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Avishek K, Beg MA, Vats K, Singh AK, Dey R, Singh KP, Singh RK, Gannavaram S, Ramesh V, Mulla MSA, Bhatnagar U, Singh S, Nakhasi HL, Salotra P, Selvapandiyan A. Manufacturing and preclinical toxicity of GLP grade gene deleted attenuated Leishmania donovani parasite vaccine. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14636. [PMID: 38918456 PMCID: PMC11199483 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64592-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Centrin1 gene deleted Leishmania donovani parasite (LdCen1-/-) was developed and extensively tested experimentally as an intracellular stage-specific attenuated and immunoprotective live parasite vaccine candidate ex vivo using human PBMCs and in vivo in animals. Here we report manufacturing and pre-clinical evaluation of current Good-Laboratory Practice (cGLP) grade LdCen1-/- parasites, as a prerequisite before proceeding with clinical trials. We screened three batches of LdCen1-/- parasites manufactured in bioreactors under cGLP conditions, for their consistency in genetic stability, attenuation, and safety. One such batch was preclinically tested using human PBMCs and animals (hamsters and dogs) for its safety and protective immunogenicity. The immunogenicity of the CGLP grade LdCen1-/- parasites was similar to one grown under laboratory conditions. The cGLP grade LdCen1-/- parasites were found to be safe and non-toxic in hamsters and dogs even at 3 times the anticipated vaccine dose. When PBMCs from healed visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases were infected with cGLP LdCen1-/-, there was a significant increase in the stimulation of cytokines that contribute to protective responses against VL. This effect, measured by multiplex ELISA, was greater than that observed in PBMCs from healthy individuals. These results suggest that cGLP grade LdCen1-/- manufactured under cGMP complaint conditions can be suitable for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Avishek
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Mirza A Beg
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Kavita Vats
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Avinash Kumar Singh
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Kamaleshwar P Singh
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Singh
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - V Ramesh
- Department of Dermatology and STD, ESIC Medical College, Faridabad, Haryana, 121001, India
| | | | - Upendra Bhatnagar
- Vimta Laboratories, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500051, India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, Maharashtra, 411057, India
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Poonam Salotra
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
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Zarei Z, Mohebali M, Dehghani H, Khamesipour A, Tavakkol-Afshari J, Akhoundi B, Abbaszadeh-Afshar MJ, Alizadeh Z, Skandari SE, Asl AD, Razmi GR. Live attenuated Leishmania infantum centrin deleted mutant (LiCen -/-) as a novel vaccine candidate: A field study on safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy against canine leishmaniasis. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 97:101984. [PMID: 37119594 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.101984] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of a single dose of L. infantum (LiCen-/-) live attenuated candidate vaccine against canine leishmaniasis (CanL). Eighteen healthy domestic dogs with no anti-Leishmania antibodies and negative leishmanin skin test (LST) were randomly inoculated intravenously with either L. infantum (LiCen-/-) vaccine candidate in 10 dogs or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in 8 dogs. The safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy rate of L. infantum (LiCen-/-) vaccine candidate against CanL were evaluated by different criteria, including clinical manifestations, injection-site lesion, hematology and biochemistry values, anti-Leishmania antibodies using direct agglutination test (DAT), delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) using LST, and CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells subsets, as well as by measuring interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL-23), IL-17, and IL-10 cytokines. Spleen aspiration and detection of Leishmania parasite using parasitological examinations (microscopy and culture) were performed in both vaccinated and control groups. Two months after intervention, each dog was challenged intraperitoneally (IP) with wide type (WT) L. infantum. Two-month follow-up post vaccination showed no clinical signs and serious side effects associated with the vaccination. A significant increase was found in the expression of IL-17, CD4+, and CD8+ gene transcripts in PBMCs, as well as increased levels of Th1 cytokines, and reduction of Th2 cytokine. The efficacy of the vaccine candidate was calculated to be 42.85%. While the time window for assessing the vaccine's effectiveness was too limited to draw any real conclusions but the preliminary results showed a moderate efficacy rate due to inoculation a single dose of L. infantum (LiCen-/-) vaccine candidate. Further investigations with more sample sizes and multiple doses of the vaccine candidate using natural challenges in the endemic areas of CanL are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zabihollah Zarei
- Department of Pathobiology, School Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P.O. Box 91775-1793, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran; Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hesam Dehghani
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Khamesipour
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalil Tavakkol-Afshari
- Immunogenetics and Tissue Culture Department, Immunology Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Behnaz Akhoundi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh-Afshar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Alizadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Ebrahim Skandari
- Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolhossein Dalimi Asl
- Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholam Reza Razmi
- Department of Pathobiology, School Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P.O. Box 91775-1793, Mashhad, Iran.
