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Freitas de Lima Hercos G, Gabriela Faleiro de Moura Lodi Cruz M, Clara Cassiano Martinho A, de Melo Resende D, Farago Nascimento D, Derksen Macruz P, Jorge Pilau E, Maria Fonseca Murta S, de Oliveira Rezende Júnior C. Optimization of benzenesulfonyl derivatives as anti-Trypanosomatidae agents: Structural design, synthesis, and pharmacological assessment against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 105:117736. [PMID: 38677111 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117736] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are neglected tropical diseases caused by Trypanosomatidae parasites. Given the numerous limitations associated with current treatments, such as extended treatment duration, variable efficacy, and severe side effects, there is an urgent imperative to explore novel therapeutic options. This study details the early stages of hit-to-lead optimization for a benzenesulfonyl derivative, denoted as initial hit, against Trypanossoma cruzi (T. cruzi), Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) and Leishmania braziliensis (L. braziliensis). We investigated structure - activity relationships using a series of 26 newly designed derivatives, ultimately yielding potential lead candidates with potent low-micromolar and sub-micromolar activities against T. cruzi and Leishmania spp, respectively, and low in vitro cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. These discoveries emphasize the significant promise of this chemical class in the fight against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Freitas de Lima Hercos
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos (LaSFar), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Clara Cassiano Martinho
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos (LaSFar), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Minas), Belo Horizonte, MG 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Danilo Farago Nascimento
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos (LaSFar), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Paula Derksen Macruz
- Laboratório de Biomoléculas e Espectrometria de Massas (LaBioMass), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Maringá, PR 807020-900, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Jorge Pilau
- Laboratório de Biomoléculas e Espectrometria de Massas (LaBioMass), Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Maringá, PR 807020-900, Brazil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo de Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ Minas), Belo Horizonte, MG 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Celso de Oliveira Rezende Júnior
- Laboratório de Síntese de Candidatos a Fármacos (LaSFar), Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil.
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Torres-Jaramillo J, Blöcher R, Chacón-Vargas KF, Hernández-Calderón J, Sánchez-Torres LE, Nogueda-Torres B, Reyes-Arellano A. Synthesis of Antiprotozoal 2-(4-Alkyloxyphenyl)-Imidazolines and Imidazoles and Their Evaluation on Leishmania mexicana and Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3673. [PMID: 38612484 PMCID: PMC11012064 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073673] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Twenty 2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-imidazolines and 2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-imidazoles were synthesized, with the former being synthesized in two steps by using MW and ultrasonication energy, resulting in good to excellent yields. Imidazoles were obtained in moderate yields by oxidizing imidazolines with MnO2 and MW energy. In response to the urgent need to treat neglected tropical diseases, a set of 2-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)- imidazolines and imidazoles was tested in vitro on Leishmania mexicana and Trypanosoma cruzi. The leishmanicidal activity of ten compounds was evaluated, showing an IC50 < 10 µg/mL. Among these compounds, 27-31 were the most active, with IC50 values < 1 µg/mL (similar to the reference drugs). In the evaluation on epimastigotes of T. cruzi, only 30 and 36 reached an IC50 < 1 µg/mL, showing better inhibition than both reference drugs. However, compounds 29, 33, and 35 also demonstrated attractive trypanocidal activities, with IC50 values < 10 µg/mL, similar to the values for benznidazole and nifurtimox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenifer Torres-Jaramillo
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.T.-J.); (R.B.); (J.H.-C.)
| | - René Blöcher
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.T.-J.); (R.B.); (J.H.-C.)
| | | | - Jorge Hernández-Calderón
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.T.-J.); (R.B.); (J.H.-C.)
| | - Luvia E. Sánchez-Torres
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico;
| | - Alicia Reyes-Arellano
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (J.T.-J.); (R.B.); (J.H.-C.)
