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Saini I, Joshi J, Kaur S. Leishmania vaccine development: A comprehensive review. Cell Immunol 2024; 399-400:104826. [PMID: 38669897 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2024.104826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Infectious diseases like leishmaniasis, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, leprosy and filariasis are responsible for an immense burden on public health systems. Among these, leishmaniasis is under the category I diseases as it is selected by WHO (World Health Organization) on the ground of diversity and complexity. High cost, resistance and toxic effects of Leishmania traditional drugs entail identification and development of therapeutic alternative. Since the natural infection elicits robust immunity, consistence efforts are going on to develop a successful vaccine. Clinical trials have been conducted on vaccines like Leish-F1, F2, and F3 formulated using specific Leishmania antigen epitopes. Current strategies utilize individual or combined antigens from the parasite or its insect vector's salivary gland extract, with or without adjuvant formulation for enhanced efficacy. Promising animal data supports multiple vaccine candidates (Lmcen-/-, LmexCen-/-), with some already in or heading for clinical trials. The crucial challenge in Leishmania vaccine development is to translate the research knowledge into affordable and accessible control tools that refines the outcome for those who are susceptible to infection. This review focuses on recent findings in Leishmania vaccines and highlights difficulties facing vaccine development and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Saini
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jyoti Joshi
- Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College, Sector-32C, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sukhbir Kaur
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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Bhowmik D, Bhuyan A, Gunalan S, Kothandan G, Kumar D. In silico and immunoinformatics based multiepitope subunit vaccine design for protection against visceral leishmaniasis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-22. [PMID: 37655736 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2252901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne neglected tropical protozoan disease with high fatality and no certified vaccine. Conventional vaccine preparation is challenging and tedious. Here in this work, we created a global multiepitope subunit vaccination against VL utilizing innovative immunoinformatics technique based on the extensively conserved epitopic regions of the PrimPol protein of Leishmania donovani consisting of four subunits which were analyzed and studied, out of which DNA primase large subunit and DNA polymerase α subunit B were evaluated as antigens by Vaxijen 2.0. The multiepitope vaccine design includes a single adjuvant β-defensins, eight CTL epitopes, eight HTL epitopes, seven linear BCL epitopes and one discontinuous BCL epitope to induce innate, cellular and humoral immune responses against VL. The Expasy ProtParam tool characterized the physiochemical parameters of the vaccine. At the same time, SOLpro evaluated our vaccine constructs to be soluble upon expression. We also modeled the stable tertiary structure of our vaccine construct through Robetta modeling for molecular docking studies with toll-like receptor proteins through HADDOCK 2.4. Simulations based on molecular dynamics revealed an intact vaccine and TLR8 complex, supporting our vaccine design's immunogenicity. Also, the immune simulation of our vaccine by the C-ImmSim server demonstrated the potency of the multiepitope vaccine construct to induce proper immune response for host defense. Codon optimization and in silico cloning of our vaccine further assured high expression. The outcomes of our study on multiepitope vaccine design significantly produced a potential candidate against VL and can potentially eradicate the disease in the future after clinical investigations.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deep Bhowmik
- Deparment of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
| | - Achyut Bhuyan
- Deparment of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
| | - Seshan Gunalan
- Biopolymer Modelling Laboratory, Centre of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Gugan Kothandan
- Biopolymer Modelling Laboratory, Centre of Advanced Study in Crystallography and Biophysics, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Diwakar Kumar
- Deparment of Microbiology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
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Zhang P, Gong J, Jiang Y, Long Y, Lei W, Gao X, Guo D. Application of Silver Nanoparticles in Parasite Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1783. [PMID: 37513969 PMCID: PMC10384186 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are ultra-small silver particles with a size from 1 to 100 nanometers. Unlike bulk silver, they have unique physical and chemical properties. Numerous studies have shown that AgNPs have beneficial biological effects on various diseases, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiparasitic, and antiviruses. One of the most well-known applications is in the field of antibacterial applications, where AgNPs have strong abilities to kill multi-drug resistant bacteria, making them a potential candidate as an antibacterial drug. Recently, AgNPs synthesized from plant extracts have exhibited outstanding antiparasitic effects, with a shorter duration of use and enhanced ability to inhibit parasite multiplication compared to traditional antiparasitic drugs. This review summarizes the types, characteristics, and the mechanism of action of AgNPs in anti-parasitism, mainly focusing on their effects in leishmaniasis, flukes, cryptosporidiosis, toxoplasmosis, Haemonchus, Blastocystis hominis, and Strongylides. The aim is to provide a reference for the application of AgNPs in the prevention and control of parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, 99 Hongjing Road, Nanjing 211169, China
| | - Jiahao Gong
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yan Jiang
- Animal, Plant and Food Inspection Center of Nanjing Customs District, 39 Chuangzhi Road, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Yunfeng Long
- Animal, Plant and Food Inspection Center of Nanjing Customs District, 39 Chuangzhi Road, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Weiqiang Lei
- College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, 99 Hongjing Road, Nanjing 211169, China
| | - Xiuge Gao
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Dawei Guo
- Engineering Center of Innovative Veterinary Drugs, MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
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Du X, McManus DP, French JD, Collinson N, Sivakumaran H, MacGregor SR, Fogarty CE, Jones MK, You H. CRISPR interference for sequence-specific regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor A in Schistosoma mansoni. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1105719. [PMID: 36713455 PMCID: PMC9880433 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1105719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Employing the flatworm parasite Schistosoma mansoni as a model, we report the first application of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) in parasitic helminths for loss-of-function studies targeting the SmfgfrA gene which encodes the stem cell marker, fibroblast growth factor receptor A (FGFRA). SmFGFRA is essential for maintaining schistosome stem cells and critical in the schistosome-host interplay. The SmfgfrA gene was targeted in S. mansoni adult worms, eggs and schistosomula using a catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) fused to a transcriptional repressor KRAB. We showed that SmfgfrA repression resulted in considerable phenotypic differences in the modulated parasites compared with controls, including reduced levels of SmfgfrA transcription and decreased protein expression of SmFGFRA, a decline in EdU (thymidine analog 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, which specifically stains schistosome stem cells) signal, and an increase in cell apoptosis. Notably, reduced SmfgfrA transcription was evident in miracidia hatched from SmfgfrA-repressed eggs, and resulted in a significant change in miracidial behavior, indicative of a durable repression effect caused by CRISPRi. Intravenous injection of mice with SmfgfrA-repressed eggs resulted in granulomas that were markedly reduced in size and a decline in the level of serum IgE, emphasizing the importance of SmFGFRA in regulating the host immune response induced during schistosome infection. Our findings show the feasibility of applying CRISPRi for effective, targeted transcriptional repression in schistosomes, and provide the basis for employing CRISPRi to selectively perturb gene expression in parasitic helminths on a genome-wide scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Du
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Juliet D. French
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Natasha Collinson
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Haran Sivakumaran
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Skye R. MacGregor
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Conor E. Fogarty
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia,School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia,*Correspondence: Hong You,
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Central and Effector Memory Human CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells during Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and after In Vitro Stimulation with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Epitopes. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11010158. [PMID: 36680003 PMCID: PMC9861845 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010158] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a Neglected Tropical Disease characterized by skin ulcers caused by Leishmania spp. protozoans and there is no safe and effective vaccine to reduce its negative consequences. In a previous work by our group, we identified T cell epitopes of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis which stimulated patients' T cells in vitro. In the present work, the peptides were tested as two pools for their ability to rescue memory T cells during natural infection by Leishmania. We analyzed the frequency of central memory (TCM, CD45RA-CD62L+) and effector memory (TEM, CD45RA + CD62L-) cells during active CL and post-treatment. In parallel, we investigated cell proliferation levels and the cytokines produced after stimulation. Interestingly, we observed higher frequencies (%) in CD4+ TEM during CL, and CD8+ TEM and CD8+ TCM during CL and post-treatment. Cell proliferation was increased, and a significant difference in expression was observed on T-bet and RORγT. Besides that, IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-10 were detected in patient samples. Collectively, this dataset suggests that during CL there is an increase in the frequency of TCM and TEM, especially in the CD8 compartment. These results indicate a potentially immunogenic profile of the peptide pools, which can support the development of anti-Leishmania formulations.
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Ghosh S, Kumar V, Verma A, Sharma T, Pradhan D, Selvapandiyan A, Salotra P, Singh R. Genome-wide analysis reveals allelic variation and chromosome copy number variation in paromomycin-resistant Leishmania donovani. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3121-3132. [PMID: 36056959 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07645-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the absence of adequate diagnosis and treatment, leishmaniasis remains a major public health concern on a global scale. Drug resistance remains a key obstacle in controlling and eliminating visceral leishmaniasis. The therapeutic gap due to lack of target-specific medicine and vaccine can be minimized by obtaining parasite's genomic information. This study compared whole-genome sequence of paromomycin-resistant parasite (K133PMM) developed through in vitro adaptation and selection with sensitive Leishmania clinical isolate (K133WT). We found a large number of upstream and intergenic gene variations in K133PMM. There were 259 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 187 insertion-deletion (InDels), and 546 copy number variations (CNVs) identified. Most of the genomic variations were found in the gene's upstream and non-coding regions. Ploidy estimation revealed chromosome 5 in tetrasomy and 6, 9, and 12 in trisomy, uniquely in K133PMM. These contain the genes for protein degradation, parasite motility, autophagy, cell cycle maintenance, and drug efflux membrane transporters. Furthermore, we also observed reduction in ploidy of chromosomes 15, 20, and 23, in the resistant parasite containing mostly the genes for hypothetical proteins and membrane transporters. We chronicled correlated genomic conversion and aneuploidy in parasites and hypothesize that this led to rapid evolutionary changes in response to drug induced pressure, which causes them to become resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Ghosh
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Vinay Kumar
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Aditya Verma
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Tanya Sharma
- ICMR-AIIMS Computational Genomics Centre, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Dibyabhaba Pradhan
- ICMR-AIIMS Computational Genomics Centre, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | | | - Poonam Salotra
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ruchi Singh
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Zhang J, Li J, Hu K, Zhou Q, Chen X, He J, Yin S, Chi Y, Liao X, Xiao Y, Qin H, Zheng Z, Chen J. Screening Novel Vaccine Candidates for Leishmania Donovani by Combining Differential Proteomics and Immunoinformatics Analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:902066. [PMID: 35812381 PMCID: PMC9260594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.902066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is the most dangerous form of leishmaniasis. Currently no effective vaccine is available for clinical use. Since the pathogenicity of different Leishmania strains is inconsistent, the differentially expressed proteins in Leishmania strains may play an important role as virulence factors in pathogenesis. Therefore, effective vaccine candidate targets may exist in the differentially expressed proteins. In this study, we used differential proteomics analysis to find the differentially expressed proteins in two Leishmania donovani strains, and combined with immunoinformatics analysis to find new vaccine candidates. The differentially expressed proteins from L. DD8 (low virulent) and L. 9044 (virulent) strains were analyzed by LC-MS/MS, and preliminarily screened by antigenicity, allergenicity and homology evaluation. The binding peptides of MHC II, IFN-γ and MHC I from differentially expressed proteins were then predicted and calculated for the second screening. IFN-γ/IL-10 ratios and conserved domain prediction were performed to choose more desirable differentially expressed proteins. Finally, the 3D structures of three vaccine candidate proteins were produced and submitted for molecular dynamics simulation and molecular docking interaction with TLR4/MD2. The results showed that 396 differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS, and 155 differentially expressed proteins were selected through antigenicity, allergenicity and homology evaluation. Finally, 16 proteins whose percentages of MHC II, IFN-γ and MHC I binding peptides were greater than those of control groups (TSA, LmSTI1, LeIF, Leish-111f) were considered to be suitable vaccine candidates. Among the 16 candidates, amino acid permease, amastin-like protein and the hypothetical protein (XP_003865405.1) simultaneously had the large ratios of IFN-γ/IL-10 and high percentages of MHC II, IFN-γ and MHC I, which should be focused on. In conclusion, our comprehensive work provided a methodological basis to screen new vaccine candidates for a better intervention against VL and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaifeng Hu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinlei He
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuangshuang Yin
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yangjian Chi
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Jianou Municipal Hospital of Fujian Province, Jianou, China
| | - Xuechun Liao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuying Xiao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanxiao Qin
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiwan Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiwan Zheng, ; Jianping Chen,
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiwan Zheng, ; Jianping Chen,
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Alameh MG, Weissman D, Pardi N. Messenger RNA-Based Vaccines Against Infectious Diseases. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022; 440:111-145. [PMID: 32300916 DOI: 10.1007/82_2020_202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In vitro-transcribed, messenger RNA-based infectious disease vaccines have the potential to successfully address many of the weaknesses of traditional vaccine platforms, such as the lack of potency and/or durability of vaccine protection, time-consuming, and expensive manufacturing, and, in some cases, safety issues. This optimism is fueled by a great deal of impressive recent data demonstrating that mRNA vaccines have many of the attributes that are necessary for a viable new vaccine class for human use. This review briefly describes mRNA vaccine types, discusses the most relevant and recent publications on infectious disease mRNA vaccines, and highlights the hurdles that need to be overcome to bring this promising novel vaccine modality to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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Biological Potential of Products Obtained from Palm Trees of the Genus Syagrus. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5580126. [PMID: 34457025 PMCID: PMC8397564 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5580126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been used for centuries by communities worldwide, as they have diverse biological properties and are effective against numerous diseases. The genus Syagrus stands out for its versatility and for so many activities presented by these palm trees, mainly due to its rich chemical and fatty acid compositions. The genus has antibacterial potential, has antibiofilm, antiparasitic, antioxidant, prebiotic, antiulcerogenic, anticholinesterase, and hypoglycemic activities, and can produce biodiesel, amid others. Among all species, Syagrus coronata and Syagrus romanzoffiana stand out, presenting the greatest number of activities and applications. The secondary metabolites obtained from these palm trees present high activity even in low concentrations and can be used against infections and chronic diseases. Furthermore, these plants have been used in some communities for years and have presented healing properties, especially in inflammatory processes. Therefore, the Syagrus genus proves to be promising, which shows a lot of therapeutic potential.
