Adriana Oliveira Costa

@ufmg.br

Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas/Faculdade de Farmácia
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais



              

https://researchid.co/adrincosta

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Parasitology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Science

37

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • A long-term prospecting study on giant viruses in terrestrial and marine Brazilian biomes
    Talita B. Machado, Isabella L. M. de Aquino, Bruna L. Azevedo, Mateus S. Serafim, Matheus G. Barcelos, Ana Cláudia S. P. Andrade, Erik Reis, Leila Sabrina Ullmann, João Pessoa, Adriana O. Costa,et al.
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    AbstractThe discovery of mimivirus in 2003 prompted the search for novel giant viruses worldwide. Despite increasing interest, the diversity and distribution of giant viruses is barely known. Here, we present data from a 2012–2022 study aimed at prospecting for amoebal viruses in water, soil, mud, and sewage samples across Brazilian biomes, using Acanthamoeba castellanii for isolation. A total of 881 aliquots from 187 samples covering terrestrial and marine Brazilian biomes were processed. Electron microscopy and PCR were used to identify the obtained isolates. Sixty-seven amoebal viruses were isolated, including mimiviruses, marseilleviruses, pandoraviruses, cedratviruses, and yaraviruses. Viruses were isolated from all tested sample types and almost all biomes. In comparison to other similar studies, our work isolated a substantial number of Marseillevirus and cedratvirus representatives. Taken together, our results used a combination of isolation techniques with microscopy, PCR, and sequencing and put highlight on richness of giant virus present in different terrestrial and marine Brazilian biomes.

  • Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Prototheca wickerhamii from a Brazilian case of human systemic protothecosis
    Luciana Duarte-Silva, Raquel Vilela, Isabela A. Rodrigues, Vanessa C. R. Magalhães, Marcelo V. Caliari, Leonel Mendoza, and Adriana Oliveira Costa
    Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    The genus Prototheca (alga) comprises a unique group of achlorophyllic saprotrophic and mammalian pathogen species. Despite its rare occurrence in humans and animals, protothecosis is considered an emerging clinical entity with relevance in immunocompromised patients. In this study, the characterization of spherical structures with endospores recovered from a blood culture in an HIV patient was investigated using phenotypic and molecular methodologies. On 2% Sabouraud dextrose agar, the isolate displayed morphological and biochemical characteristics found on isolates identified as Prototheca wickerhamii. To validate these analyses, molecular phylogeny of the internal transcript space (ITS) partial gene confirmed the identity of the isolate as P. wickerhamii. This is the first case of systemic human protothecosis in Brazil. The present case of human Prototheca and those reported in the medical literature highlight the need for novel methodologies to identify pathogenic algae in the clinical laboratory, improving in this way the diagnosis and treatment of this group of neglected pathogens.

  • Giant viruses inhibit superinfection by downregulating phagocytosis in Acanthamoeba
    Isabella L. M. Aquino, Erik Sousa Reis, Rafaella Oliveira Almeida Mattos Moreira, Nídia Esther Colquehuanca Arias, Matheus Gomes Barcelos, Victória Fulgêncio Queiroz, Raquel Duque do Nascimento Arifa, Larissa Mendes Barbosa Lucas, Juliana Miranda Tatara, Daniele G. Souza,et al.
    American Society for Microbiology
    ABSTRACT In the context of the virosphere, viral particles can compete for host cells. In this scenario, some viruses block the entry of exogenous virions upon infecting a cell, a phenomenon known as superinfection inhibition. The molecular mechanisms associated with superinfection inhibition vary depending on the viral species and the host, but generally, blocking superinfection ensures the genetic supremacy of the virus’s progeny that first infects the cell. Giant amoeba-infecting viruses have attracted the scientific community’s attention due to the complexity of their particles and genomes. However, there are no studies on the occurrence of superinfection and its inhibition induced by giant viruses. This study shows that mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, exhibit different strategies related to the infection of Acanthamoeba . For the first time, we have reported that mimivirus and moumouvirus induce superinfection inhibition in amoebas. Interestingly, megaviruses do not exhibit this ability, allowing continuous entry of exogenous virions into infected amoebas. Our investigation into the mechanisms behind superinfection blockage reveals that mimivirus and moumouvirus inhibit amoebic phagocytosis, leading to significant changes in the morphology and activity of the host cells. In contrast, megavirus-infected amoebas continue incorporating newly formed virions, negatively affecting the available viral progeny. This effect, however, is reversible with chemical inhibition of phagocytosis. This work contributes to the understanding of superinfection and its inhibition in mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, demonstrating that despite their evolutionary relatedness, these viruses exhibit profound differences in their interactions with their hosts. IMPORTANCE Some viruses block the entry of new virions upon infecting a cell, a phenomenon known as superinfection inhibition. Superinfection inhibition in giant viruses has yet to be studied. This study reveals that even closely related viruses, such as mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, have different infection strategies for Acanthamoeba . For the first time, we have reported that mimivirus and moumouvirus induce superinfection inhibition in amoebas. In contrast, megaviruses do not exhibit this ability, allowing continuous entry of exogenous virions into infected amoebas. Our investigation shows that mimivirus and moumouvirus inhibit amoebic phagocytosis, causing significant changes in host cell morphology and activity. Megavirus-infected amoebas, however, continue incorporating newly formed viruses, affecting viral progeny. This research enhances our understanding of superinfection inhibition in these viruses, highlighting their differences in host interactions.

