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Zhang Y, Li S, Chu H, Li J, Lu S, Zheng B. A novel mRNA vaccine, TGGT1_278620 mRNA-LNP, prolongs the survival time in BALB/c mice with acute toxoplasmosis. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0286623. [PMID: 38038457 PMCID: PMC10783036 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02866-23] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasite, can infect about one-third of the world's population. One vaccine, Toxovax, has been developed and licensed commercially; however, it is only used in the sheep industry to reduce the losses caused by congenital toxoplasmosis. Various other vaccine approaches have been explored, including excretory secretion antigen vaccines, subunit vaccines, epitope vaccines, and DNA vaccines. However, current research has not yet developed a safe and effective vaccine for T. gondii. Here, we generated an mRNA vaccine candidate against T. gondii. We investigated the efficacy of vaccination with a novel identified candidate, TGGT1_278620, in a mouse infection model. We screened T. gondii-derived protective antigens at the genome-wide level, combined them with mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccine technology against T. gondii, and investigated immune-related factors and mechanisms. Our findings might contribute to developing vaccines for immunizing humans and animals against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhuo Zhang
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shiyu Li
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongkun Chu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Li
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaohong Lu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- School of Basic Medicine and Forensics, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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Macedo IS, Lara FA, Barbosa HS, Saraiva EM, Menna-Barreto RFS, Mariante RM. Human neutrophil extracellular traps do not impair in vitro Toxoplasma gondii infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1282278. [PMID: 38115994 PMCID: PMC10728484 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1282278] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Toxoplasma gondii, responsible for causing toxoplasmosis, is a prevalent food and waterborne pathogen worldwide. It commonly infects warm-blooded animals and affects more than a third of the global human population. Once ingested, the parasite enters the host's small intestine and rapidly disseminates throughout the body via the bloodstream, infiltrating various tissues. Leukocyte-driven responses are vital against T. gondii, with neutrophils playing a dual role: swiftly recruited to infection sites, releasing inflammatory mediators, and serving as a replication hub and Trojan horses, aiding parasite spread. Neutrophils from various hosts release extracellular traps (NETs) against the protozoan. However, gaps persist regarding the mechanisms of NETs production to parasite and their significance in infection control. This study investigates the interplay between human neutrophils and T. gondii, exploring dynamics, key molecules, and signaling pathways involved in NETs production upon protozoan challenge. Methods and Results Using confocal and electron microscopy, live cell imaging, pharmacological inhibitors, and DNA quantification assays, we find that human neutrophils promptly release both classical and rapid NETs upon pathogen stimulation. The NETs structure exhibits diverse phenotypes over time and is consistently associated with microorganisms. Mechanisms involve neutrophil elastase and peptidylarginine deiminase, along with intracellular calcium signaling and the PI3K pathway. Unexpectedly, human traps do not diminish viability or infectivity, but potentially aid in capturing parasites for subsequent neutrophil phagocytosis and elimination. Discussion By revealing NETs formation mechanisms and their nuanced impact on T. gondii infection dynamics, our findings contribute to broader insights into host-pathogen relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela S. Macedo
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flávio A. Lara
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helene S. Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elvira M. Saraiva
- Laboratório de Imunobiologia das Leishmanioses, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael M. Mariante
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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El Bissati K, Krishack PA, Zhou Y, Weber CR, Lykins J, Jankovic D, Edelblum KL, Fraczek L, Grover H, Chentoufi AA, Singh G, Reardon C, Dubey JP, Reed S, Alexander J, Sidney J, Sette A, Shastri N, McLeod R. CD4 + T Cell Responses to Toxoplasma gondii Are a Double-Edged Sword. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1485. [PMID: 37766162 PMCID: PMC10535856 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells have been found to play critical roles in the control of both acute and chronic Toxoplasma infection. Previous studies identified a protective role for the Toxoplasma CD4+ T cell-eliciting peptide AS15 (AVEIHRPVPGTAPPS) in C57BL/6J mice. Herein, we found that immunizing mice with AS15 combined with GLA-SE, a TLR-4 agonist in emulsion adjuvant, can be either helpful in protecting male and female mice at early stages against Type I and Type II Toxoplasma parasites or harmful (lethal with intestinal, hepatic, and spleen pathology associated with a storm of IL6). Introducing the universal CD4+ T cell epitope PADRE abrogates the harmful phenotype of AS15. Our findings demonstrate quantitative and qualitative features of an effective Toxoplasma-specific CD4+ T cell response that should be considered in testing next-generation vaccines against toxoplasmosis. Our results also are cautionary that individual vaccine constituents can cause severe harm depending on the company they keep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal El Bissati
- Institute of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Paulette A. Krishack
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (P.A.K.); (C.R.W.); (G.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Christopher R. Weber
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (P.A.K.); (C.R.W.); (G.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Joseph Lykins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (R.M.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Dragana Jankovic
- Immunoparasitology Unit, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Karen L. Edelblum
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Laura Fraczek
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Harshita Grover
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (H.G.); (N.S.)
| | - Aziz A. Chentoufi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa;
| | - Gurminder Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (P.A.K.); (C.R.W.); (G.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Catherine Reardon
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (P.A.K.); (C.R.W.); (G.S.); (C.R.)
| | - J. P. Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Steve Reed
- Infectious Diseases Research Institute, 1616 Eastlake Ave E #400, Seattle, WA 98102, USA;
| | - Jeff Alexander
- PaxVax, 3985-A Sorrento Valley Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121, USA;
| | - John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Cir, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (J.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Alessandro Sette
- La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Cir, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (J.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Nilabh Shastri
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (H.G.); (N.S.)
| | - Rima McLeod
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (R.M.)
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Sun HC, Deng PM, Fu Y, Deng JH, Xie RH, Huang J, Qi M, Shi TY. Protective efficacy of Toxoplasma gondii GRA12 or GRA7 recombinant proteins encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles against acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1209755. [PMID: 37502604 PMCID: PMC10368986 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1209755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that affects the health of humans and livestock, and an effective vaccine is urgently required. Nanoparticles can modulate and improve cellular and humoral immune responses. Methods In the current study, poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were used as a delivery system for the T. gondii dense granule antigens GRA12 and GRA7. BALB/c mice were injected with the vaccines and protective efficacy was evaluated. Results Mice immunized with PLGA+GRA12 exhibited significantly higher IgG, and a noticeable predominance of IgG2a over IgG1 was also observed. There was a 1.5-fold higher level of lymphocyte proliferation in PLGA+GRA12-injected mice compared to Alum+GRA12-immunized mice. Higher levels of IFN-g and IL-10 and a lower level of IL-4 were detected, indicating that Th1 and Th2 immune responses were induced but the predominant response was Th1. There were no significant differences between Alum+GRA7-immunized and PLGA+GRA7-immunized groups. Immunization with these four vaccines resulted in significantly reduced parasite loads, but they were lowest in PLGA+GRA12-immunized mice. The survival times of mice immunized with PLGA+GRA12 were also significantly longer than those of mice in the other vaccinated groups. Conclusion The current study indicated that T. gondii GRA12 recombinant protein encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles is a promising vaccine against acute toxoplasmosis, but PLGA is almost useless for enhancing the immune response induced by T. gondii GRA7 recombinant protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-chao Sun
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Parasitology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pu-ming Deng
- Institute of Animal Science and Technology, Department of Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Yuan Fu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Parasitology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin-hua Deng
- Institute of Animal Science and Technology, Department of Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Rong-hui Xie
- Department of Animal Epidemic Surveillance, Zhejiang Provincial Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Animal Epidemic Surveillance, Zhejiang Provincial Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng Qi
- Institute of Animal Science and Technology, Department of Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Tuan-yuan Shi
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Parasitology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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Shen Y, Zheng B, Sun H, Wu S, Fan J, Ding J, Gao M, Kong Q, Lou D, Ding H, Zhuo X, Lu S. A live attenuated RHΔompdcΔuprt mutant of Toxoplasma gondii induces strong protective immunity against toxoplasmosis in mice and cats. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:60. [PMID: 37322556 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01109-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite and is responsible for zoonotic toxoplasmosis. It is essential to develop an effective anti-T. gondii vaccine for the control of toxoplasmosis, and this study is to explore the immunoprotective effects of a live attenuated vaccine in mice and cats. METHODS First, the ompdc and uprt genes of T. gondii were deleted through the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Then, the intracellular proliferation and virulence of this mutant strain were evaluated. Subsequently, the immune responses induced by this mutant in mice and cats were detected, including antibody titers, cytokine levels, and subsets of T lymphocytes. Finally, the immunoprotective effects were evaluated by challenge with tachyzoites of different strains in mice or cysts of the ME49 strain in cats. Furthermore, to discover the effective immune element against toxoplasmosis, passive immunizations were carried out. GraphPad Prism software was used to conduct the log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test, Student's t test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS The RHΔompdcΔuprt were constructed by the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Compared with the wild-type strain, the mutant notably reduced proliferation (P < 0.05). In addition, the mutant exhibited virulence attenuation in both murine (BALB/c and BALB/c-nu) and cat models. Notably, limited pathological changes were found in tissues from RHΔompdcΔuprt-injected mice. Furthermore, compared with nonimmunized group, high levels of IgG (IgG1 and IgG2a) antibodies and cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-2 and IL-12) in mice were detected by the mutant (P < 0.05). Remarkably, all RHΔompdcΔuprt-vaccinated mice survived a lethal challenge with RHΔku80 and ME49 and WH6 strains. The immunized sera and splenocytes, especially CD8+ T cells, could significantly extend (P < 0.05) the survival time of mice challenged with the RHΔku80 strain compared with naïve mice. In addition, compared with nonimmunized cats, cats immunized with the mutant produced high levels of antibodies and cytokines (P < 0.05), and notably decreased the shedding numbers of oocysts in feces (95.3%). CONCLUSIONS The avirulent RHΔompdcΔuprt strain can provide strong anti-T. gondii immune responses, and is a promising candidate for developing a safe and effective live attenuated vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Songrui Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiyuan Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzu Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Lou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xunhui Zhuo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Shaohong Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
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Saad AE, Ashour DS, Rashad E. Immunomodulatory effects of chronic trichinellosis on Toxoplasma gondii RH virulent strain in experimental rats. Pathog Glob Health 2023; 117:417-434. [PMID: 36922743 PMCID: PMC10177679 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2191233] [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] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mixed parasitic infections could affect the host immunological responses and re-design the pathogenesis of each other. The impact of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) co-infection on the immune response remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible effect of chronic trichinellosis on the immune response of rats infected with T. gondii virulent RH strain. Animals were divided into four groups: group I: non-infected negative control; group II: infected with T. spiralis; group III: infected with T. gondii and group IV: infected with T. spiralis then infected with T. gondii 35 days post T. spiralis infection (co-infected group). The interaction between T. spiralis and T. gondii was evaluated by histopathological examination of liver and brain tissues, immunohistochemical expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and β-catenin in the brain tissues, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells percentages, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha expression in the spleen tissues. Along with, splenic interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 mRNA expression levels were measured 15 days post-Toxoplasma infection. Our study revealed that prior infection with T. spiralis leads to attenuation of Th1 response against T. gondii, including iNOS, TNF-α, and CD8+ T-cell response with improvement of the histopathological changes in the tissues. In conclusion, in the co-infected rats, a balanced immune response has been developed with the end result, improvement of the histopathological changes in the liver and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer E. Saad
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
- Medical Parasitology sub-unit, Pathology Department, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dalia S. Ashour
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Eman Rashad
- Cytology and Histology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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Nascimento LAC, Sousa RO, Almeida MPO, Cariaco Y, Gomes AO, Miranda NC, França FBF, Venâncio MDFA, Silva CAT, Lima WR, Barbosa BF, Santos JL, Silva NM. The ethanolic extract of the fungus Trichoderma stromaticum decreases the Toxoplasma gondii replication in vitro and ameliorates the experimental toxoplasmosis in vivo. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2022; 3:100173. [DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2022.100173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Sardinha-Silva A, Alves-Ferreira EVC, Grigg ME. Intestinal immune responses to commensal and pathogenic protozoa. Front Immunol 2022; 13:963723. [PMID: 36211380 PMCID: PMC9533738 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.963723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The physical barrier of the intestine and associated mucosal immunity maintains a delicate homeostatic balance between the host and the external environment by regulating immune responses to commensals, as well as functioning as the first line of defense against pathogenic microorganisms. Understanding the orchestration and characteristics of the intestinal mucosal immune response during commensal or pathological conditions may provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying microbe-induced immunological tolerance, protection, and/or pathogenesis. Over the last decade, our knowledge about the interface between the host intestinal mucosa and the gut microbiome has been dominated by studies focused on bacterial communities, helminth parasites, and intestinal viruses. In contrast, specifically how commensal and pathogenic protozoa regulate intestinal immunity is less well studied. In this review, we provide an overview of mucosal immune responses induced by intestinal protozoa, with a major focus on the role of different cell types and immune mediators triggered by commensal (Blastocystis spp. and Tritrichomonas spp.) and pathogenic (Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium parvum) protozoa. We will discuss how these various protozoa modulate innate and adaptive immune responses induced in experimental models of infection that benefit or harm the host.
