1
|
de Oliveira RS, Moll-Bernardes R, de Brito AX, Pinheiro MVT, de Almeida SA, da Silva Gomes NL, de Oliveira Terzi FV, Moreira OC, Xavier SS, Rosado-de-Castro PH, de Sousa AS. Use of PET/CT to detect myocardial inflammation and the risk of malignant arrhythmia in chronic Chagas disease. J Nucl Cardiol 2023; 30:2702-2711. [PMID: 37605061 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-023-03350-z] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas heart disease (CHD) is characterized by progressive myocardial inflammation associated with myocardial fibrosis and segmental abnormalities that may lead to malignant ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. This arrhythmia might be related to the persistence of parasitemia or inflammation in the myocardium in late-stage CHD. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been used to detect myocardial inflammation in non-ischemic cardiomyopathies, such as sarcoidosis, and might be useful for risk prediction in patients with CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-four outpatients with chronic CHD were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study between May 2019 and March 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: those with sustained ventricular tachycardia and/or aborted sudden cardiac death who required implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and those with the same stages of CHD and no complex ventricular arrhythmia. Patients underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) and 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT, and blood samples were collected for qualitative parasite assessment by polymerase chain reaction. Although similar proportions of patients with and without complex ventricular arrhythmia showed 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTATOC uptake, 68Ga-DOTATOC corrected SUVmax was higher in patients with complex arrhythmia (3.4 vs 1.7; P = .046), suggesting that inflammation could be associated with the presence of malignant arrhythmia in the late stages of CHD. We also detected Trypanosoma cruzi in both groups, with a nonsignificant trend of increased parasitemia in the group with malignant arrhythmia (66.7% vs 33.3%). CONCLUSION 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTATOC uptake on PET/CT may be useful for the detection of myocardial inflammation in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy, and 68Ga-DOTATOC uptake may be associated with the presence of malignant arrhythmia, with potential therapeutic implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renée Sarmento de Oliveira
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Internal Medicine Department, Rio de Janeiro Federal State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sergio Salles Xavier
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Disease, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Andréa Silvestre de Sousa
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Disease, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lin C, Ferreira de Almeida Fiuza L, Cardoso Santos C, Ferreira Nunes D, Cruz Moreira O, Bouton J, Karalic I, Maes L, Caljon G, Hulpia F, de Nazaré C Soeiro M, Van Calenbergh S. 6-Methyl-7-Aryl-7-Deazapurine Nucleosides as Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Agents: Structure-Activity Relationship and in vivo Efficacy. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2231-2253. [PMID: 33856742 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100144] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a tropical infectious disease resulting in progressive organ-damage and currently lacks efficient treatment and vaccine options. The causative pathogen, Trypanosoma cruzi, requires uptake and processing of preformed purines from the host because it cannot synthesize these de novo, instigating the evaluation of modified purine nucleosides as potential trypanocides. By modifying the pyrimidine part of a previously identified 7-aryl-7-deazapurine nucleoside, we found that substitution of a 6-methyl for a 6-amino group allows retaining T. cruzi amastigote growth inhibitory activity but confers improved selectivity towards mammalian cells. By keeping the 6-methyl group unaltered, and introducing different 7-aryl groups, we identified several analogues with sub-micromolar antitrypanosomal activity. The 7-(4-chlorophenyl) analogue 14, which was stable in microsomes, was evaluated in an acute mouse model. Oral administration of 25 mg/kg b.i.d. suppressed peak parasitemia and protected mice from infection-related mortality, gave similar reductions as the reference drug of blood parasite loads determined by qPCR, but as benznidazole failed to induce sterile cure in the short time period of drug exposure (5 days).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cai Lin
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Ludmila Ferreira de Almeida Fiuza
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camila Cardoso Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ferreira Nunes
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A-Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Plataforma de PCR em Tempo Real RPT09A-Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jakob Bouton
