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Dominique Mazier

Publications and source records attributed to Dominique Mazier.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of a Cucumis melo LC. extract rich in superoxide dismutase activity.

The present study was conducted to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of a cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo LC., Cucurbitaceae) extract (CME) selected for its high superoxide dismutase activity. Peritoneal macrophages were pre-activated in vitro with 300 IU of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and were then challenged in culture with IgGl/anti-IgG1 immune complexes (IgG1IC) in presence of various CME extracts. The subsequent production of free radicals (superoxide anion, nitric oxide, and peroxynitrite) and of pro-(TNF-alpha) and anti-(IL-10) inflammatory cytokines was evaluated. The CME inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the production of superoxide anion with a maximal effect at 100 microg/ml. This inhibitory effect of CME appeared to be closely linked to the SOD activity because it was dramatically decreased after heat inactivation of the SOD activity (HI-CME). In addition, the CME inhibited the production of peroxynitrite strengthening the antioxidant properties of this CME rich in SOD activity. The production of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, namely TNF-alpha and IL-10, being conditioned by the redox status of macrophages we also evaluated the effect of CME and HI-CME on the IgG1IC-induced cytokine production. When the SOD activity was present in the CME it promoted the IgG1IC-induced production of IL-10 instead of TNF-alpha. These data demonstrated that, in addition to its antioxidant properties, the anti-inflammatory properties of the CME extract were principally related to its capacity to induce the production of IL-10 by peritoneal macrophages. The particular properties of wheat gliadin (Triticum vulgare, Poaceae) for the oral delivery of functional proteins led us to test it in a new nutraceutical formula based on its combination with the CME thus monitoring the SOD activity release during the gastro-intestinal digestive process. In these experiments C57BL/6 mice were supplemented orally everyday during 28 days with: (1) the placebo, (2) the CME extract alone, (3) the gliadin, (4) the CME/gliadin combination, or (5) the HI-CME/gliadin combination (SOD inactivated). At the end of the supplementation period all the animals were injected intra-peritoneal (i.p.) with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma (300 IU) and peritoneal macrophages were harvested 24 h after to test their capacities to produce free radicals, TNF-alpha and IL-10 after triggering with IgG1IC. We demonstrated that animals supplemented during 28 days with the CME/gliadin combination were protected against the pro-inflammatory properties of IFN-gamma while the other products were inefficient. These data did not only indicate that the SOD activity is important for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the CME extract, but also demonstrated that when the SOD activity is preserved during the digestive process by its combination with wheat gliadin it is possible to elicit in vivo the pharmacological effects of this antioxidant enzyme.

Animals↗

Malaria sporozoite: migrating for a living.

Plasmodium sporozoite invasion of host hepatocytes is an initial key step in infection by malaria parasite. Sporozoites can enter hepatocytes via two distinct pathways: by disruption of the plasma membrane followed by parasite migration through cells, or by the formation of a vacuole essential for further differentiation of the parasite. For Plasmodium falciparum, this differentiation requires the presence of CD81 on the hepatocyte surface. Recent findings with rodent parasites also suggest that migration through cells has an effect on both the sporozoite infectivity and the permissiveness of surrounding cells.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Induction of the CD23/nitric oxide pathway in endothelial cells downregulates ICAM-1 expression and decreases cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

Cytoadherence of parasitized red blood cells (PRBCs) to postcapillary venules and cytokine production are clearly involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria. Nitric oxide and TNF-alpha have been proposed as major effector molecules both in protective and physiopathological processes during malaria infections. Nitric oxide production has been shown to be induced by engagement of CD23 antigen. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of the CD23/nitric oxide pathway in the control of the cytoadherence of PRBCs on human endothelial cells. We demonstrate that normal human lung endothelial cells (HLECs) are able to express the low affinity receptor for IgE (Fc in RII/CD23), following cell incubation with interleukin 4 or PRBCs. Ligation of the CD23 antigen by a specific anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody at the cell surface of HLECs was found to induce iNOS mRNA and protein expression, NO release and P. falciparum killing. In addition, the specific CD23-engagement on these cells also induced a significant decrease in ICAM-1 expression, an adhesion molecule implicated in PRBCs cytoadherence. These data not only described for the first time the expression of a CD23 antigen at the cell surface of endothelial cells but also suggest a possible new regulatory mechanisms via the CD23/NO pathway during malaria infection.

