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Bamorovat M, Sharifi I, Khosravi A, Aflatoonian MR, Agha Kuchak Afshari S, Salarkia E, Sharifi F, Aflatoonian B, Gharachorloo F, Khamesipour A, Mohebali M, Zamani O, Shirzadi MR, Gouya MM. Global Dilemma and Needs Assessment Toward Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Controlling Leishmaniasis. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2024; 14:22-34. [PMID: 38466368 PMCID: PMC11043315 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-024-00190-z] [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: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease of poverty that imposes a devastating medical, social, and economic burden on over 1 billion people nationwide. To date, no in-depth study to analyze the major global challenges and needs assessment has been carried out. This investigation aimed to explore a comprehensive narrative review of leishmaniasis's main challenges and initially highlight obstacles that might impede the implementation of control measures. Also, we propose a specific list of priorities for needs assessment. The presence of socioeconomic factors, multiple clinical and epidemiological forms, various Leishmania species, the complexity of the life cycle, the absence of effective drugs and vaccines, and the lack of efficient vector and reservoir control make this organism unique and sophisticated in playing a tangled role to react tricky with its surrounding environments, despite extensive efforts and implementation of all-inclusive former control measures. These facts indicate that the previous strategic plans, financial support, and basic infrastructures connected to leishmaniasis surveillance are still insufficient. Strengthening the leishmaniasis framework in a context of accelerated programmatic action and intensification of cross-cutting activities along with other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is confidently expected to result in greater effectiveness, cost-benefit, and fruitful management. Sensitive diagnostics, effective therapeutics, and efficacious vaccines are vital to accelerating advancement toward elimination, and reducing morbidity/mortality and program costs. Collective actions devoted by all sectors and policy-makers can hopefully overcome technical and operational barriers to guarantee that effective and coordinated implementation plans are sustained to meet the road map for NTDs 2021- 2030 goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Khosravi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | | | - Ehsan Salarkia
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sharifi
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Behnaz Aflatoonian
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Faranak Gharachorloo
- Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Zamani
- Universal Health Coverage for Communicable Diseases (UHC: CD), World Health Organization, Country Office, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Shirzadi
- Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Gouya
- Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
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Derakhshani A, Sharifi I, Salarkia E, Keyhani A, Agha Kuchak Afshari S, Iranmanesh B, Lashkarizadeh M, Nejad Biglari H, Lari Najafi M, Bamorovat M. Antileishmanial potentials of azacitidine and along with meglumine antimoniate on Leishmania major: In silico prediction and in vitro analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291321. [PMID: 37682979 PMCID: PMC10490874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in silico antileishmanial activity of azacitidine (AZA) on Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes. The in silico method was used to evaluate the possibility of the interaction of AZA into the binding pocket of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a leading defensive oxidative metabolite. Following that, in vitro anti-promastigote, and anti-amastigote activity of AZA was determined using an MTT assay and a macrophage model, respectively. Cytotoxic effects of AZA and meglumine antimoniate (MA) were also assessed by MTT assay on murine macrophages. All experiments were performed in triplicate. The results showed that AZA interacted with Ser133, Gln134, and Lys13 amino acids of iNOS, and the molecular docking score was obtained at -241.053 kcal/mol. AZA in combination with MA significantly (P<0.001) inhibited the growth rate of nonclinical promastigote (IC50 247.6±7.3 μM) and 8.5-fold higher of clinical intramacrophage amastigote stage (29.8±5.3 μM), compared to the untreated group. A significant upsurge of Th1 subsets and transcription genes and a meaningful decline in Th2 cytokines subclasses at the equivalent concentrations of AZA and MA was observed (P<0.001). The apoptosis effect of AZA along with MA was significantly induced on L. major in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.001). The present study demonstrated that AZA possesses antileishmanial activity in in vitro and in silico models. However, AZA combined with MA was more effective than AZA alone in inhibiting the growth rate of promastigotes and amastigotes of L. major. This study indicates that AZA in combination with MA demonstrated a potent antileishmanial mechanism, promoting immune response and enhancing an immunomodulatory role toward the Th1 pathway. This experimental study is a basic study for applying more knowledge about the mechanisms of AZA along with MA in animal models in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Derakhshani
