Development of an in vitro model of Toxoplasma gondii cyst formation

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii tissue cyst reactivation is a major pathogenic mechanism in ocular toxoplasmosis, disease associated with AIDS and organ transplantation. The mechanisms associated with cyst formation and reactivation have not been elucidated. The complexity of studying these issues in animal models has led to the development of in vitro tissue culture strategies for cyst formation. In the present study we have adopted the human embryonic lung fibroblast (HEL) as the host cell and have compared the cyst forming abilities of eight clinical isolates. We describe by transmission electron microscopy and quantitative light microscopy the development of cysts in vitro. The numbers of in vitro cysts increased with time for all isolates. Cyst cultures were stabilised by manipulation of the free parasite load, an observation not previously recorded. Thus, in this paper we describe a viable model for the analysis of the mechanisms of Toxoplasma cyst development.     

Direct inhibition of cytochrome c-induced caspase activation in vitro by Toxoplasma gondii reveals novel mechanisms of interference with host cell apoptosis

The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is known to inhibit apoptosis of its host cell. The molecular mechanisms of this interference are, however, not yet completely understood. We show here that viable parasites prominently inhibited the activation of caspase 3/7 induced by cytochrome c, dATP and dithiothreitol in cytosolic extracts of human-derived Jurkat leukemic T cells. In contrast, granzyme B-induced caspase activity was only slightly diminished. De novo protein biosynthesis by T. gondii was dispensable for the inhibition of cytochrome c-induced caspase activation. Furthermore, a complete parasite lysate or, more importantly, molecules released by extracellular parasites mediated the interaction with the caspase cascade. The cell-free system applied here is thus a valuable tool to study the interaction of T. gondii and possibly other intracellular pathogens with host cell apoptosis.     

The Inner Membrane Complex Sub-compartment Proteins Critical for Replication of the Apicomplexan Parasite Toxoplasma gondii Adopt a Pleckstrin Homology Fold

Toxoplasma gondii, an apicomplexan parasite prevalent in developed nations, infects up to one-third of the human population. The success of this parasite depends on several unique structures including an inner membrane complex (IMC) that lines the interior of the plasma membrane and contains proteins important for gliding motility and replication. Of these proteins, the IMC sub-compartment proteins (ISPs) have recently been shown to play a role in asexual T. gondii daughter cell formation, yet the mechanism is unknown. Complicating mechanistic characterization of the ISPs is a lack of sequence identity with proteins of known structure or function. In support of elucidating the function of ISPs, we first determined the crystal structures of representative members TgISP1 and TgISP3 to a resolution of 2.10 and 2.32 Å, respectively. Structural analysis revealed that both ISPs adopt a pleckstrin homology fold often associated with phospholipid binding or protein-protein interactions. Substitution of basic for hydrophobic residues in the region that overlays with phospholipid binding in related pleckstrin homology domains, however, suggests that ISPs do not retain phospholipid binding activity. Consistent with this observation, biochemical assays revealed no phospholipid binding activity. Interestingly, mapping of conserved surface residues combined with crystal packing analysis indicates that TgISPs have functionally repurposed the phospholipid-binding site likely to coordinate protein partners. Recruitment of larger protein complexes may also be aided through avidity-enhanced interactions resulting from multimerization of the ISPs. Overall, we propose a model where TgISPs recruit protein partners to the IMC to ensure correct progression of daughter cell formation.     

弓形虫RH株SAG1基因序列体外扩增及生物信息学分析

根据sAG1基因序列,自行设计一对寡核苷酸引物,利用PCR技术从弓形虫RH株基因组DNA中成功扩增出编码SAG1抗原的基因片段,扩增出的基因片段大小与预期长度（1006bp）相符,结果经测序验证,并利用生物信息学方法对SAG1蛋白理化性质、结构和功能进行了预测．     

The role played by electron microscopy in advancing our understanding of Toxoplasma gondii and other apicomplexans

In many ways the history of the discovery of the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii and the development of biological electron microscopy progressed in parallel through the 1950s and 1960s. Although Toxoplasma was discovered in 1908, it was only in the 1950s that the extent of the infection in humans and domestic animals was realised and work was undertaken to elucidate its life cycle (reviewed elsewhere in this edition). The development of ultrastructural techniques and their application to biological systems including Toxoplasma developed over the same period. This resulted in a synergistic effect with the re-classification of previously unrelated parasites within a single phylum, the Apicomplexa, which was based on the ultrastructural appearances of the infectious stages. This review will describe the central role played by electron microscopy and Toxoplasma in the developments associated with this progress.     

