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Su D, Zhu S, Xu K, Hou Z, Hao F, Xu F, Lin Y, Zhu Y, Liu D, Duan Q, Zhang X, Yuan Y, Xu J, Tao J. Phosphoproteomic analysis reveals changes in A-Raf-related protein phosphorylation in response to Toxoplasma gondii infection in porcine macrophages. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:191. [PMID: 38643189 PMCID: PMC11031963 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06273-x] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes severe threats to humans and livestock. Macrophages are the cell type preferentially infected by T. gondii in vivo. Protein phosphorylation is an important posttranslational modification involved in diverse cellular functions. A rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma kinase (A-Raf) is a member of the Raf family of serine/threonine protein kinases that is necessary for MAPK activation. Our previous research found that knockout of A-Raf could reduce T. gondii-induced apoptosis in porcine alveolar macrophages (3D4/21 cells). However, limited information is available on protein phosphorylation variations and the role of A-Raf in macrophages infected with T. gondii. METHODS We used immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) in combination with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to profile changes in phosphorylation in T. gondii-infected 3D4/21 and 3D4/21-ΔAraf cells. RESULTS A total of 1647 differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins (DEPPs) with 3876 differentially phosphorylated sites (DPSs) were identified in T. gondii-infected 3D4/21 cells (p3T group) when compared with uninfected 3D4/21 cells (pho3 group), and 959 DEPPs with 1540 DPSs were identified in the p3T group compared with infected 3D4/21-ΔAraf cells (p3KT group). Venn analysis revealed 552 DPSs corresponding to 406 DEPPs with the same phosphorylated sites when comparing p3T/pho3 versus p3T/p3KT, which were identified as DPSs and DEPPs that were directly or indirectly related to A-Raf. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed distinct responses of macrophages to T. gondii infection and the potential roles of A-Raf in fighting infection via phosphorylation of crucial proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingzeyang Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Shifan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Kangzhi Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fuxing Hao
- Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, 225300, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifan Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyang Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiangde Duan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinjun Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuguo Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, 12 East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- International Research Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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Rojas-Baron L, Senk K, Hermosilla C, Taubert A, Velásquez ZD. Toxoplasma gondii modulates the host cell cycle, chromosome segregation, and cytokinesis irrespective of cell type or species origin. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:180. [PMID: 38581071 PMCID: PMC10996137 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06244-2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan intracellular obligate parasite and the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis in humans, domestic animals and wildlife, causing miscarriages and negatively impacting offspring. During its intracellular development, it relies on nutrients from the host cell, controlling several pathways and the cytoskeleton. T. gondii has been proven to control the host cell cycle, mitosis and cytokinesis, depending on the time of infection and the origin of the host cell. However, no data from parallel infection studies have been collected. Given that T. gondii can infect virtually any nucleated cell, including those of humans and animals, understanding the mechanism by which it infects or develops inside the host cell is essential for disease prevention. Therefore, we aimed here to reveal whether this modulation is dependent on a specific cell type or host cell species. METHODS We used only primary cells from humans and bovines at a maximum of four passages to ensure that all cells were counted with appropriate cell cycle checkpoint control. The cell cycle progression was analysed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based DNA quantification, and its regulation was followed by the quantification of cyclin B1 (mitosis checkpoint protein). The results demonstrated that all studied host cells except bovine colonic epithelial cells (BCEC) were arrested in the S-phase, and none of them were affected in cyclin B1 expression. Additionally, we used an immunofluorescence assay to track mitosis and cytokinesis in uninfected and T. gondii-infected cells. RESULTS The results demonstrated that all studied host cell except bovine colonic epithelial cells (BCEC) were arrested in the S-phase, and none of them were affected in cyclin B1 expression. Our findings showed that the analysed cells developed chromosome segregation problems and failed to complete cytokinesis. Also, the number of centrosomes per mitotic pole was increased after infection in all cell types. Therefore, our data suggest that T. gondii modulates the host cell cycle, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during infection or development regardless of the host cell origin or type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisbeth Rojas-Baron
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kira Senk
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Zahady D Velásquez
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
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Wu XT, Gao XW, Wang QQ, He K, Bilal MS, Dong H, Tang YD, Ding HY, Li YB, Tang XY, Long S. The plant-like protein phosphatase PPKL regulates parasite replication and morphology in Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:142. [PMID: 38500196 PMCID: PMC10949797 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06135-6] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii encodes dozens of phosphatases, among which a plant-like phosphatase absent from mammalian genomes named PPKL, which is involved in regulating brassinosteroid signaling in Arabidopsis, was identified in the genome. Among the Apicomplexa parasites, T. gondii is an important and representative pathogen in humans and animals. PPKL was previously identified to modulate the apical integrity and morphology of the ookinetes and parasite motility and transmission in another important parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. However, the exact function of PPKL in the asexual stages of T. gondii remains unknown. METHODS The plant auxin-inducible degron (AID) system was applied to dissect the phenotypes of PPKL in T. gondii. We first analyzed the phenotypes of the AID parasites at an induction time of 24 h, by staining of different organelles using their corresponding markers. These analyses were further conducted for the parasites grown in auxin for 6 and 12 h using a quantitative approach and for the type II strain ME49 of AID parasites. To further understand the phenotypes, the potential protein interactions were analyzed using a proximity biotin labeling approach. The essential role of PPKL in parasite replication was revealed. RESULTS PPKL is localized in the apical region and nucleus and partially distributed in the cytoplasm of the parasite. The phenotyping of PPKL showed its essentiality for parasite replication and morphology. Further dissections demonstrate that PPKL is required for the maturation of daughter parasites in the mother cells, resulting in multiple nuclei in a single parasite. The phenotype of the daughter parasites and parasite morphology were observed in another type of T. gondii strain ME49. The substantial defect in parasite replication and morphology could be rescued by genetic complementation, thus supporting its essential function for PPKL in the formation of parasites. The protein interaction analysis showed the potential interaction of PPKL with diverse proteins, thus explaining the importance of PPKL in the parasite. CONCLUSIONS PPKL plays an important role in the formation of daughter parasites, revealing its subtle involvement in the proper maturation of the daughter parasites during division. Our detailed analysis also demonstrated that depletion of PPKL resulted in elongated tubulin fibers in the parasites. The important roles in the parasites are potentially attributed to the protein interaction mediated by kelch domains on the protein. Taken together, these findings contribute to our understanding of a key phosphatase involved in parasite replication, suggesting the potential of this phosphatase as a pharmaceutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Ting Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xu-Wen Gao
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qiang-Qiang Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Kai He
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Muhammad Saqib Bilal
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Hui Dong
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yi-Dan Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Hui-Yong Ding
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yue-Bao Li
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shaojun Long
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, and School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Yeh YT, Del Álamo JC, Caffrey CR. Biomechanics of parasite migration within hosts. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:164-175. [PMID: 38172015 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.12.001] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The dissemination of protozoan and metazoan parasites through host tissues is hindered by cellular barriers, dense extracellular matrices, and fluid forces in the bloodstream. To overcome these diverse biophysical impediments, parasites implement versatile migratory strategies. Parasite-exerted mechanical forces and upregulation of the host's cellular contractile machinery are the motors for these strategies, and these are comparably better characterized for protozoa than for helminths. Using the examples of the protozoans, Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium, and the metazoan, Schistosoma mansoni, we highlight how quantitative tools such as traction force and reflection interference contrast microscopies have improved our understanding of how parasites alter host mechanobiology to promote their migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Yeh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| | - Juan C Del Álamo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 93093, USA
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0657, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Antunes AV, Shahinas M, Swale C, Farhat DC, Ramakrishnan C, Bruley C, Cannella D, Robert MG, Corrao C, Couté Y, Hehl AB, Bougdour A, Coppens I, Hakimi MA. In vitro production of cat-restricted Toxoplasma pre-sexual stages. Nature 2024; 625:366-376. [PMID: 38093015 PMCID: PMC10781626 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06821-y] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction of Toxoplasma gondii, confined to the felid gut, remains largely uncharted owing to ethical concerns regarding the use of cats as model organisms. Chromatin modifiers dictate the developmental fate of the parasite during its multistage life cycle, but their targeting to stage-specific cistromes is poorly described1,2. Here we found that the transcription factors AP2XII-1 and AP2XI-2 operate during the tachyzoite stage, a hallmark of acute toxoplasmosis, to silence genes necessary for merozoites, a developmental stage critical for subsequent sexual commitment and transmission to the next host, including humans. Their conditional and simultaneous depletion leads to a marked change in the transcriptional program, promoting a full transition from tachyzoites to merozoites. These in vitro-cultured pre-gametes have unique protein markers and undergo typical asexual endopolygenic division cycles. In tachyzoites, AP2XII-1 and AP2XI-2 bind DNA as heterodimers at merozoite promoters and recruit MORC and HDAC3 (ref. 1), thereby limiting chromatin accessibility and transcription. Consequently, the commitment to merogony stems from a profound epigenetic rewiring orchestrated by AP2XII-1 and AP2XI-2. Successful production of merozoites in vitro paves the way for future studies on Toxoplasma sexual development without the need for cat infections and holds promise for the development of therapies to prevent parasite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vera Antunes
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Martina Shahinas
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Christopher Swale
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Dayana C Farhat
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Christophe Bruley
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, INSERM, UA13 BGE, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble, France
| | - Dominique Cannella
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Marie G Robert
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Charlotte Corrao
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Yohann Couté
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, INSERM, UA13 BGE, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble, France
| | - Adrian B Hehl
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Bougdour
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
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Roscoe S, Guo Y, Vacratsis PO, Ananvoranich S. Proteomic profile of Toxoplasma gondii stress granules by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Can J Microbiol 2024; 70:32-39. [PMID: 37826860 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2023-0091] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Ribonucleoprotein granules are bio-condensates that form a diverse group of dynamic membrane-less organelles implicated in several cellular functions, including stress response and cellular survival. In Toxoplasma gondii, a type of bio-condensates referred to as stress granules (SGs) are formed prior to the parasites' egress from the host cell and are implicated in the survival and invasion competency of extracellular tachyzoites. We used paraformaldehyde to fix and cross-link SG proteins to allow purification by centrifugation and analysis by mass spectrometry. We profiled protein components of SGs at 10 and 30 min post-egress when parasite's invasion ability is significantly diminished. Thirty-three proteins were identified from 10 min SGs, and additional 43 proteins were identified from 30 min SGs. Notably, common SG components such as proteins with intrinsically disordered domains were not identified. Gene ontology analysis of both 10 and 30 min SGs shows that overall molecular functions of SGs' proteins are ATP-binding, GTP-binding, and GTPase activity. Discernable differences between 10 and 30 min SGs are in the proportions of translation and microtubule-related proteins. Ten-minute SGs have a higher proportion of microtubule-related proteins and a lower proportion of ribosome-related proteins, while a reverse correlation was identified for those of 30 min. It remains to be investigated whether this reverse correlation contributes to the ability of extracellular tachyzoites to reinvade host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Roscoe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Yue Guo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Panayiotis O Vacratsis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B3P4, Canada
