scholarly journals A Search for Anti-Naegleria fowleri Agents Based on Competitive Exclusion Behavior of Microorganisms in Natural Aquatic Environments

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Pichet Ruenchit ◽  
Narisara Whangviboonkij ◽  
Hathai Sawasdipokin ◽  
Uraporn Phumisantiphong ◽  
Wanpen Chaicumpa
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Competitive Exclusion ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Olfactory Nerve ◽  
Brain Inflammation ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Water Canal ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri

Naegleria fowleri causes deadly primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in humans. Humans obtain the infection by inhaling water or dust contaminated with amebae into the nostrils, wherefrom the pathogen migrates via the olfactory nerve to cause brain inflammation and necrosis. Current PAM treatment is ineffective and toxic. Seeking new effective and less toxic drugs for the environmental control of the amoeba population to reduce human exposure is logical for the management of N. fowleri infection. On the basis of the concept of competitive exclusion, where environmental microorganisms compete for resources by secreting factors detrimental to other organisms, we tested cell-free culture supernatants (CFSs) of three bacteria isolated from a fresh water canal, i.e., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas otitidis, and Enterobacter cloacae, were tested against N. fowleri. The CFSs inhibited growth and caused morphological changes in N. fowleri. At low dose, N. fowleri trophozoites exposed to P. aeruginosa pyocyanin were seen to shrink and become rounded, while at high dose, the trophozoites were fragmented. While the precise molecular mechanisms of pyocyanin and products of P. otitidis and E. cloacae that also exert anti-N. fowleri activity await clarification. Our findings suggest that P. aeruginosa pyocyanin may have a role in the control of amphizoic N. fowleri in the environment.

scholarly journals Application of the omics sciences to the study of Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp., and Balamuthia mandrillaris: current status and future projections

Parasite ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Libia Zulema Rodriguez-Anaya ◽  
Ángel Josué Félix-Sastré ◽  
Fernando Lares-Villa ◽  
Luis Fernando Lares-Jiménez ◽  
Jose Reyes Gonzalez-Galaviz
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Genome Structure ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Type I ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Balamuthia Mandrillaris ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression ◽  
Crucial Information ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri ◽  
Therapy Design

In this review, we focus on the sequenced genomes of the pathogens Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris, and the remarkable discoveries regarding the pathogenicity and genetic information of these organisms, using techniques related to the various omics branches like genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Currently, novel data produced through comparative genomics analyses and both differential gene and protein expression in these free-living amoebas have allowed for breakthroughs to identify genes unique to N. fowleri, genes with active transcriptional activity, and their differential expression in conditions of modified virulence. Furthermore, orthologous genes of the various nuclear genomes within the Naegleria and Acanthamoeba genera have been clustered. The proteome of B. mandrillaris has been reconstructed through transcriptome data, and its mitochondrial genome structure has been thoroughly described with a unique characteristic that has come to light: a type I intron with the capacity of interrupting genes through its self-splicing ribozymes activity. With the integration of data derived from the diverse omic sciences, there is a potential approximation that reflects the molecular complexity required for the identification of virulence factors, as well as crucial information regarding the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms with which these interact. Altogether, these breakthroughs could contribute to radical advances in both the fields of therapy design and medical diagnosis in the foreseeable future.

scholarly journals Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri: Pathogenesis and Treatments

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Güémez ◽  
Elisa García
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Initial Exposure ◽  
Immunomodulatory Agents ◽  
Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri ◽  
Amoebic Meningoencephalitis ◽  
The Brain

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba (FLA) that is commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” This parasite can invade the central nervous system (CNS), causing an acute and fulminating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Even though PAM is characterized by low morbidity, it has shown a mortality rate of 98%, usually causing death in less than two weeks after the initial exposure. This review summarizes the most recent information about N. fowleri, its pathogenic molecular mechanisms, and the neuropathological processes implicated. Additionally, this review includes the main therapeutic strategies described in case reports and preclinical studies, including the possible use of immunomodulatory agents to decrease neurological damage.

scholarly journals Nanopore sequencing improves the draft genome of the human pathogenic amoeba Naegleria fowleri

