Trypanosoma cruzi does not induce apoptosis in murine fibroblasts

Parasitology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. CLARK ◽  
R. E. KUHN
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Host Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Murine Fibroblasts ◽  
Infected Cells

The intracellular cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi in mammalian host cells involves the differentiation of dividing amastigote forms into flagellated trypomastigote forms. The mechanism(s) regulating the growth and differentiation of the intracellular parasites is (are) not known. The number of parasites in infected cells can be several hundred and may be enough to induce apoptosis, a suicide-like death programme, generating products (e.g. nuclear proteins) that could function as signals to initiate the differentiation of amastigotes into trypomastigotes. Murine fibroblasts infected with T. cruzi were examined during a 5-day course of infection for evidence of apoptosis. However, characteristics of apoptosis, including degeneration of nuclear structure, condensation of chromatin, loss of plasma membrane integrity, or the cleavage of DNA into nucleosomal fragments, were not observed. Therefore, it is unlikely that products resulting from host cell apoptosis function to induce parasite differentiation. The possibility that T. cruzi might inhibit host cell apoptosis by increasing intracellular levels of Bcl-2, an endogenous inhibitor of apoptosis, was then investigated. Analysis of infected cells by flow cytometry did not demonstrate a significant amount of intracellular Bcl-2. This suggests that if the parasite is inhibiting host cell apoptosis, it is by a method that does not involve increasing levels of Bcl-2.

scholarly journals The Apicomplexan Pathogen Neospora caninum Inhibits Host Cell Apoptosis in the Absence of Discernible NF-κB Activation

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 4255-4262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca K. Herman ◽  
Robert E. Molestina ◽  
Anthony P. Sinai ◽  
Daniel K. Howe
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Iκb Kinase ◽  
Host Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT Neospora caninum, a causative agent of bovine abortions, is an apicomplexan parasite that is closely related to the human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii. Since a number of intracellular parasites, including T. gondii, have been shown to modulate host cell apoptosis, the present study was conducted to establish whether N. caninum is similarly capable of subverting apoptotic pathways in its host cells. Our results indicated that death receptor-mediated apoptosis is repressed during N. caninum infection, and the data further showed that the executioner caspase, caspase 3, does not become activated in the infected cells. Surprisingly, nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunit p65 was not detected in N. caninum-infected cells, although this host transcription factor has been shown to upregulate prosurvival genes in cells infected with T. gondii. Consistent with these findings, the distinct accumulation of phosphorylated IκB that is seen at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) of T. gondii was not apparent on the N. caninum PVM. Although a putative IκB kinase activity was detected in N. caninum extracts, thereby implying that this parasite is capable of modulating NF-κB translocation into the host cell nucleus, the data collectively suggest that a profound and sustained activation of the NF-κB pathway is not central to the ability of N. caninum to prevent apoptosis of their host cells.

scholarly journals Mammalian cell invasion and intracellular trafficking by Trypanosoma cruzi infective forms

2005 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato A. Mortara ◽  
Walter K. Andreoli ◽  
Noemi N. Taniwaki ◽  
Adriana B. Fernandes ◽  
Claudio V. da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Sylvatic Cycle ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Different Strains

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas’ disease, occurs as different strains or isolates that may be grouped in two major phylogenetic lineages: T. cruzi I, associated with the sylvatic cycle and T. cruzi II, linked to the human disease. In the mammalian host the parasite has to invade cells and many studies implicated the flagellated trypomastigotes in this process. Several parasite surface components and some of host cell receptors with which they interact have been identified. Our work focused on how amastigotes, usually found growing in the cytoplasm, can invade mammalian cells with infectivities comparable to that of trypomastigotes. We found differences in cellular responses induced by amastigotes and trypomastigotes regarding cytoskeletal components and actin-rich projections. Extracellularly generated amastigotes of T. cruzi I strains may display greater infectivity than metacyclic trypomastigotes towards cultured cell lines as well as target cells that have modified expression of different classes of cellular components. Cultured host cells harboring the bacterium Coxiella burnetii allowed us to gain new insights into the trafficking properties of the different infective forms of T. cruzi, disclosing unexpected requirements for the parasite to transit between the parasitophorous vacuole to its final destination in the host cell cytoplasm.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi growth in mammalian cells by purine and pyrimidine analogs.

