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de Araujo FF, Nagarkatti R, Mazzeti AL, Gonçalves KR, de Figueiredo Diniz L, Campos do Vale I, Martins-Filho OA, Debrabant A, Bahia MT, Teixeira-Carvalho A. Trypanosoma cruzi antigen detection in blood to assess treatment efficacy and cure in mice models of Chagas disease. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1340755. [PMID: 38283347 PMCID: PMC10811605 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1340755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Although endemic mainly in Latin America, CD has become a global public health problem due to migration of infected individuals to non-endemic regions. Despite progress made in drug development, preclinical assays for drug discovery are required to accelerate the development of new drugs with reduced side effects, which are much needed for human treatment. Methods We used a cure model of infected mice treated with Fexinidazole (FZ) to further validate a novel Enzyme Linked Aptamer (ELA) assay that detects parasite biomarkers circulating in the blood of infected animals. Results The ELA assay showed cure by FZ in ~71% and ~77% of mice infected with the VL-10 and Colombiana strains of T. cruzi, respectively. The ELA assay also revealed superior treatment efficacy of FZ compared to Benznidazole prior to immunosuppression treatment. Discussion Our study supports the use of ELA assay as an alternative to traditional serology or blood PCR to assess the efficacy of antichagasic drugs during their preclinical phase of development. Further, the combination of high sensitivity and ease of use make this parasite antigen detection assay an attractive new tool to facilitate the development of much needed new therapies for CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Fortes de Araujo
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rana Nagarkatti
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Ana Lia Mazzeti
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Escola de Medicina, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas & Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Karolina Ribeiro Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Escola de Medicina, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas & Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Lívia de Figueiredo Diniz
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Básica, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Isabela Campos do Vale
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alain Debrabant
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Maria Terezinha Bahia
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Escola de Medicina, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas & Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Brosseau NE, Vallée I, Mayer-Scholl A, Ndao M, Karadjian G. Aptamer-Based Technologies for Parasite Detection. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:s23020562. [PMID: 36679358 PMCID: PMC9867382 DOI: 10.3390/s23020562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Centuries of scientific breakthroughs have brought us closer to understanding and managing the spread of parasitic diseases. Despite ongoing technological advancements in the detection, treatment, and control of parasitic illnesses, their effects on animal and human health remain a major concern worldwide. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides whose unique three-dimensional structures enable them to interact with high specificity and affinity to a wide range of targets. In recent decades, aptamers have emerged as attractive alternatives to antibodies as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Due to their superior stability, reusability, and modifiability, aptamers have proven to be effective bioreceptors for the detection of toxins, contaminants, biomarkers, whole cells, pathogens, and others. As such, they have been integrated into a variety of electrochemical, fluorescence, and optical biosensors to effectively detect whole parasites and their proteins. This review offers a summary of the various types of parasite-specific aptamer-based biosensors, their general mechanisms and their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Emerson Brosseau
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health (IDIGH) Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Isabelle Vallée
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Momar Ndao
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health (IDIGH) Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Grégory Karadjian
- UMR BIPAR, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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3
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Alonso-Vega C, Urbina JA, Sanz S, Pinazo MJ, Pinto JJ, Gonzalez VR, Rojas G, Ortiz L, Garcia W, Lozano D, Soy D, Maldonado RA, Nagarkatti R, Debrabant A, Schijman A, Thomas MC, López MC, Michael K, Ribeiro I, Gascon J, Torrico F, Almeida IC. New chemotherapy regimens and biomarkers for Chagas disease: the rationale and design of the TESEO study, an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052897. [PMID: 34972765 PMCID: PMC8720984 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease (CD) affects ~7 million people worldwide. Benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX) are the only approved drugs for CD chemotherapy. Although both drugs are highly effective in acute and paediatric infections, their efficacy in adults with chronic CD (CCD) is lower and variable. Moreover, the high incidence of adverse events (AEs) with both drugs has hampered their widespread use. Trials in CCD adults showed that quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays remain negative for 12 months after standard-of-care (SoC) BZN treatment in ~80% patients. BZN pharmacokinetic data and the nonsynchronous nature of the proliferative mammal-dwelling parasite stage suggested that a lower BZN/NFX dosing frequency, combined with standard or extended treatment