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3
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Juarez-Saldivar A, Gómez-Escobedo R, Corral-Ruiz G, Chacón-Vargas KF, Horta-Montaño V, Sanchez-Torres L, Vazquez-Jimenez LK, Nogueda-Torres B, Rivera G. Repositioning FDA-Approved Drug Against Chagas Disease and Cutaneous Leishmaniosis by Structure-Based Virtual Screening. Arch Med Res 2024; 55:102958. [PMID: 38290200 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.102958] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease and cutaneous leishmaniasis, two parasitic diseases caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana), respectively, have a major global impact. Current pharmacological treatments for these diseases are limited and can cause severe side effects; thus, there is a need for new antiprotozoal drugs. METHODS Using molecular docking, this work describes a structure-based virtual screening of an FDA-approved drug library against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania mexicana glycolytic enzyme triosephosphate isomerase (TIM), which is highly conserved in these parasites. The selected compounds with potential dual inhibitory activity were tested in vitro to confirm their biological activity. RESULTS The study showed that five compounds: nilotinib, chlorhexidine, protriptyline, cyproheptadine, and montelukast, were more active against T. cruzi, than the reference drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole while chlorhexidine and protriptyline were the most active against L. mexicana. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of these compounds and their structural characteristics may provide the basis for the development of new antiprotozoal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Juarez-Saldivar
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico; Unidad Academica Multidisciplinaria Reynosa-Aztlan, Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas, Reynosa, Mexico
| | - Rogelio Gómez-Escobedo
- Parasitology Department, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Corral-Ruiz
- Microorganism Inmunology Laboratory, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karla Fabiola Chacón-Vargas
- Microorganism Inmunology Laboratory, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
| | - Vanessa Horta-Montaño
- Parasitology Department, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Microorganism Inmunology Laboratory, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luvia Sanchez-Torres
- Microorganism Inmunology Laboratory, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lenci K Vazquez-Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Parasitology Department, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
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Macedo-da-Silva J, Mule SN, Rosa-Fernandes L, Palmisano G. A computational pipeline elucidating functions of conserved hypothetical Trypanosoma cruzi proteins based on public proteomic data. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 138:401-428. [PMID: 38220431 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The proteome is complex, dynamic, and functionally diverse. Functional proteomics aims to characterize the functions of proteins in biological systems. However, there is a delay in annotating the function of proteins, even in model organisms. This gap is even greater in other organisms, including Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of the parasitic, systemic, and sometimes fatal disease called Chagas disease. About 99.8% of Trypanosoma cruzi proteome is not manually annotated (unreviewed), among which>25% are conserved hypothetical proteins (CHPs), calling attention to the knowledge gap on the protein content of this organism. CHPs are conserved proteins among different species of various evolutionary lineages; however, they lack functional validation. This study describes a bioinformatics pipeline applied to public proteomic data to infer possible biological functions of conserved hypothetical Trypanosoma cruzi proteins. Here, the adopted strategy consisted of collecting differentially expressed proteins between the epimastigote and metacyclic trypomastigotes stages of Trypanosoma cruzi; followed by the functional characterization of these CHPs applying a manifold learning technique for dimension reduction and 3D structure homology analysis (Spalog). We found a panel of 25 and 26 upregulated proteins in the epimastigote and metacyclic trypomastigote stages, respectively; among these, 18 CHPs (8 in the epimastigote stage and 10 in the metacyclic stage) were characterized. The data generated corroborate the literature and complement the functional analyses of differentially regulated proteins at each stage, as they attribute potential functions to CHPs, which are frequently identified in Trypanosoma cruzi proteomics studies. However, it is important to point out that experimental validation is required to deepen our understanding of the CHPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina Macedo-da-Silva
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Simon Ngao Mule
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Jayawardhana S, Ward AI, Francisco AF, Lewis MD, Taylor MC, Kelly JM, Olmo F. Benznidazole treatment leads to DNA damage in Trypanosoma cruzi and the persistence of rare widely dispersed non-replicative amastigotes in mice. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011627. [PMID: 37956215 PMCID: PMC10681306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011627] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Benznidazole is the front-line drug used to treat infections with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. However, for reasons that are unknown, treatment failures are common. When we examined parasites that survived benznidazole treatment in mice using highly sensitive in vivo and ex vivo bioluminescence imaging, we found that recrudescence is not due to persistence of parasites in a specific organ or tissue that preferentially protects them from drug activity. Surviving parasites are widely distributed and located in host cells where the vast majority contained only one or two amastigotes. Therefore, infection relapse does not arise from a small number of intact large nests. Rather, persisters are either survivors of intracellular populations where co-located parasites have been killed, or amastigotes in single/low-level infected cells exist in a state where they are less susceptible to benznidazole. To better assess the nature of parasite persisters, we exposed infected mammalian cell monolayers to a benznidazole regimen that reduces the intracellular amastigote population to <1% of the pre-treatment level. Of host cells that remained infected, as with the situation in vivo, the vast majority contained only one or two surviving intracellular amastigotes. Analysis, based on non-incorporation of the thymidine analogue EdU, revealed these surviving parasites to be in a transient non-replicative state. Furthermore, treatment with benznidazole led to widespread parasite DNA damage. When the small number of parasites which survive in mice after non-curative treatment were assessed using EdU labelling, this revealed that these persisters were also initially non-replicative. A possible explanation could be that triggering of the T. cruzi DNA damage response pathway by the activity of benznidazole metabolites results in exit from the cell cycle as parasites attempt DNA repair, and that metabolic changes associated with non-proliferation act to reduce drug susceptibility. Alternatively, a small percentage of the parasite population may pre-exist in this non-replicative state prior to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander I. Ward
