Targeting Parasite-Produced Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor as an Antivirulence Strategy With Antibiotic–Antibody Combination to Reduce Tissue Damage. (2nd November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghosh, Swagata; Padalia, Jay; Ngobeni, Renay; Abendroth, Jan; Farr, Laura; Shirley, Debbie-Ann; Edwards, Thomas; Moonah, Shannon
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 221:Number 7(2020)
• Page Start: 1185
• Page End: 1193
• Publication Date: 2019-11-02
• Subjects: virulence -- MIF -- protozoan -- antibody -- antibiotic -- parasite–host interactions -- tissue damage -- immunopathology -- immunotherapeutic -- antivirulence; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz579
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Targeting virulence factors represents a promising alternative approach to antimicrobial therapy, through the inhibition of pathogenic pathways that result in host tissue damage. Yet, virulence inhibition remains an understudied area in parasitology. Several medically important protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium, Entamoeba, Toxoplasma, and Leishmania secrete an inflammatory macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) cytokine homolog, a virulence factor linked to severe disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of targeting parasite-produced MIF as combination therapy with standard antibiotics to reduce disease severity. Here, we used Entamoeba histolytica as the model MIF-secreting protozoan, and a mouse model that mirrors severe human infection. We found that intestinal inflammation and tissue damage were significantly reduced in mice treated with metronidazole when combined with anti– E. histolytica MIF antibodies, compared to metronidazole alone. Thus, this preclinical study provides proof-of-concept that combining antiparasite MIF-blocking antibodies with current standard-of-care antibiotics might improve outcomes in severe protozoan infections.