Review
Immunology
Galia Ramirez-Toloza, Lorena Aguilar-Guzman, Carolina Valck, Smrithi S. Menon, Viviana P. Ferreira, Arturo Ferreira
Summary: Chagas' disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a parasitic ailment primarily transmitted by triatomine insects, affecting over 6 million people in Latin America. This disease elicits complex immune responses in hosts, with some individuals developing a syndrome affecting various body systems. Understanding the parasite's evasion strategies and potential interventions, such as targeting calreticulin, could be crucial in inhibiting T. cruzi infectivity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Soheil Sadr, Shakila Ghiassi, Narges Lotfalizadeh, Pouria Ahmadi Simab, Ashkan Hajjafari, Hassan Borji
Summary: This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of molecules secreted by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) in inhibiting the growth of colon and breast cancer cells. The results reveal that these molecules can trigger an adaptive immune response, exert an antiangiogenic effect, and inhibit cell invasion and migration. They also possess common antigenic determinants with tumor cells, inducing a cross-immune response.
ANTI-CANCER AGENTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lucas Vellasco, Erik Svensjo, Carlos Alberto Bulant, Pablo Javier Blanco, Fabio Nogueira, Gilberto Domont, Natalia Pinto de Almeida, Clarissa Rodrigues Nascimento, Danielle Silva-dos-Santos, Carla Eponina Carvalho-Pinto, Emiliano Horacio Medei, Igor C. Almeida, Julio Scharfstein
Summary: Microangiopathy may worsen the clinical outcome of Chagas disease. This study used intravital microscopy to investigate microcirculatory alterations in the hamster cheek pouch infected by GFP-expressing T. cruzi. The findings suggest that intracellular amastigotes stimulate angiogenesis and enhance the delivery of plasma-borne nutrients and factors, benefiting the host-parasite relationship.
Article
Immunology
Izadora Volpato Rossi, Maria Alice Ferreira Nunes, Bruna Sabatke, Hennrique Taborda Ribas, Sheila Maria Brochado Winnischofer, Augusto Savio Peixoto Ramos, Jameel Malhador Inal, Marcel Ivan Ramirez
Summary: Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which uses blood-feeding triatomine bugs to infect mammalian hosts. The parasite needs to evade the complement system and quickly invade cells for infection, achieved through the expression of different molecules and release of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Selecting a population of T. cruzi after exposure to human serum stress factors can lead to increased metacyclogenesis, resistance to complement-mediated lysis, and greater infectivity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marilia L. Cirqueira, Leandro O. Bortot, Mayte Bolean, Mariana A. A. Aleixo, Pedro H. Luccas, Antonio J. Costa-Filho, Ana Paula Ramos, Pietro Ciancaglini, M. Cristina Nonato
Summary: Due to its severe burden and geographic distribution, Chagas disease has a significant social and economic impact on low-income countries. This study aims to understand the role of TcNTR in the basic parasite biology, investigate its potential as a drug target, and contribute to the fight against neglected tropical diseases. The results showed that TcNTR interacts with membranes, with a preference for those containing cardiolipin, and a 23-residue long insertion is involved in enzyme specificity and protein-membrane interaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberto Docampo, Anibal Eugenio Vercesi
Summary: This review discusses the mechanisms of mitochondrial oxidant generation and removal, and the involvement of Ca2+ in trypanosome cell death, highlighting the need for further studies on ROS generation, defense mechanisms, and mitochondrial permeability transition pore in trypanosomatids.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naiara Dutra Barroso Gomes, Emanuel Paula Magalhaes, Lyanna Rodrigues Ribeiro, John Washington Cavalcante, Marcelo Morais Gomes Maia, Felipe Ramon Cunha da Silva, Arif Ali, Marcia Machado Marinho, Emmanuel Silva Marinho, Helcio Silva dos Santos, Alice Maria Costa Martins, Ramon Roseo Paula Pessoa Bezerra de Menezes