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda F. Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Gallardo M, Arancibia R, Jiménez C, Wilkinson S, Toro PM, Roussel P, Henry N. Ferrocene-based nitroheterocyclic sulfonylhydrazones: design, synthesis, characterization and trypanocidal properties. J Biol Inorg Chem 2023; 28:549-558. [PMID: 37462740 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-023-02010-4] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
A series of new ferrocenyl nitroheterocyclic sulfonylhydrazones (1a-4a and 1b-2b) were prepared by the reaction between formyl (R = H) or acetyl (R = CH3) nitroheterocyclic precursors [4/5-NO2(C5H2XCOR), where X = O, S)] and ferrocenyl tosyl hydrazine [(η5-C5H5)Fe(η5-C5H4SO2-NH-NH2)]. All compounds were characterized by conventional spectroscopic techniques. In the solid state, the molecular structures of compounds 1a, 2b, and 3a were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds showed an E-configuration around the C=N moiety. Evaluation of trypanocidal activity, measured in vitro against the Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei strains, indicated that all organometallic tosyl hydrazones displayed activity against both parasite species with a higher level of potency toward T. brucei than T. cruzi. Moreover, the biological evaluation showed that the 5-nitroheterocyclic derivatives were more efficient trypanocidal agents than their 4-nitroheterocyclic counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Gallardo
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Arancibia
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| | - Claudio Jiménez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Shane Wilkinson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Patricia M Toro
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Instituto de Ciencias Químicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
| | - Pascal Roussel
- Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide, Univ. Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Artois,, Lille, France
| | - Natacha Henry
- Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide, Univ. Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Artois,, Lille, France
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Gabaldón-Figueira JC, Martinez-Peinado N, Escabia E, Ros-Lucas A, Chatelain E, Scandale I, Gascon J, Pinazo MJ, Alonso-Padilla J. State-of-the-Art in the Drug Discovery Pathway for Chagas Disease: A Framework for Drug Development and Target Validation. Res Rep Trop Med 2023; 14:1-19. [PMID: 37337597 PMCID: PMC10277022 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s415273] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is the most important protozoan infection in the Americas, and constitutes a significant public health concern throughout the world. Development of new medications against its etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, has been traditionally slow and difficult, lagging in comparison with diseases caused by other kinetoplastid parasites. Among the factors that explain this are the incompletely understood mechanisms of pathogenesis of T. cruzi infection and its complex set of interactions with the host in the chronic stage of the disease. These demand the performance of a variety of in vitro and in vivo assays as part of any drug development effort. In this review, we discuss recent breakthroughs in the understanding of the parasite's life cycle and their implications in the search for new chemotherapeutics. For this, we present a framework to guide drug discovery efforts against Chagas disease, considering state-of-the-art preclinical models and recently developed tools for the identification and validation of molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nieves Martinez-Peinado
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisa Escabia
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Ros-Lucas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Jesús Pinazo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Sowerby K, Freitag-Pohl S, Murillo AM, Silber AM, Pohl E. Cysteine synthase: multiple structures of a key enzyme in cysteine synthesis and a potential drug target for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2023; 79:518-530. [PMID: 37204818 PMCID: PMC10233618 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798323003613] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, whilst leishmaniasis, which is caused by over 20 species of Leishmania, represents a group of NTDs endemic to most countries in the tropical and subtropical belt of the planet. These diseases remain a significant health problem both in endemic countries and globally. These parasites and other trypanosomatids, including T. theileri, a bovine pathogen, rely on cysteine biosynthesis for the production of trypanothione, which is essential for parasite survival in hosts. The de novo pathway of cysteine biosynthesis requires the conversion of O-acetyl-L-serine into L-cysteine, which is catalysed by cysteine synthase (CS). These enzymes present potential for drug development against T. cruzi, Leishmania spp. and T. theileri. To enable these possibilities, biochemical and crystallographic studies of CS from T. cruzi (TcCS), L. infantum (LiCS) and T. theileri (TthCS) were conducted. Crystal structures of the three enzymes were determined at resolutions of 1.80 Å for TcCS, 1.75 Å for LiCS and 2.75 Å for TthCS. These three homodimeric structures show the same overall fold and demonstrate that the active-site geometry is conserved, supporting a common reaction mechanism. Detailed structural analysis revealed reaction intermediates of the de novo pathway ranging from an apo structure of LiCS and holo structures of both TcCS and TthCS to the substrate-bound structure of TcCS. These structures will allow exploration of the active site for the design of novel inhibitors. Additionally, unexpected binding sites discovered at the dimer interface represent new potential for the development of protein-protein inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Sowerby
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Ehmke Pohl
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
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9
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Tayama Y, Mizukami S, Toume K, Komatsu K, Yanagi T, Nara T, Tieu P, Huy NT, Hamano S, Hirayama K. Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of Coptis rhizome extract and its constituents. Trop Med Health 2023; 51:12. [PMID: 36859380 PMCID: PMC9976467 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-023-00502-2] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current therapeutic agents, including nifurtimox and benznidazole, are not sufficiently effective in the chronic phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and are accompanied by various side effects. In this study, 120 kinds of extracts from medicinal herbs used for Kampo formulations and 94 kinds of compounds isolated from medicinal herbs for Kampo formulations were screened for anti-T. cruzi activity in vitro and in vivo. METHODS As an experimental method, a recombinant protozoan cloned strain expressing luciferase, namely Luc2-Tulahuen, was used in the experiments. The in vitro anti-T. cruzi activity on epimastigote, trypomastigote, and amastigote forms was assessed by measuring luminescence intensity after treatment with the Kampo extracts or compounds. In addition, the cytotoxicity of compounds was tested using mouse and human feeder cell lines. The in vivo anti-T. cruzi activity was measured by a murine acute infection model using intraperitoneal injection of trypomastigotes followed by live bioluminescence imaging. RESULTS As a result, three protoberberine-type alkaloids, namely coptisine chloride, dehydrocorydaline nitrate, and palmatine chloride, showed strong anti-T. cruzi activities with low cytotoxicity. The IC50 values of these compounds differed depending on the side chain, and the most effective compound, coptisine chloride, showed a significant effect in the acute infection model. CONCLUSIONS For these reasons, coptisine chloride is a hit compound that can be a potential candidate for anti-Chagas disease drugs. In addition, it was expected that there would be room for further improvement by modifying the side chains of the basic skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Tayama
- grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan ,grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan
| | - Shusaku Mizukami
- grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273Department of Immune Regulation, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan ,grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273School of Tropical Medicines and Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan ,grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273The Joint Usage/Research Center On Tropical Disease, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan
| | - Kazufumi Toume
- grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XSection of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Katsuko Komatsu
- grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XSection of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Yanagi
- grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273NEKKEN Bio-Resource Center (NBRC), Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan ,grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273The Joint Usage/Research Center On Tropical Disease, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan
| | - Takeshi Nara
- grid.411789.20000 0004 0371 1051Faculty of Pharmacy, Iryo Sosei University, Iwaki, Fukushima Japan
| | - Paul Tieu
- grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada ,Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Nguyen Tien Huy
- grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan ,grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273School of Tropical Medicines and Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan ,Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shinjiro Hamano
- grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan ,grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan ,grid.174567.60000 0000 8902 2273The Joint Usage/Research Center On Tropical Disease, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan
| | - Kenji Hirayama
- Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan. .,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan. .,School of Tropical Medicines and Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan. .,The Joint Usage/Research Center On Tropical Disease, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
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10
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Soba M, Scalese G, Casuriaga F, Pérez N, Veiga N, Echeverría GA, Piro OE, Faccio R, Pérez-Díaz L, Gasser G, Machado I, Gambino D. Multifunctional organometallic compounds for the treatment of Chagas disease: Re(I) tricarbonyl compounds with two different bioactive ligands. Dalton Trans 2023; 52:1623-1641. [PMID: 36648116 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt03869b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Chagas' disease (American Trypanosomiasis) is an ancient and endemic illness in Latin America caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Although there is an urgent need for more efficient and less toxic chemotherapeutics, no new drugs to treat this disease have entered the clinic in the last decades. Searching for metal-based prospective antichagasic drugs, in this work, multifunctional Re(I) tricarbonyl compounds bearing two different bioactive ligands were designed: a polypyridyl NN derivative of 1,10-phenanthroline and a monodentate azole (Clotrimazole CTZ or Ketoconazol KTZ). Five fac-[Re(CO)3(NN)(CTZ)](PF6) compounds and a fac-[Re(CO)3(NN)(KTZ)](PF6) were synthesized and fully characterized. They showed activity against epimastigotes (IC50 3.48-9.42 μM) and trypomastigotes of T. cruzi (IC50 0.61-2.79 μM) and moderate to good selectivity towards the parasite compared to the VERO mammalian cell model. In order to unravel the mechanism of action of our compounds, two potential targets were experimentally and theoretically studied, namely DNA and one of the enzymes involved in the parasite ergosterol biosynthetic pathway, CYP51 (lanosterol 14-α-demethylase). As hypothesized, the multifunctional compounds shared in vitro a similar mode of action as that disclosed for the single bioactive moieties included in the new chemical entities. Additionally, two relevant physicochemical properties of biological interest in prospective drug development, namely lipophilicity and stability in solution in different media, were determined. The whole set of results demonstrates the potentiality of these Re(I) tricarbonyls as promising candidates for further antitrypanosomal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Soba
- Área Química Inorgánica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay. .,Programa de Posgrado en Química, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gonzalo Scalese
- Área Química Inorgánica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
| | - Federico Casuriaga
- Área Química Inorgánica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
| | - Nicolás Pérez
- Área Química Inorgánica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
| | - Nicolás Veiga
- Área Química Inorgánica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
| | - Gustavo A Echeverría
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata and Institute IFLP (CONICET, CCT-La Plata), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Oscar E Piro
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata and Institute IFLP (CONICET, CCT-La Plata), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Faccio
- Área Física, DETEMA, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, France
| | - Ignacio Machado
- Área Química Analítica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
| | - Dinorah Gambino
- Área Química Inorgánica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
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11
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis (visceral and cutaneous), Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis cause substantial death and morbidity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although the situation has improved for human African trypanosomiasis, there remains an urgent need for new medicines to treat leishmaniasis and Chagas disease; the clinical development pipeline is particularly sparse for Chagas disease. In this Review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of the biology of the causative pathogens, particularly from the drug discovery perspective, and we explore the progress that has been made in the development of new drug candidates and the identification of promising molecular targets. We also explore the challenges in developing new clinical candidates and discuss potential solutions to overcome such hurdles.
