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Valério-Bolas A, Meunier M, Palma-Marques J, Rodrigues A, Santos AM, Nunes T, Ferreira R, Armada A, Alves JC, Antunes W, Cardoso I, Mesquita-Gabriel S, Lobo L, Alexandre-Pires G, Marques L, Pereira da Fonseca I, Santos-Gomes G. Exploiting Leishmania-Primed Dendritic Cells as Potential Immunomodulators of Canine Immune Response. Cells 2024; 13:445. [PMID: 38474410 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) capture pathogens and process antigens, playing a crucial role in activating naïve T cells, bridging the gap between innate and acquired immunity. However, little is known about DC activation when facing Leishmania parasites. Thus, this study investigates in vitro activity of canine peripheral blood-derived DCs (moDCs) exposed to L. infantum and L. amazonensis parasites and their extracellular vesicles (EVs). L. infantum increased toll-like receptor 4 gene expression in synergy with nuclear factor κB activation and the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This parasite also induced the expression of class II molecules of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and upregulated co-stimulatory molecule CD86, which, together with the release of chemokine CXCL16, can attract and help in T lymphocyte activation. In contrast, L. amazonensis induced moDCs to generate a mix of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, indicating that this parasite can establish a different immune relationship with DCs. EVs promoted moDCs to express class I MHC associated with the upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules and the release of CXCL16, suggesting that EVs can modulate moDCs to attract cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Thus, these parasites and their EVs can shape DC activation. A detailed understanding of DC activation may open new avenues for the development of advanced leishmaniasis control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Valério-Bolas
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mafalda Meunier
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Palma-Marques
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Armanda Rodrigues
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Santos
- Divisão de Medicina Veterinária, Guarda Nacional Republicana, 1200-771 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Telmo Nunes
- Microscopy Center, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui Ferreira
- Banco de Sangue Animal (BSA), 4100-462 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Armada
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Carlos Alves
- Divisão de Medicina Veterinária, Guarda Nacional Republicana, 1200-771 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Wilson Antunes
- Unidade Militar Laboratorial de Defesa Biológica e Química (UMLDBQ), 1849-012 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Cardoso
- Banco de Sangue Animal (BSA), 4100-462 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Mesquita-Gabriel
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lis Lobo
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Graça Alexandre-Pires
- CIISA, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1200-771 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Marques
- BioSystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon-FCUL-BioISI Ce3CE, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pereira da Fonseca
- CIISA, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1200-771 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Santos-Gomes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
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Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis: New Insights on Innate Immune Response by Blood Macrophages and Liver Kupffer Cells to Leishmania infantum Parasites. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11010100. [PMID: 35053098 PMCID: PMC8773027 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
L. infantum is the aetiological agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL), a disease that affects humans and dogs. Leishmania parasites are well adapted to aggressive conditions inside the phagolysosome and can control the immune activation of macrophages (MØs). Although MØs are highly active phagocytic cells with the capacity to destroy pathogens, they additionally comprise the host cells for Leishmania infection, replication, and stable establishment in the mammal host. The present study compares, for the first time, the innate immune response to L. infantum infection of two different macrophage lineages: the blood macrophages and the liver macrophages (Kupffer cells, KC). Our findings showed that L. infantum takes advantage of the natural predisposition of blood-MØs to phagocyte pathogens. However, parasites rapidly subvert the mechanisms of MØs immune activation. On the other hand, KCs, which are primed for immune tolerance, are not extensively activated and can overcome the dormancy induced by the parasite, exhibiting a selection of immune mechanisms, such as extracellular trap formation. Altogether, KCs reveal a different pattern of response in contrast with blood-MØs when confronting L. infantum parasites. In addition, KCs response appears to be more efficient in managing parasite infection, thus contributing to the ability of the liver to naturally restrain Leishmania dissemination.
