MicroRNA-512-3p mediates Trypanosoma cruzi-induced apoptosis during ex vivo infection of human placental explants.

INTRODUCTION: Upon infection, Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite, crosses the placental barrier and causes congenital Chagas disease. Ex vivo infection of human placental explants (HPEs) with the parasite induces apoptotic cell death. This cellular process involves changes in gene expression, which are partially regulated by miRNAs. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-512-3p, a highly expressed miRNA in the placenta, in parasite-induced apoptosis. METHODS: HPE cells were transfected with antagomirs or mimics of miR-512-3p and subsequently challenged with the parasite. The expression levels of miR-512-3p, caspase 3, caspase 8, and Livin were measured using RT-qPCR, and apoptotic cell death was analyzed based on caspase activity and DNA fragmentation assays. RESULTS: Targeted inhibition of miR-512-3p effectively prevented parasite-induced expression and enzymatic activity of caspase 3 and caspase 8. However, it did not completely prevent DNA fragmentation, indicating the involvement of other factors in this process. Furthermore, the findings suggest that Livin may be regulated by miR-512-3p. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that miR-512-3p modulates parasite-induced apoptosis in the trophoblast. By understanding the mechanisms involved in this process, we can gain insights into the pathogenesis of congenital Chagas disease and develop targeted therapeutic strategies.

Differential microRNAs expression during ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii.

Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii are two zoonotic parasites that constitute significant human and animal health threats, causing a significant economic burden worldwide. Both parasites can be transmitted congenitally, but transmission rates for T. gondii are high, contrary to what has been observed for T. cruzi. The probability of congenital transmission depends on complex interactions between the pathogen and the host, including the modulation of host cell gene expression by miRNAs. During ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants, we evaluated the expression of 3 miRNAs (miR-30e-3p, miR-3074-5p, and miR-127-3p) previously associated with parasitic and placental diseases and modulated by both parasites. In addition, we identified the possible target genes of the miRNAs by using computational prediction tools and performed GO and KEGG enrichment analyses to identify the biological functions and associated pathologies. The three miRNAs are differentially expressed in the canine and ovine placenta in response to T. cruzi and T. gondii. We conclude that the observed differential expression and associated functions might explain, at least partially, the differences in transmission rates and susceptibility to parasite infection in different species.

MicroRNAs: master regulators in host-parasitic protist interactions.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs present in a wide diversity of organisms. MiRNAs regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level through their interaction with the 3' untranslated regions of target mRNAs, inducing translational inhibition or mRNA destabilization and degradation. Thus, miRNAs regulate key biological processes, such as cell death, signal transduction, development, cellular proliferation and differentiation. The dysregulation of miRNAs biogenesis and function is related to the pathogenesis of diseases, including parasite infection. Moreover, during host-parasite interactions, parasites and host miRNAs determine the probability of infection and progression of the disease. The present review is focused on the possible role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of diseases of clinical interest caused by parasitic protists. In addition, the potential role of miRNAs as targets for the design of drugs and diagnostic and prognostic markers of parasitic diseases is also discussed.

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Placental Explants by Trypanosoma cruzi Reveals a microRNA Profile Similar to That Seen in Trophoblast Differentiation.

Congenital Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is responsible for 22.5% of new cases each year. However, placental transmission occurs in only 5% of infected mothers and it has been proposed that the epithelial turnover of the trophoblast can be considered a local placental defense against the parasite. Thus, Trypanosoma cruzi induces cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptotic cell death in the trophoblast, which are regulated, among other mechanisms, by small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs. On the other hand, ex vivo infection of human placental explants induces a specific microRNA profile that includes microRNAs related to trophoblast differentiation such as miR-512-3p miR-515-5p, codified at the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster. Here we determined the expression validated target genes of miR-512-3p and miR-515-5p, specifically human glial cells missing 1 transcription factor and cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein, as well as the expression of the main trophoblast differentiation marker human chorionic gonadotrophin during ex vivo infection of human placental explants, and examined how the inhibition or overexpression of both microRNAs affects parasite infection. We conclude that Trypanosoma cruzi-induced trophoblast epithelial turnover, particularly trophoblast differentiation, is at least partially mediated by placenta-specific miR-512-3p and miR-515-5p and that both miRNAs mediate placental susceptibility to ex vivo infection of human placental explants. Knowledge about the role of parasite-modulated microRNAs in the placenta might enable their use as biomarkers, as prognostic and therapeutic tools for congenital Chagas disease in the future.