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Briceño MP, Cariaco Y, Almeida MPO, Miranda NC, Araujo ECB, Santos SN, Bernardes ES, Silva NM. Effects of Notch signaling pathway inhibition by dibenzazepine in acute experimental toxoplasmosis. Tissue Cell 2022; 79:101952. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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He J, Hou Y, Lu F. Blockage of Galectin-Receptor Interactions Attenuates Mouse Hepatic Pathology Induced by Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:896744. [PMID: 35911679 PMCID: PMC9327616 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.896744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), one of the most important Apicomplexan protozoa, causes toxoplasmosis in human throughout the world. Galectin (Gal)-9 triggers a series of immune events via binding to its receptors, including T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-containing molecule 3, CD137, CD44, and protein disulfide isomerase. To examine the regulatory role of galectin-receptor interactions in anti-toxoplasmic activities, C57BL/6 mice were infected with T. gondii RH strain and intraperitoneally injected with alpha (α)-lactose to block the interactions of galectins and their receptors. Heatmaps showed upregulated values for Gal-9 and CD137 in the livers of T. gondii-infected mice and T. gondii-infected mice treated with α-lactose. Compared with T. gondii-infected mice, T. gondii-infected mice treated with α-lactose showed significantly increased survival rate, decreased tissue parasite burden, attenuated liver histopathology, increased mRNA expression levels of CD137, IFNγ, IL-4, and IL-10 in the liver, and increased Gal-9 mRNA expression level in the spleen. Correlation analysis showed that significant positive correlations existed between the mRNA expression levels of Gal-9 and CD137, Gal-9 and IFNγ, as well as between CD137 and IFNγ in the liver and spleen of T. gondii-infected mice; between CD137 and IFNγ in the liver of T. gondii-infected mice treated with α-lactose. In addition, blockage of galectin-receptor interactions showed enhanced M2 macrophage polarization in the liver of T. gondii-infected mice. Our data indicate that Gal-9-CD137 interaction may play an important role in T. gondii proliferation and liver inflammation in mice during acute T. gondii infection, through regulating T cell and macrophage immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian He
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongheng Hou
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fangli Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Fangli Lu,
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Toxoplasma gondii Infection Decreases Intestinal 5-Lipoxygenase Expression, while Exogenous LTB 4 Controls Parasite Growth. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0002922. [PMID: 35658510 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00029-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) is an enzyme required for the production of leukotrienes and lipoxins and interferes with parasitic infections. In vitro, Toxoplasma gondii inhibits leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production, and mice deficient in 5-LO are highly susceptible to infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the pharmacological inhibition of the 5-LO pathway and exogenous LTB4 supplementation during experimental toxoplasmosis. For this purpose, susceptible C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with T. gondii and treated with LTB4 or MK886 (a selective leukotriene inhibitor through inhibition of 5-LO-activating protein [FLAP]). The parasitism, histology, and immunological parameters were analyzed. The infection decreased 5-LO expression in the small intestine, and treatment with MK886 reinforced this reduction during infection; in addition, MK886-treated infected mice presented higher intestinal parasitism, which was associated with lower local interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. In contrast, treatment with LTB4 controlled parasite replication in the small intestine, liver, and lung and decreased pulmonary pathology. Interestingly, treatment with LTB4 also preserved the number of Paneth cells and increased α-defensins expression and IgA levels in the small intestine of infected mice. Altogether, these data demonstrated that T. gondii infection is associated with a decrease in 5-LO expression, and on the other hand, treatment with the 5-LO pathway product LTB4 resulted in better control of parasite growth in the organs, adding to the knowledge about the pathogenesis of T. gondii infection.
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Webster HC, Gamino V, Andrusaite AT, Ridgewell OJ, McCowan J, Shergold AL, Heieis GA, Milling SWF, Maizels RM, Perona-Wright G. Tissue-based IL-10 signalling in helminth infection limits IFNγ expression and promotes the intestinal Th2 response. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1257-1269. [PMID: 35428872 PMCID: PMC9705258 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00513-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 immunity is activated in response to both allergens and helminth infection. It can be detrimental or beneficial, and there is a pressing need to better understand its regulation. The immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 is known as a T helper 2 (Th2) effector molecule, but it is currently unclear whether IL-10 dampens or promotes Th2 differentiation during infection. Here we show that helminth infection in mice elicits IL-10 expression in both the intestinal lamina propria and the draining mesenteric lymph node, with higher expression in the infected tissue. In vitro, exogenous IL-10 enhanced Th2 differentiation in isolated CD4+ T cells, increasing expression of GATA3 and production of IL-5 and IL-13. The ability of IL-10 to amplify the Th2 response coincided with its suppression of IFNγ expression and in vivo we found that, in intestinal helminth infection, IL-10 receptor expression was higher on Th1 cells in the small intestine than on Th2 cells in the same tissue, or on any Th cell in the draining lymph node. In vivo blockade of IL-10 signalling during helminth infection resulted in an expansion of IFNγ+ and Tbet+ Th1 cells in the small intestine and a coincident decrease in IL-13, IL-5 and GATA3 expression by intestinal T cells. These changes in Th2 cytokines correlated with reduced expression of type 2 effector molecules, such as RELMα, and increased parasite egg production. Together our data indicate that IL-10 signalling promotes Th2 differentiation during helminth infection at least in part by regulating competing Th1 cells in the infected tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly C Webster
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Virginia Gamino
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Pathology, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna T Andrusaite
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Olivia J Ridgewell
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jack McCowan
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Amy L Shergold
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Graham A Heieis
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Simon W F Milling
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rick M Maizels
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Georgia Perona-Wright
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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Zhou J, Hou P, Yao Y, Yue J, Zhang Q, Yi L, Mi M. Dihydromyricetin Improves High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperglycemia through ILC3 Activation via a SIRT3-Dependent Mechanism. Mol Nutr Food Res 2022; 66:e2101093. [PMID: 35635431 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202101093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Previous studies indicate that dihydromyricetin (DHM) effectively improved glucose homeostasis and alleviated insulin resistance in population-intervened trials, yet the underlying mechanism remains obscure. METHODS AND RESULTS Wild-type male mice and recombinase activating gene 1(Rag1)-/- mice (lacking adaptive immunity lymphocytes) are fed with control, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD+DHM diets for 8 weeks. DHM effectively protects HFD feeding mice against hyperglycemia by promoting group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) cells proliferation and interleukin 22 (IL-22) production. Furthermore, IL-22 secretion induced by DHM increases the expression levels of the tight junction (TJs) molecules to protect the intestinal barrier integrity, thereby decreasing the level of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), an endotoxin that is involved in the regulation of chronic tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. In addition, silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 3 (SIRT3) deficiency results in more serious obesity and intestinal barrier damage following HFD feeding and abolished DHM-mediated increase in IL-22 expression levels of ILC3 cells in SIRT3 knockout (SIRT3KO) mice. DHM reduces metabolic stress and enhances mitochondrial respiratory capacity to promote cell proliferation and IL-22 secretion by activating SIRT3 in ILC3 cells CONCLUSIONS: DHM improves IL-22 production of ILC3 cells and subsequently inhibits intestinal barrier dysfunction to alleviate hyperglycemia partially mediated by SIRT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
| | - Pengfei Hou
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
| | - Yu Yao
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
| | - Jing Yue
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
| | - Qianyong Zhang
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
| | - Long Yi
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
| | - Mantian Mi
- Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Center, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, P. R. China
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Mitigation of Toxoplasma gondii-induced ileitis by Trichinellaspiralis infection pinpointing immunomodulation. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:491-501. [DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01476-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Deficiency in indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase induces upregulation of guanylate binding protein 1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the brain during cerebral infection with Toxoplasma gondii in genetically resistant BALB/c mice but not in genetically susceptible C57BL/6 mice. Microbes Infect 2021; 24:104908. [PMID: 34781010 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2021.104908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We examined the roles of indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in controlling cerebral Toxoplasma gondii infection in both genetically resistant and susceptible strains of mice. In susceptible C57BL/6 mice, IDO expression was immunohistochemically detected only in a minority (22.5 %) of tachyzoite-infected cells in their brains during the later stage of infection. When C57BL-6-background IDO1-deficient (IDO1-/-) mice were infected, their cerebral tachyzoite burden was equivalent to those of wild-type (WT) animals. In contrast, in resistant BALB/c mice, IDO expression was detected in a majority (84.0%) of tachyzoite-infected cerebral cells. However, tachyzoite burden in BALB/c-background IDO1-/- mice remained as low as that of WT mice, which was 78 times less than those of C57BL/6 mice. Of interest, IDO1-/- mice of only resistant BALB/c-background had markedly greater cerebral expressions of two other IFN-γ-mediated effector molecules, guanylate binding protein 1 (Gbp1) and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2), than their WT mice. Therefore, it would be possible that IDO1 deficiency was effectively compensated by the upregulated expression of Gbp1 and NOS2 to control cerebral tachyzoite growth in genetically resistant BALB/c mice, whereas IDO1 did not significantly contribute to controlling cerebral tachyzoite growth in genetically susceptible C57BL/6 mice because of its suppressed expression in infected cells.