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Rodrigues da Cunha GM, Azevedo MA, Nogueira DS, Clímaco MDC, Valencia Ayala E, Jimenez Chunga JA, La Valle RJY, da Cunha Galvão LM, Chiari E, Brito CRN, Soares RP, Nogueira PM, Fujiwara RT, Gazzinelli R, Hincapie R, Chaves CS, Oliveira FMS, Finn MG, Marques AF. α-Gal immunization positively impacts Trypanosoma cruzi colonization of heart tissue in a mouse model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009613. [PMID: 34314435 PMCID: PMC8345864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is considered endemic in more than 20 countries but lacks both an approved vaccine and limited treatment for its chronic stage. Chronic infection is most harmful to human health because of long-term parasitic infection of the heart. Here we show that immunization with a virus-like particle vaccine displaying a high density of the immunogenic α-Gal trisaccharide (Qβ-αGal) induced several beneficial effects concerning acute and chronic T. cruzi infection in α1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout mice. Approximately 60% of these animals were protected from initial infection with high parasite loads. Vaccinated animals also produced high anti-αGal IgG antibody titers, improved IFN-γ and IL-12 cytokine production, and controlled parasitemia in the acute phase at 8 days post-infection (dpi) for the Y strain and 22 dpi for the Colombian strain. In the chronic stage of infection (36 and 190 dpi, respectively), all of the vaccinated group survived, showing significantly decreased heart inflammation and clearance of amastigote nests from the heart tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maíra Araújo Azevedo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Parasitologia, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Denise Silva Nogueira
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Parasitologia, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Juan Atilio Jimenez Chunga
- Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Faculdad de Ciencias Biologicas, Escuela Profesional de Microbiología y Parasitología—Laboratorio de Parasitología en Fauna Silvestre y Zoonosis, Lima, Peru
| | - Raul Jesus Ynocente La Valle
- Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Faculdad de Ciencias Biologicas, Escuela Profesional de Microbiología y Parasitología—Laboratorio de Parasitología en Fauna Silvestre y Zoonosis, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Egler Chiari
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Parasitologia, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carlos Ramon Nascimento Brito
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte—Centro de Ciências da Saúde—Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Ricardo Gazzinelli
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Parasitologia, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Instituto René Rachou/FIOCRUZ–MG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Robert Hincapie
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Carlos-Sanhueza Chaves
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - M. G. Finn
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Bordbar A, Amanlou M, Pooshang Bagheri K, Ready PD, Ebrahimi S, Shahbaz Mohammadi H, Ghafari SM, Parvizi P. Cloning, high-level gene expression and bioinformatics analysis of SP15 and LeIF from Leishmania major and Iranian Phlebotomus papatasi saliva as single and novel fusion proteins: a potential vaccine candidate against leishmaniasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 115:699-713. [PMID: 33155034 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa119] [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: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early exacerbation of cutaneous leishmaniasis is mainly affected by both the salivary and Leishmania parasite components. Little is known of the vaccine combination made by immunogenic proteins of sandfly saliva (SP15) with Leishmania parasites (LeIF) as a single prophylactic vaccine, namely SaLeish. Also, there are no data available to determine the species-specific sequence of SP15 isolated from the Iranian Phlebotomus papatasi. METHODS Integrated bioinformatics and genetic engineering methods were employed to design, optimize and obtain a vector-parasite-based vaccine formulation in a whole-length fusion form of LeIF-SP15 against leishmaniasis. Holistic gene optimization was initially performed to obtain a high yield of pure 'whole-SaLeish' expression using bioinformatics analyses. Genomic and salivary gland RNAs of wild-caught P. papatasi were extracted and their complementary DNA was amplified and cloned into pJET vector. RESULTS The new chimeric protein of whole-SaLeish and randomly selected transcripts of native PpIRSP15 (GenBank accession nos. MT025054 and MN938854, MN938855 and MN938856) were successfully expressed, purified and validated by immunoblotting assay. Furthermore, despite the single amino acid polymorphisms of PpIRSP15 found at positions Y23 and E73 within the population of wild Iranian sandflies, antigenicity and conservancy of PpIRSP15 epitopes remained constant to activate T cells. CONCLUSIONS The SaLeish vaccine strategy takes advantage of a plethora of vector-parasite immunogenic proteins with potential protective efficacy to stimulate both the innate and specific cellular immune responses against Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Bordbar
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, Iran.,Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Massoud Amanlou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Drug Design and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kamran Pooshang Bagheri
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paul Donald Ready
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sahar Ebrahimi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Shahbaz Mohammadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Metabolism Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Maryam Ghafari
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 69 Pasteur Ave., Tehran, Iran
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12
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You H, Jones MK, Whitworth DJ, McManus DP. Innovations and Advances in Schistosome Stem Cell Research. Front Immunol 2021; 12:599014. [PMID: 33746946 PMCID: PMC7973109 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.599014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes infect about 250 million people globally causing the devastating and persistent disease of schistosomiasis. These blood flukes have a complicated life cycle involving alternating infection of freshwater snail intermediate and definitive mammalian hosts. To survive and flourish in these diverse environments, schistosomes transition through a number of distinct life-cycle stages as a result of which they change their body plan in order to quickly adapt to each new environment. Current research suggests that stem cells, present in adults and larvae, are key in aiding schistosomes to facilitate these changes. Given the recent advances in our understanding of schistosome stem cell biology, we review the key roles that two major classes of cells play in the different life cycle stages during intramolluscan and intramammalian development; these include the germinal cells of sporocysts involved in asexual reproduction in molluscan hosts and the neoblasts of adult worms involved in sexual reproduction in human and other mammalian hosts. These studies shed considerable new light in revealing the stem cell heterogeneity driving the propagation of the schistosome life cycle. We also consider the possibility and value of establishing stem cell lines in schistosomes to advance schistosomiasis research. The availability of such self-renewable resources will provide new platforms to study stem cell behavior and regulation, and to address fundamental aspects of schistosome biology, reproductive development and survival. In turn, such studies will create new avenues to unravel individual gene function and to optimize genome-editing processes in blood flukes, which may lead to the design of novel intervention strategies for schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Deanne J Whitworth
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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13
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Shey RA, Ghogomu SM, Shintouo CM, Nkemngo FN, Nebangwa DN, Esoh K, Yaah NE, Manka’aFri M, Nguve JE, Ngwese RA, Njume FN, Bertha FA, Ayong L, Njemini R, Vanhamme L, Souopgui J. Computational Design and Preliminary Serological Analysis of a Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccine Candidate against Onchocerciasis and Related Filarial Diseases. Pathogens 2021; 10:99. [PMID: 33494344 PMCID: PMC7912539 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
: Onchocerciasis is a skin and eye disease that exerts a heavy socio-economic burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, a region which harbours greater than 96% of either infected or at-risk populations. The elimination plan for the disease is currently challenged by many factors including amongst others; the potential emergence of resistance to the main chemotherapeutic agent, ivermectin (IVM). Novel tools, including preventative and therapeutic vaccines, could provide additional impetus to the disease elimination tool portfolio. Several observations in both humans and animals have provided evidence for the development of both natural and artificial acquired immunity. In this study, immuno-informatics tools were applied to design a filarial-conserved multi-epitope subunit vaccine candidate, (designated Ov-DKR-2) consisting of B-and T-lymphocyte epitopes of eight immunogenic antigens previously assessed in pre-clinical studies. The high-percentage conservation of the selected proteins and epitopes predicted in related nematode parasitic species hints that the generated chimera may be instrumental for cross-protection. Bioinformatics analyses were employed for the prediction, refinement, and validation of the 3D structure of the Ov-DKR-2 chimera. In-silico immune simulation projected significantly high levels of IgG1, T-helper, T-cytotoxic cells, INF-γ, and IL-2 responses. Preliminary immunological analyses revealed that the multi-epitope vaccine candidate reacted with antibodies in sera from both onchocerciasis-infected individuals, endemic normals as well as loiasis-infected persons but not with the control sera from European individuals. These results support the premise for further characterisation of the engineered protein as a vaccine candidate for onchocerciasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Adamu Shey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies Campus, 6040 Gosselies, Belgium;
| | - Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Cabirou Mounchili Shintouo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium;
- Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Francis Nongley Nkemngo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon;
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Yaounde BP 13591, Cameroon
| | - Derrick Neba Nebangwa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Kevin Esoh
- Division of Human Genetics, Health Sciences Campus, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Rd, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Ntang Emmaculate Yaah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Muyanui Manka’aFri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Joel Ebai Nguve
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Roland Akwelle Ngwese
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
| | - Ferdinand Ngale Njume
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon; (R.A.S.); (S.M.G.); (C.M.S.); (D.N.N.); (N.E.Y.); (M.M.); (J.E.N.); (R.A.N.); (F.N.N.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies Campus, 6040 Gosselies, Belgium;
| | - Fru Asa Bertha
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea 99999, Cameroon;
| | - Lawrence Ayong
- Malaria Research Unit, Centre Pasteur Cameroon, Yaoundé Rue 2005, Cameroon;
| | - Rose Njemini
- Frailty in Ageing Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium;
- Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Vanhamme
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies Campus, 6040 Gosselies, Belgium;
| | - Jacob Souopgui
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies Campus, 6040 Gosselies, Belgium;
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Yadav S, Prakash J, Singh OP, Gedda MR, Chauhan SB, Sundar S, Dubey VK. IFN-γ + CD4 +T cell-driven prophylactic potential of recombinant LDBPK_252400 hypothetical protein of Leishmania donovani against visceral leishmaniasis. Cell Immunol 2020; 361:104272. [PMID: 33445051 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104272] [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: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a potentially fatal parasitic disease causing high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Vaccination is considered the most effective and powerful tool for blocking transmission and control of diseases. However, no vaccine is available so far in the market for humans. In the present study, we characterized the hypothetical protein LDBPK_252400 of Leishmania donovani (LdHyP) and explored its prophylactic behavior as a potential vaccine candidate against VL. We found reduced hepato-splenomegaly along with more than 50% parasite reduction in spleen and liver after vaccination in mice. Protection in vaccinated mice after the antigen challenge correlated with the stimulation of antigen specific IFN-γ expressing CD4+T cell (~4.6 fold) and CD8+T cells (~2.1 fold) in vaccinated mice in compared to infected mice, even after 2-3 months of immunization. Importantly, antigen-mediated humoral immunity correlated with high antigen specific IgG2/IgG1 responses in vaccinated mice. In vitro re-stimulation of splenocytes with LdHyP enhances the expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-10 cytokines along with lower IL-4 cytokine and IL-10/IFN-γ ratio in vaccinated mice. Importantly, we observed ~3.5 fold high NO production through activated macrophages validates antigen mediated cellular immunity induction, which is critical in controlling infection progression. These findings suggest that immunization with LdHyP mount a very robust immunity (from IL-10 towards TFN-γ mediated responses) against L. donovani infection and could be explored further as a putative vaccine candidate against VL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Yadav
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Jay Prakash
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Om Prakash Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | | | | | - Shyam Sundar
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India.
