Article
Immunology
Monica L. Mazuz, Benjamin Leibovitz, Igor Savitsky, Elena Blinder, Daniel Yasur-Landau, Yaniv Lavon, Binyamin Sharir, Sharon Tirosh-Levy
Summary: Vaccination with frozen live Neospora caninum tachyzoites was found to reduce abortion rates in naturally infected seropositive pregnant dairy dams, particularly in cows with high antibody titers. The vaccine efficacy varied among different farms, but overall, the frozen live vaccination may be an effective method to control neosporosis in cattle.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lukas Demattio, Ivan Conejeros, Daniela Grob, Ulrich Gaertner, Anja Taubert, Carlos Hermosilla, Axel Wehrend
Summary: Colostrum is essential for the health and development of mammalian neonates, and it has been found that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) migrate from the mother to the infant via colostrum uptake. However, little is known about the activities of colostral PMN in sheep. This study examined the ability of ovine colostral-derived PMN to extrude neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) against the abortive apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Arthur Battistoni, Louis Lantier, Anne di Tommaso, Celine Ducournau, Laurie Lajoie, Mahtab Samimi, Lois Coenon, Clement Riviere, Mathieu Epardaud, Leslie Hertereau, Agathe Poupee-Beauge, Juliette Rieu, Marie-Noelle Mevelec, Gordon Scott Lee, Nathalie Moire, Stephanie Germon, Isabelle Dimier-Poisson
Summary: Intranasal administration of immunotherapeutic agents shows promise in targeting lung metastases and reducing cancer mortality.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ragab M. Fereig, Hanan H. Abdelbaky, Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of recombinant N. caninum dense granule protein 6 fused with glutathione-S-transferase (NcGRA6+GST) as a vaccine candidate against neosporosis in a pregnant mouse model. The results showed that NcGRA6+GST partially protected the dams and offspring from N. caninum infection during pregnancy, with higher survival rates and lower parasite burden. This suggests the efficacy of recombinant NcGRA6 for interrupting the vertical transmission of N. caninum in mice by reducing the severity of infections in dams and offspring.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Luis F. Pita Gondim, Milton M. McAllister
Summary: Experimental infections of pregnant cows with Neospora caninum have provided valuable information on host-parasite interaction and immunopathogenesis. Most studies use tachyzoites as the inoculum, while only a few studies have used oocysts. This mini-review discusses the differences between tachyzoites and oocysts as inocula and the route of inoculation in pregnant cows.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Guili Yu, Wei Liang, Qiankun Yang, Jinxin Wang, Yu Wang, Tianmeng Zhang, Xiao Zhang, Hui Fan, Panpan Zhao, Lili Cao, Jingquan Dong
Summary: Neospora caninum's dense granule proteins, including GRA4, exhibit potential as vaccine candidates, triggering protective immune responses and significantly improving survival rates and reducing parasite burden.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yanina P. Hecker, Mercedes M. Burucua, Franco Fiorani, Jaime E. Maldonado Rivera, Karina M. Cirone, Matias A. Dorsch, Felipe A. Cheuquepan, Lucia M. Campero, German J. Canton, Maia S. Marin, Luis M. Ortega-Mora, Dadin P. Moore
Summary: This study evaluated the reactivation and fetal infection in pregnant heifers inoculated with live Neospora caninum tachyzoites before puberty. The results showed that animals infected before puberty experienced reactivation of the infection at the seventh month of gestation, and congenital infection was confirmed in calves born from these animals. This study provides evidence that using live N. caninum tachyzoites in young animals is neither safe nor effective.