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Abou-El-Naga IF, Gomaa MM, ElAchy SN. Effect of HIV aspartyl protease inhibitors on experimental infection with a cystogenic Me49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Pathog Glob Health 2021; 116:107-118. [PMID: 34420500 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2021.1967628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of major significant perspectives in public health and veterinary medicine. So far, the available drugs control only the active infection, once the parasite encysts in the tissues, they lose their efficacy. Cytokines; IFN-γ and IL-10, play a critical role in the modulation of toxoplasmic encephalitis and neuro-inflammation in chronic toxoplasmosis. Antiretroviral protease inhibitors applied in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, revealed activity against multiple parasites. Aluvia (lopinavir/ritonavir) (L/R); an aspartyl protease inhibitor, had efficiently treated T. gondii RH strain infection. We investigated the potential activity of L/R against experimental T. gondii infection with a cystogenic Me49 strain in mice, considering the role of IFN-γ and IL-10 in the neuropathology versus pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine combination therapy. Three aluvia regimens were applied; starting on the day of infection (acute phase), 2-week PI (early chronic phase) and eight weeks PI (late chronic phase). L/R reduced the brain-tissue cyst burden significantly in all treatment regimens. It impaired the parasite infectivity markedly in the late chronic phase. Ultrastructural changes were detected in Toxoplasma cyst membrane and wall, bradyzoite membrane and nuclear envelope. The signs of bradyzoite paraptosis and cytoplasmic lipid droplets were observed. L/R had significantly reduced the brain-homogenate levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 in its three regimens however, they could not reach the normal level in chronic phases. Cerebral hypercellularity, perivascular inflammatory response, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates and glial cellular reaction were ameliorated by L/R treatment. Herein, L/R was proved to possess promising preventive and therapeutic perspectives in chronic cerebral toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Fathy Abou-El-Naga
- Department Of Medical Parasitology, Faculty Of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Maha Mohamed Gomaa
- Department Of Medical Parasitology, Faculty Of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Samar Nabil ElAchy
- Department Of Pathology, Faculty Of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Yahfoufi N, Alsadi N, Mallet JF, Kulshreshtha G, Hincke M, Ismail N, Matar C. Immunomodulation and Intestinal Morpho-Functional Aspects of a Novel Gram-Negative Bacterium Rouxiella badensis subsp. acadiensis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:569119. [PMID: 34239502 PMCID: PMC8258396 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.569119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel bacterium (Rouxiella badensis subsp. acadiensis) isolated from the microbiota of wild blueberry fruit was investigated for its immunomodulation capabilities and intestinal morpho-functional aspects. The whole-genome shotgun sequencing of this bacterium led to its new taxonomy and showed absence of pathogenicity genes. Although the bacterium was used for blueberry-fermentation and enhancing its anti-inflammatory effects on neurodegeneration, diabetes, and cancer, no study has assessed the effect of the bacterium on health. In this study, we used several in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate the interaction of R. badensis subsp. acadiensis with the intestinal mucosa and its impact on the localized immune response. The strain antibiotic susceptibility has been investigated as well as its tolerance to gastric and intestinal environment and ability to attach to human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 and HT-29). In addition, Balb/c mice were used to explore the immune-modulatory characteristics of the live bacterium at the intestinal level and its impact on the morpho-functional aspects of the intestinal mucosa. In vitro assays revealed the ability of R. badensis subsp. acadiensis to survive the gastric and intestinal simulated conditions and to satisfactorily adhere to the human intestinal epithelial cells. The bacterium was shown to be sensitive to an array of antibiotics. Immuno-modulation studies with mice orally administered with R. badensis subsp. acadiensis showed a higher number of IgA positive cells in the small intestine, a higher concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the intestinal mucosa, as well as an increase in the number of goblet cells. The anti-inflammatory cytokine miR146a was found to be increased in the ileum and brain. Furthermore, it increases the number of goblet cells which contribute to intestinal barrier integrity. Taken together, our findings reflect the ability of the tested bacterium to modulates the intestinal homeostasis and immune response. Detailed safety unpublished studies and genome data support our finding. The strain Rouxiella badensis subsp. acadiensis has been filed in a provisional patent; a U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/916,921 entitled "Probiotics Composition and Methods." Future studies are still needed to validate the potential utilization of this strain as functional food and its potential probiotic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Yahfoufi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nawal Alsadi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Francois Mallet
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Garima Kulshreshtha
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Maxwell Hincke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Innovation in Medical education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chantal Matar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Miranda NC, Araujo ECB, Justino AB, Cariaco Y, Mota CM, Costa-Nascimento LA, Espindola FS, Silva NM. Anti-parasitic activity of Annona muricata L. leaf ethanolic extract and its fractions against Toxoplasma gondii in vitro and in vivo. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 273:114019. [PMID: 33716084 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine are the two drugs used as part of the standard therapy for toxoplasmosis, however; they may cause adverse side effects and fail to prevent relapse in many patients, rendering infected individuals at risk of reactivation upon becoming immunocompromised. Extracts from various parts of Annona muricata have been widely used medicinally for the management, control and/or treatment of several human diseases, acting against parasites that cause diseases in humans. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was performed to investigate the action of the ethanolic extract of A. muricata (EtOHAm) and its fractions in the control of the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in vitro and in vivo, and the effect of EtOHAm on the inflammatory response and lipid profile alteration induced by in vivo T. gondii infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cytotoxicity of EtOHAm and its fractions ethyl acetate (EtOAcAm), n-butanol (BuOHAm), aqueous (H2OAm), hexane (HexAm) and dichloromethane (CH2Cl2Am) was evaluated in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cells were infected with T. gondii, treated with the extracts, and parasite proliferation was analyzed. For the in vivo experiments, C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with T. gondii and, treated with different concentrations of extract fractions that were effective in vitro (EtOHAm, EtOAcAm, HexAm and CH2Cl2Am). Tissue parasitism, histological alterations, systemic cytokine and lipid profile were investigated. RESULTS EtOHAm, EtOAcAm, BuOHAm, H2OAm presented low cytotoxicity until doses of 200 μg/mL, while HexAm and CH2Cl2Am presented toxicity from doses of 100μg/mL. EtOHAm, HexAm and CH2Cl2Am decreased the parasitism in vitro, presenting a therapeutic index of 2.62, 2.44, and 2.96, respectively. In vivo, EtOHAm, HexAm and CH2Cl2Am improved the survival rate of infected animals, however, only EtOHAm was able to decrease the parasitism in the small intestine and lung. Additionally, EtOHAm decreased the systemic interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) systemically in infected mice, and was able to maintain the triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) lipid fractions at similar levels to uninfected animals. Although treatment with EtOHAm could not control the inflammation induced by oral infection in the tissues analyzed, it was able to preserve the number of goblet cells in the small intestine. CONCLUSIONS Ethanolic A. muricata leaf extract could be considered as a good candidate for the development of a complementary/alternative therapy against toxoplasmosis, and also as an anti-inflammatory alternative for decreasing TNF and IFN-γ concentrations and lipid fractions in specific diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Carnevalli Miranda
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia, CEP 38400902, MG, Brazil
| | - Ester Cristina Borges Araujo
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia, CEP 38400902, MG, Brazil
| | - Allisson Benatti Justino
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biotechnology - Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, 38400-902, Uberlândia, MG Brazil
| | - Yusmaris Cariaco
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia, CEP 38400902, MG, Brazil
| | - Caroline Martins Mota
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, 38400-902, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Layane Alencar Costa-Nascimento
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia, CEP 38400902, MG, Brazil
| | - Foued Salmen Espindola
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biotechnology - Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720, 38400-902, Uberlândia, MG Brazil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia, CEP 38400902, MG, Brazil.
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RIPK3 Facilitates Host Resistance to Oral Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00021-21. [PMID: 33526566 PMCID: PMC8091083 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00021-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection activates pattern recognition receptor (PRR) pathways that drive innate inflammatory responses to control infection. Necroptosis is a proinflammatory cell death pathway apart from the innate immune response that has evolved to control pathogenic infection. In this study, we further defined the role of Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) as a PRR and assessed its contribution to necroptosis as a host protection mechanism to T. gondii infection. We found that ZBP1 does not induce proinflammatory necroptosis cell death, and ZBP1 null mice have reduced survival after oral T. gondii infection. In contrast, mice deleted in receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3-/-), a central mediator of necroptosis, have significantly improved survival after oral T. gondii infection without a reduction in parasite burden. The physiological consequences of RIPK3 activity did not show any differences in intestine villus immunopathology, but RIPK3-/- mice showed higher immune cell infiltration and edema in the lamina propria. The contribution of necroptosis to host survival was clarified with mixed-lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase null (MLKL-/-) mice. We found MLKL-/- mice succumbed to oral T. gondii infection the same as wild-type mice, indicating necroptosis-independent RIPK3 activity impacts host survival. These results provide new insights on the impacts of proinflammatory cell death pathways as a mechanism of host defense to oral T. gondii infection.
