Entamoeba histolytica: cytopathogenicity, including serum effects on contact-dependent and toxin-induced lysis of hamster kidney cell monolayers

Some properties of toxin, isolated from extracts of axenically cultivated Entamoeba histolytica or excreted by intact amoebae, were investigated using a toxicity assay in microplates with monolayers of baby hamster kidney cells. Preparative isoelectric focusing showed that the highest cytotoxic activity was present in a fraction of antigen containing protein bands with an isoelectric point between 4.5 and 5. Activity of the toxin was stable between pH 4 and 10. Nonimmune rabbit serum and concanavalin A, coupled to Sepharose beads, were able to bind a large amount of toxin. Cytotoxicity of antigen was inhibited by specific immune IgG and by unknown factors in nonimmune serum with a molecular weight between 50,000 and 100,000. The toxin was inactivated by trypsin, but not by trypsin inhibitor. Its activity was thiol dependent. Serum also had a marked inhibitory effect on contact lysis of BHK cells induced by intact trophozoites. A considerable reduction of both contactdependent and toxin-induced Cytopathogenicity was observed when Diamond's TP-S-1 medium was used in the assay, in which the TP broth had been autoclaved. It is suggested that Entamoeba histolytica exocytozes toxin, which acts on adjacent cells during close contact.     

Entamoeba histolytica: correlation between virulence and content of proteolytic enzymes

Intact trophozoites of the virulent Entamoeba histolytica strain HM-1:IMSS (HM-1) destroyed a monolayer of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells at a higher rate and efficiency than trophozoites of the nonvirulent strain HK-9. The destructive effect could be partially attributed to the proteolytic activity of the amoeba, since quantitative differences were found in the enzymatic activity of the two strains tested. Crude extracts or secreted enzymes of HM-1 trophozoites digested Azocoll, as well as the bovine cold-insoluble globulin fraction, at a much higher rate than the corresponding preparations from HK-9. This proteolytic activity was found to be activated by free sulfhydryl groups. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the BHK cell proteins of pre- and postamoebic activities showed patterns similar to the trypsin effect on the same target cells. These enzymes were found to digest the proteins participating in the attachment of the target cells to the substrate and, consequently, cause detachment of these cells.     

Entamoeba histolytica: Virulence enhancement of isoenzyme-stable parasites

Pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica isolated from patients with clinical amoebiasis can be differentiated from nonpathogenic E. histolytica obtained from asymptomatic carriers on the basis of the electrophoretic pattern of their isoenzymes. Virulence of different strains of axenically grown trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica, as determined by various laboratory tests, such as damage to tissue culture monolayers, or their ability to cause an hepatic abscess in a hamster, are known to vary considerably. Reassociation of trophozoites of strain HK-9 with certain Escherichia coli strains for short periods of time markedly augmented their virulence, as tested by the above-mentioned methods. The bacterial association, however, did not cause any change in the electrophoretic pattern of amoebic isoenzymes (zymodeme).     

Entamoeba histolytica: genetic control of susceptibility in chicken eggs.

Five strains of axenized Entamoeba histolytica were established in eggs from chickens of different genetic backgrounds. The eggs of outbred and inbred chickens varied in the proportion of embryos from which the strains of E. histolytica were recovered and there were variations in the numbers of trophozoites recovered from individual positive eggs. It was possible, however, to find individual, single-mated hens which laid only uniformly susceptible or resistant eggs. Susceptibility and resistance to E. histolytica could be demonstrated in embryonated eggs derived both from outbred heterogenous and in highly inbred chickens but eggs from a genetically stable source were relatively constant in the distribution of susceptible and resistant embryos. Except for gross hydrocephalus, tissue reactions were not observed in the chick embryos or in the chorioallantoic, amniotic, or yolk sac membranes. The yolk sac inoculation route and 37 C incubation temperature provided the optimal survival conditions for the amoebae. Infection with avian leukosis virus and interferon production did not seem to play a role in susceptibility and resistance. Neither the presence of E. histolytica cross-reacting, maternal antibody from the hen transmitted transovarially via the yolk sac, or other antiamoebic substances appeared to play a role in the resistance observed in nonsusceptible eggs. Multiple alternating passages of trophozoites in hen's eggs/TPS-1 broth led to an increase in the number of positive embryos and a decrease in embryo deaths.     

Entamoeba histolytica: uptake of purine bases and nucleosides during axenic growth.

A comparison was made of the uptake mechanisms of selected purine bases and nucleosides by axenically grown Entamoeba histolytica. Adenine, adenosine, and guanosine were taken up, in part, by a “carrier”-mediated system. Guanine, hypoxanthine, and inosine entered amoebas via diffusion. Inhibitor studies support the presence of individual transport sites for adenine-adenosine and adenosine-guanosine. Additional sites for transport of adenine, adenosine, and guanosine are implied by “non-productive binding” involving guanine, hypoxanthine, and inosine. Uptake of adenine, adenosine, and guanosine was reduced by iodoacetate and N-ethylmaleimide. Ribose failed to inhibit uptake of purine nucleosides.     