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12
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Santana Nogueira S, Cardoso Santos E, Oliveira Silva R, Vilela Gonçalves R, Lima GDA, Dias Novaes R. Monotherapy and combination chemotherapy for Chagas disease treatment: a systematic review of clinical efficacy and safety based on randomized controlled trials. Parasitology 2022; 149:1679-1694. [PMID: 35957576 PMCID: PMC11010555 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
From a systematic review framework, we analysed the clinical evidence on the effectiveness and safety of monotherapy and combination chemotherapy for Chagas disease (ChD) treatment. The research protocol was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and patient, intervention, comparison and outcome strategy. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) were retrieved from Embase, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, seroconversion rates and adverse events were investigated. Fifteen RCT mainly concentrated in endemic countries were identified. ChD diagnosis was mainly based on haemagglutination, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction. Benznidazole (BNZ), nifurtimox, fosravuconazole, posaconazole, allopurinol and thioctic acid were the identified drugs. The best negative seroconversion results (100, 96, 94 and 91.3%) were, respectively, based on BNZ (5 mg kg day−1, 200 mg day−1, 150 mg day−1 and 2.5 mg kg−1) administration for 60 days. Negative seroconversion was not achieved with allopurinol (300 mg day−1 for 60 days). Adverse reactions ranged from 5 to 73% in patients receiving antiparasitic chemotherapy. Treatment discontinuation (1.5–57%) was mainly associated with gastrointestinal, cutaneous and neurological manifestations. Current RCT-based evidence indicates that BNZ is the most viable option for ChD treatment. However, new protocols need to be developed to mitigate side effects and increase patient adherence to antiparasitic chemotherapy. Therefore, shorter regimens, lower concentrations and treatments combining BNZ with posaconazole, fosravuconazole or ravuconazole may be viable to ensure comparable efficacy to BZN-based monotherapy, contributing to reduce dose- and time-dependent toxicity reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silas Santana Nogueira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Instituto Federal do Sul de Minas Gerais, Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eliziária Cardoso Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, MG, Brazil
| | - Roberta Oliveira Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Reggiani Vilela Gonçalves
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Graziela Domingues Almeida Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, 37130-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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13
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Martín-Escolano J, Marín C, Rosales MJ, Tsaousis AD, Medina-Carmona E, Martín-Escolano R. An Updated View of the Trypanosoma cruzi Life Cycle: Intervention Points for an Effective Treatment. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:1107-1115. [PMID: 35652513 PMCID: PMC9194904 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Chagas disease (CD)
is a parasitic, systemic, chronic, and often
fatal illness caused by infection with the protozoan Trypanosoma
cruzi. The World Health Organization classifies CD as the
most prevalent of poverty-promoting neglected tropical diseases, the
most important parasitic one, and the third most infectious disease
in Latin America. Currently, CD is a global public health issue that
affects 6–8 million people. However, the current approved treatments
are limited to two nitroheterocyclic drugs developed more than 50
years ago. Many efforts have been made in recent decades to find new
therapies, but our limited understanding of the infection process,
pathology development, and long-term nature of this disease has made
it impossible to develop new drugs, effective treatment, or vaccines.
This Review aims to provide a comprehensive update on our understanding
of the current life cycle, new morphological forms, and genetic diversity
of T. cruzi, as well as identify intervention points
in the life cycle where new drugs and treatments could achieve a parasitic
cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martín-Escolano
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, E41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Clotilde Marín
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - María J. Rosales
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Severo Ochoa s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Anastasios D. Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Encarnación Medina-Carmona
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
| | - Rubén Martín-Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K
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14
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Probing Adamantane Arylhydroxamic Acids against Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. MOLBANK 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/m1363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we present the synthesis and the anti-trypanosomal activity of the 2-(4-(adamant-1-yl)phenyl)-N-hydroxyarylamides, 1a,b and the 2-(4-(adamant-1-yl)phenoxy)-N-hydroxyacetamide, 1c. The 4-(adamant-1-yl)phenyl- and 4-(adamant-1-yl)phenoxy- moieties, which are endowed with promising drug-like properties, are functionalized at the side chain termini as hydroxamic acids. The phenoxy acetohydroxamic derivative, 1c, shows the most interesting profile in terms of activity and toxicity against trypanosomes and merits further investigation.
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15
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Worldwide Control and Management of Chagas Disease in a New Era of Globalization: a Close Look at Congenital Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0015221. [PMID: 35239422 PMCID: PMC9020358 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00152-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Population movements have turned Chagas disease (CD) into a global public health problem. Despite the successful implementation of subregional initiatives to control vectorial and transfusional Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in Latin American settings where the disease is endemic, congenital CD (cCD) remains a significant challenge. In countries where the disease is not endemic, vertical transmission plays a key role in CD expansion and is the main focus of its control. Although several health organizations provide general protocols for cCD control, its management in each geopolitical region depends on local authorities, which has resulted in a multitude of approaches. The aims of this review are to (i) describe the current global situation in CD management, with emphasis on congenital infection, and (ii) summarize the spectrum of available strategies, both official and unofficial, for cCD prevention and control in countries of endemicity and nonendemicity. From an economic point of view, the early detection and treatment of cCD are cost-effective. However, in countries where the disease is not endemic, national health policies for cCD control are nonexistent, and official regional protocols are scarce and restricted to Europe. Countries of endemicity have more protocols in place, but the implementation of diagnostic methods is hampered by economic constraints. Moreover, most protocols in both countries where the disease is endemic and those where it is not endemic have yet to incorporate recently developed technologies. The wide methodological diversity in cCD diagnostic algorithms reflects the lack of a consensus. This review may represent a first step toward the development of a common strategy, which will require the collaboration of health organizations, governments, and experts in the field.