1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2455-2458 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Nakajima-Shimada ◽  
Y Hirota ◽  
T Aoki
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Pyrimidine Analogs

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, exhibits two different developmental stages in mammals, the amastigote, an intracellular form that proliferates in the cytoplasm of host cells, and the trypomastigote, an extracellular form that circulates in the bloodstream. We have already established an in vitro culture system using mammalian host cells (HeLa) infected with T. cruzi in which the time course of parasite growth is determined quantitatively. We adopted this system for the screening of anti-T. cruzi agents that would ideally prove to be effective against trypanosomes with no toxicity to the host cell. Of the purine analogs tested, allopurinol markedly inhibited the growth of amastigotes in a dose-dependent manner, with no lethal effect on trypomastigotes. 3'-Deoxyinosine and 3'-deoxyadenosine also suppressed T. cruzi growth inside the host cell, with the concentrations causing 50% growth inhibition being 10 and 5 microM, respectively, in contrast to a concentration causing 50% growth inhibition of 3 microM for allopurinol. Among the pyrimidine analogs examined, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (zidovudine) significantly reduced the growth of the parasite at concentrations as low as 1 microM. The anti-human immunodeficiency virus agents 2',3'-dideoxyinosine and 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine caused a decrease in amastigote growth, while 2',3'-dideoxycytidine and 2',3'-dideoxyuridine had no inhibitory effect. When Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts were used as host cells, allopurinol, 3'-deoxyinosine, 3'-deoxyadenosine, and 3'-azid-3'-deoxythymidine also markedly inhibited T. cruzi proliferation. These results indicate that our culture system is useful as a primary screening method for candidate compounds against T. cruzi on the basis of two criteria, namely, intracellular replication by the parasite and host-cell infection rate.

scholarly journals The anti-apoptotic Coxiella burnetii effector protein AnkG is a strain specific virulence factor

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Schäfer ◽  
Teresa Schmidt ◽  
Arne Cordsmeier ◽  
Vítor Borges ◽  
Paul A. Beare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Effector Protein ◽  
Host Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Bacterial Replication ◽  
Apoptotic Activity

Abstract The ability to inhibit host cell apoptosis is important for the intracellular replication of the obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii, as it allows the completion of the lengthy bacterial replication cycle. Effector proteins injected into the host cell by the C. burnetii type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) are required for the inhibition of host cell apoptosis. AnkG is one of these anti-apoptotic effector proteins. The inhibitory effect of AnkG requires its nuclear localization, which depends on p32-dependent intracellular trafficking and importin-α1-mediated nuclear entry of AnkG. Here, we compared the sequences of ankG from 37 C. burnetii isolates and classified them in three groups based on the predicted protein size. The comparison of the three different groups allowed us to identify the first 28 amino acids as essential and sufficient for the anti-apoptotic activity of AnkG. Importantly, only the full-length protein from the first group is a bona fide effector protein injected into host cells during infection and has anti-apoptotic activity. Finally, using the Galleria mellonella infection model, we observed that AnkG from the first group has the ability to attenuate pathology during in vivo infection, as it allows survival of the larvae despite bacterial replication.

scholarly journals Cryptosporidium parvum at Different Developmental Stages Modulates Host Cell Apoptosis In Vitro

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 6061-6067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaella Mele ◽  
Maria Angeles Gomez Morales ◽  
Fabio Tosini ◽  
Edoardo Pozio
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Cryptosporidium Parvum ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Apoptotic Cells ◽  
Host Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT We studied apoptosis in a human ileocecal adenocarcinoma tumor cell line (HCT-8) infected with Cryptosporidium parvum, from 2 to 72 h postinfection (h.p.i.). At 2 h.p.i., the percentage of annexin V-positive cells in the cell culture had increased to 10% compared to 2.5% in noninfected control culture; sorted infected cells expressed mRNA of FasL, the active form of caspase 3, and high caspase 3 activity, whereas the noninfected neighboring cells sorted from the same culture showed no signs of apoptosis. At 24 h.p.i., the percentages of early (annexin V positive) and late (DNA fragment) apoptotic cells were 13 and 2%, respectively, in the entire cell culture, and these percentages were not statistically significant in comparison with those from noninfected control cultures. At this time, sorted infected cells expressed the inactive form of caspase 3, a low caspase 3 activity, and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Noninfected cells sorted from the same culture showed expression of the active form of caspase 3, a moderate caspase 3 activity, and no Bcl-2 expression. At 48 h.p.i., the percentages of early and late apoptotic cells and caspase 3 activity had increased in the total cell culture, and both sorted infected and noninfected cells showed the active form of caspase 3. These results show that C. parvum, depending on its developmental stage, can inhibit (at the trophozoite stage) or promote (at the sporozoite and merozoite stages) host cell apoptosis, suggesting that it is able to interact with and regulate the host-cell gene expression.

