What's new for 'Trypanosomatids' in PubMed

This message contains My NCBI what's new results from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Do not reply directly to this message.

Sender's message:

Sent on Thursday, 2012 March 08
Search: kinetoplastids OR kinetoplastid OR Kinetoplastida OR "trypanosoma brucei" OR leishmania OR brucei OR leishmaniasis OR "African trypanosomiasis"

Click here to view complete results in PubMed (Results may change over time.)
To unsubscribe from these e-mail updates click here.

PubMed Results

Items 1 - 7 of 7

1.	Sci Pharm. 2012;80(1):205-213. Epub 2011 Dec 23. Screening and HPLC-Based Activity Profiling for New Antiprotozoal Leads from European Plants. Zimmermann S, Thomi S, Kaiser M, Hamburger M, Adams M. Source Departement of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland. Abstract Based on a survey of remedies used in Renaissance Europe to treat malaria, we prepared and screened a library of 254 extracts from 61 plants for antiplasmodial activity in vitro. HPLC-based activity profiling was performed for targeted identification of active constituents in extracts. One of the most remarkable results was the identification of onopordopicrin, a germacranolide sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Arctium nemorosum as a potent inhibitor of P. falciparum with an IC(50) of 6.9 μM. It was tested similarly against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the parasite which causes African sleeping sickness. With an IC(50) of 0.37 μM, onopordopicrin was one of the most potent natural products reported so far. Cytotoxicity was determined against rat myoblast L6 cells (IC(50): 3.06).
	PMID: 22396915 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

2.	PLoS Pathog. 2012 Mar;8(3):e1002560. Epub 2012 Mar 1. Redundant Notch1 and Notch2 Signaling Is Necessary for IFNγ Secretion by T Helper 1 Cells During Infection with Leishmania major. Auderset F, Schuster S, Coutaz M, Koch U, Desgranges F, Merck E, Macdonald HR, Radtke F, Tacchini-Cottier F. Source Department of Biochemistry, WHO Immunology Research and Training Center, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland. Abstract The protective immune response to intracellular parasites involves in most cases the differentiation of IFNγ-secreting CD4(+) T helper (Th) 1 cells. Notch receptors regulate cell differentiation during development but their implication in the polarization of peripheral CD4(+) T helper 1 cells is not well understood. Of the four Notch receptors, only Notch1 (N1) and Notch2 (N2) are expressed on activated CD4(+) T cells. To investigate the role of Notch in Th1 cell differentiation following parasite infection, mice with T cell-specific gene ablation of N1, N2 or both (N1N2(ΔCD4Cre)) were infected with the protozoan parasite Leishmania major. N1N2(ΔCD4Cre) mice, on the C57BL/6 L. major-resistant genetic background, developed unhealing lesions and uncontrolled parasitemia. Susceptibility correlated with impaired secretion of IFNγ by draining lymph node CD4(+) T cells and increased secretion of the IL-5 and IL-13 Th2 cytokines. Mice with single inactivation of N1 or N2 in their T cells were resistant to infection and developed a protective Th1 immune response, showing that CD4(+) T cell expression of N1 or N2 is redundant in driving Th1 differentiation. Furthermore, we show that Notch signaling is required for the secretion of IFNγ by Th1 cells. This effect is independent of CSL/RBP-Jκ, the major effector of Notch receptors, since L. major-infected mice with a RBP-Jκ deletion in their T cells were able to develop IFNγ-secreting Th1 cells, kill parasites and heal their lesions. Collectively, we demonstrate here a crucial role for RBP-Jκ-independent Notch signaling in the differentiation of a functional Th1 immune response following L. major infection.
	PMID: 22396647 [PubMed - in process]

3.	Nucleic Acids Res. 2012 Mar 6. [Epub ahead of print] Architecture of the trypanosome RNA editing accessory complex, MRB1. Ammerman ML, Downey KM, Hashimi H, Fisk JC, Tomasello DL, Faktorová D, Kafková L, King T, Lukes J, Read LK. Source Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA, Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology and Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005 České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic. Abstract Trypanosoma brucei undergoes an essential process of mitochondrial uridine insertion and deletion RNA editing catalyzed by a 20S editosome. The multiprotein mitochondrial RNA-binding complex 1 (MRB1) is emerging as an equally essential component of the trypanosome RNA editing machinery, with additional functions in gRNA and mRNA stabilization. The distinct and overlapping protein compositions of reported MRB1 complexes and diverse MRB1 functions suggest that the complex is composed of subcomplexes with RNA-dependent and independent interactions. To determine the architecture of the MRB1 complex, we performed a comprehensive yeast two-hybrid analysis of 31 reported MRB1 proteins. We also used in vivo analyses of tagged MRB1 components to confirm direct and RNA-mediated interactions. Here, we show that MRB1 contains a core complex comprised of six proteins and maintained by numerous direct interactions. The MRB1 core associates with multiple subcomplexes and proteins through RNA-enhanced or RNA-dependent interactions. These findings provide a framework for interpretation of previous functional studies and suggest that MRB1 is a dynamic complex that coordinates various aspects of mitochondrial gene regulation.
	PMID: 22396527 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

