RESUMO
The interaction of Toxoplasma gondii with the gastrointestinal tract of its host is highly regulated. Once ingested, the parasite crosses the epithelium without altering the permeability of the intestinal barrier. Nevertheless, many studies report alterations ranging from structural to functional damage in cells and tissues that make up the wall of the small and large intestine. Although the immune response to the parasite has been extensively studied, the role of serotonin (5-HT) in toxoplasmosis is poorly understood. Here we investigate the distribution of cells expressing 5-HT and its effects on cells and tissues of the jejunal wall of rats after 2, 3, or 7 days of T. gondii infection. KEY RESULTS: Our results show that transposition of the jejunal epithelium by T. gondii leads to ruptures in the basement membrane and activation of the immune system, as confirmed by the decrease in laminin immunostaining and the increase in the number of mast cells, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: We showed an increase in the number of enterochromaffin cells and mast cells expressing 5-HT in the jejunal wall. We also observed that the percentage of serotonergic mast cells increased in the total population. Thus, we can suggest that oral infection by T. gondii oocysts preferentially activates non-neuronal cells expressing 5-HT. Together, these results may explain both the changes in the extracellular matrix and the morphology of the enteric ganglia.
Assuntos
Células Enterocromafins , Jejuno , Oocistos/metabolismo , Serotonina/biossíntese , Toxoplasma/metabolismo , Toxoplasmose/metabolismo , Doença Aguda , Animais , Células Enterocromafins/metabolismo , Células Enterocromafins/parasitologia , Jejuno/metabolismo , Jejuno/parasitologia , Masculino , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
Dietary rumen-protected polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) rich in linoleic acid (LA) may affect embryo yield, and LA can modulate the molecular mechanisms of lipid uptake in bovine blastocysts produced in vitro. In embryos, membrane lipids, such as phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and sphingomyelins (SMs), affect cryopreservation success. The aim of the present study was to evaluate embryonic developmental rates after the IVF of oocytes retrieved from Nellore heifers fed for approximately 90 days with rumen-protected PUFAs rich in LA. In addition, we evaluated embryo cryotolerance and the membrane structure lipid composition using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry of fresh and vitrified embryos. Embryo development to the blastocyst stage (mean 43.2%) and embryo survival after vitrification and warming (mean 79.3%) were unaffected by diet. The relative abundance of one lipid species (PC ether (PCe; 38:2, which means that this lipid has 38 carbon atoms and 2 double bonds in the fatty acyl residues) was increased after PUFAs supplementation. However, 10 ions were affected by cryopreservation; ions consistent with PC 32:0, PC 34:1, SM 24:1, PC 40:6 or PC 42:9, PC plasmalogen (PCp) 44:10 or PC 42:7, triacylglycerol (TAG) 54:9 and a not assigned ion (m/z 833.2) were lower in blastocysts that survived to the cryopreservation process compared with fresh blastocysts, whereas the abundance of the ions PC 36:3 or PC 34:0, PCe 38:2 or PC 36:6 and PC 36:5 or PCe 38:1 were increased after cryopreservation. Thus, the results demonstrate that the mass spectrometry profiles of PC, SM and TAG species differ significantly in bovine blastocysts upon cryopreservation. Because the lipid ion abundances of fresh and vitrified-warmed embryos were distinct, they can be used as potential markers of post-cryopreservation embryonic survival.
Assuntos
Criopreservação/veterinária , Gorduras Insaturadas na Dieta/administração & dosagem , Ectogênese , Embrião de Mamíferos/metabolismo , Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Materna , Lipídeos de Membrana/metabolismo , Oocistos/metabolismo , Animais , Animais Endogâmicos , Blastocisto , Brasil , Bovinos , Estudos Cross-Over , Embrião de Mamíferos/citologia , Feminino , Fertilização in vitro/veterinária , Técnicas de Maturação in Vitro de Oócitos/veterinária , Ácido Linoleico/administração & dosagem , Ácido Linoleico/metabolismo , Masculino , Lipídeos de Membrana/química , Oocistos/citologia , Oocistos/isolamento & purificação , Recuperação de Oócitos/veterinária , Plasmalogênios/química , Plasmalogênios/metabolismo , Preservação do Sêmen/veterinária , VitrificaçãoRESUMO
Antioxidants produced by the parasite Schistosoma mansoni are believed to be involved in the maintenance of cellular redox balance, thus contributing to larval survival in their intermediate snail host, Biomphalaria glabrata. Here, we focused on specific antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione-S-transferases 26 and 28 (GST26 and 28), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), peroxiredoxin 1 and 2 (Prx1 and 2) and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), known to be involved in cellular redox reactions, in an attempt to evaluate their endogenous antioxidant function in the early-developing primary sporocyst stage of S. mansoni. Previously we demonstrated a specific and consistent RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of GST26 and 28, Prx1 and 2, and GPx transcripts, and an unexpected elevation of SOD transcripts in sporocysts treated with gene-specific double-stranded (ds)RNA. In the present followup study, in vitro transforming sporocysts were exposed to dsRNAs for GST26 and 28, combined Prx1/2, GPx, SOD or green-fluorescent protein (GFP, control) for 7 days in culture, followed by assessment of the effects of specific dsRNA treatments on protein levels using semi-quantitative Western blot analysis (GST26, Prx1/2 only), and larval susceptibility to exogenous oxidative stress in in vitro killing assays. Significant decreases (80% and 50%) in immunoreactive GST26 and Prx1/2, respectively, were observed in sporocysts treated with specific dsRNA, compared to control larvae treated with GFP dsRNA. Sporocysts cultured with dsRNAs for GST26, GST28, Prx1/2 and GPx, but not SOD dsRNA, were significantly increased in their susceptibility to H(2)O(2) oxidative stress (60-80% mortalities at 48 hr) compared to GFP dsRNA controls ( approximately 18% mortality). H(2)O(2)-mediated killing was abrogated by bovine catalase, further supporting a protective role for endogenous sporocyst antioxidants. Finally, in vitro killing of S. mansoni sporocysts by hemocytes of susceptible NMRI B. glabrata snails was increased in larvae treated with Prx1/2, GST26 and GST28 dsRNA, compared to those treated with GFP or SOD dsRNAs. Results of these experiments strongly support the hypothesis that endogenous expression and regulation of larval antioxidant enzymes serve a direct role in protection against external oxidative stress, including immune-mediated cytotoxic reactions. Moreover, these findings illustrate the efficacy of a RNAi-type approach in investigating gene function in larval schistosomes.