Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pedro H. S. Pereira, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: The interaction and coordinated development between cells are crucial for multicellular organisms. Sensory organs are responsible for converting external stimuli into biological responses. The life cycle of the malaria-causing protozoan parasite depends heavily on cellular signaling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Pedro H. S. Pereira, Lucas Borges-Pereira, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: Nucleotides were discovered in the early 19th century, and their role in energy metabolism and cell survival was later postulated. ATP was proposed as a neurotransmitter in the purinergic hypothesis, and resistance to this idea was overcome with the discovery of purinergic receptors. GPCRs, including the P2Y family, play a crucial role in cellular sensing of the external environment, offering promising treatments for currently incurable diseases and potential solutions to therapy side effects.
CURRENT TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ladawan Khowawisetsut, Sinmanus Vimonpatranon, Kittima Lekmanee, Hathai Sawasdipokin, Narinee Srimark, Kesinee Chotivanich, Kovit Pattanapanyasat
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the physical characteristics of EVs derived from culture-adapted P. falciparum isolates (Pf-EVs) and their impact on monocyte polarization. The results showed that all P. falciparum strains released similar amounts of EVs with variation in size characteristics. Pf-EVs had a more pronounced effect on CD14(+)CD16(+) intermediate monocytes, but miR in Pf-EVs might not be a significant factor in driving M2-like monocyte polarization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Naohiro Kon, Hsin-tzu Wang, Yoshiaki S. Kato, Kyouhei Uemoto, Naohiro Kawamoto, Koji Kawasaki, Ryosuke Enoki, Gen Kurosawa, Tatsuto Nakane, Yasunori Sugiyama, Hideaki Tagashira, Motomu Endo, Hideo Iwasaki, Takahiro Iwamoto, Kazuhiko Kume, Yoshitaka Fukada
Summary: Temperature compensation of circadian rhythms is achieved through NCX-mediated Ca2+ signaling, which plays essential roles in maintaining temperature-compensated oscillations.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sinmanus Vimonpatranon, Sittiruk Roytrakul, Narumon Phaonakrop, Kittima Lekmanee, Anyapat Atipimonpat, Narinee Srimark, Kasama Sukapirom, Kesinee Chotivanich, Ladawan Khowawisetsut, Kovit Pattanapanyasat
Summary: In infectious diseases, EVs released from pathogen-infected cells can regulate immune responses and carry specific human proteins, while most pathogen proteins in the EVs are common across different types. Pf-MVs were found to attenuate parasite invasion efficiency, with a greater effect in culture-adapted isolates. This suggests that Pf-EVs play a role in quorum sensing and regulation of parasite growth-density.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benedito M. Dos Santos, Jude M. Przyborski, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: English Summary: The GPCR-like SR25 in Plasmodium falciparum, a species of apicomplexan parasites, is activated by a shift in potassium concentration, allowing the parasite to take advantage of its development by sensing different ionic concentrations in the external milieu. This pathway involves the activation of phospholipase C and an increase in cytosolic calcium. This report summarizes the role of potassium ions during parasite development based on available literature, contributing to our understanding of the cell cycle of Plasmodium spp.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kwesi Z. Tandoh, Oheneba C. Hagan, Michael D. Wilson, Neils B. Quashie, Nancy O. Duah-Quashie
Summary: Plasmodium falciparum malaria remains an important disease in sub-Saharan Africa, and concerns about the spread of artemisinin-resistant parasites threaten previous progress. The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the biology of malaria parasites, particularly in the development of artemisinin resistance, needs further investigation. This study explored the association between EVs biogenesis and artemisinin-resistant phenotype in P. falciparum.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaoling Jia, Qingmao Yang, Chao Gao, Xinlan Chen, Yanan Li, Hao Su, Yufan Zheng, Shuwen Zhang, Ziyu Wang, Haikun Wang, Lin-Hua Jiang, Yan Sun, Yubo Fan
Summary: This study demonstrates that on substrates with pathologically relevant stiffness, the upregulation of the IKCa channel enhances intracellular Ca2+ signaling and activates the ERK signal pathway to promote VSMC proliferation.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tianlei Wen, Ziyu Wang, Xiaozhe Chen, Yue Ren, Xuhang Lu, Yangfei Xing, Jing Lu, Shenghai Chang, Xing Zhang, Yuequan Shen, Xue Yang
Summary: CaSR is a crucial receptor for calcium homeostasis and hormone secretion. Study of its structures in different ligand-bound states provides insights into activation mechanism, allosteric modulation, and disease therapy. The negative allosteric modulator NPS-2143 induces structural rearrangement leading to an inactivated interface.