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16
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Quintero-Pertuz H, Veas-Albornoz R, Carrillo I, González-Herrera F, Lapier M, Carbonó-Delahoz E, Del Olmo E, Feliciano AS, Kemmerling U, Olea-Azar C, Delporte C, Maya JD. Trypanocidal effect of alcoholic extract of Castanedia santamartensis (Asteraceae) leaves is based on altered mitochondrial function. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 148:112761. [PMID: 35240521 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112761] [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: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The deficit of effective treatments for Chagas disease has led to searching for new substances with therapeutic potential. Natural products possess a wide variety of chemical structural motifs and are thus a valuable source of diverse lead compounds for the development of new drugs. Castanedia santamartensis is endemic to Colombia, and local indigenous communities often use it to treat skin sores from leishmaniasis; however, its mechanism of action against the infective form of Trypanosoma cruzi has not been determined. Thus, we performed chemical and biological studies of two alcoholic leaf extracts of C. santamartensis to identify their active fractions and relate them to a trypanocidal effect and evaluate their mechanism of action. Alcoholic extracts were obtained through cold maceration at room temperature and fractionated using classical column chromatography. Both ethanolic and methanolic extracts displayed activity against T. cruzi. Chemical studies revealed that kaurenoic acid was the major component of one fraction of the methanolic extract and two fractions of the ethanolic extract of C. santamartensis leaves. Moreover, caryophyllene oxide, kaurenol, taraxasterol acetate, pentadecanone, and methyl and ethyl esters of palmitate, as well as a group of phenolic compounds, including ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, myricetin, quercitrin, and cryptochlorogenic acid were identified in the most active fractions. Kaurenoic acid and the most active fractions CS400 and CS402 collapsed the mitochondrial membrane potential in trypomastigotes, demonstrating for the first time the likely mechanism against T. cruzi, probably due to interactions with other components of the fractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Quintero-Pertuz
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Dr. Carlos Lorca Tobar 964, Independencia, Chile
| | - Ruben Veas-Albornoz
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Dr. Carlos Lorca Tobar 964, Independencia, Chile
| | - Ileana Carrillo
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Avenida Independencia 1027, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabiola González-Herrera
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Avenida Independencia 1027, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Michel Lapier
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Dr. Carlos Lorca Tobar 964, Independencia, Chile
| | - Eduino Carbonó-Delahoz
- Herbario UTMC, Carrera 32 No. 22-08 Santa Marta D.T.C.H, Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia
| | - Esther Del Olmo
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Área de Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Arturo San Feliciano
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Área de Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, UNIVALI, Itajaí, SC, Brazil
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Avenida Independencia 1027, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio Olea-Azar
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Dr. Carlos Lorca Tobar 964, Independencia, Chile
| | - Carla Delporte
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Dr. Carlos Lorca Tobar 964, Independencia, Chile.
| | - Juan D Maya
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Dr. Carlos Lorca Tobar 964, Independencia, Chile; Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Avenida Independencia 1027, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.
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17
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Soeiro MDNC. Perspectives for a new drug candidate for Chagas disease therapy. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e220004. [PMID: 35293439 PMCID: PMC8923671 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), a neglected tropical illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affects more than 6 million people mostly in poor areas of Latin America. CD has two phases: an acute, short phase mainly oligosymptomatic followed to the chronic phase, a long-lasting stage that may trigger cardiac and/or digestive disorders and death. Only two old drugs are available and both present low efficacy in the chronic stage, display side effects and are inactive against parasite strains naturally resistant to these nitroderivatives. These shortcomings justify the search for novel therapeutic options considering the target product profile for CD that will be presently reviewed besides briefly revisiting the data on phosphodiesterase inhibitors upon T. cruzi.
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18
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Durão R, Ramalhete C, Madureira AM, Mendes E, Duarte N. Plant Terpenoids as Hit Compounds against Trypanosomiasis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030340. [PMID: 35337138 PMCID: PMC8951850 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are vector-borne neglected tropical diseases, caused by the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively. These diseases were circumscribed to South American and African countries in the past. However, human migration, military interventions, and climate changes have had an important effect on their worldwide propagation, particularly Chagas disease. Currently, the treatment of trypanosomiasis is not ideal, becoming a challenge in poor populations with limited resources. Exploring natural products from higher plants remains a valuable approach to find new hits and enlarge the pipeline of new drugs against protozoal human infections. This review covers the recent studies (2016–2021) on plant terpenoids, and their semi-synthetic derivatives, which have shown promising in vitro and in vivo activities against Trypanosoma parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Durão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Cátia Ramalhete
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
- ATLANTICA—Instituto Universitário, Fábrica da Pólvora de Barcarena, 2730-036 Barcarena, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Madureira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Eduarda Mendes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Noélia Duarte
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.Ulisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.D.); (C.R.); (A.M.M.); (E.M.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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Examination of multiple Trypanosoma cruzi targets in a new drug discovery approach for Chagas disease. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 58:116577. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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20