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Moreira POL, Nogueira PM, Monte-Neto RL. Next-Generation Leishmanization: Revisiting Molecular Targets for Selecting Genetically Engineered Live-Attenuated Leishmania. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041043. [PMID: 37110466 PMCID: PMC10145799 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research devoted to finding a vaccine against leishmaniasis, we are still lacking a safe and effective vaccine for humans. Given this scenario, the search for a new prophylaxis alternative for controlling leishmaniasis should be a global priority. Inspired by leishmanization-a first generation vaccine strategy where live L. major parasites are inoculated in the skin to protect against reinfection-live-attenuated Leishmania vaccine candidates are promising alternatives due to their robust elicited protective immune response. In addition, they do not cause disease and could provide long-term protection upon challenge with a virulent strain. The discovery of a precise and easy way to perform CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing allowed the selection of safer null mutant live-attenuated Leishmania parasites obtained by gene disruption. Here, we revisited molecular targets associated with the selection of live-attenuated vaccinal strains, discussing their function, their limiting factors and the ideal candidate for the next generation of genetically engineered live-attenuated Leishmania vaccines to control leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo O L Moreira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Paula M Nogueira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Rubens L Monte-Neto
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
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Vats K, Tandon R, Roshanara, Beg MA, Corrales RM, Yagoubat A, Reyaz E, Wani TH, Baig MS, Chaudhury A, Krishnan A, Puri N, Salotra P, Sterkers Y, Selvapandiyan A. Interaction of novel proteins, centrin4 and protein of centriole in Leishmania parasite and their effects on the parasite growth. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119416. [PMID: 36623775 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Centrins are cytoskeletal proteins associated with the centrosomes or basal bodies in the eukaryotes. We previously reported the involvement of Centrin 1-3 proteins in cell division in the protozoan parasites Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma brucei. Centrin4 and 5, unique to such parasites, had never been characterized in Leishmania parasite. In the current study, we addressed the function of centrin4 (LdCen4) in Leishmania. By dominant-negative study, the episomal expression of C-terminal truncated LdCen4 in the parasite reduced the parasite growth. LdCen4 double allele gene deletion by either homologous recombination or CRISPR-Cas9 was not successful in L. donovani. However, CRISPR-Cas9-based deletion of the homologous gene was possible in L. mexicana, which attenuated the parasite growth in vitro, but not ex vivo in the macrophages. LdCen4 also interacts with endogenous and overexpressed LdPOC protein, a homolog of centrin reacting human POC (protein of centriole) in a calcium sensitive manner. LdCen4 and LdPOC binding has also been confirmed through in silico analysis by protein structural docking and validated by co-immunoprecipitation. By immunofluorescence studies, we found that both the proteins share a common localization at the basal bodies. Thus, for the first time, this article describes novel centrin4 and its binding protein in the protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Vats
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India; Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Bio & Nano Technology Centre, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, India; MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Rati Tandon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Roshanara
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Mirza A Beg
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Rosa M Corrales
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Akila Yagoubat
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Enam Reyaz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Tasaduq H Wani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Mirza S Baig
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Ashok Chaudhury
- Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Bio & Nano Technology Centre, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, India
| | - Anuja Krishnan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Niti Puri
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Poonam Salotra
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
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The Use of an Adjuvant System Improves Innate and Adaptive Immune Response When Associated with a Leishmania ( Viannia) braziliensis Antigen in a Vaccine Candidate against L. ( Leishmania) infantum Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020395. [PMID: 36851272 PMCID: PMC9962147 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020395] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adjuvants' optimal dose and the administration route can directly influence the epitope recognition patterns and profiles of innate response. We aimed to establish the effect and the optimal dose of adjuvant systems for proposing a vaccine candidate to be employed with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. METHODS We evaluated the adjuvants saponin (SAP), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and resiquimod (R-848) isolated and combined as adjuvant systems in a lower dose corresponding to 25%, 33%, and 50% of each adjuvant total dose. Male outbred BALB/c mice were divided into 13 groups, SAP, MPL, and R-848 isolated, and the adjuvant systems SAP plus MPL (SM), SAP plus R-848 (SR), and MPL plus R-848 (MR). RESULTS SM50 increased levels of all chemokines analyzed and TNF production, while it presented an increased inflammatory cell infiltrate in the skin with macrophage recruitment. Thus, we proposed a vaccine candidate employing L. (V.) braziliensis antigen associated with the SM adjuvant system against experimental L. (Leishmania) infantum challenge. We observed a significant increase in the frequency of cells expressing the central and effector memory CD4+ T cells phenotype in immunized mice with the LBSM50. In the liver, there was a decreased parasite load when mice received LBSM50. CONCLUSIONS When combined with L. (V.) braziliensis antigen, SM50 increases TNF and IFN-γ, which generates central and effector memory CD4+ T cells. Therefore, using an adjuvant system can promote an effective innate immune response with the potential to compose future vaccines.