Animals↗

[Cerebral malaria, a key role for endothelial cells?].

Five to six hundred millions of people, throughout the world, suffer from malaria and more than one million die each year as a consequence, in about 20% of the cases, of cerebral malaria, an important complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection (Holding & Snow, 2001). Despite many studies, the physiopathology of these cerebral occurrences is not understood, especially concerning the intricacy and respective roles of the various mechanisms identified: sequestration of parasitized red cells in microvessels, cytokine secretion, changes in the T lymphocyte repertoire, host genetic factors driving sensitivity pathogenic factors from Plasmodium (Mazier et al., 2000).

Animals↗

A role for apical membrane antigen 1 during invasion of hepatocytes by Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites.

Plasmodium sporozoites are transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and invade hepatocytes as a first and obligatory step of the parasite life cycle in man. Hepatocyte invasion involves proteins secreted from parasite vesicles called micronemes, the most characterized being the thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP). Here we investigated the expression and function of another microneme protein recently identified in Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites, apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1). P. falciparum AMA-1 is expressed in sporozoites and is lost after invasion of hepatocytes, and anti-AMA-1 antibodies inhibit sporozoite invasion, suggesting that the protein is involved during invasion of hepatocytes. As observed with TRAP, AMA-1 is initially mostly sequestered within the sporozoite. Upon microneme exocytosis, AMA-1 and TRAP relocate to the sporozoite surface, where they are proteolytically cleaved, resulting in the shedding of soluble fragments. A subset of serine protease inhibitors blocks the processing and shedding of both AMA-1 and TRAP and inhibits sporozoite infectivity, suggesting that interfering with sporozoite proteolytic processing may constitute a valuable strategy to prevent hepatocyte infection.

Animals↗

Plasmodium falciparum--infected erythrocyte adhesion induces caspase activation and apoptosis in human endothelial cells.

During Plasmodium falciparum infection leading to cerebral malaria, cytokine production and cytoadherence of parasitized erythrocytes (PRBCs) to postcapillary venules are involved. We demonstrate that PRBC adhesion induces apoptosis in human endothelial cells (HLECs). PRBC adhesion modulated HLEC gene expression in tumor necrosis factor-alpha superfamily genes (Fas, Fas L, and DR-6) and apoptosis-related genes (Bad, Bax, caspase-3,SARP 2, DFF45/ICAD, IFN-gamma receptor 2, Bcl-w, Bik, and iNOS). Apoptosis was confirmed by (1) morphological modifications by electron microscopy, (2) annexin V binding, (3) DNA degradation, by measuring intracytoplasmic nucleosomes, and (4) caspase activity. The apoptotic stimulus was physical contact between HLECs and PRBCs and not parasite-secreted molecules. In addition, it was found that cytoplasmic (caspase 8) and mitochondrial (caspase 9) pathways were involved in this process. These data not only describe the direct apoptotic effect of PRBC adhesion on endothelial cells but also provide new useful tools that allow an evaluation of potential pharmaceuticals.

Animals↗

Wheat gliadin promotes the interleukin-4-induced IgE production by normal human peripheral mononuclear cells through a redox-dependent mechanism.

Increased levels of serum IgE have been described in gliadin-intolerant patients; however, biological mechanisms implicated in this immunoglobulin production remained unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that in vitro crude gliadins and gliadin lysates (Glilys) promoted the IL-4-induced IgE production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), indicating that the biological process related to gliadin intolerance and/or allergy may lead to IgE production in vivo. It was found that crude gliadin and Glilys potentiated, after 13 days of culture in a dose-dependent manner, IL-4-induced IgE production and, to a lesser extent, the IgG production, while they did not affect IgA or IgM productions. This promoting effect of gliadin and Glilys on the IL-4-induced activation of normal human PBMC was also observed on the early release (2 days) of the soluble fraction of CD23, suggesting its possible involvement in IgE potentiation. The promoting effect of crude gliadin and Glilys appeared to be indirect because they did not modify purified B-lymphocytes IgE production after IL-4 and anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody stimulation. In addition, as revealed by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, we demonstrated that crude gliadin and Glilys promoted a substantial production of free radicals by normal human PBMC, treated or not with IL-4. This redox imbalance associated with an increased IgE production led us to evaluate the effect of pharmacological antioxidants (N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1)) on IgE production by human PBMC. The NAC and the intracellularly delivered SOD1 were found to suppress the IL-4+/-crude gliadin or Glilys-induced IgE production by normal human PBMC. Taken together, these data indicated that gliadin specifically enhanced IL-4-induced IgE production by normal human PBMC, probably by the regulation of redox pathways, and that this 'pro-allergenic' effect could be counteracted by natural antioxidants: thiols and/or vectorized SOD1.

