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Rangel K, Lechuga GC, Provance DW, Morel CM, De Simone SG. An Update on the Therapeutic Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides against Acinetobacter baumannii Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1281. [PMID: 37765087 PMCID: PMC10537560 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in antibiotic-resistant strains of clinically important pathogens is a major threat to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the urgent need to develop alternative treatments to address the growing list of priority pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) rank among the suggested options with proven activity and high potential to be developed into effective drugs. Many AMPs are naturally produced by living organisms protecting the host against pathogens as a part of their innate immunity. Mechanisms associated with AMP actions include cell membrane disruption, cell wall weakening, protein synthesis inhibition, and interference in nucleic acid dynamics, inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical pathogen, as severe clinical implications have developed from isolates resistant to current antibiotic treatments and conventional control procedures, such as UV light, disinfectants, and drying. Here, we review the natural AMPs representing primary candidates for new anti-A. baumannii drugs in post-antibiotic-era and present computational tools to develop the next generation of AMPs with greater microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyne Rangel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - David W. Provance
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos M. Morel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Salvatore G. De Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Science and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 22040-036, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Parasitic Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
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Orlando LMR, Lara LDS, Lechuga GC, Rodrigues GC, Pandoli OG, de Sá DS, Pereira MCDS. Antitrypanosomal Activity of 1,2,3-Triazole-Based Hybrids Evaluated Using In Vitro Preclinical Translational Models. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1222. [PMID: 37759621 PMCID: PMC10525445 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease therapy still relies on two nitroderivatives, nifurtimox and benznidazole (Bz), which have important limitations and serious adverse effects. New therapeutic alternatives for this silent disease, which has become a worldwide public health problem, are essential for its control and elimination. In this study, 1,2,3-triazole analogues were evaluated for efficacy against T. cruzi. Three triazole derivatives, 1d (0.21 µM), 1f (1.23 µM), and 1g (2.28 µM), showed potent activity against trypomastigotes, reaching IC50 values 10 to 100 times greater than Bz (22.79 µM). Promising candidates are active against intracellular amastigotes (IC50 ≤ 6.20 µM). Treatment of 3D cardiac spheroids, a translational in vitro model, significantly reduced parasite load, indicating good drug diffusion and efficacy. Oral bioavailability was predicted for triazole derivatives. Although infection was significantly reduced without drug pressure in a washout assay, the triazole derivatives did not inhibit parasite resurgence. An isobologram analysis revealed an additive interaction when 1,2,3-triazole analogs and Bz were combined in vitro. These data indicate a strengthened potential of the triazole scaffold and encourage optimization based on an analysis of the structure-activity relationship aimed at identifying new compounds potentially active against T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Martins Rocha Orlando
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.M.R.O.); (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Leonardo da Silva Lara
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.M.R.O.); (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.M.R.O.); (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Giseli Capaci Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino das Ciências, Unigranrio Rua Prof. José de Souza Herdy, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro 25071-970, Brazil;
| | - Omar Ginoble Pandoli
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Rua Marquês de São Vincente, 225, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, Brazil; (O.G.P.); (D.S.d.S.)
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16126 Genova, Italy
| | - Druval Santos de Sá
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica, Rua Marquês de São Vincente, 225, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, Brazil; (O.G.P.); (D.S.d.S.)
| | - Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.M.R.O.); (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.)
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Lara LDS, Lechuga GC, Orlando LMR, Ferreira BS, Souto BA, dos Santos MS, Pereira MCDS. Bioactivity of Novel Pyrazole-Thiazolines Scaffolds against Trypanosoma cruzi: Computational Approaches and 3D Spheroid Model on Drug Discovery for Chagas Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14050995. [PMID: 35631581 PMCID: PMC9146228 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a century-old disease that mainly affects the impoverished population in Latin America, causes high morbidity and mortality in endemic countries. The available drugs, benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox, have limited effectiveness and intense side effects. Drug repurposing, and the development of new chemical entities with potent activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, are a potential source of therapeutic options. The present study describes the biological activity of two new series of pyrazole-thiazoline derivatives, based on optimization of a hit system 5-aminopyrazole-imidazoline previously identified, using structure−activity relationship exploration, and computational and phenotype-based strategies. Promising candidates, 2c, 2e, and 2i derivatives, showed good oral bioavailability and ADMET properties, and low cytotoxicity (CC50 > 100 µM) besides potent activity against trypomastigotes (0.4−2.1 µM) compared to Bz (19.6 ± 2.3 µM). Among them, 2c also stands out, with greater potency against intracellular amastigotes (pIC50 = 5.85). The selected pyrazole-thiazoline derivatives showed good permeability and effectiveness in the 3D spheroids system, but did not sustain parasite clearance in a washout assay. The compounds’ mechanism of action is still unknown, since the treatment neither increased reactive oxygen species, nor reduced cysteine protease activity. This new scaffold will be targeted to optimize in order to enhance its biological activity to identify new drug candidates for Chagas disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo da Silva Lara
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.); (L.M.R.O.)