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Selvapandiyan A, Puri N, Kumar P, Alam A, Ehtesham NZ, Griffin G, Hasnain SE. Zooming in on common immune evasion mechanisms of pathogens in phagolysosomes: potential broad-spectrum therapeutic targets against infectious diseases. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:6780197. [PMID: 36309472 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular viral, bacterial, or parasitic pathogens evade the host immune challenges to propagate and cause fatal diseases. The microbes overpower host immunity at various levels including during entry into host cells, phagosome formation, phagosome maturation, phagosome-lysosome fusion forming phagolysosomes, acidification of phagolysosomes, and at times after escape into the cytosol. Phagolysosome is the final organelle in the phagocyte with sophisticated mechanisms to degrade the pathogens. The immune evasion strategies by the pathogens include the arrest of host cell apoptosis, decrease in reactive oxygen species, the elevation of Th2 anti-inflammatory response, avoidance of autophagy and antigen cross-presentation pathways, and escape from phagolysosomal killing. Since the phagolysosome organelle in relation to infection/cure is seldom discussed in the literature, we summarize here the common host as well as pathogen targets manipulated or utilized by the pathogens established in phagosomes and phagolysosomes, to hijack the host immune system for their benefit. These common molecules or pathways can be broad-spectrum therapeutic targets for drug development for intervention against infectious diseases caused by different intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Niti Puri
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India.,Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States
| | - Anwar Alam
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India.,Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Nasreen Zafar Ehtesham
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - George Griffin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, St. George's University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India.,Department of Life Science, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida, 201310, India
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7
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Augusto Sanches Roque G, Esteves Zorgi N, Janaína Soares Rocha F, Flóro E Silva M, Fernanda Araújo T, Ruiz Abánades D, Giorgio S. Evaluation of prime and prime-boost immunization strategies in BALB/c mice inoculated with Leishmania infantum transfected with toxic plasmids. Vaccine 2022; 40:4105-4115. [PMID: 35660330 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.05.063] [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: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The etiologic agents of visceral leishmaniasis are Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani. Despite the variety of drugs available to treat leishmaniasis, most lead to serious adverse effects, and resistance to these drugs has been reported. Currently, no leishmaniasis vaccine is available for humans. That is why the group developed transgenic L. infantum promastigote lines, which express toxic proteins after differentiation into amastigotes. That is why group developed the pFL-AMA plasmid and transfected it into L. Infantum promastigotes. This plasmid was expressed only in the amastigote form of the parasite. Sequences encoding toxic proteins (active bovine trypsin and egg avidin) were inserted in this plasmid, and the transfected parasites died after the differentiation process. In this study, two immunization protocols were performed in BALB/c mice: prime and prime-boost immunization prior to challenge with the wild-type L. infantum (WT). The parasite burdens in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow were evaluated to verify immunological protection. Histopathological analysis of the spleen and liver and the humoral immune response were also performed. The data showed that the parasite burden was reduced in prime-boosted mice in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, indicating that mice immunized with two doses of the transfected parasites were satisfactorily protected. High levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies were observed, as well as the presence of anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukine-10 and pro-inflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interferon-γ (IFN - γ) suggesting a Th1/Th2 mix response, in addition to the presence of multinucleated giant cells in the spleen and lymphocyte infiltration in the liver. Therefore, L. infantum transfected with a toxic plasmid is an excellent vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniasis and the application of a boost before the challenge promotes greater protection against WT L. infantum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nahiara Esteves Zorgi
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marina Flóro E Silva
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thalita Fernanda Araújo
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Ruiz Abánades