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15
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Arnal A, Villanueva‐Lizama L, Teh‐Poot C, Herrera C, Dumonteil E. Extent of polymorphism and selection pressure on the Trypanosoma cruzi vaccine candidate antigen Tc24. Evol Appl 2020; 13:2663-2672. [PMID: 33294015 PMCID: PMC7691455 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health problem in the Americas, and existing drugs have severe limitations. In this context, a vaccine would be an attractive alternative for disease control. One of the difficulties in developing an effective vaccine lies in the high genetic diversity of T. cruzi. In this study, we evaluated the level of sequence diversity of the leading vaccine candidate Tc24 in multiple parasite strains. METHODS AND RESULTS We quantified its level of polymorphism within and between T. cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs) and how this potential polymorphism is structured by different selective pressures. We observed a low level of polymorphism of Tc24 protein, weakly associated with parasite DTUs, but not with the geographic origin of the strains. In particular, Tc24 was under strong purifying selection pressure and predicted CD8+ T-cell epitopes were mostly conserved. Tc24 strong conservation may be associated with structural/functional constrains to preserve EF hand domains and their calcium-binding loops, and Tc24 is likely important for the parasite fitness. DISCUSSION Together, these results show that a vaccine based on Tc24 is likely to be effective against a wide diversity of parasite strains across the American continent, and further development of this vaccine candidate should be a high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Arnal
- Laboratorio de ParasitologíaCentro de Investigaciones Regionales “DrHideyo Noguchi”Universidad Autónoma de YucatánMéridaMexico
- Departamento de Ecología de la BiodiversidadInstituto de EcologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Liliana Villanueva‐Lizama
- Laboratorio de ParasitologíaCentro de Investigaciones Regionales “DrHideyo Noguchi”Universidad Autónoma de YucatánMéridaMexico
| | - Christian Teh‐Poot
- Laboratorio de ParasitologíaCentro de Investigaciones Regionales “DrHideyo Noguchi”Universidad Autónoma de YucatánMéridaMexico
| | - Claudia Herrera
- Department of Tropical MedicineSchool of Public Health and Tropical MedicineTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
- Vector‐Borne and Infectious Disease Research CenterTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Department of Tropical MedicineSchool of Public Health and Tropical MedicineTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
- Vector‐Borne and Infectious Disease Research CenterTulane UniversityNew OrleansLAUSA
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16
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Nixon SA, Welz C, Woods DJ, Costa-Junior L, Zamanian M, Martin RJ. Where are all the anthelmintics? Challenges and opportunities on the path to new anthelmintics. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2020; 14:8-16. [PMID: 32814269 PMCID: PMC7452592 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Control of helminth parasites is a key challenge for human and veterinary medicine. In the absence of effective vaccines and adequate sanitation, prophylaxis and treatment commonly rely upon anthelmintics. There are concerns about the development of drug resistance, side-effects, lack of efficacy and cost-effectiveness that drive the need for new classes of anthelmintics. Despite this need, only three new drug classes have reached the animal market since 2000 and no new classes of anthelmintic have been approved for human use. So where are all the anthelmintics? What are the barriers to anthelmintic discovery, and what emerging opportunities can be used to address this? This was a discussion group focus at the 2019 8th Consortium for Anthelmintic Resistance and Susceptibility (CARS) in Wisconsin, USA. Here we report the findings of the group in the broader context of the human and veterinary anthelmintic discovery pipeline, highlighting challenges unique to antiparasitic drug discovery. We comment on why the development of novel anthelmintics has been so rare. Further, we discuss potential opportunities for drug development moving into the 21st Century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A Nixon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia; CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Australia
| | | | - Debra J Woods
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Livio Costa-Junior
- Federal University of Maranhão, Pathology Department, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Richard J Martin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
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17
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Yadav S, Prakash J, Shukla H, Das KC, Tripathi T, Dubey VK. Design of a multi-epitope subunit vaccine for immune-protection against Leishmania parasite. Pathog Glob Health 2020; 114:471-481. [PMID: 33161887 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2020.1842976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is an insect-borne neglected disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. In the absence of a commercial vaccine against VL, chemotherapy is currently the only option used for the treatment of VL. Vaccination has been considered as the most effective and powerful tool for complete eradication and control of infectious diseases. In this study, we aimed to design a peptide-based vaccine against L. donovani using immuno-bioinformatic tools. We identified 6 HTL, 18 CTL, and 25 B-cell epitopes from three hypothetical membrane proteins of L. donovani. All these epitopes were used to make a vaccine construct along with linkers. An adjuvant was also added at the N-terminal to enhance its immunogenicity. After that, we checked the quality of this vaccine construct and found that it is nontoxic, nonallergic, and thermally stable. A 3D structure of the vaccine construct was also generated by homology modeling to evaluate its interaction with innate immune receptors (TLR). Molecular docking was performed, which confirmed its binding with a toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2). The stability of vaccine-TLR-2 complex and underlying interactions were evaluated using molecular dynamic simulation. Lastly, we carried out in silico cloning to check the expression of the final designed vaccine. The designed vaccine construct needs further experimental and clinical investigations to develop it as a safe and effective vaccine against VL infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Yadav
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi , Varanasi, India
| | - Jay Prakash
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi , Varanasi, India
| | - Harish Shukla
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-EasternHill University , Shillong, India
| | - Kanhu Charan Das
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-EasternHill University , Shillong, India
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-EasternHill University , Shillong, India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi , Varanasi, India
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18
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de Freitas E Silva R, Gálvez RI, Pereira VRA, de Brito MEF, Choy SL, Lotter H, Bosurgi L, Jacobs T. Programmed Cell Death Ligand (PD-L)-1 Contributes to the Regulation of CD4 + T Effector and Regulatory T Cells in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:574491. [PMID: 33193363 PMCID: PMC7642203 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.574491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) affects up to one million people every year and treatments are costly and toxic. The regulation of the host immune response is complex and the knowledge of how CD4+ T cells are activated and maintained during Leishmania infection is still limited. Current therapies aim to target programmed cell death (PD)-1 and programmed cell death ligand (PD-L)-1 in order to boost T cell activity. However, the role of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis during Leishmania infection is still unclear. In this study, we found that patients with active and post-treatment CL displayed different subsets of CD4+PD-1+ T cells. Accordingly, L. major-infected mice upregulated PD-1 on activated CD4+ T effector cells and PD-L1 on resident macrophages and infiltrating monocytes at the site of infection. L. major-infected Pdl1−/− mice expressed lower levels of MHCII and higher levels of CD206 on macrophages and monocytes and, more importantly, the lack of PD-L1 contributed to a reduced frequency of CD4+Ly6Chi T effector cells and an increase of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells at the site of infection and in draining lymph nodes. Additionally, the lack of PD-L1 was associated with lower production of IL-27 by infiltrating monocytes and lower levels of the Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α produced by CD4+ T effector cells. Pdl1−/− mice initially exhibited larger lesions despite having a similar parasite load. Our results describe for the first time how the interruption of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis influences the immune response against CL and suggests that this axis regulates the balance between CD4+Ly6Chi T effector cells and CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael de Freitas E Silva
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Natural Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil
| | - Rosa Isela Gálvez
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Siew Ling Choy
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hannelore Lotter
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lidia Bosurgi
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Jacobs
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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Pinart M, Rueda JR, Romero GA, Pinzón-Flórez CE, Osorio-Arango K, Silveira Maia-Elkhoury AN, Reveiz L, Elias VM, Tweed JA. Interventions for American cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 8:CD004834. [PMID: 32853410 PMCID: PMC8094931 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd004834.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On the American continent, cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (CL and MCL) are diseases associated with infection by several species of Leishmania parasites. Pentavalent antimonials remain the first-choice treatment. There are alternative interventions, but reviewing their effectiveness and safety is important as availability is limited. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2009. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for all immuno-competent people who have American cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (ACML). SEARCH METHODS We updated our database searches of the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS and CINAHL to August 2019. We searched five trials registers. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing either single or combination treatments for ACML in immuno-competent people, diagnosed by clinical presentation and Leishmania infection confirmed by smear, culture, histology, or polymerase chain reaction on a biopsy specimen. The comparators were either no treatment, placebo only, or another active compound. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Our key outcomes were the percentage of participants 'cured' at least three months after the end of treatment, adverse effects, and recurrence. We used GRADE to assess evidence certainty for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS We included 75 studies (37 were new), totalling 6533 randomised participants with ATL. The studies were mainly conducted in Central and South America at regional hospitals, local healthcare clinics, and research centres. More male participants were included (mean age: roughly 28.9 years (SD: 7.0)). The most common confirmed species were L. braziliensis, L. panamensis, and L. mexicana. The most assessed interventions and comparators were non-antimonial systemics (particularly oral miltefosine) and antimonials (particularly meglumine antimoniate (MA), which was also a common intervention), respectively. Three studies included moderate-to-severe cases of mucosal leishmaniasis but none included cases with diffuse cutaneous or disseminated CL, considered the severe cutaneous form. Lesions were mainly ulcerative and located in the extremities and limbs. The follow-up (FU) period ranged from 28 days to 7 years. All studies had high or unclear risk of bias in at least one domain (especially performance bias). None of the studies reported the degree of functional or aesthetic impairment, scarring, or quality of life. Compared to placebo, at one-year FU, intramuscular (IM) MA given for 20 days to treat L. braziliensis and L. panamensis infections in ACML may increase the likelihood of complete cure (risk ratio (RR) 4.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 21.38; 2 RCTs, 157 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), but may also make little to no difference, since the 95% CI includes the possibility of both increased and reduced healing (cure rates), and IMMA probably increases severe adverse effects such as myalgias and arthralgias (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.96; 1 RCT, 134 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). IMMA may make little to no difference to the recurrence risk, but the 95% CI includes the possibility of both increased and reduced risk (RR 1.79, 95% CI 0.17 to 19.26; 1 RCT, 127 participants; low-certainty evidence). Compared to placebo, at six-month FU, oral miltefosine given for 28 days to treat L. mexicana, L. panamensis and L. braziliensis infections in American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) probably improves the likelihood of complete cure (RR 2.25, 95% CI 1.42 to 3.38), and probably increases nausea rates (RR 3.96, 95% CI 1.49 to 10.48) and vomiting (RR 6.92, 95% CI 2.68 to 17.86) (moderate-certainty evidence). Oral miltefosine may make little to no difference to the recurrence risk (RR 2.97, 95% CI 0.37 to 23.89; low-certainty evidence), but the 95% CI includes the possibility of both increased and reduced risk (all based on 1 RCT, 133 participants). Compared to IMMA, at 6 to 12 months FU, oral miltefosine given for 28 days to treat L. braziliensis, L. panamensis, L. guyanensis and L. amazonensis infections in ACML may make little to no difference to the likelihood of complete cure (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.23; 7 RCTs, 676 participants; low-certainty evidence). Based on moderate-certainty evidence (3 RCTs, 464 participants), miltefosine probably increases nausea rates (RR 2.45, 95% CI 1.72 to 3.49) and vomiting (RR 4.76, 95% CI 1.82 to 12.46) compared to IMMA. Recurrence risk was not reported. For the rest of the key comparisons, recurrence risk was not reported, and risk of adverse events could not be estimated. Compared to IMMA, at 6 to 12 months FU, oral azithromycin given for 20 to 28 days to treat L. braziliensis infections in ACML probably reduces the likelihood of complete cure (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.76; 2 RCTs, 93 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Compared to intravenous MA (IVMA) and placebo, at 12 month FU, adding topical imiquimod to IVMA, given for 20 days to treat L. braziliensis, L. guyanensis and L. peruviana infections in ACL probably makes little to no difference to the likelihood of complete cure (RR 1.30, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.80; 1 RCT, 80 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Compared to MA, at 6 months FU, one session of local thermotherapy to treat L. panamensis and L. braziliensis infections in ACL reduces the likelihood of complete cure (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.95; 1 RCT, 292 participants; high-certainty evidence). Compared to IMMA and placebo, at 26 weeks FU, adding oral pentoxifylline to IMMA to treat CL (species not stated) probably makes little to no difference to the likelihood of complete cure (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.18; 1 RCT, 70 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Evidence certainty was mostly moderate or low, due to methodological shortcomings, which precluded conclusive results. Overall, both IMMA and oral miltefosine probably result in an increase in cure rates, and nausea and vomiting are probably more common with miltefosine than with IMMA. Future trials should investigate interventions for mucosal leishmaniasis and evaluate recurrence rates of cutaneous leishmaniasis and its progression to mucosal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariona Pinart
- Free time independent Cochrane reviewer, Berlin, Germany
| | - José-Ramón Rueda
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Gustavo As Romero
- Center for Tropical Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | | | - Karime Osorio-Arango
- Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ana Nilce Silveira Maia-Elkhoury
- Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE), Neglected, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases (VT), Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ludovic Reveiz
- Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health Department, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Washington DC, USA
| | - Vanessa M Elias
- Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health Department, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Washington DC, USA
| | - John A Tweed
- c/o Cochrane Skin Group, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Current status and future prospects of protein vaccine candidates against Schistosoma mansoni infection. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2020; 11:e00176. [PMID: 32923703 PMCID: PMC7475110 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic tropical parasitic disease caused by blood dwelling worm of the genus Schistosoma. It is the most destructive disease globally and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for developing countries. Three main species of schistosomes infect human beings from which S. mansoni is the most common and widespread. Over the last several decades, chemotherapy using praziquantel has been a commonly used strategy for the treatment and control of schistosomiasis. However, control programs focused exclusively on chemotherapy have been challenging because of the frequency and rapidity of reinfection and these programs were expensive. Thus, new schistosomiasis control strategies will be needed. Vaccination strategy would be an ideal tool for a significant and sustainable reduction in the transmission and disease burden of schistosomiasis. An effective anti schistosome vaccine would greatly contribute to decreasing schistosomiasis-associated morbidity via protective immune responses leading to reduced worm burdens and decreased egg production. Vaccine development is a long process that can take decades. There have been three candidate vaccines that have been produced by Good Manufacturing Procedure and entered human clinical trials for S. mansoni are Sm14, SmTSP-2, and Sm-p80. Other candidates that are in pre-clinical trials at various stages include paramyosin, Sm29, SmKI-1, and Sm23. Since the growth of several new technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, microarrays, immunomic profiling, and proteomics, have helped in the identification of promising new target schistosome antigens. Therefore, this review considers the present status of protein vaccine candidates against Schistosoma mansoni and provides some insight on prospects vaccine design and discovery.
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Key Words
- AE, Asparaginyl Endopeptidase
- Ab, Antibody
- Ag, Antigen
- CB, Cathepsin B
- CD, Cathepsin D
- CL3, Cathepsin L3
- DNA, Deoxyribonucleic Acid
- FA, Fatty Acid
- FABP, Fatty Acid Binding Protein
- GLA-Alum, Glucopyranosyl Lipid A Formulated in Aluminum
- GLA-SE, Glucopyranosyl Lipid Adjuvant Stable Emulsion
- IFN-γ, Interferon Gamma
- IL, Interleukin
- Ig, Immunoglobulin
- KI, Kunitz Type Protease Inhibitor
- LcP, Lipid Core Peptide
- Pmy, Paramyosin
- Protein vaccine
- Schistosoma mansoni
- Schistosomiasis
- Sm, Schistosoma mansoni
- TSP, Tetraspanins
- Th, T-helper Cells
- Vaccine candidates
- WHO, World Health Organization
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Mekonnen GG, Tedla BA, Pickering D, Becker L, Wang L, Zhan B, Bottazzi ME, Loukas A, Sotillo J, Pearson MS. Schistosoma haematobium Extracellular Vesicle Proteins Confer Protection in a Heterologous Model of Schistosomiasis. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E416. [PMID: 32722279 PMCID: PMC7563238 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Helminth parasites release extracellular vesicles which interact with the surrounding host tissues, mediating host-parasite communication and other fundamental processes of parasitism. As such, vesicle proteins present attractive targets for the development of novel intervention strategies to control these parasites and the diseases they cause. Herein, we describe the first proteomic analysis by LC-MS/MS of two types of extracellular vesicles (exosome-like, 120 k pellet vesicles and microvesicle-like, 15 k pellet vesicles) from adult Schistosoma haematobium worms. A total of 57 and 330 proteins were identified in the 120 k pellet vesicles and larger 15 k pellet vesicles, respectively, and some of the most abundant molecules included homologues of known helminth vaccine and diagnostic candidates such as Sm-TSP2, Sm23, glutathione S-transferase, saponins and aminopeptidases. Tetraspanins were highly represented in the analysis and found in both vesicle types. Vaccination of mice with recombinant versions of three of these tetraspanins induced protection in a heterologous challenge (S. mansoni) model of infection, resulting in significant reductions (averaged across two independent trials) in liver (47%, 38% and 41%) and intestinal (47%, 45% and 41%) egg burdens. These findings offer insight into the mechanisms by which anti-tetraspanin antibodies confer protection and highlight the potential that extracellular vesicle surface proteins offer as anti-helminth vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebeyaw G. Mekonnen
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns 4878, Queensland, Australia; (G.G.M.); (B.A.T.); (D.P.); (L.B.); (J.S.)
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Bemnet A. Tedla
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns 4878, Queensland, Australia; (G.G.M.); (B.A.T.); (D.P.); (L.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Darren Pickering
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns 4878, Queensland, Australia; (G.G.M.); (B.A.T.); (D.P.); (L.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Luke Becker
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns 4878, Queensland, Australia; (G.G.M.); (B.A.T.); (D.P.); (L.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Lei Wang
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.W.); (B.Z.); (M.E.B.)
| | - Bin Zhan
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.W.); (B.Z.); (M.E.B.)
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.W.); (B.Z.); (M.E.B.)
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns 4878, Queensland, Australia; (G.G.M.); (B.A.T.); (D.P.); (L.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Javier Sotillo
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns 4878, Queensland, Australia; (G.G.M.); (B.A.T.); (D.P.); (L.B.); (J.S.)
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark S. Pearson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns 4878, Queensland, Australia; (G.G.M.); (B.A.T.); (D.P.); (L.B.); (J.S.)