duration, might have the same or better efficacy than either drug SoC, with fewer AEs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS New ThErapies and Biomarkers for ChagaS infEctiOn (TESEO) is an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial, with six treatment arms (75 patients/arm, 450 patients). Primary objectives are to compare the safety and efficacy of two new proposed chemotherapy regimens of BZN and NFX in adults with CCD with the current SoC for BZN and NFX, evaluated by qPCR and biomarkers for 36 months posttreatment and correlated with CD conventional serology. Recruitment of patients was initiated on 18 December 2019 and on 20 May 2021, 450 patients (study goal) were randomised among the six treatment arms. The treatment phase was finalised on 18 August 2021. Secondary objectives include evaluation of population pharmacokinetics of both drugs in all treatment arms, the incidence of AEs, and parasite genotyping. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The TESEO study was approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), federal regulatory agency of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Ethics Committees of the participating institutions. The results will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and reports to the NIH, FDA and participating institutions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03981523.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julio A Urbina
- Center for Biochemistry and Biophysics, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC), Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
| | - Sergi Sanz
- Biostatistics and Data Management Unit, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGLOBAL), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jimy José Pinto
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Virginia R Gonzalez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Gimena Rojas
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Lourdes Ortiz
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Tarija, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho, Tarija, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Wilson Garcia
- Centro Plataforma Chagas Sucre, Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Sucre, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- Programa Departamental de Chagas Chuquisaca, Servicio Departamental de Salud de Chuquisaca, Chuquisaca, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Daniel Lozano
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Dolors Soy
- Pharmacy Service, Division of Medicines, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Investigació Biomèdica Agustí Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa A Maldonado
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Rana Nagarkatti
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alain Debrabant
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alejandro Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Carmen Thomas
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Carlos López
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Granada, Spain
| | - Katja Michael
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Dynamic Portfolio Unit, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGLOBAL), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Fundación Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia, Plurinational State of
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
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Jankowska KI, Nagarkatti R, Acharyya N, Dahiya N, Stewart CF, Macpherson RW, Wilson MP, Anderson JG, MacGregor SJ, Maclean M, Dey N, Debrabant A, Atreya CD. Complete Inactivation of Blood Borne Pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi in Stored Human Platelet Concentrates and Plasma Treated With 405 nm Violet-Blue Light. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:617373. [PMID: 33330577 PMCID: PMC7732587 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.617373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) to inactivate bacteria, viruses and parasites in donated blood components stored for transfusion adds to the existing arsenal toward reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases (TTIDs). We have previously demonstrated that 405 nm violet-blue light effectively reduces blood-borne bacteria in stored human plasma and platelet concentrates. In this report, we investigated the microbicidal effect of 405 nm light on one important bloodborne parasite Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease in humans. Our results demonstrated that a light irradiance at 15 mWcm−2 for 5 h, equivalent to 270 Jcm−2, effectively inactivated T. cruzi by over 9.0 Log10, in plasma and platelets that were evaluated by a MK2 cell infectivity assay. Giemsa stained T. cruzi infected MK2 cells showed that the light-treated parasites in plasma and platelets were deficient in infecting MK2 cells and did not differentiate further into intracellular amastigotes unlike the untreated parasites. The light-treated and untreated parasite samples were then evaluated for any residual infectivity by injecting the treated parasites into Swiss Webster mice, which did not develop infection even after the animals were immunosuppressed, further demonstrating that the light treatment was completely effective for inactivation of the parasite; the light-treated platelets had similar in vitro metabolic and biochemical indices to that of untreated platelets. Overall, these results provide a proof of concept toward developing 405 nm light treatment as a pathogen reduction technology (PRT) to enhance the safety of stored human plasma and platelet concentrates from bloodborne T. cruzi, which causes Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna I Jankowska
- Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Rana Nagarkatti
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Nirmallya Acharyya
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Neetu Dahiya
- Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Caitlin F Stewart
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilization Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ruairidh W Macpherson
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilization Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mark P Wilson
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilization Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - John G Anderson
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilization Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Scott J MacGregor
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilization Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Maclean
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilization Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Dey
- Canary, Inc., Acton, MA, United States
| | - Alain Debrabant
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Chintamani D Atreya
- Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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5
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A novel Trypanosoma cruzi secreted antigen as a potential biomarker of Chagas disease. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19591. [PMID: 33177582 PMCID: PMC7658208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76508-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas drug discovery has been hampered by a lack of validated assays to establish treatment efficacy in pre-clinical animal models and in patients infected with T. cruzi. Reduced levels of parasite secreted antigens in the blood of infected hosts could be used to demonstrate treatment efficacy. A published proteomic study of parasite secreted antigens identified the hypothetical protein Tc_5171 as a secreted antigen. In this report, we developed Tc_5171 specific antibodies and showed that the native protein was expressed by the three life cycle stages of the parasite. Anti-peptide antibodies were able to detect the parasite antigen in blood of infected mice during the acute and the chronic phase of infection. Benznidazole treatment of infected mice significantly reduced their blood antigen levels. Of clinical significance, patients diagnosed with Chagas disease, either asymptomatic or with cardiac clinical symptoms had significantly higher Tc_5171 antigen levels compared to endemic controls. Pair-wise analysis, before and after Benznidazole treatment, of patients with asymptomatic Chagas disease showed a significant reduction in antigen levels post treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that Tc_5171 could be used as a novel biomarker of Chagas disease for diagnosis and to assess treatment efficacy.
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Frezza V, Pinto-Díez C, Fernández G, Soto M, Martín ME, García-Sacristán A, González VM. DNA aptamers targeting Leishmania infantum H3 protein as potential diagnostic tools. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1107:155-163. [PMID: 32200890 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite of the genus Leishmania that affects millions of people worldwide. These parasites are characterized by the presence of a DNA-containing granule, the kinetoplastid, located in the single mitochondrion at the base of the cell's flagellum. Interestingly, these flagellates do not condense chromatin during mitosis, possibly due to the specific molecular features of their histones. Although histones are extremely conserved proteins, kinetoplastid core histone sequences diverge significantly from those of higher eukaryotes. This divergence makes kinetoplastid core histones potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets. Aptamers are short single-stranded nucleic acids that are able to recognize target molecules with high affinity and specificity. Their binding capacity is a consequence of the particular three-dimensional structure acquired depending on their sequence. These molecules are currently used for detection, diagnosis and therapeutic purpose. Starting from a previously obtained ssDNA aptamer population against rLiH3 protein we have isolated two individual aptamers, AptLiH3#4 and AptLiH3#10. Next, we have performed ELONA, Western blot and slot blot assays to establish aptamer specificity and affinity for LiH3 histone. In addition, ELONA assays using peptides corresponding to overlapped sequences of LiH3 were made to map the aptamers:LiH3 interaction. Finally, different assays using aptamers were performed in order to evaluate the possibility of using these aptamers as sensing molecule to recognize the endogenous protein LiH3. Our results indicate that both aptamers have high affinity and specificity for the target and are able to detect the endogenous LiH3 histone protein in promastigotes lysates. In silico analysis reveals that these two aptamers have different potential secondary structure among them, however, both of them are able to recognize the same peptide sequences present in the protein. In conclusion, our findings indicate that these aptamers could be used for LiH3 histone detection and, in consequence, as potential biosensing molecules in a diagnostic tool for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Frezza
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Pinto-Díez
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain; Aptus Biotech SL, Av. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, CP-28035, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gerónimo Fernández
- Aptus Biotech SL, Av. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, CP-28035, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Soto
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), C/ Nicolás Cabrera 1, Campus de Cantoblanco, CP-28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martín
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Víctor M González
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain; Aptus Biotech SL, Av. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, CP-28035, Madrid, Spain.