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Selma Giorgio
- Animal Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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The History of Live Attenuated Centrin Gene-Deleted Leishmania Vaccine Candidates. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040431. [PMID: 35456106 PMCID: PMC9025045 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, caused by an infection of the Leishmania protozoa, is a neglected tropical disease and a major health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with approximately 350 million people worldwide at risk and 2 million new cases occurring annually. Current treatments for leishmaniasis are not highly efficacious and are associated with high costs, especially in low- and middle-income endemic countries, and high toxicity. Due to a surge in the incidence of leishmaniases worldwide, the development of new strategies such as a prophylactic vaccine has become a high priority. However, the ability of Leishmania to undermine immune recognition has limited our efforts to design safe and efficacious vaccines against leishmaniasis. Numerous antileishmanial vaccine preparations based on DNA, subunit, and heat-killed parasites with or without adjuvants have been tried in several animal models but very few have progressed beyond the experimental stage. However, it is known that people who recover from Leishmania infection can be protected lifelong against future infection, suggesting that a successful vaccine requires a controlled infection to develop immunologic memory and subsequent long-term immunity. Live attenuated Leishmania parasites that are non-pathogenic and provide a complete range of antigens similarly to their wild-type counterparts could evoke such memory and, thus, would be effective vaccine candidates. Our laboratory has developed several live attenuated Leishmania vaccines by targeted centrin gene disruptions either by homologous recombination or, more recently, by using genome editing technologies involving CRISPR-Cas9. In this review, we focused on the sequential history of centrin gene-deleted Leishmania vaccine development, along with the characterization of its safety and efficacy. Further, we discussed other major considerations regarding the transition of dermotropic live attenuated centrin gene-deleted parasites from the laboratory to human clinical trials.
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9
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Volpedo G, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Holcomb EA, Zhang WW, Lypaczewski P, Cox B, Fultz R, Mishan C, Verma C, Huston RH, Wharton AR, Dey R, Karmakar S, Oghumu S, Hamano S, Gannavaram S, Nakhasi HL, Matlashewski G, Satoskar AR. Centrin-deficient Leishmania mexicana confers protection against New World cutaneous leishmaniasis. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:32. [PMID: 35236861 PMCID: PMC8891280 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00449-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected protozoan disease affecting over 12 million people globally with no approved vaccines for human use. New World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. mexicana is characterized by the development of chronic non-healing skin lesions. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we have generated live attenuated centrin knockout L. mexicana (LmexCen-/-) parasites. Centrin is a cytoskeletal protein important for cellular division in eukaryotes and, in Leishmania, is required only for intracellular amastigote replication. We have investigated the safety and immunogenicity characteristics of LmexCen-/- parasites by evaluating their survival and the cytokine production in bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. Our data shows that LmexCen-/- amastigotes present a growth defect, which results in significantly lower parasitic burdens and increased protective cytokine production in infected BMDMs and BMDCs, compared to the wild type (WT) parasites. We have also determined the safety and efficacy of LmexCen-/- in vivo using experimental murine models of L. mexicana. We demonstrate that LmexCen-/- parasites are safe and do not cause lesions in susceptible mouse models. Immunization with LmexCen-/- is also efficacious against challenge with WT L. mexicana parasites in genetically different BALB/c and C57BL/6 mouse models. Vaccinated mice did not develop cutaneous lesions, displayed protective immunity, and showed significantly lower parasitic burdens at the infection site and draining lymph nodes compared to the control group. Overall, we demonstrate that LmexCen-/- parasites are safe and efficacious against New World cutaneous leishmaniasis in pre-clinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Erin A Holcomb
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Wen-Wei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Blake Cox
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Rebecca Fultz
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Chelsea Mishan
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Chaitenya Verma
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Ryan H Huston
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Abigail R Wharton
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Subir Karmakar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Steve Oghumu
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Shinjiro Hamano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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10