  • Could giant viruses be considered as a biotechnological tool for preventing and controlling Acanthamoeba infections?
    Ana Paula Correia Crispim, Mateus Sá Magalhães Serafim, Adriana Oliveira Costa, and Jônatas Santos Abrahão
    Oxford University Press (OUP)
    Abstract Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of mimivirus as a potential therapeutic and prophylactic tool against Acanthamoeba castellanii, the etiological agent of Acanthamoeba keratitis, a progressive corneal infection, that is commonly associated with the use of contact lenses and can lead to blindness if not properly treated. Methods and results Mimivirus particles were tested in different multiplicity of infection, along with commercial multipurpose contact lenses’ solutions, aiming to assess their ability to prevent encystment and excystment of A. castellanii. Solutions were evaluated for their amoebicidal potential and cytotoxicity in MDCK cells, as well as their effectiveness in preventing A. castellanii damage in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Results indicated that mimivirus was able to inhibit the formation of A. castellanii cysts, even in the presence of Neff encystment solution. Mimivirus also showed greater effectiveness in controlling A. castellanii excystment compared to commercial solutions. Additionally, mimivirus solution was more effective in preventing damage caused by A. castellanii, presented greater amoebicidal activity, and were less cytotoxic to MDCK cells than commercial MPS. Conclusions Mimivirus demonstrates a greater ability to inhibit A. castellanii encystment and excystment compared to commercial multipurpose contact lens solutions. Additionally, mimivirus is less toxic to MDCK cells than those commercial solutions. New studies utilizing in vivo models will be crucial for confirming safety and efficacy parameters.


  • Guidelines for the purification and characterization of extracellular vesicles of parasites
    Carmen Fernandez‐Becerra, Patrícia Xander, Daniel Alfandari, George Dong, Iris Aparici‐Herraiz, Irit Rosenhek‐Goldian, Mehrdad Shokouhy, Melisa Gualdron‐Lopez, Nicholy Lozano, Nuria Cortes‐Serra,et al.
    Wiley
    AbstractParasites are responsible for the most neglected tropical diseases, affecting over a billion people worldwide (WHO, 2015) and accounting for billions of cases a year and responsible for several millions of deaths. Research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has increased in recent years and demonstrated that EVs shed by pathogenic parasites interact with host cells playing an important role in the parasite's survival, such as facilitation of infection, immunomodulation, parasite adaptation to the host environment and the transfer of drug resistance factors. Thus, EVs released by parasites mediate parasite‐parasite and parasite‐host intercellular communication. In addition, they are being explored as biomarkers of asymptomatic infections and disease prognosis after drug treatment. However, most current protocols used for the isolation, size determination, quantification and characterization of molecular cargo of EVs lack greater rigor, standardization, and adequate quality controls to certify the enrichment or purity of the ensuing bioproducts. We are now initiating major guidelines based on the evolution of collective knowledge in recent years. The main points covered in this position paper are methods for the isolation and molecular characterization of EVs obtained from parasite‐infected cell cultures, experimental animals, and patients. The guideline also includes a discussion of suggested protocols and functional assays in host cells

  • Experimental keratitis induced in rat by Acanthamoeba from distinct morphological groups/genotypes: a histological and immunohistochemical evaluation
    Norberto de Souza Fernandes, Marcelo Vidigal Caliari, Fabricio Marcos Silva Oliveira, Alexandre Batista Costa Neto, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues, Cinthia Furst, and Adriana Oliveira Costa
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

  • Anti-Acanthamoeba castellanii activity of alkaloid-enriched extracts and lycorine from the Amaryllidaceae species
    Maressa Dietrich Rosa, Jean Paulo de Andrade, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Raphael Conti, Jaume Bastida, Warley de Souza Borges, and Cinthia Furst
    FapUNIFESP (SciELO)


