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Biomedical subjects

D Mazier

Publications and source records attributed to D Mazier.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A study of selected Plasmodium yoelii messenger RNAs during hepatocyte infection.

We investigated the expression of several mRNAs in exoerythrocytic and erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium yoelii in infected mice, focusing our attention on genes thought to be involved in signal transduction (like pypka and pymap-1, encoding homologues of cAMP-dependent and mitogen-activated protein kinases, respectively) and cell cycle progression (those encoding the cdc2-related kinases Pycrk-1, Pycrk-3 and Pymrk). Messengers coding for enzymes involved in general processes such as DNA replication and RNA transcription (both subunits of the ribonucleotide reductase (Pyrnr1, Pyrnr2) and RNA polymerase II) as well as a messenger coding for Pys21, a sexual stage-specific protein, were also investigated. Total RNA was prepared from livers of infected mice at different times post sporozoite inoculation. In contrast to the pys21 transcript, which was observed only in infected erythrocytes, all messenger species could be detected in the liver by RT-PCR, peaking at 43 h post infection, a time when parasite burden was maximum, and decreasing markedly thereafter to become hardly visible at 168 h. Some transcripts (pypka, pymap-1, pyrnr1 and pyrnr2) could be detected 12 h after infection, while others (pymrk and pyrnapolII) did not become detectable until 24 h. In addition, we characterised all these messengers by Northern blot of total RNAs extracted from infected erythrocytes. Taken together, these data suggest that a similar set of regulatory genes is expressed during both exoerythrocytic and erythrocytic schizogony.

Animals↗

Ascaris lumbricoides infection is associated with protection from cerebral malaria.

Following reports of increased IgE in severe malaria and hypothesizing that helminth coinfections could modify its outcome, we conducted a retrospective case-control study to establish whether helminths affect the evolution of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Some 182 severe cases, 315 mild controls and 40 controls with circulating schizonts were examined for intestinal helminths. Comparing cerebral malaria with mild controls, Ascaris lumbricoides was associated with a protective adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.58 (0. 32-1.03) P = 0.06, for coinfection with Ascaris and Necator americanus, OR = 0.39 (0.17-0.88) P = 0.02. Protection followed a dose-effect trend (P = 0.008). When comparing cerebral malaria cases and controls with circulating schizonts the OR was 0.25 (0.009-0.67) P = 0.006. We hypothesized that Ascaris infected patients may have had decreased cyto-adherence, possibly through endothelial cell receptor downregulation and/or decreased splenic clearance leading to the absence of selection of virulent P. falciparum strains. IgE-anti-IgE immune complexes resulting from helminth preinfection may have an important role in influencing clinical presentation of severe malaria, and in establishing malaria tolerance, through the CD23/NO pathway.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Cerebral malaria and immunogenetics.

Cerebral malaria depends largely on the capacity of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells to adhere to the endothelia of microvessels, leading to their occlusion. The most important players include receptors expressed on the surface of the endothelial cell and known to interact with the parasite, cytokines modulating the expression of these adhesion molecules and nitric oxide (NO). Platelets, monocytes and lymphocytes have the ability to adhere to these endothelial receptors and to one another, leading to a more complex situation and an increase in the degree of vessel occlusion. The polymorphism of all these molecules, implicated either in adhesion, in modulation of this adhesion or activation of the expression of diverse endothelial mediators should be an important field of study. Polymorphism of five of these molecules has been explored so far: ICAM-1, TNF-alpha, IL-1-beta, inducible NOS and complement receptor-1 (CR-1). To these studies can be added those concerning mannose binding protein (MBP), a protein playing a role in innate immunity, and the class-I antigen HLA-B53. To date, the only clear cut result concerns TNF-alpha. With the other polymorphisms, either no association is found (IL-1RA, CR-1, MBP), or the results are geographically heterogeneous (ICAM-1, HLA-B53), or contradictory (iNOS2). Most often, the candidate gene approach has been followed, as part of case control studies. One of the main problems in this approach is the difficulty of establishing the control cohort. This difficulty disappears in family studies, which include their own controls. So far, the only results based on complex segregation analysis have been focused on parasite multiplication and not on cerebral malaria.

