Article
Microbiology
Any Laura Flores-Villegas, Jesus Guillermo Jimenez-Cortes, James Gonzalez, Adriana Moreno-Rodriguez, Rebeca Perez-Cabeza de Vaca, Claudia Segal-Kischinevzky, Martha Bucio-Torres, Jose A. De Fuentes-Vicente, Elisabeth Nava-Lazaro, Paz Maria Salazar-Schettino, Margarita Cabrera Bravo
Summary: Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite transmitted by triatomines, shows different virulence, tropism, and tssa gene expression in different isolates obtained from various triatomine species in Mexico.
Article
Microbiology
Marina Schock, Steffen Schmidt, Klaus Ersfeld
Summary: Trypanosome brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, has a highly ordered subpellicular microtubule cytoskeleton associated with various proteins regulating morphology, motility, and virulence. Identified protein CAP50 colocalises with microtubules but not with the flagellum, playing a crucial role in maintaining cellular integrity. Depletion of CAP50, along with CAP52 and CAP42, results in defects in cytokinesis, morphology, and microtubule organization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sumeet Manandhar, Stephen Chambers, Andrew Miller, Isao Ishii, Madhav Bhatia
Summary: This study investigates the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on adhesion molecules in endothelial cells of vital organs in mice with sepsis. The researchers found that H2S reduced adhesion molecule expression and liver and lung injury in septic mice. They also validated the use of PAG as a tool to study the Cth/H2S-signaling axis in sepsis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Camino Gutierrez-Corbo, Barbara Dominguez-Asenjo, Yolanda Perez-Pertejo, Carlos Garcia-Estrada, Felio J. Bello, Rafael Balana-Fouce, Rosa M. Reguera
Summary: Diseases caused by trypanosomatids are a serious public health concern in low-income endemic countries. Leishmaniasis, caused by different species of Leishmania, can be transmitted to humans through the bite of infected sandflies. Sexual reproduction has been confirmed in these parasites, and the formation of hybrids can contribute to their virulence, drug resistance, and adaptation to the host immune system. This study investigates the capability of intraclonal and interspecies genetic exchange in Leishmania parasites and demonstrates the feasibility of obtaining hybrids between different tropisms. Ploidy analysis, kDNA content, growth rate, and infection capacity provide important insights into sexual reproduction in these parasites.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Sistiana Aiello, Sara Gastoldi, Miriam Galbusera, Piero Ruggenenti, Valentina Portalupi, Stefano Rota, Nadia Rubis, Lucia Liguori, Sara Conti, Matteo Tironi, Sara Gamba, Donata Santarsiero, Ariela Benigni, Giuseppe Remuzzi, Marina Noris
Summary: The study sheds light on the role of the C5a/C5aR1 axis in endothelial dysfunction and loss of antithrombogenic properties. It demonstrates that C5a mediates the release of vWF and P-selectin, leading to enhanced vWF binding on the endothelium and platelet adhesion and aggregation. These pathogenic mechanisms are also observed in severe COVID-19 patients. Selective C5a/C5aR1 blockade could be a potential therapeutic strategy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabella E. Maudlin, Steve Kelly, Angela Schwede, Mark Carrington
Summary: The bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei relies on antigenic variation of a cell surface coat composed of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) for survival in mammalian hosts, with the integrity of the VSG coat being crucial for its persistence. Investigation into the regulation of VSG mRNA levels revealed that the copy number varies with the identity of the VSG and that a pathway detects synthesis of non-functional VSG protein, leading to an increase in VSG mRNA levels.
MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Taiki Tojo, Minako Yamaoka-Tojo
Summary: This study investigated the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying stenotic calcification of the aortic valve. Gene expression analysis of human aortic stenosis and normal aortic valve tissue identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with valve calcification and disease progression. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed hub genes that could serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for aortic stenosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Limo William Kipkorir, Thuita Kibuthu John, Orindi Benedict Owino, Oidho John, Shivairo Robert, Masiga Daniel, Adung'a Vincent Owino
Summary: The study identified Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense strains that cause acute and chronic infections in mice, highlighting the predominant role of strain-dependent factors in determining infection outcomes. Additionally, the strain KETRI 3928 had better establishment in tsetse flies compared to KETRI 3801, suggesting potential differences in transmission of strains causing chronic infections.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Silambarasan Anbumani, Aldeliane M. da Silva, Isis G. B. Carvalho, Eduarda Regina Fischer, Mariana de Souza e Silva, Antonio Augusto G. von Zuben, Hernandes F. Carvalho, Alessandra A. de Souza, Richard Janissen, Monica A. Cotta
Summary: The study demonstrates highly selective cell adhesion of the phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa to gold-patterned SiO2 substrates, with filamentous cell formation depending on cell cluster density and distance between clusters. Experimental evidence suggests that cell filamentation is induced by quorum sensing, potentially aiding in therapeutic developments targeting biofilm formation mechanisms of X. fastidiosa and other pathogens.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Noureddine Ben Khalaf, Dalal Al-Mehatab, Dahmani M. Fathallah
Summary: In this study, it was shown that ERp72 is overexpressed on vascular endothelial cells in the early phase of the inflammatory response following skeletal muscle injury. This upregulation of ERp72 may potentially play a role in skeletal muscle inflammation and modulate leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Baalachandran Ramasubramanian, Junghyun Kim, Yunbo Ke, Yue Li, Chen-Ou Zhang, Kamoltip Promnares, Kenichi A. Tanaka, Konstantin G. Birukov, Pratap Karki, Anna A. Birukova
Summary: This study investigates the effects of different histone subunits on pulmonary endothelial cells and identifies H3 and H4 histones as key subunits that can increase cell permeability and induce inflammation. The Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway plays a significant role in mediating the deleterious effects of H3 and H4 histones.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ioana Corina Bocsan, Ioana Adriana Muntean, Nicolae Miron, Irena Pintea, Carmen Teodora Dobrican, Corina Ureche, Anca Dana Buzoianu, Diana Deleanu
Summary: Soluble ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 play important roles in allergic rhinitis (AR), and H1 antihistamines can improve AR symptoms and reduce the levels of adhesion molecules. This study found that patients with grass pollen-induced AR had higher levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 compared to healthy controls during pollen exposure. Despite antihistaminic therapy, these levels tended to remain high during pollen season.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Min Ji Cho, Dong Gwang Lee, Jeong Woong Lee, Byungtae Hwang, Sung-Jin Yoon, Seon-Jin Lee, Young-Jun Park, Seung-Ho Park, Hee Gu Lee, Yong-Hoon Kim, Chul-Ho Lee, Jangwook Lee, Nam-Kyung Lee, Tae-Su Han, Hyun-Soo Cho, Jeong Hee Moon, Ga Seul Lee, Kwang-Hee Bae, Geum-Sook Hwang, Sang-Hak Lee, Sang J. Chung, Sungbo Shim, Jaehyung Cho, Goo Taeg Oh, Young-Guen Kwon, Jong-Gil Park, Jeong-Ki Min
Summary: This study investigates the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase type IVA1 (PTP4A1) in the negative regulation of the NF-kappa B signalling pathway in endothelial cells (ECs). The findings suggest that PTP4A1 regulates NF-kappa B inactivation through the USF1/A20 axis, and its expression or activation in ECs may be useful for the treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xinyu Zhu, Jiangtong Peng, Liuye Yang, Yi Guo, Pengchao Wang, Kaiyuan Liu, Jingbo Zhu, Shan Deng, Minglu Liang
Summary: This study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of 7-Mif on endothelial inflammation by reducing the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and monocyte adhesion.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Toshiaki Iba, Jerrold H. Levy, Jecko Thachil, Sophie Susen, Marcel Levi, Ecaterina Scarlatescu
Summary: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a pathomechanistic process that accompanies various underlying diseases, characterized by systemic coagulation activation and endothelial injury. However, current diagnostic criteria for DIC do not include biomarkers for vascular endothelial injury.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Claire Bouvard, Ly Tu, Martina Rossi, Agnes Desroches-Castan, Nihel Berrebeh, Elise Helfer, Caroline Roelants, Hequn Liu, Marie Ouarne, Nicolas Chaumontel, Christine Mallet, Christophe Battail, Andreas Bikfalvi, Marc Humbert, Laurent Savale, Thomas Daubon, Pascale Perret, Emmanuelle Tillet, Christophe Guignabert, Sabine Bailly
Summary: BMP9 and BMP10 play redundant roles in cardiovascular homeostasis and pulmonary arterial hypertension, but have specific roles under chronic hypoxic conditions. BMP9 contributes to chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling, while BMP10 plays a role in hypoxia-induced cardiac remodeling.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Sara Silva Pereira, Andrew P. Jackson, Luisa M. Figueiredo
Summary: An intriguing and remarkable feature of African trypanosomes is their antigenic variation system, mediated by the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) family. Recent studies have revealed that the VSG repertoire has a complex evolutionary history and plays a key role in immune evasion and disease epidemiology. The diversity in sequence, genomic organization, and expression patterns within the VSG family may explain variations in parasite virulence and disease pathology, indicating a need for further exploration of their functional roles.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Mariana De Niz
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Idalio J. Viegas, Juan Pereira de Macedo, Lucia Serra, Mariana De Niz, Adriana Temporao, Sara Silva Pereira, Aashiq H. Mirza, Ed Bergstrom, Joao A. Rodrigues, Francisco Aresta-Branco, Samie R. Jaffrey, Luisa M. Figueiredo
Summary: RNA modifications play an important role in gene expression regulation. In Trypanosoma brucei, the m(6)A modification is enriched in transcripts encoding variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs), particularly in the poly(A) tail of actively expressed VSG transcripts. Removal of a 16-mer motif in the 3' untranslated region of VSG genes leads to a loss of m(6)A in the poly(A) tail, resulting in rapid deadenylation and mRNA degradation. This study identifies the first RNA modification in the poly(A) tail of any eukaryote, shedding light on a post-transcriptional mechanism of gene regulation.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Idalio J. Viegas, Luisa M. Figueiredo
Summary: The article discusses the molecular and biochemical discoveries of RNA trans-splicing in trypanosomes by Viegas and Figueiredo.
NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Catia Silva Janota, Andreia Pinto, Anna Pezzarossa, Pedro Machado, Judite Costa, Pedro Campinho, Claudio A. Franco, Edgar R. Gomes
Summary: The endoplasmic reticulum shields immobile ventral stress fibers to establish asymmetric nucleo-cytoskeleton connections with moving dorsal actin cables for nuclear positioning.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. G. Monic, A. Lamy, M. Thonnus, T. Bizarra-Rebelo, F. Bringaud, T. K. Smith, L. M. Figueiredo, L. Riviere
Summary: Phospholipases play critical roles in virulence and pathogenicity in pathogenic microorganisms. By mining the genome database of African trypanosomes, new phospholipase candidate genes were discovered, and one of them was found to have lipolytic activity. This unique phospholipase protein localizes in both the cytosol and glycosomes, and it has the potential to be used as a diagnostic tool due to the generation of antibodies during infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Sara Silva Pereira, Mariana De Niz, Karine Serre, Marie Ouarne, Joana E. Coelho, Claudio A. Franco, Luisa M. Figueiredo
Summary: This study established a mouse model of acute cerebral Trypanosomiasis, revealing the key roles of parasite sequestration in brain vasculature and ICAM1-mediated T cell accumulation in brain parenchyma in the pathogenesis of cerebral Trypanosomiasis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fabien Guegan, K. Shanmugha Rajan, Fabio Bento, Daniel Pinto-Neves, Mariana Sequeira, Natalia Guminska, Seweryn Mroczek, Andrzej Dziembowski, Smadar Cohen-Chalamish, Tirza Doniger, Beathrice Galili, Antonio M. Estevez, Cedric Notredame, Shulamit Michaeli, Luisa M. Figueiredo
Summary: This study identified 1428 previously uncharacterized lncRNA genes in the T. brucei genome. The key regulator, grumpy lncRNA, was found to promote parasite differentiation into the quiescent stumpy form, with this function being promoted by the encoded small nucleolar RNA. Overexpression of grumpy reduced parasitemia in infected mice.
Article
Cell Biology
Pedro Barbacena, Maria Dominguez-Cejudo, Catarina G. Fonseca, Manuel Gomez-Gonzalez, Laura M. Faure, Georgia Zarkada, Andreia Pena, Anna Pezzarossa, Daniela Ramalho, Ylenia Giarratano, Marie Ouarne, David Barata, Isabela C. Fortunato, Lenka Henao Misikova, Ian Mauldin, Yulia Carvalho, Xavier Trepat, Pere Roca-Cusachs, Anne Eichmann, Miguel O. Bernabeu, Claudio A. Franco
Summary: The competition between biochemical and mechanical signals controls the polarity shift of endothelial cells during blood-vessel formation, leading to tissue-level emergent behaviors and unique vascular patterns in each individual.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2022)
Article
Biology
Marta F. Fidalgo, Catarina G. Fonseca, Paulo Caldas, Alexandre A. S. F. Raposo, Tania Balboni, Lenka Henao-Misikova, Ana R. Grosso, Francisca F. Vasconcelos, Claudio A. Franco
Summary: This study reveals a synchronous alternative splicing switch in multiple genes, regulated by hnRNP A1, Cpeb4, and Elavl2/HuB, during the development of mouse lungs. It was found that Vegfa undergoes alternative splicing in lung alveolar epithelial AT1 cells, leading to the specification of Car4-positive aerocytes and promoting lung adaptation to breathing.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Henrique Machado, Antonio Temudo, Mariana De Niz
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of Trypanosoma brucei in lymph nodes, demonstrating that colonization varies across different sets of lymph nodes, with the most heavily colonized being the lymph nodes draining main tissue reservoirs. The lymphatic vasculature was found to be a crucial site for parasite dispersal, and parasites within the lymphatic vasculature exhibited unique morphological and behavioral characteristics. Furthermore, T. brucei infection resulted in significant alterations in lymph nodes and lymphatic vasculature, leading to edema throughout the host's body.
Article
Microbiology
Henrique Machado, Peter Hofer, Rudolf Zechner, Terry K. Smith, Luisa M. Figueiredo
Summary: In African trypanosomiasis, lipolysis of adipose tissue is activated early in infection, which limits parasite growth and affects the loss of fat mass.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mariana De Niz, Luisa M. Figueiredo
Summary: This study presents a protocol for intravital microscopy to visualize the interactions between T. brucei and its host. The protocol involves surgical procedures to introduce fluorescently labeled components into live animals and then observe the interactions in real-time in various organs and systemic circulation.