Epidemiology and pathogenesis of maternal-fetal transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and a case for vaccine development against congenital Chagas disease

Trypanos o ma cruzi (T. cruzi or Tc) is the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD). It is common for patients to suffer from non-specific symptoms or be clinically asymptomatic with acute and chronic conditions acquired through various routes of transmission. The expecting women and their fetuses are vulnerable to congenital transmission of Tc. Pregnant women face formidable health challenges because the frontline antiparasitic drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, are contraindicated during pregnancy. However, it is worthwhile to highlight that newborns can be cured if they are diagnosed and given treatment in a timely manner. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of maternal-fetal transmission of Tc and provide a justification for the investment in the development of vaccines against congenital CD.Fil: Rios, Lizette. University of Texas Medical Branch; Estados UnidosFil: Campos, Emiliano Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Menon, Ramkumar. University of Texas Medical Branch; Estados UnidosFil: Zago, María Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Garg, Nisha J.. University of Texas Medical Branch; Estados Unido

Immunity and vaccine development efforts against Trypanosoma cruzi

Artículo de revisión especializadoTrypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the causative agent for Chagas disease (CD). There is a critical lack of methods for prevention of infection or treatment of acute infection and chronic disease. Studies in experimental models have suggested that the protective immunity against T. cruzi infection requires the elicitation of Th1 cytokines, lytic antibodies and the concerted activities of macrophages, T helper cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In this review, we summarize the research efforts in vaccine development to date and the challenges faced in achieving an efficient prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine against human CD.UTM

Kalanchoe pinnata preparation in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

A thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas.The aqueous preparation of Kalanchoe pinnata is traditionally used in the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the effectiveness in curtailing the indices of T2DM is not clear. In this study, the efficacy of K. pinnata preparation in the treatment of T2DM animal models was investigated. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups of six rats each as follows: Group 1: non-diabetic rats fed normal rat diet, group 2: non-diabetic rats fed high fat diet (HFD), group 3: Type 2 diabetic rats fed HFD, group 4: non-diabetic control group fed normal diet, group 5: non-diabetic control group fed HFD, group 6: diabetic control group, group 7: diabetic plus K. pinnata preparation, and group 8: diabetic plus Metformin. Groups 1 – 3 were euthanized after 21 days to generate baseline data. Thereafter, K. pinnata preparation or metformin was administered for 28 days. Animals were euthanized on day 28 after an overnight fast. Blood and organs were collected for various assays. Type 2 diabetic rats treated with K. pinnata preparation lost significant (P < 0.05) weight. Kalanchoe pinnata consumption resulted in decreased serum glucose. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in HDL and decrease in triglyceride levels. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) activities, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid (UA) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Serum reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and hepatic pyruvate kinase (PK) activities were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated. Overall, results show that the consumption of K. pinnata preparation in Type 2 diabetic rats decreased body weight and serum glucose levels, as well as increased serum HDL and decreased triglyceride levels which may be beneficial in the effective management of the disease. Similarly, the observed increase in SOD activity and GSH levels in the diabetic rats may be protective against oxidative stress. The observed increase in hepatic PK activity may be indicative of improved glucose metabolism. However, the increase in serum ALP and ALT activities, and BUN and UA levels may be suggestive of hepatic and renal damage.Life SciencesCollege of Science and Engineerin

Acute muscle mass loss was alleviated with HMGB1 neutralizing antibody treatment in severe burned rats

Abstract Burn injury is associated with muscle wasting, though the involved signaling mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in signaling hyper-inflammation and consequent skeletal muscle impairment after burn. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) sham burn, (2) burn, (3) burn/treatment. Animals in group 2 and group 3 received scald burn on 30% of total body surface area (TBSA) and immediately treated with chicken IgY and anti-HMGB1 antibody, respectively. Muscle tissues and other samples were collected at 3-days after burn. Body mass and wet/dry weights of the hind limb muscles (total and individually) were substantially decreased in burn rats. Acute burn provoked the mitochondrial stress and cell death and enhanced the protein ubiquitination and LC3A/B levels that are involved in protein degradation in muscle tissues. Further, an increase in muscle inflammatory infiltrate associated with increased differentiation, maturation and proinflammatory activation of bone marrow myeloid cells and αβ CD4+ T and γδ T lymphocytes was noted in in circulation and spleen of burn rats. Treatment with one dose of HMGB1 neutralizing antibody reduced the burn wound size and preserved the wet/dry weights of the hind limb muscles associated with a control in the markers of cell death and autophagy pathways in burn rats. Further, anti-HMGB1 antibody inhibited the myeloid and T cells inflammatory activation and subsequent dysregulated inflammatory infiltrate in the muscle tissues of burn rats. We conclude that neutralization of HMGB1-dependent proteolytic and inflammatory responses has potential beneficial effects in preventing the muscle loss after severe burn injury