| | - Sirinart Ananvoranich
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B3P4, Canada
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Amouei A, Mizani A, Hanafi-Bojd AA, Jafari-Koshki T, Sarvi S, Aghayan SA, Amuei F, Nayeri Chegeni T, Daryani A. Global epidemiology and spatial distribution of Toxoplasma gondii in goats: Protocol for a systematic review and Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290012. [PMID: 38157349 PMCID: PMC10756507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii, a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite causes toxoplasmosis in humans and many species of domestic and wild animals. T. gondii instigates significant economic losses in sheep and goat farming industry and can lead to abortion, stillbirth, congenital malformations and neonatal losses. The objective of this protocol is to evaluate worldwide seroprevalence of T. gondii exposure in goats using Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis and geographic information system (GIS). METHODS A comprehensive literature search will be conducted using search engines, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, EMBASE, PROSPERO Register and, Google Scholar without date and language restrictions. The authors search for cross-sectional studies that determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in goats. Two reviewers will independently screen, selected studies; also, they will extract data, and assess the risk of bias. In case(s) of disagreement, a consensus will be reached with the help of a third author. The Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis will use to estimate country and worldwide true seroprevalence of T. gondii, which is consist of the sensitivity and specificity of the applied serological assays. The obtained data will be used to identify country-level risk factors associated with T. gondii exposure using GIS in the ArcGIS software. DISCUSSION The systematic review produced from this protocol will provide the true prevalence rate and spatial distribution T. gondii exposure in goats both regionally and globally using Bayesian hierarchical and GIS analysis. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020107928.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Amouei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Mazandaran Central Veterinary Laboratory, Medical Sciences, Veterinary Administration of Mazandaran Province, Sari, Iran
| | - Azadeh Mizani
- Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd
- Department of Medical Entomology &Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tohid Jafari-Koshki
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sargis A. Aghayan
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Fateme Amuei
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Tooran Nayeri Chegeni
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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9
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Zarringhalam K, Ye S, Lou J, Rezvani Y, Gubbels MJ. Cell cycle-regulated ApiAP2s and parasite development: the Toxoplasma paradigm. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 76:102383. [PMID: 37898053 PMCID: PMC10840917 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102383] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
The cell division cycle of T. gondii is driven by cyclically expressed ApiAP2 transcription factors (AP2s) that promote gene sets (regulons) associated with specific biological functions. AP2s drive other AP2s, thereby propelling the progressive gene expression waves defining the lytic cycle. AP2s can act as dimers by themselves, in combination with other AP2s (constitutive or cyclical) or in complexes with epigenetic factors. Exit from the cell cycle into either the extracellular state or differentiation into bradyzoites results in major changes in gene expression. Surprisingly, both transitions lead to expression of a shared set of unique AP2s that suggest a shared stress response that, governed by the specific conditions, leads to different outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Zarringhalam
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sida Ye
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jingjing Lou
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Yasaman Rezvani
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Chen XZ, Bai RX, Qin FY, Peng HJ, Ren JF, Hu L, Li YD, He C. Phosphoproteomic Analysis Reveals the Predominating Cellular Processes and the Involved Key Phosphoproteins Essential for the Proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:820-831. [PMID: 37821727 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00720-y] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the essential roles of phosphorylation in mediating the proliferation of T. gondii in its cell lytic life. METHODS We profiled the phosphoproteome data of T. gondii residing in HFF cells for 2 h and 6 h, representing the early- and late-stages of proliferation (ESP and LSP) within its first generation of division. RESULTS We identified 70 phosphoproteins, among which 8 phosphoproteins were quantified with the phosphorylation level significantly regulated. While only two of the eight phosphoproteins, GRA7 and TGGT1_242070, were significantly down-regulated at the transcriptional level in the group of LSP vs. ESP. Moreover, GO terms correlated with host membrane component were significantly enriched in the category of cellular component, suggesting phosphoprotein played important roles in acquiring essential substance from host cell via manipulating host membrane. Further GO analysis in the categories of molecular function and biological process and pathway analysis revealed that the cellular processes of glucose and lipid metabolism were regulated by T. gondii phosphoproteins such as PMCAA1, LIPIN, Pyk1 and ALD. Additionally, several phosphoproteins were enriched at the central nodes in the protein-protein interaction network, which may have essential roles in T. gondii proliferation including GAP45, MLC1, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, GRAs and so on. CONCLUSION This study revealed the main cellular processes and key phosphoproteins crucial for the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii, which would provide clues to explore the roles of phosphorylation in regulating the development of tachyzoites and new insight into the mechanism of T. gondii development in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Zhu Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Rui-Xue Bai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fei-Yu Qin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hong-Juan Peng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jin-Feng Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lang Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu-di Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Cheng He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu Province, China.
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11
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Gowda V, Dinesh S, Sharma S. Manipulative neuroparasites: uncovering the intricacies of neurological host control. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:314. [PMID: 37603130 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03637-2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Manipulative neuroparasites are a fascinating group of organisms that possess the ability to hijack the nervous systems of their hosts, manipulating their behavior in order to enhance their own survival and reproductive success. This review provides an overview of the different strategies employed by manipulative neuroparasites, ranging from viruses to parasitic worms and fungi. By examining specific examples, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Leucochloridium paradoxum, and Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, we highlight the complex mechanisms employed by these parasites to manipulate their hosts' behavior. We explore the mechanisms through which these parasites alter the neural processes and behavior of their hosts, including the modulation of neurotransmitters, hormonal pathways, and neural circuits. This review focuses less on the diseases that neuroparasites induce and more on the process of their neurological manipulation. We also investigate the fundamental mechanisms of host manipulation in the developing field of neuroparasitology, which blends neuroscience and parasitology. Finally, understanding the complex interaction between manipulative neuroparasites and their hosts may help us to better understand the fundamentals of behavior, neurology, and host-parasite relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishvas Gowda
- Department of Bioinformatics, BioNome, Bangalore, 560043, India
| | - Susha Dinesh
- Department of Bioinformatics, BioNome, Bangalore, 560043, India
| | - Sameer Sharma
- Department of Bioinformatics, BioNome, Bangalore, 560043, India.
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12
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Kochanowsky JA, Chandrasekaran S, Sanchez JR, Thomas KK, Koshy AA. ROP16-mediated activation of STAT6 enhances cyst development of type III Toxoplasma gondii in neurons. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011347. [PMID: 37068104 PMCID: PMC10138205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii establishes a long-lived latent infection in the central nervous system (CNS) of its hosts. Reactivation in immunocompromised individuals can lead to life threatening disease. Latent infection is driven by the ability of the parasite to convert from the acute-stage tachyzoite to the latent-stage bradyzoite which resides in long-lived intracellular cysts. While much work has focused on the parasitic factors that drive cyst development, the host factors that influence encystment are not well defined. Here we show that a polymorphic secreted parasite kinase (ROP16), that phosphorylates host cell proteins, mediates efficient encystment of T. gondii in a stress-induced model of encystment and primary neuronal cell cultures (PNCs) in a strain-specific manner. Using short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdowns in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) and PNCs from transgenic mice, we determined that ROP16's cyst enhancing abilities are mediated, in part, by phosphorylation-and therefore activation-of the host cell transcription factor STAT6. To test the role of STAT6 in vivo, we infected wild-type (WT) and STAT6KO mice, finding that, compared to WT mice, STAT6KO mice have a decrease in CNS cyst burden but not overall parasite burden or dissemination to the CNS. Finally, we found a similar ROP16-dependent encystment defect in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Together, these findings identify a host cell factor (STAT6) that T. gondii manipulates in a strain-specific manner to generate a favorable encystment environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A. Kochanowsky
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | | | - Jacqueline R. Sanchez
- Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Kaitlin K. Thomas
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Anita A. Koshy
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
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13
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Matsuno SY, Pandori WJ, Lodoen MB. Capers with caspases: Toxoplasma gondii tales of inflammation and survival. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 72:102264. [PMID: 36791673 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens strike a delicate balance between maintaining their survival within infected cells, while also activating host defense mechanisms. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that initiates a variety of host signaling pathways as it invades host cells and establishes residence in a parasitophorous vacuole. Recent work has highlighted the interplay between T. gondii infection and innate immune pathways that lead to inflammation, several of which converge on caspases. This family of cysteine proteases function at the crossroads of inflammation and cell death and serve as a key target for parasite manipulation. This review focuses on the interaction of T. gondii with caspase-dependent inflammatory and cell death pathways and the role of parasite effector proteins in modulating these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Y Matsuno
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617 USA
| | - William J Pandori
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617 USA
| | - Melissa B Lodoen
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617 USA.
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14
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Halonen SK. Use of in vitro derived human neuronal models to study host-parasite interactions of Toxoplasma gondii in neurons and neuropathogenesis of chronic toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1129451. [PMID: 36968101 PMCID: PMC10031036 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1129451] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infects approximately one-third of the world's population resulting in a chronic infection with the parasite located in cysts in neurons in the brain. In most immunocompetent hosts the chronic infection is asymptomatic, but several studies have found correlations between Toxoplasma seropositivity and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Schizophrenia, and some other neurological disorders. Host-parasite interactions of bradyzoites in cysts in neurons is not well understood due in part to the lack of suitable in vitro human neuronal models. The advent of stem cell technologies in which human neurons can be derived in vitro from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) or direct conversion of somatic cells generating induced neurons (iNs), affords the opportunity to develop in vitro human neuronal culture systems to advance the understanding of T. gondii in human neurons. Human neurons derived from hiPSCs or iNs, generate pure human neuron monolayers that express differentiated neuronal characteristics. hiPSCs also generate 3D neuronal models that better recapitulate the cytoarchitecture of the human brain. In this review, an overview of iPSC-derived neurons and iN protocols leading to 2D human neuron cultures and hiPSC-derived 3D cerebral organoids will be given. The potential applications of these 2D and 3D human neuronal models to address questions about host-parasite interactions of T. gondii in neurons and the parasite in the CNS, will be discussed. These human neuronal in vitro models hold the promise to advance the understanding of T. gondii in human neurons and to improve the understanding of neuropathogenesis of chronic toxoplasmosis.
