A Combination of Four Nuclear Targeted Effectors ProtectsToxoplasmaAgainst Interferon Gamma Driven Human Host Cell Death During Acute Infection

Abstract

AbstractIn both mice and humans, Type II interferon-gamma (IFNγ) is crucial for regulation ofToxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) infection, during acute or chronic phases. To thwart this defense,T. gondiisecretes protein effectors hindering the host’s immune response. For example,T. gondiirelies on the MYR translocon complex to deploy soluble dense granule effectors (GRAs) into the host cell cytosol or nucleus. Recent genome-wide loss-of-function screens in IFNγ-primed primary human fibroblasts identified MYR translocon components as crucial for parasite resistance against IFNγ driven vacuole clearance. However, these screens did not pinpoint specific MYR-dependent GRA proteins responsible for IFNγ signaling blockade, suggesting potential functional redundancy.Our study reveals thatT. gondiidepends on the MYR translocon complex to prevent host cell death and parasite premature egress in human cells stimulated with IFNγ post-infection, a unique phenotype observed in various human cell lines but not in murine cells. Intriguingly, inhibiting parasite egress did not prevent host cell death, indicating this mechanism is distinct from those described previously. Genome-wide loss-of-function screens uncovered TgIST, GRA16, GRA24, and GRA28 as effectors necessary for a complete block of IFNγ response. GRA24 and GRA28 directly influenced IFNγ driven transcription, GRA24’s action depended on its interaction with p38 MAPK, while GRA28 disrupted histone acetyltransferase activity of CBP/p300. Given the intricate nature of the immune response toT. gondii, it appears that the parasite has evolved equally elaborate mechanisms to subvert IFNγ signaling, extending beyond direct interference with the JAK/STAT1 pathway, to encompass other signaling pathways as well.