, CSIC, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain;
| | - Jerónimo Pachón
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, CSIC, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain;
- Department of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Younes Smani
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.M.-C.); (R.A.-A.); (A.V.-D.); (M.E.J.-M.)
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, CSIC, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-955-923-100
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9
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Chakrabarti M, Joshi N, Kumari G, Singh P, Shoaib R, Munjal A, Kumar V, Behl A, Abid M, Garg S, Gupta S, Singh S. Interaction of Plasmodium falciparum apicortin with α- and β-tubulin is critical for parasite growth and survival. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4688. [PMID: 33633135 PMCID: PMC7907060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoskeletal structures of Apicomplexan parasites are important for parasite replication, motility, invasion to the host cell and survival. Apicortin, an Apicomplexan specific protein appears to be a crucial factor in maintaining stability of the parasite cytoskeletal assemblies. However, the function of apicortin, in terms of interaction with microtubules still remains elusive. Herein, we have attempted to elucidate the function of Plasmodium falciparum apicortin by monitoring its interaction with two main components of parasite microtubular structure, α-tubulin-I and β-tubulin through in silico and in vitro studies. Further, a p25 domain binding generic drug Tamoxifen (TMX), was used to disrupt PfApicortin-tubulin interactions which led to the inhibition in growth and progression of blood stage life cycle of P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malabika Chakrabarti
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Nishant Joshi
- grid.410868.30000 0004 1781 342XDepartment of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, 201314 UP India
| | - Geeta Kumari
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Preeti Singh
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Rumaisha Shoaib
- grid.411818.50000 0004 0498 8255Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Akshay Munjal
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Vikash Kumar
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Ankita Behl
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Mohammad Abid
- grid.411818.50000 0004 0498 8255Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Swati Garg
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Sonal Gupta
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Shailja Singh
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India ,grid.410868.30000 0004 1781 342XDepartment of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, 201314 UP India
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Repurposing of existing therapeutics to combat drug-resistant malaria. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 136:111275. [PMID: 33485067 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of drug repurposing, speedy discovery of new therapeutic options for the drug-resistant malaria is the best available tactic to reduce the financial load and time in the drug discovery process. Six anticancer drugs, three immunomodulators and four antibiotics were selected for the repositioning against experimental malaria owing to their mode of action and published literature. The efficacy of existing therapeutics was evaluated against chloroquine-resistant in vitro and in vivo strains of Plasmodium falciparum and P. yoelii, respectively. All the pre-existing FDA-approved drugs along with leptin were primarily screened against chloroquine-resistant (PfK1) and drug-sensitive (Pf3D7) strains of P. falciparum using SYBR green-based antiplasmodial assay. Cytotoxic profiling of these therapeutics was achieved on Vero and HepG2 cell lines, and human erythrocytes. Percent blood parasitemia and host survival was determined in chloroquine-resistant P. yoelii N67-infected Swiss mice using appropriate doses of these drugs/immunomodulators. Antimalarial screening together with cytotoxicity data revealed that anticancer drugs, idelalisib and 5-fluorouracil acquired superiority over their counterparts, regorafenib, and tamoxifen, respectively. ROS-inducer anticancer drugs, epirubicin and bleomycin were found toxic for the host. Immunomodulators (imiquimod, lenalidomide and leptin) were safest but less active in in vitro system, however, in P. yoelii-infected mice, they exhibited modest parasite suppression at their respective doses. Among antibiotics, moxifloxacin exhibited better antimalarial prospective than levofloxacin, roxithromycin and erythromycin. 5-Fluorouracil, imiquimod and moxifloxacin displayed 97.64, 81.18 and 91.77 % parasite inhibition in treated animals and attained superiority in their respective groups thus could be exploited further in combination with suitable antimalarials.
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