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.); (L.M.R.O.)
| | - Lorraine Martins Rocha Orlando
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.); (L.M.R.O.)
| | - Byanca Silva Ferreira
- Laboratório de Síntese de Sistemas Heterocíclicos (LaSSH), Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Avenida BPS, 1303, Pinheirinho, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil; (B.S.F.); (B.A.S.); (M.S.d.S.)
| | - Bernardo Araújo Souto
- Laboratório de Síntese de Sistemas Heterocíclicos (LaSSH), Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Avenida BPS, 1303, Pinheirinho, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil; (B.S.F.); (B.A.S.); (M.S.d.S.)
| | - Maurício Silva dos Santos
- Laboratório de Síntese de Sistemas Heterocíclicos (LaSSH), Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Avenida BPS, 1303, Pinheirinho, Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil; (B.S.F.); (B.A.S.); (M.S.d.S.)
| | - Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.d.S.L.); (G.C.L.); (L.M.R.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-2562-1023; Fax: +55-21-2562-1019
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Lopes DM, Provençano AF, de Mello CB, Feder MD, Cunha JA, Nogueira N, Lechuga GC, Bourguignon SC, de Souza W, Garcia ES, das Chagas EF, Azambuja P, Gonzalez MS. Ecdysone modulates both ultrastructural arrangement of hindgut and attachment of Trypanosoma cruzi DM 28c to the rectum cuticle of Rhodnius prolixus fifth-instar nymph. Exp Parasitol 2022; 236-237:108247. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Lechuga GC, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Gomes LR, da Matta Durans A, Provance DW, De-Simone SG. Nicastrin-Like, a Novel Transmembrane Protein from Trypanosoma cruzi Associated to the Flagellar Pocket. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081750. [PMID: 34442829 PMCID: PMC8400621 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicastrin (NICT) is a transmembrane protein physically associated with the polytypical aspartyl protease presenilin that plays a vital role in the correct localization and stabilization of presenilin to the membrane-bound γ-secretase complex. This complex is involved in the regulation of a wide range of cellular events, including cell signaling and the regulation of endocytosed membrane proteins for their trafficking and protein processing. Methods: In Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of the Chagas disease, a NICT-like protein (Tc/NICT) was identified with a short C-terminus orthologous to the human protein, a large ectodomain (ECD) with numerous glycosylation sites and a single-core transmembrane domain containing a putative TM-domain (457GSVGA461) important for the γ-secretase complex activity. Results: Using the Spot-synthesis strategy with Chagasic patient sera, five extracellular epitopes were identified and synthetic forms were used to generate rabbit anti-Tc/NICT polyclonal serum that recognized a ~72-kDa molecule in immunoblots of T. cruzi epimastigote extracts. Confocal microscopy suggests that Tc/NICT is localized in the flagellar pocket, which is consistent with data from our previous studies with a T. cruzi presenilin-like protein. Phylogenetically, Tc/NICT was localized within a subgroup with the T. rangeli protein that is clearly detached from the other Trypanosomatidae, such as T. brucei. These results, together with a comparative analysis of the selected peptide sequence regions between the T. cruzi and mammalian proteins, suggest a divergence from the human NICT that might be relevant to Chagas disease pathology. As a whole, our data show that a NICT-like protein is expressed in the infective and replicative stages of T. cruzi and may be considered further evidence for a γ-secretase complex in trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Gomes
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Andressa da Matta Durans
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - David William Provance
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
- FIOCRUZ, Interdisciplinary Medical Research Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +55-21-2590-3495
