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1.
Adv Parasitol ; 124: 1-55, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38754926

ABSTRACT

Intestinal trematodes constitute a major group of helminths that parasitize humans and animals with relevant morbidity and mortality. Despite the importance of the intestinal trematodes in medical and veterinary sciences, immunology and pathology of these helminth infections have been neglected for years. Apart from the work focused on the members of the family Echnistomatidae, there are only very isolated and sporadic studies on the representatives of other families of digeneans, which makes a compilation of all these studies necessary. In the present review, the most salient literature on the immunology and pathology of intestinal trematodes in their definitive hosts in examined. Emphasis will be placed on members of the echinostomatidae family, since it is the group in which the most work has been carried out. However, we also review the information on selected species of the families Brachylaimidae, Diplostomidae, Gymnophallidae, and Heterophyidae. For most of these families, coverage is considered under the following headings: (i) Background; (ii) Pathology of the infection; (iii) Immunology of the infection; and (iv) Human infections.


Subject(s)
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic , Trematoda , Trematode Infections , Animals , Humans , Trematoda/physiology , Trematoda/immunology , Trematode Infections/parasitology , Trematode Infections/immunology , Trematode Infections/veterinary , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/immunology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Intestines/parasitology , Intestines/pathology , Intestines/immunology , Host-Parasite Interactions/immunology
2.
BMC Infect Dis ; 23(1): 616, 2023 Sep 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37726678

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that prison inmates are a population at higher risk than other groups of suffering from intestinal parasite infections in relation to their living conditions, information about these diseases in prison environments is still scarce. Herein, we analyze the status of intestinal parasite infections in a Spanish prison. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 528 inmates was conducted from April to June 2022 among inmates at Centro Penitenciario Picassent (Valencia, Spain). Stool specimens were examined using the direct wet mount technique, the formol-ether concentration technique, and the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. We used STATA 16.1 for data analysis. We consider a p-value less than 0.05 significant at a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Of the 528 inmates (471 men and 57 women; a mean age of 41.94 years) enrolled in the study, 83 (15.7%) were infected. Only six species of protozoa were detected. The gut potential microeukaryotic pathobiont Blastocystis sp. was the predominant parasite, accounting for 37 (44.6%) of the infections. Gut parasite amebas (6.6%) and pathobionts (5.3%) were more prevalent than flagellates (2.3%). The prevalence of infection with pathogenic species (8.9%) was similar to that of non-pathogenic species (8.7%). Infection among men (15.2%) was higher than in women (0.6%) (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the country of birth (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.18-0.52) and the time spent in prison (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.06-3.14) were statistically significant associated to intestinal parasite infections (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.028, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study found low levels of intestinal parasite infections in the CPP which could be indicative of the implementation of sanitary measures in prison environments in Spain. The less time spent in prison favor the risk of having infection while the Spanish nationality of inmates could reduce the risk of infection. The main recommendation would be to introduce routine parasitological tests upon foreigners entering prison.


Subject(s)
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic , Prisoners , Male , Humans , Female , Adult , Spain/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Prisons , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
4.
ISME J ; 17(4): 588-599, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36721060

ABSTRACT

Ammonia oxidation, as the first step of nitrification, constitutes a critical process in the global nitrogen cycle. However, fundamental knowledge of its key enzyme, the copper-dependent ammonia monooxygenase, is lacking, in particular for the environmentally abundant ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA). Here the structure of the enzyme is investigated by blue-native gel electrophoresis and proteomics from native membrane complexes of two AOA. Besides the known AmoABC subunits and the earlier predicted AmoX, two new protein subunits, AmoY and AmoZ, were identified. They are unique to AOA, highly conserved and co-regulated, and their genes are linked to other AMO subunit genes in streamlined AOA genomes. Modeling and in-gel cross-link approaches support an overall protomer structure similar to the distantly related bacterial particulate methane monooxygenase but also reveals clear differences in extracellular domains of the enzyme. These data open avenues for further structure-function studies of this ecologically important nitrification complex.