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Izet Karalic
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Fabian Hulpia
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Gent, Belgium.,Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Maria de Nazaré C Soeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vilar-Pereira G, Castaño Barrios L, da Silva AA, Martins Batista A, Resende Pereira I, Cruz Moreira O, Britto C, Mata dos Santos HA, Lannes-Vieira J. Memory impairment in chronic experimental Chagas disease: Benznidazole therapy reversed cognitive deficit in association with reduction of parasite load and oxidative stress in the nervous tissue. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244710. [PMID: 33400707 PMCID: PMC7785227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244710] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Memory impairment has been associated with chronic Chagas disease (CD), a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. In degenerative diseases, memory loss has been associated with increased oxidative stress, revealed as enhanced lipid peroxidation, in the cerebral cortex. Benznidazole (Bz), a trypanocidal drug efficient to reduce blood parasite load in the acute and chronic phases of infection, showed controversial effects on heart disease progression, the main clinical manifestation of CD. Here, we evaluated whether C57BL/6 mice infected with the Colombian type I T. cruzi strain present memory deficit assessed by (i) the novel object recognition task, (ii) the open field test and (iii) the aversive shock evoked test, at 120 days post infection (dpi). Next, we tested the effects of Bz therapy (25mg/Kg/day, for 30 consecutive days) on memory evocation, and tried to establish a relation between memory loss, parasite load and oxidative stress in the central nervous system (CNS). At 120 dpi, T. cruzi-infected mice showed memory impairment, compared with age-matched non-infected controls. Bz therapy (from 120 to 150 dpi) hampered the progression of habituation and aversive memory loss and, moreover, reversed memory impairment in object recognition. In vehicle-administered infected mice, neuroinflammation was absent albeit rare perivascular mononuclear cells were found in meninges and choroid plexus. Bz therapy abrogated the infiltration of the CNS by inflammatory cells, and reduced parasite load in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. At 120 and 150 dpi, lipid peroxidation was increased in the hippocampus and cortex tissue extracts. Notably, Bz therapy reduced levels of lipid peroxidation in the cerebral cortex. Therefore, in experimental chronic T. cruzi infection Bz therapy improved memory loss, in association with reduction of parasite load and oxidative stress in the CNS, providing a new perspective to improve the quality of life of Chagas disease patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leda Castaño Barrios
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andrea Alice da Silva
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Apoio à Pesquisa em Nefrologia e Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Angelica Martins Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hílton Antônio Mata dos Santos
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Análise e Desenvolvimento de Inibidores Enzimáticos e Laboratório Multiusuário de Análises por RMN, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
de Almeida Fiuza LF, Batista DDGJ, Nunes DF, Moreira OC, Cascabulho C, Soeiro MDNC. Benznidazole modulates release of inflammatory mediators by cardiac spheroids infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2020; 221:108061. [PMID: 33383023 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108061] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi remains a serious public health problem in Latin America. The available treatment is limited to two old drugs, benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox, which exhibit limited efficacy and trigger side effects, justifying the search for new therapies. Also, more accurate and sensitive experimental protocols for drug discovery programs are necessary to shrink the translational gaps found among pre-clinical and clinical trials. Presently, cardiac spheroids were used to evaluate host cell cytotoxicity and anti-T.cruzi activity of benznidazole, exploring its effect on the release of inflammatory mediators. Bz presented low toxic profile on 3D matrices (LC50 > 200 μM) and high potency in vitro (EC50 = 0.99 μM) evidenced by qPCR analysis of T.cruzi-infected cardiac spheroids. Flow cytometry appraisal of inflammatory mediators released at the cellular supernatant showed increases in IL - 6 and TNF contents (≈190 and ≈ 25-fold) in parasitized spheroids as compared to uninfected cultures. Bz at 10 μM suppressed parasite load (92%) concomitantly decreasing in IL-6 (36%) and TNF (68%). Our findings corroborate the successful use of 3D cardiac matrices for in vitro identification of novel anti-parasitic agents and potential impact in host cell physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise da Gama Jaen Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ferreira Nunes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cynthia Cascabulho