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22
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Antonoglou MB, Sánchez Alberti A, Redolfi DM, Bivona AE, Fernández Lynch MJ, Noli Truant S, Sarratea MB, Iannantuono López LV, Malchiodi EL, Fernández MM. Heterologous Chimeric Construct Comprising a Modified Bacterial Superantigen and a Cruzipain Domain Confers Protection Against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1279. [PMID: 32695105 PMCID: PMC7338481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is an endemic chronic parasitosis in Latin America affecting more than 7 million people. Around 100 million people are currently at risk of acquiring the infection; however, no effective vaccine has been developed yet. Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of this parasitosis and as an intracellular protozoan it can reside within different tissues, mainly muscle cells, evading host immunity and allowing progression towards the chronic stage of the disease. Considering this intracellular parasitism triggers strong cellular immunity that, besides being necessary to limit infection, is not sufficient to eradicate the parasite from tissues, a differential immune response is required and new strategies for vaccines against Chagas disease need to be explored. In this work, we designed, cloned and expressed a chimeric molecule, named NCz-SEGN24A, comprising a parasite antigen, the N-terminal domain of the major cysteine protease of T. cruzi, cruzipain (Nt-Cz), and a non-toxic form of the staphylococcal superantigen (SAg) G, SEG, with the residue Asn24 mutated to Ala (N24A). The mutant SAg SEGN24A, retains its ability to trigger classical activation of macrophages without inducing T cell apoptosis. To evaluate, as a proof of concept, the immunogenicity and efficacy of the chimeric immunogen vs. its individual antigens, C3H mice were immunized intramuscularly with NCz-SEGN24A co-adjuvanted with CpG-ODN, or the recombinant proteins Nt-Cz plus SEGN24A with the same adjuvant. Vaccinated mice significantly produced Nt-Cz-specific IgG titers after immunization and developed higher IgG2a than IgG1 titers. Specific cell-mediated immunity was assessed by in-vivo DTH and significant responses were obtained. To assess protection, mice were challenged with trypomastigotes of T. cruzi. Both schemes reduced the parasite load throughout the acute phase, but only mice immunized with NCz-SEGN24A showed significant differences against control; moreover, these mice maintained 100% survival. These results encourage testing mutated superantigens fused to specific antigens as immune modulators against pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Antonoglou
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés Sánchez Alberti
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina and Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela María Redolfi
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Augusto Ernesto Bivona
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina and Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Julieta Fernández Lynch
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sofía Noli Truant
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Sarratea
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Valeria Iannantuono López
- Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emilio Luis Malchiodi
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina and Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marisa Mariel Fernández
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Prof. Ricardo A. Margni" (IDEHU), UBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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23
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Feng K, Zheng X, Wang R, Gao N, Fan D, Sheng Z, Zhou H, Chen H, An J. Long-Term Protection Elicited by a DNA Vaccine Candidate Expressing the prM-E Antigen of Dengue Virus Serotype 3 in Mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:87. [PMID: 32257963 PMCID: PMC7089926 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is the causative agent of dengue, and its incidence has increased 30-fold in the past five decades. Among the four cocirculating serotypes, DENV3 is associated with an increased number of severe infections and has become widespread. Vaccination is the mainstay of prevention in reducing disease burden. Previously, the protective efficacy of DNA vaccine candidates toward DENV1, 2, and 4 was confirmed in mice. In this study, a DNA vaccine candidate (pVAX1-D3ME) expressing the prM and E proteins of DENV3 was constructed, and then the immunogenicity and protection were assessed in mice to further develop a tetravalent dengue vaccine. Moreover, the cross-reactive immune responses against the other three serotypes were investigated. The results showed that three doses of 50 μg of pVAX1-D3ME were sufficient to induce strong antigen-specific T cell responses and robust and consistent neutralizing antibodies. Additionally, immunization with pVAX1-D3ME offered protective immunity against not only DENV3 but also the other three serotypes, which could be observed even after 12 months. This study shows great promise for the further evaluation of a dengue tetravalent DNA vaccine candidate in large animal models, including non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihao Feng
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- Beijing Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Na Gao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongying Fan
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyang Sheng
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongning Zhou
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Vector-borne Disease Control and Research, Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Pu'er, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing An
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
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24
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Zhang J, He J, Li J, Zhou Q, Chen H, Zheng Z, Chen Q, Chen D, Chen J. The immunogenicity and protective immunity of multi-epitopes DNA prime-protein boost vaccines encoding Amastin-Kmp-11, Kmp11-Gp63 and Amastin-Gp63 against visceral leishmaniasis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230381. [PMID: 32176727 PMCID: PMC7075555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most fatal form of leishmaniasis if left untreated and 50,000 to 90,000 new cases of VL occur worldwide each year. Although various vaccines had been studied in animal models, none of them was eligible to prevent human from infections. In this study, according to the silico analysis of Leishmania Amastin, Kmp-11 and Gp63 protein, dominant epitope sequences of these proteins were selected and linked to construct dominant multi-epitopes DNA and protein vaccines (Amastin-Kmp-11, Amastin-Gp63 and Kmp-11-Gp63) against VL. BALB/c mice were immunized with a DNA prime-protein boost immunization strategy and challenged with a new Leishmania parasite strain isolated from a VL patient. After immunization, the results including specific antibody titers, IL-4 and TNF-α levels, and CD4 and CD8 T cell proportion suggested the potent immunogenicity of the three vaccines. After infection, the results of spleen parasite burdens in the three vaccine groups were significantly lower than those of control groups, and the parasite reduction rates of Amastin-Kmp-11, Amastin-Gp63 and Kmp-11-Gp63 groups were 89.38%, 91.01% and 88.42%, respectively. Spleen smear observation and liver histopathological changes showed that all vaccine groups could produce significant immunoprotection against VL and Amastin-Gp63 vaccine was the best. In conclusion, our work demonstrated that the three dominant multi-epitopes Amastin-Kmp-11, Amastin-Gp63 and Kmp-11-Gp63 DNA prime-protein boost vaccines might be new vaccine candidates for VL, and the Amastin-Gp63 vaccine have best efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinlei He
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Han Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiwan Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiwei Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dali Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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25
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Mohammed ASA, Tian W, Zhang Y, Peng P, Wang F, Li T. Leishmania lipophosphoglycan components: A potent target for synthetic neoglycoproteins as a vaccine candidate for leishmaniasis. Carbohydr Polym 2020; 237:116120. [PMID: 32241437 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania is an obligate intracellular pathogen that invades phagocytic host cells. Due to its high morbidity and mortality rates, leishmaniasis attracts significant attention. The disease, which is caused by Leishmania parasites, is distributed worldwide, particularly among developing communities, and causes fatal complications if not treated expediently. Unfortunately, the existing treatments are not preventive and do not impede Leishmania infection. Many drugs available for leishmaniasis are becoming less effective due to emerging resistance in some Leishmania species. Other drugs have drawbacks such as low cost-effectiveness, toxicity, and side effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers leishmaniasis to be a major public health problem and suggests that the best prevention is to develop a vaccine for this dangerous disease. In this review, we focus on the unique components of lipophosphoglycan (LPG), a component of the Leishmania cell wall, particularly [Galp(1 → 4)-β-[Manp-(1 → 2)-α-Manp-(1 → 2)-α]-Manp] in the cryptic tetrasaccharide cap, and on synthetic approaches as a potent candidate for a leishmaniasis vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiman Saleh A Mohammed
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China; National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Weilu Tian
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Youqin Zhang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Peng
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Fengshan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China; National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Tianlu Li
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China; National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
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Melkus MW, Le L, Siddiqui AJ, Molehin AJ, Zhang W, Lazarus S, Siddiqui AA. Elucidation of Cellular Responses in Non-human Primates With Chronic Schistosomiasis Followed by Praziquantel Treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:57. [PMID: 32154190 PMCID: PMC7050631 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, mass drug treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) has been utilized to treat schistosomiasis, yet reinfection and the risk of drug resistance are among the various factors precluding successful elimination of schistosomiasis. Tractable models that replicate "real world" field conditions are crucial to effectively evaluate putative schistosomiasis vaccines. Herein, we describe the cellular immune responses and cytokine expression profiles under field conditions that include prior infection with schistosomes followed by treatment with PZQ. Baboons were exposed to Schistosoma mansoni cercariae through trickle infection over 5 weeks, allowed for chronic disease to develop, and then treated with PZQ. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were monitored for cellular immune response(s) at each disease stage and PZQ therapy. After initial infection and during chronic disease, there was an increase in non-classical monocytes, NK and NKT cells while the CD4:CD8 T cell ratio inverted from a 2:1 to 1:2.5. The cytokine expressions of PBMCs after trickle infections were polarized more toward a Th2 response with a gradual increase in Th1 cytokine expression at chronic disease stage. Following PZQ treatment, with the exception of an increase in B cells, immune cell populations reverted back toward naïve levels; however, expression of almost all Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines was significantly increased. This preliminary study is the first to follow the cellular immune response and cytokine expression profiles in a non-human primate model simulating field conditions of schistosomiasis and PZQ therapy, providing a promising reference in predicting the immune response to future vaccines for schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Melkus
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Loc Le
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Arif J Siddiqui
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Biology, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adebayo J Molehin
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Weidong Zhang
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Samra Lazarus
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Afzal A Siddiqui
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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Bordbar A, Bagheri KP, Ebrahimi S, Parvizi P. Bioinformatics analyses of immunogenic T-cell epitopes of LeIF and PpSP15 proteins from Leishmania major and sand fly saliva used as model antigens for the design of a multi-epitope vaccine to control leishmaniasis. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 80:104189. [PMID: 31931259 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan parasites belonging to 20 Leishmania species. This infectious disease is transmitted by bites of infected phlebotomine sandflies, and is widespread in 97 countries throughout the world. No preventive or effective vaccine has been developed yet. In this study, diverse computational methods were integrated to calculate evolutionary divergence, immunogenicity, IFN-γ production, epitope conservancy, and population coverage of protein fusion models of LeIF-SP15 namely SaLeish. Immunogenicity of LeIF of Leishmania species and SP15 of sandfly saliva has not been investigated in-silico in fusion form. A complete set of 9-mer MHC class I and 15-mer MHC class II peptides were identified with a high affinity for the antigenic epitopes of SaLeish inducing specific responses of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells from BALB/c and human. Our preferred approach was determining truncated fragment of SaLeish rather than a whole length bearing the capacity to trigger specific immune response. Phylogenetic analysis showed that LeIF protein is under balancing selection and is conserved between different Leishmania species. Selected SaLeish model contained 19 and 35 antigenic peptides for MHC class I and II, respectively, with strong binding affinity to both highly frequent HLA-I and HLA-II alleles. Analysis of class I CTL epitopes showed that promiscuous peptides of KSLKADIRK, MSCIPHCKY, LQAGVIVAV, and YQYYGFVAM have greater affinity to interact with HLA-A*01:01, HLA-A*02 (03, 06), HLA-A*30:02, HLA-B*40:01, and HLA-B*52:01 molecules. Population coverage with a range of 78-85% confirmed SaLeish-Model4 as an appropriate vaccine candidate among Persian, South Asia, Europe, and North America population. Also, predicted antigenic epitopes of AKPEIRTFSNVLIKY, TRVQDDLRKLQAGVI, and VALFSATMPEEVLEL corresponding to MHC class II were found to provide strong ability to produce IFNγ toward TH(1)-biased-DTH responses. Findings of the current investigation warrant the future experimental assessment of promising SaLeish prophylaxis vaccine that is capable to enhance both innate and specific cellular immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Bordbar
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Kamran Pooshang Bagheri
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Biotechnology Dept., Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Ebrahimi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Hamoon Navard S, Rezvan H, Feiz Haddad MH, Baghaban Eslaminejad M, Azami S. Expression of Cytokine Genes in Leishmania major-Infected BALB/c Mice Treated with Mesenchymal Stem Cells. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020. [DOI: 10.29252/jommid.8.1.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Lei N, Liu FC, Ren CP, Shen JJ, Liu M. An Efficient Schistosoma japonicum Bivalent Membrane Protein Antigen DNA Vaccine Against Schistosomiasis in Mice. Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:9319-9326. [PMID: 31811711 PMCID: PMC6916134 DOI: 10.12659/msm.919195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is one of the most important infectious parasitic diseases in the world. The most important was to control schistosomiasis is through a combination of medical therapy and immunization. The membrane antigens Tsp2 and 29 from Schistosoma are promising anti-schistosomiasis vaccine candidates. Material/Methods In this study, the pcDNA3.1(+)-SjTsp2, pcDNA3.1(+)-Sj29, and pcDNA3.1 (+)-SjTsp2-29 eukaryotic expression vectors were successfully constructed as DNA vaccines, and the protective abilities of these vaccines were evaluated in mice. Results The results showed that vaccination with SjTsp2, Sj29, and SjTsp2-29 reduced parasite burden and hepatic pathology compared to the control group, and the protective effect of the bivalent SjTsp2-29 DNA vaccine was better than that of the univalent SjTsp2 or Sj29 DNA vaccines. We also found high levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a against SjTsp2, Sj29, and SjTsp2-29 DNA vaccines, with high expression of IFN-γ and no IL-4 in the mice. Conclusions The double-membrane antigen DNA vaccine SjTsp2-29 elicited protection against Schistosoma infection and might serve as a vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Lei
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland).,Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical College, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Feng-Chun Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Cui-Ping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Ji-Jia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
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Vaccination against the digestive enzyme Cathepsin B using a YS1646 Salmonella enterica Typhimurium vector provides almost complete protection against Schistosoma mansoni challenge in a mouse model. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007490. [PMID: 31790394 PMCID: PMC6907844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni threatens hundreds of millions of people in >50 countries. Schistosomulae migrate through the lung and adult worms reside in blood vessels adjacent to the intestinal mucosa. Current candidate vaccines aren’t designed to elicit a mucosal response. We have repurposed an attenuated Salmonella enterica Typhimurium strain (YS1646) to produce such a vaccine targeting Cathepsin B (CatB), a digestive enzyme important for parasite survival. Promoter-Type 3 secretory signal pairs were screened for protein expression in vitro and transfected into YS1646 to generate candidate vaccine strains. Two strains were selected for in vivo evaluation (nirB_SspH1 and SspH1_SspH1). Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized twice, 3 weeks apart, using six strategies: i) saline gavage (control), ii) the ‘empty’ YS1646 vector orally (PO) followed by intramuscular (IM) recombinant CatB (20μg IM rCatB), iii) two doses of IM rCatB, iv) two PO doses of YS1646-CatB, v) IM rCatB then PO YS1646-CatB and vi) PO YS1646-CatB then IM rCatB. Serum IgG responses to CatB were monitored by ELISA. Three weeks after the second dose, mice were challenged with 150 cercariae and sacrificed 7 weeks later to assess adult worm and egg burden (liver and intestine), granuloma size and egg morphology. CatB-specific IgG antibodies were low/absent in the control and PO only groups but rose substantially in other groups (5898-6766ng/mL). The highest response was in animals that received nirB_SspH1 YS1646 PO then IM rCatB. In this group, reductions in worm and intestine/liver egg burden (vs. control) were 93.1% and 79.5%/90.3% respectively (all P < .0001). Granuloma size was reduced in all vaccinated groups (range 32.9–52.8 x103μm2) and most significantly in the nirB_SspH1 + CatB IM group (34.7±3.4 x103μm2vs. 62.2±6.1 x103μm2: vs. control P < .01). Many eggs in the vaccinated animals had abnormal morphology. Targeting CatB using a multi-modality approach can provide almost complete protection against S. mansoni challenge. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that affects over 250 million people worldwide and over 800 million are at risk of infection. Of the three main species, Schistosoma mansoni is the most widely distributed and is endemic in the Caribbean, South America, and Africa. It causes a chronic disease with severe negative effects on quality of life. Mass drug administration of praziquantel is the only available course of action due to a current lack of vaccines. However, praziquantel does not protect from reinfection. Therefore, a vaccine would be beneficial as a long-term solution to reduce morbidity and transmission of the disease. Our group has repurposed the attenuated YS1646 strain of Salmonella Typhimurium as an oral vaccine vector for the digestive enzyme Cathepsin B of S. mansoni. Oral vaccination followed by an intramuscular dose of recombinant Cathepsin B lead to significant reductions in parasite burden in mice. These animals had the highest titers in serum IgG and intestinal IgA antibodies. This multimodal vaccination approach also elicited both Th1 and Th2 cytokines as seen by the increases in IFNγ and IL-5. Finally, vaccinated mice had reductions in granuloma size along with a higher proportion of morphologically-abnormal eggs. This work demonstrates that a YS1646-based, multimodality, prime-boost immunization schedule can provide nearly complete protection against S. mansoni in a well-established murine model.