Subject(s)
Archaea , Oxidoreductases , Archaea/classification , Archaea/enzymology , Oxidoreductases/chemistry , Oxidoreductases/genetics , Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Nitrification , Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis , Phylogeny , Gene Expression
5.
Nature ; 613(7943): 332-339, 2023 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36544020

ABSTRACT

Asgard archaea are considered to be the closest known relatives of eukaryotes. Their genomes contain hundreds of eukaryotic signature proteins (ESPs), which inspired hypotheses on the evolution of the eukaryotic cell1-3. A role of ESPs in the formation of an elaborate cytoskeleton and complex cellular structures has been postulated4-6, but never visualized. Here we describe a highly enriched culture of 'Candidatus Lokiarchaeum ossiferum', a member of the Asgard phylum, which thrives anaerobically at 20 °C on organic carbon sources. It divides every 7-14 days, reaches cell densities of up to 5 × 107 cells per ml and has a significantly larger genome compared with the single previously cultivated Asgard strain7. ESPs represent 5% of its protein-coding genes, including four actin homologues. We imaged the enrichment culture using cryo-electron tomography, identifying 'Ca. L. ossiferum' cells on the basis of characteristic expansion segments of their ribosomes. Cells exhibited coccoid cell bodies and a network of branched protrusions with frequent constrictions. The cell envelope consists of a single membrane and complex surface structures. A long-range cytoskeleton extends throughout the cell bodies, protrusions and constrictions. The twisted double-stranded architecture of the filaments is consistent with F-actin. Immunostaining indicates that the filaments comprise Lokiactin-one of the most highly conserved ESPs in Asgard archaea. We propose that a complex actin-based cytoskeleton predated the emergence of the first eukaryotes and was a crucial feature in the evolution of the Asgard phylum by scaffolding elaborate cellular structures.


Subject(s)
Actin Cytoskeleton , Archaea , Eukaryota , Phylogeny , Actin Cytoskeleton/metabolism , Actins/classification , Actins/genetics , Actins/metabolism , Archaea/classification , Archaea/cytology , Archaea/genetics , Archaea/growth & development , Eukaryota/classification , Eukaryota/cytology , Eukaryota/metabolism , Anaerobiosis , Ribosomes/metabolism , Cell Membrane Structures/metabolism , Archaeal Proteins/classification , Archaeal Proteins/genetics , Archaeal Proteins/metabolism , Evolution, Molecular
6.
Parasitology ; 149(13): 1781-1793, 2022 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36176223

ABSTRACT

Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) is an intestinal trematode with no tissue phases in the definitive host that has been extensively used as an experimental model to study the factors that determine resistance against intestinal helminths. In E. caproni infections in mice, interleukin-25 (IL-25) plays a critical role and it is required for the resistance to infection. However, little is known on the factors that determine its production. Primary E. caproni infection in mice is characterized by the development of chronic infections and elevated worm recovery, in relation to a local Th1 response with elevated production of interferon-γ. However, partial resistance against secondary E. caproni infections in ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice is developed after the chemotherapeutic cure of a primary infection and the innately produced IL-25 after pharmacological treatment. In this paper, we analyse the potential role of intestinal microbiota in the production of IL-25, and the subsequent resistance to infection. For this purpose, we analysed the production of IL-25 under conditions of experimental dysbiosis and also the changes in the resident microbiota in primary infections, pharmacological curation and secondary infections. The results obtained showed that resident microbiota play a major role in the production of IL-25 and the appearance of members of the phylum Verrucomicrobia as a consequence of the curation of the primary infection could be related to the partial resistance to secondary infection.