弓形虫ZS2和RH株基因差异表达的研究

从RH和ZS2株弓形虫抽提纯化mRNA,经反转录后获得的双链cDNA分别作为driver和tester,采用抑制消减杂交技术(suppression substraction hybridization,SSH)技术扩增ZS2株中差异表达的基因。电泳图谱显示消减的cDNA与未消减的cDNA PCR扩增产物存在明显的差异,说明ZS2和RH株弓形虫转录水平存在着差异。     

聚合酶链反应检测实验动物弓形虫核酸的研究

建立弓形虫动物模型,常规方法提取肝、脾、肾、肺等组织DNA,应用聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增,产物经电泳检测显示199bp的弓形虫特异带谱。并以γ－32p标记克隆的弓形虫特异DNA片段为探针,对扩增产物行Southern印迹分析,结果上述4种标本均出现阳性杂交带,进一步证实扩增条带是弓形虫特异DNA顺序。同时用酶标法检测显示鼠血清弓形虫抗体IgG;阳性。组织病理学检查结果,肝组织损伤较严重,肝细胞肿大,肝窦消失,脾、肾、肺组织可见轻微的病理改变。另外本文介绍一种简单PCR方法[1],取鼠尾静脉血2μl直接进行扩增,结果与酚-氯仿法提取的DNA扩增结果一致。     

弓形虫（Toxoplasma gondii）的PCR检测方法在笼养猕猴群中的应用

目的建立快速、灵敏、特异及检测结果易判断的PCR方法,并应用于大规模猕猴种群的弓形虫常规检测中。同时比较巢式PCR和单一PCR的一致性。方法根据弓形虫保守基因p30（SAG1）设计了内、外两对进行巢式PCR扩增以及B1基因设计一对引物进行单一PCR扩增,将DNA样本进行10倍倍比稀释,以检测巢式PCR反应的灵敏度;并对医学生物学研究所自繁猕猴共150只进行了弓形虫检测。结果巢式PCR检测法检测限度可达10^-3ng/uL,而且方法特异。两种PCR法检测结果基本一致,其中巢式PCR检测阳性率（10％）稍高于单一PCR检测阳性率（8．67％）。结论巢式PCR和一次PCR方法都可应用于猕猴弓形虫的常规检测中,并提示巢式PCR比单一PCR更敏感、检出率更高。     

The effects of gamma radiation on chondrogenic development in vitro

Gamma radiation (0.9-8.0 Gy) was used as a perturbing agent to study factors influencing in vitro chondrogenesis of embryonic chick limb bud cell culture. Chondrogenesis was measured using a number of criteria, including (1) cartilage nodule production, (2) spectrophotometric determination of the amount of bound Alcian blue dye, and (3) computer-assisted analysis of the spatial distribution (area) and density of Alcian blue present in individual micromass colonies. Gamma radiation inhibited both cell proliferation and chondrogenesis in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Administration of benzamide caused a significant increase in cell proliferation at 0.9 and 2.7 Gy, and in chondrogenesis at all doses. Cartilage nodule production was affected during the first 2 days (prior to 48 h) of culture only, suggesting that chondrocytic commitment occurs during this period. Cultures irradiated at 48 and 72 h produced the same number of nodules as controls, but bound significantly less dye, presumably because of decreased cell numbers and/or cell synthesis products. Computer analysis of micromass colonies provided data similar to those collected spectrophotometrically, but displayed the advantages of (1) increased sensitivity to individual variations, (2) the ability to collect data sets without having to pool three or more colonies, and (3) long-term storage of raw images for later analysis.     