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Gambino D, Otero L. Facing Diseases Caused by Trypanosomatid Parasites: Rational Design of Pd and Pt Complexes With Bioactive Ligands. Front Chem 2022; 9:816266. [PMID: 35071192 PMCID: PMC8777014 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.816266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease or American Trypanosomiasis (CD), and leishmaniases are protozoan infections produced by trypanosomatid parasites belonging to the kinetoplastid order and they constitute an urgent global health problem. In fact, there is an urgent need of more efficient and less toxic chemotherapy for these diseases. Medicinal inorganic chemistry currently offers an attractive option for the rational design of new drugs and, in particular, antiparasitic ones. In this sense, one of the main strategies for the design of metal-based antiparasitic compounds has been the coordination of an organic ligand with known or potential biological activity, to a metal centre or an organometallic core. Classical metal coordination complexes or organometallic compounds could be designed as multifunctional agents joining, in a single molecule, different chemical species that could affect different parasitic targets. This review is focused on the rational design of palladium(II) and platinum(II) compounds with bioactive ligands as prospective drugs against trypanosomatid parasites that has been conducted by our group during the last 20 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinorah Gambino
- Área Química Inorgánica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Otero
- Área Química Inorgánica, DEC, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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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: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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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da Costa KM, Marques da Fonseca L, Dos Reis JS, Santos MARDC, Previato JO, Mendonça-Previato L, Freire-de-Lima L. Trypanosoma cruzi trans-Sialidase as a Potential Vaccine Target Against Chagas Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:768450. [PMID: 34765570 PMCID: PMC8576188 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.768450] [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: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas’ disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, described in the early 20th century by the Brazilian physician Dr. Carlos Chagas. There was a great amount of research devoted to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the disease. One of the most important discoveries made since then, impacting the understanding of how the parasite interacts with the host’s immune system, was the description of trans-sialidase. It is an unique enzyme, capable of masking the parasite’s presence from the host, while at the same time dampening the activation of CD8+ T cells, the most important components of the immune response. Since the description of Chagas’ disease in 1909, extensive research has identified important events in the disease in order to understand the biochemical mechanism that modulates T. cruzi-host cell interactions and the ability of the parasite to ensure its survival. The importance of the trans-sialidase enzyme brought life to many studies for the design of diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines. While many groups have been prolific, such efforts have encountered problems, among them: the fact that while T. cruzi have many genes that are unique to the parasite, it relies on multiple copies of them and the difficulty in providing epitopes that result in effective and robust immune responses. In this review, we aim to convey the importance of trans-sialidase as well as to provide a history, including the initial failures and the most promising successes in the chasing of a working vaccine for a disease that is endemic in many tropical countries, including Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli Monteiro da Costa
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Marques da Fonseca
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jhenifer Santos Dos Reis
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - José Osvaldo Previato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucia Mendonça-Previato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Scalese G, Machado I, Salinas G, Pérez-Díaz L, Gambino D. Heteroleptic Oxidovanadium(V) Complexes with Activity against Infective and Non-Infective Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecules 2021; 26:5375. [PMID: 34500808 PMCID: PMC8433833 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Five heteroleptic compounds, [VVO(IN-2H)(L-H)], where L are 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives and IN is a Schiff base ligand, were synthesized and characterized in both the solid and solution state. The compounds were evaluated on epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi as well as on VERO cells, as a mammalian cell model. Compounds showed activity against trypomastigotes with IC50 values of 0.29-3.02 μM. IN ligand and the new [VVO2(IN-H)] complex showed negligible activity. The most active compound [VVO(IN-2H)(L2-H)], with L2 = 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline, showed good selectivity towards the parasite and was selected to carry out further biological studies. Stability studies suggested a partial decomposition in solution. [VVO(IN-2H)(L2-H)] affects the infection potential of cell-derived trypomastigotes. Low total vanadium uptake by parasites and preferential accumulation in the soluble proteins fraction were determined. A trypanocide effect was observed when incubating epimastigotes with 10 × IC50 values of [VVO(IN-2H)(L2-H)] and the generation of ROS after treatments was suggested. Fluorescence competition measurements with DNA:ethidium bromide adduct showed a moderate DNA interaction of the complexes. In vivo toxicity study on C. elegans model showed no toxicity up to a 100 μM concentration of [VVO(IN-2H)(L2-H)]. This compound could be considered a prospective anti-T. cruzi agent that deserves further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Scalese
- Área Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay;
- Programa de Posgrados de la Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
| | - Ignacio Machado
- Área Química Analítica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay;
| | - Gustavo Salinas
- Worm Biology Lab, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay;
- Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay;
| | - Dinorah Gambino
- Área Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay;