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan Salarkia
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza Keyhani
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Behzad Iranmanesh
- Department of Dermatology, Afzalipour Hospital, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Lashkarizadeh
- Department of Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Nejad Biglari
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Moslem Lari Najafi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Rashno Z, Sharifi I, Oliaee RT, Tajbakhsh S, Sharififar F, Sharifi F, Hatami A, Faridi A, Babaei Z. Anti-leishmanial activity of Avicennia marina (Avicenniaceae family) leaves hydroalcoholic extract and its possible cellular mechanisms. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2022; 17:e00239. [PMID: 35146140 PMCID: PMC8801380 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2022.e00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products are the main source of potent antioxidants and anti-leishmanial agents. This study was aimed to evaluate Avicennia marina (Avicenniaceae family) extract inhibitory effect against Leishmania tropica by accessing apoptotic markers and arginase activity. The A. marina were extracted and phytochemical analysis conducted. The inhibitory effect of A. marina was evaluated on L. tropica promastigote and amastigote forms, compared to meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime, MA) as standard drug. The level of apoptosis, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and arginase activity was assessed in A. marina-treated cells compared to control group. Phytochemical screening of A. marina extract showed strong presence of tannins and saponins. We demonstrated the inhibitory effect of A. marina on promastigote stages in a dose dependent manner. Also, lower 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of amastigotes was indicated in A. marina group compared with the standard group of Glucantime (60.57 ± 1.46 vs. 73.19 ± 10.12 μg/mL, respectively, P < 0.05). Besides, A. marina represented no cytotoxicity as the selectivity index (SI) was 10.7. Also, it showed the potential to induce early apoptosis of 46.5% in promastigotes at 125 μg/mL concentration. Significant reduction of arginase level was observed in both A. marina-treated cells and promastigotes. The promising results indicated higher effectiveness of A. marina in decreasing parasite growth, inducing apoptosis in promastigotes, increasing ROS production and decreasing arginase level. So, A. marina can be a native plant candidate for anti-leishmanial drug in tropical regions with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L. tropica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Rashno
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeed Tajbakhsh
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Fariba Sharififar
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Department of Pharmacognosy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sharifi
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Abbas Hatami
- Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ashkan Faridi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Babaei
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Corresponding author at: Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Volpedo G, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Bhattacharya P, Oljuskin T, Dey R, Gannavaram S, Satoskar AR, Nakhasi HL. Determinants of Innate Immunity in Visceral Leishmaniasis and Their Implication in Vaccine Development. Front Immunol 2021; 12:748325. [PMID: 34712235 PMCID: PMC8546207 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.748325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is endemic to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is transmitted by the bite of an infected sand fly. The multifaceted interactions between Leishmania, the host innate immune cells, and the adaptive immunity determine the severity of pathogenesis and disease development. Leishmania parasites establish a chronic infection by subversion and attenuation of the microbicidal functions of phagocytic innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Other innate cells such as inflammatory monocytes, mast cells and NK cells, also contribute to resistance and/or susceptibility to Leishmania infection. In addition to the cytokine/chemokine signals from the innate immune cells, recent studies identified the subtle shifts in the metabolic pathways of the innate cells that activate distinct immune signal cascades. The nexus between metabolic pathways, epigenetic reprogramming and the immune signaling cascades that drive the divergent innate immune responses, remains to be fully understood in Leishmania pathogenesis. Further, development of safe and efficacious vaccines against Leishmaniasis requires a broader understanding of the early interactions between the parasites and innate immune cells. In this review we focus on the current understanding of the specific role of innate immune cells, the metabolomic and epigenetic reprogramming and immune regulation that occurs during visceral leishmaniasis, and the strategies used by the parasite to evade and modulate host immunity. We highlight how such pathways could be exploited in the development of safe and efficacious Leishmania vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Timur Oljuskin