Article
Microbiology
Jessica Ramseier, Dennis Imhof, Kai Pascal Alexander Haenggeli, Nicoleta Anghel, Ghalia Boubaker, Richard M. Beteck, Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora, Richard K. K. Haynes, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: The effects of decoquinate and three O-quinoline-carbamate-derivatives were investigated on human foreskin fibroblasts infected with Neospora caninum tachyzoites. These compounds exhibited different levels of proliferation inhibition and did not affect cell viability at certain concentrations. Treatment with lower concentrations altered the ultrastructure of the parasite, while long-term treatment with one compound showed parasiticidal effects. These compounds were then tested in a murine model, but did not show activity against neosporosis.
Article
Parasitology
Gang Liu, Lijun Jia, Qingyan Shao, Huijun Lu, Jixue Zhao, Jigang Yin
Summary: This study identified a significant number of novel miRNAs from N. caninum tachyzoites using high-throughput RNA sequencing technology and systematic bioinformatics analysis. Among 300 miRNAs identified, 10 were conserved miRNAs belonging to metazoan miRNA families while 290 were novel miRNAs. The expression of 13 novel miRNAs was validated through real-time quantitative PCR, providing important data for the study of miRNAs in N. caninum.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Hang Li, Bing-Yi Yang, Ming-Ming Liu, Shao-Wei Zhao, Su-Zhu Xie, Hao Wang, Shuang Zhang, Xue-Nan Xuan, Li-Jun Jia
Summary: Infection of male BALB/c mice with Neospora caninum induced varying degrees of injury to the testis, epididymis and sperm, disrupting spermatogenesis and affecting reproductive capacity.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Luciana Baroni, Pericles Gama Abreu-Filho, Luiz Miguel Pereira, Markus Nagl, Ana Patricia Yatsuda
Summary: In this study, the susceptibility of recombinant N. caninum ADF (NcADF) to oxidation was investigated using the oxidants N-chlorotaurine (NCT) and H2O2. Treatment with oxidants induced the production of dimers and formation of disulfide bonds between cysteine residues in NcADF. NCT resulted in more efficient oxidation compared to H2O2, and oxidation reduced the ability of NcADF to bind actin and altered its function in actin polymerization.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ruenruetai Udonsom, Aongart Mahittikorn, Apichai Prachasuphap, Kodcharad Jongpitisub, Panadda Dhepakson, Charoonluk Jirapattharasate
Summary: Recombinant NcGRA4 protein can effectively detect Neospora caninum infection and has good specificity and sensitivity, making it a promising serological marker for diagnosing neosporosis in goats.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Shan Li, Nan Zhang, Shaoxiong Liu, Jianhua Li, Li Liu, Xiaocen Wang, Xin Li, Pengtao Gong, Xichen Zhang
Summary: Nc14-3-3 protein can induce effective immune responses in mice and provide protective effects against Nc-1 tachyzoite exposure. By promoting the production of Th1 cytokines, Nc14-3-3 significantly stimulates the immune response in mice, leading to increased survival rates and times.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Ragab M. Fereig, Hanan H. Abdelbaky, Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Summary: The study showed that all antigen-based ICTs are effective for detecting specific antibodies to N. caninum, with the NcSAG1-based ICT performing the best for overall detection. NcGRA7 and NcGRA6-based ICTs were specific in detecting samples from acute and sub-acute infection in mice and cattle. The NcSAG1-based ICT showed high sensitivity, specificity, agreement, and kappa value in detecting field cattle samples, demonstrating its efficiency in on-site diagnosis of infected cattle.