microRNAs: Critical Players during Helminth Infections.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally through their interaction with the 3' untranslated regions (3' UTR) of target mRNAs, affecting their stability and/or translation. Therefore, miRNAs regulate biological processes such as signal transduction, cell death, autophagy, metabolism, development, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulated expression of microRNAs is associated with infectious diseases, where miRNAs modulate important aspects of the parasite-host interaction. Helminths are parasitic worms that cause various neglected tropical diseases affecting millions worldwide. These parasites have sophisticated mechanisms that give them a surprising immunomodulatory capacity favoring parasite persistence and establishment of infection. In this review, we analyze miRNAs in infections caused by helminths, emphasizing their role in immune regulation and its implication in diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of therapeutic strategies.

Congenital Transmission of Apicomplexan Parasites: A Review.

Apicomplexans are a group of pathogenic protists that cause various diseases in humans and animals that cause economic losses worldwide. These unicellular eukaryotes are characterized by having a complex life cycle and the ability to evade the immune system of their host organism. Infections caused by some of these parasites affect millions of pregnant women worldwide, leading to various adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects. Unfortunately, the exact pathogenesis of congenital apicomplexan diseases is far from being understood, including the mechanisms of how they cross the placental barrier. In this review, we highlight important aspects of the diseases caused by species of Plasmodium, Babesia, Toxoplasma, and Neospora, their infection during pregnancy, emphasizing the possible role played by the placenta in the host-pathogen interaction.

Ex vivo infection of canine and ovine placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii: differential activation of NF kappa B signaling pathways.

Chagas disease and toxoplasmosis, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii, respectively, are important zoonotic diseases affecting humans, companion animals, and livestock, responsible for major health and economic burden. Both parasites can be transmitted vertically in different mammalian species through the placenta. Of note, the transmission rate of T. cruzi is low in dogs, whereas that of T. gondii is high in sheep. The probability of congenital infection depends on complex parasite-host interactions; parasite factors, maternal and fetal immune responses and placental responses all have a role in infection establishment. Since the innate immune response is regulated, at least partially, by NF-κB signaling pathways, our main objective was to determine the effect of ex vivo infection of canine (CPE) and ovine (OPE) placental explants with both parasites, on the activation of canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways and its relation to infection. Here, we show that T. cruzi activates both the NF-κB canonical and non-canonical pathways in CPE and OPE, unlike T. gondii, that activates only the canonical pathway in CPE and has no effect on the non-canonical pathway in both explants. Moreover, the inhibition of either or both NF-κB pathways increases the DNA load of T. cruzi in both explants, modulates, on the other hand, T. gondii infection in a differential fashion. Overall, we conclude that the differential modulation of the NF-κB pathways by both pathogens in placental explants might explain, at least partially, the differences in transmission rates of T. cruzi and T. gondii in different mammalian species.

Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii Induce a Differential MicroRNA Profile in Human Placental Explants.

Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii are two parasites than can be transmitted from mother to child through the placenta. However, congenital transmission rates are low for T. cruzi and high for T. gondii. Infection success or failure depends on complex parasite-host interactions in which parasites can alter host gene expression by modulating non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs. As of yet, there are no reports on altered miRNA expression in placental tissue in response to either parasite. Therefore, we infected human placental explants ex vivo by cultivation with either T. cruzi or T. gondii for 2 h. We then analyzed the miRNA expression profiles of both types of infected tissue by miRNA sequencing and quantitative PCR, sequence-based miRNA target prediction, pathway functional enrichment, and upstream regulator analysis of differentially expressed genes targeted by differentially expressed miRNAs. Both parasites induced specific miRNA profiles. GO analysis revealed that the in silico predicted targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs regulated different cellular processes involved in development and immunity, and most of the identified KEGG pathways were related to chronic diseases and infection. Considering that the differentially expressed miRNAs identified here modulated crucial host cellular targets that participate in determining the success of infection, these miRNAs might explain the differing congenital transmission rates between the two parasites. Molecules of the different pathways that are regulated by miRNAs and modulated during infection, as well as the miRNAs themselves, may be potential targets for the therapeutic control of either congenital Chagas disease or toxoplasmosis.