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Vermelho AB, Rodrigues GC, Supuran CT. Why hasn't there been more progress in new Chagas disease drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:145-158. [PMID: 31670987 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1681394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In terms of novel drug discovery, there has been no progress since the 1960s with the same two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, still in use. The complex life cycle, genetic diversity of T. cruzi strains, different sensitivities to the available drugs, as well as little interest from pharmaceutical companies and inadequate methodologies for translating in vitro and in vivo findings to the discovery of new drugs have all contributed to the lack of progress.Areas covered: In this perspective, the authors give discussion to the relevant points connected to the lack of developments in CD drug discovery and provide their expert perspectives.Expert opinion: There are few drugs currently in the preclinical pipeline for the treatment of CD. Only three classes of compounds have been shown to achieve high cure rates in mouse models of infection: nitroimidazoles (fexinidazole), oxaborole DNDi-6148 and proteasome inhibitors (GNF6702). New biomarkers for Chagas' disease are urgently needed for the diagnosis and detection of cure/treatment efficacy. Efforts from academia and pharmaceutical companies are in progress and more intense interaction to accelerate the process of new drugs development is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Beatriz Vermelho
- BIOINOVAR - Biotechnology Laboratories: Biocatalysis, Bioproducts and Bioenergy, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes,Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Giseli Capaci Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Teaching of Sciences, University of Grande Rio, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
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8
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Silberstein E, Serna C, Fragoso SP, Nagarkatti R, Debrabant A. A novel nanoluciferase-based system to monitor Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice by bioluminescence imaging. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195879. [PMID: 29672535 PMCID: PMC5908157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects 8–10 million people worldwide and represents a major public health challenge. There is no effective treatment or vaccine to control the disease that is characterized by a mild acute phase followed by a chronic life-long infection. Approximately 30% of chronically infected individuals develop cardiac and/or digestive pathologies. T. cruzi can invade a wide variety of nucleated cells, but only persists at specific tissues in the host. However, the mechanisms that determine tissue tropism and the progression of the infection have not been fully described. Identification of infection niches in animal models has been difficult due to the limited quantity of parasite-infected cells and their focal distribution in tissues during the chronic phase. To better understand the course of chronic infections and parasite dissemination, we developed a bioluminescence imaging system based on the use of transgenic T. cruzi Colombiana strain parasites expressing nanoluciferase. Swiss Webster mice were infected with luminescent trypomastigotes and monitored for 126 days. Whole animal in vivo imaging showed parasites predominantly distributed in the abdominal cavity and surrounding areas throughout the infection. Bioluminescence signal reached a peak between 14 to 21 days post infection (dpi) and decreased progressively over time. Total animal luminescence could still be measured 126 dpi while parasites remained undetectable in blood by microscopy in most animals. Ex vivo imaging of specific tissues and organs dissected post-mortem at 126 dpi revealed a widespread parasite distribution in the skeletal muscle, heart, intestines and mesenteric fat. Parasites were also detected in lungs and liver. This noninvasive imaging model represents a novel tool to study host-parasite interactions and to identify parasite reservoirs of chronic Chagas Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Silberstein
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Carylinda Serna
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stenio Perdigão Fragoso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Trypanosomatids, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz, Curitiba - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rana Nagarkatti
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Alain Debrabant
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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9
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Targeting the polyadenylation factor EhCFIm25 with RNA aptamers controls survival in Entamoeba histolytica. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5720. [PMID: 29632392 PMCID: PMC5890266 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23997-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA 3'-end polyadenylation is an important regulator of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. In our search for new ways of treating parasitic infectious diseases, we looked at whether or not alterations in polyadenylation might control the survival of Entamoeba histolytica (the agent of amoebiasis in humans). We used molecular biology and computational tools to characterize the mRNA cleavage factor EhCFIm25, which is essential for polyadenylation in E. histolytica. By using a strategy based on the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment, we identified single-stranded RNA aptamers that target EhCFIm25. The results of RNA-protein binding assays showed that EhCFIm25 binds to the GUUG motif in vitro, which differs from the UGUA motif bound by the homologous human protein. Accordingly, docking experiments and molecular dynamic simulations confirmed that interaction with GUUG stabilizes EhCFIm25. Incubating E. histolytica trophozoites with selected aptamers inhibited parasite proliferation and rapidly led to cell death. Overall, our data indicate that targeting EhCFIm25 is an effective way of limiting the growth of E. histolytica in vitro. The present study is the first to have highlighted the potential value of RNA aptamers for controlling this human pathogen.
