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Cattaneo GM, Varotto-Boccazzi I, Molteni R, Ronchetti F, Gabrieli P, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Otranto D, Montomoli E, Bandi C, Epis S. A novel chemically defined medium for the biotechnological and biomedical exploitation of the cell factory Leishmania tarentolae. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9562. [PMID: 38671070 PMCID: PMC11053126 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60383-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of media for cell culture is a major issue in the biopharmaceutical industry, for the production of therapeutics, immune-modulating molecules and protein antigens. Chemically defined media offer several advantages, as they are free of animal-derived components and guarantee high purity and a consistency in their composition. Microorganisms of the genus Leishmania represent a promising cellular platform for production of recombinant proteins, but their maintenance requires supplements of animal origin, such as hemin and fetal bovine serum. In the present study, three chemically defined media were assayed for culturing Leishmania tarentolae, using both a wild-type strain and a strain engineered to produce a viral antigen. Among the three media, Schneider's Drosophila Medium supplemented with Horseradish Peroxidase proved to be effective for the maintenance of L. tarentolae promastigotes, also allowing the heterologous protein production by the engineered strain. Finally, the engineered strain was maintained in culture up to the 12th week without antibiotic, revealing its capability to produce the recombinant protein in the absence of selective pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC 'Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', University of Milan, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Molteni
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Gabrieli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC 'Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', University of Milan, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Republic of China
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
- VisMederi, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC 'Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', University of Milan, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
- Pediatric CRC 'Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', University of Milan, 20157, Milan, Italy.
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Bandi C, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Otranto D, Alvaro A, Louzada-Flores VN, Pajoro M, Varotto-Boccazzi I, Brilli M, Manenti A, Montomoli E, Zuccotti G, Epis S. Leishmania tarentolae: a vaccine platform to target dendritic cells and a surrogate pathogen for next generation vaccine research in leishmaniases and viral infections. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:35. [PMID: 36703216 PMCID: PMC9879565 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05651-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania are unusual unicellular microorganisms in that they are characterized by the capability to subvert in their favor the immune response of mammalian phagocytes, including dendritic cells. Thus, in overt leishmaniasis, dendritic cells and macrophages are converted into a niche for Leishmania spp. in which the parasite, rather than being inactivated and disassembled, survives and replicates. In addition, Leishmania parasites hitchhike onto phagocytic cells, exploiting them as a mode of transport to lymphoid tissues where other phagocytic cells are potentially amenable to parasite colonization. This propensity of Leishmania spp. to target dendritic cells has led some researchers to consider the possibility that the non-pathogenic, reptile-associated Leishmania tarentolae could be exploited as a vaccine platform and vehicle for the production of antigens from different viruses and for the delivery of the antigens to dendritic cells and lymph nodes. In addition, as L. tarentolae can also be regarded as a surrogate of pathogenic Leishmania parasites, this parasite of reptiles could possibly be developed into a vaccine against human and canine leishmaniases, exploiting its immunological cross-reactivity with other Leishmania species, or, after its engineering, for the expression of antigens from pathogenic species. In this article we review published studies on the use of L. tarentolae as a vaccine platform and vehicle, mainly in the areas of leishmaniases and viral infections. In addition, a short summary of available knowledge on the biology of L. tarentolae is presented, together with information on the use of this microorganism as a micro-factory to produce antigens suitable for the serodiagnosis of viral and parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Bandi
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- grid.7644.10000 0001 0120 3326Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Alvaro
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Pajoro
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Brilli
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- grid.511037.1VisMederi, Siena, Italy ,grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy ,Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale dei Bambini-Buzzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Toh SQ, Glanfield A, Gobert GN, Jones MK. Heme and blood-feeding parasites: friends or foes? Parasit Vectors 2010; 3:108. [PMID: 21087517 PMCID: PMC2999593 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-3-108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Accepted: 11/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemoparasites, like malaria and schistosomes, are constantly faced with the challenges of storing and detoxifying large quantities of heme, released from their catabolism of host erythrocytes. Heme is an essential prosthetic group that forms the reactive core of numerous hemoproteins with diverse biological functions. However, due to its reactive nature, it is also a potentially toxic molecule. Thus, the acquisition and detoxification of heme is likely to be paramount for the survival and establishment of parasitism. Understanding the underlying mechanism involved in this interaction could possibly provide potential novel targets for drug and vaccine development, and disease treatment. However, there remains a wide gap in our understanding of these mechanisms. This review summarizes the biological importance of heme for hemoparasite, and the adaptations utilized in its sequestration and detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Qin Toh
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
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Padmanaban G, Rangarajan PN. Heme metabolism of Plasmodium is a major antimalarial target. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 268:665-8. [PMID: 10679261 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1999.1892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The malarial parasite manifests unique features of heme metabolism. In the intraerythrocyte stage it utilizes the host hemoglobin to generate amino acids for its own protein synthesis, but polymerizes the acquired heme as a mechanism for detoxification. At the same time the parasite synthesizes heme de novo for metabolic use. The heme biosynthetic pathway of the parasite is similar to that of hepatocytes and erythrocytes. However, while the parasite makes its own delta-aminolevulinate (ALA) synthase that is immunochemically different from that of the host, it imports ALA dehydrase and perhaps the subsequent enzymes of the pathway from the host red cell. Many schizonticidal drugs such as chloroquine and artemisinin act by interfering with the heme metabolism of the parasite and there is scope to design new molecules based on the unique features of this metabolic machinery in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Padmanaban
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India
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