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3D-Hepatocyte Culture Applied to Parasitology: Immune Activation of Canine Hepatic Spheroids Exposed to Leishmania infantum. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8120628. [PMID: 33352885 PMCID: PMC7766187 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8120628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of innovative three-dimensional (3D) spheroids cell culture strategy to Parasitology offers the opportunity to closely explore host–parasite interactions. Here we present a first report on the application of 3D hepatic spheroids to unravel the immune response of canine hepatocytes exposed to Leishmania infantum. The liver, usually considered a major metabolic organ, also performs several important immunological functions and constitutes a target organ for L. infantum infection, the etiological agent of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), and a parasitic disease of major veterinary and public health concern. 3D hepatic spheroids were able to sense and immunologically react to L. infantum parasites, generating an innate immune response by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production and enhancing toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and interleukin-10 gene expression. The immune response orchestrated by canine hepatocytes also lead to the impairment of several cytochrome P450 (CYP450) with possible implications for liver natural xenobiotic metabolization capacity. The application of meglumine antimoniate (MgA) increased the inflammatory response of 3D hepatic spheroids by inducing the expression of Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD) -like receptors 1 and NOD2 and TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 and enhancing gene expression of tumour necrosis factor α. It is therefore suggested that hepatocytes are key effector cells and can activate and orchestrate the immune response to L. infantum parasites.
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Santos MF, Alexandre-Pires G, Pereira MA, Marques CS, Gomes J, Correia J, Duarte A, Gomes L, Rodrigues AV, Basso A, Reisinho A, Meireles J, Santos-Mateus D, Brito MTV, Tavares L, Santos-Gomes GM, da Fonseca IP. Meglumine Antimoniate and Miltefosine Combined With Allopurinol Sustain Pro-inflammatory Immune Environments During Canine Leishmaniosis Treatment. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:362. [PMID: 31681815 PMCID: PMC6813190 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) caused by Leishmania infantum is a zoonotic disease of global concern. Antileishmanial drug therapies commonly used to treat sick dogs improve their clinical condition, although when discontinued relapses can occur. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the effect of CanL treatments in peripheral blood, lymph node, and bone marrow cytokine profile associated with clinical recovery. Two groups of six dogs diagnosed with CanL were treated with miltefosine combined with allopurinol and meglumine antimoniate combined with allopurinol (MT+A and MG+A), respectively. At diagnosis and after treatment, during a 3-month follow-up, clinical signs, hematological and biochemical parameters, urinalysis results and antileishmanial antibody titers were registered. Furthermore, peripheral blood, popliteal lymph node, and bone marrow samples were collected to assess the gene expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, TGF-β, and IFN-γ by qPCR. In parallel, were also evaluated samples obtained from five healthy dogs. Both treatment protocols promoted the remission of clinical signs as well as normalization of hematological and biochemical parameters and urinalysis values. Antileishmanial antibodies returned to non-significant titers in all dogs. Sick dogs showed a generalized upregulation of IFN-γ and downregulation of IL-2, IL-4, and TGF-β, while gene expression of IL-12, TNF-α, IL-5, and IL-10 varied between groups and according to evaluated tissue. A trend to the normalization of cytokine gene expression was induced by both miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate combined therapies. However, IFN-γ gene expression was still up-regulated in the three evaluated tissues. Furthermore, the effect of treatment in the gene expression of cytokines that were not significantly changed by infection, indicates that miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate combined therapy directly affects cytokine generation. Both combined therapies are effective in CanL treatment, leading to sustained pro-inflammatory immune environments that can compromise parasite survival and favor dogs' clinical cure. In the current study, anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines do not seem to play a prominent role in CanL or during clinical recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Ferreira Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Graça Alexandre-Pires
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria A Pereira
- GHTM-Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisbon (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cátia S Marques
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Gomes
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge Correia
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Duarte
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Lídia Gomes
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Armanda V Rodrigues
- GHTM-Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisbon (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Basso