  • Distinct immunomodulatory properties of extracellular vesicles released by different strains of Acanthamoeba
    Adriana Oliveira Costa, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues Chagas, Armando de Menezes‐Neto, Felipe Dutra Rêgo, Paula Monalisa Nogueira, Ana Claudia Torrecilhas, Cinthia Furst, Blima Fux, and Rodrigo Pedro Soares
    Wiley
    AbstractFree living amoeba of the genus Acanthamoeba are opportunist protozoan involved in corneal, systemic, and encephalic infections in humans. Most of the mechanisms underlying intraspecies variations and pathogenicity are still unknown. Recently, the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by Acanthamoeba was reported. However, comparative characterization of EVs from distinct strains is not available. The aim of this study was to evaluate EVs produced by Acanthamoeba from different genotypes, comparing their proteases profile and immunomodulatory properties. EVs from four environmental or clinical strains (genotypes T1, T2, T4, and T11) were obtained by ultracentrifugation, quantitated by nanoparticle tracking analysis and analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Proteases profile was determined by zymography and functional properties of EVs (measure of nitrite and cytokine production) were determined after peritoneal macrophage stimulation. Despite their genotype, all strains released EVs and no differences in size and/or concentration were detected. EVs exhibited a predominant activity of serine proteases (pH 7.4 and 3.5), with higher intensity in T4 and T1 strains. EVs from the environmental, nonpathogenic T11 strain exhibited a more proinflammatory profile, inducing higher levels of Nitrite, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin‐6 via TLR4/TLR2 than those strains with pathogenic traits (T4, T1, and T2). Preincubation with EVs treated with protease inhibitors or heating drastically decreased nitrite concentration production in macrophages. Those data suggest that immunomodulatory effects of EVs may reflect their pathogenic potential depending on the Acanthamoeba strains and are dependent on protease integrity.

  • Differential expression of Acanthamoeba castellanii proteins during amoebic keratitis in rats
    Ana Carolina Carvalho-Silva, Camila H. Coelho, Cecília Cirelli, Frederico Crepaldi, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues-Chagas, Cinthia Furst, Daniel Carvalho Pimenta, Juliano Simões de Toledo, Ana Paula Fernandes, and Adriana Oliveira Costa
    Elsevier BV

  • Acanthamoeba spp. monoclonal antibody against a CPA2 transporter: a promising molecular tool for acanthamoebiasis diagnosis and encystment study
    Michele Martha Weber-Lima, Bianca Prado-Costa, Alessandra Becker-Finco, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Philippe Billilad, Cinthia Furst, Juliana Ferreira de Moura, and Larissa Magalhães Alvarenga
    Cambridge University Press (CUP)
    AbstractFree-living amoeba of the genus Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous protozoa involved in opportunistic and non-opportunistic infection in humans, such as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and amoebic keratitis. Both infections have challenging characteristics such as the formation of the resistant cysts in infected tissues, hampering the treatment and most usual diagnosis depending on time-consuming and/or low sensitivity techniques. The use of monoclonal antibodies presents itself as an opportunity for the development of more effective alternative diagnostic methods, as well as an important and useful tool in the search for new therapeutic targets. This study investigated the possibility of using a previously produced monoclonal antibody (mAb3), as a diagnostic tool for the detection of Acanthamoeba trophozoites by direct and indirect flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Immunoprecipitation assay and mass spectrometry allowed the isolation of the antibody's target and suggested it is a transporter part of the CPA (cation: proton antiporter) superfamily. In vitro tests indicate an important role of this target in Acanthamoeba's encystment physiology. Our results support the importance of studying the role of CPA2 transporters in the context of acanthamoebiasis, as this may be a way to identify new therapeutic candidates.