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De-Simone SG, Lechuga GC, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Gomes LR, Provance DW, Nirello VD, Sodero ACR, Guedes HLDM. Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Molecular Modeling, and Chemometric Studies from a Thrombin-Like (Lmr-47) Enzyme of Lachesis m. rhombeata Venom. Molecules 2021; 26:3930. [PMID: 34203140 PMCID: PMC8271572 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Snakebite envenomation is considered a neglected tropical disease, and SVTLEs critical elements are involved in serious coagulopathies that occur on envenoming. Although some enzymes of this group have been structurally investigated, it is essential to characterize other proteins to better understand their unique properties such as the Lachesis muta rhombeata 47 kDa (Lmr-47) venom serine protease. METHODS The structure of Lmr-47 was studied in solution, using SAXS, DLS, CD, and in silico by homology modeling. Molecular docking experiments simulated 21 competitive inhibitors. RESULTS At pH 8.0, Lmr-47 has an Rg of 34.5 ± 0.6 Å, Dmax of 130 Å, and SR of 50 Å, according to DLS data. Kratky plot analysis indicates a rigid shape at pH 8.0. Conversely, the pH variation does not change the center of mass's intrinsic fluorescence, possibly indicating the absence of fluorescent amino acids in the regions affected by pH variation. CD experiments show a substantially random coiled secondary structure not affected by pH. The low-resolution model of Lmr-47 presented a prolate elongated shape at pH 8.0. Using the 3D structure obtained by molecular modeling, docking experiments identified five good and three suitable competitive inhibitors. CONCLUSION Together, our work provided insights into the structure of the Lmr-47 and identified inhibitors that may enhance our understanding of thrombin-like family proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- FIOCRUZ, Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Population (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- FIOCRUZ, Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Population (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- FIOCRUZ, Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Population (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Gomes
- FIOCRUZ, Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Population (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - David William Provance
- FIOCRUZ, Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Population (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Interdisciplinary Medical Research Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Vinícius Dias Nirello
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal of Rio de Janeiro University, Rio de Janeiro 21949-900, Brazil; (V.D.N.); (A.C.R.S.)
| | - Ana Carolina Rennó Sodero
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal of Rio de Janeiro University, Rio de Janeiro 21949-900, Brazil; (V.D.N.); (A.C.R.S.)
| | - Herbert Leonel de Mattos Guedes
- Interdisciplinary Medical Research Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Federal of Rio de Janeiro University, Duque de Caxias 25245-390, Brazil
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De-Simone SG, Gomes LR, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Lechuga GC, de Pina JS, da Silva FR. Epitope Mapping of the Diphtheria Toxin and Development of an ELISA-Specific Diagnostic Assay. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:313. [PMID: 33810325 PMCID: PMC8066203 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The diphtheria toxoid antigen is a major component in pediatric and booster combination vaccines and is known to raise a protective humoral immune response upon vaccination. Although antibodies are considered critical for diphtheria protection, little is known about the antigenic determinants that maintain humoral immunity. Methods: One-hundred and twelve 15 mer peptides covering the entire sequence of diphtheria toxin (DTx) protein were prepared by SPOT synthesis. The immunoreactivity of membrane-bound peptides with sera from mice immunized with a triple DTP vaccine allowed mapping of continuous B-cell epitopes, topological studies, multiantigen peptide (MAP) synthesis, and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) development. Results: Twenty epitopes were identified, with two being in the signal peptide, five in the catalytic domain (CD), seven in the HBFT domain, and five in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). Two 17 mer (CB/Tx-2/12 and CB/DTx-4-13) derived biepitope peptides linked by a Gly-Gly spacer were chemically synthesized. The peptides were used as antigens to coat ELISA plates and assayed with human (huVS) and mice vaccinated sera (miVS) for in vitro diagnosis of diphtheria. The assay proved to be highly sensitive (99.96%) and specific (100%) for huVS and miVS and, when compared with a commercial ELISA test, demonstrated a high performance. Conclusions: Our work displayed the complete picture of the linear B cell IgG response epitope of the DTx responsible for the protective effect and demonstrated sufficient specificity and eligibility for phase IIB studies of some epitopes to develop new and fast diagnostic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Gomes