Summary: This study evaluated the activity of synthetic p-aminochalcones against T. cruzi and found that they have a trypanocidal effect by causing membrane damage and oxidative stress. Their mechanism of action may be related to inhibition of cruzain and TR.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Carezza Botto-Mahan, Juana P. Correa, Raul Araya-Donoso, Francisca Farias, Esteban San Juan, Nicol Quiroga, Ricardo Campos-Soto, Claudio Reyes-Olivares, Daniel Gonzalez-Acuna
Summary: In this study, we assessed 4 lizard species in Chile for Trypanosoma cruzi and found that all species were infected. We also discovered that one species had the ability to transmit the protozoan, highlighting their role as reservoirs for T. cruzi.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jose L. Saenz-Garcia, Beatriz S. Borges, Normanda Souza-Melo, Luiz V. Machado, Juliana S. Miranda, Lisandro Alfonso Pacheco-Lugo, Nilmar S. Moretti, Richard Wheleer, Lia C. Soares Medeiros, Wanderson D. DaRocha
Summary: The flagellum of Trypanosomatids contributes to multiple functions, and this study explores the role of Trypanin in T. cruzi. The deletion of Trypanin affects the growth and motility of T. cruzi epimastigotes, as well as their infection capacity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lucia Lopez, Maria Laura Chiribao, Magali C. Girard, Karina A. Gomez, Paula Carasi, Marisa Fernandez, Yolanda Hernandez, Carlos Robello, Teresa Freire, Maria Dolores Pineyro
Summary: The study showed that c-TXNPx induces the recruitment of IL-12/23p40-producing innate antigen-presenting cells and promotes a strong specific Th1 immune response, while c-TXNPxC52S does not. The presence of peroxidatic cysteine is essential for the peroxidase activity and quaternary structure of the protein.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wendell Girard-Dias, Ingrid Augusto, Tacio V. A. Fernandes, Pedro G. Pascutti, Wanderley de Souza, Kildare Miranda
Summary: In this study, the three-dimensional distribution of diffusible elements within acidocalcisomes in Trypanosoma cruzi was mapped using advanced electron microscopy techniques. The existence of nanodomains with specific element distribution patterns was discovered. These findings have significant implications for understanding nanophysiology of organelles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Derek J. Matthews, Ryan C. Fries, Nicholas D. Jeffery, Sarah A. Hamer, Ashley B. Saunders
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi infection causes cardiac damage in dogs, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can detect the damage. This study aimed to describe CMR in naturally infected dogs with chronic Chagas disease and evaluate the frequency of abnormalities in CMR and other diagnostic tests. The results suggest that CMR can provide useful information and support the use of naturally infected dogs as an animal model for Chagas disease.
Review
Biology
Oscar Hernan Rodriguez-Bejarano, Catalina Avendano, Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
Summary: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is mainly transmitted by insect bites. The parasite's lifecycle includes an intracellular phase and infective forms, involving various signaling cascades and intracellular associations for recognition and internalization in host cells.
Article
Immunology
Nadjania Saraiva de Lira Silva, Cristina Mary Orikaza, Fabiana Rodrigues de Santana, Luana Aguiar dos Santos, Bruno Ramos Salu, Maria Luiza Vilela Oliva, Rita de Cassia Sinigaglia, Renato Arruda Mortara
Summary: IL-9 plays a role in controlling T. cruzi infection by reducing invasion and multiplication in vitro, and acts as a protective factor during the chronic phase of experimental infection in BALB/c mice, controlling cardiac fibrosis and proinflammatory cytokine production.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sergio Castaneda, Marina Munoz, Peter J. Hotez, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Alberto E. Paniz-Mondolfi, Kathryn M. Jones, Rojelio Mejia, Cristina Poveda, Juan David Ramirez
Summary: Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and has a profound impact on the gastrointestinal tract. Alterations in the gut microbiome caused by the parasite may play a crucial role in host-parasite interactions and immune responses. Understanding this interaction could provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease and the development of new treatments.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Josue Pozo-Martinez, Francisco Salgado, Ana Liempi, Ulrike Kemmerling, Raul Mera-Adasme, Claudio Olea-Azar, Mauricio Moncada-Basualto, Fernanda Borges, Eugenio Uriarte, Maria Joao Matos