Subject(s)
Echinostoma , Echinostomatidae , Echinostomiasis , Microbiota , Trematode Infections , Mice , Animals , Echinostomiasis/parasitology , Mice, Inbred ICR , Trematode Infections/parasitology
7.
J Dent Anesth Pain Med ; 22(4): 255-266, 2022 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35991364

ABSTRACT

Background: A previous study reported the effectiveness and patient satisfaction in the dental emergency unit (DEU) of the Pitie Salpetrière Hospital in Paris before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The same methodology was used during the COVID-19 pandemic to compare pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction during the two periods. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 2020 (NCT04354272) on adult patients. Data were collected on day zero (D0) on site and then by phone during the daytime on day one (D1), day three (D3), and day seven (D7). The primary objective was to assess the pain intensity at D1. Secondary objectives were to assess pain intensity at D3 and D7, anxiety intensity at D1, D3, and D7, and patient satisfaction. Patients were evaluated on a 0-10 numeric scale on D1, D3, and D7; mean scores were compared with non-parametric statistics (ANOVA, Dunn's). Results: A total of 445 patients were given the opportunity to participate in the study, and 370 patients consented. Seventy-one were lost during follow-up. Ultimately, 299 patients completed all the questionnaires and were included in the analysis. In the final sample (60% men, 40% women, aged 39 ± 14 years), 94% had health insurance. The mean pain scores were: D0, 6.1 ± 0.14; D1, 3.29 ± 0.16; D3, 2.08 ± 0.16; and D7, 1.07 ± 0.35. This indicates a significant decrease of 46%, 67%, and 82% at D1, D3, and D7, respectively, when compared to D0 (P < 0.0001). The mean anxiety scores were D0, 4.7 ± 0.19; D1, 2.6 ± 0.16; D3, 1.9 ± 0.61; and D7, 1.4 ± 0.15. This decrease was significant between D0 and D7 (ANOVA, P < 0.001). Perception of general health improved between D1 and D7. The overall satisfaction was 9.3 ± 0.06. Conclusion: DEU enabled a significant reduction in pain and anxiety with high overall satisfaction during COVID-19, which was very similar to levels observed pre-COVID-19 pandemic.

8.
Int J Dent ; 2022: 8457608, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35637654

ABSTRACT

Background: The Dental Emergency Unit (DEU) of the Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital receives mainly painful emergencies. This study aimed at evaluating the suppression of pain and anxiety as well as the patient's satisfaction after a visit to the DEU. Patients and Methods. A prospective study was carried out in 2019 (NCT03819036) in adult patients. Data was collected on D0 on site and then on D1, D3, and D7 by phone, during daytime. The main objective and secondary objectives were, respectively, to assess the intensity of pain on D1; the intensity of pain on D3 and D7; the evolution of anxiety on D1, D3, and D7; and the patients' satisfaction. They were evaluated with a 0-10 numeric scale (NS) on D1, D3 and D7; mean scores were compared with nonparametric statistics (ANOVA, Dunn's test). Results: 814 patients were contacted and 581 patients included; 87 were lost to follow-up. 376 patients completed all the questionnaires. In the final sample (59% men, 40 ± 16 y.o.), 86% had health insurance. The mean pain scores were as follows: D0: 6.36 ± 0.12; D1: 3.49 ± 0.13; D3: 2.23 ± 0.13; D7: 1.07 ± 0.11-indicating a significant decrease of 45%, 65%, and 93% on D1, D3, and D7, respectively, compared to D0 (p < 0.0001) between D0 and D1, D3, D7. The mean NS anxiety scores were as follows: D0: 3.32 ± 0.15; D1: 3.69 ± 0.16; D3: 2.75 ± 0.16; D7: 1.98 ± 0.15. The decrease was significant between D0 and D7 (p < 0.0001). The perception of general heath improved between D1 and D7. The overall score of satisfaction was 8.64 ± 0.06. Conclusion: DEU enabled a significant reduction in pain and anxiety with high overall satisfaction.

9.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 5872, 2022 04 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35393466

ABSTRACT

There is a lack of epidemiological information concerning intestinal parasitic infections, and especially in soil-transmitted helminths, occurring in some departments of Nicaragua. Up to now, this is the first study involving two nearby areas (Puerto Cabezas and Siuna municipalities) of the Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte (R.A.A.N.). One stool sample was analyzed by Kato-Katz, formaldehyde-ethyl acetate concentration method and modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique, and a simple questionnaire concerning demographic, sanitary and behavioral data was distributed among 735 children and evaluated. Overall prevalence of infection reached 97.0%, being the highest prevalences detected in all Nicaragua. The higher protozoan prevalence appears in Siuna (94.5%), a rural interior municipality, with a typical tropical monsoon climate, while the higher helminths rates were reached in Puerto Cabezas (92.8%), the urbanized coastal capital, with a typical tropical rainforest climate. No statistical differences were found with regard to sex. However, the 6-11-year age-group children presented the highest prevalences. Most T. trichiura infections (59.4%) were of light intensity, while 51.7% of Ascaris lumbricoides were of moderate intensity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that those who drink rainwater and walk barefoot were 2.9 and 2.5 times more likely to have helminth infections, respectively. Results from one geographical setting might not be applied to other nearby with different climatic conditions. The use of anthelmintic drugs only will not be sufficient to bring prevalence to low levels. It is necessary to design geographically more specific intervention, with communication and interaction between different disciplines (e.g. parasitology, biochemistry, molecular biology, epidemiology, public health, etc.) being imperative to reduce STH infection.


Subject(s)
Helminthiasis , Helminths , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic , Animals , Ascaris lumbricoides , Child , Feces/parasitology , Helminthiasis/epidemiology , Helminthiasis/parasitology , Humans , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Nicaragua/epidemiology , Prevalence , Soil/parasitology
10.
Parasitology ; 149(10): 1319-1326, 2022 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35343418

ABSTRACT

In the present paper, we review two of the most neglected intestinal food-borne trematodiases: echinostomiasis, caused by members of the family Echinostomatidae, and gastrodiscoidiasis produced by the amphistome Gastrodiscoides hominis. Both parasitic infections are important intestinal food-borne diseases. Humans become infected after ingestion of raw or insufficiently cooked molluscs, fish, crustaceans, amphibians or aquatic vegetables. Thus, eating habits are essential to determine the distribution of these parasitic diseases and, traditionally, they have been considered as minor diseases confined to low-income areas, mainly in Asia. However, this scenario is changing and the population at risk are currently expanding in relation to factors such as new eating habits in developed countries, growing international markets, improved transportation systems and demographic changes. These aspects determine the necessity of a better understanding of these parasitic diseases. Herein, we review the main features of human echinostomiasis and gastrodiscoidiasis in relation to their biology, epidemiology, immunology, clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment.


Subject(s)
Echinostomatidae , Echinostomiasis , Parasitic Diseases , Trematoda , Trematode Infections , Animals , Echinostomiasis/epidemiology , Humans , Trematode Infections/diagnosis , Trematode Infections/epidemiology , Trematode Infections/veterinary
11.
PLoS One ; 17(1): e0262361, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34990483

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rwanda is a sub-Saharan country, where intestinal parasite infections, anemia and undernutrition coexist. The purpose of this research is to study the relationship between intestinal parasite infections and undernutrition/anemia to clarify the priorities of intervention in the rural area of Gakenke district in the Northern Province of Rwanda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 674 students from Nemba I School, participated in a cross-sectional study, in which their parasitological and nutritional status were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed by χ2 test, univariate analysis and Odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: A total of 95.3% of children presented intestinal parasitism, most of whom (94.5%) infected by protozoa and 36.1% infected by soil-transmitted helminths (STH), with Trichuris trichiura (27.3%) being the most prevalent. Multiple infections were found to be high (83.8%), with protozoa and STH co-infections in 30.6%. STH infections were mainly of low/moderate intensity. Neither infection nor STH infection of any intensity profile, was significantly related to anemia. In addition, STH infection, regardless of the intensity profile, was not associated with stunting, underweight or thinness. There was no difference between genders nor among ages in odds of anemia and nutritional status in STH-infected schoolchildren. CONCLUSION: Multiparasitism remains high among Rwandan schoolchildren and is likely to cause nutritional problems. This work emphasizes the importance of keeping up health programs to reduce the prevalence of infection.


Subject(s)
Anemia/epidemiology , Malnutrition/epidemiology , Adolescent , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Feces/parasitology , Female , Growth Disorders/epidemiology , Growth Disorders/parasitology , Helminthiasis/epidemiology , Helminths/pathogenicity , Humans , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Male , Nutritional Status/physiology , Prevalence , Rwanda/epidemiology , Soil/parasitology , Thinness/epidemiology , Thinness/parasitology , Trichuriasis/epidemiology , Trichuris/pathogenicity
12.
J Parasitol ; 108(1): 22-29, 2022 01 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34995353

ABSTRACT

The autonomous Valencian Community (Spain) has experienced intense population growth with economic difficulties or deprivation in basic goods, ranking as the sixth Spanish autonomous region with the highest percentage of a population at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The objective of this work is to assess the level of enteroparasites in a Valencian population that meets certain deprivation conditions. A coproparasitological analysis was carried out in 460 users (children and adult relatives) of the 3 Casa Caridad schools in the province of Valencia. The parasite prevalence reached 31.7%, with a higher frequency of pathogens/potentially pathogenic species (66.4%) than non-pathogenic species (33.5%), although symptoms only appeared in 10.3% of those with pathogens/potentially pathogenic species. Of those parasitized, the presence of pathogens/potentially pathogenic species reached 20.6% in individuals living in crowded conditions and 17.5% in those living with pets. Presenting pathogens/potentially pathogenic species infection increased almost fourfold in those of southern European origin. In family groups, infection occurred among all their members, showing interpersonal parasitic transmission linked to both material deprivation and a lack of health education. Improving epidemiological surveillance, health education, and hygiene/sanitation facilities is essential to reduce or eliminate parasitic transmission among those who suffer from certain deprivation conditions.


Subject(s)
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Feces/parasitology , Female , Humans , Infant , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/economics , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Male , Middle Aged , Poverty Areas , Prevalence , Spain/epidemiology , Young Adult
14.
Microorganisms ; 11(1)2022 Dec 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36677338

ABSTRACT

Three recent studies of Blastocystis epidemiology in mammalian hosts identified four novel sequences that appeared to share B. lapemi as the most similar sequence. However, full-length ssu rRNA gene sequences were not available to confirm the validity of these new subtypes. In the present study, Nanopore MinION sequencing was used to obtain full-length reference sequences for each of the new subtypes. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses and pairwise distance comparisons were performed to confirm the validity of each of these new subtypes. We propose that the novel sequences described in this study should be assigned the subtype designations ST35-ST38. The full-length reference sequences of ST35-ST38 will assist in accurate sequence descriptions in future studies of Blastocystis epidemiology and subtype diversity.

15.
Aten Primaria ; 53 Suppl 1: 102220, 2021 12.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34961584

ABSTRACT

New information technologies have transformed the way care is delivered within health services, permeating almost every aspect of health care. As the complexity of the system increases, it becomes more difficult to work optimally without the assistance of new technologies. Although its implementation represents a breakthrough, either because of the advancement involved in the proper use of any technology in health care, or because of the development of specific applications that improve patient safety, other factors such as incorrect design, implementation and poor maintenance, inadequate training, along with overconfidence and dependency, can make technologies compromise patient safety. This article describes the beneficial effects, and those that are not so, of the introduction in our country of the electronic medical record and the electronic prescription on the healthcare quality and safety.


Subject(s)
Electronic Health Records , Quality of Health Care , Delivery of Health Care , Humans , Prescriptions , Risk Assessment
16.
mSystems ; : e0054621, 2021 Aug 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34463572

ABSTRACT

A highly resolved taxonomy for ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) based on the alpha subunit of ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) was recently established, which uncovered novel environmental patterns of AOA, challenging previous generalizations. However, many microbiome studies target the 16S rRNA gene as a marker; thus, the usage of this novel taxonomy is currently limited. Here, we exploited the phylogenetic congruence of archaeal amoA and 16S rRNA genes to link 16S rRNA gene classification to the novel amoA taxonomy. We screened publicly available archaeal genomes and contigs for the co-occurring amoA and 16S rRNA genes and constructed a 16S rRNA gene database with the corresponding amoA clade taxonomy. Phylogenetic trees of both marker genes confirmed congruence, enabling the identification of clades. We validated this approach with 16S rRNA gene amplicon data from peatland soils. We succeeded in linking 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variants belonging to the class Nitrososphaeria to seven different AOA (amoA) clades, including two of the most frequently detected clades (Nitrososphaerales γ and δ clades) for which no pure culture is currently available. Water status significantly impacted the distribution of the AOA clades as well as the whole AOA community structure, which was correlated with pH, nitrate, and ammonium, consistent with previous clade predictions. Our study emphasizes the need to distinguish among AOA clades with distinct ecophysiologies and environmental preferences, for a better understanding of the ecology of the globally abundant AOA. IMPORTANCE The recently established phylogeny of amoA provides a finer resolution than previous studies, allowing clustering of AOA beyond the order level and thus revealing novel clades. While the 16S rRNA gene is mostly appreciated in microbiome studies, this novel phylogeny is in limited use. Here, we provide an alternative path to identifying AOA with this novel and highly resolved amoA taxonomy by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. We constructed a 16S rRNA gene database with the associated amoA clade taxonomy based on their phylogenetic congruence. With this database, we were able to assign 16S rRNA gene amplicons from peatland soils to different AOA clades, with a level of resolution provided previously only by amoA phylogeny. As 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing is still widely employed in microbiome studies, our database may have a broad application for interpreting the ecology of globally abundant AOA.

17.
ISME J ; 15(9): 2792-2808, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33795828

ABSTRACT

Marine sediments represent a vast habitat for complex microbiomes. Among these, ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) of the phylum Thaumarchaeota are one of the most common, yet little explored, inhabitants, which seem extraordinarily well adapted to the harsh conditions of the subsurface biosphere. We present 11 metagenome-assembled genomes of the most abundant AOA clades from sediment cores obtained from the Atlantic Mid-Ocean ridge flanks and Pacific abyssal plains. Their phylogenomic placement reveals three independently evolved clades within the order Nitrosopumilales, of which no cultured representative is known yet. In addition to the gene sets for ammonia oxidation and carbon fixation known from other AOA, all genomes encode an extended capacity for the conversion of fermentation products that can be channeled into the central carbon metabolism, as well as uptake of amino acids probably for protein maintenance or as an ammonia source. Two lineages encode an additional (V-type) ATPase and a large repertoire of DNA repair systems that may allow to overcome the challenges of high hydrostatic pressure. We suggest that the adaptive radiation of AOA into marine sediments occurred more than once in evolution and resulted in three distinct lineages with particular adaptations to this extremely energy-limiting and high-pressure environment.


Subject(s)
Ammonia , Archaea , Archaea/genetics , Geologic Sediments , Metagenome , Oxidation-Reduction , Phylogeny
18.
Sci Rep ; 11(1): 5222, 2021 03 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33664364

ABSTRACT

The malignant energetic demands are satisfied through glycolysis, glutaminolysis and de novo synthesis of fatty acids, while the host curses with a state of catabolism and systemic inflammation. The concurrent inhibition of both, tumor anabolism and host catabolism, and their effect upon tumor growth and whole animal metabolism, have not been evaluated. We aimed to evaluate in colon cancer cells a combination of six agents directed to block the tumor anabolism (orlistat + lonidamine + DON) and the host catabolism (growth hormone + insulin + indomethacin). Treatment reduced cellular viability, clonogenic capacity and cell cycle progression. These effects were associated with decreased glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, leading to a quiescent energetic phenotype, and with an aberrant transcriptomic landscape showing dysregulation in multiple metabolic pathways. The in vivo evaluation revealed a significant tumor volume inhibition, without damage to normal tissues. The six-drug combination preserved lean tissue and decreased fat loss, while the energy expenditure got decreased. Finally, a reduction in gene expression associated with thermogenesis was observed. Our findings demonstrate that the simultaneous use of this six-drug combination has anticancer effects by inducing a quiescent energetic phenotype of cultured cancer cells. Besides, the treatment is well-tolerated in mice and reduces whole animal energetic expenditure and fat loss.