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Jorge Soares de Pina
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Flavio Rocha da Silva
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
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Rangel K, Curty Lechuga G, Almeida Souza AL, Rangel da Silva Carvalho JP, Simões Villas Bôas MH, De Simone SG. Pan-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, but Not Other Strains, Are Resistant to the Bee Venom Peptide Mellitin. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9040178. [PMID: 32295149 PMCID: PMC7235889 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9040178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a prevalent pathogen in hospital settings with increasing importance in infections associated with biofilm production. Due to a rapid increase in its drug resistance and the failure of commonly available antibiotics to treat A. baumannii infections, this bacterium has become a critical public health issue. For these multi-drug resistant A. baumannii, polymyxin antibiotics are considered the only option for the treatment of severe infections. Concerning, several polymyxin-resistant A. baumannii strains have been isolated over the last few years. This study utilized pan drug-resistant (PDR) strains of A. baumannii isolated in Brazil, along with susceptible (S) and extreme drug-resistant (XDR) strains in order to evaluate the in vitro activity of melittin, an antimicrobial peptide, in comparison to polymyxin and another antibiotic, imipenem. From a broth microdilution method, the determined minimum inhibitory concentration showed that S and XDR strains were susceptible to melittin. In contrast, PDR A. baumannii was resistant to all treatments. Treatment with the peptide was also observed to inhibit biofilm formation of a susceptible strain and appeared to cause permanent membrane damage. A subpopulation of PDR showed membrane damage, however, it was not sufficient to stop bacterial growth, suggesting that alterations involved with antibiotic resistance could also influence melittin resistance. Presumably, mutations in the PDR that have arisen to confer resistance to widely used therapeutics also confer resistance to melittin. Our results demonstrate the potential of melittin to be used in the control of bacterial infections and suggest that antimicrobial peptides can serve as the basis for the development of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyne Rangel
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological, Development in Health (CDTS)/National, Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900; (G.C.L.); (A.L.A.S.); (J.P.R.d.S.C.)
- Correspondence: (K.R.); (S.G.D.S.)
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological, Development in Health (CDTS)/National, Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900; (G.C.L.); (A.L.A.S.); (J.P.R.d.S.C.)
- FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Laboratory of Cellular Ultrastructure, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - André Luis Almeida Souza
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological, Development in Health (CDTS)/National, Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900; (G.C.L.); (A.L.A.S.); (J.P.R.d.S.C.)
| | - João Pedro Rangel da Silva Carvalho
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological, Development in Health (CDTS)/National, Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900; (G.C.L.); (A.L.A.S.); (J.P.R.d.S.C.)
| | - Maria Helena Simões Villas Bôas
- FIOCRUZ, Microbiology Department, National Institute for Quality Control in Health (INCQS), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Salvatore Giovanni De Simone
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological, Development in Health (CDTS)/National, Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900; (G.C.L.); (A.L.A.S.); (J.P.R.d.S.C.)
- FIOCRUZ, Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Rio de Janeiro, Niterói 24020-140, Brazil
- Correspondence: (K.R.); (S.G.D.S.)