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Reisinho
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José Meireles
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - David Santos-Mateus
- GHTM-Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisbon (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Villa Brito
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Tavares
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gabriela M Santos-Gomes
- GHTM-Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisbon (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pereira da Fonseca
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Pereira MA, Alexandre-Pires G, Câmara M, Santos M, Martins C, Rodrigues A, Adriana J, Passero LFD, Pereira da Fonseca I, Santos-Gomes G. Canine neutrophils cooperate with macrophages in the early stages of Leishmania infantum in vitro infection. Parasite Immunol 2019; 41:e12617. [PMID: 30735568 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is the aetiological agent of human visceral leishmaniasis and canine leishmaniasis, both systemic and potentially fatal diseases. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are the first cells to phagocyte this parasite at the inoculation site, but macrophages (MØ) are the definitive host cells, ensuring parasite replication. The interaction between dog MØ, PMN and L infantum promastigotes was in vitro investigated. It was observed that promastigotes establish contact with blood monocyte-derived MØ mainly by the tip of the flagellum. These cells, that efficiently bind and internalize parasites, underwent major morphological changes, produced nitric oxide (NO) and released histone H1 in order to inactivate the parasite. Transfer of intracellular parasites from PMN to MØ was confirmed by flow cytometry, using L infantum expressing a green fluorescent protein. The interaction of MØ with L infantum-infected PMN lead to NO production and release of extracellular traps, which may contribute to parasite containment and inactivation. This study highlights for the first time the diversity of cellular and molecular events triggered by the interaction between canine PMN and MØ, which can promote a reduction of parasite burden in the early phase of L infantum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Pereira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre (IPP), Portalegre, Portugal
| | - Graça Alexandre-Pires
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMV), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida Câmara
- Câmara Municipal de Évora, Serviço Veterinário Municipal, Évora, Portugal
| | - Marcos Santos
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMV), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Catarina Martins
- CEDOC-Chronic Diseases Research Center, Immunology, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Armanda Rodrigues
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jéssica Adriana
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM50), Department of Pathology, Medical School of São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe D Passero
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo, Brazil.,São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute for Advanced Studies of Ocean, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabel Pereira da Fonseca
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação em Sanidade Animal (CIISA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FMV), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Santos-Gomes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
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6
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Dog hepatocytes are key effector cells in the liver innate immune response to Leishmania infantum. Parasitology 2018; 146:753-764. [PMID: 30561285 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182018002068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocytes constitute the majority of hepatic cells, and play a key role in controlling systemic innate immunity, via pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) and by synthesizing complement and acute phase proteins. Leishmania infantum, a protozoan parasite that causes human and canine leishmaniasis, infects liver by establishing inside the Kupffer cells. The current study proposes the elucidation of the immune response generated by dog hepatocytes when exposed to L. infantum. Additionally, the impact of adding leishmanicidal compound, meglumine antimoniate (MgA), to parasite-exposed hepatocytes was also addressed. L. infantum presents a high tropism to hepatocytes, establishing strong membrane interactions. The possibility of L. infantum internalization by hepatocytes was raised, but not confirmed. Hepatocytes were able to recognize parasite presence, inducing PRRs [nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)1, NOD2 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)2] gene expression and generating a mix pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine response. Reduction of cytochrome P 450s enzyme activity was also observed concomitant with the inflammatory response. Addition of MgA increased NOD2, TLR4 and interleukin 10 gene expression, indicating an immunomodulatory role for MgA. Hepatocytes seem to have a major role in coordinating liver's innate immune response against L. infantum infection, activating inflammatory mechanisms, but always balancing the inflammatory response in order to avoid cell damage.