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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Bamorovat M, Sharifi I, Tavakoli Oliaee R, Jafarzadeh A, Khosravi A. Determinants of Unresponsiveness to Treatment in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Focus on Anthroponotic Form Due to Leishmania tropica. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:638957. [PMID: 34140933 PMCID: PMC8203913 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.638957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a curable disease; however, due to various risk factors, unresponsiveness to CL treatments is inevitable. The treatment of CL has been firmly correlated with multiple determinants, such as demographical, clinical, and environmental factors, the host’s immune response, poor treatment adherence, the parasite’s genetic make-up, and Leishmania RNA virus. This study primarily focuses on the risk factors associated with different therapeutic outcomes following meglumine antimoniate (MA; Glucantime®) treatment and policy approaches to prevent unresponsiveness in CL patients with a focus on anthroponotic form (ACL). Findings suggest that effective preventive and therapeutic measures should be more vigorously implemented, particularly in endemic areas. Accordingly, extensive training is essential to monitor drug unresponsiveness regularly, especially in tropical regions where the disease is prevalent. Since humans are the fundamental reservoir host of ACL due to L. tropica, prompt detection, early diagnosis, and timely and effective treatment could help control this disease. Furthermore, major challenges and gaps remain: efficacious vaccine, new tools, and expert staff are crucial before CL can be definitively controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Abdollah Jafarzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ahmad Khosravi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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The Effect of Naja naja oxiana Snake Venom Against Leishmania tropica Confirmed by Advanced Assays. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:475-486. [PMID: 33159262 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00301-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to explore the activity of Naja naja oxiana venom on Leishmania tropica and its modes of action. METHODS Different fractions of Naja naja oxiana venom (NNOV) were prepared and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography. The superior component, fraction k (FK) was selected. The activity of the fraction was assessed using advanced assays. RESULTS Interleukin (IL)-12, TNF-α and iNOS gene expression as the indicators of Th1 significantly increased. In contrast, the level of IL-10, as the marker of T helper 2 substantially decreased (p < 0.001). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection showed a significant increase (p < 0.001) after treatment with different concentrations of NNOV-FK, unlike arginase (L-ARG) activity which showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001). The NNOV-FK showed significant lethal activity on the L. tropica stages. CONCLUSION The findings demonstrated that NNOV-FK represented a strong leishmanicidal activity on L. tropica stages. The major modes of NNOV-FK action are multidimensional, which perceives the induction of a synergistic response and upregulation of the immune-modulatory role towards Th1 response against L. tropica stages as well as apoptotic and anti-metabolic action as a model drug to generate ROS, block the polyamine synthesis and lead to parasite death.
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Arginase/nitric oxide modifications using live non-pathogenic Leishmania tarentolae as an effective delivery system inside the mammalian macrophages. J Parasit Dis 2021; 45:65-71. [PMID: 33746388 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01279-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant live delivery system based on chemokine IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 kDa (CXCL 10 or IP-10), as a suitable immunotherapy tool, have been used for the treatment of Leishmania infections. This chemokine can defeat Leishmania spp. infection via producing nitric oxide (NO) for parasite killing. This study was performed to investigate the effects of IP-10 on the infected human macrophages by L. tarentolae expressing IP-10. We also quantified the arginase activity and NO production in the co-cultured human macrophages with L. tarentolae expressing IP-10 as compared with wild L. tarentolae. The results elucidate that in the infected cells with L. tarentolae expression of IP-10 the arginase activity decreased, and inversely, NO production intensely increased. Altogether, L. tarentolae expressing IP-10 shows a favorable therapeutic tool to improve the treatment of Leishmania infection. This work suggests that L. tarentolae expressing IP-10 cause specific effects on the metabolic pathways of the macrophage host, which might enable the host cells in killing of parasites and decreasing the survival of them against Leishmania infection.