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Khatonier R, Ahmed G, Sarmah P, Narain K, Khan AM. Immunomodulatory role of Th17 pathway in experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Immunobiology 2021; 226:152148. [PMID: 34773853 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2021.152148] [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: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar is a vector borne protozoan infection caused by Leishmania donovani in the Indian subcontinent mainly India, Nepal and Bangladesh. It is a major public health problem in these countries mostly affecting the socio-economically poor population. Leishmaniasis ranks the third most important disease after malaria and filariasis but is still considered as one of the neglected tropical diseases of the world. For development of better therapeutic agents and effective vaccine against VL, there is a need to understand host immunological changes that play a vital role during course of infection. Therefore, we investigated the role of Th17 pathway in Balb/c mice during Leishmania donovani infection and treatment with amphotericin B. Mice were divided in four groups i.e. Control, Infected, Uninfected treated and Infected treated. The cytokine levels were estimated in the spleen of Balb/c mice on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 17, 21, 28, 35, 45 and 60 post infection and during course of treatment. The mRNA levels of the Th17 pathway during active Leishmania donovani infection and after treatment were determined by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein levels by flow cytometry and ELISA. Results of our study revealed that active infection was associated with low levels of Th17 cytokines IL-17, IL-22 and IL-23 and elevated levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TGF-β. Amphotericin B treatment restored production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IL-22. The levels of transcription factor RORγt were found to correlate with the levels of IL-17 during infection and also after chemotherapy whereas STAT3 levels were elevated during infection and vice versa after treatment. The findings of this study suggest that Th17 cytokines IL-17 and IL-22 are associated with protection against VL infection and development of any interventions or chemotherapeutic agents targeting Th17 pathway could be an important approach for VL treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmita Khatonier
- ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, North-eastern Region, Post Box No-105, Dibrugarh 786001, Assam, India
| | - Giasuddin Ahmed
- Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Pallab Sarmah
- ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, North-eastern Region, Post Box No-105, Dibrugarh 786001, Assam, India
| | - Kanwar Narain
- ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, North-eastern Region, Post Box No-105, Dibrugarh 786001, Assam, India
| | - Abdul Mabood Khan
- Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases (ECD), Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.
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11
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Zhang WW, Karmakar S, Gannavaram S, Dey R, Lypaczewski P, Ismail N, Siddiqui A, Simonyan V, Oliveira F, Coutinho-Abreu IV, DeSouza-Vieira T, Meneses C, Oristian J, Serafim TD, Musa A, Nakamura R, Saljoughian N, Volpedo G, Satoskar M, Satoskar S, Dagur PK, McCoy JP, Kamhawi S, Valenzuela JG, Hamano S, Satoskar AR, Matlashewski G, Nakhasi HL. A second generation leishmanization vaccine with a markerless attenuated Leishmania major strain using CRISPR gene editing. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3461. [PMID: 32651371 PMCID: PMC7351751 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17154-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania protozoa transmitted by infected sand flies. Vaccination through leishmanization with live Leishmania major has been used successfully but is no longer practiced because it resulted in occasional skin lesions. A second generation leishmanization is described here using a CRISPR genome edited L. major strain (LmCen-/-). Notably, LmCen-/- is a genetically engineered centrin gene knock-out mutant strain that is antibiotic resistant marker free and does not have detectable off-target mutations. Mice immunized with LmCen-/- have no visible lesions following challenge with L. major-infected sand flies, while non-immunized animals develop large and progressive lesions with a 2-log fold higher parasite burden. LmCen-/- immunization results in protection and an immune response comparable to leishmanization. LmCen-/- is safe since it is unable to cause disease in immunocompromised mice, induces robust host protection against vector sand fly challenge and because it is marker free, can be advanced to human vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Subir Karmakar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Nevien Ismail
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Abid Siddiqui
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Vahan Simonyan
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Iliano V Coutinho-Abreu
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Thiago DeSouza-Vieira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Claudio Meneses
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - James Oristian
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Tiago D Serafim
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Abu Musa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan and Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Risa Nakamura
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan and Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Noushin Saljoughian
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Greta Volpedo
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Monika Satoskar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio, 44272, USA
| | - Sanika Satoskar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio, 44272, USA
| | - Pradeep K Dagur
- National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA
| | - J Philip McCoy
- National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Jesus G Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Shinjiro Hamano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan and Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA.