Review
Immunology
Ragab M. Fereig, Mosaab A. Omar, Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
Summary: Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are important protozoan diseases worldwide, and controlling these diseases is currently challenging. Understanding host-parasite interactions and host strategies to combat infections can aid in developing effective control measures, including vaccines. Macrophages and the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) play a crucial role in successful vaccine candidates. However, identifying potential vaccine candidates is a time-consuming process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joachim Muller, Nicoleta Anghel, Dennis Imhof, Kai Hanggeli, Anne-Christine Uldry, Sophie Braga-Lagache, Manfred Heller, Kayode K. Ojo, Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora, Wesley C. Van Voorhis, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: Neospora caninum, closely related to Toxoplasma gondii, is a parasite that can cause fetal malformations in livestock. The development of calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 inhibitors has shown promise in treating neosporosis. However, some of these inhibitors have adverse effects on fertility in pregnant mouse models and cause embryonic malformations in zebrafish models. Through affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry, it has been found that BKI-1748 interacts not only with specific targets in apicomplexans but also with targets in other eukaryotes, indicating involvement in common essential pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Peter Kuhnert, Isabelle Brodard, Sabine Bock, Andrew Hemphill, Hatice Akarsu, Andreas Engelhardt, Peter Kutzer
Summary: Seven bacterial strains isolated from bovine endocarditis were classified into a new genus within the family Neisseriaceae, distinct from established genera. Whole genome sequence analysis and MALDI-TOF MS spectra analysis were effective methods for identification.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Yang Zheng, Joachim Mueller, Stefan Kunz, Marco Siderius, Louis Maes, Guy Caljon, Norbert Mueller, Andrew Hemphill, Geert Jan Sterk, Rob Leurs
Summary: By combining structural elements of phosphodiesterase inhibitors with a nitroimidazole scaffold, the study aimed to improve antiparasitic efficacy by generating nitrosative stress.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Azadeh Nasuhidehnavi, Yanlin Zhao, Ankita Punetha, Andrew Hemphill, Hong Li, Tyler J. Bechtel, Theresa Rager, Bingcong Xiong, Vasileios Petrou, Marc-Jan Gubbels, Eranthie Weerapana, George S. Yap
Summary: The host cell surface receptor, basigin, and its related immunoglobulin family members play an important role in mediating the attachment of Toxoplasma gondii to host cells.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Dennis Imhof, William Robert Pownall, Carling Schlange, Camille Monney, Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora, Kayode K. Ojo, Wesley C. Van Voorhis, Anna Oevermann, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: This study investigated the safety and efficacy of a combined vaccination-drug treatment approach in a pregnant neosporosis mouse model. The results showed that the combination treatment was more effective in reducing infection and improving pup survival compared to vaccination or drug treatment alone. Further evaluation is recommended.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Sheena Chaudhry, Raphael Zurbriggen, Matias Preza, Tobias Kampfer, Marc Kaethner, Roman Memedovski, Nathalie Scorrano, Andrew Hemphill, Joseph Stone Doggett, Britta Lundstrom-Stadelmann
Summary: Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the zoonotic parasite Echinococcus multilocularis, could potentially be treated through a novel approach targeting the mitochondrial energy metabolism of the parasite, specifically the oxidative phosphorylation and the anaerobic malate dismutation pathways.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alireza Badirzadeh, Mehdi Najm, Andrew Hemphill, Maryam Alipour, Hamid Hasanpour, Leila Masoori, Poorya Karimi
Summary: This study investigated the effect of negative air ions (NAIs) therapy on Leishmania parasites in vitro and in a murine model. The results showed that NAIs therapy significantly decreased the viability of Leishmania parasites and reduced footpad lesion size and parasite burden in infected mice. Additionally, NAIs therapy boosted immune responses and reduced the induction of IL-4 and arginase activity, while increasing IFN-gamma and NO levels. However, NAIs therapy was less effective than amphotericin B treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joachim Mueller, Ghalia Boubaker, Dennis Imhof, Kai Haenggeli, Noe Haudenschild, Anne-Christine Uldry, Sophie Braga-Lagache, Manfred Heller, Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: Leucinostatins are antimicrobial peptides that have a broad range of activities. In this study, a derivative peptide called 6027 was tested for its activity against Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic organism. While effective in vitro, the application of peptide 6027 in mice infected with T. gondii worsened the infection. Peptide 6027 also affected the viability of mouse splenocytes. Through differential affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry, common targets for peptide 6027 were identified in both T. gondii and mouse spleen extracts. This method can be a useful way to identify drug targets in pathogens and hosts.
