Article
Immunology
Natalia Rego, Maria Gabriela Libisch, Carlos Rovira, Juan Pablo Tosar, Carlos Robello
Summary: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, can infect various nucleated cells in mammals. This study focused on the role of microRNAs in the host-T. cruzi interaction and found that miR-146a, miR-708, and miR-1246 consistently respond to T. cruzi infection across different human cell types. The response to parasite infection was broad in macrophages, while changes in microRNAs were modest in epithelial and cardiomyocytes. These findings highlight the importance of considering microRNA changes at the cellular level and suggest miR-1246 and miR-708 as potential biomarkers for Chagas disease.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aaron J. Smith, Philip B. B. Crosbie, Barbara F. Nowak, Andrew R. Bridle
Summary: In this study, a comparative transcriptome analysis of two Neoparamoeba perurans isolates with different virulence phenotypes was conducted, revealing differentially expressed genes related to the pathogenicity of the wild type isolate. Gene set enrichment analysis also identified gene sets enriched in the wild type isolate.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Jose Luis Ramirez
Summary: Despite the lack of success in developing new treatment or immunoprevention approaches, the DGF-1 gene family in Trypanosoma cruzi may play a crucial role in host-parasite interactions.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Nidiyare Hevia-Montiel, Paulina Haro, Leonardo Guillermo-Cordero, Jorge Perez-Gonzalez
Summary: This research demonstrates the effectiveness and accuracy of deep learning methods based on the U-Net convolutional network architecture in the segmentation of histological images for Chagas disease.
Article
Fisheries
Maria E. Sarmiento, Kai Ling Chin, Nyok Sean Lau, Ismail Aziah, Noraznawati Ismail, Mohd Nor Norazmi, Armando Acosta, Nik Soriani Yaacob
Summary: Horseshoe crabs are ancient marine arthropods with a long evolutionary history, relying on their innate immune system to protect against pathogens. Transcriptomic analysis of hemocytes challenged with LPS revealed upregulated genes related to immune defense, stress response, cytoskeleton function, and signal transduction, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms in response to infection.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Erica Silberstein, Charles C. Chung, Alain Debrabant
Summary: Vertical transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi is a global health problem, with congenital infection considered as the main route of Chagas disease spread in non-endemic countries. This study used a three-dimensional cell culture system to explore the immunological signatures of syncytiotrophoblasts (SYNs) in controlling T. cruzi infection. The findings indicate that SYNs resist infection by eliciting a pro-inflammatory response and modulating multiple defense mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Emily A. Kelly, Christina A. Bulman, Emma L. Gunderson, Amanda M. Irish, Rebecca L. Townsend, Judy A. Sakanari, Susan L. Stramer, Caryn Bern, Jeffrey D. Whitman
Summary: The latest-generation CD serology tests may improve diagnostic sensitivity without affecting specificity. Reactivity and sensitivity were highest in samples from donors born in South America and lowest in specimens from those born in Mexico, with intermediate results in specimens from Central American donors.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kerrie Ni Dhufaigh, Eugene Dillon, Natasha Botwright, Anita Talbot, Ian O'Connor, Eugene MacCarthy, Orla Slattery
Summary: This study found that prolonged in vitro maintenance can reduce virulence in Neoparamoeba perurans. Differences in bacterial community composition and protein expression were observed between virulent and attenuated isolates. Proteome analysis showed upregulation of protein synthesis, oxidative stress, and immunomodulation in a newly acquired virulent N. perurans culture.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Maria Augusta Dario, Cristiane Varella Lisboa, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier, Paulo Sergio D'Andrea, Andre Luiz Rodrigues Roque, Ana Maria Jansen
Summary: This study investigated the transmission cycle of Trypanosoma sp. in nonflying small mammals in an area where a case of acute Chagas disease occurred. Despite the low mammalian species richness and degraded environment, a high species richness of Trypanosoma, mainly T. janseni, was observed.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcos Vinicius da Silva, Brenna Louise Cavalcanti Gondim, Tamires Marielem de Carvalho-Costa, Maria Tays Mendes, Marcela Rezende Lemes, Rafaela Miranda Barbosa, Talita Nunes Cardoso, Natalia Santos Nascimento, Daniela Bomfirm Barros, Marcia Vanusa da Silva, Juliana Reis Machado, Luico Roberto Cancado Castellano
Summary: Chagas Disease, a Neglected Tropical Disease affecting around seven million people, is currently treated with only two drugs, both with limitations. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic approaches is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Gabriela Specker, Damian Estrada, Rafael Radi, Lucia Piacenza
Summary: This study demonstrates the protective effects of Trypanosoma cruzi mitochondrial peroxiredoxin (MPX) in macrophage infections and in response to nifurtimox (NFX) toxicity. MPX content increased after NFX treatment and overexpression of MPX enhanced resistance to the drug. MPX exhibits holdase activity and its overexpression was observed in temperature-challenged parasites. These findings suggest a protective role of MPX holdase activity against NFX toxicity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Nestor Anes, Gladys Crisante
Summary: Systematic microscopical observations on tissues from mice show that Trypanosoma cruzi does not exhibit tissue-specific tropism, highlighting its ability to invade various tissues within the mammal host without preference for any particular type.