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15
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Ten Hoeve AL, Braun L, Rodriguez ME, Olivera GC, Bougdour A, Belmudes L, Couté Y, Saeij JPJ, Hakimi MA, Barragan A. The Toxoplasma effector GRA28 promotes parasite dissemination by inducing dendritic cell-like migratory properties in infected macrophages. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:1570-1588.e7. [PMID: 36309013 PMCID: PMC9710525 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Upon pathogen detection, macrophages normally stay sessile in tissues while dendritic cells (DCs) migrate to secondary lymphoid tissues. The obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii exploits the trafficking of mononuclear phagocytes for dissemination via unclear mechanisms. We report that, upon T. gondii infection, macrophages initiate the expression of transcription factors normally attributed to DCs, upregulate CCR7 expression with a chemotactic response, and perform systemic migration when adoptively transferred into mice. We show that parasite effector GRA28, released by the MYR1 secretory pathway, cooperates with host chromatin remodelers in the host cell nucleus to drive the chemotactic migration of parasitized macrophages. During in vivo challenge studies, bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with wild-type T. gondii outcompeted those challenged with MYR1- or GRA28-deficient strains in migrating and reaching secondary organs. This work reveals how an intracellular parasite hijacks chemotaxis in phagocytes and highlights a remarkable migratory plasticity in differentiated cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne L Ten Hoeve
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laurence Braun
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Matias E Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gabriela C Olivera
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexandre Bougdour
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Lucid Belmudes
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, UMR BioSanté U1292, CNRS, CEA, FR2048, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Yohann Couté
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, UMR BioSanté U1292, CNRS, CEA, FR2048, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Jeroen P J Saeij
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
| | - Antonio Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
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16
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Dewangan PS, Beraki TG, Paiz EA, Appiah Mensah D, Chen Z, Reese ML. Divergent kinase WNG1 is regulated by phosphorylation of an atypical activation sub-domain. Biochem J 2022; 479:1877-1889. [PMID: 35938919 PMCID: PMC9555795 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220076] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites like Toxoplasma gondii grow and replicate within a specialized organelle called the parasitophorous vacuole. The vacuole is decorated with parasite proteins that integrate into the membrane after trafficking through the parasite secretory system as soluble, chaperoned complexes. A regulator of this process is an atypical protein kinase called WNG1. Phosphorylation by WNG1 appears to serve as a switch for membrane integration. However, like its substrates, WNG1 is secreted from the parasite dense granules, and its activity must, therefore, be tightly regulated until the correct membrane is encountered. Here, we demonstrate that, while another member of the WNG family can adopt multiple multimeric states, WNG1 is monomeric and therefore not regulated by multimerization. Instead, we identify two phosphosites on WNG1 that are required for its kinase activity. Using a combination of in vitro biochemistry and structural modeling, we identify basic residues that are also required for WNG1 activity and appear to recognize the activating phosphosites. Among these coordinating residues are the 'HRD' Arg, which recognizes activation loop phosphorylation in canonical kinases. WNG1, however, is not phosphorylated on its activation loop, but rather on atypical phosphosites on its C-lobe. We propose a simple model in which WNG1 is activated by increasing ATP concentration above a critical threshold once the kinase traffics to the parasitophorous vacuole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravin S. Dewangan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, U.S.A
| | - Tsebaot G. Beraki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, U.S.A
| | - E. Ariana Paiz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, U.S.A
| | - Delia Appiah Mensah
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, U.S.A
- Honors College, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, U.S.A
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, U.S.A
| | - Michael L. Reese
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, U.S.A
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, U.S.A
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17
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Dave N, LaFavers K, Arrizabalaga G. The Dually Localized EF-Hand Domain-Containing Protein TgEFP1 Regulates the Lytic Cycle of Toxoplasma gondii. Cells 2022; 11:1709. [PMID: 35626745 PMCID: PMC9139715 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The propagation of the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is tightly regulated by calcium signaling. However, the mechanisms by which calcium homeostasis and fluxes are regulated in this human pathogen are not fully understood. To identify Toxoplasma's calcium homeostasis network, we have characterized a novel EF-hand domain-containing protein, which we have named TgEFP1. We have determined that TgEFP1 localizes to a previously described compartment known as the plant-like vacuole or the endosomal-like compartment (PLV/ELC), which harbors several proteins related to ionic regulation. Interestingly, partial permeabilization techniques showed that TgEFP1 is also secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole (PV), within which the parasite divides. Ultrastructure expansion microscopy confirmed the unusual dual localization of TgEFP1 at the PLV/ELC and the PV. Furthermore, we determined that the localization of TgEFP1 to the PV, but not to the PLV/ELC, is affected by disruption of Golgi-dependent transport with Brefeldin A. Knockout of TgEFP1 results in faster propagation in tissue culture, hypersensitivity to calcium ionophore-induced egress, and premature natural egress. Thus, our work has revealed an interplay between the PV and the PLV/ELC and a role for TgEFP1 in the regulation of calcium-dependent events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gustavo Arrizabalaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (N.D.); (K.L.)
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18
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Zhang R, Chen J, Wang D, Fu ZQ. Hijacking of host mitochondria by Toxoplasma gondii and SARS-CoV-2. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:269-271. [PMID: 35165074 PMCID: PMC8823957 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.02.002] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria regulate energy production, cell cycle, and immune signaling. Li et al. recently reported that Toxoplasma gondii induces the shedding of mitochondrial outer membrane to promote its growth. Intriguingly, the hijacking of host mitochondria has been shown to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruize Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jian Chen
- International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Daowen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Agronomy and Center for Crop Genome Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Longzi Lake Campus, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
| | - Zheng Qing Fu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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19
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Campagnaro GD, Elati HAA, Balaska S, Martin Abril ME, Natto MJ, Hulpia F, Lee K, Sheiner L, Van Calenbergh S, de Koning HP. A Toxoplasma gondii Oxopurine Transporter Binds Nucleobases and Nucleosides Using Different Binding Modes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020710. [PMID: 35054895 PMCID: PMC8776092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is unable to synthesize purines de novo, instead salvages them from its environment, inside the host cell, for which they need high affinity carriers. Here, we report the expression of a T. gondii Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter, Tg244440, in a Trypanosoma brucei strain from which nucleobase transporters have been deleted. Tg244440 transported hypoxanthine and guanine with similar affinity (Km ~1 µM), while inosine and guanosine displayed Ki values of 4.05 and 3.30 µM, respectively. Low affinity was observed for adenosine, adenine, and pyrimidines, classifying Tg244440 as a high affinity oxopurine transporter. Purine analogues were used to probe the substrate-transporter binding interactions, culminating in quantitative models showing different binding modes for oxopurine bases, oxopurine nucleosides, and adenosine. Hypoxanthine and guanine interacted through protonated N1 and N9, and through unprotonated N3 and N7 of the purine ring, whereas inosine and guanosine mostly employed the ribose hydroxy groups for binding, in addition to N1H of the nucleobase. Conversely, the ribose moiety of adenosine barely made any contribution to binding. Tg244440 is the first gene identified to encode a high affinity oxopurine transporter in T. gondii and, to the best of our knowledge, the first purine transporter to employ different binding modes for nucleosides and nucleobases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo D. Campagnaro
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Hamza A. A. Elati
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Sofia Balaska
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Maria Esther Martin Abril
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Manal J. Natto
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Campus Heymans, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (F.H.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Kelly Lee
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
| | - Lilach Sheiner
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Campus Heymans, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Gent, Belgium; (F.H.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; (G.D.C.); (H.A.A.E.); (S.B.); (M.E.M.A.); (M.J.N.); (K.L.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-141-3303753
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20
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Castaño Barrios L, Da Silva Pinheiro AP, Gibaldi D, Silva AA, Machado Rodrigues e Silva P, Roffê E, da Costa Santiago H, Tostes Gazzinelli R, Mineo JR, Silva NM, Lannes-Vieira J. Behavioral alterations in long-term Toxoplasma gondii infection of C57BL/6 mice are associated with neuroinflammation and disruption of the blood brain barrier. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258199. [PMID: 34610039 PMCID: PMC8491889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Apicomplexa protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a mandatory intracellular parasite and the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This illness is of medical importance due to its high prevalence worldwide and may cause neurological alterations in immunocompromised persons. In chronically infected immunocompetent individuals, this parasite forms tissue cysts mainly in the brain. In addition, T. gondii infection has been related to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as mood, personality, and other behavioral changes. In the present study, we evaluated the kinetics of behavioral alterations in a model of chronic infection, assessing anxiety, depression and exploratory behavior, and their relationship with neuroinflammation and parasite cysts in brain tissue areas, blood-brain-barrier (BBB) integrity, and cytokine status in the brain and serum. Adult female C57BL/6 mice were infected by gavage with 5 cysts of the ME-49 type II T. gondii strain, and analyzed as independent groups at 30, 60 and 90 days postinfection (dpi). Anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and hyperactivity were detected in the early (30 dpi) and long-term (60 and 90 dpi) chronic T. gondii infection, in a direct association with the presence of parasite cysts and neuroinflammation, independently of the brain tissue areas, and linked to BBB disruption. These behavioral alterations paralleled the upregulation of expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and CC-chemokines (CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β and CCL5/RANTES) in the brain tissue. In addition, increased levels of interferon-gamma (IFNγ), TNF and CCL2/MCP-1 were detected in the peripheral blood, at 30 and 60 dpi. Our data suggest that the persistence of parasite cysts induces sustained neuroinflammation, and BBB disruption, thus allowing leakage of cytokines of circulating plasma into the brain tissue. Therefore, all these factors may contribute to behavioral changes (anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and hyperactivity) in chronic T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leda Castaño Barrios
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Da Silva Pinheiro
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Gibaldi
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea Alice Silva
- Multiuser Laboratory for Research Support in Nephrology and Medical Sciences, Federal University Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Ester Roffê
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Helton da Costa Santiago
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Tostes Gazzinelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Mineo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Neide Maria Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratory of Biology of the Interactions, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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21
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Bhandage AK, Friedrich LM, Kanatani S, Jakobsson-Björkén S, Escrig-Larena JI, Wagner AK, Chambers BJ, Barragan A. GABAergic signaling in human and murine NK cells upon challenge with Toxoplasma gondii. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 110:617-628. [PMID: 34028876 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3hi0720-431r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Protective cytotoxic and proinflammatory cytokine responses by NK cells impact the outcome of infections by Toxoplasma gondii, a common parasite in humans and other vertebrates. However, T. gondii can also sequester within NK cells and downmodulate their effector functions. Recently, the implication of GABA signaling in infection and inflammation-related responses of mononuclear phagocytes and T cells has become evident. Yet, the role of GABAergic signaling in NK cells has remained unknown. Here, we report that human and murine NK cells synthesize and secrete GABA in response to infection challenge. Parasitized NK cells secreted GABA, whereas activation stimuli, such as IL-12/IL-18 or parasite lysates, failed to induce GABA secretion. GABA secretion by NK cells was associated to a transcriptional up-regulation of GABA synthesis enzymes (glutamate decarboxylases [GAD65/67]) and was abrogated by GAD inhibition. Further, NK cells expressed GABA-A receptor subunits and GABA signaling regulators, with transcriptional modulations taking place upon challenge with T. gondii. Exogenous GABA and GABA-containing supernatants from parasitized dendritic cells (DCs) impacted NK cell function by reducing the degranulation and cytotoxicity of NK cells. Conversely, GABA-containing supernatants from NK cells enhanced the migratory responses of parasitized DCs. This enhanced DC migration was abolished by GABA-A receptor antagonism or GAD inhibition and was reconstituted by exogenous GABA. Jointly, the data show that NK cells are GABAergic cells and that GABA hampers NK cell cytotoxicity in vitro. We hypothesize that GABA secreted by parasitized immune cells modulates the immune responses to T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amol K Bhandage
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura M Friedrich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Sachie Kanatani
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simon Jakobsson-Björkén
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - J Ignacio Escrig-Larena
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Arnika K Wagner
- Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benedict J Chambers
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Antonio Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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22
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Farhat DC, Hakimi MA. The developmental trajectories of Toxoplasma stem from an elaborate epigenetic rewiring. Trends Parasitol 2021; 38:37-53. [PMID: 34456144 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is considered to be one of the most successful parasitic pathogens. It owes this success to its flexibility in responding to signals emanating from the different environments it encounters during its multihost life cycle. The adaptability of this unicellular organism relies on highly coordinated and evolutionarily optimized developmental abilities that allow it to adopt the forms best suited to the requirements of each environment. Here we discuss recent outstanding studies that have uncovered how master regulators epigenetically regulate the cryptic process of sexual development and the transition to chronicity. We also highlight the molecular and technical advances that allow the field to embark on a new journey of epigenetic reprogramming of T. gondii development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayana C Farhat
- IAB, Team Host-Pathogen Interactions & Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Grenoble Alpes University, 38700 Grenoble, France.
| | - Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
- IAB, Team Host-Pathogen Interactions & Immunity to Infection, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Grenoble Alpes University, 38700 Grenoble, France.