Article
Immunology
Monireh Khordadmehr, Alireza Sazmand, Pardis Almasi, Parisa Shahbazi, Vahidreza Ranjbar, Domenico Otranto, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: This study provides an overview of the prevalence and exposure to tissue cyst-forming apicomplexan parasites in Iranian domestic rock pigeons through molecular, serological, and histopathological examination. The results demonstrate that pigeons in Iran are infected, particularly with T. gondii, and suggest the need for control strategies to minimize the risk of infection in both pigeons and humans.
COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oksana Desiatkina, Martin Moesching, Nicoleta Anghel, Ghalia Boubaker, Yosra Amdouni, Andrew Hemphill, Julien Furrer, Emilia Paunescu
Summary: A library of nucleobase-tethered trithiolato-bridged dinuclear ruthenium(II)-arene conjugates was synthesized and evaluated for their anti-Toxoplasma activity. Two promising compounds were identified, which exhibited low toxicity against host cells and have potential as treatment options.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabelle Holzer, Oksana Desiatkina, Nicoleta Anghel, Serena K. K. Johns, Ghalia Boubaker, Andrew Hemphill, Julien Furrer, Emilia Paunescu
Summary: Eight novel carbohydrate-tethered trithiolato dinuclear ruthenium(II)-arene complexes were synthesized and evaluated for their activity against transgenic T. gondii tachyzoites. Seven conjugates strongly inhibited parasite proliferation while maintaining HFF viability. Two galactose-based conjugates (23 and 26) exhibited low IC50 values and reduced toxicity compared to the non-modified complexes.
Article
Microbiology
Chandra Ramakrishnan, Aarti Krishnan, Samuel Francisco, Marc W. Schmid, Giancarlo Russo, Alexandre Leitao, Andrew Hemphill, Dominique Soldati-Favre, Adrian B. Hehl
Summary: This study presents a comparative analysis of gene expression in different stages of the Besnoitia besnoiti parasite, and discovers its potential as a model organism for studying the evolution of tissue cysts and the biology of related parasites. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the biology of besnoitiosis in cattle and other tissue-cyst forming parasites.
Article
Immunology
Dennis Imhof, William Pownall, Kai Pascal Alexander Hanggeli, Camille Monney, Laura Rico-San Roman, Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora, Franck Forterre, Anna Oevermann, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: In this study, a modified version of the attenuated Listeria monocytogenes vaccine vector Lm3Dx_NcSAG1 was tested for its efficacy in a pregnant neosporosis mouse model. Multivalent vaccines were generated by inserting gra7 and/or rop2 genes into Lm3Dx_NcSAG1. Immunization with Lm3Dx_NcSAG1 and Lm3Dx_NcSAG1_NcGRA7_NcROP2 resulted in the highest postnatal pup survival rate and protection against vertical transmission and CNS infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kai Pascal Alexander Hanggeli, Andrew Hemphill, Norbert Muller, Manfred Heller, Anne-Christine Uldry, Sophie Braga-Lagache, Joachim Muller, Ghalia Boubaker
Summary: Gene knock-out using CRISPR-Cas9 is a useful tool to identify gene functions in T. gondii and other model organisms. Previous studies have shown that knocking out a gene can also affect the expression of other genes. Therefore, caution should be taken when studying the relationship between specific phenotypes and the knock-out of a particular gene.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Joachim Mueller, Carling Schlange, Manfred Heller, Anne-Christine Uldry, Sophie Braga-Lagache, Richard K. Haynes, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: Artemisinin and its amino-artemisinin derivatives are potent antimalarials and exhibit different mechanisms of action against Plasmodium and T. gondii. The amino-artemisinins are effective in vitro against non-heme-degrading apicomplexan parasites including T. gondii. However, T. gondii strains readily adapt to increased concentrations of these compounds, resulting in the development of resistant strains.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)