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Menard KL, Bu L, Denkers EY. Transcriptomics analysis of Toxoplasma gondii-infected mouse macrophages reveals coding and noncoding signatures in the presence and absence of MyD88. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:130. [PMID: 33622246 PMCID: PMC7903719 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07437-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed protozoan parasite that establishes life-long asymptomatic infection in humans, often emerging as a life-threatening opportunistic pathogen during immunodeficiency. As an intracellular microbe, Toxoplasma establishes an intimate relationship with its host cell from the outset of infection. Macrophages are targets of infection and they are important in early innate immunity and possibly parasite dissemination throughout the host. Here, we employ an RNA-sequencing approach to identify host and parasite transcriptional responses during infection of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). We incorporated into our analysis infection with the high virulence Type I RH strain and the low virulence Type II strain PTG. Because the well-known TLR-MyD88 signaling axis is likely of less importance in humans, we examined transcriptional responses in both MyD88+/+ and MyD88-/- BMDM. Long noncoding (lnc) RNA molecules are emerging as key regulators in infection and immunity, and were, therefore, included in our analysis. RESULTS We found significantly more host genes were differentially expressed in response to the highly virulent RH strain rather than with the less virulent PTG strain (335 versus 74 protein coding genes for RH and PTG, respectively). Enriched in these protein coding genes were subsets associated with the immune response as well as cell adhesion and migration. We identified 249 and 83 non-coding RNAs as differentially expressed during infection with RH and PTG strains, respectively. Although the majority of these are of unknown function, one conserved lncRNA termed mir17hg encodes the mir17 microRNA gene cluster that has been implicated in down-regulating host cell apoptosis during T. gondii infection. Only a minimal number of transcripts were differentially expressed between MyD88 knockout and wild type cells. However, several immune genes were among the differences. While transcripts for parasite secretory proteins were amongst the most highly expressed T. gondii genes during infection, no differentially expressed parasite genes were identified when comparing infection in MyD88 knockout and wild type host BMDM. CONCLUSIONS The large dataset presented here lays the groundwork for continued studies on both the MyD88-independent immune response and the function of lncRNAs during Toxoplasma gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla L Menard
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Eric Y Denkers
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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Sikorski PM, Commodaro AG, Grigg ME. A Protective and Pathogenic Role for Complement During Acute Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:634610. [PMID: 33692968 PMCID: PMC7937796 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.634610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The infection competence of the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii is critically dependent on the parasite’s ability to inactivate the host complement system. Toxoplasma actively resists complement-mediated killing in non-immune serum by recruiting host-derived complement regulatory proteins C4BP and Factor H (FH) to the parasite surface to inactivate surface-bound C3 and limit formation of the C5b-9 membrane attack complex (MAC). While decreased complement activation on the parasite surface certainly protects Toxoplasma from immediate lysis, the biological effector functions of C3 split products C3b and C3a are maintained, which includes opsonization of the parasite for phagocytosis and potent immunomodulatory effects that promote pro-inflammatory responses and alters mucosal defenses during infection, respectively. In this review, we discuss how complement regulation by Toxoplasma controls parasite burden systemically but drives exacerbated immune responses locally in the gut of genetically susceptible C57BL/6J mice. In effect, Toxoplasma has evolved to strike a balance with the complement system, by inactivating complement to protect the parasite from immediate serum killing, it generates sufficient C3 catabolites that signal through their cognate receptors to stimulate protective immunity. This regulation ultimately controls tachyzoite proliferation and promotes host survival, parasite persistence, and transmissibility to new hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Sikorski
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Alessandra G Commodaro
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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22
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Cristina Borges Araujo E, Cariaco Y, Paulo Oliveira Almeida M, Patricia Pallete Briceño M, Neto de Sousa JE, Rezende Lima W, Maria Costa-Cruz J, Maria Silva N. Beneficial effects of Strongyloides venezuelensis antigen extract in acute experimental toxoplasmosis. Parasite Immunol 2020; 43:e12811. [PMID: 33247953 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with worldwide distribution and triggers a strong Th1 immune response in infected susceptible hosts. On the contrary, most helminth infections are characterized by Th2 immune response and the use of helminth-derived antigens to regulate immune response in inflammatory disorders has been broadly investigated. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with Strongyloides venezuelensis antigen extract (SvAg) would alter immune response against T gondii. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with T gondii and treated with SvAg, and parasitological, histological and immunological parameters were investigated. RESULTS It was observed that SvAg treatment improved survival rates of T gondii-infected mice. At day 7 post-infection, the parasite load was lower in the lung and small intestine of infected SvAg-treated mice than untreated infected mice. Remarkably, SvAg-treated mice infected with T gondii presented reduced inflammatory lesions in the small intestine than infected untreated mice and decreased intestinal and systemic levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6. In contrast, SvAg treatment increased T gondii-specific IgA serum levels in infected mice. CONCLUSIONS S venezuelensis antigen extract has anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory properties during T gondii infection suggesting as a possible alternative to parasite and inflammation control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Cristina Borges Araujo
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Yusmaris Cariaco
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | | | - José Eduardo Neto de Sousa
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Wânia Rezende Lima
- Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Catalão, Rua Terezinha Margon Vaz, s/n Residencial Barka II, Catalão, Brasil
| | - Julia Maria Costa-Cruz
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Parasitoses, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil
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23
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Mukhopadhyay D, Arranz-Solís D, Saeij JPJ. Influence of the Host and Parasite Strain on the Immune Response During Toxoplasma Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:580425. [PMID: 33178630 PMCID: PMC7593385 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.580425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an exceptionally successful parasite that infects a very broad host range, including humans, across the globe. The outcome of infection differs remarkably between hosts, ranging from acute death to sterile infection. These differential disease patterns are strongly influenced by both host- and parasite-specific genetic factors. In this review, we discuss how the clinical outcome of toxoplasmosis varies between hosts and the role of different immune genes and parasite virulence factors, with a special emphasis on Toxoplasma-induced ileitis and encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debanjan Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - David Arranz-Solís
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jeroen P J Saeij
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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24
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Efficacy of Guanabenz Combination Therapy against Chronic Toxoplasmosis across Multiple Mouse Strains. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.00539-20. [PMID: 32540979 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00539-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite that can cause life-threatening acute disease, differentiates into a quiescent cyst stage to establish lifelong chronic infections in animal hosts, including humans. This tissue cyst reservoir, which can reactivate into an acute infection, is currently refractory to clinically available therapeutics. Recently, we and others have discovered drugs capable of significantly reducing the brain cyst burden in latently infected mice, but not to undetectable levels. In this study, we examined the use of novel combination therapies possessing multiple mechanisms of action in mouse models of latent toxoplasmosis. Our drug regimens included combinations of pyrimethamine, clindamycin, guanabenz, and endochin-like quinolones (ELQs) and were administered to two different mouse strains in an attempt to eradicate brain tissue cysts. We observed mouse strain-dependent effects with these drug treatments: pyrimethamine-guanabenz showed synergistic efficacy in C57BL/6 mice yet did not improve upon guanabenz monotherapy in BALB/c mice. Contrary to promising in vitro results demonstrating toxicity to bradyzoites, we observed an antagonistic effect between guanabenz and ELQ-334 in vivo While we were unable to completely eliminate the brain cyst burden, we found that a combination treatment with ELQ-334 and pyrimethamine impressively reduced the brain cyst burden by 95% in C57BL/6 mice, which approached the limit of detection. These analyses highlight the importance of evaluating anti-infective drugs in multiple mouse strains and will help inform further preclinical studies of cocktail therapies designed to treat chronic toxoplasmosis.
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25
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Marino AP, Dos Santos LI, Henriques PM, Roffe E, Vasconcelos-Santos DV, Sher A, Jankovic D, Gomes MS, Amaral LR, Campi-Azevedo AC, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Martins-Filho OA, Gazzinelli RT, Antonelli LR. Circulating inflammatory mediators as biomarkers of ocular toxoplasmosis in acute and in chronic infection. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:1253-1264. [PMID: 32421913 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.4ma0420-702r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is highly endemic worldwide. In Brazil, depending on the geographical region and socioeconomic status, 40-70% of individuals become seropositive at some point in their lives. A significant proportion of Toxoplasma gondii-chronically infected individuals who are otherwise immunocompetent develop recurrent ocular lesions. The inflammatory/immune mechanisms involved in development of ocular lesion are still unknown and, despite previous investigation, there are no reliable immune biomarkers to predict/follow disease outcome. To better understand the impact of the immune response on parasite control and immunopathology of ocular toxoplasmosis, and to provide insights on putative biomarkers for disease monitoring, we assessed the production of a large panel of circulating immune mediators in a longitudinal study of patients with postnatally acquired toxoplasmosis stratified by the presence of ocular involvement, both at the early acute stage and 6 months later during chronic infection, correlating them with presence of ocular involvement. We found that T. gondii-infected patients, especially during the acute stage of the disease, display high levels of chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors involved in the activation, proliferation, and migration of inflammatory cells to injured tissues. In particular, major increases were found in the IFN-induced chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 in T. gondii-infected patients regardless of disease stage or clinical manifestations. Moreover, a specific subgroup of circulating cytokines and chemokines including GM-CSF, CCL25, CCL11, CXCL12, CXCL13, and CCL2 was identified as potential biomarkers that accurately distinguish different stages of infection and predict the occurrence of ocular toxoplasmosis. In addition to serving as predictors of disease development, these host inflammatory molecules may offer promise as candidate targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pmp Marino
- Laboratório de Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luara I Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Priscilla M Henriques
- Laboratório de Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ester Roffe
- Laboratório de Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Molecular Signaling Section, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel V Vasconcelos-Santos
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otorinolaryngology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alan Sher
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dragana Jankovic
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Matheus S Gomes
- Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brasil.,Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Laurence R Amaral
- Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brasil.,Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Ana C Campi-Azevedo
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Olindo A Martins-Filho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T Gazzinelli
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lis R Antonelli
- Laboratório de Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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26
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Immediate Interferon Gamma Induction Determines Murine Host Compatibility Differences between Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00027-20. [PMID: 32014892 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00027-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents are critical for the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to the definitive feline host via predation, and this relationship has been extensively studied as a model for immune responses to parasites. Neospora caninum is a closely related coccidian parasite of ruminants and canines but is not naturally transmitted by rodents. We compared mouse innate immune responses to N. caninum and T. gondii and found marked differences in cytokine levels and parasite growth kinetics during the first 24 h postinfection (hpi). N. caninum-infected mice produced significantly higher levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) by as early as 4 hpi, but the level of IFN-γ was significantly lower or undetectable in T. gondii-infected mice during the first 24 hpi. "Immediate" IFN-γ and IL-12p40 production was not detected in MyD88-/- mice. However, unlike IL-12p40-/- and IFN-γ-/- mice, MyD88-/- mice survived N. caninum infections at the dose used in this study. Serial measures of parasite burden showed that MyD88-/- mice were more susceptible to N. caninum infections than wild-type (WT) mice, and control of parasite burdens correlated with a pulse of serum IFN-γ at 3 to 4 days postinfection in the absence of detectable IL-12. Immediate IFN-γ was partially dependent on the T. gondii mouse profilin receptor Toll-like receptor 11 (TLR11), but the ectopic expression of N. caninum profilin in T. gondii had no impact on early IFN-γ production or parasite proliferation. Our data indicate that T. gondii is capable of evading host detection during the first hours after infection, while N. caninum is not, and this is likely due to the early MyD88-dependent recognition of ligands other than profilin.