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Biosensors to Diagnose Chagas Disease: A Brief Review. SENSORS 2017; 17:s17112629. [PMID: 29140309 PMCID: PMC5712880 DOI: 10.3390/s17112629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), which mostly affects those living in deprived areas, has become one of Latin America’s main public health problems. Effective prevention of the disease requires early diagnosis, initiation of therapy, and regular blood monitoring of the infected individual. However, the majority of the Trypanosoma cruzi infections go undiagnosed because of mild symptoms, limited access to medical attention and to a high variability in the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests. Consequently, more affordable and accessible detection technologies capable of providing early diagnosis and T. cruzi load measurements in settings where CD is most prevalent are needed to enable enhanced intervention strategies. This work analyzes the potential contribution of biosensing technologies, reviewing examples that have been tested and contrasted with traditional methods, both serological and parasitological (i.e., molecular detection by PCR), and discusses some emerging biosensing technologies that have been applied for this public health issue. Even if biosensing technologies still require further research efforts to develop portable systems, we arrive at the conclusion that biosensors could improve the accuracy of CD diagnosis and the follow-up of patients’ treatments in terms of the rapidity of results, small sample volume, high integration, ease of use, real-time and low cost detection when compared with current conventional technologies.
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11
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Secretome analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi by proteomics studies. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185504. [PMID: 28972996 PMCID: PMC5626432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is a debilitating often fatal disease resulting from infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease is endemic in 21 countries of the Americas, and it is an emerging disease in other countries as a result of migration. Given the chronic nature of the infection where intracellular parasites persist for years, the diagnosis of T. cruzi by direct detection is difficult, whereas serologic tests though sensitive may yield false-positive results. The development of new rapid test based on the identification of soluble parasitic antigens in serum would be a real innovation in the diagnosis of Chagas disease. Methods To identify new soluble biomarkers that may improve diagnostic tests, we investigated the proteins secreted by T. cruzi using mass spectrometric analyses of conditioned culture media devoid of serum collected during the emergence of trypomastigotes from infected Vero cells. In addition, we compared the secretomes of two T. cruzi strains from DTU Tc VI (VD and CL Brener). Results Analysis of the secretome collected during the emergence of trypomastigotes from Vero cells led to the identification of 591 T. cruzi proteins. Three hundred sixty three proteins are common to both strains and most belong to different multigenic super families (i.e. TcS, GP63, MASP, and DGF1). Ultimately we have established a list of 94 secreted proteins, common to both DTU Tc VI strains that do not belong to members of multigene families. Conclusions This study provides the first comparative analysis of the secretomes from two distinct T. cruzi strains of DTU TcVI. This led us to identify a subset of common secreted proteins that could potentially serve as serum markers for T. cruzi infection. Their potential could now be evaluated, with specific antibodies using sera collected from patients and residents from endemic regions.