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23
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Fairweather SJ, Rajendran E, Blume M, Javed K, Steinhöfel B, McConville MJ, Kirk K, Bröer S, van Dooren GG. Coordinated action of multiple transporters in the acquisition of essential cationic amino acids by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009835. [PMID: 34432856 PMCID: PMC8423306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa are dependent on the scavenging of essential amino acids from their hosts. We previously identified a large family of apicomplexan-specific plasma membrane-localized amino acid transporters, the ApiATs, and showed that the Toxoplasma gondii transporter TgApiAT1 functions in the selective uptake of arginine. TgApiAT1 is essential for parasite virulence, but dispensable for parasite growth in medium containing high concentrations of arginine, indicating the presence of at least one other arginine transporter. Here we identify TgApiAT6-1 as the second arginine transporter. Using a combination of parasite assays and heterologous characterisation of TgApiAT6-1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we demonstrate that TgApiAT6-1 is a general cationic amino acid transporter that mediates both the high-affinity uptake of lysine and the low-affinity uptake of arginine. TgApiAT6-1 is the primary lysine transporter in the disease-causing tachyzoite stage of T. gondii and is essential for parasite proliferation. We demonstrate that the uptake of cationic amino acids by TgApiAT6-1 is ‘trans-stimulated’ by cationic and neutral amino acids and is likely promoted by an inwardly negative membrane potential. These findings demonstrate that T. gondii has evolved overlapping transport mechanisms for the uptake of essential cationic amino acids, and we draw together our findings into a comprehensive model that highlights the finely-tuned, regulated processes that mediate cationic amino acid scavenging by these intracellular parasites. The causative agent of toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, is a versatile intracellular parasite that can proliferate within nucleated cells of warm-blooded organisms. In order to survive, T. gondii parasites must scavenge the cationic amino acids lysine and arginine from their hosts. In a previous study, we demonstrated that a plasma membrane-localized protein called TgApiAT1 facilitates the uptake of arginine into the parasite. We found that parasites lacking TgApiAT1 could proliferate when cultured in medium containing high concentrations of arginine, suggesting the existence of an additional uptake pathway for arginine. In the present study, we demonstrate that this second uptake pathway is mediated by TgApiAT6-1, a protein belonging to the same solute transporter family as TgApiAT1. We show that TgApiAT6-1 is the major lysine transporter of the parasite, and that it is critical for parasite proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that TgApiAT6-1 can transport arginine into parasites under conditions in which arginine concentrations are high and lysine concentrations are comparatively lower. These data support a model for the finely-tuned acquisition of essential cationic amino acids that involves multiple transporters, and which likely contributes to these parasites being able to survive and proliferate within a wide variety of host cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Fairweather
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- * E-mail: (SJF); (GGvD)
| | - Esther Rajendran
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Martin Blume
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kiran Javed
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Birte Steinhöfel
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Malcolm J. McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kiaran Kirk
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Stefan Bröer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Giel G. van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- * E-mail: (SJF); (GGvD)
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24
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Rajendran E, Clark M, Goulart C, Steinhöfel B, Tjhin ET, Gross S, Smith NC, Kirk K, van Dooren GG. Substrate-mediated regulation of the arginine transporter of Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009816. [PMID: 34352043 PMCID: PMC8370653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009816] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular parasites, such as the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii, are adept at scavenging nutrients from their host. However, there is little understanding of how parasites sense and respond to the changing nutrient environments they encounter during an infection. TgApiAT1, a member of the apicomplexan ApiAT family of amino acid transporters, is the major uptake route for the essential amino acid L-arginine (Arg) in T. gondii. Here, we show that the abundance of TgApiAT1, and hence the rate of uptake of Arg, is regulated by the availability of Arg in the parasite's external environment, increasing in response to decreased [Arg]. Using a luciferase-based 'biosensor' strain of T. gondii, we demonstrate that the expression of TgApiAT1 varies between different organs within the host, indicating that parasites are able to modulate TgApiAT1-dependent uptake of Arg as they encounter different nutrient environments in vivo. Finally, we show that Arg-dependent regulation of TgApiAT1 expression is post-transcriptional, mediated by an upstream open reading frame (uORF) in the TgApiAT1 transcript, and we provide evidence that the peptide encoded by this uORF is critical for mediating regulation. Together, our data reveal the mechanism by which an apicomplexan parasite responds to changes in the availability of a key nutrient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Rajendran
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Morgan Clark
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Cibelly Goulart
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Birte Steinhöfel
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Erick T. Tjhin
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Simon Gross
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Nicholas C. Smith
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kiaran Kirk
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Giel G. van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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25
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Sousa RO, Cariaco Y, Almeida MPO, Nascimento LAC, Coutinho LB, Ferreira-Júnior AA, Briceño MPP, Venâncio MDFA, Oliveira MC, Miranda NC, Pajuaba ACAM, Ferro EAV, Filice LDSC, Silva NM. The imbalance of TNF and IL-6 levels and FOXP3 expression at the maternal-fetal interface is involved in adverse pregnancy outcomes in a susceptible murine model of congenital toxoplasmosis. Cytokine 2021; 143:155517. [PMID: 33814270 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes depending on the time at which the infection occurs and the immunological state of the mother. C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice have been described as susceptible and resistant mouse lineages to congenital T. gondii infection, respectively. This study aimed to elucidate the systemic and local cytokine profile of pregnant mice infected with T. gondii and whether the expression of the transcription factor FOXP3, related to T regulatory cells, is associated with the resistance/susceptibility of these lineages of mice in the context of experimental congenital toxoplasmosis. For this purpose, C57BL/6 and BALB/c females were orally infected with the T. gondii ME-49 strain on the day of vaginal plug detection or day 14 of gestation, examined 7 or 5 days later, respectively, as models of early and late pregnancy. Cytokine levels were measured systemically and in the uterus/placenta. Additionally, the uterus/placenta were evaluated macroscopically for resorption rates and histologically for parasite and FOXP3 immunostaining. The FOXP3 protein expression was also evaluated by western blotting assay. It was found that, during early pregnancy, the infection leads to high IFN-γ, TNF and IL-6 levels systemically, with the TNF levels being higher in C57BL/6 mice. At the maternal-fetal interface, the infection induced high levels of IFN-γ in both mouse lineages; however, higher levels were observed in BALB/c, while high TNF and IL-6 levels were found in C57BL/6, but not in BALB/c mice. In contrast, in late gestation, T. gondii interfered less strongly with the cytokine profile. In early pregnancy, a reduction of FOXP3 expression at the maternal-fetal interface of infected mice was also observed, and the reduction was larger in C57BL/6 compared with BALB/c mice. Additionally, the parasite was seldom found in the uterus/placenta. Thus, the worse pregnancy outcomes observed in C57BL/6 mice were associated with higher TNF systemically, and TNF and IL-6 at the maternal-fetal interface, with lower FOXP3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romulo Oliveira Sousa
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Yusmaris Cariaco
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Layane Alencar Costa Nascimento
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Loyane Bertagnolli Coutinho
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Angelo Alves Ferreira-Júnior
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marisol Patricia Pallete Briceño
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariele de Fátima Alves Venâncio
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mário Cézar Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Natália Carnevalli Miranda
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Neide Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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26
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Nayeri T, Sarvi S, Daryani A. Toxoplasma gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals: a systematic review. Parasitology 2021; 148:895-903. [PMID: 33691818 PMCID: PMC11010209 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is known for its ability to infect warm-blooded vertebrates. Although T. gondii does not appear to parasitize cold-blooded animals, the occurrence of T. gondii infection in marine mammals raises concerns that cold-blooded animals (frogs, toad, turtles, crocodiles, snakes, and fish) and shellfish are potential sources of T. gondii. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals worldwide. We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to 1 August 2020 for eligible papers in the English language and identified 26 articles that reported the prevalence of T. gondii in mollusks and cold-blooded animals. These articles were subsequently reviewed and data extracted using a standard form. In total, 26 studies [involving 9 cross-sectional studies including 2988 samples of cold-blooded animals (129 positive cases for T. gondii) and 18 cross-sectional studies entailing 13 447 samples of shellfish (692 positive cases for T. gondii)] were included in this study. Although this study showed that shellfish and cold-blooded animals could be potential sources of T. gondii for humans and other hosts that feed on them, further investigations are recommended to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in shellfish and cold-blooded animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooran Nayeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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27
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Gering E, Laubach ZM, Weber PSD, Soboll Hussey G, Lehmann KDS, Montgomery TM, Turner JW, Perng W, Pioon MO, Holekamp KE, Getty T. Toxoplasma gondii infections are associated with costly boldness toward felids in a wild host. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3842. [PMID: 34158487 PMCID: PMC8219747 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24092-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is hypothesized to manipulate the behavior of warm-blooded hosts to promote trophic transmission into the parasite's definitive feline hosts. A key prediction of this hypothesis is that T. gondii infections of non-feline hosts are associated with costly behavior toward T. gondii's definitive hosts; however, this effect has not been documented in any of the parasite's diverse wild hosts during naturally occurring interactions with felines. Here, three decades of field observations reveal that T. gondii-infected hyena cubs approach lions more closely than uninfected peers and have higher rates of lion mortality. We discuss these results in light of 1) the possibility that hyena boldness represents an extended phenotype of the parasite, and 2) alternative scenarios in which T. gondii has not undergone selection to manipulate behavior in host hyenas. Both cases remain plausible and have important ramifications for T. gondii's impacts on host behavior and fitness in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eben Gering
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Nova Southeastern University, Department of Biological Sciences, Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Zachary M Laubach
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Boulder, CO, USA.