Acetylcysteine↗

Perforin-dependent brain-infiltrating cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes mediate experimental cerebral malaria pathogenesis.

Experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) resulting from Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection involves T lymphocytes. However, the mechanisms of T cell-mediated pathogenesis remain unknown. We found that, in contrast to ECM-susceptible C57BL6 mice, perforin-deficient (PFP-KO) mice were resistant to ECM in the absence of brain lesions, whereas cytoadherence of parasitized erythrocytes and massive accumulation of activated/effector CD8 lymphocytes were observed in both groups of mice. ECM is induced in PFP-KO mice after adoptive transfer of cytotoxic CD8+ cells from infected C57BL6 mice, which were directed to the brain of PFP-KO mice. This specific recruitment might involve chemokine/chemokine receptors, since their expression was up-regulated on activated CD8 cells, and susceptibility to ECM was delayed in CCR5-KO mice. Thus, lymphocyte cytotoxicity and cell trafficking are key players in ECM pathogenesis.

Adoptive Transfer↗

In vitro activities of 25 quinolones and fluoroquinolones against liver and blood stage Plasmodium spp.

The in vitro activities of 25 quinolones and fluoroquinolones against erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum and against liver stages of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii and P. falciparum were studied. All compounds were inhibitory for chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum grown in red blood cells. This inhibitory effect increased with prolonged incubation and according to the logarithm of the drug concentration. Grepafloxacin, trovafloxacin, and ciprofloxacin were the most effective drugs, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of <10 micro g/ml against both strains. Only grepafloxacin, piromidic acid, and trovafloxacin had an inhibitory effect against hepatic stages of P. falciparum and P. yoelii yoelii; this effect combined reductions of the numbers and the sizes of schizonts in treated cultures. Thus, quinolones have a potential for treatment or prevention of malaria through their unique antiparasitic effect against erythrocytic and hepatic stages of Plasmodium.

4-Quinolones↗

Redox-dependent apoptosis in human endothelial cells after adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

During Plasmodium falciparum infection leading to cerebral malaria, mechanisms such as cytokine generation and cytoadherence of parasitized red blood cells (PRBC) to post-capillary venules are clearly involved. We demonstrated that PRBC adhesion to human lung endothelial cells (HLEC) upregulated TNF-alpha superfamily genes and genes related to apoptosis and inflammation. Apoptosis was confirmed by standard techniques (annexin-V binding, genomic DNA fragmentation, and caspases activation). This apoptotic process involved the cytoplasmic pathway from a death receptor (DR-6, Fas, TNF-R1) through caspase 8, and the mitochondrial pathway though Bad and caspase 9 activation. Oxidative stress has been implicated in apoptosis induction in various pathological models. Superoxide anion (O(2)*(-)) is a key molecule in the oxidative stress pathway which can form peroxynitrites (ONOO(-)) in association with nitric oxide (NO*). Even though the role of NO* in malaria physiopathology is still a matter of controversy, we demonstrated that PRBC-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells is mediated through an oxidative stress pathway. The inhibition of NO* synthesis protected the endothelial cells suggesting a deleterious role for NO*. In addition, the superoxide dismutase mimetic, MnTBAP, also protected the HLEC against PRBC-induced apoptosis, revealing the role of O(2)*(-) and ONOO(-).

Animals↗

The N'-terminal domain of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of the apicomplexan Plasmodium falciparum mediates GTPase Rab2-dependent recruitment to membranes.