  • Acanthamoeba castellanii as an alternative interaction model for the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum
    Lucas V. de Faria, Paulo H. F. do Carmo, Marliete C. da Costa, Nalu T. A. Peres, Isabela A. Rodrigues Chagas, Cinthia Furst, Gabriella F. Ferreira, Adriana O. Costa, and Daniel A. Santos
    Wiley
    SummaryBackgroundTrichophyton rubrum (Tr) is the main aetiological agent of human dermatophytosis, being isolated from the environment and keratinised tissues. In the environment, Tr can interact with other organisms, such as free‐living amoebas (FLA), which can act as an alternative host system to study the interaction between microbes and phagocytic cells.ObjectivesTo characterise the Acanthamoeba castellanii (ALX)‐Tr interaction.MethodsInteraction was characterised in three conditions: trophozoites (PYG), late (PYG/NES) and early (NES) encystation stimulus, evaluating encystation kinetics, phagocytosis, exocytosis and fungicidal activity dynamics.ResultsTr was able to induce ALX encystation and be internalised by ALX. The number of internalised conidia was high at 1 hour, and ALX presented fungicidal activity with increased intracellular ROS production and exocytosis. In PYG/NES, phagocytosis and ROS production were reduced, with decreased ALX’s fungicidal activity. However, in NES there was an increased fungal engulfment, and a reduced ROS production and higher fungal burden. Furthermore, exogenous mannose decreased phagocytosis of Tr conidia, and divalent cations induced ROS production and increased ALX’s fungicidal activity. Interestingly, phagocytosis was reduced in the presence of cytoskeleton inhibitor, but exocytosis was increased, suggesting that Tr conidia may have alternative pathways to escape ALX's cells.ConclusionA castellanii is a proper model for studying Tr‐FLA interaction, since ALX can engulf, produce ROS and kill Tr, and all these parameters are influenced by an encystation stimulus and divalent cations. Moreover, this interaction is likely to occur in the environment implicating in the adaptation to environmental stressful conditions in both organisms.

  • Extracellular protease profile of Acanthamoeba after prolonged axenic culture and after interaction with MDCK cells
    Cecília Cirelli, Elaine Isabela Soares Mesquita, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues Chagas, Cinthia Furst, Cynara Oliveira Possamai, Jonatas Santos Abrahão, Ludmila Karen dos Santos Silva, Marina Felipe Grossi, Carlos Alberto Tagliati, and Adriana Oliveira Costa
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC


  • Acanthamoeba of three morphological groups and distinct genotypes exhibit variable and weakly inter-related physiological properties
    Cynara Oliveira Possamai, Ana Carolina Loss, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Aloisio Falqueto, and Cinthia Furst
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

  • Highlights of the São Paulo ISEV workshop on extracellular vesicles in cross-kingdom communication
    Rodrigo P. Soares, Patrícia Xander, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Antonio Marcilla, Armando Menezes‐Neto, Hernando Del Portillo, Kenneth Witwer, Marca Wauben, Esther Nolte‐'T Hoen, Martin Olivier,et al.
    Wiley
    ABSTRACTIn the past years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become an important field of research since EVs have been found to play a central role in biological processes. In pathogens, EVs are involved in several events during the host–pathogen interaction, including invasion, immunomodulation, and pathology as well as parasite–parasite communication. In this report, we summarised the role of EVs in infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths based on the talks and discussions carried out during the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) workshop held in São Paulo (November, 2016), Brazil, entitled Cross‐organism Communication by Extracellular Vesicles: Hosts, Microbes and Parasites.

  • Pathogenic potential of environmental resident fungi from ornithogenic soils of Antarctica
    Jordana R.P. de Sousa, Vívian N. Gonçalves, Rodrigo A. de Holanda, Daniel A. Santos, Cinthia F.L.G. Bueloni, Adriana O. Costa, Maria V. Petry, Carlos A. Rosa, and Luiz H. Rosa
    Elsevier BV

  • Morphological and physiological characteristics of a virulent and zoonotic assemblage A Giardia duodenalis canine strain
    Camila Henriques Coelho, Ana Carolina Carvalho Silva, Adriana Oliveira Costa, and Ana Paula Fernandes
    Elsevier BV

  • Molecular diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis: evaluation in rat model and application in suspected human cases
    Adriana Oliveira Costa, Cinthia Furst, Lucas Oliveira Rocha, Cecília Cirelli, Carolina Neris Cardoso, Fagner Salmazo Neiva, Cynara Oliveira Possamai, Daniel de Assis Santos, and Vanete Thomaz-Soccol
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