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Dos Santos JC, Vilela Teodoro Silva M, Ribeiro-Dias F, Joosten LAB. Non-specific effects of BCG in protozoal infections: tegumentary leishmaniasis and malaria. Clin Microbiol Infect 2019; 25:1479-1483. [PMID: 31212075 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmaniasis and malaria are major causes of illness in the poorest countries. In the absence of efficient strategies to prevent infections and to control the transmission of the parasites by insect vectors, treatment relies on drug therapy. Vaccine development continues on several fronts; however none of the candidates developed has so far been shown to provide long-lasting protection at a population level. Because the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine can induce heterologous protective effects, we hypothesize that BCG has beneficial effects in the control of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) and malaria. AIMS In this review we describe evidence for the protective efficacy of BCG against tegumentary leishmaniasis and malaria in humans. SOURCES Relevant data from peer-reviewed scientific literature published on Pubmed up to January 2019 were examined. CONTENT From experimental animal and various human studies with BCG and one recent randomized malaria trial there is evidence that BCG has beneficial effects in Leishmania spp. and Plasmodium falciparum infections. Although the precise mechanisms remain unknown, BCG can activate innate immune responses, and an increasing body of evidence demonstrates that the induction of trained innate immunity could explain its non-specific protective effects. IMPLICATIONS Despite many years of research to prevent and treat TL and malaria, these diseases remain a public health problem in tropical countries. Future studies are required to examine if BCG vaccination could be used as an effective treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Dos Santos
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Centre of Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Laboratório de Imunidade Natural (LIN), Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
| | - M Vilela Teodoro Silva
- Laboratório de Imunidade Natural (LIN), Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - F Ribeiro-Dias
- Laboratório de Imunidade Natural (LIN), Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - L A B Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Centre of Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Steel N, Faniyi AA, Rahman S, Swietlik S, Czajkowska BI, Chan BT, Hardgrave A, Steel A, Sparwasser TD, Assas MB, Grencis RK, Travis MA, Worthington JJ. TGFβ-activation by dendritic cells drives Th17 induction and intestinal contractility and augments the expulsion of the parasite Trichinella spiralis in mice. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007657. [PMID: 30998782 PMCID: PMC6472816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminths are highly prevalent metazoan parasites that infect over a billion of the world's population. Hosts have evolved numerous mechanisms to drive the expulsion of these parasites via Th2-driven immunity, but these responses must be tightly controlled to prevent equally devastating immunopathology. However, mechanisms that regulate this balance are still unclear. Here we show that the vigorous Th2 immune response driven by the small intestinal helminth Trichinella spiralis, is associated with increased TGFβ signalling responses in CD4+ T-cells. Mechanistically, enhanced TGFβ signalling in CD4+ T-cells is dependent on dendritic cell-mediated TGFβ activation which requires expression of the integrin αvβ8. Importantly, mice lacking integrin αvβ8 on DCs had a delayed ability to expel a T. spiralis infection, indicating an important functional role for integrin αvβ8-mediated TGFβ activation in promoting parasite expulsion. In addition to maintaining regulatory T-cell responses, the CD4+ T-cell signalling of this pleiotropic cytokine induces a Th17 response which is crucial in promoting the intestinal muscle hypercontractility that drives worm expulsion. Collectively, these results provide novel insights into intestinal helminth expulsion beyond that of classical Th2 driven immunity, and highlight the importance of IL-17 in intestinal contraction which may aid therapeutics to numerous diseases of the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Steel
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Aduragbemi A. Faniyi
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Sayema Rahman
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Stefanie Swietlik
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Beata I. Czajkowska
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Bethany T. Chan
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Hardgrave
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Steel
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tim D. Sparwasser
- Institute of Infection Immunology, TWINCORE, Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mushref B. Assas
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Richard K. Grencis
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Travis
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - John J. Worthington
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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Du X, Jones MK, Nawaratna SSK, Ranasinghe S, Xiong C, Cai P, McManus DP, You H. Gene Expression in Developmental Stages of Schistosoma japonicum Provides Further Insight into the Importance of the Schistosome Insulin-Like Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071565. [PMID: 30925781 PMCID: PMC6480100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We showed previously that the Schistosoma japonicum insulin-like peptide (SjILP) binds the worm insulin receptors, thereby, activating the parasite’s insulin pathway and emphasizing its important role in regulating uptake of glucose, a nutrient essential for parasite survival. Here we show that SjILP is differentially expressed in the schistosome life cycle and is especially highly transcribed in eggs, miracidia, and adult female worms. RNA inference was employed to knockdown SjILP in adults in vitro, with suppression confirmed by significantly reduced protein production, declined adenosine diphosphate levels, and reduction in glucose consumption. Immunolocalization showed that SjILP is located to lateral gland cells of mature intra-ovular miracidia in the schistosome egg, and is distributed on the ciliated epithelium and internal cell masses of newly transformed miracidia. In schistosomula, SjILP is present on the tegument in two antero-lateral points, indicating highly polarized expression during cercarial transformation. Analysis of serum from S. japonicum-infected mice by ELISA using a recombinant form of SjILP as an antigen revealed IgG immunoreactivity to this molecule at 7 weeks post-infection indicating it is likely secreted from mature eggs into the host circulation. These findings provide further insights on ILP function in schistosomes and its essential roles in parasite survival and growth in different development stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Du
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Australia.
| | - Sujeevi S K Nawaratna
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia.
| | - Shiwanthi Ranasinghe
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Chunrong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214000, China.
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
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Shey RA, Ghogomu SM, Esoh KK, Nebangwa ND, Shintouo CM, Nongley NF, Asa BF, Ngale FN, Vanhamme L, Souopgui J. In-silico design of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against onchocerciasis and related filarial diseases. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4409. [PMID: 30867498 PMCID: PMC6416346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40833-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease with high socio-economic burden particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The elimination plan for this disease has faced numerous challenges. A multi-epitope prophylactic/therapeutic vaccine targeting the infective L3 and microfilaria stages of the parasite's life cycle would be invaluable to achieve the current elimination goal. There are several observations that make the possibility of developing a vaccine against this disease likely. For example, despite being exposed to high transmission rates of infection, 1 to 5% of people have no clinical manifestations of the disease and are thus considered as putatively immune individuals. An immuno-informatics approach was applied to design a filarial multi-epitope subunit vaccine peptide consisting of linear B-cell and T-cell epitopes of proteins reported to be potential novel vaccine candidates. Conservation of the selected proteins and predicted epitopes in other parasitic nematode species suggests that the generated chimera could be helpful for cross-protection. The 3D structure was predicted, refined, and validated using bioinformatics tools. Protein-protein docking of the chimeric vaccine peptide with the TLR4 protein predicted efficient binding. Immune simulation predicted significantly high levels of IgG1, T-helper, T-cytotoxic cells, INF-γ, and IL-2. Overall, the constructed recombinant putative peptide demonstrated antigenicity superior to current vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Adamu Shey
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Stephen Mbigha Ghogomu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Kevin Kum Esoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, Kenya
| | - Neba Derrick Nebangwa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Cabirou Mounchili Shintouo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Nkemngo Francis Nongley
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Bertha Fru Asa
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Ferdinand Njume Ngale
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Luc Vanhamme
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Jacob Souopgui
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium.
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ÖZAVCI H, KAPLAN M. Cloning and molecular characterization of thiol-specific antioxidant gene of Leishmania tropica Turkey isolate. Turk J Med Sci 2019; 49:392-402. [PMID: 30761841 PMCID: PMC7350880 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1808-98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aim Thiol-specific antioxidant (TSA) protein is one of the most promising molecules among candidates for vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis. It was found to be significantly protective against different Leishmania species. In this study, cloning and molecular characterization of thiol-specific antioxidant gene of L. tropica Turkey isolate (LtTSA) were aimed. Materials and methods LtTSA was amplified by PCR using the specific primers of TSA gene and cloned into the pcDNA3.1 vector. The cloning was confirmed by PCR screening, restriction enzyme reactions, and DNA sequence analysis. Finally, three-dimensional structure and antigenic properties of the protein encoded by the LtTSA were determined Results Six hundred base pair bands belonging to LtTSA were shown with electrophoresis. It was found that LtTSA and its encoded protein have high similarity with different Leishmania species. LtTSA protein consisting of 199 amino acids was found to have 7 different antigenic regions. Conclusion LtTSA and its encoded TSA protein were found to be highly immunogenic and similar to TSA proteins previously tested as a vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza ÖZAVCI
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Fırat University, ElazığTurkey
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| | - Mustafa KAPLAN
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Fırat University, ElazığTurkey
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Conserved epitopes in variants of amastin protein of Trypanosoma cruzi for vaccine design: A bioinformatics approach. Microb Pathog 2018; 125:423-430. [PMID: 30296452 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic disease in South and Central American countries but due to migrating human populations it has shown emergence in Europe, North America and Australia. With only two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox for its treatment there is need for newer therapies. In the current study, we have tried to analyse the potential of amastin, a major surface protein as a vaccine target using bioinformatics tools. Using 282 variants of this protein available in NCBI protein database we have found out five conserved potential Tc cell and two TH cell epitopes. These epitopes are conserved in more than 90% of the cohort of sequences used in the study. The epitopes showed binding to the peptide binding cleft of HLA-A02 and HLA-DR molecules. With coverage of pan world populations and being non-toxic and non-allergic these epitopes could be used for future vaccine applications.