Animals↗

Fc-receptor-mediated intracellular delivery of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) protects against redox-induced apoptosis through a nitric oxide dependent mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Using specific antibodies against bovine Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1, SOD1) we demonstrated that anti-SOD antibodies (IgG1) are able to promote the intracellular translocation of the antioxidant enzyme. The transduction signalling mediated by IgG1 immune complexes are known to promote a concomitant production of superoxide and nitric oxide leading to the production of peroxynitrites and cell death by apoptosis. The Fc-mediated intracellular delivery of SOD1 thus limited the endogenous production of superoxide. It was thus of interest to confirm that in the absence of superoxide anion, the production of nitric oxide protected cells against apoptosis. Study in greater detail clearly stated that under superoxide anion-free conditions, nitric oxide promoted the cell antioxidant armature and thus protected cells against redox-induced apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The murine macrophage cell-lines J774 A1 were preactivated or not with interferon-gamma and were then stimulated by IgG1 immune complexes (IC), free SOD1 or SOD1 IC and superoxide anion, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production was evaluated. The redox consequences of these activation processes were also evaluated on mitochondrial respiration and apoptosis as well as on the controlled expression of the cellular antioxidant armature. RESULTS: We demonstrated that SOD1 IC induced a Fcgamma receptor (FcgammaR)-dependent intracellular delivery of the antioxidant enzyme in IFN-gamma activated murine macrophages (the J774 AI cell line). The concomitant stimulation of the FcyR and the translocation of the SOD1 in the cytoplasm of IFN-gamma-activated macrophages not only reduced the production of superoxide anion but also induced the expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the related NO production. This inducing effect in the absence of superoxide anion production reduced mitochondrial damages and cell death by apoptosis and promoted the intracellular antioxidant armature. CONCLUSIONS: To define the pharmacologic mechanism of action of bovine SOD1, we attempted to identify the second messengers that are induced by SOD1 IC. In this work, we propose that Fc-mediated intracellular delivery of the SOD1 that reduced the production of superoxide anion and of peroxynitrite, promoted a NO-induced protective effect in inducing the antioxidant armature of the cells. Taken together, these data suggested that specific immune responses against antigenic SOD1 could promote the pharmacological properties of the antioxidant enzyme likely via a NO-dependent mechanism.

Animals↗

The human immune response during cutaneous leishmaniasis: NO problem.

During some helminth infections, increased expression of the low-affinity receptor for IgE (CD23/FcepsilonRII) by macrophages and/or increased levels of plasma IgE have been seen, but their role in host protection or disease progression remains unclear. Recently, crosslinking of CD23 was shown to promote intracellular killing of Leishmania parasites in human macrophages, a phenomenon involving the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide (NO). Based upon various in vitro and in vivo studies of human cutaneous leishmaniasis, Djavad Mossalayi, Michel Arock, Dominique Mazier, Philipe Vincendeau and Ioannis Vouldoukis here propose a model for an immune response that involves CD23-IgE-mediated NO release during protection, as well as during active cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Humans↗

T cell response in malaria pathogenesis: selective increase in T cells carrying the TCR V(beta)8 during experimental cerebral malaria.

To characterize the T cells involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria (CM) induced by infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA clone 1.49L (PbA 1.49L), the occurrence of the disease was assessed in mice lacking T cells of either the alphabeta or gammadelta lineage (TCRalphabeta(-/-) or TCRgammadelta(-/-)). TCRgammadelta(-/-) mice were susceptible to CM, whereas all TCRalphabeta(-/-) mice were resistant, suggesting that T cells of the alphabeta lineage are important in the genesis of CM. The repertoire of TCR V(beta) segment gene expression was examined by flow cytometry in B10.D2 mice, a strain highly susceptible to CM induced by infection with PbA 1.49L. In these mice, CM was associated with an increase of T cells bearing the V(beta)8.1, 2 segments in the peripheral blood lymphocytes. Most V(beta)8.1, 2(+) T cells from peripheral blood lymphocytes of the mice that developed CM belonged to the CD8 subset, and exhibited the CD69(+), CD44(high) and CD62L(low) phenotype surface markers. The link between the increase in V(beta)8.1, 2(+) T cells and the neuropathological consequences of PbA infection was strengthened by the observation that the occurrence of CM was significantly reduced in mice treated with KJ16 antibodies against the V(beta)8.1 and V(beta)8.2 chains, and in mice rendered deficient in V(beta)8.1(+) T cells by a mouse mammary tumor virus superantigen.

Animals↗

Encephalitozoon intestinalis: humoral responses in interferon-gamma receptor knockout mice infected with a microsporidium pathogenic in AIDS patients.