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Liechti ◽  
Nadia Schürch ◽  
Rémy Bruggmann ◽  
Matthias Wittwer
Keyword(s):  
Draft Genome ◽  
Olfactory Nerve ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis ◽  
Long Reads ◽  
Oxford Nanopore ◽  
Facultative Parasite ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri ◽  
Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

Abstract Naegleria fowleri is an environmental protist found in soil and warm freshwater sources worldwide and is known for its ability to infect humans and causing a rapid and mostly fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. When contaminated water enters the nose, the facultative parasite follows the olfactory nerve and enters the brain by crossing the cribriform plate where it causes tissue damage and haemorrhagic necrosis. Although N. fowleri has been studied for several years, the mechanisms of pathogenicity are still poorly understood. Furthermore, there is a lack of knowledge on the genomic level and the current reference assembly is limited in contiguity. To improve the draft genome and to investigate pathogenicity factors, we sequenced the genome of N. fowleri using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). Assembly and polishing of the long reads resulted in a high-quality draft genome whose N50 is 18 times higher than the previously published genome. The prediction of potentially secreted proteins revealed a large proportion of enzymes with a hydrolysing function, which could play an important role during the pathogenesis and account for the destructive nature of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The improved genome provides the basis for further investigation unravelling the biology and the pathogenic potential of N. fowleri.

Efficacy of a combined system of copper and silver and free chlorine for inactivation of Naegleria fowleri amoebas in water

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 119-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Cassells ◽  
M. T. Yahya ◽  
C. P. Gerba ◽  
J. B. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Exposure Time ◽  
Silver Ions ◽  
Free Chlorine ◽  
Log10 Reduction ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Combined System ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri ◽  
Time Required

Electrolytically generated copper and silver ions (400:40 and 800:80 μg/l) were evaluated, separately and combined with 1.0 mg/l free chlorine, for their efficacy in reducing the viable numbers of Naegleria fowleri amoebas in water (pH 7.3 and 23-25°C). Inactivation rates (k = log10 reduction/min) and T99 values (exposure time required to achieve a 99% or a 2 log10 reduction) of the disinfectants were determined. Copper and silver alone, at ratio of 400:40 to 800:80 μg/l caused no significant inactivation of N. fowleri even after 72 hours of exposure (k = 0.00017 and 0.00013, respectively). Addition of 1.0 mg/l free chlorine to water which contained 400:40 or 800:80 μg/l copper and silver resulted in enhanced inactivation rates (k = 0.458 and 0.515, respectively) compared to either chlorine alone (k = 0.33) or the metals alone. Water containing 800:80 μg/l copper and silver with 1.0 mg/l chlorine showed a T99 value of 3.9 minutes, while chlorine alone showed a T99 of 6.1 minutes. Enhanced inactivation of N. fowleri by a combined system of free chlorine and copper and silver may be attributed to the different mechanism that each disinfectant utilizes in inactivating the amoebas, and may suggest a synergistic effect.

Evaluation of the Effect of Nanoparticles Zinc Oxide/Camellia sinensis Complex on the Kidney of Rats Treated with Monosodium Glutamate: Antioxidant and Histological Approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 542-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahla S. El-Shenawy ◽  
Reham Z. Hamza ◽  
Fawziah A. Al-Salmi ◽  
Rasha A. Al-Eisa
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Camellia Sinensis ◽  
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Monosodium Glutamate ◽  
Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Enzymatic Antioxidants ◽  
Zno Nps ◽  
Tea Extract

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are robustly used biomedicine. Moreover, no study has been conducted to explore the consequence of green synthesis of ZnO NPs with Camellia sinensis (green tea extract, GTE) on kidneys of rats treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG). Methods: Therefore, the objective of the research was designed to explore the possible defensive effect of GTE/ZnO NPs against MSG-induced renal stress investigated at redox and histopathological points. Results: The levels of urea and creatinine increased as the effect of a high dose of MSG, in addition, the myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase activates were elevated significantly with the high dose of MSG. The levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (uric acid, glutathione, and thiol) were decreased sharply in MSG-treated rats as compared to the normal group. Conclusion: The data displayed that GTE/ZnO NPs reduced the effects of MSG significantly by reduction of the level peroxidation and enhancement intracellular antioxidant. These biochemical findings were supported by histopathology evaluation, which showed minor morphological changes in the kidneys of rats.