- Mara Hyena Project, Narok County, Kenya.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Patty Sue D Weber
- Michigan State University, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Gisela Soboll Hussey
- Michigan State University, Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Kenna D S Lehmann
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Mara Hyena Project, Narok County, Kenya
| | - Tracy M Montgomery
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Mara Hyena Project, Narok County, Kenya
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Julie W Turner
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Mara Hyena Project, Narok County, Kenya
- Memorial University of Newfoundland, Department of Biology, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Wei Perng
- LEAD Center & University of Colorado, School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, United States
| | | | - Kay E Holekamp
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Mara Hyena Project, Narok County, Kenya
| | - Thomas Getty
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Hernandez-Jover M, Culley F, Heller J, Ward MP, Jenson I. Semi-quantitative food safety risk profile of the Australian red meat industry. Int J Food Microbiol 2021; 353:109294. [PMID: 34147838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2021.109294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In 2017-18, the Australian red meat (beef, sheep and goat species) industry generated more than $AUD 13 billion in export trade alone and is therefore of substantial importance to the Australian GDP. With both relatively high amounts of domestic red meat consumption and dependence on international markets, food safety risk is constantly reassessed so as to maintain a resilient industry sector. The current study aimed to conduct a food safety risk rating for the Australian red meat industry. In 2002, a food safety risk profile was developed for the Australian red meat industry. It included raw and processed meat products of cattle, sheep and goats and considered microbiological, chemical and physical hazards. The current risk rating was undertaken during 2017 and 2018. The first step was to conduct a hazard characterization, which involved a review of literature and data on foodborne outbreaks, pathogen surveillance and product recalls, and an expert elicitation process with 15 Australian food safety experts. This process identified the Hazard:Product:Process combinations to be considered and the likelihood of contamination at the point of consumption. These likelihood ratings were then combined with hazard severity ratings to qualitatively estimate the relative risk posed by each combination. Combinations with a moderate-to-high risk were included in the semi-quantitative risk rating using Risk Ranger v2, a tool that allows an estimation of the public health risk of hazard: product combinations and a ranking of this risk. The Risk Ranger tool provides a risk ranking (RR), ranging from 0 (no risk) to 100 (every member of the population eats a meal that contains a lethal dose of the hazard every day). STEC E. coli O157 (RR 35-39) and Salmonella spp. (RR 33-37) in undercooked hamburgers and Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat products (RR 35-38) were combinations which had the highest (moderate) risk for the general and susceptible populations. In addition, Toxoplasma gondii in undercooked lamb was identified as posing a high risk among pregnant women (RR 49). The study provides an updated food safety risk profile for the Australian red meat industry which, considering the available information, suggests red meat products do not pose a high food safety risk. The methodology developed in this study provides an easy to implement approach to profile and prioritise food safety risk and relies on data that can generated in most situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Hernandez-Jover
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (An alliance between Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries), Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
| | - Fiona Culley
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (An alliance between Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries), Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Jane Heller
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (An alliance between Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries), Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- The University of Sydney, School of Veterinary Science, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - Ian Jenson
- Meat & Livestock Australia, PO Box 1961, North Sydney, NSW 2059, Australia
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29
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Mulas F, Wang X, Song S, Nishanth G, Yi W, Brunn A, Larsen PK, Isermann B, Kalinke U, Barragan A, Naumann M, Deckert M, Schlüter D. The deubiquitinase OTUB1 augments NF-κB-dependent immune responses in dendritic cells in infection and inflammation by stabilizing UBC13. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1512-1527. [PMID: 32024978 PMCID: PMC8167118 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0362-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are indispensable for defense against pathogens but may also contribute to immunopathology. Activation of DCs upon the sensing of pathogens by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is largely mediated by pattern recognition receptor/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling and depends on the appropriate ubiquitination of the respective signaling molecules. However, the ubiquitinating and deubiquitinating enzymes involved and their interactions are only incompletely understood. Here, we reveal that the deubiquitinase OTU domain, ubiquitin aldehyde binding 1 (OTUB1) is upregulated in DCs upon murine Toxoplasma gondii infection and lipopolysaccharide challenge. Stimulation of DCs with the TLR11/12 ligand T. gondii profilin and the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide induced an increase in NF-κB activation in OTUB1-competent cells, resulting in elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production, which was also observed upon the specific stimulation of TLR2, TLR3, TLR7, and TLR9. Mechanistically, OTUB1 promoted NF-κB activity in DCs by K48-linked deubiquitination and stabilization of the E2-conjugating enzyme UBC13, resulting in increased K63-linked ubiquitination of IRAK1 (IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1) and TRAF6 (TNF receptor-associated factor 6). Consequently, DC-specific deletion of OTUB1 impaired the production of cytokines, in particular IL-12, by DCs over the first 2 days of T. gondii infection, resulting in the diminished production of protective interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by natural killer cells, impaired control of parasite replication, and, finally, death from chronic T. encephalitis, all of which could be prevented by low-dose IL-12 treatment in the first 3 days of infection. In contrast, impaired OTUB1-deficient DC activation and cytokine production by OTUB1-deficient DCs protected mice from lipopolysaccharide-induced immunopathology. Collectively, these findings identify OTUB1 as a potent novel regulator of DCs during infectious and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriana Mulas
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Xu Wang
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China.
| | - Shanshan Song
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gopala Nishanth
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wenjing Yi
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Brunn
- Department of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Pia-Katharina Larsen
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Berend Isermann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kalinke
- Institute for Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Antonio Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Naumann
- Institute for Experimental Internal Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martina Deckert
- Department of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Dirk Schlüter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence-Resolving Infection Susceptibility (RESIST), Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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Szewczyk-Golec K, Pawłowska M, Wesołowski R, Wróblewski M, Mila-Kierzenkowska C. Oxidative Stress as a Possible Target in the Treatment of Toxoplasmosis: Perspectives and Ambiguities. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115705. [PMID: 34071892 PMCID: PMC8198901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite causing toxoplasmosis, a common disease, which is most typically asymptomatic. However, toxoplasmosis can be severe and even fatal in immunocompromised patients and fetuses. Available treatment options are limited, so there is a strong impetus to develop novel therapeutics. This review focuses on the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology and treatment of T. gondii infection. Chemical compounds that modify redox status can reduce the parasite viability and thus be potential anti-Toxoplasma drugs. On the other hand, oxidative stress caused by the activation of the inflammatory response may have some deleterious consequences in host cells. In this respect, the potential use of natural antioxidants is worth considering, including melatonin and some vitamins, as possible novel anti-Toxoplasma therapeutics. Results of in vitro and animal studies are promising. However, supplementation with some antioxidants was found to promote the increase in parasitemia, and the disease was then characterized by a milder course. Undoubtedly, research in this area may have a significant impact on the future prospects of toxoplasmosis therapy.
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Liu X, Li C, Li X, Ehsan M, Lu M, Li K, Xu L, Yan R, Song X, Li X. Proteomics analysis reveals that the proto-oncogene eIF-5A indirectly influences the growth, invasion and replication of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:283. [PMID: 34039408 PMCID: PMC8157420 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04791-6] [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: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The proliferative stage (tachyzoite) of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is critical for its transmission and pathogenesis, and a proto-oncogene eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF-5A) plays an important role in various cellular processes such as cell multiplication. METHODS We performed a proteomic study to evaluate the specific roles of eIF-5A involved in invasion and replication of T. gondii, and both in vivo and in vitro trials using eIF-5A-interfered and wild tachyzoites were performed to verify the proteomic results. RESULTS The results of our study showed that T. gondii eIF-5A affected tachyzoite growth and also participated in the synthesis of proteins through regulation of both ribosomal and splicing pathways. Inhibition of eIF-5A in T. gondii resulted in the downregulated expression of soluble adhesions, such as microneme protein 1 (MIC1) and MIC4, which in turn decreased the parasite population that adhered to the surface of host cells. The reduced attachment, combined with lower expression of some rhoptry proteins (ROPs) and dense granule antigens (GRAs) involved in different stages of T. gondii invasion such as ROP4 and GRA3, ultimately reduce the invasion efficiency. These processes regulated by eIF-5A eventually affect the replication of tachyzoites. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed that eIF-5A influenced tachyzoite survival and was also involved in the process of parasite invasion and replication. These results will provide new clues for further development of targeted drugs to control T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchao Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100 People’s Republic of China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunjing Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Ehsan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of 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, 730046 Gansu People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingmin Lu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
- Poultry and Poultry Diseases Institute, Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, 650224 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lixin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaokai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
| | - XiangRui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People’s Republic of China
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Onguka O, Babin BM, Lakemeyer M, Foe IT, Amara N, Terrell SM, Lum KM, Cieplak P, Niphakis MJ, Long JZ, Bogyo M. Toxoplasma gondii serine hydrolases regulate parasite lipid mobilization during growth and replication within the host. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1501-1513.e5. [PMID: 34043961 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii must scavenge cholesterol and other lipids from the host to facilitate intracellular growth and replication. Enzymes responsible for neutral lipid synthesis have been identified but there is no evidence for enzymes that catalyze lipolysis of cholesterol esters and esterified lipids. Here, we characterize several T. gondii serine hydrolases with esterase and thioesterase activities that were previously thought to be depalmitoylating enzymes. We find they do not cleave palmitoyl thiol esters but rather hydrolyze short-chain lipid esters. Deletion of one of the hydrolases results in alterations in levels of multiple lipids species. We also identify small-molecule inhibitors of these hydrolases and show that treatment of parasites results in phenotypic defects reminiscent of parasites exposed to excess cholesterol or oleic acid. Together, these data characterize enzymes necessary for processing lipids critical for infection and highlight the potential for targeting parasite hydrolases for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouma Onguka
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Brett M Babin
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Markus Lakemeyer
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ian T Foe
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Neri Amara
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Stephanie M Terrell
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kenneth M Lum
- Lundbeck La Jolla Research Center, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Piotr Cieplak
- Infectious & Inflammatory Disease Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Z Long
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Ross EC, Ten Hoeve AL, Barragan A. Integrin-dependent migratory switches regulate the translocation of Toxoplasma-infected dendritic cells across brain endothelial monolayers. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5197-5212. [PMID: 34023934 PMCID: PMC8254729 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03858-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Multiple cellular processes, such as immune responses and cancer cell metastasis, crucially depend on interconvertible migration modes. However, knowledge is scarce on how infectious agents impact the processes of cell adhesion and migration at restrictive biological barriers. In extracellular matrix, dendritic cells (DCs) infected by the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii undergo mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition (MAT) for rapid integrin-independent migration. Here, in a cellular model of the blood–brain barrier, we report that parasitised DCs adhere to polarised endothelium and shift to integrin-dependent motility, accompanied by elevated transendothelial migration (TEM). Upon contact with endothelium, parasitised DCs dramatically reduced velocities and adhered under both static and shear stress conditions, thereby obliterating the infection-induced amoeboid motility displayed in collagen matrix. The motility of adherent parasitised DCs on endothelial monolayers was restored by blockade of β1 and β2 integrins or ICAM-1, which conversely reduced motility on collagen-coated surfaces. Moreover, parasitised DCs exhibited enhanced translocation across highly polarised primary murine brain endothelial cell monolayers. Blockade of β1, β2 integrins, ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 reduced TEM frequencies. Finally, gene silencing of the pan-integrin-cytoskeleton linker talin (Tln1) or of β1 integrin (Itgb1) in primary DCs resulted in increased motility on endothelium and decreased TEM. Adding to the paradigms of leukocyte diapedesis, the findings provide novel insights in how an intracellular pathogen impacts the migratory plasticity of leukocytes in response to the cellular environment, to promote infection-related dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Ross
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arne L Ten Hoeve
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonio Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Gao JM, Yi SQ, Geng GQ, Xu ZS, Hide G, Lun ZR, Lai DH. Infection with Trypanosoma lewisi or Trypanosoma musculi may promote the spread of Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitology 2021; 148:703-711. [PMID: 33536085 PMCID: PMC11010157 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000196] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii can infect almost all warm-blooded vertebrates with pathogensis being largely influenced by the host immune status. As important epidemiological hosts, rodents are globally distributed and are also commonly found infected with haemoflagellates, such as those in the genus Trypanosoma. We here address whether and how co-infection with trypanosomes can influence T. gondii infection in laboratory models. Rats of five strains, co-infected with T. lewisi and mice of four strains, co-infected with T. musculi, were found to be more or less susceptible to T. gondii infection, respectively, with corresponding increased or decreased brain cyst burdens. Downregulation of iNOS expression and decreased NO production or reverse were observed in the peritoneal macrophages of rats or mice, infected with trypanosomes, respectively. Trypanosoma lewisi and T. musculi can modulate host immune responses, either by enhancement or suppression and influence the outcome of Toxoplasma infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Mei Gao
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou510275, China
- Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510260, China
| | - Si-Qi Yi
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou510275, China
| | - Guo-Qing Geng
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou510275, China
| | - Zhi-Shen Xu
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou510275, China
| | - Geoff Hide
- Biomedical Research Centre and Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou510275, China
- Biomedical Research Centre and Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - De-Hua Lai
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou510275, China
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Węglińska L, Bekier A, Dzitko K, Pacholczyk-Sienicka B, Albrecht Ł, Plech T, Paneth P, Paneth A. 1,3,4-Thiadiazoles Effectively Inhibit Proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii. Cells 2021; 10:1053. [PMID: 33946881 PMCID: PMC8145641 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital and acquired toxoplasmosis caused by the food- and water-born parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most prevalent zoonotic infection of global importance. T. gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with limited capacity for extracellular survival, thus a successful, efficient and robust host cell invasion process is crucial for its survival, proliferation and transmission. In this study, we screened a series of novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-halophenylamines functionalized at the C5 position with the imidazole ring (1b-12b) for their effects on T. gondii host cell invasion and proliferation. To achieve this goal, these compounds were initially subjected to in vitro assays to assess their cytotoxicity on human fibroblasts and then antiparasitic efficacy. Results showed that all of them compare favorably to control drugs sulfadiazine and trimethoprim in terms of T. gondii growth inhibition (IC50) and selectivity toward the parasite, expressed as selectivity index (SI). Subsequently, the most potent of them with meta-fluoro 2b, meta-chloro 5b, meta-bromo 8b, meta-iodo 11b and para-iodo 12b substitution were tested for their efficacy in inhibition of tachyzoites invasion and subsequent proliferation by direct action on established intracellular infection. All the compounds significantly inhibited the parasite invasion and intracellular proliferation via direct action on both tachyzoites and parasitophorous vacuoles formation. The most effective was para-iodo derivative 12b that caused reduction in the percentage of infected host cells by 44% and number of tachyzoites per vacuole by 93% compared to non-treated host cells. Collectively, these studies indicate that 1,3,4-thiadiazoles 1b-12b, especially 12b with IC50 of 4.70 µg/mL and SI of 20.89, could be considered as early hit compounds for future design and synthesis of anti-Toxoplasma agents that effectively and selectively block the invasion and subsequent proliferation of T. gondii into host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Węglińska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Adrian Bekier
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Dzitko
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Barbara Pacholczyk-Sienicka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland; (B.P.-S.); (Ł.A.)