IFN-gamma receptor knockout mice and wild-type mice were infected per os with Encephalitozoon intestinalis. Both groups developed an infection that was chronic in the mutant mice whereas it was only transient in wild-type mice. The infection of mutant mice was characterized by the continual shedding of spores in feces, splenomegaly, the enlargement of the biliary tract, and the occurrence of numerous nodules in the liver and in the small intestine wall. The humoral response was studied by ELISA, IFA, and Western blotting. ELISA titers of anti-E. intestinalis antibodies of IgG, IgM, and IgA isotypes were higher in IFN-gamma R0/0 mice than in wild-type mice and they increased in time after infection. Levels of IgG2a were inferior to those of IgG1 in mutant mice in contrast to wild-type mice. High levels of parasite specific antibodies were accompanied by an increase in type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) secretion in the duodenum of IFN-gamma R0/0 mice. The E. intestinalis spore wall was recognized by IgM, IgG, and IgA from all infected mice whereas the extruded polar tube only reacted with IgG and IgA from IFN-gamma R0/0 mice after 45 days of the infection. IFN-gamma R0/0 mice IgG and IgA reacting with polar tube identified also a series of proteins which could be components of this structure. On the proteins recognized by all infected mice sera, two were first recognized by IgM at day 15 and then by IgG at day 30 in wild-type (WT) mice. The persistent reactivity of all proteins in mutant mice is consistent with the chronicity of the infection in these animals; in contrast, their resorption at day 30 in WT animals corroborates the transient character of the infection in these mice. The correlation between the evolution of the proteic pattern and the development of the infection provides evidence of the validity of this murine model to study human microsporidiosis. Indeed the reported results confirm the potential value of serological methods for diagnosing E. intestinalis infection in immunocompetent and in immunocompromised human subjects, for elucidating the age pattern of the microsporidiosis and also for identifying risk groups.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Cloned lines of Plasmodium berghei ANKA differ in their abilities to induce experimental cerebral malaria.

Infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA is usually lethal. The parasite causes in some mouse strains a neurovascular syndrome, experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), involving immunopathological reactions. The effects on the development of ECM of the mouse genetic background have been clearly demonstrated, but nothing is known about the effects of the clonal diversity of the parasite. We showed that various cloned lines derived from a polyclonal line of P. berghei ANKA caused ECM but that the extent of ECM induction was dependent on the amount of inoculum. Subtle differences in ECM characteristics (survival time and hypothermia) were also observed. We also confirmed, using the 1.49L cloned line, that the mouse genetic background strongly affects ECM.

Animals↗

Selective cytotoxicity of dermaseptin S3 toward intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum and the underlying molecular basis.

The antimicrobial activity of various naturally occurring microbicidal peptides was reported to result from their interaction with microbial membrane. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of the hemolytic peptide dermaseptin S4 (DS4) and the nonhemolytic peptide dermaseptin S3 (DS3) toward human erythrocytes infected by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Both DS4 and DS3 inhibited the parasite's ability to incorporate [3H]hypoxanthine. However, while DS4 was toxic toward both the parasite and the host erythrocyte, DS3 was toxic only toward the intraerythrocytic parasite. To gain insight into the mechanism of this selective cytotoxicity, we labeled the peptides with fluorescent probes and investigated their organization in solution and in membranes. In Plasmodium-infected cells, rhodamine-labeled peptides interacted directly with the intracellular parasite, in contrast to noninfected cells, where the peptides remained bound to the erythrocyte plasma membrane. Binding experiments to phospholipid membranes revealed that DS3 and DS4 had similar binding characteristics. Membrane permeation studies indicated that the peptides were equally potent in permeating phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine vesicles, whereas DS4 was more permeative with phosphatidylcholine vesicles. In aqueous solutions, DS4 was found to be in a higher aggregation state. Nevertheless, both DS3 and DS4 spontaneously dissociated to monomers upon interaction with vesicles, albeit with different kinetics. In light of these results, we propose a mechanism by which dermaseptins permeate cells and affect intraerythrocytic parasites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interleukin-10 and interleukin-4 inhibit intracellular killing of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major by human macrophages by decreasing nitric oxide generation.