4.	J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Mar 3. [Epub ahead of print] In vitro antiprotozoal and cytotoxic activity of 33 ethonophar macologically selected medicinal plants from DR Congo. Musuyu Muganza D, Fruth BI, Nzunzu Lami J, Mesia GK, Kambu OK, Tona GL, Cimanga Kanyanga R, Cos P, Maes L, Apers S, Pieters L. Source Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, PO. Box 212, Kinshasa XI, Congo. Abstract ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The antiprotozoal and cytotoxic activity of the aqueous extracts from 33 medicinal plants, used by traditional healers for the treatment of various parasitic diseases and collected after an ethnopharmacological inventory conducted in the Bolongo area, Bandundu province in DR Congo, was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Decoctions were prepared, lyophilized and evaluated for in vitro antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma b. brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania infantum, and the chloroquine- and pyrimethamine-resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Cytotoxicity against MRC-5 cells was included to assess selectivity of activity. RESULTS: Most of the tested extracts exhibited pronounced (IC(50)≤5μg/ml) or good (5<IC(50)≤10μg/ml) antiprotozoal activity against one or more of the selected protozoa. A total of 19 plant extracts inhibited Trypanosoma b. brucei, especially the extract from Isolona hexaloba stem bark (IC(50)=1.95μg/ml, SI=16.5); 8 plant extracts were active against Trypanosoma cruzi, the extracts from Enanatia chlorantha stem bark and Quassia africana root bark being the most active with IC(50) values of 1.87 and 1.88μg/ml, respectively (SI=3.0 and 3.3, respectively); 8 plant extracts showed activity against Leishmania infantum, with extracts from Napoleona vogelii stem bark and Quassia africana root bark as the most active with IC(50) values of 5.66 and 5.04μg/ml (SI=11.3 and 1.2). Finally, 9 plant extracts inhibited Plasmodium falciparum K1 with the extracts from Quassia africana (root bark and stem bark) being the most active ones with IC(50) values of 0.46 and 1.27μg/ml (SI=13.7 and 13.6). Extracts from Enantia chlorantha stem bark, Piptadeniastrum africanum stem bark and Quassia africana root bark were cytotoxic for MRC-5 cells (CC(50)<10μg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: These results can partly support and justify the traditional use of some of these plant species for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
	PMID: 22394563 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

5.	Parasite Immunol. 2012 Apr;34(4):236-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2012.01351.x. Antigenic fractions of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis: the immune response characterization of patients at the in itial phase of disease. Brelaz MC, De Oliveira AP, De Almeida AF, De Assis Souza M, Medeiros AC, De Brito ME, Pereira VR. Source Departamento de Imunologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães (CPqAM/FIOCRUZ), Recife, PE, Brasil Departamento de Dermatologia, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil. Abstract American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) has different clinical manifestations and these manifestations are dependent on the immunological status of the host. As CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and their mediators play a fundamental role in the host response to Leishmania and there is also a search for antigenic molecules to be used as future vaccines and tools for prognostic tests, this study characterized ACL patients' immune response after stimulation with soluble and insoluble fractions of L. (V.) braziliensis. We demonstrated a prevailing production of the Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10 and a specific production of IFN-γ and TNF-α in patients before treatment. There was also a predominance of CD4(+) T cells and a small percentage CD8(+) T cells. The insoluble antigenic fraction primarily stimulated CD4(+) T cells, while the soluble antigenic fraction showed a mixed profile, with CD4(+) T cells being the main responsible for Th2 cytokines and CD8(+) T cells for Th1 cytokines. Therefore, our results showed that a down-modulation of the Th1 type of response occurs in the initial phase of L. braziliensis disease, being the antigenic fractions capable of stimulating a specific immune response. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
	PMID: 22394223 [PubMed - in process]

6.	Med Trop (Mars). 2011 Dec;71(6):618-20. [Visceral leishmaniasis: pediatric case report observed outside the traditional foci in Cameroon]. [Article in French] Mbassi Awa HD, Pondy A, Njiki Kinkela M, Lebela J, Koki Ndombo PO. Source Centre Mère et Enfant de la Fondation Chantal Biya, Yaoundé, Cameroun. mbassiahd@yahoo.fr Abstract The purpose of this report is to describe an autochtonous case of visceral leishmaniasis with cachexia, fever, splenomegaly, ascitis and severe anemia observed in an eight-year-old boy from a region in eastern Cameroon outside the traditional disease foci. Diagnosis was confirmed based on demonstration of Leishmania amastigotes on bone marrow smear. The patient was treated with meglumine antimoniate but died on the 6th day of treatment.
	PMID: 22393633 [PubMed - in process]

7.	Med Trop (Mars). 2011 Dec;71(6):554-7. [Rehabilitation of war disabled people in the tropics: example from Colombia]. [Article in French] Lagauche D. Source Hôpital d'instruction des armées Legouest, Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Metz. denis.lagauche@wanadoo.fr Abstract The purpose of this report is to describe collaboration between the health services of the Colombian and French armed forces. Colombia is a democratic country that has been undergoing a long period of insurrection resulting in a significant number of deaths and injuries. Permanent functional disabilities have taken high toll at both the individual and community level. Due to the use of landmines, civilians pay a heavier price than military personnel. In Columbia, a country of eternal snows and rain forests, disabilities are often compounded by concurrent diseases such as malaria or leishmaniasis. Otherwise, rehabilitation of soldiers wounded during a combat is fundamentally the same in tropical zones and Europe. Management of wounded servicemen takes place in teaching hospital where therapy is carried out at the same time as training in mine clearance. Reinsertion begins with job apprenticeship in conjunction with psychological support and prosthetic training. Current focus is on developing disability rights legislation modeled on the 2005 French law.
	PMID: 22393619 [PubMed - in process]