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12
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Jha MK, Rao SJ, Sarode AY, Saha B, Kar A, Pal JK. A Leishmania donovani dominant-negative mutant for eIF2α kinase LdeK1 elicits host-protective immune response. Parasite Immunol 2019; 42:e12678. [PMID: 31610026 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dominant-negative mutation of LdeK1 gene, an eIF2α kinase from Leishmania donovani, revealed its role in translation regulation in response to nutrient starvation earlier. However, whether the kinase influences the infectivity of the parasites which naturally encounters nutrient deprivation during its life cycle was interesting to investigate. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments resulted in decrease of the parasite burden in peritoneal macrophages and in splenic/ hepatic load, respectively. An insight into the immune response of mice infected with mutant parasite showed enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide levels but reduced TH 2 and Treg population. The significantly reduced loss of infectivity of the parasites lacking a functional LdeK1 by modulating the immune response towards host protection makes it a potential vaccine candidate against Leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shilpa J Rao
- Genetics Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | | | - Bhaskar Saha
- National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India.,Trident Academy of Creative Technology, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Anita Kar
- Genetics Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Jayanta K Pal
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, India
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13
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A Laboratory Strain of Leishmania major: Protective Effects on Experimental Leishmaniasis. Acta Parasitol 2019; 64:645-651. [PMID: 31111360 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00068-2] [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: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Leishmaniasis, as one of the most important vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, can be seen in different forms and is more prevalent in developing countries worldwide. Due to the absence of effective strategies in its prevention, treatment, and control, investigation of effective control strategies against the disease is necessary. In this research, we evaluated the immunogenicity of a cold-adapted laboratory strain of Leishmania major (LMC) in the mouse model. METHODS Twenty BALB/c mice were divided into two groups. LMC group received 4 × 106 of LMC strain in 0.5 ml DMEM, and VLM group, as the control group, received 0.5 ml Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. Both groups were challenged with virulent L. major 3 weeks after inoculation. RESULTS The data obtained from the analysis of immune responses and histopathological changes interestingly revealed protection against L. major in immunized mice. Compared with the VLM group, the mice immunized with LMC strain of L. major in the LMC group showed a significant increase in IFN-γ and IgG2a levels (P < 0.05) which are important indexes for Th1-related immune responses. Additionally, significant differences in concentration of IgG1 and IgG total before and after the challenge was observed in LMC group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the immunized mice showed a significant reduction in mean sizes of skin lesion and liver damage compared to the VLM group. CONCLUSION Based on the present findings on immunogenicity of LMC strain, it seems this strain is able to induce both humoral and cellular immunity and a significant protection against L. major in the mouse model.