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Gonçalves-Oliveira LF, Souza-Silva F, de Castro Côrtes LM, Veloso LB, Santini Pereira BA, Cysne-Finkelstein L, Lechuga GC, Bourguignon SC, Almeida-Souza F, da Silva Calabrese K, Ferreira VF, Alves CR. The combination therapy of meglumine antimoniate and oxiranes (epoxy-α-lapachone and epoxymethyl-lawsone) enhance the leishmanicidal effect in mice infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2019; 10:101-108. [PMID: 31430693 PMCID: PMC6712286 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis includes pentavalent antimonials as first-line drugs, but this therapy has shown severe adverse effects. An alternative to minimize this issue is based on combination therapy scheme with other drugs. In this study we analyzed the potential of the association of meglumine antimoniate (MA) with the oxiranes epoxy-α-lapachone (LAP) or epoxymethyl-lawsone (LAW). Results demonstrated that association between these drugs enhanced leishmanicidal activity on Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis infection. The compounds were tested in monotherapy or in combinations (3:1; 1:1 and 1:3) and reduced intracellular parasite numbers, measured by the endocytic index, in all tested conditions. The most effective combination regimens were MA/LAP or MA/LAW in 3:1 ratio, which achieved a reduction of 98.3% and 93.6% in the endocytic index, respectively. BALB/c mice challenged with L. (L.) amazonensis showed significant reduction in lesion size and parasite load in both footpad and lymph nodes, after four weeks of treatment. Although, MA, LAP or LAW monotherapy were able to control the evolution of lesions when compared to untreated animals (30%, 40% and 40% of reduction, respectively), the combination of MA/LAP and LAW in 3:1 ratio showed better results reducing 61.7 and 54.4%, respectively. The results indicate that the association of meglumine antimoniate to oxiranes lead to an increment in the antileishmanial activity and represent a promising approach for the cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment. Meglumine antimoniate with oxiranes enhanced effect against Leishmania infection. The most effective treatment in vitro infection was observed in a 3:1 ratio. Mice treatment with drugs caused reductions in lesion size and parasite load. Antimony-based combination has the potential for leishmaniasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Filipe Gonçalves-Oliveira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Franklin Souza-Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Luzia Monteiro de Castro Côrtes
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Laura Barral Veloso
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Bernardo Acácio Santini Pereira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Lea Cysne-Finkelstein
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Av. Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Saulo Cabral Bourguignon
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Laboratório de Interação Celular e Molecular, Outeiro São João Batista s/n, Centro, 24020-141, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Almeida-Souza
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Cidade Universitária Paulo VI, Av. Lourenço Vieira da Silva no 1000, Jardim São Cristóvão, 65055-310, São Luís, MA, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Imunomodulação e Protozoologia, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Kátia da Silva Calabrese
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Imunomodulação e Protozoologia, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Vitor Francisco Ferreira
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Rua Doutor Mário Viana n(o) 523- Santa Rosa, 24241-002, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Roberto Alves
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Avenida Brasil n(o) 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-900, RJ, Brazil.
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Laboratório de Interação celular e molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia (PPBI), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mirian C. S. Pereira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Saulo C. Bourguignon
- Laboratório de Interação celular e molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia (PPBI), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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11
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Lechuga GC, Borges JC, Calvet CM, de Araújo HP, Zuma AA, do Nascimento SB, Motta MCM, Bernardino AMR, Pereira MCDS, Bourguignon SC. Interactions between 4-aminoquinoline and heme: Promising mechanism against Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2016; 6:154-164. [PMID: 27490082 PMCID: PMC4971285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The current drugs used to treat this disease have limited efficacy and produce severe side effects. Quinolines, nitrogen heterocycle compounds that form complexes with heme, have a broad spectrum of antiprotozoal activity and are a promising class of new compounds for Chagas disease chemotherapy. In this study, we evaluated the activity of a series of 4-arylaminoquinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives against all forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro. Compound 1g showed promising activity against epimastigote forms when combined with hemin (IC50<1 μM), with better performance than benznidazole, the reference drug. This compound also inhibited the viability of trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. The potency of 1g in combination with heme was enhanced against epimastigotes and trypomastigotes, suggesting a similar mechanism of action that occurs in Plasmodium spp. The addition of hemin to the culture medium increased trypanocidal activity of analog 1g without changing the cytotoxicity of the host cell, reaching an IC50 of 11.7 μM for trypomastigotes. The mechanism of action was demonstrated by the interaction of compound 1g with hemin in solution and prevention of heme peroxidation. Compound 1g and heme treatment induced alterations of the mitochondrion-kinetoplast complex in epimastigotes and trypomastigotes and also, accumulation of electron-dense deposits in amastigotes as visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The trypanocidal activity of 4-aminoquinolines and the elucidation of the mechanism involving interaction with heme is a neglected field of research, given the parasite's lack of heme biosynthetic pathway and the importance of this cofactor for parasite survival and growth. The results of this study can improve and guide rational drug development and combination treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Laboratório de Interação celular e molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, 24020-141, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Júlio Cesar Borges
- Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, 24020-141, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Nilópolis, 26530-060, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudia Magalhães Calvet
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Humberto Pinheiro de Araújo
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Aline Araujo Zuma
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373-bloco G. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Samara Braga do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Interação celular e molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, 24020-141, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Machado Motta
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373-bloco G. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Saulo Cabral Bourguignon
- Laboratório de Interação celular e molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, 24020-141, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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