Article
Immunology
Yves Carlier, Carine Truyens, Eric Muraille
Summary: This study discusses the potential role of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) in the trans-placental parasite transmission or the development of severe and fatal clinical forms of congenital/neonatal Chagas disease in newborns of T. cruzi-infected mothers. It highlights the importance of understanding how antibodies transmitted from infected pregnant women may influence the neonatal immune response to the parasite.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Alicia Majeau, Laura Murphy, Claudia Herrera, Eric Dumonteil
Summary: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important vector-borne neglected tropical disease with diverse genetic strains that may contribute to poor diagnostic performance. Most markers are suitable for estimating parasite diversity at the DTU level, while some are particularly useful for assessing intra-DTU diversity. Antigenic diversity is likely a key factor in the limited diagnostic performance in Central and North America.
Article
Cell Biology
Yi-Rong Jiang, Le Zhu, Lan-Rui Cao, Qiong Wu, Jian-Bo Chen, Yu Wang, Jie Wu, Tian-Yu Zhang, Zhao-Lun Wang, Zhi-Ying Guan, Qin-Qin Xu, Qian-Xi Fan, Shao-Wen Shi, Hui-Feng Wang, Jian-Zhan Pan, Xu-Dong Fu, Yongcheng Wang, Qun Fang
Summary: A new single-cell analysis platform, capable of simultaneously analyzing the transcriptome and proteome, provides an important resource for understanding the relationship between transcription and translation in cells. By applying this platform to mouse oocytes, we investigated the correlation between RNA and protein, as well as the meiosis regulatory network, and identified specific oocyte maturational signatures.
Article
Virology
Flavia F. Bagno, Luis A. F. Andrade, Sarah A. R. Sergio, Pierina L. Parise, Daniel A. Toledo-Teixeira, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, Ana P. S. M. Fernandes, Santuza M. R. Teixeira, Fabiana Granja, Jose L. Proenca-Modena, Flavio G. da Fonseca
Summary: Previous studies have shown that individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 can develop robust antibody responses after vaccination. In this study, the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were compared in vaccinated individuals with or without previous COVID-19 infection. The results showed that the antibody kinetics were different between naive individuals and those who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, naive individuals had no detectable neutralizing activity against certain variants, while recovered individuals retained significant neutralizing activity.
Article
Immunology
Danielle Rodrigues Cortez, Fabio Mitsuo Lima, Joao Luis Reis-Cunha, Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu, Rolando Andre Rios Villacis, Silvia Regina Rogatto, Andre Guilherme Costa-Martins, Fernanda Sycko Marchiano, Rafaela Andrade do Carmo, Jose Franco da Silveira, Marjorie Mendes Marini
Summary: In this study, the genetic differences between two lineages of Chagas disease-causing parasite T. cruzi were analyzed using intraspecific array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). The results showed that clone D11 had more chromosomal gains and losses compared to the parental G strain. These genomic changes suggest a dynamic genome in clone D11 that responds to environmental stress by altering gene copy numbers and generating segmental aneuploidy.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lena F. Schimke, Alexandre H. C. Marques, Gabriela Crispim Baiocchi, Caroline Aliane de Souza Prado, Dennyson Leandro M. Fonseca, Paula Paccielli Freire, Desiree Rodrigues Placa, Igor Salerno Filgueiras, Ranieri Coelho Salgado, Gabriel Jansen-Marques, Antonio Edson Rocha Oliveira, Jean Pierre Schatzmann Peron, Gustavo Cabral-Miranda, Jose Alexandre Marzagao Barbuto, Niels Olsen Saraiva Camara, Vera Lucia Garcia Calich, Hans D. Ochs, Antonio Condino-Neto, Katherine A. Overmyer, Joshua J. Coon, Joseph Balnis, Ariel Jaitovich, Jonas Schulte-Schrepping, Thomas Ulas, Joachim L. Schultze, Helder I. Nakaya, Igor Jurisica, Otavio Cabral-Marques
Summary: Severe COVID-19 patients show similarities with other hyperinflammatory conditions, such as HLH, in terms of clinical and laboratory features. This study highlights the shared immunological pathways and neutrophil-mediated immune responses between COVID-19 and HLH. Dysregulated neutrophil-associated genes and proteins are observed in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU, suggesting a generalized hyperinflammatory state. These findings provide potential therapeutic targets for intervention.