Simvastatin Improves Cardiac Function through Notch 1 Activation in BALB/c Mice with Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, endemic in Latin America but distributed worldwide because of migration. Without appropriate treatment, the disease progresses from an acute asymptomatic phase to a chronic, progressive inflammatory cardiomyopathy causing heart failure and death. Despite specific trypanocidal therapy, heart damage progression cannot be stopped or reversed. Statins, as part of their pleiotropic actions, can modulate chagasic myocarditis by inducing the production of 15-epi-lipoxin A4 (15-epi-LXA4), a proresolution lipid mediator in inflammation. Furthermore, several reports suggest that simvastatin activates the Notch pathway after stroke in cerebral endothelial cells, enhancing blood flow by promoting angiogenesis. Thus, statins are an attractive therapeutic strategy for modulating the Notch pathway to reverse the chronic heart damage induced by T. cruzi BALB/c mice chronically infected with T. cruzi were treated with 1 mg/kg/day simvastatin or 25 µg/kg/day 15-epi-LXA4 for 20 days. During the treatment period, cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. At 80 days postinfection, the heart tissues were assessed for Notch 1 activity. T. cruzi infection activated the Notch 1 pathway, and simvastatin (but not 15-epi-lipoxin A4) produced a further increase in that activity, correlating with improvement in the ejection fraction and histopathologic findings typical of T. cruzi infection, including improvements in inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, simvastatin increased the number of isolectin B4-positive cells, suggesting active angiogenesis in the chronically infected hearts without alteration of the parasitic load. Simvastatin, probably acting through the Notch 1 pathway, decreases inflammation, improving cardiac function in mice chronically infected with T. cruzi.

Comparative ex vivo infection with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii of human, canine and ovine placenta: Analysis of tissue damage and infection efficiency.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, and Toxoplasma gondii, which is responsible for Toxoplasmosis, are two parasites that cause significant protozoan zoonoses and consequently important economic losses in human, companion animals and livestock. For the congenital transmission to occur, both parasites must cross the barrier present in the mammalian placenta, which differs between species. Particularly, hemochorial, endotheliochorial and epitheliochorial placental barriers are present, respectively, in human, dog and sheep. The type of placental barrier has been associated with the probability of transmission of pathogens. In this study, we used experimental placental ex vivo infection models of T. cruzi and T. gondii in the above-mentioned mammals in order to study tissue alterations and to compare infection efficiency. Here, we infected placental term explants from human, dog and sheep and analyzed tissue damage by standard histological and histochemical methods. Comparative infection efficiency was determined by quantitative PCR. Both parasites are able to infect the different placental explants; however, more T. gondii parasites were detected, and T. gondii causes a more severe tissue damage in human and canine explants than T. cruzi. The histopathological changes observed in ovine placenta explants were similar in presence of both parasites. We conclude that the infection efficiency of T. gondii is higher, compared to T. cruzi, during the ex vivo infection of human, canine and ovine placental explants. In addition, the ex vivo infection of mammalian placental explants constitutes an interesting experimental approach to study part of the infection mechanisms as well as host responses during congenital infection of both parasites.

Notch receptor expression in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with benznidazole or simvastatin revealed by microarray analysis.

Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Current therapy involves benznidazole. Benznidazole and other drugs can modify gene expression patterns, improving the response to the inflammatory influx induced by T. cruzi and decreasing the endothelial activation or immune cell recruitment, among other effects. Here, we performed a microarray analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with benznidazole and the anti-inflammatory drugs acetylsalicylic acid or simvastatin and infected with T. cruzi. Parasitic infection produces differential expression of a set of genes in HUVECs treated with benznidazole alone or a combination with simvastatin or acetylsalicylic acid. The differentially expressed genes were involved in inflammation, adhesion, cardiac function, and remodeling. Notch1 and high mobility group B1 were genes of interest in this analysis due to their importance in placental development, cardiac development, and inflammation. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmation of these two genes indicated that both are upregulated in the presence of benznidazole.