- Laboratório de Inovações Em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guedes-da-Silva FH, Batista DDGJ, Da Silva CF, Pavão BP, Batista MM, Moreira OC, Souza LRQ, Britto C, Rachakonda G, Villalta F, Lepesheva GI, Soeiro MDNC. Successful Aspects of the Coadministration of Sterol 14α-Demethylase Inhibitor VFV and Benznidazole in Experimental Mouse Models of Chagas Disease Caused by the Drug-Resistant Strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:365-371. [PMID: 30625275 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Up to now, no vaccines are available for Chagas disease, and the current therapy is largely unsatisfactory. Novel imidazole-based scaffolds of protozoan sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) inhibitors have demonstrated potent antiparasitic activity with no acute toxicity. Presently our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of the experimental 14α-demethylase inhibitor VFV in the mouse models of Trypanosoma cruzi infection using a naturally drug-resistant Colombiana strain, under monotherapy and in association with the reference drug, benznidazole (Bz). The treatment with VFV resulted in complete parasitemia suppression and 100% animal survival when administered orally (given in 10% DMSO plus 5% Arabic gum) at 25 mg/kg (bid) for 60 days. However, as parasite relapse was found using VFV alone under this treatment scheme, the coadministration of VFV with Bz was assayed giving simultaneously (for 60 days, bid) by oral route, under two different drug vehicles (10% DMSO plus 5% Gum Arabic with or without 3% Tween 80). All tested mice groups resulted in >99.9% of parasitemia decrease and 100% animal survival. qPCR analysis performed on cyclophosphamide immunosuppressed mice revealed that, although presenting lack of cure, VFV given as monotherapy was 14-fold more active than Bz, and the coadministration of Bz plus VFV (given simultaneously, using 10% DMSO plus 5% Gum Arabic as vehicle) resulted in 106-fold lower blood parasitism as compared to the monotherapy of Bz. Another interesting finding was the parasitological cure in 70% of the animals treated with Bz and VFV when the coadministration was given using the VFV suspension in 10% DMSO + Arabic gum + Tween 80 (a formulation that we have found to provide a better pharmacokinetics), even after immunosuppression using cyclophosphamide cycles, supporting the promising aspect of the drug coadministration in improving the efficacy of therapeutic arsenal against T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Girish Rachakonda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. DB Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 37208, United States,
| | - Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. DB Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 37208, United States,
| | - Galina I. Lepesheva
- Department of Biochemistry School of Medicine, Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University, 622A RRB, 2200 Pierce Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Silva AA, Silva RR, Gibaldi D, Mariante RM, Dos Santos JB, Pereira IR, Moreira OC, Lannes-Vieira J. Priming astrocytes with TNF enhances their susceptibility to Trypanosoma cruzi infection and creates a self-sustaining inflammatory milieu. J Neuroinflammation 2017; 14:182. [PMID: 28877735 PMCID: PMC5588596 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-0952-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In conditions of immunosuppression, the central nervous sty 5ystem (CNS) is the main target tissue for the reactivation of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. In experimental T. cruzi infection, interferon gamma (IFNγ)+ microglial cells surround astrocytes harboring amastigote parasites. In vitro, IFNγ fuels astrocyte infection by T. cruzi, and IFNγ-stimulated infected astrocytes are implicated as potential sources of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Pro-inflammatory cytokines trigger behavioral alterations. In T. cruzi-infected mice, administration of anti-TNF antibody hampers depressive-like behavior. Herein, we investigated the effects of TNF on astrocyte susceptibility to T. cruzi infection and the regulation of cytokine production. METHODS Primary astrocyte cultures of neonatal C57BL/6 and C3H/He mice and the human U-87 MG astrocyte lineage were infected with the Colombian T. cruzi strain. Cytokine production, particularly TNF, and TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1/p55) expression were analyzed. Recombinant cytokines (rIFNγ and rTNF), the anti-TNF antibody infliximab, and the TNFR1 modulator pentoxifylline were used to assess the in vitro effects of TNF on astrocyte susceptibility to T. cruzi infection. To investigate the role of TNF on CNS colonization by T. cruzi, infected mice were submitted to anti-TNF therapy. RESULTS rTNF priming of mouse and human astrocytes enhanced parasite/astrocyte interaction (i.e., the percentage of astrocytes invaded by trypomastigote parasites and the number of intracellular parasite forms/astrocyte). Furthermore, T. cruzi infection drove