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7
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Rodrigues A, Santos-Mateus D, Alexandre-Pires G, Valério-Bolas A, Rafael-Fernandes M, Pereira MA, Ligeiro D, de Jesus J, Alves-Azevedo R, Lopes-Ventura S, Santos M, Tomás AM, Pereira da Fonseca I, Santos-Gomes G. Leishmania infantum exerts immunomodulation in canine Kupffer cells reverted by meglumine antimoniate. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 55:42-52. [PMID: 29127992 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Kupffer cells (KC) are the liver macrophage population that resides in the hepatic sinusoids and efficiently phagocyte pathogens by establishing an intimate contact with circulating blood. KC constitute the liver host cells in Leishmania infection, nevertheless little is described about their role, apart from their notable contribution in granulomatous inflammation. The present study aims to investigate how canine KC sense and react to the presence of Leishmania infantum promastigotes and amastigotes by evaluating the gene expression of specific innate immune cell receptors and cytokines, as well as the induction of nitric oxide and urea production. Complementarily, the impact of a leishmanicidal drug - meglumine antimoniate (MgA) - in infected KC was also explored. KC revealed to be susceptible to both parasite forms and no major differences were found in the immune response generated. L. infantum parasites seem to interact with KC innate immune receptors and induce an anergic state, promoting immune tolerance and parasite survival. The addition of MgA to infected KC breaks the parasite imposed silence and increased gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and TLR4, possibly activating downstream pathways. Understanding how KC sense and react to parasite presence could bring new insights into the control or even elimination of canine leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rodrigues
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - D Santos-Mateus
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - G Alexandre-Pires
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Valério-Bolas
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Rafael-Fernandes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M A Pereira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - D Ligeiro
- IPST-Instituto Português do Sangue e da Transplantação - Centro do sangue e da transplantação de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J de Jesus
- Laboratory of Pathology of Infectious Diseases (LIM50), Department of Pathology, Medical School of São Paulo University, Brazil
| | - R Alves-Azevedo
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Lopes-Ventura
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Santos
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A M Tomás
- I3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular and ICBAS, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - I Pereira da Fonseca
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - G Santos-Gomes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
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8
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Rodrigues A, Claro M, Alexandre-Pires G, Santos-Mateus D, Martins C, Valério-Bolas A, Rafael-Fernandes M, Pereira MA, Pereira da Fonseca I, Tomás AM, Santos-Gomes G. Leishmania infantum antigens modulate memory cell subsets of liver resident T lymphocyte. Immunobiology 2016; 222:409-422. [PMID: 27615509 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the recent years, the liver has been recognized as an important immune organ with major regulatory functions and immune memory, adding to the well-described vital metabolic functions. There are evidences from experimental infections performed with visceral Leishmania species that immune responses to parasite infection can be organ-specific. The liver is the compartment of acute resolving infection, with minimal tissue damage and resistance to reinfection, whereas the spleen is the compartment of parasite persistence. Control of hepatic infection in mice requires a coordinated immune response that involves the development of inflammatory granulomas. It is also described that the liver harbors populations of resident lymphocytes, which may exhibit memory characteristics. Therefore, the present study aims to address the role of the liver as an immune memory organ in the context of Leishmania infantum infection, by characterizing phenotypically resident liver T lymphocytes. The dynamics of memory T cells in L. infantum infected BALB/c mice and the effect of anti-leishmanial treatment in the differentiation of memory cell subsets were analyzed. The potential of recognition, differentiation and selection of memory lymphocytes by three L. infantum recombinant proteins were also explored. L. infantum infection generates effector and central memory T cells, but the cells did not expand when recalled, demonstrating a possible parasite silencing effect. The treatment with a leishmanicidal drug (antimoniate meglumine) increases the levels of memory and effector T cells, eliciting a more robust hepatic immune response. L. infantum parasites with a decreased sensitivity to the leishmanicidal drug favor the expansion of memory CD8+ T cell subset, but inhibit the proliferation of CD8+ T effector cells, possibly assuring their own survival. The recombinant proteins LirCyp1 and LirSOD are strongly recognized by memory cells of treated mice, indicating that these proteins might be used in a prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine formulation. Thus, L. infantum released antigens induce the development of immune memory subsets in the liver resident T cell population that specifically recognized parasite antigens, including recombinant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rodrigues