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Sezavar M, Sharifi I, Ghasemi Nejad Almani P, Kazemi B, Davoudi N, Salari S, Salarkia E, Khosravi A, Bamorovat M. The potential therapeutic role of PTR1 gene in non-healing anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica. J Clin Lab Anal 2021; 35:e23670. [PMID: 33283321 PMCID: PMC7957997 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug resistance is a common phenomenon frequently observed in countries where leishmaniasis is endemic. Due to the production of the pteridine reductase enzyme (PTR1), drugs lose their efficacy, and consequently, the patient becomes unresponsive to treatment. This study aimed to compare the in vitro effect of meglumine antimoniate (MA) on non- healing Leishmania tropica isolates and on MA transfected non-healing one to PTR1. METHODS Two non-healing and one healing isolates of L. tropica were collected from patients who received two courses or one cycle of intralesional MA along with biweekly liquid nitrogen cryotherapy or systemic treatment alone, respectively. After confirmation of L. tropica isolates by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the recombinant plasmid pcDNA-rPTR (antisense) was transfected via electroporation and cultured on M199. Isolates in form of promastigotes were treated with different concentrations of MA and read using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reader and the half inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) value was calculated. The amastigotes were grown in mouse macrophages and were similarly treated with various concentrations of MA. The culture glass slides were stained, and the mean number of intramacrophage amastigotes and infected macrophages were assessed in triplicate for both stages. RESULTS All three transfected isolates displayed a reduction in optical density compared with the promastigotes in respective isolates, although there was no significant difference between non-healing and healing isolates. In contrast, in the clinical form (amastigotes), there was a significant difference between non-healing and healing isolates (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The results indicated that the PTR1 gene reduced the efficacy of the drug, and its inhibition by antisense and could improve the treatment of non-healing cases. These findings have future implications in the prophylactic and therapeutic modality of non- healing Leishmania isolates to drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Sezavar
- Department of Experimental SciencesFaculty of Allied medicineAlborz University of Medical SciencesKarajIran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research CentreKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
| | | | - Bahram Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology, Research CentreShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Biotechnology Department, School of Advanced Technologies in MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesIran
| | - Noushin Davoudi
- Department of BiotechnologyPasteur Institute of IranTehranIran
| | - Samira Salari
- Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research CenterKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
| | - Ehsan Salarkia
- Leishmaniasis Research CentreKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
| | - Ahmad Khosravi
- Leishmaniasis Research CentreKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research CentreKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
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Motalleb G, MalekRaeesi H, Mirahmadi H, Tavakoli Kareshk A, Solgi R. Molecular identification of cutaneous leishmaniasis species using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) gene in southeast of Iran. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2020.101005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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10
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Firouzeh N, Asadi A, Tavakoli Kareshk A. Nano amphotericin B: a good anti-leishmanial drug with effect on cathelicidin gene expression. J Parasit Dis 2020; 45:366-371. [PMID: 34295035 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01308-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania major (L. major), remained as a global health problem of the current century. Leishmania major is a major cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in developed and developing countries. Traditionally, amphotericin B is prescribed as an alternative drug, while first-line drugs failed. Some active proteins of the innate immune system such as cathelicidins try to inhibit infection Via several proposed mechanisms. Here this research aimed to not only determine the anti-leishmanial activity of nano amphotericin B but also to evaluate which anti-leishmanial drug can induce the cathelicidin gene expression. Both promastigote and amastigote stages of L. major were exposed to various concentrations of nano amphotericin B, amphotericin B and finally compared to glucan time as standard drug for CL treatment. For the gene expression of cathelicidin, macrophages were exposed to the same concentration of anti-leishmanial drugs. The findings demonstrated that nano amphotericin B was more effective at all concentrations than amphotericin B. Additionally, among tested anti-leishmanial drugs, nano amphotericin B has more potency to induce the cathelicidin gene expression in macrophages cells. The findings revealed that nano amphotericin B has potential as an effective anti-leishmanial drug against CL caused by L. major parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Firouzeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
| | - Arash Asadi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
| | - Amir Tavakoli Kareshk
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
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11