Summary: The study demonstrated that a series of catechol-containing 3-arylcoumarins have moderate trypanocidal activity on the trypomastigote form of the parasite, with 3-(4'-bromophenyl)-6,7-dihydroxycoumarin (8) showing the highest activity but also the highest cytotoxicity in Vero cells. The inclusion in beta-cyclodextrins reduced the trypanocidal activity and cytotoxicity, but increased solubility. Compound 8 was found to act through the generation of oxidative stress, and the combination with BZN showed a synergistic effect, reducing the necessary dose of BZN and proving to be a promising alternative strategy for treating the disease.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lisvaneth Medina, Jesus Alejandro Guerrero-Munoz, Ana Isabel Liempi, Christian Castillo, Yessica Ortega, Alfredo Sepulveda, Fernando Salomo, Juan Diego Maya, Ulrike Kemmerling
Summary: Research has found that Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptotic cell death in the trophoblast, which are regulated by microRNAs miR-512-3p and miR-515-5p. Parasite-modulated microRNAs could potentially be used as biomarkers, prognostic, and therapeutic tools for congenital Chagas disease.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Christian Castillo, Ulrike Kemmerling
Article
Parasitology
Lisvaneth Medina, Jesus Guerrero-Munoz, Christian Castillo, Ana Liempi, Alejandro Fernandez-Moya, Sebastian Araneda, Yessica Ortega, Cristian Rivas, Juan Diego Maya, Ulrike Kemmerling
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii are two zoonotic parasites that pose significant threats to human and animal health, and their transmission and infection rates are influenced by various factors, including host gene and miRNA regulation. This study found differential expression of three miRNAs in the placenta of dogs and sheep in response to infection by these parasites, which may explain the differences in transmission rates and susceptibility to infection in different species.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maura Rojas-Pirela, Diego Andrade-Alviarez, Lisvaneth Medina, Christian Castillo, Ana Liempi, Jesus Guerrero-Munoz, Yessica Ortega, Juan Diego Maya, Veronica Rojas, Wilfredo Quinones, Paul A. Michels, Ulrike Kemmerling
Summary: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. They play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diseases, including those caused by parasitic protists. Additionally, miRNAs have the potential to be used as targets for drug design and as diagnostic and prognostic markers for parasitic diseases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carolina Campos-Estrada, Edurne Urarte, Marisol Denegri, Litzi D. Villalon, Fabiola Gonzalez-Herrera, Ulrike Kemmerling, Juan Maya
Summary: The study aims to analyze whether two doses of Atorvastatin, administered after completion of CD treatment, are safe and more efficacious than the antiparasitic drugs alone in reducing general inflammation and improving endothelial and cardiac functions in a proof-of-concept, placebo-controlled phase II trial.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Juan Mena, Christian Hidalgo, Daniela Estay-Olea, Nicole Sallaberry-Pincheira, Antonella Bacigalupo, Andre V. Rubio, Diego Penaloza, Carolina Sanchez, Javiera Gomez-Adaros, Valeria Olmos, Javier Cabello, Kendra Ivelic, Maria Jose Abarca, Diego Ramirez-Alvarez, Marisol Torregrosa Rocabado, Natalia Duran Castro, Martina Carreno, Gabriela Gomez, Pedro E. Cattan, Galia Ramirez-Toloza, Sofia Robbiano, Carla Marchese, Eduardo Raffo, Paulina Stowhas, Gonzalo Medina-Vogel, Carlos Landaeta-Aqueveque, Rene Ortega, Etienne Waleckx, Daniel Gonzalez-Acuna, Gemma Rojo
Summary: This study aimed to conduct molecular surveillance in wildlife rehabilitation centers and wildlife associated institutions in Chile to assess the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 in wild animals. A total of 185 samples from 83 individuals belonging to 15 different species were tested, and the results showed that all samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2.
