High-content imaging assay to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii infection and proliferation: A multiparametric assay to screen new compounds

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 29;13(8):e0201678. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201678. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite widely distributed in animals and humans. Infection of host cells and parasite proliferation are essential steps in Toxoplasma pathology. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a novel automatic High Content Imaging (HCI) assay to study T. gondii infection and proliferation. We tested various fluorescent markers and strategies of image analysis to obtain an automated method providing results comparable to those from gold standard infection and proliferation assays. No significant difference was observed between the results obtained from the HCI assay and the standard assays (manual fluorescence microscopy and incorporation of [3H]-uracil). We developed here a robust and time-saving assay. This automated technology was then used to screen a library of compounds belonging to four classes of either natural compounds or synthetic derivatives. Inhibition of parasite proliferation and host cell toxicity were measured in the same assay and led to the identification of one hit, a thiosemicarbazone that allows important inhibition of Toxoplasma proliferation while being relatively safe for the host cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / parasitology
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism*
  • Foreskin / cytology
  • Foreskin / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Software
  • Thiosemicarbazones / pharmacology
  • Toxoplasma / drug effects
  • Toxoplasma / growth & development*
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Toxoplasmosis / metabolism
  • Uracil / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Thiosemicarbazones
  • Uracil

Grants and funding

This work was supported by CNRS (Centre National de la Recheche Scientifique), UGA (Université Grenoble, Alpes), ANR (Agence Nationale pour la Recherche) and Labex Arcane (ANR-11-LABX-0003-01), Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale- and Labex Parafrap-ANR-11-LABX-0024-. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.