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Proteínas de Helminto/metabolismo , Oocistos/enzimologia , Estresse Oxidativo , Schistosoma mansoni/enzimologia , Schistosoma mansoni/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Esquistossomose mansoni/metabolismo , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Glutationa Peroxidase/genética , Glutationa Peroxidase/metabolismo , Glutationa Transferase/genética , Glutationa Transferase/metabolismo , Proteínas de Helminto/genética , Humanos , Peróxido de Hidrogênio/metabolismo , Camundongos , Oocistos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Oocistos/metabolismo , Schistosoma mansoni/genética , Schistosoma mansoni/metabolismo , Esquistossomose mansoni/parasitologia , Caramujos , Superóxido Dismutase/genética , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismoRESUMO
Infection of red blood cells (RBC) subjects the malaria parasite to oxidative stress. Therefore, efficient antioxidant and redox systems are required to prevent damage by reactive oxygen species. Plasmodium spp. have thioredoxin and glutathione (GSH) systems that are thought to play a major role as antioxidants during blood stage infection. In this report, we analyzed a critical component of the GSH biosynthesis pathway using reverse genetics. Plasmodium berghei parasites lacking expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS), the rate limiting enzyme in de novo synthesis of GSH, were generated through targeted gene disruption thus demonstrating, quite unexpectedly, that gamma-GCS is not essential for blood stage development. Despite a significant reduction in GSH levels, blood stage forms of pbggcs(-) parasites showed only a defect in growth as compared to wild type. In contrast, a dramatic effect on development of the parasites in the mosquito was observed. Infection of mosquitoes with pbggcs(-) parasites resulted in reduced numbers of stunted oocysts that did not produce sporozoites. These results have important implications for the design of drugs aiming at interfering with the GSH redox-system in blood stages and demonstrate that de novo synthesis of GSH is pivotal for development of Plasmodium in the mosquito.
Assuntos
Glutamato-Cisteína Ligase/genética , Glutationa/metabolismo , Malária/transmissão , Plasmodium berghei/genética , Análise de Variância , Animais , Anopheles/parasitologia , Proliferação de Células , Eritrócitos/parasitologia , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Marcação de Genes , Glutamato-Cisteína Ligase/metabolismo , Malária/parasitologia , Camundongos , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Mitocôndrias , Oocistos/citologia , Oocistos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Oocistos/metabolismo , Plasmodium berghei/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Plasmodium berghei/metabolismo , Esporozoítos/metabolismo , Estatísticas não ParamétricasRESUMO
Ultrasound in a liquid phase cause mass and heat transfer across the liquid through cavitational processes which act as nanoreactors to generate unstable mechanical equilibrium. The effect of 1 MHz ultrasound on the inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum was investigated. Continuous irradiation of ultrasound (20 min) increased temperature due to cavitational phenomena. Ultrasound irradiation of liquid containing C. parvum showed significant quantitative changes in pH, temperature and inactivation of C. parvum (102.7 oocysts killed/s) with a minimum energy consumption (0.05 oocysts/s).
Assuntos
Cryptosporidium parvum/metabolismo , Oocistos/metabolismo , Ultrassom , Purificação da Água/métodos , Água/química , Animais , Desenho de Equipamento , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Modelos Químicos , Modelos Estatísticos , Oxidantes Fotoquímicos , Óxidos , Temperatura , Fatores de Tempo , TransdutoresRESUMO
Caveolins are integral membrane proteins implicated in cholesterol homeostasis and transport, endocytosis mechanisms and regulation of signal transduction in differentiated cells. In this work a caveolin-1 gene from the nematode Trichinella spiralis (Ts-cav-1) was cloned and identified as an adult-specific antigen. For this, a cDNA library of T. spiralis 3-day-old adult worms was screened using a stage-specific cDNA-labelled probe. One positive clone contained a cDNA insert of 1427-bp and a full-length open reading frame (ORF) of 687-bp, which encodes for a 229 amino acid polypeptide with a theoretical molecular weight of 26kDa. BLAST and FASTA searches revealed a 36% and 57% identity with Caenorhabditis elegans caveolin-1, respectively. Confocal laser microscopy analysis using antibodies generated against Ts-CAV-1 protein and cross-sections of adult parasites showed that Ts-CAV-1 gradually accumulates on the surface of Trichinella oocytes and embryos, reaching a maximum at 3days p.i., and decreasing during new-born larvae (NBL) development. RT-PCR assays of parasites from 1 to 4days p.i. showed a similar gene expression profile to that observed for Ts-CAV-1 which suggests a specific developmental regulation. Free cholesterol was mainly distributed in the female germ line and it displayed increasing membrane accumulation, similar to the pattern obtained for Ts-CAV-1 protein, which suggests a temporal membrane association with Ts-CAV-1 that in turn will perform the functions mentioned above. Our results strongly indicate that Ts-cav-1 from T. spiralis plays a role in oocyte maturation and embryogenesis during development, demonstrating gender-specific expression.