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Claro
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - G Alexandre-Pires
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - D Santos-Mateus
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Martins
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, Immunology, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires de Pátria, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Valério-Bolas
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Rafael-Fernandes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M A Pereira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - I Pereira da Fonseca
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A M Tomás
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde and Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - G Santos-Gomes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
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9
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New insights into neutrophil and Leishmania infantum in vitro immune interactions. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2015; 40:19-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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10
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Armada A, Gazarini ML, Gonçalves LM, Antunes S, Custódio A, Rodrigues A, Almeida AJ, Silveira H, Rosário VD, Santos-Gomes G, Domingos A. Generation of an antibody that recognizes Plasmodium chabaudi cysteine protease (chabaupain-1) in both sexual and asexual parasite life cycle and evaluation of chabaupain-1 vaccine potential. Exp Parasitol 2013; 135:166-74. [PMID: 23830988 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Malaria cysteine proteases have been shown to be immunogenic and are being exploited as serodiagnostic markers, drug and vaccine targets. Several Plasmodium spp. cysteine proteases have been described and the best characterized of these are the falcipains, a family of papain-family enzymes. Falcipain-2 and falcipain-3 act in concert with other proteases to hydrolyze host erythrocyte hemoglobin in the parasite food vacuole. Falcipain-1 has less similarity to the other falcipains and its physiological role in parasite asexual blood stage still remains uncertain. Immunolocalization studies using an antibody developed against the Plasmodium chabaudi recombinant chabaupain-1, the falcipain-1 ortholog, were performed confirming its cellular localization in both erythrocyte and mosquito ookinete stage. Immunostaining of chabaupain-1 preferentially in apical portion of parasite ookinete suggests that this protease may be related with parasite egression from mosquito midgut. Immune responses to chabaupain-1 were evaluated using two different adjuvants, chitosan nanoparticles and hydroxide aluminum. Mice immunized with the recombinant protein alone or in association with nanoparticles were challenged with P. chabaudi showing that immunization with the recombinant protein confers partial protection to blood stage infection in BALB/c animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Armada
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
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11
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Barbosa M, Alexandre-Pires G, Soares-Clemente M, Marques C, Rodrigues OR, De Brito TV, Da Fonseca IP, Alves L, Santos-Gomes G. Cytokine Gene Expression in the Tissues of Dogs Infected by Leishmania infantum. J Comp Pathol 2011; 145:336-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2011.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Revised: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 03/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Passero LFD, Marques C, Vale-Gato I, Corbett CEP, Laurenti MD, Santos-Gomes G. Analysis of the protective potential of antigens released by Leishmania (Viannia) shawi promastigotes. Arch Dermatol Res 2011; 304:47-55. [PMID: 21882046 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-011-1171-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania (Viannia) shawi causes cutaneous lesions in humans. Parasite antigens conferring significant protection against American tegumentar leishmaniosis (ATL) might be important for the development of effective vaccine. Therefore, this work evaluates the protective effect of antigenic fractions released by L. shawi. Antigens released by promastigotes to culture medium were concentrated and isolated by SDS-PAGE. The three main fractions LsPass1 (>75 kDa), LsPass2 (75-50 kDa) and LsPass3 (<50 kDa) were electro-eluted according with their molecular mass. Immunized BALB/c mice were challenged with L. shawi promastigotes and the course of infection monitored during 5 weeks. LsPass1-challenged mice showed no protection, however, a strong degree of protection associated to smaller lesions and high expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α by CD4(+) T, CD8(+) T and double negative CD4CD8 cells was achieved in LsPass3-challenged mice. Furthermore, LsPass2-challenged mice showed an intermediated degree of protection associated to high levels of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA. In spite of increased expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α, high amounts of IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA were also detected in LsPass3-challenged mice indicating a possible contribution of these cytokines for the persistence of a residual number of parasites that may be important in inducing long-lasting immunity. Therefore, LsPass3 seems to be an interesting alternative that should be considered in the development of an effective vaccine against ATL.