Entamoeba histolytica: impedance measurements and cytotoxicity in the presence of bepridil, verapamil, and cytochalasin D

Entamoeba histolytica, and invasive enteric protozoa, kills mammalian target cells by sequential adherence and cytolytic events. Using platinum plate electrodes with an alternating current source placed in a Wheatstone bridge circuit, the impedance (resistance to ion flow) of a cell suspension of axenic amebae (strain HM1-IMSS) was measured. The impedance of the amebic cell suspension, expressed as resistivity (in ohm-cm), was significantly greater than the test solution and increased with decreasing temperature or greater cell packing (P less than 0.01), indicating that the resistivity measurements reflected the impedance of the amebic surface membrane. Cytochalasin D (10 micrograms/ml), a microfilament inhibitor which inhibited amebic in vitro adherence and cytolysis of target Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (P less than 0.001), also increased resistivity of the amebic suspension (P less than 0.01). Exposure of amebae to bepridil (10(5) M), a slow-channel blocker, inhibited amebic killing of target cells (P less than 0.01) and also increased the resistivity of the amebic suspension (P less than 0.01), but both to a lesser degree than cytochalasin D (P less than 0.001). In contrast, exposure of amebae to verapamil followed by washing had no effect on amebic killing of target cells or resistivity of the amebic suspension. The increased resistivity measured in cytochalasin D or following exposure to bepridil was not due to a change in cell density of the amebic suspension. These studies indicate that changes in impedance of the amebic surface membrane are produced by bepridil and cytochalasin D. The effect of these agents on membrane impedance may contribute directly to the concurrent observed alteration in amebic cytopathogenic capacity or may serve as a parallel marker for the cell membrane alterations induced by such pharmacologic agents which inhibit amebic microfilament function or calcium flux.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: isolation and characterization of membrane and flagellar fractions.

A cell fractionation procedure for obtaining membrane and flagellar fractions was developed using Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote forms. The cells, swollen in an hypotonic medium, were disrupted in the presence of a nonionic detergent, and fractions were isolated by differential centrifugation. The flagellar fraction, pelleted in 10 min at 10,000g, was further purified on a sucrose gradient. The membrane fraction was obtained by centrifugation of the supernatant at 27,000g for 30 min. Electron microscopy of the isolated fractions demonstrated a high degree of purity of each fraction. The membrane fraction showed homogeneous vesicles with low ribosome content. In frozen-etched preparations, the distribution of intramembranous particles on the vesicles was similar to that of the plasma membrane of intact cells. Enzymatic assays indicated that the membrane and flagellar fractions had low contamination with mitochondria and lysosomes. 5′-Nucleotidase activity was not detected in the membrane fraction; Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activity was slightly enhanced, although, the enzyme was not sensitive to Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ ions. The membrane fraction showed about five times the adenylyl cyclase activity of the whole homogenate. Gel immunodiffusion revealed the whole antigen of T. cruzi extracted by formamide to be identical to the membrane fraction when both were tested against rabbit anti- T. cruzi (epimastigote) immune serum.     

Development and precise characterization of phospho-site-specific antibody of Ser(357) of IRS-1: elimination of cross reactivity with adjacent Ser(358)

Antibodies that recognize specifically phosphorylated sites on proteins are widely utilized for studying the regulation and biological function of phosphoproteins. The proposed strategy is a powerful, analytical tool allowing the generation of phospho-site specific antibodies albeit adjacent phosphorylation sites are present. Here, we demonstrate the assessment and elimination of cross reactivity of phospho-site-specific-Ser³⁵⁷ IRS-1 antibody. While determining the specificity of p-Ser³⁵⁷ antiserum we came across the cross reactivity of the antiserum with adjacent Ser³⁵⁸ which was successfully abolished by an improved immuno-purification method. The specificity of the purified antiserum was then verified by indirect ELISA, results of ELISA were also mirrored in the experiments carried out in BHK-IR cells using different mutants of IRS-1 carrying mutations at either Ser³⁵⁷/Ser³⁵⁸/Ser^357/358. Immuno-purified-p-Ser³⁵⁷ did not react with IRS-1 Ala³⁵⁷ and IRS-1 Ala^357/358. In conclusion, the present study describes generation and characterization of p-Ser³⁵⁷ IRS-1 antibody, which reacts with IRS-1 in site specific and phosphorylation state-dependent manner without showing cross reactivity to adjacent Ser³⁵⁸. This antibody can be effectively used to further clarify the inhibitory role of Ser³⁵⁷ in insulin signal transduction.     

Determination of chemical structure and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of extracts from the roots of Lonchocarpus cultratus (Vell.) A.M.G. Azevedo & H.C. Lima

Trypanosoma cruzi is the agent of Chagas disease, an infection that affects around 8 million people worldwide. The search for new anti-T. cruzi drugs are relevant, mainly because the treatment of this disease is limited to two drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the trypanocidal and cytotoxic activity and elucidate the chemical profile of extracts from the roots of the Lonchocarpus cultratus. Roots from L. cultratus were submitted to successive extractions with hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol, resulting in LCH, LCD, and LCM extracts, respectively. Characterization of extracts was done using ¹H-RMN, ¹³C-RMN, CC and TLC. Treatment of T. cruzi forms (epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and amastigotes) with crescent concentrations of LCH, LCD, and LCM was done for 72, 48, and 48 h, respectively. After this, the percentage of inhibition and IC₅₀/LC₅₀ were calculated. Benznidazole was used as a positive control. Murine macrophages were treated with different concentrations of both extracts for 48 h, and after, the cellular viability was determined by the MTT method and CC₅₀ was calculated. The chalcones derricin and lonchocarpine were identified in the hexane extract, and for the first time in the genus Lonchocarpus, the presence of a dihydrolonchocarpine derivative was observed. Other chalcones such as isocordoin and erioschalcone B were detected in the dichloromethane extract. The dichloromethane extract showed higher activity against all tested forms of T. cruzi than the other two extracts, with IC₅₀ values of 10.98, 2.42, and 0.83 µg/mL, respectively; these values are very close to those of benznidazole. Although the dichloromethane extract presented a cytotoxic effect against mammalian cells, it showed selectivity against amastigotes. The methanolic extract showed the lowest anti-T. cruzi activity but was non-toxic to peritoneal murine macrophages. Thus, the genus Lonchocarpus had demonstrated in the past action against epimastigotes forms of T. cruzi but is the first time that the activity against infective forms is showed, which leading to further studies with in vivo tests.