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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maciej Chyb, Bozena Dziadek, Katarzyna Dzitko, Bartlomiej Tomasz Ferra, Malwina Kawka, Lucyna Holec-Gasior, Justyna Gatkowska
Summary: This study evaluated the ability of two immunogenic recombinant chimeric proteins to induce long-lasting immunity when administered with a safe adjuvant. The results showed that both vaccines triggered specific humoral and cellular responses and provided comparable protection regardless of the time after vaccination. These findings suggest that further research should be conducted to boost their immunogenicity and protective capacity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Jiang-Mei Gao, Si-Qi Yi, Guo-Qing Geng, Zhi-Shen Xu, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: This study investigated how co-infection with trypanosomes can influence Toxoplasma gondii infection in laboratory models. The results showed that rats or mice infected with trypanosomes exhibited varying levels of susceptibility to T. gondii infection, potentially modulating host immune responses to affect the outcome of the infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sam Afkhami, Michael R. D'Agostino, Ali Zhang, Hannah D. Stacey, Art Marzok, Alisha Kang, Ramandeep Singh, Jegarubee Bavananthasivam, Gluke Ye, Xiangqian Luo, Fuan Wang, Jann C. Ang, Anna Zganiacz, Uma Sankar, Natallia Kazhdan, Joshua F. E. Koenig, Allyssa Phelps, Steven F. Gameiro, Shangguo Tang, Manel Jordana, Yonghong Wan, Karen L. Mossman, Mangalakumari Jeyanathan, Amy Gillgrass, Maria Fe C. Medina, Fiona Smaill, Brian D. Lichty, Matthew S. Miller, Zhou Xing
Summary: The study found that using adenoviral vectors with a multivalent vaccine through intranasal immunization can generate better mucosal immune responses, including local and systemic antibody responses, mucosal tissue-resident memory T cells, and mucosal trained innate immunity, and provide protection against multiple viral variants.
Article
Immunology
Rajesh Mani, Mohamed H. Abdelaziz, Alexandra Michelon, Yasuhiro Suzuki
Summary: The human HLA-A2.1 molecule was found to effectively activate CD8(+) T cells to produce immune protection against cerebral infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Mice with HLA-A2.1 had more CD8(+) T cells producing IFN-gamma after infection, and the CD8(+) T cells from transgenic mice exhibited stronger inhibition and immune response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maciej Chyb, Bozena Dziadek, Katarzyna Dzitko, Bartlomiej Tomasz Ferra, Malwina Kawka, Lucyna Holec-Gasior, Justyna Gatkowska
Summary: This study evaluated the ability of two immunogenic recombinant proteins to induce long-lasting immunity. Both experimental vaccines triggered specific humoral and cellular responses in immunized mice. Although the levels of specific antibodies and cytokines decreased after 6 months, the protection rates remained comparable.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Tanjila Hasan, Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Summary: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, impacting the livestock industry and posing a significant threat to the reproductive health of small ruminants.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Matthew D. Martin, Cara Skon-Hegg, Caleb Y. Kim, Julie Xu, Tamara A. Kucaba, Whitney Swanson, Mark J. Pierson, Jesse W. Williams, Vladimir P. Badovinac, Steven S. Shen, Molly A. Ingersoll, Thomas S. Griffith
Summary: Co housed mice exhibit significant resistance to monomicrobial sepsis caused by UPEC, while showing increased morbidity and mortality to polymicrobial sepsis or lipopolysaccharide challenge. CD115+ monocytes mediate protection in co housed mice, and increased production of TNF-a, skewing toward Ly6ChiCD115+ classical monocytes, and enhanced egress of Ly6ChiCD115+ monocytes from the bone marrow may contribute to the enhanced immune response.
Article
Microbiology
Alex S. Hartlage, Piyush Dravid, Christopher M. Walker, Amit Kapoor
Summary: The study found that the efficacy of an RHV T cell vaccine is reduced when challenge virus contains escape mutations within MHC class I-restricted epitopes. CD4 T cell help is a critical correlate of vaccine success against heterologous virus challenge. These results have important implications for human vaccination programs against heterogeneous HCV strains.