The host response to Leishmania infection is regulated by a specific pattern of local cytokine production. We investigated the effect of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-4 on the leishmanicidal activity of human macrophages (M phi). As with L. major, intracellular killing of L. infantum by human M phi was obtained following ligation of surface CD23 or cell treatment with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). This leishmanicidal activity required nitric oxide (NO) generation by activated M phi, and it was partially mimicked by cell treatment with chemical NO donors. Addition of recombinant human IL-10 or IL-4 to CD23 mAb or IFN-gamma decreased L. infantum and L. major killing by infected M phi. IL-10 was more potent than IL-4 in inhibiting the leishmanicidal activity of human M phi. Inhibition of Leishmania killing by IL-4 and IL-10 correlated with decreased NO generation from M phi, and was reversed when exogenous NO was added to cell cultures. Therefore, IL-10 and IL-4 down-regulate leishmanicidal activity of human M phi, in part by inhibiting NO generation by these cells.

Animals↗

Evidence for direct interaction between mast cells and Leishmania parasites.

When stimulated through IgE-(or IgG-) immune complexes with parasite antigens, mast cells can release several cytokines, including IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) that may influence the host response to Leishmania major in modulating lesion size and persistence during experimental infection in the mouse. Moreover, recent data demonstrated that mast cells are able to be antibody-independently activated by direct contact with bacteria, making them important elements in innate immunity. Given these data, we asked whether cell-parasite contact could directly induce mast cell mediator release and whether mast cells could be infected by L. major or L. infantum parasites. In this study, we showed that a pure homogeneous population of mouse bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMC) in contact with living L. major or L. infantum promastigotes, but not with attenuated parasites or soluble parasite antigens, released preformed mediators such as beta-hexosaminidase and the preformed pool of TNF-alpha within minutes. Furthermore, direct cell-parasite contact induced TNF-alpha synthesis by mast cells within hours. Moreover, we demonstrated by in vitro co-culture experiments that metacyclic L. major or L. infantum promastigotes are directly infective for a significant proportion of BMMC and are transformed into intracellular amastigotes. Taken together, these data suggest that mast cell can participate in the first line of defence, i.e. innate immunity, during local cutaneous infection with Leishmania parasites.

Animals↗

Evidence for superantigenic activity during murine malaria infection.

TCR V beta usage was examined in C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii. In addition to a polyclonal T cell activation, already described, a superantigenic-like activity was observed during the acute infection. This superantigenic activity induces a preferential deletion without prior expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells bearing the TCR V beta 9 segment. The superantigen could be released by the parasite at different stages of its development since the deletion of V beta 9+ T cells was observed in blood and lymph nodes of mice infected either with sporozoites or with erythrocytic stages. Injection of sporozoite or parasitized erythrocytes to newborn mice led to a deletion and anergy of peripheral V beta 9+ T cells, without affecting thymic T cell populations. These observations suggest that the superantigen is released at very low concentrations during parasite development. The role of such parasite superantigenic activity in infectivity can be underlined by the observation that congenic BALB.D2 Mis1a mice lacking V beta 9 T cells are more susceptible to infection by P. yoelii.

Animals↗

Linear and multiple antigen peptides containing defined T and B epitopes of the Plasmodium yoelii circumsporozoite protein: antibody-mediated protection and boosting by sporozoite infection.

We previously reported the identification of a T cell epitope in the N-terminal part of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii (Pyy). CD4+ T cell clones derived from mice immunized with a 21-mer peptide (amino acids 59-79, referred to as Py1) containing this epitope confer complete protection after passive transfer in mice. These clones proliferate in vitro in the presence of a 13-mer peptide (amino acids 59-71, referred to as Py1T). This shorter peptide was found to behave as a Th epitope in vivo, allowing overcoming of the genetic restriction for production of anti-repeat antibodies in BALB/c mice, when cross-linked to three (QGPGAP) repeats of the Pyy CSP. In this study, we report protection in BALB/c mice, against a challenge with Pyy sporozoites after immunization with linear and multiple antigen peptides containing Py1T as T epitope and three repeats QGPGAP (Py3) as B epitope. Multiple antigen peptide (MAP4-Py1T-Py3)-induced immunity was shown to be more effective than immunity induced by the linear form of the conjugate (Py1T-Py3), protecting against challenges with higher numbers of sporozoites. In both cases, levels of anti-repeat antibodies were strongly correlated with anti-parasite antibodies and protection. When tested in vitro, sera from mice immunized with the protective constructs strongly inhibited Pyy liver stages, while lymph node T cells displayed no cytotoxicity. In vivo, depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells did not affect protection. Furthermore, MAP4-Py1T-Py3-immunized mice were not protected against a challenge with P. yoelii nigeriensis sporozoites, a parasite which has the same Py1T sequence but differs from Pyy in its repeated sequence. These results demonstrate that anti-repeat antibodies raised by immunization with the linear or the MAP form are exclusively responsible for the protection. Furthermore, this antibody response is boosted by a sporozoite challenge, allowing protection against a second challenge.