Article
Immunology
Erica E. Zeno, Andrew A. Obala, Brian Pence, Elizabeth Freedman, Judith N. Mangeni, Jessica T. Lin, Lucy Abel, Jessie K. Edwards, Emily W. Gower, Steve M. Taylor
Summary: In high transmission areas, rapid diagnostic tests can identify clinically relevant subpatent Plasmodium falciparum infections, while in low transmission areas, individuals with subpatent infections have a slightly higher risk of developing clinical malaria.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Demba Sarr, Lilian J. Oliveira, Brittany N. Russ, Simon O. Owino, Joab D. Middii, Stephen Mwalimu, Linda Ambasa, Faris Almutairi, John Vulule, Balazs Rada, Julie M. Moore
Summary: The study revealed that PM and PM/HIV co-infection lead to a decrease in peripheral blood granulocyte numbers, and an enhanced placental: peripheral count ratio. Neutrophil activation levels in the placenta are increased, potentially influenced by HIV co-infection. However, the impact of neutrophil activation on placental function and maternal and fetal health remains unclear.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Lucien Platon, David A. Baker, Didier Menard
Summary: The ring-stage survival assay is the reference assay to measure in vitro Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin partial resistance. The main challenge of the standard protocol is to generate 0-to-3-h postinvasion ring stages (the stage least susceptible to artemisinin) from schizonts obtained by sorbitol treatment and Percoll gradient.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Matteo Zoia, Bibin Yesodha Subramanian, Klara Kristin Eriksson, Meera Sruthi Ravi, Shekoofeh Yaghmaei, Isabelle Fellay, Brigitte Scolari, Michael Walch, Pierre-Yves Mantel
Summary: Malaria has significant health and economic impact on developing countries, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) may play a role in the disease's pathogenesis and biomarker discovery. However, there is still much to learn about EV biology, and more field studies are needed. The lack of appropriate equipment for EV isolation in low-income regions poses a challenge, and there is a need for accessible extraction protocols.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Bo Ning, Chuanzhi Guo, Anqi Kong, Kongdong Li, Yimin Xie, Haifeng Shi, Jie Gu
Summary: The kidney plays a vital role in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis in the body, and disruptions in Ca2+ balance can lead to various kidney diseases. Ca2+ signaling is crucial in cell activities during the progression of kidney disease, with complex networks regulating intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Understanding these interactions could offer potential therapeutic targets for developing new drugs against kidney diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tosin Opadokun, Jeffrey Agyapong, Petra Rohrbach
Summary: This study preliminarily characterized the EVs released from RBCs infected with different stages of malaria parasites and found that they exhibit distinct protein expression profiles.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Pedro H. S. Pereira, Lucas Borges-Pereira, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: Nucleotides were discovered in the early 19th century, and their role in energy metabolism and cell survival was later postulated. ATP was proposed as a neurotransmitter in the purinergic hypothesis, and resistance to this idea was overcome with the discovery of purinergic receptors. GPCRs, including the P2Y family, play a crucial role in cellular sensing of the external environment, offering promising treatments for currently incurable diseases and potential solutions to therapy side effects.
CURRENT TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pedro H. S. Pereira, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: Malaria is a global infectious disease, affecting a large population at risk of infection. Research suggests that interference with the coordinated infection of malaria parasites in red blood cells can help the human immune system resist infection.
JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriel Rufino Estrela, Leandro Ceotto Freitas-Lima, Alexandre Budu, Adriano Cleis de Arruda, Mauro Sergio Perilhao, Ricardo Ambrosio Fock, Jonatan Barrera-Chimal, Ronaldo Carvalho Araujo
Summary: This study established three mouse models of CKD-induced anemia, showing that anemia can be induced regardless of the mechanism and severity of kidney injury.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kleber Simonio Parreira, Pedro Scarpelli, Wania Rezende Lima, R. S. Garcia
Summary: This review discusses new technologies that have been used to understand how Plasmodium spp escape from the immune system and manipulate host physiology. The manuscript highlights the contributions of microarray approaches, RNA-Seq, and single-cell RNA sequencing in discovering transcripts and changing the concept of gene expression regulation in closely related malaria parasite species. It also emphasizes the role of high-throughput RNA sequencing in advancing our knowledge on malaria parasite biology, physiology, vaccine development, and identifying new players in parasite signaling.