VETERINARY QUARTERLY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Fabiola Gonzalez-Herrera, Natasha S. Clayton, Daniela Guzman-Rivera, Ileana Carrillo, Christian Castillo, Mabel Catalan, Renatto Anfossi, Helena Quintero-Pertuz, Maria Elena Quilaqueo, Claudio Olea-Azar, Mario Rivera-Meza, Ulrike Kemmerling, Anne J. Ridley, Raul Vivar, Juan Diego Maya
Summary: This study demonstrates that statins can inhibit ROCK activity, reduce inflammation, and promote anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, suggesting that statins may be a potential pharmacological strategy for preventing cardiac inflammation in CCC.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Maura Rojas-Pirela, Diego Andrade-Alviarez, Wilfredo Quinones, Maria Veronica Rojas, Christian Castillo, Ana Liempi, Lisvaneth Medina, Jesus Guerrero-Munoz, Alejandro Fernandez-Moya, Yessica Andreina Ortega, Sebastian Araneda, Juan Diego Maya, Ulrike Kemmerling
Summary: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression through interaction with target mRNA's 3' untranslated regions (3' UTR), impacting stability and translation. They play a role in biological processes such as signal transduction, cell death, metabolism, and development. Dysregulated miRNA expression is associated with infectious diseases, particularly those caused by helminths, where miRNAs modulate the parasite-host interaction. This comprehensive review analyzes the role of miRNAs in helminth infections, focusing on immune regulation and its implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies.
Article
Biology
Yarela Herrera, Sebastian Fuentes-Retamal, Ulrike Kemmerling, Maria Elisa Peichoto, Juan Carlos Ortiz, Felix A. Urra
Summary: This study describes the dentition and venom delivery system of the poorly studied snake G. ch. chilensis. The fangs of G. chilensis chilensis exhibit a groove with prominent ridges formed. The length of the fangs and groove varies significantly between different ontogenetic categories, but no differences were observed between females and males. Histologically, the venom gland is located close to the fangs and is composed of acid mucous and serous acini.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maura Rojas-Pirela, Ulrike Kemmerling, Wilfredo Quinones, Paul A. M. Michels, Veronica Rojas
Summary: Trypanosomiases are devastating tropical diseases caused by Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, with no effective treatment currently available. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) synthesized by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have shown activity against various pathogens, including parasitic protists. This review analyzes the potential of AMPs as therapeutic alternatives for trypanosomiasis treatment, emphasizing their possible application as candidates for the development of future natural anti-trypanosome drugs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga Fuentealba-Manosalva, Matias Mansilla, Neudo Buelvas, Antonia Martin-Martin, Cristian G. Torres, Rodrigo A. Lopez-Munoz
Summary: Drug combinations are extensively studied in the field of anticancer agents. This study compared the performance of two software in analyzing drug synergy in combinations involving non-steroidal analgesics and antitumor drugs. The results showed that Celecoxib-based combinations exhibited consistent synergistic effects among software and reference models. Multiple reference models and complete data analysis are recommended in combination studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cristobal Briceno, Daniela Marcone, Matilde Larraechea, Hector Hidalgo, Fernando Fredes, Galia Ramirez-Toloza, Gonzalo Cabrera
Summary: Zoonotic Cryptosporidium meleagridis was found in invasive monk parakeets from Santiago, Chile. The presence of oocysts in nestlings' feces was confirmed, and the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was sequenced. This highlights the need for continuous pathogen monitoring in synanthropic species with global distribution.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Neudo Buelvas, Isidora Ugarte-Vio, Laura Asencio-Leal, Matias Munoz-Uribe, Antonia Martin-Martin, Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez, Jose A. Jara, Julio C. Tapia, Maria Elena Arias, Rodrigo A. Lopez-Munoz
Summary: The study found that indomethacin increases SSAT-1 levels in lung cancer cells by reducing the CDK1-nucleolin regulatory axis, leading to anti-proliferative effects. Additionally, the combination of indomethacin and methoctramine, a PAOX inhibitor, enhances the antiproliferative effect of indomethacin.
Review
Oncology
Adriana Stuardo-Parada, Rodrigo Lopez-Munoz, Franz Villarroel-Espindola, Carlos D. Figueroa, Pamela Ehrenfeld
Summary: Lung cancer is a major public health problem worldwide, and targeting surface receptors and proteases overexpressed in tumor cells, such as GPCR-family kinin receptors and KLKs, could be a promising approach for its treatment. KLK5, KLK6, KLK8, KLK11, and KLK14 have been found to play crucial roles in the progression of lung cancer. Early diagnosis, especially in high-risk populations, and modulation of kinin receptors and KLKs could have potential implications in lung cancer therapeutics.