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Brasil LW, Barbosa LRA, de Araujo FJ, da Costa AG, da Silva LDO, Pinheiro SK, de Almeida ACG, Kuhn A, Vitor-Silva S, de Melo GC, Monteiro WM, de Lacerda MVG, Ramasawmy R. TOLLIP gene variant is associated with Plasmodium vivax malaria in the Brazilian Amazon. Malar J 2017; 16:116. [PMID: 28288644 PMCID: PMC5347824 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1754-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toll-interacting protein is a negative regulator in the TLR signaling cascade, particularly by impeding the TLR2 and, TLR4 pathway. Recently, TOLLIP was shown to regulate human TLR signaling pathways. Two common TOLLIP polymorphisms (rs5743899 and rs3750920) were reported to be influencing IL-6, TNF and IL-10 expression. In this study, TOLLIP variants were investigated to their relation to Plasmodium vivax malaria in the Brazilian Amazon. Methods This cohort study was performed in the municipalities of Careiro and, Manaus, in Western Brazilian Amazon. A total of 319 patients with P. vivax malaria and, 263 healthy controls with no previous history of malaria were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood collected on filter paper, using the QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit, according to the manufacturer’s suggested protocol. The rs5743899 and rs3750920 polymorphisms of the TOLLIP gene were typed by PCR–RFLP. Results Homozygous individuals for the rs3750920 T allele gene had twice the risk of developing malaria when compared to individuals homozygous for the C allele (OR 2.0 [95% CI 1.23–3.07]; p = 0.004). In the dominant model, carriers the C allele indicates protection to malaria, carriers of the C allele were compared to individuals with the T allele, and the difference is highly significant (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.37–0.76]; p = 0.0006). The linkage disequilibrium between the two polymorphisms was weak (r2 = 0.037; D′ = 0.27). Conclusions These findings suggest that genes involved in the TLRs-pathway may be involved in malaria susceptibility. The association of the TOLLIP rs3750920 T allele with susceptibility to malaria further provides evidence that genetic variations in immune response genes may predispose individuals to malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa W Brasil
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil.,Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Laila R A Barbosa
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil
| | - Felipe J de Araujo
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil.,Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Allyson G da Costa
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil.,Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Luan D O da Silva
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil
| | - Suzana K Pinheiro
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil.,Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Anne C G de Almeida
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil.,Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Andrea Kuhn
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil
| | - Sheila Vitor-Silva
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Gisely C de Melo
- Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Wuelton M Monteiro
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil.,Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Marcus V G de Lacerda
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil.,Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas & Maria Deane, FIOCRUZ, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Rajendranath Ramasawmy
- Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25-Dom Pedro, Manaus, Amazonas, CEP:69040-000, Brazil. .,Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Nilton Lins, Manaus, AM, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus, AM, Brazil.