Article
Oncology
Jiaying Zheng, Lingxiao Wang, Shunyi Zhao, Wenjing Zhang, Yuzhou Chang, Dale B. Bosco, Tao Huang, Aastha Dheer, Shan Gao, Shengze Xu, Katayoun Ayasoufi, Rawan Al-Kharboosh, Fangfang Qi, Manling Xie, Aaron J. Johnson, Haidong Dong, Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, Long-Jun Wu
Summary: The study revealed significantly elevated levels of TREM2 expression in brain tumors compared to other types of tumors in patients, predominantly localized in tumor-associated myeloid cells. Surprisingly, TREM2 deficiency did not confer a beneficial effect in preclinical glioma models, instead accelerating glioma progression by impairing the phagocytosis of tumor cells and reducing MHCII expression, leading to decreased presence of CD4(+) T cells within the tumor hemispheres.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hanaa Mohamed Khalaf, Sara Mohamed Naguib Abdel Hafez, Ahlam Mohamed Abdalla, Nermeen N. Welson, Walaa Yehia Abdelzaher, Fatma Alzhraa Fouad Abdelbaky
Summary: Oral administration of RU can prevent 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity, improve liver function indicators, reduce hepatic inflammation, and apoptosis. The protective effects of RU may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shuo Wang, Qi-Wen Han, Tian-Tian Zhou, Cheng-Lu Zhang, Cheng-gen Zhu, Xin Zhou, Nai-Hong Chen, Yu-He Yuan, Jian-Gong Shi
Summary: The novel compound 20C shows neuroprotective effects in a rat model of PD, improving behavioral deficits, reducing neuroinflammation, and protecting DA neurons. Its mechanism involves inhibiting iNOS activity, decreasing nitrated-alpha-synuclein expression, and reducing MHC molecule expression.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Edwin J. Heeregrave, Jordan Thomas, Toni M. van Capel, Esther C. de Jong, Georgios Pollakis, William A. Paxton
Summary: HIV-1 can infect various cell types, and the phenotype of the virus can be influenced by the characteristics of the producing cell. Comparing virus strains produced from different cell types, it was found that virus produced from macrophages is more resistant to 2G12 neutralization and more efficiently transmitted to CD4+ cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Paola Marie Marcovecchio, Graham Thomas, Shahram Salek-Ardakani
Summary: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment, but also regulate anti-PD(L)-1-mediated CD8 T cell-dependent immunity through CXCL9. Therapies that enhance TAM CXCL9 expression could improve responses to anti-PD(L)-1 treatment.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ahmed Abdeen, Amira Samir, Ashraf Elkomy, Mohamed Aboubaker, Ola A. Habotta, Ahmed Gaber, Walaa F. Alsanie, Omnia Abdullah, Heba A. Elnoury, Bodour Baioumy, Samah F. Ibrahim, Afaf Abdelkader
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of date palm extract against gentamicin-induced hepato-renal injury. It was found that date palm extract could alleviate the damage caused by gentamicin to the liver and kidneys, possibly due to its high content of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Jerzy M. Behnke, Michael T. Rogan, Philip S. Craig, Joseph A. Jackson, Geoff Hide
Summary: Helminth infections in wood mice trapped over a 26-year period in the woods surrounding Malham Tarn in North Yorkshire were analyzed, revealing a relatively depauperate helminth community in this population. The dominant species, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, showed significant declines in prevalence and abundance over the study period. Age effects were significant for various parameters, reflecting the accumulation of helminths with increasing host age.
Article
Parasitology
Jiang-Mei Gao, Si-Qi Yi, Guo-Qing Geng, Zhi-Shen Xu, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: This study investigated how co-infection with trypanosomes can influence Toxoplasma gondii infection in laboratory models. The results showed that rats or mice infected with trypanosomes exhibited varying levels of susceptibility to T. gondii infection, potentially modulating host immune responses to affect the outcome of the infection.
Article
Parasitology
Xiao-Li Cai, Weisi Wang, De-Hua Lai, Xuan Zhang, Junmin Yao, Yingfang Yu, Shizhu Li, Geoff Hide, Hongjin Bai, Liping Duan, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: The study evaluated the antitrypanosomal potential of a batch of carbazole aminoalcohol derivatives, with H1402 identified as the most effective compound. H1402 demonstrated potent trypanocidal efficacy against T. b. brucei, low cytotoxicity against mammalian cell lines, and complete clearance of T. b. brucei in a murine model of acute infection. Furthermore, H1402 showed promising results in eliminating T. evansi and T. equiperdum, suggesting it as a potential lead compound for new chemotherapeutics for animal trypanosomiasis.
Article
Parasitology
Bi-Xiu Su, Ju-Feng Wang, Ting-Bao Yang, Geoff Hide, De-Hua Lai, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: This study reports a new species of trypanosomes, named Trypanosoma bubalisi, isolated from the freshwater leech in Guangdong province, China. These trypanosomes show significant genetic differences from typical trypanosome strains and are identified as likely being mammalian trypanosomes. Blood composition analysis indicates that the blood meal source for these leeches is water buffalo. These findings suggest that freshwater leeches may serve as potential vectors for this new mammalian trypanosome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yun-Fu Chen, Si-Fei Yu, Chang-You Wu, Na Wu, Jia Shen, Juan Shen, Jiang-Mei Gao, Yan-Zi Wen, Geoff Hide, De-Hua Lai, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: Leishmania infection in humans can lead to varied clinical symptoms, with outcomes influenced by both host and parasite factors. While inbred mouse strains show resistance to Leishmania major but susceptibility to Leishmania amazonensis, rats are highly resistant to L. amazonensis. The Nos2 gene appears to play a crucial role in mediating this resistance, highlighting the importance of distinct macrophage properties in innate immunity to Leishmania infections.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xiao-Li Cai, Su-Jin Li, Peng Zhang, Ziyin Li, Geoff Hide, De-Hua Lai, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: This study generated a series of monomorphic trypanosome stocks by artificially syringe-passage in mice and compared them with naturally monomorphic trypanosomes. The results showed that laboratory-adapted monomorphic trypanosomes could still differentiate, while naturally monomorphic strains completely failed to differentiate. These findings provide new insights into the origin of naturally monomorphic strains and suggest potential risks associated with the malignant evolution of trypanosomes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhen-Jie Wang, Shao-Meng Yu, Jiang-Mei Gao, Peng Zhang, Geoff Hide, Masahiro Yamamoto, De-Hua Lai, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: The knockout of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in SD rats led to complete resistance to Toxoplasma gondii infection, as high levels of ROS damaged parasitophorous vacuole and mitochondrial membranes, inducing pyroptosis and cell death in peritoneal macrophages infected with T. gondii. This discovery highlights a strong link between NO and ROS in immunity to T. gondii infection, showcasing a potentially novel and effective backup innate immunity system.