Article
Parasitology
Fabricio Marcus Silva Oliveira, Lucas Kraemer, Caroline Cavalcanti da Silva, Denise Silva Nogueira, Ana Clara Gazzinelli-Guimaraes, Pedro Henrique Gazzinelli-Guimaraes, Fernando Sergio Barbosa, Nathalia Maria Resende, Marcelo Vidigal Caliari, Soraya Torres Gaze, Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu, Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara, Lilian Lacerda Bueno
Summary: This study found that nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in controlling parasitic load during ascariasis. Mice lacking the iNOS gene showed reduced inflammation and tissue damage during liver larval migration, which was associated with lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Paula L. C. Fonseca, Filipe R. R. Moreira, Rafael M. de Souza, Natalia R. Guimaraes, Nara O. Carvalho, Talita E. R. Adelino, Hugo J. Alves, Luige B. Alvim, Darlan S. Candido, Helena P. Coelho, Alana V. B. Costa, Walyson C. Costa, Alex F. de Carvalho, Bruna W. F. de Faria, Aline B. de Lima, Eneida S. de Oliveira, Carolina S. A. de Souza, Fernanda G. de Souza, Rillery C. Dias, Victor E. V. Geddes, Igor P. Godinho, Alessandro L. Goncalves, Karine L. Lourenco, Rubens D. M. Magalhaes, Frederico S. Malta, Eva L. A. Medeiros, Fernanda S. Mendes, Pedro H. B. de P. Mendes, Cristiane P. T. B. Mendonca, Andre L. Menezes, Diego Menezes, Mariane T. Menezes, Lucyene Miguita, Rennan G. Moreira, Renata B. Peixoto, Daniel C. Queiroz, Adriana A. Ribeiro, Ana Paula de B. Ribeiro, Juliana W. Saliba, Hugo Sato, Joice do P. Silva, Natiely P. Silva, Nuno R. Faria, Santuza M. R. Teixeira, Flavio G. da Fonseca, Ana Paula S. M. Fernandes, Danielle A. G. Zauli, Jose Nelio Januario, Jaqueline S. de Oliveira, Felipe C. de M. Iani, Renato S. de Aguiar, Renan P. de Souza
Summary: The emergence and spread of the Delta variant in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, was monitored through genotyping and genome sequencing. The Delta variant accounted for 70% of cases after 8 weeks and showed higher transmissibility compared to the Gamma variant. The dominance of the Delta variant did not result in an increase in cases and deaths, indicating that vaccination may have played a role in restraining the epidemic growth.
Article
Immunology
Joseane C. Castro, Luisa MD. Magalhaes, Raquel M. Almeida, Fabricio MS. Oliveira, Denise S. Nogueira, Ana Clara Gazzinelli-Guimaraes, Lucas Kraemer, Fernando S. Barbosa, Flavianne Vieira Santos, Elaine C. Minighin, Lilian L. Bueno, Daniella C. Bartholomeu, Renata A. Labanca, Ricardo T. Fujiwara
Summary: This study aimed to establish a protocol of oral immunization against ascariasis. The results showed that oral immunization significantly reduced larval burden in the lungs and alleviated histopathological lesions.
MICROBES AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luna de Lacerda, Guilherme Castro, Cristopher Gomes, Caroline Junqueira
Summary: Malaria is a global public health issue with limited understanding of protective immunity. Existing methods restrict long-term Plasmodium culture research. Most studies focus on immune protection against malaria through antibodies, while the role of cellular immune response is still unclear. Therefore, new methods need to be developed to better understand the functionality of cellular immune response and support future therapies and vaccine development.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Ana Maria Ravena Severino Carvalho, Isabela de Andrade Ferraz, Natalia Satchiko Hojo-Souza, Fernanda Alvarenga Cardoso Medeiros, Laila Almeida Viana, Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu, Ana Thereza Chaves, Thiago Miranda de Souza, Matheus Fernandes Costa e Silva, Tiago Antonio de Oliveira Mendes, Mariana Costa Duarte, Manoel Otavio da Costa Rocha, Daniel Menezes-Souza
Summary: The pathogenesis of Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) remains unclear, and the persistence of the parasite in tissues is crucial for the development of heart disease. The study found that monocytes from CCC patients are more susceptible to infection and replication by intracellular amastigotes. Additionally, the stimulation of CD4+ T-cells in CCC patients induces a regulatory response, which may contribute to parasite control inefficiency and the development of severe heart disease.