Ex vivo infection of human placental explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii: Differential activation of NF kappa B signaling pathways.

Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) are the causative agents of Chagas disease and Toxoplasmosis. T. cruzi and T. gondii present, respectively, low and high congenital transmission rates and induce a distinctive cytokine/chemokine profile in ex vivo infected human placental explants (HPE). Since the innate immune response is regulated, at least partially, by NF-κB signaling pathways, our main objective was to determine the effect of ex vivo infection with both parasites on the activation of canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways and its relation to parasite infection. T. cruzi activates both, the canonical and non-canonical pathways of NF-κB, unlike T. gondii, which has no effect on the canonical pathway and inhibits the non-canonical pathway. The inhibition of both pathways of NF-κB increases the DNA load of T. cruzi and T. gondii in HPE. Therefore, the differential modulation of NF-κB signal transduction pathways by both parasites might explain, at least partially, the low and high congenital transmission rates of T. cruzi and T. gondii.

Differential infectivity of two Trypanosoma cruzi strains in placental cells and tissue.

Congenital Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), has become epidemiologically relevant. The probability of congenital transmission depends on the maternal and developing fetal/newborn immune responses, placental factors and importantly, the virulence of the parasite. It has been proposed, that different genotypes of T. cruzi and their associated pathogenicity, virulence and tissue tropism may play an important role in congenital infection. Since there is no laboratory or animal model that recapitulates the complexities of vertical transmission in humans, here we studied parasite infectivity in human placental explants (HPE) as well as in the human trophoblast-derived cell line BeWo of the Y(DTU II) and the VD (TcVI) T. cruzi strains; the latter was isolated from a human case of congenital infection. Our results show that the VD strain is more infective and pathogenic than the Y strain, as demonstrated by qPCR and cell counting as well as by histopathological analysis. The present study constitutes the first approach to study the relationship between parasite two parasite strains from different genotypes and the infection efficiency in human placenta.

Old Yellow Enzyme from Trypanosoma cruzi Exhibits In Vivo Prostaglandin F2α Synthase Activity and Has a Key Role in Parasite Infection and Drug Susceptibility.

The discovery that trypanosomatids, unicellular organisms of the order Kinetoplastida, are capable of synthesizing prostaglandins raised questions about the role of these molecules during parasitic infections. Multiple studies indicate that prostaglandins could be related to the infection processes and pathogenesis in trypanosomatids. This work aimed to unveil the role of the prostaglandin F2α synthase TcOYE in the establishment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the causative agent of Chagas disease. This chronic disease affects several million people in Latin America causing high morbidity and mortality. Here, we propose a prokaryotic evolutionary origin for TcOYE, and then we used in vitro and in vivo experiments to show that T. cruzi prostaglandin F2α synthase plays an important role in modulating the infection process. TcOYE overexpressing parasites were less able to complete the infective cycle in cell culture infections and increased cardiac tissue parasitic load in infected mice. Additionally, parasites overexpressing the enzyme increased PGF2α synthesis from arachidonic acid. Finally, an increase in benznidazole and nifurtimox susceptibility in TcOYE overexpressing parasites showed its participation in activating the currently anti-chagasic drugs, which added to its observed ability to confer resistance to hydrogen peroxide, highlights the relevance of this enzyme in multiple events including host-parasite interaction.

Toll-like receptor-2 mediates local innate immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi in ex vivo infected human placental chorionic villi explants.

BACKGROUND: Congenital Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi that must cross the placental barrier during transmission. The trophoblast constitutes the first tissue in contact with the maternal-blood circulating parasite. Importantly, the congenital transmission rates are low, suggesting the presence of local placental defense mechanisms. On the other hand, the placenta is considered an immune regulatory organ since it acts as a modulator of fetal and maternal immune responses. We have previously proposed that local placental factors, such as the epithelial turnover of the trophoblast and the innate immune response initiated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), might prevent parasite infection and congenital transmission. Here, we studied in an ex vivo infected human placental chorionic villi explant HPCVE model, the relationship between TLR-2 activation in response to T. cruzi trypomastigotes, the secreted profile of cytokines, the integrity of the placental barrier and the expression of trophoblast turnover markers. RESULTS: TLR-2 inhibition increases the parasite induced histopathological damage, prevents secretion of IL-6 and IL-10, decreases expression of PCNA (proliferation marker) and of ß-hCG (differentiation marker) while increasing caspase 3 activity (cell death marker). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TLR-2 is not only involved in the local secretion of cytokines but also regulates, at least partially, the trophoblast turnover.