Spatial and temporal distribution of the glycolytic enzymes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (pfGAPDH) and aldolase (pfAldolase) of Plasmodium falciparum were investigated using specific mAbs and indirect immunofluorescence analysis (IFA). Both glycolytic enzymes were co-localized during ring and trophozoite stages of both liver and asexual blood stage parasites. During schizogony, pfGAPDH became associated with the periphery of the parasites and eventually accumulated in the apical region of merozoites, while pfAldolase showed no segregation. Subcellular fractionation experiments demonstrated that pfGAPDH was found in both the membrane-containing pellet and the supernatant fraction of parasite lysates. In contrast, pfAldolase was only found in the supernatant fraction. A quantitative binding assay showed that pfGAPDH could be recruited to HeLa cell microsomal membranes in response to mammalian GTPase Rab2, indicating that Rab2-dependent recruitment of cytosolic components to membranes is conserved in evolution. Two overlapping fragments of pfGAPDH (residues 1-192 and 133-337) were evaluated in the microsomal binding assay. We found that the N'-terminal fragment competitively inhibited Rab2-stimulated pfGAPDH recruitment. Thus, the domain mediating the evolutionarily conserved Rab2-dependent membrane recruitment is located in the N'-terminus of GAPDH. Together, these results suggest that pfGAPDH exerts non-glycolytic function(s) in P. falciparum, possibly including a role in vesicular transport and biogenesis of apical organelles.

Animals↗

Hepatocyte CD81 is required for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium yoelii sporozoite infectivity.

Plasmodium sporozoites are transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and first invade the liver of the mammalian host, as an obligatory step of the life cycle of the malaria parasite. Within hepatocytes, Plasmodium sporozoites reside in a membrane-bound vacuole, where they differentiate into exoerythrocytic forms and merozoites that subsequently infect erythrocytes and cause the malaria disease. Plasmodium sporozoite targeting to the liver is mediated by the specific binding of major sporozoite surface proteins, the circumsporozoite protein and the thrombospondin-related anonymous protein, to glycosaminoglycans on the hepatocyte surface. Still, the molecular mechanisms underlying sporozoite entry and differentiation within hepatocytes are largely unknown. Here we show that the tetraspanin CD81, a putative receptor for hepatitis C virus, is required on hepatocytes for human Plasmodium falciparum and rodent Plasmodium yoelii sporozoite infectivity. P. yoelii sporozoites fail to infect CD81-deficient mouse hepatocytes, in vivo and in vitro, and antibodies against mouse and human CD81 inhibit in vitro the hepatic development of P. yoelii and P. falciparum, respectively. We further demonstrate that the requirement for CD81 is linked to sporozoite entry into hepatocytes by formation of a parasitophorous vacuole, which is essential for parasite differentiation into exoerythrocytic forms.

Animals↗

Laser capture microdissection of Plasmodium falciparum liver stages for mRNA analysis.

Plasmodium falciparum liver-stages are important targets for vaccine-induced protective immune responses and prophylactic treatment against malaria. Little is known of the gene expression profile of malaria parasites during their development inside hepatocytes. The sequencing of the P. falciparum genome and the development of DNA microarray technology give new opportunities to identify genes expressed during the development of Plasmodium. However, transcriptome analysis cannot currently be applied to the hepatic stages, due to difficulties in obtaining sufficient amounts of parasite material that lie among the large excess of host cell RNA. Here, we describe the isolation of liver-stages by a modified laser capture microdissection approach applied to human hepatocyte cultures infected with P. falciparum. RT-PCR amplification of several P. falciparum transcripts demonstrated the high quality of the RNA recovered after microdissection. This approach should enable analyses of P. falciparum transcriptome during its hepatic development and substantially assist the identification of new therapeutic and vaccine targets.