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27
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Gómez-Chávez F, Cañedo-Solares I, Ortiz-Alegría LB, Flores-García Y, Figueroa-Damián R, Luna-Pastén H, Gómez-Toscano V, López-Candiani C, Arce-Estrada GE, Bonilla-Ríos CA, Mora-González JC, García-Ruiz R, Correa D. A Proinflammatory Immune Response Might Determine Toxoplasma gondii Vertical Transmission and Severity of Clinical Features in Congenitally Infected Newborns. Front Immunol 2020; 11:390. [PMID: 32231666 PMCID: PMC7082359 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis. Mother-to-child transmission of this parasite can occur during pregnancy. Newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis may develop central nervous system impairment, with severity ranging from subclinical manifestations to death. A proinflammatory/regulated specific immune profile is crucial in the defense against the parasite; nevertheless, its role in the infected pregnant women and the congenitally infected offspring has been poorly explored, and there is still no consensus about its relation to parasite vertical transmission or to severity and dissemination in the congenitally infected newborns. This work aimed to characterize these relations by means of principal component and principal factor analyses. For this purpose, we determined the specific production of the four immunoglobulin G antibody subclasses, cytokines, and lymphocyte proliferation in the T. gondii–infected pregnant women−10 who transmitted the infection to their offspring and seven who did not—as well as in 11 newborns congenitally infected and grouped according to disease severity (five mild and six moderate/severe) and dissemination (four local and seven disseminated). We found that the immune response of nontransmitter women differed from that of the transmitters, the latter having a stronger proinflammatory response, supporting a previous report. We also found that newborns who developed moderate/severe disease presented higher levels of lymphocyte proliferation, particularly of CD8+ and CD19+ cells, a high proportion of tumor necrosis factor α producers, and reduced expression of the immune modulator transforming growth factor β, as opposed to children who developed mild clinical complications. Our results suggest that a distinctive, not regulated, proinflammatory immune response might favor T. gondii vertical transmission and the development of severe clinical manifestations in congenitally infected newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Gómez-Chávez
- Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico.,Cátedras CONACyT-Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico.,Departamento de Formación Básica Disciplinaria, ENMyH-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | - Héctor Luna-Pastén
- Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ricardo García-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Cannabinoides, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Dolores Correa
- Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
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28
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Allahyari M, Mohabati R, Vatanara A, Golkar M. In-vitro and in-vivo comparison of rSAG1-loaded PLGA prepared by encapsulation and adsorption methods as an efficient vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii”. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2019.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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29
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Barros PDSC, Mota CM, Miranda VDS, Ferreira FB, Ramos ELP, Santana SS, Costa LF, Marques Pajuaba ACA, Roberto Mineo J, Mineo TWP. Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase is required for parasite restriction and inflammatory modulation during Neospora caninum infection. Vet Parasitol 2019; 276:108990. [PMID: 31775103 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.108990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum infection is an important cause of neuromuscular disease in dogs and abortion in cattle, leading to significant economic losses in beef and dairy industries. The protective immunity against apicomplexan parasites, specifically Toxoplasma gondii and N. caninum, is typically achieved by inducing an IL-12-driven Th1 immune response. IL-12 stimulates IFN-γ production, which activates Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) and promotes consequent Nitric Oxide (NO) synthesis, classically described as one of the main effector mechanisms for parasite elimination. Here, we aimed to evaluate the role played by iNOS during N. caninum infection. Our results show that N. caninum infection in C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice induce NO production in vivo and in vitro. In agreement, iNOS deficient mice, as well as WT mice treated with iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine, succumbed during acute infection with a dose lethal to 50 % of the WT mice, and presented significant increase in parasite load when submitted to sub-lethal infection protocols. Interestingly, the lack of control of parasite proliferation observed in iNOS-/- mice was associated with notable CNS inflammation and increased production of the main systemic proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-6, TNF and IL-17A). Taken together, our findings show that iNOS plays an important role in restricting N. caninum replication, while also modulates the inflammatory process induced by the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrício da Silva Cardoso Barros
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Caroline Martins Mota
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Dos Santos Miranda
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Flávia Batista Ferreira
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Eliézer Lucas Pires Ramos
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Silas Silva Santana
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Lourenço Faria Costa
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Arantes Marques Pajuaba
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo
- Laboratório De Imunoparasitologia "Dr. Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Departamento De Imunologia, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama - 38.400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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30
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Cieslik KA, Sekhar RV, Granillo A, Reddy A, Medrano G, Heredia CP, Entman ML, Hamilton DJ, Li S, Reineke E, Gupte AA, Zhang A, Taffet GE. Improved Cardiovascular Function in Old Mice After N-Acetyl Cysteine and Glycine Supplemented Diet: Inflammation and Mitochondrial Factors. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2019. [PMID: 29538624 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic, inflammatory, and functional changes occur in cardiovascular aging which may stem from oxidative stress and be remediable with antioxidants. Glutathione, an intracellular antioxidant, declines with aging, and supplementation with glutathione precursors, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and glycine (Gly), increases tissue glutathione. Thirty-month old mice were fed diets supplemented with NAC or NAC+Gly and, after 7 weeks, cardiac function and molecular studies were performed. The NAC+Gly supplementation improved diastolic function, increasing peak early filling velocity, and reducing relaxation time, left atrial volume, and left ventricle end diastolic pressure. By contrast, cardiac function did not improve with NAC alone. Both diet supplementations decreased cardiac levels of inflammatory mediators; only NAC+Gly reduced leukocyte infiltration. Several mitochondrial genes reduced with aging were upregulated in hearts by NAC+Gly diet supplementation. These Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, suggesting improved mitochondrial function, and permeabilized cardiac fibers from NAC+Gly-fed mice produced ATP from carbohydrate and fatty acid sources, whereas fibers from control old mice were less able to utilize fatty acids. Our data indicate that NAC+Gly supplementation can improve diastolic function in the old mouse and may have potential to prevent important morbidities for older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna A Cieslik
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and the DeBakey Heart Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Rajagopal V Sekhar
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Alejandro Granillo
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and the DeBakey Heart Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Anilkumar Reddy
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and the DeBakey Heart Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Indus Instruments, Webster, Texas
| | - Guillermo Medrano
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and the DeBakey Heart Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Celia Pena Heredia
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and the DeBakey Heart Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Mark L Entman
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and the DeBakey Heart Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Dale J Hamilton
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Texas.,Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Texas
| | - Shumin Li
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Texas
| | - Erin Reineke
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Texas
| | - Anisha A Gupte
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Texas.,Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Texas
| | - Aijun Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Texas.,Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Texas
| | - George E Taffet
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and the DeBakey Heart Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Texas.,Section of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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31
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Yang WB, Wang JL, Gui Q, Zou Y, Chen K, Liu Q, Liang QL, Zhu XQ, Zhou DH. Immunization With a Live-Attenuated RH:Δ NPT1 Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Induces Strong Protective Immunity Against Toxoplasmosis in Mice. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1875. [PMID: 31456786 PMCID: PMC6701201 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, one of the most important health-threatening diseases worldwide, is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans, leading to enormous health and socioeconomic concerns. T. gondii can establish chronic infection to evade the immune response in hosts. Once a chronic infection has been established, the available treatments cannot efficiently control this stage of T. gondii efficiently. Moreover, the available treatments rely only on a few drugs, such as sulfapyridine and pyrimethamine, that tend to have severe side effects. Given these factors, vaccination has been considered to be the most efficient method to prevent and control this disease. However, there is currently lack of effective vaccine available for use to prevent toxoplasmosis apart form Toxovax®, the only available vaccine, which is used in sheep to prevent abortion. To address this problem, we knocked out the NPT1 gene of the type I T. gondii strain using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, constructed a live-attenuated vaccine and evaluated its protective efficacy in a mouse model. Immunization of mice with RH:ΔNPT1 induced a high level of Toxoplasma-specific IgG1, IgG2a and total IgG 42 days after immunization. There was a significant increase in the levels of cytokines in the splenocyte suspensions of RH:ΔNPT1-infected mice, and a mixed Th1/Th2 response was induced in the mice. Remarkably, after heterologous challenges with tachyzoites of the RH, PYS and Pru strains and cysts of the Pru strain by different infection routes, the immunized animals were protected from toxoplasmosis with a 100% survival rate, in both acute and chronic infection. In addition, compared with control mice, the Pru cyst load was clearly reduced in the brains of RH:ΔNPT1-infected immunization-mice. Our study demonstrated that the RH:ΔNPT1 strain was able to evoke strong anti-Toxoplasma immune responses and provide effective protection against parasite strains with different levels of virulence, suggesting that the RH:ΔNPT1 strain may represent a promising live-attenuated vaccine against toxoplasmosis, which is worthy of further evaluation in food-producing animals and in definitive feline host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qian Gui