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Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Putting Infection Dynamics at the Heart of Chagas Disease. Trends Parasitol 2016; 32:899-911. [PMID: 27612651 PMCID: PMC5086431 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infections, parasite burden is controlled by effective, but nonsterilising immune responses. Infected cells are difficult to detect because they are scarce and focally distributed in multiple sites. However, advances in detection technologies have established a link between parasite persistence and the pathogenesis of Chagas heart disease. Long-term persistence likely involves episodic reinvasion as well as continuous infection, to an extent that varies between tissues. The primary reservoir sites in humans are not definitively known, but analysis of murine models has identified the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we highlight that quantitative, spatial, and temporal aspects of T. cruzi infection are central to a fuller understanding of the association between persistence, pathogenesis, and immunity, and for optimising treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Lewis
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK; Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - John M Kelly
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
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Ospina-Villa JD, Zamorano-Carrillo A, Castañón-Sánchez CA, Ramírez-Moreno E, Marchat LA. Aptamers as a promising approach for the control of parasitic diseases. Braz J Infect Dis 2016; 20:610-618. [PMID: 27755981 PMCID: PMC9427573 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2016.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are short single-stranded RNA or DNA oligonucleotides that are capable of binding various biological targets with high affinity and specificity. Their identification initially relies on a molecular process named SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) that has been later modified in order to improve aptamer sensitivity, minimize duration and cost of the assay, as well as increase target types. Several biochemical modifications can help to enhance aptamer stability without affecting significantly target interaction. As a result, aptamers have generated a large interest as promising tools to compete with monoclonal antibodies for detection and inhibition of specific markers of human diseases. One aptamer-based drug is currently authorized and several others are being clinically evaluated. Despite advances in the knowledge of parasite biology and host–parasite interactions from “omics” data, protozoan parasites still affect millions of people around the world and there is an urgent need for drug target discovery and novel therapeutic concepts. In this context, aptamers represent promising tools for pathogen identification and control. Recent studies have reported the identification of “aptasensors” for parasite diagnosis, and “intramers” targeting intracellular proteins. Here we discuss various strategies that have been employed for intracellular expression of aptamers and expansion of their possible application, and propose that they may be suitable for the clinical use of aptamers in parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan David Ospina-Villa
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos A Castañón-Sánchez
- Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Oaxaca, Subdirección de Enseñanza e Investigación, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Esther Ramírez-Moreno
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Laurence A Marchat
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
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15
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Pinho RT, Waghabi MC, Cardillo F, Mengel J, Antas PRZ. Scrutinizing the Biomarkers for the Neglected Chagas Disease: How Remarkable! Front Immunol 2016; 7:306. [PMID: 27563302 PMCID: PMC4980390 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers or biosignature profiles have become accessible over time in population-based studies for Chagas disease. Thus, the identification of consistent and reliable indicators of the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with heart failure might facilitate the prioritization of therapeutic management to those with the highest chance of contracting this disease. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent state and the upcoming trends in biomarkers for human Chagas disease. As an emerging concept, we propose a classification of biomarkers based on plasmatic-, phenotype-, antigenic-, genetic-, and management-related candidates. The available data revisited here reveal the lessons learned thus far and the existing challenges that still lie ahead to enable biomarkers to be employed consistently in risk evaluation for this disease. There is a strong need for biomarker validation, particularly for biomarkers that are specific to the clinical forms of Chagas disease. The current failure to achieve the eradication of the transmission of this disease has produced determination to solve this validation issue. Finally, it would be strategic to develop a wide variety of biomarkers and to test them in both preclinical and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa T Pinho
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | - Mariana C Waghabi
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Bioinformática, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
| | | | - José Mengel
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina de Petropolis (FMP-FASE), Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Paulo R Z Antas
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
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Chatelain E, Konar N. Translational challenges of animal models in Chagas disease drug development: a review. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2015; 9:4807-23. [PMID: 26316715 PMCID: PMC4548737 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s90208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite infection is endemic in Latin America and presents an increasing clinical challenge due to migrating populations. Despite being first identified over a century ago, only two drugs are available for its treatment, and recent outcomes from the first clinical trials in 40 years were lackluster. There is a critical need to develop new drugs to treat Chagas disease. This requires a better understanding of the progression of parasite infection, and standardization of animal models designed for Chagas disease drug discovery. Such measures would improve comparison of generated data and the predictability of test hypotheses and models designed for translation to human disease. Existing animal models address both disease pathology and treatment efficacy. Available models have limited predictive value for the preclinical evaluation of novel therapies and need to more confidently predict the efficacy of new drug candidates in clinical trials. This review highlights the overall lack of standardized methodology and assessment tools, which has hampered the development of efficacious compounds to treat Chagas disease. We provide an overview of animal models for Chagas disease, and propose steps that could be undertaken to reduce variability and improve predictability of drug candidate efficacy. New technological developments and tools may contribute to a much needed boost in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DND i ), Geneva, Switzerland
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