The effects of plasminogen on in vitro ovine embryo development

Plasminogen activator production by ovine embryos and the effects of plasminogen on ovine embryo development and zona pellucida integrity were evaluated. Eight-cell to sixteen-cell embryos were cultured in Whitten's medium containing 0, 60, or 120 micrograms/ml plasminogen. Plasmin and plasminogen activator concentrations in the medium were determined by a caseinolytic assay. More blastocysts hatched in medium containing 60 and 120 micrograms/ml plasminogen (33 and 21%, respectively) than 0 microgram/ml plasminogen (0%; p less than 0.05). Zona pellucida dissolution time in acidified phosphate-buffered saline was less after incubation in medium with 60 and 120 micrograms/ml plasminogen (7.2 and 5.9 min, respectively) than 0 microgram/ml plasminogen (9.4 min; p less than 0.05). Plasminogen activator production was low until the morula stage, increased during morula-blastocyst transition, and remained elevated through blastocoelic expansion and hatching. Zona pellucida solubility, plasminogen activator production, and plasminogen conversion to plasmin increased as embryonic stage advanced; however, plasminogen activator production and plasmin conversion to plasmin were poorly correlated with zona pellucida solubility. The results indicate that ovine embryos produce plasminogen activator, and plasmin can increase zona pellucida solubility; however, other factors may also be involved in altering zona pellucida integrity prior to hatching.     

霍山三种石斛的内源GA、ABA含量对茎高生长的影响

本文研究了霍山三种石斛生长期的内源激素GA、ABA的变化与茎高生长的相互关系。结果表明：霍山三种石斛茎高生长与内源GA含量呈显著正相关,与内源ABA含量呈显著负相关。合适的GA／ABA比值是影响石斛茎高生长的重要因素。霍山三种石斛中的矮生品种米斛的内源GA含量尽管也较高,但其内源ABA含量一直维持较高水平,尤其生长后期迅速上升,GA/ABA含描比值低可能是其茎高生长缓慢的原因之一。     

The SRS superfamily of Toxoplasma surface proteins

The surface of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is coated with developmentally expressed, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked proteins structurally related to the highly immunogenic surface antigen SAG1. Collectively, these surface antigens are known as the SRS (SAG1-related sequences) superfamily of proteins. SRS proteins are thought to mediate attachment to host cells and activate host immunity to regulate the parasite's virulence. To better understand the number, evolution and developmental expression of SRS genes, this study has bioinformatically identified 161 unique SRS DNA sequences present in the T. gondii type II Me49 genome. The SRS superfamily of sequences phylogenetically bifurcates into two subfamilies, the prototypic members being SAG1 and SAG2A, respectively. Paralogous SRS sequences are 24-99% identical, are tandemly arrayed throughout the genome, and are present on most, if not all, chromosomes. All 11 SRS sequences on chromosomes Ia and Ib are clustered at sub-telomeric expression sites. Messenger RNA expression in the majority of SRS sequences for which multiple Expressed Sequence Tags exist is developmentally regulated. A consensus nucleotide sequence surrounding both the splice acceptor and donor sites was identified in those SRS sequences possessing an intron. Genotypic differences among SRS sequences are present at several loci (e.g. the absence of SAG5B, the truncation of SAG2D in Me49 compared with RH) indicating that different genotypes possess distinct sets of SRS sequences. Orthologous genes are restricted to tissue-dwelling coccidia (Neospora, Sarcocystis) with no related sequences present in other more distant apicomplexa such as Eimeria, Cryptosporidia, and Plasmodium spp.     

Is order of voluntarily entrance to milking parlour related to Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep—A brief note

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite influencing behaviour of its hosts. The parasite is often present in sheep flocks without clinical symptoms. The order of moving to the milking parlour was reported to be non-random in domestic bovids. The aim of this study was to investigate if milking order is related to T. gondii infection in sheep. The study was performed on 41 ewes milked twice a day. Milking order was noted during 7 consecutive days. The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to detect antibodies (IgG + IgM) in sera of sheep. Titers ≥8 were considered positive. Moreover, in case of positive sera a test for IgM was conducted. The antibodies to T. gondii were found in 53.65% of the investigated sheep, but IgM were not found in any sheep. Infected sheep entered the milking parlour significantly later (mean position at milking 24.89) than uninfected animals (16.40; r = 0.43, p = 0.006). Results of this study suggest that behaviour of sheep is related to T. gondii infection. However, it is not clear if the phenomenon has any adaptive value for the parasite.     

Metabolic reconstruction identifies strain‐specific regulation of virulence in Toxoplasma gondii

Increasingly, metabolic potential is proving to be a critical determinant governing a pathogen's virulence as well as its capacity to expand its host range. To understand the potential contribution of metabolism to strain‐specific infectivity differences, we present a constraint‐based metabolic model of the opportunistic parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Dominated by three clonal strains (Type I, II, and III demonstrating distinct virulence profiles), T. gondii exhibits a remarkably broad host range. Integrating functional genomic data, our model (which we term as iCS382) reveals that observed strain‐specific differences in growth rates are driven by altered capacities for energy production. We further predict strain‐specific differences in drug susceptibilities and validate one of these predictions in a drug‐based assay, with a Type I strain demonstrating resistance to inhibitors that are effective against a Type II strain. We propose that these observed differences reflect an evolutionary strategy that allows the parasite to extend its host range, as well as result in a subsequent partitioning into discrete strains that display altered virulence profiles across different hosts, different organs, and even cell types.     

胍基丁胺在离体豚鼠乳头肌的电生理效应

应用细胞内微电极技术,观察了胍基丁胺（ａｇｍａｔｉｎｅ,ＡＧＭ）对豚鼠乳头肌细胞的电生理效应。结果表明：（１）ＡＧＭ浓度依赖地缩短正常乳头肌动作电位的时程;（２）对部分去极化的乳头肌,ＡＧＭ（１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）除缩短动作电位时程外,还抑制动作电位零相最大上升速度,并降低其幅值和超射值;（３）预先应用一氧化氮合酶抑制剂ＬＮＡＭＥ（０５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,不能影响ＡＧＭ（１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的电生理效应;（４）预先应用咪唑啉受体（ｉｍｉｄａｚｏｌｉｎｅｒｅｃｅｐｔｏｒ,ＩＲ）和α２肾上腺素能受体（ａｌｐｈａ２ａｄｒｅｎｅｒｇｉｃｒｅｃｅｐｔｏｒ,α２ＡＲ）拮抗剂ｉｄａｚｏｘａｎ（０１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,则可完全阻断ＡＧＭ（１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的电生理效应。以上结果提示,ＡＧＭ对乳头肌的电生理效应似由α２ＡＲ和ＩＲ介导,并与胞浆内Ｃａ２＋减少有关。     

硫化氢对离体豚鼠乳头状肌的电生理效应

应用细胞内微电极技术,观察硫化氢（hydrogen sulfide,H2S）对离体豚鼠乳头状肌细胞的电生理效应。结果表明：（1）NaHS （H,S的供体,50、100、200μmol/L）可浓度依赖地缩短正常乳头状肌的动作电位时程。（2）对部分去极化乳头状肌,NaHS （100μmol／L）除缩短动作电位时程外,还降低动作电位幅值和超射值,减慢零相最大上升速度。（3）预先应用ATP敏感性钾（ATP- sensitive K＋,KATP）通道阻断剂格列苯脲（glibenclamide,Gli,20μmol／L）,可部分阻断NaHS（100μmol／L）的电生理效应。（4）预先应用L型钙通道开放剂Bay K8644（0．5μmol／L）,可部分阻断NaHS（100μmol／L）的电生理效应。（5）预先应用含Gli（20μmol／L）的无钙Krebs-Henseleit液灌流标本,可完全阻断NaHS（100μmol／L）的电生理效应。（6）DL-propargylglycine（PPG,一种胱硫醚-γ-裂解酶的不可逆抑制剂,200μmol／L）可延长正常乳头状肌的动作电位时程。以上结果提示,H,S可能通过兴奋KATP通道促进K＋外流,同时抑制Ca2＋内流,进而影响豚鼠乳头状肌电生理效应。乳头状肌中内源性H2S可能发挥重要的电生理作用。     

Effect of Immunization of Cats with Isospora felis and BCG on Immunity to Reexcretion of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts*

SYNOPSIS. The effect of pretreatment with Isospora felis and bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) on the reexcretion of Toxoplasma gondii occysts was studied in 16 coccidia-free cats. The following conclusions were drawn: (A) Chronically T. gondii-infected cats reexcreted T. gondii oocysts after superinfection with I. felis, and this reexcretion was prevented in cats infected with I. felis before T. gondii infection. (B) Administration of BCG before Toxoplasma infection had no apparent effect on the outcome of the infection.     