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qing Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Qin-Li Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Hui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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C57BL/6 mice immunized with synthetic peptides from Toxoplasma gondii surface and microneme immunodominant antigens are able to decrease parasite burden in the brain tissues. Acta Trop 2019; 196:1-6. [PMID: 31059707 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan able to infect a wide range of hosts. The infection is particularly severe in immunocompromised patients or during pregnancy, circumstances in which the parasite could find a more favorable microenvironment to replicate and invade host tissues. The current treatment consists in toxic drugs for the patients, being not appropriate for the fetuses and immunodeficient patients. So far, there is a lack of available vaccine to prevent the disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the immune response induced by peptides derived from parasite immunodominant proteins from key components, as surface, rhoptry, microneme and dense granule antigens. A panel of eleven peptides was selected considering the highest scores for B cell epitope prediction by in silico analyses. The peptides were divided in groups, according to the parasite organelle locations, and used to immunize C57BL/6 mice. The animals were submitted to three doses of immunization and infected by 10 cysts of T. gondii ME49 strain. Blood samples were collected and used to measure the production of antibodies and cytokines, while the brains were collected to determine the parasite burden by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). It was found that synthetic peptides from all targets were able to induce IgG synthesis in immunized mice, as well as to modulate the Th1/Th2 cytokine production, particularly the MIC and SRS groups, which presented the IFN-γ/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios 30 and 10 times higher, respectively, when compared with non-immunized group. Interestingly, the animals from MIC and SRS groups had significantly lower levels of T. gondii DNA in their brains. In summary, it can be concluded that peptides mainly from SRS and MIC parasite components constitute relevant targets to design vaccine candidates against parasite burden observed during chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Melchor SJ, Ewald SE. Disease Tolerance in Toxoplasma Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:185. [PMID: 31245299 PMCID: PMC6563770 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a successful protozoan parasite that cycles between definitive felid hosts and a broad range of intermediate hosts, including rodents and humans. Within intermediate hosts, this obligate intracellular parasite invades the small intestine, inducing an inflammatory response. Toxoplasma infects infiltrating immune cells, using them to spread systemically and reach tissues amenable to chronic infection. An intact immune system is necessary to control life-long chronic infection. Chronic infection is characterized by formation of parasite cysts, which are necessary for survival through the gastrointestinal tract of the next host. Thus, Toxoplasma must evade sterilizing immunity, but still rely on the host's immune response for survival and transmission. To do this, Toxoplasma exploits a central cost-benefit tradeoff in immunity: the need to escalate inflammation for pathogen clearance vs. the need to limit inflammation-induced bystander damage. What are the consequences of sustained inflammation on host biology? Many studies have focused on aspects of the immune response that directly target Toxoplasma growth and survival, commonly referred to as "resistance mechanisms." However, it is becoming clear that a parallel arm of the immune response has evolved to mitigate damage caused by the parasite directly (for example, egress-induced cell death) or bystander damage due to the inflammatory response (for example, reactive nitrogen species, degranulation). These so-called "disease tolerance" mechanisms promote tissue function and host survival without directly targeting the pathogen. Here we review changes to host metabolism, tissue structure, and immune function that point to disease tolerance mechanisms during Toxoplasma infection. We explore the impact tolerance programs have on the health of the host and parasite biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah E. Ewald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology and the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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Guanabenz Reverses a Key Behavioral Change Caused by Latent Toxoplasmosis in Mice by Reducing Neuroinflammation. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00381-19. [PMID: 31040237 PMCID: PMC6495372 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00381-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that has infected one-third of humans. The infection is permanent because the replicative form (tachyzoite) converts into a latent tissue cyst form (bradyzoite) that evades host immunity and is impervious to current drugs. The continued presence of these parasitic cysts hinders treatment and leads to chronic infection that has been linked to behavioral changes in rodents and neurological disease in humans. How these behavioral changes occur, and whether they are due to parasite manipulation or the host response to infection, remains an outstanding question. We previously showed that guanabenz possesses antiparasitic activity; here, we show that guanabenz reproducibly lowers brain cyst burden up to 80% in chronically infected male and female BALB/cJ mice when given intraperitoneally but not when administered by gavage or in food. Regardless of the administration route, guanabenz reverses Toxoplasma-induced hyperactivity in latently infected mice. In contrast, guanabenz increases cyst burden when given to chronically infected C57BL/6J mice yet still reverses Toxoplasma-induced hyperactivity. Examination of the brains from chronically infected BALB/cJ and C57BL/6J mice shows that guanabenz decreases inflammation and perivascular cuffing in each strain. Our study establishes a robust model for cyst reduction in BALB/cJ mice and shows for the first time that it is possible to reverse a key behavioral change associated with latent toxoplasmosis. The rescue from parasite-induced hyperactivity correlates with a decrease in neuroinflammation rather than reduced cyst counts, suggesting that some behavioral changes arise from host responses to infection.IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite of animals, including up to one-third of humans. The single-celled parasite persists within hosts for the duration of their life as tissue cysts, giving rise to chronic infection. Latent toxoplasmosis is correlated with neurological dysfunction in humans and results in dramatic behavioral changes in rodents. When infected, mice and rats adapt behaviors that make them more likely to be devoured by cats, the only host that supports the sexual stage of the parasite. In this study, we establish a new mouse model of tissue cyst depletion using a drug called guanabenz and show that it is possible to reverse a key behavior change back to normal in infected animals. We also show that the mechanism appears to have nothing to do with parasite cyst burden but rather the degree of neuroinflammation produced by chronic infection.
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Heimesaat MM, Dunay IR, Bereswill S. Comprehensive Kinetic Survey of Intestinal, Extra-Intestinal and Systemic Sequelae of Murine Ileitis Following Peroral Low-Dose Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:98. [PMID: 31032232 PMCID: PMC6474322 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We have recently shown that following peroral low-dose Toxoplasma gondii infection susceptible mice develop subacute ileitis within 10 days. Data regarding long-term intestinal and extra-intestinal sequelae of infection are scarce, however. We therefore challenged conventional C57BL/6 mice with one cyst of T. gondii ME49 strain by gavage and performed a comprehensive immunopathological survey 10, 36, and 57 days later. As early as 10 days post-infection, mice were suffering from subacute ileitis as indicated by mild-to-moderate histopathological changes of the ileal mucosa. Furthermore, numbers of apoptotic and proliferating/regenerating epithelial cells as well as of T and B lymphocytes in the mucosa and lamina propria of the ileum were highest at day 10 post-infection, but declined thereafter, and were accompanied by enhanced pro-inflammatory mediator secretion in ileum, colon and mesenteric lymph nodes that was most pronounced during the early phase of infection. In addition, subacute ileitis was accompanied by distinct shifts in the commensal gut microbiota composition in the small intestines. Remarkably, immunopathological sequelae of T. gondii infection were not restricted to the intestines, but could also be observed in extra-intestinal tissues including the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart and strikingly, in systemic compartments that were most prominent at day 10 post-infection. We conclude that the here provided long-term kinetic survey of immunopathological sequalae following peroral low-dose T. gondii infection provides valuable corner stones for a better understanding of the complex interactions within the triangle relationship of (parasitic) pathogens, the host immunity and the commensal gut microbiota during intestinal inflammation. The low-dose T. gondii infection model may be applied as valuable gut inflammation model in future pre-clinical studies in order to test potential treatment options for intestinal inflammatory conditions in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus M Heimesaat
- Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ildiko R Dunay
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Bereswill
- Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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Kannan G, Prandovszky E, Severance E, Yolken RH, Pletnikov MV. A New T. gondii Mouse Model of Gene-Environment Interaction Relevant to Psychiatric Disease. SCIENTIFICA 2018; 2018:7590958. [PMID: 30631636 PMCID: PMC6305013 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7590958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Infection with the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), was linked to several psychiatric disorders. The exact mechanisms of a hypothesized contribution of T. gondii infection are poorly understood, and it appears that only a subset of seropositive individuals go on to develop a mental illness, suggesting genetic vulnerability. In order to stimulate mechanistic studies of how exposure to T. gondii could interact with genetic predisposition to psychiatric disorders, we have generated and characterized a mouse model of chronic T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice with inducible forebrain neuronal expression of a C-terminus truncated dominant-negative form of disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DN-DISC1). In this gene-environment interaction (GxE) model, exposing control and DN-DISC1 male and female mice to T. gondii produced sex-dependent abnormalities in locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle. No genotype- or sex-dependent effects were found on levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies or anti-NMDAR or C1q antibodies. Our work demonstrates that a psychiatric genetic risk factor, DN-DISC1, modulates the neurobehavioral effects of chronic T. gondii infection in a sex-dependent manner. The present T. gondii model of GxE provides a valuable experimental system for future mechanistic studies and evaluation of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetha Kannan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emese Prandovszky
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Emily Severance
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Robert H. Yolken
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Mikhail V. Pletnikov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Simon JA, Pradel R, Aubert D, Geers R, Villena I, Poulle ML. A multi-event capture-recapture analysis of Toxoplasma gondii seroconversion dynamics in farm cats. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:339. [PMID: 29884240 PMCID: PMC5994099 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2834-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Domestic cats play a key role in the epidemiology of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii by excreting environmentally-resistant oocysts that may infect humans and other warm-blooded animals. The dynamics of Toxoplasma gondii seroconversion, used as a proxy for primo-infection dynamics, was investigated in five cat populations living on farms. Methods Serological tests on blood samples from cats were performed every three months over a period of two years, for a total of 400 serological tests performed on 130 cats. Variations in seroconversion rates and associated factors were investigated using a multi-event capture-recapture modelling approach that explicitly accounted for uncertainties in cat age and serological status. Results Seroprevalence varied between farms, from 15 to 73%, suggesting differential exposure of cats to T. gondii. In farms with high exposure, cats could become infected before reaching the age of six months. Seroconversion rates varied from 0.42 to 0.96 seroconversions per cat per year and were higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Conclusion Our results suggest inter-farm and seasonal variations in the risks of exposure to T. gondii oocysts for humans and livestock living on farms. The paper also discusses the role of young cats in the maintenance of environmental contamination by T. gondii oocysts on farms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2834-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Alice Simon
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France. .,Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Centre d'Etude et de Formation en Eco-Ethologie (URCA, CERFE), 5 rue de la Héronnière, 08240, Boult-aux-Bois, France.