| | - Łukasz Albrecht
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland; (B.P.-S.); (Ł.A.)
| | - Tomasz Plech
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Piotr Paneth
- Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
- International Centre for Research on Innovative Biobased Materials (ICRI-BioM)—International Research Agenda, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agata Paneth
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
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Ihara F, Nishikawa Y. Toxoplasma gondii manipulates host cell signaling pathways via its secreted effector molecules. Parasitol Int 2021; 83:102368. [PMID: 33905814 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii secretes a vast variety of effector molecules from organelles known as rhoptries (ROPs) and dense granules (GRAs). ROP proteins are released into the cytosol of the host cell where they are directed to the cell nucleus or to the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) membrane. ROPs secrete proteins that enable host cell penetration and vacuole formation by the parasites, as well as hijacking host-immune responses. After invading host cells, T. gondii multiplies within a PV that is maintained by the parasite proteins secreted from GRAs. Most GRA proteins remain within the PV, but some are known to access the host cytosol across the PV membrane, and a few are able to traffic into the host-cell nucleus. These effectors bind to host cell proteins and affect host cell signaling pathways to favor the parasite. Studies on host-pathogen interactions have identified many infection-altered host signal transductions. Notably, the relationship between individual parasite effector molecules and the specific targeting of host-signaling pathways is being elucidated through the advent of forward and reverse genetic strategies. Understanding the complex nature of the host-pathogen interactions underlying how the host-signaling pathway is manipulated by parasite effectors may lead to new molecular biological knowledge and novel therapeutic methods for toxoplasmosis. In this review, we discuss how T. gondii modulates cell signaling pathways in the host to favor its survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Ihara
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.
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Muglia Amancio A, Mittereder L, Carletti A, Tosh KW, Green D, Antonelli LR, Gazzinelli RT, Sher A, Jankovic D. IFNs Reset the Differential Capacity of Human Monocyte Subsets to Produce IL-12 in Response to Microbial Stimulation. J Immunol 2021; 206:1642-1652. [PMID: 33627376 PMCID: PMC8034562 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Human primary monocytes are composed of a minor, more mature CD16+(CD14low/neg) population and a major CD16neg(CD14+) subset. The specific functions of CD16+ versus CD16neg monocytes in steady state or inflammation remain poorly understood. In previous work, we found that IL-12 is selectively produced by the CD16+ subset in response to the protozoan pathogen, Toxoplasma gondii In this study, we demonstrated that this differential responsiveness correlates with the presence of an IFN-induced transcriptional signature in CD16+ monocytes already at baseline. Consistent with this observation, we found that in vitro IFN-γ priming overcomes the defect in the IL-12 response of the CD16neg subset. In contrast, pretreatment with IFN-γ had only a minor effect on IL-12p40 secretion by the CD16+ population. Moreover, inhibition of the mTOR pathway also selectively increased the IL-12 response in CD16neg but not in CD16+ monocytes. We further demonstrate that in contrast to IFN-γ, IFN-α fails to promote IL-12 production by the CD16neg subset and blocks the effect of IFN-γ priming. Based on these observations, we propose that the acquisition of IL-12 responsiveness by peripheral blood monocyte subsets depends on extrinsic signals experienced during their developmental progression in vivo. This process can be overridden during inflammation by the opposing regulatory effects of type I and II IFN as well as the mTOR inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Muglia Amancio
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Lara Mittereder
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Alexie Carletti
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Kevin W Tosh
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Daniel Green
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Lis R Antonelli
- Instituto de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-002, Brazil
| | - Ricardo T Gazzinelli
- Instituto de Pesquisas Rene Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-002, Brazil
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605; and
- Plataforma de Medicina Translacional, FIOCRUZ, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14040-030, Brazil
| | - Alan Sher
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Dragana Jankovic
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892;
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Chiebao DP, Bartley PM, Chianini F, Black LE, Burrells A, Pena HFJ, Soares RM, Innes EA, Katzer F. Early immune responses and parasite tissue distribution in mice experimentally infected with oocysts of either archetypal or non-archetypal genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitology 2021; 148:464-476. [PMID: 33315001 PMCID: PMC11010124 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020002346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In most of the world Toxoplasma gondii is comprised of archetypal types (types I, II and III); however, South America displays several non-archetypal strains. This study used an experimental mouse model to characterize the immune response and parasite kinetics following infection with different parasite genotypes. An oral inoculation of 50 oocysts per mouse from T. gondii M4 type II (archetypal, avirulent), BrI or BrIII (non-archetypal, virulent and intermediate virulent, respectively) for groups (G)2, G3 and G4, respectively was used. The levels of mRNA expression of cytokines, immune compounds, cell surface markers and receptor adapters [interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-12, CD8, CD4, CD25, CXCR3 and MyD88] were quantified by SYBR green reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Lesions were characterized by histology and detection by immunohistochemistry established distribution of parasites. Infection in G2 mice was mild and characterized by an early MyD88-dependent pathway. In G3, there were high levels of expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFNγ and IL-12 in the mice showing severe clinical symptoms at 8–11 days post infection (dpi), combined with the upregulation of CD25, abundant tachyzoites and tissue lesions in livers, lungs and intestines. Significant longer expression of IFNγ and IL-12 genes, with other Th1-balanced immune responses, such as increased levels of CXCR3 and MyD88 in G4, resulted in survival of mice and chronic toxoplasmosis, with the occurrence of tissue cysts in brain and lungs, at 14 and 21 dpi. Different immune responses and kinetics of gene expression appear to be elicited by the different strains and non-archetypal parasites demonstrated higher virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela P. Chiebao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science – FMVZ, University of Sao Paulo, 87 Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 05508-270São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paul M. Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Francesca Chianini
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Lauren E. Black
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Alison Burrells
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Hilda F. J. Pena
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science – FMVZ, University of Sao Paulo, 87 Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 05508-270São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M. Soares
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science – FMVZ, University of Sao Paulo, 87 Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 05508-270São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth A. Innes
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Frank Katzer
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, EdinburghEH26 0PZ, UK
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Kochanowsky JA, Thomas KK, Koshy AA. ROP16-Mediated Activation of STAT6 Suppresses Host Cell Reactive Oxygen Species Production, Facilitating Type III Toxoplasma gondii Growth and Survival. mBio 2021; 12:e03305-20. [PMID: 33653884 PMCID: PMC8092286 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03305-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymorphic effector proteins determine the susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii strains to IFN-γ-mediated clearance mechanisms deployed by murine host cells. However, less is known about the influence of these polymorphic effector proteins on IFN-γ-independent clearance mechanisms. Here, we show that deletion of one such polymorphic effector protein, ROP16, from a type III background leads to a defect in parasite growth and survival in unstimulated human fibroblasts and murine macrophages. Rescue of these defects requires a ROP16 with a functional kinase domain and the ability to activate a specific family of host cell transcription factors (STAT3, 5a, and 6). The growth and survival defects correlate with an accumulation of host cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are prevented by treatment with an ROS inhibitor. Exogenous activation of STAT3 and 6 suppresses host cell ROS production during infection with ROP16-deficient parasites and depletion of STAT6, but not STAT3 or 5a, causes an accumulation of ROS in cells infected with wild-type parasites. Pharmacological inhibition of NOX2 and mitochondrially derived ROS also rescues growth and survival of ROP16-deficient parasites. Collectively, these findings reveal an IFN-γ-independent mechanism of parasite restriction in human cells that is subverted by injection of ROP16 by type III parasites.IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects up to one-third of the world's population. Control of the parasite is largely accomplished by IFN-γ-dependent mechanisms that stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Parasite suppression of IFN-γ-stimulated responses has been linked to proteins that the parasite secretes into its host cell. These secreted proteins vary by T. gondii strain and determine strain-specific lethality in mice. How these strain-specific polymorphic effector proteins affect IFN-γ-independent parasite control mechanisms in human and murine cells is not well known. This study shows that one such secreted protein, ROP16, enables efficient parasite growth and survival by suppressing IFN-γ-independent production of ROS by human and mouse cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anita A Koshy
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Dard C, Swale C, Brenier-Pinchart MP, Farhat DC, Bellini V, Robert MG, Cannella D, Pelloux H, Tardieux I, Hakimi MA. A brain cyst load-associated antigen is a Toxoplasma gondii biomarker for serodetection of persistent parasites and chronic infection. BMC Biol 2021; 19:25. [PMID: 33557824 PMCID: PMC7871634 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-00959-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomarker discovery remains a major challenge for predictive medicine, in particular, in the context of chronic diseases. This is true for the widespread protozoan Toxoplasma gondii which establishes long-lasting parasitism in metazoans, humans included. This microbe successively unfolds distinct genetic programs that direct the transition from high to low replicative potential inside host cells. As a slow-replicating cell, the T. gondii bradyzoite developmental stage persists enclosed in a cyst compartment within tissues including the nervous system, being held by a sustained immune equilibrium which accounts for the prolonged clinically silent phase of parasitism. Serological surveys indicate that nearly one third of the human population has been exposed to T. gondii and possibly host bradyzoites. Because any disruption of the immune balance drives the reverse transition from bradyzoite to fast replicating tachyzoite and uncontrolled growth of the latter, these people are at risk for life-threatening disease. While serological tests for discriminating recent from past infection are available, there is yet no immunogenic biomarker used in the serological test to allow ascertaining the presence of persistent bradyzoites. RESULTS Capitalizing on genetically engineered parasites induced to produce mature bradyzoites in vitro, we have identified the BCLA/MAG2 protein being restricted to the bradyzoite and the cyst envelope. Using laboratory mice as relevant T. gondii host models, we demonstrated that BCLA/MAG2 drives the generation of antibodies that recognize bradyzoite and the enveloping cyst structure. We have designed an ELISA assay based on a bacterially produced BCLA recombinant polypeptide, which was validated using a large collection of sera from mice of different genetic backgrounds and infected with bcla+ or bcla-null cystogenic and non-cystogenic T. gondii strains. To refine the design of the ELISA assay, we applied high-resolution BCLA epitope mapping and identified a specific combination of peptides and accordingly set up a selective and sensitive ELISA assay which allowed the detection of anti-BCLA/MAG2 antibodies in the sera of human patients with various forms of toxoplasmosis. CONCLUSIONS We brought proof of principle that anti-BCLA/MAG2 antibodies serve as specific and sensitive serological markers in the perspective of a combinatorial strategy for detection of persistent T. gondii parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Dard
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, CS10217, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | - Christopher Swale
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Brenier-Pinchart
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, CS10217, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | - Dayana C Farhat
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Valeria Bellini
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Marie Gladys Robert
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, CS10217, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | - Dominique Cannella
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Hervé Pelloux
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, CS10217, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Tardieux
- Team Membrane and Cell Dynamics of Host Parasite Interactions, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
- Team Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunity to Infection, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.