  • Genotyping and descriptive proteomics of a potential zoonotic canine strain of Giardia duodenalis, infective to mice
    Camila Henriques Coelho, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Ana Carolina Carvalho Silva, Maíra Mazzoni Pucci, Angela Vieira Serufo, Haendel Goncalves Nogueira Oliveira Busatti, Maurício Durigan, Jonas Perales, Alex Chapeaurouge, Daniel Almeida da Silva e Silva,et al.
    Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    The zoonotic potential of giardiasis, as proposed by WHO since the late 70's, has been largely confirmed in this century. The genetic assemblages A and B of Giardia duodenalis are frequently isolated from human and canine hosts. Most of the assemblage A strains are not infective to adult mice, which can limit the range of studies regarding to biology of G. duodenalis, including virulence factors and the interaction with host immune system. This study aimed to determine the infectivity in mice of an assemblage A Giardia duodenalis strain (BHFC1) isolated from a dog and to classify the strain in sub-assemblages (AI, AII, AIII) through the phylogenetic analysis of beta-giardin (bg), triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes. In addition, the proteomic profile of soluble and insoluble protein fractions of trophozoites was analyzed by 2D-electrophoresis. Accordingly, trophozoites of BHFC1 were highly infective to Swiss mice. The phylogenetic analysis of tpi and gdh revealed that BHFC1 clustered to sub-assemblage AI. The proteomic map of soluble and insoluble protein fractions led to the identification of 187 proteins of G. duodenalis, 27 of them corresponding to hypothetical proteins. Considering both soluble and soluble fractions, the vast majority of the identified proteins (n = 82) were classified as metabolic proteins, mainly associated with carbon and lipid metabolism, including 53 proteins with catalytic activity. Some of the identified proteins correspond to antigens while others can be correlated with virulence. Besides a significant complementation to the proteomic data of G. duodenalis, these data provide an important source of information for future studies on various aspects of the biology of this parasite, such as virulence factors and host and pathogen interactions.

  • Mimivirus fibrils are important for viral attachment to the microbial world by a diverse glycoside interaction repertoire
    Rodrigo Araújo Lima Rodrigues, Ludmila Karen dos Santos Silva, Fábio Pio Dornas, Danilo Bretas de Oliveira, Thais Furtado Ferreira Magalhães, Daniel Assis Santos, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Luiz de Macêdo Farias, Paula Prazeres Magalhães, Cláudio Antônio Bonjardim,et al.
    American Society for Microbiology
    ABSTRACT Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (APMV) is a giant virus from the Mimiviridae family. It has many unusual features, such as a pseudoicosahedral capsid that presents a starfish shape in one of its vertices, through which the ∼1.2-Mb double-stranded DNA is released. It also has a dense glycoprotein fibril layer covering the capsid that has not yet been functionally characterized. Here, we verified that although these structures are not essential for viral replication, they are truly necessary for viral adhesion to amoebae, its natural host. In the absence of fibrils, APMV had a significantly lower level of attachment to the Acanthamoeba castellanii surface. This adhesion is mediated by glycans, specifically, mannose and N -acetylglucosamine (a monomer of chitin and peptidoglycan), both of which are largely distributed in nature as structural components of several organisms. Indeed, APMV was able to attach to different organisms, such as Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and arthropods, but not to Gram-negative bacteria. This prompted us to predict that (i) arthropods, mainly insects, might act as mimivirus dispersers and (ii) by attaching to other microorganisms, APMV could be ingested by amoebae, leading to the successful production of viral progeny. To date, this mechanism has never been described in the virosphere. IMPORTANCE APMV is a giant virus that is both genetically and structurally complex. Its size is similar to that of small bacteria, and it replicates inside amoebae. The viral capsid is covered by a dense glycoprotein fibril layer, but its function has remained unknown, until now. We found that the fibrils are not essential for mimivirus replication but that they are truly necessary for viral adhesion to the cell surface. This interaction is mediated by glycans, mainly N -acetylglucosamine. We also verified that APMV is able to attach to bacteria, fungi, and arthropods. This indicates that insects might act as mimivirus dispersers and that adhesion to other microorganisms could facilitate viral ingestion by amoebae, a mechanism never before described in the virosphere.

  • Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus prevents amoebal encystment-mediating serine proteinase expression and circumvents cell encystment
    Paulo Boratto, Jonas Dutra Albarnaz, Gabriel Magno de Freitas Almeida, Lucas Botelho, Alide Caroline Lima Fontes, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Daniel de Assis Santos, Cláudio Antônio Bonjardim, Bernard La Scola, Erna Geessien Kroon,et al.
    American Society for Microbiology
    ABSTRACT Acanthamoeba is a genus of free-living amoebas distributed worldwide. Few studies have explored the interactions between these protozoa and their infecting giant virus, Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (APMV). Here we show that, once the amoebal encystment is triggered, trophozoites become significantly resistant to APMV. Otherwise, upon infection, APMV is able to interfere with the expression of a serine proteinase related to amoebal encystment and the encystment can no longer be triggered.

  • Amoebas as mimivirus bunkers: Increased resistance to UV light, heat and chemical biocides when viruses are carried by amoeba hosts
    Paulo V. M. Boratto, Fábio P. Dornas, Kétyllen R. Andrade, Rodrigo Rodrigues, Felipe Peixoto, Lorena C. F. Silva, Bernard La Scola, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Gabriel Magno Freitas de Almeida, Erna G. Kroon,et al.
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC