scholarly journals Synthesis of antimony complexes of yeast mannan and mannan derivatives and their effect on Leishmania-infected macrophages

1993 ◽  
Vol 289 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Cantos ◽  
C L Barbieri ◽  
M Iacomini ◽  
P A G Gorin ◽  
L R Travassos
Keyword(s):  
Macrophage Infection ◽  
Specific Recognition ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Antimony Complexes ◽  
Human Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Amastigotes ◽  
Macrophage Membrane

Antimony(Sb)-yeast mannan complexes were synthesized as a strategy to introduce Sb into macrophages infected with Leishmania amastigotes. The complexes were taken up by endocytosis after specific recognition by alpha-D-mannosyl receptors on the macrophage membrane. About 90% of the intracellular parasites were destroyed by Sb-mannan in vitro, whereas the corresponding Sb concentration used as the pentavalent antimonial drug glucantime destroyed about 60% of the amastigotes. None of the Sb complexes prepared with mannan acid or basic derivatives was as effective as the simple Sb-mannan complex in clearing macrophage infection by Leishmania (L) amazonensis. The leishmanicidal effect of Sb-mannan was also demonstrated in vivo with infected hamsters. The alternative use of Sb-mannan complex in the treatment of human leishmaniasis is envisaged on the basis of parasite-killing efficiency and the use of a low antimony dose.

Mechanism of initiator-mediated transcription: evidence for a functional interaction between the TATA-binding protein and DNA in the absence of a specific recognition sequence

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3841-3849
Author(s):  
B Zenzie-Gregory ◽  
A Khachi ◽  
I P Garraway ◽  
S T Smale
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Tata Binding Protein ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Promoter Strength ◽  
Recognition Sequence ◽  
Specific Recognition ◽  
Rate Limiting

Promoters containing Sp1 binding sites and an initiator element but lacking a TATA box direct high levels of accurate transcription initiation by using a mechanism that requires the TATA-binding protein (TBP). We have begun to address the role of TBP during transcription from Sp1-initiator promoters by varying the nucleotide sequence between -14 and -33 relative to the start site. With each of several promoters containing different upstream sequences, we detected accurate transcription both in vitro and in vivo, but the promoter strengths varied widely, particularly with the in vitro assay. The variable promoter activities correlated with, but were not proportional to, the abilities of the upstream sequences to function as TATA boxes, as assessed by multiple criteria. These results confirm that accurate transcription can proceed in the presence of an initiator, regardless of the sequence present in the -30 region. However, the results reveal a role for this upstream region, most consistent with a model in which initiator-mediated transcription requires binding of TBP to the upstream DNA in the absence of a specific recognition sequence. Moreover, in vivo it appears that the promoter strength is modulated less severely by altering the -30 sequence, consistent with a previous suggestion that TBP is not rate limiting in vivo for TATA-less promoters. Taken together, these results suggest that variations in the structure of a core promoter might alter the rate-limiting step for transcription initiation and thereby alter the potential modes of transcriptional regulation, without severely changing the pathway used to assemble a functional preinitiation complex.

scholarly journals Bovine Foamy Virus Transactivator BTas Interacts with Cellular RelB To Enhance Viral Transcription

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (22) ◽  
pp. 11888-11897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Wang ◽  
Juan Tan ◽  
Hongyan Guo ◽  
Qicheng Zhang ◽  
Rui Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foamy Virus ◽  
Nuclear Factor Κb ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Viral Transcription ◽  
Bovine Foamy Virus ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Positive Feedback Circuit ◽  
Cellular Machinery

