Lights and Shadows of TORCH Infection Proteomics

Author(s)

Macedo-da-Silva, Janaina ; Marinho, Claudio Romero Farias ; Palmisano, Giuseppe ; Rosa-Fernandes, Livia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: GENES; v. 11, n. 8, p. 31-pg., 2020-08-01.

Abstract

Congenital abnormalities cause serious fetal consequences. The term TORCH is used to designate the most common perinatal infections, where: (T) refers to toxoplasmosis, (O) means "others" and includes syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19, zika virus (ZIKV), and malaria among others, (R) refers to rubella, (C) relates to cytomegalovirus infection, and (H) to herpes simplex virus infections. Among the main abnormalities identified in neonates exposed to congenital infections are central nervous system (CNS) damage, microcephaly, hearing loss, and ophthalmological impairment, all requiring regular follow-up to monitor its progression. Protein changes such as mutations, post-translational modifications, abundance, structure, and function may indicate a pathological condition before the onset of the first symptoms, allowing early diagnosis and understanding of a particular disease or infection. The term "proteomics" is defined as the science that studies the proteome, which consists of the total protein content of a cell, tissue or organism in a given space and time, including post-translational modifications (PTMs) and interactions between proteins. Currently, quantitative bottom-up proteomic strategies allow rapid and high throughput characterization of complex biological mixtures. Investigating proteome modulation during host-pathogen interaction helps in elucidating the mechanisms of infection and in predicting disease progression. This "molecular battle" between host and pathogen is a key to identify drug targets and diagnostic markers. Here, we conducted a survey on proteomic techniques applied to congenital diseases classified in the terminology "TORCH", including toxoplasmosis, ZIKV, malaria, syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCVM). We have highlighted proteins and/or protein complexes actively involved in the infection. Most of the proteomic studies reported have been performed in cell line models, and the evaluation of tissues (brain, muscle, and placenta) and biofluids (plasma, serum and urine) in animal models is still underexplored. Moreover, there are a plethora of studies focusing on the pathogen or the host without considering the triad mother-fetus-pathogen as a dynamic and interconnected system. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/06863-3 - Post-translational modifications in cancer and parasite infection diagnosis: methodological approaches and biological implications
• Grantee: Giuseppe Palmisano
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/20468-0 - Recrudescence of the malaria during pregnancy: effects and mechanisms
• Grantee: Cláudio Romero Farias Marinho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/18257-1 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 14/06863-3: HPLC system configured for analysis of carbohydrates, amino acidis, peptides and glycoproteins
• Grantee: Giuseppe Palmisano
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 18/15549-1 - Post-translational modifications in Chagas Disease biological processes and diagnostics: novel methodological approaches and biological applications
• Grantee: Giuseppe Palmisano
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2