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Suppression of Schistosoma japonicum Acetylcholinesterase Affects Parasite Growth and Development. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082426. [PMID: 30115897 PMCID: PMC6121427 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To further investigate the importance of Schistosoma japonicum acetylcholinesterase (SjAChE) in cholinergic signaling for parasite growth and development, we used RNA interference (RNAi) to knock-down its expression in adults and eggs in vitro. This resulted in its reduced transcription but also expression of other important genes involved both in cholinergic signaling and glucose uptake were impacted substantially. Significant decreases in AChE protein expression, AChE enzymatic activity, and glucose uptake were observed in the SjAChE-knockdown parasites compared with luciferase controls. In vaccine/challenge experiments, we found that immunization of mice with recombinant SjAChE (rSjAChE) expressed in Escherichia coli elicited reductions in male worm numbers (33%), liver granuloma density (41%), and reduced numbers of mature intestinal eggs (73%) in the vaccinated group compared with the control group. These results indicate AChE plays an important role in the metabolism of male worms, and impacts indirectly on female fecundity leading to increased numbers of immature eggs being released and reduced sizes of liver granulomas. Furthermore, cytokine analysis showed that immunization of mice with rSjAChE elicited a predominantly Th1-type immune response characterized by increased production of IFNγ in splenic CD4+ T cells of vaccinated mice. The study confirms the potential of SjAChE as a vaccine/drug candidate against zoonotic schistosomiasis japonica.
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Filardy AA, Guimarães-Pinto K, Nunes MP, Zukeram K, Fliess L, Pereira L, Oliveira Nascimento D, Conde L, Morrot A. Human Kinetoplastid Protozoan Infections: Where Are We Going Next? Front Immunol 2018; 9:1493. [PMID: 30090098 PMCID: PMC6069677 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastida trypanosomatidae microorganisms are protozoan parasites exhibiting a developmental stage in the gut of insect vectors and tissues of vertebrate hosts. During the vertebrate infective stages, these parasites alter the differential expression of virulence genes, modifying their biological and antigenic properties in order to subvert the host protective immune responses and establish a persistent infection. One of the hallmarks of kinetoplastid parasites is their evasion mechanisms from host immunity, leading to disease chronification. The diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites are neglected by the global expenditures in research and development, affecting millions of individuals in the low and middle-income countries located mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions. However, investments made by public and private initiatives have over the past decade leveraged important lines of intervention that if well-integrated to health care programs will likely accelerate disease control initiatives. This review summarizes recent advances in public health care principles, including new drug discoveries and their rational use with chemotherapeutic vaccines, and the implementation of control efforts to spatially mapping the kinetoplastid infections through monitoring of infected individuals in epidemic areas. These approaches should bring us the means to track genetic variation of parasites and drug resistance, integrating this knowledge into effective stewardship programs to prevent vector-borne kinetoplastid infections in areas at risk of disease spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Almeida Filardy
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kamila Guimarães-Pinto
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marise Pinheiro Nunes
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ketiuce Zukeram
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lara Fliess
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ludimila Pereira
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle Oliveira Nascimento
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Conde
- Department of Immunology, Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Tuberculosis Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Siddiqui AJ, Molehin AJ, Zhang W, Ganapathy PK, Kim E, Rojo JU, Redman WK, Sennoune SR, Sudduth J, Freeborn J, Hunter D, Kottapalli KR, Kottapalli P, Wettashinghe R, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PLAM, Papin JF, Carey D, Torben W, Ahmad G, Siddiqui AA. Sm-p80-based vaccine trial in baboons: efficacy when mimicking natural conditions of chronic disease, praziquantel therapy, immunization, and Schistosoma mansoni re-encounter. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1425:19-37. [PMID: 29888790 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sm-p80-based vaccine efficacy for Schistosoma mansoni was evaluated in a baboon model of infection and disease. The study was designed to replicate a human vaccine implementation scenario for endemic regions in which vaccine would be administered following drug treatment of infected individuals. In our study, the Sm-p80-based vaccine reduced principal pathology producing hepatic egg burdens by 38.0% and egg load in small and large intestines by 72.2% and 49.4%, respectively, in baboons. Notably, hatching rates of eggs recovered from liver and small and large intestine of vaccinated animals were significantly reduced, by 60.4%, 48.6%, and 82.3%, respectively. Observed reduction in egg maturation/hatching rates was supported by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy showing unique differences in Sm-p80 expression in worms of both sexes and matured eggs. Vaccinated baboons had a 64.5% reduction in urine schistosome circulating anodic antigen, a parameter that reflects worm numbers/health status in infected hosts. Preliminary analyses of RNA sequencing revealed unique genes and canonical pathways associated with establishment of chronic disease, praziquantel-mediated parasite killing, and Sm-p80-mediated protection in vaccinated baboons. Overall, our study demonstrated efficacy of the Sm-p80 vaccine and provides insight into some of the epistatic interactions associated with protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif J Siddiqui
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Adebayo J Molehin
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Weidong Zhang
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Pramodh K Ganapathy
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Eunjee Kim
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Juan U Rojo
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire
| | - Whitni K Redman
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Souad R Sennoune
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Justin Sudduth
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Jasmin Freeborn
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Derick Hunter
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | | | - Pratibha Kottapalli
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
| | | | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - James F Papin
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - David Carey
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Workineh Torben
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana
| | - Gul Ahmad
- Department of Biology, School of Arts & Sciences, Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska
| | - Afzal A Siddiqui
- School of Medicine, Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
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Lenzi J, Costa TM, Alberton MD, Goulart JAG, Tavares LBB. Medicinal fungi: a source of antiparasitic secondary metabolites. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:5791-5810. [PMID: 29749562 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9048-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Regions with a tropical climate are frequently affected by endemic diseases caused by pathogenic parasites. More than one billion people worldwide are exposed directly to tropical parasites. The literature cites several antiparasitic metabolites obtained from medicinal plants or via synthetic pathways. However, fungi produce a diversity of metabolites that play important biological roles in human well-being. Thus, they are considered a potential source of novel natural agents for exploitation in the pharmaceutical industry. In this brief review article, we will provide an overview of the current situation regarding antiparasitic molecules derived from filamentous fungi, in particular, those which are effective against protozoan parasites, such as Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, and Leishmania, vectors of some neglected tropical diseases. Diseases and parasitic agents are described and classified, and the antiparasitic properties of natural compounds produced by the fungi of the phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota are reviewed herein, in order to explore a topic only sparsely addressed in the scientific literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Lenzi
- Environmental Engineering Postgraduate, Regional University of Blumenau, Itoupava Seca,, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, CEP 89030-080, Brazil
| | - Tania Maria Costa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Trindade,, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, CEP 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Michele Debiasi Alberton
- Environmental Engineering Postgraduate, Regional University of Blumenau, Itoupava Seca,, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, CEP 89030-080, Brazil
| | - Juliane Araújo Greinert Goulart
- Environmental Engineering Postgraduate, Regional University of Blumenau, Itoupava Seca,, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, CEP 89030-080, Brazil
| | - Lorena Benathar Ballod Tavares
- Environmental Engineering Postgraduate, Regional University of Blumenau, Itoupava Seca,, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, CEP 89030-080, Brazil.
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Vijayakumar S, Das P. Recent progress in drug targets and inhibitors towards combating leishmaniasis. Acta Trop 2018; 181:95-104. [PMID: 29452111 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lesihmaniasis is one of the major neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania. The disease has more than one clinical forms and the visceral form is considered fatal. With the lack of potential vaccine, chemotherapy is the major treatment source considered for the control of the disease in the infected people. Drugs including amphotericin B and miltefosine are widely used for the treatment, however, development of resistance by the parasite towards the administered drug and high-toxicity of the drug are of major concern. Hence, more attention has been shown on identifying new targets, effective inhibitors, and better drug delivery system against the disease. This review deals with recent studies on drug targets and exploring their essentiality for the survival of Leishmania. Further, new inhibitors for those targets, novel anti-leishmanial peptides and vaccines against leishmaniasis were discussed. We believe that this pool of information will ease the researchers to gain knowledge and help in choosing right targets and design of new inhibitors against Leishmaniasis.
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Iborra S, Solana JC, Requena JM, Soto M. Vaccine candidates against leishmania under current research. Expert Rev Vaccines 2018; 17:323-334. [PMID: 29589966 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2018.1459191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The search for vaccines to prevent human leishmaniasis is an active field of investigation aimed to prevent the devastating effects of this family of diseases on human health. The design and commercialization of several vaccines against canine leishmaniasis is a hopeful advance toward the achievement of a human vaccine. AREAS COVERED This review includes a summary of the most relevant immunological aspects accompanying leishmaniasis in natural hosts as well as a description of the latest advances in the multiple strategies that are being followed to develop leishmanial prophylactic vaccines. We have combined citations of the latest specialized reviews with research articles presenting the most recent results. EXPERT COMMENTARY Achieving safe, effective, durable and low-cost prophylactic vaccines against leishmaniasis is still a major challenge. These vaccines should control not only parasite progression, but also the accompanying pathology, which results from an imbalanced interaction between the infectious agent and the human host immune system. Different strategies for development of vaccines are currently under investigation. They range from the use of live non-pathogenic vectors to the employment of subunit vaccines combined with adjuvants and/or delivery systems inducing cell-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Iborra
- a Department of Vascular Biology and Inflammation Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) , Immunobiology of Inflammation Laboratory , Madrid , Spain.,b School of Medicine , Universidad Complutense de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - José Carlos Solana
- c Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1 , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - José María Requena
- c Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1 , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - Manuel Soto
- c Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1 , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
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Gouveia MJ, Brindley PJ, Gärtner F, Costa JMCD, Vale N. Drug Repurposing for Schistosomiasis: Combinations of Drugs or Biomolecules. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:E15. [PMID: 29401734 PMCID: PMC5874711 DOI: 10.3390/ph11010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease. Control of schistosomiasis currently relies on a single drug, praziquantel, and despite its efficacy against the all schistosome species that parasitize humans, it displays some problematic drawbacks and alone is ineffective in counteracting adverse pathologies associated with infection. Moreover, due to the development of the potential emergence of PZQ-resistant strains, the search for additional or alternative antischistosomal drugs have become a public health priority. The current drug discovery for schistosomiasis has been slow and uninspiring. By contrast, repurposing of existing approved drugs may offer a safe, rapid and cost-effective alternative. Combined treatment with PZQ and other drugs with different mode of action, i.e., antimalarials, shows promise results. In addition, a combination of anthelminthic drugs with antioxidant might be advantageous for modulating oxidative processes associated with schistosomiasis. Herein, we review studies dealing with combination therapies that involve PZQ and other anthelminthic drugs and/or antioxidant agents in treatment of schistosomiasis. Whereas PZQ combined with antioxidant agents might or might not interfere with anthelminthic efficacy, combinations may nonetheless ameliorate tissue damage and infection-associated complications. In fact, alone or combine with other drugs, antioxidants might be a valuable adjuvant to reduce morbidity and mortality of schistosomiasis. Therefore, attempting new combinations of anthelmintic drugs with other biomolecules such as antioxidants provides new avenues for discovery of alternatives to PZQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Gouveia
- UCBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Center for the Study of Animal Science, ICETA, University of Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, Apartado 55142, 4031-401 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paul J Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, and Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
| | - Fátima Gärtner
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health (i3s), Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José M Correia da Costa
- Center for the Study of Animal Science, ICETA, University of Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, Apartado 55142, 4031-401 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, INSA-National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Rua Alexandre Herculano 321, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Nuno Vale
- UCBIO/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Comparative study on the antileishmanial activities of chemically and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). 3 Biotech 2018; 8:98. [PMID: 29430360 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1121-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the antileishmanial activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) compared to chemically synthesized AgNPs. A nano dimension size (10-15 nm) biogenic AgNPs was produced and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-rays diffraction. The chemically synthesized AgNPs was recovering from our previous study with a nanoparticle (NP) size in the range of 10-40 nm. The antileishmanial activities were investigated through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide cell viability assay. The infectivity was determined by Giemsa staining of the infected macrophages cells. Nitric oxide (NO) accumulation was measured by Griess reagent using NaNO2 as a positive control. After 24 h of exposure with nanoparticles (NPs), a concentration-dependent growth inhibition was observed. The IC50 values were determined against promastigotes of L. infantum as 19.42 ± 2.76 µg/ml for leaves aqueous extract mediated AgNPs, 30.71 ± 1.91 µg/ml for stem mediated AgNPs and 51.23 ± 2.20 µg/ml for chemically synthesized AgNPs. It was also detected that all types of NPs produced NO at a significant level. However, the production of a high-level of NO in the biologically synthesized NPs activated macrophage cells, infected with L. infantum promastigotes indicates that NO radicals are mainly responsible for induced cell death and a decrease in the pathogenicity of the parasites. Since, biogenic nanoparticles are cost-effective, eco-friendly, simple to synthesize, and more effective than chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles, therefore, it could be used as a potential alternative for the development of antileishmanial drugs.