ABSTRACT Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that depend on cellular machinery for their efficient transcription and replication. In a previous study we reported that bovine foamy virus (BFV) is able to activate the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway through the action of its transactivator BTas to enhance viral transcription. However, the mechanism used by NF-κB to enhance BFV transcription remains elusive. To address this question, we employed a yeast two-hybrid assay to screen for BTas-interacting proteins. We found that RelB, a member of NF-κB protein family, interacts with BTas. We confirmed the putative RelB-BTas interaction in vitro and in vivo and identified the protein regions responsible for the RelB-BTas interaction. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we next showed that RelB enhances BFV transcription (BTas-induced long terminal repeat [LTR] transactivation) and that this process requires both the localization of the RelB-BTas interaction in the nucleus and the Rel homology domain of RelB. The knockdown of the cellular endogenous RelB protein using small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly attenuated BTas-induced LTR transcription. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis showed that endogenous RelB binds to the viral LTR in BFV-infected cells. Together, these results suggest that BFV engages the RelB protein as a cotransactivator of BTas to enhance viral transcription. In addition, our findings indicate that BFV infection upregulates cellular RelB expression through BTas-induced NF-κB activation. Thus, this study demonstrates the existence of a positive-feedback circuit in which BFV utilizes the host's NF-κB pathway through the RelB protein for efficient viral transcription.

scholarly journals Macrophage-Biomimetic Porous Se@SiO2 Nanocomposites For “Dual Model” Immunotherapy Against Inflammatory Osteolysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Ding ◽  
Chuang Yang ◽  
Tao Cheng ◽  
Xingyan Wang ◽  
Qiaojie Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Total Joint Replacement ◽  
Major Complication ◽  
Dual Model ◽  
Joint Replacement Surgery ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Macrophage Membrane

Abstract Background：Inflammatory osteolysis is a major complication of total joint replacement surgery that can cause prosthesis failure and necessitate revision surgery. Macrophages are key effector immune cells in inflammatory responses, but excessive M1-polarization of dysfunctional macrophages leads to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and severe loss of bone tissue. Here, we report the development of macrophage-biomimetic porous SiO2-coated ultrasmall Se particles (Porous Se@SiO2 nanospheres) for the management of inflammatory osteolysis. Results: Macrophage-membrane-coated porous Se@SiO2 nanospheres(M-Se@SiO2) can attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory osteolysis by a dual-immunomodulatory effect. As macrophage membrane decoys, these nanoparticles reduce toxin levels and neutralize pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the release of Se can induce the polarization of macrophages toward the anti-inflammatory M2-phenotype. These effects are mediated via the inhibition of p65, p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) signaling. Additionally, the immune environment created by M-Se@SiO2 reduces the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation caused by pro-inflammation cytokines, confirmed through in vitro and in vivo experiments.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that M-Se@SiO2 has an immunomodulatory role in LPS-induced inflammation and bone remodeling, which demonstrates that M-Se@SiO2 is a promising engineered nano-platform for the treatment of osteolysis arising after arthroplasty.

scholarly journals Suicidal Leishmania

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Podešvová ◽  
Tereza Leštinová ◽  
Eva Horáková ◽  
Julius Lukeš ◽  
Petr Volf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Phospholipase A2 ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Human Pathogen ◽  
Leishmania Mexicana ◽  
Macrophage Infection ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Tropical Infections

Leishmania are obligate intracellular parasites known to have developed successful ways of efficient immunity evasion. Because of this, leishmaniasis, a disease caused by these flagellated protists, is ranked as one of the most serious tropical infections worldwide. Neither prophylactic medication, nor vaccination has been developed thus far, even though the infection has usually led to strong and long-lasting immunity. In this paper, we describe a “suicidal” system established in Leishmania mexicana, a human pathogen causing cutaneous leishmaniasis. This system is based on the expression and (de)stabilization of a basic phospholipase A2 toxin from the Bothrops pauloensis snake venom, which leads to the inducible cell death of the parasites in vitro. Furthermore, the suicidal strain was highly attenuated during macrophage infection, regardless of the toxin stabilization. Such a deliberately weakened parasite could be used to vaccinate the host, as its viability is regulated by the toxin stabilization, causing a profoundly reduced pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Mosquito Trypanosomes

1906 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. Novy ◽  
W. J. Macneal ◽  
H. N. Torrey
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Test Tube ◽  
Blood Agar ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
History Of

In a previous paper on Bird Trypanosomes it was pointed out that these organisms grew readily in the test-tube on blood agar and that the resulting forms resembled the flagellates which Schaudinn found in the gut of mosquitoes which had fed on owls infected with Halteridium and with H. Ziemanni. In other words, the position taken was that the flagellates observed in the mosquitoes did not represent stages in the life-history of intracellular parasites but were actually cultures in vivo of trypanosomes present in the blood of the birds used. In confirmation of this position it was desirable to show that trypanosomes could actually grow and multiply in the gut of mosquitoes and that such forms actually did correspond to those which would be obtained in vitro.

A self-assembled micellar nanoprobe for specific recognition of hydrazine in vitro and in vivo

2018 ◽  
Vol 272 ◽  
pp. 479-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaochao Xia ◽  
Yi Fu ◽  
Hui Tang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Feiyi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Recognition ◽  
Self Assembled

scholarly journals Mechanism of initiator-mediated transcription: evidence for a functional interaction between the TATA-binding protein and DNA in the absence of a specific recognition sequence.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3841-3849 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Zenzie-Gregory ◽  
A Khachi ◽  
I P Garraway ◽  
S T Smale
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Tata Binding Protein ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Promoter Strength ◽  
Recognition Sequence ◽  
Specific Recognition ◽  
Rate Limiting

Promoters containing Sp1 binding sites and an initiator element but lacking a TATA box direct high levels of accurate transcription initiation by using a mechanism that requires the TATA-binding protein (TBP). We have begun to address the role of TBP during transcription from Sp1-initiator promoters by varying the nucleotide sequence between -14 and -33 relative to the start site. With each of several promoters containing different upstream sequences, we detected accurate transcription both in vitro and in vivo, but the promoter strengths varied widely, particularly with the in vitro assay. The variable promoter activities correlated with, but were not proportional to, the abilities of the upstream sequences to function as TATA boxes, as assessed by multiple criteria. These results confirm that accurate transcription can proceed in the presence of an initiator, regardless of the sequence present in the -30 region. However, the results reveal a role for this upstream region, most consistent with a model in which initiator-mediated transcription requires binding of TBP to the upstream DNA in the absence of a specific recognition sequence. Moreover, in vivo it appears that the promoter strength is modulated less severely by altering the -30 sequence, consistent with a previous suggestion that TBP is not rate limiting in vivo for TATA-less promoters. Taken together, these results suggest that variations in the structure of a core promoter might alter the rate-limiting step for transcription initiation and thereby alter the potential modes of transcriptional regulation, without severely changing the pathway used to assemble a functional preinitiation complex.

scholarly journals β-Chemokines Enhance Parasite Uptake and Promote Nitric Oxide-Dependent Microbiostatic Activity in Murine Inflammatory Macrophages Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 4819-4826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlio C. S. Aliberti ◽  
Fabiana S. Machado ◽  
Janeusa T. Souto ◽  
Ana P. Campanelli ◽  
Mauro M. Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
No Production ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Macrophage Infection ◽  
Parasite Replication ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT In the present study, we describe the ability of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes to stimulate the synthesis of β-chemokines by macrophages. In vivo infection with T. cruzi led to MIP-1α, RANTES, and JE/MCP1 mRNA expression by cells from peritoneal inflammatory exudate. In addition, in vitro infection with T. cruzi resulted in expression of β-chemokine MIP-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES, and JE mRNA by macrophages. The expression of the β-chemokine MIP-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES, and JE proteins by murine macrophages cultured with trypomastigote forms ofT. cruzi was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Interestingly, macrophage infection with T. cruzi also resulted in NO production, which we found to be mediated mainly by β-chemokines. Hence, treatment with anti-β-chemokine-specific neutralizing antibodies partially inhibited NO release by macrophages incubated with T. cruzi parasites. Further, the addition of the exogenous β-chemokines MIP-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES, and JE/MCP-1 induced an increased T. cruzi uptake, leading to enhanced NO production and control of parasite replication in a dose-dependent manner. l-NMMA, a specific inhibitor of thel-arginine–NO pathway, caused a decrease in NO production and parasite killing when added to cultures of macrophages stimulated with β-chemokines. Among the β-chemokines tested, JE was more potent in inhibiting parasite growth, although it was much less efficient than gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Nevertheless, JE potentiates parasite killing by macrophages incubated with low doses of IFN-γ. Together, these results suggest that in addition to their chemotactic activity, murine β-chemokines may also contribute to enhancing parasite uptake and promoting control of parasite replication in macrophages and may play a role in resistance to T. cruziinfection.