CURRENT TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Patricia Varela-Calais, Renan Paulo Martin, Alexandre Budu, Ronaldo C. Araujo, Joao Bosco Pesquero
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vera S. C. Maia, Rodrigo Berzaghi, Denise C. Arruda, Fabricio C. Machado, Leticia L. Loureiro, Pollyana M. S. Melo, Alice S. Morais, Alexandre Budu, Luiz R. Travassos
Summary: This study investigated the antitumor activity of peptide Rb4 derived from protein PLP2. The results showed that Rb4 induced necrosis of melanoma cells and inhibited the viability of human cancer cell lines. In vivo experiments also demonstrated the reduction of lung metastasis and delayed melanoma growth by Rb4. The study further revealed that Rb4 induced the expression of DAMPs molecules, which triggered an immunoprotective effect against melanoma cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Leandro Ceotto Freitas-Lima, Alexandre Budu, Gabriel Rufino Estrela, Thais Alves-Silva, Mauro Sergio Perilhao, Adriano Cleis Arruda, Ronaldo Carvalho Araujo
Summary: The absence of kinin B1 receptor (B1R) in mice modulates the metabolic shift under fasting conditions by reducing energy expenditure. The lack of B1R leads to a preference for carbohydrates as an energy source and increased serum triglycerides concentration. Enzymatic expression of glycolysis and lipolysis pathways is increased in fed B1KO animals, but no changes occur in gluconeogenesis, glyceroneogenesis, and ketogenesis pathways under fasting, indicating a lack of metabolic flexibility.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Poliana E. Correia, Clarissa B. Gomes, Vinicius A. Bandeira, Thais Marten, Gabriella R. Natividade, Paula Merello, Erica Tozawa, Carlos T. S. Cerski, Alexandre Budu, Ronaldo Araujo, Bruno D. Arbo, Maria Flavia M. Ribeiro, Carlos C. Barros, Fernando Gerchman
Summary: This study assessed the effects of a cafeteria diet on body weight and glucose homeostasis in B1 receptor knockout mice (B1RKO). The results showed that B1RKO mice had a higher body weight gain compared to wild-type mice when fed a cafeteria diet. The cafeteria diet also increased fat accumulation and hepatic AKT phosphorylation in both genotypes. However, B1RKO mice exhibited lower glycemic response and insulin sensitivity during glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests. This resistance was overcome by increased insulin secretion in response to high glucose levels, resulting in higher glucose uptake despite lower insulin sensitivity. Islets from B1RKO mice delivered 4 times more insulin compared to wild-type mice. Overall, the cafeteria diet increased beta-cell function in B1RKO mice, compensating for diet-induced insulin resistance and leading to a healthier glycemic response despite higher weight gain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lenna Rosanie Cordero Mallaupoma, Barbara Karina de Menezes Dias, Maneesh Kumar Singh, Rute Isabel Honorio, Myna Nakabashi, Camila de Menezes Kisukuri, Marcio Weber Paixao, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: Melatonin can synchronize the intraerythrocytic cycle of the parasite by triggering a specific signaling cascade. Compounds with certain chemical structures have inhibitory effects on the proliferation of malaria parasites, indicating their potential as new antimalarial drugs. The study found that certain synthetic compounds can inhibit different chloroquine-resistant strains of the parasite. In addition, melatonin affects the parasite load and modulates the expression of signaling components, providing a focus for further research.
Article
Immunology
Yosef Daniel Huberman, Melanie Caballero-Garcia, Rober Rojas, Silvia Ascanio, Leandro Hipolito Olmos, Rosana Malena, Jorgelina Lomonaco, Paula Nievas, Paula Chero, Julio Levano-Gracia, Alfredo Mendoza-Espinoza
Summary: Poultry infections by Salmonella cause significant economic losses worldwide. Poultry serves as a common reservoir of Salmonella, posing a risk to humans through the food chain. Vaccination of layers plays an important role in preventing Salmonella infections.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Adriano Cleis Arruda, Alexandre Budu, Thiago Nunes de Menezes, Michael Bader, Ronaldo Carvalho Araujo, Leandro Ceotto Freitas-Lima
Summary: The kinin B1 receptor (B1R) modulates mitochondrial activity under fasting and voluntary exercise conditions, reducing VO2 expenditure and heat production. B1KO animals showed a preference for lipids as an energy source and exhibited increased beta-oxidation. Lack of B1R did not induce mitochondrial activity and biogenesis, suggesting interference in metabolism responsiveness controlled by sirtuins under PGC-1 alpha control.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benedito M. Dos Santos, Jude M. Przyborski, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: English Summary: The GPCR-like SR25 in Plasmodium falciparum, a species of apicomplexan parasites, is activated by a shift in potassium concentration, allowing the parasite to take advantage of its development by sensing different ionic concentrations in the external milieu. This pathway involves the activation of phospholipase C and an increase in cytosolic calcium. This report summarizes the role of potassium ions during parasite development based on available literature, contributing to our understanding of the cell cycle of Plasmodium spp.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Eduardo Alves, Helder Nakaya, Euzebio Guimares, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: In this study, a potential candidate for IP3 receptor in Plasmodium falciparum, a protein associated with multidrug resistance, was identified through a combination of biochemical and bioinformatic analyses.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Transplantation
Gabriel Estrela, Alexandre Budu, Leandro Freitas-Lima, Adriano Arruda, Mauro Perilhao, Jonatan Barrera-Chimal, Ronaldo Araujo
NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION
(2021)
Article
Biology
A. Budu, L. C. Freitas-Lima, A. C. de Arruda, M. S. Perilhao, J. Barrera-Chimal, R. C. Araujo, G. R. Estrela
Summary: Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, but its side effects, including nephrotoxicity, can exacerbate tubular injury and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The study found that kinin B1 receptor inhibition worsened cisplatin-induced chronic renal dysfunction, reduced the expression of the M2 marker YM1, and possibly affected the wound healing process.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)