iNOS is necessary for GBP-mediated T. gondii clearance in murine macrophages via vacuole nitration and intravacuolar network collapse.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38538595.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-46790-y and PMC identifier 10973475.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite of rodents and humans. Interferon-inducible guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are mediators of T. gondii clearance, however, this mechanism is incomplete. Here, using automated spatially targeted optical micro proteomics we demonstrate that inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) is highly enriched at GBP2<sup>+</sup> parasitophorous vacuoles (PV) in murine macrophages. iNOS expression in macrophages is necessary to limit T. gondii load in vivo and in vitro. Although iNOS activity is dispensable for GBP2 recruitment and PV membrane ruffling; parasites can replicate, egress and shed GBP2 when iNOS is inhibited. T. gondii clearance by iNOS requires nitric oxide, leading to nitration of the PV and collapse of the intravacuolar network of membranes in a chromosome 3 GBP-dependent manner. We conclude that reactive nitrogen species generated by iNOS cooperate with GBPs to target distinct structures in the PV that are necessary for optimal parasite clearance in macrophages.
Medical subject headings
- Toxoplasma
- Vacuoles