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Shaapan RM, Al-Abodi HR, Alanazi AD, Abdel-Shafy S, Rashidipour M, Shater AF, Mahmoudvand H. Myrtus communis Essential Oil; Anti-Parasitic Effects and Induction of the Innate Immune System in Mice with Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26040819. [PMID: 33557392 PMCID: PMC7915315 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Myrtus communis (M. communis) is a wild aromatic plant used for traditional herbal medicine that can be demonstrated in insecticidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity of its essential oils (MCEO). Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effects of M. communis essential oil (MCEO) against chronic toxoplasmosis induced by the Tehran strain of Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of MCEO. Mice were then orally administrated with MCEO at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day and also atovaquone 100 mg/kg for 21 days. On the 15th day, the mice were infected with the intraperitoneal inoculation of 20–25 tissue cysts from the Tehran strain of T. gondii. The mean numbers of brain tissue cysts and the mRNA levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ in mice of each tested group were measured. Results: By GC/MS, the major constituents were α-pinene (24.7%), 1,8-cineole (19.6%), and linalool (12.6%), respectively. The results demonstrated that the mean number of T. gondii tissue cysts in experimental groups Ex1 (p < 0.05), Ex2 (p < 0.001) and Ex3 (p < 0.001) was meaningfully reduced in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group (C2). The mean diameter of tissue cyst was significantly reduced in mice of the experimental groups Ex2 (p < 0.01) and Ex3 (p < 0.001). The results demonstrated that although the mRNA levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 were elevated in all mice of experimental groups, a significant increase (p < 0.001) was observed in tested groups of Ex2 and Ex3 when compared with control groups. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated the potent prophylactic effects of MCEO especially in the doses 200 and 300 mg/kg in mice infected with T. gondii. Although the exceptional anti-Toxoplasma effects of MCEO and other possessions, such as improved innate immunity and low toxicity are positive topics, there is, however, a need for more proof from investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raafat M. Shaapan
- Department of Zoonosis, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Centre, El-Tahrir Street, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Hiba Riyadh Al-Abodi
- Department of Environment, College of Science, University of Al-Qadisiyah, P.O. Box 88, Al-Diwaniyah 58001, Iraq;
| | - Abdullah D. Alanazi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Ad-Dawadimi 11911, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sobhy Abdel-Shafy
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Marzieh Rashidipour
- Nutritional Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad 68149-93165, Iran;
| | - Abdullah F. Shater
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad 68149-93165, Iran
- Correspondence:
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Carmeille R, Schiano Lomoriello P, Devarakonda PM, Kellermeier JA, Heaslip AT. Actin and an unconventional myosin motor, TgMyoF, control the organization and dynamics of the endomembrane network in Toxoplasma gondii. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1008787. [PMID: 33529198 PMCID: PMC7880465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that relies on three distinct secretory organelles, the micronemes, rhoptries, and dense granules, for parasite survival and disease pathogenesis. Secretory proteins destined for these organelles are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and sequentially trafficked through a highly polarized endomembrane network that consists of the Golgi and multiple post-Golgi compartments. Currently, little is known about how the parasite cytoskeleton controls the positioning of the organelles in this pathway, or how vesicular cargo is trafficked between organelles. Here we show that F-actin and an unconventional myosin motor, TgMyoF, control the dynamics and organization of the organelles in the secretory pathway, specifically ER tubule movement, apical positioning of the Golgi and post-Golgi compartments, apical positioning of the rhoptries, and finally, the directed transport of Rab6-positive and Rop1-positive vesicles. Thus, this study identifies TgMyoF and actin as the key cytoskeletal components that organize the endomembrane system in T. gondii. Endomembrane trafficking is a vital cellular process in all eukaryotic cells. In most cases the molecular motors myosin, kinesin, and dynein transport cargo including vesicles, organelles and transcripts along actin and microtubule filaments in a manner analogous to a train moving on its tracks. For the unicellular eukaryote Toxoplasma gondii, the accurate trafficking of proteins through the endomembrane system is vital for parasite survival and pathogenicity. However, the mechanisms of cargo transport in this parasite are poorly understood. In this study, we fluorescently labeled multiple endomembrane organelles and imaged their movements using live cell microscopy. We demonstrate that filamentous actin and an unconventional myosin motor named TgMyoF control both the positioning of organelles in this pathway and the movement of transport vesicles throughout the parasite cytosol. This data provides new insight into the mechanisms of cargo transport in this important pathogen and expands our understanding of the biological roles of actin in the intracellular phase of the parasite’s growth cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Carmeille
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Porfirio Schiano Lomoriello
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Parvathi M. Devarakonda
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jacob A. Kellermeier
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Aoife T. Heaslip
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Wei XY, Gong QL, Zeng A, Wang W, Wang Q, Zhang XX. Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats in China from 2010 to 2020: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Vet Med 2021; 186:105230. [PMID: 33348304 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a widely distributed protozoan parasite that can infect a variety of warm-blooded animals including humans and goats. This is the first meta-analysis to assess the overall seroprevalence and potential risk factors of T. gondii infection among goats in China. Databases including the VIP Chinese Journal Databases (VIP), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, WanFang, ScienceDirect, and PubMed were searched comprehensively for relevant studies published from 2010 to date. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled seroprevalence estimates with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) and data were analyzed from 13 provinces in China. The pooled T. gondii seroprevalence in goats was estimated as 9.9 %. Goats T. gondii had the highest seroprevalence in Southwestern China (13.3 %) and the lowest in Northeastern China (7.3 %). The seroprevalence in the sub-group before 2012 (8.0 %) was lower than that in 2012-2015 (15.2 %) and 2016 or later (9.2 %). Goats aged > 12-months had a higher seroprevalence (11.7 %) than ≤ 12-months (10.7 %). The seroprevalence in female goats was 12.5 % and 12.2 % in male goats. In season subgroups, the seroprevalence was lowest in autumn (6.1 %). Naturally grazed goats had a seroprevalence of 8.1 % of infection and 7.8 % in intensively fed goats. We also evaluated the effects of geographical and climate variables on the pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii in goats in China. The results indicated that toxoplasmosis is widely distributed in goats in China. In the context of ensuring animal welfare, we suggest the continued promotion of the transition from natural grazing to intensive agriculture to strengthen disease prevention. Prevention would be better carried out in areas suitable for the survival and reproduction of T. gondii. Breeders need to regularly disinfect the feeding areas and pens or other areas of goat activity thoroughly to reduce the impact of environmental factors responses on the infection of goats to T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yu Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266109, PR China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China.
| | - Qing-Long Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130118, PR China.
| | - Ao Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China.
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, 163319, PR China.
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130118, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Xuan Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, 266109, PR China.
