Trypanosoma cruzi nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (TcNTPDase-1) biochemical characterization,immunolocalization and possible role in host cell adhesion

Previous work has suggested that Trypanosoma cruzi diphosphohydrolase 1 (TcNTPDase-1) may be involved in the infection of mammalian cells and serve as a potential target for rational drug design. In this work, we produced recombinant TcNTPDase-1 and evaluated its nucleotidase activity, cellular localization and role in parasite adhesion to mammalian host cells. TcNTPDase-1 was able to utilize a broad range of triphosphate and diphosphate nucleosides. The enzyme's K_m for ATP (0.096 mM) suggested a capability to influence the host's ATP-dependent purinergic signaling. The use of specific polyclonal antibodies allowed us to confirm the presence of TcNTPDase-1 at the surface of parasites by confocal and electron microscopy. In addition, electron microscopy revealed that TcNTPDase-1 was also found in the flagellum, flagellum insertion region, kinetoplast, nucleus and intracellular vesicles. The presence of this enzyme in the flagellum insertion region and vesicles suggests that it may have a role in nutrient acquisition, and the widespread distribution of TcNTPDase-1 within the parasite suggests that it may be involved in other biological process. Adhesion assays using anti-TcNTPDase-1 polyclonal antibodies as a blocker or purified recombinant TcNTPDase-1 as a competitor revealed that the enzyme has a role in parasite–host cell adhesion. These data open new frontiers to future studies on this specific parasite–host interaction and other unknown functions of TcNTPDase-1 related to its ubiquitous localization.     

From the Cover: Dengue virus envelope protein domain I/II hinge determines long-lived serotype-specific dengue immunity

The four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes, DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4, are endemic throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with an estimated 390 million acute infections annually. Infection confers long-term protective immunity against the infecting serotype, but secondary infection with a different serotype carries a greater risk of potentially fatal severe dengue disease, including dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The single most effective measure to control this threat to global health is a tetravalent DENV vaccine. To date, attempts to develop a protective vaccine have progressed slowly, partly because the targets of type-specific human neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), which are critical for long-term protection, remain poorly defined, impeding our understanding of natural immunity and hindering effective vaccine development. Here, we show that the envelope glycoprotein domain I/II hinge of DENV-3 and DENV-4 is the primary target of the long-term type-specific NAb response in humans. Transplantation of a DENV-4 hinge into a recombinant DENV-3 virus showed that the hinge determines the serotype-specific neutralizing potency of primary human and nonhuman primate DENV immune sera and that the hinge region both induces NAbs and is targeted by protective NAbs in rhesus macaques. These results suggest that the success of live dengue vaccines may depend on their ability to stimulate NAbs that target the envelope glycoprotein domain I/II hinge region. More broadly, this study shows that complex conformational antibody epitopes can be transplanted between live viruses, opening up similar possibilities for improving the breadth and specificity of vaccines for influenza, HIV, hepatitis C virus, and other clinically important viral pathogens.The four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4), transmitted by Aedes spp. mosquitoes, are endemic throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with an estimated 390 million new infections annually (1). Primary infection with one serotype confers long-term immunity against that serotype, but repeat infection with a different serotype has an increased risk of potentially fatal severe dengue disease (2), including dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. This risk has been attributed, at least in part, to the ability of some cross-reactive antibodies to enhance infection of Fc-receptor bearing cells. The consensus is that, to be safe and effective, any dengue vaccine must simultaneously induce neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to all four serotypes. However, DENV vaccine development has progressed slowly, highlighted by the disappointing results of the live-attenuated Sanofi Pasteur tetravalent DENV vaccine trial in Thailand (3). Progress is hindered, in part, because the epitopes targeted by the type-specific human NAbs critical for long-term protection (4, 5) remain poorly defined, limiting our understanding of natural DENV immunity and slowing effective vaccine development.The DENV envelope glycoprotein (E) (Fig. 1A) is the major surface-exposed DENV antigen and the principle target of NAbs. The E structure consists of three distinct domains: I, II, and III (EDI, EDII, and EDIII) (6, 7); EDIII is a continuous peptide extending from domain I and forming an Ig-like fold, whereas EDI and EDII are discontinuous and connect by four peptide linkers that form the EDI/EDII hinge. We and others have recently described potent human DENV NAbs that bind to epitopes around the EDI/EDII hinge (8, 9). To more fully explore the significance of this antigenic region, we used reverse genetics and synthetic biology to transplant the EDI/EDII antigenic region from DENV-4 into a DENV-3 background and showed by both gain- and loss-of-function assays that the EDI/EDII hinge region is the primary target of the long-lived DENV serotype-specific NAb response.Open in a separate windowFig. 1.(A) Cartoon representation of the DENV-3 E dimer with EDI (red), EDII (yellow), and EDIII (blue). The EDI/EDII hinge region is circled. Location of the critical residues associated with escape mutations and mutagenesis-mapped 5J7 residues are shown. Residues critical for 5J7 binding identified by shotgun mutagenesis loss of binding of E glycoprotein expressed in HEK-293T cells are shown in magenta. Mutations associated with both viral escape from 5J7 and loss of binding in HEK-293T cells (L53 and K128) are shown in orange, and the single residue identified by escape mutation alone (Q269K270_insK) is shown in cyan. All critical residues were individually identified but are shown on a single E dimer for simplicity. (B) Cartoon representation of the DENV E dimer with the locations of variable EDI/EDII hinge residues transplanted between rDENV-3 and rDENV-4 to make rDENV-3/4 shown in green. (C) Primary sequence alignment and secondary structure of rDENV-3 E, rDENV-3/4 E, and rDENV-4 E. Secondary structure is indicated above the primary sequence and color-coded to the corresponding domains on the tertiary structure (A and B). Arrows indicate β-sheets, cylinders indicate helices, and lines indicate spanning loops and strands. Binding, escape, and hinge residues shown in A and B are indicated by corresponding colors in the rDENV-3 sequence. Amino acid residues transplanted between rDENV-3/4 and rDENV-4 are indicated in green for both sequences.     