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Villanueva-Lizama LE, Cruz-Chan JV, Aguilar-Cetina ADC, Herrera-Sanchez LF, Rodriguez-Perez JM, Rosado-Vallado ME, Ramirez-Sierra MJ, Ortega-Lopez J, Jones K, Hotez P, Bottazzi ME, Dumonteil E. Trypanosoma cruzi vaccine candidate antigens Tc24 and TSA-1 recall memory immune response associated with HLA-A and -B supertypes in Chagasic chronic patients from Mexico. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006240. [PMID: 29377898 PMCID: PMC5805372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi antigens TSA-1 and Tc24 have shown promise as vaccine candidates in animal studies. We evaluated here the recall immune response these antigens induce in Chagasic patients, as a first step to test their immunogenicity in humans. We evaluated the in vitro cellular immune response after stimulation with recombinant TSA-1 (rTSA-1) or recombinant Tc24 (rTc24) in mononuclear cells of asymptomatic Chagasic chronic patients (n = 20) compared to healthy volunteers (n = 19) from Yucatan, Mexico. Proliferation assays, intracellular cytokine staining, cytometric bead arrays, and memory T cell immunophenotyping were performed by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from Chagasic patients showed significant proliferation after stimulation with rTc24 and presented a phenotype of T effector memory cells (CD45RA-CCR7-). These cells also produced IFN-γ and, to a lesser extent IL10, after stimulation with rTSA-1 and rTc24 proteins. Overall, both antigens recalled a broad immune response in some Chagasic patients, confirming that their immune system had been primed against these antigens during natural infection. Analysis of HLA-A and HLA-B allele diversity by PCR-sequencing indicated that HLA-A03 and HLA-B07 were the most frequent supertypes in this Mexican population. Also, there was a significant difference in the frequency of HLA-A01 and HLA-A02 supertypes between Chagasic patients and controls, while the other alleles were evenly distributed. Some aspects of the immune response, such as antigen-induced IFN-γ production by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD8+ proliferation, showed significant association with specific HLA-A supertypes, depending on the antigen considered. In conclusion, our results confirm the ability of both TSA-1 and Tc24 recombinant proteins to recall an immune response induced by the native antigens during natural infection in at least some patients. Our data support the further development of these antigens as therapeutic vaccine against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana E. Villanueva-Lizama
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Julio V. Cruz-Chan
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Amarú del C. Aguilar-Cetina
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Luis F. Herrera-Sanchez
- Unidad Cardiometabólica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Jose M. Rodriguez-Perez
- Departmento de biología molecular, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, México D.F, México
| | - Miguel E. Rosado-Vallado
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Maria J. Ramirez-Sierra
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Jaime Ortega-Lopez
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México D.F, México
| | - Kathryn Jones
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter Hotez
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Research Center, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
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Vakili B, Nezafat N, Hatam GR, Zare B, Erfani N, Ghasemi Y. Proteome-scale identification of Leishmania infantum for novel vaccine candidates: A hierarchical subtractive approach. Comput Biol Chem 2017; 72:16-25. [PMID: 29291591 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most significant achievements in medical science. However, vaccine design is still challenging at all stages. The selection of antigenic peptides as vaccine candidates is the first and most important step for vaccine design. Experimental selection of antigenic peptides for the design of vaccines is a time-consuming, labor-intensive and expensive procedure. More recently, in the light of computer-aided biotechnology and reverse vaccinology, the precise selection of antigenic peptides and rational vaccine design against many pathogens have developed. In this study, the whole proteome of Leishmania infantum was analyzed using a pipeline of algorithms. From the set of 8045 proteins of L. infantum, sixteen novel antigenic proteins were derived using a hierarchical proteome subtractive analysis. These novel vaccine targets can be utilized as top candidates for designing the new prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines against visceral leishmaniasis. Significantly, all the sixteen novel vaccine candidates are non-allergen antigenic proteins that have not been used for the design of vaccines against visceral leishmaniasis until now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Vakili
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Navid Nezafat
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gholam Reza Hatam
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bijan Zare
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nasrollah Erfani
- Institute for Cancer Research (ICR), School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Younes Ghasemi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Global Analysis and Optimal Control of a Periodic Visceral Leishmaniasis Model. MATHEMATICS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/math5040080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Wheat WH, Arthun EN, Spencer JS, Regan DP, Titus RG, Dow SW. Immunization against full-length protein and peptides from the Lutzomyia longipalpis sand fly salivary component maxadilan protects against Leishmania major infection in a murine model. Vaccine 2017; 35:6611-6619. [PMID: 29079105 PMCID: PMC5710984 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is an arthropod vectored disease causing considerable human morbidity and mortality. Vaccination remains the most realistic and practical means to interrupt the growing number and diversity of sand fly vectors and reservoirs of Leishmania. Since transmission of Leishmania is achieved exclusively by sand fly vectors via immune-modulating salivary substances, conventional vaccination requiring an unmodified host immune response for success are potentially destined to fail unless immunomodulatory factors are somehow neutralized. Using cationic liposome DNA complexes (CLDC) as an adjuvant system along with Lu. longipalpis sand fly salivary component maxadilan (MAX) as antigen (Ag), we show that mice are protected from the MAX-induced exacerbation of infection with Leishmania major (Lm). The CLDC adjuvant and alum were comparable in terms of lesion induration and decreased parasite burden, however the alum adjuvant imposed more inflammation at the injection site. BALB/c, C3H and C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with MAX-CLDC containing either the full-length MAX or peptides spanning the N- and C-terminal regions of MAX are protected against footpad challenges with Lm co-injected with MAX. When compared to unvaccinated controls, all strains of mice immunized with CLDC containing either peptides encompassing the first 20 N-terminal AA or those spanning the last 15 AA of the C-terminal domain of MAX demonstrated decreased parasite burden after 9 or 18 weeks post challenge with Lm + MAX. MAX-CLDC immunized mice showed increased IFNγ-secreting and decreased IL-4-secreting CD4+ cells in footpad-draining lymph nodes. Antisera from C-terminal peptide (P11) MAX-CLDC-vaccinated animals was capable of recognizing FL-MAX and its C-terminal domain and also blocked MAX-mediated reprogramming of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DC) in vitro. This peptide vaccine targeting sand fly MAX, improves host immunity against MAX-mediated immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H Wheat
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States.
| | - Erik N Arthun
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - John S Spencer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Daniel P Regan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Richard G Titus
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Steven W Dow
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
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You H, Liu C, Du X, McManus DP. Acetylcholinesterase and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Schistosomes and Other Parasitic Helminths. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22091550. [PMID: 28906438 PMCID: PMC6151654 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22091550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, which is caused by helminth trematode blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, is a serious health and economic problem in tropical areas, and the second most prevalent parasitic disease after malaria. Currently, there is no effective vaccine available and treatment is entirely dependent on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ), raising a significant potential public health threat due to the emergence of PZQ drug resistance. It is thus urgent and necessary to explore novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Previous studies demonstrated that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play important roles in the schistosome nervous system and ion channels, both of which are targeted by a number of currently approved and marketed anthelminthic drugs. To improve understanding of the functions of the cholinergic system in schistosomes, this article reviews previous studies on AChE and nAChRs in schistosomes and other helminths and discusses their potential as suitable targets for vaccine development and drug design against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Chang Liu
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
- Parasitology Laboratory, School of Animal Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Du
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia.
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Antileishmanial activity and tubulin polymerization inhibition of podophyllotoxin derivatives on Leishmania infantum. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2017; 7:272-285. [PMID: 28719882 PMCID: PMC5512185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania microtubules play an important role not only in cell division, but also in keeping the shape of the parasite and motility of its free-living stages. Microtubules result from the self-assembly of alpha and beta tubulins, two phylogenetically conserved and very abundant eukaryotic proteins in kinetoplastids. The colchicine binding domain has inspired the discovery and development of several drugs currently in clinical use against parasites. However, this domain is less conserved in kinetoplastids and may be selectively targeted by new compounds. This report shows the antileishmanial effect of several series of compounds (53), derived from podophyllotoxin (a natural cyclolignan isolated from rhizomes of Podophyllum spp.) and podophyllic aldehyde, on a transgenic, fluorescence-emitting strain of Leishmania infantum. These compounds were tested on both promastigotes and amastigote-infected mouse splenocytes, and in mammalian – mouse non-infected splenocytes and liver HepG2 cells – in order to determine selective indexes of the drugs. Results obtained with podophyllotoxin derivatives showed that the hydroxyl group at position C-7α was a structural requisite to kill the parasites. On regards podophyllic aldehyde, derivatives with C9-aldehyde group integrated into a bicyclic heterostructure displayed more potent antileishmanial effects and were relatively safe for host cells. Docking studies of podophyllotoxin and podophyllic aldehyde derivatives showed that these compounds share a similar pattern of interaction at the colchicine site of Leishmania tubulin, thus pointing to a common mechanism of action. However, the results obtained suggested that despite tubulin is a remarkable target against leishmaniasis, there is a poor correlation between inhibition of tubulin polymerization and antileishmanial effect of many of the compounds tested, fact that points to alternative pathways to kill the parasites.
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