Article
Parasitology
Williane Fernanda Siqueira, Mariana Santos Cardoso, Marianna de Carvalho Climaco, Ana Luiza Teixeira Silva, Benjamin Heidt, Kasper Eersels, Bart van Grinsven, Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu, Lilian Lacerda Bueno, Thomas Cleij, Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
Summary: This study investigated the use of a recombinant protein (Dyn-1) as a potential target antigen for the serodiagnosis of canine leishmaniasis. The results showed that the Dyn-1-based ELISA assay had high sensitivity and specificity, and was able to identify all asymptomatic dogs.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sumit Sen Santara, Dian-Jang Lee, Angela Crespo, Jun Jacob Hu, Caitlin Walker, Xiyu Ma, Ying Zhang, Sourav Chowdhury, Karla F. Meza-Sosa, Mercedes Lewandrowski, Haiwei Zhang, Marjorie Rowe, Arthur McClelland, Hao Wu, Caroline Junqueira, Judy Lieberman
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sumit Sen Santara, Dian-Jang Lee, Angela Crespo, Jun Jacob Hu, Caitlin Walker, Xiyu Ma, Ying Zhang, Sourav Chowdhury, Karla F. Meza-Sosa, Mercedes Lewandrowski, Haiwei Zhang, Marjorie Rowe, Arthur McClelland, Hao Wu, Caroline Junqueira, Judy Lieberman
Summary: Natural killer (NK) cells can recognize externalized calreticulin (ecto-CRT) as an endogenous ligand for the activating receptor NKp46. Recognition of ecto-CRT by NKp46 triggers NK cell signaling and leads to the elimination of ER-stressed cells. This recognition mechanism plays a crucial role in immune surveillance and cancer prevention.
Article
Immunology
Julia T. Castro, Rory Brito, Natalia S. Hojo-Souza, Barbara Azevedo, Natalia Salazar, Camila P. Ferreira, Caroline Junqueira, Ana Paula Fernandes, Ronnie Vasconcellos, Jamille M. Cardoso, Rodrigo D. O. Aguiar-Soares, Paula M. A. Vieira, Claudia M. Carneiro, Bruno Valiate, Cristiane Toledo, Andres M. Salazar, Otavia Caballero, Joseli Lannes-Vieira, Santuza R. Teixeira, Alexandre B. Reis, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli
Summary: Immunization with TRASP protein associated with Poly-ICLC provides robust protection against Trypanosoma cruzi infection and induces high levels of T. cruzi-specific antibodies and IFN gamma-producing T cells. Protection is primarily mediated by CD8(+) T cells and IFN-gamma. The TRASP with Poly-ICLC vaccine showed similar efficacy to DNA/hAd5 vaccine in protecting dogs against T. cruzi challenge, but it is more advantageous due to pre-existing immunity to the adenovirus vector and cost-benefit for development and large-scale production.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nathalia Sernizon Guimaraes, Murilo Soares Costa, Elaine Leandro Machado, Hugo Itaru Sato, Eduarda de Carvalho Maia e Amaral, Rafaela Galvao Arivabene, Karine Lima Lourenco, Unai Tupinambas, Flavio Guimaraes da Fonseca, Ricardo Hiroshi Caldeira Takahashi, Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira, Claudia Regina Lindgren Alves
Summary: The study demonstrates the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of self-collected nasopharyngeal swab combined with pool testing to detect SARS-CoV-2 in epidemiological surveys, making the research work more convenient and efficient.
EPIDEMIOLOGIA E SERVICOS DE SAUDE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gabriela de A. Burle-Caldas, Nailma S. A. dos Santos, Julia T. de Castro, Fernanda L. B. Mugge, Viviane Grazielle-Silva, Antonio Edson R. Oliveira, Milton C. A. Pereira, Joao Luis Reis-Cunha, Anderson Coqueiro dos Santos, Dawidson Assis Gomes, Daniella C. Bartholomeu, Nilmar S. Moretti, Sergio Schenkman, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, Santuza M. R. Teixeira
Summary: Trans-sialidases play a crucial role in the virulence of Trypanosoma cruzi, and using CRISPR-Cas9, aTS mutant parasites were generated which lost infectivity in vivo but provided full protection against a challenge infection with a virulent strain.