Evidence for host genetic regulation of altered lipid metabolism in experimental toxoplasmosis supported with gene data mining results

PLoS One. 2017 May 1;12(5):e0176700. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176700. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most successful parasites on Earth, infecting a wide array of mammals including one third of the global human population. The obligate intracellular protozoon is not capable of synthesizing cholesterol (Chl), and thus depends on uptake of host Chl for its own development. To explore the genetic regulation of previously observed lipid metabolism alterations during acute murine T. gondii infection, we here assessed total Chl and its fractions in serum and selected tissues at the pathophysiological and molecular level, and integrated the observed gene expression of selected molecules relevant for Chl metabolism, including its biosynthetic and export KEGG pathways, with the results of published transcriptomes obtained in similar murine models of T. gondii infection. The serum lipid status as well as the transcript levels of relevant genes in the brain and the liver were assessed in experimental models of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in wild-type mice. The results showed that acute infection was associated with a decrease in Chl content in both the liver and periphery (brain, peripheral lymphocytes), and a decrease in Chl reverse transport. In contrast, in chronic infection, a return to normal levels of Chl metabolism has been noted. These changes corresponded to the brain and liver gene expression results as well as to data obtained via mining. We propose that the observed changes in Chl metabolism are part of the host defense response. Further insight into the lipid metabolism in T. gondii infection may provide novel targets for therapeutic agents.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Data Mining
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Homeostasis / genetics
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / genetics
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / physiology
  • Lipid Metabolism / genetics*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microarray Analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Toxoplasma / physiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / genetics*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / metabolism*
  • Transcriptome
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia (http://www.mpn.gov.rs), project No. III 41019, to ODjDj. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.