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Pessenda G, da Silva JS. Arginase and its mechanisms in Leishmania persistence. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12722. [PMID: 32294247 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected infectious disease with clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic or mild symptoms to chronic infection and eventual death. The mechanisms of disease susceptibility and pathology have been extensively studied, but there are no steadfast rules regarding leishmaniasis. A Th1 response is usually associated with infection control, while a predominant Th2 response is detrimental to the patient. In this scenario, the enzymes arginase and inducible nitric oxide synthase represent two possible pathways of immune response. While the former contributes to parasite replication, the latter is crucial for its control. In the present review, we collected study results that associate arginase expression in patients and in experimental models with disease susceptibility/chronicity and show some proposed mechanisms that explain the role of arginase in maintaining Leishmania infection, including polyamine and thiol synthesis, tissue-resident macrophage (TRM) proliferation and activation and T-cell suppression and exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Pessenda
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - João Santana da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Bi-institucional, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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12
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Asadi A, Tavakoli Kareshk A, Sharifi I, Firouzeh N. Murine cathelicidin: as a host defensive response against Leishmania major infection. J Parasit Dis 2020; 44:633-638. [PMID: 32801517 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-020-01238-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a serious global challenge with neither efficacious prophylactic vaccine nor effective and safe therapeutic measures. Cathelicidins, members of antimicrobial peptides family, are small proteins of innate immunity system, which represent a protective barrier against a number of potential pathogens in living organisms. The murine cathelicidin or cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) is expressed by a variety of cells or tissues, and highly resembles to human cathelicidin (LL-37). It is naturally expressed at a low concentration in adolescent age, but extensively increases during cutaneous infections. Despite its important role, it has less been investigated in parasitic infections. Among all cells, macrophages and skin cells are the two important cells that directly have a relationship with Leishmania major parasites. The present study aimed to show whether cathelicidins protect their hosts following cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L. major parasites. Both in vitro and in vivo models of L. major infection were established by exposing of J744 cell line (murine macrophages) and BALB/c mice with the stationary phase of L. major promastigotes for 24 h and 7 days. The findings revealed that both macrophages and skin cells significantly (p < 0.05) expressed a high level of CRAMP gene and peptide after challenging with L. major parasites. Thus, our data suggest a protective role for cathelicidins against infections caused by L. major parasites. This experimental model could be considered as a novel potential vaccine candidate for planning future control strategy against human leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Asadi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Amir Tavakoli Kareshk
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Nima Firouzeh
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Oliaee RT, Sharifi I, Bamorovat M, Keyhani A, Babaei Z, Salarkia E, Tavakoly R, Khosravi A, Mostafavi M, Sharifi F, Mousavi SM. The potential role of nicotinamide on Leishmania tropica: An assessment of inhibitory effect, cytokines gene expression and arginase profiling. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 86:106704. [PMID: 32590317 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis represents a major health concern worldwide which has no effective treatment modality. Nicotinamide (NAm) has been used for a wide range of applications from anticancer to antimicrobial usage. This study aimed to assess the effect of NAm combination on Leishmania tropica Inhibition, as well as on cytokines gene expression and arginase (ARG) activity in L. tropica-infected macrophages in an in vitro model. The leishmanicidal effects of NAm and Glucantime (meglumine antimoniate, MA) alone and in combination (NAm/MA) were evaluated using a colorimetric assay and macrophage model. Additionally, immunomodulatory effects and enzymatic activity were assessed by analyzing Th1 and Th2 cytokines gene expression and ARG level, respectively, in infected macrophages treated with NAm and MA, alone and in combination. Findings indicated that the NAm/MA combination demonstrated greater inhibitory effects on L. tropica promastigotes and amastigotes compared with each drug individually. Docking results proved the affinity of NAm to IFN-γ, which can affirm the increased levels of IFN-γ, IL-12p40 and TNF-α as well as reductions in IL-10 secretion with a dose-response effect, especially in the combination group. The NAm/MA combination also showed a significant reduction in the level of ARG activity at all concentrations used compared to each drug individually. These findings indicate higher effectiveness of NAm plus MA in reducing parasite growth, promoting immune response and inhibiting ARG level. This combination should be considered as a potential therapeutic regimen for treatment of volunteer patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in future control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza Keyhani
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Babaei
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan Salarkia
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Rahele Tavakoly
- Student Research Committee, School of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Khosravi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahshid Mostafavi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sharifi
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Mousavi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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