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Uddin MH, Li S, Bae YM, Choi MH, Hong ST. Strain variation in the susceptibility and immune response to Clonorchis sinensis infection in mice. Parasitol Int 2011; 61:118-23. [PMID: 21763454 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2011.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Revised: 06/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/01/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mice have shown various susceptibility to infection by Clonorchis sinensis. To compare the intra-specific variation in the host-parasite relationship of C. sinensis, 6 strains of mice (ICR, BALB/c, C57BL/6, DDY, CBA/N, and C3H/HeN) with 3 different haplotypes were evaluated on their susceptibility. The worm recovery rate and immunological responses were observed after 4 and 8 weeks of infection with 30 metacercariae. The highest worm recovery rate was observed as 20.7% in the C3H/HeN strain after 4 weeks of infection along with histopathological changes. The rate was 10.0% in C57BL/6 mice after 8 weeks. ICR, BALB/c, and CBA/N showed elevated levels of IgE at both time points when compared to the rest of the strains. The serum IgG1 and IgG2a levels were elevated in most of the strains; however, the C57BL/6 strain showed a lower level of IgG2a that indicated the IgG1 predominance over IgG2a. The production of IL-4 after concanavalin-A stimulation of splenocytes slightly increased among the mouse strains except C3H/HeN after 4 or 8 weeks of infection, but each strain produced high levels of IFN-γ after 8 weeks, which implied mixed Th1/Th2 responses. ICR, DDY, CBA/N, and C3H/HeN strains showed a significantly increased level of IL-10 after 8 weeks as compared to C57BL/6. All of the strains showed an increased level of IL-13 and suggested fibrotic changes in the mice. In conclusion, mice are insusceptible to infection with C. sinensis; however, the C57BL/6, BALB/c and ICR strains are relatively susceptible after 8 weeks of infection among the six strains. Worm expulsion may be one of the causes of low susceptibility of C3H/HeN mice strain at the 8th week. Elevated IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-13 of infected mice suggest both Th1 and Th2 responses that may be related to the low host susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Hafiz Uddin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea
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Lagochilascaris minor: Susceptibility and Resistance to Experimental Infection in Mice Is Independent of H-2 Haplotype and Correlates with the Immune Response in Immunized Animals. J Parasitol Res 2010; 2010. [PMID: 20721343 PMCID: PMC2915754 DOI: 10.1155/2010/610457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we demonstrated that C57BL/6 mice are more susceptible to experimental lagochilascariosis than BALB/c mice. To investigate the pattern of infection and the role of the genetic background on susceptibility to infection, we studied experimental lagochilascariosis in H-2a identical B10.A and A/J mice. Infected B10.A mice had a lower survival ratio and more severe lesions in the lungs than did A/J mice. Splenocytes of A/J mice immunized with the crude extract of the parasite showed increased proliferation and produced a higher level of interleukin 10 and interferon-γ in the presence of CE or concanavalin A when compared to B10.A mice. This suggests that resistance of A/J mice may be due to less severe lesions in lungs and other organs and a better immune response to parasite antigens. This paper provides evidence that major histocompatibility complex haplotype does not influence the survival to experimental infection with L. minor.
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Passero LFD, Marques C, Vale-Gato I, Corbett CEP, Laurenti MD, Santos-Gomes G. Histopathology, humoral and cellular immune response in the murine model of Leishmania (Viannia) shawi. Parasitol Int 2010; 59:159-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2009.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2009] [Revised: 12/28/2009] [Accepted: 12/29/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Identification of regulatory T cells during experimental Leishmania infantum infection. Immunobiology 2008; 214:101-11. [PMID: 19167988 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2008.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2008] [Revised: 05/09/2008] [Accepted: 07/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL), a disease frequently characterized by specific impairment of cell-mediated immune responses and uncontrolled parasitization. Regulatory T cells (Treg) have been shown to be involved in the direct induction of immunosuppression of effector immune response during chronic Leishmania infections. The present study aims to investigate the possible involvement of Treg cells during L. infantum infection. Results indicate that CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells are present in L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice and exhibit phenotypic and functional characteristics of Treg. The presence of high levels of Foxp3 gene expression and surface expression of alpha(E)beta(7) integrin (CD103) suggest a predisposition for Treg retention within sites of L. infantum infection, as is the case of the spleen and draining lymph nodes, consequently influencing local immune response. Th1 and Th2 effector immune responses seem inadequate, due to Treg expansion. Foxp3 expressing CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells are capable of producing TGF-beta and may contribute to immunosuppression and better control of parasite-mediated-immunopathology during infection. Surprisingly, IL-10 producing-CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(-) T cells were also identified as an additional source of IL-10 and may represent a type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cell subset that is being induced by L. infantum parasites. These findings suggest that distinct regulatory T cells develop in response to L. infantum and may play a possible role in promoting parasite persistence and the establishment of chronic infection.
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