scholarly journals Formation of resistance to the disinfectant drug “Dezaktin” in mycobacteria

2019 ◽  
pp. 11-15
Author(s):  
A. I. Zavgorodniy ◽  
S. A. Pozmogova
Keyword(s):  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Acid Resistance ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Single Exposure ◽  
Adverse Conditions ◽  
Biocide Resistance ◽  
Environmental Mycobacteria ◽  
Intracellular Parasites

The purpose of the work was to study the resistance formation in mycobacteria at multiple passages in the presence of the disinfectant “Dezaktin”, to compare the critical concentrations of “Dezaktin” at repeated and single exposure, as well as depending on the phase of growth of the seed. Under the conditions of the constant effect of “Dezaktin” on mycobacteria, it has been established that the mechanisms of resistance formation in pathogens and saprophytes have different paths. The adaptive response of pathogens of tuberculosis and paratuberculosis to adverse conditions in vitro is similar to the process that occurs in vivo and was characterized by transformation into dormant and CWD-forms. The mechanism of resistance in M. phlei to “Dezactin” consisted in the formation of heteromorphic populations with a partial or complete loss of acid resistance, thickening of the cell wall, and an increase in adhesive and hydrophobic properties. M. phlei had the highest biocide resistance, and MAP among pathogenic cultures. After 13 consecutive passages, the critical concentration of “Dezactin” in the medium for M. bovis and M. avium increased 100 times, for MAP — 7, for M. phlei — 1.4 times. The research results allow us to conclude that the processes of adaptation of pathogenic and saprophytic mycobacteria to the negative effects of the environment have different paths, which, in our opinion, is due to the evolutionary niche of their existence, namely, the first group are intracellular parasites, and others are environmental mycobacteria

scholarly journals Determination of dsRNA interactome upon Sindbis virus infection in human cells identifies SFPQ as a critical proviral factor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Girardi ◽  
Mélanie Messmer ◽  
Paula Lopez ◽  
Aurélie Fender ◽  
Johana Chicher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Replication ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Viral Dsrna ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Dsrna Binding ◽  
Dsrna Binding Protein

AbstractViruses are obligate intracellular parasites, which depend on the host cellular machineries to replicate their genome and complete their infectious cycle. Long double stranded (ds)RNA is a common viral by-product originating during RNA virus replication and is universally sensed as a danger signal to trigger the antiviral response. As a result, viruses hide dsRNA intermediates into viral replication factories and have evolved strategies to hijack cellular proteins for their benefit. The characterization of the host factors associated to viral dsRNA and involved in viral replication remains a major challenge to develop new antiviral drugs against RNA viruses. Here, we performed anti-dsRNA immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to fully characterize the dsRNA interactome in Sindbis virus (SINV) infected human HCT116 cells. Among the validated factors, we characterized SFPQ (Splicing factor, proline-glutamine rich) as a new dsRNA-associated factor upon SINV infection. We proved that SFPQ is able to directly bind to dsRNAs in vitro, that its association to dsRNA is independent of single-stranded (ss)RNA flanking regions in vivo and that it is able to bind to the viral genome upon infection. Furthermore, we showed that both knock-down and knock-out of SFPQ reduce SINV infection in human HCT116 and SK-N-BE(2) cells, suggesting that SFPQ could enhance viral replication. Overall, this study not only represents a resource to further study SINV dsRNA-associated factors upon infection but also identifies SFPQ as a new proviral dsRNA binding protein.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document