COLONIZATION OF PALM TREES BY Rhodnius neglectus AND HOUSEHOLD AND INVASION IN AN URBAN AREA,ARA?ATUBA,S?O PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

The objective of this study is to report on the colonization of palm trees by Rhodnius neglectus, its invasion in an urban area, in Araçatuba - São Paulo, and the control and surveillance measures that have been put in place. Domiciliary triatomine searches occurred in apartments upon the inhabitants'' notification. The collected insects were identified and examined for natural infection and food sources with a precipitin test. To search the palm trees, tarps were used to cover the floor, and a “Munck” truck equipped with a tree-pruning device was utilized. Chemical control was performed with the utilization of a manual compression. In 2009, 81 specimens of Rhodnius neglectus were collected from the domiciles by the population. The precipitin test revealed a presence of human blood in 2.7% of the samples. Entomological studies were carried out in these domiciles and in those located within a radius of 200 meters. The search performed in the palm trees resulted in the capture of 882 specimens of triatomines, negative for tripanosomatids. Mechanical and chemical controls were carried out. New searches conducted in the palm trees in the same year resulted in the capture of six specimens. The mechanical and chemical controls of the palm trees, together with the population''s work, proved to be effective, therefore preventing these insects'' colonization of the city''s domiciles.     

DETERMINATION OF VIRAL TROPISM BY GENOTYPING AND PHENOTYPING ASSAYS IN BRAZILIAN HIV-1-INFECTED PATIENTS

The clinical application of CCR5 antagonists involves first determining the coreceptor usage by the infecting viral strain. Bioinformatics programs that predict coreceptor usage could provide an alternative method to screen candidates for treatment with CCR5 antagonists, particularly in countries with limited financial resources. Thus, the present study aims to identify the best approach using bioinformatics tools for determining HIV-1 coreceptor usage in clinical practice. Proviral DNA sequences and Trofile results from 99 HIV-1-infected subjects under clinical monitoring were analyzed in this study. Based on the Trofile results, the viral variants present were 81.1% R5, 21.4% R5X4 and 1.8% X4. Determination of tropism using a Geno2pheno_[coreceptor] analysis with a false positive rate of 10% gave the most suitable performance in this sampling: the R5 and X4 strains were found at frequencies of 78.5% and 28.4%, respectively, and there was 78.6% concordance between the phenotypic and genotypic results. Further studies are needed to clarify how genetic diversity amongst virus strains affects bioinformatics-driven approaches for determining tropism. Although this strategy could be useful for screening patients in developing countries, some limitations remain that restrict the wider application of coreceptor usage tests in clinical practice.     

FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO ADHERENCE TO DIFFERENT TREATMENT SCHEMES WITH MEGLUMINE ANTIMONIATE IN A CLINICAL TRIAL FOR CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

The favorable outcome of the treatment of a disease is influenced by the adherence to therapy. Our objective was to assess factors associated with adherence to treatment of patients included in a clinical trial of equivalence between the standard and alternative treatment schemes with meglumine antimoniate (MA) in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Between 2008 and 2011, 57 patients with CL were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect socioeconomic data. The following methods were used for adherence monitoring: counting of vial surplus, monitoring card, Morisky test and modified Morisky test (without the question regarding the schedule); we observed 82.1% (vial return), 86.0% (monitoring card), 66.7% (Morisky test) and 86.0% (modified Morisky test) adherence. There was a strong correlation between the method of vial counting and the monitoring card and modified Morisky test. A significant association was observed between greater adherence to treatment and low dose of MA, as well as with a lower number of people sleeping in the same room. We recommend the use of the modified Morisky test to assess adherence to treatment of CL with MA, because it is a simple method and with a good performance, when compared to other methods.     

Resistance Exercise Restores Endothelial Function and Reduces Blood Pressure in Type 1 Diabetic Rats

Background

Resistance exercise effects on cardiovascular parameters are not consistent.

Objectives

The effects of resistance exercise on changes in blood glucose, blood pressure and vascular reactivity were evaluated in diabetic rats.

Methods

Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group (n = 8); sedentary diabetic (n = 8); and trained diabetic (n = 8). Resistance exercise was carried out in a squat device for rats and consisted of three sets of ten repetitions with an intensity of 50%, three times per week, for eight weeks. Changes in vascular reactivity were evaluated in superior mesenteric artery rings.

Results

A significant reduction in the maximum response of acetylcholine-induced relaxation was observed in the sedentary diabetic group (78.1 ± 2%) and an increase in the trained diabetic group (95 ± 3%) without changing potency. In the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, the acetylcholine-induced relaxation was significantly reduced in the control and trained diabetic groups, but not in the sedentary diabetic group. Furthermore, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mean arterial blood pressure was observed in the sedentary diabetic group (104.9 ± 5 to 126.7 ± 5 mmHg) as compared to that in the control group. However, the trained diabetic group showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean arterial blood pressure levels (126.7 ± 5 to 105.1 ± 4 mmHg) as compared to the sedentary diabetic group.

Conclusions

Resistance exercise could restore endothelial function and prevent an increase in arterial blood pressure in type 1 diabetic rats.