Ex vivo infection of human placental chorionic villi explants with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii induces different Toll-like receptor expression and cytokine/chemokine profiles.

PROBLEM: Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii present, respectively, low and high congenital transmission rates. The placenta as an immune regulatory organ expresses TLRs, leading to the secretion of cytokines. Both parasites are recognized by TLR-2, TLR-4, and TLR-9. Here, we studied if the parasites induce differences in TLR protein expression, cytokine profiles, and whether receptor inhibition is related to parasite infection. METHOD OF STUDY: Placental tissue explants were infected ex vivo with each parasite, TLRs protein expression, cytokine profile and parasite infection were determined by Western blotting, ELISA and qPCR. RESULTS: Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii infection is related to TLR-2 and TLR-4/TLR-9, respectively. Trypanosoma cruzi elicits an increase in TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 cytokine secretion whereas T. gondii only increases the secretion of IL-8. CONCLUSION: The susceptibility of the placenta to each parasite is mediated partially by the innate immune response.

The immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi in the human placenta.

Congenital Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is partially responsible for the increasing globalization of Chagas disease despite its low transmission. During congenital transmission, the parasite reaches the fetus by crossing the placental barrier. However, the success or impairment of congenital transmission of the parasite is the product of a complex interaction between the parasite, the maternal and fetus/newborn immune responses and placental factors. There is other evidence apart from the low congenital transmission rates, which suggests the presence of defense mechanisms against T. cruzi. Thus, the typical amastigote nests (intracellular parasites) cannot be observed in placentas from mothers with chronic Chagas disease nor in human placental chorionic villi explants infected in vitro with the parasite. In the latter, only a few parasite antigens and DNA are identified. Accordingly, other infections of the placenta are not commonly observed. All these evidences suggest that the placenta can mount defense mechanisms against T. cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi induces cellular proliferation in the trophoblastic cell line BeWo.

Congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is partially responsible for the progressive globalization of Chagas disease. During congenital transmission the parasite must cross the placental barrier where the trophoblast, a continuous renewing epithelium, is the first tissue in contact with the parasite. The trophoblast turnover implies cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptotic cell death. The epithelial turnover is considered part of innate immunity. We previously demonstrated that T. cruzi induces cellular differentiation and apoptosis in this tissue. Here we demonstrate that T. cruzi induces cellular proliferation in a trophoblastic cell line. We analyzed the cellular proliferation in BeWo cells by determining DNA synthesis by BrdU incorporation assays, mitotic index, cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry, as well as quantification of nucleolus organizer regions by histochemistry and expression of the proliferation markers PCNA and Ki67 by Western blotting and/or immunofluorescence. Additionally, we determined the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway activation by the parasite by Western blotting.

Simvastatin Attenuates Endothelial Activation through 15-Epi-Lipoxin A4 Production in Murine Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Current treatments for chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy, a disease with high mortality rates and caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, are unsatisfactory. Myocardial inflammation, including endothelial activation, is responsible for the structural and functional damage seen in the chronic phase. The clinical efficacy of benznidazole could be improved by decreasing chronic inflammation. Statins, which have anti-inflammatory properties, may improve the action of benznidazole. Here, the action of simvastatin in a murine model of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy and the link with the production of the proresolving eicosanoid 15-epi-lipoxin A4, produced by 5-lipoxygenase, are evaluated. Simvastatin decreased the expression of the adhesion molecules E-selectin, intracellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 (VCAM-1) in T. cruzi-infected mice. However, when this drug was administered to 5-lipoxygenase-deficient mice, the anti-inflammatory effect was not observed unless exogenous 15-epi-lipoxin A4 was administered. Thus, in chronic Chagas disease, 5-epi-lipoxin A4 induced by simvastatin treatment could improve the pathophysiological condition of patients by increasing the trypanocidal action of benznidazole.