astrocytes to a pro-inflammatory profile with TNF and interleukin-6 production, which was amplified by rTNF treatment. Adding rTNF prior to infection fueled parasite growth and trypomastigote egression, in parallel with increased TNFR1 expression. Importantly, pentoxifylline inhibited the TNF-induced increase in astrocyte susceptibility to T. cruzi invasion. In T. cruzi-infected mice, anti-TNF therapy reduced the number of amastigote nests in the brain. CONCLUSIONS Our data implicate TNF as a promoter of T. cruzi invasion of mouse and human astrocytes. Moreover, the TNF-enriched inflammatory milieu and enhanced TNFR1 expression may favor TNF signaling, astrocyte colonization by T. cruzi and egression of trypomastigotes. Therefore, in T. cruzi infection, a self-sustaining TNF-induced inflammatory circuit may perpetuate the parasite cycle in the CNS and ultimately promote cytokine-driven behavioral alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Alice Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Apoio à Pesquisa em Nefrologia e Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Marquês do Paraná, 303, Niterói, RJ, 24033-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Rodrigues Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,Laboratório de Doença de Chagas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro s/no, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Daniel Gibaldi
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Rafael Meyer Mariante
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural IOC/Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Jessica Brandão Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,Laboratório de Hematologia, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Marquês do Paraná, 303, Niterói, RJ, 24033-900, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, IOC/Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vieira CS, Waniek PJ, Castro DP, Mattos DP, Moreira OC, Azambuja P. Impact of Trypanosoma cruzi on antimicrobial peptide gene expression and activity in the fat body and midgut of Rhodnius prolixus. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:119. [PMID: 26931761 PMCID: PMC4774030 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1398-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhodnius prolixus is a major vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease in Latin America. In natural habitats, these insects are in contact with a variety of bacteria, fungi, virus and parasites that they acquire from both their environments and the blood of their hosts. Microorganism ingestion may trigger the synthesis of humoral immune factors, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The objective of this study was to compare the expression levels of AMPs (defensins and prolixicin) in the different midgut compartments and the fat body of R. prolixus infected with different T. cruzi strains. The T. cruzi Dm 28c clone (TcI) successfully develops whereas Y strain (TcII) does not complete its life- cycle in R. prolixus. The relative AMP gene expressions were evaluated in the insect midgut and fat body infected on different days with the T. cruzi Dm 28c clone and the Y strain. The influence of the antibacterial activity on the intestinal microbiota was taken into account. Methods The presence of T. cruzi in the midgut of R. prolixus was analysed by optical microscope. The relative expression of the antimicrobial peptides encoding genes defensin (defA, defB, defC) and prolixicin (prol) was quantified by RT-qPCR. The antimicrobial activity of the AMPs against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens were evaluated in vitro using turbidimetric tests with haemolymph, anterior and posterior midgut samples. Midgut bacteria were quantified using colony forming unit (CFU) assays and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results Our results showed that the infection of R. prolixus by the two different T. cruzi strains exhibited different temporal AMP induction profiles in the anterior and posterior midgut. Insects infected with T. cruzi Dm 28c exhibited an increase in defC and prol transcripts and a simultaneous reduction in the midgut cultivable bacteria population, Serratia marcescens and Rhodococcus rhodnii. In contrast, the T. cruzi Y strain neither induced AMP gene expression in the gut nor reduced the number of colony formation units in the anterior midgut. Beside the induction of a local immune response in the midgut after feeding R. prolixus with T. cruzi, a simultaneous systemic response was also detected in the fat body. Conclusions R. prolixus AMP gene expressions and the cultivable midgut bacterial microbiota were modulated in distinct patterns, which depend on the T. cruzi genotype used for infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1398-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C S Vieira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - P J Waniek
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - D P Castro
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - D P Mattos
- Laboratório deBiologia de Insetos, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | - O C Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - P Azambuja