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Prolo C, Estrada D, Piacenza L, Benítez D, Comini MA, Radi R, Álvarez MN. Nox2-derived superoxide radical is crucial to control acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Redox Biol 2021; 46:102085. [PMID: 34454164 PMCID: PMC8397891 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a flagellated protozoan that undergoes a complex life cycle between hematophagous insects and mammals. In humans, this parasite causes Chagas disease, which in thirty percent of those infected, would result in serious chronic pathologies and even death. Macrophages participate in the first stages of infection, mounting a cytotoxic response which promotes massive oxidative damage to the parasite. On the other hand, T. cruzi is equipped with a robust antioxidant system to repeal the oxidative attack from macrophages. This work was conceived to explicitly assess the role of mammalian cell-derived superoxide radical in a murine model of acute infection by T. cruzi. Macrophages derived from Nox2-deficient (gp91phox-/-) mice produced marginal amounts of superoxide radical and were more susceptible to parasite infection than those derived from wild type (wt) animals. Also, the lack of superoxide radical led to an impairment of parasite differentiation inside gp91phox-/- macrophages. Biochemical or genetic reconstitution of intraphagosomal superoxide radical formation in gp91phox-/- macrophages reverted the lack of control of infection. Along the same line, gp91phox-/- infected mice died shortly after infection. In spite of the higher lethality, parasitemia did not differ between gp91phox-/- and wt animals, recapitulating an observation that has led to conflicting interpretations about the importance of the mammalian oxidative response against T. cruzi. Importantly, gp91phox-/- mice presented higher and disseminated tissue parasitism, as evaluated by both qPCR- and bioimaging-based methodologies. Thus, this work supports that Nox2-derived superoxide radical plays a crucial role to control T. cruzi infection in the early phase of a murine model of Chagas disease. Nox2 derived-superoxide radical is required to control Trypanosoma cruzi infection in macrophages ∙Nox2-deficient mice (gp91phox-/-) are highly susceptible to Trypanosoma cruzi infection ∙Parasitemia does not reflect the level of organ infection observed in wt and gp91phox-/- mice. ∙gp91phox-/- mice collapse to infection due to uncontrolled parasite proliferation in tissues
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Prolo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Damián Estrada
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Piacenza
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Diego Benítez
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rafael Radi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - María Noel Álvarez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Educación Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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25
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Toro PM, Peralta F, Oyarzo J, Wilkinson SR, Zavala M, Arancibia R, Moncada-Basualto M, Brito I, Cisterna J, Klahn AH, López C. Evaluation of trypanocidal properties of ferrocenyl and cyrhetrenyl N-acylhydrazones with pendant 5-nitrofuryl group. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 219:111428. [PMID: 33774450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Four N-acylhydrazones of general formulae [R1-C(O)-NH-N=C(R2)(5-nitrofuryl)] with (R1 = ferrocenyl or cyrhetrenyl and R2 = H or Me) are synthesized and characterized in solution and in the solid-state. Comparative studies of their stability in solution under different experimental conditions and their electrochemical properties are reported. NMR studies reveal that the four compounds are stable in DMSO‑d6 and complementary UV-Vis studies confirm that they also exhibit high stability in mixtures DMSO:H2O at 37 °C. Electrochemical studies show that the half-wave potential of the nitro group of the N-acylhydrazones is smaller than that of the standard drug nifurtimox and the reduction process follows a self-protonation mechanism. In vitro studies on the antiparasitic activities of the four complexes and the nifurtimox against Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei reveal that: i) the N-acylhydrazones have a potent inhibitory growth activity against both parasites [EC50 in the low micromolar (in T. cruzi) or even in the nanomolar (in T. brucei) range] and ii) cyrhetrenyl derivatives are more effective than their ferrocenyl analogs. Parallel studies on the L6 rat skeletal myoblast cell line have also been conducted, and the selectivity indexes determined. Three of the four N-acylhydrazones showed higher selectivity towards T. brucei than the standard drug nifurtimox. Additional studies suggest that the organometallic compounds are bioactivated by type I nitroreductase enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Toro
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andrés Bello, Quillota 980, Viña del Mar, Chile.
| | - Francisco Peralta
- Instituto de Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Casilla 4059, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Juan Oyarzo
- Instituto de Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Casilla 4059, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Shane R Wilkinson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Mónica Zavala
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Rodrigo Arancibia
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Mauricio Moncada-Basualto
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Iván Brito
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avda. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Jonathan Cisterna
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avda. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - A Hugo Klahn
- Instituto de Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Casilla 4059, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Concepción López
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció de Química Inorgànica, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1-11, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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Sanz CG, Dias KA, Bacil RP, Serafim RA, Andrade LH, Ferreira EI, Serrano SH. Electrochemical characterization of para- and meta-nitro substituents in aqueous media of new antichagasic pharmaceutical leaders. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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A Trypsin Inhibitor from Moringa oleifera Flowers Modulates the Immune Response In Vitro of Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected Human Cells. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9080515. [PMID: 32823803 PMCID: PMC7460158 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9080515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi causes the lethal Chagas disease, which is endemic in Latin America. Flowers of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) express a trypsin inhibitor (MoFTI) whose toxicity to T. cruzi trypomastigotes was previously reported. Here, we studied the effects of MoFTI on the viability of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as well as on the production of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) by T. cruzi-infected PBMCs. Incubation with MoFTI (trypsin inhibitory activity: 62 U/mg) led to lysis of trypomastigotes (LC50 of 43.5 µg/mL) but did not affect the viability of PBMCs when tested at concentrations up to 500 µg/mL. A selectivity index > 11.48 was determined. When T. cruzi-infected PBMCs were treated with MoFTI (43.5 or 87.0 µg/mL), the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and INF-γ, as well as of NO, was stimulated. The release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 also increased. In conclusion, the toxicity to T. cruzi and the production of IL-10 by infected PBMCs treated with MoFTI suggest that this molecule may be able to control parasitemia while regulating the inflammation, preventing the progress of Chagas disease. The data reported here stimulate future investigations concerning the in vivo effects of MoFTI on immune response in Chagas disease.
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