| | - Roger Pradel
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul Valéry - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier 5, France
| | - Dominique Aubert
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU Reims, 45 rue Cognacq Jay, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Régine Geers
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU Reims, 45 rue Cognacq Jay, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Isabelle Villena
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU Reims, 45 rue Cognacq Jay, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Marie-Lazarine Poulle
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Laboratoire de Parasitologie - Mycologie, EA 3800, UFR Médecine, SFR CAP-SANTÉ, 51 rue Cognacq Jay, 51095, Reims, France.,Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Centre d'Etude et de Formation en Eco-Ethologie (URCA, CERFE), 5 rue de la Héronnière, 08240, Boult-aux-Bois, France
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López-Yglesias AH, Burger E, Araujo A, Martin AT, Yarovinsky F. T-bet-independent Th1 response induces intestinal immunopathology during Toxoplasma gondii infection. Mucosal Immunol 2018; 11:921-931. [PMID: 29297501 PMCID: PMC6179443 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2017.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Coordinated production of IFN-γ by innate and adaptive immune cells is central for host defense, but can also trigger immunopathology. The investigation of the lymphoid cell-specific contribution to the IFN-γ-mediated intestinal pathology during Toxoplasma gondii infection identified CD4+ T cells as a key cell population responsible for IFN-γ-dependent intestinal inflammation and Paneth cell loss, where T-bet-dependent group 1 innate lymphoid cells have a minor role in driving the parasite-induced immunopathology. This was evident from the analysis of T-bet deficiency that did not prevent the intestinal inflammation and instead revealed that T-bet-deficient CD4+ Th1 cells are sufficient for T. gondii-triggered acute ileitis and Paneth cell loss. These results revealed that T-bet-independent Th1 effector cells are major functional mediators of the type I immunopathological response during acute gastrointestinal infection.
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Li X, Wu Y, Huang S, Lu F. Disodium cromoglycate may act as a novel adjuvant for UV-attenuated Toxoplasma gondii vaccine in mouse model. Parasitol Int 2018; 67:351-356. [PMID: 29421521 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
We have proven the beneficial effects during acute Toxoplasma gondii infection when mast cells were inhibited by disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). Here we investigated the adjuvant effect of DSCG on the protective efficacy of UV-attenuated T. gondii (UV-Tg) vaccine. Mice were infected with 102Tg alone or infected with 102Tg plus DSCG (Tg + DSCG), immunized with 105 UV-Tg and challenged with 102Tg (UV-Tg + Tg) or immunized with 105 UV-Tg plus DSCG and challenged with 102Tg (UV-Tg + DSCG + Tg). Compared to Tg group, Tg + DSCG, UV-Tg + Tg, and UV-Tg + DSCG + Tg showed significantly prolonged survival times, decreased parasite burdens, reduced liver histopathologies, and increased levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and IL-17 in the livers and spleens by using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Compared to UV-Tg + Tg, UV-Tg + DSCG + Tg had significantly longer survival time, lower tissue parasite burden and histopathological score, and higher levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and IL-17 in the livers or spleens. Our data suggest that DSCG may play an adjuvant role in the immunization induced by UV-attenuated T. gondii in mice, by promoting cellular immune response against T. gondii challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Li
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiguang Huang
- School of Stomatology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Fangli Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Ashour DS, Saad AE, Dawood LM, Zamzam Y. Immunological interaction between Giardia cyst extract and experimental toxoplasmosis. Parasite Immunol 2017; 40. [PMID: 29130475 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is mostly associated with other intestinal parasitic infections especially Giardia due to shared mode of peroral infection. Toxoplasma and Giardia induce a strong T-helper 1- immune response. Our aim was to induce a protective immune response that results in significant impact on intestinal and extra-intestinal phases of Toxoplasma infection. This study was conducted in experimental animals and assessment of Giardia cyst extract effect on Toxoplasma infection was investigated by histopathological examination of small intestine and brain, Toxoplasma cyst count and iNOS staining of the brain, measurement of IFN-γ and TGF-β in intestinal tissues. Results showed that the brain Toxoplasma cyst number was decreased in mice infected with Toxoplasma then received Giardia cyst extract as compared to mice infected with Toxoplasma only. This effect was produced because Giardia cyst extract augmented the immune response to Toxoplasma infection as evidenced by severe inflammatory reaction in the intestinal and brain tissues, increased levels of IFN-γ and TGF-β in intestinal tissues and strong iNOS staining of the brain. In conclusion, Giardia cyst extract generated a protective response against T. gondii infection. Therefore, Giardia antigen will be a suitable candidate for further researches as an immunomodulatory agent against Toxoplasma infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Ashour
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - A E Saad
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - L M Dawood
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Y Zamzam
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Bonnart C, Feuillet G, Vasseur V, Cenac N, Vergnolle N, Blanchard N. Protease-activated receptor 2 contributes to Toxoplasma gondii
-mediated gut inflammation. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Bonnart
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive (IRSD); Université de Toulouse; INSERM, INRA, ENVT, UPS; Toulouse France
| | - G. Feuillet
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive (IRSD); Université de Toulouse; INSERM, INRA, ENVT, UPS; Toulouse France
| | - V. Vasseur
- Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP); Université de Toulouse; INSERM, CNRS, UPS; Toulouse France
| | - N. Cenac
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive (IRSD); Université de Toulouse; INSERM, INRA, ENVT, UPS; Toulouse France
| | - N. Vergnolle
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive (IRSD); Université de Toulouse; INSERM, INRA, ENVT, UPS; Toulouse France
| | - N. Blanchard
- Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP); Université de Toulouse; INSERM, CNRS, UPS; Toulouse France
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Early serum biomarker networks in infants with distinct retinochoroidal lesion status of congenital toxoplasmosis. Cytokine 2017; 95:102-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Wowk PF, Franco LH, Fonseca DMD, Paula MO, Vianna ÉDSO, Wendling AP, Augusto VM, Elói-Santos SM, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Silva FDC, Vinhas SA, Martins-Filho OA, Palaci M, Silva CL, Bonato VLD. Mycobacterial Hsp65 antigen upregulates the cellular immune response of healthy individuals compared with tuberculosis patients. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:1040-1050. [PMID: 28059670 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1264547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously we showed that 65-kDa Mycobacterium leprae heat shock protein (Hsp65) is a target for the development of a tuberculosis vaccine. Here we evaluated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy individuals or tuberculosis patients stimulated with two forms of Hsp65 antigen, recombinant DNA that encodes Hsp65 (DNA-HSP65) or recombinant Hsp65 protein (rHsp65) in attempting to mimic a prophylactic or therapeutic study in vitro, respectively. Proliferation and cytokine-producing CD4+ or CD8+ cell were assessed by flow cytometry. The CD4+ cell proliferation from healthy individuals was stimulated by DNA-HSP65 and rHsp65, while CD8+ cell proliferation from healthy individuals or tuberculosis patients was stimulated by rHSP65. DNA-HSP65 did not improve the frequency of IFN-gamma+ cells from healthy individuals or tuberculosis patients. Furthermore, we found an increase in the frequency of IL-10-producing cells in both groups. These findings show that Hsp65 antigen activates human lymphocytes and plays an immune regulatory role that should be addressed as an additional antigen for the development of antigen-combined therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pryscilla Fanini Wowk
- a Department of Biochemistry and Immunology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Luís Henrique Franco
- a Department of Biochemistry and Immunology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Denise Morais da Fonseca
- a Department of Biochemistry and Immunology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Marina Oliveira Paula
- a Department of Biochemistry and Immunology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula Wendling
- c Laboratory of Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring , René Rachou Research Center , Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte , Minas Gerais , Brazil
| | | | | | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- c Laboratory of Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring , René Rachou Research Center , Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte , Minas Gerais , Brazil
| | - Flávia Dias Coelho Silva
- e Mycobacteriology Laboratory, Nucleus of Infectious Diseases , Federal University of Espírito Santo , Vitória , Espírito Santos , Brazil
| | - Solange Alves Vinhas
- e Mycobacteriology Laboratory, Nucleus of Infectious Diseases , Federal University of Espírito Santo , Vitória , Espírito Santos , Brazil
| | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- c Laboratory of Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring , René Rachou Research Center , Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte , Minas Gerais , Brazil
| | - Moisés Palaci
- e Mycobacteriology Laboratory, Nucleus of Infectious Diseases , Federal University of Espírito Santo , Vitória , Espírito Santos , Brazil
| | - Célio Lopes Silva
- a Department of Biochemistry and Immunology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - Vânia Luiza Deperon Bonato
- a Department of Biochemistry and Immunology , Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
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Ivanova DL, Fatima R, Gigley JP. Comparative Analysis of Conventional Natural Killer Cell Responses to Acute Infection with Toxoplasma gondii Strains of Different Virulence. Front Immunol 2016; 7:347. [PMID: 27721814 PMCID: PMC5033988 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional natural killer (cNK) cells, members of group 1 innate lymphoid cells, are a diverse cell subpopulation based on surface receptor expression, maturation, and functional potential. cNK cells are critical for early immunity to Toxoplasma gondii via IFNγ production. Acute cNK cell responses to infection with different strains of T. gondii have not yet been characterized in detail. Here, we comprehensively performed this analysis with Type I virulent RH, Type II avirulent ME49, and fully attenuated Type I cps1-1 strains. In response to these three parasite strains, murine cNK cells produce IFNγ and become cytotoxic and polyfunctional (IFNγ+CD107a+) at the site of infection. In contrast to virulent RH and avirulent ME49 T. gondii strains, attenuated cps1-1 induced only local cNK cell responses. Infections with RH and ME49 parasites significantly decreased cNK cell frequency and numbers in spleen 5 days post infection compared with cps1-1 parasites. cNK cell subsets expressing activating receptors Ly49H, Ly49D, and NKG2D and inhibitory receptors Ly49I and CD94/NKG2A were similar when compared between the strains and at 5 days post infection. cNK cells were not proliferating (Ki67−) 5 days post infection with any of the strains. cNK cell maturation as measured by CD27, CD11b, and KLRG1 was affected after infection with different parasite strains. RH and ME49 infection significantly reduced mature cNK cell frequency and increased immature cNK cell populations compared with cps1-1 infection. Interestingly, KLRG1 was highly expressed on immature cNK cells after RH infection. After RH and ME49 infections, CD69+ cNK cells in spleen were present at higher frequency than after cps1-1 infection, which may correlate with loss of the mature cNK cell population. Cytokine multiplex analysis indicated cNK cell responses correlated with peritoneal exudate cell, spleen, and serum proinflammatory cytokine levels, including IL-12. qPCR analysis of parasite-specific B1 gene revealed that parasite burdens may affect cNK cell responses. This study demonstrates infection with RH and ME49 parasites impacts cNK cell maturation during acute T. gondii infection. Different cNK cell responses could impact early immunity and susceptibility to these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria L Ivanova
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY , USA
| | - Rida Fatima
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY , USA
| | - Jason P Gigley
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY , USA
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Synergistic effect of rSAG1 and rGRA2 antigens formulated in PLGA microspheres in eliciting immune protection against Toxoplasama gondii. Exp Parasitol 2016; 170:236-246. [PMID: 27663469 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
There is still no human vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), as one of the most successful parasites. In present study, we designed a subunit vaccine composed of recombinant SAG1 (rSAG1) and recombinant GRA2 (rGRA2) proteins. In order to improve the induced immune responses, rSAG1 and rGRA2 were adsorbed on Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (MS) prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation method. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously vaccinated by rSAG1-adsorbed PLGA MS (rSAG1-PLGA), rGRA2-adsorbed PLGA MS (rGRA2-PLGA), and the mixture of both formulations (rSAG1/rGRA2-PLGA), twice with a 3-week interval. PLGA MS characteristics, protein release, cellular and humoral immune responses, and protection against acute toxoplasmosis were evaluated. All vaccinated mice induced significantly partial protection and longer survival times associated with higher IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio and higher amount of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies compared to control groups. Interestingly, the synergistic effect of rSAG1 and rGRA2 in eliciting more potent cellular and humoral responses and consequently higher protection in comparison to single antigen was confirmed. This study introduces the mixture of rSAG1 and rGRA2 (derived from different stages of Toxoplasma life-cycle) formulated in PLGA MS as a promising candidate in vaccine development against T. gondii.