Trypanosoma cruzi: Alpha-2-macroglobulin regulates host cell apoptosis induced by the parasite infection in vitro

2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.M. De Souza ◽  
M. Meuser-Batista ◽  
D.G. Batista ◽  
B.B. Duarte ◽  
T.C. Araújo-Jorge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Parasite Infection ◽  
Host Cell Apoptosis

scholarly journals P100W4-2 Analysis of host cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo by Trypanosoma cruzi infection

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Junko SHIMADA ◽  
Chunbin ZOU ◽  
Takeshi NARA ◽  
Miriam PONSTAN ◽  
Takashi AOKI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Host Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Cruzi Infection

scholarly journals Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Inhibits Both Bax and Bak Activation Induced by Staurosporine

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 5470-5474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangming Xiao ◽  
Youmin Zhong ◽  
Whitney Greene ◽  
Feng Dong ◽  
Guangming Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection ◽  
Host Cell Apoptosis ◽  
New Information ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Antiapoptotic Activity

ABSTRACT We have previously shown that Chlamydia trachomatis inhibits host cell apoptosis and blocks mitochondrial cytochrome c release. We now report that activation of both Bax and Bak, two proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family that regulate mitochondrial cytochrome c release, was inhibited in chlamydia-infected cells. This observation has provided new information on the mechanisms of chlamydial antiapoptotic activity.

scholarly journals Intracellular DNA replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi is asynchronous within individual host cells in vivo at all stages of infection

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin. C. Taylor ◽  
Alexander Ward ◽  
Francisco Olmo ◽  
Shiromani Jayawardhana ◽  
Amanda F. Francisco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Individual Host ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Parasite Replication

ABSTRACTInvestigations into intracellular replication and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi within the mammalian host have been restricted by limitations in our ability to detect parasitized cells throughout the course of infection. We have overcome this problem by generating genetically modified parasites that express a bioluminescent/fluorescent fusion protein. By combining in vivo imaging and confocal microscopy, this has enabled us to routinely visualise murine infections at the level of individual host cells. These studies reveal that intracellular parasite replication is an asynchronous process, irrespective of tissue location or disease stage. Furthermore, using TUNEL assays and EdU labelling, we demonstrate that within individual infected cells, replication of both mitochondrial (kDNA) and nuclear genomes is not co-ordinated within the parasite population, and that replicating amastigotes and non-replicating trypomastigotes can co-exist in the same cell. Finally, we report the presence of distinct non-canonical morphological forms of T. cruzi in the mammalian host. These appear to represent transitional forms in the amastigote to trypomastigote differentiation process. Therefore, the intracellular life-cycle of T. cruzi in vivo is more complex than previously realised, with potential implications for our understanding of disease pathogenesis, immune evasion and drug development. Dissecting the mechanisms involved will be an important experimental challenge.AUTHOR SUMMARYChagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is becoming an emerging threat in non-endemic countries and establishing new foci in endemic countries. The treatment available has not changed significantly in over 40 years. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a greater understanding of parasite biology and disease pathogenesis to identify new therapeutic targets and to maximise the efficient use of existing drugs. We have used genetically modified strains of T. cruzi carrying a bioluminescence/fluorescence dual reporter fusion gene to monitor parasite replication in vivo during both acute and chronic infections in a mouse model. Utilising TUNEL assays for mitochondrial DNA replication and EdU incorporation for total DNA replication, we have found that parasite division within infected cells is asynchronous in all phases of infection. Differentiation also appears to be uncoordinated, with replicating amastigotes co-existing with non-dividing trypomastigotes in the same host cell.

scholarly journals DNA damage and oxidative stress in human cells infected by Trypanosoma cruzi

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. e1009502
Author(s):  
Pilar T. V. Florentino ◽  
Davi Mendes ◽  
Francisca Nathalia L. Vitorino ◽  
Davi J. Martins ◽  
Julia P. C. Cunha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Dna Lesions ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Antioxidant Defenses ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Infected Cells

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas’ disease. Infected cells with T. cruzi activate several responses that promote unbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may cause DNA damage that activate cellular responses including DNA repair processes. In this work, HeLa cells and AC16 human cardiomyocyte cell line were infected with T. cruzi to investigate host cell responses at genome level during parasites intracellular life cycle. In fact, alkaline sensitive sites and oxidized DNA bases were detected in the host cell genetic material particularly in early stages of infection. These DNA lesions were accompanied by phosphorylation of the histone H2Ax, inducing γH2Ax, a marker of genotoxic stress. Moreover, Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase) and 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) are recruited to host cell nuclei, indicating activation of the DNA repair process. In infected cells, chromatin-associated proteins are carbonylated, as a possible consequence of oxidative stress and the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) is induced early after infection, suggesting that the host cell antioxidant defenses are activated. However, at late stages of infection, NRF2 is downregulated. Interestingly, host cells pretreated with glutathione precursor, N-acetyl cysteine, NRF2 activator (Sulforaphane), and also Benznidonazol (BNZ) reduce parasite burst significantly, and DNA damage. These data indicate that the balance of oxidative stress and DNA damage induction in host cells may play a role during the process of infection itself, and interference in these processes may hamper T. cruzi infection, revealing potential target pathways for the therapy support.

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