scholarly journals Platelet-derived lysophosphatidic acid mediated LPAR1 activation as a therapeutic target for osteosarcoma metastasis

Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Takagi ◽  
Yuki Sasaki ◽  
Sumie Koike ◽  
Ai Takemoto ◽  
Yosuke Seto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Pulmonary Metastasis ◽  
Lysophosphatidic Acid ◽  
Therapeutic Intervention ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Osteosarcoma Cells ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
Platelet Releasate

AbstractOsteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone cancer, with high rates of pulmonary metastasis. Osteosarcoma patients with pulmonary metastasis have worse prognosis than those with localized disease, leading to dramatically reduced survival rates. Therefore, understanding the biological characteristics of metastatic osteosarcoma and the molecular mechanisms of invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells will lead to the development of innovative therapeutic intervention for advanced osteosarcoma. Here, we identified that osteosarcoma cells commonly exhibit high platelet activation-inducing characteristics, and molecules released from activated platelets promote the invasiveness of osteosarcoma cells. Given that heat-denatured platelet releasate maintained the ability to promote osteosarcoma invasion, we focused on heat-tolerant molecules, such as lipid mediators in the platelet releasate. Osteosarcoma-induced platelet activation leads to abundant lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) release. Exposure to LPA or platelet releasate induced morphological changes and increased invasiveness of osteosarcoma cells. By analyzing publicly available transcriptome datasets and our in-house osteosarcoma patient-derived xenograft tumors, we found that LPA receptor 1 (LPAR1) is notably upregulated in osteosarcoma. LPAR1 gene KO in osteosarcoma cells abolished the platelet-mediated osteosarcoma invasion in vitro and the formation of early pulmonary metastatic foci in experimental pulmonary metastasis models. Of note, the pharmacological inhibition of LPAR1 by the orally available LPAR1 antagonist, ONO-7300243, prevented pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma in the mouse models. These results indicate that the LPA–LPAR1 axis is essential for the osteosarcoma invasion and metastasis, and targeting LPAR1 would be a promising therapeutic intervention for advanced osteosarcoma.

scholarly journals A Novel Cysteine Protease Inhibitor of Naegleria fowleri That Is Specifically Expressed during Encystation and at Mature Cysts

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 388
Author(s):  
Hương Giang Lê ◽  
A-Jeong Ham ◽  
Jung-Mi Kang ◽  
Tuấn Cường Võ ◽  
Haung Naw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protease Inhibitor ◽  
Cysteine Protease ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cyst Formation ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Cysteine Protease Inhibitor ◽  
Naegleria Fowleri ◽  
Nægleria Fowleri ◽  
Cystatin Family

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that is ubiquitous in diverse natural environments. It causes a fatal brain infection in humans known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Despite the medical importance of the parasitic disease, there is a great lack of knowledge about the biology and pathogenicity of N. fowleri. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel cysteine protease inhibitor of N. fowleri (NfCPI). NfCPI is a typical cysteine protease inhibitor belonging to the cystatin family with a Gln-Val-Val-Ala-Gly (QVVAG) motif, a characteristic motif conserved in the cystatin family of proteins. Bacterially expressed recombinant NfCPI has a dimeric structure and exhibits inhibitory activity against several cysteine proteases including cathespin Bs of N. fowleri at a broad range of pH values. Expression profiles of nfcpi revealed that the gene was highly expressed during encystation and cyst of the amoeba. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays also support its high level of expression in cysts. These findings collectively suggest that NfCPI may play a critical role in encystation or cyst formation of N. fowleri by regulating cysteine proteases that may mediate encystation or mature cyst formation of the amoeba. More comprehensive studies to investigate the roles of NfCPI in encystation and its target proteases are necessary to elucidate the regulatory mechanism and the biological significance of NfCPI.

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