Article
Parasitology
Ke Chen, Peng Zhang, Ting-Bao Yang, Yan-Zi Wen, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: Trypanosomes, a type of haemoflagellates found in vertebrates, can cause severe diseases and even death in infected hosts. The lack of effective treatment for fish trypanosomiasis is largely due to the limited understanding of these parasites. The Nile tilapia has been identified as a viable model for studying both marine and freshwater fish trypanosomes, providing valuable insights for potential vaccines and treatments.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jia Shen, Si-fei O. Yu, Mei Peng, De-Hua O. Lai, Geoff Hide, Zhong-Dao O. Wu, Zhao-Rong Lun
Summary: This study investigates the role of iNOS-derived nitric oxide in the immune system and immunopathological responses to Schistosoma japonicum infection in rats. The results demonstrate that iNOS deficiency weakens the immune response against the infection, leading to impaired T cell responses, altered cytokine patterns, and exacerbated fibrosis.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jiang-Mei Gao, Jun-Hua Rao, Zhi-Yuan Wei, Shou-Yue Xia, Li Huang, Ming-Tian Tang, Geoff Hide, Ting-Ting Zheng, Jia-Huan Li, Guo-An Zhao, Yun-Xiao Sun, Jian-Huan Chen
Summary: Metagenomic analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Megasphaera significantly increased in cynomolgus monkeys with tolerance to a high-fat diet, and transplantation of Megasphaera reduced blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemia rats.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ju-Feng Wang, Ruo-Hong Lin, Xuan Zhang, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: In this study, the complete assembly of the T. musculi maxicircle genome revealed high sequence identity with other trypanosomes, as well as novel gene insertions and deletions which question the role of Complex I in T. musculi. The detailed analysis of DRII suggests it could be a valuable marker for distinguishing T. musculi and T. lewisi.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Samir Djemai, Ouarda Ayadi, Daoudi Khelifi, Ines Bellil, Geoff Hide
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and species composition of Eimeria infection in chickens in northeastern Algeria. The results revealed a widespread presence of Eimeria infection in broiler farms, with multiple infections being common.
TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yan-Zi Wen, Hao-Tian Tang, Xiao-Li Cai, Na Wu, Jia-Zhen Xu, Bi-Xiu Su, Geoff Hide, Zhao-Rong Lun, De-Hua Lai
Summary: In this study, PAG3 was identified as a key nuclear gene involved in the slender to stumpy differentiation pathway of Trypanosoma brucei in the mammalian host. The loss of this gene might explain the inability of T. evansi and some T. equiperdum to differentiate and the adaptation to transmission cycles that bypass the tsetse vector or mechanical contact.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenyan Wan, Hui Dong, De-Hua Lai, Jiong Yang, Kai He, Xiaoyan Tang, Qun Liu, Geoff Hide, Xing-Quan Zhu, L. David Sibley, Zhao-Rong Lun, Shaojun Long
Summary: The micropore is an essential organelle for the endocytosis of nutrients from the host cell cytosol and Golgi in Toxoplasma gondii. It requires the ceramide de novo synthesis pathway in the parasite for optimal activity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jia Shen, Siyu Zhao, Mei Peng, Yanguo Li, Lichao Zhang, Xiaoping Li, Yunyi Hu, Mingrou Wu, Suoyu Xiang, Xiaoying Wu, Jiahua Liu, Beibei Zhang, Zebin Chen, Datao Lin, Huanyao Liu, Wenyan Tang, Jun Chen, Xi Sun, Qi Liao, Geoff Hide, Zhijun Zhou, Zhao-Rong Lun, Zhongdao Wu
Summary: Schistosoma parasites exhibit host specificity in infection, and this study reveals that macrophages in Microtus fortis can attach to and kill schistosomula, providing insights into the host-parasite interactions and potential strategies for schistosomiasis control.