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Abstract
Infections with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii are frequent, but one of its main consequences, ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), remains poorly understood. While its clinical description has recently attracted more attention and publications, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are only sparsely elucidated, which is partly due to the inherent difficulties to establish relevant animal models. Furthermore, the particularities of the ocular environment explain why the abundant knowledge on systemic toxoplasmosis cannot be just transferred to the ocular situation. However, studies undertaken in mouse models have revealed a central role of interferon gamma (IFNγ) and, more surprisingly, interleukin 17 (IL17), in ocular pathology and parasite control. These studies also show the importance of the genetic background of the infective Toxoplasma strain. Indeed, infections due to exotic strains show a completely different pathophysiology, which translates in a different clinical outcome. These elements should lead to more individualized therapy. Furthermore, the recent advance in understanding the immune response during OT paved the way to new research leads, involving immune pathways poorly studied in this particular setting, such as type I and type III interferons. In any case, deeper knowledge of the mechanisms of this pathology is needed to establish new, more targeted treatment schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Greigert
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, UR 7292, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Faiza Bittich-Fahmi
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, UR 7292, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alexander W. Pfaff
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, UR 7292, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Service de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- * E-mail:
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45
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Le Guernic A, Geffard A, Rioult D, Bigot-Clivot A, Leprêtre M, Palos Ladeiro M. Cellular and molecular complementary immune stress markers for the model species Dreissena polymorpha. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2020; 107:452-462. [PMID: 33197585 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to combine cellular and molecular analyses for better detail the effects of various stresses on a sentinel species of freshwater invertebrate. For this purpose, the hemocytes of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, were exposed to different stresses at two different intensities, high or low: chemical (cadmium and ionomycin), physical (ultraviolet B), or biological ones (Cryptosporidium parvum and Toxoplasma gondii). After exposure, flow cytometry and droplet digital PCR analyses were performed on the same pools of hemocytes. Several responses related to necrosis, apoptosis, phagocytosis, production of nitric oxide and expression level of several genes related to the antioxidant, detoxification and immune systems were evaluated. Results showed that hemocyte integrity was compromised by both chemical and physical stress, and cellular markers of phagocytosis reacted to ionomycin and protozoa. While cadmium induced oxidative stress and necrosis, ionomycin tends to modulate the immune response of hemocytes. Although both biological stresses led to a similar immune response, C. parvum oocysts induced more effects than T. gondii, notably through the expression of effector caspases gene and an increase in hemocyte necrosis. This suggests different management of the two protozoa by the cell. This work provides new knowledge of biomarkers in the zebra mussel, at both cellular and molecular levels, and contributes to elucidate the mechanisms of action of different kinds of stress in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Le Guernic
- Reims Champagne-Ardenne University (URCA), Campus Moulin de La Housse, UMR-I02 SEBIO, 51687, Reims, France.
| | - Alain Geffard
- Reims Champagne-Ardenne University (URCA), Campus Moulin de La Housse, UMR-I02 SEBIO, 51687, Reims, France
| | - Damien Rioult
- Reims Champagne-Ardenne University (URCA), Campus Moulin de La Housse, UMR-I02 SEBIO, 51687, Reims, France; Plateau Technique Mobile en Cytométrie Environnementale MOBICYTE, URCA/INERIS, URCA, 51687, Reims, France
| | - Aurélie Bigot-Clivot
- Reims Champagne-Ardenne University (URCA), Campus Moulin de La Housse, UMR-I02 SEBIO, 51687, Reims, France
| | - Maxime Leprêtre
- Reims Champagne-Ardenne University (URCA), Campus Moulin de La Housse, UMR-I02 SEBIO, 51687, Reims, France
| | - Mélissa Palos Ladeiro
- Reims Champagne-Ardenne University (URCA), Campus Moulin de La Housse, UMR-I02 SEBIO, 51687, Reims, France
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46
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Taggart PL, Caraguel CGB, McAllister MM. Fractional seroprevalence rates in common prey species can cause more than half of feral cats to be exposed to Toxoplasma gondii annually. Vet Parasitol 2020; 288:109306. [PMID: 33221602 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Rodents comprise a major component of cat (Felis catus) diets in many ecosystems, and life cycle diagrams of Toxoplasma gondii typically depict small rodents as quintessential intermediate hosts. Counter-intuitively, small rodents often experience a lower T. gondii seroprevalence than do larger sympatric mammals. This observation has repeatedly caused confusion about the relative importance of small rodents to the ecology of T. gondii. To address this confusion, we modified the Reed-Frost epidemic model to develop a simple binomial equation to model T. gondii transmission from prey to feline predators. This equation takes into account variations in prey seroprevalence and the frequency with which they are consumed by felids. Even when T. gondii seroprevalence in prey is < 1%, computation reveals that the risk of feline exposure to T. gondii can easily exceed 50 % annually. For example, if cats eat an average of 1 mouse per day, a seroprevalence of 0.2 % (1/500) in mice will cause 51.9 % of cats to be exposed to T. gondii annually. Our simple equation demonstrates that both prey seroprevalence and the rate at which prey are consumed are of approximately equal importance to the ecology of T. gondii. When inferring the importance of various prey species to the ecology of T. gondii, researchers must consider the predation and dietary habits of felids from within their study system. Our simple binomial equation could also be used to predict T. gondii exposure rates of humans or other carnivorous animals from various dietary sources or be applied to other predator-prey parasite life cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L Taggart
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia; Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, 2800 Australia.
| | - Charles G B Caraguel
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia
| | - Milton M McAllister
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia
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Wiener RC, Waters C, Bhandari R. The association of Toxoplasma gondii IgG and cognitive function scores: NHANES 2013-2014. Parasitol Int 2020; 78:102123. [PMID: 32416258 PMCID: PMC7879586 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes chronic, latent infections of global concern. Its subclinical influence on behavior and cognition are poorly understood. The objective of this research is to determine the relationship of T. gondii IgG with cognition using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 2013-2014 in older adults ≥60 years. A composite cognitive function score was created by adding the scores of the memory test, language/verbal fluency, and working memory test. T. gondii IgG was dichotomized at <33 IU/mL (negative) and ≥33 IU/mL (positive). There were 19.2% of the participants who were T. gondii IgG+. The memory function and language/verbal fluency subtests failed to reach significance; however, the difference in the working memory test was significant. In the multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, controlling for potential confounders, the odds of cognitive function scores decreasing in quartiles among people with positive vs. negative T. gondii IgG are 1.55 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.21; p = .0170). Establishing an evidence base for the association of T. gondii IgG and cognition is complex, but essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Constance Wiener
- West Virginia University, Department of Dental Practice and Rural Health, School of Dentistry, 104a Health Sciences Addition, PO Box 9415, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America.
| | - Christopher Waters
- West Virginia University, Department of Dental Research, School of Dentistry, 106a Health Sciences Addition, PO Box 9448, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America.
| | - Ruchi Bhandari
- West Virginia University, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Robert C Byrd Health Sciences Center North, Room G104C, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America.
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Zhuang H, Yao C, Zhao X, Chen X, Yang Y, Huang S, Pan L, Du A, Yang Y. DNA double-strand breaks in the Toxoplasma gondii-infected cells by the action of reactive oxygen species. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:490. [PMID: 32988387 PMCID: PMC7523337 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate parasite of all warm-blooded animals around the globe. Once infecting a cell, it manipulates the host's DNA damage response that is yet to be elucidated. The objectives of the present study were three-fold: (i) to assess DNA damages in T. gondii-infected cells in vitro; (ii) to ascertain causes of DNA damage in T. gondii-infected cells; and (iii) to investigate activation of DNA damage responses during T. gondii infection. METHODS HeLa, Vero and HEK293 cells were infected with T. gondii at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10:1. Infected cells were analyzed for a biomarker of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) γH2AX at 10 h, 20 h or 30 h post-infection using both western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), and ROS-induced DNA damage was inhibited by a ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Lastly, DNA damage responses were evaluated by detecting the active form of ataxia telangiectasia mutated/checkpoint kinase 2 (ATM/CHK2) by western blot. RESULTS γH2AX levels in the infected HeLa cells were significantly increased over time during T. gondii infection compared to uninfected cells. NAC treatment greatly reduced ROS and concomitantly diminished γH2AX in host cells. The phosphorylated ATM/CHK2 were elevated in T. gondii-infected cells. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma gondii infection triggered DNA DSBs with ROS as a major player in host cells in vitro. It also activated DNA damage response pathway ATM/CHK2. Toxoplasma gondii manages to keep a balance between survival and apoptosis of its host cells for the benefit of its own survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haohan Zhuang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Xianfeng Zhao
- Animals & Plant Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center of Shenzhen Customs, Shenzhen, 518045, PR China
| | - Xueqiu Chen
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Yimin Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Siyang Huang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, and Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Lingtao Pan
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Aifang Du
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
| | - Yi Yang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China.
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Tsitsiklis A, Bangs DJ, Lutes LK, Chan SW, Geiger KM, Modzelewski AJ, Labarta-Bajo L, Wang Y, Zuniga EI, Dai S, Robey EA. An Unusual MHC Molecule Generates Protective CD8+ T Cell Responses to Chronic Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1464. [PMID: 32733483 PMCID: PMC7360836 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The CD8+ T cell response to the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii varies dramatically between mouse strains, resulting in stark differences in control of the parasite. Protection in BALB/c mice can be attributed to an unusually strong and protective MHC-1 Ld-restricted CD8+ T cell response directed against a peptide derived from the parasite antigen GRA6. The MHC-1 Ld molecule has limited peptide binding compared to conventional MHC molecules such as Kb or Db, which correlates with polymorphisms associated with "elite control" of HIV in humans. To investigate the link between the unusual MHC-1 molecule Ld and the generation of "elite controller" CD8+ T cell responses, we compared the GRA6-Ld specific T cell response to the well-studied OVA-Kb specific response, and demonstrated that GRA6-Ld specific T cells are significantly more protective and resistant to exhaustion in chronic T. gondii infection. To further investigate the connection between limited peptide presentation and robust T cell responses, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate mice with a point mutation (W97R) in the peptide-binding groove of Ld that results in broader peptide binding. We investigated the effect of this Ld W97R mutation on another robust Ld-restricted response against the IE1 peptide during Murine Cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. This mutation leads to an increase in exhaustion markers in the IE1-Ld specific CD8+ T cell response. Our results indicate that limited peptide binding by MHC-1 Ld correlates with the development of robust and protective CD8+ T cell responses that may avoid exhaustion during chronic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Tsitsiklis
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Derek J. Bangs
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Lydia K. Lutes
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Shiao W. Chan
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Kristina M. Geiger
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Andrew J. Modzelewski
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Lara Labarta-Bajo
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Elina I. Zuniga
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Shaodong Dai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Ellen A. Robey
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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50
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Broncel M, Dominicus C, Vigetti L, Nofal SD, Bartlett EJ, Touquet B, Hunt A, Wallbank BA, Federico S, Matthews S, Young JC, Tate EW, Tardieux I, Treeck M. Profiling of myristoylation in Toxoplasma gondii reveals an N-myristoylated protein important for host cell penetration. eLife 2020; 9:e57861. [PMID: 32618271 PMCID: PMC7373427 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
N-myristoylation is a ubiquitous class of protein lipidation across eukaryotes and N-myristoyl transferase (NMT) has been proposed as an attractive drug target in several pathogens. Myristoylation often primes for subsequent palmitoylation and stable membrane attachment, however, growing evidence suggests additional regulatory roles for myristoylation on proteins. Here we describe the myristoylated proteome of Toxoplasma gondii using chemoproteomic methods and show that a small-molecule NMT inhibitor developed against related Plasmodium spp. is also functional in Toxoplasma. We identify myristoylation on a transmembrane protein, the microneme protein 7 (MIC7), which enters the secretory pathway in an unconventional fashion with the myristoylated N-terminus facing the lumen of the micronemes. MIC7 and its myristoylation play a crucial role in the initial steps of invasion, likely during the interaction with and penetration of the host cell. Myristoylation of secreted eukaryotic proteins represents a substantial expansion of the functional repertoire of this co-translational modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Broncel
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Caia Dominicus
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Luis Vigetti
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Membrane Dynamics of Parasite-Host Cell Interactions, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Stephanie D Nofal
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Edward J Bartlett
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City CampusLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Bastien Touquet
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Membrane Dynamics of Parasite-Host Cell Interactions, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Alex Hunt
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Bethan A Wallbank
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Stefania Federico
- The Peptide Chemistry STP, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Stephen Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South KensingtonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Joanna C Young
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Edward W Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City CampusLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Tardieux
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Team Membrane Dynamics of Parasite-Host Cell Interactions, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Moritz Treeck
- Signalling in Apicomplexan Parasites Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
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