Animals↗

Potential value of Plasmodium falciparum-associated antigen and antibody detection for screening of blood donors to prevent transfusion-transmitted malaria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria antibody detection is a valuable tool in the prevention of transfusion-transmitted malaria in countries with a high proportion of donors with travel exposure to malaria. The immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) is still the reference method, but it is not suitable for screening of blood donors. ELISA would be an interesting alternative to the IFAT, but it lacks sensitivity. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To evaluate the potential value of a combined screening strategy based on malaria antigen and antibody detection, plasma samples from 203 patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum were tested with an ELISA for the detection of malaria antibodies (Malaria IgG CELISA, Cellabs) and a P. falciparum histidine-rich protein-2 kit (Malaria P.f., ICT Diagnostics) for the detection of malaria antigens. RESULTS: Among patients with positive IFAT results, CELISA had a sensitivity of 71 percent, whereas the combined screening tests (CELISA and Malaria P.f.) had a sensitivity of 88 percent (p < 0.001). Sequential samples from 50 patients were tested. The combined screening tests shortened the detection of seroconversion from 11.4 +/- 1.6 to 5.3 +/- 1.1 days (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Combined malaria antigen and antibody detection, with methods compatible with mass screening, may constitute an attractive alternative to the IFAT for blood donor screening.

Animals↗

Deletion of T cells bearing the V beta8.1 T-cell receptor following mouse mammary tumor virus 7 integration confers resistance to murine cerebral malaria.

Plasmodium berghei ANKA induces a fatal neurological syndrome known as cerebral malaria (CM) in susceptible mice. Host genetic elements are among the key factors determining susceptibility or resistance to CM. Analysis of mice of the same H-2 haplotype revealed that mouse mammary tumor virus 7 (MTV-7) integration into chromosome 1 is one of the key factors associated with resistance to neurological disease during P. berghei ANKA infection. We investigated this phenomenon by infecting a series of recombinant inbred mice (CXD2), derived from BALB/c (susceptible to CM) and DBA/2 (resistant to CM) mice, with P. berghei ANKA. We observed differences in susceptibility to CM induced by this Plasmodium strain. Mice with the MTV-7 sequence in their genome were resistant to CM, whereas those without integration of this gene were susceptible. Thus, an integrated proviral open reading frame or similar genomic sequences may confer protection against neuropathogenesis during malaria, at least in mice.

Animals↗

Decreased hemoglobin concentrations, hyperparasitemia, and severe malaria are associated with increased Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage.

To determine factors influencing gametocyte carriage, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 512 patients admitted for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. After adjustments for potential confounders, hemoglobin concentrations were lower in gametocyte carriers 10.5 (+/-2.5) than in patients without gametocytes 12.5 (+/-2.3) (P < 0.0001). Hemoglobin concentrations were negatively correlated with peak gametocyte counts (Spearman's p = -0.37, P < 0.0001) and gametocyte carriage durations (Spearman's p = -(0.30, P < 0.0001). Adjustments for the duration of the malaria episode and other potential confounders did not alter the association (P < 0.0001). After adjustment for potential confounders, the median asexual parasitemia was higher in patients with gametocytes than in patients without gametocytes (P = 0.003). Severe malaria cases were more likely to have gametocytes (65%) than malaria with hyperparasitemia (38%) or mild malaria (31%) (P = 0.0001). These findings suggest that events surrounding anemia and tissue hypoxia stimulate Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis.

Adolescent↗

Helminth infections are associated with protection from cerebral malaria and increased nitrogen derivatives concentrations in Thailand.

Following a study showing an association between Ascaris and protection from cerebral malaria, we hypothesized helminths may have induced protection through immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the CD23/NO pathway. We compared the prevalence of helminth infections in 67 cerebral malaria patients and 217 hyperparasitemic controls with no complications. For 24 cerebral malaria cases and 56 controls, we compared reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) concentrations and their correlations to total IgE and sCD23 concentrations in helminth-infected and noninfected patients. We observed a dose-dependent association between helminth infections and protection from cerebral malaria (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.19-0.7, P = 0.002, linear trend P = 0.0007). Helminth-infected controls had higher RNI concentrations than those without helminths: 72 OD +/- 19 SD and 57 OD +/- 20 SD, respectively (P = 0.006). Logistic regression, including interaction terms between RNI and sCD23, showed that an increase of RNI could be both protective and pathogenic depending on the concentration of sCD23. Helminths increasing both the CD23 receptor and its ligand may have a role in the establishment of malaria tolerance through the CD23/NO pathway.

Animals↗