Subject(s)
Cell Survival/drug effects , Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Energy Metabolism/drug effects , Metabolic Networks and Pathways/drug effects , Animals , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism , Colonic Neoplasms/pathology , Daunorubicin/pharmacology , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Glycolysis/drug effects , Growth Hormone/pharmacology , Humans , Indazoles/pharmacology , Indomethacin/pharmacology , Insulin/pharmacology , Metabolism/drug effects , Mice , Mitoxantrone/pharmacology , Orlistat/pharmacology , Oxidative Phosphorylation/drug effects , Vincristine/pharmacology
19.
Parasit Vectors ; 13(1): 608, 2020 Dec 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33276813

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The cytokine interleukin-25 (IL-25) is recognized as the most relevant initiator of protective T helper 2 (Th2) responses in intestinal helminth infections. This cytokine induces resistance against several species of intestinal helminths, including the trematode Echinostoma caproni. E. caproni has been extensively used as an experimental model to study the factors determining resistance to intestinal infections. In the study reported here, we assessed the role of IL-25 in the generation of resistance in mice infected with E. caproni. METHODS: The factors that determine the production of IL-25 in mice experimentally infected with E. caproni were determined, as were the consequences of IL-25 production in terms of polarization of the immune response and resistance to infection. RESULTS: Our results show that the role of IL-25 in the polarization of the immune response differs between the primary and secondary immune responses. IL-25 is required for the development of a Th2 phenotype in primary E. caproni infections, but it can also promote the differentiation to Th2 memory cell subsets that enhance type-2 immunity in memory responses. However, the development of Th2 responses does not induce resistance to infection. The Th2 phenotype does not elicit resistance, and IL-25 is responsible for the resistance regardless of its type-2 cytokine activity and activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT6). Alternative activation of macrophages induced by IL-25 can be implicated in the resistance to infection. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to primary infection, secondary infection elicits a type-2 immune response even in the absence of IL-25 expression. Despite the development of a type-2 response, mice are susceptible to secondary infection associated with the lack of IL-25. Resistance to infection is due to the production of IL-25, which acts autonomously from Th2 response in terms of parasite clearance.


Subject(s)
Cytokines/metabolism , Interleukin-17/metabolism , Interleukin-17/therapeutic use , Trematode Infections/drug therapy , Trematode Infections/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Helminth , Disease Models, Animal , Drug Resistance , Echinostoma , Echinostomiasis/parasitology , Gene Expression , Helminthiasis/immunology , Immunity , Immunoglobulin G , Interleukin-17/genetics , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/immunology , Intestines/parasitology , Mice , RNA, Messenger , STAT6 Transcription Factor , Th2 Cells , Trematode Infections/parasitology
20.
Parasit Vectors ; 13(1): 336, 2020 Jul 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32616023

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) is an intestinal trematode, which has been extensively used to investigate the factors that determine the rejection of intestinal helminths. In this sense, several studies have shown that IL-25 is critical for the development of resistance against E. caproni in mice. In fact, treatment of mice with recombinant IL-25 generates resistance against primary E. caproni infection. However, the mechanisms by which IL-25 induces resistance remain unknown. METHODS: To study the mechanisms responsible for resistance elicited by IL-25, we analyzed the ileal proteomic changes induced by IL-25 in mice and their potential role in resistance. To this purpose, we compared the protein expression profiles in the ileum of four experimental groups of mice: naïve controls; E. caproni-infected mice; rIL-25-treated mice; and rIL-25-treated mice exposed to E. caproni metacercariae. RESULTS: Quantitative comparison by 2D-DIGE showed significant changes in a total of 41 spots. Of these, 40 validated protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry corresponding to 24 proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that resistance to infection is associated with the maintenance of the intestinal epithelial homeostasis and the regulation of proliferation and cell death. These results provide new insights into the proteins involved in the regulation of tissue homeostasis after intestinal infection and its transcendence in resistance.


Subject(s)
Echinostoma/pathogenicity , Echinostomiasis , Ileum/metabolism , Interleukins/metabolism , Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Anthelmintics/pharmacology , Cell Death , Cell Proliferation , Echinostomiasis/parasitology , Echinostomiasis/prevention & control , Ileum/parasitology , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/parasitology , Mass Spectrometry , Mice , Praziquantel/pharmacology , Proteomics
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