Animals↗

Immunization with a recombinant C-terminal fragment of Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein 1 protects mice against homologous but not heterologous P. yoelii sporozoite challenge.

It has been reported previously that immunization with recombinant protein containing the two epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like modules from merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) of Plasmodium yoelii (strain YM) protects mice against a lethal blood-stage challenge with the same parasite strain. Since MSP-1 is expressed in both liver- and blood-stage schizonts and on the surface of merozoites, we evaluated the effectiveness of immunization with recombinant proteins containing either the individual or the two combined EGF-like modules in producing a protective response against a sporozoite challenge. The recombinant protein expressing the combined EGF-like modules of the YM strain protected mice against a homologous sporozoite challenge, and sterile protection, as defined by the absence of detectable blood-stage parasites, was observed in the majority of the mice. In contrast, mice immunized with recombinant P. yoelii YM MSP-1 were not protected against a heterologous challenge with sporozoites from strain 265 BY of P. yoelii. The lack of protection may be explained by differences identified in the amino acid sequences of MSP-1 for the two strains. A recombinant protein containing the two EGF-like modules of MSP-1 from P. yoelii 265 BY was produced and used to immunize mice. These mice were protected against a homologous challenge with sporozoites of P. yoelii 265 BY. The results suggest that a recombinant MSP-1 has potential as a vaccine against malaria, but its efficacy may be limited by sequence polymorphism and selection of variants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Resistance to murine AIDS in offspring of mice infected with LP-BM5. Role of CD8 T cells.

The murine-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (MAIDS) is caused by a mixture of murine leukemia viruses (LP-BM5 MuLV). The influence of perinatal contact with retroviruses or their Ags on the response to infection was tested by infecting with LP-BM5 (MuLV) the adult offspring of mice with MAIDS. These offspring were resistant to disease after virus challenge. Most of them were free of defective viral DNA, and even those with molecular evidence of infection had lymphoid cells with a lower infectious capacity to cause MAIDS in naive recipients. No ecotropic, xenotropic, or mink cell focus-forming (MCF) virus expression was found at the age of 5 wk, which is the time of LP-BM5 (MuLV) challenge. However, at 22 wk of age, one-half of the offspring from MAIDS mothers had ecotropic virus-expressing cells in their spleens. At the time of suckling, offspring from infected mothers had enhanced percentages of B cells and CD4 and CD8 T cells in the spleen, possibly followed by a slight persistent splenomegaly. These results suggest that immune reactivity, rather than tolerance to the virus, is responsible for resistance to disease after challenge. The offspring of MAIDS mice could clear the virus after challenge. This clearance was mediated by CD8 T cells, as continuous CD8 T cell depletion initiated at the time of viral challenge abrogated the resistance of these mice to MAIDS.

Animals↗

Quantitative assessment of murine retrovirus LP-BM5 infection in MAIDS by PCR and anion exchange HPLC.

In vitro amplification of DNA by PCR is a powerful tool to detect small amounts of DNA. It is now widely used for detection of pathogenic agents from extracellular fluids and organs. The use of anion exchange HPLC to quantify the PCR product resulting from the specific amplification of the DNA from the replicative-defective viral DNA responsible for MAIDS is described. This technique allows precise quantification of MAIDS virus DNA in different organs and circumvents the use of radioactivity and gel electrophoresis.

Animals↗

A method for the quantitative assessment of malaria parasite development in organs of the mammalian host.

A non-radioactive PCR method was developed to quantify the development of malaria parasites in the infected host. This was achieved by using Plasmodium genus-specific primers corresponding to the parasite's small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The quantification of the PCR product was performed by high performance liquid chromatography, and calibration curves were obtained by amplification from defined quantities of purified Plasmodium genomic DNA. Using this method, it was possible to quantify development of P. berghei and P. yoelii blood-stage parasites from blood and brain samples of infected mice, and of hepatic stage parasites, from liver samples of mice infected with different numbers of sporozoites.

Animals↗