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Departamento de Entomologia Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bessa RJB, Hughes RA, Jeronimo E, Moreira OC, Prates JAM, Doran O. Effect of pig breed and dietary protein level on selected fatty acids and stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase protein expression in longissimus muscle and subcutaneous fat. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:4540-6. [PMID: 23881676 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-5963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aims of the study were 1) to investigate effects of a low protein diet on fatty acids content and composition of the LM and subcutaneous adipose tissue in 3 genetically diverse breeds, Large White × Landrace, Alentejano, and Bizaro, and 2) to determine whether the effect of the low protein diet of fatty acid composition is associated with dietary modulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) protein expression. The experiments were conducted on 12 Large White × Landrace, 12 Alentejano, and 10 Bízaro female and male pigs. The average animal BW at the beginning of experiments was 40.8, 40.7, and 38.3 kg for Large White × Landrace, Alentejano, and Bízaro, respectively, and the BW of animals at slaughter was 90 kg. The diets contained 202 or 169 g/kg DM of CP (high and low protein diets, respectively) and were balanced in essential AA. The diets were fed until the animals reached 90 kg BW (approximately 73 d). It was established that Large White × Landrace pigs had a less (P = 0.001) total fatty acid content in subcutaneous adipose tissue when compared with Alentejano and Bízaro and less (P < 0.001) intramuscular fat (IMF) content when compared with Alentejano. There was a positive relationship between SCD protein expression in the LM and MUFA content (r = 0.627, P = 0.029) and SCD protein expression and total muscle fatty acids content (r = 0.725, P = 0.008) in Large White × Landrace but not in Alentejano and Bizaro breeds. It has been suggested that SCD protein expression is associated with regulation of fat deposition only in breeds with genetic predisposition to a low IMF content.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R J B Bessa
- Unidade de Investigação em Produção e Saúde Animal, L-INIA, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Polo de Investigação da Quinta da Fonte Boa, 2005-048 Vale de Santarém, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vilar-Pereira G, Silva AAD, Pereira IR, Silva RR, Moreira OC, de Almeida LR, de Souza AS, Rocha MS, Lannes-Vieira J. Trypanosoma cruzi-induced depressive-like behavior is independent of meningoencephalitis but responsive to parasiticide and TNF-targeted therapeutic interventions. Brain Behav Immun 2012; 26:1136-49. [PMID: 22841695 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 07/15/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory cytokines and microbe-borne immunostimulators have emerged as triggers of depressive behavior. Behavioral alterations affect patients chronically infected by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. We have previously shown that C3H/He mice present acute phase-restricted meningoencephalitis with persistent central nervous system (CNS) parasitism, whereas C57BL/6 mice are resistant to T. cruzi-induced CNS inflammation. In the present study, we investigated whether depression is a long-term consequence of acute CNS inflammation and a contribution of the parasite strain that infects the host. C3H/He and C57BL/6 mice were infected with the Colombian (type I) and Y (type II) T. cruzi strains. Forced-swim and tail-suspension tests were used to assess depressive-like behavior. Independent of the mouse lineage, the Colombian-infected mice showed significant increases in immobility times during the acute and chronic phases of infection. Therefore, T. cruzi-induced depression is independent of active or prior CNS inflammation. Furthermore, chronic depressive-like behavior was triggered only by the type I Colombian T. cruzi strain. Acute and chronic T. cruzi infection increased indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression in the CNS. Treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine abrogated the T. cruzi-induced depressive-like behavior. Moreover, treatment with the parasiticide drug benznidazole abrogated depression. Chronic T. cruzi infection of C57BL/6 mice increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF) expression systemically but not in the CNS. Importantly, TNF modulators (anti-TNF and pentoxifylline) reduced immobility. Therefore, direct or indirect parasite-induced immune dysregulation may contribute to chronic depressive disorder in T. cruzi infection, which opens a new therapeutic pathway to be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Glaucia Vilar-Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Av Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21045-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Carvalho CME, Silverio JC, da Silva AA, Pereira IR, Coelho JMC, Britto CC, Moreira OC, Marchevsky RS, Xavier SS, Gazzinelli RT, da Glória Bonecini-Almeida M, Lannes-Vieira J. Inducible nitric oxide synthase in heart tissue and nitric oxide in serum of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected rhesus monkeys: association with heart injury. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1644. [PMID: 22590660 PMCID: PMC3348164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The factors contributing to chronic Chagas' heart disease remain unknown. High nitric oxide (NO) levels have been shown to be associated with cardiomyopathy severity in patients. Further, NO produced via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS2) is proposed to play a role in Trypanosoma cruzi control. However, the participation of iNOS/NOS2 and NO in T. cruzi control and heart injury has been questioned. Here, using chronically infected rhesus monkeys and iNOS/NOS2-deficient (Nos2−/−) mice we explored the participation of iNOS/NOS2-derived NO in heart injury in T. cruzi infection. Methodology Rhesus monkeys and C57BL/6 and Nos2−/− mice were infected with the Colombian T. cruzi strain. Parasite DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction, T. cruzi antigens and iNOS/NOS2+ cells were immunohistochemically detected in heart sections and NO levels in serum were determined by Griess reagent. Heart injury was assessed by electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram (ECHO), creatine kinase heart isoenzyme (CK-MB) activity levels in serum and connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in the cardiac tissue. Results Chronically infected monkeys presented conduction abnormalities, cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, which resembled the spectrum of human chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC). Importantly, chronic myocarditis was associated with parasite persistence. Moreover, Cx43 loss and increased CK-MB activity levels were primarily correlated with iNOS/NOS2+ cells infiltrating the cardiac tissue and NO levels in serum. Studies in Nos2−/− mice reinforced that the iNOS/NOS2-NO pathway plays a pivotal role in T. cruzi-elicited cardiomyocyte injury and in conduction abnormalities that were associated with Cx43 loss in the cardiac tissue. Conclusion T. cruzi-infected rhesus monkeys reproduce features of CCC. Moreover, our data support that in T. cruzi infection persistent parasite-triggered iNOS/NOS2 in the cardiac tissue and NO overproduction might contribute to CCC severity, mainly disturbing of the molecular pathway involved in electrical synchrony. These findings open a new avenue for therapeutic tools in Chagas' heart disease. Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, afflicts from 8 to 15 million people in the Latin America. Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most frequent manifestation of Chagas disease. Currently, patient management only mitigates CCC symptoms. The pathogenic factors leading to CCC remain unknown; therefore their comprehension may contribute to develop more efficient therapies. In patients, high nitric oxide (NO) levels have been associated with CCC severity. In T. cruzi-infected mice, NO, mainly produced via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS2), is proposed to work in parasite control. However, the participation of iNOS/NOS2 and NO in T. cruzi control and heart injury has been questioned. Here, infected rhesus monkeys and iNOS/NOS2-deficient mice were used to explore the participation of iNOS/NOS2-derived NO in heart injury in T. cruzi infection. Chronically infected monkeys presented electrical abnormalities, myocarditis and fibrosis, resembling the spectrum of human CCC. Moreover, cardiomyocyte lesion correlated with iNOS/NOS2+ cells infiltrating the cardiac tissue. Our findings support that parasite-driven iNOS/NOS2+ cells accumulation in the cardiac tissue and NO overproduction contribute to cardiomyopathy severity, mainly disturbing the pathway involved in electrical synchrony in T. cruzi infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano Marcelo Espinola Carvalho
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC)/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Serviço de Imunologia, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas (IPEC)/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jaline Coutinho Silverio
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC)/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andrea Alice da Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC)/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabela Resende Pereira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC)/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Constança Carvalho Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Sergio Salles Xavier
- Serviço de Imunologia, Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas (IPEC)/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Tostes Gazzinelli
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto Rene Rachou/Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Imunologia e Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Joseli Lannes-Vieira
- Laboratório de Biologia das Interações, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC)/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|