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46
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Ribeiro CDM, Zorgi NE, Meireles LR, Garcia JL, Andrade Junior HFD. CD19 LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION INDUCED BY Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis IN C57BL/6 MICE EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH Toxoplasma gondii. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 58:26. [PMID: 27074320 PMCID: PMC4826079 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201658026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is frequently acquired through the oral route by the ingestion of cysts
or oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Once ingested, the parasites
penetrate the intestinal epithelial cells and rapidly disseminate to all organs in
the host. During T. gondii infection, the intestinal microbiota
plays an important role in stimulating a protective immune response against the
parasite. In this sense the use of probiotics is worthy of note since they are live
microorganisms that have beneficial effects on the host through stimulation of the
immune response that can be important in the control of T. gondii
proliferation and dissemination in the host. In the present study, the action of the
probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis
was investigated in C57BL/6 mice infected with oocysts of ME49 strain of T.
gondii. The probiotic had an immunomodulatory action, inducing CD19
lymphocyte proliferation and consequently increasing anti-T. gondii
antibody level.Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.
lactisprovided protection in supplemented mice, compared to the
control group. In addition, supplemented animals had milder inflammatory process in
the small intestine, indicating that the probiotic protects the intestinal mucosa
during infection with T. gondii. It was concluded that the
probioticB. animalis subsp. lactis induces
humoral immune response capable of providing protection against T.
gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nahiara Esteves Zorgi
- São Paulo Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, , , ,
| | - Luciana Regina Meireles
- São Paulo Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, , , ,
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil,
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Iqbal J, Al-Awadhi MA, Raghupathy RG. TGF-β1 levels and intraocular tissue alterations in mice infected with a virulent type I RH Toxoplasma gondii strain. Exp Parasitol 2016; 162:57-63. [PMID: 26773166 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is generally self-limiting in healthy adults but it may cause toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in cases of congenital infection leading to blindness. The importance of host genetics in determining disease severity in ocular toxoplasmosis has been shown in different inbred mouse strains using low-virulence toxoplasma strain. In this study, we studied intraocular immune response and tissue alterations in the genetically resistant BALB/c and susceptible MF1 mice infected with a virulent type I RH Toxoplasma gondii strain by intravitreal route. We observed a significant up-regulation of IFN-γ and TNF-α to >2200 pg/ml and >300 pg/ml respectively in the blood of both BALB/c and MF1mice during the early stages of post intraocular infection (p < 0.01) but the levels dropped sharply to normal during the late stages of the infection on day 26. The cytokine levels detected were higher in the MF1 mice compared with the BALB/c mice and a relatively higher levels were observed in the aqueous humour (AqH) than in the blood of both group of mice. The TGF-β1 level in the blood and AqH of BALB/c mice remained low throughout the infection period compared with MF1 mice which showed gradual increase to 50 pg/ml in the blood and AqH during the early stages of infection which then further increased 2-fold-132 pg/ml on day 11 (p < 0.01) and remained high till the last day of observation on day 26 except that the TGF-β1 level in AqH dropped sharply to normal level. In summary, our results support that TGF-β1 may down-regulate the effector functions of anti-Toxoplasma cellular immunity during acute toxoplasmosis. We document that a mild Th1 pro-inflammatory response in the BALB/c mice with high IFN-γ and TNF-α and, low TGF-β1 levels during the early stages of infection may have contributed to an effective cellular immune response leading to lower morbidity, mortality and less ocular tissue damage. However in the MF1 mice, a significantly high TGF-β1 level in the blood as well as in the AqH during the acute intra-ocular toxoplasma infection may have adversely interfered with an effective cellular immune response leading to an increased mortality and extensive ocular tissue damage with parasite tachyzoites observed in the pigment epithelium layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamshaid Iqbal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box: 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait.
| | - Mohammad Ahmed Al-Awadhi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box: 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait
| | - Raj Gopal Raghupathy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box: 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait
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Pinzan CF, Sardinha-Silva A, Almeida F, Lai L, Lopes CD, Lourenço EV, Panunto-Castelo A, Matthews S, Roque-Barreira MC. Vaccination with Recombinant Microneme Proteins Confers Protection against Experimental Toxoplasmosis in Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143087. [PMID: 26575028 PMCID: PMC4648487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is an important public health problem and veterinary concern. Although there is no vaccine for human toxoplasmosis, many attempts have been made to develop one. Promising vaccine candidates utilize proteins, or their genes, from microneme organelle of T. gondii that are involved in the initial stages of host cell invasion by the parasite. In the present study, we used different recombinant microneme proteins (TgMIC1, TgMIC4, or TgMIC6) or combinations of these proteins (TgMIC1-4 and TgMIC1-4-6) to evaluate the immune response and protection against experimental toxoplasmosis in C57BL/6 mice. Vaccination with recombinant TgMIC1, TgMIC4, or TgMIC6 alone conferred partial protection, as demonstrated by reduced brain cyst burden and mortality rates after challenge. Immunization with TgMIC1-4 or TgMIC1-4-6 vaccines provided the most effective protection, since 70% and 80% of mice, respectively, survived to the acute phase of infection. In addition, these vaccinated mice, in comparison to non-vaccinated ones, showed reduced parasite burden by 59% and 68%, respectively. The protective effect was related to the cellular and humoral immune responses induced by vaccination and included the release of Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12, antigen-stimulated spleen cell proliferation, and production of antigen-specific serum antibodies. Our results demonstrate that microneme proteins are potential vaccines against T. gondii, since their inoculation prevents or decreases the deleterious effects of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Figueiredo Pinzan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Sardinha-Silva
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fausto Almeida
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Lai
- Division of Molecular Biosciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Carla Duque Lopes
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine Vicente Lourenço
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, 90095–1670, United States of America
| | - Ademilson Panunto-Castelo
- Department of Biology, School of Philosophy, Sciences and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stephen Matthews
- Division of Molecular Biosciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Complexity and Controversies over the Cytokine Profiles of T Helper Cell Subpopulations in Tuberculosis. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:639107. [PMID: 26495323 PMCID: PMC4606092 DOI: 10.1155/2015/639107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infectious disease caused by the TB-causing bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is considered a public health problem with enormous social impact. Disease progression is determined mainly by the balance between the microorganism and the host defense systems. Although the immune system controls the infection, this control does not necessarily lead to sterilization. Over recent decades, the patterns of CD4+ T cell responses have been studied with a goal of complete understanding of the immunological mechanisms involved in the maintenance of latent or active tuberculosis infection and of the clinical cure after treatment. Conflicting results have been suggested over the years, particularly in studies comparing experimental models and human disease. In recent years, in addition to Th1, Th2, and Th17 profiles, new standards of cellular immune responses, such as Th9, Th22, and IFN-γ-IL-10 double-producing Th cells, discussed here, have also been described. Additionally, many new roles and cellular sources have been described for IL-10, demonstrating a critical role for this cytokine as regulatory, rather than merely pathogenic cytokine, involved in the establishment of chronic latent infection, in the clinical cure after treatment and in keeping antibacillary effector mechanisms active to prevent immune-mediated damage.
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Lack of a Functioning P2X7 Receptor Leads to Increased Susceptibility to Toxoplasmic Ileitis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129048. [PMID: 26053862 PMCID: PMC4460092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral infection of C57BL/6J mice with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii leads to a lethal inflammatory ileitis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Mice lacking the purinergic receptor P2X7R are acutely susceptible to toxoplasmic ileitis, losing significantly more weight than C57BL/6J mice and exhibiting much greater intestinal inflammatory pathology in response to infection with only 10 cysts of T. gondii. This susceptibility is not dependent on the ability of P2X7R-deficient mice to control the parasite, which they accomplish just as efficiently as C57BL/6J mice. Rather, susceptibility is associated with elevated ileal concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive nitrogen intermediates and altered regulation of elements of NFκB activation in P2X7R-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the thesis that P2X7R, a well-documented activator of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, also plays an important role in the regulation of intestinal inflammation.
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