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Leishmania major p27 gene knockout as a novel live attenuated vaccine candidate: Protective immunity and efficacy evaluation against cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. Vaccine 2019; 37:3221-3228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.04.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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15
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Avishek K, Ahuja K, Pradhan D, Gannavaram S, Selvapandiyan A, Nakhasi HL, Salotra P. A Leishmania-specific gene upregulated at the amastigote stage is crucial for parasite survival. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3215-3228. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6020-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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16
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Growth arrested live-attenuated Leishmania infantum KHARON1 null mutants display cytokinesis defect and protective immunity in mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11627. [PMID: 30072701 PMCID: PMC6072785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30076-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There is no safe and efficacious vaccine against human leishmaniasis available and live attenuated vaccines have been used as a prophylactic alternative against the disease. In order to obtain an attenuated Leishmania parasite for vaccine purposes, we generated L. infantum KHARON1 (KH1) null mutants (ΔLikh1). This gene was previously associated with growth defects in L. mexicana. ΔLikh1 was obtained and confirmed by PCR, qPCR and Southern blot. We also generate a KH1 complemented line with the introduction of episomal copies of KH1. Although ΔLikh1 promastigote forms exhibited a growth pattern similar to the wild-type line, they differ in morphology without affecting parasite viability. L. infantum KH1-deficient amastigotes were unable to sustain experimental infection in macrophages, forming multinucleate cells which was confirmed by in vivo attenuation phenotype. The cell cycle analysis of ΔLikh1 amastigotes showed arrested cells at G2/M phase. ΔLikh1-immunized mice presented reduced parasite burden upon challenging with virulent L. infantum, when compared to naïve mice. An effect associated with increased Li SLA-specific IgG serum levels and IL-17 production. Thus, ΔLikh1 parasites present an infective-attenuated phenotype due to a cytokinesis defect, whereas it induces immunity against visceral leishmaniasis in mouse model, being a candidate for antileishmanial vaccine purposes.
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17
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Ahuja K, Beg MA, Sharma R, Saxena A, Naqvi N, Puri N, Rai PK, Chaudhury A, Duncan R, Salotra P, Nakhasi H, Selvapandiyan A. A novel signal sequence negative multimeric glycosomal protein required for cell cycle progression of Leishmania donovani parasites. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1865:1148-1159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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18
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Banerjee A, Bhattacharya P, Joshi AB, Ismail N, Dey R, Nakhasi HL. Role of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 in Leishmania pathogenesis and in protective immunity by Leishmania vaccines. Cell Immunol 2016; 309:37-41. [PMID: 27444130 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The clinical outcome of Leishmania pathogenesis ranges from active skin lesions to fatal visceral dissemination and severely impaired T cell immunity. It is well established that a strong Th1 immune response is protective against cutaneous forms of the disease, however a mixed Th1/Th2 response is most commonly observed against visceral infections as evident from previous studies. Aside from Th1/Th2 cytokines, the pro-inflammatory IL-17 cytokine family plays an important role in the clearance of intracellular pathogens. In Leishmania induced skin lesions, IL-17 produced by Th17 cells is shown to exacerbate the disease, suggesting a role in pathogenesis. However, a protective role for IL-17 is indicated by the expansion of IL-17 producing cells in vaccine-induced immunity. In human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) it has been demonstrated that IL-17 and IL-22 are associated with protection against re-exposure to Leishmania, which further suggests the involvement of IL-17 in vaccine induced protective immunity. Although there is no vaccine against any form of leishmaniasis, the development of genetically modified live attenuated parasites as vaccine candidates prove to be promising, as they successfully induce a robust protective immune response in various animal models. However, the role of IL-17 producing cells and Th17 cells in response to these vaccine candidates remains unexplored. In this article, we review the role of IL-17 in Leishmania pathogenesis and the potential impact on vaccine induced immunity, with a special focus on live attenuated Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antara Banerjee
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Amritanshu B Joshi
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Nevien Ismail
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
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19
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Srivastava S, Shankar P, Mishra J, Singh S. Possibilities and challenges for developing a successful vaccine for leishmaniasis. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:277. [PMID: 27175732 PMCID: PMC4866332 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1553-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by different species of protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. It is a major health problem yet neglected tropical diseases, with approximately 350 million people worldwide at risk and more than 1.5 million infections occurring each year. Leishmaniasis has different clinical manifestations, including visceral (VL or kala-azar), cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (MCL), diffuse cutaneous (DCL) and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Currently, the only mean to treat and control leishmaniasis is by rational medications and vector control. However, the number of available drugs is limited and even these are either exorbitantly priced, have toxic side effects or prove ineffective due to the emergence of resistant strains. On the other hand, the vector control methods are not so efficient. Therefore, there is an urgent need for developing a safe, effective, and affordable vaccine for the prevention of leishmaniasis. Although in recent years a large body of researchers has concentrated their efforts on this issue, yet only three vaccine candidates have gone for clinical trial, until date. These are: (i) killed vaccine in Brazil for human immunotherapy; (ii) live attenuated vaccine for humans in Uzbekistan; and (iii) second-generation vaccine for dog prophylaxis in Brazil. Nevertheless, there are at least half a dozen vaccine candidates in the pipeline. One can expect that, in the near future, the understanding of the whole genome of Leishmania spp. will expand the vaccine discovery and strategies that may provide novel vaccines. The present review focuses on the development and the status of various vaccines and potential vaccine candidates against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Srivastava
- Division of Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Prem Shankar
- Division of Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Jyotsna Mishra
- Division of Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sarman Singh
- Division of Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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20
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Reed SG, Coler RN, Mondal D, Kamhawi S, Valenzuela JG. Leishmania vaccine development: exploiting the host-vector-parasite interface. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 15:81-90. [PMID: 26595093 PMCID: PMC6019289 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2016.1105135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, fatal if untreated, and with no available human vaccine. In rodents, cellular immunity to Leishmania parasite proteins as well as salivary proteins of the sand fly is associated with protection, making them worthy targets for further exploration as vaccines. This review discusses the notion that a combination vaccine including Leishmania and vector salivary antigens may improve vaccine efficacy by targeting the parasite at its most vulnerable stage just after transmission. Furthermore, we put forward the notion that better modeling of natural transmission is needed to test efficacy of vaccines. For example, the fact that individuals living in endemic areas are exposed to sand fly bites and will mount an immune response to salivary proteins should be considered in pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of leishmaniasis vaccines. Nevertheless, despite remaining obstacles there is good reason to be optimistic that safe and effective vaccines against leishmaniasis can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Reed
- a Infectious Disease Research Institute , Seattle WA , USA
- b Department of Global Health , University of Washington , Seattle WA , USA
| | - R N Coler
- a Infectious Disease Research Institute , Seattle WA , USA
- b Department of Global Health , University of Washington , Seattle WA , USA
| | - D Mondal
- c International Center for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Centre for Nutrition and Food Security , Parasitology Laboratory , Dhaka , Bangladesh
| | - S Kamhawi
- d Vector Molecular Biology Section, LMVR , National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH , Rockville , MD , USA
| | - J G Valenzuela
- d Vector Molecular Biology Section, LMVR , National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH , Rockville , MD , USA
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21
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Abstract
Protozoan parasites Leishmania donovani (family: Trypanosomatidae) cause fatal visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and the infection relapses in apparently cured population as post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in the Indian subcontinent. In recent years co-infection of another Trypanosomatid parasite Leptomonas with L. donovani during VL/PKDL in this region has become prominent. The observation of clinically lesser-known insect parasite, Leptomonas in leishmaniasis is intriguing to researchers. The presence of Leishmania look alike Leptomonas in the cultures of clinical isolates of Leishmania has been worrisome to those, who prefer to work with pure Leishmania cultures for drug and vaccine development or immune response studies. The exact implications of such a co-habitation, which might lead to a delay in the diagnostics of VL and elevate mortality, need a thorough investigation. Also whether Leptomonas is involved in leishmaniasis manifestation needs to be ascertained. Thus we are currently witnessing a new paradigm of a parasitic co-infection in VL/PKDL cases in India and this review outlines various opportunities for further research in understanding such emerging co-infection.
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22
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Sánchez-Valdéz FJ, Pérez Brandán C, Ferreira A, Basombrío MÁ. Gene-deleted live-attenuated Trypanosoma cruzi parasites as vaccines to protect against Chagas disease. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 14:681-97. [PMID: 25496192 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.989989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This illness is now becoming global, mainly due to congenital transmission, and so far, there are no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines available to either prevent or treat Chagas disease. Therefore, different approaches aimed at identifying new protective immunogens are urgently needed. Live vaccines are likely to be more efficient in inducing protection, but safety issues linked with their use have been raised. The development of improved protozoan genetic manipulation tools and genomic and biological information has helped to increase the safety of live vaccines. These advances have generated a renewed interest in the use of genetically attenuated parasites as vaccines against Chagas disease. This review discusses the protective capacity of genetically attenuated parasite vaccines and the challenges and perspectives for the development of an effective whole-parasite Chagas disease vaccine.
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