Regulation of Toxoplasma gondii multiplication in BeWo trophoblast cells: cross-regulation of nitric oxide production and polyamine biosynthesis

Materno-foetal transmission causes one of the most severe forms of infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Several studies have shown T. gondii in placental trophoblast cells, which form the barrier between maternal blood circulation and foetal tissue. Parasite multiplication in trophoblast cells is thus a critical step leading to infection of the foetus. Here, we show that multiplication of T. gondii tachyzoites was slow in BeWo trophoblast cells, compared with MRC-5 fibroblast cells. However, unlike MRC-5 cells, even combined stimulation with interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor- did not reduce T. gondii replication in BeWo cells. This was associated with a lack of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase induction by these cytokines. Neither low availability of iron salts, nor an immunosuppressive action of cyclooxygenase-2 could be attributed to the low T. gondii multiplication rate in BeWo cells. However, treatment with the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor N^G-methyl-l-arginine and addition of ornithine enhanced the proliferation rate of the intracellular pathogen. Despite detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase-II mRNA in BeWo cells, nitric oxide production could not be detected during cell culture. Thus, inhibition of arginase activity by nitric oxide synthesis may be partially responsible for the lower multiplication rate in BeWo cells.     

High levels of congenital transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in a commercial sheep flock.

Our current understanding of congenital transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from ewe to lamb dictates that infection frequently results in abortion and the death of the developing foetus, that the birth of live infected lambs occurs rarely and that the cat is the predominant source of infection in ewes. Using direct polymerase chain reaction detection of T. gondii, we report high levels of congenital transmission occurring in a commercially managed sheep flock. We sampled foetal-derived placental tissue and tissues from aborted lambs and showed that congenital transmission was detected in these tissues from 61% of all pregnancies. Where pregnancies resulted in the death of one or more lambs, T. gondii was detected in the lamb tissue for all but one of 18 (94%) pregnancies. Of the successful pregnancies resulting in the birth of live lambs we were able to detect T. gondii in foetal-derived placental tissue from 37 of 70 (42%) pregnancies. These results show that congenital transmission is occurring in a high percentage of lambings including normal healthy lambings, at this farm, suggesting that this route of transmission from generation to generation may be much more significant than that reported previously. These results may have implications for sheep husbandry and future epidemiological studies of T. gondii.     

Differential effects of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide on limb development in vitro

Cyclophosphamide must be metabolically activated to produce malformations in limbs developing in culture; 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide is an analog of the active metabolite of cyclophosphamide, 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide, that breaks down spontaneously in solution to form 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide. To study the mechanism by which metabolites of cyclophosphamide produce limb malformations in vitro we determined the effects of exposure of cultured limb buds to 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. Fore- and hindlimbs were excised from ICR mice on day 12 of gestation and cultured in roller bottles for 6 days. Limbs were exposed to 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide for the first 20 hours of the culture period. Addition of 10 micrograms/ml of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide to forelimb or to hindlimb buds in culture produced limb reduction malformations. A dramatic decrease in total limb bone area in fore- and hindlimbs was observed with 10 micrograms/ml of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. In forelimbs, the long bone area decreased and the paw area remained constant so that the relative contribution of the long bone area to total limb bone area was decreased. In hindlimbs treated with 10 micrograms/ml of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, no paw skeleton was observed. The DNA, RNA, and protein contents of the limbs were not affected by exposure to 1 microgram/ml of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, but were decreased by exposure to 10 micrograms/ml of this compound. Exposure to the higher concentration of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide also decreased alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker for osteogenesis, in both fore- and hindlimbs; in contrast, neither concentration of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide had an effect on creatine phosphokinase activity, a marker for myogenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)